InQuire Issue 12.8

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2 December 2016

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www.InQuireLive.co.uk

InQuire The University of Kent’s student newspaper

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Issue 12.8

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A Year to Remember

Pantomime Season ...Oh Yes It Is!

Winter Warmers and Festive Favourites Lifestyle Page 14

Culture Page 24

Entertainment Page 21

Reflecting School of Music and Fine Art to close on

By Freddy Clarke The Dockyard has seen the each year, has never been better all its students in SMFA that, Writer University pour millions of than minus 800k. Within the whatever the outcome of these into redevelopment faculty plan it is clear that the proposals, they will continue Transgender his week the University of pounds over the years. New additions to strength of other schools, such to receive the highest quality Kent has announced that it the historic site include the Kent as Arts, History and SECL, has teaching and supervision until Awareness T is proposing stop recruitment Business School (Medway) and made it possible to keep SMFA the end of their studies.” to undergraduate and a 316-seat lecture theatre in the open.

In response Kent Union have Week postgraduate courses in Event Royal Dockyard Church.

In a statement the University has issued a statement expressing

By Connor Sturges Writer

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lthough there is no entirely reliable statistic, the Equality and Human Rights Commission estimates there are now between 300,000 and 500,000 Trans individuals in the UK. However, mainstream media coverage on Trans issues is often infrequent, and the issues often appear to be left aside.

Recent decades have put more emphasis on bringing Trans issues to the forefront of society however, with the introduction of Transgender Awareness Week, this year held between November 14th-20th, culminating in the Transgender Day of Remembrance, where all those who have taken their own lives or been victims of fatal transphobia are remembered.

The University of Kent’s website outlines their direction on tackling Transphobia and their efforts regarding a move towards complete social inclusion for the Trans community. The Union hopes to ‘foster cultural and policy change to advocate for LGBT+ people and their supporters’, and has several support services such as a peer-support group run by students who identify as non-binary. There is also an e-module of Trans Awareness, produced with the University’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity Team Continued on page 3

and Experience Design, Fine Art, Popular Music and Music.

This would result in the closure of the School of Music and Fine Art (SMFA) by July 2019.

SMFA is based close to the Universities Medway Campus in the Old Surgery at Chatham Historic Dockyard.

Outlined in the 2016 Humanities Faculty Plan, it does make it clear that SMFA was under review after it was projected that over the next three academic years it would make a deficit of over £3m. The 2016/17 deficit is around £1m£1.1, and the annual deficit,

Page 4: Interview with Dr Simon Kirchin, Dean of Humanities, about the recent decision to close SMFA

Photo by University of Kent

said “These proposals have been made as, despite its best efforts and its ongoing commitment to the arts, the University has not been able to recruit enough students onto these courses to make them financially viable.

“The University has made a fundamental commitment to

their concern over the decision “We believe that the University should consider all possible options that would create a future for the School of Music and Fine Art, ensuring that the creative arts have a long term place on the Medway campus.”

Continued on page 4

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Friday 2 December 2016 InQuire

News 2016/2017

Print and online editorial contacts: Editor-in-Chief

Dementia leading Union condemns cause of death rise in tuition fees

By Jo Buckley Writer

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editor @inquiremedia.co.uk

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Newspaper Editor Camille Lalancette

newspaper.editor @inquiremedia.co.uk

Website Editor

Max Beckett

website.editor @inquiremedia.co.uk

News

Daria Istayeva

Newspaper News Editor

newspaper.news@inquiremedia.co.uk

Wesley Triffitt

Website News Editor

website.news@inquiremedia.co.uk

Opinion

Sunny Singh

Newspaper Opinion Editor

newspaper.opinion@inquiremedia.co.uk

Alex Miller

Website Opinion Editor

website.opinion@inquiremedia.co.uk

Lifestyle

Manon Charles

Newspaper Lifestyle Editor

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Saga Rad

Website Lifestyle Editor

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Entertainment

Bryony Jewell

Newspaper Entertainment Editor

newspaper.entertainment @inquiremedia.co.uk

Katherine Payne

Website Entertainment Editor website.entertainment @inquiremedia.co.uk

Culture

Eleanor Weaver

Newspaper Arts Editor

newspaper.culture@inquiremedia.co.uk

auline Manfredini, 73, recently went missing in the Canterbury area. The dementia sufferer survived death by inches after three nights in a roadside ditch in sub-zero temperatures. Pauline was eventually found by police and has now been taken to hospital for treatment.

Dementia has become the leading cause of death in England and Wales, per the Office for National Statistics (ONS). In fact, deaths registered in England and Wales said that 11.6% of all deaths could be accounted for by dementia.

There are many known causes of dementia, the most common types are when the brain is damaged by diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease or a series of strokes. Symptoms include: memory loss, difficulties with thinking, problem-solving or languages and even changes in mood and behaviour. There are currently around 850,000 people with dementia in the UK. However, the number could rise to over one million by 2025, this is mainly contributed to an aging population. Although, there are estimated to be at least 42,000 younger people living with dementia in the UK. With the growing numbers

Sport

Karisma Indra

Newspaper Sport Editor

newspaper.sport@inquiremedia.co.uk

Jack Hsuan

Website Sports Editor

website.sport@inquiremedia.co.uk

Photography Rylie Trott

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Events

Ellesse Cook

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Distribution Chloe Burke

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By Max Beckett Website Editor

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n email sent to all UKC students this afternoon, Kent Union has criticised the University for its announcement that it intends to “increase tuition fees next academic year for continuing Home/EU Undergraduate students who joined the University in or after September 2015.”

Union President Rory Murray, who signed off the email, said that the Union is “incredibly disappointed”, and that they believe putting up fees is “a mistake.” Kent Union were able to challenge the University on the increase of tuition fees for students who started before September 2015, but did not succeed in persuading them to implement the same changes for people going into their First, Second and Third Years in September 2017.

In the email, the majority of the blame is placed upon “the Government’s continued marketisation of higher

education”, aligning the decision with consumerism rather than tuition. “Students entered a moral contract with the University”, said Rory, and the hike in fees has been described as a breach of it.

Despite the news, Kent Union plan on fighting this decision even further. With “the best interests of you” at heart, the Union has emplored all UKC students to join its efforts by encouraging the lobbing all local MPs around the country to limit the effects of this decision as much as possible.

The University has reasoned its decision with an email sent

by Jane Higham, Director of Finance “Since the £9,000 fee level was introduced in 2012, it has not been maintained in line with inflation to reflect the rising costs universities face in providing high-quality education.

“We feel that the increased fee represents excellent value and allows us to build on our existing reputation as a leading UK university.”

Kent’s Honourary Degree Recipients

Vacancy

Website Arts Editor website.culture@inquiremedia.co.uk

of dementia sufferers, it is more imperative than ever that solutions be found. Some scientists have recently focused on treating people’s symptoms as opposed to the disease. A new trial drug, Aducanumab, has emerged and offers hope, particularly those with mild symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, new research suggests that regular, good quality sleep throughout life may powerfully prevent the accumulation of amyloid in the brain.

There are a number for charities that offer advice and support for the disease, the leading dementia charity being the Alzheimer’s Society which is a research charity that offers UK care for people with the disease, families and carers. DementiaUK is another national charity that aims to improve the quality of life for people with dementia.

It provides training for those working with dementia and runs Uniting Carers, a network for people to access the support they need.

The advances in medical science has enabled people with dementia to lead more fulfilling lives, the focus now needs to turn on recruiting more carers and funding resources so incidents like that of Pauline Manfredini do not occur again.

By Alex Miller Website Opinion Editor

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iver Monsters presenter Jeremy Wade (pictured), political cartoonist David Horsey, theatre director Thomas Ostermeier and conductor Brian Wright have received honorary degrees from the university at this month’s graduation ceremonies.

Canterbury Cathedral saw the celebration of David Horsey, Thomas Ostermeier and Brian Wright’s work on 18 November whilst Jeremy Wade received his degree at a ceremony at Rochester Cathedral on 16 November.

Wade studied Zoology at Bristol before completing a postgraduate teaching certificate in biological sciences

at UKC and has received a Doctor of Science degree for his extensive work in the field of biology. The hit-show River

Monsters is now in its ninth year of filming and Wade was the first person ever to capture an Amazonian creature dubbed ‘the Amazon Nessie’ on film along with the ‘Giant Devil Catfish’ of India.

Two-time Pulitzer Prize winning editorial cartoonist and columnist, David Horsey, received a Doctor of Letters degree for his work for the L.A Times and hundreds of other media outlets. The American born journalist studied at UKC as a Rotary Foundation Scholar between 1995 and 1996.

Ostermeier collaborated with Peter M. Boenisch, professor of European Theatre at UKC, to co-author a book about himself published this year and currently works at the Schaubühne in Berlin which

is affiliated with the European Theatre Research Network which was founded at UKC in 2007. Received a doctor of Arts degree earlier this month.

Brian Wright, born in Kent, accepted an honorary doctorate for music for his work conducting the London Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Concert Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Philharmonia and the London Philharmonic. Wright was Music Director at the highly regarded Maidstone Symphony Orchestra.

This month’s honorary degree recipients join the likes of many who have received the accolade, such as ex-European Council President Herman Van Rumpoy and the comedian Sandi Toksvig.

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InQuire Friday 2 December 2016

University ranked 2:2 for environmental and ethical performance

By Daria Istayeva Newspaper News Editor

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he University of Kent is given a low rating of 2:2 and is placed 84th in the country according to the new league table results. The People & Planet University League is the only comprehensive and independent league table for UK Universities ranked annually by environmental and ethical performance. To compile the league, the information was collected from the University’s website and from the published records of the higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), Estates Management Record (EMR) and other independent and external verification agencies.

The University scored 20% in section 5 which focuses on carbon management. The University lacked in information regarding their carbon management plan and targets to reduce carbon emissions.

University scored 15% in section 10, which assesses whether the University is “behaving

responsibly to those it employs and those who work in its supply chain”. According to the league table, the University failed to be accredited a Living Wage employer. Section 7 on sustainable food scored a shocking 0%.

According to this category, the University of Kent failed to continuously improve in sustainable food across university catering outlets and conference services.

Additionally, the University food outlets are missing the Marine Stewardship Council Certification that ensures traceability of sustainable fish.

Other low-ranked sections within the League

include; human resources for sustainability, education for sustainable development, energy sources 2016 and water reduction.

When approached, Kent Union VP Welfare, Clara Lee made the following statement: “It is disappointing to see Kent has scored poorly in this league, because our students are increasingly concerned by environmental and sustainability issues. I’d like to see the University more committed to improving its work in this area, and engaging students in their environmental projects. With the significant amount of building work taking place at the University, we have the opportunity to ensure that our future Kent campuses have a more positive impact on the environment.”

The University were approached for a comment but at time of writing have not yet sent a response. A copy of the Universities environmental policy can be found here www. kent.ac.uk/safety/env/pages/ env-policy-2014.html

News

What ever happened to Staples?

By Ellesse Cooke Events Coordinator

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question UK customers may soon be asking as the stationary chain announces the sale of their UK branch to Hilco Capital, a company that buys up struggling companies, restructures them and attempts put them back on their feet. Their priors include Littlewoods, Peacocks and Clintons, the latter two suffering several store closures around the UK as a result. It has been reported that while Staples is less likely to suffer significant closures, the name itself may be phased out in the UK within months.

So why is Staples in such trouble? While some media outlets have pointed to a decline on demand for “office basics”, with more and more shoppers turning to the web, there is something to be said for the continual rise of supermarket

chains selling their own stationary. Not only is it easier to pick up a notebook at the same time as your weekly shop, higher profit margins allow the stores to keep prices low and quality relatively high.

But the final nail in the coffin resulted after Staples’ attempts to merge with fellow US retailer Office Depot proved fruitless.

Of course, this still poses the question of where Staples’ UK employees stand. One such employee, who wished to remain nameless, had this to say“Nothing has been confirmed but we’ve been told there is a good chance we won’t lose our jobs.” At the very least, there is some hope. If Hilco can restore the company to it’s former glory, they’ll be saving thousands of jobs around the UK. But if this uncertainty continues much longer, Staples may be set to lose more employees than planned.

Kent’s Transgender Awareness Week Continued from front igures vary, although it is typically agreed that more than half of all Trans individuals attempt suicide in their lifetime. This is largely due to the confusion and struggle being Transsexual can ensue, and the effect of often horrific Transphobia.

The Independent this year claimed that Transphobic hate crime had risen by 170% in 5 years, from 215 reported cases in 2011 to a record 582 in 2015, varying from sexual assault to verbal abuse. These figures greatly misrepresent the issue of Transphobia nationally however, as a large majority are never reported.

This year saw Kent organise a number of events aimed at highlighting Trans Awareness.

Those unaware of the issues faced by the Trans community had the chance to attend

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educational events and talks such as Dr Mark McBrideWright’s Wednesday lecture and a talk given by Kent’s first Trans Officer Zeke Graubart, both focusing on inclusivity and education.

Kent’s Awareness week focused around the public event of remembrance held at St. Peter’s Methodist Church, a multi-faith service to think of all Trans people who have taken their lives or been victims of transphobic murders.

Through events such as these, and an increased media coverage on Trans issues and education, there may ideally come a day when the number of Trans individuals we lose to suicide and violence stops rising, and we live in an inclusive society that accepts its citizens regardless of their gender identity.

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Friday 2 December 2016 InQuire

News

“Save the UoK School of Music and Fine Art from Closure” Continued from front Students who are currently studying at the school have already expressed their opinions by creating the ‘Save the UoK School of Music and Fine Art from Closure’ Facebook groups which, at time of writing, have nearly 300 members.

They have also protested by vandalising Ellie the Elephant with tarpaulin, cling film and spray paint.

Students were given the opportunity to hear about the proposal on Monday 28 November, in which they went through details of the deficit, timeline of events and staff concerns. Staff who work in the school will hopefully be retained with the University offering open-ended contracts and

“generous packages to retain staff for as long as required”.

The University has however confirmed that it aims to retain courses in Music Technology.

However, while it makes “essential changes to the programme” the University is also proposing to suspend Music Technology recruitment for one year.

The University’s senior management team will now consult with staff and students and their representatives on these proposals. A final decision is expected in February 2017.

If you are worried about your course and would like more advice, support and infomation about the closure visit http:// www.kent.ac.uk/smfachanges/

“A respectful form of protest”

By Jordi van Setten Writer

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Photo by James Keown | Facebook

llie the Elephant was targeted by a trio of angry student from the University of Music and Fine Art. The statue was vandalised by protesters with cling film and spray, with the sign “you can steal my tarpaulin but you can’t take my spirit.” The tarpaulin refers to a previous attempt to vandalise the statue which was removed.

The University of Kent has made a statement saying; “The University of Kent regards the incident involving the elephant/ cow sculpture to be a respectful form of protest.”

InQuire spoke with Dr Simon Kirchin, Dean of Humanities about the recent decision to close the School of Media and Fine Arts in Medway The 2016 Humanities Faculty Plan does make it clear that SMFA was under review however it seems very sudden to close the school, what are the reasons for the closure? (a) I fully appreciate that it may feel sudden to close the School.

However, SMFA has been reviewed and supported for a long time, indeed even before it became a School in Summer 2013. We have worked with colleagues in the School to support them in running their programmes and in helping them put plans into operation. (b) The reason for the closure is that despite everyone’s best efforts, we have not been able to recruit students in suffiicent numbers to the courses yearon-year. The courses we have are academically great, but realistically we need around double the number of students to have a School that is both academically excellent and sustainable in the long-term.

The School has generated a large annual deficit every year, which is very likely to continue.

That has consequences for how much we can invest

across the whole University.

The University doesn’t care only about finances. We exist primarily to educate, create and do research. But we have a central responsibility to think about the long-term sustainability of what we do.

Can you give examples of the “co-ordinated series of interventions...to help the School succeed”?

Myself and the Faculty team of Associate Dean and Directors meet regularly through the whole year with the School to support them with all aspects of their work: education, recruitment of students, internationalistion, research, etc. The International Office helped to support them with various internationalisation trips. The School has taken the lead in drawing up a new recruitment and marketing strategy in the past year, supported by others, including people in the university centrally. And we managed to secure them more resrouces for recruitment and marketing in particular. ​

What attempts were made to increase student satisfaction in SMFA after NSS scores across the last 3 years have been lower than other humanities subjects?

Photo by chase.ac.uk

As a Faculty we meet with each School after the NSS results come in during August to help them analyse and plan for the coming year. We want to ensure that students’ concerns are listened to and things go well. In SMFA I know they have introduced a range of measures across the

past few years, such as more extra-curricular activities, working in small focus groups with students, reforming their curriculua, monitoring feedback turnaround times, and many other things.

Although some results are still lower then some Humanities subjects, colleagues in SMFA have improved things considerably and have also had some good results in the last couple of years. This is down to their hard work and I know they care greatly about their students.

Students are clearly upset by the decisions, to the point where some have defaced school property. What would you say to these students?

I have met with a number of students and know how upset and concerned many of them are. We have made a fundamental commitment to them that their education and experience will be as good as they should expect. We are currently consulting and

getting ready to announce a range of measures to help them at this very difficult time. Kent Union and I are setting up a forum to discuss issues and ideas with SMFA student reps.

Kent Union have posted on their website that they believe “the University should consider all possible options” and ensure “that the creative arts have a long term place on the Medway campus”.

How do you respond to this and is there a chance to see creative arts courses resuming on the Medway Campus?

We are now in a period of consultation with staff, staff representatives and students about the proposals. This process is designed to be meaningful and a central part of that is that we will consider alternative proposals, including anything around creative arts courses. We all need to ensure that what is put forward will be academically excellent and be sustainable in the longterm. Part of our proposals see some of the current courses continuing.

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InQuire Friday 2 December 2016

News

Canterbury Christmas light switch-on

By Kate Newling Writer

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housands of people have gathered at St George’s Street to see the much anticipated Christmas lights switch-on. ITV star, Stephen Mulhern was leading the show as he pressed the button to ignite Christmas spirit in the city of Canterbury. The Britain’s got talent presenter was joined by Heart FM breakfast presenters

James Heming and Becky Ives, as well as actors Ben Roddy and Lloyd Hollett. The event was organised by Canterbury BID and Chief Executive, Bob Jones who later stated that “We’re really please the lights switch-on. We had 3,500 people in attendance, which is slightly down on last year, but the weather wasn’t great so we’re still happy.” 27 stewards and 200 security fences were present to keep the public safe.

Photos by Rylie Trott

Ben Roddy promoting this years Marlowe Theatre Pantomine

Heart FM breakfast presenters James Heming and Becky Ives

Merry Christmas

Stephen Mulhern addresses the crowds

from all of us at InQuire

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Friday 2 December 2016 InQuire

Issues & Analysis

The policies of Donald Trump Issues Karisma Indra Newspaper Sport Editor

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hen Donald Trump decided to run for President, the eventuality of him reaching White House seemed to be a pipe dream.

As such, his outlandish claims and commitments were not particularly worrying. However, now as President-elect, his commitments are one step closer to becoming a reality, so it is time to take a closer look at them.

One of Trumps’ plans was to build a wall between the US and their neighbour, Mexico.

In the hopes to cull the flow of Mexican immigrants illegally crossing the border, Trump promised to build a wall separating the two nations, as an additional bonus this was to be paid for by Mexico.

Trump also promised that within his first 100 days in Office, he would create at least 25 million new jobs through massive tax cuts and the repealing of the Affordable Care Act. Another controversial policy advocated by the next President was torture. He suggested that the US use waterboarding and other torture methods in the fight against IS. Trump went as far as to suggest beheadings as seen in the IS videos were not tough enough.

Trump also does not believe in climate change. Whilst he agrees that there should be clean air and clean water, he feels that by imposing environmental restrictions on businesses, it makes them less competitive globally. Stating that, “I do not believe that we should imperil the companies within our country…It costs so much and nobody knows exactly if it’s going to work.”

This has brought about fears from environmentalists and the G20 that a Trump Presidency may mean the end of global co-operation on the grounds of climate change.

Trump also claimed that he would deport as estimated eleven million undocumented

immigrants or give them a pathway to citizenship and announced that he’d ban Muslims from entering the country. His policy stance caused widespread fears of xenophobic rhetoric and sparked a severe backlash from both Republicans and Democrats.

He also wanted to have his Presidential rival, Hillary Clinton “locked up”, although the mud-slinging was commonplace in this particular election campaign from both parties.

Other claims included: repealing the same-sex marriage law; a strict pro-life stance (so the suggestion of the repealing of Roe vs. Wade) and break away from the Trans Pacific Partnership in terms of trade. So whilst many of us took these pledges with a pinch of salt, it is now time to take some of these, if not all of these pledges more seriously. After all, come January, he will be President Trump.

Analysis Karisma Indra Newspaper Sport Editor

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t is a known fact that during campaigns politicians often make outlandish claims and policies, no one more so than President-elect, Donald Trump.

However, whilst some of his policies seem implausible, it is now time to see if they really are as far-fetched as we think.

After all, a few short weeks ago it seemed implausible that there would be a President Trump.

I will be the first to admit that as Trump got closer and closer to the White House that depression set in. Mr. Trump’s policies were horrifying to say the least, especially given that I am from an ethnic minority and am female, it seemed like we were returning to the “good old days”.

However, unsurprisingly, Trump seems to have mostly changed his mind regarding his more outlandish policies.

For example, the wall dividing Mexico and the US, not only

will the Mexicans not have to pay for its construction but the scheme has been scaled back and Mexico will not bear the cost.

Another controversial pledge included a ban on Muslims and the mass deportation of immigrants, since his victory, Trump seems to have scaled back. The ban on Muslims is thankfully not mentioned in the immigration section of his pledge. As for the immigration pledge, it has been scaled back to two or three million being deported and only if they “are criminal and have criminal records, [or are] gang members, drug dealers”.

In terms of torture, Mr Trump was “surprised” when it was explained to him that waterboarding was not as effective as non-torture methods. Whilst this gave him food for thought, he still has not dropped the idea altogether.

As for climate change, Trump has once again changed his mind. In 2009, he was a cosignatory to an open letter to the government, urging it to strengthen its commitment

to cutting emissions and now claims to have an open mind on the situation. However, what this means for policy is still unknown.

Other policies, such as “locking up” Mrs. Clinton have been scrapped and the same-sex marriage law is to remain. Obamacare seems to have survived as well, at least for the moment. However, policies such as his strict prolife stance remains and he still wants to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership and will pull out from it as soon as possible and negotiate “fair” bilateral trade deals.

It is still early days yet. I would not be too surprised if many of Trump’s policies become severely watered down over his tenure as President.

However, Trump supporters can take heart that many of his policies will remain; especially if they appeal to the majority of the Republican Party and voters, such as pro-life rhetoric.

Nevertheless, I am now feeling more confident that a Trump Presidency may not be heralding the Apocalypse.

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InQuire Friday 2 December 2016

Issues & Analysis

Issues Christian Dada Writer

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ike many others in the UK, on Friday 24th June 2015 I woke up feeling a state of shock and disbelief after the polls were counted overnight and the Brexit victory became clear. Social media went crazy with posts full of emotion from both sides of the political spectrum. Many young people felt betrayed at the outcome, with a feeling that their future had been compromised by those who had personal agendas against certain demographics. Whilst I agreed with the vast majority of comments, I decided to sit back, observe and take in what had happened rather than becoming overwhelmed with negative emotion.

Statistics show that two-fifths of young adults do not know what article 50 is. Before writing this article, I fell into the same category. So, what is article 50? The Treaty of Lisbon became law in 2009 to make the EU more “democratic, transparent and efficient”. It is an agreement which was signed by governments and heads of states of all the EU member countries. Article 50 in the Treaty contains the rules for exit, split into five different elements. In short these elements are: Any member State may decide to withdraw from the union in accordance with its own legal requirements.

Analysis Christian Dada Writer

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lthough governments tend to intervene and regulate markets with asymmetric information where one party in an economic transaction has greater knowledge than another - the lack of knowledge among voters of the ramifications of a Brexit vote seems to have had a big influence on the outcome.

The ‘leave’ side’s campaign was convoluted with misleading information to sway the vote; a stand out example being the manipulation of figures relating to how much the UK gives the

Any member that decides to withdraw must notify the European Council of its intention. The Union will then negotiate an agreement with that State and plan for the withdrawal.

The Treaties will no longer apply to the State in question from the date of the withdrawal agreement or, failing that, two years after.

The members of the European council or of the Council representing the withdrawing member state must not be involved in discussions of the European Council or any decisions concerning it.

If a State which has withdrawn from the Union asks to re-join, the request will be subject to the procedure in article 49.

The lack of knowledge surrounding the significance of the article, stemming from the media portrayal of the Brexit aftermath, has added to the air of uncertainty amongst the public. What is important to understand is that until all MPs, including the anti-Brexit MPs, agree and give consent on the article 50 bill then the process cannot be triggered and the ball cannot start rolling.

A High Court ruling made it compulsory for a unanimous decision to be made amongst MPs regarding the bill in a vote in the House of Commons.

The government said it will appeal this ruling and both sides are set to meet again at the Supreme Court in early December 2016.

All this means that although the referendum resulted in a Brexit decision, the process in leaving the EU itself is not as simple as it may seem.

Until article 50 is triggered businesses remain uncertain in terms of their trade deals whilst the rights of EU nationals living in the UK are also up in the air as new Prime Minister Theresa May refused to guarantee the rights of EU nationals living in the UK, stating that any assurances made could be a factor in the upcoming negotiations.

The important thing to draw from the situation is that although there is uncertainty regarding the future following the referendum, there is a lot of work which still needs to be done and agreements which need to be made before changes happen. Therefore, whilst continuing to follow the

proceedings, people should continue to perform their usual

tasks until further action is required.

A return to Brexit: The problem with Article 50 EU a week and instead offering an alternative to spend the money on improving the NHS. Immediately after the result was announced, Nigel Farage came out and said they should not have claimed to have an extra £100 million to spend on the NHS. Back-tracking so soon after the result showed a clear bitter misuse of trust.

The aftermath of Brexit had consequences for the economy with the value of the pound

plummeting to a reported 31-year low. A recent High Court ruling however stated that Prime Minister Theresa May cannot trigger article 50 without putting it to a vote in the House of Commons. This saw the pound jump 1% against the dollar.

A report by the National Centre for Social Research found that 90% of UK voters want free-trade with the EU to continue after Brexit,

including 94% of remain supporters and 90% of leave supporters. However, 85% of leave supporters want limits to migration. When asked whether they would support a deal to allow EU citizens to freely come to the UK to live and work in return for free trade with the EU, 70% of remain supporters voted in favour whilst 70% of leave supporters voted against. This is a prime example of ‘having your cake and eating it’ which is unrealistic especially if the UK will no longer be contributing to the EU. An important thing the referendum did show was the difference in demographics.

London, known for being culturally diverse, voted 59.9% remain. Northern Ireland and

Scotland also voted majority remain, 55.7% and 62% respectively. On the other hand, places such as East and West Midlands voted leave at high percentages - 58.8% and 59.3% respectively.

Whether the government did take advantage of the British public or Brexit was just a reminder of what we already knew, remain voters and anyone who disagreed with the result should use it a catalyst for future change. It is cliché but there is strength in numbers and to get the change you want to see, the sharing of knowledge and ideas is essential to empower one another to bring more positivity, equality and fairness to our world and the world as whole.

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Friday 2 December 2016 InQuire

Opinion

Abortion: An individual’s right

By Saga Radh Website Features Editor

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ope Francis has now made permanent a policy which allows all priests to hear and grant forgiveness to confessions about abortion.

Priests in Britain and the United States have already been able to hear confessions about abortion, but in most of the world this has not been the case. Previously, only Bishops or special confessors had the authority to hear these confessions.

With the aim of “promoting a culture of mercy”, Pope Francis’s progressive decision is a welcome and positive addition to what has otherwise been a rather dark 2016. The Catholic church has previously regarded abortion as an act where everyone involved are guilty of a sin which would result in excommunication.

For individuals in the need of an abortion, as well as for doctors preforming abortions, this is a very positive resolution. As recently seen in Poland, where the criminalization of abortion

was up for discussion earlier this year, interviews with doctors reflected worries about having to refuse performing abortions, even if their health was at risk. This is in order to ensure that the doctors themselves were not persecuted.

The decision has sparked oppositions from “Pro-life advocators” and traditionalists.

However, this policy should be regarded as one attending to the need of every individual instead of ruling off the general public as part of an irresponsible “throw-away generation”.

This is an attitude we need to start valuing in society, in order to work towards a non-discriminative world.

However, the Catholic church’s stance against contraception still remains. The decision on abortion is a step in the direction towards equality, as well as ensuring that women in the need of an abortion receive medical attention. As Pope Francis himself stated, abortion is “an agonizing and painful decision”, one which does not need the additional concern of performing a criminal offence.

Really Breaking Bad: can a show inspire murder?

Photo by Anders Krusberg|Wikimedia XYZ

By Max Beckett Website Editor

A

Photo by Church | Wikimedia

t what point should we hold a television show accountable for the crimes it inspires? We’re all no stranger to violence depicted on the small screen. In fact, a non-kids TV show without any violence at all is a rarity in itself. We enjoy film (and entertainment in general) because it presents an alternate worldview; we find it fun to experience a more eventful life than our own every now and then, whether it be through drug empires, murders, kidnappings...or all three if you consider Breaking Bad. But how can we tell if a show actually encourages people to replicate its events in real life?

50-year-old IT developer and full-time Breaking Bad obsessive Stefano Brizzi was recently found guilty of murdering PC Gordon Semple in his South London flat on the 1st April.

High on crystal meth, Brizzi met Semple met through dating app Grindr and strangled him to death, later dismembering his body and dissolving it with

acid in a bath-tub. Breaking Bad, a series based on crystal meth production, features an episode in its first season where the two main protagonists, Walter White and Jesse Pinkman, dispose of a dead body in exactly the same fashion. This would usually come down to coincidence, were it not for the selfie he posted on Facebook watching the popular US series and the telling information provided by the leader of Brizzi’s Crystal Meth Anonymous group.

So is Breaking Bad to blame?

Would Brizzi have brutally murdered PC Gordon Semple regardless, if Breaking Bad were not to exist? Perhaps not.

Although, it would be incredibly unfair to say that the show is responsible for Brizzi as a person, or murderer. Breaking Bad acted as a means of body disposal, not as a direct influence on Brizzi’s mental disposition. He most certainly would have killed anyway.

It’s not the first time Vince Gilligan’s modern western has been called into question for inciting criminal activity. In

fact, 27-year-old Jason Hart from Washington murdered his girlfriend and disposed of her body in exactly the same way three years ago. There have also been numerous reports of amateur crystal meth manufacturers ‘dyeing’ their product blue to imitate the show’s trademark Blue Sky methamphetamine, using chemicals that actually can cause the drug to be fatal.

Gilligan even had to publicly plead Breaking Bad fans to stop throwing pizzas on the roof of Walter White’s house, when the elderly couple who live there in real life reported many incidents of it after an episode aired that involves Walt angrily thrusting one up there himself.

Apart from the last of these events, they would have happened in some form irrespective of what featured on Breaking Bad. Crime themed on a television show is still crime. The perpetrators are still capable of committing crime.

They’re just criminals who happen to like Breaking Bad. It’s not the first time a TV show has ‘inspired’ a killer, and it most certainly won’t be the last.

9

InQuire Friday 2 December 2016

Opinion

In Pictures: Virtual Reality

By Jack Hsuan Website Sports Editor

O

nly a few days ago, I tried VR for the first time (It pays to have friends in engineering) and it was fantastic. I could only use the headset for a few minutes at a time at best, due to motion sickness, but whilst I was in that VR world, I was totally immersed. I was a deep-sea diver, the next second an astronaut, then a pilot. It felt like one of those dreams when you know it is a dream, but you don’t care, because you’re having such a good time.

The technology is only improving. It seems likely that a virtual reality headset will soon enough be found in every household, though it seems a strange idea now. Just look at the television, the personal computer, the smart phone.

Devices that at their birth were considered huge luxuries, but now are found wherever you look. I can’t help but feel VR will go down the same road.

Truth be told, I’m terrified of the prospect.

In 2009 Bruce Willis starred in an action-thriller called Surrogates, in which the human populace lived their perfect lives through the titular robots.

Bruce Willis’ robot, for example, had hair. Though the film was thoroughly average, it did raise a good question; given the choice between a perfect virtual life, or a flawed human one, which one would you choose?

The Matrix asks the same question. If virtual reality becomes so advanced that it is indistinguishable from our own lives, how many of us would choose the former?

Now I’m not saying that VR

will be the downfall of man. I don’t think it will ever go as far as Surrogates suggests. But I do think it needs to be something we are aware of. So get excited for VR. It really is amazing, seemingly the next step in the world of entertainment. But let’s not get too excited. Let’s all agree that we’ll separate the V from the R. Unless sky-diving is concerned. It seems like everything is heading virtual, and if thrill-seekers can get what they want with absolutely no risk - surely that’s a positive step?

Surely, if the adrenaline kicks in and the body gets the same thrill it would get jumping off a mountain-top, this is a future to invest in. Surrogates may be okay - as long as we use them periodically and with caution rather than to escape every danger that befalls us.

Photo by ImagineChina | Shutterstock

The story of slumdog milennials

By Ben Harris Writer

I

ndia: a Country holding the fifth largest economy in the world and well-known for its exquisite culinary culture, Bollywood glamour, and spectacular architecture and nature. However, looking at Indian society, it is impossible to ignore the vast inequality of wealth. This inequality is best captured by life in a slum. The development of the slum in India took place in 3 distinct stages and have been built into mainstream India for over 150 years. Early industrialisation and mass movement to urban areas caused rapid building

of basic housing, which became the centre of modern day slums.

During the 1940s and 1950s, India’s economy saw mass growth and factories were established around all major cities, the need for workers drove many from rural to urban living and new slums grew around factories. The newest slum building, however, happened after the British withdrew from India and again a push for strong economy occurred, driving more people to the cities.

According to the 1956 slum act, a slum is defined as any area “where buildings are in any respect unfit for human

habitation”. The enormous contradiction of the slum is that they are classified as unfit for life, yet in Kolkata alone 1/3 of the population live there, roughly 1.5 million people.

These people are limited often to one room per family, averaging 13.4 people per room.

Worsening this condition is that the rooms exist in huts where upwards of 5 families can live. The total number of children in the Kolkata slum is unknown, but it is estimated that 100,000 children are living there without adult supervision.

In Kolkata, the most common cause of death in the slum is disease. This is because the infrastructure exists on and around the waste outputs from the city, rubbish heaps essentially. The people prepare food around this decomposing waste,

Photo by Taylor Stringer | Wikimedia

sleep near it and work within it as they scavenge for metals and other marketable materials.

Furthering this is the very little flow of finance through the slums, in the event of illness or accident there is no medical care other than that providing by charitable organizations.

The Indian emergency services have no access to deeper slum areas as the tightly built streets don’t allow for vehicles to pass through. The serious lack of sanitation in the slums is fatal for many, 21% of the Kolkata population use street toilets without plumbing, waste often being spread not far from the community. The result of this is that 81% of deaths in the slums are directly linked to disease.

Children living in danger is often underplayed in popular culture, observing the Slumdog Millionaire which brought slums into focus for the world was shocking and disturbing as children fight for survival with little help. In reality, the problem is more shocking still. Child labour is common practice in factories and waste recycling plants. This leaves the masses uneducated, weary and requiring increased nutrition which they cannot access. A network of railways traverse many slums, existing with no

barriers or protection being normal. Train related incidents caused 27,581 deaths across India in 2014, mostly in slums and many children died. The Hindustan Times states that the number one cause of these deaths is direct collision with people on the tracks. Other injuries come from objects being thrown or falling off trains, which damages homes as well as people.

The political system in India is directly to blame for the continued existence of such communities of extreme deprivation.

The problem arises in the voting system. Many slums are unrecognised as official addresses, simply unacknowledged as temporary infrastructure. The people living here therefore have no address and as a result cannot vote. This means that career politicians are obliged to focus their efforts of appeal towards people with the ability to bring them into power or continue their rule. Public money is divided between the lives of the more financially stable populous, and the people of the slum are continually ignored.

Substantial reform is required in to improve the situation.

10

Friday 2 December 2016 InQuire

Opinion

The system is flawed World of Memes

By Connor Sturges Writer

O

n November 9th, cries of ‘stupid Americans’ were audible through Britain. Many prominent figures made it clear to us that many of his views and comments were sexist, racist, homophobic, and that overall he was incapable, as well as highly unqualified, to become the 45th president of the United States.

As it typically goes with politics however, it isn’t that simple. We can’t claim that ‘America is stupid’, or that ‘half of them are imbeciles’, as many (very) knowledgeable young people enjoyed doing after Trump’s win, or at least not in the sense it is being claimed.

The truth is Trump’s win is not the fault of America; it is the fault of the electoral system it is governed by.

The fact is, Hilary Clinton won the election. Although figures and statistics are still being consolidated, it is known that Clinton received close to one and a half million more votes than Trump, giving her an overall popular vote advantage

of more than a percentage. So, this labelling of America being a land of fools is completely incorrect; more people voted for Hilary than Trump.

Furthermore, voter turnout hit a twenty-year low, with only 55% of eligible voters casting a ballot. Although we may guess based on previous statistics, it’s impossible to know how the result would have turned out if turnout was higher.

Essentially, the American electoral system needs to change, and soon. Although Hilary’s lead in the popular vote made this election a particularly memorable one, it isn’t the first time the democrats have lost an election despite winning a larger share of the vote, and most likely won’t be the last. If we’re to take Trump’s upcoming presidency into account, the Democrat party should have ruled America from Bill Clinton’s inauguration in 1994 right up to 2021, with the only exception being a four-year period in which George Bush rightfully won more votes than the Democrat candidate John Kerry.

All this latest election has shown is the undemocratic nature of the First Past the Post electoral system, the system also used here in the United Kingdom; if an alternative system was used in the UK, Parliament’s demographic would be notably different (for instance controversial party UKIP would hold not one seat, but closer to 80).

However, in the UK we have a larger number of political parties, meaning the balance can change more evenly. In contrast, the use of the system in the US has now created a grave problem, as arguably the century’s most controversial political figure wins a presidency… that he didn’t win.

If this isn’t a cause for concern in supposedly the world’s greatest ‘democracy’, then what is? All one can hope for is a change in American politics to the use of a system such as Proportional Representation.

Unfortunately, this isn’t down to the voters however, and the people of America cannot take all the blame. A big change is needed imminently in politics, for the good of politics.

By Georgia Banks Writer

M

emes have taken over social media. The latest craze includes Trump and Clinton, and Obama and his second-hand man Biden: those coming to the end of their time in office.

Memes can be a good thing, giving you something to laugh at. You could say that they encourage the younger generations to get involved in politics, as they see the candidates through the medium of jokey pictures. The young person sees the meme, laughs, shares it and before you know it, young people have an idea of who they’d rather vote for.

The downside of memes is that the young voters don’t feel the need to find out any more about these

candidates and only the extreme characteristics or views of these politicians are exploited; this could result in ruining any correlation between voting and actually having the same views as the party.

But yes. They’re funny. Without them, politics would be boring. Without them, Trump and Clinton would not have had so much social media coverage. Whoever re-created the new John Lewis advert with Trump and Clinton’s faces is a genius.

If people who wouldn’t normally engage in politics are learning as much as I have simply through the introductory medium of memes - whether it be about the recent U.S Presidential election, other elections, or even the Presidential system itself - then I say bring on the memes!

11

InQuire Friday 2 December 2016

Opinion

Dear Mr Brakus: America was wrong to elect Donald Trump as president

By Jasper Gilardi Writer

D

ear Mr. Brakus, I will always remember waking up on November 9th and feeling the excitement that had filled me the night before crumble as I scrolled through my phone’s notifications. The day felt like a haze; I wanted to sit in bed and eat ice cream in my PJ’s as though I’d just gone through a breakup with a country I truly love, and thought I knew.

I hope that you never feel as distant from home as I did that morning. The idea that a Trump presidency will bring about a better future is so foreign to me that the man himself would surely deport it. Don’t

get me wrong you are welcome to your own opinion and you should not be bashed on social media, but you do deserve a candid reply to your remarkably misguided reality.

First of all lets get one thing straight: Trump isn’t just called a racist and a sexist, he is a racist and a sexist. The words “They’re rapists” might ring a few bells? I frequently make trips down to Mexico for the food, the language, the landscape, and the people, and nothing has ever made me think that anyone who lives there is any less decent than any American. And I can’t imagine that the election of Trump will do anything good for Mexican-American rela-

tions. And yes, he is a remarkable misogynist; don’t take my word for it, look up the word misogyny in the dictionary, all it says is “See: Trump, Donald”. Not only has he told one woman that “[it] must be a pretty picture, you dropping to your knees...” but he has also admitted to allegations of sexual harassment and tried to defend himself! Both shoes fit quite snugly, do they not Mr. Brakus?

Next lets move on to your hilarious moral code in which the bombing of ruthless dictators is somehow a moral evil. Maybe for a moment consider that the bombings in Libya and Syria on Gaddafi and Assad’s troops were to prevent the mass death

of the citizenry at the hands of their own government. Both dictators have done horrible things to their own people in order to stay in power and are a major threat to humanity.

Some might say that there is a moral imperative to attack, in order to protect the masses.

Moving on to “...the policies of an extremely aggressive, expansionist warmonger...” despite the very lovely use of adjectives, your belief that somehow the expansion of NATO into eastern Europe is part of some sort of American neocolonial chess game doesn’t account for the geopolitical realities of the many small countries which border Russia. If you have a small military, little power and

land, you don’t really stand a chance against your neighbor with the fifth largest army in the world.

It stands to reason that you may want to cozy up to a large military alliance which could help protect your sovereignty in the event of an invasion. If the fear of an invasion doesn’t make sense, may I remind you that there is still an ongoing war in Ukraine and Crimea, once which may prove calamitous worldwide. Sure you may think that one presidential candidate over the other might heat up “Cold War II” but please remember that the real loose cannon is not, in fact, the one that we just, unfortunately, let into the White House.

Photo by DonkeyHotey | Wikimedia

Clickbait: Is the internet a force for good when it comes to politics?

By Georgia Dack Writer “There’s no such thing as bad press” is the mantra marking the disappointed masses post election.

The internet has brought an interesting dimension to election dynamics, and Trump has even admitted that his power on social media has helped him tremendously. Trump has an impressive online presence,

Photo by Yang Ting | Wikimedia

and his 15.9 million Twitter followers, compared to Clintons 11.3 million, have helped media in disseminating unease surrounding Clinton. Click-bait headlines speculating illness suggested she was unfit for office and #crookedhillary and #crookedmedia have been used as part of a smear campaign.

Bolstered by his controversial conservative opinions on abortion, women, and immigration, Trump has consistently been newsworthy. From his announcement to run for presidency, the absurdity of the situation gave him increased coverage in the news. How different would things be if news outlets had taken him as more than an easy headline? What if news publications constantly criticised and scrutinised every claim he made. What if the news actually made some kind of attempt to hold the now

president-elect accountable for the promises, comments and ‘facts’ that were presented throughout the compaign?

Biased press is old news, but on Facebook and Twitter the potential of spreading an idea, let alone a misinformed one, is staggering. Sheer lies can simply disguise themselves as truths, no vetting required, and be believed by the masses as fact. Social media websites should be more frugal when it comes to giving these vendors of doubt and lies free speech, this opens the door to pure lies.

Of course, there are very present social and historical factors that have created this political moment, but news on social media has meant that people are often satisfied with a headline - enough to get a like and gain some shock value from followers - rather than truly seeing the bigger picture.

12

Friday 2 December 2016 InQuire

Lifestyle

Christmas Markets Canterbury Christmas market This year between 26th November and 24th December Whitefriars will be holding a Christmas market and brand new festive food court. There will be over 40 colourful cabins selling seasonal produce, food and drinks, decorations and gifts. It will be open between 10am and 6pm Monday to Saturday and till 5pm on Sundays – so make sure you take a visit before you Photo by ThomasRotarius| pixabay head home at the end of December.

Whitstable Christmas at the Maybe Christmas doesn’t come from Castle a store. Maybe Christmas perhaps…

On the 4th December the Whitstable means a little bit more!” Although the Castle will be holding a “Christmas Grinch isn’t exactly the epitome of at the Castle” event from 12:00am to Christmas, his revelation is quite true 16:00pm. The market is going to take and we should maybe look towards place in the Castle and Gardens, 30 celebrating the festive season without Millstrood Road and is a great, unique heading straight for the high street chance to do some artisan Christmas shops. A Christmas market is a great shopping. It will open its doors to way to purchase meaningful presents visitors, with a large selection of food and get into the joyous spirit with and craft stalls, music and Christmas friends. Here are four markets near to carols, followed by the switching on of the campus that you should definitely the Christmas tree – a highlight of all aim to get to and if nothing else, they’ll market-related events. take your mind off of those end-of-term Leeds Castle Christmas craft assignments. market

By Isabella Fish Writer

“

The best Christmas market to visit in Kent is undoubtedly at the Leeds Castle in Lenham. It receives outstanding reviews every year and will be returning again this December – open daily from 10am to 5pm. The traditional wood cabins are set up on the Cedar Lawn overlooking the Castle, where you can find a wide assortment of seasonal gifts, or enjoy a melting hot chocolate or mulled wine with spectacular views of the beautiful moated Castle. Every year the market houses stabled reindeer – until of course they are needed for more pressing matters on Christmas Eve! Rochester (one for the Medway students!)

The Rochester Christmas market will be held this year between 26th November and 11 December in the historic and picturesque Rochester Castle gardens. Mulled wine, hot chocolate with Baileys and chestnuts roasting on an open fire will be served throughout the Bavarian village and craft fair. There will also be live music to get you into the true seasonal spirit.

Secret Santa gifts under £5

By Isabella Fish Writer

S

ecret Santa is a Christmas tradition in which friends, families or work colleagues are randomly assigned a person to whom they anonymously give a gift. For students, Secret Santa always seem like a good idea until it hits the December month and our loans become a little bit limp. The idea of sacrificing a drink at the pub for a pointless present to give to someone suddenly doesn’t seem so appetizing. However, here are some great gift ideas that you can purchase for under £5 that you won’t have to scrape to the bottom of the barrel for (and that people actually want!)

ELF £1.50 ELF can be purchased on Ebay for prices as low as just £1.50. Buying the no.1 Christmas DVD means that it can be played on repeat, without having to wait for it to come on the television. It’s a small price to pay for a gift that will go a long way. And who doesn’t love a bit of ELF? Starbucks gift card Buying a Starbucks gift card will help make coming back to university in January a little more bearable after the Christmas holiday. £5 is the minimumspend but if you feel like digger deeper into your wallet and spending a little

bit more then you can do so. This gift is 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 scratch cards perfect gift for that coffee addict in your Depending on how much you want to life. spend, a £1 scratch card could be the Make your own mug best present that your Secret Santa has A personal, homemade gift is ever received (or the worst!) To make always a thoughtful idea and the experience even better, present one that your Secret Santa will the cards in a homemade Christmas definitely appreciate. For cracker and wait to see the look this, the best way on their face as they open to create your it – either way it will be personalized priceless! gift is to A personalized purchase notebook a mug ASDA have from a a section on charity their website shop which allows (RRP you to create £3). a hardcover Then, personalized using notebook for a £5. The pages sharpie inside can be pen draw lined or blank on what and the front you would cover can feature like it to say photos and text.

Photo by Marion| pixabay and bake it in Your Secret Santa will the oven for 30 look forward to using it at minutes at 350 degrees the start of the next academic Fahrenheit, to seal it. You term. can make it as festive or creative as you https://www.asda-photo.co.uk/ fancy. If you don’t possess the creative product-info/30-stationery/372-a5qualities for this gift, many websites hardcover-personalised-notebook online offer personalization for a very low price.

Put a smile on your face 1) Why did Santa’s helper see the doctor?

Because he had a low “elf” esteem!

Photo by Petr Kratochvil | free stock photos

2) What is the best Christmas present in the world?

A broken drum, you just can’t beat it!

3) What do you get if you cross Santa with a duck?

A Christmas Quacker!

4) Why don’t mountains get cold in the winter?

They wear snowcaps.

Festive pick up lines

Photo by Alexas Fotos | pixabay

1) Do you celebrate Boxing Day? Because you’re the whole package.

2) Good tidings aren’t the only thing I can give you.

3) I’m like a Christmas present—you’ll love waking up to me in the morning.

4) Wanna Scrooge?

5) Black ice isn’t the only thing I’m falling for.

6) If you were a tree, you’d be an evergreen, because I bet you look this good year-round.

13

InQuire Friday 2 December 2016

Lifestyle

Keep calm it’s essay season

By Beth Ashcroft Writer

E

ssay season; it is inevitable for us all. During this very stressful time of year, many of us may find it difficult to deal with the workload. If you are reading this and thinking that this applies to you then do not fear, as many, many people are in the same boat as you. There are several steps you can take to help avoid this stressful mindset in this time of year, and they are very simple.

Firstly, although it may seem cliché and obvious, ensure you have adopted the right mindset. Although it may seem like a slightly strange tip, writing an essay with a positive Photo by Public Domain| publicdomainpictures mindset makes ALL

the difference, and it is vital that you eradicate any negative feelings before you begin the essay. But that doesn’t mean hold it all in, quite the opposite in fact. Sometimes it’s good to have a rant, and there is nothing more theraputic than allowing yourself to vent, even if only for 5 miutes. But, once you’re done - move on! and get back to that positive mindset. If it helps, have music playing in the background (fun fact: studies have revealed that classical music can significantly help you to write better), or even be listening to a podcast of some sort at the same time. This could help keep ypu focused and relaxed!

Secondly, block out anything that could be a distraction. Yes, that’s right.

Put your phone on silent, (or even turn it off), and if you’re particularly prone to internet browsing, use a website blocking device on your browser (StayFocusd on Google Chrome is a good recommendation). Procrastination is undoubtedly the worst enemy of many, so it is best to attempt to avoid it at all costs, as it may waste precious time. Set realistic targets for yourself, say 45 minutes of straight work and then you can reward yourself with some

instagram. This way you get the best of both worlds.

Exercise has proven to be a stress reliever, as it releases chemicals in your brain which makes you feel much more positive. So deadline season could be the perfect time to finally do that exercise video you’ve been meaning to do! Furthermore, ensuring that you allocate yourself time to relax is a virtue; overworking yourself and staying up until 4am purely to work certainly takes its toll. Getting little to no sleep is a poor lifestyle choice, and can end up having a negative impact on your health. Work on an essay in short bursts roughly a week or two before its due date, and then spend your evenings having time for yourself. Read a book, watch a film; do what you can to make yourself happy.

Overall, although easier said than done, it is so important that you leave yourself plenty of time to write your essay; do not leave it until the last minute, and write to your best ability.

And try not to put to much pressure on yourself, although it may seem like the end of the world at the time, you will survive deadline season.

14

Friday 2 December 2016 InQuire

Lifestyle

Quick Mince Pies

Photo by Caraline Mellor | flickr

Ingredients 225g cold butter, diced 350g plain flour 100g golden caster sugar 280g mincemeat 1 small egg icing sugar, to dust Method To make the pastry, rub 225g cold, diced butter into 350g plain flour, then mix in 100g golden caster sugar and a pinch of salt. Combine the pastry into a ball – don’t add liquid – and knead it briefly. You can use the dough immediately, or chill for later.

Preheat the oven to 200C/gas 6/fan 180C. Line 18 holes of two 12-hole patty tins, by pressing small walnutsized balls of pastry into each hole.

Spoon 280g mincemeat into the pies.

Take slightly smaller balls of pastry than before and pat them out between your hands to make round lids, big enough to cover the pies.

Top the pies with their lids, pressing the edges gently together to seal.

(The pies may now be frozen for up to 1 month).

Beat 1 small egg and brush the tops of the pies. Bake for 20 minutes until golden. Leave to cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then remove to a wire rack. To serve, lightly dust with icing sugar. They will keep for 3 to 4 days in an airtight container.

However, if your baking isn’t up to scratch, buy some shop bought pastry and no one will ever know!

Winter Warmers and Festive Favourites I

f there’s one thing you need to try this Christmas, it is one of these delicious drinks. They are a great for snuggling up to the television on a cold Sunday afternoon, or for wowing friends at a festive house party. Whatever the occasion, there is a tipple for everyone.

Photo by Isabella Fish

Spiced and all things nice hot chocolate Ingredients: 500ml water 25g light muscovado sugar 100g Caribbean 66% dark chocolate Spice to taste: chilli, cinnamon, nutmeg and/or ginger.

Directions: Heat the water, sugar and cocoa powder in a pan and simmer for 3 minutes.

Break the chocolate into pieces and melt in the pan.

Pour into glasses.

A shot of alcohol can be added if preferred.

Mix and serve.

Cinnamon white Russian Ingredients: 55g Mocha Kahlua 30g vodka

55g milk or cream Ground cinnamon (decoration) Directions: In a large glass or pitcher, combine all the ingredients and stir to combine.

Divide between small glasses.

Sprinkle with cinnamon.

Candy cane cocktail Ingredients: 1 candy cane (for decoration) 55 ounces of strawberry vodka 4 dashes of white crème de menthe 65g of cranberry juice Ice Directions: In a cocktail shaker, combine vodka, crème de menthe and cranberry juice, then shake until mixed together.

Place candy cane in glass with ice and Photo by Isabella Fish pour cocktail.

Photo by Isabella Fish

15

InQuire Friday 2 December 2016

Lifestyle

Novelty Jumpers: yay or nay?

By Eleanor Weaver Newspaper Cuture Editor

beautiful decorations that bring festivity to even the gloomiest student house, and of course the hype behind all that he Christmas jumper. A fashion Christmas themed food. But sometimes, staple of the festive season that this just is not enough to showcase your can only be compared to Marmite. love for the holiday. Sometimes, you You either love it or you hate it but need to invest in a good old Christmas personally, I’m with the former. While jumper to really flaunt your Christmas people may be ashamed of it, I am spirit. ‘But where do I start?’ I hear you proud to announce that I am all about ask. Let me give you the rundown on the consumerist Christmas. The old what styles you have to choose from. and new pop songs that are determined First has to be the transfer jumper. to get you singing and dancing, the A soft jumper with a plastic-looking, Christmas motif.

Some of these may look a bit naff but hey! This one definitely does not break the bank.

Available in most high street stores, this jumper is cheap, chic and good if you want to show your Christmas spirit without going overboard. Then there is what I shall Photo by Matthew Bloomfield | flickr label the ‘Classic

T

Jumper’. This is the fairisle style which is as normal as a Christmas jumper can get. You get the best of both worlds; showing off your festive side in a jumper that can be worn unashamedly out and about. Now, this is where things get ugly. These are the ones that take the jumper to the next level. There are colour clashes, weird slogans, 3D baubles and some quite questionable designs. These are the ultimate Christmas decoration. While you may laugh at someone who would risk such a fashion faux pas, I can only raise my merry glass of mulled wine to them. I could only aspire to wear such unique, creative and eye catching items but alas, I do not think I am quite cool nor

hipster enough to pull it off.

So whether you’re thinking tasteful or ugly, I can only hope I have warmed you to the fashion trend of the holiday. Even if just for a laugh at your housemate Christmas dinner, the look is one you should be proud of! Tis the season to be jolly, and what says jolly like a horrific Christmas jumper.

for a few seconds to make sure that the glue has set. Once this seems secure, you can start gluing the the little pieces onto the cardboard. This bit is quite fiddly, and there may have been a few profanities used.

Step 4: The most fun part.. add snow! Don’t be too shy on adding snow into the jars, as they look best when Photo by Bryony Jewell some gets under the cardboard. This makes than the jar lids onto them look slightly less home made cardboard and cut these as well, and covers any uneven out. Thick cardboard cutting that may have is the best for this as occurred earlier. you’re going to be Step 5: gluing onto it. Then Add some ribbon or string arrange the pretty around the lid and you’re small things good to go. I went for some to make cute velvet, because well, it’s velvet. scenes, making These jolly jars were Pho sure they fit surprisingly easy to make and to b yB inside the circles. look a thousand times better than ryo ny Jew Step 3: I expected. It only took an hour or ell Glue the cardboard circle onto so to make them as well which was a the bottom of the glass jar. Press down bonus. And the best part is that they

actually look good enough to give as presents- saving money and making things, a double win for the skint life.

If you feel like getting crafty this Christmas, there are countless easy, DIY gift ideas on websites like Pinterest.

Whether you’re looking for gift ideas or cheap decorations, there’s no excuse for not getting creative this festive season.

If for nothing else than a bit of essay procrastination!

Photo by theuglysweatershop.com| flickr

How to: make your own gifts

By Bryony Jewell Newspaper Entertainment Editor

I

f there’s an easier, or cheaper way of doing something.. trust me, i’ll find it. This, twinned with the realisation that not working equals not having any money for christmas shopping meant that it was finally time to attempt crafty things.

Great.. what a lovely idea right?

Well, yes sounds wonderful. Then i remembered that I have not an artistic bone in my body. I think the most creative thing I ever made was a colourful tree painting around my hand in year three. Not letting this stop me I decided to give these pretty festive- snow globes without the shaking part- a go. It couldn’t be that hard right?

Step 1: Collect all the pretty things you’ll need to decorate the jars with. I went wild in Tiger and bought as many cute small things that I could find. The christmas tree candles are from Primark, and really set the scenes. The fake snow and ribbon is also from Tiger, and the jars are from Wiko’s. The cost of all the materials came to around £12 to make four jars.

Step 2: Draw circles, that are slightly smaller

Photo by Bryony Jewell

16

Friday 2 December 2016 InQuire

Lifestyle

Fun & games

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Across 1. A unit of gravitional acceleration named after Galileo (3) 3/7. A theatrical entertainment, usually around Christmas-time, with buffoonery and dancing (9) 4. Informally, a large and diverse institution of higher learning (3) 5. Christian ___, Welsh actor who 8 played Batman in film from 2005 to 2012 (4) 7. See 3 9/26. UK period drama TV series (2010-2015) which focused on the 13 lives of the Crawley family (7,5) 12. A UK no. 1 single in 2015 for OMI (11) 17 14. A person who entertains a guest at their house without reward (4) 16. Vanilla ___, the professional name of the rapper Robert Van Winkle (3) 20 17. An expression of some desire or inclination (4) 25 18. The ornamental structure over and in front of a fireplace (11) 21. The Three Wise Men from the East who brought gifts to the infant Christ (4) 22. The Importance of Being ___, an Oscar Wilde play first performed in 1895 (7) 25. The sound of a bell being struck (4) Crossword Hard 26. See 9 Across 14 Boccia, 3/16 Oval 27. An 1 17 Hot stuff, Office, air-filled Despondency, 19 Link, 4 Dry run, 8/15 Hillary 21 Sauce, 5 Napoleon, cavity in the

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Crossword

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Photo by jean_victor_balin | freestoclphotos

Last issue’s answers

Crossword Easy Across 1 Adder, 4 Laid (Adelaide), 7 Joke, 8 Delegate, 9 Well-to-do, 10 Tune, 11 Stanza, 14 Toiler,

15 Drip, 16 Shrug off, 19 Calamity, 20 Rule, 21 Hope, 22 Ladle.

Down 1 Adore, 2 Dwelling-

Arrowword Solution T F S P A M A I N R E G I R C H Y S T E O H Q U A R A T I E S H R E D

S E Y O B S E R A S E S T R A R B Y E R I A E N R O L N T I N E T R A C E O N E S

place, 3 Rodeo, 4 Lightfingered, 5 Intense, 6 Almost, 12 Tornado, 13 Assail, 17 Royal, 18 False.

Clinton, 9 Pecan, 10 Singed cat, 10. Back, 11 Full stop, 13/18 Donald Trump,

Sudoku Easy 1 3 5 2 4 6 8 9 7

9 2 6 8 7 1 4 3 5

4 8 7 9 5 3 6 1 2

3 5 2 4 8 7 9 6 1

8 9 4 6 1 2 7 5 3

22 Impetus, 24 Putrescence.

Down 1 Doh, 2 Silicon,

6 Yacht, 7 Knapsack, 10.Buddhism, 12 Flatfeet, 20 Epic, 23 See.

2 7 9 1 3 8 5 4 6

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Down 1. A little grain; a fine particle (7) 2. The lightest metallic element, atomic number 3 (7) 6. Peter ___, Australian singer whose hits include Mysterious Girl (1996) (5) 8. In biology, a single-celled microorganism (5) 10. A period during which there is armed conflict (7) 11. 2009 Kathryn Stockett novel that was adapted into a 2011 film (3,4) 12. Chop suey served with fried noodles (4,4)

8 9 6 7 3 1 5 4 2

2 1 7 4 5 6 3 9 8

13. Christina ___, 19thC English poet and writer of the words of the Christmas carol In the Bleak Midwinter (8) 15. A thread with glittering metal foil attached (6) 17. A ring of flowers or foliage (6) 19. Andrew Bonar ___, Prime Minister of the UK from 1922 to 1923 (3) 20. Historically, a measure of length in England equal to 45 inches (3) 23. A heading, guiding rule or entry (6) 24. Mount ___, the southernmost active volcano on Earth (6)

Arrowword

Front of the head

Xmas

Pimple

Aussie pick-up truck

Broadcast

Witness

Weapon of battle

Toss

Chop Traitor Our planet

Pass Star

Sudoku Hard 7 6 1 3 9 5 2 8 4

bones of the skull, connecting with the nose (5)

Lotion Nobleman

3 4 5 2 9 8 7 6 1

5 3 9 8 1 4 6 2 7

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Tiny

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Frozen flakes?

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Region Fertile desert spot Colours (hair, say)

Joyful

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17

InQuire Friday 2 December 2016

Editorial

facebook.com/inquiremedia @inquirelive canterbury_media

Pop Music’s impact on society Max Beckett Website Editor

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ow does popular music actually affect society?

Does it cheapen historically rich processes and traditions?

Does it help raise awareness of important issues, purposefully AND unintentionally? How can we use it to further benefit society? Is it a lost cause?

Firstly, we must acknowledge the fact that there are many socially-conscious artists out there whose lyricism prioritises positive political messages, and that they come in many shapes and sizes. The discographies of artists like Enter Shikari, System of a Down, Bruce Springsteen, Jimi Hendrix, Rage Against

his last verse on The Blacker The Berry which emphasises the ongoing problem of blackon-black violence). J. Cole, on the other hand, promotes unity and togetherness, but through the lens of the same issues of prejudice Kendrick addresses.

This definitely isn’t a new movement, though. The Black Arts Movement during the 1960s and ’70s contributed towards the tolerance and acceptance of black role models in music, and there were many other political reasons to sing for in this time as well.

There was a strong and persistent anti-war theme in American music, with the rise of the hippie movement against the involvement with Korea and Vietnam, most famously conveyed through Woodstock ’69. By drawing around 400,000 people into New York for

Photo by Kendrick Lamar/Flickr

The Machine and Pink Floyd all contain socially-conscious messages and political statements, but there is also a strong presence of positive social action within the lyrics of commercial, or ‘popular’ artists through modern hiphop.

Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole are perfect examples of commercial artists using their influential platform to promote/ raise awareness of the systematic racism that still exists in America.

Kendrick’s music video for Alright is a fantastic abstract manifestation of the American law enforcement system in his hometown Compton, California, but he also offers different perspectives on the issue (for example,

“Three Days of Peace & Music” and billing the likes of Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Joe Cocker and Jefferson Airplane, it is clear that the whole idea was to have a major positive impact on society, and it definitely worked. Hendrix’s re-creation of the turmoil of war through skilled guitar trickery and the constant anti-war chants resonated with everyone, and it was considered a huge moment for both music and the Peace Movement.

Aside from Woodstock, anti-system songs have been making their way through the American and British charts for a long while.

Bruce Springsteen’s Born In The USA is a fantastic example, as it is disguised as (and thought to be) a patriotic, proud song until you fully consider the lyrics and realise it was written bitterly towards

the American government about their involvement in Vietnam. The British punk scene in the 1970s constantly had an anarchistic, anti-government theme, designed to rally its listeners into thinking for themselves and not being ‘one of the sheep’. The lyrics would be explicit and violent at times, but listeners were always able to draw positive themes from them (exactly how Tyler, The Creator’s fans happen to draw messages from his lyrics, interestingly…).

Socially conscious music from either side of the Atlantic was portrayed through two different mindsets, but ended up with the same conclusion. In America positive messages were generally centred around peace and love, and they gave the public access to independent thinking. In the UK, positive messages were generally centred around anarchy and revolution, and gave the public access to independent thinking. Basically, you don’t have to be incredibly PC and euphemistic to write a socially-impacting song, which is what governments need to understand.

Sometimes the benefits of the message outweigh the sweardie-words.

Club-based, booty-based music has

no real redeeming quality other than the fact that it’s catchy. But hey, who cares if it might cause a generation of dribbling, susceptible idiots? It’s catchy, right?! Wrong.

There aren’t many things more damaging than objectification, but do you know what is even more damaging? CONSENSUAL objectification. You see a twerking Miley here, encouraging very young children to imitate her on social media, through trainwrecks like the #DontJudgeChallenge, the #KylieJennerChallenge and various other trending hashtags that young people shouldn’t even know about, let alone be participating in.

The constant acting up on Twitter, the openly famous scandals and the consistently disastrous award shows all point towards an obvious observation: the majority of popular music is negatively impacting society. Yes, there are good influences in pop, but how much influence can they possibly achieve when the first five headlines before them are about ‘who said what to who about who while they were doing that’. It cheapens music, and it cheapens society, to have these people stand as highlights of a decade so many people will want to

forget in the future. It’s toxic, and dangerous, and will be responsible for a complete stagnation in people wanting to be a good role model.

Hopefully it’s just a phase. Hopefully, we can soon put that type of music behind us as quickly as possible, because not only is it unoriginal, repetitive, generic, uncrea-

Photo by Keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk

tive, shallow, basic, uninspired and disgusting, it is also POPULAR, which is the most damaging part.

There is a long way to go before we can say that the majority of popular music contains a positive social message, but at least it has started to make waves again, just like it did in the ’60s and ’70s. We just need more Kendrick Lamars, more Rou Reynolds-es, more J. Coles, more Serj Tankians and more Tom Morellos right now. Hell, even more Macklemores.

Censorship is subjective.

18

Friday 2 December 2016 InQuire

Entertainment

Television

Christmas Adverts - Has John Lewis lost its magic?

By Manon Charles Newspaper Lifestyle Editor

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hristmas time in Britain is characterized by the annual battle of the festive tv adverts, and this year is no different. With giants such as Marks & Spencer and Sainsbury’s upping their game, has the long-time favourite John Lewis advert been dethroned? Here are some of my favourite TV adverts.

Sainsbury’s - The Greatest Gift This is a beautifully animated advert, following the journey of a father trying

to get everything done and spend time with his family at Christmas. The stop motion animation advert is set to a song sung by none other than James Corden.

It’s funny, festive and full of Christmas spirit John Lewis – Buster the Boxer The John Lewis Christmas advert is arguably the most eagerly anticipated advert of the season. And with good reason following the previous years’ standard. However, this year they have gone down a slightly different route and gone for smiles rather than tears with a

Photo from BBC

heart-warming advert depicting Buster the dog and other wildlife leaping on a trampoline. While some people are disappointed with the light-hearted approach, others have suggested that after the year we’ve all just endured, a small dose of laughter and relief is what we all need.

T K Maxx – The Sing-Song While this advert may first appear to feature a family about to burst into a traditional festive sing-song, this is far from the truth. Instead of a more traditional rendition, the family break into an acapella version of Misirlou, a track that was used in Pulp Fiction. And uses the clever line “Christmas is best when it’s more surprising”.

Alzheimer’s Research UK – Santa Forgot This extremely touching animated advert, narrated by Stephen Fry, portrays a world where Santa has stopped visiting. A little girl, travels to the North Pole to investigate, and upon learning of his condition, motivates the elves to start researching, explaining, “If Santa has a disease, research can find a way to fix it”. This advert effectively

Westworld Review

By Miles Howell Writer

I

n 1973, a film appeared in cinemas which showed what could happen if an advanced theme park began to malfunction. That film was ‘Westworld’, directed by Michael Crichto, in which two tourists arrive in a recreation of the Wild West that is populated by lifelike robots that can be interacted with.

The holiday takes a turn for the worst however when the robots are infected with a computer virus that makes them able to kill the tourists, as seen with Yul Brynner’s Gunslinger who relentlessly pursues the protagonist.

Some ideas are so good that they can be explored more than once and so in 2016, HBO released the television series ‘Westworld’. The series focuses more on the viewpoint of the robots and the question of what it means to be human in contrast to the film which was essentially a science-fiction thriller. As such there are several key differences between the two, one being that the series omits both Medieval World and Roman World, the other ‘themed’ zones

Photo from RadioTimes in the original. The other is that the character in the series based on the Gunslinger is not this time a robot but a ruthless tourist who has been visiting the park for years.

New characters introduced include Dolores, a robot who is unaware of her true nature and so begins to suspect something is very wrong with her world.

Anthony Hopkins plays Robert Ford, a park director and creator of the robots as well as a person who may know more than he is letting on. The series has touched on more contemporary topics than the film could of; the park appears as a kind of life-size version of

a role-playing video game with many different story lines to be played out.

In this way the boundary between what is happening to the robots being ‘real’ and all part of a game is blurred.

The series ‘Westworld’ is well worth a watch as it seamlessly combines Westerns with science-fiction while at the same time exploring ideas of sentience and reality. And while you’re at it, you can have a look at the original film that started it all. You won’t regret watching either.

Photo from IMDb

Photo fromThe Telegraph

and poignantly portrays the effects of Alzheimer’s and the importance of research.

M&S – Christmas With Love From Mrs Claus This is my personal favourite Christmas advert of 2016. It portrays a stylish Mrs Claus coming to the rescue of a young boy who wants to make his sister happy. She sends Santa off on his sleigh and boards a helicopter R-DOLF, to deliver the Christmas present herself.

This heart-warming advert has filled the gap left by the John Lewis advert.

Great TV to watch out for over the holidays; The Reassembler- James May’s back at the BBC for Christmas.

Doctor Who- Confirmed for a Christmas Day special the Doctor is rumoured to jet off to New York in this episode called The Return of Doctor Mysterio.

The Great Christmas Bakeoff- the final farewell before the Bakeoff heads to Channel 4 *cries* Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes-iconic rhymes are brought to life in a six part animated story series Sherlock- Kicking off the New Year, Sherlock and Watson are back with series 4.

InQuire Friday 2 December 2016

19

Entertainment

Arrival Review - More than simply aliens?

By Calum Collins Writer

A

rrival will defy every expectation you have. The main gist of it seems so cliché, it’s almost tacky in how unoriginal it is: twelve UFO’s touch down randomly across the Earth. Every eighteen hours a hatch opens in each ship and people can go inside.

Based on the short story ‘The Story of Your Life’ by Ted Chiang, Arrival stars Amy Adams as Dr Louise Banks, a linguist who is brought in by the military to help communicate with the aliens. Alongside physicist Ian Donnelley (Jeremy Renner), together they must decode the alien’s language.

To tell you more about the plot would probably spoil it.

The visuals of the film are striking; the UFO’s or ‘shells’ as they call them in the film are minimalist and intimidating, almost inviting you to explore their mystery. The cinematography is equally astounding, the angles used deliberately to place the viewer off kilter to enforce the sense of alienation.

Performances from all the leads are excellent, with Renner being a

highlight. But for me the most striking thing about the film was its sound design: the voices of the aliens are haunting, bellowing wails and the equally atmospheric soundtrack works so well in conjunction with them, that occasionally it’s impossible to tell the two apart. I’m a soundtrack geek but Johan Johannsson’s turn here will be a career definer.

For that reason alone, it’s worth going to see at the cinema: unless you’ve got a blinder of a sound system I wouldn’t wait for the DVD release.

The central mystery, ‘why are these aliens here?’ is made problematic for the characters by the main theme of the film: communication. To tell you why this is a problem would also spoil the film, but suffice to say that the creatures are alien in a fundamental way. Their design is fantastic, a real masterstroke in creature effects.

The script is also dazzling, and with one minor piece of sci-fi hokum aside, feels very grounded: I was surprised by how faithful an adaptation the film was of the story. To me, how unfamiliar and original story it was can be summed up by something a friend said: ‘I don’t

In Cinemas Sully Based on the emergency landing on the Hudson River this film shows the harrowing ordeal and aftermath of such an event. Staring Tom Hanks, see how despite becoming a national hero Captain Sully faces some career threatening questions.

Photo by Wikimedia

even like sci-fi and that was amazing.’

It’s less about aliens and more about relationships: how we communicate and how that communication shapes how we see the world.

Without a shadow of a doubt, the best film I’ve seen this year.

Bad Santa 2 Giving the holidays another shot, Willie Soke (Billy Bob Thornton) is back to ruffle up the festive season.

Fuelled by cheap whiskey, greed and hatred more issues arise when Willie’s mother comes to town for the holidays.

Throwback Christmas Films

By Karisma Indra Newspaper Sport Editor

By Bryony Jewell Newspaper Entertainment Editor

I

t may seem a bit clichéd, but my favourite Christmas film when it comes down to it, has to be the classic, 1946 It’s a Wonderful Life.

Set on Christmas Eve 1945, we find George Bailey, a man who has given his life to help others, now contemplating suicide. This imminent decision causes George’s guardian angel, Clarence, to intervene by showing just how much of a difference his life has made to the residents of his town. Clarence simply shows his charge just how much he matters, making the world seem like a less lonely place for George Bailey.

Of course there are some inevitabilities in this sort of a film; yet, I can’t help but smile when George Bailey finally understands the value of his life to his town and to his family. And everybody lives happily ever after on Christmas Day. It is a truly excellent film and never fails to put me in the Christmas spirit. It is a truly heart-warming- definitely one to watch during the holiday season.

R

Photo byWikimedia

Photo by IMBD

eleased in 1994, this film never fails to get me in the Christmas spirit.

Miracle on 34th Street is set in New York (already winning festive points) and shows how anything is possible at Christmas.

Opening with the infamous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, you know right from the start that this film is going to be filled with festive cheer. Following a skeptical six year old, played by Mara Wilson the film commits to proving that santa is real and can be hiding in the most unlikely of places- perhaps even Manhattan department stores. After a couple of run-ins with the law, after all it is hard adapting to Manhattan when you’re use to the North Pole, Susan manages to save Santa just in time.

It might be cliche in parts, but its one of the most charming Christmas films for both adults and children around… and will leave you glowing with festive spirit by the end- perhaps even ready to tackle those Christmas wishes yourself.

Photo by Wikimedia

A United Kingdom Set in the 1940’s Prince Seretse Khama of Botswana shocks the world when he marries a white woman from London. Based on true-life events this film is an uplifting and inspirational story of love which triumphs over every obstacle and in doing so transforms a nation and the world.

Photo by Wikimedia

20

Friday 2 December 2016 InQuire

Entertainment

A new direction for gaming in 2017?

Games to Look Out For

Final Fantasy XV Noctis and his loyal companions must overcome a series of challenges in this new addition in order to discover the truth and reclaim his homeland. With music from a Grammy award winning DJ, Final Fantasy is sure to be an interesting play.

By Ellesse Cooke Inquire Events

T

his Christmas sees the release of Nintendo’s Classic Mini NES (Nintendo Entertainment System), a remodelled version of the original that comes with 30 retro games.

Coincidentally it’s sharing this Christmas with the release of the PS4 Pro, slated to have even better graphics and gameplay than the PS4.

Moving into 2017, gaming seems to

Photo by iDigital Times

Dead Rising 4 With an all new collection of weapons and vehicles there is a million new ways to kill in this release. EXO suits give players a super power weapon with incredible fire power to take on the attacking zombies.

Photo by Nintendo

C

The Last Guardian A PS4 exclusive from visionary game director Fumito Ueda this is sure to be impressive. Befriending a strange creature, you must quickly gain trust and begin to evade the enemies which are hunting you both.

Photo by Playstation

Photo from Playstation

to have an appeal to large, diverse audiences, should gaming focus on the old or the new? I say, make like you’re crossing the road and look both ways.

Gaming is big business. There’s room enough for fans of RPGs, FPSs and other bizarrely acronymed genres; why not make room for the classics and the classics to be?

Want to write for Inquire? Come along to the student media centre at 6.15pm on Mondays.

Christmas gamer gift ideas

By Ethan Stone Writer

Photo by Xbox

find itself at an inevitable impasse- do we return to the “classic” games or should we be taking every step we can to bring gaming into the future?

Well, what has the future of gaming got to show for itself? If the recent progress we’ve had is anything to go by, more interactivity. Some of the most popular RPGs of the last few years have done everything they can to allow the player to impact the story through their choices.

Meanwhile FPS fans have been dreaming for years of a more immersive experience; and with the rise of the Occulus Rift and rumours of developing virtual reality technology, that dream may not be far off.

And what about classic games? Well if you think you can just palm these games off with the “seen it all before” principal you’d be wrong. There is a strangely addictive quality to these games based on simplicity alone. While many have similar set ups and controls, it’s no less than genius how easy they are for anyone to play again and again.

So with both directions looking

hristmas time is almost upon us, which can only mean two things.

One, its time to start thinking about what you can gift your friends and family, and two; there’s probably an essay almost due that you should have started writing by now.

Although I can’t help with the second one, here’s some handy ideas to get you thinking about what could possibly impress on Christmas morning.

Photo from Mankind

Desktop Arcade Machine As well as looking awesome, this retro styled arcade machine has 240 classic games preinstalled and ready to play. It has sound effects and music, meaning you’ll be transported to Christmas’ past in no time. This is a great crowd pleaser sure to get mum, dad and nana involved on some boxing day activities.

FIFA 17 Always one of the biggest releases of the year, FIFA is back again and now offering the most in-depth and authentic football experience to date.

With a new Frostbite game engine that will completely transform game play the 2017 release is by far the best yet.

Getting FIFA on Christmas morning is now on par with my selection pack, you know it’s going to be there- but you still love it.

Xbox One Console Now, if you’re really looking to impress there is some great deals around at the moment on consoles. Tesco direct’s cheapest offer right now is the console with Minecraft for under £200! The best thing about investing in a gaming set up

Photo by EAsports

at Christmas is that you actually have time to fully indulge, with no lurking guilt from Uni.. oh, and of course you’ll get to share the experience with your family.

Photo by retrospiritgames

InQuire Friday 2 December 2016

21

Entertainment

2016- A Year to Remember

By Ellesse Cooke Inquire Events

T

he beginning of 2016 seems like a lifetime ago now. You may find yourself looking back and saying, “Wait, that happened THIS year?”

But jokes aside, 2016 has been big on entertainment news from the big screen to the small screen to the very small screens. But I prefer to look at it as- the good, the bad and the ugly.

Fortunately for us, the good has been Photo by Cinema Blend

Photo by Pokemongo.com

pretty damn good. In March, the 100th drag queen to grace the halls of Rupaul’s Drag Race entered the work room, just as the fabulous as the first. Fast forward to summer and Pokemon Go became every 90’s child’s new addiction and took us to a world where catching them all through a phone never felt so good. August saw the Olympics take over television once again; and of course, just a few weeks ago the wizarding world returned to

the big screen, introducing us to plenty of Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them.

But the wizarding world hasn’t been without it’s losses, with Alan Rickman, everyone’s favourite Snape, passing away just as the year began. Sadly, he wouldn’t be the first; from Bowie to Prince to Leonard Cohen, the music world too had to say goodbye to many of it’s legends. We also said goodbye to BBC Bake Off and in a year full of death, the little things suddenly became a lot more painful.

It hasn’t helped that 2016 has had it’s share of ugliness. Predictably, the US Election saw social media turn into The Hunger Games where not being allied to anyone was the same as being against everyone. And who did 15,000 people end up voting for? Harambe. Rounding

Modern Christmas tunes

By Bryony Jewell Newspaper Entertainment Editor You’d be hard pressed to find a more excited person than myself this time of year. Yes, I know it’s not Christmas for another month but is there really such a thing as preparing “too soon”?

As not to appear too obviously as a festive fanatic in the middle of November, I start the celebrations on a low key note, by listening to Christmas music disguised in modern day artists and albums. Here’s two of my top picks for modern sounding festive songs;

Alice Jemima- Driving Home for Christmas Released this year, Alice Jemima’s take on this classic is pure beauty. With smooth vocals and a soothing beat this track will make easy listening in the lead up to the big day.

Smith & Burrows- This ain’t New Jersey Drawing inspiration from The Pogues classic tune, this song shows the more realistic side to Christmas. Fast paced and catchy- a modern classic!

of a year of hideousness is Honey G, everyone’s “favourite” X Factor hip hop hopeful. At this rate, I think I’d rather see Harambe win.

So as I look into my crystal ball to the future, is there much hope for possibly Honey G worshipping, definitely Donald Trump ruling, 2017?

Yes. Just as we have to take the bad (and the ugly) with the good, we also get to take good with the bad. So the entertainment world will always keep entertaining. For though the night is dark and full of terrors, it’s time to face the music.

By Robert Linton Writer

S

ince 2013 Vaults have been teasing us with snippets of their longly awaited album. When their first track ‘Cry No More’ was released it gained over 100,000 plays within its first week and since then the band have collectively gained over 22 million views on YouTube. For those who may not know Vaults are a London based electronic band comprised of songwriter Ben Vella, producer Barney Freeman and singer Blythe Pepino. The band have travelled the blogosphere, toured in America, written a song for the Fifty Shades of Grey Soundtrack, collaborated with Gorgon City and more recently featured on the John Lewis advert. After all the three years later we have a debut album.

For those who have followed the band the 13 songs on the tracklist are a mix of the familiar but favourites and few new surprises. If you are new to the band, well I say your in for a treat.

The album is a concoction of layered electronic hues, ambient synths and strong, sublime vocals from Blythe, creating what can be described as a series of ambient soundscapes. When

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Album Review Caught In Still Life

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2017 is on it’s way and maybe, just maybe, it won’t be so bad. Stranger Things have happened.

- “I be Lake g e r G to mas” inning g Christ e B ’s e - “It Bubl ristmas” l e a h Mic ike Ch alot L aby” Look anta B S “ gue Mino Kylie

discussing the process songwriter Ben has said that the lyrical ideas come from short films and documentaries.

“I write a lot of the songs to visuals, to weird short films and stuff,” says Ben. “I just find it a lot easier to write when you’re looking at something. Even from the point where it’s just a drumbeat, I’ll loop a short film.”

The bands name, lyrics and sound comes from “how you deal with what you keep in the Vault”. These dark themes are scattered throughout the album and tells the story of real-life.

For those with a creative and imaginative personality this is the album for you to get lost in sounds and words.

Vaults head out on a UK tour in 2017 starting in Brighton on the 3 February.

Caught In Still Life is out today.

Tracks to check out: Bloodflow, Midnight River and Premonitions.

Mariah Carey- “All I Want for Christmas is You” The Jackson Five - “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” Band Aid- “Do They Know It’s Christmas” Wizzard- “Wish it Could be Christmas Everyday”

22

Friday 2 December 2016 InQuire

Culture

The Gulbenkian Cinema listings Times THE LIGHT BETWEEN OCEANS (12A) Fri 2 Dec - Mon 5 Dec 2016 A STREET CAT NAMED BOB (12A) Fri 2 Dec - Wed 7 Dec 2016 THE POLAR EXPRESS (U) Sat 3 Dec 2016 WHITE CHRISTMAS (U) Sun 4 Dec 2016 GIMME DANGER (15) Sun 4 Dec 2016 DIE HARD (18) Tue 6 Dec 2016 FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM (12A) Fri 9 Dec - Wed 14 Dec 2016 THE INNOCENTS (15) Fri 9 Dec - Sat 10 Dec 2016 MY FERAL HEART (12A) Sat 10 Dec 2016 A UNITED KINGDOM (12A) Fri 16 Dec - Tue 20 Dec 2016 NOCTURNAL ANIMALS (15) Fri 16 Dec - Sun 18 Dec 2016 IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE (U) Sun 18 Dec 2016 SULLY (12A) Fri 6 Jan - Tue 10 Jan 2017 FROZEN SING-A-LONG (PG) Sat 7 Jan 2017

Prices Full - £8.50 GulbCard Member - £6.50 Senior - £7.50 Registered Disabled - £7.50 Student - £5.30 Student GulbCard Member - £4.30 Unemployed - £7.50

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Hansel and Gretel

his December Lyngo Theatre fun and beautiful imagery, working presents Hansel and Gretel, magically together to reveal the vivid a musical theatre version of the poetic realm that is at the heart of classic tale their work. Their of adventure trademark features that will have are a singular visual you humming flair, an inventive use along! With of props -beautifully magical songs designed and handby Carlo made ‘theatre toys’‘Cialdo’ Capelli and an interactive and and beautiful genuine approach to imagery by Photos by The Gulbenkian play, no matter the age designer Elena of our audience.

Marini, this is a charming wintry tale Directed and designed by that will delight audiences of all ages.

Marcello Chiarenza, this story Having captivated children and adults seems to prove the sorrowful fact for over 10 years with their mix of that maybe hunger is stronger fun and engaging performances, the than love. The poor woodsman’s Gulbenkian is thrilled to be welcoming empty stomach goes to his back Lyngo Theatre to Canterbury head, he gives in to the bony following their successful run of Snow step-mother and leaves Hansel Play in December 2014. Lyngo is a UK and Gretel in the forest. This based children’s theatre company with happens not just once but twice. strong Italian connections. Their shows And the second time there won’t have delighted children and adults for be any moonstones for them to over 10 years with their unique mix of follow back home. Instead they follow their noses to the sugary heart of darkness… and we all know what comes next!

So far, the show has already received some wonderful reviews: described as a “concentrated Christmas production with forceful impact”, the cut-down, two-person version of the folk tale has been devised in “a way to make maximum impact with limited means; so much that the two-hander format

becomes a virtue.” (reviewsgate.com) One audience member said “we really enjoyed this entertaining show and recommend others to go see it!”

The play is adapted and performed

by Patrick Lynch. In the UK Lynch has acted and directed for companies like Oily Cart and been a workshop and project leader for many organisations.

Since 2006 he has been presenting television programmes for the BBC on their channel Cbeebies.

Lynch has worked extensively in Europe in theatre-forms like Commedia dell’Arte and clowning, which becomes apparent in the comedy and slapstick of Hansel and Gretel.

Lyngo Theatre serve up their own special recipe of Hansel and Gretel at the Gulbenkian from Tuesday 6 Sunday 18 December 2016. Tickets: £8.50 / Groups of 4+ £7.50 per person.

For more information and tickets please visit www.thegulbenkian.co.uk or call 01227 769075.

Get Festive at The Gulbenkian C

hristmas time is here and the Gulbenkian does not fail to dose up its own hearty serving of festive cheer.

CHRISTMAS CONCERT Wed 14 Dec 2016/ Student £5 Performed at the Royal Dockyard Church, Historic Dockyard Chatham by University of Kent Choir and Orchestra (Medway). A festive programme to include Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on Christmas Carols for Baritone Solo, Chorus and Orchestra; Greg Lake: I believe in Father Christmas (arranged for choir, orchestra and soloists), plus songs and orchestral pieces from a range of musical traditions.

THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS 3D (PG) Sat 17 Dec 2016/ Student £4 Henry Selick directs this 1993 Tim Burton-penned musical opus, a stunningly original and visually delightful modern classic – crafted

with superb stop motion animation – that has firmly cemented itself as a seasonal favourite. Despite having recently presided over a very successful Halloween, Jack Skellington (a.k.a. The Pumpkin King) feels dissatisfied with his lot and that life in Halloweenland lacks meaning. But then Jack stumbles upon Christmastown and promptly decides to make Yuletide his own.

THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL (U) Mon 19 Dec 2016 / Student £3 Brian Henson directs this joyful Muppet version of the best-known Christmas story of all time. Michael Caine is old miser Scrooge with Kermit his long-suffering but ever-hopeful employee Bob Cratchit, Miss Piggy as Cratchit’s wife, and a host of Muppets in this bright, playful adaptation. We watch as the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future take Scrooge on

a journey through his lonely, wasted life. Michael Caine makes a wonderful Scrooge, delightfully rediscovering the meaning of life, alongside Jim Henson’s brilliantly realised ghosts. Anarchic and warm, this is a Christmas family classic.

ALBION CHRISTMAS BAND Tue 20 Dec 2016 / Student £18 A popular show which sells out every year and described in the Guardian as “the perfect antidote to the corporate Christmas”,and with a new album out this year, especially for you, this is a show you must not miss! This talented group of friends look forward every year to bringing their brand of Christmas cheer to delighted audiences all over the country. Full of carols, poetry and funny tales with a Christmassy theme, this show takes you on a guided tour through the Christmas customs of Britain. In association with Folk in The Barn.

InQuire Friday 2 December 2016

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Canterbury’s Christmas Markets

By Ellesse Cooke Writer

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ne of my favourite parts of Christmas in Canterbury is the yearly Christmas Market. Located around the Whitefriars area, the market is home to all sorts of treasures, from the quirky, to the delicious to the outright beautiful. Here are a few I’d recommend you stop by before you go home for Christmas.

Photos by Ellesse Cooke

First up is a personal favourite of mine, the chutney stall, home to every gift I’ve gotten my nan in the last 2 years, and I mean that in the best way. There are

some delicious concoctions on offer here from the classic Lemon Curd to the ever popular Spicy Tomato and Onion. Not to mention brilliant service, especially from this little lady.

Chutneys not to your taste? Then why not try A Different Taste? With a large array of Greek delicacies (including some tasty looking olive dishes), a trip to this stall may be just what you need to add a little bit of culture to your diet this Christmas.

This one is a classic, offering all the quirky and colourful gems your heart could desire. A personal recommendation is the hand crafted flower soaps that could give a Lush a

run for their money. And hey, if you really can’t find anything to your liking, at least stop by for a quick look at the most awesome moustache I’ve come across (but don’t tell them I’m the weirdo that sent you).

But hang on a minute classics, there’s a new kid on the block, and he sells spyglasses. In all seriousness, this little stall sells some of the most beautiful kaleidoscopes you will ever see, as well as several other lovely bits and pieces. This is not one to miss.

And of course, I couldn’t end this article

Culture

without talking about The Reindeer Shack.

A family business, making their wooden reindeer and snowmen from scratch, this place is the MVP for me. Their creations include the little and the large and best of all, can proudly hold a personalised message of your choice. So get on down to Canterbury Christmas Market and make your Christmas a little more unique.

Should The Globe go Contemporary?

By Rowan Parris Writer

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he recent news that Emma Rice is stepping down as Artistic Director in 2018, after two years at the helm, raises some serious questions about the motivations of the Globe board.

She is reportedly leaving after disputes surrounding her use of lighting,

sound and rigging in her direction, which critics argue detracts from the authenticity of the Globe. The Globe is an important landmark and the performances which take place there represent the monument’s past and historical context. Performances of Shakespeare’s works are especially pertinent because of his connection to the theatre, and respect should therefore

Photo by The Shakespeare Globe Trust

be shown to these productions.

Whilst people of course have a right to their own opinion, and whilst Shakespeare’s works are important to preserve, in an ever-changing world, a contemporary interpretation of older works isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Look at the 1996 movie Romeo + Juliet with Leonardo di Caprio and Claire Danes, which was met with major box-office success, despite it being a modern interpretation of Shakespeare’s famous play. Whilst it still contained most of the original material that Shakespeare wrote, audiences loved the contemporary twist of being set in a modern-day suburb called Verona. In addition to this, audiences have clearly responded to Emma’s modern ideas, with box office reports reportedly being “exceptionally strong”.

Whilst regular fans and traditionalists regarding Shakespeare certainly deserve to be respected and to have their views heard, Emma, as the artistic director of the Globe, equally deserves to have at least some freedom to experiment with her productions, especially when the focus should really be on her direction and dramatic content

Photo by Eleanor Weaver

rather than the lighting and sound.

Trying to please everyone in theatre productions, especially interpretations of classic works which already have strong followings, is impossible but a contemporary angle may bring in wider audiences, whilst still making an effort to respect Shakespeare’s works. This situation does beg the question, if the board of the Globe didn’t want modern themes and interpretations, then why did they hire Emma Rice, a director who is known for her ability to “shake things up” within productions?

What are your thoughts?

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Friday 2 December 2016 InQuire

Culture

Poetry Corner

Little Tree An Excerpt

Look the spangles that sleep all the year in a dark box dreaming of being taken out and allowed to shine, the balls the chains red and gold the fluffy threads, put up your little arms and I’ll give them all to you to hold every finger shall have its ring and there won’t be a single place dark or unhappy then when you’re quite dressed you’ll stand in the window for everyone to see and how they’ll stare! oh but you’ll be very proud and my little sister and I will take hands and looking up at our beautiful tree we’ll dance and sing “Noel Noel”.

It’s Pantomime Season ...Oh Yes It Is!

By Josie Lilliman Writer

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It’s behind you!” That’s right boys and girls, pantomime season has finally crept back on us. The wackiest of festive traditions brings only the best theatrical magic for all the family to enjoy. I will always have fond memories of my pantomime visits. A colourful whirlwind of songs and dances, always mixed together with some hilariously messy slapstick routine. Getting to ‘boo’ and ‘hiss’ at the baddies and forever ‘looking on the bright side of life’ with our loveable heroes. The amazing props and costumes always worked wonders and getting that interval ice cream always prepared me for the more dramatic second half. I have always loved a good panto, from being a young child all the way up to the here and now.

Therefore, I can only urge every single one of you to see at least one pantomime this year! And where better than here in Canterbury.

Rehearsals have started for Dick

E.E Cummings If you would like you poetry featured in the paper email us at newspaper.culture@inquiremedia. co.uk

Photos by The Marlowe Theatre

Whittington, this year’s Marlowe Theatre pantomime. Top television presenter Stephen Mulhern stars in the production at the Canterbury venue.

Stephen is a regular on our screens in programmes such as The Next Great Magician, Go For It!, Catchphrase, Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, Britain’s Got Talent and Big Star’s Little Star. He is also co-presenter of Heart FM’s Sunday morning show (with Emma Willis).

Dick Whittington will also star Canterbury favourites Ben Roddy as Dolly the Cook and Lloyd Hollett (Captain Crabstick), along with Vladimir Georgievsky (from Britain’s Got Talent) as Alderman Fitzwarren, and a host of West End stars: John Barr (Les Miserables) as King Rat, Lisa Davina Phillip (Matilda) as Fairy Bow-Bells, and Ben Carruthers (Wicked) as Dick Whittington. Jemma Carlisle plays Alice Fitzwarren, while Tommy the Cat is played by Francesca Wright.

Last year’s pantomime (Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs), was seen by more than 95,000 people, making it a Marlowe record-breaker.

Dick Whittington is at The Marlowe Theatre from Friday 25 November 2016 to Sunday 8 January 2017. For times, prices and to book tickets, call the Box Office on 01227 787787 or go to marlowetheatre.com.

Sponsored by Lipscomb Volvo and Mission Training.

Deck the Halls with a Christmas Story

By Manon Charles Newspaper Lifestyle Editor

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ne of my favourite books to reread this time of year is one that takes me back to my childhood.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas! By Dr. Seuss, is a brilliant book. It follows the character of the Grinch as he tries to destroy Christmas, by stealing items from the nearby town of Whoville, but when the residents celebrate regardless of the thefts, he returns the items and is the guest of honour at the Christmas dinner. While the film adaptation also happens to be a great Christmas film, there is something magical about the book and Dr. Seuss’ trademark rhyming scheme. This is a heart-warming tale of the true meaning of Christmas is one for the ages!

By Louise Murray Writer

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ithout a doubt my favourite Christmas Book is A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, first pubished in 1843. Who could fail to be moved by the plight of the Cratchit Family and Tiny Tim and indeed that of the lead

character Ebenezer Scrooge. This story gives us an insight into our Christmas Past, a Victorian England where normal

life for the masses was not a time of plenty and excess. It was however a time of change with new customs such as Christmas Cards and Christmas Trees being introduced.

Apparently after the book was first published there was an increase in charitable giving and we are left with a whole host of new phrases such as ‘Bah Humbug!’, the name ‘Scrooge’ and the phrase ‘Merry Christmas’ gained increased use.

I am not alone for my regard for this book, there have been any number of adaptations, productions and parodies, some of my favourites being The Muppet Christmas Carol, Blackadder’s Christmas Carol, Scrooged and on my ‘things to do list’ go to BBC Radio 2’s Friday Night Is Music Night’s special Christmas concert at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London, 19:30 Sat 10 Dec 2016 where Mark Gatiss will be starring as Scrooge supported by an all star cast.

InQuire Friday 2 December 2016

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Culture

MTS Follow The Leader: The Director Interview

By Eleanor Weaver Newspaper Culture Editor

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ith the Musical Theatre Society’s winter showcase Follow the Leader quickly approaching, Culture Editor Eleanor Weaver spoke to the director, Antonia Kasoulidou and assistant director, Rakel Søberg Svendsen to get an insight into their experiences with the show.

You are directing MTS’ Follow The Leader, a musical showcase.

So how are rehearsals going so far?

A: It’s been really fun and we have such a big cast: actually one of the biggest casts that MTS has had.

R: Yeah, a cast of 46!

A: It’s a mixture of freshers, second years, third years, people that are returning fourth years… it’s a big cast.

Everyone has been been wonderful and it’s like a family during rehearsals because you’re there three times a week.

R: Sometimes it goes 10 to 10 on a Sunday so we’re there all the time. We really have grown to love each other and it is great! It’s really coming together now and we’re doing full runs leading up to the actual show that’s happening in less than two weeks.

How have you found directing? Is it your first time?

A: It’s my second time directing.

I directed Twelfth Night at the Canterbury Shakespeare Festival this Summer and directing a musical is completely different because you have so many aspects to think of.

You think of singing, dancing… not even just that. We’re doing something different because showcase is normally a collection of songs around a theme but the way that we’ve decided to do it this term is to actually create a story that’s interwoven between the songs. So we’ve had to throw in acting and written scenes.

R: It’s not something that’s ever been heavily featured in showcases before so we’re kind of weighing singing, dancing and acting as a triple threat!

What is the story running through?

A: We have a main character which we refer to as Red Thread, because he is the thread that weaves all the songs together.

He is essentially this man that has so much power and is leading

everyone into hunting this witch down.

The witch then casts this spell on him where he gets stuck in a musical theatre hell where he can’t leave the ColyerFerguson Hall. He’s trapped inside of all the numbers and being taught a lesson of what happens when you have so much power and how it’s actually going to end up hurting those around him.

R: So all the songs have that combining theme of power and status. In fact performing it in the Colyer-Ferguson means that we have really been able to tailor our piece to the space: there are fantastic rises and platforms which we can use to really show off the physical representation of status. Also the hall is one of the top 10 for acoustics in the country so the sound is really going to be epic!

Have you got any favourite numbers in this showcase?

R: Oooh we have When You’re An Addams which is one of our favourites.

It’s such a fun number from The Addams Family Musical. We have a lot of big ensemble numbers with everyone on stage with Candy Store from Heathers.

A: We also have a lot of soloists, in fact everyone has their own solo and their own moment to shine. We had an aim to get everyone to have that moment. We have numbers from the musical from MTS which is Urinetown directed by Ben Chamberlain and Sarah Butt which is going to be really good and that’s in February.

R: So in the showcase, there will be a feature of both Urinetown and the MTS Show Choir.

Has it been difficult trying to direct so many people and challenging?

A: I lost my voice this weekend! It’s sometimes difficult to coordinate because you can’t do everything and musically direct and choreograph every number but we get a good team of people to to direct the different numbers.

R: Yeah, so many people are involved and contribute.

You said that MTS is like one giant family which is lovely! Do you think everyone else feels that within the company?

A: I hope so! And hopefully this’ll inspire others to want to join. We’ve had a lot of people from first year integrating which has been great and it’ll be wonderful to have more people join us next term.

R: There’s something for everyone and music for everyone. We’ve tried to balance it with really well known musicals: Music from Wicked, Rent, Hamilton.

A: But we’ve also balanced it with songs that barely anyone knows like The Scarlet Pimpernel.

I didn’t even know that was a musical!

A: After hearing it you want to go back and listen to it. No one really recognises it but it has some killer songs.

It’s almost like a musical learning journey.

R: It introduces people to the music which is different for a showcase and it’s super enjoyable for everyone, from

the musical theatre buff to someone who’s completely new to it.

Are you performing too?

A: We’re not performing but we get to see everything come together so we’re going to be proud mothers watching our children.

R: We’re definitely going to cry! The last song is 21 Guns from American Idiot so very emotional.

A: There are phenomenally talented people in our show and we just want people to hear them Time for the plug guys!

Follow the Leader is being performed

by MTS from Sat 3 - Sun 4 December 2016. The show is at 7.30pm both days and tickets are £5 for students, £8 for others. Being performed in the Colyer Ferguson Hall, tickets are available from the Gulbenkian at www.thegulbenkian. co.uk or on 0127 769075.

Thank you both!

Christmas Carol Services Canterbury Cathedral Christmas Carol Service 23rd Dec 2016 7.30pm The first of two identical services held at the Cathedral to celebrate Christmas.

Canterbury Cathedral Crib Service 24th Dec 2016 11am The family service enjoyed by all ages which welcomes the birth of baby Jesus and features readings and carols.

Canterbury Cathedral Christmas Carol Service 24th Dec 2016 3pm The second of the two carol services.

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Societies

InQuire Friday 2 December 2016

InQuire Friday 2 December 2016

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Societies

Society Spotlight:

Find out more about how you can get involved

Win £40,000 by casting for new ‘Fifteen to One’ show!

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“We are very excited to be back for a new series and have begun a nationwide search to find the best competitors around in order to crown a new Grand Champion!”

Do you have what it takes to win the title of Fifteen To One Grand Champion and a massive £40,000?

If so, apply to be a contestant now!

For an application email: 15to1apps@remedyproductions.tv Are you up for the challenge?

Find us on Twitter: @15to1quiz Sandi Toksvig of ‘QI’ and ‘The News Quiz’ returns for her latest series of Fifteen to One testing the knowledge of the nation, 15 people at a time!

‘Strictly Kent Dancing’ event

n Sunday 4th December KBLDC are relaunching ‘Strictly Kent Dancing’!

They said they could not dance, but they were wrong. Our celebrities take to the dancefloor to represent their societies and battle for the title of the university’s ballroom and latin dancing champion!

‘Strictly Come Dancing’, campus celebrities face each other in a dramatic danceoff and show off their smooth moves along the way. With the aid of Kent Ballroom and Latin Dance Club’s professionals, there are no limits to what they can achieve. The stories may be outrageous, but the steps will be polished!

Come along to support the competitors and cast your vote to decide where the trophy will go.

After the votes have been counted and verified, the two highest placed couples will battle it out in the final dance off.

Breaking the competitive tension, the night features performances and showcases from other campus dance societies to ensure an evening of constant entertainment!

This year’s event will be in aid of L’Arche Kent: a local charity supporting people with learning disabilities.

Tickets cost £5 when booked in advance or £6 on the door.

Photo by RadioTimes

Join the fight against Tuberculosis A

few UKC students, all members of the Results UK group, have decided to devote their month to fight against Tuberculosis. To explain their fight, they have shared a few numbers clarifying the current danger of Tuberculosis.

New figures released by the World Health Organisation shows that cases of tuberculosis – a preventable, curable disease – have increased as to become the world’s leading infectious killer.

Although many believe Tuberculosis to be an illness of the past, the disease still very much exists in the UK. 100 new cases were discovered here in Kent in 2015; whereas just up the road, in London, over 2000 cases were reported.

In fact, a recent report from the London Assembly noted that some London boroughs have higher rates of Tuberculosis

than Rwanda and Iraq!

The WHO report estimated 10.4 million new Tuberculosis cases worldwide – a twenty percent increase from last year’s figures.

Why are the numbers going up when Tuberculosis is preventable and curable? The increase in numbers of Tuberculosis cases and deaths in 2015 is chiefly attributable to better case detection, improved diagnostics and more in depth screening. While the reported numbers are rising, this doesn’t mean there are more cases, but rather that we’re only now discovering the true scale of the problem.

Despite this Tuberculosis epidemic, the disease hasn’t had a new vaccine in nearly a hundred years, neither has it had any new drugs for fifty years. Most

frighteningly, drug-resistant strains of the disease continue to spread, and a lack of new Tuberculosis drugs means that drug resistance is a race with the Tuberculosis bacteria. A race which doctors could be slowly losing.

The UK is a world leader in the fight against infectious diseases. However, it is critical Theresa May continues this leadership by pushing for a High Level Meeting of world leaders on combating Tuberculosis at the United Nations General Assembly in September 2017.

As such, the Results UK group believe people should be informed about this issue, and strongly encourage any willingness to help.

Contact Florine Cardin/ fbbc2@kent. ac.uk for more information.

Photo by Remedy Productions

FIFTEEN TO ONE TWEETS • @ailsa_xx “That final round of Fifteen to One was nerve-wracking telly.

Congratulations to all three finalists, a brilliant contest.”

• @Hyperwatchtick “’Which comedian voiced Penfold in Danger Mouse?’, ‘Bernard Manning?’

Ha ha #15to1” • @bedford news “Flitwick man takes home £40k after winning game show Fifteen to One”

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Friday 2 December 2016 InQuire

Classifieds

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?

Check out this vacancy!

FIND A JOB THAT FITS AROUND YOU AND YOUR STUDIES.

Part Time Nanny

Ref: 1866 £9 per hour Approx. 10 hours per week Based in Canterbury Are you caring and responsible in nature?

Looking for a job that fits perfectly around your studies? A position has just opened up as a nanny!

Bank House Parent (x2) Ref: 1860 £7.50 - £9 – day and night shifts available As and when shifts are available Based in Canterbury Would you be a suitable fit for a job as providing high quality pastoral care in boarding houses at an international college in Canterbury?

Festive Party Staff Ref: 1843 Pay starts at £7.50 Various hours Based in Maidstone Earn lots of £’s for Christmas! Do you possess exceptional customer service skills? Would you like to be part of a team working at lavish Christmas parties throughout the festive season!

inquirelive.co.uk/jobshop Student Photographers (x2)

Summer Camp Workers (USA) Ref: 1850 $1600 8/9 weeks 6 days per week Various locations in USA Are you an enthusiastic individual looking for an amazing summer adventure in the USA? Fancy being paid to oversee camp activities and have fun?

German Teacher Ref: 1856 £24.89 per 50 minute lesson 4 x 50 minute lessons Canterbury Are you a fluent speaker of German and would be happy to tutor pupils for the IB programme at a local international college?

Business Development Representative

Ref: 1863 £6.57 - £8.07 Ad hoc hours Based on Canterbury Campus We are urgently looking for two experienced student photographers to work ad hoc for Kent Union’s Marketing department and cover some important events!

CSR Youth Academy – Project Assistant

Ref: 1867 £6.57 per hour 8 hours per week Based on Canterbury Campus Do you want to work for CSRfm helping to overseeing a Youth Academy team of volunteers? The successful intern will learn invaluable skills in project/ events planning and communication!

Ref: 1851 £7/£8 per hour Flexible hours Based in Canterbury Would you like to work in a dynamic environment?

Outgoing people will love this job as if you’re willing to work hard you’ll learn how to make calls to business executives!

TO APPLY FOR ANY OF THESE ROLES, GO ONLINE TO: inquirelive.co.uk/jobshop

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InQuire Friday 2 December 2016

Classifieds

ADVERTISEMENTS • EVENTS • SALES • WANTED email advertising@inquiremedia.co.uk • call 01227 816101 • visit inquirelive.co.uk/advertising

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entitled to a free ad in InQuire.

read more online www.inquirelive.co.uk

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Save on top brands including Amazon and Jack Wills, as well as on local restaurants.

ONLY £12 visit Mandela Reception

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SOUND LIGHT STAGE POWER

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Friday 2 December 2016 InQuire

Sport

InQuire Opinion: What is Sport?

By Kiro Evans Writer

F

ootballing legend and ex-Liverpool manager, Bill Shankly once mocked the widespread opinion that many hardcore fans, swept up in the tensest moments of competition, frequently take, that sport “is a matter of life and death”.

It is incredible how so many of us so often become enamoured with basic games and frequently become overwhelmed in a fit of passion normally reserved only for political activists and crazed gunmen. This suggests that sport is actually far more than a petty competition and instead is representative of physical achievement and how far the body can be pushed.

For example, when Mo Farah won both the 5,000m and 10,000m Olympic races in 2012 and then again at Rio in 2016, that was far more than a man running a combined 30,000m and more so a celebration of the extraordinary boundaries the Briton had succeeded.

Emphasising the willpower

and discipline he possessed along with a range of physical attributes the normal person could never hope of having.

Yet, it gives us pleasure to watch and even dream.

This, incidentally, is another huge and often forgotten aspect of sport, the vicarious enjoyment. Everybody dreams of being the captain of the local club on the road to lifting the FA Cup, but not everyone can.

Sport, therefore, is inclusive and inviting, often bringing others into an exclusive community of only the most passionate fans of the land. It makes the frequent afternoons stood in rain-swept sport stadiums tolerable because ultimately the sense of camaraderie and friendship transcends a ball going into the back of the net.

Sport, it must be remembered, also acts inadvertently as an escape from the rest of the world. It is not unusual to become disillusioned with the mundanity of modern life: waking up in the same room in the morning, hung-over because the phrase “just one more” has lost all meaning.

Riding the same bus, going to the same job, watching the same television programmes and being lied to by the same politicians. Sport offers an alternative, visceral experience that vacillates between being consistently unpredictable and downright bonkers. And even though cynics will argue that, on the one hand, sport is just a series of banal games, on the other, far more imaginative hand, sport functions as an escape, offering up heroes with obscure and almost fictionalsounding titles such as Claudia Fragapane and molding them into household names.

It is perhaps best that here we return to the full statement by the aforementioned Bill Shankly: “Some people think football is a matter of life or death. I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that.”

Football, or rather sport more generally, is to some people, indeed, everything.

The benefits of exercising

By Aleksandra Zyborowics Writer

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ur perception of sports and exercise develop at an early age. One of the catalysts for encouraging (or as it seems discouraging) participation and enjoyment of sports begins at school. There is a stigma associated with sport that scares many children- not everyone in Physical Ed class is the next Usain Bolt or Maria Sharapova and it is those pupils who are quickly forgotten. Perhaps the curriculum regarding P.E. should seek to emphasise the benefits of exercise? If we had a variety of activities to choose from, rather than being subjected to do whichever sport the teacher wanted to inflict on us, we would be more inclined to join sports clubs and keep active.

“In Year 6, 18.5% (2,684) of children are classified as obese [in the Kent area].”- Public Health England Report 2 June 2015. This is a worrying statistic and needs to be addressed. The health implications of neglecting your need for exercise can have

a significant impact on you now and in the future. If you were one of many who did not enjoy P.E. lessons, there is still a chance to rectify this. We have amazing opportunities on campus and in local facilities. A great way to try new things out is the Let’s Play scheme. For as little as £1 you can go swimming, try out dance classes, participate in cycling etc.

If you want to take your sporting activities more seriously, we have on our campus the Sports Centre where you can engage in fitness classes such as yoga, boxing, Zumbathere is something for everyone.

They even have a Winter workout to keep those winter blues at bay whilst keeping your body in shape ready to tackle those Christmas holiday feasts.

As students, we experience a lot of stressful times throughout the year with deadlines always looming over our shoulders.

Keeping active is a great way to reduce stress and keep healthy.

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InQuire Friday 2 December 2016

Sport

Things to do this Winter What to play

By Conor Taylor Writer

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s another cold winter draws in the summer bodies we work so hard for become increasingly difficult to maintain.

Promises of turkey and roast potatoes entice us into bad fitness habits.

However, there are many enjoyable winter activities to help you keep fit.

Running Running is a classic way of staying fit for everyone.

Alone or with a friend it’s important it’s enjoyable, weekly targets drive you to work hard. At the beginning it should be easy to get into the rhythm.

Sledging Another classic winter activity is sledging, an entertaining activity that gets you out of the house on those lazy Sunday afternoons. Even when snow is a bit of an issue, take a trip to a dry slope and explore your local area.

Skiing While you’re on the slopes why not try your hand at skiing, avoiding the cost of a trip to the Alps, but with the exhilaration of the wind in your hair. It works your legs to keep them toned and shapely.

Walking There are ways of keeping fit without spending a penny, grab a camera, a good friend and go on a nice long walk. Getting fresh air in your lungs, you can truly appreciate the countryside that is so underrated.

Ice-Skating An old favourite, iceskating, is a great reminder of childhood fun at discos

while working those quads and calves An activity that can’t be missed as you laugh with your friends in picturesque locations.

Football/Hockey It’s always a great idea to try something new and expand your horizons but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the classics.

Touch rugby or football are national favourites that aren't dependent on weather and surely better than TV on the sofa.

Yoga The explosion of yoga has seen many people undertake numerous variations of the Hindu discipline, males may doubt this activity, but it is a fantastic way to improve core body strength and balance.

Snowball Fights If we get lucky this year and there is some snow we need to be prepared with those vintage winter activities. A snowball fight is near impossible not to enjoy. Just avoid the yellow snow.

Bubble Football The classic football and rugby games can be greatly enjoyed but why not mix it up a bit? Try your hand at bubble football, crash into your friends and send them flying as you discover new tactics that even Sir Alex Ferguson hadn’t thought of.

Ski Biking A little pricier but an exciting new sport that has to be tried this winter is ski biking. Combining two great fitness activities, it’s guaranteed fun in a winter wonderland. I urge anyone to try this strange and unusual sport.

What to watch

By Angela Hermann Writer

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Photo by Flickr

Photo by Flickr

Photo by Flickr

ith the weather getting colder and Christmas getting closer, you might not be as inclined to venture out. Staying snug inside and watching TV would be much more appealing, especially considering British weather.

If so, then instead of watching the usual TV shows, maybe try something new? There are lots of different winter sports on TV even when it’s not the year for the Winter Olympics. Here are my top three: Ice Hockey For anyone who likes fast, thrilling, contact sports, ice hockey is definitely something to watch. Three quarters of twenty minutes for teams of five and a goalie to get as many points as possible. Played on ice skates, the game is fast and it is sometimes difficult to see where the puck is, but just a hint, keep your eyes on the players, not the puck. Whilst it is a contact sport, there are certain moves that aren’t allowed and for those the players get set off ice for two minutes and the team then has to play one man down.

The best thing about ice hockey is that there is always a winner. If the teams are drawn at the end of the last third, they go into extra time and if no goal is scored in extra time, it goes to penalties. For a cold winter's day, ice hockey is the sport to watch to get your blood pumping.

Alpine Skiing The most well known sport to do in winter is skiing. In terms of competition there are a number of different skiing events, several of which are very exciting and the winners are only separated by milliseconds.

Alpine skiing consists of two different sections, technical and speed. In the speed events,

downhill skiing and super-G, the aim is to simply get to the bottom as fast as possible.

The courses are normally long and steep with few turns and skiers only have one chance to complete the course.

The technical event which includes the slalom and giant slalom. The technical event is arguably the harder of the two events. Skiers have two chances to complete a course marked by gates, which the skiers must pass through. If they miss a gate or straddle one, they are disqualified. It’s a quick sport and can be very intense, especially considering how close most of the timings usually are.

Whilst these are singular events, they can also be combined and in those events the winner is the skier with the lowest combined score.

Figure Skating Figure skating is probably one of the most elegant of the winter sports. Whilst not as action packed as others, it is just as tense.

Whilst you’re carried along by the wonderful music the skaters dance to, there is still tension in the air.

Figure skating can be done in singles and in pairs for both men and women. The is a time limit to how long the skaters get on the ice and in that time, the skaters have to execute jumps, spins, amazing footwork and for the couples, lifts.

All these amazing technical moves are marked by judges and given scores which determines who wins at the end of the competition. Despite being an elegant sport, it is still riveting as with each jump or spin that is performed, there is the risk of the skater falling.

For someone who isn’t in rough contact winter sports, Figure Skating is definitely something you should check out.

So, get wathching, guys!

Sport www.InQuireLive.co.uk/sport

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Women's Hockey First's Storm to Victory

By Karisma Indra Newspaper Sport Editor

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ith our first match report of this season, we saw the Kent Women's Hockey 1st team storm to a victory against Sevenoaks 6ths.

The Team Kent First XI won with a final score of 6-3 to come attain a convincing victory.

The team had a range of players from the 1s, 2s and Development Team.

The goals were scored by Alice, Sophie, Flora and Aimee, with two coming from Ros. A great game from start to finish. The team stormed ahead with the initial lead of 3- 0, then conceded to make it 3:1.

Upping their game, the fouth goal was totted up for Team Kent, but was countered straight away with 2 more goals 4- 3.

The team quickly recovered again and scored 2 more before the final whistle, making the final scoreline 6- 3.

Photo by Ben Zeng