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Friday 28 February 2020 15.8

Inside: Union Election & NUS Referendum results Varsity 2020

InQuire “Your campus, your voice”

Varsity The game evolves. The rivalry doesn’t. Your ulimate guide to the biggest sporting event of the year between UKC & CCCU .

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+ Basketball interview What to watch & More

WORLDFEST 2020

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News Meet the team Committee Editor-in-Chief George Knight editor @inquiremedia.co.uk

Newspaper Editor Bill Bowkett newspaper.editor@inquiremedia.co.uk

Website Editor Caitlin Casey website.editor@inquiremedia.co.uk

Head of Photography Aslan Ntumba Ozer photography@inquiremedia.co.uk

Head of Design Syan Bateman design@inquiremedia.co.uk

Head of Marketing Leonie Vidal marketing@inquiremedia.co.uk

Editorial Jeanne Bigot Newspaper News Editor newspaper.news@inquiremedia.co.uk

Alejandro Javierre Website News Editor website.news@inquiremedia.co.uk

Lucy O’Brien Newspaper Opinion Editor newspaper.opinion@inqiremedia.co.uk

Josh West Website Opinion Editor website.opinion@inquiremedia.co.uk

Ellie Fielding Newspaper Features Editor features@inquiremedia.co.uk

Emily Regan Website Features Editor website.fetures@inquiremedia.co.uk

Blue-Belle Kulpa Newspaper Lifestyle Editor newspaper.lifestyle@inquiremedia.co.uk

Sabrina Latchman Website Lifestyle Editor website.lifestyle@inquiremedia.co.uk

Rory Bathgate Newspaper Entertainment Editor newspaper.entertainment @inquiremedia.co.uk

Emily Webb-Mortimer Website Entertainment Editor website.entertainment @inquiremedia.co.uk

Timea Koppandi Newspaper Culture Editor newspaper.culture@inquiremedia.co.uk

Hal Kitchen Website Culture Editor website.culture@inquiremedia.co.uk

James Neil Website Science & Tech Editor science@inquiremedia.co.uk

Megan Warwick Newspaper Sport Editor & Social Secetary newspaper.sport@inquiremedia.co.uk

Casey Magloire Website Sports Editor website.sport@inquiremedia.co.uk

Joe Acklam Satire Editor website.satire@inquiremedia.co.uk

Friday 28 February 2020 InQuire

“Not in my lifetime”, diplomat claims about Korean reunification at University event

By Tarini Tiwari Writer The University welcomed James Hoare, a former diplomat for the United Kingdom to North Korea, on 19 February to speak about his career and travels through East Asia.

The event was organised by Kent Contemporary Discussions Society and Politics and IR Society.

Hoare was the first person in his family to attend university and studied history at Queen Mary’s University.

He grew increasingly interested in East Asian history and went on to study Japanese studies at SOAS before beginning a PhD on foreign settlements in Japan.

He spent a year in Tokyo, sparking his fascination with East Asia and its cultures.

“To understand history, you have to understand drink, women and then history, in that order,” he was instructed by his supervisor in Tokyo, continuing: “I have kept to that religiously ever since.”

In 1981, he was asked to go to Seoul as the Head of Chancery, essentially an advisor to the ambassador, marking the beginning of a long career in diplomacy.

Hoare described the Korean people as social, kind, and welcoming, but described Seoul as being unsafe and onedge.

Seoul was still reeling from the aftermath of the Korean War and the author-

itarian leaderships that followed, meaning early curfews and a constant state of unease.

Hoare went on to speak of his work in China, saying “those who say communism can’t survive in China have very little grasp of Chinese history and of what communism is”.

He described how Chinese police was aggressive and authoritative at all times, and how there were alleyway killings by them on a nightly basis.

“A soldier pulled his revolver on me from 14 floors below as I stood on my balcony.

I retreated. I’m like that, I get frightened.”

He displayed a photo of his daughter, aged about fourteen, flanked by Father Christmas and a man in a large panda costume.

“I’m the panda,” he clarified, “the ambassador is wearing a Father Christmas suit that I’m very proud to have procured for him. I borrowed it from the United States Postal Service Retired Workers’ Association who send Santas all over the world on the agreement

that I’d help them come to London next Christmas”.

Hoare lived on a busy road in Beijing and was just down the road from Tiananmen Square.

“No one was killed in the square in 1989, but soldiers and tanks would push demonstrators out of the area and shoot them once they had been removed from the area.”

South Korea believed that better relations between North Korea and the nations would “bring them out of their shell” and ease tensions on the Korean peninsula.

In December 2000, the UK signed an agreement that established diplomatic relations with North Korea, and Hoare was the only volunteer to go to the country as a diplomat.

“We visited orphanages and saw babies who were dying,” he said, “and part of the problem was there was no baby formula. Famine means even when the mother is around, she struggles to lactate, so the liquid from when rice sticks to the bottom of the pan the only thing was available to feed babies.”

“We visited orphanages and saw babies who were dying.”

He described how even aspirin had stopped being produced, and how giving birth in North Korea was something he wouldn’t wish on anybody.

In the winter, hospitals had no fuel to heat them and had to close, as temperatures could drop as low as -40 degrees Celsius.

“I came away from North Korea with a high degree of sadness, in a way. They are human beings, and much of it is their own government’s doing. The other side is not the enemy, even if they are the ‘enemy’.”

When the floor was opened for questions, Hoare was asked about the possibility of reunification.

“Not in my lifetime,” he responded, saying: “Nuclear disarmament talks go around in circles and the non-proliferation treaty is unequal. North Korea knows what the West did with Saddam Hussein in Iraq and will not allow the same thing to happen to them.”

“We need to stop using megaphone diplomacy to try and negotiate with North Korea,” he said in response to InQuire’s question asking what needs to change concerning the country.

“When I gifted some books on human rights to some North Korean officials, they were all so intrigued to read a way of thinking unlike what they’d grown up being told. Giving North Koreans access to different ideologies may lead to a freer nation with better human rights conditions.”

Decolonise UKC to hold “Voices of (Un)belonging” event

By Alex Charilaou Writer The student group Decolonise UKC will hold an event on 11 March at the Gulbenkian.

Increasingly, students are taking a greater interest in issues of social injustice and cultural inequality across the university.

In recent years there have been changes made to Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity services at Kent.

Many Schools now have Equality, Diversity, and Inclusivity representatives.

An area that has garnered particular attention has been Kent’s curriculums.

The Decolonising the Curriculum Project at Kent, led by Dr Suhraiya Jivraj of the Law School, aims to draw attention to the homogeneity of the traditional curriculum.

Decolonise UKC argues that university curriculums marginalise historically underrepresented or oppressed groups

Corrections We will report any inaccurate information published as soon as the error is discovered. Editorial corrections will be printed on this page. For more information, contact George Knight at editor@inquiremedia.co.uk

in favour of able-bodied, cis-het white men.

To them, it is problematic in a number of ways. Decolonise UKC argue that as well as failing to legitimise the contributions to the thought of many individuals from minority groups, a white, male curriculum does not properly allow for a diverse discourse.

The Decolonise UKC campaign argues that not presenting the thoughts and opinions of marginalised groups risks education becoming stale and narrow.

This campaign, alongside others such as the School of European Cultures and Languages’ Diversity Mark project, has made a substantial impact already to the curriculum at Kent.

For example, the School of English has mandated that 20% of module reading lists must be works by people of colour and 40% women.

Other schools like Law and History have also become more inclusive of diverse voices as a result of these cam-

paigns.

Decolonise UKC also published a manifesto last year.

In it, they outline research undertaken with 80 BAME Kent students from every School and stage of study.

The research involved focus groups and individual interviews with the students, focusing on what changes they wished to see at the University and what they felt their biggest obstacles were.

From the research, the Decolonise UKC team put forward a few proposals aimed at improving equality, diversity, and inclusivity on campus.

As well as highlighting the importance of an inclusive curriculum, the manifesto also proposes measures like introducing a “kaleidoscope” meeting hub on campus for minority students and a Student Staff Forum to discuss EDI-related matters.

InQuire reached out to Decolonise UKC to find out more about the event.

Mail and Office: Student Media Centre, Above Venue, Kent Union, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NW Additional copies may be found online at issue.com/ inquirelive or on our website www.inquiremedia.co.uk Please report suspicious activity at our distribution racks by emailing marketing@inquiremedia.co.uk. © MMXX InQuire Media Group, in partnership with the Canterbury Media Group. All rights reserved

If you wish to find out more about the Decolonise UKC campaign, the group asks people to go along to the “Voices of (Un)Belonging” event with special guest Lowkey on Wednesday 11 March.

Corrections •

•

We are happy to clarifiy that current gym membership prices outlined in “Are free gym memberships for those living on campus a step in the right direction?” by Casey Magloire are as of January 2020, and not of September 2019.

There was also a typo in the piece: “That ishat’s...” It was supposed to read “That is a...”

The word February was spelt incorrectly in the last issue on the masthead.

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InQuire Friday 28 February 2020

Lecturers and students call to ban Oxbridge “TERF” from giving lecture to School of English

By Bill Bowkett Newspaper Editor A group of University of Kent lecturers and students has launched a campaign to deplatform Oxford academic Selina Todd from giving an address on campus next month because of her opinions on gender.

Selina Todd, who has worked as Professor of Modern History at the University of Oxford since 2015, is due to speak at the University of Kent as part of a series of public lectures organised by the School of English. Her talk is set to take place in Grimond LT1 on 8 March 2020 entitled ‘Class’.

The series of talks, which have been underway since the beginning of the Easter Term, aims to spark public and academic discussions about crucial intellectual and political questions today.

Todd’s research focuses on the topics of women, feminism, and the working-class in modern Britain.

Recently, Todd has been at the centre of controversies surrounding her views on transgender rights. She has previously suggested that “women who posed

as men in the past were often lesbians seeking to protect themselves, or because they wanted to do jobs that were only available to men”.

She also recently appeared on BBC’s Politics Live calling Labour leadership contender Rebecca Long-Bailey’s pledge to expel members who express transphobic views as “very worrying… It suggests women should be defined as a gender, rather than as sex”.

Labelled a TERF (‘trans-exclusionary radical feminist’) by LGBTQ+ activists, her invitation to Kent has sparked debates surrounding freedom of speech.

An open letter has now circulated, signed by academics and students from Kent, demanding Todd’s invitation be withdrawn.

“We believe that the message that our hosting of Selina Todd sends to trans and non-binary students and staff in the university, our students who are trans and non-binary allies, and our trans and non-binary future applicants is that the school, and more broadly the university, believes that trans identity is ‘up for discussion’.”

The letter continues: “The English

Keynote Lecture series is designed to represent and reflect the attitude, politics, and image of the School of English and, by extension, the university.

“The power dynamics of providing a platform to Selina Todd in the name of ‘academic free speech’ means putting trans and non-binary members of our community into the position of having to defend their right to exist.

“Her views refuse to acknowledge that trans women ARE women, that trans women’s rights ARE women’s rights.

The 44-year-old responded on Twitter saying the petition “offers no evidence of how my views or research are ‘transphobic’”.

Many academics have come out in support of Todd.

Frank Fruedi, emeritus professor of sociology, said: “Back in the 1970s, I chose to work in Kent because it had a reputation for open and free thought. I am horrified that intolerant zealotry has raised its ugly head and hope that academics with a sense of integrity would stand up to defend prof Selina Todd’s right to speak at the University.”

Spiked columnist and former director

of the Centre for the Study of Higher Education, Joanna Williams, described the move as “shameful”.

“Why bother with a letter? It seems that a simple ‘BURN THE WITCH’ would serve their purpose.”

The School of English has upheld its decision to host the event.

Kent Union, the University’s student body, has reached out to the University and the School of English for more information regarding the event in question.

“Inclusivity is one of Kent Union’s values and we do not support events that enforce exclusionary behaviour, we encourage any events to be as inclusive and accessible to all.”

Todd, who has also been president of the Socialist Educational Association, recently had to be provided security protection due to alleged death threats from human rights activists.

Over the last two years, societies and schools have hosted controversial speakers that have sparked outrage within the community; including YouTuber Carl Benjamin and model Munroe Bergdorf.

News VP announces new seminar swapping policy

By Jeanne Bigot Newspaper News Editor On 13 February 2020, Emily Window, Vice-President (Student Engagement), announced a new policy regarding seminar swapping.

From September onwards, competiting in a sports club at the University will be considered an acceptable reason for swapping Wednesday seminars throughout schools.

The new policy was implemented to allow students to take part in sports while attending their usual classes.

On a Facebook post made to announce the change, Window stated that Kent Union had “received a number of concerns from students who were unable to move their Wednesday seminars in order to take part in sport”.

While timetables are made to arrange extra-curricular activities on Wednesday, with teaching hours being set 9-1, it was still complicated for people taking part in sports to both attend their classes and leave early to travel to away matches.

The new policy, introduced by Emily Window alongside Vicky Saward-Read, Vice-President (Academic Experience), was made possible due to students who “everyone who got in touch with [Kent Union] over the past few months, told [them] their experiences and helped drive this change forward”.

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Friday 28 February 2020 InQuire

News

At a glance Kent receives prestigious Queen’s Anniversary Prize The Durell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, a research centre part of the School of Anthropology and Conservation, received on 20 February 2020 at Buckingham Palace the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education. DICE has been leading projects in over fifty countries and offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses in wildlife conservation. Vice-Chancellor Karen Cox, Chair of the University Council Sir David Warren, and Director of DICE Bob Smith received the award in the presence of the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.

City Council renovation project attracts controversy Canterbury City Council has released its plan to renew St George’s Street, from a street with “unattractive post-war shop frontages” to a greener area. The refurbish has been controversial due to the potential shutting down of Canterbury Market that would follow the renovation. Over 40 stalls would lose their job opportunity in Canterbury were the project to go through. A vegetable and fruit seller at Canterbury market told Kent Online that refurbishing St George’s Street should not be the way to tackle quality of life in Canterbury. “We need police, not people putting up trees in the high street to make it look good.” A petition to save the market has gathered more than 650 signatures.

First week of UCU strikes underway The University and College Union have announced in January that a new wave of strikes will hit 74 universities over 14 days and is said to be the biggest ever strike on university campuses in the United Kingdom. The National Union of Students, which the University of Kent is still a part of following the NUS Referendum of 21 February, has announced official support for the strike on 20 February. University management on some campuses has been reported to try and disrupt the action, with the University of Leicester telling striking staff that their pay deduction from the 14 days of industrial action would be spread over three months if staff did not protest on campus. More to follow on this recent wave of strikes in our next edition.

Outrage after homeless man in Canterbury threatened with court order A picture posted on Canterbury Residents’ Group Facebook page shows how people sleeping rough in the streets of Canterbury have been serviced with council notices telling them to clear the area, or have their belongings confiscated and destroyed by the city council.

The notice reads: “Court proceedings will start unless you have gone within 24 hours of receiving this notice, otherwise the tent and all other items will be removed and destroyed.” Facebook users on the Canterbury group have branded the city council “heartless”. Council spokesperson Leo Whitlock responded: “We understand why some people were concerned about the notice placed on the tent and accept the wording is quite harsh. This is something we intend to rectify very quickly.”

Photos by Ainy Shiyam

The power of social media:

Looking back AT Kent Union’s 2020 elections InQuire’s Newspaper News Editor Jeanne Bigot reviews two intensive weeks of covering elections period, giving insight into the results and what they mean for Kent Union.

K

ent Union Elections is always an exciting time at InQuire.

Not only does some of the team genuinely like getting involved – debates, campaigning, gath-

ering up – but it is also crucial that we do so.

In our previous edition of the newspaper, there were articles encouraging students to vote. As a media outlet, it is our

job and duty to report and promote the democratic process. From national elections to student union elections, media and politics often go hand in hand. Media outlets report on political events,

and can also act as a fourth estate, controlling local and governmental action.

Here at InQuire, we spent a lot of time and effort covering elections. We published an 8-page special edition on the

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InQuire Friday 28 February 2020

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elections with candidates’ manifestos.

We analysed those manifestos. We kept track of what Kent Union have achieved.

We shed a special focus on Medway-specific concerns. We wrote articles on every single debate. We filmed interviews with each of the candidates. We held an exit poll, to try and predict the results of the elections. Together with KTV, we reported live on results night.

By all means, we felt like our journalistic and democratic duty was going to have an impact.

And yet.

During this years’ round of elections, only 3,188 students took to the ballots to try and shape their students’ union.

Granted, numbers have gone up about 500 voters since last year. However, the numbers are still staggeringly low.

Of the roughly 20,000 students at the University, only around 15% voted. The number gets even lower for postgraduate students; only 2% of year 5 students cast their ballot.

This year, like previous years, InQuire ran an exit poll to predict the results.

This year was the highest amount of engagement we have had on the exit poll itself, with around 200 respondents – almost four times the number of respondents for the previous years.

It had us excited; surely, it meant that we would get very accurate results. We shared it on social media and were quite hopeful to see how right the exit polls were.

In a nutshell: they were not. Well, not completely.

Regarding the NUS Referendum, we predicted a very thin “Leave” majority.

The results, however, showed a staggeringly easy victory for the “Remain” vote, with only 24% choosing to leave the Na-

tional Union of Students.

InQuire reported on a debate regarding the future of Kent Union and the National Union of Students. During that debate, it was highlighted that many students did not know what the NUS was, or what it did.

As many political commentators argue about referendums, there could potentially be a tendency of the person voting to pick an answer without really believing or having any affectionate tie to it – this is what scholars call “non-attitudes”, in the context of referendum and surveys.

It might be obvious, given the nature of the two responses on the future of Kent Union and the NUS, but with the argued lack of information given to students on what the NUS actually does, the comparison with Brexit is easily done. Given the fact that the University of Kent is “The European University”, it is not entirely impossible that the Brexit narrative swayed the results, with emotional and affective responses now being tied to words such as “leave” or “remain”.

When the results were announced, InQuire posted them on Facebook, and comments were quick to refer to a “people’s vote” or demand a second referendum, once again highlighting the similarities.

Regarding Leadership Elections, our exit poll accurately predicted that Vicky Saward-Read would be re-elected for Vice-President (Academic Experience), that Patrick Stillman would get the role as Vice-President (Postgraduate Experience), and that Aisha Dosanjh would step in as Vice-President (Welfare and Community).

According to our predictions, Megan

Warwick would win as Vice-President (Student Engagement), and Ethan Basso would get President. For a lot of us at InQuire, it made sense. Throughout the week, they were some of the most visible candidates on campus, with signs visible from Venue to Darwin, and color-coded campaign teams encouraging students to vote. Traditionally in politics, this method is proven to get votes. You campaign, you get your manifesto known, you meet people, and that gets you elected.

However, as it turned out, our exit polls greatly underestimated some candidates. Josh Frost and Aldo Manella came in second place for their respective roles (President and Vice-President (Student Engagement)), but they both took the victory home by a large proportion of votes. Sarah Adama, who we predicted would only get 6.6% of the votes, was also the surprise of the evening. Against our prognostic, and despite the fact that she was a fresher running for President, which is highly unusual, Sarah was the runner-up.

Josh and Aldo largely led their campaign on social media. Aldo, owner of the popular Instagram account @templeman. memes undeniably campaigned through social media more than he did in person. On his campaign account, @aldo.vpse, he made a meme about making memes to get students to vote (a meme-ception, if you will).

Josh, who owns the account @ukckentbinz, also largely campaigned on the internet. During the debates organized

by KTV, when asked about whether he had been to Medway, Josh mentioned that he was using the internet to communicate with all students, including Medway students.

Undoubtedly, this strategy swayed the vote in his favour. Aldo has become a familiar face around campus on UKC-specific Instagram accounts. Associating himself with Josh, who is also familiar with social media, was a strategy that proved useful for both of them.

These results, however, do beg certain questions. Not only were our exit polls way off when it came to predicting the winners of Vice-President (Student Engagement) and President, but as someone mentioned in the Media Centre when we were conducting live coverage of the results, it seems that ‘establishment’ candidates did not get lucky this time around.

Throughout their campaign, Aldo and Josh heavily relied on the rhetoric of change. Change needed to happen, according to them. Now, Kent Union is not the United States Congress, or the House of Commons. But interestingly,

one recurring political theme of recent elections has been how successful ‘anti-establishment’ candidates have been.

Whether this is due to a lack of trust in political institutions – including specific, local ones like Kent Union – or to a larger shift in political narratives is a complex political science question. It is, however, interesting to note similarities between the rise of anti-establishment rhetoric and the recent Kent Union Elections.

Carolina VE is Chair of the Team Kent Network. Aarish Hyder and Muhammad Abdullah are student trustees.

Ethan Basso is the Chair of the Academic Network. However, despite having experience within the Union, none of them got elected into their chosen potential roles, some even getting eliminated early in the rounds of the Single Transferable Voting system.

role, deemed “controversial” when it was introduced in November 2018, failed to gather attraction. The Kent Graduate Students Association was openly against the role when it was created. Laura Carlin, current Vice-President (Postgraduate Experience), declared before election season began that she would not re-run and that the role was busy. Not only was Patrick the only one running, but he was not present during the results’ night at Venue on Friday 21 February, and a shockingly low amount of Year 5 students - th0se that have remained at UKC for 5 years voted; only 2% turned out to the ballots.

This could potentially signal a deep lack of interest in the student community regarding the very recent role.

At InQuire, we were quite intrigued when the new team of sabbatical officers was announced. Last year saw the election of an all-female sabbatical team. After their election, the front page of InQuire wrote “Year of the woman”. This year’s election could, in turn, be dubbed “The power of social media”.

While it is early to tell, this year’s team seems more surprising and eclectic. One member of the team, during our live coverage, jokingly stated that the newly elected sabbatical officers resembled the characters of The Breakfast Club.

Only time will tell, as we get to know them better when they step into their roles in June, whether the joke was accurate or not.

Only 2% of Year 5 students voted In the current political climate, it does not seem surprising anymore that ‘traditional’ ‘establishment’-type candidates fail to garner popular support.

This further ties into the narrative of ‘anti-establishment’ candidates. Usually, anti-establishment candidates are surprising, unpredicted, and speak on behalf of a so-called “silent majority” – one that is fed-up with the system and wants change.

Now, this is not to state that Aldo and Josh are, or will be, anti-establishment specifically, but the comparison is important to notice. Kent Union is a relatively small election, compared to local and national government, but democratic shifts are important at every level, and it is the media’s role to cover and analyse them.

This election also saw one candidate, Patrick Stillman, running unopposed for the role of Vice-President (Postgraduate Experience).

T h e

Patrick Stillman, VP Postgraduate Experience. Photo

by Kent Union

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Friday 28 February 2020 InQuire

Opinion

If you are in need of mental health support, call/visit the Student Support and Wellbeing Center at Keynes, H Block, on 01227 823158 or The University Medical Center on 01227 469 333.

“In a world where you can be anything, be kind.”

Daymon Parma

C

aroline Flack, the famous, blonde-haired beauty we all knew as the bubbly and articulate presenter of ITV2’s hit TV show Love Island was pronounced dead on 15 February, after a tragic taking of her own life. What is even more tragic, is that Caroline Flack’s death is not the first to occur after appearances on the programme.

Her death marks the end of a 40-year life plagued with the volatility that comes from mental health issues. It is no secret that the star had insecurities from a young age. Whilst her twin sister Jody seemed to embody a picture of health, Caroline suffered mentally; constantly being discriminated against for her body and appearance. The normality of mental health problems should never be underestimated. One in four people will suffer from depression and one in six people will suffer from further mental health problems.

Let us put ourselves in Flack’s shoes.

After a modest upbringing in London and years of hard work, we find ourselves an

Photo by Caroline Flack | Facebook

W

ith deadlines and exams looming over the heads of students all over the country, the thought of revision is something a lot of students are trying to juggle with the already intense workload that comes with being in higher education. Finding a healthy balance between having an active social life alongside academic endeavours can be difficult especially during deadlines.

From speaking to peers, it is clear that students are finding it difficult to open up with a lot of these issues because they feel as though others are going through the exact thing and therefore have no reason to complain; many even suffer in silence. The issue with this is that everyone has different experiences no matter what the circumstance is. For some people exams affect their mental health more than their physical. For others, it is their eating patterns that deteriorate. Although there is a lot of support available from the University in relation to mental and physical health such as the Medical Centre and Student Welfare and Support, their services often go to waste as students are not always aware of their presence on campus. Frankly, many students put the stress of academic success before their mental welfare.

There are many reasons for this pressure, but one that stands out is the lack of options in ways of assessment made available by the schools in the University. As a dual honour student, it is clear

to me that there is a lack of assessment flexibility depending on which school you are with. Some have a mixture of continuous assessments, while some are exam orientated. It is a recognised issue that many do not work well with written assessments, while others excel in an oral setting. It is unfortunate that our University does not offer more options in relation to assessment styles such as creative or extended projects.

The introduction of said options could ease the stress on students as they can pick a path that is more effective in their individual case and plays to their unique strengths.

There is definitely a greater need for module conveners to discuss not only amongst themselves, but with other schools when finalising deadline dates to ensure they do not overlap and are much more spread out. We have all heard horror stories of sleepless nights when essays or reports are due all on the same day. Yes, whilst we should be encouraged to start essays as soon as possible, in reality, it can be too overwhelming. It leaves students submitting work they are not happy with.

Another issue in this discussion is the lack of clarity with marking standards. For a lot of modules, the guidelines for assessments are too broad and sample essays are not provided. This leaves a level of

disparity in what students should try and push for when writing their essays.

Of course, not all assignments will be perfect, but no assignment should be produced under severe stress.

More conversations between staff and students are needed in order to ensure that the mental health of students comes first especially during periods known for high levels of stress such as exams and assignment deadlines.

Photo by Pixabay

actress and presenter, whose life is constantly being watched by the media. Eyes on her were inevitable. The media was always waiting, and hoping, that she would commit a human mistake.

This happened in December 2019, when Flack was charged with assaulting her boyfriend. This is not excusable, but there is a larger picture at hand.

The vultures that are the media claw at information in their selfish pursuit for commission and clickbait on an incomprehensible scale. This did not give her the innate, fair experience of being able to atone for her mistakes away from the tabloid’s microscopic eye.

Everybody seemed to have an opinion on the matter. Especially people she had never met. All hurling abuses her way from the security of a screen. They were invoked by a desire to be heard. A desire to gain more social media followers. Seemingly oblivious to the notion of mental health awareness, or unphased by the impact their actions had on another human being. The court case was set to be held on 4 March. This court case se-

verely impacted her career and henceforth her welfare. Let it be known that her boyfriend, tennis player Lewis Burton, had no intention of pressing charges.

However, Crown Prosecution Service has a duty to prosecute if there is sufficient cause to prosecute.

We live in a society of free will and free speech, but we should also recognise mistakes, just like everybody recognised Flack’s quickly. The media need to take a step back and respect human privacy much more, especially when it can lead to a loss of human life. We must do better as a society. Social media is extremely new – we should treat it with caution, and bear others’ welfare in mind. We must do more to prevent the cancerous nature of social media shaming, and its ability to inflict self-hate and dire vulnerability.

Mental health will always find a way to affect us, but we must acknowledge how our actions can and do affect others.

As Caroline Flack herself said before her untimely death: “In a world where you can be anything, be kind.”

Olamide Alao

Deadline dread: The University must be more aware of students’ mental health

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InQuire Friday 28 February 2020

Opinion

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We need to Ending period talk about poverty: A long prostate cancer road ahead

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Lucy O’Brien Newspaper Opinion Editor

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Rob Topham Prostate cancer is now the most common form of cancer in the UK, but are we doing enough to raise awareness? In light of this revelation, Rob Topham writes on the importance of opening up conversations and breaking down the stigmas surrounding masculinity and fear of diagnosis.

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ast month, the government set in motion its promise made in March 2019; that free sanitary products be made available to all primary and secondary schools across England. It is about time. In an age of increasing equality and social awareness of societal issues, it seems that open conversations regarding female menstruation have, until now, been left behind.

Whilst this demonstration of government intervention on the issue is certainly a step in the right direction, there is still much more to be done if we are to significantly alleviate the struggles of period poverty for women. The scheme, whilst encouraging, only ‘urges’ schools across the country to take up the ‘offer’ of free sanitary products and is by no means mandatory or enforced. Meanwhile, contraceptive methods and condoms remain free in most academic institutions and NHS clinics – if only women’s biological needs were treated with the same necessity and liberality as contraception.

According to the Independent, a quarter of women miss several days of work or school because they cannot afford sufficient amounts of sanitary products.

This is outrageous, but not surprising. The average pack of sanitary towels can cost up to £4. For most women, this is unlikely to last a full cycle. In fact, in 2018, Labour MP Danielle Rowley suggested that the average cost of a woman’s period in the UK over the course of a year is £500. This is not to forget the added cost of pain relief. Quite simply, this is a figure that too many women in the country are unequipped to pay.

The lack of affordable products for women has produced more deep-rooted damage than merely on a financial level. Menstruation is still treated with an attitude of taboo and shame, despite it being nothing more than a biological product of female sex organs. Periods are not a choice. They are not an ‘acci-

dent’, they are a fact of life, and they happen. Periods are a normal, healthy aspect of womanhood and deserve to be treated as the natural occurrence that they are. If the government truly wants to end period poverty and the unwarranted stigma that surrounds it, sanitary products must be made a free, necessary availability in not only schools but in all workplaces.

The commodification of sanitary products is yet another obstacle to female equality.

Periods are not a luxury, so why should we have to pay to deal with them? Having these products readily available in educational and working environments would ensure that women would not have to fear coming on their periods unexpectedly. It means a more productive day of learning and doing.

More importantly, it means a breaking down of the ludicrous stigma surrounding periods that they are something to be kept private or hidden.

Periods are real, they happen, and we must not only accept it but free women from the financial and stigmatic burden that they currently pose.

You can pick up free tampons from Woodys, Library, and Mandela

Photo by Pixabay

ollowing the reer enough is being done to prostate, the earlier they lease of new stamatch the newfound comcan work treating the dististics from the monality of prostate canease. Prostate cancer itself NHS, it has been cer (a disease can be cured revealed that only found in Reluctance in men if found in the prostate cancer has overtakmen) with pubto seek help due to early stages; en breast cancer as the most lic awareness. embarrassment however, most common cancer in the UK. Whilst Prosand shame has led men with earThis opens an interesting tate Cancer to countless and ly symptoms discourse as to the prevaUK runs severunnecessary deaths ignore them lence of the disease comal campaigns either due to pared to its disappointing and events across the year, a feeling of shame and emlevel of discussion within such as ‘March the Month’, barrassment or to a lack of society. general public awareness knowledge.

Breast cancer has increasremains average, with strikDespite these reasons ingly become a common ing campaigns unable to fill though, men like Stephen form of the disease, leading the mainstream (with the Fry opening up about their to a huge push and camexception, perhaps, of Moexperiences with the dispaign to destroy any stigma vember). ease are crucial in further around diagnosis. Events There is some hope. I bereducing the stigma and ensuch as Race lieve the reacouraging more men to feel for Life are Whilst Prostate son why proscomfortable talking to a GP held exclusiveCancer UK runs tate cancer about their bodies and their ly for women several campaigns has overtaken health. In fact, since Fry’s to rightfully and events across breast cancer announcement, GPs have celebrate the the year, such as is due less to stated that there has been strength of ‘March the Month’, an increase in an increase in early diagnothose affectgeneral public cases but rathsis cases. ed by cancer, awareness remains er an increase For decades now the pubbut with specin diagnosed lic has been aware of prosificity towards breast cancases. That is to say, as contate cancer, yet a reluctance cer awareness. Doubtless versations on prostate canin men to seek help due to to say, we have all at some cer and how one can check embarrassment and shame point seen waves of women for the disease become has led to countless and unin pink for miles on end, more known and less taboo necessary deaths. In 2020, either in person or over the amongst society, the more it is pivotal that all is done immeasurable media coverpeople will be diagnosed at to campaign with fervour to age it has received over the an earlier point. cement public knowledge of years.

This is critical as earlier the disease.

This, however, raises doctors can find and isolate the question as to whethsome form of tumour on the

8

Friday 28 February 2020 InQuire

Editorial

Have something you want to say? Write a letter to us and be featured in the next newspaper at newspaper.editor@inquiremedia.co.uk. Please include name and telephone numbers.

Letters to the Editor Mormon responds to our recent feature on the religion Editorial

Make sure to back Team Kent this Varsity Varsity is a week of exceptional sport and competition. Kent and CCCU’s first ‘Varsity’ over two decades ago was a sole memorial rugby fixture on the Parkwood pitches, honouring a student who had passed away. Today, there are more than forty fixtures with over twenty sports, on both campuses and in locations like Maidstone and Kingsmead. This is the biggest sporting event at the university. There is a vast variety of sporting events to watch and new fixtures each year. Varsity 2020 is no stranger to these additions and supporters will see newcomers where the e-sports, pool, climbing and kayak polo teams will go head-to-head for the first time. As well as this, charity events of sitting volleyball and ‘boob ball’ will be taking place in the week too. Even if you are no fan of sports, there is something for everyone. New recruits do not only linger in the fixtures, but the points scoring system has changed for 2020 too.

In a hope to give a fair chance for CCCU to nab their first-ever Varsity victory, points have been split up into tiers; first teams and one-squad teams will win 3 points; second teams will win 2; third teams will win 1; and new sports, performative sports, or teams beyond third teams will walk away with nothing.

Previously, we have been able to call the ending winner by the third day of Varsity, so the hope that tensions will rise and CCCU may have the taste of victory will push these events into higher pressures. For us as a publication, Varsity 2020 is looking at its ‘Evolution’ and its everchanging life. This year is no exception and from all these exciting changes, Varsity is still growing into a bigger and bigger celebration of the best sportsmen and women at the University. Check out our pull-out in the middle of this newspaper on the most exciting things to watch out for at Varsity, a timetable designed by our design team and where you need to be day-in, day-out. Hopefully, we will see you wearing your #TeamKent merchandise and cheering on those who have been training so hard in their fight for supremacy.

Dear InQuire, As a so-called “Mormon” living in Canterbury and as a student at the university, I had strong feelings about your recent feature. I have been a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for 14 years and have served on the ward council that administrates the local Canterbury ward for two of my three years at the University of Kent. Our Church was founded as an organisation that seeks to follow as closely as possible the church that Jesus Christ established while he was on the earth. Being Christian is a quintessential part of our identity that we hold with pride. The author of your article was correct in illustrating that the Book of Mormon, a set of scriptures written by peoples living in the ancient Americas, is one of our defining features. We believe that God continues to speak to people on the earth today in order to prepare us for the second coming of Christ. We believe

believe that all members of the Church have a responsibility in building the community and the world into a better place.

I fulfil this as the president of the Sunday School in Canterbury, which means I am responsible for the gospel teaching that goes on after our regular Sacrament meetings. I am surrounded by both good men and women who are in positions of responsibility both at the local and general levels. We teach that in the family and societal level men and women are fundamentally equal in their worth to God and that we should, therefore, treat each other as such. I would love to expand on the beliefs of my church and my personal story within it in your paper, so your readers can get a full perspective on what the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints represents. I would be happy to interview fellow members (including those that are students on campus) in doing so.

Sincerely, Elliot Settle

Why InQuire is an embarrassment to student media

We can do better, but a free press needs you

Dear InQuire,

When InQuire, then InCant and later Kred, was founded in 1965, the same year as UKC’s Royal Charter, we set out to offer people the chance to kickstart a potential career in publishing. Fifty-four years later, that sentiment has not changed. We continue to give a platform to students, and we always strive to hold societies, local government, and powerful bodies – like the University and Union – to account. As well as that, we give volunteers the opportunity to try their hand at things they may not have done before; such as photography, cartoons, and even satire. Wide-open discussion, in our eyes, is a duty we uphold robustly. It may include approaches on individuals if it means attaining the truth. Saying that, criticising how we go about our business – whether we overplay stories or publish an op-ed laced with contention – is the right thing to do. Our reporters are only human, and every article published in the paper or on our website will feature mistakes. At the end of the day, we are all but unpaid volunteers. We dedicate our time to our love of journalism. When we make an error, we are first to correct it and make it clear to our audience. But insisting that we are an “embarrassment”, “cancer”, and “shameful” is something we take very seriously. Collectively, we continue to do the hard work of asking questions and telling the stories that you otherwise would not hear.

We have exposed the rise of sugar babies on campus, addressed the ills of city poverty, and revealed survivors of domestic abuse. The work we do, along with 100-plus national student publications, affirms a fundamental value to civil society; the right to free press. Furthermore, we have learned over the years that we have a moral obligation to ensure the safety or well-being of others and will deal with stories with both attentiveness and sensitivity. With all this in mind, if you do not think we are doing a good enough job, reason with us why. Engage with our content, send us a letter, comment on our social media posts. We always want to do the best we can. We are all in this together.

“Your campus your voice.” This is InQuire’s tagline. It’s a toss-up on what’s a bigger joke, that or their ‘satire’ articles.

We’ve all seen the articles attacking the Women’s Lacrosse club, 3 in total. We know this is InQuire’s version of clickbait.

We’re one of the biggest women’s sports teams on campus, we’re recognisable with our sticks and puffas; it’ll gain you clicks. While this obsession is flattering, we question InQuire’s fixation on our club. One article on our club has been redacted (although no apology was issued) for severe inaccuracies and the remaining two are ‘satire’, for those confused on the definition of satire I’d advise not looking to InQuire for clarity as they seem unclear too. The attacks on our club are damaging. Not only to our reputation, but to our sport and to the fact we’re a women’s

Kent bucks the trend and shines hope on NUS recovery On 21 February 2020, the student body overwhelming voted to remain as a member of the National Union of Students. The official results contradicted InQuire’s exit poll which saw a close Leave victory at 54.2%. Kent voted 76% remain and sided with the Vice-President (Student Engagement) Emily Windows’ campaign to fix, rather than abandon the Union. Kent’s actions go against a recent national trend to disaffiliate from the struggling organisation.

From 2016 onwards, the NUS has seen a growth in dissatisfaction, rooted in the alleged anti-Semitic comments levelled by former NUS President Malia Bouattia. In the wake of her comments, over twenty students’ unions, including Warwick and York, protesting NUS membership. Several unions – including those at Hull, Newcastle, and Loughborough –voted to disaffiliate. however, many more – including Cambridge and Manchester – voted to remain.

Following this initial outburst, increased criticism over NUS membership begun to surface, with Surrey, Portsmouth, and Plymouth all disaffiliated between 2017 and 2019. Considering these criticisms, and the financial burden of the NUS’ £3.6 million deficit, Kent followed suit. However, despite discussing similar issues to other disaffiliated groups, Kent has bucked the trend and given hope for recovery. The £50,000 Kent Union pays annually to the NUS will remain and in return, students will gain the discount benefits of TOTUM and a national platform for student interests. With Kent Union acting as one of the largest SUs nationally, it is up to the NUS to take advantage of this opportunity. The lack of NUS presence at Kent referendum does not suggest they fully appreciated Kent’s support. Hopefully, with aid from the new sabbatical team, they will come to realise that membership is more important to them than it is for us. Only time will tell if the NUS comes close to being stable enough to fulfil their full potential. Kent’s continued affiliation has given the NUS a lifeline to rebuild, but as has been seen at Lincoln and Durham, that decision could be temporary and can just as easily be overturned if they do not fully grasp their chance.

we are living in a time where Jesus will soon come, which is why we prefer to be known as Latter-Day Saints. The term “Mormon”, although commonly used to describe our Church and our people is one that we generally try to avoid. Although our church did adopt the term for a time, we find it does not capture the true mission of the Church, which is to follow Christ. Most Latter-Day Saints find the term offensive and I would advise you to not use the term. Although I do acknowledge the concerns included in your article, I think it is worth noting the positives that the Church brings. The Church in my life has always represented a community of belonging that encourages me to fight for justice and truth in this world. When my parents were divorced when I was 12, the Church gave me responsibility and pride in myself. We teach that God knows and loves all of us, and plays a direct part in our lives, which is something that brings me comfort even to this day. We

Cartoon by Armaan Latif

club. As a women’s club we face many obstacles, one obstacle we face is not being taken seriously. InQuire Media has even gone as far to exacerbate this issue with their continued attacks on our club, usually including a negative rhetoric along the lines of ‘who cares about lacrosse’. I question if InQuire believes this kind of ignorance will help them get a job in mainstream media. After the 3rd article about our club was written, that again does not highlight our success in BUCS in the top league or the work we’re doing with our fundraiser, I question where this fixation and bitterness comes from. Did a member of our club swipe you left on Tinder? Did you fail to make it onto the Men’s team?

Does our success intimidate you? Whatever the reason we ask that you find a new obsession unless you intend to highlight our achievements as much as you are insistent on taking us down. In reference to

the title of this, I thought I’d take a leaf out of InQuire’s book and use a title that attacks their society and damages their name. Unlike InQuire however, I actually have evidence to back up my claim, that being the 3 articles that InQuire has written dragging our name through the mud.

As you have clearly never seen us play allow me to inform you that although we train on 3G – when we play in mud, we play to win.

Anonymous Views expressed in Women’s Lacrosse Club’s satire articles are those only of the writer and Women’s Lacrosse does not endorse any of these opinions, this section is dedicated to entertainment purposes only. We use fictitious characters in our stories, except in regards to public figures being satirised directly.

9

InQuire Friday 28 February 2020

Editorial

Photo of the Week

by Ben Mott

Dane John Gardens, Canterbury, CT1 2RN

10

Friday 28 February 2020 InQuire

Science and Technology

A way of life: Humans helping nature to take the world back

By James Styles Writer Italian American architect Paolo Soleri has changed the way we look at cities.

In a world where cities have become tight streets, crowded and industrialised omission traps, Arcosanti provides change. Arcosanti is a laboratory found in the Sonoran Desert in the state of Arizona, which was built to question the concept of a traditional city and to champion the idea of Arcology.

The Vice documentary ‘The Urban Laboratory in the Desert’ opens with the inhabitants, describing Arcosanti as something that everyone could explain but would come up with different definitions. The documentary states in its opening sequence that the micro-society uses “land and local resources to create a self-sustainable community”. This is found through its system of buildings being calculated by the angle of the sun to better heat the room, whilst also using eco-friendly methods such as solar panels to provide electricity to each room.

This sci-fi looking laboratory could change the way people live in a more sustainable environment. The whole idea of the laboratory has the feel of Soleri. Everything is done efficiently whilst also thinking about the effect it is having on the environment, the community is one machine working together to bring the idea to life. There are no roads, no sound of traffic, or fumes filling up your lungs. Arcosanti is always developing but never expanding. Arcosanti is a symbol of freedom from the chains of mass-expansion; the first stone in the road for Arcology and a painting of a potential future where life is self-sufficient, non-harmful, and communicative.

This style sustains the landscape while using nature’s gifts to provide work and functional society.

Although Arcosanti may not be for everyone, its system of architecture would revolutionise a world we are destroying, through our obsession with mass expansion.

Last month, Tim Bell released a blog post that announced: “It’s time to stop asking the world to come to the prototype arcology, and to start bringing the ideas of arcology to the world.” He announced that the people at Arcosanti need support in spreading the word. InQuire contacted Soleri to find out more.

How did Soleri conceive the idea of Arcosanti?

Soleri was responding to what he saw as the poor design of American cities, namely the organisation of the city around the needs of cars rather than people. In his estimation, this leads to sprawling, overdeveloped urban environments that are not only difficult to maintain in terms of infrastructure and resources, but that also do irrevocable damage to the natural world.

Arcosanti is an experiment in living harmoniously with the environment. For those who live in urban communities today, how might you encourage them to adopt this approach?

I think the first step to living harmoniously with our natural world is to break down the barriers we’ve put up in between ourselves and the environment. Humans are constantly shaping our world to make ourselves more comfortable, and doing so at the expense of natural resources, our atmosphere, our fellow inhabitants on this planet, and our connection to the earth and one another. The principles that Arcosanti is built upon are principles that ask us to meet nature halfway instead of forcing it to bend it to our will. We have to ask ourselves: what do we want our communities and cities to look like 50-100 years from now? Do we want to continue to see the destruction of 1,000-2,000 species each year? If not, then we need to begin the work of dramatically revisioning the future of human habitation.

How are Soleri’s designs sustainable?

Sustainability is a word that doesn’t actually mean anything in the modern world. It has been co-opted by marketers to mean “green” or “eco-friendly” when the reality of most sustainability efforts is that they don’t come close to the radical ideas that we are going to need to explore in the next century if we are interested in maintaining any kind of ecosystem on our planet. I would say that what Soleri’s designs did is help bring attention to a necessary conversation in the world of Urban Design that very few people were having in 1956. They have also helped to inspire generation after generation of change-makers to step up to the plate and take more accountability over our actions.

What are some of the things people can experience through visiting Arcosanti?

Visitors can take a tour in which they learn about the history and philosophy of Arcosanti and gain an understanding of how we use it as a platform today, hike on our visitor’s trail, or spend the night in one of our many guest accommodations, and/or attend one of the dozen or so events that we host each year. Those looking for a deeper dive are invited to attend one of our new workshop programs, one of which is a week-long experiential immersion in the Urban Laboratory.

Arcosanti is home to some 50+ permanent residents. What can you tell us about the people who have chosen to make a life here?

That in many ways we are no different from any other group of people who are attempting to figure out what it means to be a part of a community in the modern world. We have families, single people, elderly, millennials, agriculturists, designers, artists, systems thinkers, permaculture enthusiasts, techies, builders...the list goes on and on.

In terms of what differentiates us from the rest of the world, I would say that the people who live here

are the kinds of people who are deeply interested in committing to an alternative, not just talking about one. It’s not a perfect alternative, but we believe that it’s necessary to be trying something different which in turn might inspire others to do the same.

And you also host workshops and internships, what can you tell us about those?

As an educational non-profit, our workshop program is a priority. Currently, these workshops are geared towards those looking to gain skills in metalworking, glassblowing, ceramics, or photography. We also have the week-long experience that I mentioned above which gives participants the opportunity to dabble in a bit of everything we do on this site while being immersed in the residential life. We are working on several more workshop modules at the moment, I would suggest anyone interested in learning more sign up for our newsletter on our website!

Internships are typically for those who have a skill that we are seeking. Interns live at Arcosanti anywhere from a few weeks to several months, typically taking on a priority project for Arcosanti and the Cosanti Foundation alongside our full-time staff and volunteers. People interested in participating in an internship are encouraged to check our website for details or email our Director of Talent and Development at robjackson@arcosanti.org.

What can you share with us about any future plans for Arcosanti?

As we approach our 50-year anniversary, we are looking forward to setting our strategy for the next half-century to come. We believe that this project is more relevant today than it has been at any other point in its decades-long history, and we are looking forward to engaging the next generation of thinkers and change-makers in the dialogue around an equitable and regenerative future for our species on this little blue planet.

A hedgehog friendly campus

By Steven Allain Writer Did you know that we have hedgehogs on campus? If you were not already aware, hedgehogs are currently experiencing rapid population declines in the UK with a 50% decline since 2000. The reasons for their decline are complex, involving a number of factors such as habitat loss, road traffic, and climate change.

Back in July 2019, the University of Kent announced its participation in the Hedgehog Friendly Campus scheme which is a national project funded by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society through the National Union of Students. The scheme aims to accredit university campuses around the country for their efforts to help make campuses more hedgehog friendly in order to help reverse the declines that have been observed over the past 20 years. This not only includes direct actions to aid their conservation but also focusses on education and the promotion of hedgehog-friendly practices.

The University of Kent has multiple aims as part of its efforts to increase its accreditation by the Hedgehog Friendly Campus. UKC is currently Bronze accredited. There is much as a community we can do to raise student awareness about the decline of hedgehogs across the UK and how to promote hedgehog friendly behaviour (reporting any sightings of hedgehogs that are seen, for one). To aid this, the University has a working group made up of staff and students from across the University. The group runs awareness campaigns and organises events, such as litter picks and hedgehog surveying, as well as promoting hedge-

hog friendly practices.

We are lucky to have a number of hedgehogs on our campus. Thankfully we are not restricted to a city where the concrete jungle is a lot more hostile to hedgehogs, another reason for their decline. We do have one problem on campus though, and this is the number of roads that divide and fragment the available habitat across the campus. Roads themselves are not the danger, cars and buses, on the other hand are, with hedgehogs sadly being hit by vehicles passing through on a regular basis. This needs to be addressed but making people aware that hedgehogs are here will lead to a shift in behaviour so that they are more aware when driving around the campus.

What can you do to help the hedgehogs that we share our campus with? If you find a hedgehog and you are concerned for its wellbeing it is best to pick it up it (using gloves) and place it in a cardboard box with some water and meaty cat/dog food. Upon discovery, please contact the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (on 01584 890 801) who will be able to provide further advice and information. The Estates team should also be notified (on 01227 816666) who can also provide assistance. If the hedgehog is injured, it may be necessary to take it to a local vet for treatment. If you find a dead hedgehog then please report it through the Garden Wildlife Health project (https://www.gardenwildlifehealth.org/), a national project monitoring the health of Britain’s garden wildlife.

The future is bright for hedgehogs across the University of Kent, together we can make a difference and help them thrive in the local environment.

11

InQuire Friday 28 February 2020

What’s on...

Tom Brace: Brace of Spades 29 February 2020 The Metropolitan Opera: Agrippina 29 February 2020 EOS: In Search of Chopin 1 March 2020 Jen Brister: Under Privilege 1 March 2020 Speakeasy: Maggie Akintayo & Gecko 5 March 2020 SystemsLAB: Mixed Bill 6 March 2020 Bonhomme 7 March 2020 A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood 7-9 March 2020 Wira Malaya 7 March 2020 Songbirds Series: Andreya Triana 10 March 2020 Lowkey with DecoloniseUoK: Voices of (Un)belonging 11 March 2020 Ayishat Akanbi in conversation 11 March 2020 WorldFest: International Showcase 2020 13 March 2020 Funny Rabbit Comedy Club: Mr Fruit Salad & Alice Fraser 13 March 2020

Prices Full - £8.70 GulbCard Member - £6.70 Senior - £7.70 Registered Disabled - £7.70 Student - £6.00 Student GulbCard Member £5.00 Unemployed - £7.70

Geoff Norcott: Taking Liberties Tour comes to Canterbury Photos by The Gulbenkian

By Brian Donaldson Writer

Geoff Norcott, having been around the comedy block for years, has shifted up numerous gears.

From being a stalwart club comic to an Edinburgh Fringe draw, to a touring comedian with a growing number of TV and radio credits under his belt, Geoff is now an established name having performed well-received shows such as Conswervative, The Look of Moron and Traditionalism. He is now heading out on the road for an extended tour of his newest show, Taking Liberties. Here he talks about being a right-wing comedian in a business that is fundamentally left-leaning, why he feels a little bit of pressure on tour, and how a previous life as a teacher has informed his stand-up career.

BD: Taking Liberties is your latest show. As you take it out on tour, are you expecting to rewrite sections given how quickly the British political landscape shifts around?

GN: The general election meant that there was a whole section that needed rewriting, which is both annoying and exciting. I got to the point with Corbyn that he seemed like an easy target; it started to feel like bullying a pensioner. The Labour leadership race and the challenges the Labour Party now face is new territory; I always like to delight in offering the left advice when I’m probably really just messing around.

At its heart, the show is about being told what to do and being told off, and I think a lot of people hate that. It’s not a right-left thing, but that does guide a lot of my political views. We all like to imagine our politics to be a pure dissertation of the world around us, whereas I’ve started thinking that it’s more about emotional reactions to things. So now, whether it’s people telling you what words to use, food to eat or where you can fly, I just don’t like being told what to do.

BD: What other topics will you be tackling in the show?

GN: Another thing is about automation and how we’ve already outsourced a lot of our capabilities to technology. Take driverless cars: I like driving and I think it’s healthy to be in charge of your own safety and location. To my son, who’s almost four, my ability to be able to drive to places without google maps is going to make me seem like a wizard. One of the other bits in the show is reasserting the right to make sweeping generalisations about men and women. As gender increasingly gets portrayed as a construct, I think men and women, on the whole, are all boringly predictable. On the whole. So, yes, I generalise, it’ll make sense to some and not to others, but people can react by laughing or not laughing. There’s no need to get bent out of shape about it.

BD: What are your feelings about touring the nation?

GN: You turn up at a place and you have 500 people there to watch you, that’s a privilege. I always try to remember that. There is more pressure definitely, especially when I see cars parking up and people heading for a pre-show Nandos, I think, “this is a night out I could mess up”. For a certain kind of comedian, that would feed their ego whereas for me, I’d just be thinking, “have they got a hotel room? How much did the babysitter cost?”. So, I try to make sure I deliver on my end of the bargain.

BD: You’re an outspoken comedian of the right. How does it feel to be in an industry that is still viewed as overwhelmingly left-leaning?

GN: One of the joys of doing things like the Edinburgh Fringe in the past was that feeling of being behind enemy lines. It was very exciting and it did feel risky. When I did my show Conswervative, there were nights in the room when it was tense, which was kind of terrifying. The Mash Report recordings are like that to a point; the audience is good to me, but in the last series particularly around Brexit, if I made flippant jokes there were one or two tricky moments in the studio. I’ve never taken myself that seriously, though. I think I have good points to make, but I don’t make them unless the joke is funny. Otherwise, it’s just a bloke preaching.

from that field of discourse. I’m not sure you’ll ever get older Labour voters from Ashfield to introduce themselves with their preferred pronouns.

BD: You started stand-up while you were still working as an English teacher. Are there any links between the two professions?

GN: Certainly. When I was a supply teacher there was a quick need to establish yourself in front of a room full of strangers. The teacher training process was very much subject-led and practice-led but you can’t really do all that until people care about what you’re saying in the first place. When I started doing the rowdy weekend circuit, you could draw a huge Venn diagram between the two. There generally wasn’t a problem of any bleeding between the two things, but I did do one gig very late and was in school very early the next day, and I came very close to doing a putwdown on this nerdy lad. If he’s reading, I apologise, but it’s a long drive back from Truro.

Geoff Norcott will be performing at the Gulbenkian on the 22 March 2020 as part of his Taking Liberties Tour.

To see him in action, head over to the Gulbenkian to grab your tickts while they last.

BD: One newspaper dubbed you as “an out and out rebel”. Do you recognise that description of yourself?

GN: I like that but there is this weird feature of the age where you can be seen as controversial for holding views in line with the vast majority of people. The thing I love about the woke-erati is that they make someone like me seem edgy and controversial. It’s not that I get up every morning feeling anti-woke; I like treating ideas on their merit and unfortunately a lot of the worst ideas I encounter come

Photo by Karla Gowlett

12

Friday 28 February 2020 InQuire

Feature

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in my veins.

If there were drinks too close to me when sat at a table in a fancy restaurant I would push the glass away with a napkin between my fingers and the surface, until I felt comfortable. Hosting a ‘gathering’ at my house, people have to leave their drinks outside my door if they want to come into my room. The idea of it in my space makes me convulse. Even glasses that I have not washed or that are not my own.

To this day, I still do not know how this phobia arose. All I know is that I cannot stop the ice-cold hand that claws its way up my back when thinking about anything that is not water.

As I got older, the fear of people judging me was a notch higher than my fear of drinks. There are only so many weird looks you can take from people when they ask you to pass their drink and you decline. They do not understand that you are not being rude; you just don’t want people to witness your queasy state. As a kid, you can get away with not liking something but an adult has to suck it up.

I learnt to compromise. By sixth form, I could touch the bottle of a drink if I had to.

By the first year of university, if a drink spilt on me, I would not have a major freak out in public. I would quietly go straight to the bathroom and wipe the wet spot until it was red raw. In third-year, I worked in a bar and I would serve the drinks without a fuss, mop up the bar when liquids were split, and even change the beer barrel. I sucked it up for my paycheck and when I would get home from my work shift, I would fling my collared work

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icture this: a fresher dressed up like a carrot, completely sober, stood in the middle of a group of drunk girls chugging down booze. That was me.

It was 2016, my first year at university and the first time I experienced initiations. I had decided to join the University of Kent Women’s Lacrosse Club. I had heard they could down one-litre bottles quicker than I could count to ten. They put half the larger guys to shame with their gulping efforts, before placing a cup on their heads to signal they had finished the entire thing. They did not need degrees when they got the informal award of ‘Best Downer of Drinks’.

I was impressed.

In recent years, the British Sporting Association has clamped down on initiations, branding it ‘toxic’ and ‘forceful’. But back then it was an unspoken rule that you had to attend initiations to be a part of a sports team, and no one seemed to give a damn if they were being forced to lick VK from the floor.

These unofficial welcome socials stretched across all the main sports teams – hockey, rugby, lacrosse, cheerleading, netball, the list goes on. You were told a time, a place, and a theme. Nothing else. You were expected to be punctual and to follow the dress code right down to the orange paint. If you disobeyed, you would be ‘punished’.

Initiations reminded me of prohibition. All those underground speakeasies dominating the drink prohibited streets after hours.

Arriving at the scene, we had been briefed the rules. The older girls spoke only through megaphones, daring us to talk back. Our orange tops and trousers were miles longer than their denim shorts and checked tops. I did not care about looking bad, but I feared the liquid inside the bottles nestled between their fingers.

I have always had a phobia of drinks that are not water. My dad is petrified of heights; he says that when he gets too close to the edge of a bridge, there is a sharp feeling of panic in his chest. I get that panic when I’m close to a drink that is not the clear liquid you get from the tap.

The first time I remember feeling this way was when I was about four or five and my mum had tried to make me drink a carton of orange juice. I was a small toddler, too scared to even touch the box, flailing my arms around until my mum gave up. The fear followed me throughout primary school, heightened when a boy spat a brown coloured fluid on my leg during late club. I fled to the bathroom, scratching my leg with a blue paper towel trying desperately to get the mysterious substance off before it sunk into my skin. Nausea

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The University of Kent’s ‘BNOC’ social butterfly Megan Warwick opens up about why she is teetotal and the difficulties that come with not drinking at university.

I was only a quarter way through the initiation, and they were already throwing more drinks my way. I had declined every single one with various excuses. For every refusal, I was told to do pressups, sit-ups, burpees, anything that could make up for my ‘lameness’. But I was starting to get some weird looks. There were only so many times I could say “Oh, but I just had some from her bottle” and “I’ve got a 9 am tomorrow” without seeming like a wimp. I was out of my depth – like a fish swimming with sharks in a sea of Sangria.

At that moment, I knew I had to tell someone I was teetotal. I will never forget that shame-filled moment. Walking up to the social secretary, in my orange attire and shaking legs, muttering in a meek voice so no one else could hear: “I don’t drink alcohol”.

A face of disbelief, with confusion and a layer of disgust. She masked it quickly with seemingly caring eyes, but I saw the judgement. The girl I confided in told me they were not going to make me do anything I did not want to do. But, from her tone, I knew she was sure as hell going to make me feel bad about it.

I had to prove that I could still be fun. The rest of the initiations consisted of me appearing to be as drunk as everyone else. I decided to ramp up my usual hyper self. I bounced off the drunken atmosphere of those around me. Falling over, glazed over eyes, drunken screams. I stumbled past other members of the club, older girls say

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Sober & Not Boring

shirt straight into the washing machine and shower away the moisture. Cleansing myself head-to-toe of the fluids that made me want to strip my skin off.

I battled through the fear of touching unknown liquids, but the idea of them being anywhere near my lips makes my heart pulse at an unsteady rate.

I concluded that it was rare for people in sports clubs to not drink. My brothers had told me stories of their university shenanigans, stories of being in sports teams. Yet, despite the tales of intoxication and heavy drinking culture, I still wanted to be in a sports club. My brothers dwelled over the fun of playing matches, of being a part of a team and partying together. I had watched the Lacrosse girls in their gorgeous kits at the Freshers Fair, kitted out in sunglasses and lacrosse sticks slung over their shoulders.

Sports clubs were like families. I wanted that. I wanted to feel a part of a group at university. The surroundings of an entirely new place, especially one as big as Kent, were unnerving enough. I was desperate to fit in.

So, I stood there, wet cans and cider at my feet. Pinpricks on my arms from the unnerving cold chill, hands rubbing up-and-down my bumpy skin in an attempt to keep my body above freezing. Girls ran around, screaming as flour was chucked all over them. The flour was soft and harmless, but the liquid was poison to me.

I clutched a plastic bottle of water firmly in my hand, drinking from it whenever anyone else would drink from theirs. Someone even thought I was drinking straight vodka. I smiled, swigging it back.

But, when the older girls started coming around with their own mixtures, it was harder to pretend.

A girl stood in front of me, holding a plastic bottle above my head: “Drink it or wear it?” Wearing it was the only option. It took all my strength to not let my inner grimace become outer.

I knew I would be showering for hours after the night was done.

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InQuire BacK & Buzzin’

Basketball on their return to Varsity

Photo by Rakshana Gopinath

DEAR READERS I

stood on the side-lines of Rugby Varsity last year. The spectators shouted “11 is a n**ce” and “14 is a p**o”.

Christ Church railed up Kent as they kept screaming offensive phrases at the other team, and vice-versa.

Players on the pitch seemed unphased, but I noticed one individual shake his head in what appeared to be disappointed as a crowd member screamed: “YOU’RE A N**CE”. Some thought this gesture ruined the sportsmanship of Varsity. Others felt it was all a part of the fun.

It led me to think about the negatives of spectatorship. I always thought that the crowd is supposed to lift the spirits of the team they support, not shut down the opposition through loaded comments. In France, if a spectator hurls abuse at the opposing team then that individual is banned from all future matches. But here, on our very own home ground, crowd members are constantly knocking players down.

These individuals should be respected, not mistreated.

Is that what sport is supposed to be about? Deterring the other team through negative words? Players train their hardest in preparation for these games, ready to deliver an intense game for all those watching. If those who call players ‘nonces’ and ‘paedophiles’ faced the same lashings of words, there would be more empathy. That is something Varsity spectators should be aware of; empathy.

And now with the evolution of Varsity where there are so positive many changes, I wish for one more.

For more respect and empathy for those players who put themselves onto the pitch for our entertainment.

Megan Warwick Newspaper Sport Editor

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here are very few occasions at university when it feels like everyone is talking about the same thing. From history students to forensic scientists and economists, eI have heard many students talk about Varsity.

There is no other shared experience quite like it that involves so many of us.

Varsity has evolved across the years into one of the most anticipated events of the year, and it is obvious why. From the close calls to the come backs, Varsity is a spectator’s dream.

A Varsity game that remains a standout is the 2016 Men’s Basketball game. Initially anticipated to be a landslide, the tightly fought game surprised many. The nail biter kept the crowd on edge with half on their feet and the other half stood on chairs to get a better view. All on court played hard until the final seconds with just a few points in it by the time the whistle blew. This was swiftly followed by screams, yells, and celebrations.

The celebrations that follow a Varsity win appear closer to those after Olympic medal-winning performance. Unbeknown to many students at Kent, the long rivalry with CCCU has provided an outlet for the pride we may not have appreciated was there. What makes this special is the fact that you do not have to be a player to enjoy Team Kent at Varsity. As a spectator, you share the win, pride, and losses when they do happen. You appreciate the effect of the players and marvel at the abilities of some of the teams you had not had the opportunity to watch before.

Varsity is more than sports, performances or challenges. It is about uniting the University for one week a year with a common goal. No politics or studying – just sports spectatorship in its purest form by celebrating peers and appreciating one another for talents outside academia.

Casey Magloire Website Sport Editor

Men’s Basketball Ready to Put On A SHow

By Megan Warwick, Newspaper Sport Editor

Photos by Rakshana Gopinath Men’s Basketball will be the ones to conclude Varsity 2020 in an exciting comeback after having been withdrawn and having to concede a point to Christ Church last year.

Kent Union’s decision to ban Men’s Basketball back in Varsity 2019 was due to poor behaviour such as “a headbutt and throat push”, complaints from many staff members, and general bad conduct. This year, it seems that the team is starting afresh, having won a huge majority of their BUCS matches. Not only are they back in Varsity, but they also have the prime spot as they are the last fixture to compete on 7 March.

“This year has been a massive change,” Vice-President Alfie Murray tells InQuire. “The discipline and ethos of the team have improved tenfold, and the talent has been both improved with the players we have and added to by freshers. The impact results in a much more positive attitude toward winning games and people are enjoying being part of the team more”.

Murray continues: “It’s a friendly competition with CCCU, we know some of them and it can get fierce and rough, but it’s all love after the game is over.

They typically have posed no threat and we manage to secure a comfortable win, but in our most recent BUCS encounter they showed up and it was a close one. We can’t be complacent. This Varsity isn’t one to miss because it could be very competitive and come down to the very last bucket”.

As detailed before, UKC Men’s Basketball has had a solid season, making it to the BUCS cup semi-final.

“Unfortunately, we were bettered by Greenwich,” Murray stated. This loss means no promotion, but there is a potential of attaining three trophies if the club carries on being victorious in the local league.

“We feel very prepared for CCCU. We are ready to put on a show,” Murray says. The club always has a high spectator turnout at their events, and they are expecting Varsity to be no different. “Spectators are massive for our club. It is hugely important in basketball generally, as you can imagine an indoor

hall gets a wild atmosphere.

We would love to have support from everyone and anyone, regardless of their sport or background.

It’s important that the crowd know how much their support can lift us, and we promise to put on a show and give you all something to cheer about.”

UKC Men’s Basketball pride themselves on togetherness, which they hope the spectators will notice.

“We pick each other up when things go wrong. We hype each other up when things go right. It’s meaning when we get momentum, because then we are unstoppable”. The game of Basketball itself requires intensity, due to the physical requirements of the game. “Physically and skilfully,” Murray details, “we run a full-court press. We are very athletic. The aim is not to let them get the ball up the court, keep them trapped and get easy dunks and flashy plays coming from our stellar defence. Everyone on our team can either jump out the room or shoot the lights out, so whoever has the ball you can expect them to make a big play and get the crowd going”.

Hopefully, the spectatorship will be heightened even more so. “We feel honoured to be the last event at Varsity. It is a high tempo and hyped game, and we promise to give you fans something to shout about and a taste of the Basketball you see on TV. Also, it only feels right we go last, compared to some other teams that have been allowed to cap it all off.

We represent discipline, hustle and respect in sport on and off the court and win games because of this.

Yes, we feel honoured and hope everyone can make it out and we can finish of varsity the right way!”

Not only have Men’s Basketball had a successful season, but they have also thrown themselves into the fundraising aspect. With the recent death of Basketball sensation Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna, Men’s and Women’s Basketball organised a friendly match which raised £248.20. They also hosted a charity alumni match.

Their Varsity match will take place Saturday 7 March, 6:30pm, Christ Church Sports Centre.

Emily Window

Respect the Refs

“We should be striving to make Varsity a lot more than just winning” Interviewed by Caitlin Casey, Casey Magloire & Megan Warwick How do you think Varsity has evolved?

Before I started in 2014, there were so many issues, there was vandalism, abuse, it was becoming a not very safe event, so we had a turning point 6 years ago. We need to make this event inclusive and fun and hype up the spirit of sport. So, we created an operations group that overlooked the management of varsity with the implementation of fixtures and now the event has grown from one rugby fixture 25 years ago on Parkwood pitches to 45 fixtures across 20 different sports and a range of different teams. Varsity has blown up. Now we’re implementing more societies and fundraising with more groups, more dimensions are being added. It’s exciting and I’m really happy to be part of its development. It was never branded as varsity, but it started as a memorial for a student death as a fixture between two campuses and since then it’s built up to the addition of new sports.

Why do you think Varsity has grown into what it is now?

A lot of people don’t know about that original rugby fixture. It has a lot more reach now.

A lot of people haven’t had time to ask that question “Where has Varsity come from?”, it’s just this unspoken thing that we go out and beat Christ Church each year and then we do it again 12 months later. One thing I have been trying to focus on is highlighting the origins of Varsity, which is why we’re raising money for Student Minds. Christ Church and Kent Union have been working really closely with the charity this year, so we are trying to bring that connection back.

Why do you think using a sporting event is a good way to fundraise?

The origins of Varsity are so important, and a lot of people don’t know about it, so I think it’s about going back to the idea that sport brings people together and recognising the benefit that sport has on mental health. This is why Student Minds is so important as a charity. We’re doing this through contactless fundraising, another thing we’ve been working on this year, which is bringing our fundraising into the 21st century. Things like pitchside collections, people going around in Student Minds t-shirts, raising money and awareness, giving back to the community. In the 5-year Varsity revision I wrote, an element of it was community and we want good to come out of the event, not just winning against Christ Church. Looking back to the stories that were coming out about Varsity compared to what is coming out about it now, it has turned a whole new page. We should be striving to make Varsity a lot more than just winning.

How are you trying to get all of the sports teams involved in this fundraising?

It’s mostly just through the pitch-side collections which I think is the main aspect of it and we’ve also sent a link to alumni to donate to the fundraising. Most of the clubs are focused on getting their fixtures done and training up, and there is lots more potential to be done with the fundraising at Varsity.

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Check out inquiremedia.co.uk to read Emily Window’s full interview.

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What’s your favourite memory of Varsity?

Mine’s not a Varsity I was playing in but one I was watching. There are so many memories from last year but my favourite one was handing over the winner’s board to Trampolining. Not only was it my club but they had worked so hard for that win, I don’t think we’d ever won, or we had a massive track record of losing, but to win with half a point was quite overwhelming. Just to see how much the club had worked for it, and to see that result pay off from the sidelines felt good.

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What are you most looking forward to?

Given that it’s my last Varsity, I’m most excited to just reflect. Not only on previous Varsity events but Varsity that I’ve helped to shape. Also, the spirit of sport to come out for the last time. It’s going to be a bit emotional; I think. It’s also about coming out for Team Kent one last time.

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With this change, you HAVE had to move some sports around, like rugby for instance who used to finish Varsity. How do you deal with that backlash from unhappy teams?

I think that it’s all about allowing all clubs to take that last spot. I think it’s a good thing we’re taking the development and helping clubs do that. You see some universities doing the bidding for that final event and prime spots, so we’re not actually at that level yet where we have clubs having more input. But it’s getting to that and even to open the

What would you say to someone indifferent to Varsity, what would you say to get them involved?

I would say, get behind Team Kent because we need your support.

It will be a week to remember and there will be so much going on, so much opportunity to get involved with the clubs and it might inspire you to be on one of these teams.

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Do you think it will improve spectatorship?

I hope so, and I hope with the change of the timetable it will help with that.

We’ve spoken a lot about the changes happening to Varsity, but what do you think comes next for the event?

Getting more linkups with local clubs would be an amazing direction for Canterbury. We could do so much more with community clubs like the Canterbury hockey club and getting more development for our teams. We can work with local schools which would be amazing, getting our clubs to go out into schools and do local sessions, getting them involved with the sport and one day they’ll go to University and think “oh, I remember doing Lacrosse” or “I remember that session I did”. So, I think that could have a positive impact. Again, it’s not just about winning, it’s about giving back.

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There are more sports over the week so will it affect spectatorship positively or negatively?

It’s still seven days long but it’s Monday to Saturday so it’s easier for staff time and student planning. The week would fall over two weeks last time which is a bit awkward, people may not have known when Varsity was on. Now it’s a lot clearer.

I

t should not be a matter of debate by now; officials in every sport deserve your respect, whether you are a player or a fan. I say that being a sporting official is one of the most thankless jobs in the sporting industry. Do your job right, and the fans wrong and you are vilified, or even threatened outside of the game.

Let us not forget that referees are professionals. Theirs is a job that requires intricate knowledge of their chosen sport, as th going on in the game, whilst maintaining an impartial view of events. From cricket umpires to e-sports admins, profession in the expertise they have gained within their field – they know the rules of their chosen game more than a bit better tha All-too-often, this is ignored in the heat of the moment by players contesting a decision. On the international stage, treated this way. Sports culture, of course, plays a big part in the variation between how officials are treated. Rugby ers show to referees, which is partly enforced through the card system but mostly a result of self-enforcement tha still children. Football is in many ways the polar opposite; in earlier days of lower-paid professionals, officials w way as rugby. But over the years, as players have ascended to the status of overpaid celebrities, the greatest in event is conduct has been rejected for self-entitlement. a massive Sadly, the same is becoming true for tennis. Although by and large a far more cordially officiated sport honour. media idolisation of some of the best players around has led to a noticeable decline in respect for the u big examples of such misconduct, but the clearest case of this in recent years was Serena Williams’ s match against Naomi Osaka. Competing for the US Open trophy, she was given three citations by We wanted to coaching during the match, and the second for intentionally smashing her racket, which incurre ask about Men’s gusting, with Williams turning to the umpire and proclaiming, “you will never, ever, ever be o Basketball. Last year calling Ramos a “thief”. As for rules demand, a game was subsequently awarded to Osaka a they weren’t allowed the jeers of the crowd, or the protestations of Williams, it was his job to uphold order on to play Varsity and now Williams’ disruption was Osaka, who not only had to stand by while her sporting hero they’re closing the event. for the rest of the match. When she finally won the match with a sound 6–2 6–4, her Do you think they’ve made a having won; her moment of triumph was marred by Williams’ inability to accept a positive change?

The fact of the matter is, fans often overlook the rules that sports officials have Definitely. I’ve seen what they’ve been their narrative of events. In terms of his style, Nick Kyrgios is one of the most nature and general disrespect for umpires, potentially the most fined player up to this year and they’re killing it! I’m Masters appearance, racking up $113,000 in fines purely for unsporting c really excited for their comeback and their There are, of course, examples of officials making very poor decisions game. Last year we had to concede a point to certainly heard of ‘The Hand of God’, the career-defining mistake tha Christchurch with that, so I’m hoping they’re in Argentina’s defeat of England in the 1986 FIFA World Cup. Nig gonna make it back to us and come back and show remembered with shudders by English fans today. However, tod us what they’re made of. I’m excited to welcome for detailed breakdowns of events on-pitch for contesting deci them back. goal disqualified for having had his armpit offside, ridiculou More than anything, however, decisions such as this just Are you worried about the lively spectatorship that which hawk-eye is only used when players challenge ca will happen at the basketball matches? mately, come first, with computer-assisted analysis o they put their all into the game and whilst upholdin No. I think it’s great and it’s always a good atmosphere, esperules of the game, and those who enforce th cially because it’s the final match. People are going to come out for it. It should be great.

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Varsity has developed into much more, we have the introduction of e-sports as well as pool and snooker. How are you making sure those teams get just as much attention?

We’ve localised all the sports and on one day we have one place. Before, we’d have a fixture at CCCU and then one at Kent, you’d have people not going to one fixture because they’d have to travel more. Now we’ve said on one day you’ll be in one place and you’ll be able to maximise your time as much as possible. The exception of that is the sports that are far away, and we have no control over where we book those. For example, last year sports like jiu jitsu have always been at 8am or 9am on a Saturday at CCCU, which not many people go to and the audience is much smaller than those later. To tackle that, we’ve put those sports in a prime spot in the afternoon on the UKC campus.

By Rory Bathgate, Newspaper Entertainment Editor

EVOLUTION

By Megan Warwick, Newspaper Sport Editor

It is no exaggeration to barely notice you; do it

Varsity 2020has seen big change, including the addition of non-sport-based events and a completly new scoring system. Varsity is spaced out over the space of a week and allows University of Kent (UKC) and Christ Church University (CCCU) to battle it out in a variety of different games/matches. This year’s Varsity is something that even more individuals can look forward to. hey have to assess everything The sports involved in Varsity this year range from rugby, tennis, hockey, football, jiu-jitsu, badminton, volleyball, trampolining, cricket, snow, nal sports officials are uniform equestrian, lacrosse, cheer, running, netball, swimming, and basketball. In 2018, Dance was added to the list of sports and in 2019 Pole Fitness an the average punter. was also introduced to the line-up, showing more consideration for society crossovers within Varsity. The previous years have seen complaints it is unacceptable that officials be y is renowned for the respect the playfrom the smaller sports clubs, feeling uninvolved in the team competitions. Which is why there have been new additions of kayaking, climbat starts for most players when they are ing, and pool. Check out the timetable on the back cover to see the full list of sports. were respected by players much in the same Varsity has evolved into so much more than just celebrating the sport. This year sees a positive change to the annual event, with the n the world spawning their brands, sporting addition of societies. This has been shown with the edition of e-sports, which was trailed in the summer term of 2019. Due to positive reactions, the event has now been placed into the March Varsity line-up. Although technically only one non-sporting has been than football, the immense money involved and added, this should see a positive change for the future. umpire. John McEnroe is probably one of the first Another change this year has undergone is the time that Varsity takes place. Previously the Varsity week has always taken shocking disrespect towards the umpire of her 2018 place during February, before Kent Union Leadership Elections. This year has seen a switch between the two events, which y umpire Carlos Ramos, the first a warning for receiving is now Varsity takes place in March. Hopefully, this will mean the weather will be better for outdoor events. ed a point penalty. The third, however, was the most dison another [tennis] court of mine as long as you live”, before The scoring system for this year has also been adjusted. Matches between two first teams and individual teams will be as compensation. What else could Ramos have done? Despite awarded 3 points, second team matches 2 points, third team matches 1 point, and debutant sports will be non-points n the court. Moreover, the person who suffered the most due to scoring. The reason being, as quoted by Emily Window, Vice-President (Student Engagement), is “to give CCCU threw a tantrum, but then had to endure a toxic crowd atmosphere more of a fair chance”. Varsity does see Kent win every year, but perhaps this year the score gap will be a lot r first grand slam win, Osaka tearfully apologised to the crowd for closer. an official decision with dignity.

Although Varsity has always been over of seven days – excluding American Football that always takes e to adhere to if it goes against their team or favourite, and if it does not fit place on a separate Sunday due to aligning with BUCS – it is now from Monday to Sunday this year. In t entertaining players currently operating. He is also, thanks to his volatile previous years, Varsity has started on a Wednesday and finished on a Tuesday. This change will hoper in the history of the sport. He set an ATP fine record at his 2019 Cincinnati fully allow students to keep better tabs on Varsity and know the exact days of the event. Not only conduct such as spitting at an official and leaving the match to break two rackets. s. The name Ali Bin Nasser might not mean much to you, but you have almost this but over each day the events should primarily take place at one setting, for instance Sunday at saw Nasser fail to spot a handball by Diego Maradona, leading to the first goal is happening at Canterbury Rugby Club, Monday, Tuesday and Friday takes place at the Kent ghtmarish for fans and Nasser alike, it highlighted the fallibility of referees and is still campus, Wednesday and Saturday will be happening at Christ Church and so on. This makes day it is highly unlikely such a mistake could be made again, with the VAR system allowing way for only one totally ‘away’ day, which will be on the Thursday of Varsity. isions. The system is not without its faults of course; Tottenham’s Harry Kane recently had a The finishing fixture for Varsity has always been Men’s Rugby, but with a controverus finding that calls into question just how pedantically adhered to the VAR system should be. sial change, this year sees a change with Men’s Basketball finishing the jam-packed prove why referee’s word should be even more respected; the largely successful tennis model, in week in a heated return to the Varsity event after having to concede a point last alls by the umpire, might be worth moving towards for football. The referee’s rulings should, ultiweek. . only brought in difficult to call situations.Real professionals are defined by their conduct. At their best, This Varsity will be the first-ever not organised ng sincerity and honour. Real fans support their teams and their players whilst respecting above all the hem. Anything else is an insult to the sport. by a Vice-President (Sports). This will be the first Varsity led by the new Vice-President (Student Engagement), Emily Window.

Although evolution is a positive thing, one thing I hope that will not change is the team spirit.

terbury Var sity

Photo by Can

Falcons storm to victory in Varsity opening

By Jaden Shephard, Writer

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Photo by Jessica Menezes

ent Falcons have opened Varsity 2020 with a pounding on Canterbury Christ Church Chargers, beating them 24-0 in the annual matchup.

The first victory for Team Kent took place amid Storm Dennis with high winds preventing the field goals from being erected and making play challenging. However, this did not stop the Falcons passing game. The Falcons three unanswered touchdowns all came from passes from #4 QB Julian Cary, who threw beautifully all day. The Falcons scored on their opening drive after several big passes to #45 WR Alfie Murray who got them right on the Chargers one-yard line. A quick pass to #16 WR Tom Goddard gave him and the team their first touchdown of the day.

Forced into a 2-point conversion the Falcons converted it with another quick pass to Murray, putting the score at 8-0. For the rest of the first half, there would be no scoring as the Falcons defence smothered any attempts by the Charger to get their offence going. The speedy Chargers QB #24 was able to evade pressure on some occasions and scramble for some yards but were unable to get too far before being tackled by the Falcons secondary.

Having won the toss and electing to defer, the Chargers started the second half with possession but failed to capitalise on the opportunity, giving the ball back to the Falcons offence at midfield.

The first snap of that drive Cary tossed a quick pass to Goddard who then went on to sprint sixty yards downfield and score a second touchdown.

Again, Murray caught the ball for another 2-point conversion setting the score at 16-0.

The third and final touchdown of the game came at the start of the fourth quarter and Murray was finally rewarded for all his efforts. After driving to the Chargers nine-yard line a penalty put the Falcons at the four-yard line, Cary launched the ball up high allowing a wide-open Murray to leap and catch it to make the score 22-0. #95 Billy Yates would then run it in for the two points and seal the game.

A disappointing loss for the Chargers who put up a good fight in tough conditions. The Falcons undefeated Varsity record remains intact and has given Team Kent the advantage as it heads into the rest of Varsity in March. The team will be sad to be losing some of its key players who have done so much for the team as they leave at the end of year but will be happy to end the season on a high.

Hockey Varsity

Another clean sweep? ways vital. We thrive off support and strongly believe in being as loud as possible whenever we can as that’s what has given our teams the motivation to win over the last three years. Hopefully, with the help of several other societies, we can be bigger and louder than ever before to make sure we continue our run of winning both men’s matches.”

Natasha Cheeseman, Women’s Hockey Chairwoman.

“We’re coming off a high from winning all of our games last year, so we’re excited.

The games this year should be close and should be exciting to watch. But it’s also put a lot of pressure on us as we’d like to contin-

Pool is more than a pub game

By Blue-Belle Kulpa, Newspaper Lifestyle Editor In Canterbury, there is an abundance of pubs that have pools tables. Students go to them, have a few drinks, and play a few games of pool. But pool is so much more than a game to take a shot at (no pun intended) when you have had a few drinks. Here are some reasons as to why pool is more than just a pub game: The trick shots. There are so many different trick shots you can learn which will aid your ability to play this game. Depending on where you hit the ball you can put a nice spin on your shot and even curve the ball. This applies to hit the ball more to the right or left and not central.

Or you can hit the part of the ball closest to the table (its bottom) which, if done right, will chip the white ball over another ball (basically it makes the white ball jump). If this trick is not done correctly then there is the chance that you could tear the tables green felt covering. It is costly damage to do to the table.

It does require practise. The more you familiarise yourself with how the ball hits depending on what you do; angle or power behind the hit will help to improve your advantages of pocketing a ball or doing what you intend with the white ball.

Other tricks. The most important one to perfect is the ability to snooker your opponent. This trick is where you sabotage your opponent’s chances by careful consideration of where the balls are on the table. You can snooker a pocket by moving one of your colour balls right in front of it but not potting it, this will save that pocket for you and your ball and remove the pocket from being a potting option for your opponent.

You can also snooker your opponent by placing the white ball in a tricky place for them to pot or hit one of their balls from. This can be a hard trick to do since it relies on you hitting the white ball gently against one of your balls, positioning it in a tricky place. The hard part is hitting hard enough to hit your balls but also light enough that you do not misplace or move them.

Hopefully, these examples of pool/ snooker tricks and skills prove how such a game is harder than it looks. It is truly a sport that is fun to play but also a serious sport to perfect.

Photo

by Vio

leta Iv a

nova

Last year all four Hockey teams won their match against CCCU, making it the first clean sweep for Hockey in a decade.

The presidents of both clubs Vikram Pandit, Men’s Hockey Chairman, told InQuire: “We are excited for Varsity. The 1s have had two matches against CCCU already this season andKent has won one away from home. Varsity will be close and intense. The 2s match will also be close, with both teams in similar positions in their league but we know it will be tough. We have worked hard and are ready to play for a win — as I’m sure they are too.

“It is fiercely competitive with Christ Church. It means more than anything to beat CCCU whether it’s varsity or not. But on a personal level, it is also quite friendly as both teams know each other for various reasons.

“The season has been good so far.

The 1s were unbeaten until Christmas and the 2s put in solid performances to be near the top of their league. A few results have gone against both teams, unfortunately, but hard work should pay off next week.

Spectatorship is al-

ue with last year’s momentum. There’s a lot of nervousness and anticipation within hockey as we think some of the games really could be close this year but we’re just so excited to get out there and beat Christchurch.

“I’d say we’re quite competitive, some of the teams have already played against CCCU this year so they know what they’re up against, so we’ll be coming out hard and aiming for all four wins again. We do have a lot of friendly rivalries with some of the Christchurch players so it’ll be a friendly atmosphere before the game but that’ll be put to the side as we determined to win, and the competitiveness of both sides will come out on the pitch.

“Our women’s 1s have been having a great season, and they’re battling with CCCU to win their league this year.

They’re also still in the cup and are playing in the semi-final on Wednesday so they have the potential to win the cup and the league this year. Our 2s have had a bit of a rocky year but we’ve had some extremely close games where it’s just been really unfortunate that we haven’t managed to come away with a draw or a win so our standing in our league doesn’t reflect the improvements we’ve seen over the year in the 2s. I think both teams do have a strong chance of winning if we all play as we have been this season and the improvements we’ve been making should help with that.

“I think spectatorship for us is really important. CCCU always brings a big crowd and creates a lot of noise so it’s great when we can have our crowd to cheer us on and drown out the chants from CCCU. I think we all play better under a bit of pressure but having the crowd supporting us helps to calm our nerves and should help drive all 4 teams to victory. We’re excited to be supported by everyone from both clubs as well as other societies to make this varsity bigger and louder than ever before.”

Photo by Emily Heath

Kent Dance: “We feel some pressure, having won twice”

By Emily Regan, Website Features Editor

The Kent Dance Society at the University of Kent consists of dance styles such as jazz, ballet, hip hop, tap, and more. This year will be the third year that Kent Dance has competed against Christ Church at Varsity. InQuire spoke to their president Grace Anyiam about the upcoming event.

How many dances do you have performing?

Kent Dance has 10 squads performing, they are our competition squads for this year. We will also be taking them to compete at other University competitions around the UK such as Loughborough

What will the dances be judged on (technique, performance, etc)?

There are lots of categories the dances will be judged on to get a mark out of 10. From cos-

tume, technique, and difficulty to performance and group shapes! There are lots of opportunities to show off our strengths.

Are there any dances you are worried about?

We are not worried about any dances! All of our competition squads have worked incredibly hard since September on these routines, so they know them well and are ready to execute them in front of an audience and the judges.

Do you feel the pressure having won Varsity last year?

We certainly do feel some pressure having won 2 years in a row, but we have great team spirit and will be motivating one another to go into Varsity with a positive attitude! At the end of the day, we will be proud of what we showcase whatever happens.

Is there anything you can tease about the dances?

No teases! But expect to see some fantastic technique, energy, performance, and originality.

Why should people come and watch dance during Varsity week?

We would love as many people as possible to come and support us at Varsity. Especially because this year CCCU is hosting on their home turf so it will be a very different atmosphere for everyone. So, we would appreciate the support and cheering on. We know everyone who comes will love what they see!

You can watch Kent Dance compete at Varsity on Wednesday 4 March 2020, 6pm, Canterbury Christ Church University, Augustine Hall.

TIMETABLE

21

InQuire Friday 28 February 2020

Feature

ing: “She’s far gone.”

Although I aced initiations, I still felt I had a long way to go to feel integrated into the sport. So, I stuck around. Went to training sessions. Enjoyed the sport. Partying the odd night out here and there. There was one con. I was scared to go to events by myself, sober. Everyone I know would not dream of turning up to a night out sober when they did not know anyone. They would be drunk before they got there to numb any social anxiety.

Luckily, I had Fiona. She was one of my best friends on the team. She was a third-year student who fulfilled the drunken Irish stereotype. One of the few people who knew that I was a teetotaller.

Since telling that one girl at initiations I had been sceptical, but Fiona never once judged or sneered.

She accepted it and moved on.

She would often cover for me if anyone shoved a drink in my face and told me “down it fresher”, by grabbing the drink and downing it herself. If there were ever group shots or someone who brought me a drink, I would put my lips to the straw and pretend to sip, but then swap my full cup with Fiona’s empty one.

Nights out with the team would consist of running around the place, clutching what was, to unknowing spectators, a red plastic cup filled with water.

Making

You p ret e

nd

b to

e dru nk all the ti

everyone think you are drunk is surprisingly easy.

I have binged so many episodes of Skins and been surrounded by enough drunk mates at sixth form to known how to fit in with the drunkards.

It worked every time. My teetotal world remained unnoticed as everyone else was too far gone to realise.

Until Tour.

Tour 2018 was initiations all over again. We were freshers again. A holiday that was not really a holiday, consisting of five days on the beach of sunny Croatia. Expect it was not sunny. And we did not go to the beach.

I had been on ‘boozy holidays’ before. I have stepped off a two-hour shuttle bus at 4 am in the depths of Magaluf, greeted by boys smashing bottles and chanting ‘fresh meat’ at us. It was intimidating, to say the least. But in Magaluf, I did not have to worry about not drinking because there were no set rules.

The trip consisted of most of the sports teams from the university getting drunk and doing challenges. There are ‘tour families’, where members of Men’s Lacrosse and Women’s Lacrosse, who have been on tour before, are parents to their selected children, who are named ‘tour freshers’.

It started on the couch. Hands tied to my calf.

I had tape over my mouth because I was ‘too mouthy’.

Dressed in a rubber ring and armbands.

I took the challenges happily, anything that did not involve drinking was a blessing in my eyes.

I did as many challenges as I could as if it was my compensation for not drinking.

My sober mind was a blur. On the first day, my body was wrapped in bubble wrap and I fell into the pool.

The second day,

me

? You

on

ly have

one k i d n e y ?

the social secretary superglued cheese to my face, which unintentionally pulled the entirety of my eyebrow off with it. My nickname became ‘cheese girl’.

On the third day, I was covered head-to-toe in an entire tube of sun cream.

I relished in the attention. No one tried to get me to drink.

They were intently focused on my crazy acts that were beyond the point of recreation. They drew on my face words such as “mouthy”, “crazy”, “legend”, and “insane”. There were no words like boring or dull tattooed on my skin.

Those I had never spoken to would approach me, telling me they were surprised I was that crazy and fun. A smirk rose on my lips when they said: “You must be off your face all the time”.

Due to the unsuspecting nature of those surrounding me, I never expected the truth to come out on the final night. The theme for the night was Parrots and Pirates, the parents being pirates and the children parrots. The social secretary who glued cheese to my face read out the annual tour awards. He said my name for the award for ‘Most Fun Fresher’. My heartbeat increased. People clapped and laughed, some even pointing to my non-existent eyebrow. I was smug. I did not drink but I was still fun.

“She doesn’t even drink,” Fiona laughed as the words left her mouth. My cheeks flushed red. A million eyes blinking. My narrowed eyes turned to Fiona, but she misread my anger as teasing. Question after question flew in. “How is that possible?” or “You do drugs, right?” and “Are you religious?”

More questions followed throughout the night. “Is it because you have health issues?” and “Why do you pretend to be drunk all the time?” Then, those who did not go on tour found out. Word spreads like wildfire in sports clubs. I was not mad at Fiona anymore. She apologised.

“You are fun. Own it,” She affirmed.

I justified myself against the questions, to begin with. I lied and even went along with the health issues story when I could not be bothered to explain. People didn’t even notice if I lied. They believed what they wanted to believe.

But the lies ran dry through my gritted teeth. The final term of my second-year brought with it a new flourish of truth. Not all at once, but gradually. I no longer felt the need to pretend I did not drink when I met new people. I would tell them if they asked, but only if they asked. I stopped keeping the contents of my cup of water away from prying eyes. If people thought I seemed smashed, I let them. Unless they asked me.

Some accepted it, some did not. Same old story.

What surprised me the most was the gazes of ad-

miration I had received from those closest to me when they watched me act on a night out. They would mutter to each other, ‘she doesn’t even drink, it’s amazing, how does she have this much energy?” Those were the judging words I did not mind hearing.

Back then, I never knew why sports teams revelled in drinking. It’s to let loose. To be able to celebrate victories and commiserate losses. A chance to bond as a club and allow members to speak to one another unfiltered.

After that, no one seemed to care that I didn’t drink. If anything, most people were in awe.

That judgmental girl from initiations was not an accurate reflection of lacrosse nor most students.

The rest of the club swooped me into their arms.

The sober girl who was just as fun as the rest of them. Most of the time they forget I don’t drink, still offering me shots to this very day. Everyone I have met has been genuinely lovely about my teetotalism.

I never feel out of place around drunk people.

Sometimes, I feel like drunk people are out of place around me. There are moments of annoyance from the comments naïve people make. “Ah, you two will definitely get on!” A girl said when her tee-total friend came down to visit, assuming that we are all the same. Or “I’m sorry you’re surrounded by drunk people”. You don’t say to a man, I’m sorry you’re surrounded by women.”

People often assume that I must hate being around drunk people as a teetotaller, but the truth is, I’ve never minded being around drunk people.

Some just didn’t like being around me. ‘Why do you act drunk?’ It’s not intentional. I’m just an extrovert.”

One of my personal favourites is a post on the anonymous UniKentFess Instagram page: “Lacrosse President doesn’t drink. #cool kid.”

I made a list of pros and cons once. There were a million cons to drinking written down on my notepad. But only one in the pros: because everyone else does. I crossed it out, drawing line after line through those words that cut through me like a knife. I crushed it beneath my pen until it was unreadable. I stand out like I want to, against a bland background.

Photo by Rakshana Gopinath

22

Friday 28 February 2020 InQuire

Lifestyle

Dr Martens and the iconic looks

W

hen it comes to shoes there are many different types, some trendier than others, and made by different brands as well. Male students have it easy and I know quite a few who have no more than two pairs of shoes with them at university. And these are shoes that will go with basically any outfit. Lucky them. But at the same time, being able to match a pair of gorgeous shoes to an outfit gives quite the thrill. And they do not have to be heels, they can be trainers or flats or boots. Dr Martens are a classic shoe that can be styled in so many ways and last a lifetime. They are a worthy investment.

Here are some classically cool outfit ideas that you can style around your Dr Martens. Just to convince you that you need a pair or to inspire you with some outfit ideas if you already own some.

Snazzy socks. No matter what kind of Doc Martens you are

wearing, snazzy socks are such a fun thing to wear with them. And the more colourful and patterned, the better.You can get some cool socks if you know where to look: -Happy Socks have an array of patterned socks for you to choose from. They are not cheap, with one pair ranging from roughly £10£14, but if you love your socks then maybe Happy Socks is the place for you.

-H&M also does a good mix of patterned socks (nearly always in the men’s section though) and they often do a 3 for 2 deal on them as well.

-Amazon also do some cool socks, but the price really does vary quite a bit depending on where you are getting them from.

Tip: Rolled up trousers/jeans are a great combo as they really show off your sock style.

Fashion

Photo by Karen Arnold

Fishnets really add to the look that Dr Martens can create, no

shirt/jumper to wear underneath and then what socks. A pair of denim dungarees, in grey, with a pair of black Dr Martens would look great. Or better yet a pair of classic blue dungarees with any colour of Dr Marten, that would also work. Either way, it is an easy outfit to put together which is good if you are in a rush or want to be extra comfy for the day.

The biker look. Very similar to the tights idea but this look

(In all honesty, Dr Martens go with practically any outfit, you could probably pull off wearing them with pyjamas.)

matter the colour and/or style of your Docs. If you wear tights with them then it really pulls a look together. This is a style very popular on Instagram and with influencers. And students as well. This is definitely the classic Dr Marten look for most people and it has been for a while. can be gender-neutral; all you need is a nearly all-black outfit and a leather jacket. You can throw an unbuttoned tartan shirt on as well if you want to invoke a little grunge. Or some blue jeans instead of grey/black.

Vintage. Nearly anything vintage, especially the 80s/90s style

goes well with a pair of Dr Martens. The best part is the variation in colours and patterns that you can choose from; go crazy with a mixmash-up style. Black Docs would be preferable for this though as they do compliment every outfit. Unless you know the colour range that you stick to when it comes to your wardrobe. Then you definitely can experiment with a complementary colour of Dr Martens to go with that.

Comfy style. Black Dr Martens and a pair of grey joggers work on practically anyone. The rest of the outfit that you add to it can range from a baggy jumper to a t-shirt, a sports bra, or bodysuit.

This look is so casual but also super trendy and comfortable. Your jacket of choice might depend on the weather and/or occasion. But either a bomber style jacket or a leather jacket would really add to this look.

If you are now feeling the need to own a pair of Dr Martens (or add to your collection) then remember; as a student, you get 15% off in their store. But Dr Martens are quite expensive, so if that does not lower the price enough for you then eBay is always a good place to go for them. Dr Martens are on that site in an abundance and though they can go for quite a lot (even as second hand) you might be able to nab a pair for a decent price.

An interesting fact to remember is that if you cannot get a pair of Dr Martens you like in your size then you can always go a size or half a size up and buy some Dr Marten in-soles. The in-soles take away a half from the original size; for example, I bought a pair of size 6 Dr Martens in the store and they were a little big for me, I added an insole to make them a 5 1⁄2 and they fit perfectly.

Dungarees/Overalls. These are such a comfy and effortless combination with Dr Martens. All you need to think about is what

By Blue-Belle Kulpa, Newspaper Lifestyle Editor

23

InQuire Friday 28 February 2020

Lifestyle

Travel

How to: be vegan in Paris E

ating with dietary requirements whilst abroad can be intimidating. Personally, as someone who is allergic to cow’s dairy, specifically whey, the prospect of eating in Paris was a daunting minefield. France is a country famous for its dairy laden deserts and rich savoury dishes.

Even coffee is often served with cream rather than milk.

How then do you avoid dairy in Paris? With caution. My first week in Paris was like walking over broken glass. It was painful how much vegan alternatives cost. Soya milk is cheap, but price depends on which supermarché you enter and which brand you buy. Other pints of milk are more expensive, and surprisingly, hazelnut seems to be the most popular.

My first grocery shop was also weighed down by the tax being applied at the end. A word of caution; tax is applied differently in France to different goods. You cannot imagine the gasp of surprise and indignation I let out when I saw how much one grocery shop was costing me. The lady behind me shot me a look of exasperation that clearly said she had seen other foreigners who had experienced this culture shock.

“Simple eating was the best for me”

“An espresso is dairy free, vegan and delicious” But there are many shops that now cater to healthy, organic, and vegan lifestyles. BioCoop is a chain of shops throughout Paris that offer items that cater to all of these. They branched out from selling food to include cleaning supplies, plastic-free staples, in-store bakeries, and even vegan toothpaste. This is not an exclusive vegan shop, however. Be sure to double-check the ingredients. Another shop is Naturalia, again not solely a vegan shop, but they offer a good range of organic produce, beauty products, sweets, and cakes.

I quickly learnt that simple eating was the best for me (and for my bank balance). The odd treat was a tub of Alpro ice cream from the local Carrefour Express, which supplements a diet heavily influenced by the cornucopia of seasonal fresh fruit and vegetables on offer. France is very keen on seasonal eating, which is not only good for you but good for the environment too. Staples such as rice, pasta, and bread are cheap and good sources of carbohydrates to go along with a veggie curry or ratatouille. Sweets have disappeared from my diet and my intake of sugar is now provided in the sweet apricots, tangy oranges, and succulent dates that are piled high on market stands. My wallet also appreciated leaving off these

expensive additions from my shopping list. Many cafés now offer lait végétal or vegetable milk in place of cow’s diary.

There are many restaurants and cafes that feature vegetarian and vegan food. Simply explaining your diet to the waiters is common, particularly for those of us whose first language is not French. Being on a vegetarian or even vegan diet is not as looked down upon as some might think. Inclusive shops such as the ones above would not have flourished if the notoriously strong-willed city was not welcoming the change.

Luckily, if your French is minimal, an espresso is dairy free, vegan, and delicious.

“Seasonal eating, which is not only good for you, but good for the environment too”

By Jade Darrow, Writer Photo by Alice Donocan Rouse | UnSplash

24

Friday 28 February 2020 InQuire

Lifestyle

Travel

The Good, the Bad, and the Tragic Here are a few top picks of ‘memorable’ student holiday moments.

Susan Susan, 22, had her first experience travelling through Asia with her closest friend during her gap year. After darting through an airport to catch her plane and panting in front of a sea of confused faces, she ‘quietly’ found her seat and set off on her new adventure. Passports were lost, nudity... happened, and changing her name was her strict condition for letting me write this article.

Location: Laos

The good:

Breath-taking scenery and crazy-cheap prices.

The bad:

The locals’ lack of personal space; surprise pictures and hair grabbing.

The tragic:

Floating down the famous Tubing River Party in Vang Vieng in a rubber donut (intoxicated), and waking up in a hotel room at 6pm with no recollection of getting there. - Efforts were made to drag herself to the toilets, which were not particularly clean, only to pass out on the bathroom floor, naked. What can we learn from this? Do not drink in the heat all day and expect to make it out alive.

Alex Alex, 21, spent his year abroad in Tokyo, Japan. His average day involved studying Japanese from 9-4 and hitting up the bars with his mates while trying desperately to make Japanese friends. The following summarises his most memorable day in Kyoto, outside the comforts of

his temporary hometown.

Location: Kyoto

The good:

The nightlife was ‘lit’.

The bad:

Being promised a ‘feta’ salad in a restaurant on La Rambla street and receiving some sad-looking yellow lumps of something that may or may not have been cheese, accompanied by what was most likely Uncle Ben’s rice.

The bad:

The tragic:

The tragic:

A smelly, four-hour walk across the entire city searching for a bathhouse, then finally realising that there was one next to their original destination where they shared a bath with a couple of wrinkly old men. Later that day, they nearly missed the journey to the next destination where a man, who could well have been ‘baby driver’, pushed the limits of what speed is legally allowed on a road. They slept shoulder-to-shoulder on a train journey to Nara, where Alex got bitten in the arse by a deer.

Louisa

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The good:

Walking up a mountain and through a large shrine called Fushimi Inari-Taisha at midnight, taking in a night-time view of Kyoto and having a close encounter with a wild boar on the descent.

Exhaustion, smacking his face on the table of a bar when falling asleep, and the group getting ratty.

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9 1 0 2 o t o y K Phot

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Trying to get her friends and her seats in a busy bar by standing on a wooden ledge behind people who were already seated, ready to plonk herself down right behind them, but instead falling forward where four people caught her. Her friends pretended not to know her until she shamefully walked towards them to announce: “So I’ve fallen over, shall we leave?”

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Louisa, 23, spent her year abroad in France where she decided that the purpose of Erasmus grants must be to travel as much as possible, even if it meant driving herself to bankruptcy before returning to England. Among these regrettable and reckless purchases was a ‘feta’ salad she had while in Barcelona, and a copious amount of TGV shots (Tequila, Gin, and Vodka).

“Nudity... happened”

Location: Barcelona

“Do not...expect to make it out alive”

o l e c Bar

8 1 0 na 2

By Sara Bell, Travel Sub-Editor

25

InQuire Friday 28 February 2020

Food

Did somebody say. . .

Lifestyle

Affordable brunch places in Canterbury?

Photo by Merve Aydin Unsplash

L

iving in Canterbury has the challenge of finding new places to go out for meals with friends, partners, pets, and anything in between. I have compiled this list to draw attention to some really cute cafes and restaurants that are definitely worth a visit.

TINY TIM’S TEAROOM Personally, I prefer going here for breakfast, their freshly made scones are the perfect texture and taste. The portions are also huge. Going here for breakfast is a truly satisfying experience and considering how much food you get it is inexpensive for a university-spec budget. The café features traditional tearoom decorations.

Want more? Well, the café is rumoured to be haunted by the ghosts of three children. If you really want to you can visit a room upstairs where you can read about the alleged apparitions.

REFECTORY KITCHEN This bistro has an all-day breakfast and a separate vegan menu. The food is flavoursome and there is a delightfully comfortable atmosphere to sit and chat for a few hours. The staff are really friendly, and it feels very personal, which makes sense considering it is a contemporary family-run bistro. It does get crowded during the weekend so if you can work around your timetable to get there during the week, it is definitely worth it. Especially considering that it is not far from the University itself. Refectory Kitchen is also dog-friendly so even if you do not have a dog, chances are you can pet someone else’s.

MILLERS ARMS This is another dog-friendly pub with a spacious seating plan and flow of natural lighting. It features a welcoming environment with cosy furniture that would facilitate a delightful time with friends or family. As for the food, there are several

dishes that cater to independent dietary requirements. The restaurant has a university-friendly option of small plates which offers friendship groups the chance to get a variety of dishes at a suitable price.

KITCH Kitch is an intimate café with really attentive customer service. They have a colourful array of baked goods at the front desk that often features unique dishes and snacks. The main menu prides itself on being healthy, flavourful, and appealing to all dietary requirements. The healthy aspect helps remove any potential guilt from eating a cake right after breakfast. Kitch has been reserved a spot within my friendship group for its high-quality dishes and the vibrant atmosphere created by its bright furniture and large windows.

CHAPTER This restaurant is incredibly popular for lunch and weekend brunches. Similar to the other places on the list, there is a large number of dishes that can be made vegan (however there can be an additional cost to this). This restaurant specialises in pizza which can be considered a staple in the student diet. But the difference lays in the freshness of such dishes. The meals are served reasonably fast, but you may want to wait a few minutes for the pizza to cool down. The Chapter caters well to large groups of people and is yet another dog friendly place to find potential furry friends.

And if you are still not convinced, I have managed to get a filling meal at each of these places for around just £10.

Tiny Tim’s Tearoom

Kitch

Kitch Photos by Rakshana Gopinath

Tiny Tim’s Tearoom

By Krishna Rohan, Food Sub-Editor

26

Friday 28 February 2020 InQuire

Entertainment

Film

Studio Ghibli comes to Netflix: What to watch first

By Hal Kitchen, Website Culture Editor

Of course, all the Studio Ghibli films are worth watching. Since its foundation in 1985, the studio has achieved what most great auteur directors would have reason to envy. But as some of them rank among the finest pieces of animation ever made, it is essential to know which ones you really cannot afford to miss. As Netflix has recently acquired international distribution rights for almost the entire catalogue, and the DVDs are expensive, there is never going to be a better time to catch up with some of the most rewarding experiences cinema has to offer. Especially since the studio is coming out of hiatus this year, with the intention of founder Hayao Miyazaki making one last film, the upcoming How Do You Live?

Netflix has chosen to stagger the release of the films over the months of February, March, and April, adding 7 more films on the first of each month, so it is a good idea to keep up to speed on which ones you can watch and when. Personally, I advocate for watching the films in their original Japanese audio, with subtitles. Netflix does give you the option and although the dubs for Ghibli films are among the best around, the original magic is best preserved without the distraction of uncanny dubbing. Before we begin, it should be noted that there is one notable omission from the catalogue coming to Netflix, and that is Isao Takahata’s infamously devastating 1988 wartime drama Grave of the Fireflies. This film has had a long history of rights disputes through which Netflix were seemingly unable to battle.

The film is indisputably a masterpiece of Japanese post-war cinema, critiquing the militaristic stubbornness of the era and its human cost. It is exceptionally hard going but absolutely essential viewing. I urge all those of a robust constitution to seek it out themselves.

My Neighbour Totoro (dir. Hayao Miyazaki, 1988) arrived 1 February The first batch of films arrived on the first day of February. Netflix seems to have cannily laid out their schedule, mixing big hitters with minor but exceptional works, and the flagship of the first-wave is easily My Neighbour Totoro. It is arguably the best of the lot, purely because of its simplicity. The film borrows from Alice in Wonderland as readily as it does from Japanese folklore and spiritualism, presenting a truly idyllic space for young sisters Satsuki and Mei to grow in their knowledge of the world through their interactions with the playful spirits inhabiting the nearby forest. It is as charming and enchanting an introduction to dark and uncomfortable ideas as a child could hope to have, and the sense of atmosphere and wonder it maintains throughout ensures that to this day it is one of my favourite films.

Photos by Studio Ghibli

Porco Rosso (dir. Hayao Miyazaki, 1992) arrived 1 February Something you will notice watching these films is the way in which the studio, and Miyazaki as a director, reworks familiar motifs throughout the catalogue. One of the more out-there of these is the concept of sky-pirates, who feature heavily in both Castle in the Sky and this eccentric piece that represent two of the adventurous yarns in the filmography. Fortunately, Porco Rosso – the daring, literally pig-headed bounty hunter of the skies – is around to right wrongs and win hearts. The themes of feminism and anti-fascism are well worth cheering, but as usual it is the unforgettable characters who make the film so rewarding.

Kiki’s Delivery Service (dir. Hayao Miyazaki, 1989) arrived 1 February One of the most purely delightful coming of age stories ever made – and Ghibli made many of the best – it follows the titular teenage witch, setting off to make her own way in the world. Like many of Ghibli’s films, it is light on story but dense with character, as both Kiki and the people she befriends in her new life of independence are absolutely joyful.

The film positively bursts with charm, nuance, and goodwill, presenting an achingly picturesque world to lose yourself in.

Only Yesterday (dir.

Isao Takahata, 1990) arrived 1 February Of course, it was not only Hayao Miyazaki who made Ghibli the force it is. Many potential successors rose up through the ranks of the studio, and one of the most celebrated was Isao Takahata. He was in many respects the Ozu to Miyazaki’s Kurosawa, delighting in mood and sadness while Miyazaki focused on character and adventure. The two crossed over, and Takahata made his share of good fun films such as Pom Poko, but his works always had a stateliness that commanded respect.

This may very well have been his crowning achievement and one of the most underrated of the Ghibli films. It mixes past and present, pastoral and urban, as lead character Taeko returns to home and finds herself swept away by poignant memories from her childhood. It is a sweet, placid mood piece with an achingly sentimental finale that elicits tears of joy every time.

Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (dir. Hayao Miyazaki, 1984) arrives 1 March And here we are, the film that started it all. Hayao Miyazaki’s adaptation of his own manga. This is where you will find the origins of so many of the tropes and ideas of steampunk

environmentalism that would refine and mature over the course of the studio’s lifetime. Although a little rougher than some of the later projects, Nausicaa delivered a scope and majesty previously unheard of in animation.

Neither Ghibli nor the genre itself would be what it is today without Nausicaa. A true classic of the genre with a mystical atmosphere and scale that marks it out as one of the defining works in the medium.

Princess Mononoke (dir.

Hayao Miyazaki, 1997) arrives 1 March For my money, Nausicaa walked so that Mononoke could run.

Ghibli returned to the epic mode in later projects like Castle in the Sky and Tales from Earthsea, but never more successfully than in what is very possibly the studio’s best film, Princess Mononoke.

Following its young hero’s journey to rid himself of a curse and unite the warring forces of nature and technology, it presents a unifying message with a scope and efficacy that has never been bettered in cinema. Its characters are complex and unforgettable, its imagery masters the sublime mode Nausicaa failed to reach, and the visuals and animation are some of the most spectacular ever put on-screen. It is genuinely one of the best fantasy films ever made (if not the best) and a crowning achievement in animation.

Spirited Away (dir. Hayao Miyazaki, 2001) arrives 1 March By consensus the best of the Ghibli canon, Spirited Away – like My Neighbour Totoro – channels Alice in Wonderland, as protagonist Chihiro finds herself trapped in a mystical bathhouse where she must work for her and her parents’ freedom. The usual set of colourful and memorable characters are present. What really takes centre stage in this film is the atmosphere and environment. By this point Ghibli were mixing CGI with their hand-drawn animation and the greater freedom of movement and environment is really felt here, allowing the bathhouse to feel vivid and alive, populated by such an assortment of wonders, both horrifying and enchanting. The studio’s mastery of both movement and stillness has never been better showcased than here, and neither have Joe Hisaishi’s wonderful compositions. It feels like a true journey of the imagination and has cemented itself as a modern classic.

Howl’s Moving Castle (dir. Hayao Miyazaki, 2004) arrives 1 April Following on the heels of Spirited Away, Ghibli’s next project was if anything more of a freewheeling dance through the fields of imagination. After more polished and assured projects, Howl brought the studio back to the eccentricity of the earlier works, melded with their later resources and size of canvas. The film adapts Diana Wynne Jones’s novel of the same name, following a young shop assistant Sophie who, like many a Ghibli protagonist, ventures out on her own to lift a spell placed upon her. In her journey she falls in with the dreamy young heartbreaker wizard Howl and his retinue. It is another delightfully atmospheric, feelgood yarn with a wonderful cast of characters and an especially playful tone, flitting from a mature stillness to childish rapture and

adolescent angst.

Whisper of the Heart (dir. Yoshifumi Kondo, 1995) arrives 1 April This is essential viewing for anyone hoping to make a living as an artist, or anyone looking to make their own way in the world at all for that matter. The film follows aspiring young novelist Shizuku, as she drops out of high school to pursue her dream of becoming a writer.

The film is keenly aware of the weight of responsibility she is taking on and the conversations she has with her father and her mentor Shiro Nishi are powerful. It is some of Miyazaki’s best dialogue ever, articulating the struggles that come from trying to express yourself through your art, and the fact that this was the only film its director lived to make is a devastating reflection on how easily such hard won creative genius is lost. As previously stated, coming of age stories were a common theme in Ghibli’s films, but this is one of the most personal, heartfelt, and accurate treatises on the subject ever, and another of my personal favourites.

The Wind Rises (dir.

Hayao Miyazaki, 2013) arrives 1 April Although he will be returning with one last film soon, Hayao Miyazaki’s last film would have been an entirely fitting swansong for an exceptional career. Another film adapted from one of his own manga, it is based on the true story of Jiro Horikoshi, whom the film portrays as a lifelong pacifist whose passion for flight is ultimately perverted into a weapon of war. The film has a quiet, reflective tone based in the reflection on a life of rewarding work with which you have a personally complicated relationship. As well as their most grounded and introspective work, The Wind Rises is also Ghibli at its most romantic, portraying Jiro’s pure, openhearted affection for the love of his life Naoko. Rather than the wonders of a fantasy world, The Wind Rises brings the wonder out of the real world, delivering moments of such peacefulness and uplift out of its bittersweet tale.

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InQuire Friday 28 February 2020

Entertainment

Music & Media

The princess is saved, but what about the prince?

By Petr Malásek, Writer The task is simple: finish the essay due tomorrow. finish this essay? It Fingers charge through pages looking for the is getting dark, and perfect quote, the number of opened PDF files with every minute on the computer screen creating a chaotic image that passes, the inof stress. A shivering cold sweat appears on your ternal scream gets back, and your right leg desperately jumps under louder and louder the wooden library desk. One playlist, which has until you are unabeen playing for the past two hours (and equals ble to think clearly. around 250 words) makes you angry, but you Well, certainly not cannot change it – that would make you stay on about the words on your phone and browse social media. “This is so the screen.

Photo by MGM stressful,” you scream internally, Let’s be and before looking for a different “Cooperation and honest here, which David would fight degree or a full-time job, you stare Goliath? The prince is a brute, running asking for help head-first into the fight, leaving any at the blank page and let minutes are not signs of rational thinking behind. We want him pass in silence.

You start thinking about the heroic to be like that. We want to see a brave weakness” prince who saves the princess. With knight; a crying Terminator or a Rocky courage, wit, and skill, he slays a Balboa not going to the gym because he [choose any number from two to a million]-head“felt sore” are useless for us. Action movie characed dragon, saves the city, and not only ‘obtains’ ters can motivate, us, posters of Rambos, Mason the princess, but also half a kingdom, fame, Storms, and Dom Torretos showing brave, muswealth, and marriage which lasts to the end of cular individuals willing to sacrifice everything to their lives. If he can kill a dragon, maybe you could achieve their goal. They are, however, different to us: they are just as made up as their missions.

Photo by Gustav Doré But men do still hear statements like “man up”, “show that you’re a man”, or “you can’t feel sad in weather like this”. No Pain No Gain, escaping the comfort zone, and enduring hardships do not work on everyone when they are facing an obstacle they cannot step over. The prince can feel scared of the beast. He needs preparation, or maybe he does not want to go on the mission alone. He could get his friends, a sorcerer, paladin and an archer to make the fight easier and faster.

Cooperation and asking for help are not signs of weakness. The era of lone warriors is over; the current trend of team-based superhero movies shows that. People can work together to achieve something greater than what they would do alone.

Movie screens and book pages are not only filled with strong, brave men. There are the Clays of 13 Reasons Why, the Ben Starlings of Paper Towns,

Photo by Lionsgate Entertainment the Peetas of The Hunger Games. Those whose the number has increased by more than 10% doings are shaped by others to such an extent that from the year before. Seeing into their heads is they feel almost useless in the story. In the prinimpossible, just as knowing their situation. The cess-saves-prince scenario, the prince would see percentage in the age-group of University students the dragon, cry, and wait for the princess to kill it. is increasing as well, but fortunately, the UniversiHe would then continue to save her while falling ties are willing to help. Contacting the University from the tower stairs. They show their weak and Wellbeing Centre or talking to professors and human side, but are they better? Not really, if academic advisors can relieve the stress and make being a cry-baby is their only characteristic. the sky seem at least a little clearer and the beast Both of the types are extreme in nature. The much smaller than it was before. The ‘Terminator’ first group, despite being far-fetched and mentality can be helpful for some, too manly, can provide motivation and “Men are neither but it is not a sign of weakness to show how things could be handled. The for help. superheroes nor ask second category does not present that, Men are neither superheroes nor cowards. They cowards. They are people. They as weakness is portrayed as their main (and sometimes only) personality trait. show their strengths but also their are people” The aim of this article is not to find the weaknesses, which if not balanced, best male character in the arts; there are could escalate into horrible acts. far more important numbers than box-office sales The beast can be too big for one person, the prince and IMDB ratings. Just as there is a debate about could need help, and we should be the ones to step the position of female characters in art, their roles up. Sometimes, the prince does not want us to slay and the stereotypical way they are depicted, the the monster for him; talking about his journey or discussion should be pushed even further. The taking a brief look at his armour can be enough. way both genders are portrayed on our screens There is no cowardice in taking more time to becomes how they are perceived. A ban or cenprepare or contacting someone wiser. Even small sorship is not the answer, as action movies are things like that can help cross the bridge to glory still widely liked, even by me; it is an open-ended and fame. If you feel unsure about the essay, a question rather than a call to arms, but there are message to a friend can make you feel better. deliberate consequences to our stance.

Besides, there is a high chance that your mate is Three out of four suicides are done by men. going through the same thing as you.

There were 6,859 suicides in the last year, while

Run: Joji’s stunning reinvention

By Rory Bathgate Newspaper Entertainment Editor

leases such as Slow Dancing in the Dark proved he has talent, with the track’s soulful lyrics and excellent production I have not always liked George Miller, garnering critical praise at its time of aka Joji. Growing up I was, of course, release. Certainly, BALLADS 1 was a aware of Miller’s early fame as the giant leap forward from Joji’s meancrass, sketch-based YouTuber ‘Filthy dering start as an artist, trading dreary Frank’. It was this act that first put him lo-fi tracks for genuinely well-conceived on the radars of many, and which gave pieces. Nevertheless, as a whole the birth to the first of Miller’s musical acts, album failed to totally shed the edgy Pink Guy (as whom he invented the lyricism and FL Studio production of Harlem Shake meme). Although I was his earlier work. admittedly never a fan of either of these No such thing can be said of Run. personas, it was hard to be online and The moment the vocals kick in, it is not have seen at least a few clips of him clear that the singer has had extensive doing any number of ridiculous chalvocal training in the two-year interim lenges or singing since his second meme-y songs. The album released. most frustrating Desperately soulful, thing throughout Joji maintains pitch this period was perfect clarity as he the clear talent on belts out the opening display in Miller’s verse, avoiding any musical segments, hint of the mumbled particularly those incoherence that has of Pink Guy. While plagued his voice in his fans praised him the past. Choruses for being down to are something that Photo by 88rising earth, funny, and Joji has continually still being able to struggled with in preput out great songs, critics called for vious pieces; Slow Dancing in the Dark the young musician to abandon the aside, his composition has been muddy puerile space of YouTube and focus and at times incoherent. Gloriously, full-time on his sound.

Run does not fall into this trap, each Since doing just that in 2017 to relyric not only hitting home but also brand full-time as Joji, the young artist acting as a platform for him to show off has intermittently teased greatness. Rethe power of his voice.

Impressively, Joji has done more to revitalise his sound and image than just rely on dramatic vocal improvements. Opening with the sombre notes of a guitar, the song is surprising from the start: the artist has long favoured electronic instrumentalisation in his tracks, so the shift to include more traditional elements is both surprising and instantly rewarding. Although he does fall back on an electronic drumbeat – some habits die hard, it seems – the presence of the guitar distances the song from previous singles and ensures the instrumentals are just as exciting as the stunning singing. Two years ago, if you had told me that Joji would seamlessly incorporate a stylish guitar solo into one of his songs and still maintain one of the catchiest and most coherent compositions of the year (so far), I simply would not have believed you. The music video echoes this; slick, interesting and well-conceived, it complements the sound perfectly while nodding towards the videos for both Sanctuary and Slow Dancing in the Dark. It acknowledges how far he has come without relying on nostalgia and promises a newfound and profoundly exiting future.

With Run, Joji moves into a new era as an artist, and displays a level of vocal sophistication that has the music world waiting with bated breath for his next release.

Photo by Damien Maloney

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Friday 28 February 2020 InQuire

Culture

Books

Reinventing the book event: Angus Rorison at Waterstones

By Morgan Rodway-Wing Arts Sub-Editor Talk. Questions. Book signing.

Repeat. Many authors have an incredible ability to make even the most interesting of books seem absolutely mind-numbing when it comes to book events. However, Angus Rorison’s recent event at Waterstones Canterbury completely re-invented the common book event and brought it back from the dead.

Rorison’s event was to promote his self-published book, The Uninvited Guest, which follows the lives of Yoozurp and Ogbar, and their quest to prevent their kingdom from being invaded. The characters are the polar opposites of each other, with Yoozurp being a selfish, rich leader and Ogbar a giant, hideous chef.

Immediately, I assumed that this would be a children’s book, given the fantastical nature of the story. However, the vehemently positive reception from the entirely adult audience suggested otherwise and proved to be the first surprise of the evening. The second surprise was how open and honest Rorison was about his struggles to get his book published. He opened up to the audience and admitted that this book had been over a decade’s work, and went onto announce that he made the decision to publish it without the help of a publishing house after dealing with countless rejections. It was clear to see that the audience struggled to understand why a publishing company hadn’t snapped the book up because of its sheer brilliance and ability to capture the attention of all age groups.

The surprises continued with the way in which Rorison presented the event. Starting off with a song performed on his guitar, a playful and energetic atmosphere was created right from the offset. This only continued with the use of a PowerPoint presentation which had sketches, extracts and photos included on it. Instead of standing in front of the audience and endlessly reading extracts from his book, Rorison utilised multimedia and performed for his audience, earning their respect and interest.

This was a particular strength of the event and his ability to captivate the audience continued until the last seconds, when he performed a final song for everyone. Every single part of the event left me smiling, from the musical interludes to the extremely well-behaved dog who sat in the corner and captured my heart!

It is not often that I leave a book event feeling inspired, enamoured and excited for the future of my own writing. In fact, I usually have to stifle my yawns and attempt to hide my boredom. However, Rorison gave the standard layout of a book event a much-needed renovation and, in doing so, left me itching to get back home to work on my own writing!

“Every single part of the event left me smiling, from the musical interludes to the extremely well-behaved dog who sat in the corner and captured my heart”

University life meets horror: Interviewing Rachel Sargeant

By Hal Kitchen Website Culture Editor Starting University is, for nearly all of us, a scary time. However, there is a surprising lack of genre fiction tapping into those fears and discomforts. Julia Ducournau’s 2016 film Raw is a rare exception. InQuire was recently contacted

by Rachel Sargeant, author of The Good Teacher and The Perfect Neighbours, with an offer to discuss her newest book; a university-based psychological thriller entitled The Roommates.

HK: How would you describe The Roommates to someone who was considering reading it?

RS: The Roommates is a psychological thriller set in a fictional university during freshers’ week and features four students with dark secrets from their pasts. When one flatmate suddenly disappears, the others have to trust each other and work together to find her, little realising the danger ahead. Four students. Four secrets. One devastating lie.

HK: What was it that inspired

for the first time. But I didn’t have that second idea that I would need to create the plot and had to wait a year for it to hit. One day I had a vision for a dramatic final scene of a story. It became that second idea I needed for The Roommates. I wrote a story set on a university campus that ended with my imagined scene.

you to tell this story in this way?

RS: My books seem to happen when two different ideas come together. The first idea for The Roommates was the setting.

I thought of it when my children went to university. Campus visits brought the college atmosphere of my student days flooding back. I decided that university would make a great setting for a novel. The stories my son and daughter told me about student life were fun and life-affirming but, because I’m a thriller writer, I saw real potential in a dark and twisting story that featured lead characters who were freshers, away from home

HK: You have explored these sorts of tropes and stories in your writing before (mystery and thriller stories with domestic settings, an ensemble of female characters). What makes them appealing to you or especially relevant today?

RS: The three books I have written for HarperCollins feature the tropes commonly found in the crime thriller genre, but with a variety of settings and characters. The Good Teacher is a police procedural with an ensemble cast of police officers who have to solve the murder of a teacher. The main detective is a 24-yearold former professional dancer, Pippa ‘Agatha’ Adams. The second viewpoint character is her supervisor DS Mike Matthews. Although it covers some dark

themes, it is lighter in tone than my first HarperCollins book, The Perfect Neighbours, which is a slow-burn, sinister psychological thriller. This one is set in a British ex-patriot community in Germany and features male as well as female characters. I’d say The Roommates falls between the two in terms of tone.

There’s an air of danger and mistrust with plenty of twists as the freshers try to conceal their pasts, but there’s also positivity as the characters gradually learn to work together to protect themselves and each other. Characters tend to pop into my head fully formed. In this novel, the idea came to me for four female students who find themselves sharing a flat in a hall of residence. Each is trying to present a new version of herself. The reason I write crime thrillers is down to Agatha Christie. When I was eleven, I read A Murder is Announced and really liked the puzzles and twists.

That stuck with me ever since. And it’s become my favourite thing to write as well as read.

HK: Your previous book Gallipoli: Year of Love and Duty was a period story. If you were to

branch out into different genres, where would you go and how would you approach them?

RS: I’ve written nine books: three psychological thrillers, three police procedurals, a historical novel, a Young Adult murder mystery, and a black serial killer comedy. Even the historical novel, Gallipoli, had a murder in it. I think I would try any genre if I could put a mystery into it.

HK: When you are writing a novel, where do you start?

RS: The starting points for my stories vary. For three books, the setting came first, for two, it was the twist, for two others, it was the characters, for one it was the theme, and the historical novel was loosely based on the World War One diary of my husband’s grandmother who was a hospital ship nurse at Gallipoli. When I’ve mulled an idea around in my head until I feel it will make a story, I write out a chapter-by-chapter plotline.

Photo from www.rachelsargeant.co.uk

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InQuire Friday 28 February 2020

Culture

Theatre

Review: RSC Taming of the Shrew Royal Shakespeare Company moved the Marlowe Theatre into a parallel version of Taming of the Shrew where women are the prevalent gender rather than men.

Photos by RSC

“The show was fresh and entertaining”

By Danai Paraskevopoulou Writer The director Justin Audibert was inspired by the novel Power by Naomi Alderman, where women are in charge. The director changes the way society was in 1590 by making a gender-flipped version of the story in his production. In the performance, we see male characters played by women and female characters switching into men. Baptista Minola (Amanda Harris) is a rich woman who wants to marry her two sons and she insists her older son has to get married first. Unfortunately, her first son Katherine (Joseph Arkley) is a sharp-tongued shrew and makes it more difficult to find him a wife.

Petruchia (Claire Price) arrives in the city and her goal is to marry a rich man.

As a result, she finds Katherine and without asking him, she sets a date for their wedding. Katherine goes to his wife’s country house where his wife is treating him as her property. Petruchia has the power to do whatever she wants with her husband in order to ‘tame’ him and make him obey her rules.

The director created an interesting story because we could see Shakespeare play from a different point of view. By reversing the stereotypes, women were in charge of this society and men were the ones who had to conform to their rules.

The greatest part of the show were the actors, who performed brilliantly, making the audience familiar with this gender-bent society. Their voices were clear, and we were able to hear everything they were saying without microphones. With great movement and humour, they made

By Tímea Koppándi Newspaper Culture Editor The Russian State Ballet of Siberia brought to Canterbury a series of performances; three by Pyotr Ilych Tchaikovsky (Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and Sleeping Beauty) and one by Léo Delibes (Coppélia). Swan Lake presented the audience with ice-cold precision of movement and a vibrant portrayal of emotions. We witness Georgy Bolsunovsky in the role of the love swept Prince Siegfried. His performance was beautiful to watch; it had so much force and stability, however, what made him stand out from the other performers was his expressions. He seemed to live the moments to their fullest, bringing a touch of personal intimacy on the stage with his emotional input. Another performer who captivated my attention right from the start of the ballet was Marco di Salvo who was playing Prince Siegfried’s friend, Benno von Somerstein. The young Italian dancer stole my attention with his leaps, flexibility, and ease with which he presented his moves. There is no doubt that he is a very skilled and resourceful dancer. His performance brought a tint of youth and a splash of colour onto the stage.

The costumes by Maria Smirnova-Nes-

the audience laugh and have a good time. The costumes by Laura Rushton were very interesting, highly sophisticated and appropriate to the time frame of the story. The innovative music of Ruth Chan, described as “rock Renaissance”, has the best of both worlds as she combined the musical features of the Renaissance period with contemporary culture.

The only downside of the performance of this play was the duration of it. It lasted for approximately three hours. The issue of this is the fact that the tension of the plot has not been distributed properly to maintain the attention of a modern audience. There were scenes that simply made the plot stagnate and it distracted

and bored the viewer. The fact that the language is also difficult to understand, some of the jokes could have been altered for a modern audience, or even removed. The performance was about power and experimenting on what is going to happen if females become the dominant gender. A story from a different perspective which I believe does not only apply to the 16th century but also to the 21st century.

In conclusion, the performance was splendid, fresh, and entertaining. However, the show would have benefited more if it had been tailored towards a modern audience.

vitskaya were entirely enchanting. The details of the dresses set up a certain authenticity to the story and it created a lovely setting. The Swans had a beautiful performance, they were synchronised and precise. It is worth to mention the performances of the Hungarian, Spanish, Neapolitan, Russian, and Polish bride as well. They have been very joyful, gracious and exact. It is undeniable, however, the performance of Sayaka Takuda as Odette and later on Odile. She was simply mesmerising. We were watching a swan on the stage. Her movements were precise,

clear and remarkably sharp. However, I would have preferred to see more emotion in her expressions. She appeared blank most of the time, which usually works for the swans and the cygnets, however as the main dancer, I would have wanted to see more of Odette as a person.

The orchestra complemented the whole performance with its softness and precision. The entirety of the show flew beautifully. Overall, Swan Lake ballet brought a fresh wave of rigor and beauty to the stage of the Marlowe Theatre.

Swan Lake comes to Canterbury

Photos by Marlowe Theatre

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Friday 28 February 2020 InQuire

Arts

Culture

De-Ziner workshops

Photos by De-Ziner

Paper, flyers, magazines, pamphlets, newspapers, and stickers are expanding their limits of use in this new artistic endeavour.

By Iona Gibson & Oliver Trapnell Writers ‘Zines’ (pronounced like the end of ‘magazines’), are low cost DIY publications that are used as a form of artistic expression.

Growing in popularity, these mini-canvases are a niche way to spread information, display various themes of inclusivity, and can also be a form of art therapy.

The De-Ziners workshop, run by students, is a weekly drop-in event where anyone can come and make zines for free using an array of hand-picked materials.

Zines made at these workshops cover a variety of themes and are often quite small in scale, enabling an independent space for free thought and expression.

Zines can be made in many ways and often use reclaimed materials in order to reduce paper waste to fundamentally address today’s climate emergency while embracing ‘remix’ culture. They can be on any theme that interests you or that you want to share, among which include representations of LGBTQ, BAME, body images, and mental health.

A simple, common style of zine is to fold a piece of A4 paper in order to form an 8 page A7 booklet. Unlike books with ISBN’s, these compact, origami-magazines

are somewhat untraceable, yet just as powerful - and it is causing quite a stir in the publishing scene.

Kent is on the verge of a breakthrough: with the introduction of the Sittingbourne Zine Library opening up to the public this Spring, the independent publishing scene is seeing a resurgence in popularity since its political origins in the 1960s.

Despite being a time of digital revolution, there is a physical publication revolution diametrically opposed to it. It is fascinating to wonder how this phenomenon came about in such a technology-driven time, yet it is also a pleasure to know that despite all odds, there is something about preserving your message within a physical object that stands the true test of time.

The end goal of the workshops is to further public engagement with the independent publishing scene in Kent, and with enough support, set up a zine fair in the near future.

Check out the workshop’s Instagram page @de_ziners to find out more, apply for workshops, and take inspiration from some example zines.

“

The end goal of the workshops is to further public engagement with the independent publishing scene in Kent

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InQuire Friday 28 February 2020

Puzzles

Sudoku and Crosswords compiled by Matthew Sapsed Across 1 Daft (5) 4 (Supermarket) passages (6) 7 Printed error (4) 8 Final (8) 9 No-good person (3,3) 11 Buy at once (4,2) 12 Clothing trendsetter (11) 15 Spike of frozen water (6) 17 Numb (6) 18 Feign (8) 19 Acidic in taste (4) 21 Ornamental foot chain (6) 22 Exhausted (5) Down 1 Speak (3) 2 Female big cat (7) 3 Juvenile (5) 4 Skilled manual worker (7) 5 Brazilian dance (5) 6 Group of followers (9) 10 Love (9) 13 Imprecise (7) 14 Surprise (7) 16 Devoid of pity (5) 17 Garb (5) 20 Decompose (3)