Nov 2011 Issue 3
November 2011 - Le Nurb
NEWS
1
Brunelian in sponsored skydive
Brunel students in housing row
03 FEATURES
Moustaches are good
09 ARTS & REVIEWS Coldplay’s new album review
The Hillingdon Council headquarters: the epicentre of the debate. Mehvish Arshad Brunel students have lost their battle as Hillingdon Council have approved a scheme allowing them to control student housing. The proposal to enforce strict measures against Brunel University students was agreed on Friday 4th November. Hillingdon Council met to discuss Article 4, which would cost £20,000 a year to enforce. The article is an introduction of a law that will require houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) to have planning permission. This follows increasing concerns which have been raised by local residents in Uxbridge South and Brunel Wards on “studentification”, which they felt was “blighting their lives.” “Studentification” involves large concentrations of students living in residential streets in HMOs.
The term refers to problems including anti-social behaviour and changes in the overall character of an area, such as the number of “student pubs,” off-licenses, and takeaways increasing. The current law means landlords only need planning permission if seven or more students are living there. Now that the consultation process has been approved it leads to an uncertain road for future students. With the tuition fees set to rise to £9000 next year and the Sunday Times reporting a 24% drop in applications already things are looking bleak for the future intake. Councillor Khursheed said: “I totally support Article 4, but in my opinion it does not go far enough. Only being active in two wards, Uxbridge South and Brunel Wards, makes it seem like a pilot scheme.”
METRO CARS ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED
Councillor Burrows said: “I want to make it clear that this is by no means an attack on students in the borough and by no way an attack on Brunel. Brunel is regarded as a very strong partner with us as a council and students themselves contribute to our local economy, but residents in Uxbridge South and Brunel Wards, to name but a few, keep coming to us and saying ‘we have had enough of our communities being divided and we want you as a council to act on legislation.’” He added: “But what I want to make clear to everyone; students, landlords, residents, [is] it is a twelve month consultation period. It is not going to come within 28 days. This is only the start of it.” Uxbridge joins the growing list of eleven towns and cities moving down this route; Manchester and Portsmouth passed the twelve
month period notice and is now in full effect. Burrows said: “We don’t know what effects are going to happen until you do, but these are the first two wards to carry it out.” The council stated that they will decide “properly, fairly and accurately” as this is an extremely important article: “We don’t want to turn residents against students or students against residents, but residents are fed up; it’s the small group of students that spoil it for the majority.” Council officers have worked closely with Brunel University to produce a leaflet for students, titled “Living off Campus,” to try and educate students in their behaviour and assist them in integrating with locals.
17 SPORT
Sub Aqua’s success
27
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2
Le Nurb - November 2011
WELCOME
Foreword
Amy Blackford - Editor So much has happened since I spoke to you last time. We have had our first student assembly, the fireworks display, Halloween at the Academy, reading week… and now we are in mid-November. Issue 3 brings our Society Showcase. Over the past month we have been working with Student Activities and the Societies Guild Chair to help get as many societies into the spotlight as possible. The showcase is an excellent opportunity for societies to show off what they are all about. Take a minute or two out of your day to read about what is happening at Brunel, and when. As this issue comes out, I will have done three exams already and will be nervously procrastinating, like many, to avoid doing my dissertation. As much as I am interested in it, I cannot help but feel the work blues setting in as winter approaches. It’s that old depressing feeling when you come out of a lecture at 5 o’clock and it is pitch black outside. As Christmas approaches, we will be looking at some money-saving features as you scrape your bank accounts for the littlest of money to buy presents. Here at Le Nurb, we will be looking at homemade presents and offers for you guys to treat friends and family in the festive season. If you think that you have a great idea send it to features@lenurb.com. I have been very impressed with how well my team have pulled together this issue, well done everyone! The designer of the issue was Jo Barnard. Jo was right on the ball from the very start and has managed to create a fantastic sports section, well done Jo! The award for the sub editor of the issue goes to Paul Round. Paul has just joined our team and managed to bring articles from Men’s Hockey with him. Paul went beyond his subbing duties this issue. Thanks, Paul, and welcome to the team! The award this month was a hard decision, as Chief Sub Kat noticed a big improvement in everyone’s work this issue. She would like to congratulate and thank her team for their exceptionally good work; keep it up, everyone! And finally, the award for section editor of the issue goes to Bess Browning. Bess has consistently provided the news section with upto-date and interesting articles, making a strong section. Well done!
Issue 4 out December 7
This Month...
The Team
03
NEWS
17
ARTS & REVIEWS
06
UNION NEWS
21
RADIO BRUNEL
09
FEATURES
22
COFFEE BREAK
14
CENTRESPREAD
25
SPORT
What’s happening in the student world.
Avina debuts her briefs.
Movember, money and men in leather.
Ooh, societies!
Exploding iPads and Batman games.
Still running.
This month: Boris on a guitar.
Hockey, hockey, hockey, and other things.
Simply put, if you’re a current Brunel student, you can write for Le Nurb. There’s a few things to bear in mind: YOUR ARTICLE
- Your article should be saved as a Word document (.doc or .docx) or a PDF. - Its filename should contain your name, student number, and a suggested headline. - We don’t accept Works (.wps), OpenOffice (.odt), Pages (.pages) or other formats. - Publisher files (.pub) are particularly horrific, beastly things. Please don’t send any, ever, or Rob will cry. - It may sound obvious, but please run a spellcheck before you submit your article! YOUR IMAGES
- To suggest specific images for your article, save them as .jpg or .png files and attach them separately. - If you’re submitting a Features article, we also need a headshot of you for use in the byline. - Don’t embed your images into the article document - this compresses them too much for use on the page. - Any image filenames and image credits (who the photographer is) should be listed at the end of your article. - Images you submit must not be copyrighted by another individual or organisation. - Please don’t just nick pictures off Google Image Search; we can’t use them 99% of the time! YOUR CONTACTS
Enquiries, advertising & complaints News articles In-depth articles on a given topic Reviews and arts articles Everything sport-related
Amy - editor@lenurb.com Bess - news@lenurb.com Emma - features@lenurb.com Nick - arts@lenurb.com Ollie & Alex - sport@lenurb.com
Editor Amy ‘Penguin Onesies’ Blackford Deputy Editor Ben ‘The Platypus’ Moxey Chief Designer Robert ‘Anton du Beke’ Hunt Chief Sub-Editor Katrina ‘Ryanair’ Muhly Media Chair Tom ‘Poundland’ Scott
The closing date for articles for the next issue is Friday, November 25. The closing date for advertising for the next issue is Friday, November 25.
More from Le Nurb http://
UBS MOBILE 2.0
This major update brings the mostrequested feature - student media integration - to the UBS apps! See what else is new and download for free at brunelstudents.com/app.
News Editor Bess ‘Legs’ Browning Sub Editor Adam ‘Stephen King’ Martley Designer James ‘Lightbulbs’ Squire
FEATURES Features Editor Emma ‘Tampons’ Butcher Sub Editor Sharna Lee ‘Hand Sanitiser’ Heir Designer Julian ‘Sticky Notes’ Minuzzi Staff Writers Hayley ‘Chocolate’ Baldwin Devina ‘Beautiful People’ Sanghani Alec ‘My Bed’ Beeson Rhys ‘The Music’ Morgan-Jones Charlotte ‘Cats’ Bale
ARTS & REVIEWS
DEADLINES FOR ISSUE 4
We’ve moved on Facebook, and are now sharing a page with Radio Brunel. Search ‘UBS Student Media’ for all the latest updates. We’re also on Twitter: @ubsstudentmedia.
EDITORIAL
NEWS
Submissions
With Thanksgiving at the end of this month (really? - Rob), we asked the team what they’re thankful for...
ONLINE
For more Le Nurb information, including a back issue archive and full submission guidelines, take a look at our updated minisite brunelstudents.com/lenurb.
Terms & Legal All articles and pictures © their respective authors unless otherwise indicated. Views expressed are those of the writers and do not reflect the official position of UBS or Brunel University. All comments and complaints about content in Le Nurb should be addressed to the Editor in the first instance: editor@lenurb.com. Complaints will only be entertained where it can be proven that an article or graphic is: factually inaccurate; breaches the Press Complaints Commission’s Editors’ Code of Practice; breaches the National Union of Journalists’ Code of Conduct; breaks the law; or encourages readers to break the law. No complaint that fails to satisfy at least one of these criteria will be upheld. Published by: Union of Brunel Students, Kingston Lane, Uxbridge, UB8 3PH. Printed by: Harmsworth Printing Derby, Northcliffe House, Meadow Road, Derby, DE1 2BH.
Women are meant to be loved, not to be recycled.
Arts & Reviews Editor Nick ‘Amber Heard’ Birss Sub Editor Jon ‘Beer’ Partridge Designer Ajay ‘Gangsta Rap’ Nair Staff Writers Emma ‘Winter Fashion’ I’Anson Subat ‘Hot Chocolate’ Bashir Christel Gomez Ricky Compton Lewis ‘Sandwiches, Nom’ Sluman Matt ‘Smartprice Chocolate’ Smith Daisy ‘Coffee’ Adamson
SPORT Sport Editors Ollie ‘Crunk Juce’ de Kretser Alex ‘Bill Clinton’ Mitchell Sub Editor Paul ‘Attenborough’s Voice’ Round Designer Jo ‘Ben and Jerry’s’ Barnard
PHOTOGRAPHY Lead Photographer Adil ‘Tom’s Hair’ Khan Deshmukh Cover Image Declan Hunter
November 2011 - Le Nurb
NEWS
University applications drop 9% Adam Martley University applications for 2012 have dropped by 9% after the coalition government’s decision last year to increase tuition fees. Figures released by the admission service UCAS show that there is currently a fall in applications in comparison with last year. The data also shows that when you exclude applications from overseas, there has so far been a 12% drop in applications from those living in the UK. Universities UK warned that as the figures are only based on data up to October, they are “unreliable indicators.” But the University and College Lecturers’ Union leader, Sally Hunt, said: “The government’s fees policy has been a disaster from the start and it is clearly having a serious impact on the choices young people make.” Applications for most courses are open until January, but at Oxford and Cambridge, medical school applications have closed and fallen 0.8%. But while UK applications so far have fallen, overseas applications
have increased. So far, around 7,000 less students have applied for university in comparison with last year, with applications from mature and female students falling the most. Applications from those in their forties have fallen 28%, and those from over 25s have fallen by over a fifth. Chair of university thinktank Million+, Les Ebdon, said: “Studying for the degree people need to get the job they want in the future will be particularly important for those seeking to re-enter the labour market after losing their jobs.” The Universities Minister, David Willetts, said some of the drop in applications was because people are not well-informed about finance at university. The vice-president of the National Union of Students, Toni Pearce, said: “The indication is that the confusion caused by the government’s botched reforms is causing young people to at the very least hesitate before applying to university.”
Good luck, Bethan!
Rosemary, who came to show their support for the event. The fireworks had an Olympic theme, and clips from great British sporting moments punctuated a twenty-minute display set to classic music. Brunel’s cemetery pitches also played host to other attractions, including a magician, balloon sculpting, and a display from Brunel Circus Skills. Radio Brunel provided music and announcements for the event, and
Congratulations x2
Got to go In a bid to save money, a train company in the Netherlands have decided to not include any toilets on their latest train designs. Instead, customers are being asked to pee into bags, which are known as ‘Travel John’ bags. A spokesman said: “It’s madness. Soon we’ll have internet access all over the train but no toilets!” A big challenge
Selena Sheridan Student protests caused controversy last year.
Bess Browning A high-flying Brunel student will be taking part in a sponsored skydive. Bethan Crisp, 19, will be falling through the air at speed in aid of a charity close to her heart - the Nkoaranga Orphanage in Tanzania. Somerset-born Bethan will do her first ever skydive on 3rd December at Chatteris Airfield. During her gap year, the Anthropology student began a three-month trip to Tanzania with travel company Oyster Worldwide, teaching young children English. She ended up extending her voyage to Africa to ten months. During her time, she became the founding board member of a small non-profit organization, The Small Things. The Small Things provides support, education and care for the children, staff and volunteers of Nkoaranga Orphanage in Tanzania, through direct project support and by investments in infrastructure. The aim of the sponsored jump is
to raise funds for ‘Project Education’ set up by Bethan’s The Small Things charity. The money raised will go towards getting children through quality boarding schools (around £700 per year), supplying formula and vitamins, and installing water filtration systems. Bethan said: “My adventure led me to the amazing children of Nkoaranga Orphanage, which hold my happiest memories of Africa. Whilst I can’t be there with them at all times, I knew that I would try and help back here in England. So I decided to organise a sponsored skydive! Willingly jumping out of a plane may sound pretty extreme, but the children make the fear, the adrenaline and the challenge totally worth it.” FIND OUT MORE For more information, or to contribute, visit the website at thesmallthings.org.
Brunel’s fantastic fireworks Matt Smith All eyes turned to Brunel’s skies earlier this month, as the university’s annual fireworks display delighted students and local residents alike. Promise Phillips, the President of the Union of Brunel Students, lit the Brunel bonfire to kick off this year’s event on 7th November at the cemetery pitches. Also in attendance were the Deputy Mayor of Hillingdon, Michael Markham, and his wife
News In Brief A 20-year-old woman from Scotland has passed her driving test, despite being in labour at the same time. The woman, whose water had broken four hours before her test, said that she had been waiting for so long for her test that she was determined for nothing to distract her. Talk about multi-tasking.
Brunelian in sponsored skydive Ryan Harvey
3
a UBS team stepped in to steward and assist visitors for the evening. RAG raised money for charity by selling toffee and chocolate apples, and glowsticks. Students showed amazing support on Twitter: “Was highly impressed with @BrunelUni fireworks last night” and “fireworks were really cool - best night so far!” being typical responses. Planning for next year’s Brunel firework display will begin in the coming months.
Marine Lazarus
Performers entertained the crowds. Husbands are like recycling: they stink and are a pain to sort out.
A man has vowed that he will pleasure himself in every single Starbucks in New York City. The man, known as Mister PeePee, has even developed a rating system which rates the toilets on levels of cleanliness and whether he is interrupted or not. You have to feel sorry for the cleaning staff. What a friend A man who had borrowed a car from his friend later tried to sell it off on the internet. After the car wasn’t returned and a police report was filed, the car was found on Craigslist and, suspiciously, the man suddenly disappeared. The final straw Emergency services were called to a McDonald’s restaurant after a man had his hand caught in the straw dispenser. The man, who was with his family at the time, was released by the fire brigade and was left embarrassed, but unhurt. What’s that in the sky? Hertfordshire police received a phone call from a concerned member of the public, believing he had witnessed a UFO hovering in the night sky. However, 10 minutes later he rang back after he noticed he had just been staring at the moon and not realising what it was. According to the caller, the moon had big bright lights and was hovering over his back garden.
WRITE FOR US! Le Nurb accepts submissions from any Brunel student. See page 2 to find out how to get involved!
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Le Nurb - November 2011
NEWS
Lecturer’s book makes big screen CCAC North Library
From left to right: some books, Matt Thorne.
Bess Browning A lecturer at Brunel will have the film adaptation of his novel in cinemas and on the BBC next year. Matt Thorne, Director of Creative Writing, is currently working with a film crew to put his book Eight Minutes Idle on to the big screen. Featuring stars from Misfits, Silk and even Jim Carrey’s latest release Mr Popper’s Penguins, the film is due out in Spring 2012. Eight Minutes Idle is described as a “rude, cute, smart and daring British Indie comedy set in the throes of urban Bristol.” Thorne said: “All the Creative Writing staff are active novelists, screenwriters, journalists, etc, so all our creative work helps us improve our skills at helping students with their own stories, books and screenplays.” The original novel was released in 2001 and won
The Encore Book Award. Author of five other fictions, Thorne has been teaching at Brunel since 2007 and has had one of his previous books shortlisted for a Booker Prize. He added: “I am very excited about it reaching the big screen, and am delighted with everything I’ve seen so far.” As part of the new film release, a competition has been launched for ambitious young musicians to produce a composition to accompany a house party scene in the movie. The piece of music will be used alongside tracks from Gorillaz and Kid Carpet, and will be played in cinemas and on the BBC. FIND OUT MORE Take a look at the Facebook page: facebook.com/eightminutesidle.
“Students fear debt more than death” George Bowden 84% of young people still plan to go to college or university, despite the economic climate and bleak employment prospects, a survey by charity YouthNet has revealed. New university fees increased young people’s concern at being able to afford university, which rose 11 points to 24%. It didn’t, however, dampen aspiration, with schoolaged respondents most likely to be planning on going into further and higher education. But young people were found to fear debt more than death, with 24% more concerned about their financial outlook than with their mortality or health, which scored just 4% and 3% respectively. Young people’s “one wish for the future” is now more likely to be a job than happiness, with 32% of respondents preferring employment to being contented. 67% of those questioned said they think it will be harder for them to
find a job than their parents. One in five young people showed concern at being alone in the future, while a majority said they wanted to get married and have children. The survey, conducted via the internet, involved 1,100 young people aged 16-25, and questioned their hopes and fears for the future. Emma Thomas, Chief Executive of YouthNet, said: “Given the tough challenges that young people face, it’s clear that they have a real concern over the impact that this will have on their future. Fear about money and jobs are at the forefront of their minds but they remain focussed on achieving their goals. They still want to study, to get a good job, own their own home and support their family, but know how hard it’s going to be.” Brunel student Joe Seez-Magner said: “I’m worried about my future employment prospects, but I’m not sure if it will be more difficult for me to find a job than it was for my parents.”
Images_of_Money
Panic has spread across the student population. See? Bank notes and a calculator.
Brunel sports stars awarded scholarships Tom Scott Over 50 talented Brunel students have been awarded official Sports Scholarships from the University to recognise their achievements. The students, who come from across 14 different sports, were presented the scholarships at the 2011/2012 Sports Scholarships evening event on the 26th October. The scholarship programme, which has been developed and improved for 2011/2012, offers three different types of scholarships for its talented sportsmen and women. Firstly, there is the Podium Sports Scholarship, which is awarded to students participating at any major international competitions at a senior level.
Next, there is the Potential Sports Scholarship, which is awarded to students participating at any junior international level competitions or any equivalent. Finally, there is the Sports Bursary Award, which is given to any student participating at a national level or in national ranking competitions. Mark Odejobi, who was awarded both a Podium Sports Scholarship and a Sid Richardson Rugby Scholarship for his hard work in Rugby Union, said: “I’m privileged to have my sporting achievements recognised by such a top sporting institution like Brunel. I think me representing England Sevens was why I was given the sport scholarship but the unseen hard work and perseverance
was how I feel I achieved the award. Being a student, there are a lot of temptations which aren’t exactly beneficial for an athlete to indulge in, but you’ve got to have a bit of fun sometimes, too.” The scholarship programme also awards athletes with a cash award of £250 - £1000 per academic year. It also includes benefits such as athlete-friendly accommodation on campus near the sports facilities, free use of the sports facilities, and discounted fitness and injury rehab programs, as well as access to the University’s Coaching Development Programme. FIND OUT MORE brunel.ac.uk/services/sport.
Wise men recycle because they are trying to show off.
shimgray
Many of Brunel’s rugby players received scholarships.
November 2011 - Le Nurb
NEWS
5
Patient throttled at Hillingdon Hospital markhillary
Tom Scott A 78-year-old man who was battling cancer was throttled by a man who was sleeping in the bed next to him. Anthony Wilson, who was battling bowel cancer for over three months, was throttled by the man just four days after he had an operation to remove part of his bowel. The attack was classed as entirely unprovoked and an inquest is currently underway to determine whether the attack was directly responsible for the cause of his death. Mr Wilson was attacked by an Iranian man, who was also an illegal immigrant, whilst he was sleeping. The man was swiftly removed from Hillingdon Hospital and transported to a nearby immigration removal centre
where he is awaiting deportation. Mr Wilson died 20 hours after the attack and a post-mortem examination concluded that he died of septicaemia. But the inquest, led by friends and family, are trying to determine whether the attack had any contribution to his death. Mr Wilson’s brother Jeffery insists that his brother was strangled to death, but a Hillingdon Hospital NHS Foundation Trust representative said the assault “took only seconds and amounted to him putting an arm round Mr Wilson’s neck.” The immigrant was immediately pulled off the victim by UK Border Agency guards responsible for sitting next to him. Anthony Wilson, who retired in 1998, served in the army as a teenager and worked for his local council for over 30 years.
Students begin legal fight over fees Tom Scott Two students have challenged the increase in University tuition fees by beginning a High Court case against the government’s decision. 17-year-olds Callum Hurley and Katy Moore have argued that trebling the fees to up to £9,000 a year is a breach of human rights and equality legislation. They are requesting a judicial review of Business Secretary Vince Cable’s decision over tuition fees last year. They are to be represented in court by Sam Jacobs of the Public Interest Lawyers in Birmingham, who believes that the students have two grounds for bringing the case to court. He believes that increasing tuition to £9,000 a year places limits on students’ access to higher education, which is a breach of the Human Rights Act (1998). He also believes that the government have failed to take “due regard” to promoting equality as disabled, female, and ethnic
minorities graduates will earn far less over their lifetime than white male graduates, which will affect the paying back of their loans. The case comes weeks after thousands of students have begun their applications for university next year, despite the £9,000 per year tuition. The trebling of tuition fees has already affected the number of applicants interested in university. UCAS have announced that the number of applicants has plummeted by 12% compared to last year. Brunel University has had 24% fewer candidates than last year, according to The Sunday Times, which is double the national average. The decision to treble tuition fees from £3,000 to £9,000 was made in November 2010, despite an organised demonstration from the NUS in which over 50,000 students, including over 300 Brunel students, took part in.
World Economic Forum
This is Clegg’s happy face.
Could this status update affect your future? Andrew Feinberg
Employers are finding out all sorts of things about you...
George Bowden New figures released suggest that students are beginning to realise the wider implications of their late night web-based rants. 42% of students fear that photos, status updates and wall posts on websites such as Facebook could affect their future employment prospects, figures from the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) suggest. Information Commissioner, Chris Graham, said: “In tough times, young people are clearly less relaxed about privacy, particularly in relation
to information that they post online.” Launching its 2011 Student Brand Ambassadors campaign, a nationwide programme aiming to increase students’ knowledge of information rights, the ICO said that many students aren’t adequately protecting themselves against identity theft, either. The survey, conducted last month with 500 full-time university students, found that 76% of students hadn’t checked their credit rating in the last year, with 66% having never checked it, allowing suspicious credit searches to go unchallenged.
Fools recycle because they feel they should.
Brunel student Harriet Culver said: “I hadn’t linked my Facebook and my future before, but I have noticed it has become more difficult to censor my profile recently. I will think more carefully about uploading certain photos and information in the future.” Michelle Kavan, from Brunel’s Placement and Careers Centre, said: “Students need to be made aware that any information they posted in the public domain would risk the chance of being viewed by potential employers.”
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Le Nurb - November 2011
UNION NEWS
Raising And Giving... ... and having fun! Elena Morgan It’s another year, and Brunel’s RAG has already hit the ground running. If you didn’t know, RAG stands for Raise and Give, and we are the charity organisation of Brunel. The charities we’re raising money for this year are Action Against Hunger, British Lung Foundation, Broadway, Childreach International, Make-AWish, and Nourish My Child. RAG is a great way to meet new people and have fun, whilst raising money for fantastic causes. In Freshers’ Week, we raised almost £4,500 – that’s all down to the generosity of you guys, and something’s got to be said for the persistence of our RAG Contacts! This year, we’ve got loads of different events lined up. We’ve already had Get Ragged in Camden with Middlesex University, which was a huge success, and now November is here there seems to be no stopping us. Friday 18th November is Children in Need. RAG have big plans to raise as much money as possible. We are planning a Big Bake Off, so all week we’re going to get as many people as possible to bake and then have an epic cake sale on Friday. To make things a bit more interesting – and because it’s good to have a little competition now and again – if you’re in halls, we’ve got a competition to see which halls can sell the most cakes and raise the most money. One of our biggest events of
the year is Brunel’s Got Talent. The auditions are on 1st and 8th December in Locos at 6pm. The final will be held in the Howell building during RAG Week in January and the winning act will receive a £100 cash prize. Last year, Brunel’s Got Talent was a big success; there was a variety of acts ranging from singers to poets. So
if you want to take part, head to our Facebook page to download an application form. GET INVOLVED Follow UBS RAG on Facebook (facebook.com/ubsrag) and Twitter (@ubsrag), or email Brett Halsey via rag.chair@brunel.ac.uk.
People & Planet: Just Do It Law student involved in many Societies. Jade Doswell Gripping, entertaining, and inspiring. This sums up the film screening of Emily James’s Just Do It, held by Brunel People and Planet last month. It was a great event; the turnout of about 20 people was pretty good and the society made everyone feel welcome with some popcorn in home-made ‘People and Planet’ cones. Loads of new faces came as well as some old members. The screening was for students and staff and “the public” were not able to attend. Ezgi, the Co-President, gave a short speech on what the film was about and it began. It detailed the adventures of various activists from Climate Camp and the hurdles they went through to get their message through. Some of the Climate Campers were less active than others, but all played their part in helping pull off big events as a team. Some made tea, some helped join bikes together for the G20 summit in Copenhagen, and some, in a really successful and entertaining demonstration, dressed in builders’ attire to build a better future and chained themselves to ladders in the revolving doors of corporate bank headquarters! All in all, it was really moving to see people work together to stand
up for what is right. You really got to know the people in the documentary and it was funny at points and even quite emotional; particularly scenes with the police being less than pleasant to the peaceful and co-operative Climate Campers. What was inspiring was their ability to remain positive in the face of adversity and not lose sight for one minute of what they were protesting against. After the event, we went to the Hub to discuss the film and issues surrounding it and shared some enlightening conversation with the other members and the Grow Heathrow and Hillingdon Against Cuts representatives. During the film and discussion, I learned so much about some of the injustices really going on and had so much fun doing so! I can’t wait for People and Planet’s next screening. I would definitely recommend coming along to it. It’s on at 6pm on Tuesday 8th November and is called The Real Social Network and is about the role social media has played in last year’s student protests. I guarantee your eyes will be opened and you will have a lot of fun too! FIND OUT MORE You can email Melissa, the UBS Environmental Chair, at environmental.chair@brunel.ac.uk, or go to brunelstudents.com to find out more about the People and Planet Society.
Student Assembly successfully full Dancing on the ceiling. Tom Scott After the two week period of elections ended, the first student assembly met on 27th October at 6pm in the Council Chambers. Student Assembly is the most important body that the Union of Brunel Students has, as it is the main decision body and can hold the student officers and chairs to account. The autumn elections were a huge success for Student Assembly as the body managed to reach a full quota of students, with 20 students elected as Community Assembly Members and nine as School Members. With that being said, over 40 elected students were present at the meeting and, with quoracy
being easily met, the meeting got under way. The meeting was chaired by the Student Union President, Promise Phillips, as no chair had been elected as of yet. After welcoming the new student assembly members and checking the minutes of the Annual Union Meeting held last May, student assembly got into full swing. Elections were held within student assembly to elect members onto certain committees. The first was the Appointments Committee which deals with appointing independent trustees. Alex Mitchell, Craig Best and Alec Beeson were successfully elected onto the committee. The next election was for the Disciplinary Committee, for which eight members were to be elected. This committee is responsible should any Union
disciplinary arise. They are to act as a natural body and decide upon the appropriate measures to be taken. Anita Chowdury, Brendan Cogan, Dan Rowe, James Khodbandehloo, Jack Duffy, Zein Owfar, Kyras Sunghuttee and Ben Moxey were all elected onto the panel. The next election was for the Elections and Referendum Committee, which deals with all rulings for any elections over the year. Craig Best, Conor Churchill, and Xenia Coudrille were all elected onto the committee. Finally, was the position for the student seat on Senate. Senate is the top decision making body in the university and the elected student, along with the four student officers, will represent students at these meetings. Peter Smallwood was successfully elected onto the position.
Next on the agenda was the Chair and Vice-Chair of Student Assembly, who are responsible for the running of student assembly meetings for the remainder of the year. Joshua Dixon was elected as Chair of Student Assembly and Alec Beeson as vice. With the long process of elections completed, the meeting moved onto motions. The first motion was the motion to lobby the University to reduce the issue of single use disposable plastic bags through its retail outlet by 80% by July 2013, presented by Vice President of Community Welfare, Avina Patel. An amendment to the motion made by Societies Guild Chair, Sean Smith, was rejected and the motion was passed. The next motion, which was also presented by Avina Patel, was to update the Union’s Ethical and
Environmental Policy, which was unanimously passed. Finally was the review of the four student officers and ten student chairs reports. All reports were questioned and passed successfully. Overall, the meeting lasted over 3 hours but many of the assembly members were happy with the outcome and progress made in the meeting and especially the sandwiches available. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday 24th November at 6pm in the Council Chambers. All the minutes from the meeting are currently online. FIND OUT MORE All the minutes of the Student Assembly are available online at brunelstudents.com.
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WRITE FOR US!
Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, recycling.
November 2011 - Le Nurb
UNION NEWS
7
It’s an equal and diverse year for us all Life-loving, chicken eating, all around good guy James Ward I’m James, the Equality and Diversity chair. As a chair, I am a part-time volunteer elected to my position, as well as being a student too. I trust you are all having a great start to the year and you are studying hard (especially the 2nd and 3rd years) and partying hard (1st years). My role leads me to oversee many campaigns
and to celebrate diversity. The committee and I are working to deliver a few projects. Last month was Black History Month. I feel that food is a great way to bind and educate cultures together, so I organised to have some African-Caribbean dishes served in the refectory (MORE). I hope some of you went there and experienced some fine cuisine. 100 Faces of Brunel is aimed at highlighting and underlining cultural diversity in our students’ union. The idea is to have 100 faces of people of all backgrounds,
regardless of disability, sexual orientation, or any other creed that may divide us. The pictures will be put on a collage in the Atrium in due course. So, if you see me with a camera and a board, feel free to say hi and ask if you can be involved. I am also creating a disability and dyslexia working group. The aim of this is to ensure that disabled and dyslexic students are represented in the best way possible. We will be recruiting eight members to the working group and promoting the cause
via email and posters. Students will need to be registered with the Disability and Dyslexia Service in order to stand for this. If more than eight people register an interest then a small election will need to be held. As part of the LGBT society’s mission to raise awareness, we will have a stall at the Atrium for World Aids Day on the 1st December. The stall aims to give away condoms, sell badges for charity, and encourage students to practice safe sex, irrespective of their sexual preferences.
There are many other campaigns in the pipeline focusing on disability, cultural awareness for One World Week and FACE, as well as ensuring that halal food is clearly labelled. Please stay tuned for more details and if you have any queries feel free to email me on or stop me if you see me. FIND OUT MORE For more information, take a look online at brunelstudents.com, or email equality.chair@brunel.ac.uk.
And now presenting Avina’s briefs... Your VP Community Welfare speaks. Avina Patel I’ve sent in so much stuff this issue, it is going to have to be broken down into bite size chunks. Movember: You may see many men styling a moustache in the month of November. The reason for this is simple! Grow a moustache in the month of November to raise awareness and funds for prostate cancer. If you wish to donate,
please visit uk.movember.com. Linen in halls: Many students have asked about the situation with linen changes in halls. This year, living in residences no longer includes a weekly linen change. The reason for this? Only a small number of us used the service before, with the majority of students preferring to use their own bedding. If you have any queries on this, please check your tenancy agreements. This document confirms that you will only be provided with bedding on arrival.
Volunteering opportunities: Carrying out a record number of projects this year, with a total 16, volunteering opportunities are skyrocketing! Volunteering is the way forward to boost your employability and employers are keen to see new graduates who have versatile skills outside of their degree. It’s good to talk: My radio show is back! Woohoo! I have teamed up with the Counselling service for a second year running. Talking about student issues, we host the show every Tuesday during term
time from 1 to 2pm. Tune in to Radio Brunel for the show, and if you’re interested in making a guest appearance, e-mail the Vice President of Community Welfare at vp.communitywelfare@brunel.ac.uk Silhouette cut outs in the Atrium: The cardboard cut outs are going in for hibernation until the alcohol and drugs awareness campaigns start. I hope you saw them and read their compelling, real-life messages. I hope this has made you more aware of the dangers and risks you take when getting into unacceptable scenarios.
A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth gets a chance to recycle.
Social activities on campus working party: In the last academic year, Student Assembly passed a motion to implement a social activities on campus working party. During Freshers’ Fayre, we had a record breaking number of students join up to this party who will help influence the activity taking place on campus. CONTACT AVINA vp.communitywelfare@brunel.ac.uk.
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Le Nurb - November 2011
UNION NEWS
What is the ARC?
Money Matters Welfare benefit entitlements Debt negotiation cases Council tax issues Access to learning fund advice
Housing
Immigration
Contract checks Non-returned deposits Landlord harassment cases Off-campus housing
Bringing your partner over to join you in the UK Visa renewals and extensions Working in the UK during and after your studies
Academic Jobs & Consumer Income tax and National Insurance payments Annual leave Withheld wages Utility and mobile phone bill/contract queries
Academic appeals University disciplinary cases Course problems Referrals to study support and other University departments
Sexual Health Who are we?
Free condoms Information on local clinics Information leaflets Referrals to University Counselling Service
The ARC (Advice and Representation Centre) is run by the Union of Brunel Students. We are a team of professional advisers and provide confidential, independent, and free advice. We can also refer you to external agencies, and departments within the University. We can support you in almost any area associated with the practicalities of student life. If you are a registered, suspended or prospective student of Brunel University, then you are welcome to use our free service. We want to make a difference to your life at University!
Where to find out more
You can find out about what we do and who we are on our website. We also publish a range of information, available from the ARC in the Student Union building, including guides on the following issues: Housing Immigration Academic Appeals Money & Employment
Tel: 01895 269169 Email: advice@brunel.ac.uk Web: www.brunelstudents.com/arc Please check our website for the most up-to-date opening times.
If you can’t stand the heat, you shouldn’t be recycling.
www.brunelstudents.com/arc
November 2011 - Le Nurb
FEATURES
9
A’tache is the best form of defense An English student who loves mojitos and cheese. Paul Round Already we find ourselves in the month of November: a month that is synonymous with fireworks, Guy Fawkes and, of course, toffee apples. However, as a month it is fast taking on another name, and that is Movember. Movember is a month where men do not shave their moustaches, in order to raise awareness and money for prostate cancer and depression in men. It all started back in 2003, when a group of 30 men from Melbourne, Australia, decided that they were going to make a fashion statement by bringing back facial hair. Initially, there was no intention of forming a worldwide charity event; it was simply a very small anti-establishment movement. The master behind the operation was Adam Garone; he felt that there had been a social shift away from facial hair during the 1990’s and decided it was about time the moustache came back. In 2004 Adam Garone decided to take this idea and to turn it into a fundraiser. He described it as a great journey and he wanted to get more of his friends involved. Garone himself realised the potential of his idea, understanding it could be much bigger that just 30 men in Melbourne. After a small amount of research, he realised there was no charity set up with the direct intention of support male cancers, even though the amount of individuals contracting prostate cancer is similar in numbers to those of women developing breast cancer. Later that year, over 450 men in Australia participated in Movember and managed to raise $54,000 (AUS).
Jumping forward to 2010, 450,000 men participated, raising over $77 million (AUS). This alone makes Movember the biggest funder of prostate cancer research in the world. The aim this year is to raise $90 million! For those of you who are participating in this year’s Movember, I apologise for this recap of the rules. However, there will be individuals out there who are oblivious to the code of Movember. The rules are simple: on the 31st of October you must be clean-shaven, and over the course of the next 30 days you must grow a moustache, and a moustache only, no other type of facial hair is allowed. It is that simple! It has been described by the creator Adam Garone as the laziest charity in the world, as in order to participate you “don’t do a ride, a run or a swim. The guys that participate are walking, talking billboards for 30 days. It’s the perfect word-of-mouth campaign. ” For those involved, the notion behind the cause is literally on your face. I’m sure that from reading this people will have other questions about Movember, so I hope to answer some of the more obvious ones. So where did the term Movember come from? Mo is in fact slang for moustache in Australia, so Movember is a portmanteau (or a blend) of moustache and November. Where does the money go that is raised? The money that is raised through Movember is used to fund research all over the world. In the UK, all the money that is raised goes straight to The Prostate Cancer Charity or the TPCC. The major problem facing men at the moment is that there is no effective or efficient
Princess Red
You should see downstairs. screening process, and when compared to the woman’s health movement, it will take many years to catch up to the same level. Does Movember have a symbol? The symbol of Movember is, of course, the moustache. Where women have the pink ribbon that represents breast cancer, men now have the hairy ribbon. In Canada alone, 1 in 7 males will suffer from prostate cancer at some point in their life.
From the original 30 men in Australia, there are now formal Movember campaigns in Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, the UK, Finland, the Netherlands, Spain, South Africa and Ireland. The rise in popularity of such a worthy cause can be seen via the fact that in the UK alone last year over 112,000 men took part in Movember helping to raise £11.7 million pounds for the cause. This clearly shows that as a charity, Movember is generating serious interest both inside and outside of
the United Kingdom. So this month, if you happen to see a student sporting a questionable moustache, don’t laugh, but thank them, for their willingness (or at least attempt) to grow a moustache. It may one day save a life! JOIN THE CAMPAIGN uk.movember.com is the place to go to register for, make a donation to, or find out about Movember.
Do we look oppressed in hijab? Cat lover, Twining’s tea lover and literature crazed. Aiysha Mahmood Why do Westerners associate oppression with the Hijab (Muslim head scarf)? Whilst coming from a Muslim background, I have pondered this question for most of my life. A British woman on the street seems to puzzle most of us Londoners. We automatically think, why is she dressed like that? Sue Ford, a second-year English student, claims: “If the hijab was forced upon me, then I would find it very oppressive. However, if a Muslim woman wears the hijab out of choice, then it is OK.” For those who are unaware, the wearing of the hijab comes from the Islamic faith. Women are
encouraged to cover their beauty and preserve modesty. This form of modesty has lived since the birth of Islam. And many Muslim women cover their hair with pride
If the hijab is a sign of modesty, then why is it portrayed as oppressive? and feel they belong to specific religious identity. Most Muslim women wear the hijab to look modest and not have everything on display. I am only talking about the scarf here and not the abaya (the long
black gown). So if the hijab is a sign of modesty, then why is it portrayed as oppressive? Modesty is all around us in our society, coming from different cultures and religions. Christian nuns cover their hair, as well as Christian women wearing hats when entering the church. This is their way of being modest. Some Sikh women do not cut their hair, but instead keep the length and tie it in an up do to preserve their modesty. Jewish women wear wigs. But are all these women who are trying to be modest oppressed by their ways of modesty? For someone who has recently made the transition to wearing a hijab, I have had to face challenges of my own. Sitting on the train and having the odd woman stare at me whilst I’m seated opposite her does arouse curiosity as to why she is looking at me.
In the beginning of my transition, I didn’t handle the stares very well. I felt quite singled-out when a young woman of similar age sat opposite me with her long, beautiful hair on display. My palms grew sweaty and I felt different, the odd one out. However, six months into wearing a hijab, what is there to look at? I am also a woman trying to get home from a long day at uni. Most westerners think that Muslim women are forced to wear the hijab. This may be the case in some Middle Eastern counties. The majority of Muslim women in Britain wear a hijab because of their intentions to be modest, and not because they have been forced by their parents and other family members. It has to come from within, without force. Getting a male perspective, biomedical science student
Keep your rubbish close and your recycling closer.
Hasmat Mohammaed agrees: “The hijab should be worn with the right intention.” However, he claims when a woman is not covered appropriately, “then obviously boys will look at her.” The hijab therefore is protection against unwanted eyes for Muslim women. Muslim women who desire to wear the hijab, wear the hijab, and many don’t. This is not to say those who do wear hijab are still not into fashion, the latest trends, taking care of their hair, wearing makeup, going out with friends. Essentially, their lives do not stop just because they have decided to cover their hair. For me, despite the difficulties of the transition, wearing the hijab was one of the best things I ever chose to do. Like many other women, it doesn’t stop me from doing the things I want to do, and nor am I oppressed.
Le Nurb - November 2011
10 FEATURES
Men in leather Straight talking, steak eating gentleman from the Deep South… of Surrey.
Alec Beeson I bet that title grabbed your attention! Alas, it is not what you think. Due to a combination of factors, namely that my loan has arrived since some nasty person stole my previous one (from Loco’s no less!), I am in the market for a leather jacket. Now this isn’t a simple task, or at least not for me. The more research I have done into finding a good leather jacket, the more choices there are. Consider this article a little buyer’s guide made up from things I learnt. The first fact I discovered is that there is more than one type of leather you can buy. You could imagine cowhide is most commonly used for leather jackets, but you would be wrong; it is primarily used for motorcycle jackets, where strength is the primary concern. Cow and buffalo hide are very strong but also very heavy. The most popular leathers are, in fact, sheep and lamb, which you would find in designer items. They are lighter and less durable than cowhide but are described as having a smooth, buttery feel. Finally, there are the cheap skins of other animals, which a lot of the time come from pig. That is right: cheap leather jackets
Tanya Dawn
(under £100 for example), are often pigskin. They are not nice; they feel like plastic and tear easily. So far, we know that we want either cowhide or sheepskin leather. I thought this was all I needed to know to decide on a jacket, but I was wrong. There are four main styles of jacket based on the styles origin. Biker jackets came from the need of a slim fitting jacket that secures your valuables when travelling at speed on your bike. They have zipped pockets and are generally thicker at the elbows and shoulders. There are also bomber jackets, which were made to keep old-fashioned fighter pilots warm at high altitudes. They sometimes have furred collars and cuffs, or a rib knit to maintain a close seal and stop hot air escaping. Blazers are styled after the traditional suit jacket and are great for dressing up and down. Traditionally, they have buttoned fronts and inset pockets at your waist. The forth style is a Reefer jacket. They are very seventies (think John Simm in Life on Mars) with wide lapels and buttons to the neck. Going even deeper into the world of leather, it turns out there are also different tanning processes to consider. A tanning process is the method by which leather is made from animal hide by changing its protein structure (ask a bio-scientist, as I have no clue!) There are four main types of tanning leather for jackets,
each with their own advantages. They are: Nappa (or Napa), Aniline, Suede, and Nubuck. Nappa does in fact originate from that famous wine region in California and is also the highest-quality tanning process you find. Aniline consists of a series of dyes which change the material gradually; apparently, it works well with brown leathers. Suede uses the underside of a hide and is notably soft; however, it is also porous, which notoriously leads to discolouration after contact with water. Finally, there is Nubuck, which is similar to suede in texture but is made by sanding the rawhide to produce velvet-smooth surface. Sorted. Cow or sheep, Aniline or Nappa. But wait, there is more! YKK zips are apparently the best out there, but the most expensive. If the jacket you are looking has them, it suggests that the manufacturer has not skimped on the other components. Loose threads around the jacket mean that less care was taken during the manufacturing process. This applies to all garments, really. Look in places that aren’t seen often, like the underarms. Each piece of leather is inherently different, so if care has been taken, then pieces that match as much as possible will have been selected. Look for colour and texture differences between the shoulders and the body. Finally, and the strangest tip I picked up, look at the number of inside pockets. Apparently, good jackets have three
Real leather, for a real man. or more inside pockets which may or may not be leather lined and/ or zipped. I used to take this for granted, as every coat I have ever owned had inside pockets… So I thought I had learnt all I needed to in order to find a jacket. I compiled a list made up of sheep leathers (as I do not ride a motorcycle yet) which have either been tanned in Nappa or Aniline processes. They all have a few inside pockets, good quality zips and are of biker style. I
fancied a biker-style one like the old jacket that was stolen – I looked so badass in it. To narrow my choice, I went to the most fashionable person: your Society Guild Chair, Sean Smith. Here are his words to me upon seeing my shortlist – and I quote: “Beeson! You can’t buy any of them, they are all too plain. They will make you look like a 40 year old man!” Hell no.
The rise of the machines? English and Creative Writing student who loves to shop ‘til sunset and party ‘til sunrise!
Hayley Baldwin Last month, Apple released their iPhone 4S, and BlackBterry phones broke down. Both incidents created sparks in the world of technology, but for opposite reasons. Technology can either help us, or hinder us – are we relying on it too much? Think about how often in the day you use technology. You’re woken up by an alarm clock. You tap your Oyster card on the bus/Tube. You plug yourself into your iPod. You use your laptop or computer for lectures and coursework. You use various appliances to cook (or for some of you, it’s just the microwave to blast your ready meal into edibility). You then check emails, your social networking profiles, and watch a bit of television. The list is longer than your all your wires put together. Technology has made our lives easier in countless ways. Things like sat navs and online shopping save us time, whilst solar power and price comparison websites can save us money. Technology also gives us enjoyment. Let’s admit it, we all love showing off a new gadget. Communication has also
vastly improved. Social networks like Facebook and Twitter, and programmes like Skype and FaceTime, allow us to stay in contact with people from all over the world; they are particularly good for students who live away from home. Also, everyone who carries a phone on them has their safety enhanced. CCTV boosts our security, providing solid evidence for crimes committed throughout the country. Technology can also benefit the environment. With documents and information like Tube maps, bank statements, and bills readily available online, there is a decreased demand for paper. Plus thanks to iPads and Amazon’s Kindle, thousands of books and other literature can be stored and read on one tiny tablet. (Although as an English student, these tablets do go against my religion - books should stay as books, people!) Nonetheless, technology certainly has its malfunctions. The rise of technology has also brought a rise in human laziness and, consequently, a rise in obesity. We can do most things with just a few mouse clicks without having to leave the house; almost every company offers online shopping. In fact, the only time you would definitely have to leave the house would be if your laptop broke, then you would need to venture into
Ultima-I
the outside world to get it fixed. It is no wonder we have become so dependent on it, but as a result, we are becoming a generation of fat, lazy technoholics. Bulging stomachs aside, our eyes and ears also suffer. Technology is used for work and pleasure, so we are constantly subjecting ourselves to screens and in-ear speakers. When the BlackBerry phones went crazy, so did their owners. People (myself included) feel “naked” without their phones, but this is not the only device we feel lost without.
The Internet has become the eighth wonder of the world. It contains almost everything we need: information, downloads, access to commodities, and social networks for communication. Social networks let us see what a person is doing and where, they allow us to organise events, and share experiences. But we are also becoming too dependent on these; I once heard someone admit to forgetting a birthday “because Facebook didn’t tell me.” The effects of social networks will not be as damaging to us as they will be to the younger generation. Those brought up with social networking are at risk of having undeveloped social skills, because “at least 80% of all human interaction is non-verbal” (Source: bodylanguageguide.co.uk/about). This is without considering the added problems of online bullying, and lack of exercise. The older generation is also affected, but for opposite reasons. Many are struggling to keep up with its rapid evolution, or are shunning it all together. This is only going to get worse the more it evolves and the more complex it becomes. When a company launches a new item, it immediately starts a race with similar companies who will then make an even better model of the already amazing product. However, can we trust these
And will you recycle? Yes! You will, indeed.
products? Mobile phones do not last as long as they used to, so it begs the question: are companies designing them to have shorter life spans so that you need to buy a better and more expensive one sooner? Probably. Another downfall of technology is the cost. You may buy a top of the range piece of equipment, but what happens when this breaks? Aside from suffering technology withdrawal symptoms, your bank account could also take a blow. Technology is fantastic in numerous ways, but think about what a state Brunel would be in if the power was cut off. People would be locked out of their halls and, heaven forbid, the laundry room. We would have to borrow books out of the library using a stamping system (if we could even be bothered to search for them using just our eyes). We would be scribbling down everything our lecturers said, as u-Link wouldn’t be there to assist us – although that may improve attendance. So what does the future hold for technology? Perhaps it will reach a point where it can no longer evolve, or it will evolve too much and overpower the human race. Or maybe, just maybe, it will keep evolving and the world will become just like Futurama. But before some genius invents a time machine, we will just have to wait.
November 2011 - Le Nurb
FEATURES 11
Getting in with the out crowd Passionate English student changing the world with words. Daniella Nzekwe Your university years are a time of constant change and development. Apart from doing a degree, you will spend most of your time socialising – going out is something that most of us enjoy and look forward to. However, for some people a night out is their worst nightmare. It may be that they don’t enjoy drinking or dancing. The most common problem is that they don’t feel they belong to a particular group. We seem to be becoming more like the clique-y American high schools, with the strict social
groups who exclude people. What do you do if you don’t fit? When I started university I found that everyone belong to a particular group. It seemed that everyone identified themselves according to race or interests. I didn’t fit into either category. In my college the groups were not as restrictive as these ones were. At Brunel, all the girls spoke the same, had the same outlook on life, even looked the same. I was the girl who thought it thought it was acceptable to go lectures without makeup and wear flats. After a few weeks of feeling awkward at social events, I decided to remove myself from the group. It wasn’t worth pretending to have something in common with girls who I would
never understand. I realised that I was forcing myself to fit in because I thought I would end up being the sad girl with no friends. University can be a lonely place, especially when you feel like you don’t belong. In the beginning I shut myself away, determined to spend my time alone. Then I realised that just because I was different didn’t mean that I couldn’t have fun or meet people who understood me. I started speaking to my family and friends more. I also began writing a university blog. The best way to deal with being different is to express yourself; look at every experience from a positive perspective. Do you really want to be friends with people who exclude you?
I found that when I started being myself, I began making more friends. The awkwardness I used to feel when I went out disappeared, and I was free to enjoy myself. University is a time where you find yourself and start becoming the person you have always wanted to be. That person should be original. Never change yourself to meet the expectations of others. At university, we tend to cling to people who remind us of friends from home. The only difference is they are not like your friends you have known for years although they may look similar. Step outside your comfort zone and start talking to someone who doesn’t look like your usual kind of person. You may find that you
Short story Denise Mayumi
First-year English student and creative writer. Joshua Dawson So here we are. Me sat on the end of the bed. You on a chair. Facing me. Smaller than I remember. Staring at me with those big, dark eyes. Friends reunited. Just like the old days. Or not. In the old days, we’d sit like this for hours at a time. Just talking. About the important things in life: how far you could stretch a worm before it snapped, and how Santa must be a wizard, because real reindeer can’t fly. I’d pour my little heart out to you: mum is so annoying when she stops us playing with next door’s dog, why did dad take away the Lego, I think Holly at school fancies me… you remember how icky girls were, back then? It’s all a bit different, now. Quite the opposite, in fact. I grin as I say this, giving you a wink. But you remain motionless, staring. The sparkle I once saw in those eyes, all those years ago, is no longer there. I try again. You remember playing Monopoly? How you were never very good at it, so I would often play both sides of the board, and just let you roll the dice. Mum asked me if that was fair, one time: we said it was, and it was, too. You didn’t mind. Did you? So many memories. I look around the small room. I’d only come here because I was in a mood, really: never expected to see you ever again, to be honest. And yet, there you were: sitting on the old toy box. It’s so good to see you again, I tell you warmly. I honestly never thought I’d miss you so much. But still you sit, unmoving. You’ve changed so much: where did all that life go? You use to be so full of it! No
matter what happened, I knew I could always count on you: to make me laugh, to take away the sadness. Just by talking: you were never any good at sports. Tag was the worst: you could never touch me, unless I let you! I chuckle at this memory, and watch the dust swirl through the sunlight streaming in through the small window. So long ago… I turn back to you. You, still brooding and staring. I try again. What about little Jimmy from next door? You remember him? He used to come round to play with us. That was good, because then me and him could play tag, and you were always happy watching. You were always really quiet around him. Around anyone, really. Except me. I smile again. You always spoke to me. Sometimes, you spoke more than me! I laugh at this too, hoping for some flicker of life…
But still you sit, and stare. So very different… I could never give you answers: I remember feeling so guilty, once, after you talked me out of a sulk, and never asking me for something similar in return. Talking… it always came back to that. You were so good at it: always, you had the perfect solution to my problem. Whether you convinced me to fessup about the broken plate, or sat next to me when I did my maths homework, reminding me to add the one here, or carry the two over. I sigh. Things were so simple then. Back then, all I had to worry about was Holly chasing me across the playground, or remembering that “‘i’ comes before ‘e,’ except after ‘c.’” Now… Life is so very different, now. Now, I have hours upon hours
of work to complete every day, if I want to get through school. Now, I find myself struggling to hold my relationships together, rather than escape them. Now, I find myself subject to an overwhelming mess of peerpressure, financial worries, health issues, university applications, driving modules, career prospects… And so I talk. I tell you about these things. I pour my heart out, open right up, to the one person I’m so sure will have the answers. I feel tears brimming as I lay out the never-ending tide of worries and problems that assail me every day. I just can’t deal with them. I can’t. Can’t… Then, suddenly, there is silence. I trail off into nothing, and sit, gazing into those shiny black eyes of yours. I feel my desperate burst
I’d rather be hated for recycling than loved for not recycling.
have lots in common. One of the good things about university is that you are able to meet people from different backgrounds, and some of these people you would never meet anywhere else. Having a variety of friends allows you to learn from other people and also network. This will be invaluable when you enter the world of work. It also helps to remember that everyone has felt isolated or excluded from a group at one time or another. We are all guilty of making fun of the person who is different. Instead of judging them, try and get to know them. One day we will be forced to step outside the safe bubble of university, and into a world where who you socialise with doesn’t matter.
of hope slowly crumbling into despair: how could I have been so childish? You can’t have the answers to my problems anymore, you’re just... I can’t bring myself to think it. The room remains motionless. I find that I can’t hold your gaze any longer, and look down, ashamed. Ashamed of the fact that, after leaving you for so long, I had expected everything to be the same. Ashamed of the realisation that I still, even now, remain dependent on other people to help me make my decisions. I look back at you, feeling slightly guilty as I try, with all my might, to will some life back into those dead eyes... You’re dusty, I suddenly notice. Your fur is thick with it, just like everything else in this room… And then you give me my answer. And I finally see. That you haven’t changed at all: not in the slightest. You were always quiet around strangers… I rise from the bed, wiping my eyes. I know now. I know why you stay silent, and unmoving: I know where the sparkle in your eyes has gone. Gently, I lift you from the chair, touching you for what feels like the first time for years. Turning, I place you back in position on the toy-box, exactly how you were when I entered the room. This room: trapped in the past. Does an old clock, long since wound down, still register the passing of time? Does a small plastic man with a small plastic gun realise that his action days are long over? I stand in the doorway for a few seconds, looking at you. My oldest, dearest friend. Who even now, years later, came through in my hour of need. Then, I back out, closing the door, quietly, on my childhood. For time is ever-ticking onwards. And it’s time I moved on with it.
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Welcome to Brunel’s Hindu Society Third-year English student. Manisha Matharu Feeling overwhelmed at university? In need of a home away from home? Then why not check out Brunel’s Hindu Society? Regardless of your religion, it is an ideal way to meet new people, get involved in exciting trips and events around the country, and discuss your beliefs and opinions in a secure and welcoming environment. Not convinced yet? Then let me tell you what I observed when I sat in on their first meeting of the term. Firstly, while the name might cause you to picture an assembly of strict religious students holding deep, serious talks on the complexities of life, the universe and everything – the Hindu Society’s meeting was in fact a group of lively, vivacious students who were more interested in having fun, light-hearted
discussions of various topics with each other rather than being lectured by their peers in addition to their professors. Ex-President and long-time member of the Hindu Society Hamesh Patel works alongside this year’s leaders to ensure that the society’s tradition to not preach to its members, but “debate and discuss” is continued. Another important thing I realised was the mixture of students at the meeting. While Stocieties always promote themselves at Freshers’ Fayre to gain new members, it’s never too late for students in their second or third year to join too. As it happens, in my first ten minutes I’d already met students from different courses and years living on and off campus. The most appealing part of the Hindu Society is the friendly, hospitable committee who run it, led by Society President Arti Depala. The committee is made up of Vice-Presidents Janki Vaidya and Jai Raichura, Treasurer Punit
Sedani, Meeting Coordinator Alpesh Pindoria, and Ex-Presidents Hamesh Patel and Shailen Valand. Students are offered not only friendship but support by Arti and her enthusiastic team, which 3rd year member Vanisha Patel calls “unity” amongst the Hindu Society goers. They will be working hard to get this year’s intake involved in a huge range of not-to-bemissed religious and non-religious events, trips and activities. These include a trip to Thorpe Park, also open to non-members; sporting competitions against other universities; the annual Hindu Society talent show, “The Next Hype”; and celebrations in honour of Diwali 2011, which took place this year on October 26th. However Arti and the committee are only the tip of the iceberg, as Brunel’s Hindu Society is in fact a part of the National Hindu Students Forum. This year marks the NHSF’s 20th year as a network of over 33 universities and colleges
in the UK. The NHSF website identifies their goal as aiming to “fulfil the cultural, spiritual, educational and social needs of all our members through a wide range of campus and national activities”, as well as providing “a platform for Hindu students to air their views”. Students who join Brunel’s Hindu Society automatically become a part of the NHSF and can enjoy the features it has to offer. For those non-Hindu students who wish to participate in the Hindu Society but may be discouraged by the religious content: fear not! While the majority of members are Hindu, students of all backgrounds are welcomed and encouraged to join in. Representative of the NHSF Kartik Bharadia was in agreement with Society President Arti when he said that while there is an element of religion in the society, there is much “more to it”, and both were keen to include students with different views and opinions in future society meetings.
So, for those with little or no knowledge of Hinduism, who find the idea of discussing religion daunting – know that the Hindu Society steers clear from complex moral preaching and is instead centred around light-hearted, informative discussions with all its members encouraged and inspired to have their say. But don’t just take my word for it. Whether you’re Hindu or not, go and experience a Hindu Society meeting for yourself on any Wednesday at 2-3pm at the Meeting House opposite Mill Hall. Alternatively, you can join the Hindu Society online at brunelstudents.com. Take part and make some great memories this year. FIND OUT MORE Head to brunelstudents.com for more information on the Hindu Society. Alternatively, take a look at their entry in our Society Showcase feature on page 15.
Why are smokers so damn unsociable? Writing for those with the benefit of flash photography. Tom Scott Smoking has always been one of those hot topics that everyone is debating about. I don’t think that there has ever been a day gone by that I don’t look inside The Daily Mail and read something about how smoking is terrible for your health, or that I hear people talk about how “cool” and “relaxing” it is. It just doesn’t seem to disappear. My problem isn’t with the health aspects of smoking. It’s with the whole cultural and social aspects of it. For some reason, I always seem to think that smokers are some of the most unsociable people in society. I feel I should clarify. I am a non-smoker. Hence why this may seem as though I’m just slagging off smokers. Yet my best friend is a very keen smoker, so I reckon after 4 years of arguing, I might have just got the balance just right. Although, we now like to class these arguments as ‘discussions’. Every time I pluck up some Dutch courage and ask him, “Why do you smoke? Don’t you know the risks?” I always get the same response: “Because it relaxes me and because it is a really social thing to do.” Now I do not doubt that he may find smoking relaxing, especially when he has an astonishing amount of work to do each day, but I’m still struggling to understand how it is so social. When he and others of my friends go out for a cigarette, I always feel as though I’m missing out on something. They could
be deciding on what to do for dinner or whether to go to Paris for the weekend, for all I know. Now I hear you saying, “Tom, you idiot. YOU’RE the unsociable one by not going out with them and chatting to them.” Yet who can honestly say that they hate smoking but enjoy a good puff of second hand smoke? I have the unfortunate privilege of my bedroom window being directly above the designated smoking area of my house, so I get my fair share in my room alone. Yet at no
It certainly appears as though the days of men smoking together at the Gentlemen’s Club are long gone. point do I want to purposely go anywhere near it. I always find that trying to join a smoker’s conversion is just as awkward as being there in the first place. If you join at the beginning, then you stand there like a lemon with no real reason to be there. Trying to join a smoker’s conversation is something quite challenging. Smokers seem to have this unnatural ability to stand in a perfect circle and smoke as a group; almost like a group of vultures who circle above their prey. So if everyone’s back is facing you, how is that sociable? Now I can also see the other side of the coin (or the butt end of the cigarette, if we’re being topical). Time after time, smokers
are always trying to ‘grab a light’ or ‘score a free one’ from another smoker and then conversations begin amongst them. My best friend will often say, “I met this person last night in the smoking area...” Smokers can be sociable, but only to other smokers in the case. They must have a joint hobby or something. Whatever happened to the good old days of meeting someone in a bar without resorting to begging? I don’t feel as though great friendships begin with the lending of a cigarette or being so cheap that you try to get free cigarettes for an entire night. Imagine the conversation – and correct me if you’ve heard this before: “How did you meet?” “Oh I gave her a cigarette.” I’ve never heard that before, nor is it particularly romantic. On several occasions, I’ll peer out of my bedroom window and see my best friend sitting in a small wooden chair, all by himself, smoking a couple of cigarettes and I always think the same thing: you sociable animal, you! Not! Nine out of 10 times I’ll join him but I always have bit of pity. Recent statistics have shown that the number of smokers in the UK has continued to decline in recent years. In the 1950’s, smoking was so cool and sociable that 85% of males smoked some form of tobacco. Yet now it has dropped to just 25% of the entire population, mainly due to the increased health risk exposure and all that garbage the Daily Mail spill out every day. It certainly appears as though the days of men smoking together at the Gentlemen’s Club are long gone. Smoking will always be a
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Smokers: the butt of all jokes. sociable activity for those who do it. In the same way, football is a social activity for those playing and not for the loser watching from the sidelines. I don’t think I’ll ever understand why people wrap up things and then set fire to it whilst it’s in their mouth but they seem to enjoy it, so I don’t want to take it away from them.
Recycling is a dirty job, but somebody’s got to do it.
Maybe once in a while, instead of running off for a cigarette, stay indoors and chat to those who you know won’t follow. For now, though, it does seem to be them and us. And for those wondering, I’m not going to start smoking in order to fit in. That’s called peer pressure.
November 2011 - Le Nurb
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X Factor? I’ll wait for Sushi Factor, thanks I have been here too damn long. Ben Moxey Well, on rumbles the X Factor juggernaut. I originally intended to write this at the very start of the series, but time makes fools of us all…. Many of us sit and watch the X Factor in a manner of disbelief (or at least I do). We wonder what the hell is going on, why hundreds of people devote to it, why thousands of people audition for it, and, more importantly, why millions of people watch it. First, let’s backtrack to the start. When the show kicked off, it continued the slightly tweaked format to include auditions in front of the judges in a hall, not just in a stuffy conference room of a decidedly cheap hotel. This revolutionised the way that bad singers were told they were bad: this time the acoustics were brilliant! Once the wheat had been cut from the chaff – and oh, what a lot of chaff there was – it was time for boot camp. This sounds like a high-pressure, intensetraining atmosphere designed to
force the hopefuls into a strict disciplinary regime with hard physical exercise and in the end they will be totally acquiescent and can join Cowell’s New World Order. Turns out, it’s just a nice trip to Dubai and some song coaching from the judges, not exactly Gitmo. These boot camp shows however reveal the truly worrying nature behind this show. The way it takes itself SO seriously. In these episodes we start to learn more about the contestants and hear their back stories (which are almost always ‘sad’) as we lurch through the episodes to the clunking conclusions where we learn who will be going to see the Wizard, the Magical Wizard of Cowell in the big, whizzy live finals. The fact that they all have a sob story to help you connect is a real emotional misnomer with the rest of the show. The whole idea of X Factor, the reason people watch it, is to build people up, to point at them and laugh at their failures in the auditions, to put them on pedestals only to knock them off again as we shout and scream like the mob at a lynching. It’s good, clean Gladiatorial family fun on a Saturday night.
But these shows seem to be tugging so furiously upon our heartstrings, it resembles a teenage boy watching the 10-minute preview on those higher numbered Sky channels. For every single act that we see auditioning for the judge in the judge’s swanky pad, surrounded by the judge’s swanky friends (isn’t being rich great!?), we are be forced to endure a 10 minute VT of them either looking at the pool or staring out to sea while “Clubbed to Death” or “Requiem for a Tower” pound over the top. As an aside, these are the two most overused “epic” tracks around… I’m waiting until they discover Phillip Glass. During these “introspectives” we are treated to talking heads of the performing seals explaining that they would love to win because their wife died in a freak singing accident and it’s what she would have wanted. Or that their granny’s dying wish was for them to sell 2 million singles, have a Christmas Number One, and have all the bitches and hoes and ice and bling swill around their crass “mansion” as they fill their vapid lives with groupies and booze. But then Granny was a bit odd. This emotional broadcasting
is designed to inspire us with a connection to the poor souls and to ‘pick a side’; to draw up battle lines with the world and divide up into camps. “Are you supporting Gary?” “Woo, go Kelly!” “Team Edward, yeah!” But in the end, it’s all a bit like falling in love with the lobsters in the restaurant. Sure they look nice and have character, ambling round their tank, but they ultimately are to be doomed. Doomed to a warm and buttery grave. Finally, we come to the big finals, the three-ringed circus of the live shows! Woo! This is where the X Factor takes on a whole new realm of gitishness. The screaming fans, the placards proclaiming love for Louis, or the wish to bang Tulisa (though frankly, why this needs writing down is beyond me, as it is just a given). And the lights, oh the lights! At a recent bonfire night display, I overheard one child turn to its parent and proclaim, “It’s just like X Factor, Mummy.” To which I sighed and realised that children’s entertainment in the future will just be recording fun things on Sky+ for them to watch. No need to visit the Grand Canyon, I saw it on TV. There won’t be
any strobe lights or backing dancers there will there? It’s all part of the ridiculous routine where the acts battle their way towards the prize, the year-long recording contract with Lord Cowell of Musictown. All this ranting leads me to my point. When I watch the show and see the contestants, I feel hatred or love or indigestion towards them. I yell at the screen when the wrong one walks. I laugh when a bum note is hit. I am enthralled. And I hate it. You can be a cynic, you can pick apart the way they do things and bemoan them. but at the end of the day you are drawn in. You believe in it, and you have your sides and you fight for the winner with your friends, family, press. and the public. The producers have done such a good job that they could screen Sushi Factor, where idiots can ring in and vote for Nigirizushi or bellow at the screen when the Sake is served too hot. And you know what? I bloody would do too.
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BRUNELSTUDENTS.COM/QUESTION We cannot do great things on the earth, only small things like recycle.
Le Nurb - November 2011
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e are the Brunel branch of Abacus, are a society that aims to promote and integrate Chinese culture within Brunel. ABACUS originated at Cambridge ten years ago, and the Brunel branch was founded 7 years ago. It has grown year on year to the size it is now. Our main aims are to highlight the main events in the Chinese calendar and bring together people who enjoy Chinese culture as well as those who wish to learn about it.
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e are an active society that is making every effort to: exhibit our culture, promote education, and encourage fellow students. We provide help and assistance to all (non) members throughout the year. We have won several awards including; Best society of the year 2009, the One World Week awards for 2009/10, the Best Stall Presentation 2009/10, and lots more. Our regular events include lectures, presentations, social and entertainment events, debate sessions, musical concerts. If you are looking for a society that offers both fun and education than you now have found the right one! - Afghan
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runel Anime is a society dedicated to immersing its members in one of Japan’s most popular exports. Anime isn’t just for kids – in fact a lot of it avoids this demographic. Death Note, for example, features a teenager who finds a notebook that allows him to kill someone by just writing their name. We hold screenings every Wednesday from 18:30 in LC062 and show a different series each week before going to The Hub for drinks. Our trips consist of going to places in London, related to our society, the most recent being London Comic Con Expo.
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e are a new society dedicated to all things Biology - some say that being a member is the most fun you can have with your genes on. We are small but mighty, and this is a great chance to meet people with a similar interest, network and most importantly have fun. You may have seen us around campus last year dressed in Velcro suits playing “find my bone/touch my organ” – all in the name of anatomy. We’re heading to the Hunterian Museum next month to check out gruesome anatomy and have a laugh along the way.
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urious about whether there’s more to life then what we see? The Christian Union welcomes anyone and everyone especially those who want to grow in, or just discover more, about the Christian faith. We meet together every Tuesday to learn more about what it means to follow Jesus, and run events throughout the year including our weekly Coffee Stall every Friday night (12-2) on the concourse. Go to our minisite or Facebook group to find details of our events, and look out for ‘Text-a-Toastie’ twice this November!
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runel Conservative Future is Brunel’s largest political party society, with over 40 members this year. Since September, we’ve had dinner with Boris Johnson, drinks with John Randall MP, and have turned heads at Karaoke in Locos with renditions of old favourites (Goldfinger will forever be our theme tune). Our passion for politics and discussions about everything from current affairs to favourite cheese means that there is never a dull moment. We welcome everyone and enjoy working with other societies to engage in healthy debates and joint nights out.
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he Cult Film Society meets every Thursday at 6pm in LC261, where we screen a cult film and then engage in a lively social. If you are interested in experiencing and enjoying alternative films in a friendly environment then the Cult Film Society is perfect for you. We pride ourselves on exhibiting films that other societies won’t show. As well as our standard weekly screening we also do collaborations with other societies and academic departments, and regularly have our screenings introduced by experts. Find us on Facebook under “Brunel University Cult Film Society”!
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his is the second year of Brunel Drama Society and we want to make it a big one! Born at the end of the 09/10 academic year, slowly over time we found our feet and had great success with two key performances, the first being The Jungle Book in One-World-Week, the second being FACE week’s Picnic in the Park. We meet on a weekly basis, Tuesday evenings, holding workshops, looking at different skills. Our door is open to all, so please feel free to come and join in. We are on Facebook, just search Brunel Drama Society and Twitter @BrunelDrama.
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e are the Economics & Finance Society here at Brunel. We organise and present a range of events including Book Trades, Networking Events and Interview Skills Events and talks about Finance Careers. We also run a buddy scheme beneficial to any student who wants a little bit more guidance. Not already a member and want to find out more? Join our society Facebook page at facebook.com/ BrunelEFS, come along to our next event, or just email brunelefs@gmail.com.
lectroniCO is the society that promotes all disciplines within Electronic and Computer Engineering. Since forming earlier this year, we already have a large number of members that enables us to offer great benefits, which include: weekly drop-in sessions, extended lab hours, academic trips. and most importantly social events! ElectroniCO is driven by several positive and incredibly motivated students, who are always looking for new members to bring innovative ideas to help the society evolve. Follow @Electronico_ on Twitter or search for ElectroniCO on Facebook!
If you cannot feed 100 people, just recycle.
ur mission statement this is year is “Producing leaders and encourage unity.” “Producing Leaders” means we are trying to equip the members with the right skills to become leaders and providing them with the confidence to peruse their dreams no matter the situation. ”Encouraging Unity” means we want our society to become more like a family so that we can be a source of support and motivation. Our next upcoming event is Roots, a showcase of different talents. This will include singers, poets, dancers and a play. It will be a great night full of enjoyable entertainment. - ACS
f you like to write, or if you are thinking about it, then come and check out the Creative Writing Society. We meet weekly and do a variety of creative exercises designed to wipe away the fear of beginning a story and aimed towards producing a finished, polished piece of work through constructive seminars led by fellow students. You don’t have to be studying English or even anything remotely connected to the arts; as long as you want to write, to get new ideas and to improve through honest peer feedback, you’re welcome to join us. Mondays, 6-8:30pm, LC062. ello, we are the Education Activist Network. The next generation of university students will be paying up to £9000 a year, college students are losing their EMA and teachers and lecturers are being asked to pay more, work longer and get less when they retire. The result of these attacks on education is that applicants to Brunel are down 24%, teachers and lecturers are going on strike on the 30th of November. The EAN is in direct opposition to making students pay for a crisis of the banks, which will saddle people with debt they may never pay back. ur focus this year is to increase your employability skills, whatever degree you are studying. We continue to host seminars and workshops that can address most of your weaknesses such as public speaking and commercial awareness. As a member, you’ll receive benefits such as support from our establishing contact base and reduced admission to events hosted by our partnered societies around London. We are also affiliated with the PCC to ensure we make your Brunel learning experience worthwhile beyond your studies. Check out our Facebook page for more. - Entrepreneur
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Q8 is the society for Brunel’s mechanical engineering students, with two main objectives in place: to continue to improve links between the students and industry, and to allow students from across the school to interact. To achieve these, we organise company visits, parties and outdoor events. We’ve had a great start to the year securing sponsorship from Cameron and signing up over 200 members. With various trips in the pipeline and our next major party later this month, members need to keep an eye out for emails. Better still, come to a meeting, held Mondays at 17:00 in H139.
society for Brunel’s Film fans who meet each week and screen films suggested by their members. Spanning numerous genres and formats, Film Soc’s tastes are as broad as its membership. If you’ve got a love of film, why not come along and perhaps suggest a favourite film of your own for them to show on Monday night each week at 6pm in the Lecture Centre. For those looking for fresh film experiences, they also help members to organise group trips to local and independent cinemas and Film events (e.g. Secret Cinema).
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ur first year of Brunel Friends of Palestine has kicked off to a great start! The society was created to provide information to any of those students who wish to educate themselves on the situation in Palestine and Israel and to show our support to those Palestinians suffering under an illegal occupation. If this sounds like something you are interested in, or would like to learn more about, you can start by attending our film screening of Channel 4’s four-part drama The Promise. Join our Facebook page and look out for our posters!
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aming Society is the go-to place for anyone at Brunel who enjoys playing video games! LAN events: Bring your PC’s or consoles along to our monthly LAN events for the chance to play your favourite games with other members of the society. Industry speakers: If you’re interested in games development come along to our industry speaker events designed to give you an insight into the world of games development. Bake-off events: Frustrated in halls about games that are blocked? We run bake-off events in collaboration with the Connect Team to get favourite titles unblocked in halls.
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e are a society solely run by the students in conjunction with the National Hindu Students Forum. We aim to provide knowledge about the Hindu religion, to inspire students to embrace and understand the Hindu festivals that we celebrate. We aim to encourage students during our weekly meetings to offer their views and opinions by sharing ideas of what they perceive Hinduism to be. I would also like to take this opportunity to invite you to our very successful annual talent show. For further details, please contact a committee member of the society. - Hindu
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he Jewish society at Brunel University is small, but we do our best to be an active and supportive society. Due to our small size, we focus our energies on being a support group for fellow Jewish students from all backgrounds and levels of observance; helping them with any issues that they may have and enabling them to get in touch with more vibrant Jewish youth communities elsewhere in London. As such, we coordinate religious and social activities with other Jewish societies across London as part of the larger London J-Socs organisation.
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month after being set up, our membership is growing and activity is thriving. No longer can the Conservative Society claim that they are the only active political party on campus. They may temporarily have more members than us, but its quality – not quantity. We have formal and informal meetings; we have socials at least once a week and get involved in national campaigns alongside the Labour Party. This is our chance to have our say against the Government. Don’t let it pass to the next generation. Join the Labour Society, make friends and make a change.
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he Brunel LGBT society has never been in a stronger position. Freshers’ Fayre saw many new faces arrive to the society, which helped kick start the Freshers’ Week events off perfectly. Along with drinks in the Hub and a night out in Soho, Freshers’ Week proved to be a fantastic starter for this years LGBT identifying Freshers. The society has still managed to attend the Loco’s Sunday quiz every week and also embarked on a zombie-fied night out in London for Halloween. With campaigns being planned, the society intends to continue to be a prominent force on campus for years to come.
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editation within the Samatha tradition involves a sustained and imaginative examination of the mind through the medium of breath. It is a technique that has a famous and long genealogy, and the technique is specifically designed to collect and focus the various aspects of the mind and increase its natural levels of concentration whilst reducing agitation and tension, therefore stress. The classes are open to all levels of experience and practitioners are encouraged to develop at their own pace and temperament. Meetings are every Monday in LC011 from 19:30 to 20:30.
e are the newly-created Brunel Nordic Society. We are a society created for Nordic students (I.e. Scandinavian people) and people who are interested in Scandinavia. In this society, we will have fun, generate friendships and learn about each other’s cultures. We have a lot of exciting events coming up: Viking-themed night (pillaging in Uxbridge!), Scandinavian Film Week (every few weeks we will showcase a film from a Scandinavian country), and the tip of the iceberg – a trip to Iceland! In this trip we will get to enjoy the sights and beauty of the capital city Reykjavik.
he Hellenic Society is the centre for all Greek and Philhellene students and staff at Brunel University. With the idea of democracy and freedom of speech coming from the ancient years and adjusting them to today’s life, we follow and share the Greek tradition. The Hellenic Society is trying to maximize students’ experience abroad, without making them feel away from home. Various events are organised throughout the year - the most famous are the “tsiknopempti” dinner (barbeque before the Greek carnival) and the Carnival party. he philosophy of Krishna consciousness is diverse, youthful, and applicable to everyday life. We explore topics such as relationships, tips on studying and habits. It’s not all “talk;” there are so many activities that you can get involved in, including events filled with music, dancing and eating. You can participate in service activities such as painting, feeding homeless people and partaking in productions. The society does regular trips to London Soho and the Manor where you can milk cows and learn how to cook. Trips to Europe, America and India take place annually! The opportunities are endless! veryone who needs it should receive first aid from those around them. No one should suffer for the lack of trained first aiders.” This is the motto of St John’s Ambulance, and we do our very best to uphold this at Brunel LINKS. We are a student wing of St John’s Ambulance, and our aim is to teach essential first aid to as many people as we can. We meet every Monday in the Howell building, room H004 at 7pm. For more information feel free to pop down one night or alternatively send an email to chair@brunellinks.sja. or.uk. hough the Brunel Pakistani Society has struggled over the past couple of years, this year’s officers have a vision, tireless commitment, and a sound plan. We as the new society have integrated communication with our members to be a core aspect of this democratic society. We together have already launched and will continue to launch events that unify, promote and celebrate Pakistan and its culture. We are extremely interested in intersociety partnerships in events and contributions to charity. We invite all of you to join us to create a richer and more vibrant Brunel.
If everyone recycled instead of wanting a new TV, then there’d be happiness.
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e are Brunel People & Planet Society. We learn, discuss and campaign for human rights, animal rights, and the environment. We are part of a UK movement with 70 universities having a People and Planet society. If you want to learn about our world, and standing up for what is right, then get in contact with us: peopleandplanet@brunel.ac.uk or join the Facebook group. We are also supporting our friends in Transition Heathrow, who have changed a scrap yard into a transition green town! Passionate about rights? Can’t stand it when hypocrisy rules? Then join us!
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he Politics Society has witnessed its strongest Freshers’ Week to date. Not only did the society manage to sign up a considerable amount of new members, it also managed to engage students in their third and fourth years with its fantastic events. Firstly, the welcome meeting proved a fantastic way for young Political enthusiasts to meet along with the highly successful course rep elections. The consistent high turnout along with the positive reaction from staff at the University can only mean the society will go from strength to strength.
t the Polish Society, we aim to help Polish students stay in touch with, and students of non-Polish origin to learn about, Polish culture. We are organising an evening at a Polish restaurant this weekend and plan to do many other events celebrating the culture of our motherland. This involves celebrating holidays, which are exclusively Polish, as well as enjoying international holidays “the Polish way” (which doesn’t mean by getting drunk!). We encourage all students to get involved with the society, and our main focus is to gather all Brunel students of Polish origin together.
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la! We are the Portuguese & Spanish Speaking Society. It is our first year as a society and we are very excited. We organise nights out with everyone involved with the society. As well as get them started with Portuguese and Spanish lessons. In future we will organise more nights to know about the background of each country that speak Portuguese and Spanish as well as dance lessons and getting involved in charity events. We are also looking forward for the 5th of December, when we will have a party at the Academy. Everyone is welcome to join.
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runel PsychSoc is a relatively newly formed group. Our aim is to ensure members get the most they can out of us. We already had some fantastic events like our spooky trip to Thorpe park fright night & a slammin’ social at Loco’s. We ensure provision of psych fun, academic help, and inclusivity to members. We hope to be running conferences culminating in a special speech by a motivational speaker. We have a pub quiz fundraiser, fun revision sessions & freaky Fridays planned. So make the most of Brunel and enjoy Psychology!
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runel Research Society was established in May by two Brunel Business School researchers, A. Nazarian and B. Behzadan. The society targets all Brunel PhD candidates followed by postgraduate students. BRS spotted the large numbers of researchers at Brunel that have no centre to get together, socialise and share knowledge regardless of their field of research. Free membership encourages all Brunel researchers to become a member and get linked through BRS. 6-8.30pm, LC062, or find out more at brunelstudents.com/research.
ou would think we are about rock climbing or rock music. Although, we can help you get over some of the mountains in your life. I’m talking metaphorically here, however, because we are a support group Christian society. The Rock Foundation aims to help Christians of all kinds grow spiritually but also support them emotionally and academically. Come and enjoy God’s word, with lively worship every Monday. Those without faith or have questions about Christianity can come at any time. We often have meeting in the Hub and have meals out. LC267, Mondays, 6-7.15pm.
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e are RocSoc, Brunel’s society for anyone who appreciates or is interested in rock and alternative music. Our members range from those who listen to metal to those whose prefer indie (we even forgive Bieber fans). Every Thursday we have a casual social in Locos from 8pm; we regularly attend rock and metal club nights across London. We’re aiming to get a group together for Download festival this year, or Sonisphere for those hardcore Metallica fans. Our membership only costs £3.50, so no excuses for not joining up!
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runel’s Sociology & Communication Media Society (SocCom) is run by students, for students. While independent from the School of Social Sciences, we have their full support and cooperation. We welcome all Undergraduate and Postgraduate students who are interested in taking part, and our membership fee is just £3.50. We aim to ensure that there is a balance between academic and social life by providing you with a chance to network and gain employment information and opportunities. Essentially, SocCom offers an interactive space for our members to form a stronger cohort and voice for Sociology & Communications issues at Brunel.
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runel Tamil Society is a young and dynamic group of students who are united by their culture. With language being no barrier, Brunel Tamil Society is proud of its membership coming from all kinds of ethnicities. With many social and cultural events such as the upcoming BTS Dinner & Dance at the end of November or the ‘Pongal’ Festival (Tamil New Year), Brunel Tamil Society caters for everyone fostering a fantastic atmosphere whilst remaining connected to the roots of their culture. If you’d like to get involved or simply enjoy the events, contact cb09aav@brunel.ac.uk.
runel Tea Society meets every other Wednesday, between 5-7pm in the Isambard Amenities Building. Our society meets with the aim of discovering new teas and enjoying tea in a relaxed atmosphere. We are proud to boast over 40 different types of tea within our collection and welcome new members at any time! If you like drinking tea or just want to see what Tea Society is all about, find us on Facebook (Brunel Tea Society) or email TeaSociety@ brunelstudents.org.uk.
he Socialist & Progressive Society is a society dedicated to socialist thought. We welcome membership from all schools socialist and progressive backgrounds from left leaning individuals up to Marxists and everything in between. If you are interested in equality and social justice or are critical of the current power structure both domestically and globally, then this is for you. We seek to educate and inform on domestic and international issues, through a mutual exchange of ideas and interpretations by way of in house debates, documentaries, talks by all and any members and speakers from within and outside the University. OWS is Brunel’s very first wargames society, devoted to playing table-top wargames and collectible card games. We welcome any game from these categories from Warhammer and Blood Bowl to Flames of War and Warmachine. We also have Magic: The Gathering, the most popular collectible card game played at our meetings. Members are encouraged to bring along new games and if you’ve never played one of our games before, we’ll happily teach you! Additionally, we run RPG campaigns throughout the year. BOWS is on every Wednesday from 6-9pm in LC005.
All text supplied by the society exec teams. Text may have been edited due to space limits. You can find out more about all our societies (there’s others, too!) at brunelstudents.com.
Recycling is only a dirty trick played on us to achieve the continuation of the species.
November 2011 - Le Nurb
ARTS & REVIEWS 17
Mylo Xyloto Coldplay RELEASED
October 24th LENGTH
44:09 LABEL
Parlophone Samantha Loveridge Coldplay bassist Guy Berryman said in 2009 “it’s time to take our music down different directions and really explore other avenues”. At first look, the introductions of electronic elements, instrumental linking passages within the title track, M.M.I.X and A Hopeful Transmission, plus the collaboration with Rihanna on the Princess of China seem to fulfil Berryman’s prophecy. But is Mylo Xyloto much more than that? Of course it is: a resounding yes. Coldplay seem to have used Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends as a sounding board for the new album. Mylo Xyloto is a reinstatement of the euphoric hooks and heart-warming ballads that have made the band what they are today. Charlie Brown is your epitome of a Coldplay song, with the true song breaking forth from a pianissimo section, thus reinforcing Coldplay’s well-practiced understanding of a change of dynamics making a powerful song. Second single Paradise begins with a full minute of glorious instrumental harmonies, with church organs and violins melting into what turns out to be a story
of escapism. The idea is simple; closing your eyes to the realities of life to dream of paradise, but in that simplicity is a haunting quality that is built through the songs attention to tension. I can only imagine how powerful it will be live. Us Against the World’s simple piano and guitar accompaniment allows the lyrics to sound with power. Front man Chris Martin said old-school American graffiti and the anti-Nazi pacifist White Rose Movement inspired the song, and you can hear the references in lines such as “just erodes us and see roses in the rain”. This, alongside Up in Flames, is the key ballad on the album. Princess of China jars a little with the other songs, as the sudden intrusion of a more disco-centric beat seems in discordance with the whole. It seems like Rihanna’s introduction is more of a plug to increase record sales than a valid creative venture. VERDICT Throughout the album is the “whoa-ou” chant the band made famous with Viva la Vida, and serves to reiterate the fact that it seems to be Coldplay’s sound signature (at least for the present). Martin stressed the idea of “being free to be yourself and to express yourself among negative surroundings”, and I retain that the new album is a success because it has adhered to the old adage of: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. 88888
Fools & Worthless Liars Deaf Havana
radio1interactive
Chris Martin.
RELEASED
November 6th LENGTH
46:49 LABEL
Wolf At Your Door, BMG
Chloe Chaplin
Jon Partridge There has been a certain sense of fear and uncertainty leading up to Deaf Havana’s sophomore album and first release on a major label, mostly regarding the new direction they have taken since the departure of one of their members in 2010. Yet there has also been a great feeling of admiration and longing for this new record, to see how far they have come over the past few years, as well as to see how they have matured. ‘Fools and Worthless Liars’ is everything that the band has wanted to be, mature in style, subtle, electric and containing none of the gimmicks of their previous releases. Not being quite the 100% pure post-hardcore band of old, and instead becoming more along the lines of alternative hard rock, the album still allows its own character to shine through. James Veck-Gilodi, having to step up with front man duties, takes it all in his stride. Alongside writing mature and enduring lyrics with great musical skill, his performance
James Veck-Gilodi. The only thing that interferes with my learning is my recycling.
shows us how he has gone from sharing the lead spotlight to taking it all for his own. Album opener ‘The Past Six Years’ is nothing like they have written or performed before, and is a joy to hear, referring to the album title in all its glory. Future gig favourite ‘I Will Try’ has a great hook to sing along to, and lead single ‘I’m A Bore, Mostly’ shows off exactly what the band can do and how far they have come since their debut EP. ‘Hunstanton Pier’, ‘Anemophobia’ and ‘The World or Nothing’ rounds off their varied skills and wide range of style, whilst the finishing track ‘Fifty Four’ leaves us with a song that shows what the future holds for Deaf Havana. VERDICT There is not a single filler track on the album, as each song carries on to the next in strong form, remaining positively consistent throughout the album from start to finish. The whole album itself is a testament to the British music scene, showing we are capable of moving forward through difficult times and creating something amazing through sheer hard work. Through this alone, it’s definitely worth a listen. 88888
Le Nurb - November 2011
18 ARTS & REVIEWS
iDestroy Apple Products Chrissie Gomez If you are a huge fan of Apple and all their good-looking technology (let’s be honest, that’s the main reason we buy them) then look away now. San Francisco-area graphic designer Michael Tompert has definitely pushed the limit in art as he showcases probably his most expensive piece of work to date. I think the first question that springs to mind after looking at these images is “What on earth was he thinking?” Well for starters, Tompert claims that the aim behind his work is to draw out the relationship between people and this craze for wanting the latest gadget on the market. “It’s not about destroying old products. It’s about our relationship with the new” so he says. Admittedly this message does come across pretty strong, as the first thing I felt when I saw this was complete devastation. And then I thought about what could have been of that brand new iPad, which is now shattered into liquidized pieces and its mangled body being photographed.* A bizarre piece of work that certainly shocks the public upon first glance and plunges into the
Michael Tompert
And it still works better than any other tablets. bonds that connect us with these technological giants. It’s a feeling that is difficult to let go of when we have relied on these products
for so many years. As with all crazy art, Tompert’s inspiration for this came from a crazy experience. Two of his
sons were fighting over a game on the iPod Touch, of which they had received as a Christmas present. The fight got so out of
London International Technology Show 2011 Matt Smith
Matt Smith Between the 21st and 23rd of October, the ExCel Centre played host to the very first London International Technology Show – a convention aimed at showcasing the best and most up-to-date hardware and software when it comes to computing and gaming, along with a look at some past greats and some other interesting demonstrations, too. It was easy to feel underwhelmed
when donning a wristband and walking into the unit occupied by the show. The website touted LITS as ‘the ultimate showcase for all that is great in the technology market’ and the number of stalls didn’t really match the mental picture that this bold claim painted. An initial walk around confirmed these fears. There were a few stands with their own presentation stages, a lot of pricey components to gaze longingly at, and several
mildly interesting exhibits, including a look back at the history of Apple, water-cooling systems, and various gaming setups – the most impressive of which was a 3D Silverstone racing game. Perhaps the biggest flaw in the design of LITS was that it was billed as a consumer event. Technology fans approach such conventions hoping to grab a bargain, or even just pay through the nose for something a bit special. Neither
hand that Tompert grabbed the iPod and threw it to the ground. The impact was so strong, the iPod was completely smashed and beyond repairable. But what stunned Tompert (not so much the kids; they were still shocked by what their father had done) was that the iPod began to leak a mercury-looking liquid. And much to everyone’s surprise, Tompert reached for his camera (his wife was hoping he would reach for the dustpan but that’s just wishful thinking) and took a photo of it. And so looking at these images it is clear that this was not done accidentally. Tompert was very sure when he decided to shoot bullet holes into his iPhone. He was very sure when he wanted to fry his 3rd generation iPods in the deep fat fryer. The idea may seem bonkers at first. But really what we can also say about Tompert’s efforts is that he is probably one of the bravest and daring artists that we will ever come across. *Note: For what it’s worth, I got over my devastation quickly as I remembered that I’m a student and would never have been able to afford an iPad anyway.
TV app Zeebox launches in UK of these wishes was fulfilled at the show. There was nothing on sale that you wouldn’t realistically expect to find in your local branch of PC World, and the prices weren’t any cheaper either. As for side attractions, the main stage hosted a series of debates on various topics, including a discussion about the advantages of iOS and Android, but loud music from a couple of the stalls even made this difficult to follow. In a corner at the back of the convention was a Top Gear simulator, where fans could part with a fair amount of their money to spend two laps in the company of the Stig. However, it just seemed a little too expensive for what it was. LITS has potential. For a show in its first year, it attracted a fair number of big name brands. However, there were far too many standard gaming setups around – most people can play FIFA or Call Of Duty in their own homes – and there were some rather obscure stalls, including one selling decorative helixes, and another (which somehow had the biggest crowd I saw at the show) demonstrating DIY tools. The London International Technology Show will grow year by year, and will (hopefully) eventually reach the heights promised by the event’s website. However, as far as this year’s show went, it simply wasn’t worth the £10 entry fee.
There’s a fine line between recycling and standing there not recycling.
Matt Smith UK television fanatics will be now be able to experience a whole new way of watching their favourite programmes with the release of Zeebox – an app the augments the viewing experience with information and interaction. Available both on the iPad and in-browser on users’ computers, the app provides dynamic television schedules, information about programmes and actors, and ways to watch shows with friends remotely. Zeebox uses viewers’ Facebook accounts to keep up with their friends, and can even be used as a ‘digital remote’ with top-of-therange smart TVs. It also informs users of how popular programmes are, and who’s watching. If a viewer was watching Doctor Who, for example, they could see when other episodes are on, invite friends to watch with them, discuss the episode via social networks, and find information about the show. Features from other websites, such as tags, news feeds, and Wikipedia’s definitions, are all included to provide a rounded service that neatly augments TV viewers’ experiences. GET ZEEBOX Zeebox is available now via the iTunes Store for iPad, and at zeebox.com for in-browser use. An iPhone app is on the way.
November 2011 - Le Nurb
ARTS & REVIEWS 19
Can Batman be beaten?
The gaming addiction
Batman: Arkham City. Ricky Compton Batman: Arkham Asylum was one of the best games of 2009, winning multiple Game of the Year Awards and showing how superhero games should be made. Now it’s 2011 and Rocksteady are back with Batman: Arkham City. The storyline follows on from Arkham Asylum, and a year later there are some major changes. Following the security issues in Arkham Asylum, Quincy Sharp (now mayor of Gotham City) buys up half of the city and walls it off to create a large open-air prison, and giving prisoners free reign as long as they don’t try to escape from the ‘city’. Bruce Wayne is captured and put into Arkham City for political disturbance, but then uses his alias as Batman to keep a vigil on the city. The game brings in a large line-up of the DC universe’s cast including The Joker, Robin, Catwoman, Bane, Two-Face, Penguin, Mr Freeze, Poison Ivy and many more who speak to you over communications. The game world is five times bigger than Arkham Island, and like all prisoners you have free reign. The game controls almost like the old (good) Spiderman games, with the ability to glide and grapple around the city. The combat system is very familiar for players of Arkham Asylum with the additions of new multiple-
enemy counters and an increased number of gadgets that can be used for combat. The combat is still as satisfying, if not more so, than Arkham Asylum. This makes the game highly enjoyable and gives a reason to drop down off the rooftop to pummel goons’ faces into floors, walls and each other. The challenge modes are similar to the previous game but now also come bundled into ‘Campaigns’ which group three challenges together to form one ‘Campaign challenge’. These can be attempted with Batman and (if you have the codes) Catwoman and Robin. VERDICT The environment looks stunning and atmospheric, the character line-up is incredibly strong and the characterisation and growth of each character is deeper than many other recent games. Overall it definitely deserves all of the incredible reviews it’s been given and I believe that it will overtake its predecessor in the amount of awards it’ll win. So that’s the challenge for other publishers...can Batman be beaten, or is he the ultimate videogame superhero? I think he is. 88888
Ricky Compton Game addiction is a controversial topic, so let’s poke right at the weak spot of this topic and address World of Warcraft. The game has more than 12 million registered users and has up to 3-4 million players on their servers at any one time. Many of these players have been playing the game for years, and while I no longer play (I played for around a year back during college) I know many people who were playing before me and who are still playing. Why? Well one of my friends gave me an argument that offsets what I saw as the mindnumbing repetition of end-game content. He says: “The thing that addicts me is the desire to be the best. When you complete the game, the game’s general storyline offers you no challenge. Now you’re playing to be better than other people. There’s a desire to go into dungeons and raids and outperform everyone else. And if you can’t do it, repetition is the only way you can get better
things to get you there.” However, World of Warcraft is only the extreme of gaming addiction, and many other games have addicting qualities without the adverse publicity. For example, Batman: Arkham City was released last month and at the time of writing I’ve owned the game for three days and played 12 hours of gameplay. I am a self-proclaimed gaming addict, and not to a single game, but to the medium in genre, and so here’s what I believe are the ‘Top 3’ ways in which games and developers create healthy addiction.
what your objective is. Usually it’s simply ‘win’.
Replay Value: This is the quality that certain games have where you feel like you can continue playing after completing the game; either end-game content or the desire to start over. Best games: Sports and Shooters (especially multiplayer). Why? They usually require more skill and less attention, you don’t need to ‘follow’ events or remember where you’re going or
Immersion: This one’s the biggie, immersion is a game’s ability to put you in the shoes of your character. Best Games: First-person RPGs (Oblivion, Fallout, Borderlands). Why? You are the character, you can’t see yourself (in most cases) and so the characters speak through the screen and you feel directly involved.
Feelings Zein Owfar Today seems like the start of another promising day. Today instilled this present me with belief in people. & Today made me feel tranquil and took away the feeling of melancholy autumn is said to bring. I feel all jolly inside, like my happy emotions are having a party. But, I guess it’s the autumn air humbling my insecure passenger. I’m ok with this journey though, and my memories from last night seem a little hazy.
I mean, I’m not surprised. A night out with my friends is sure to turn out spectacular. The whole thing started in my room. Everyone dressed up nice. It was crazy And that food I had after was mad tasty. Plus, I got to spend the night with angel. So I turn over, and she’s laying there, with her long silky blondish hair. Her eyes are shut, she looks so peaceful and I’m amazed. I hug her tighter and as I shut my eyes, I see her. And I guess you can say that she’s sort of like a sweet dream.
A sweet dream that you never want to end. I mean, she turns the nightmares into fairytales. You can say she’s sort of like rare gem that you never want to lose. I guess, she’s like the perfect autumn day, the crispy cold in the air, leaves falling on the ground, And she makes everything magnificent. So let me leave you with this Showing your emotions make you a stronger person. Only the weak hide behind theirs like a curtain. So be proud of your actions. And don’t listen to those cretins who try to bring you down.
Veronica Grubb Imagine there’s a box. And inside that box is God. You can look inside, but be killed instantly afterwards, or live without knowing what’s waiting in the dark. The question of this box dominates the set of Mike Bartlett’s newest play 13, in which everyone wakes up at the exact same time having had the exact same dream - or rather nightmare. At the centre of a swiftly moving re-imagining of nightmarish current events (student protests, war in the Middle East, riots), is John, a question in himself. A man who stands upon a bucket in the park preaching the power of belief, and rallying immense support as an Internet sensation, Bartlett illustrates the place that social media plays in
uniting our ‘protest’ generation. John (a Welsh William Wallace played enigmatically by Trystan Gravelle) becomes the messiah of a new-age belief system: the power of the individual, working together for common good. John argues that belief makes the individual and it is this multiplicity which the characters thrive upon as a unit and gives this play an incredible vivacity which absolutely captures this decade. One could argue that the cast and content is far too sprawling for any emotional engagement to leak through but the vignettes are so sophistically interwoven and extremely engaging to a relevant viewer (i.e. I could have started a student riot then and there). Bartlett’s play is one that makes you want to scream out (or like the pensioner does, throw a trolley at a bank) for the state we’re in. This is drastically contrasted with the stasis of the second half, more parliament than play, as John and the Tory Prime Minister debate the dichotomy of the country: is it right for thousands to die at war, if it will perhaps save thousands from death by nuclear weapons?
The thing hidden in the box is this grey area: the distinction between right and wrong. Mark Henderson’s moody blue lighting illustrates the dominating political backdrop throughout that is exactly that: a filter. The PM, played spot on by Geraldine James, is the manager of right and wrong, not the bringer, and must make unpopular compromises. As a reflection of this dose of reality, Thea Sharrock’s abstract conception of 13 terrifies the viewer with the idea of democracy is little more than a dream. Tom Scutt’s towering design captures the unease of events translated through the dark, hard images of insomnia. Thankfully the edgy animation of 13 reminds us that perhaps we have finally woken up and won’t let this nightmare haunt us any longer.
13
Lost property in your recycling is often never found again.
Downloadable Content (DLC) and Expansions: A fairly recent scheme to go mass market, but within the last five years the concept has rapidly grown and it’s now rare to see a retail release that doesn’t boast future DLC. Best Games: Red Dead Redemption or World of Warcraft. Why? These games offer more than simple map packs or bonus outfits. These give you intriguing new storylines and new perks to continue your experience and improve your existing character.
VERDICT The artful combination of Sharrock and Bartlett is so contemporary there’s a Boris bike onstage and a pensioner singing Rihanna. 13 is simply unmissable, and is contextually the play of the decade. 88888
Le Nurb - November 2011
20 ARTS & REVIEWS
The show must go on
Ricky Gervais:
Lewis Sluman How important is ‘production’ to a live performance? This question can only really be answered by personal preference, but do not despair, music fans, as that at least allows room for thought. Would you rather have costume changes, flashing lights, an on stage band/orchestra and confetti cannon at the end or a stripped back performance with plain beams of light? I guess it all depends on what you want to take away from a performance and who you are there to see. Also, that small matter of how much you paid for the ticket. You might love an artist more than anyone else and be willing to pay hundreds of pounds to see them play for an hour and a half, but if they came onstage, did their bit, and went off – would you really feel you’ve got your money’s worth? I recently bought tickets off eBay to see City and Colour with my girlfriend at the Camden Roundhouse, and what we saw was somewhere in between the two extremes. A truly amazing voice combined with the best light show I’ve ever seen at a concert; somehow the movement and change of colours were able to depict the mood and atmosphere of a song in an instant. It was so much more effective than I thought conceivable, as I’d never really considered lights that important within the context of a concert. The primary purpose of them is to allow the audience to see the artist. This was definitely the best example of using both sides of the production coin and one I hope I to
Aaron Brown There is no stopping Ricky Gervais at the moment. The comedy writer and actor best known for his portrayal of David Brent in The Office ten years ago, now has his fingers in an unbelievable amount of ‘showbiz pies’. However, the actor recently got into trouble after he persistently using the term ‘mong’ on online social networking site Twitter. Gervais argued that the origins of the word were no longer significant, as he believed that the meaning had changed, insisting that he was not using the word to refer to people with Down’s Syndrome. However, the media lashed out at Gervais, and he has since issued an apology to anyone who may have been offended by his use of the term. Ricky Gervais is not new to controversy. Having hosted the Golden Globes for the past two years now, he has received criticism in America for his grilling of some of the biggest celebrities in Hollywood. However, despite the media melodrama that followed the award show, with newspapers claiming that actors were deeply offended, nobody at the award show found Gervais funny and that he would never work in Hollywood again, Ricky has been officially invited back to host in 2012. As the Golden Globes demonstrates it seems impossible to slow Gervais down. The Ricky Gervais Show, an animated program which uses audio from the
Natalia Balcerska
Dallas Green. see a lot more of in the future. Other performers prefer grand stage designs, props, fireworks, etc. and although it can be clever and add an extra element, I would argue ‘is it necessary?’ I guess the answer is dependent on the artist. Are they about ‘the fun’, solely about the voice or something different entirely? Does a grand show hide other faults, or does it only exist to improve the experience? Certain venues may not physically have the capabilities to carry out an artist’s wish list. For example, the O2 Arena would be able to do more physically than the likes of the Hammersmith Apollo. Which is usually reflected in the
ticket price difference for whatever venue the concert takes place at, at least we hope it is fairly reflected! Large events such as Reading and Leeds Festival are able to charge a premium because of the amount of bands on show but they are also the perfect showcase for stage adaptations. Extravagances such as rotating platforms alongside fifty foot video screens - basically everything is possible besides the stage taking off from the ground. Although, maybe next year, eh? This may be a purely rhetorical question but I guess now I have to decide whether I replicate it as a huge neon sign, or leave it be.
strength to strength record breaking podcast Gervais recorded with Stephen Merchant and Karl Pilkington over four years ago, has recently had a third and fourth season green-lighted. An Idiot Abroad is going from strength to strength and recently attracted Sky’s highest viewing figures ever. It is also to be shown in America in early 2012 where it has a cult following on the Science channel. Finally, a decade after Ricky Gervais started his career on the small screen with BBC comedy The Office, he returns with lanky cowriter Stephen Merchant to write, direct and star in a new comedy following the life of dwarf actor Warwick Davis. Life’s Too Short will take on the fake-documentary style that Gervais and Merchant pioneered ten years ago but will have the showbiz focus that their follow-up series Extras introduced, with guest stars from Hollywood make appearances and portraying comedy versions of themselves. The show promises to be of the high quality and cringe inducing nature that Gervais has become known for. But what does the future hold for Gervais? With a Christmas special of An Idiot Abroad, another series of Life’s Too Short, a series being written with the creator of Dexter about an atheist dying and going to heaven, a new stand-up show entitled ‘Humanity’ and a secret casting going on at the moment for a sitcom called Derek, Gervais is taking full advantage of his seemingly unstoppable popularity at the moment.
20 years in fashion - congratulations, Christian Louboutin Emma I’Anson Ever since I started reading Vogue I have wanted a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes; there’s just something about the red sole that is so sexy that I can understand why most women want a pair and why the women who have a pair flaunt them. His red soles are so iconic that there is currently a lawsuit with the designer YSL over them using red soles on their shoes in their most recent collection. Christian Louboutin celebrated his 20 years in the fashion business at a cocktail party with
Baby it’s cold outside
the likes of Blake Lively and the Olsen Twins. To celebrate Mr. Louboutin himself has also designed 20 pairs of limited edition, signed heels for the store Barneys in New York, which are retailing at the price of $3,995. It may seem expensive to most people for a pair of shoes but for Louboutins you’re not only guaranteed style and sexiness, you’re also getting comfort too as his shoes are one of the best made shoes on the market. In an interview with fabsugar.com in early November Christian Louboutin was asked
“What shoe are you dying to see on every woman’s foot this season?” His reply: “A beautiful low-cut pump. Low-cut in the front and almost the colour of your skin so it can completely disappear or in black so you can wear it with different colours”. So for all you sexy fashionistas out there, I’d recommend you start heading out to the stores to find some gorgeous low cut nude pumps for the Christmas Party season and make Christian Louboutin proud!
Emma I’Anson Now that winter is drawing near, the shops have their Christmas decorations up, the lights have gone up in Oxford Circus and Starbucks have their Christmas cups in it’s time to start wrapping up and putting away the bare legs. I know plenty of people hate the winter season and Christmas but I am no Stcrooge and it is my favourite time of the year. I find the fashion in winter to be beautiful and adventurous with a
mixture of faux furs, glitter and beautiful colours, however some people just seem to give up in the winter season. Even though it’s colder and you’re putting on more layers and wrapping up it doesn’t mean you give up on your fashion essentials. If you’re feeling like wearing black due to the dreary weather go for it, but before you do, purchase or look through your wardrobe for some standout, killer accessories. Anything from jewellery, hats, statement bags
erichazann
Christian Louboutin Red & Gold Rhinestone Pumps. or scarves will do. The must have autumn/winter essentials that I have seen popping around the high street are: fluffy earmuffs, faux fur hats, leopard print handbags, big shopper totes, oversized scarves and novelty earrings. Now, not every fashionable lady out there is a non-winter lover, but for any of you out there who are feeling the chill and not wanting to join in with the festivities, don’t hide away.
I may have the body of a woman but I recycle like a concrete elephant.
Go for it, embrace the season fashions and try something new. One of the best-selling items in all high street shops is the oversized knitted jumper and I am sure you’ll find one that will suit you. Topshop may be overpriced but it is one of my favourites for knitwear, especially if you’re looking for something a little quirky. I still regret not getting the maroon coloured reindeer sweater that they sold last winter.
November 2011 - Le Nurb
RADIO BRUNEL 21
Updated timetable and brand new shows Sam Lester Hello Le Nurb readers and welcome to the other side of student media Radio Brunel! The start of a new year brings, as always, a brand new timetable. At this point we’ve just about got it sorted out and this time it’s totally full - shows every day from midday to midnight. There’s plenty of new shows in there that we’re really excited about as well as the classics that you’ve come to know and love over the past few years. Check it out here in print or get more information online at our website (radiobrunel.com).
Also, be sure to keep an eye out (or should that be ear out) for our featured shows, listed below. They’re really good and a great way to start listening to the station. Thanks for listening and if you’ve got anything to tell us about what you think just get in touch remember it’s your Radio Brunel, we couldn’t do it without you! LISTEN LIVE Listen live to our awesome new shows as well as the old classics on the website: www.radiobrunel.com/listen.
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Monday
Rockeando en Espanol
Zeeno’s jam
Just Play
Erin’s Everything
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Tall Short and Ginger
Don’t Panic
Nightmare on Nine Elms
Tuesday
Radio Lols
It’s Good To Talk
Probably Never Heard
Keeno Fever
Shooting Holes
Audible Chocolate
Audio Kings
The Smash Up
Wednesday
LFO
Dedication
The Eclectic Show
I-N-V-U
The Early Evening Show
Tom Scott and Josh
Live In The Tr3house
No Paradise
Thursday
Chicken Brunel
Musical Therapy
Jazz Hour
The Music Museum
Roc Soc Radio
Unsigned with James Innes
3guys1mic
Tidal Wav
Friday
Eaves Drop
The Niche
Brunel Questions
Songywood
JPV
Dance Brunel Dance
Brunel ACS
Closh
This month’s featured shows lfo
radio lols
musical therapy
zeeno’s jam
closh
Brand new to Radio Brunel, Ollie de Kretser presents LFO, the only place to find the best and the brightest dubstep and drum & bass music to kick start your day. From big drops to chilled beats, mainstream to undiscovered, LFO has it all with each show including a featured artist and remix of the week. So whether you are a fan of bass heavy music or not, tune in and discover something new that you will undoubtedly love.
Radio Lols brings the art of comedy to a different media format whereby a combination of Jonny’s one liners and Sam Berry’s anecdotes create the perfect radio show to cheer you up and get you laughing. The shows are usually themed and some of the ones we have already done have included us stranded on a desert island with random objects. It’s not all just chat as we play music from comedians such as Tim Minchin and The Flight of the Conchords.
You’re on campus, it’s crowded, and all you can think is that you have far too much work to do. Well, you need Musical Therapy. For refreshingly calming music that soothes the soul and inspires the mind, check it out. You’ll find yourself letting go of the tensions of student life, feeling refreshed, and maybe even discovering the odd song that you can recognise but could never name. Supplying the classier side of Radio Brunel; Musical Therapy is the thing currently missing from your afternoons!
Zeeno’s Jam is an eccentric and fun new show that has already showcased the talent Brunel has to offer and hopes to continue doing so. The show has already had poets and musicians on so tune in for raw and awesome talent. The show also discusses pressing topics that we all think about but never actually talk about. There is also the chance for you to be a guest on the show - just get in touch. Also, prizes are given away every week, so please do tune in to win!
Looking for the new up and coming Indie/Alternative music or maybe just a few songs you cringe about but secretly love?! If you reacted with a smile on your face whilst reading this, then Closh is the show for you. If no smile, we’ll take that as confusion… meaning you should still tune in! With presenter Clodagh Moriarty & co-host Josh Hancock setting out EVERY week to inspire, guide and reveal all the latest and greatest in the Indie music scene, what more could you possibly want?
wednesdays 12-1pm
thursdays 1-2pm
tuesdays 12-1pm
mondays 1-2pm
Don’t worry about a thing, everything is gonna be recycled.
fridays 11-midnight
Le Nurb - November 2011
22 COFFEE BREAK
COFFEE BREAK Wordfinder
Sudoku Difficulty: 55555
Difficulty: 55555
5 9
2 5
7 7
2
9 4 8
9
9
7
1 6 2
5 9
4
2
3
1 9
1
5
6
6 5
3
2
6
8
2
6
7 8
5
4
9
A
3
7
1
4
8 9
4
2
8
3
6
7 7
6
7
6 4
Difficulty: 55555 Find as many words as possible using letters from the grid. The words must be four letters or more, and contain the central letter, but each letter may not be used more than once. There is at least one word that uses all nine letters in the grid.
Medium
Beginner
3
6
1
T
B
T U
L
A
D
E
5 Ratings: 12-16 average
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Numberdrums Maze of Awesome 17-22 good
23-28 excellent
29 godlike
Difficulty: 55555
Difficulty: 55555
Use all the numbers in the outer ring to make the target number. You can add, subtract, multiply or divide them - and use brackets - to reach your solution.
Enter at the top. Exit at the bottom. There’s dead ends in there, too - best to avoid them.
1.
2.
95
2
264
45 11
85 3
3.
457
30
6
5 6
17
9
78
1
4.
65
1
62
20 16
5 6
330
45 7
2 4
When you smoke the herb, it reveals you to recycling.
November 2011 - Le Nurb
COFFEE BREAK 23
Mensa Corner
Horoscopes
7
6 5 24
4
29 28
3 26
30
27
2
32
15
B
LEO (July 23-August 22)
You will mistake pasta sauce for your deodorant this week. Try not to move too vigorously or you may begin to give off an Italian vibe.
VIRGO (August 23-September 21)
Two wrongs do not make a right. They just mean that you will have to take a longer turn being punished by Tickler Jim, who likes feet.
LIBRA (September 22-October 22)
Temptation looms high over the agenda today as you suddenly notice that your colleague has rather a nice bottom and appears to make you need to stare at it. You should be wary. They have quite a slap on them.
SCORPIO (October 23-November 21)
A thought hits you. After this, you’ll be overcome with joy. Trees sing, birds sway. The world will seem like your oyster and children will pick posies especially for you. You have found your one true love – yourself. You’re the best you could get.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21)
You will be plagued by people in a good mood. Stay miserable. It will help when the Rapture comes.
CAPRICORN (December 22-January 20)
Never call anyone ‘babes’. Or I will make you find all the members of the boy band Blue and sleep with them.
AQUARIUS (January 21-February 19)
Do not put all of your eggs in one basket. Leave them in the carton the supermarket provides. That is common sense.
PISCES (February 20-March 20)
On Wednesday, a storm will carry you off to a magical land. You will meet three friends and battle against a witch, only to be told by a wizard that your shoes can get you home again. After this you will vow never to do acid again.
13
14
STEP TWO Colour-by-letters, using the key below. Difficulty: 55555
A
Being an astrologist is cool. Like, well cool. The number I am thinking of is twelve. This isn’t the number you are thinking of, especially if you aren’t thinking of a number.
12 18
17
CANCER (June 22-July 22)
11
19
33
16
Some people may look down on you for your dirty habits. These people are prudes, though. The office kitchen bin is the only one big enough for you to empty the hair trap from your shower anyway.
20
34 1
GEMINI (May 22-June 21)
10
31
C
You will be fine until suddenly you are not.
9
21
B
25
TAURUS (April 21-May 21)
8
A
22
23
With the wedding dial at an all-time low and the polite banter on a middling scale it seems that pretty girl only wants a chat. It’s not me, it’s the dials.
ARIES (March 21-April 20)
STEP ONE Join the dots, from 1 to 34. Difficulty: 55555
C
PLAY AND WIN! First correct submission sent to the Editor wins their choice of prize from the Nurb Stash - either: one free copy of Le Nurb, OR
one mango, OR
one tin of pineapple chunks. Closing date: Nov 30. No prize substitutes. Maximum 100 entries/person.
Solutions One of these photos shows Boris Johnson looking happy and playing a guitar. The other shows a pizza.
Numberdrums
4. (4 x 45) + (2 x 78) - (7 - 1) = 330.
Wordfinder
Beginner Sudoku
3. (65 - 20) x 1 + 16 + 6 - 5 = 62. 2. (85 x 5) + 30 + 17 - (9 + 6) = 457. 1. (95 x 2) + 45 + (6 x 3) + 11 = 264.
abut, abutted, adulate, adult, baud, beau, blue, blued, butt, butte, butted, daub, debut, dual, duel, duet, laud, lube, lubed, lute, tableau, tabulate, tabulated, taut, tauted, tuba, tubae, tube, tubed.
8 3 1 7 5 9 6 2 4
6 9 4 2 3 8 1 7 5
5 2 7 6 4 1 9 8 3
2 5 3 8 9 4 7 1 6
7 4 8 3 1 6 5 9 2
1 6 9 5 7 2 3 4 8
4 8 5 1 6 7 2 3 9
3 1 2 9 8 5 4 6 7
9 7 6 4 2 3 8 5 1
Medium Sudoku
Maze of Awesome
29 godlike 23-28 excellent 17-22 good 12-16 average Ratings: lbc
Difference
Spot the Difference
8 2 4 7 3 9 1 5 6
6 3 5 8 1 4 7 9 2
1 9 7 5 6 2 4 8 3
5 7 9 1 2 3 6 4 8
4 6 8 9 5 7 2 3 1
2 1 3 4 8 6 5 7 9
3 5 1 6 7 8 9 2 4
7 4 2 3 9 1 8 6 5
9 8 6 2 4 5 3 1 7 Rubino
Due to the lack of an office this month, no hilarious quotes were overheard for the purposes of our regular lol/fail section. This feature will return next issue. Apologies for any offence caused. Recycling is not a culture, it’s a reality.
Le Nurb - November 2011
24 COFFEE BREAK
Brunel Volunteers WEEK This November be a part of something BIGGER with Brunel Volunteers Week. Starting from November 14th expect to see Brunel Volunteers take over the concourse for a full week with a whole host of different events. It really is the perfect opportunity to sign up, improve your
employability by adding to your CV and feel good about giving back to your community. If you’ve ever considered volunteering for a charity or an organisation, on your own or with a friend, don’t miss out on the Bitesize Talks happening everyday throughout the week where you
can meet the charities, eat your lunch, have a free cup of tea and find out how you can get involved. Want to volunteer but not sure what you’re interested in? The Brunel Volunteers stand will be open all week on the concourse for you to talk to us. Maybe you just want to get involved in the week
and have some fun. Join us at the Mini Volunteers Fair in the Atrium on Thursday 17th. Remember, all registered volunteering hours contribute to earning your own Volunteer Award. So be a part of something bigger and make sure you make the most of Brunel Volunteers Week.
brunel volunteers week Monday Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Faces of Volunteering All day Concourse
Bite Size Talk
International Day of Tolerance
Faces of Volunteering All day Concourse
Killimanjaro fundraisers Concourse
“Youth Offending Service” 1.00pm LC011
Faces of Volunteering All day Concourse
Mini Volunteers Fair 11.30 – 3.00 Atrium – Hamilton
Bite Size Talk
FLASH MOB 1.30pm The Quad
Rag Stall 11.00 – 3.00 Concourse
Bring your lunch, we’ll bring the tea
“Trinity Homeless Project” 1.00pm LC066
14th - 18th November
Bring your lunch, we’ll bring the tea
Bite Size Talk
Bite Size Talk
The Big Bake Children in Need All day Concourse
“Hillingdon Mind” 1.00pm LC065
Bring your lunch, we’ll bring the tea
Bring your lunch, we’ll bring the tea
“West London YMCA” 1.00pm LC065
Bring your lunch, we’ll bring the tea
Great Wall of China Fundraisers -Concourse
Bite Size Talk
Big Cake Eat 1.45pm Concourse
Pro- Active (Olympic Legacy) 1.00pm LC065
Volunteer Marquee All day Concourse
Employability Reps
PCC Events Coming soon: are you willing to face the Dragons? Do you have a great business idea? If you have an idea for a new product or service, or have thought of a way to improve an existing product or service, then why not put it to the test and get invaluable feedback from business professionals? Brunel’s Dragons’ Den is an opportunity for you to pitch your business ideas to a panel of investors for the chance to win a cash prize, and possibly an investor. The competition is free to enter and is open to all students registered at Brunel University. More details about the application process will be available here soon, so make sure you check back regularly.
The Placement and Careers Centre have recruited a team of almost 40 students to become Employability Reps. Their role is to act as our student advisory board on all matters relating to employability, job hunting and careers alongside helping us to promote the services on offer to support you. To find out more about the key projects for the Employability Reps from your school in the coming weeks and months, or to give us your feedback, visit our website: brunel.ac.uk/pcc/ employabilityreps.
How Brunel Entrepreneurs helped me Farhanah Begum I am a final year International Politics students and a new member to Brunel’s Entrepreneur society. My motivation in joining the society came about when I started working on my youth website called u-th.co.uk; aiming to be the first access point for young people in London. Initially, I thought the society may help me with networking and completing my business plan however it has done so much more. The society’s meet and greet session was fun, welcoming and showed us how great the team was - enthusiastic and passionate are words to come in mind. Although a month has only passed, I have been to a number of organised events which has allowed me to hear the stories and challenges of great business persons and allowed me to really believe in myself. Whilst attending these events, I have built relationships and arrange meetings with those who can really help me pursue my website as well as made good friends with other students. Networking is a great tool and the Entrepreneur society helps you do this easily. An important factor that should also be mentioned, is that it really does not matter whether you have the best business idea or not, the society is unique in its own right. If you are a student looking for motivation in order to complete your studies or a student who wants to become more creative or a student who wants to be given the position in a great company - the entrepreneur society has events that can help you in all these fields and more! Credit must go to 19year old Andy Baker (President) and his team for doing an amazing job. I recommend all Le Nurb readers to join the society’s Facebook group or attend at least one event and find out the great events arranged by one of Brunel University’s best societies - the Entrepreneur Society. FIND OUT MORE www.u-th.co.uk
Made for life – supporting workshop series If you’re interested in Dragons’ Den but need help focusing your ideas and creating a business plan, Made for life is a series of events to help you do this. However, enterprise and entrepreneurialism isn’t just about starting your own business. To be successful in any field of work you will need to show initiative, a desire to improve products or processes and the ability to develop plans to deliver your ideas. Made for life will equip you with these skills. So whether you want to climb the corporate ladder or build a business from scratch - this programme is essential for you. Find out about upcoming workshops on our events page: www.brunel.ac.uk/pcc/events.
Brunel’s Dragons’ Den: more warmth than heat. Where there is passion, there is no need for recycling.
brunelsuperu.com facebook.com/brunelsuperu
November 2011 - Le Nurb
SPORT 25
Tennis back in the swing of things
Josh Murray Rolf Heide-Ottosen gets his balls in order. Josh Murray After a long summer’s break, the tennis season has finally arrived! As always with Freshers’ Week
came the latest intake of keen tennis freshers, and this year saw some of our busiest ever trials and social tennis taster sessions.
Over 100 people set foot on the tennis court during the course of the day! The social tennis taster session
was a great success, and we have seen it in recent weeks draw the largest number of players we have ever seen to the tennis courts for a social hit. Trials also were a fantastic success; we saw a great standard of tennis from all who attended trials, which made it the most competitive and exciting selection we have ever seen. However, after much deliberation and numerous call-backs, the finalised players for this year’s male and female squads were decided upon. After last year’s strong success, this year has seen the early introduction of beginners’ and improvers’ coaching for members. This has proved very effective, and a lot of interest has been shown. Even more rewardingly, all those that have attended have showed great improvement. This year, we have already had some great socials, with record club numbers attending. Pub golf particularly was a great success, as Brunel Tennis and Squash clubs united under the “racket sports” title to dominate pubs and bars throughout the campus and Uxbridge town. The season has started with a mixture of results. After a difficult first week for the men’s teams, they both redeemed themselves in the week following. The firsts recorded a very hard fought 8-4 victory over Reading, with Ethan Gortler coming through a tough 3 set match to win the tie overall. The seconds also succeeded in defeating Royal Holloway away, taking the tie 8-4 with Rolf Heide-Ottoson
showing real class in seeing out yet another tough three-setter. However, the real excitement came from the women’s home fixture against Sussex ladies’ first team. Jessica Mapp and Arina Fjodorova took a storming lead in the ladies deciding doubles, racing to win the first set 6-1. However, the second set proved a bigger test and after a long slog they found themselves losing the set 4-6. Then came the third set championship tiebreak. Sussex raced to a 0-6 lead, and it seemed as though there was no way back for the Brunel ladies. However, the girls slowly but surely clawed there way back, winning the next 5 points in a row. Sussex were not about to roll over and took the next two points and the girls once again found themselves under pressure at 5-8 down. But, in true Brunelian style they once again mustered up some strength and pulled back the next 3 points and found themselves tied at 8-8. They then saved 2 match points, to level the scores at 11-11. And after losing out themselves on a match point, they finally found themselves the worthy victors, winning the tie break 14-12 and taking the match overall 8-4. FIND OUT MORE Interested in playing tennis? There’s more information at brunelstudents.com/tennis, or you can send us an email via tennis@brunelstudents.org.uk.
Upcoming sports fixtures Wednesday, November 23 League 1A 4A PREM 2A 1A 2A 1A 1A 2A 3A 4C 6A PREM 1A 1A 1A 2A 5A PREM 2A 5A -
A to M Team Mens’ Badminton 1 Mens’ Badminton 2 Mens’ Basketball 1 Mens’ Basketball 2 Womens’ Basketball 1 Mens’ Fencing Womens’ Fencing Mens’ Football 1 Mens’ Football 2 Mens’ Football 3 Mens’ Football 4 Mens’ Football 5 Womens’ Football 1 Womens’ Football 2 Golf 1 Mens’ Hockey 1 Mens’ Hockey 2 Mens’ Hockey 3 Womens’ Hockey 1 Womens’ Hockey 2 Womens’ Hockey 3 Lacrosse
Opponents Kent 1 (H) Kingston 2 (H) South Bank 1 (H) Surrey 1 (A) Portsmouth 1 (A) Kings 1 (H) Portsmouth 1 (A) Chichester 2 (A) Brighton 3 (H) Portsmouth 5 (H) Essex 1 (A) Brighton 2 (A) Surrey 1 (A) St. Mary’s 1 (A) Kingston 1 (A) Portsmouth 4 (H) Bath 1 (A) Reading 1 (H) Imperial 2 (A) Uni of London 1 (H)
League PREM 2A 2A 3A 6A 8A SOUTH 2A 4A 1A 1A 3A 3A 2A 1A 2A 2A 2A 4A 2A 2A 2A
Life’s most urgent question: why are you not recycling?
N to Z Team Netball 1 Netball 2 Netball 3 Netball 4 Netball 5 Netball 6 Rugby League Mens’ Rugby Union 1 Mens’ Rugby Union 2 Womens’ Rugby Union 1 Mens’ Squash 1 Mens’ Squash 2 Mens’ Squash 3 Womens’ Squash 1 Mens’ Table Tennis 1 Mens’ Table Tennis 2 Womens’ Table Tennis 1 Mens’ Tennis 1 Mens’ Tennis 2 Womens’ Tennis 1 Mens’ Volleyball Womens’ Volleyball
Opponents UWIC 1 (A) Surrey 1 (H) Brighton 2 (H) Chichester 2 (A) Portsmouth 6 (H) Chichester 4 (A) Cambridge 1 (H) Royal Holloway 1 (H) Kingston 2 (A) Herts 1 (A) UCL 1 (A) Bucks New 1 (H) Roehampton 1 (H) Kent 1 (A) Middlesex 1 (H) Imperial 2 (A) Reading 3 (H) LSE 1 (H) Portsmouth 1 (H) Royal Holloway (H)
Le Nurb - November 2011
26 SPORT
X-Country step up at Parliament Hill Claire Lilley
From left to right: James Laing, Tom Mead, Nathan Ditton, Matt Bergin, Leif Chandler, Chris Hepworth, Adam Varvel, Melody Kane, Helena Whiting, Ella Neale and Anna Boniface. Ellie Newman Brunel gave a good performance at the first London Colleges Cross Country League match at Parliament Hill. With large fields of competitors in both the men and women’s races, there were respectable performances from all of our Brunel athletes. The women showed their prowess with Anna Boniface coming in 10th,
shortly followed by Melody Kane in 11th. Ella Neale completed the women’s team, finishing 20th, and Helena Whiting competed in an individual spot to place 63rd. Against the ever-strong St.Mary’s long distance squads, the Brunel men’s team did extremely well. Some good runs from our freshers saw Matt Bergin in 19th, James Laing 20th and Tom Mead 23rd. Leif
Chadler unfortunately didn’t pick up his finishing disc on the finish line, and by the time he went back to collect one he had lost several places; he still managed 36th. Chris Hepworth and Nathan Ditton were next to cross the line in 40th and 43rd respectively, with Adam Varvel rounding up the Brunel squad in 52nd, having battled through the race with blisters.
Time for BUMS to hit the LUBE Shaun Handy LUBE is a relatively new event that began only last year and is held at different climbing centres in London. Universities from all over the UK participate, including us at Brunel. Last year the two Brunel teams put in a great effort and came 9th and 17th overall out of 27.
As well as this, Jason Almeida came 17th out of 110, and Suzy Butler finished 24th out of 58 in the men’s and women’s respectively. This year we’re hoping for bigger and better things, with the first round on November 12th. Good luck to everyone participating. Time to climb hard!
FIND OUT MORE If you’re interested in finding out more about BUMS, visit us online at brunelclimbing.com. For information about LUBE visit their website: kclmc.org/lube.
Strong start to the season for Hockey 3rds Alessandro Cristofoli After a mysteriously late start, the third team ventured to Guildford this week to take on the mighty 3rd team of Surrey. With some fresh blood in the team (in the form of Sam Chappers at left back, Shuan Pirie playing striker, Vladamir in the midfield, and Keeper) the 3rds were bound for a good match. Push-back was won by the 3rds and the game was underway. Some good territorial possession from Brunel, highlighted by simple play of shifting the ball round the back, gave the 3rd team the first goal of the half. Through a crowded D, a few fumbles by the opposition, and a hit ball at goal finished by Josh with a bit of ping pong skill, Brunel took the lead to half time. A heavy-handed injury delivered by none other than Navid saw a Surrey defender get in the way of his booming stick, costing Surrey one defender to the match. By the second half, things looked promising for Brunel, but a simple turnover of the ball to Surrey, allowed Surrey to score. Some
valiant defending by Captain Funnel, Harps, Callum and Ale was not enough: Surrey sunk one in the net. Brunel kept their cool and played on. With some brilliant play, the 3rds scored an excellent goal thanks to striker Kai, who let off a beautifully timed re-bound strike at goal that brought the match to 2-1. Brunel stayed strong for the rest of the match, fighting off all of Surrey’s attempts to score, and the match closed at 2-1. The Brunel 3rd team had won their first match of the season! FINAL SCORE
Men’s Hockey 3rd XI 2-1 Surrey 3rd XI MATCH AWARDS Man of the Match: Keeper Dick of the Day: Ale Cristofoli
Hockey 2nds hold off Surrey Bob Carr Brunel 2nd XI beat Surrey 1st XI by 2 goals to 0 on their home turf. On Wednesday afternoon, Brunel 2nd XI took on the visiting Surrey 1st XI team. After losing their last league game fairly heavily, Brunel went into this game feeling the pressure. Throughout the first half, both teams fought hard to move the ball all over the field. The teams seemed evenly matched, with some strong movements and some excellent individual skill on display. In the latter part of the first half, Brunel’s effort finally paid off. Bob Carr scored the opening goal, making the score 1-0 in the dying parts of the first half. As play continued in the second half, Surrey came back with a refreshed and seriously determined team. They appeared to have Brunel on the back foot, especially considering two or three players conceded a
number of cards. However, with some outstanding defensive play coming from Scott Wreathall and James Khodabandehloo, Brunel managed to hold Surrey off. Rob Simpson dominated the midfield for the majority of the game, which eventually paid off in the form of a goal for Sam Miller. A deflection off the goalkeeper’s pad led to an ideal opportunity for Sam to smash the ball into the backboard. The final whistle blew at 2-0 and Brunel had the win. Brunel 2nd XI continue their campaign next Wednesday, playing away against Royal Free 1st XI. FINAL SCORE
Men’s Hockey 2nd XI 2-0 Surrey 1st XI
Optae por aut fugitatur rem nonem estio omnis peliquos volorumque venis consequaere essimin audaeri ese ror ae sect orrum conse digenis et lam, ut que nos venihilitis et esequiatis beaquiatem ea cus, sequiam est volupti anturepel ipsanimus pro explani eturiae stibustia sequid estiani od ulparunt Leinctes Nurb accepts et architsubmissions ut aliquae omni fromquunt, any Brunel sequid student. ut esequi cum volorestem il ium Seedolent page 2laut to find fugitiassi out how iuntis to eumqui get involved! con cum alibus rest, veruptaspedi consernatet essit rest fuga. Nulloriorat quo con escide nus.
WRITE FOR US!
Recycling increases because we find newer things to recycle.
November 2011 - Le Nurb
SPORT 27
Cricketers suffer disappointment at hands of the Welsh
Adil Khan Deshmukh Simon Bell steps up to the crease.
Hockey 1st XI battle Portsmouth Devon Halls This week, Brunel Men’s Hockey 1st XI played away to Portsmouth. It was a thrilling duel between to strong sides, culminating in a 1-all draw. Brunel dominated the first half. However, Portsmouth obtained the lead in the dying minutes of the first thirty-five minutes, through a deflected sort corner attack. The second half was again dominated by Brunel, with the score being leveled through an attack from the right hand side that Richard Carter finished with a great striker’s goal. The game suffered from some poor umpiring decisions, resulting in
a green card, followed by a yellow, for supposed backchat from the bench, and supporters leaving the captain Ben Tibble to sit on the side. Late on, Brunel were awarded a flick for use of the body on the goal line by Portsmouth during a period of sustained pressure. Dudley Spiers stepped up, but placed the flick kindly into the keeper’s body. However, it was a fantastic team performance; any other day it would have been a win, with the man of the match award going to Devon Halls and Oliver Wickham jointly. Thank you to Lewis Mansell and Paddy Mcallister for your support.
Adam Warden A new squad made up of Simon Bell (captain), Ben Woodhouse, Will Knibbs, Adam Warden, John Aston, Jack Kempster and Adam Walters headed to the SWALEC Stadium in Cardiff for the first round the of the BUCS Indoor Cricket tournament on Saturday 15th October. After originally not being placed in this years tournament, Brunel were forced to make the trip if they were to have any hope of reaching the semi-finals for the third year running. Drawn against UWIC and Aberystwyth Universities, the team knew it was going to be tough to make it through the group stages. However, they made a blistering start, with Bell (30) and Woodhouse (40) putting UWIC on the back foot early on. Bell had to retire after scoring his 25 off just three overs, followed by Woodhouse a few overs later. With Brunel in control of the game, a mini collapse saw both return to the crease. Undeterred, Brunel carried on from where they left off, taking the score up to a competitive 121 to win. In the second innings, Brunel got off to the best possible start, with Aston taking a wicket with his first ball. Unfortunately, this was not the sign of things to come; UWIC’s next three batsmen all retired on 25. With UWIC seemingly coasting to victory, Brunel launched a counter-attack, and three quick wickets put them back in contention. Yet still needing two wickets to win, the UWIC’s retired batsmen returned to the crease, knocking off the runs with two overs to spare. Going into the second game, Brunel knew they needed victory and other results to go in their favour if they were to progress in the tournament. Brunel batted
FIND OUT MORE CricketMens@brunelstudents.org.uk.
Underwater pumpkin hunt?
FINAL SCORE
Men’s Hockey 1st XI 1-1 Portsmouth 1st XI
first with Bell, once again setting the tone with a brisk 21. However, another batting collapse brought new addition Kempster and bowler Warden to the crease, with Brunel on 50-4. Sensible cricket and some expansive shots from Kempster in particular helped the score along to 100. Brunel had a chance of pressurising the opposition in the second innings. Kempster finished on 24, not out and Warden 26, not out. Tight bowling from all, some fantastic catching, and a smart run out left Aberystwyth reeling at 50-5 early in the second innings. In indoor cricket, however, every ball counts, and when the catch to win the game went down, the momentum suddenly seemed to change. With the Brunel bowlers pushing for the winning wicket, Aberystwyth’s last batsmen stood firm, slowly guiding his team towards their target. Brunel’s frustration was complete when a close LBW decision went against them, all but condemning them to defeat. On the day, the boys came up just short, but it was a great effort by all involved. The cricket club now looks forward to preparing for the summer and in particular the 1st team who will be competing in the South Premier League for the first time. Anyone who is interested in joining the club: we have social nets on Fridays 7-9pm and Active Brunel casual cricket on Mondays 3-5pm in the Sports Hall. We welcome members of all ability and look forward to seeing you at the nets!
Christopher Rose
Brunel divers’ idea of a good night out! Went outside this morning and basically sifted through their recycling.
Marshel Weerakone Brunel Sub-Aqua club had a great year last year, with trips around the UK; to complete the year, there was the annual trip to Malta. This year we have many new enthusiastic trainees working towards their qualifications in time for this summer’s club trip, which is planned for June to the Red Sea, Egypt. Any qualified diver is more than welcome to come along, but if you would rather snorkel on the surface, there might just be space for you too! With a shark dive, Halloween special underwater pumpkin hunt, and UK sea dives planned for the year, there’s really no reason not to join the club!
Le Nurb - November 2011
28 SPORT
SPORT Squash girls stand tall in BUCS League Jo Barnard Five weeks in and Brunel Women’s Squash Team stands second in the table after two excellent wins against Reading and Royal Holloway. The new kids on the block are looking to win big. Joining the Squash Club last year, I was determined to develop
the women’s side of the club. After voluntarily coaching the girls every week for most of the year, I decided to take the risk and enter a girl’s team into the BUCS League for 2011-12. And boy, has it been worth it! With an excellent intake of freshers this year, the women’s membership is stronger than ever, and with
Greg Lambert
three keen players by my side we headed off to Surrey for our first match of the season. Meeting possibly the strongest team in the League in our first match was unfortunate, but we weren’t disheartened. We got back on court with our England Squash Coach James, ironed out some weaknesses, and went on to beat Reading in our second game. Another win later, we stand second in the table and look forward to a week off before heading to Kent. Being part of a team has made my University experience even better. I am SO proud of Pei Yi, Katie, and Sophie and it’s so great to know that every week we are playing better and better. This experience is a first for us all, and the bond between us is incredible. It’s still early days but the Women’s Team have already done Brunel Squash proud!
Kamil Kurnikoff
FIND OUT MORE Visit brunelstudents.com/squash, send us an email via squash@brunelstudents.org.uk, or call 07817 747234. Women’s 1st Team practicing their second sport - Pub Golf.
Jo (Captain and No. 1) stole her second 3-0 victory in a row against Royal Holloway on 2nd November.
Brunel Karate invites you to join ‘a vehicle of self improvement’ Gozde Ersoy 2012 is fast approaching and Brunel Kobu-Jitsu Karate Dojo is looking forward to welcoming its new members. Stay calm because it is ‘better late than never’, but hurry up! Alright, I was intending to continue writing this paper the other way round. You know…
Inside... 25
Tennis
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X-Country
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Hockey
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Back on the ball
London College League
Men’s update
Cricket
Lose out to the Welsh
the style which fires people with energy so that the promotion achieves its aim. However, suddenly I questioned the true reason of the writing activity here. The answer lies simply in my own Karate training reflections so that you can all truly witness the difference a martial art can cause in a person. This experience is like another useful perspective being added to your personal self-quest. Here it starts. Before joining the Brunel Karate Club, as every enthusiastic and inquisitive student would do, I Googled ‘Brunel Karate’ and the search engine turned up notable achievements such as “Brunel Kata Team - currently the best in the United Kingdom (2010)”, “Member of YKKF Federation,” and expert instructors in their field. Soon afterwards, the day arrived for the first training session and guess what? This coming week will be over a month’s worth of sessions – we started our training on September 26th. Despite this very short span of time, I have noticed some profound changes in me.
To begin with, I have realised that I did not know how to stand still and breathe correctly. These two things were what I was claiming to be doing properly since I knew myself. But no, I was completely wrong! With the help of body conditioning exercises before the start of each session, I have now learnt how to breathe correctly, recover quickly after doing exercise, and how to have a firm and healthy posture. I have also learnt how not to quit and to not show my weaknesses despite my excessively burning leg muscles whilst performing the shiko-dachi (horse riding stance). Step by step, I have been learning important defense techniques, of course always bearing in mind the philosophy that the greatest skill is to defeat your enemy without having to fight. Students on most predegree and degree programs, you will recognise the positive impact martial arts is having on our study. As a PhD student I already see it. Every student reading this Please recycle.
article, whether studying for their Bachelors, Masters, PhD or Postdoctorate, knows the routines of hard study slots allocated for bettering our academic skills and research. However, there is something that should never be neglected: a sound body equals a sound mind. Exercise is essential to both physical and mental wellbeing; this can be achieved by going to the gym, having long walks, running around the campus. But is this enough? As we are students striving for excellence and success, we need 100% concentration, determination, focus, stillness of mind and positive attitude so that the academic errands can run smoothly. The latter, previously mentioned is exactly what we learn inside our Dojo (Japanese word for the place where martial arts is studied). The Dojo is a place in which we show respect and do not wear shoes. The place which we salute before and after the training sessions. I had no prior karate experience but always dreamed of learning it one day. There is a statement
that says we should never let our dream become a regret, and I am happy this shall not be a regret in my case. I am sure there are people amongst you, who have watched the movie Karate Kid and, like me, tried practicing the moves with your brothers, sisters, cousins or even fathers! As we already know, dreams can come true. Once again, I would like to invite you all (students and staff) to Brunel Kobu-Jitsu Karate Dojo, but this time with a closing remark belonging to our Dojo’s chief instructor Sensei Nathaniel Peat. Despite his young age, he holds the distinguished honourable Japanese title of “Renshi” and is ranked to fifth Dan Black Belt, as well as being the 2011 Brunel University Alumnus of the year: ‘Martial Arts is a vehicle of self improvement.’ FIND OUT MORE Visit brunelkarate.com, or send Huw, our President, an email via huw.roberts@hotmail.co.uk.