universe 11

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February 2006

Another Beautiful Page 4

Volume 13 Issue 4

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Lacrosse Team Life, the Universe UHSU Hurricanes and Everything on Sky Sports on the RaG Page 28 Page 31 Page 12

Chinese New Year What’s Up With

Monday Nights?

Find out on Page 5 The Full Bus Shelter Investigation Starts On Page 8

Need a House?

Don’t Get Shafted by Profit Driven Estate Agents, Use UHSU! Page 24

Check out how the University and the Students’ Union celebrated the start of the year of the Dog! Page 14

r e k Shoc e! n i l d a e H d n i F Editors Can’t

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as it been a slow news month or are your editors just incompetent? It seems that the major headline story has eluded the editors during the creation of

this issue of Universe. With Maz banging his head against his desk trying to capture some inspiration for the unmissable story and Tamer disappearing of the face of the earth it seems that this front page has just had everything flung at it in a desperate

attempt to get something worth while on it.

The only real big story this month is the up coming nominations for UHSU elections but since that’s covered in the wrap there’s really not much point in

repeating the story on our front page.

Lets hope that Maz stops chasing after Katie Wilde (V.P Student Activities) and gets his act together for next months issue, but for now we hope that you enjoy the content of Universe.


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Editorial

Issue 4 Volume 13

universe@herts.ac.uk

Maz...ter of the Universe

Editor in Chief Marek Nusl Vice President Communications & Media uhsu.comms@herts.ac.uk 01707 285 005 Editor Tamer Asfahani universe@herts.ac.uk Assistant Editors News Editors: Jacob Clinton, Arts Editors: Ross Billington Jess Sturman, Matthew Ketchell, Carole Shepherdson Photos Marek Nusl Ents Crew Thanks to Coffee

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ell that time has come again, I’m in office late on a Sunday night missing the superbowl so I can get this paper out on time. Oh the sacrifices I endure for you guys. Well lets start of with the paper. You may have noticed that it’s in a special election wrap. I urge you all to keep a hold of this wrap, you may decide that you do want to run in the elections and do my job, which included such perks as taking page 4 pictures. So which one of you will be my successor? All will be revealed in the next few weeks.

Anyway, since the wrap got all the nominations and elections stuff on it I’m having trouble thinking College Lane of some front page news but I’m Hatfield sure I’ll come up with something Hertfordshire by the morning. Other than the AL10 9AB front page problem I think that this, the first paper of the 2006 Tel: 01707 285 000 will be an entertaining read. As Fax: 01707 251 118 usual Universe has tackled topics E-mail: www.uhsu@herts.ac.uk key to student culture. We got a Web: www.uhsu.herts.ac.uk letting page, which is particularly relevant at this time of year since many of you are in the process of looking for places to live next For all the latest info on our student year, don’t trust those dodgy media check out: estate agents... for legal reasons we can’t name and shame so pop www.uhsu.herts.ac.uk/studentmedia into my office and I can tell you which bastards to avoid. We also have a double page spread on the Printed by: bus shelter issue on DeHav, which Sharman & Co Ltd has comments from all parties so Peterborough that you know were you stand. The usual news, and reviews are PE1 5TD included with stitched up and another great article from our own University Chaplain, Allan Smith can be found further on in the paper.

UHSU

What has been somewhat strange in the compiling of this issue is the absence of my hairy friend, Tamer. Universe waits for no man, I’m here by myself trying to think of the front page story. Other things of interest; CRUSH 1278 is broadcasting around the clock, most slots are full and if you’ve missed that favourite show of yours then you can here again

during the night hours. Over the Christmas period the studio has been cleaned up, carpeted and got a new computer with a phone line. Now you have no excuse to call in to the studio to request a tune. Call 0141416 1278 to get in touch with your favourite shows. While on the topic of CRUSH and requests, we got a brand new show on Fridays 7-9pm called the Flirt Request Fest hosted by Flirt DJ Guy who will be warming you up before you hit the Font on a Friday night.

MISSING

Continual work is being done on UHSUweb, with more pages and topic areas being added such as the new online shop. A sister magazine (St Albans Satellite) to Universe is now under way and being put together for the students of St Albans. That’s pretty much my comms wrap up out the way which now gives me space to ramble on about pretty much anything (must kill space). I hope that you all had a good new year and have settled into university routine again, and that your exams have gone well. Remember that before you know it the academic year will have drawn to an end (time does fly), so what ever your results will be take some time to enjoy these years at uni. I my self have realised that my days here are numbered and time is elapsing fast, I’ve even started applying for jobs, (and a course at UH). With me moving on will mean some one will be jumping into my seat soon. Nominations for elections start soon and the place will be flooded with posters and students trying to get your vote. Don’t be rushed into voting and take time to read the candidates manifestos, after all you don’t want a complete muppet being elected... do you? I was hopping that during this editorial I would have got some inspiration for a front page story. Oh well. Looks like a night in the office for me. Take care and have fun. Maz Marek Nusl V.P Communication & Media uhsu.comms@herts.ac.uk 01707 285 005

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS MAN? Name : Tamer Asfahani AKA : Side Show Bob

Distinguishing features: The mother of all afro’s, six toes. Last Seen: On a ladder, looking through the first floor bathroom window of an all girls house (ed: don’t worry he is not a pervert but an undercover reporter for Universe... honest!). Likes: Brokeback Mountian, long walks on the beach, theater, meals out, kniting, cuddling. Dislikes: Holidays to Guitanimo Bay, male shovenistic socitey, people who leave the toilet seat up. Reward: The knoweldge that he will be returned to Maz who will hancuff him to his desk and under the threat of a good lashing will make him proof read the paper. Then he will be discarded like a peace of old meat... untill next months paper. Message to Tamer from Maz: If you come back of your own free will I will not use the taser. Otherwise be rest assured I will track you down and get Tom to do things to you... Wired things... Bad things...


UHSU

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Issue 4 Volume13

Free Money! G

Words from the Prez

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AKA Tarquins Titulations

ood day to you all! I hope you all had a nice break and are refreshed for part two of the year. Exams would have been and gone, with all those hours of cramming as much info in to your head ARE YOU A HOME/UK STUDENT? as possible then have to sit in the exam room for up to three hours, how I miss ARE YOU A FINAL YEAR OR MATURE STUDENT (over 25 years)? those times!

HE ACCESS TO LEARNING HARDSHIP FUND

So now everyone has finished those wonderful exams what’s coming up in the future you ask? Well there are the UHSU Elections this month (see advert inside) SEE STUDYNET under Student Support – Finance when it’s a chance for one of you to stand OR CALL INTO THE STUDENT CENTRE MERCER BUILDING for a position within UHSU and make a change. I strongly urge you all to consider (ed: remeber this is a grant you dont have to pay it back and if the uni dont get rid of standing for a position it is an interesting all the money they give it baack to the governement and dont get as much next year) experience. So if you are interested in making a change or want to be involved in union issues/politics then do yourself a favour and stand!

IF SO YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO SOME FINANCIAL HELP (You must have applied for your full student loan entitlement)

During the election there will be a Student Council where the candidates will state their case to why they are the best person for the perspective role. Also a number of different issues will be discussed at the meeting. On the entertainment side we have a jam-packed month ahead with the likes of Jake Dean form Hollyoaks for all you ladies out there. St Trinians night, which is always tends to be good fun. Then we have Jim Bowen doing a Bullseye special which promises to be awesome with prizes to be won as well. For all those that have watched the programme in the past a speedboat could be a prize! In the Ele there will be a speed-dating bonanza on Valentines Day so go along there will lots of harmless fun, flirting and frolics. Of course you have the greatest

Monday 9am -10am 10am - 11am 11am - 12pm 12pm - 1pm 1 pm - 2pm 2pm - 3pm 3pm - 4pm 4pm - 5pm 5pm - 6pm 6pm - 7pm 7pm - 8pm 8pm - 9pm

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Tom,Kenno & Bob The Full English Tom,Kenno & Bob with Naj & Akeel Dely Sandwiches The News Show Katie Wilde Show Dely Sandwiches Alfonst & Rodrieguez Reggae Vibes The A-Team Alfonst & Rodrieguez Reggae Vibes The A-Team hOT ¬ BOX hOT ¬ BOX hOT ¬ BOX Michael & Macca 3 Play Rock the House 3 Play Rock the House The Nick & Ben Show Hatfield Nights Thrash 4 Beginners Hiphop with Decaholic

9pm - 10pm Hatfield Nights Kaoss; Breakz Afcab 10pm - 11pm The Rock Show & d’n’b with Afcab 11pm - 12am The Rock Show Luke Taylor Afcab 12am - 8am www.crushradio.co.uk www.crushradio.co.uk www.crushradio.co.uk

quiz in town moving to Sundays so don’t be confused if you turn up on a Monday and we are not there! So really time for my final thoughts well make sure you don’t forget to pay the taxi driver because the police will come round the next day and arrest you, not that I would do such a thing but I know a silly person who “genuinely” forgot to pay because of too much drinking consumption! Anyway keep doing what you’re doing and stay out of trouble because you will get caught sooner or later! Keep it real, Peace Quote of the month “It ain’t easy being cheesy!” Word of the month “Numptees” Tarquin Stephenson UHSU President 01707 285 004 uhsu.president@herts.ac.uk

Friday

Saturday

Sun

Sticky Ami @ Uni Sticky Ami @ Uni News with Henna Khan The Session The Session The Nick & Ben Show hOT ¬ BOX Helen & Joe Show Helen & Joe Show Dan Lawrence Show Dan Lawrence Show Akeel (Urban) Akeel (Urban) Akeel (Urban)

www.crushradio.co.uk

Tom,Kenno & Bob Tom,Kenno & Bob Flash with Reggae Isaac Flirt Request Fest Flirt Request Fest D’n’B & Breakz with G-Lab & Gamma

www.crushradio.co.uk

Isaac Soul,Funk Soul,Funk

www.crushradio.co.uk


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Issue 4 Volume 13

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sponsored by the font bar Emma, Radiography student, enjoying the Font Bar!

Do you want to be a page 4 model? Email

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News... because we are a newspaper! Richard Corry, Entertainments and Promotions Officer explains the :

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Monday Night Overhaul Interview with DJ Flapper

n the three years that I have been at UHSU, Mondays have changed from £1 a pint, the feature that is now on Saturday’s, to R’n B’, and now the 100% 90’s that we debuted on the first day of 2006. As my fresher days are so long behind me, and I was so drunk I can’t remember I shall concentrate on what I can, the RnB element. From selling out most weeks with the likes of Tim Westwood, Trevor Nelson and Lethal Bizzle, RnB provided an alternative to the endless stream of chart music that used to occur. Throughout my first two years, the crowd seemed constant, with the same regulars out week in week out. Towards the end of last year, UHSU chose to run RnB fortnightly instead of weekly. This enabled UHSU Entertainments to run bigger events every two weeks, instead of a smaller less budgeted night every week. This still worked to an extent, and with that the 2005-2006 year plans were drawn up. The initial idea was to run Twice as Nice and Envy once a month, with the Font shut the other two weeks. However, with Batchwoods running a similar night every Monday and many clubs in London having their biggest nights and providing transport to the venues, our numbers shrunk, so much so that Trevor Nelson didn’t sell out. Things have had to change and from Xmas 2005 there is a new look to Monday nights. On the 9th of January 100% 90’s debuted with everyone’s favourite DJ Flapper spinning the decks. From Take That to Teen Spirit the posters said and trust me, absolutely everything was played. This format is going to continue

How does it feel to be called the new saviour of Monday nights? To be honest, for me to be DJ for the new Monday’s means so much, its like a dream come true. I hope it can take off and make me a god. Any future plans?

for the whole of January whilst the exams go on, and then will be on for three weeks every month. The other Monday night of the month, from February, will be RnB, and will be re-launched bigger and better than ever….apparently. The format for these Monday’s is not exactly set in stone. Yes 90’s will be played, and that’s as far as it goes. Everything else can be determined by you the students, as well as the staff and management. Monday 16th January will see the font debut of Who Wants to be a Millionaire, where unfortunately you cannot win £1 million, but a term’s rent, and various cash prizes. These types of games and general silliness can be determined by all of you, and any ideas can be submitted via my email, or the Entertainments department. We want your input for the development. On the first 100% 90’s WKD and

Budweiser was £1.50. Those of you that were there know that everyone was drinking them, and large quantities were sold. Good news for the following weeks, is that offers similar to these will continue. The 16th Jan will see/ saw (depending on paper date) Red Stripe and Smirnoff Ice at the same price. The more of you that come down the better it will be. So each and every Monday bring yourself, flat, mates, and actual have a party night, instead of your usual clubbing experience. (If that’s what you have) On a final note, the Summer Ball plans are up and running. Don’t keep asking for Robbie because he isn’t coming. Details and tickets and all information will be on www.look-at-our-balls.com in the near future.

I hope I can take all the fans on my Ibiza tour next year. I’m hoping to get a slot at one of the biggest nightclubs over there, alongside Judge Jules and Pete Tong. The future is cheesy. I also want a dance troop that can be called the flapperettes. Any willing dancer’s, please get in touch!!! You are known to have all fingers and toes in different pies, you can’t have many left! Well ….. with my “bodge my ride” empire ever growing, I think there’s a marketing campaign to be run on that, it should be a great year for me. Any exposure to the students is good exposure, and as long as the cheese is flowing, I’ll still be here. Talking of still being here, how long have you been at USHU? I’m pretty sure I was born here. It

seems like since I started uni, back when it was a polytechnic, I’ve never left. Well that’s because you haven’t. Thank you very much for the interview and any final words? You can catch me every Monday (3 out of 4 from Feb) down in the font, and every couple of Saturdays in the ele for Karaoke. Please note: These words are not to be taken literally!!!


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News

Issue 4 Volume 13

universe@herts.ac.uk

News... because we are a newspaper! Drunken Students NUS urges MPs to lower voting age Post Hamster S

tudents are adding their voice to a growing call for the voting age to be lowered to 16. As a core member of the Votes at 16 Coalition, members of the National Union of Students UK will met with MPs at a lobby and parliamentary debate at Portcullis House. The National Union of Students currently represents 5.2 million students, over half of which attend Further Education colleges or sixth forms.

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wo Cambridge University students who sent a hamster through the post as a drunken prank have been fined and banned from owning animals. The hamster found in a postbox is now named First Class. And he’s lucky to be alive. If he hadn’t gnawed through the envelope and been spotted by the postman, he might have died in the sorting machine. David Jordan and James Cole, both 19, admitted abandoning the animal in circumstances likely to cause it unnecessary suffering. They were both fined £500 and £750 respectively and banned from keeping animals for 10 years. Not only were the two Cambridge University students committing a criminal offence, which they said they did when drunk and as an act of revenge, they were also breaking Royal Mail rules. So what else is banned from the postbox? Unlike other postal firms, Royal Mail does not ban the whole of the animal kingdom. A spokesman said: “Living creatures are prohibited but there are exceptions, like earthworms, bees and leeches. “But if you are going to send one, you need to seek advice from us on packaging because it needs to be acceptable. And you need to use first class post and clearly label the parcel.” The RSPCA says these conditions are satisfactory and it has never received a complaint about them,

The Electoral Administration Bill currently passing through parliament could change the law so that 16 and 17 year olds can vote in public elections. If successful, although it advises people to use young people could take part in extreme caution in exercising them. elections for local councillors, members of parliament and even Royal Mail also bans “filth”, which the Mayor of London. is foul or disgusting material, and “indecent, obscene or offensive The Votes at 16 campaign forms articles”. Firearms are prohibited part of a longer term goal at NUS but sporting guns are permitted, to get more students involved in with the necessary licensing and democracy. Their new campaign, ‘Participate: Actions speak louder paperwork. than words’, has been encouraging Other items banned include loose students to register in time for batteries, loose Christmas crackers, local council elections in May and alcoholic content above 70%, aims to get more students involved paint, matches and live plants (if to in politics at Students’ Union level, from standing for election to export). voting on key issues. There is a general restriction on size of 1.5 metres in length and 20kg in NUS Vice President Further Education Ellie Russell, who weight. Human remains are banned, but what about living humans?

Many 16 and 17 year olds are in education, have jobs, are parents and pay taxes, yet when it really matters they can’t have their say over what happens in the communities and society they live in. The arguments against allowing younger people to vote are the same ones used by those who sought to exclude women from the vote. I hope our work tomorrow will see MPs turn their thoughts into actions by voting

for the Electoral Reform Bill and giving young people the chance to use their voice.” To get another point of view the Universe asked a some students what they thought of NUS’s campaign. “Its just to young! I didn’t have a clue about politics when I was 16, and I certainly wouldn’t trust my self to make an informed decisions that age” said Nahab Martell. Joe Pearce felt “that the majority of 16 year olds dont need to vote as politics wouldn’t affect them. They have access to free education, most dont need to pay any bills as they live with their perents.” This is a debate that could last a while but be assured Universe will keep you up to date.

Students expelled for producing newsletter

James Abrams tested this loophole when he “posted” himself to 60 US calls for Matthew Boulton post offices around the UK to raise College to overturn the money for charity. Dressed like a decision. parcel, he spent seven weeks being bundled into Royal Mail post vans Two students from Matthew and even on to motorbikes. Boulton College in Birmingham Since 1 January, Royal Mail has were this week permanently faced competition in the postal expelled for producing and a student-run market, so the rules can vary, distributing publication. depending on the postal firm.

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If an offending item could constitute a criminal offence, as in the case of First Class, then the police are called. But if it only contravenes guidelines, then the regulator Postcomm is contacted for advice on how to proceed.

recently turned 18, said: “I was extremely frustrated not to be able to have my say in the last general election, particularly when so many of the election policies had a direct influence on my life and future. Politicians are always criticising the disengagement amongst young people today but how can we feel part of a process that we can’t have a direct impact on?

Assed Baig and Darrell Williams circulated a newsletter which included an article on the college’s decision to ban the formation of religious student groups on campus and the failure to provide formal student representation. The college ruled that the material was offensive and inappropriate. Despite support from the National Union of Students (NUS),

lecturers’ trade union NATFHE and others the students were finally told this week that they had been expelled from the college. Due to this, the students are unable to complete their applications to the University College Admissions Service (UCAS) or sit their exams and may miss out on a university place as a result. NUS Black Students’ Officer Pav Akhtar said: “Students have the right to organise and to express their views. This situation comes at a crucial time for university applications and could seriously jeopardise their chances of finding a place for next year. We believe the college has overreacted by expelling the students and call on them to reverse their decision with immediate effect”

The students held a protest during which they handed in a letter of appeal and a petition to college officials. The National Union of Students has launched a petition in support of the students, has written to the college principal and will urge other student activists to do the same. Our very own newsletter (universe) producer and distributer V.P “Maz” Marek Nusl expressed his views that “...its disgraceful how the college has reacted to student freedom of speech, and that I hope they all go to hell, imagine if the volunteers who worked on universe got kicked out for writing critical articals about our university, we would not stand for it.”


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News Feature

Issue 4 Volume 13

universe@herts.ac.uk

News... because we are a newspaper!

Were do you stand?

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The full and exclusive investigation about the overdue

issue for the last three years. “We are working on a more satisfactory solution for the beginning of the 2006 academic year,” said Finn.

his is the third year that de Havilland has been part of the University of Hertfordshire’s empire in Hatfield, but it feels like a forgotten colony to the students. These last three years have seen students get cold and wet waiting for the free shuttle service to College Lane.

Uno have been frustrated by the talks and technical issues with that have been rallied between the university, council and Arlington but are confident that there will be a break soon and that the new proposals put forward by the university will make a difference. Finn continued to say that the lack of strategic bus stops on the business park was a “great disservice to the public,” especially for the residents that are moving in to the new housing developments in the business park.

There must be a reason why there hasn’t yet been a bus shelter erected outside of de Havilland campus. De Havilland was supposed to have a Strategic Bus Route six months after the campus was completed. This has been a continuous frustration for both the students and the Students’ Union. The Students’ Union doesn’t have much of a voice on the de Havilland campus. With little space to advertise union events and no rooms to carry out its administration it’s no surprise that the student body is becoming more agitated with no one to approach. Ben Beer, a long time student at the university who started his course in Balls Park in Hertford before the move to Hatfield, said that he “felt more at home in Hertford even though it was miles away from Hatfield.” Students’ Union President, Tarquin Stephenson, said that he was “aware of the issue and are fighting relentlessly to secure a bus shelter.” Stephenson also mentioned that the SU had made a point to the university that there was no bus shelter as early as the latter part of 2003, after the campus had opened. Universe, the Students’ Union paper, has only recently started a campaign to bring awareness to an issue that has been a thorn in the students’ side. But the thorn may be a blessing yet, set to dig in to the powers that have made it so difficult to acquire a bus shelter. Levi “Spike” Thorne, de Havilland site co-ordinator, has been campaigning tirelessly on behalf of the de Havilland students. “It’s a shame that nothing has been done here yet, but we have started a postcard campaign where students sign the postcard and hand it to the SU reception on College Lane. We will then produce these postcards to the university and the council,

The current unofficial bus stop on deHav along with the Universe’s signed bus shelter.” Looking away he said “It should move things along a little bit.” Following his gaze I wondered what the university was doing in order to provide a bus shelter for its students after spending millions of borrowed pounds to build a state-the-art “super campus”. I couldn’t understand why thousands were being spent on draping the main building with exotic plants and not on something more fundamental and practical. The Department of Estates would tell me why they hadn’t built a bus shelter but were able to buy plants. Frank Benton, Head of Estates, told me that it wasn’t up to the university to provide a bus shelter because they didn’t own the land and also because the roads were private. They belonged to Arlington, a site development company, and that Arlington had to fulfil certain obligations before the roads became public. Because of this there is an agreement referred to as Section 106, which outlines what Arlington, the council and university have agreed. The main aim of the Section 106 was to provide a comprehensive bus link to the de Havilland campus without comprising Arlington’s ability to give the roads to the council for

adoption. Because Uno buses are a public transportation, they can only stop at locations that are on council roads as these roads are deemed safe by the council. Everyone is happy at present to let the buses stop illegally at what has become the temporary bus stop. “We have put £350,000 to the project and we are just waiting for the council and Arlington to come to an agreement,” said Benton. When asked if they had been pushing the bus shelter I was told that the university were just as eager as the students to see the bus shelters installed. Phillip Waters, Secratery Registrar of the University of Hertfordshire is also involved with the university’s battle to secure a bus shelter on de Havilland. He said that despite the long wait that the university had “recently made proposals to the County Council which we believe will break the log jam and lead to the building of new bus stops.” As Arlington owns the land, they also own the roads that are in them, therefore making the roads private. Those familiar with the business park may have noticed that there is no speed limit on those roads, and that is the reason. Just a warning for those

of you that have noticed: Jason Raven, Development Surveyor for Arlington, has told me that the police will be patrolling the park soon. But we are diverting. Surely the lack of a Strategic Bus Route was having a negative impact on Uno and Arriva, the main bus operators in Hatfield. To them there is a huge part of Hatfield that still doesn’t have adequate public transport links, not only outside of de Havilland, but the business park as a whole. Michael Finn, General Manager of Uno buses, spoke to me about their limited role in the talks to secure the bus shelters for our students.He reiterated that the university had put aside ‘substantial funding’ for a Strategic Bus Route which would see the west side of the campus develop to a dedicated bus route with bollards on either end of the road. This would control traffic and take away the risk factor that both the County Council and police have been worried about. Because the temporary bus stop for the shuttle is on a double carriageway, the council has deemed it as risky although Michael Finn sees it as an effective way to calm traffic coming on the business park. He also went on to condemn the confusion that has surrounded this

There are four different route options that have been proposed. Finn told me how Uno’s preferred route would have been easy and cheap to build as a temporary arrangement as the final plans were being negotiated. This would see the roads running around the de Havilland campus open with a dedicated bus route on Mosquito way, the east side of the campus. Finn was happy to see the report in the union paper, Universe, and said that it produced a “very positive response” from both the university and Uno. Uno are unable to influence the proposals because they are too busy concentrating on providing a comprehensive service to the area, and the students and local residents haven’t made enough of a fuss that the bus shelters haven’t been put up. But the lack of bus shelters isn’t down to the lack of interest. On the contrary, there is great interest by a great many people with regards to the Strategic Bus Route. With the introduction of business’ and the previously mentioned housing development, it isn’t just a matter for the university and the council, but also the developer (Arlington) who own the land and roads, the Highways Agency, the Passenger Transport Unit, the Police and the District Council are only some to name a few. Although Uno don’t have a say in the proposals, they do have their ideal locations for the bus shelter and it is Finn’s view that the money


News Feature

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Issue 4 Volume13

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News... because we are a newspaper!

Out in the cold!

bus shelter on deHav brought to you by Tamer Asfahani

“Surely it shouldn’t take three years to build a bus shelter.”

covert the cost of setting up a temporary, safe, much needed and overdue bus shelter. I suggested that maybe if the university hadn’t privately funded the de Havilland campus they would be in a stronger position to negotiate the terms and location of the bus stop. All that would have been required was opening the road running down the west side of the de Havilland campus and a barrier installation at the end of the road to ensure that only buses would have access to that road.

Finn agreed saying that there would probably have been a bus shelter, or at least a stop, put outside the campus, but there would also probably have been a delay from the six month deadline anyway because of issues arising from things such as planning permission. Nigel Hutton from the Passenger Transport Unit, a branch of the County Council, said that a temporary barrier on the east side of the campus was not an option. “It was tried on the College Lane

“Finn was happy to see the report in the union paper, Universe, and said that it produced a “very positive response” from both the university and Uno.” campus, but the barriers are designed to break, and once people work that out it becomes a huge cost.” Hutton went on to confirm that the temporary bus stop “was never formally agreed as a bus stop,” but is convenient while negotiations take place. As it stands the “technical” aspect of the road where we would like to see a bus shelter put is unsafe

Students taking advantage of a bus shelter put up by the Universe team last month. say the Highway Agency. In order for the bus shelters to be put in place all the roads put forward in the proposal must be certified by the Highways Agency. This means that roads that run around the de Havilland campus, currently fenced off at the Elenbrook Roundabout, must all be approved by the Highways Agency. “This,” as Hutton put it, “is not the responsibility of the university, but that of Arlington.” He also confirmed that the university had made a large contribution to the cost of the proposed development but said that it would take a lot more money to bring the roads to a standard that would be acceptable for a dedicated bus route. Jason Raven said that Arlington had put “many” proposals to the council and that there always seemed to be an issue with the proposals. “We can’t have golden plated shelters and roads,” said Raven. He said that the council expected too much detail and that

the process has been difficult. “We want the council to adopt the roads,” said Raven, “but they just seem to demand more with every

want to develop a site that isn’t going to be dated in a few years, and a road network that will be easy to cope with the future of

Building of the £47.50 bus shelter proposal.” Raven can’t understand why the council has been so standoffish with their approach. It’s understandable that the council

the park, but this all contradicts the Welwyn Hatfield District Plan of 2005 which was put together by the District Council. The plan has a whole section dedicated

Reducing the Need to Travel and Dependence on the Car which states that the dominance of the car has widespread negative impacts on people’s quality of life. It also outlines the weakness in the public transport link stating that there is a limitation of public transport in the district. It addresses that bus services between towns are generally not very frequent and can take much longer than in a car. The objective of the plan highlights that, amongst other things, the development to meet the recognised needs of local people in terms of housing, services and community facilities. Minimising the need to travel and reducing the dependence on the car by developments designed to prioritise pedestrians, cyclists and public transport. But all of these promises that were outlined in the plans seem to be riddled with confusion. On one hand the council wants to have a Strategic Bus Route that is safe and fulfils all the requirements of the relevant agencies certifying the lands and roads. Yet the already booming business park which would benefit from the WH District Plan is being contradicted by the very same bodies that want to promote a cleaner, efficient and comprehensive bus service to the area. Although there is still much debate over the proposed plans, at least there has been dialogue between the relevant parties, but in reality how easy would it be to just sit everyone down over a table to discuss Section 106 and the plans for the development of Hatfield. Unfortunately it’s not just a matter of bus shelters in the town, but also the development of the town as a whole. It’s almost as though the council wants to show that there are plans for Hatfield in the future, but actually putting the plan to action seems to be taking quite a while. Surely it shouldn’t take three years to build a bus shelter.


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Issue 4 Volume 13

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Games

Issue 4 Volume13

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12

News

Issue 4 Volume 13

universe@herts.ac.uk

News... because we are a newspaper! Lacrose team is on the RaG T

he Comets Lacrosse team have been growing their hair since late October, so that they can shave it all off in the Ele house for RAG week. The more money that is raised the more people will shave their hair. As the scale shows. If you want to see these people loose their hair, help us raise the money and come along to the Ele house from 8 pm on Friday 10th Feb.

Cultural Awareness Week T

he New Year brings exciting new opportunities to Volunteering with a Cultural Awareness Week in March 2006.

The idea behind Cultural Awareness week is to bring together students from all over the world who are studying here at UH to get together in a cultural social celebration. The week will see a host of events running from Monday 13th – Friday 17th March, with the main event being a Cultural Fair on Wednesday 15th March. The Cultural fair will be like Freshers Fair with stalls available for any society or cultural group who would like to showcase their culture for others to learn about them.

Crespo = £500 Dan V and Benji = £200 Hugo and Nick = £150

If you are interested in representing your Culture by having a stall to show people all about your culture, and celebrate it with others, or if you would like to perform on the stage at the fair please contact me and I can send you an application form. To find out more you can also look at the Students’ Union website at: www.uhsu.herts.ac.uk

Dan M and Russ = £100 Jimmy and Tom = £50

As well as the Cultural Awareness week there are still other types of volunteering that you can get

involved with.

• Now that it is a start of a new yea have you thought about making a new years resolution to give somethin back to your local community?

• Do you have a skill that you coul share with others and put to goo use?

• Have you started thinking abou what to do when you leave Uni an need to build your CV and get som experience?

If you answered yes to any of thes questions then maybe I can help. M job is to help you as a Student to fin the right volunteering opportunity fo you. Are you good with computers Creative? Good at cooking? Or hav any other skills that you would lik to share with others? Let me know and I may be able to find a project t suit you. Make a difference to you community whilst improving o your CV. NIomi Marsh Volunteer Co-ordinator 01707 285 001 uhsu.voulenteer@herts.ac.uk

The RaG Breakdown... W

hat is RaG all about? The meaning goes beyond the acronym for ‘raising and giving’. The origins of RaG date back to the early 19th century when students’ from Oxford and Cambridge universities would go out collecting rags and clothing for the poor at Christmas. Today, the basic ethic of RaG means the same, with people giving up their time and energy to raise money for those who need it.

The 05-06 UHSU RaG campaign aims to raise over £10000 for this years two local charities:Center 33 Centre 33 is a day / evening / weekend drop-in centre for socially and materially disadvantaged people over 18. This includes the homeless, unemployed, exoffenders, those with mental, alcohol or drug-dependency problems, and people who are lonely or socially isolated. It is operated entirely by volunteers.

Pentahact (Herts support group) Pentahact is a small local group that raises funds for approximately 37 people with autism in Hertfordshire. The group provides residential and day care for people who have learning disabilities, autism or mental health problems. How can YOU get involved? There are plenty of ways for you to get involved! For example you could simply donate, help on a street collection, take part in an organised event or even create one of your own! The list of opportunities is endless! RaG Week Events Monday 6th Elehouse Quiz from 8pm. All proceeds from the quiz will go to RaG. Expect some excellent prizes including the top prize of a widescreen TV. Come and show your support! Wednesday 8th The Font from 8pm. Lollies, glowsticks and much more will be available with all proceeds going to the RaG total!

Head

time on the Astroturf up for grabs. £3 per players to enter. To take part email uhsu.activities@herts.ac.uk

The Comets Lacrosse team have been growing their hair since late October, so that they can shave it all off in the Ele house for RaG week.

Sunday 12th Elehouse Quiz from 8pm.All proceeds from the quiz will go to RaG, so expect some interesting prizes! Come and show your support!

The guys are hoping to raise as much as they can and will be trying to pick up sponsorship in the week leading up to the 10th. The more money that is raised the more people will shave their hair as the scale shows. £500 for Crespos hair is a bargin!!

Tuesday 14th Valentines Card and Rose delivery service The 05-06 UHSU RaG team are offering to be your cupid on this year’s valentines day! We will deliver a Rose and Card (signed your secret admirer) to any Halls on campus for £5. Simply email

Friday 10th Elehouse shaving extraordinaire!

If you want to see these people loose their hair, help us raise the money and come along to the Ele house from 8 pm on Friday 10th Feb. Saturday 11th Football tournament- College Lane A day of football open to 8 teams of UH students, with the prize of

uhsu.activities@herts.ac.uk

Sponsored Events The 05-06 UHSU RaG team are in the process of organising a number of sponsored events, including de Havilland sports village wall climb and tandem sky dives! Look out for more details closer to the time. However, if you have an idea for

event why not organise your own UHSU will support you with you event, providing sponsorsh forms, a location, anything yo need to run a fun safe event! Wh not incorporate one of your ne years resolutions into a sponsorsh opportunity and raise money at th same time.

Email uhsu.activities@hert ac.uk for more information o support.

Check out

http://rag.uhsu.co.uk or ema uhsu.activities@herts.ac.uk Katie Wide V.P Student Activities 01707 285 005 uhsu.activities:herts.ac.uk


News

www.uhsu.herts.ac.uk

Issue 4 Volume13

13

News... because we are a newspaper! Cash Point on Dehav!

One Drink, Two Drink, Three Drink, Floor! by Jacob Z. Clinton T

he drinking world has been rocked by the resignation of Charles Kennedy as leader of the Liberal Democrats – not since those wacky Americans passed the 18th Amendment in 1919 has the alcohol seemed so maligned.

was so extreme that he simply chose to bow out with what dignity he could muster.

With this cold day for warm blooded booze lovers everywhere the Universe contemplates some other ideal candidates for Liberal Democrat leadership: 1. George Best :- Not content with demolishing one liver, the late great Best took out a second one with his continued drinking campaign until his sad demise on the 3rd October last year from a lung infection and multiple organ failure. George Best’s ‘Roy of the Rovers’ football genius could easily translate into the political field and with today’s current celebrity fascinated climate he’d make a damn good substitute for Charles Kennedy as Liberal Democrat captain wining massive ground for Britain’s ‘3rd party’ from the average member of the public.

Charles Kennedy has constantly denied claims over the years that he drank too much, insisting that he was a ‘social person’ and declaring that he was ‘an extremely moderate and infrequent consumer of alcohol’ whilst steering the Liberal Democrats – that 3rd place party who can make slightly madder claims than the Conservatives for Labour safe in the knowledge that no one is really listening to them. Initially Charles Kennedy stood down from leadership citing a plan to re-enter the party leadership debate and re-win his role however the backlash from his revelation

2. Oliver Reed:- Hardcore drinker/ actor is something of a legend in the Channel Islands where he became a tax exile, some of his drinking associates still wander around Guernsey with the glazed look in their eyes of having known one of the finest drinkers in the universe. There is an urban legend that Reed drank 106 pints of beer over two days during an arm wrestling competition in Guernsey before marrying his second wife in 1985. That fact alone should make him at least King of England. Of course Reed too is dead, dying of a heart

attack after supposedly drinking 34 bottles of rum and beating 5 sailors t’s finally here! Work is now at arm wrestling in the middle of well underway on the new, filming Gladiator. long awaited cash machine at our deHavilland campus. The 3. John Bonham:- Madcap Led picture on the left isn’t the actual Zeppelin drummer Bonham is machine as currently the ATM the final suggestion for ‘deceased is just a huge metal box! Your alchoholic who would have been union and its’ executive officers ideal as a sort of comedy Liberal have been tirelessly campaigning Democrat leader so this article can for the provision of a deHavilland be padded out during another slow cash machine for quite some time. news month.’ All that work has now paid off. This addition should also have a Bonham died after consuming pleasant knock on effect for College massive amounts of vodka and lane student’s too as hopefully choking on his own vomit. deHavilland residents will now be Reasons, aside from alcoholic able to withdraw their money prior consumption capacity, to be to coming across on busy event considered for Liberal democrat nights. As I’m sure you all know leader? Drum solos.

The United Nations nuclear watchdog has voted to report Iran to the Security Council over its nuclear activities. Twenty-seven states out of 35 on the IAEA board backed the move, with three against and five abstentions.

The Bethnal Green and Bow MP had been detained “on grounds of national security” on arrival at Cairo airport.

The decision follows days of intensive diplomacy and could lead to possible UN sanctions against Iran.

He was stopped and detained all night in a cell with several others, a spokesman for his party said.

An Iranian official said “Tehran would resume full-scale enrichment of uranium.”

I

Bonus Choice:- University of Hertfordshire Student’s Union Vice President Of Communications and Media Marek ‘Maz’ Nusl. A night just isn’t a night without Maz drunkenly exiting the Font, speaking to the news team the other night (in the Font) Maz lamented the ousting of Charles Kennedy from the Liberal Democrat party over something so trifle as just wanting a drink.

the immense demand placed on the UHSU courtyard machine and the two reception machines, especially on Wednesdays and Fridays, usually results in the money running out before nightfall.

The Sexual Revolution D

isabled people and sex - not something really that is talked about or thought about but maybe it is time that it was.

The News Team believes that, what with his maximum two year tenure as VP Comms and Media coming to an end this year, there should be a student lead grassroot6s campaign to place Marek Nusl at the heart of the Liberal Democrats and let him lead by example – straight to the bar.

News in Breif... MP George Galloway has been allowed into Egypt after originally being detained and spending the night in a cell. The politician went to the Middle East on Friday after being invited to join an event against the war in Iraq.

from Adrian Smith

It is time that it stopped being the great taboo that it is and for non-disabled people realised that us disabled people have sexual thoughts and feelings too and that we have a right to a sexually fulfilling relationship, sex education etc... just like non- disabled people. As part of the NUS SWD Campaign Sexual RevaLOOation we are asking students with disabilities to send us their stories - relationships are personal but we need to get the stories out their and to campaign for students with disabilities to have the right to contraception, sex education etc

a wrap up of news stories you may have missed

An icy, rocky world reported last year to be orbiting the Sun in the distant reaches of the Solar System is bigger than Pluto. Observations of the object, (designation 2003 UB313), show it to have a diameter of some 3,000km - about 700km more than Pluto. It is likely to bolster claims for the body to be given planet status. On the other hand, it will also give support to those who believe Pluto has an inflated position and should be downgraded to a more minor classification.

UK Defence Secretary John Reid has warned Nato members that they must change for the alliance to survive. Mr Reid told the Associated Press greater flexibility and better co-ordination with the EU were needed. He was speaking ahead of a security conference in Germany, which US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and German Chancellor Angela Merkel are attending. He is expected to tell the meeting that Nato’s future is in greater peril now than during the Cold War.

A Los Angeles judge has released singer Courtney Love from a court home detention order because of her efforts to combat drug addiction. Judge Rand Rubin ordered Love not to leave home in November, following her release from a drug rehab clinic. Love is on probation for drug offences and attacking a woman with a bottle.


14

Advice & Support

Issue 4 Volume 13

universe@herts.ac.uk

Internationl Students Association Puts on Chinese New Years Bash

T

his year the Students’ Union is keen to include more events ell a happy new year to that are inclusive of international you all! I know a bit late students and to also integrate the home students with students from but whatever! overseas. As everyone is saying nowadays; ‘It’s a small world after Hopefully you guys would have now finished the dreadful all’ and with companies going exams and can see the light at global, international ties are getting the end of the tunnel (or the bar more and more important. The impending multicultural day coming ;) ). You’re probably feeling up in March (15th) this year should very sleep deprived and run see an increased awareness of other down so make sure you chill cultures and religions. out properly and take those vitamins! Remember alcohol hits you twice as hard if you’ve In response to this desire to integrate only had 12hrs sleep all week. the international students and make their learning experience improved, So be sensible and don’t go International Students’ hitting the shots of sambuccas the Association (ISA) was formed. and aftershock too badly Therefore on 29th of January the ISA – you’ll only go regretting it premiered their first international afterwards, trust me! event; Chinese New Year! From 7pm onwards the Font Bar saw up As for me? Well most of my to 400 students (international and time this year has been spent organising a Chinese New Year home) walk through the doors to celebrate one of the most important party with the International festivals of the Chinese calendar. Students Association on the 29th of January. (See article Boasting rich cultural meaning and page ….) It was loads of fun and the students seem to enjoy a long history, traditional Chinese festivals compose an important and the night too! brilliant part of Chinese culture. Life still goes on at the Advice and Support Centre. If you have any housing issues , financial problems, health troubles, course problems or perhaps you need free legal advice, make sure you pay us a visit. No appointment necessary unless you want legal advice in which case give Linda, our Welfare Assistant, a call on 01707 283154.

W

Also if you need any advice regarding exam results or appeals please come and see me or give me a call on 01707 285003. Good luck to those who now have dissertations or projects to work on now – no rest for the wicked eh? And happy house hunting! Love n hugs, xx Laura Mudge VP Education and Welfare 01707 285003 uhsu.support@herts.ac.uk

Most traditional festivals took shape during the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC). In the most prosperous Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907), traditional festivals liberated themselves from primitive sacrifice, taboo and mystery and became more entertaining. From then on, festive occasions turned more brisk and exciting and more and more folk customs were developed. Of all the traditional Chinese festivals, the New Year is perhaps the most elaborate, colourful, and important. This is a

times when, it is said, a monster used to descend from the mountains on the first day of the lunar year and destroy villages and crops before returning to its lair. In order to protect themselves the people built as terrifying a creature as they could and went with it to confront the monster as it came to their village. Upon seeing the Lion, the monster became so frightened that it never returned to trouble anyone ever again. In modern times the Lion is still used on the Lunar New Year to bring good luck and prosperity to everyone.

time for the Chinese to congratulate each other and themselves on having passed through another year, a time to finish out the old, and to welcome in the New Year. The Chinese New year is celebrated on the first day of the First Moon of the lunar calendar. The corresponding date in the solar calendar varies from as early as January 21st to as late as February 19th. Chinese New Year, as the Western New Year, signified turning over a new leaf. Socially, it

was a time for family reunions, and for visiting friends and relatives. This holiday, more than any other Chinese holiday, stressed the importance of family ties. The night was a completely free night for all students! Free entry, free soft drinks, free food and free entertainment so you couldn’t moan that you were too poor to come! Though the night was aimed at Chinese students, the ISA felt it

was important to let other students learn more about their culture. Traditional Chinese snacks were laid out throughout the night; fortune cookies, peanuts, sunflower seeds, Chinese crackers, spring rolls, dumplings and prawn crackers. Decorations such as oriental lanterns, poetic couplets, ornate calligraphy, and Chinese flags adorned the Font walls and ceilings giving the whole venue an oriental feel. Popular Chinese music was played as well as some British and American so all were satisfied! Chinese and English karaoke took place later on in the evening which highlighted some talented young singers and some not so talented. But perhaps the most spectacular event of the night was the Yi Dao Wushu Lion Dance performance. Yi Dao is a team that was formed in 1998 by Sifu Vincent Hopkins. With a strong background in Chinese martial arts, acrobatics and lion dancing, he produced a troupe that has gone on to perform at top-level National & International competitions. The troupe has also performed all over the Country at a wide array of events. Never before has the Font hosted such an amazing and colourful show that brought delight to the on looking students! Why a Lion dance you say? The Chinese Lion is a mythological creature that represents strength, wisdom, good luck, and has the ability to drive away evil spirits. The dance has its origins in ancient

Of course this event wouldn’t have been this successful without a number of people. Special thanks to Luke Mason for DJing, Jackie, Luna, Lisa and Cindy for cooking, Keith Mason for your help and

“The Chinese New year is celebrated on the first day of the First Moon of the lunar calendar. The corresponding date in the solar calendar varies from as early as January 21st to as late as February 19th.” organisation of the event, the Yi Dao performers and Bruce Wang from Jing Jings for the food. Thank you to the Font staff; Lee Welsh, Hannah and Sian for everything you did that night. Not forgetting the ISA:- Tillman, Roy, Xiangping, Raphaela, Rishit, and Joe for all the effort they put into the night. Last but by no means the least, Kieran J , thank you for keeping me sane and being a monkey. Apologies if I missed anyone out! There were loads of people who helped me, so a big thanks to all!. Laura Mudge VP Education and Welfare 01707 285003 uhsu.support@herts.ac.uk


Culture

www.uhsu.herts.ac.uk

Issue 4 Volume13

15

‘Gong Hei Fat Choi’ – Happy New Year from the University of Hertfordshire

S

tudents and staff at the University of Hertfordshire celebrated the Chinese New Year in style on Friday 20 January.

Chinese New Year while we are here and to share that celebration with all students, not just those from China.”

The Business School turned the Atrium of the de Havilland Campus into a scene from the East. Celebrations included a traditional Chinese Lion Dance performed by The Dragon and Lion Dance Troupe with live music, Chinese students took part in Calligraphy and lots of food and drink was enjoyed, including Chinese fortune cookies.

Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Eeva Leinonen welcomed everyone to the celebration. She said: “I am very happy to be here to join in this celebration. I’m so pleased to see so many students from China and other countries here. We are very keen on diversity here at the University and have many other events celebrating different cultures planned throughout the coming year.”

International students from China welcomed in the ‘Year of the Dog’ along with staff and students from the UK and across the world. Wang Shuang, MA Marketing student said: “It is nice for the University to do something like this for us. It is fun to celebrate the

The celebrations for the Chinese New Year at the University are set to continue as the School of Law is planning to hold a party at its St Albans Campus on Monday 30 January.

African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust O

n the Thursday15th of December I attended a seminar on ACLT in the prince Edward hall organised by the ACS. ACLT is the abbreviation for the African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust. This is a registered charity, 1058739, that was started by Beverley De-Gale and Orin Lewis on June 2nd 1996. ACLT works to raise awareness of the lack of bone marrow donors within the ethnic community. This leads me to my next topic; bone marrow. Bone marrow is a spongy material in the centre of your bone; it is also the site where blood cells are produced. Once the blood cells have matured it leaves the bone marrow and enters the bloodstream. Blood contains red blood cells (RBC) and white blood cells (WBC) and platelets. RBC goes on to transport oxygen and waste products around the body, WBC makes up the bodies immune system and protects it from the effect of foreign body invaders, for example bacteria and platelets is involved in blood clotting. In severe cases the production of WBC speeds up, this increases the percentage of immature WBC. Immature WBC takes up a lot of space in the bone marrow and reduces the production of red blood cells and platelets.

This means that the amount of oxygen carried around the body, the bodies’ immune system and control of any bleedings is all reduced. This is a form of blood cancer known as Leukaemia.

improvement is noticeable as their body begins to produce normal blood cells. There are two methods for extracting bone marrow, an individual who has sickle cell trait, can only undergo procedure 2.

The most successful treatment for leukaemia is bone marrow transplant. This is the extraction of 3% of the donors’ bone marrow,

Procedure 1: The donor will be prescribed with an anaesthetic, before their bone marrow is extracted from the pelvis bone

which is then transferred to the recipient. After a short period of time the donors’ body has returned the % of bone marrow from 97%100%. For the recipient it may take a couple of years, but an

using a syringe. This procedure requires the donor to stay at the hospital for 48 hrs; the donor will experience discomfort in their hip for a day or two. And no, this process does not involve a doctor

drilling a hole into your bone. Procedure 2: The donor will be administrated with growth factor proteins beforehand; this increases stem cells production causing stem cells to spill out of the bone marrow and into the blood. Next a tube is connected to both arms; this tube links the donor to a stem cell separator. In this process blood leaves the right arm travels to the stem cell separator, where the stem cells is extracted, the blood is then returned to the body through the left arm. The only discomfort involved in this process is that it takes 3-4 hrs. Back to ACLT, Seeing that bone marrow is race specific we cannot be helped by anyone else. At the present moment if a white person suffers from leukaemia they have a 1/5 chance of survival. However if an ethnic individual suffers from leukaemia they have a 1/250 000 survival chance. Big difference! The reason this is; is that not enough people within our community are registered, why because a lot of us do not know the facts. By registering you are committing yourself to helping one of our own survive, by giving this sufferer 3% of your bone marrow your given them the opportunity to live. When registering you will be required to fill out a medical check

form and a sample of your blood will be collected. The ‘tissue type’ information extracted from your blood sample is then placed on the Anthony Nolan Trust or National blood service database; and is accessible by all hospitals. Only if you happen to be a match will u be called upon to give 3% of your bone marrow. It is not guaranteed that you will be a match. To conclude… At a later date still to be disclosed; Orin Lewis will return to the campus with his crew for a day or two of registering students at Hertfordshire University. Or you can register at the local hospital. If I still have not persuaded you to register with ACLT remember that there is other ways in which you can help, such as fund raising and increasing awareness. However if u are interested in registering send a very brief e-mail to the following address and I will send the date of Orin Lewis return to you, once I get it. Part-time_journalist@hotmail. co.uk

By Bunmi



18

Music

Issue 4 Volume 13

in[music]

universe@herts.ac.uk

Jessoca Sturman has been reviewing some of the bands that have been playing in the Font over the last month.

Will You Miss Them?

Polydor records who wanted the girls to become a ‘manufactured band’ but the girls, did not want to lose their identity and so stood their ground. They said ‘we are not going to pimp ourselves off to the industry’ just to be famous, they want to be famous in their own right, for their own work if at all. Their main aim they said was to get their music out there, and this is shown by the way in which Susie seems undeterred by playing to a crowd of twenty people. She said ‘if one person from that crowd likes us then that’s one more person.’

A

ll you miss are a girl grunge band. I can imagine after reading those eight words you will have ready pictured the stereotypical girl group, but if you can try to cast that image out of your mind, for ‘All you miss’ are not conventional. They know as an all girl group it is a hard journey to prove your worth and find your own niche in a male dominated genre, yet that does not deter them, if anything it makes them even more determined. The band is based around London, the girls Susie (guitar), Olivia (bass and vocals) and Caroline (drums) are all friends, who have to commute to see each other even to practise as they are based at different universities, studying different courses. The girls have always had a deep rooted interest

H

in music, with Olivia and Caroline learning the piano when they were younger, and Susie joining a band and learning guitar at the age of twelve. They unlike their peers were not interested in the prospect of getting into a club underage, instead they preferred sneaking back stage at gigs and hearing live music. Their influences are names most have heard before from the likes of Nirvana, Nine Inch Nails to AFI.

The girls transformed themselves when on stage, from your average students to rock chicks. The music had a good rhythm, was original and the girls interacted with the crowd, who had ventured out curious to see a girl grunge band. The only slight glitch was the vocals, which were drowned out at points by the drums. This made it hard to hear chunks of lyrics this could be resolved perhaps with voice coaching, but for a self contained, self made student band you couldn’t ask for any more. They have the image and the talent; they just need the right person to

The Paddingtons T

he Paddingtons were the headlining act for the night ‘The Tommies’ played, and boy what a let down. They lacked charisma and oozed a cocky arrogance, which was unattractive. The five some (Tom, Grant, Marv, Josh and Lloyd) who normally play a live set (as a band), hit the decks on the night to show Hatfield some good alternative music. They did play some cracking tunes, for example ‘London Calling’ by the ‘Sex Pistols’ but it became a rather “...we are not going to pimp ourselves dull affair for the listeners and off to the industry just to be famous, dancers when the same songs were played, to the point they want to be famous in their own repeatedly where the crowd became bored right, for their own work if at all” and dispersed from the dance floor to the bar, to blot out the sound or Once the girls get talking backstage, sign them. The girls enjoyed their walked home. it is clear they like ‘The Tommies’ time at Hatfield and would love to and others interviewed are not come again. ‘The Paddingtons’ were unwilling in it for the money. They remain to give an interview, but did unsigned after a fall out with comment that they were not overly

impressed with Hatfield as the crowd tended to require a heavier music they had not intended to play. The set was monotonous, poorly mixed to the point where a tame chimp could have mixed

“The Paddingtons were unwilling to give an interview, but did comment that they were not overly impressed with Hatfield...” better armed with a remote control and high-fi with the amount of pauses and swaps between songs they had. The music did not flow; there was no rhythm in short it was a soulless set and a disappointing end to what started as a good night.

Snort Salt with Headway

eadway is a group of five with David Wright on guitar and vocals, his brother Jason Wright on drums and friends Jo Watts on guitar, Dave Astbury aka “shaggy” (he was given the name Shaggy because of his hair style and apparently he also has a tattoo of Scrappy Doo on his bum) on bass and Tom Harrison on Keyboard. The guys are a Nottingham based band and for those of you who were here last year and read the music section will know, I reviewed their single ‘Always the same’ and so was particularly eager to meet the guys who had created such a beautiful piece of work. The guys who have quit their full time jobs to focus on their music careers rehearse in the ‘cosy’ shed

at the bottom of Jason’s garden. The band write their own songs with a lot of in put from lead singer David who they said ‘writes about stuff he knows about’ and ‘lyrics

he believes in.’ Its no wonder then that their fans find the music emotive and skin tingling. The band’s set was better than their

ep and some of their new songs were much rockier than the likes of their ballads ‘Pokerface’, ‘Always the same’ and ‘Left for dead.’ The lyrics were catchy, melodic and the aid of the keyboard as they rightly said ‘softens the sound’ and gives their music its own original style and take on the rock genre. It was obvious the guys love their music and believe in what they are playing, this was indicated by the way they performed- it was dramatic. They seemed emotionally connected to what they were playing, which was demonstrated by the way Shaggy closed his eyes at points, Jo strummed manically and Dave punched his chest as the music reached a crescendo in ‘Always the Same’. It was a great gig in which the aftermath involved not

the notorious buzzing in your ears but instead tingling skin. Since performing in Hatfield the guys have been to America in search of new producers. So watch this space. Jason (drummer) from Headway explains the art of drinking tequila (not for the faint hearted) 1. 2. 3. 4.

Snort the salt Drink the Tequilla Squeeze the lemon in eye Suck on mini cheddar


www.uhsu.herts.ac.uk

in[music] in[film]

Music

Issue 4 Volume13

Tommies in the Font...

new music.’ Even young kids, they said were attending their gigs in America, where as here generally there are age restrictions in venues, which limits the market to get your music out too.

19

There were a few areas that could have done with a bit of tweaking, but that can be put down to jet lag and exhaustion. Their best song by far was ‘She knows’ with its amazing harmonies sung by all

“In short it was obvious that they, unlike ‘The Paddingtons’ were more interested in the performing aspect of being a band, and getting their music out there rather than the money.”

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he Tommies were the support act to ‘The Paddingtons’ and in all honesty they should have headlined. The band, a three pieceLeon (guitar and vocals) Joel on (drums and backing vocals) and Tom on (bass and backing vocals.) are from Nottingham. The band is on a low-key record label, and focuses their attention on getting their music out there. The drummer, Joel refers to the band and its music

as a ‘sheer labour of love.’ On introduction the band were charismatic, and had an evident passion for music. In short it was obvious that they, unlike ‘The Paddingtons’ were more interested in the performing aspect of being a band, and getting their music out there rather than the money. It was surprising to see them so

energetic on stage, after hearing they had only come back from a two-week tour of America the night before. Their secret and saviour they said to being able to play gigs with jet lag or one after the other, was good old ‘red bull.’ When asked how it differed playing to an American audience from an English one, they said ‘the people were bigger out there’ and ‘were more willing to listen to

Business As Usual by T. Rhodes

‘U

nsigned’ - does this mean unworthy? I would have to say an excitable no. ‘Business As Usual’ is certainly not run of the mill and has a real rivalry with anything in the charts at the moment. I’d describe it as a cross between Hip-Hop and R‘n’B but in not in a way I’ve seen before. It has something for every taste, and I like to dabble in my fare share of genres. Personally not all rapping does it for me especially with what’s out at the moment, but ‘Da Brakes’ brings a new flavour that’s just less about attitude, which is like a breath of fresh air. Originally an actor from West London, (I thought I recognised the face) it has been said that he pulls off the live aspect of his performance really well, and if this albums anything to go by, I look forward to seeing him progress. This album just might be that ticket. I have listened to his previous albums from his website and they are good, but this latest instalment to Da Brakes’ hefty collection does show off his worth. For the more Hip-Hop inclined Da Brakes more than stands his ground with tracks like ‘Rap City Road’ and ‘Make Noise’ showing off his lyricism and sure tell tale sign that he’s been perfecting his craft over the years.

With tracks including ‘Jewellery’ –an addictive beat with incredible catchy chorus, and ‘Understand’ – which is going to be massive in the clubs and on your radio, you get a real feel for what this guy is about. There is a spicy mix of humour, straight talking

“There is a spicy mix of humour, straight talking and real lyrical ability; all put together with more charm and charisma than anyone has managed to pull off so far.” and real lyrical ability; all put together with more charm and charisma than anyone has managed to pull off so far. Da Brakes has a boat load of personality to put across but not in the way some artists do, trying to shove it down your neck, he’s got cheeky arrogance that suits his style. My advice is to keep your eyes peeled because Da Brakes is pulling out all the stops. Promising. Very Promising. www.dabrakes.com

Although they enjoyed their tour the guys said they want to try and make it big in the UK, because if you tour America for ‘six months you only make a dent’ where as in the UK ‘you can play every venue twice.’ They looked smart and professional when they appeared on stage in dark designer suits and polished shoes, and as they played it showed they were serious about their music. The set had good melodies, with catchy choruses in songs such as ‘Something strange’.

three members, it is unusual for a band whose members can all sing well and it made a nice touch. They had said back stage that their main influences were the bands of the 60s such as ‘Motown’, ‘The Kinks’ and ‘The Beatles’ and the reason they gave was the energy the music had back then. After hearing their set, you would have to agree that the band even with jet lag maintained the kind of raw energy, which was essential to early music.


20

Music

Issue 4 Volume 13

in[music]

universe@herts.

Matthew Ketchell is back! This time he is out in the field reviewing some top quility bands.

“Due to a cock up of almighty proportions a ‘rough draft’ of Matthew Ketchell’s Kaiser Chiefs review was mistakenly printed in the last issue of the universe. (Oh how we chuckled!) Fear not though because following a crisis meeting and a few apologies / red faces later we have the completed version for you to feast your exam ravaged eyes upon, a mere 3 months since the gig. Enjoy!”

The Kaiser Chiefs... take 2 G

od bless the NME for concocting a bill that displaying the “aren’t we bloody great-ness” of The UK’s current musical talent. It is a bill that covers every base in terms of British musical progression and is a testament to the fact that this is the healthiest state Blighty’s rock has found itself in for over a decade. The Kaiser Chiefs - having done all the ground work last year and during the 1st half of 2005 have the honour headlining with what will probably be the final outing for the material off their successful debut ‘Employment’. Expect to see a new album coupled with a UK tour early next year. Newcastle’s Maximo Park find themselves 2nd in the order as they continue to lay the foundations for their equally impressive debut ‘A Certain Trigger’ an album that should find its 2nd wind in 2006. The Chief’s Yorkshire counterparts The Cribs are left to bring up the rear, it’s worth noting that The Kaisers footed a similar NME tour less than a year ago. Resembling Hanson’s Drug dealer cousins The Cribs opened up the very northern looking bill and their sweaty, Yorkshire fuzz rock was warmly received by a southern audience who hurled their shandy with glee as a Ryan Crib’s stereotypical display of rock and rollmanship brought an close to their half hour shift. The guitarist’s amp had been temperamental throughout the set and as a result took a beating at the finale, the battered PA system looked on as Ryan the proceeded to launch himself into the crowd. This kid is acting like he’s just headlined Woodstock and played ‘Stairway to Heaven’ with his eye balls yet his band are playing bottom of the bill, maybe it’s that audacity that makes The Cribs so great. The Leeds three piece stagger off backstage to snort lines from hookers arse cracks and throw some TV’s out of the window. Time for the robotic ‘Maximo Park’ to take to the stage and deliver their unique, jerktastic Geordie rock. While The Kaiser Chiefs

“Resembling Hanson’s Drug dealer cousins The Cribs opened up the very northern looking bill and their sweaty, Yorkshire fuzz rock was warmly received by a southern audience...”

are to the 21st Century what Blur were to the 90’s Maximo Park are unquestionably this generations Pulp, the only difference being Maximo Park have got the tunes. Lead singer Paul Smith carries the camp, pompous, chip on the shoulder attitude of Jarvis with each song reeking of heartbreak and rejection. There’s a real pulse to each of their frantic numbers and their smart turn out kicks The Cribs filthy white t-shirted look into touch with each member neatly dressed almost identically in black suits and red ties. During the songs juddering karate chop actions are ritually performed by singer Smith and keyboardist Lukas Woller. This bravado is expected of a front man but the enthusiasm of Woller boarders on the unnecessary at times but despite his best efforts no one is going to steal Smith’s stage, tonight’s performance is infectious

and not for the 1st time on this tour Maximo Park turn heads. Time for the main event and a Boyband esq. entrance from the tweed clad Chiefs is met with predictable frenzied scenes as they launch themselves head first into a tight set of favourites. They are at complete ease with their surroundings showing just how much they’ve come on over the last year and in Ricky Wilson they have a front man worthy of steering the ship Kaiser. A real show is delivered tonight with an emphasis on crowd participation, the lyrics are roared back to the band who feed on the response like hungry rock and roll beasts. Wilson, not content with simply frequenting the stage area enters the crowd on several occasions keeping the security staff on their toes throughout. During the

closing few cords of Modern Way he sprints off stage leaving the rest of the band to finish, moments later he is situated on the sound booth at the back of the venue, wireless mic in hand. He makes his way back to the stage via the hands of the Kaiser Chief faithful whilst singing the next track, daring stunts like this separate the men from the boys the guy is a pro. Things get U2 for a second during ‘Caroline Yes’ when fresh from his crowd surfing antics a slightly dishevelled Ricky picks a girl form the audience to slow dance with, over cooking it slightly perhaps. Eyebrows are raised during the encore with a cover of Marvin Gaye’s ‘Heard It Through The Grapevine’ speeding it up and adding their personal touch builds for a big finish closing with ‘Oh My God’. Job done Wilson leads his band of merry men off stage to the familiar sound of raucous crowd approval and not for the first or last time they leave a sweaty, spent crowd to simmer.

Saturday Night Born To Be A Dancer Everyday I Love You Less And Less Hard Time Send Me Sink That Ship Time Honoured Tradition Na Na Na Na Naa Modern Way You Can Have It All I Predict A Riot Caroline Yes Take My Temperature Encore Heard It Through The Grapevine What Did I Ever Give You Oh My God


Stage

www.uhsu.herts.ac.uk

on[stage]

Issue 4 Volume13

13

Carole Shepherdson mixs it up. This month see visits the Barn Theatre and has a laugh at the Ele House.

The Ele, Just Like Clockwork! threw him a working lighter for his pipe.

C

lockwork Comedy, compared by Addy Bhorg, starring Andrew Lawrence and Tony Law.

Bust the stress. Watch some comedy. Laugh out loud for the first time in weeks. Up to the eyes in exams and course work. Take a break or, celebrate exams ending (for now) and finally handing in course work. In a smokey cold corner of the Ele house on a freezing Thursday night, Addy Bhorg (who I could’ve sworn was actually introduced as Andy Ball) smouldered onto stage

Theatre Round Up Watford Palace opens the season with a bleakly funny horror story, ‘The Beauty Queen of Leenane’ by Martin McDonagh, and runs from 2 February to 25 February at 7.45pm nightly. Comedy ‘One Last Card Trick’ by Stewart Permutt opens from the 2nd to 18th March at 7.45pm nightly. Ticket prices range from £11 to £44. See Website www. watfordtheatre. co.uk for details

to warm us up with tales of a whale stuck in the Thames. He was doing quite well till he mentioned George Best, the audience glared icily. If Bhorg had been on TV instead of live, he’d never have spotted the iceberg heading for the ship, luckily he turned it around and Stripy Hat Jim caught his attention (you know who you are and I bet you won‘t be wearing your hat next time) before exiting the stage. Red head, pony tailed, Andrew Lawrence was up next. His voice was Golems, annoying, but funny, telling similar stories

of desperation, misery, pain and rejection. His problem wasn’t so much a golden ring, but a ginger halo. Apparently he’s a bit of an Animal in the Bedroom Department. I’m so glad I’m not a shop girl working for John Lewis, Debenhams or House of Fraser, you have my sympathy if you are and Andrew Lawrence comes shopping… Bhorg came back on stage to play with something small and hard. That got the audience’s attention, especially when he tried to light it. Thankfully some kind student

At Mince O’Clock, half Canadian Tony Law hurtled onto stage in a tight lurid green shirt with the kind of mullet Ian Botham would’ve been proud of. He will be forever embedded into my mind as the man who sucked on a microphone and thankfully forgotten as the man who kept reminding us – “The oil is running out”. I know the oil is running out. I’m here for comedy and that just isn’t funny. Law gave up on the depressing trivia and stuck with the noises. Sucking on a microphone did it for the crowd, so

t the Barn Theatre, Welwyn Garden City, directed by Zoë Watkins. Henrik Ibsen’s classic play was performed in the atmospheric and rumoured haunted Barn Theatre to a diverse sell out audience.

The story centred around the original desperate housewife – Nora (played appropriately shrilly by Natalie Gordon) married to chauvinistic banker Torvald (brilliantly played by Brian Stewart). Nora has a secret. A dark secret. A secret she is prepared to die for when its keeper attempts to blackmail her (sound familiar?). In the glamorous world Nora lives in, reputation is everything, if her secret were to escape it would scandalise society, making her husband, and their family, outcasts. Nora is as manipulative as Gabriel Solis, as prissy as Bree Van de Camp, as

dizzy as Susan Myers and as devoted to her children as Lynette Scarvo. In fact Nora is all four Desperate House wives combined! The stage layout consisted of Nora and Torvald’s front room. Cleverly, all the points of interaction were red – hot spots of activity - from the red door frame to the red table cloth.

The experience of a night out at the Barn Theatre comes highly recommended, even when the novelty of the performance being held in a plush, up market, cow shed wears out. The Barn Theatre’s An Ideal Husband opens on the 24th of February and runs until the 4th of March from 8pm. Tickets cost £8 each. See website for venue directions: www.barntheatre.co.uk

Advice for Comedy Virgins: Don’t sit too close to the front unless you enjoyed being picked on at school! Clockwork Comedy is on every other Thursday at the Ele House

“Bhorg came back on stage to play with something small and hard.That got the audience’s attention, especially when he tried to light it...” he took it a stage further with some dinosaur impressions – noise and action. Strange and surreal does it every time. I came out feeling happy and

A Doll’s House A

refreshed, ribs almost intact. After the nightmare that had been my MA outline presentation the day before, I needed some happy endorphins to counteract the coffee night comedown and Clockwork Comedy did the job brilliantly. I’m grateful the comedy came to Uni instead of me travelling to the comedy.

between 7pm and 11pm. Next Thursdays date is 9th Feb with Patrick Monahan, Matt Hollins and Jason Wood. Entry costs £3 and worth every penny!


22

Web/Film

Issue 4 Volume 13

in[web] IMDb

www.imdb.com

I

MDB stands for International Movie Database and as the name suggest this is probably the best place to find out information on any movie (or program) ever made even that really dirty one... you know the one. IMDB offers a full list of cast and cruw members along with bios and trivia. Trailers are also available, you can serch for a film by genre, date directer, pretty much anything. one cool feature of this site is that you can have a sneek peak at which films will be released in the next couple of years.

The web is a big place so “Maz” M Nusl tries to make it make it a little smaller and proves its not all just porn.

Reviewstuff www.reviewstuff. co.uk

G

Even if you don’t want to write there are loads of good and useful reviews on this site and links to the best places to buy from. Take a look!

You Knows It ot an opinion on everything? THEY NEED YOU!!

www.youknowsit. co.uk

Reviewstuff is a new web site for reviews and discussions on all types of products and services from the latest cinema releases, books, music and sporting events to gadgets, games, places to visit and lots more! They need help to build up a huge database of reviews – if you’ve bought it / seen it / been there and you want to tell other people about it visit www.reviewstuff.co.uk and send us your opinions and we’ll post them for the whole world to see! Don’t want to write a review but want to join in the discussion? Visit the chat pages and get involved!

in[film]

universe@herts.ac.uk

As soon as the GLC’s prothanic raping kicks in you can’t help but laugh, the deeper you delve into this site the more hilarous features you find. Games where you have to roll a spiff against the clock, a packman alike game but were the granies try to get their way with you and much more. This sits definatly needs a visit, if not for nothing else then to download GLC’s vidios.

The Official Ninja Webpage www. realultimatepower. net

T

his web site looks a bit pickey, but what else would you expect from Goldie Licken Chains web site. From the moment you enter the site your greeted by a Parental Advise sign... this sets the tempo on what’s inside.

D

id you know Ninja,s are mamals? Or what about that the purpose of Ninja’s was to flip out and kill people? These are some of the facts about Ninjas that this site claims.

laugh. However the short stories are worth reading for cheap chukle, as it seems that there is no real information about Ninjas apart from they kill. If you’ve read some of the stories you may want to fisit the History of ninjas sections, were theres a time line of Ninja existance. This site includes a Ninja shop were you can buy T shirts ect... which makes us beleive that some one some where has made alot of money out of complete bull and a few cheap laughs.

The person behinde the Official Ninja Webpage is clearly having a

Ross Billington is starts of his new year by reviewing the latest films out in the cinema.

A Cock and Bull Story H

ere are some words you don’t normally here in a sentence together, ‘British film’ and ‘box office smash’. Well, ‘A Cock and Bull’ won’t be bucking that trend. Not to say it’s bad, but it’s not great, only good, and in our fickle, fickle market, good doesn’t equal revolution. Director Michael Winterbottom and Steve Coogan have paired up again after the well-received ’24

modern you might say. Or a bit shit. After the relative flops of Coogan’s movie career, opting for a more low-key, low-budget script seems a smart move, and besides anything involving the fantastic Coogan peaks mine and a multitude of others interest. No-one can doubt he is a comic mastermind following Alan Partridge and Coogan’s Run, but so far the right film has eluded

“...so another kick in the spuds for the British Film Industry, a brave idea the film is, a great film it is not.” Hour Party People’ to attempt to create a film about a film inside a film next to a film with a film cherry on top. Yes, it is that complicated. Coogan, playing a twisted version of himself and friend Rob Brydon are making a movie based on the ‘un-filmable’ novel, Tristram Shandy’. What follows is a mix of the movie being made, the movie itself and the effects said movie has on said people. It’s a bit post-

his talents. Does a Cock and Bull’ do this? Well, kind of. Coogan is very good as himself and is fairly brave with what he offers the audience, cleverly integrating his stripper-loving persona to the part. Unfortunately, no matter how decent Coogan is, the film simply isn’t as ‘laugh-out loud’ funny as other reviews would have you believe.

Granted, there are several moments of genuine humour, the chestnut scene is a giggle as are a smattering of other scenes. Not enough though. I want constant laughs, imagine a little Welsh stream darting between a hilly brush and jagged rocks, the stream encounters obstacles, maybe even a rogue sheep, but the stream

will always flow, comedy should be that way, prolonged chortles. Sadly, this film does not follow the stream formula and so suffers.

so another kick in the spuds for the British Film Industry, a brave idea the film is, a great film it is not. Bring back Partridge.

Big shame really because Coogan is great as are the cast supporting him. ‘A Cock and Bull Story’ then offers nothing new and what it does deliver isn’t that good. And

A Cock and Bull Story is out now and can be seen at the Hatfield UCI cinema situated in the Galleria.


Film

www.uhsu.herts.ac.uk

in[film] Brokeback Mountain D

rop the ‘gay cowboy movie’ baggage right now. If you don’t, then be prepared to miss out on what is a landmark movie in an era that has been desperately devoid of landmark movies. Brokeback Mountain has Billy the Kid man-love in it, yes. Much more importantly though it has Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhall performing with a reassuring maturity as yet unseen coupled with assured and exquisite direction from Ang Lee.

“Brokeback Mountain is not the ‘gay cowboy film’, it’s a film dealing with real love and real long term connections between real humans.” Based on a short story by Annie Proulx, Brokeback Mountain trails ranch-hand Ennis Del Mar (Ledger) and rodeo cowboy Jack Twist (Gyllenhall) as they undertake a forbidden love affair while herding sheep to the

backdrop of Brokeback Mountain. As years goes by, both men enter into conventional marriages only to find that their passion still burns away.

In its premise, Brokeback Mountain offers the same love story seen in other romances. Forbidden love. We all know it, Romeo had it with Juliet, Beauty had it with the Beast. What marks Jack (Gyllenhall) and Ennis’ (Ledger) relationship is the naivety and mystery that runs through the heart of their affection. Set in 1963 deep in the south of America, the first sexual encounter shared by the lads is almost animal-like in its enactment. The simple fact is these two cowboys were brought up to believe what they were doing was wrong. How should they feel, what should they feel?

Brokeback Mountain is out now and can be seen at the Hatfield UCI cinema situated in the Galleria.

oom!! You hear that?! Reports suggest a huge Jake Gyllenhall shaped bomb has detonated all over the silver screen. Fallout prediction: A shed-load of motion pictures starring Mr Donnie Darko will be peppering our multiplexes for some time. The good news however is that these films are good, very good in fact.

Jarhead is a drama, in the same way that Three Kings and Buffalo Soldiers was. No-one is detracting from the subject matter but the

could. Gyllenhall does something very similar, after the superb Jarhead last week, he dashes any thoughts of a blood-hungry marine with a stirring portrayal of a man unable to ‘quit’ his long-time friend and lover. Both are fantastic.

Brokeback Mountain is not the ‘gay cowboy film’, it’s a film dealing with real love and real long term connections between real humans. Masterfully performed and laboured with a true lust for the subject matter. This is not a supposed ‘pillaging’ of the great American cowboy Marlboro man. Maybe Hollywood does have a brain after all.

After seeing The Brothers Grimm, it’s jarring to watch Heath Ledger haul out a performance resonating with such maturity and depth. Even when he has little or no dialogue in some of the earlier scenes, more can be learned from the small curling grin that emanates from the corner of his mouth, this childish insecure physiological reaction tells the viewer far more than any words

message is delivered with a wry smile, a twinkling in the eye with enough to prevent the story being bogged down in Michael Moore style political mire. The real strength lies in the humour infused into the unpleasant situation these young soldiers are resigned to. Arguably, the best scene of the film tracks the troops celebrating Christmas in the desert, naturally disaster strikes in the form of Santa Claus shaped cock warmers and burning sausages. The script, based

23

After the poorly received ‘Hulk’ (I actually liked it) Ang Lee has shot one of the most stunning pieces of film for some time. The cutely observed silences strewn throughout are perfectly applied by Lee. As with the good ol Hulkster, Lee is a master of the misunderstood. It may sound odd but Hulk and the cowboys aren’t as different as you may think.

Jarhead B Jarhead then, Sam Mendes’ latest feature follows young, disillusioned sniper Anthony Swofford (Gyllenhall) and his band of merry marines as they train, train and then train a little bit more as part of Operation Desert Shield. In the long months spent waiting for Saddam to make his move in the searing climate of the Middle East, ‘Swoff’ and his troops in waiting turn stir-crazy and tend to do not very much but masturbate, a lot.

Issue 4 Volume13

“...scenes with such disturbing yet wonderful backdrops it’s remarkable to remember you have just watched a ‘war’ film.”

on Tony Swofford’s memoirs, is particularly sharp packed with neat dialogue and a selection of layered supporting characters. Plaudits, again, will be laid on Gyllenhall who noticeably transformed his gangly 6ft figure into a lean, chiselled, believable physique for the role. He remains involving and likeable as a lead even after a seminal moment in the second act where the audience could have been lost. Furthermore,

following Brokeback Mountain he has openly shown he has considerable range which can only be encouraging for the future. Jamie Foxx also puts in a performance worthy of praise as Swofford’s Sergeant exhibiting a stirring talent for delivery that undoubtedly owes to his previous stand-up history. Criticism has been aimed at Jarhead for its inability to actually convey a distinctly political message. So f**king what. Preaching isn’t always what audiences want, there are enough war movies around telling us, rather screaming at us, that war is bad.

As the credits roll, a bizarre euphoric sensation washes over. The third act offers four or five scenes with such disturbing yet wonderful backdrops it’s remarkable to remember you have just watched a ‘war’ film. Jarhead was the first film I saw this year and for some reason and I cant quite put my finger on it, is the best, maybe this is the charm. Welcome to the suck, ooooh-rah. Jarhead is out now and can be seen at the Hatfield UCI cinema situated in the Galleria.


24

Lettings

Issue 4 Volume 13

Home Sweet Home Or House from Hell Getting a group togeather. Its that time of the year again you may find that you are thinking more about who and where you will live for the next academic year. So here are a few trusty tips from the Advice and Support Centre to help you get on the right track.

universe@herts.ac.uk

Looking for a House?

Try our lettings service, located in the Ele House and open from 9 till 5pm. For a full housing list please visit www.uhsu.co.uk or call 01707 286 152

Consider whom you are going to live with very carefully. Living with somebody is quite different to socialising with him or her. If you are going to live with friends or your boy/girlfriend make sure you get on well and can trust your relationship or friendship to put up with the disagreements. Make sure you are happy about the lifestyle of your future housemates. In particular think about smoking, late nights, taste in music etc.

3 Bedroom

55 Frobisher Road,St Albans

£210 Per Week

3 Bedroom

85 Crawford Road, Hatfield

£186 Per Week

4 Bedroom

Deerswood Avenue, Hatfield

£280 Per Week

You will share communal facilities such as the bathroom and kitchen. Can you cope with their hygiene habits? – Unless you just come home to sleep, you are likely to spend a considerable amount of time around them. Agree cleaning rotas!! Make money agreements before you move in, i.e. names on bills. View the house as a group and decide there and then who is getting which room. Beware that your deposit money can be used to pay for another housemates’ misuse to the property or their rent, should they fail to pay.

4 Bedroom 3 Drovers Way, Hatfield

£280 Per Week

4 Bedroom

29 Shallcross Cresent, Hatfield

5 Bedroom

44 Broom Close, Hatfield

£300 Per Week

£320 Per Week

5 Bedroom

5 Bedroom

Remember it will be difficult to move out once you have signed the lease. Finding a House Finding a house could prove difficult as there are so many estate agents out there each with there own rules and contracts. The best place to go to and find a house is of course is the SU Lettings office in the Elehouse. In order for a house to be listed with the SU they have to be a certain standard therefore the houses with the SU tend to be left in a better state when its time to move in. Other Estate agents in Hatfield include Pikes, Century 21, Wrights, Mather Marshall, which are found in and around the Hatfield town centre market square. Though most of the contracts for the houses are based around a similar template make sure you read it carefully.

5 Bedroom 41 Bradshaws, Hatfield

£310 Per Week

85 Chelwood Avenue, Hatfield

97 Wellfield Road, Hatfield

£315 Per Week

£315 Per Week

5 Bedroom

5 Bedroom

6 Bedroom

£340 Per Week

£325 Per Week

£390 Per Week

Things to ask when choosing a house:• Is the maintenance of the garden the Landlords responsibility or yours? • Is there Internet access and a phone portal – if cable is needed the companies can fit this once you move in. • What furniture comes in each of the rooms? • What appliances are there in the kitchen? • Is the water metered or fixed? • What are the procedures for if something gets broken e.g. the heating? • What happens if someone decides to move out after the contract has been signed? (Normally, in this case, it is up to the remaining housemates to fork out the rent until someone can be found to replace them) Remember the best houses always goes first so get your skates on and go and view some houses. Though having said that some people have found houses right up to April time and were still reasonable. If you have a house but are short on housemates, take a look on the notice board found outside the ID office. Loads of students put adverts up there looking for housemates or even a house.

27 Crawford Road, Hatfield

17 Willow Way, Hatfield

8 Elm Drive, Hatfield

Visit UHSU’s House Doctor at www.uhsu.herts.ac.uk/ support/housing


UHSU

www.uhsu.herts.ac.uk

DeHav Round Up

Brought to you by DeHavland Site Co-ordinator

S

ince my last article (2 editions ago) there have been two questions people seem to be always asking me, first one is about the bus shelter campaign (which I’ll explain about later) and the second one is where was my last universe article!?!? Well the editor decided to cut out my last universe article for reasons still unknown to me, but I did write one and I did submit it and quite a lot of this article is going to be built upon that last article plus some other stuff I’ve done between then and now. Considering my last article wasn’t published, I’ve got up to a lot of stuff since my other one, I’ve had my second and third and fourth open forums last term leaving one more at the end of the semester (Friday, 3rd February), if you have any de Hav issue then be sure to come find me in the street on that day, most likely freezing half to death, but I’ll be there for a solid 3 hours or so. If you have issues you need to bring up with me before then, feel free to email me. During last term I helped out a lot with the RaG awareness week, out selling glowsticks and such in the font in a attempt to make you guys more aware of what RaG does, been having a few talks with the university and Carillon about de Hav issues, I’ve also been working constantly on the bus shelter campaign, trying to get you guys to fill out the postcards that we are to use

to lobby CC for our bus shelter on de Hav, so if you guys haven’t filled one out yet, please be sure to head down to your nearest SU office and fill one out, I managed to place cards in every flat in de Hav and yet have had very little returned from you guys, if you could possibly return those to the de Havilland Help Desk, I would be grateful, aswell as this I’ve taken up overseeing the mature students association, trying to help out the new chair of the association (Don Street) to run a successful association and finally enjoying/making a fool of myself at the Christmas Ball! If you have anything you wish to ask about the association email either me or Don (D.Street@herts. ac.uk). Over Christmas, was still sorting out things on de Hav, just wandering around the place really, cash point still not fully operation yet…oh well hopefully will be by the time this articles out. Public phone seems to finally work as well, could get a dial tone off it at least and our little bus shelter built for the last article has been tore down and taken away and just looking at all the services ran on de Hav, from this I have managed to construct a short survey comprising off a few questions about each of the services and facilities provided on de Havilland (nothing to do with accommodation though) so I can get a good estimate about what you students really want out of us at the union and so we have

Issue 4 Volume13

25

Yet another interview with some of your radio stations stars, this week meet Alphonse and Rodriguez

measurable data to act on. This survey will hopefully be appearing on studynet at the end of the month and once it’s up I would be grateful if you could possibly take a few minutes to fill it out. Hall of the Month: Still the same hall as last months due to it not being published and that hall is Shenley! Shenley are a bit of a weird bunch, first off the residents of flat 4 who are totally insane and nearly scared me out of there flat while I was doing my kitchen meeting, another one of there residents, also worried me a bit by confessing she slept in a bush outside Shenley one night, she wouldn’t tell me why but all it takes is a little imagination also the thing that made me laugh about this hall is the fact that in the first week, the Shenley sign went walkabouts and has not been replaced since! And finally a girl in flat 3 (sally) managed to get herself very confused about how to turn off a water tap during freshers week!

www.crushradio.co.uk

Show name:

The Alphonse and Rodriguez Show

So yeah big up yourselves, also a big shout out to Pete, Davey, Time of show: Lyndsey, Nick, Adam, Abi, JenShow time! Wednesdays 1300 ny and all the old members of – 1500. Welwyn flat 5 and 6 who I forget to mention!

What are you studying?

Levi ‘Spike’ Thorne de Havilland Site Co-ordinator uhsu.dehav@herts.ac.uk

Friday Night Flirt Request Fest with DJ Guy Request your warm up tunes before going to the Font

7 till 9pm On crush 1278am/mw or listen online www.crushradio.co.uk

Call the studio - 0141416 1278

Alphonse – Business Admin. Rodriguez – Graphics and Illustration.

How old are you?

Rodriguez - Both legal if that’s what you want to know.

Are you single? Alphonse – Yes. Rodriguez – Plural.

What are your real names? Alphonse – Rodriguez. Rodriguez – Alphonse.

Who are your musical influences?

Rodriguez - Everything that isn’t shit i.e., we don’t play the Darkness or James ‘Rhyming Slang’ Blunt. Our taste is really varied so we play loads of different stuff on the show. Alphonse – Yeah, if you tune in you’ll hear the Beastie Boys, Arctic Monkeys, Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age, Goldfrapp, Pixies, The Fall, Jurassic 5, Ugly Duckling, Rolling Stones, The Clash blah blah blah… (Alphonse lapses into unconsciousness)

Why should people listen to your show?

Alphonse (revived) - Because we play the best tunes with our own brand of inane jibba jabba, sprinkled with a dash of childish delight and wonderment. It’s the best way to spend your Wednesday lunchtime. Rodriguez - It breaks down into about an hour and a half of amazing music, in which we throw down our features like ‘Beef Of The Week’, where we bitch about something that’s pissed us off and generally sock it to the man, and ‘Uncle Rod’s Agony Uncle Corner’ where we make ourselves feel good by judging other people from up in our towers. Plus there’s our competition to win a pair of Font tickets every week…so why shouldn’t people listen to our show?

What are your favourite drinks?

Rodriguez – Beer by the keg Alphonse – Vodka Martini with a little olive…by the keg

How can people contact you?

Pigeon. Or via our very own website www.alandrod.co.uk or just cut out the middle man and email us at alandrod@hotmail.co.uk. Send your requests here too! or call 0141416 1278


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Issue 4 Volume 13

Stitched Up

STITCHED

UP

These girls didnt realise the look of digust they were getting from an observer and we’re sure she didnt realise her jealousy would be caught on camera.

Shhh.... Dont tell anyone Iam naked!

universe@herts.ac.uk

The student spirit is very much alive, with you crazy kids getting up to all kinds of shenanigans and your mates taking pictures of it. So why not have a little fun and maybe a bit of revenge and stitch them up. Just send them to Maz: universe@herts.ac.uk

Cought on camara - an iminate mugging.

Universe says “Kids don’t do drugs” This guy didn’t listen.

Yes there are camaras in the font bar.

Cation, someones been humping in the kitchin! Katie, you forgotten to sign my cheque and I’m horeny.


www.uhsu.herts.ac.uk

Sudoku

Games

Issue 4 Volume13

27

Yes we’ve given you a whole page of sudiku due to popular demand

Tear out this page of the Universe with all the compleated sudokus and you will win a super dooper prize yet to be appropreated by Maz


Feature

www.uhsu.herts.ac.uk

Issue 4 Volume13

28

Life, the Universe and Everything A

nother New Year rolls past, accompanied by the usual selection of adverts for new diets, new lifestyles new starts and the like. It does cause me to wonder what it is about turning the page on a calendar that makes us suddenly more prone to being told that we can make our lives better by following someone else’s simple instructions. Why is it that so many people suddenly decide in January that they will start going to the gym, and manage to do so for a whole

By Allan Smith, University Chaplain

potential of such an idea. And there you have the problem in a nutshell. Our dreams and aspirations all too often fail because we’re not prepared or willing to do what we know we should to achieve them. It’s all well and good wanting to hand that project in, write that dissertation (or come to think of it, that article for Universe) but we have to move beyond the simple intention and get down to doing the work. That’s what we’ll all too often try to avoid. Not consciously

“Don’t be deceived by the dream, it’s seldom as easy as it seems, but that doesn’t mean that you should give up on it” week before finding that they’ve somehow started to go down the pub instead. Let’s face it, mostly we know what we have to do to change things. Want to lose weight? You know what it will take. But I could probably make it the basis of a best selling book. In January lots of people would be bound the buy the ‘Eat Less, Exercise More Diet Plan’, all it would need would be a series of adverts saying how you can bin all those ‘fad’ diets and a Z-list celebrity to wheel out to proclaim how they ‘ate less, exercised more’ and as a result they lost several pounds in weight and how it changed their life. Ah, but then again I probably won’t as it would involve sitting down and writing enough text to pad out the basic idea, finding some suitable photographs to illustrate the text playing around with the whole lot in a publishing programme and then touting around the publishers in the hope that someone would the

always, I find that it’s all too easy to sit down to write the next few pages of my dissertation (or my next article for Universe) and suddenly realise that I’ve just spent a couple of hours surfing the net looking at possible seakayaking trips around Scotland for the summer, or checking out the latest snow reports from our favourite ski resort. Ah, I can dream, can’t I? Perhaps this is why it’s so tempting to buy into all the ‘you can change your life’ stuff that comes our way at this time of year: we need to dream. Wouldn’t it be a dull world if we could consider the possibility of things being different. Instead of being here in Hatfield, I could be driving a dog-sled through the Algonquin Park in Canada, or paddling alongside whales off the coast of Mexico. In the summer I can see myself paddling around the coast of Greenland (avoiding glaciers and polar bears) or working

down the Snake River in the Yukon (trying to keep an even keel through rapids with names like ‘Punch and Run’). No, seriously these are just some of the trips offered by the company who guided us down the Noire River last summer. They are out there waiting. And somehow it makes the daily grind that bit easier to cope with. Although to realise the dream it takes a bit more. I’ve already started working out some of the details, like how to get the training and experience necessary to do the seakayak trip off Greenland (kind of important when the nearest ‘civilisation’ is a small collection of huts nestled amongst the glaciers and the icefloes you’re dodging round are liable to move without much warning). Don’t be deceived by the dream, it’s seldom as easy as it seems, but that doesn’t mean that you should give up on it. Just because it will take a bit of work, doesn’t mean it won’t be worth it. In fact that work will make it seem more worthwhile. To take a different example, over the next few Sundays (starting 5th February) the Hurricanes will have a chance to make their dream of a fifth national championship come true. It won’t be easy, not only can we not afford to lose a game but our opponents in all of the games will be looking to secure their own chances of a playoff place. It should be an interesting few weeks. The only way we can make the dream a reality is by hard work and determination. Admittedly after last Sunday’s fitness training some of the guys are wondering how much harder they can work without suffering cardiac arrest, but we know that there will be pain, commitment and probably some more pain involved if we’re going reach the playoffs. Will it be worth it? Having been part of the team that won our fourth national

title I can say without a doubt it will be. The hard work, yes and the pain, only serve to show you the value of what you achieve. There’s nothing like that feeling of waking up the morning after with every part of your body aching, hardly able to move but still knowing deep within yourself that you made the dream a reality. Even when you don’t quite make it (like last season) you know that you tried, you know how much you could achieve. Can we do it this year? Why not come and see, February 5th at 1pm on the playing fields at de Havilland. Our opponents, the Greenwich Mariners, are aiming to make the playoffs for the first time in their (short) history and they can

only do that by beating us. We have to win to have a reasonable chance to make the playoffs ourselves. Whatever happens, someone will keep their dreams alive. It’s not about the turning of a calendar page and ritually trying to do better, or be a better person it’s about setting your sights on what might be and making it happen. Dare to dream. But also dare to reach for the dream. Allan Smith, University Chaplain Tel 01707 284456 (University internal 4456) Email chaplain@herts.ac.uk Website: http://www.herts.ac.uk/ services/chaplaincy


www.uhsu.herts.ac.uk

Hot Stuff... W

elcome back all you peps!!! Happy New Year and all that tat. I’ve hurt my wrist some how, so if u see me in the Ele, buy me a sympathy pint! Winter is now officially upon us, after all of its prating around for the last month (I’ve actually had to put a jumper on recently), and so, have been putting together some tasty winter dishes… On a slightly related note, my brother says he needs a pair of blonde Swedish identical twins, any applicants please email him: T.M.Skinner@herts. ac.uk. And as I’m talking of hot stuff why not mention the curry society!? Go to www. currysociety.org or grab someone wearing one of the new and groovy hoodies and come to our next outing, it’ll keep the cold out!

Chilli Con Carne Ingredients: •Oil •2 onions, chopped •2 garlic cloves, crushed •1kg/2¼lb lean minced beef

Cuisine

by the Famous Andrew

•2 glasses red wine (wine!) •2 cans chopped tomatoes •3 tbsp tomato purée •2 red chillies, thinly sliced, or some of those dried chilli flakes (I found a supply of them in that oriental food shop next to Halifax in the town centre, 50p for loads!!!) •1 tsp ground cumin •1 tsp cinnamon •A good shake of Worcestershire sauce •1 beef stock cube salt and pepper!!! (you should have learnt by now) •2 cans of red kidney beans, drained 1. Firstly grab a large “hob pot” like a saucepan or wot-nit, pour a good dash of oil in to it and heat. Whilst you’re doing this, chop and dice the onions, (depending upon how fine you like your sauces)and garlic, and throw them into the pan. Put the heat up and stir in the mince and cook quickly until it’s browned. Pour in the red wine (about enough to cover the meet) and boil for 2-3 minutes. While waiting, have a glass yourself.

2. Stir in the tinned tomatoes, tomato purée, fresh chilli or chilli flakes, cumin, ground coriander, cinnamon, and Wo r c e s t e r s h i r e sauce and crumble in the stock cube. Season well with salt and pepper (yay! Or u can add some Tabasco or any other oil). Bring to a simmer, cover with a lid and cook over low heat for about an hour, stirring occasionally until the mixture is rich and thickened. Add the kidney beans and cook for another 10 minutes, uncovered. This is brilliant to serve up with rice or nachos with cheese! Enjoy!

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Sport

Issue 4 Volume 13

universe@herts.ac.uk

Huskies See In New Year T

his year, the HUSKIS decided to take our Christmas trip to Val Thorens, the highest ski resort in Europe. It all started with us getting on a coach at 8pm on the 30th December. This then led to a drunken coach journey to Dover, via Lakeside to pick up the rep, and then an even more drunken ferry journey to Calais. After a couple of DVD’s it was time to sleep off the booze and the cramped travelling conditions. 20 hours after we left Hatfield, we finally arrived in Val Thorens on New Years eve. We had a few hours to chill out and get our equipment before it was time to see in the New Year in style. This involved plenty of alcohol in an underground club a lot of table dancing, a lot of broken glasses due to people putting them on the tables we were dancing on, and huge amounts of celebrating. At about 2am, after loads of us having been up for over 30hours, we decided to take the long walk back to the hotel in the snow. After chatting to a Russian Santa from Moscow, we eventually got home, and to bed for that night. The next challenge was to try and get up early and ski the next morning. Although some people made it out onto the slopes by 9:30, most stayed in bed nursing headaches until about 11. However, it is amazing the power a crisp morning breeze in the mountains has to cure hangovers. So the first days skiing began, all seemed to be going well this year and last years jinx of first day accidents seemed to have gone away. That was of course until we all got back to hotel, to discover that Rick had rammed into Elliot, giving himself a sliced open cheek, and Elliot a black eye. The second night out was a lot of fun. This time we were out in the English run pub attached to the hotel, where most of us became locals and could find pints waiting for us on the counter. This was a typical HUSKI night out, with lots and lots of drunk HUSKIS and me getting topless!! The 3rd days’ skiing was a good laugh. We woke up early, to look out of our hotel window and not being able to see the cable car which was about 100metres away, due to cloud.

We went up on the mountain and could barely see 10m in front of us, so it was a very slow run down every slope we went down, but kept us entertained when people went over bumps they couldn’t see a made a prize tit of themselves stacking (isn’t that right Steve). The third night out was a bit more troublesome, with our smallest (in body size) HUSKI deciding to drink half a bottle of Vodka before we’d left the hotel, isn’t that right Basher. He then went on to drink a couple of pints in the bar we went to, and passed out on a chair. When some of the guys decided to take him home, they somehow lost him and then found him round a corner surrounded by 5 policemen who were about to arrest him. After a bit of sweet-talking the police left Basher alone, however he was refusing to go home, until the 2 biggest guys on the trip, Matt and James threatened him to march home with them or else, needless to say, Basher ran the rest of the way home. After that, it was an early night for some of us, and I don’t want to think what the rest of them got up to. The next day’s skiing was as troublesome as the night before, first of all, Yorkie, decided he would lose a ski in some powder and then declare that it had been stolen at a restaurant.

Then on the way back to the hotel with Rich and Myself, the one and only accident prone Ali Hills decides to tear the ligaments in her knee, the opposite one to the knee she did exactly the same thing in on exactly the same day last year. After this days skiing and the night before, most people decided to have a quiet night, even though it was Hugo and Rick’s birthdays. Some of us went down to the local to watch the boring Arsenal v Man

U game. The next day we ventured into the snow park, where the master of the tricks, Justin, pulled out all the stops to give us some good videos. Then at the end of the day, we got the last lift up to a restaurant and had a good old piss up and meat fondue. At about 9pm we left, and everyone realised that they had to ski down a mountain in the dark pissed, following people with fire attached to a stick. Except Steve who took off on his own

down the wrong slope and skied into 2 fences. After another days skiing, it was time to celebrate the last night. It started out with everyone getting into their fancy dress, we had school girls, togas, gimli, shell suit, army personnel, Rich wearing a pair of boxers, you name it we had it. We then went on for an end of holiday meal at the local pizza place, and then it was everyone out until 4am when we got kicked out of the clubs. The next and final morning wasn’t an easy one. I think all of us woke up with major hangovers, but we managed to get out onto the slopes by about 12. Then, come 5 it was time to pack, tidy the rooms, and get our stuff on the coach. We left Val Thorens in the dark at 8pm and there were a lot of sad faces on the coach. After a somewhat short 14hour coach journey, we made it to Calais for 7am. We got on the ferry, had a bit of booze and food, and then got back to Hatfield. After that, the whole week seemed like a dream. Gatesy (HUSKIS Secretary) If your interested in skiing or snowboarding and/or would like to learn, go to www.huskis.net for all the info.


Sport

www.uhsu.herts.ac.uk

Issue 4 Volume13

Hurricanes, Sky and Sharks! by A Fitzpatrick

B

y the time you read this article the Kelly green of the Hertfordshire Hurricanes will have been on Sky Sports 1 an amazing three times in the last four months. The team was first brought to the nations screens in late November 2005, when Sky Sports wanted to run a promo on the College American Football League in the UK. After some help from the University of Hertfordshire Sports Village a time and date was set that suited Sky, the Hurricanes and the UHSU Sirens. On a cold November evening a well wrapped up presenter, a camera man, and sound man proceeded to record the Hurricanes at work. Several of the team we’re interviewed including this years team president and club captain James Richards as well as the Hurricanes long serving Head Coach Jim Messanger.

Part of the filming lead to some hard hitting caught on film worthy of any football highlight reel from third year Middle Line Backers Tony Pittman and Cortney Price as well as the afore mentioned Centre James Richards and experienced veteran Matt Meyer. If you missed the first Hurricanes installement hopefully you will

Fitzpatrick said of the experience “It’s great to see how far the team has come over the last ten years. It’s a tribute to every one who has been involved in the team over the years”

were good enough the run the plays as Super Bowl bound teams the Seattle Seahawks and the Pittsburgh Stealers would run, and will use the `Cannes to break the plays down for the audience.

Even at training the cameras had a positive effect helping Rookie running back Adrian John on the road to rediscovering his preseason

This honour is normally handed to experienced British Teams such as the PA Knights or the London O’s, but this is the first year that it has been handed to a University Team and the Hurricanes again set the path that every else must follow by being the first! (Hell yeah baby!!)

“On a cold November evening a well wrapped up presenter, a camera man, and sound man proceeded to record the Hurricanes at work.” have caught the Hurricanes foray onto PRIME TIME Sky Sports, this time on a sports programme called “You Can Do It!” This time the set up was smoother for the Hurricanes, but the effect of being on National TV had now yet worn off! Offensive Coordinator Anthony

form with some very aggressive running, including one run that almost took out the Sky TV crew in its entirety! The last and the most exciting trip will come on Thursday the 2nd of February and this is the trip to the Sky Sports Television Studio. Sky TV had decided the Hurricanes

Head Coach Jim Messanger said “Its great for the team to be getting exposure like this at a National Level on Prime Time television. It reflects all the hard work that has been put into the club from the SU, the sports village, our Team Sponsors Shark, the coaching staff, the committee and most importantly the players themselves.”

31

Help Wanted! The canes are looking for people who want help out next season.

They are looking for:

-Physio’s -Chain Crew -Equipment Manager -Hospitality


EXPRESS YOUR STAND FOR ELECTION UHSU 2006 Elections

Nominations open 13th February For more information look online www.uhsu.herts.ac.uk or visit the UHSU General OfďŹ ce on College Lane Campus


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