Palatinate www.palatinate.org.uk | FREE
Thursday 19th October 2017 | No. 798
The Makeup Revolution Features explore the extent of inclusivity in the cosmetics industry
In conversation with... Durham’s MP
Profile sit down with Roberta Blackman-Woods
Maiden Castle pitch fees rise for 2017/18 season Jack Reed Deputy News Editor
Durham Cathedral was barely visible at noon on Monday, as strong winds bringing dust from southern Europe and Africa darkened the skies across most of the UK (Caitlin Allard)
Durham student robbed of £1,600 in accommodation scam
Third-year linguist forced to return home from Year Abroad in Heidelberg, Germany, after fraudsters leave him with nowhere to live Eugene Smith Editor-in-Chief A Durham student spending the third year of his languages degree abroad has fallen victim to an accommodation scam that has left him £1,593 out of pocket and with nowhere to stay. The student, who wished to remain anonymous, had arranged a rental agreement with seemingly legitimate partners in Heidelberg, Germany, over the summer before his residence there.
He was asked to provide a scan of his passport, and to pay in advance a deposit in addition to one month’s rent, totalling £1,043. Having previously consulted his lecturer, the student complied, but his suspicions were raised when within a few days he was asked for a further two months’ rent. In an email, his point of contact ‘Maxie’ claimed the supposed landlady ‘Catrina’ needed extra funds to retain her place in an American university, saying: “She want you [sic] to pay her… so she can make use of the money to
solve her problem. “I would be glad if you can make it up and pay the two months rent [sic] to help the poor orphan.” When the Year Abroader declined to make the payment, the scammers stopped returning his emails and phone calls. Despite immediately contacting Action Fraud, the Passport Office and his bank, the student has been unable to retrieve any of the money he has lost. With the cost of two unnecessary flights in and out of Heidelberg and a hotel bill for the first few nights
he spent there, his losses stand at just under £1,600. The fraud victim, who has since returned home indefinitely, told Palatinate the ordeal has put him “in a very rough place”. He added: “You hear about it happening to other people, but you never think it’ll be you. I hope by me sharing this story, other people can avoid this happening to them.” Other students have also noted the difficulties of sourcing Year Abroad accommodation. Continued on page 4
Durham University has increased the cost of using pitches at Maiden Castle ahead of the start of a new sporting season. The fees for both the waterbased hockey pitch and rubber crumb pitches have risen to £19 per hour for a half pitch, up £1 from last season’s £18. It now costs £38 to rent the pitch for a full hour, up £2 from the £36 the season before. There has been no change in the price for sports teams to use the sand-based astro pitch, available for football, hockey and lacrosse teams. Concerning the rise in fees for the rubber crumb and water-based pitches, Owen Adams, Pro-ViceChancellor (Colleges and Student Experience), said: “Fees for the University’s water-based hockey pitch and rubber crumb pitches have increased for 2017/18 by £1 per hour for a half-pitch and £2 per hour for a full pitch. “These were in line with the minimal increases the University makes every two years and were agreed in consultation with the 2016/17 College Presidents’ Committee. Our artificial surface fees are some of the most affordable in the sector. “The addition of a third rubber crumb pitch means there are greater opportunities for students across both University and College sport to access all-weather surfaces. “College football, mixed lacrosse and rugby union have benefitted from this most significantly and consequently the number of rubber crumb hours accessed by Colleges is increasing.” The third rubber crumb pitch, which is currently being developed, is scheduled to be completed by the start of November, with matches planned for the 4th November onwards.