Redbrick -10th October 2014

Redbrick

Est. 1936

10th - 23rd October 2014 Vol. 79. Issue 1451. www.redbrick.me

Further Plans for Selly Oak VPHC, Jack Mably, on his year's plans

Fresher's Column: You tell us your first impressions

Plans to build new Life Sciences campus Council to restrict student housing

PAGE 11

Page 4

Bombarded with Leaflets and Information

BY SOPHIE DOBER

Progression: Moving to University

BY DANIELLA BARRETT

Freddie Herzog

Hayley Allanson reviews David Fincher's thriller film, Gone Girl

Stefan Pace reviews the new series of Doctor Who

Safiyyah Gareeboo interviews BBC's Stefan Gates

Hugo Moon previews the upcoming Hockey season

Film / Page 15

Television / Page 16

Food / Page 24

Sport / Page 28

02 10th - 23rd October 2014

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10th - 23rd October 2014

03

News

National Trend: Steady increase in University applications Alana Foreman

News Reporter This academic year, universities across the country have seen a 4% increase in student intake. This comes after Chancellor George Osborne pledged to abolish the cap on student numbers universities can accept next year. A new scheme has been introduced by the University of Birmingham, aiming at the highest achieving applicants.

The trend is substantiated by a report from the Sutton Trust published this August, reporting that application rates for 18 year olds in 2014 have increased by 1.9% compared with 2010. UCAS figures show that just under 500,000 students were accepted into university this year, highlighting a rise of 4% over the last year. The government made the decision to create 30,000 more places this year before ultimately uncapping the numbers of students universities can accept. Osborne stated the decision was made to allow hardworking students the opportunity to achieve a university education without the restriction of intake limits.

This also means students that miss their required grades may still be accepted by their first choice university.

However there are concerns regarding

the quality of applicants being admitted to universities. This year saw a drop in A level results, despite more students being accepted into university. Director of admissions at the University of Birmingham Roderick Smith told The Telegraph that although certain courses are difficult to fill, the university prefers to accept students that may have missed their grades but put Birmingham as their first choice over places being taken through clearing.

In an effort to keep competition and

"Application rates have increased by 1.9% compared with 2010" standards high,despite uncapped intake next year, the University of Birmingham has launched an unconditional offer scheme that rewards the brightest and most promising A level students with guaranteed entry to the university. The university provides these students with an unconditional offer if they accept Birmingham as their firm choice, aiming to reduce pressure and encourage top achieving pupils to study here.

Student Sessions at the Bullring Vedika Bahl News Editor

@itsmevedika

On Thursday 9th October, the Bullring hosted its Student Sessions event; one of the region’s biggest student discount events.

The Student Sessions event returned for its sixth time and allowed students from across the Birmingham region to benefit from discounts, music, giveaways and refreshments.

The Sessions took place between 4pm10pm and included over 130 brands and concessions in the Bullring, involving both

high street and designer brands.

Rachel Kitson, Marketing Manager at the Bullring, commented: ‘Our Student Sessions event has been growing in popularity since we started hosting student discount events.

Last October we had in the region of 25,000 students attend the event, taking advantage of the increased discounts and in-store activity.’

‘The centre remains open to all customers during this time meaning that students can bring along their friends and family who aren’t students, whilst they can’t redeem the discounts they can still enjoy the atmosphere.’

Cable predicts rise in tuition fees under Conservative parliament Sabrina Dougall News Editor

@Sabrina_Dougall

Business Secretary, Vince Cable, stated this week that if the Conservative Party were to win the election in May, Osborne’s plan to introduce £15,000 fees would most likely go ahead. In a speech made at a fringe meeting

"University fees are becoming a critical touchstone for debate amongst the main political parties" during the Liberal Democrat Party’s conference, Cable went on to say that he would be

‘very reluctant’ to support another rise in tuition fees. He also said that the current earnings threshold of £21,000 for the repayment of student loans would need to be reduced. Cable admitted that such cuts would be ‘quite painful’, adding ‘that’s how [the Tories] would probably save money in the university sector.’

University fees are becoming a critical touchstone for debate amongst the main political parties in the run-up to next year’s general election.

Earlier this month, Universities Minister, Greg Clark, told vice-chancellors that he is ‘not convinced’ by arguments in favour of raising tuition fees. The speech, made at Universities UK’s annual conference in Leeds, has not been followed up by concrete plans from the Conservative Party.

In March this year, Labour announced plans to cut Higher Education tuition fees

back to a maximum of £6,000 a year. It is believed that the reduced bill for graduate repayments would mean lower write-offs for unpaid debt. It had been expected that Labour would clarify their plans for the higher education sector in this September’s party conference. However, it remains to be seen whether this will become a firm manifesto pledge by this summer. Shadow Secretary Ed Balls is taking time to ‘thoroughly scrutinise the funding plan’, according to The Times. A number of university vice-chancellors have accused Labour of short-sightedness in this area, arguing that a reduction in fees would lead to a £1.7 million shortage in university funding.

The debate over fees follows a report by the Institute for Fiscal Studies and the Sutton Trust released in the spring estimating that the average student will leave university with at least £44,000 of debt.

04 10th - 23rd October 2014

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News

Council plans to re-balance student 'favela' in Selly Oak Sabrina Dougall News Editor

@Sabrina_Dougall

Birmingham City Council have announced that they will institute an Article 4 Direction in a defined area of Selly Oak. This would mean that landlords would have to apply for planning permission to construct extra bedrooms on properties with more than five occupants. A spokesperson from Birmingham City Council told Redbrick the plans come in response to student housing ‘dominating’ the Selly Oak area.

The council’s application for the Article 4 Direction in January stated that ‘national planning guidance has encouraged the promotion of sustainable, mixed and balanced communities.’ With the increase of HMO properties in the Selly Oak and Bournbrook area, the council admits that the area lacks diversity and has said it is ‘clearly an imbalanced community’.

An HMO is a ‘house of multiple occupancy’ and consists of a residence with three or more unrelated people living together. This is the most common type of residence for second- and third-year students at the University of Birmingham.

The plans have been met with criti-

cism from locals for excluding Bournbrook Road, in which 85-95% of housing is occupied by students or single people, according to the council spokesman.

The council’s application also pointed out that ‘areas close to universities cannot easily be maintained as balanced communities given the growth and popularity of both halls of residence and shared housing.’ It went on to state ‘prior to 2010 there were no planning measures to control the latter, provided dwellings were occupied by no more than 6 single people.’

The updated proposals come after councillor Fiona Williams warned of the Bournbrook area resembling ‘Britain’s first favela’ at a public meeting in July.

Plans to extend a property in Hubert Road were also approved in a U-turn decision by the council earlier in the summer.

The plans for Selly Oak have come under some criticism from some members of the student community. Jack Mably, Vice President (Housing and Community), told Redbrick that he feels the Article 4 Directive will not significantly impact the makeup of the residential areas of Selly Oak. Subject to the completion of the consultation, the Article 4 Direction will come into force from 30th November this year.

Millie Guy

What is your Guild doing for student living? News reporter Sophie Dober interviews Jack Mably, Vice President (Housing and Community) at the Guild of Students Jack Mably gave Redbrick an exclusive interview on his up and coming policies regarding student living.

Mably does not completely support the council's new plans to develop Selly Oak. He believes that the council’s plans sideline students' main concerns.

‘Student living is often ignored in such plans as students are viewed to be transient residents rather than permanent’, Mably reasoned. He went on to say that although students may not live in a place for a prolonged period of time, they are collectively a permanent type of resident in Selly Oak.

For his year in office, Mably’s main aim is to improve the quality of student housing. In terms of how he would achieve this, he explained his push for more students to use the recently rebranded ‘Guild Lettings’, previously known as ‘The SHAC’ (Student Housing and Accommodation Centre). As a housing agency, they aim to have a portfolio of high-standard properties, as they only recruit landlords that buy into the ‘Guild standard of living’ concerning house quality, hygiene and maintenance. In addition to this, their services hold no agencies fees, and are available for stu-

dents to contact should there be a problem with your property or landlord.

Mably will meet with officials from the Midland Landlord Accreditation Scheme (MLAS) this term. He also ensures that only landlords accredited with this organisation are permitted to advertise through the Guild.

Another method being used in order to improve student living is Mably’s work alongside the police and community wardens to reduce crime within Selly Oak. There are plans for police to introduce weekly patrols of the area, as well as checks of property windows and

doors.

Mably will be attending regular meetings with council members in order to collaborate to help change the common social attitude of ‘it being acceptable to provide unsafe living for students’.

Moreover, he strongly urges first year students who are looking at housing to gather as much information as possible regarding housing regulations and landlords commitments. He encourages students to equipt themselves with as much knowledge as possible when considering private accommodation for

'Life Sciences hub' to create 20,000 new jobs Vanessa Browne News Editor

Sabrina Dougall News Editor

@Nessabrowne94

@Sabrina_Dougall

Birmingham City council has extended public consultation on plans to establish a ‘Life Sciences hub’ in Selly Oak. The plans include the construction of a Life Sciences campus, as well as a new Sainsbury’s and retail outlets.

Yousuf Miah, Principal Regeneration Officer at Birmingham City Council, told Redbrick that the project would establish Selly Oak as a major ‘hub for life sciences in the country’. The area ‘will be designated for world-class training facili-

ties’ for healthcare professionals and research scientists. He said that the scheme would create 20,000 new jobs.

Miah explained that due to Birmingham’s growing population there is an ‘acute need in the city’ to create jobs. He hopes that this ‘flagship project’ will draw aspiring medical professionals from around the country as students, who

"The area will be designated for world-class training facilities" would then remain in the area to work in local hospitals.

He envisions that ‘many multinational pharmaceutical companies’ could be based in the area in future. Sir Albert

Bore, Leader of Birmingham City Council, predicts that the 'cutting edge' life sciences campus will attract a significant number of visitors.

As part of the development, a dental hospital has been relocated from the city centre to Bristol Road. The existing Women’s Hospital, as well as the military hospital, will also be redeveloped.

Remediation works began on the Battery Park site in Selly Oak in June.

The developments, led by the Harvest Partnership, are on track for completion in early 2016. The Battery Park site will include mixed-use retail and research facilities. The Life Sciences campus will constitute about one third of the total space on site, and will be the third campus of the University of Birmingham.

Construction has also begun for 650 new family homes on the site of the old

Selly Oak Hospital. These buildings are set to be finished within the next 12 to 15 months.

"The Battery Park site will include mixed-use retail and research facilities" Public consultation, which began in July, is ongoing until mid-October.

Proposals also include the relocation of the Children’s Hospital from Birmingham city centre to the north end of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

The Council has not announced a fixed timescale for the completion of the project. Redbrick understands that the developments may not see completion for at least 15 years.

redbrick.me/news

10th - 23rd October 2014

05

University climbs to 15th place in league tables Emily Hackett News Writer

The University of Birmingham has been ranked as the 15th best university in the UK, according to the latest tables published by The Times and Sunday Times University Good University Guide. The new league table shows the university has risen by one place since last year and from 24th place two years ago.

This announcement also follows the university being placed 64th in the QS World University Rankings which were published last month, although this is a drop from 62nd position in the table's previous publication.

"Birmingham has achieved high scores for graduate prospects" Birmingham has also achieved high scores for graduate prospects, gaining a score of 84.3 points, higher than both Oxford (82.6) and Durham (79.5). It has also achieved a particularly high student satisfaction score, higher than both LSE (78.3) and UCL (79.0). In addition, the university has been ranked as the best university at which to study Sports Science in

the UK. It has also been announced this year's The Times and Sunday Times University of the Year will be the University of Warwick. The University based in Coventry will succeed the University of Birmingham in holding this position. According to the newspaper, Warwick has 'established a formidable reputation on the national and international stage as a powerhouse of teaching excellence and business-focussed research.' The newspaper cites the university's efforts in local regeneration, the large number of courses it is considered best in the UK at delivering, and some significant investment into improving available student resources.

Last year, the Good University Guide praised Birmingham’s innovative method of attracting prospective students by offering over 1,000 unconditional offers to applicants who were predicted to get at least AAA at A-level, allowing the university to attract the brightest students, while reducing the exam pressure from the sixthformers. This, among many other factors allowed Birmingham to advance to its current position in the new league table.

According to The Sunday Times' guide, Vice-Chancellor Sir David Eastwood hopes for the University of Birmingham to become the 'best of the rest' outside of Oxford, Cambridge and London; the guide claims the achievement of higher ranks shows the university is heading in the right direction.

George Evans

06 10th - 23rd October 2014

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News Birmingham

Birmingham students take part in Hong Kong freedom protest, home & abroad Emily Hackett News Reporter

Students from the University of Birmingham have been participating in demonstrations supporting Hong Kong’s fight for democracy, both in Birmingham and Hong Kong.

In Birmingham, students congregated in Eastside Park, Digbeth on Saturday to display solidarity with student protesters in Hong Kong. They supported the ongoing Hong Kong democracy protests by sporting yellow ribbons and umbrellas, displaying banners and singing songs of peace.

The demonstration comes as the weeklong pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong conflicted violently with opponents on Friday, prompting negotiating talks to be cancelled by the groups.

In August, China announced it would introduce direct elections in Hong Kong in 2017, but only from a list of two to three pre-approved candidates.

Hong Kong’s Basic Law states: ‘The ultimate aim is the selection of the chief executive by universal suffrage upon nomination by a broadly representative nominating committee in accordance with democratic procedures.’ Beijing also announced that the candidates for chief executive must gain the support of a majority of a nominating committee, largely composed of proBeijing supporters.

China’s restricted interpretation of this vital point means that Hong Kong people cannot directly nominate and elect their leader. Mass pro-democracy protests were staged in Hong Kong last week as part of the Occupy Central movement. Campaigners are calling for greater democracy in the voting system and for the current Chief Executive CY Leung to step down.

"They supported the ongoing Hong Kong democracy protests by sporting yellow ribbons and umbrellas" In Hong Kong, peaceful student-organised sit-ins were interrupted on the 28th September when riot police used tear gas against unarmed students congregating near the government headquarters. The police response was widely condemned as an overreaction, prompting thousands of people to join the rallies. It also led to the protests being dubbed the ‘Umbrella Revolution’ after crowds armed themselves earlier in the week to prevent injury from tear gas.

Riot police retreated in the days following the tear gas incident, allowing the protests to swell to tens of thousands who were crammed very tightly around the government headquarters.

Eyewitness Account ‘From witnessing the peaceful protests on Thursday evening last week, I was moved by the how peaceful and calm the atmosphere was in the centre of one of world’s busiest cities. Smartphones were held to the sky to create a glittering wave of lights and hundreds were singing revolutionary songs.

The festive crowd was mainly composed of university students, however, there were also many families with young children and elderly citizens supporting Occupy Central.

Some student activists were also seen holding umbrellas to shelter the police from the rain.’

Third year Philosophy student Paul Kerr, currently undertaking a year abroad

in Hong Kong, says that his local friends feel frustrated with the government in Hong Kong. He says that his friends in the local area ‘think it would be a huge step backwards if the current system wasn't amended to accommodate universal suffrage.'

Last Monday, it was reported that local gangs and anti-Occupy Central protestors attempted to put an end to democracy protests in the Mong Kok region, north of the city, resulting in 37 arrests. Responding to this, local student, Manshing Lau argues that he does not want to witness a Tiananmen Square Incident in Hong Kong. He believes that the protests should continue because so

New ‘UOB Me’ app now released Vedika Bahl

Online News Editor

itsmevedika

The University of Birmingham has released a new free UoB Me mobile app. This new addition to the app store replaces the old app developed by the University, ‘UoB Student’.

The new app allows students to stay up to date with the latest updates on university news and events, a GPS-controlled map to help across campus and a pocket guide to University facilities and services.

Other features include the University’s social media feeds and emergency University alerts.

The app is available for Android phones and tablets via Google Play, and for iPhone and iPad via the iTunes store. UoB Me is the first in a new series of apps that are replacing the old UoB Student app in the coming months.

Users with a version of UoB Student on

far no concessions have been granted by Beijing so far.

Lau said: ‘During the anti-Occupy incident in Mong Kok, it appeared that the police were just looking and not doing anything to prevent the violence. At that moment I want to cry, not because of the tear gas, but because Hong Kong is dying.’

Currently, the protests seem to be gradually diminishing with many people returning to work, school and university. Many protesters understand that there is little chance of Beijing agreeing to give Hong Kong more democracy. Around one thousand protesters remain outside the government offices in Hong Kong. Dwindling

numbers of protesters on the streets follow news that student leaders have commenced meetings with government officials to lay the foundation for talks on political reform.

Third year English student Cameron Wood commented: ‘It’s a shame that it's coming to an end with no results, but the people who work in [protester-occupied] Central have just as much right to go to their job safely as those who are occupying have the right protest.’

Smaller-scale student protests are still ongoing with activists claiming they will continue to demonstrate until details of the talks are decided.

Old Joe Goes Red Vanessa Browne News Editor

nessabrowne94

their devices should note that the app is no longer viable and should be deleted.

The clock face of the University’s clocktower, ‘Old Joe’, will has turned red from the 6th-10th of October 2014 during the evening hours. This is to show the University’s support of the Midland’s Air Ambulance Charity, an emergency pre-hospital service which is entirely funded by the public. The clock face has also changed colour in support of other charities this term, such as Breast Cancer Awareness, for which it turned pink.

This is in conjunction with the charity’s ‘Go Red Week’, relating to the distinct colour of their airplanes. Capgemini, a corporate partner of the charity, hope to raise awareness of MAAC within both the student and greater Birmingham communities.

Jason Levy, the fundraising and marketing director, explained the methods to engage more of the public through social media. ‘We’d like them to highlight their

support by taking a selfie and upload it to either Facebook or Twitter using the hashtag #GoRed. If they can donate to our great cause, we’d be extremely grateful.’

redbrick.me/comment

10th - 23rd October 2014

07

Comment

Has Internet Anonymity Done More Harm Than Good?

Satya Mouland

Commentator The topic of debate of the first UOB Debating Society event was internet anonymity: Good or Bad. With the likes of national and international debating championship finalists, hot topics such as feminism, gay rights and corrupt governments were brought to the floor.

The question really came down to whether the right to liberty and freedom of expression (without others knowing who you are) outweighed the kind of abuse which some individuals experience on the internet through trolling, child-grooming sites and twitter.

During the debate, I couldn’t help but recall the recent EU issue of the “right to be forgotten” and how the question might be turned on its head to rather ask: is anonymity the future of the internet? It seems to be an inevitable development providing a platform for exactly this reason: that people do not want to be found out. Phrased in this way, the answer has an air of distrust and deceit: will the internet be a future platform for dangerous terrorist groups? How far can one regulate this ever-growing internet space?

It seems to be an inevitable development providing a platform for exactly this reason: that people do not want to be found out.

Those on the opposition said that since we have control over our actions on the internet, we can be selective about the sites we browse, the people we chat to, about the actions we engage in. As one speaker quite distastefully put, only “idiots” would misuse the internet. In the moment, this quip had a sobering effect: we, as individuals, are in control of our actions. But it ignores the crucial issue and that is: other individuals inevitably (and also when we don’t want them to) influence and affect our actions on a daily basis. No matter how careful we are about the sites we browse, we might be indadvertedly drawn into a defamatory online world.

Both the beauty and danger of the internet is its diversity: you don’t know what you’re

signing up to.

The "online disinhibition theory" serves as a useful aid to understanding. This is the abandonment of social restrictions which might inhibit face-to-face, day-to-day interaction. Whilst this might encourage discussion which would not usually occur outside the virtual world, creating a platform for individuals to accept the views of those who they might usually judge and ignore in real life, it could also bring out the worst in peo-

"will the internet be a future platform for dangerous terrorist groups? How far can one regulate this evergrowing internet space?" ple and allow them to get away with it.

Following the recent confrontation of one of the online trolls accused of targeting abuse at the McCann family under a false name, she was found dead in her hotel. This shows the self-inflicted abuse that anonymous internet trolling can cause.

The internet is merely another platform where bullies (and worse) can express their warped and abusiveness views of the world.

An argument which reoccured in a number of the floor speeches was that “if you’re going to be mean, you’re going to be mean” - the internet is merely another platform where bullies (and worse) can express their warped and abusiveness views of the world. But does the fact that this is “just another platform” justify this? I think not.

This kind of dismissive argument about the abuse which is projected through the forum of the internet is what leads to relaxed regulation of it. As the opposition validly

mentioned, there are buttons which you can click which say “this is abusive” or “I want this to be deleted”, but surely by this point, the harm has already been done? The victim has been bullied, the child has been groomed, the ethnic minority has been marginalised.

We cannot of course forget about the progressive nature of the internet in terms of a platform for new thought, promoting opportunities and organisations. But what has anonymity here really achieved? As one speaker mentioned, it was not anonymous tweets about human rights abuses in middle eastern countries which toppled the regimes, but the people themselves on the ground.

Another speaker, who was presented with a prize at the end, mentioned that before the internet, regime changes were arguably better and more democratic. But perhaps we can find a causal link between promotion on the internet and the growth of important international ideas. It was both a shame and

a victory for feminism, that it took Emma Watson, a celebrity, to deliver a touching speech at the UN on what feminism is really about to get the world listening. The nude pictures which were leaked as a result can be seen to present harmful and good aspects: the issue received more attention, but the individual was harmed.

We have not (yet) established a universal platform for “victims” of marginalisation to express their views without them becoming victims, again, in the virtual world. The trade off seems to be that the internet provides an invaluable platform for the exchange of information and ideas, which might, in the real world, be suppressed. So the brutal truth seems to be that, whilst some unlucky individuals might get abused and harmed along the way, internet anonymity is overall a good thing. This surely cannot be right. If internet anonymity is the reality, then the reality must be regulated.

of the day obesity is critically impacted by the behaviour of the individual, which is in turn influenced by the cultural traits and lifestyle choices that the population makes.

Any serious attempt to slim the waistlines of the nation would hence need to be complemented by increased regulation of the marketing of unhealthy foods, as well as

the continued promotion of regular exercise.

Whilst I hate to be a pessimist of late, the short-term nature of the British political system means it is unlikely any action will be taken in the foreseeable future. For now then we are stuck with the reputation of the ‘Fat Man of Europe’.

Tax The Tubbies!

Zach Bailey Commentator

In the recent party conference season, Cameron has announced plans to cut taxes for the middle class, and Milliband says he would inject an additional £2.5bn into staffing the NHS, but what has happened to the illusive idea of a FAT TAX? You only have to take a stroll through the Bullring or even visit your local primary school, to realise that Britain is suffering from an obesity crisis. Our waistlines are bulging like never before, as we continue to consume sickening amounts of fast food, fat dripping ready meals, and tempting gallons of fizzy pop.

A recent medical study in partnership with Oxford and Reading universities has predicted that obesity costs the NHS upwards of £5 billion a year. Academics have estimated that a 20% tax on sugary drinks alone would drop Britian’s obesity rate by 1.3%, helping a staggering 180,000 Brits return to healthy weights.

Surely then it is not unreasonable in times of great economic difficulty, when the NHS is struggling with an ever enlarging and ageing population to introduce a tax on the tubbies? Why I ask is there such

little political consensus in the build up to the 2015 general election, to tackle perhaps the biggest challenged faced by this generation? One argument is that such a measure would not only infringe on personal freedoms, but it would be regressive in nature, inflicting even more misery on those who struggle to feed their families each week.

Whilst I accept there is a cost of living crisis, would the government not be able to use the proceeds (both directly, as well as the indirect saving to the NHS), towards subsidising fresh food for the economically deprived? Surely this would not only help to improve the health of children from disadvantaged backgrounds, but it could also be used to increase the livelihoods of British farmers, who are constantly threatened by the greed of investors in major British supermarkets.

On the other hand, some hard decisions would have to be made on which foods are considered as suitable for a pigovian style ‘fat tax’. Is cheese, the core of the of typical student diet considered unhealthy because it is high in fat? Perhaps a trial of fizzy drinks, and ready meals high in saturated fat would be a good start! In addition a fat tax alone may not be enough to tackle the crippling western epidemic. At the end

08 10th - 23rd October 2014

redbrick.me/comment

Comment

Filthy Rich, Spoilt Rotten Olivia Beesley Commentator

We only need to flick on our television screens and open our laptops to see that the public is very interested in being flies on the wall of other people’s lives.

So; not being ‘posh’ myself, I was interested to watch a film about the Upper Class of Oxford University– of course taking it all with a pinch of salt (sprinkled on my popcorn). The movie exposes the world of ten male students attending Oxford, and the social, political and economic chasms between the Upper Class and the rest of the country. I came out of the cinema thinking that it must have been a splendid use of artistic license as surely there can’t be people who act like that in one of the best universities in the world...

We have all heard our fair share of funny and gruesome initiation stories (and may have even been on the receiving end of initiations), but usually, this does not involve the degradation of other human beings. The film showed the ‘Riot Club’ of Oxford University violently and viciously assaulting a man for not accepting their pay off when they had adequately ravaged his restaurant and pub. While, I admit, some of the film’s elements appear to be hyperbole, “Im sick to ****ing death of poor people”, I started to question if this was true when I looked to our own political leaders. When you examine benefit cuts, public sector reforms and even the bedroom tax, it appears that the film is by no means far fetched.

The movie provoked me to look into the University of Oxford’s ‘Bullingdon Club’, an unofficial student club founded in the 1700’s and supposedly composed of the most ‘elite’ and privileged males of the university. The club is notoriously known for vandalizing both private and public property and catering to their every hedonistic whim in a last bid for freedom before the members enter a world in which they will be con-

stantly under surveillance. However, what riled me the most about this way of life was the sense of entitlement and superior attitudes that are often attached to it; due to the very nature of such attitudes, they are rarely confronted or questioned. It is these attitudes and actions that are encouraged and bred into the lives of the clubs members, travelling with them throughout their lives.

The idea that they are entitled to anything and everything and the world is theirs to dominate, theirs for the taking.

Why does this sound familiar? Perhaps we should turn our gaze to the leaders of our own country. Ex-members of the Bullingdon Club include the Prime Minister David Cameron, Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne and the Mayor of London Boris Johnson. It seems that they world was and is theirs for the taking...

However, ‘Posh’ director Laura Wade stated that her play was not intended to cause a class war, but rather to “ask questions about the behaviour of wealthy and privileged people”. But a question that I have is ‘why stop here?’ Surely there is action to be taken to promote the equality of the classes? We need put an end to the prehistoric mentality that ‘privileged’ families produce human beings of more worth and rights than others. Perhaps I am not calling for something as radical as a class war, but I strongly advocate that the entitlement of the ‘elite’ should be removed in favour of the entitlement of equality for all.

Life shouldn’t revolve around birth-right into or our inherited status, but rather, it should be about our actions, behaviour and attempting to level out the playing field for those who were not born with such ‘privileges’.

‘The Riot Club’ film’s tagline read: “Filthy. Rich. Spoilt. Rotten” Is this also perhaps the tagline for the current Cabinet of the United Kingdom? With the General Election looming in 2015, the power to change this tagline lies in all our hands. To that much, we are entitled.

Is the US Justice System Colourblind?

Matt Capaldi Commentator

On August 9th 2014, African-American eighteen-year-old Michael Brown was shot six times by police officer Darren Wilson.

Official police reports show that officer Wilson was responding to a 911 call about a convenience store robbery, when at 12:01pm he encountered the unarmed 18-year-old walking in the middle of the street. Exactly what happened in the next three minutes remains unclear due to conflicting witness reports; all we know is that by 12:04pm Michael Brown had been shot dead.

Racial tensions are both more prominent and more deep-rooted in American society than here in Britain, mostly due to the atrocities of slavery and subsequent ‘Jim Crow’ laws, and so it only takes a single incident like this to catapult race back into the spotlight.

In response to Brown’s death, protests erupted across Ferguson, peaceful by day and growing violent by night. Crowds lined the streets demanding justice for Michael Brown, chanting “hands up don’t shoot.”

When looked at in isolation, it is unclear why exactly this case is racially heated - it could have simply been an excessive use of force without Officer Wilson ever considering Brown’s race. However, this is not an isolated incident, there are numerous mis-

carriages of justice in the US (as there are in all countries) but in America they seem to fall at a disproportionately high amount on ethnic minorities.

The last event to have an impact on the same level as this was the case of seventeenyear-old African-American Treyvon Martin back in February 2012. In this case, the killer, George Zimmerman, reported Treyvon as “suspect” in a 911 call, and was told to back off and that the police were coming.

Once again exact reports vary as to exactly what happened during the confrontation itself; all we know is that about fifteen minutes after the 911 call Zimmerman shot Treyvon Martin dead.

Zimmerman wasn’t even arrested for over a month after the incident, and then claimed self-defence in court, even though Martin was found to be armed only with a can of Ice Tea and a packet of Skittles. The court found there was not enough evidence to overrule Zimmerman’s ‘stand your ground’ defense, as the law only requires him to feel significantly ‘threatened’ (which could arguably be just because he was a black teenager.) He was later acquitted, meaning he managed to kill Treyvon Martin and get off scot-free.

A further case where the US justice system can be seen to be racially discriminatory is that of the Jena Six in 2006. Here six African-American teenagers, who had been racially tormented for months, were arrested

for snapping and attacking one of the white tormentors Justin Barker.

The teenagers beat Barker severely enough for him to require a trip to hospital, but he was fit enough to attend the school dance that evening. This seems like a relatively minor offence, however the original charges brought against the group were ‘attempted second-degree murder.’ These charges were later lowered slightly following protests over racial discrimination to ‘aggravated battery,’ which usually requires the use of a ‘deadly weapon,’ which in this case were simply a pair of trainers. The charges and convictions brought upon the Jena Six are clearly disproportionately harsh compared to their crime, and this is still believed by many to be because of race.

So there clearly appears to be a deeprooted racial problem build into the American justice system from heavy handed cops, to dodgy legislation, to problems with the courts themselves. Only time will tell whether justice will be done for Michael Brown, however the previous two cases don’t exactly show any hope. The Jena Six case is all but over now, and as for the Treyvon Martin case, whilst it is still officially open, one anonymous official told the Washington Post this week that investigators just want to “dot their i’s and cross their t’s.” The only thing that we can say for certain is that race is certainly not over as an issue in the American justice system yet.

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10th - 23rd October 2014

09

Blackfish: Killer Whale?

Olivia Beesley Commentator

What could be more exciting than swimming with dolphins or seeing a killer whale pirouette with humans when you are a six year old that wishes she had a fish tale? Not a lot. But now, when I look back to my visits to SeaWorld in Florida, I couldn’t be more ashamed.

Last week, I watched the documentary ‘Blackfish’ which takes its viewer below the surfaces of artificial tanks in water parks around the world. As a child, I always knew that it wasn’t natural to keep a mammal that large and wild in an oversized swimming pool, but I quickly bought into the script that the workers at SeaWorld had memorized. ‘Blackfish’ interviews extrainers of the parks who were once beguiled by their own corporate employers. Reflecting upon their years at SeaWorld, one by one they recollected how they were unknowingly trained to present lies to flocks audiences. “Killer whales only live up to 25 years in the wild, but with all the health care they receive here, they are privileged to live a little longer”. Sadly, this is not true – the whales at Seaworld live only to 25-30 years, while

wild orcas have lifespans of 80 years and beyond. Furthermore, I would hardly call it a privilege for a 12,000 pound wild animal to live and die in a glorified goldfish bowl when they are destined for the vast expanses of the ocean.

Everything about the SeaWorld water park glistens with a performance of smoke and mirrors, but I happily believed everything the marine biologists told me. After all, they were qualified, so surely they must be telling the truth? The charade of SeaWorld and similar parks is easy to believe when you watch the animals “kissing”, “hugging” and showing affection to the trainers. But

"the whales at Seaworld live only to 25-30 years, while wild orcas have lifespans of 80 years" we forget that it is wrong to personify animals – this isn’t genuine affection but a circus performance, choreographed to touch the hearts andpockets of customers. But like all animals under pressure, stress and in confined captivity, sometimes things go wrong.

In 2010, the afternoon killer whale show was being smoothly executed until the main show whale by the name of ‘Tilikum’ became agitated.

During the live performance, the orca pulled his trainer by her arm below the

"There has never been an incident of an orca killing a human in the wild, yet many in captivity" surface of the tank and kept her there for several minutes. The trainer, Dawn Brancheau, was killed from the break in her spinal cord, combined with drowning, blunt trauma and several avulsions.

While many pointed the finger at these ‘vicious’ animals that were proving to live up to their name of ‘killer’, we can hardly label such an attack as ‘unprovoked’. There has never been an incident of an orca killing a human in the wild, yet many in captivity. It seems that the only common denominator is us. After years of accumulated frustration and confinement of the killer whale, the pressure was too much to take and the result was fatal. At the age of

two, like many whales of captivity, Tilikum was captured and separated from his family; an action that has been proved to be very emotionally traumatic for these mammals. As humans, we find ourselves constantly grabbing our pitchforks and torches, when the real monsters are found in our own homes.

Following the incident, Tilikum was confined to a smaller pool and was put on hiatus. Four years later, the 12,000 pound orca is still circling a swimming pool with a flopped-over dorsal fin- the infamous trademark of all killer whales who live in captivity.

As a six year old, I bought a killer whale cuddly toy after my day at SeaWorld, but it is only now that I realize that these animals are not ours to buy and sell, prod and poke, capture and take home. It is wrong for any human to do so and morbid to profit off such brutality. Thankfully, since the 2010 incident, SeaWorld ticket rates have been at a record low with the company struggling to function as it once did. I can only hope that one day, these forms of animal trafficking will be made illegal. For more information on how to support and promote this, visit People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals website: www.peta.org.uk

10 10th - 23rd October 2014

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Comment

Why We Must Wait For an EU Resolution on Syria Satya Mouland Commentator

The UK Government has backed US air strikes against ISIS in Iraq after a lengthy debate in the Commons on Friday, winning by a large majority: 524 to 43. The motion

"The problem is evaluating whether a threat is "imminent". It would not be sufficient under international law to say that an attack on America by Islamic State might happen in the future. But how can we predict the near-future?

How seriously can we take the threats of ISIS?" purposely excluded the endorsement of the equivalent in Syria. The main reasons seem to be the lack of legal basis in international law and the desire to avoid another Iraq war.

The UK is taking a less-interventionist approach to America and, along with France, only backing air strikes against ISIS in Iraq on the basis of an invitation by the Iraqi government. A response to the growing ISIS threat in Syria, however, seems a natural long term response to truly putting an end to ISIS. The legality of action in Syria has been questioned by Russia.

The starting point of the debate on the legality of air strikes in Syria is Art. 2 IV of the UN-Charter, which prohibits countries from using force in other countries, where this threatens their territorial sovereignty and political independence. This of course could be justified, if, like in Iraq, the international community has been called upon to

"The general international law principle of protection of human rights... and the prevention of genocide and civil war, seems to be developing in reaction to international crises. So why is the international community so reluctant to act?" react. The Syrian government under Assad, however, is reluctant to put forward such an invitation to America, whilst America will not recognise the legitimacy of the Syrian government. President Obama is not ready to recognise the discredited Assad regime.

The line taken by the Obama government is much more one of self-defence under Art. 51 of the UN Charter. According to the Nicaragua case, an armed attack must occur against a member of the United Nations or this threat must be imminent. If this were the case, there would be no breach of Art. 2 IV. The problem is evaluating

whether a threat is “imminent”. It would not be sufficient under international law to say that an attack on America by Islamic State might happen in the future. But, how can we predict the near-future? How seriously can we take the threats of ISIS? Moreover, this must be a collective right to self-defence, so taking hostages such as James Foley and Steven Sotloff, would arguably not suffice to give America a right to self-defence.

A further possible justification under international law would be whether there is a humanitarian crisis and whether genocide

"There are five permanent members of the Council: the UK, US, France, China and Russia. The other five members rotate every two years, which means that seventy members of the international community have never actually had a seat in the EU" is an imminent threat. This continues to be a controversial issue following the Rwandan genocide and the Kosovo war of 1999. The former lacked an adequate international response, which led to the murder of 70% of the Tutsi population, whilst the latter was deemed contrary to international law for lack of a UN Security Council mandate. It was the failed UNOSOM mission of America in Somalia in the early 1990s which created this reluctancy in Rwanda and led to the resulting public outcry. We can learn from this that each international crisis is unique and the international community must respond in an appropriate way to the imminent threat, not to the potential backlash afterwards.

The general international law principle of protection of human rights (although arguably not yet generally recognised), and the prevention of genocide and civil war, seems to be developing in reaction to international crises. So why is the international community so reluctant to act? The guiding principle under Art. 2 IV of the UN-Charter is still the prohibition of the use of force.

This must be interpreted strictly so that the Western world is not deemed overly interventionist, and too extreme in its use of force and “self defence”. The overriding principle, after all, is promoting world peace.

The only tangible solution seems to be a resolution by the UN-Security Council. But of course the inherent legitimacy problems within this body of the UN does not do much to help the problem. There are five permanent members of the Council: the UK, US, France, China and Russia. The other five members rotate every two years, which means that 70 members of the international community have never actually had a seat in the UN Council. Whilst these five countries wield an enormous amount of power, some countries have never even had a taste of it.

How can this be fair? It means that, as usual, a motion for strikes in Syria (if there were to be one) would be blocked by Russia. What happened to the world community’s “Responsibility to Protect” and to promote world peace? It is becoming more and more about self-interest than the real issues which threaten our world today.

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10th - 23rd October 2014

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Freshers Redbrick takes a moment to reflect on what's happened so far... and what's to come

Fresher's week is over, what now?

George Bearman Deputy Editor

Bombarded with leaflets & information

Fresher's week can be an overwhelming experience. Suddenly your world is turned upside down and it seems like millions of opportunities and new people all come your way at once. It's easy to feel like life is centred around the campus. But why not make the most of University Station, conveniently located on the university's campus, and take a train into New St. From Brindley Place to the Electric Cinema and the Bullring, there's loads to see and do.

Sophie Dober

ments I would not only find enjoyable, but that would also benefit me. There was also the issue of money, of course.

James Phillips

"I feel as though I am becoming part of the University"

It's been far too long since Fresher's week, that time I wish I was eternally stuck in. It was full of so many new opportunites to get involved in. These new opportunities are something you should really take part in as soon as you can. Joining Redbrick is something I'll never regret - there are plenty of societies to match your interests, so find one, join, and have the time of your life.

Writer Since being dropped off at Jarratt Hall, on the 20th September, my life has been nonstop. Although I have been here a short while, I have learnt so much. I can now confidently say I am getting into the stride of cooking for myself, doing my laundry and keeping an eye on food sell-by dates.

Before I came to university I knew that I wanted to try and get involved in as much as I could, so I thought a good place to start was to go to all the fairs.

Well, there were definitely many opportunities for me to get involved. I was handed leaflets from left, right and centre. I felt bombarded with all that was on offer, “Join our society,” “Sign up for this discount card”, “Are you interested in a job on campus?”.

Being a keen Fresher, I ended up handing my email address to a number of companies, which proved to be a mistake as I am now receiving lots of emails that are not relevant to me. Not only that, I picked up every leaflet that was on offer. Getting through that pile of leaflets was a challenge, not just because of the amount I brought home with me, but because there were so many things I wanted to join. In the end, I had to be strict and decide which commit-

Editor

After deciding which groups I wanted to be a part of, and unsubscribing from several email lists, I feel as though I am becoming part of the University, despite it being only two weeks in.

Another challenge of Fresher's week for me was trying to download all the information given at our induction lectures, like our assessment dates, how to work Canvas and the library system. Due to my brain being on overload, this then made it difficult to remember people's names. It does get embarrassing when you have to ask someone their name for the third time. Luckily, I don’t think I was the only one in this position.

I have also met some really cool people, and have especially enjoyed ‘prinks’ before the Fresher’s events. I now can’t wait for more of this independent living and the chance to interact with even more new people.

Adam Rowe Deputy Editor

I'm only in my second-year and Fresher's week seems like an age away. The great thing about first-year is that it changes so rapidly, and by the end of it you'll be friends with people you never thought you would be and then sorting your house in Selly Oak. All I will say is, is that Fresher's week is so exciting, but every other part of university life is, in my opinion, equally, if not more exciting. Enjoy Fresher's year, but the fun definitely doesn't stop at the end of it.

Progression: Moving to University Everything can seem daunting at first, but is Uni really that different?

Daniella Barrett

on a temporary 'university holiday' and that any day I would go home and return to school.

September has always been a strange transitional month for me, even though it is in the latter part of the year. With the start of the academic term and the excitement of new stationary, and despite the logical order of the Georgian calendar, September seems like the 'new year'.

For a long time September brought the same familiar things: a new pencil case and a reunion with my friends after summer holidays. This year, however, I approached the 'new year' not knowing what to expect.

The transition into university is undoubtedly the most difficult and emotional transition I have made in my life so far. It can feel somewhat like you are bouncing out of control on a pogo-stick as you bump around, trying to muddle through.

Moving in was surreal, scary and stressful, but also exciting, fun and liberating. I couldn't help but feel like I was

"obviously you're older, taller and less innocent than before, but ultimately it's the same basic principle"

Writer

I got lost - a lot - both geographically and emotionally, but after a few days in my halls it felt like home. Making friends is not a problem. No matter if you are a massive party animal, an occasional social drinker, or a tea-totaler, you will find a whole group of people who are likeminded. You just have to go out and meet them.

In the weeks leading up to my departure for university ‘natural progression’ was a repeated phrase in my household.

So, when I saw a mother and child coming out of the infant school on my way back from campus, it was that phrase “natural progression” that popped into my head as it dawned on me that not so long ago, I was that kid.

I had floated from that first day at school right up to my first day of University and guess what... I was still okay. This got me thinking The transitions you make from home life to reception and primary to secondary school are not so different to the transition from sixth form to university. Obviously you’re older, taller and less innocent than before, but, ultimately, it’s the same basic principle.

It's easy to get overwhelmed and feel like it’s all too much. The buildings will seem too big, the people too numerous and the challenges too hard. It is a massive and daunting step, but don’t doubt for a second whether you can handle it.

Don’t let the fear take you over. Jump in headfirst and embrace the change. Don’t run away. You are ready. You know it.

Stick at it. Don’t Panic. And remember, you’ve done it all before.

Sam Tunnicliffe

12 10th - 23rd October 2014

redbrick.me/culture

Culture

The Kite Runner The award winning book that has been transformed into an evocative and brilliant production.

Charlotte Spence Editor

The Kite Runner is a phenomenal production based on a timeless classic of a book. It provides a human face to the ongoing trauma in the Middle East, as well as being an ingenious and brilliant night at the theatre.

A questioning ethos stems from two little boys not understanding why they should not be friends. It is a lesson we could learn from, not allowing societies general view on anything cloud our judgement. It is clearly not right to expect two young boys to not play together because historically the people of one had persecuted the other. The issues of persecution in Afghanistan has resulted from the number

"Why is it right to discriminate against a whole group of people based on their sexuality, religion, skin colour or gender?" of different ethnicities which coexist within the country.

Historically the Hazara people who make up less than 10% of the population had been persecuted by the Pashtun on the basis of their religious differences (Hazaras are part of the Shia sect of Islam) and because of their distinctive Central Asian rounder faced look. The Hazara population, as a result of the systematic discrimination towards them were often denied the opportunity to learn to read and write which lead to them being forced into the position of a lower class.

However, if two young boys can overcome all of this history and political stigma why is it then right to discriminate against a whole group of people based on their sexuality, religion, skin colour, or gender? The sad reality of the friendship of these two boys is that it could not withstand the weight of their society’s prejudices.

The entwining of historical facts such as the dates of the Soviet invasion in 1979 and the Taliban coup in 1996 adds a deeper level to the play. Forcing the audience connect the facts they have gleaned from the everyday news with the lives of the characters in front of them. The topics covered are extremely delicate yet important and they are dealt with in a sensitive but also evocative way. The soundscape provided throughout by a drummer on stage combined with clever scenery which involved the use of projected images sucked the audience in. The use of Farsi (the Persian language used in Afghanistan and Iran) further immersed them into the story.

"They made the newstories come alive and forced us to see."

The portrayal of the Taliban, for instance, is hard hitting and deeply moving. Their abuse of women and children as well as the graphically portrayed public executions of the Hazara was particularly harrowing for some members of the audience. Realistically though we all know about the genocidal crimes that were committed against the Hazara and about the abuse of women and children under the regime of the Taliban. It is just that in our cosy Western bubble we are all too eager to confine this knowledge to history or to a land so far away it is immune to our influence. The enigmatic and powerful performances of David Ahmad (Kamal) and Andrei Costin (Hassan/ Sohrab) confronted the audience with the painful realities of the suffering of these people that generally the west had been so oblivious to. They made the news stories come alive and forced us to see.

There was a sense of building towards the dramatic event of 9/11 which enabled the audience to engage with such a familiar event in a new way, from an angle which they are not frequently exposed to. Islamophobia is rife in the western world and it is clear from the careful staging of this

production that this is something that is a poison to the global society. Members of the Taliban have committed atrocities and are a truly terrifying force, a fear which is instilled in the audience through the brilliant acting of Nicholas Karimi. The contrast to this terror is provided through the other characters, who provide an excellent counterbalance to the insane islamophobic media that we are exposed to every single day.

Productions/ books such as The Kite Runner are incredibly important in providing a counterbalance to the news stories we are exposed to every day. If we allow ourselves to believe everything we are told without questioning or further researching any topic then we are nothing better than computers- able to recall facts and the opinions of others without creating a view of our own. #MuslimApologies is an example of how Muslims all over the world are trying to remind the west that all religious groups have their fanatics who end up advocating extreme violence. However, at its core Islam is a religion which is based on peace, tolerance and respect, it has just been subjected to corruption and misinterpretation. The Kite Runner is another wonderful way that our misconceptions about a whole religion and country are being addressed.

Book to the Future Book to the Future is returning this year with an even more diverse programme of events. There is a focus on the First World War, with the opportunity to find out "How Britain sleep walked to two world wars". But if that's not your cup of tea then other opportunities include workshops on how to write a novel in a month.

This festival is described as having something for everyone, this is the perfect opportunity for anyone to get involved in celebrating the written and spoken word across campus.

Make sure you get the most out of these free events!

Find out more about the events going on and book your places at: www.birmingham.ac.uk/bttf Or follow the festival on Twitter: @CALeidoscopeUOB

Culture recommends: •

Black History Month poetry trail, Tuesday 14thSunday 18th October: Embark on an inspirational trail of poetry around the campus.

•

Anthologies to apps: changing modes of study, Tuesday 14th October 7-8pm: Hear from panellists from the University of Birmingham about the way that study methods have changed over the years.

•

How to write a novel very quickly, Wednesday 15th October 6-7pm: Get some top tips on how to

become a novelist yourself •

Phenomenal Women, Wednesday 15th October 7:30-9pm: This is an evening of performance poetry, with the region's top female poets. They are also inviting female writers of any age ethnicity and writing experience to join them on stage.

•

How comics can help your studies and career, Thursday 16th October 1-2pm: UK comic book publisher Neil Gibson talks about how comics give you fantastic tools to improve memory retention and better communicate with others.

redbrick.me/culture

10th - 23rd October 2014

Beauty and the Beast

Culture sent a someone who had never experience the ballet before to the Birmingham Royal Ballet to see how accessible the performances really are.

Emily Raczynski Critic

As a child, I always wanted to be a ballerina, so I jumped at the opportunity to see Birmingham Royal Ballet’s version of Beauty and the Beast. I never really ever thought of Ballet being a story because it’s just dancing; I didn’t know how

"...it took a while for me to get used to understanding the story by watching the dance."

However, there were major parts in the production that were just confusing. At moments, I would myself asking ‘Who’s this person?’ or ‘What’s going on here?’. One moment in particular was when the stage filled up with ravens. I’m still not entirely sure what their purpose was even having read the breakdown of the scene again. For that period I just enjoyed the dancing and tried not to think too much about what this meant for the story. It’s clear that there are parts in the production, like this one, that are just there to please the audience by giving them some ensemble dancing.

To be honest, I think if I hadn’t read the breakdown of the scenes, I don’t think I would have any idea of what was going on. However, the storytelling really didn’t matter to me because I was content enough just watching the dances.

dancing could possibly tell a story.

Before the ballet started, I familiarised myself with the story and read the scene by scene description of the storyline. This meant that when the production started I had some idea of what was going to happen. I have to admit that it took a while for me to get used to understanding the story by watching the dance.

There were parts of the dancing that was so easy to understand, it was almost as if watching a movie with acting, rather than dancing. The relationship between the two mean sisters was impeccable. Through dance they were able to portray their ‘tight-knit’ yet somewhat bitchy relationship. It blatantly obvious what each sister was thinking at any given moment, simply by the way they held themselves.

"I really felt like I could be watching a whole rom-com in the space of that single duet."

Another part where the story really shone, was at the end of Act 1 when Belle and the Beast were dancing. Watching their dance, you could really get sucked in with their passion. It was just stunning to watch. I really felt like I could be watching a whole rom-com in the space of that single duet.

Culture on the go:

What's On:

In Birmingham:

Monday 13th October 7.30pm- Dreamboats and Miniskirts at the New Alexandra Theatre It’s 1963, and the world is changing. Bobby and Laura’s single Dreamboats and Petticoats has not taken off. Norman and Sue have settled down to non-marital bliss – and a baby! But Ray and Donna seem blissfully happy.

The advent of the Beatles and the Merseyside sound is inspirational.

But will it inspire Bobby and Laura to have one more shot at stardom – Norman to “get off the drains” and find that singing voice he has longed for, and Ray to realise his ambition and manage a really top pop act!?

Tuesday 14th October 7pm- Of Mice and Men at the Rep Of Mice And Men tells the story of two migrant farm workers in the USA, who go in search of new pastures, in the hope of attaining their shared dream: settling down on their own piece of land.

Friday 17th October 7.30pm Sherlock Holmes: A working Hypothesis at The Old Joint Stock Three years after the Reichenbach Falls the great detective, Sherlock Holmes, is presumed dead. Dr John Watson has married and moved on, consigning his days of adventure and investigation to memories.

In an intimate room, a lecture is about to take place. A great professor of criminology prepares to educate his audience on the ‘science of deduction’ that Holmes made famous. Will this event be the catalyst to throw Holmes and Watson together again, as one final mystery lays dormant, waiting to be unravelled? Could it be true that their archenemy Moriarty is still at large?

Wednesday 22nd October 8pm- Anthony Horowitz talking about his new book Moriarty at The Main Library In Moriarty, Anthony Horowitz returns to the world of Sherlock Holmes. Set days after the events at the Reichenbach Falls, it follows the investigations of Pinkerton agent Frederick Chase, lately arrived in Europe from New York. The death of Moriarty has created a poisonous vacuum which has been swiftly filled by a fiendish new criminal mastermind who has risen to take his place.

Instagram: michaelchristopherbrown

Michael Christopher Brown is a contributing photographer at National Geographic Magazine. In 2011 he documented the Libyan revolution using a camera phone The Camera phone is his primary recording deviced, he is currently working on documenting the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Follow him for interesting and questioning photographs which help broaden your view of the world.

Competition Time Redbrick Culture has an exciting competition open to everyone.

The prize is two tickets to the nabokov arts club, Halloween special, Love in the Afterlife on 1st November 2014. There is even the chance for audience members to be zombified by hair and makeup experts!

This is a late night party like no other. Live acts combine with interactive performances and installations for a raucous and ghoulish night out! You can even marry your dead bride

13

Guardian, Time Out's Hot Picks and Critics' Choice, and The Independent's 'Best Nights Out', showcases the best new work, first, from the most exciting emerging artists alongside some of the biggest names in the business.

To enter email: culture@redbrick.me with your name and put competition in the subject line. The closing date is: Wednesday 29th October and the winner will be notified by Thursday 30th October.

On Campus: Thursday 6th November 8-10pm - Kate Smurthwaite, Gary Delaney and Stephen Grant at the Bramall.

Kate Smurthwaite will be in charge on the night, bringing her forthright opinions and political debate to the evening's proceedings. Kate is often a guest on news and debate shows, including Question Time, BBC1s The Big Questions and Sky News. Kate is a writer for the BBC Three political comedy show: The Revolution will be televised and the UK's leading political satire show Have I got news for you?

Gary Delaney is a razor sharp one-liner comedian, who is widely regarded as being the most quotable comic on the circuit. The high quantity of stand out gags leaves the audience struggling to remember them all.

Stephen Grant will also be joining the lineup, with his witty comebacks and amusing observations on life. An evening not to be missed!

A comedy night is held every Thursday evening at the Bramall.

"Win a pair of tickets to Love in the Afterlife- a special Halloween club night!" or groom in the Happily Ever Afterlife Chapel!

This is an extravaganza of live theatre, music, cabaret, comedy, poetry and visual art wrapped up in a massive party!

The Nabokov Arts Club, previously featured in The

Scan this with your smart phone to be taken to the Redbrick Culture Page!

14 10th - 23rd October 2014

redbrick.me/film

Film

David vs David: Cronenberg and Fincher Critic Gurnesha Bola discusses two of cinema's most celebrated, both cult and mainstream, icons...

Review: Maps To The Stars

Details Release date: 26 September 2014 Director: David Cronenberg Cast: Julianne Moore, Mia Wasikowska, Robert Pattinson Running time: 111 minutes

With the onset of autumn, two directing heavyweights release some of the most anticipated movies of the year. Cronenberg’s cutting exposé of the nightmares and horrors behind Hollywood’s shining veneer and Fincher’s brooding big screen adaptation of a best-selling thriller. So let us, therefore, take a moment to reflect upon the best film contributions made by David... and David.

"Cronenburg demonstrates his unrivalled skill in confronting all the tropes of the seedy underworld without any of the cliches" One of cinema's most underrated power couples has to be Cronenberg-Mortensen who have never been more triumphant than in their 2007 offering Eastern Promises.

Violent yet sensitive, sinister and slick - the gangster drama has never been more appealing. It is a film rooted in the old-school etiquette of mob politics, family allegiances, and the legacy of honour. Cronenberg demonstrates his unrivalled skill in confronting all the tropes of the seedy underworld without any of the clichés. The drama rests on the unshakeable shoulders of Viggo Mortensen who gives an incredible Oscarnominated performance as a nuanced mafia insider. He commands the screen throughout its 100 minutes whether he’s casually dismembering a corpse and having a smoke or engaged in fully nude combat. To round it all off Steven Knight (now a household name in British screenwriting) brings an element of grim poetry to Cronenberg’s winding tale that absorbs from start to finish.

Cosmopolis brings Don DeLillo’s scathing critique of capitalist America to the big

screen which is no mean feat considering how the story truly unravels in the back of a limousine and is driven by the actions and observations of one corrupted and indulgent individual. Cronenberg, however, takes this in his stride and confidently holds a magnifying glass to this micro-scale model of all that is wrong with Wall Street-centric society. Pattinson’s first collaboration with the director proved a success and he solidly presented himself as an actor who had moved beyond his Twilight days. Although not universally heralded, none can deny that the film oozes style and excess making every violent and creeping twist even more sinister.

It mostly seems quiet on the Cronenberg feature-length front as of yet but he has not been idle since wrapping Maps to the Stars.

In fact, he recently uploaded a truly Cronenbergian short film centring on a woman’s consultation with her surgeon regarding the removal of her left breast which she believes is infested by a wasps nest; not to mention the fact that it appears to be shot in the basement of a modern day deranged Dr. Frankenstein. Unsettling and decisively NSFW. I may be instigating uproar in having chosen neither of Fincher’s Oscar-nominated movies, but have directly targeted his modern classic, Fight Club. Despite breaking the cardinal (and highly-quotable) rule in doing so, Fincher’s masterful adaptation of Chuck Palahniuk’s anti-consumerism, anti-establishment but startlingly romantic novel has achieved cult status. Edward Norton’s oppressed and disillusioned narrator positively collides with the unfalteringly charismatic time-bomb that is Brad Pitt’s Tyler Durden. Supported by a charmingly twisted Helena Bonham Carter (not forgetting Jared Leto’s cameo as a platinum blonde, perfectly bone structured anarchist) the cast in itself is enough to commend this film. Yet, Fincher manages to take it further creating something aesthetically hallucinatory which

remains both satirical and relentless through every moment of disbelief. However, if this all fails to sway, let us at least acknowledge the moment Brad Pitt ensured that every male would feel a crippling sense of inadequacy upon removing their shirts ever again.

Let us travel back to the heyday of the Pitt-Fincher dream team with the psychological thriller, Se7en. Intelligent, intense, insidious and dark - one of Hollywood’s most unlikely onscreen pairings gives a masterclass in the detective mystery. Pitt’s ambitious newbie and Freeman’s seasoned pro hunt down a sanctimonious serial-killer picking off the sinners in ever-increasingly disturbed ways. An impressive balance of violence and suspense but with all the brains to keep an audience guessing has ensured the legacy of this film endures nearly 20 years on. With no weak link to be found in its performances, writing or cinematography this is well and truly a cinematic experience worth checking out.

"Fincher's masterful adaptation of Chuck Palahnuik's anti-establsihment novel has acheived cult status" Not one to rest on his laurels, Fincher is now focusing his efforts upon an HBO remake of British fan-favourite series, Utopia. Anyone familiar with the cinematographically beautiful and emotionally disturbing series will probably be beyond themselves with excitement when considering Fincher taking the lead. As it stands he is apparently committing to direct the entire first series which will reunite him with Gone Girl author Gillian Flynn who is signed on as screenwriter.

´´´´´ Joe Goodsall Critic

Maps to the Stars looks good on the surface, but lay the idea out on paper and it begins to look a little less promising. The film focuses on a group of 5 or 6 individuals in Hollywood. One of whom, a famous actress named Havana (Julianne Moore), is suffering from hallucinations of her dead mother (Sarah Gadon). She hires Agatha (Mia Wasikowska) as her personal assistant on the recommendation of Carrie Fisher. At the same time a child star named Benjie (Evan Bird) is getting booked to appear in a film but is also struggling with hallucinatory appearances, this time of a girl who he visited in a hospital. His over-ambitious mother (Olivia Williams) and quack father (John Cusack) don’t seem to notice as they’ve heard that their schizophrenic daughter has just returned.

The foreshadowing here is just a little too obvious. It’s not quite holding up a neon sign pointing to the end, but more like a series of slightly too detailed directions. However most of the film's problems come with the plot. The rest of it is surprisingly good. When it comes to the dialogue, the film stands up well.

Cronenberg’s direction is also good, with wide, lingering shots for most scenes creating a bizarrely theatrical effect, as if the set and environment was already in place and the characters are only passing through.

The plot and script have one or two problems that might make it easier to guess where the film’s going but the acting and direction more than make up for that. Give it a watch if you’re interested but not if you want something quick, cheerful, and easy one night.

redbrick.me/film

10th - 23rd October 2014

15

Film News Matthew Freddura Critic

This week the trailer for Taken 3 was released in which Bryan Mills returns to carry out his usual role of trained cold killer/ family man. In the latest edition to the saga he has been falsely accused of killing his wife leaving him to use his ‘particular set of skills’ to fight a plethora of bad guys while trying to prove his innocence and save his daughter from the same people from the first two films.

In case you didn’t already know, there is an Angry Birds Movie and this week Maya Rudolph, Jason Sudeikis, Danny McBride and Peter Dinklage have all been confirmed as voices. It still remains unclear how they are going to make a plot that can develop further than the games’ basic premise of firing birds at pigs and eggs. But we will all have to wait in anticipation until July 2016 to find out.

Review: Gone Girl Film Editor Hayley Allanson reviews David Fincher's dark take of Gillian Flynn's bestseller.

Details Release date: 2nd October 2014 Director: David Fincher Cast: Rosamund Pike, Ben Affleck, Carrie Coon Running time: 149 minutes IMDB rating: 8.7

´´´´´

times, darkly humorous screenplay. In the wrong hands, its constant temporal shifts and tonal 180s could easily have distracted viewers by making its narrative seem detached, jarring and clunky. However, Fincher’s direction aided by Jeff Cronenweth’s melancholic cinematography, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’s usual hauntingly atmospheric scoring, and superb central performances buttressed by a strong supporting cast ensure (for the most part) a well-paced film with seamless tonal shifts.

"Fincher transforms Gillian Flynn's popular beach read into something sharp, tense and stylistically sleek"

Hayley Allanson Film Editor

‘Have you ever heard the expression the simplest explanation is often the correct one’ Officer Jim Gilpin (Patrick Fugit) asks Detective Rhonda Boney (Kim Dickens), ‘Actually I’ve never found that to be true’, she replies.

David Fincher’s Gone Girl, based on the best-selling page turner of the same name, follows the disappearance of Amy Elliott Dunne (Rosamund Pike) on the day of her fifth wedding anniversary. Her husband Nick (Ben Affleck) is initially considered an aloof yet innocent victim during the first days of the investigation, however, his innocence quickly dissipates in both the eyes of the law and of the media when he fails to maintain the appearance of the grieving husband, the fire further fuelled when some incriminating evidence against him surfaces.

Gone Girl is a Frankenstein’s monster of genres, narrative voices and filters. It’s part drama, part neo-noir, part thriller and injected with the lifeblood of Flynn’s witty and, at

Fincher transforms Gillian Flynn’s popular beach read into something sharp, tense and stylistically sleek, moulding its source text into a social scrutiny on modern day marriage, media and manipulation. The film’s narrative framing repeatedly switches from viewpoint to viewpoint and warps the viewer’s perception of the two leads and their relationship, amplifying the prevalent themes of manipulation, deception and façade that lie at the heart of both film and book alike. Amy's sickly sweet retrospective diary entries of sugar flurries in the moonlight and mistaken definitions of quinoa are deftly juxtaposed with the cold (and almost clinical in contrast) present day investigation headed by Detective Boney; the media’s own representation of the two central characters throughout serving as yet another filter that removes us from the true faces of the Dunnes.

One of many elements that must be commended about Gone Girl is its casting. On paper, some roles seemed questionable, most notably the casting of Tyler Perry (best known for his recurring role as the tragically

unfunny Madea) as Tanner Bolt and Neil Patrick Harris as high school sweetheart turned stalker, Desi Collings. That said, on screen both serve as incredible supporting members in a faultless cast. Perry skilfully balances confidence and likeability as Nick’s no nonsense lawyer and is perfectly partnered against fellow voice of reason Margo (Carrie Coon), Nick’s deadpan and sardonic twin sister, whilst Harris is hauntingly reserved as Desi. Other supporting stars such as Missi Pyle’s man-hating quasi feminist Ellen Abbott and Kim Dickens’s understated Detective Boney also manage to shine through the blindingly exceptional ability found in Rosamund Pike’s performance as Amy, an impressive feat for the ensemble cast when you see just how truly

"Gone Girl is a Frankenstein's monster of genres, narrative voices and filters...part drama, part neo - noir part thriller" impressive Pike is.

Affleck pulls off the hulkingly lost Nick with aplomb, his chemistry with both Coon and Pike is palpable and makes his character all the more likeable for it. However, make no bones about it; Gone Girl is Pike’s movie and her depiction of Amy may well be a game changing role for the actress.

Disappointingly, Gone Girl falls at the final hurdle, as viewers are met with the same unsatisfying ending first experienced in the final pages of the book. This, and the film’s overdrawn third act in its lenthy 149 minute runtime, damage the movie, but only minorly so.

Overall, Gone Girl is a shocking distortion of wedded bliss that for two acts will have you on the edge of your seat.

Tarantino’s The Hateful Eight begins filming in December with Jennifer Lawrence, Viggo Mortensen, Samuel. L Jackson, Tim Roth and Kurt Russell are all rumoured to feature in the film – in classic Tarantino star studded style. Returning to his new found love affair with Westerns, the film sees an unusual group throng together as they are diverted from their route by a blizzard.

Oscar Isaacs has finished his filming for Star Wars Episode VII this week – the first in the new trilogy - but not before he criticised George Lucas for ‘tweaking’ with the original six episodes saying that he didn’t see the point in going back and messing around with people’s memories.

16 10th - 23rd October 2014

redbrick.me/television

Television

5 Reasons to Watch Gotham TV Critic Roshni Patel tells us why we should be watching Gotham.

So you’ve seen the billboards and watched the trailers. But should you really spend your Monday nights watching Gotham on Channel 5? This show explores the life of Jim Gordon and the backstory of much loved superheroes and villains including Batman, The Penguin and Poison Ivy. It promises to emobdy the dark grityy nature of Gotham City. Here are five reasons why you cannot miss this show.

1.The much anticipated series kicked off with a bang with 8.2 million US viewers watching the premiere. But if those figures don't convince you, 1.3 million pirated views may, as it becomes the most pirated episode of the season.

Tedium and Relative Disinterest in Space TV Critic Stefan Pace explores the declining quality of Doctor Who Doctor Who has become a routine test of patience that starts up like clockwork every Saturday night, or it was until I finally chose to stop watching following “The Caretaker” two weekends ago. Between the school-yard setting, forced romance between characters and another unthreatening enemy I found myself unengaged to a degree I didn’t think possible. It’s not simply because the quality of the show has declined though, it’s because I’m now no longer a viable demographic and I probably haven’t been for a long time.

"The newfound laziness of the show is exemplified by its repeated insistence in never showing us any exciting or chaotic adventures."

Doctor Who has long been slipping into predictability, with writers being too afraid of taking risks or striving for quality to do anything creative, thought-provoking or different with the premise. It’s a shame considering how daring and clever the show was and needed to be around the time of its reboot in 2005. New lead writers since the

reboot have to be considered but it’s important not to understate the need the show initially needed to accomplish – it needed to welcome people of all ages to ensure success rather than just relying on a limited but established community of children and tumblr trawling fans. This same fan-base had to be won over once and many were hooked back in 2005.

It’s crystal clear that people who don’t fit into either of those categories, viewers who want a high quality sci-fi serial, or even parents watching with their kids, are no longer a viable target audience for the BBC. I’ll concede they have no real need to cater for a wider audience, especially if they can get away with lower quality and cheaper production whilst retaining viewers, but it is disappointing that I no longer feel I can enjoy a show that previously has proved suitable for a wide variety of audiences in recent years.

The newfound laziness of the show is exemplified by its repeated insistence in never showing us any exciting or chaotic adventures. We’re only ever told about more interesting adventures in exotic locations between Clara and Capaldi’s Doctor through expository dialogue; never are we shown them. Settings consist of mundane interiors and everyday locales rather than grandiose and vibrant alien vistas for characters to explore. Attempts to create a sense of adventure have all but vanished along with any

semblance of a plot that doesn’t run on awkward witticisms, yet even older series achieved this on tighter budgets. Viewers are seemingly only privy to adventures in Victorian/Modern London [delete as appropriate] with uninteresting incidental characters that speak in poorly delivered ham-fisted dialogue.

Conflicts and obstacles in episodes are equally as contrived as the narratives; danger is never real outside of being told it is present. Despite being told that the robotic enemy in The Caretaker is “one of the deadliest robots in the universe” the robot proves its uselessness through its inability to catch up to Clara running in heels.

I was never actively seeking to dislike this series; in fact I actually wanted this series to be enjoyable after the last one which was shaky at best. A new actor portraying the iconic character was a great opportunity to refresh the show again, but due to shaky and disinterested writing it seems poor Capaldi is being given the same raw deal as Smith was. Both Capaldi and Smith are ultimately fine actors fit for the role but received barely functional scripts to work with. Ultimately, the BBC could care less that they’re losing me as a viewer, but if other viewers with similar criticisms start turning off en masse it’s worth noting that they can’t use a functional TARDIS to go back and fix the growing flaws of recent episodes.

2. Ever felt the villains never get the recognition they deserve? Well, Gotham is pitched as the origin story you always wanted. It's not just Batman's story, but everyone else's.

From the well known villains like Penguin (Robin Lord Taylor, “The Walking Dead”) and Catwoman (Camren Bicondova) to new villains such as Fish Mooney (Jada Pinkett Smith, The “Matrix” series).

3.Have you missed Ben McKenzie?

Not seen him since Ryan Atwood on the O.C.? Well Gotham welcomes him back to our screens as James Gordon, the do-gooder cop who'll guide us through the dystopian Gotham, while we wait for Bruce to become Batman. And to play bad cop to James' good cop is Harvey Bullock (Donal Logue, “Sons of Anarchy”), a tough cynical veteran of Gotham.

4. This show is set to be a gritty crime drama, much like the Gotham Central comics, full of suspense, courage and action. But don’t expect some static procedural cop show, as executive producer Bruno Heller (“The Mentalist”) has told interviewers that the show will be a serial which will keep viewers on the edge of their seats for more.

5. Getting tired of superheroes popping everywhere? From X-men to the Avengers on the big screen to Arrow and the Flash on the small screen.

Well fear not, as many call Gotham the “the perfect antidote to the superhero fatigue”. So sit back and relax to something other than caped crusaders.

Gotham is my one to watch this season, as not only does it show promise of great character development but it will be interesting to see whether Bruno Heller can make good on his word and surpass Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight trilogy, a tough feat to beat, or whether Gotham will become a passing TV fad.

Gotham starts Monday 13th October at 9pm on Channel 5.

redbrick.me/television

10th - 23rd October 2014

17

Strictly Come Controversy

Saturdays on BBC: sequins, salsa and... discrimination? TV Editor Shannon Carey explore the debate currently hitting Strictly Come Dancing. tional hobby, and perhaps this is why a revoples, Strictly would have an amazing platIt may be hard to expect a family show about ballroom dancing to be the centre of controversy, but with the recent launch of Strictly Come Dancing’s twelfth series, the show has found itself in a surprising storm of criticism. All because one of the contestants of this year’s show, Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills, has been paired with a female dancer, as is the usual set-up of the show. The issue here is that Scott Mills is openly gay, which has led to cries of homophobic attitudes in the BBC and many claiming that Mills should be paired with a male partner to reflect his sexual orientation. The debate has divided many, leaving one huge question looming over the show: is Strictly discriminating against the homosexual community by not allowing same-sex pairings?

The debate of same-sex dance couples is not just one that has hit Strictly, but one that

has been making a move through the ball-

"Dance pairings are often seen as reflecting romantic pairings, so by only allowing men and women to dance together, are the BBC continuing the oldfashioned notion of heterosexuality being the room dancing world for some time.

Of course, ballroom dancing is a tradi-

lutionary change in the field has been so slow to take place. As Strictly is based on traditional ballroom contests, the set-up of female/male pairs is to be expected, following the tradition of conventional ballroom competitions. But it’s also important to remember we are in 2014, an age where same-sex marriage is allowed and homophobic discrimination would quickly be denounced if seen in the street – so isn’t it about time Strictly caught up with modern times and allowed homosexuality openly into the show by allowing two men to dance together? Dance pairings are often seen as reflecting romantic pairings, so by only allowing men and women to dance together, are the BBC continuing the old-fashioned notion of heterosexuality being the ‘norm’?

The show is often deemed as being for the whole family, so by allowing same-sex cou-

form to promote homosexuality as being just as acceptable as being heterosexual.

With two such strong arguments over the issue of same-sex couples, it’s hard to determine which is right. Scott Mills himself has stated it would be 'brilliant' to have a male partner, but that 'you don’t have to dance with a man because you’re gay' – and if he himself isn’t offended by his pairing, who is anyone else to complain? It seems unfair to accuse BBC of being homophobic for simply following the traditional set up of ballroom dancing – but I do wonder, if the show were to introduce same-sex couples, what kind of reaction would be received. With a BBC spokesperson stating they would not 'rule out' same-sex couples, maybe we will soon find out – and let’s hope the public is accepting of such a move as we all hope they would be.

Rising Star of British TV: Birmingham Olivia Tracey TV Critic

When BBC2’s atmospheric drama Peaky Blinders appeared on our TV screens last year (and continues with familiar bombast in its second series on Friday nights at 9 o’clock) people suddenly began to talk about Birmingham as if it was some great undiscovered land untouched by TV execs for decades.

There is a deeply ingrained notion in the UK that the best view of Brum is through the rear-view mirror and until recently broadcasters have rather reflected this belief by, well, completely ignoring it. If dramas and comedies were not set in the bright lights of London then they were sent up

north in order to appease to those who complain to organisations such as the BBC that their programming was too London-centric.

To fully escape the capital, programmes were sent as far away as possible, leaving Birmingham and the wider West Midlands stuck in an awkward middle position without much representation on TV. However, within the last few years, the city has began overturn this reputation. For me, it began with the now sadly finished BBC series Hustle starring Adrian Lester (a Brummie lad himself) about a group of con artists fleecing nasty bankers and business-people of their ill-gotten gains. While it was set in London, after the sixth series production and filming was moved up to Birmingham to cut costs, leading to rather hilarious scenes where anyone who knew the city could rec-

ognise certain roads and buildings (including part of the back of the Aston Webb Building on the university campus in one episode) that were clearly not London.

Despite the subterfuge, it gave Brum a chance to shine, albeit under the guise of London, and one episode was actually set in the city meaning it could finally show off its most famous landmarks. It was a small step, but many other programmes have been filmed around the West Midlands including BBC1’s adaptation of chef Nigel Slater’s autobiography Toast (again with some scenes filmed around the university and the Barber Institute), the first series of BBC2’s Line of Duty and Channel 5’s The Gadget Show has its offices and studio in Digbeth.

Birmingham is finally able to shine and Peaky Blinders has demonstrated that it has

a diverse history and stories worth exploring. Although the majority of the series is filmed in Liverpool because of the changes Birmingham’s infrastructure has gone through since the early 1920s, the Black Country Living Museum was used in both the first and current series of the show and it has recently been distributed in the US, giving it a truly international audience. Speaking to VisitBirmingham in an interview during September 2013, the series creator Steven Knight said, 'Like any other major industrial city, [Birmingham’s] got so many incredible stories... and why not tell them?' And why not? Birmingham is now refusing to be ignored.

Go online to read Roshni Patel's review on the opening episode of Peaky Blinder's Season 2.

18 10th - 23rd October 2014

redbrick.me/music

Music

Festival Review: Nozstock Blaise Radley Music Critic

After journeying the best part of nine hours towards Nozstock, me and my lone companion had zigzagged from Devon to Birmingham and finally to trusty old 'Bromyard'. A looming black cloud that dogged us along our travels seemed to provide an ominous omen of things to come, but by the time we reached the site our nerves were thankfully alleviated; the rolling hills offering a picturesque backdrop for the small, yet bustling, festival site. A gap in the rain allowed us to shimmy up our tents and venture into the Jurassic wasteland that awaited us.

Before I get into the full swing of this review I must admit the line-up was mostly alien to me. I mean, sure there were a handful of names that jumped out, but more often than not all I had to go on was a name accompanied by a small photo of the band, leading to one instance where I chose to see an act based purely on the bassist's choice of kilt. Friday's festivities were kicked off by Passion Bel Cannon, their hauntingly beautiful use of the xylophone (there's something I never though I'd say) conveying a childish innocence that was juxtaposed surprisingly well with the harsh drums and synthesisers.

After a brief attempt to get our bearings we swung by Big Deal who attempted to live up to their namesake, and though I enjoyed their drawled indie hooks I couldn't help but think that they didn't face their own hype, leaving me wondering if it wasn't all some elaborate joke at their own expense.

It was at this point that I tried my luck at the Human Fruit Machine, a dastardly stall consisting of three people each holding a bowl of fruit from which they plucked their choice of crop at random. Earlier this morning this tricksy contraption had stolen 20p from my already weeping wallet, but now I returned with a slight swagger in my step, only to find just two women exclaiming that if I wished to try my hand I was to be part of the machine. I sat in my isolated cubicle staring at my friend as he grasped an imaginary handle, surely dragging me down towards yet further debt. As I plucked a pineapple from the bowl I was barely able to look him in the eyes, before I heard a howling yelp and the 50p prize was ours, the women left surprised that the machine had, for once, paid out. In fact, this is part of

Live Review: Peace @ The Rainbow Matt Moody Music Editor

Homecoming gigs normally fall into one of two categories: the epic, ‘whole-town’sinvited’ big day out sort put on by pop-rock chart botherers like Kasabian and Arctic Monkeys, or the ‘back to the shack’ approach, where big bands return to the tiny venues where they cut their teeth.

Peace’s return to the Rainbow is the latter, but there’s no doubt they’ve got their eyes set on stadiums in the future.

Taking to the Rainbow’s tiny courtyard stage before the main event are heirs to the B-town throne Superfood, who play a set that’s not quite packed out (probably as a result of playing under the sneaky pseudonym Healthy Grub) but even new songs are well received by the crowd as excitement builds for their debut’s release next month.

Nozstock's charm- round every corner you're sure to find something refreshingly different just by nature of it being a much smaller and more community based affair than your typical festival.

Rising with the sun the next day, I took a moment to admire the amount of craftsmanship that had gone into turning the farm into a so called 'Land that Time Forgot'. Dinosaurs littered the landscape whilst volunteers dressed as caveman stalked other actors dressed as gazelle, leaving many festival goers more than bemused. Thankfully Fight Like Apes stepped up to the plate to clear the air of befuddlement, and with a ferocious opening song during which the keyboard was literally beaten with indiscriminate palm smashes, they certainly let off a firecracker under Saturday’s arse. I would love to now regale you with tales of Josh Widdecombe's witticisms but unfortunately for you (and me) the tent was far too full to even consider venturing within. Instead, I was treated to the harsh tones of Demob Happy, a raucous group of long haired rockers who proffered a set of furiously belted

songs littered with yelps and surprisingly tuneful melodies. Indeed, beneath the fist pumping-ly gnarly riffs was a clear ability to construct a hook- not since the false promise of Dinosaur Pile Up's 'My Rock n Roll' have I been more hopeful for the future of grunge.

With the festival fast drawing to a close the final day saw the sun reach its inhospitable peak, beating down with a vengeance and showing its true sadistic side. Fiend-ing for shade we wandered bleary eyed to the Garden Stage, clamouring for a spot under a nearby tree. Fortunately then, Le Galaxie offered up a refreshing synthesised wave which crested and rolled back over my softly crumpled brain. They almost embodied the 80s concept of the future, resplendent as they were in silver suits and backed

by Gary Numan-esque synths, not that any of this was detrimental to the quality of their performance. I could close my eyes and almost imagine revving the engine on a lightcycle as Ryan Gosling gazed down upon me from afar, ever stoic, ever silent. As seemed to be the case at numerous points

When Peace arrive on stage, the atmosphere goes from excited to hysterical in seconds. Having pushed an already tiny venue right to capacity by putting some extra tickets on the door, it’s absolute mayhem during set opener '1998 (Delicious)’, and it doesn’t really calm down until midway through the set when the band take a breather on ‘California Daze’. If you've ever invited one hundred people to your front room, then told then to start crowdsurfing three at a time, you probably have some idea of the atmosphere.

amount of roll neck jumpers (favoured by brother and bassist Samuel) in the crowd tonight is probably not just a coincidence.

These kinds of gigs can often feel a bit self-congratulatory, but by running a free ballot for tonight’s tickets, Peace sidestep the cynicism, and their set genuinely feels like a thank-you to the fans. A relatively brief eleven-song set in front of a crowd of loyal fans means pretty much every word is sung straight back at the band, from new songs like the Bowie-indebted odyssey 'World Pleasure' to their oldest, 'Bloodshake'.

Set closer 'Float Forever', although great to hear with a hundred-strong backing chorus, is just slightly too similar to 'California Daze' to feel right in an eleven song set, and ending on a slower track seems slightly anticlimactic. A chilled closer may have been welcomed by some crowd members however - by the end of the gig there are very few people who aren't exhausted, bruised and dripping with sweat after a relentless sixty minutes.

Although there's a lot resting on avoiding sophomore slump on their upcoming album, tonight feels like a watershed moment for Peace - no one tonight would bet against them graduating to the stadium club sooner rather than later.

"The amount of roll neck jumpers in the crowd tonight is no coincidence" Frontman Harry Koisser keeps stage chat to a minimum, pausing only to do a shoutout for Emma Watson’s #HeForShe campaign (which he's also got taped onto his guitar). The charity shop fur coat and 90s t-shirt combo that's become his signature might not be to everyone's taste, but it has helped him to forge an identity among the sea of leather jacketed indie frontmen, and it's reflecting on the fans too - the

during the weekend the music fit my mood like a glove, with follow up act Typesun's experimental soul-tinged RnB having a cooling effect on the afternoon. Off beat without being pretentious, eclectic without being forced, this is what I expected when the hype first started to circle Frank Ocean.

If you enjoy music that's pushing the envelope, so to speak, then I couldn’t more heartily endorse them.

And then, rather abruptly, my festival came to an end, largely due to work, time constraints and the fact that Nozstock is in the middle of bleddy nowhere. Trying to condense my experience with the festival into the outer shell of a nut is just not possible, because though I've been to plenty of more left-field festivals before (Bestival, Womad etc), none of them succeed in creating the sense of togetherness that Nozstock did. Maybe its the 5000 capacity, maybe its the relative anonymity of the bands or maybe its just the sheer amount of effort that clearly goes into cultivating the theme each year. Whatever it was I want more, and lots of it.

redbrick.me/music

10th - 23rd October 2014

19

Tweet of the Week: @HarrisonKoisser: "Ugh can't decide which one I am from the Ladbrokes advert"

Live Review: Ella Eyre Matthew Freddura Music Critic

Album Review: Hozier - Hozier Hannah Coles Music Critic

Hozier grew up immersed in blues. Like so many legendary artists before him – The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Elvis to name but a few – this genre has certainly influenced Hozier’s latest release and underpins its downbeat, bruised soundscape. Despite his debut single only reaching 28 in the UK charts in 2013, Hozier doesn’t disappoint with his exquisitely rich vocal sound and multi-instrumental talents demonstrated in this debut album.

From the beginning Hozier captivates with the gospel inspired Take Me to Church.

This track, which allegedly attacks the oppressive institution of Putin’s Russia on the gay community, is a haunting cry to an abstract God. It’s a stunning track that displays the depth of meaning and emotion that runs throughout.

To Be Alone is similar in pace but, far from being desperately tragic, it is moody and sexy with a teasing, grungy blues riff to open, followed and supported by a muffled, pulsing bass drum. Work Song also pertains to this easy slowness and the rolling bass line of From Eden amplifies the feeling of desire to a radiant chorus melody with all the allure of the apple to Eve. Further to this, The Angel of Small Death & The Codeine Scene is deliciously poetic but made irresistibly rugged by the thump of a raw drum beat, electric guitar solo and gospel backing. These songs, far from cheapening the act of love and lust like so many chart toppers, intoxicate the heart and mind with their robust, artistic eroticism.

Hozier said himself that 'Blues is a very physical music. It's often about sex.'

Amen to that.

Still, for some listeners, this may be all they wish to take from Hozier’s album. It’s understandable for one to feel like some of these tracks are fillers. Jackie and Wilson sounds positively beachy in contrast with the rest of the album and Sedated, with its disappointingly Sam Smith-esque composition, offers little to report.

Yet, although sex is salient theme, Hozier approaches ideas that are vastly uncommon in today’s songwriting. Issues of religion are seized and mingled with the questions of love, life and death in Foreigners God. This clash of the abstract makes Hozier an engaging and thought provoking listen and marks him out as original; building upon the shoulders of ‘blues giants’ as it were.

Overall, with the vastly sexual nature and decadent texture of this album in mind, Hozier has succeeded in combining influences of gospel, choir, blues, folk and rock into a sophisticated collection of tracks to, ahem, ‘get down to’.

This week marks the release of Ella Eyre’s new single ‘Comeback’ and the start of her first headline tour. Like her name, her live performances are unforgettable - watching her mane of curls bouncing around on stage as her vocals fill the room, it's clear that this is a starlet on the rise.

As a graduate of the Brit school her fellow alumni are the likes of Adele and Jessie J. Unlike them, her ambition wasn’t to be a pop star but to be on stage in the West End, which comes across in her dynamic and energetic stage performances.

Keeping in mind that this was the first show of her solo tour, her captivating stage presence seemed far beyond her twenty years. Her sharp and obviously well-rehearsed show with its strong branding including an Ella Eyre logo - shows that she hasn’t just stumbled into the industry, but that she has been working hard on finding her vocal style, improving her song writing and sharpening up her performance.

Her latest single was written when she was just sixteen years old, so it isn’t surprising that she caught the attention of a

vocal coach three year ago and was signed to EMI. She first emerged onto the pop music scene when she featured on Bastille’s breakout hit ‘No Angels’ and since then she has featured on hit singles with with Rudimental and Naughty Boy, working with Wiz Khalifa, Tinie Tempah and Paloma Faith. Her talent as a performer is clear and spending the summer appearing at festivals- everywhere from Bestival to Wirelesshas obviously helped her perfect her onstage skills. Her performance combines the elegance and sophistication of a 60s starlet with all the swagger of a female rapper but with an incredible vocal - It is clear why she has been called the ‘British Beyoncé’.

Her opening track ‘Worry About Me’ announced her arrival with an explosion of energy combining the best of Iggy Azalea with Shirley Bassey. Her confidence on stage seemed like it would have come from someone far more experenced. If this poise had come from an X Factor contestant , would seem arrogant, but she carries herself with such finesse and interacts with the audience so well that it feels like she deserves to be there. Even though she hasn’t had an album out yet, she has played her plethora of hits from ‘Deeper’ to number one single ‘Waiting All Night’. Her ability to switch from an acoustic tracks like ‘Love Me Like You’ which is a clear future hit, to more upbeat power numbers like ‘If I Go’ she weaves seamlessly between them, each one sounding like a familiar song you’ve heard before but also like something new and exciting. Her personality

Album Review: Thom Yorke Tomorrow's Modern Boxes Ludo Cinelli Music Editor

The busy Radiohead frontman seems to spend just as much time making music as figuring out interesting ways to release it.

The latest effort was announced just hours before its release on BitTorrent. A free package featuring a single and a music video is available, as well as the full 8-track album at the cost of £3.68. To download the record, you need a torrent client, and the website is quick to provide you a link to one. It seems as if Yorke is trying to reclaim the peer-topeer system which is said to be killing music.

The musical result is akin to Yorke's first solo record, The Eraser - trippy, syncopated synths with beautiful piano melodies stuck on top of them. However, a lot of the tracks go further than the debut in terms of their

varied influences; 'The Mother Lode' is glitchy R&B which sounds like it belongs on a Flying Lotus album, 'Truth Ray' is slow post-dub which wouldn't be out of place in a James Blake setlist. The result is a blessing and a curse in relation to his earlier effort while the sonic differences between the tracks are more interesting, the album is less cohesive than The Eraser, and not every experiment is a successful one. 'There Is No Ice (For My Drink)' is a weird 7-minute techno jam that grinds a little with its sparse vocal samples and uninteresting bass line.

But out of the eight tracks, this is the only one that isn't immediately intriguing.

Yorke blurs the line between electronic producer and singer-songwriter. In interviews, he has stated that he wishes he didn't have to sing on Radiohead tracks; here, he seems to have broken free of this 'constraint'

shines through not only in her song but in the moments in between where she manages to leave the audience hanging on her every word. No matter what genre she sings, her ability shines throughout her own songs and covers which for the first night of a tour is highly impressive. Ella Eyre’s debut album is certainly one to look out for.

The atmospheric 'Pink Section' is content with being a series of sounds, and if anyone can discern the singing on 'Truth Ray' they should win a medal. But the latter being one of the best tracks on the album is a testament that no matter how consistently good his voice sounds, Yorke is right.

However, when Yorke does sing with his layered falsetto, he doesn't fail to provide the poetry that he is known for. 'Interference', seemingly a break-up song, features the beautiful 'We stare into each other's eyes / Like jackdaws, like ravens / The ground may open up and swallow us / In an instant / An instant'. Or in 'Mother Lode' there's the character of the 'hollow man', a TS Eliot reference that has successfully found itself on BitTorrent.

And this is why Tomorrow's Modern Boxes is an important album; it signifies the freedom with which artists are able to approach their music, free of expectations, both musically and materially. True, Thom Yorke may only be able to release albums this way because of his status in the music world and a healthy bank account. However, the fact that he is looking for alternative connections between musician and listener licenses and encourages smaller independent artists to do the same.

20 10th - 23rd October 2014

redbrick.me/lifestyle

Life & Style

One-night stands: Fact or Fiction?

In a world of quick hook-ups and liberal attitudes, Louise Chapman discusses the reality of sex at university.

The topic of the one-night stand is a somewhat controversial one, as everyone has an opinion on whether people should engage in casual sex. Students in particular seem to have a reputation for being the members of society most likely to be having frequent, non-committal encounters, however are one-night stands really as popular among students as everyone seems to think?

There is a definite stereotypical image of students being the most likely to bingedrink and also the most likely to have one-

"Casual sex is arguably more socially acceptable in the student setting since we're young, free and independent." night stands. This image is partly perpetuated by the media, thanks to countless TV shows and documentaries such as 'The Secret Life of Students'. Many polls have also been done to explore the number of casual sexual partners the average undergraduate has had, but are such polls a true reflection of the majority of university students?

For many people, university is their first time being away from home and living

independently, and this newfound space allows for more sexual freedom and opportunities for a one night stand. Casual sex is arguably more socially acceptable in the student setting since we're young, free and independent. It seems that there is less of a stigma attached to one-night stands among students because there is almost an expectation that a lot of us will do the so-called 'walk of shame' at some point during our years at university. As a whole, however, I don’t think we really live up to our reputation for enjoying lots of casual encounters.

We all know people who have had a one-night stand, or two, or three! I have friends who have had them whilst at university, but equally I know many friends who haven't, so I don't think they are quite as popular as most people believe. Of course there are students who go for a night out with the explicit intention of having nostrings-attached sex, and indeed it’s fair to say that it is seen almost as a rite-of-passage by some, but this has led to a general assumption that one-night stands are extremely commonplace among the student population. This seems too sweeping a judgement to make.

Instead I think that there is actually more of a focus on dating than non-committal ‘hook ups’ at university, as it provides the perfect environment for meeting like-minded people, often through societies or classes. Lots of relationships begin at

university and this fact is sometimes overshadowed by the focus on tales of one-night stands. Tales which can sometimes be exaggerated in order to fit in with social expectations, giving us all the idea that having casual sex is the norm for most undergradu-

"Lots of relationships begin at university and this fact is sometimes overshadowed by the focus on tales of onenight stands."

Budget Beauty Buys Sophie Preece Life&Style Writer

Lush Mint Julips Lip Scrub - £5.50 With the cold weather fast approaching, lips can easily become dry and chapped.

This sugar scrub provides a fun and easy way to exfoliate your lips leaving them soft and smooth, whilst the mint chocolate flavour means it also tastes delicious! Pocketsized and great value for money; everyone needs one of these this winter.

ates. This can even make some people feel pressurised to sleep with someone they’ve just met because of the belief that most of their peers have done the same thing.

Whilst sexual liberation allows for onenight stands, it doesn't necessarily mean that everyone is ‘at it’ all of the time.

I don’t think one-night stands are as prominent among us as most people assume.

The opportunities are most definitely there but are the vast majority of students having those sort of encounters frequently? I think the answer is probably not.

Fashion Month Highlights

With the glamour of Fashion Month now well and truly behind us, writer Jorge Rodríguez Durán picks out the highlights from New York, London, Milan and Paris.

Posh takes New York Victoria Beckham is now one the hottest fashion designers around, and she impressed us all with her latest collection. Her avant-garde line introduced a cool and chic colour palette for Spring/Summer '15.

Sophisticated Elegance in London Commanded by Christopher Bailey, Burberry Prorsum is going in one direction only: UP! The spirit of Spring was brought to life through easy silhouettes, bright colours and floral designs in the collection, reminding us of the British heritage that strongly influences the brand’s identity.

Fun with a capital 'F' in Milan In true controversial style Moschino, headed by Jeremy Scott, took inspiration from the world's most fabulous doll for its S/S '15 collection: Barbie.

Outrageous designs and bold colours make this collection an unforgettable one.

Chanel Riot Trust Chanel to be at the centre of the zeitgeist; models and head designer Karl Lagerfeld stormed down the faux Boulevard de Chanel catwalk with women's rights placards reading 'History is Her Story' and 'Be Different'. However, as unique as the show was, it has been be argued that it overshadowed the collection.

Burberry Prorsum

Chanel

Moschino

redbrick.me/lifestyle

10th - 23rd October 2014

Top Five Weirdest Hangover Cures

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Fierce

Life&Style writer Ally Head explores the five wackiest and most unusual remedies from around the world!

Ever wondered how our ancestors attempted to deal with the unbearable but unavoidable pain of a throbbing hangover? Believe me, they didn’t do things by halves. Many people all over the world swear by different remedies, cures and concoctions to rid themselves of the deadly hangover, ranging from the surreal to the downright outrageous.

Here are five of the wackiest and most disgusting cures of the bunch!

1. Dried Bull's Penis

Originating from Sicilian folk tale, this interesting ‘delicacy’ was reportedly requested at the Beijing 2008 Olympics to boost the sportsmen’s protein and vitamin intake!

2. Rabbit-Droppings Tea

The cowboys sure seemed desperate to rid themselves of their headaches! Apparently a tradition from the Wild West, this tea was popular to take the nasty sting off a night of heavy drinking the morning after.

3. "Barut" or Duck Embryo

Yep, you read it right! It seems that people in the Philippines took the notion of protein

Gone Girl

loading perhaps a step too far by indulging in poached fertilized duck eggs to cure the morning after blues.

This highly anticipated film hits our screens this week and I guarantee it is not one to miss..!

4. Pickled Sheep Eyeballs in Tomato Sauce Essentially Mongolian Genghis Khan’s version of a Bloody Mary. Although tomato juice may have helpful side effects, being rich in Vitamin C, I’m not so sure about the eyeballs!

Kendall Jenner Model of the moment Kendall has been gracing the catwalks everywhere, from Dolce and Gabbana to Ralph Lauren!

5. Deep Fried Canary

The Ancient Romans’ equivalent of a 4a.m.

Rooster House. It is debated as to whether this fatty meat feast actually helped cure, or merely temporarily postpone the hangover, however some were even eaten with the feathers still attached...nice!

Shearling The fabric of choice this season in jackets and gilets - perfect to blend summer wardrobe into autumn!

It does make you wonder why anybody drank in the first place! But if I were you, I think I’d stick to a fry up. Researchers have found that the protein in a good old bacon sarnie is likely to be the most effective of them all... Thank goodness for that!

Bullring Student Event With 20% student discount in our favourite high-street stores, it's the perfect excuse to go and spend our student loans!

Back to School Cool Life&Style writer Amelie Marron picks out five items that are sure to make a statement at the start of the Autumn term!

Celebrity Photo Hack More nude celebrity photos have been leaked, and as well as demonstrating horrific sexism, it also goes to show that nothing is ever "deleted"...

Glastonbury Tickets The first release of tickets sold out in a record-breaking 14 minutes! We're very jealous of anyone who managed to bag one!

Loafers or Brogues Satchels

Everybody needs a bag, and a satchel is an option that is both practical for university and totally on trend! This one from ASOS is particularly adorable with the scalloped edging to modernise that “old school” look. (£25.00)

Freshers' Flu

Brogues and loafers are the perfect way to smarten up your wardrobe for the new term. This pair of loafers from Topshop also have the metallic trim detail, giving them a cooler edge. (£32.00)

Beware Freshers, it will strike when you least expect it, and it's harder to shake than that annoying ex!

Tartan Dresses

A big trend for Autumn/ Winter '14, tartan is huge this season. This skater dress from New Look is the perfect example of back to school cool. (£19.99)

RIP Summer With the clocks going back soon and Christmas coming ever closer, summer has officially ended *sobs*

Collared Blouses

Cute collars have been huge this past year – whether on jumpers, dresses or blouses - and what better occasion to grab one than at the start of a new semester? Collared blouses like this one from Boohoo also work amazingly when paired with a tartan skirt or trousers. (£15.00)

Frilly Socks

Frilly socks like this pair from Miss Selfridge are the perfect accessory and worn the right way, they can totally pull an outfit together. They are the the perfect easy addition to your look, as you can make them as “school” or as cool as you want, depending on what you wear them with. (£3.50)

By Daisy Holden

Life&Style Writer

Finished

22 10th - 23rd October 2014

redbrick.me/travel

Travel

"In Dublin's fair city..."

Just a short hop across the Irish Sea lies the emerald jewel of the British Isles...

Alice Sheppard

Travel Writer The capital of the green isle is an unmissable destination, where flights are so cheap and the party atmosphere never ceases. Although there is plenty to see and do, all the hotspots listed below will provide a sufficient tick list for a jam-packed weekend.

First is the quintessentially Irish Guinness Storehouse.

It’s a Dublin cliché but it’s got to be done. You, like the rest of Dublin’s tourists, need that photo outside the brewery’s black gates to signify to the world that you’ve visited the heart of Dublin – the birthplace of Guinness! Even if you’re not a massive fan of the stout, it’s definitely fun getting to

"The quintessentially Irish Guinness Storehouse... is a Dublin cliché but it's got to be done." pull your own pint and sit in the factory’s Gravity bar with its fantastic panoramic view of Dublin. However, if you do like Guinness, even better as that pint you just pulled can be enjoyed free of charge with your entrance ticket.

Next stop on the Dublin city tour is the National Leprachaun Museum. Great for children, and for entertaining the big kid in you, this museum guides you through a storytelling adventure of giant-sized furniture, pots of gold, rainbows and the history of the mythical figure that is the Leprechaun.

Along the museum line is the Little Museum of Dublin.

Despite being only a small exhibit, it is filled with delightful anecdotes of Dublin’s history so that within an hour you will have learnt a quick lesson of what makes the place so won-

derfully Irish. If you’re a fan of James Joyce or U2, there are whole rooms dedicated to them for you to enjoy.

Continuing the sophisticated tone to your afternoon, The Westin Hotel on Westmoreland Street is the ideal location for afternoon tea. With its own atrium lounge that hosts tea seven days a week, there is a choice of two set menu’s; the first more traditional, and the second less so. Either way, the picturesque setting and delicious food means a day spent a little less touristy and a little more luxury.

Make sure you take a stroll around Dublin Castle. You may be lucky enough to stumble upon a gig there such as The Script (as if your weekend couldn’t get any more Irish!). Situated behind the castle is the Chester Beatty Library, which has no entrance fee.

If the weather is good, a trip to St. Stephen’s Park is delightful on a sunny day. The park is illuminated with memorials to Irish legends such as Robert Emmett, W. B. Yeats and James Joyce so touring it feels that much more informative than just climbing on the monkey bars.

Additionally, it’s next to a town square so is perfect for sitting in after grabbing some lunch from a nearby shop.

It’s difficult to go a hundred yards in Dublin without stumbling across a pub or cafe suitable to stuff you with delicious foods from all over the world. If you’re looking for a hearty meal, the classic Irish beef and Guinness stew

"It's difficult to go one hundred yards in Dublin without stumbling across a pub or cafe." will satisfy any appetite, and the traditional pubs Fitzsimons and The Horseman have perfected such iconic dishes.

The next stop on your list should be the infamous and world renowned Temple Bar. This is a small section of Dublin filled with shops, pubs, cafes and a variety of live street entertainment. Lined with buskers singing the soundtrack to your day whilst the streets are alive with colourful

"The Temple Bar is the perfect destination for a bar crawl" buildings; it is the embodiment of the Irish spirit, and the perfect place for an Irish coffee or a late night drink. The Old Storehouse in particular provides live music most nights of the week which makes it an animated and welcome spot.

The Temple Bar is the perfect destination for a Dublin bar crawl. It may not be to everyone’s taste, but it can be a great opportunity to meet new friends and see the city. The Backpacker Bar Crawl is a great way to see the best of Dublin’s nightlife and explore the capital after hours.

After a long day, Jacob’s Inn Hostel is a great value place to rest your head. Not only is it cheap, but the staff are friendly and always really helpful. They offer a basic, but free, breakfast of toast, cereal, tea and coffee, and offer free movie nights every night in their games room. If you haven’t been on the bar crawl the night before, free walking tours leave the hostel every morning for those who haven’t yet got their bearings of the city. Similarly, with an excellent transport system it shouldn't take long to work out how to get around.

As is clear, Dublin has far more to offer than just sitting in a pub with a cold pint of Guinness (although there is certainly a lot to be said for this). The city also has a wealth of history and culture to satisfy all ages and interests, and is a great starting point for exploring the Emerald Isle.

The 5...

Top Travel Guides Jessica Flanagan and Sara Tryon review the best resources to help you plan your trip...

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Lonely Planet

Rough Guides

DK Eyewitness

Time Out

Trip Advisor

If on a tight budget, Lonely Planet guides provide great advice on how to cut costs while travelling, and avoiding any unnecessary expense. Their 'On A Shoestring' range suggests affordable options for food, transport and lodging.

With comprehensive advice on different traditions and etiquette abroad, the Rough Guide books can help any traveller to be safe and respectful in unfamiliar culutral surroundings.

The range of city guidebooks from Dorling Kindersley are a pocket must-have for any weekend break. Inlcuding detailed maps and must-see attractions, they're an efficient way to start planning a getaway.

If you're staying inside the UK, Time Out has great suggestions for how to fill your weekend with something new and inexpensive.

With up-to-date listings for culture, sport and entertainment, you'll never miss out.

If you would rather trust the opinion of many rather than that of a travelled few, then Trip Advisor has a wealth of reviews for hotels, restaurants and attractions across the world from previous customers.

redbrick.me/travel

10th - 23rd October 2014

23

Spotlight on: Berlin Online Travel Editor Hannah Stevens details why Germany's capital is the place to go on a student budget...

Berlin is renowned for its cultural, historical and artistic attractions and is often on the top of people’s lists of places to visit. It’s a hotspot for young people and has no shortage of things to do. I went for a short city break a few years back and managed to navigate a large portion of the city in just a few days. It was exhausting, thrilling and interesting, and completely worth it!

We stayed right in the centre of Berlin and we got to enjoy the tail end of the Christmas markets. As a result, we were able to drink German beer and eat sweet treats to our hearts content. The German markets in England may be renowned, but they are nothing in comparison to the real thing. Make sure to take a day just to enjoy the endless train of hidden treasures.

A trip to Berlin would not be complete without an exploration of the city’s historic past. The capital’s history is rooted in tragedy and horror and the city is full of monuments held to honour their memory. These provide a harrowing, yet essential, reminder of the atrocities Berlin has

"The German markets in England... are nothing in comparison to the real thing." seen. The World War II War Memorial is a haunting experience, made all the more emphatic by its surprising nature.

The pillar maze found in the heart of the city is unavoidable as you walk towards it, and as soon as you delve into its depths, it’s an indescribable experience. The Holocaust museum lies underneath this labyrinth of concrete slabs, but attempting to understand the entire history the museum encompasses is an impossible task. You can only visit and try to understand for yourself.

The Berlin Wall is another part of the city that shouldn’t be missed. Art has taken over its walls to try to forget the monstrosity it once represented, and is astoundingly beauti-

ful. You can spend hours walking up and down the longest length of wall still around, nicknamed the Eastside Gallery.

"The city is particularly good for students."

The construction is certainly one to be marvelled at, and you’ll find endless sections of the wall scattered around the city decorated in numerous designs. Grasp the opportunity to enjoy exploring the city and finding these hidden treasures.

Art galleries and museums are dotted throughout Berlin, so pick your favourites out of any good guidebook and I’m sure you’ll be satisfied. It is the perfect city for the history nerd (like myself) and displays an impressive collection of artwork from throughout history and around the world.

On the other hand, the food, apart from the German market, is not particularly amazing. In central Berlin the options tend to be limited to standard Italian places and small breakfast and lunch bars, without a huge amount of variation. If you want to try some traditional German food you’ll need to search smaller areas to find the best stuff, especially if the market is not around. In the general tourist areas the food is pretty standard and nothing special.

The city is, however, brilliantly convenient; the metro system is extremely easy to use, and if not there will always be someone friendly to help you out. If you want to get a real feel for the city, it’s always worth walking between sights, and you’re guaranteed to find some hidden gems this way. It isn’t perfectly picturesque, but it is an awful lot cleaner than some other European cities.

The city is particularly good for students as decent hotels and hostels can be very cheap, and if you stick to a budget you’ll be able to find plenty to do without running out of money. If you are a student, then nearly all the attractions are either a reduced price or free for us, so all things considered, Berlin is definitely worth the visit.

World vs. Food Each week, Travel brings you an iconic dish from around the world. Experience the delights of foreign cuisine, without having to dig out your passport...

Fancy yourself as a bit of a globe-trotter? We want to hear from you!

Irish Beef and Guinness Stew If you can't make the trip over to Dublin, why not try and recreate this traditional dish for a taste of Ireland in the comfort of your own kitchen. Served best with mashed potato and accompanied with a cold pint of Guinness, this is a perfect hearty meal for the winter months ahead.

Origin: Ireland Main Ingredients: Diced stewing beef, Guinness, celery, onions, carrots, parnsips, potatoes, beef stock, rosemary and thyme.

Where best to find in Ireland: The Quays Irish Restaurant, Temple Bar, Dublin Where best to find in the UK: O'Neill's, Kensington, London

Jump on board: Wednesday 2pm Student Development in the Guild

travel@redbrick.me :Redbrick Travel

24 10th - 23rd October 2014

redbrick.me/food

Food

Naughty, Alive and Rude The BBC Food presenter and writer, Stefan Gates shares his university cooking highs and lows Safiyyah Gareeboo Food Writer

@SafiGareeboo

Stefan Gates, the self-named Gastronaut, is not your everyday TV food presenter. As an advocate of E-Numbers and edible insects, his approach to cooking is not for the faint hearted. it it however, for the adventurous, the curious and most importantly the funloving. Stefan's adventurous approach to food has inspired people of all ages, and continues to go against the current trends in the culinary world.

How would you describe your approach to cooking?

Kind of alive and naughty and rude. The food in the literature and TV world is very very safe, apart from the fact that you sometimes get the chef being sweary, it’s very

safe. When people watch a food show they like to see people tell them how to make a chicken salad or how to make a curry. They love things which are really quite safe, it’s not that they’re being stupid and boring, it’s just that’s what they crave. So we try and do exactly the opposite, nothing in cooking practical terms that you take away, but you get a much deeper understanding of how it all works.

"Cooking is a skill that can actually get you to meet girls" What's your top tip for students?

Play! Play with your food. Muck about with it. Buy the cheapest possible protein known to man. Buy mackerel and hack it to

bits and use that to learn how to fillet a fish.

I think the main thing is, when I was at university, food basically equalled sex. If you can cook, then you can meet girls! It's great!

I was dead poor at university, and I did a bit of cooking and it was genius; suddenly you've got a skill that can actually get you to meet girls, invite them round decently for for an evening, and get snogging! I mean, it doesn't get much better than that. So yeah, food, it's a brilliant way to cop off. So if you can cook... ...you'll get girls.

Haha yeah... But practically speaking, play. So when I was at university I used to make massive curries, using bacon bits.

Offcuts of bacon was the cheapest protein I could get my hands on. (I did try a little bit with soy protein and stuff but you need to be quite good to make that taste good.) So I used to make these massive curries and I'd have this vast vat of food that cost me two quid to make, then you can invite twenty people round.

What's your advice to students cooking a meal for a date?

It's about making an effort as well. The fact that you can't afford to take them out to a restaurant doesn't have to be said, you know? And the thing about the romance bit is it could end up being clumsy, I'm sure I did a few of those whilst I was at university, but you know what, if you say 'I've discovered this brilliant thing and wanted you to try it, I think you'll really enjoy it' then that takes away all the clumsiness that comes with trying to cop off with someone, and it makes it a fun experience. I might be painting my studenthood as slightly more exciting than it was...

"Being adventurous is the way we're going to be able to feed the world" What was your worst cooking experience whilst you were at university?

Okay so I was in a single room, we were in rooms on staircases and the rooms were pretty bare. There wasn't much kit. You literally have a room with a sink in the corner (you know, to piss in) and then I had a Breville sandwich toaster which was my only bit of cooking equipment. I would buy mackerel at the fishmonger, which was the cheapest protein other than bacon bits and I'd bring it back, to fry the mackerel on the sandwich toaster. So the whole staircase stank! Absolutely stank. Conversely, that sort of stopped me from snogging because my entire staircase was so furious with me.

It was a disaster, it was horrible. Also, one day my cooker blew up. The front glass on the cooker. If they're not tempered right, they can explode. It was dinner for twenty people at home and when the cooker blows

Recipe of the Fortnight: Easy Margherita Pizza It may seem easier to drop by the nearest supermarket and grab this ready-made comfort food to cook at your convenience, but once you've tried your hand at this rustic homemade version you'll be surprised how effortless it is. It's a perfect homemade meal for the firsttime cook, and a great way to have fun as a house or flat making a meal at a very low cost!

Check out this recipe and a variety of others on the Redbrick Food website

up you can't have a fallback... That's why you should always have a pot of pesto at home-pesto and cheese!

Is eating insects the next big thing in the world of food? What else is?

It definitely is one of the next big things in food. We've got to come up with some big answers for some big problems that are barrelling towards us-lots of different things coming together to really screw up food production. To be honest, we need to be more adventurous in what we eat. Jellyfish are a great food source, not big on calories, because they're mainly water, but they make a brilliant salad. In Chinatown, they serve lots and lots of jellyfish. You have to get over the sensation of it's texture, because they're very very gelatinous, and crunchy.

It's like eating cartilage, quite weird. But it's a big food source. But also insects, 3D food printing, we need to try everything that's available and frankly, we need to explore GM foods. Not trying GM foods is all very well for us here in the UK because we can afford to eat organic food, but for the rest of the planet, we need to find out some answers.

And I think we have to explore some of the really tricky things, like GM food, which upsets a lot of people, but is potentially the only way we can really feed people by 2050. Being adventurous genuinely is the way that we're going to be able to feed the world, by trying new stuff out and discovering new things. In terms of pleasure, as much as saving the world. Somebody had to find chocolate-if you've ever had a cocoa bean, it's so far removed from chocolate as we know it. Somebody had been experimenting, mucking about and playing with ideas and finally came up with chocolate. It takes being adventurous to come up with those world changing foods, whether or not they're a worthy thing or something that's more about pleasure, you've got to experiment so you can find them.

What are your final thoughts on food?

I think it's a really powerful thing, and you've got to eat somehow, so why not cook it yourself? Learn how to cook, spend a bit of time doing that.

If you have any recipe ideas you would like to share and feature online, send them in to food@redbrick.me

redbrick.me/food

10th - 23rd October 2014

25

New Term, New Opportunities Rosie Twells explores what's new in the world of food this Autumn Rosie Twells Online Editor

Often, the start of an academic year can also be the marker of other new beginnings.

Lectures and seminars continue in the same fashion as before, although plenty of fresh starts have already occurred combining food in some manner along the way. The competitive price of pies at football stadiums, a returning television programme and a big move for students have been highlighted interests for me as the start of a new term

"Crystal Palace fans pay the most for a pie at £4" approaches.

The Premier League may have kicked off in the middle of August, however, this year it is not just the football that is under scrutiny. A survey has shown views on popular halftime snacks, focusing predomi-

nantly on the price of a pie. The most shocking statistics and facts underlined the dichotomy between clubs and their financial input; an increasingly talked about subject related to the beautiful game at the moment. Crystal Palace fans pay the most for a pie at a price of £4 and Manchester United charge £2.50 for a cup of tea. When taking into consideration the costs supporters pay to watch their favourite team, tickets, travel, a match day programme and food and drink, some clubs may be left eating a slice of humble pie.

Taking a step away from football, excitement for all food lovers has been building up with the recent return of a much loved programme.

The

Great

British

Bake

Off

is

back,

and with a bang! Fresh from switching to BBC1,

Bake

Off

has

delivered

everything

that characterises this television channel – drama, suspense, entertainment and suspicion

(did

Diana

really

sabotage

Iain’s

Baked

Alaska?) With the final approaching, this series has showcased some fine examples of outstanding baking. The signature rounds have allowed personalisation and creativity to take centre stage and the technical challenges have really pushed the contestants to the

limit.

The

Bake

Off

franchise

has

also

expanded this year in the form of its Wednesday night spin off show. Superbly hosted

by

Jo

Brand,

‘Bake

Off:

An

Extra

Slice’ is the icing on the cake revealing the best and worst moments of the contestants in the tent during the week.

In opposition to the televised world, a reality has already taken place for many students. For some, moving into a house may seem like a daunting prospect, although the Selly Oak student environment is a taste

"Fajitas and burgers are perfect for getting everyone involved" of independent life away from halls and catered meal plans. Don’t be put off by the limited space in a smaller kitchen as it provides a chance for some culinary experimentation. Cooking for a group is a great way to catch up with friends and can often lead to less washing up with fewer pans! One pot meals such as chilli con carne and spaghetti bolognese are easy to make, whilst fajitas and make your own burgers are perfect for getting everyone involved. Moreover, in between the hustle and bustle of Freshers Week, I was presented with a window of opportunity in the form of baking chocolate chip cookies. Two batches of this recipe were made as slight technical difficulties with the new oven prevailed but the end product was simply delicious.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe 125g butter (slightly softened) 100g light brown soft sugar 125g caster sugar 1 egg, lightly beaten 1tsp vanilla extract 225g self-raising flour ½ tsp salt 200g chocolate chips 1. Preheat the oven to 180°. Line two baking trays with non-stick baking paper.

2. Put the butter and sugars into a bowl and beat until creamy. Add the egg and vanilla extract.

3. Sieve the flour and salt over the mixture and stir in with a wooden spoon. Add the chocolate chips and mix well.

4. Using a dessert spoon, place small moulds of the mixture well apart on the baking trays.

5.

Bake

in

the

oven

for

8-­10

minutes,

until

light brown on the edges and still slightly soft in the middle.

6. Allow to cool and firm up on the baking tray before transferring to a wire rack.

National Chocolate Week Facts and trivia on your favourite indulgence, as well as a guide to what's on.

Alice Sheppard Food Writer

@alicesheepyard

Calling all choc-aholics, it’s National CHOCOLATE Week! A whole week to celebrate the milky cocoa goodness of our friend, Mr Chocca Late. Held from 13-19 October, it allows seven whole days to indulge in the good stuff, and if you do it right, you’ll do a Vicar of Dibley and wake up surrounded by 500 crunchie wrappers and a tub of treacle that washed it all down.

Not only do we appreciate the sweet stuff, but we’re basically having a full time love affair with it for its stimulating chemicals – an aphrodisiac! – and ability to comfort us as a friend would do in any sorry situation.

"Seven whole days to indulge in the good stuff" So what’s there to do this week?

•

Last

year

The

Bullring

boasted

free

chocolate smiley faces at Thorntons and free chocolate tastings at Hotel Chocolat, so look out this year for the same tasty treats on offer!

•

As

Brummie

students,

it’s

a

crime

not

to

check out Cadbury World! It has everything for children and adults and more importantly, lots of free chocolate!

•

Films

you

should

watch:

Willy

Wonka

and

The Chocolate Factory (can’t beat the classic), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (the creepy Johnny Depp one), Chocolat (the sexy Johnny Depp one!), Matilda (cause despite Cookie’s blood and sweat, you can’t deny

that

Bruce’s

cake

does

look

good)

and

finally Forest Gump ( because “Mama always said life was like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get”).

•

A

bit

further

afield:

The

Chocolate

Show

in London will host “The Chocolate Theatre" - featuring live demos by the chocolatier master chef’s. In the same way as you’d watch Jamie Oliver or Nigella, you can learn all the choccy tricks of the trade and equally in

the

‘Tasting

Room’

you

will

be

able

to

discover the world of chocolate through a series of talks and tastings held by experts.

Top Five Chocolate Facts:

Yes, being paid for your knowledge on chocolate is a real thing!

1) The smell of chocolate increases Theta brain waves, which triggers relaxation; hence why we have the urge to stuff ourselves with it whilst watching

Bridget

Jones

in

order

to

make ourselves feel better.

2) White Chocolate isn't technically Chocolate, as it contains no cocoa solids or cocoa liquor. Oh well. Let’s just live in ignorant bliss of this fact and enjoy it in its chocolaty disguise all the same!

3) Chocolate tycoon, Milton Hershey, cancelled his reservations for the Titanic due to last minute business matters else our Hershey dreams would have joined Jack at the bottom of the Ocean! Although a midnight dip with Leonardo Dicaprio doesn’t sound that bad...

4)

In

2013,

Belgium

issued

a

limited

edition of chocolate flavoured stamps. Mmm tasty Queenie!

5) A lethal dose of chocolate for a human being is about 22 lbs. or 40 Hershey bars – so don’t go TOO crazy! Happy eating people!

What are our favourite chocolate bars?

Some of the answers I found were such as Maltesesers, Lindt Truffles, Topic, Toblerone and

many

more.

But

the

top

answer

of

the

50 people I asked happened to be a Wispa bar; which was actually discontinued in 2003

and

replaced

with

Dairy

Milk

Bubbly

(shocking!). However, due to protests for its return – such as fans invading a stage performance

at

Glastonbury

2007

with

‘Bring

Back

Wispa’

placards

–

the

beloved

bar

returned! On 24 August 2007, the first box of relaunched Wispas was bought for £195.00

on

eBay!

Someone

put

on

10

stone

that day...

26 10th - 23rd October 2014

redbrick.me/tech

Science & Technology

3D Printers:

A Handy Solution to Prosthetics!

Emma Houghton

Online Sci and Tech Editor

Can you remember learning how to ride a bike? Now imagine trying to do it with only one hand. Many children are faced with this dilemma due to birth defects leaving them with unformed hands and fingers.

Five-year-old Hayley Fraser, who was born with symbrachydactyly, a congenital disease leaving her without fully formed fingers on her left hand, was missing out on the fun her friends had riding a bike and playing with toys that required both of her hands.

Her parents were desperate to ensure that their child had the same experiences as other children and be able to join in with their activities.

A transplant was out of the question, she was too young to go through the trauma of such a big operation and it was unecessary, so the only solution was an artifi-

cial hand. However, artificial body parts tend to be expensive, and a hand could put the Frasers back by thousands to tens of thousands of pounds, depending on materials.

After discovering the only solution was a complicated opera-

"Within 6 weeks, Hayley's hand was ready" tion, involving moving bones from Hayley’s foot into her hand, the Frasers searched the internet for their own solution. They came across the volunteer run company e-NABLE, who specialise in creating functional artificial hands using 3D printers. The Americanbased company designed and made a prosthetic specifically for Hayley, based on a plaster cast of her right hand. It was printed at the University of WisconsinMilwaukee. Within six weeks, and after only paying $80 (just

Follow us online www.redbrick.me/tech @redbricktech Redbrick Sci&Tech

over £50), Hayley’s hand was ready, and it was even coloured bright pink, as requested by the five-year-old. Professor Flood, of the University said he was able to "3D scan the plaster cast to ensure that the hand was going to fit" using CAD technology in the university's Digital Craft Research Lab programme.

How does it work? Much like normal hands are segmented, the artificial hand is comprised of around 30 individual pieces. Each piece is printed separately.

Once the hand has been constructed (a task so simple that some of the children involved put their own

together), it can be used to grip objects. This is made possible by a

"Even children can put the printed hand pieces together" simple network of non-flexible chords which are found on the underside of the fingers.

When the person wearing the prosthetic tilts their wrist to a certain angle, the prosthetic senses the change in tension and causes the fingers to bend. There are also chords that run along the top of the fingers, which return the hand to its relaxed shape when the wrist is not tilted.

Although these hands are not designed for complicated tasks and they are not recommended for use by adults when handling heavy machinery, they certainly offer a cheap, easy, and effective solution for children with hand-related birth defects. This technology gives parents the chance to be proud of the fact that their children are different and gives children like Hayley the chance to do tasks that they may, otherwise, have been unable to do. e-NABLE have developed a range of other specifically designed prosthetics, each with its own name. Their newest device, a glove for those with only a few fingers is called Raptor.

redbrick.me/tech

10th - 23rd October 2014

27

Mystery of HIV Origin Uncovered Rachel Taylor

Science and Tech Editor

Over 75 million people worldwide are now affected by the disease, but there was a time when only a few had ever even heard of HIV or AIDs. Since its discovery in 1981, there have been many different stories of how the pandemic of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) came about, with origins from live mutants in the smallpox vaccine to an intentional creation by scientists. For many years the virus and the group of diseases that it causes were kept as a secret, \.

Due to its associations with homosexuality, many were keen to avoid being noticed and very few were aware of the consequences.

However, AIDs came onto our radar very quickly in the 1980s.

I'm sure you have heard parents talk of the shock surrounding famous figures such as Freddie Mercury. It was horrifying for the gay community at the time and many feared the disease would make them social pariahs.

However, scientists last week revealed that the pandemic of AIDs

Creature Feature: This is a Chinese Water Deer, brought to the UK from China and Korea. It is nicknamed Vampire Deer for its protruding tusk-like teeth which grow from the mouth at around the first 6-7 months of the male deer's life.

They use the tusks as weapons during a rut (a fight between males to form territories with does) and show dominance by displaying them. Despite their large size, only 60% of these tusks are actually visible, with the rest stuck in the gum.

These deer are only slightly bigger than a dog so are not as menacing as you would expect.

There is estimated to be less than 2,100 of these deer in the UK at the moment. However, a recent survey by the British Deer Society suggests they are increasing in population, so you may be seeing more of these deer around in the coming years!

Have a creature you'd like to feature? Email us: tech@redbrick.me

came about with the worst case scenario factors actually coming true in colonial Africa. A team of scientists from the University of Oxford were able to genetically analyse thousands of different viruses to confirm that the virus of HIV first emerged in the capital of the Belgian Congo, Kinshasa in around 1920. One of the scientists,

"Individuals spread the disease on to others via the new transportation."

Professor Oliver Pybus, said that with all the available evidence “using the latest phylogeographic techniques, enables us to statistically estimate where a virus comes from,�

As the rail network was built by male labourers, some of whom used brothels, the disease soon spread. As trains became more integrated into towns and villages, these infected individuals spread the disease on to others via the new transportation that would otherwise have kept the disease to just a few.

A nearby village's, then called

Leopoldville, economy focused on market-trade that it took into Kinasha, this included bush-meat caught from the nearby forests.

Those who have heard that humans obtained the disease from Chimps were not too far from the truth.

Chimpanzees have the similar Simian Virus (SIV) and when humans eat meat infected with this, over time it evolved to infect humans, this was the bush meat that everyone was eating.

Additionally, syringes used to vaccinate people against disease or even for drug use were re-used and eventually carried HIV on them, so while people thought they were getting a cure for something, they were actually getting a far worse disease.

Social changes that caused people to move to different countries and find work for their families then carried the virus away from the continent and into other territories such as to the US, where lots of migrants escaped to find a new home.

Many people can now live with the disease as research into antiretroviral drugs has improved greatly.

These long-term treatments have converted HIV into a chronic condition from the fatal disease that once took many lives.

28 10th - 23rd October 2014

redbrick.me/sport

Sport

Season Previews

Redbrick Sport look at what's in store for Birmingham Men's and Women's Hockey teams and the Men's Football teams Hugo Moon Sports Reporter

Last weekend saw the full University of Birmingham Hockey Club play for the first time. It’d been less than a week since fresher trials and already eight fully-fledged teams were playing.

The Men’s 1st XI, coached by Stevie Floyd, had their fourth game of the campaign in the Men’s Conference West, which is essentially the second tier of national league hockey. On the back of two agonising draws and a 9-2 loss to heavy favourites for the league Cardiff & Met, the 1stXI travelled the long distance down to Fareham, who were already sitting four points ahead after just three games. However UoB took the game by the scruff of the neck and, despite a scrappy game, recorded their first win of the season. They won 2-1 with goals coming from second years Chris Way and Adam Harriman.

The Men’s 1stXI play at a notoriously very high level and have enjoyed a long run in the top BUCs league as well as a Cup final appearance in 2012. They also enjoy a fierce rivalry with Loughborough University that has in more recent years found its way through all echelons of the club. Indeed this year, as well as both first teams being in the same league, UoB 2nd & 3rd teams are in the same league as Loughborough 2nd and 3rd teams (along with Cambridge 1sts and Nottingham Trent 1st team). This is an extremely high league and the participation of our 3rd team should not go un-mentioned.

UoB 2nds will of course be looking to win

Alex Kronenberg Sports Editor

After cruelly missing out on the league title in the final game of last season, the Men's Football 1sts will certainly be one of the teams to keep an eye on this season. I caught up with head coach, Rob Williams about his expectations for the year and his thoughts on both the 1st and 2nd team competing in the same division.

Having lost a large number of last year's players from the group, how is the squad shaping up so far?

We have lost a number of players, but more importantly some very influential players (Sam Graham and Matt Thomas to name two) from last season’s squads, in particular the 1st team squad. However, we have retained more than anticipated at the end of last season which should help as we

"We have lost a number of players, but more importantly some very influential players" move into the new season. We have also added some good quality first years to the group and they have integrated well so far How are the new crop of freshers looking?.

There were over 350 players that attended trials at the end of September so selection for the committee wasn’t easy. We have, however, recruited some good players that have so far fitted into the programme well.

Are you pleased with the performances in pre-season so far?

this league again having been runners up last year after a 5 year winning streak!

Men’s Club Captain and 1st team keep Dewi Roblin stated that he was “really excited to see how the men’s first and second teams do and that both should be looking to win Bucs Gold”. The 2nds certainly started the season in fine form on Saturday as did the 3rds. The 2nds recorded an 8-0 win over Warwick University 2nds and the 3rds won 6-1 away to Boots. In fact it was to be 4 wins out of 4 for the mens side as the 4thXI romped to a 7-1 victory over local rivals Harborne, the side that got promoted with our 4th team and the end of last season.

The 4th team could indeed be looking for an unprecedented triple this year; they will be looking to better their runner-up performance in their BUCS league and win the BUCS cup, a competition they lost to eventual winners in extra time golden goal last year too. They are also joint favourites with Loughborough 4s for the Saturday league thus presenting a very possible three medals out of three!

The Women’s side of the club also enjoyed great success over the weekend to get their seasons moving. The ladies 2nds, 3rds and 4ths will all be pushing for league victories as the whole club is looking stronger than it has done in years with a great amount of depth. This was very much demonstrated at the weekend with victories of 2-0, 3-0 and 4-1 for the 2nds 3rds and 4ths respectively. The Ladies 3s will have a tough time matching last season as they did the double in both their BUCS league and the BUCS cup, beating Worcester University in the final.

We started preseason one week earlier this year, than last with 2nd and 3rd years.

We also had the players in for more sessions to try and get ahead of where we were this time last season. There have also been some changes to the fixtures which now means the 1st and 2nd squads have an extra week to prepare for their first fixture (which coincidentally is against each other). Each team has now played two friendlies against Liverpool and Warwick and we also played an in house game during the first week of preseason so players match time is increasing. One of the main objectives is to give every player time on the pitch so that we can have a look at all players to try and ensure squad selection is right for the first league games and so that the players can get some pitch time together and develop socially as a group. Results during this period aren't particularly important, we are more concerned with players’ performance and using the games for fitness and squad selection. We have also developed the staff team and now have 5 UEFA B qualified coaches (including a GK coach that we didn't have last year) working throughout the week on a paid or voluntary basis with the squads, which can only help. I'm sure many other universities wouldn't have access to this, so it’s a bonus for us. Added to this we are working towards developing additional support from students around game analysis to develop the programme further.

After the first team went so close to winning the league last year, what are your aims for this season?

We have learnt a number of lessons from last season as a group and hope to use those experiences as part of our learning and preparation for the new season. Firstly, head to head results can be vitally important as we found out to our cost last season. Secondly,

Will Siddons This made it two BUCs cups for the ladies side as the 1st team also won the BUCS championship, winning 2-0 against Loughborough 1st team and rewriting the script from the 2013 final in which they lost 1-0 to Durham. Indeed the Ladies 1st team, coached by Phil Gooderham, has been the most successful team in UOBHC in the last few years; they not only won the top BUCS league last year but went undefeated whilst winning eight of their ten matches! Hopes are high for this to continue with new fresher Lily Owsley coming in, fresh from her appearance in the England

Commonwealth Games team.

On the weekends the Ladies 1sts, like the men play in national league. However they are in the top division and dicing it with the top teams which is no mean feat for a university team. Sadly they were the only team not to win this weekend, being held 1-1 at home by Bowdon Hightown. However this can be excused due to such a high level of competition! Seven wins out of eight is a very promising start and all the teams will look to build upon these results and produce a winning season. Best of luck to everyone who plays.

"Added to this we are working towards developing additional support from students around game analysis to debvelop the programme further"

It could be, however having developed a playing philosophy with the players and focusing on this in practice with all groups we are trying to ensure that we are working the same way with all players. There may be less movement between squads this season for players as they now have to be registered with BUCS for each squad and so making sure we have players in the correct squads from the start is important. We have goals set for the season and all players are aware of these so we are hopefully all working towards the same end point. We want players to see the football programme as a whole squad effort that happens to be split into 3 teams for fixtures and not to work against each other, which I’m sure won’t happen.

it is a short 10 game league season (7 or 8 before Christmas) so starting well is also important, early defeats could be costly.

With both the 1st and 2nd team competing in the same division do you think there is a danger that this could divide the squad?

Charlotte Wilson

redbrick.me/sport

10th - 23rd October 2014

29

Sport

NFL and Britain: A special relationship?

NFL is beginning to attract a sizeable fanbase in the UK. Sam Hutchinson reports on the game's rise.

Sam Hutchinson

Wembley, five of the sixteen matches each week are broadcast on English TV, with Sky Sports showing Thursday Night Football, with each game starting at 1:30am, as well as two consecu-

The sport we term as ‘American Football’ is fast becoming a popular sport in the UK, with tickets to games at Wembley selling out rapidly. Ever since the National Football League started playing regular season games at Wembley, in 2007, the sport’s popularity has increased.

From 2007 to 2012, one regular season game (those scheduled in advance, played between September and December) was played at Wembley stadium. In 2013, this increased to two games, including the Jacksonville Jaguars, who have agreed to play one home game at Wembley every year between 2013 and 2016. The rapid increase in popularity is mirrored by the increase to three Wembley games in the 2014 season.

At the end of September 2014, the Oakland Raiders played host to the Miami Dolphins in the first of this season’s International Series games.

The Raiders looked tame, as they were outplayed

by Miami, who won 38-14. The other games this season include the Atlanta Falcons hosting the Detroit Lions, and the Jaguars hosting the Dallas Cowboys.

However, while the games are always the main event, they are not the only way that the NFL has increased its popularity in the UK. Starting in 2013, on the weekend of the clash between the San Francisco 49ers and the Jacksonville Jaguars, the NFL introduced its ‘NFL on Regent Street’ event; a parade along London’s Regent Street containing interviews with both star players from both teams and NFL legends, as well as live music. This was brought back for the game between Oakland and Miami.

On regular weekends; those with no games at

"While the NFL is seeing consistent, large growth in the UK, it will always have many obstacles to climb."

Sports Reporter

tive games every Sunday at 6 and 9:30. Channel 4 shows the late game every Sunday, also starting at 1:30am, while Eurosport shows Monday Night Football every week, again starting at 1:30am local time. With this depth of fixtures comes a better opportunity for fans to keep up to date with the NFL. It also allows people to develop an interest in a particular team, as one follows Arsenal or Manchester United in football, as there is a better chance that ‘your’ team’s game will be on TV. The NFL has also looked to use the ever growing video games industry to increase its popularity. The American football equivalent of FIFA, Madden NFL, is catching on in the UK, with more and more British players picking up the game each year. The effect of this is that learning how to play each position enables players to learn more about the sport, and therefore increases interest and possibly viewership from the UK market.

However, the NFL is not the only expansion of the sport into the UK, with 78 different Universities now fielding teams in leagues across the country, including three newcomers for the 2014-15 season. This creates an expanding fan base in the sport amongst students, further

increasing the popularity of the sport in the UK. At this level, the sport is easier to get into, as people can play it or just learn more about it through watching the University games.

With regard to the NFL, one has to ask the question, where to now? The answer is still unknown, but the possibilities are numerous. There is always the possibility of more games being played at Wembley, or even possibly at other stadiums throughout the country, as well as the possibility that more important games could be played in the UK, such as playoff or perhaps even a Superbowl sometime in the future, though that is likely a long way off, if even a possibility at all.

Another possibility is that London gets its own franchise (team), a question which has been asked throughout the League in recent months.

When asked in July about the possibility of an overseas team, the NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell answered “It's not something I think is 15 or 20 years away, it could be five or 10 years away."

Ultimately, however, while the NFL is seeing consistent, large growth in the UK, it will always have many obstacles to climb, such as the time of the games, being 6pm at the absolute earliest, and more often much, much later. The fact that most games are only shown on Sky Sports is also not a good sign for growth, as not everyone can watch it, and the weekly Channel 4 games start at 1:30am on a Sunday. Perhaps the largest obstacle is the colloquial name of the sport itself, ‘football’, as this clashes with traditional British football, an aspect of the American sport that irritates many British people.

For now, though, it would seem as if the only way is up for a sport that so few of us understand, and time will tell just how big the sport will become in the UK.

Matthew Jackson

99.

Madden NFL has sold 99 million copies worl-

20.

Since 1983, there have been 20 games held at

78.

The number of universities with NFL Matthew Jackson

30 10th - 23rd October 2014

redbrick.me/sport

Sport

Sports View Is 17 year old Max Verstappen old enough to be the latest Formula 1 driver?

At 17 years, Max Verstappen is set to become the youngest Formula 1 driver in the history of the sport. But how young is too young? Sports writers Nicola Kenton and Morgan Price look at either side of the coin and put forward their argument.

Morgan Price Sports Reporter

‘If you’re good enough, you’re young enough’ - an easy argument to make and one I suspect has already been made.

Not only do I believe Max Verstappen is too young to drive in F1, but that he is undeserving of his Torro Rosso seat also.

Nevertheless, the former is the question that needs to be addressed.

I feel it is worth taking a step back and reviewing how previous ‘young’ drivers coped with their transition from their respec-

"I believe Max Verstappen is too young drive in F1 and that he is also undeserving of his Torro Rosso seat"

Traditionally, to reach F1, a driver would progress from karting into single-seaters, and endure uncertain years in the likes of Formula Renault and F3, possibly making the move up to GP2 – the closest in terms of car performance to F1.

Verstappen’s fast tracking from karting to F1 in the space of just two years does not come without its risks, despite his performances in F3. Many drivers before him have enjoyed success in higher formulas, yet failed to reach the Holy Grail that is Formula 1.

Max Verstappen will soon play a part in one of the world’s most elite sports. Does he possess the skill, maturity and speed to be able to make a name for himself and remain competitive in F1 for years to come? That I think, is doubtful.

However, there are other things such as experience and maturity which have to be taken into consideration because of the risks involved in the sport.

First of all, let's look at the experience that Verstappen has in motorsport. He started karting at the age of four and a half and won his first championship at the age of 7.

By the end of 2009 he had won 10 karting championships and in 2007 he was unbeaten in every race he entered.

International karting was the next step in

"The more time he spends out on track the more comfortable he will feel in his surroundings and he can then test his own limits."

2010, at the age of 12 and he competed in the KF3 category for 12-15 year olds.

Therefore, the more time he spends out

on track the more comfortable he will feel in his surroundings and he can then test his own limits.

Although, he had his first practice session in an F1 car at the Japanese Grand Prix and seemed to be at ease with the whole experience and was happy with himself However, driving in a practice session for a number of laps is very different to driving in qualifying or a full-distance race and until he has done these two things, only then can he be judged on whether he is mature enough.

2014 saw Verstappen competing in single seat cars for the first time and has had a mixed bag of results but they include several podium finishes and a couple of wins.

He has proven himself in the karting world and was possibly on his way to doing the same in the single seat cars but instead has just been spotted and given the chance earlier than others.

tive formulas into F1. Generally considered one of the all-time greats, Fernando Alonso began his F1 career at Minardi back in 2001, aged just 19. However, Alonso is best viewed as an exception. The names Jaime Alguersuari, Mike Thackwell and Esteban Tuero have very little resonance in the F1 community. All of these drivers can claim to be of the youngest drivers ever in F1. Will the name Max Verstappen soon be lost to motorsport oblivion? Only time will tell.

Double F1 world-champion Mika Hakkinen has spoken out against Verstappen’s involvement in F1, stating: "In F1 you don't go to learn, you have to be ready. F1 doesn't

"Does he possess the skill, maturity and speed to be able to make a name for himself and remain competitive in F1 for years to come? " allow you to do too much learning", "It's too young because in F1, the risk is high”.

Verstappen recently gave a demonstration in a 2013-spec Torro Rosso in his native Rotterdam, only to stick it nose-first into the barriers.

One must begin to ask questions. If Verstappen cannot cope with mere crowdpleasing burnouts, how will he cope with the pressure of driving a car with less downforce, greater torque, surrounded by other cars at 170+mph through Eau-Rouge in the pouring rain at Spa? Verstappen will be advancing from a very successful debut season in Formula 3, in which he has won 8 races to date. Despite this, what should not be underestimated is just how much of jump he will be making next year. As we have been starkly reminded of at Suzuka this past weekend.

F1 remains a highly dangerous sport.

With Jules Bianchi currently in hospital with a severe head injury after colliding with a recovery vehicle, are inexperienced young drivers such as Verstappen ready make that jump?

Nicola Kenton Sports Reporter

The simple answer is no. Age as a number should not matter if you are good enough and have the talent to be able to drive single seat cars at the highest level in the world.

At the end of this international debut year, he was Champion his respective World and European series and the winner of two finals. In 2013 he became double European and World Champion, as well as winning

"Age as a number should not matter if you are good enough" three other championships and finishing on the podium in the other two.

Whether Verstappen will have this maturity when he is in the Toro Rosso next year is a question that cannot be answered right now because maturity comes with experience in an F1 car. Secondly, the maturity of

a Formula 1 driver has to be very high as they are putting their life at risk.

Even though Verstappen has: only been driving single seat cars for just over a year, just turned 17 and had his first drive in a Formula 1 car, I don't believe that he is too young for Formula 1 because he has the raw talent and pace needed to get himself a drive.

However, we will only know if he is a little too inexperienced and immature, if or when the occasion is too much for him next year when he completes his first full race weekend for Toro Rosso.

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10th - 23rd October 2014

Competition Time

31

Performance of the week

Tweet of the week

Feliciano Lopez turned in a dominant performance to end World Number two Rafael Nadal's stay in the Shanghai Masters. The two spaniards were battling each other in the second round as Lopez edged Nadal, 6-3 and 7-6 (8-6). Injury hit Nadal has struggled with niggles all summer and even missed the US Open, owing to a wrist injury.

PureGym Birmingham are offering a free three month membership for four students. Interested? Go to Redbrick Sport's Twitter page and take part in our caption competition. Use the hashtag #puregymcaptioncomp and send us your wittiest attempts. Please ensure that all entries are submitted by 12pm Friday 17th of October.

Lighter side of Sport

Darker side of Sport

1. Bayern Munich have refunded a group of fans who rented a skyscraper in order to watch their side play against CSKA Moscow. The dedicated supporters, which included Bastian Schweinsteiger's older brother, were forced to watch the Champions League game from the building due to a ban on all fans attending the match because of the Moscow club's fans behaviour last season.

Last week Levski Sofia fans brandished a banner mocking UEFA's anti-racism campaign only ten days after Partizan Belgrade fans displayed an anti-semitic banner during their Europa League game against Tottenham Hotspur.

2. Roy Keane revealed in his autobiography this week that he decided against signing Robbie Savage for Sunderland on the basis of disliking the Welshman's voicemail message.

Photo of the week Sport quiz

Online: George Hopkins looks at Arsene Wenger's Top 5 transfer signings for Arsenal since taking over 18 years ago.

Congratulations to almuni Laura Keates and Kat Merchant who were members of the England Women's National Rugby Union team who won the World Cup in August.

Read Sports Editor Alex Kronenberg's interview with Keates online.

1.Kleberson 2.Botham 3.Three 4.Five 5.His hairpiece

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and online at www.redbrick.me/sports to keep up to date with all the latest sporting events. If you are interested in writing for Redbrick Sport, please get in touch by emailing sport@redbrick.me

1. Which one of Kleberson and Djemba Djemba had more appearances for Manchester United?

2. Which former England cricket player also made appearances for Scunthorpe United?

3. How many times have Stuart Lancaster's England finished 2nd in the Six Nations?

4. How many Ryder Cup winning teams was Seve Ballesteros part of?

5. What did Andre Agassi say he was most scared of in the 1990 French Open final?

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1. Regional difference in pronunciation (6) 1. Ancient calculator (6) 2. Ideology (5) 4. Double-cross (6) 3. Most inexperienced (7) 9. "Land of opportunity" (7) 5. Burst (5) 10. Bovine milk dispenser (5) 6. Extreme (7) 11. Unwarranted (5) 7. Cricket delivery which lands by the 12. Fingernail base (7) batsman's feet (6) 13. Relentless (11) 8. Egyptian stone coffin (11) 18. Former Greek currency (7) 14. Slight differences (7) 20. Electroshock weapon (5) 15. Radio reciever (7) 22. Pins (5) 16. Publication overseer (6) 23. Unsettle (7) 17. Clergyman (6) 24. Bacon slice (6) 19. Urgency (5) 25. Objective (6) 21. Gesture of indifference (5)

1`2`3` 45`6`7 ` ` ` 8 ` ` ` 9`````` 0```` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` -```` =`````` ` ` ` ` ` qw`````e``` r ` ` ` t y```u`` i`o`` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` p```` [`````` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ]````` \`````

32 10th - 23rd October 2014

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Sport

P 28 & 29 - Season Previews & NFL in Britain

Bishop Burton burst Birmingham's bubble Christopher Findlay reports on a disappointing start for the Birmingham Men's Rugby 1st team in the BUCS season opener Christopher Findlay Sports Reporter

The start of a new season brings with it a certain level of optimism for every team and that is no different for Birmingham Men’s Rugby Club. Under the floodlights on a cold and damp Wednesday night Birmingham 1st’s took on newly promoted Bishop Burton College 1st’s in their first match of the season. In a generally scrappy match Bishop’s came out 29-14 winners.

Last season saw a hugely successful second place finish from an experienced team, many of whom came through the ranks together and have now moved on, but that’s not to say expectations should be any lower for this fresh young side. However, although there are veterans of years past, much of the

"For now the emphasis from new head coach Tom Drewett will be on a lively backline and blooding the intake of exciting new talent." pack is new and whether the power and cohesion that characterised last year’s pack is still present remains to be seen. For now the emphasis from new head coach Tom Drewett will be on a lively backline and blooding the intake of exciting new talent.

First up was Bishop Burton College. Usually a newly promoted team would provide an ideal opening fixture, especially in rugby where the emphasis is on power and strength and upsets are rare. However Bishop’s have a recruitment policy that meant the side they turned up with were a big unit and Birmingham were under no illusion as to the threat they held.

When the game kicked off it was a fine evening following the torrential rainfall during the day and, apart from the odd shower, the weather held off all match. This should have led to a flowing game but whenever attacking quality threatened to surface it was knocked straight back with strong defence by both sides. After five minutes Bishop’s had their first penalty of the match which they sent into the Birmingham 22.

From the resulting line out the visitors missed their man but the ball found its way to their number 3 and his charge for the corner had enough momentum to take him over.

Birmingham responded quickly with a penalty to make it 3-5. Following an excellent chase by Fred Gulliford to a box kick on 10 minutes and Birmingham won another penalty which Matt Labron duly sent over the posts to give the hosts the lead.

A huge scrum by Birmingham against the head on 20 minutes led to another penalty, only for Bishop’s to immediately reply and take the score to 9-8. If there was any difference in the teams at this point it was in

Peter Saxon

"It is difficult to imagine rugby union without the frankly bizarre squatting stance of Wilkinson's kicking ritual."

Peter Saxon the lineout where Tom Vooght and his fellow jumpers were imperious. On 36 minutes though the visitors finally broke through in midfield with their giant second row, who took them up to the 5 meter line. A penalty eventually came, which Bishop’s took quickly, and burrowed over. The conversion that followed took the score to 9-15 for half time.

The second half started as the first had ended with the Bishop’s second row taking the kick off and charging at Birmingham. A scrum came to Birmingham on half way but it was lost, the number 8 peeled around the blindside and the ball eventually made its way to the 2nd row, who cantered over from 20 meters. The conversion made it 9-22.

For the next 20 minutes it was much of the same. Strong defence from both sides limiting the chances and continuing the penalty count. On 52 minutes there was a big shout for a yellow against Bishop’s, following a late hit on Tom King that wasn’t given, but suggested that Birmingham might be getting back in the game. 70 minutes gone and there was a feeling that if the home side didn’t score soon the game was over. As if on cue, another great chase by Gulliford on the left gave Birmingham possession, the ball was spread right fast and King used the space to run over in the corner for a deserved

try. The tough conversion attempt by Robbie Keith from the touch line didn’t quite make it and the hosts were back in the game at 14-22.

Sadly it was no more than a consolation try and the visitors manage to burrow over from another quick penalty to leave the final score at 14-29.

"We will be confident when we meet them next the team will have had more time together and we're aiming to improve physically" Speaking to coach Tom Drewett after the match he said: “We knew they would be strong with their recruitment policy and they were big lads. We were good in the outer 3rds, chased our kicks well and proved we could score tries but they stopped us playing in midfield. We will be confident when we meet them next, the team will have had more time together and we’re aiming to improve physically. They took their chances well and the fact they scored from two quick penalties is a huge fault by us.

But we are confident going forward.”