Redbrick - 5th December 2014

Redbrick

Est. 1936

5th December 2014 - 22nd January 2015 Vol. 79. Issue 1455. www.redbrick.me

Government Announces Postgraduate Loans Up to ÂŁ10,000 available Estimated to help 40,000 students NUS: 'Step in the right direction' News / Page 6 University of Birmingham

Islamophobia Week held at UoB News / Page 6

Ustaz Ahmad Awang

Redbrick Music provide their favourite tracks of 2014

George Griffiths anticipates the coming release of Jurassic World

Rachel Taylor details reindeer in this issue's Creature Feature

Alex Kronenberg reports on Lions' win at National Badminton League

Music / Pages 16&17

Film / Page 18

Sci&Tech / Page 21

Sport / Page 28

02 5th December 2014 - 22nd January 2015

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News Tweet of the Week

Society Spotlight

Hip Hop Society

'Hip Hop soc is a place to meet like-minded people who appreciate hip hop music. We have engaging, open discussions most weeks in a relaxed, discussion-in-your-living-room type environment. These range from new music and artists, to more timeless questions such as beats vs lyrics or old school vs new school. But part of our goal is to see hip hop spread more widely across the UK and we strongly encorage those who don't know a lot about hip hop, but want to know more, to come along and join in. We've always got good music to recommend.'

Email: hiphop@guild.bham.ac.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/uobhiphop/ Twitter: @uobhiphop

@UBSportNBL 'Cue the celebrations. #GoLions #comebackkings #GameChanger'

Online in Redbrick News 'Midlands Comic Con comes to the NEC' Thousands of people descended on the NEC on the 22nd and 23rd of November as Comic Con came to Birmingham. Comic book lovers, gamers, anime fans, cosplayers and many more all came together at the UK’s number one culture festival to celebrate all things sci-fi. Over 35,000 people in total visited the event over its two days, with fans flocking to the NEC from all over the UK and abroad.

Birmingham students protest against topup fees in 2002. Photographer unknown.

Redbrick Editorial Team Editor James Phillips editor@redbrick.me

Comment Editors Daniella Bassett James Lentschner Mason Cusack

Deputy Editors Adam Rowe George Bearman deputy@redbrick.me

comment@redbrick.me

Digital Editor Julia Yan digital@redbrick.me

Sport Editors Alex Kronenberg Tom Dodd Will Robey sports@redbrick.me

Lead Developer Culture Editors Andrew Spencer Ben Carver developer@redbrick.me Charlotte Spence Lucy Mounfield culture@redbrick.me News Editors Sabrina Dougall Film Editors Danyal Hussain Hayley Allanson Vanessa Browne Jay Crosbie Vedika Bahl Tom Lofkin news@redbrick.me film@redbrick.me

Music Editors Jack Crowe Ludo Cinelli Matt Moody music@redbrick.me

tech@redbrick.me

Life&Style Editors Amy Wakeham Bethany Barley Elizabeth Green lifestyle@redbrick.me

Food Editors Rosie Twells Safiyyah Gareeboo Sarah Dickinson food@redbrick.me

Travel Editors Hannah Stevens Jessica Flanagan Sara Tryon travel@redbrick.me

Photography Editors Cherona Chapman Evie Ford

Television Editors Jaffrina Jahan Shannon Carey tv@redbrick.me

Sci&Tech Editors Emma Houghton Rachel Taylor Amy Thompson

photography@redbrick.me

Senior Editorial Assistant Toria Brook-Hill ea@redbrick.me Editorial Assistants Anna Gunn Amy Hunt Emma Roper Gurnesha Bola Jen Payne Jess Allsopp Rachel Deevey Sophie Preece Stefan Pace Pippa Smith

Redbrick Guild of Students Edgbaston Park Road Birmingham B15 2TT 0121 251 2462 editor@redbrick.me Redbrick is printed through www.mortonsprint.com 01507 523 456 Paper Advertising Contact Linda Langley in Guild Marketing on 0121 251 2524 Online Advertising Contact marketing@redbrick.me Designed and typeset by Redbrick Copyright (C) Redbrick 2014 The views expressed in Redbrick do not necessarily reflect those of the editors, the Guild or the publishers. If you find an error of fact in our pages, please write to the Editor. Our policy is to correct mistakes promptly in print and to apologise where appropriate. We reserve the right to edit any article, letter or email submitted for publication.

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5th December 2014 - 22nd January 2015

03

Guild of Students hosts Christmas Fair in aid of charity Sophie Dober

Campus Correspondent

To raise money for the charities ‘Birmingham Children's Hospital’ and ‘For Lucie’, the Residents’ Associations organized a Christmas fair, in the Underground of the Guild on Friday 28th November.

The organization ‘For Lucie’ aims to raise awareness of Meningitis. They raise funds which go directly to supporting families with a child who suffers from the illness. Lucie’s family and their friends set up the charity after having lost their baby girl, just a day after her birth, to the infection. It causes the protective membranes around the brain and spine to inflame, leading to damage of the nerves and brain, resulting in death.

The second charity ‘Birmingham Children's Hospital’ aspires to provide leading cutting edge technology and equipment to improve the care offered for children suffering long-term illnesses. Another

important goal for the charity is to create a friendly, caring environment for the families as well as the children.

While contributing to these charities, students were able to purchase Christmas gifts and crafts, have fun in the photo booth and listen to live music while meandering around the stalls. In the Mermaid Square, there were food stalls selling a variety of food and Joe’s bar served mulled wine, all to spread the 'Christmassy' atmosphere.

Redbrick spoke to students who attended the fair. ‘I loved the photo booth, I thought it was a really fun idea.’

Redbrick asked: ‘Do you think it is important for the university to be involved in raising money for charities?’

The general response was one of agreement. To summarise, a student stated, ‘I think these occasions are a great opportunity, being in close contact to so many students, and it’s lovely to see people making the most of these charitable events.’

University of Birmingham societies celebrate Inter-Faith Week News reporter Taahira Khan explores multi-culturalism on Campus Sophie Dober

Campus Correspondent

17th November saw UoB's Interfaith Association host Interfaith Week on campus. With Interfaith Week being a national initiative, it was an opportunity for Birmingham’s own society to present itself and its values to the students.

When asked why interfaith events in general are important, one of the committee members replied stating that it allows the creation of a ‘space, which teaches us to thrive in diversity, celebrate uniformity, and practice humanity’.

Various events were held throughout the week by the Association, with the first being an exhibition of religious artefacts in the main library’s iLounge, where committee members were also present to answer any questions individuals had about Interfaith and their presence on campus. Their main aims were to bring people together to facilitate discussions, break down barriers and ‘ease the labelling and generalisations which lie at the base of conflicts which develop into violence between faiths’. It was also here that Rachel Clements, the Guild’s Anti-Racism, Anti-Fascism Officer was carrying out her Interfaith Week Whiteboard Campaign about what interfaith meant

to students on campus. Clements encouraged students from a variety of religions including Islam, Judaism and Spiritualism to look into UoB’s diverse nature.

Another big event of the week and a chance for students to become more involved with the Association was a gathering with the chaplains of the University on the 19th. Students met with the multi-faith chaplains to find out more about their work on campus, such as their drop-in sessions and their 'Bike Scheme', where the chaplains mend old bicycles and give them free of charge to students who cannot afford them.

Throughout the week, the diverse number of faith societies on campus held events to strengthen ties between the different faith groups and dispel misconceptions about religious groups. The AhlulBayt Society held the Hungry for Justice Campaign, which involved collecting food for the homeless. The Anglican Society held a discussion on youth homelessness led by St Basils Homelessness Centre, and the Krishna Consciousness Society held a seminar on 'Our critical mind and how to stay positive'.

Interfaith Week ended with a free buffet breakfast in the Chaplaincy. The time was used as an opportunity to share thoughts on the week, and to discover how to effectively break down barriers between the different faith groups on

UPDATE: Defend Education Aston Webb Occupation Evicted James Phillips Editor

The Defend Education occupation was evicted after 10 hours. Redbrick was told that the occupiers walked out peacefully after the arrival of multiple vans of police officers.

The University have issued a statement saying, 'The police attended a building at the University of Birmingham following concerns about a group of masked intruders who had locked themselves in and posed a real and present risk to themselves and to the students, staff, and visitors in the immediate area. We are extremely disappointed that the illegal action of a small number of masked

individuals caused considerable disruption to students, staff and visitors. We are grateful to the police for their swift response in bringing this matter to a

"they told Redbrick they planned on staying until 'they kick us out'" close.'

Defend Education claims that they occupied 'a large part of the Aston Webb Building, which included the Vice-

Chancellor’s and Senior Management’s offices, Telecommunications and the Senate Chamber in order to demand the right to free education, to protest and to housing.' The group argue that 'The areas we are occupying also play a key role in the corporatisation of our university which sees power concentrated in the hands of the few, education treated as a commodity and our institution become more like a business.'

The building had been occupied since around six o'clock on the morning of the 26th November. A spokesperson for the group said that there was a 'strategic plan' where multiple groups of people accessed the building through different doors and then locked them behind them. According

to the spokesperson, this made entry to the building 'very easy'.

Although the group had been delivered a letter by the University reminding them of the injunction against occupations that remains in place from last year, they told Redbrick they planned on staying until 'they kick us out'. Defend Education claimed that the injunction only applies to previous occupiers and that the current occupation is made up of entirely new people. The occupation had many of the same demands as previous demonstrations by the group, including the lifting of an injunction against occupations.

Last year, the University saw multiple occupations on campus, including the Senate Chamber and the Great Hall.

04 5th December 2014 - 22nd January 2015

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News

UoB physicists receive £80 million research grant Sophie Dober News Writer

On Wednesday 26th November, Greg Clark, the Minister of State for Universities, Science and Cities, announced national investment across four science hubs to aid further investigation on quantum sensors.

This investment, from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), totals £270 million and will be spread across four universities: Birmingham,

Oxford, York and Glasgow, with UOB receiving £80 million.

The science behind these sensors is the fact that an atom can be in two places at once. By having an atom travel in two different directions, the exploration of numerous routes can be achieved. Scientists describe this revelation as a ‘spooky effect’.

The quantum sensors will be hugely advantageous for mapping pipework, and cabling under road surfaces, whilst adapting a less destructive method. Quantum technology can also benefit the health sector by intro-

ducing non-invasive approaches to calculating brain activity, which will assist patients

"It is encouraging to witness such investment and progress being made" suffering from dementia and amnesia.

The quantum science hubs will build on

previous investment to develop research into technology for a range of industries, leading to benefits to their daily practices. It is hoped that this will initiate a new age for healthcare, communication and security, helping to answer to the high demand on these UK markets.

Redbrick spoke to a physics student, who stated, ‘It is encouraging to witness such investment and progress being made in physics, especially as our university has such a massive involvement in the research of quantum sensors.’

University Bone Marrow Society hosts Hero Week Izma Asad News Writer

The Birmingham Marrow Society, a student group supporting the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow charity, held Hero Week, a bone marrow awareness campaign, on campus from the 17th to the 21st of November.

According to the NHS Blood and Transplant website, every 20 minutes someone is diagnosed with blood cancer, with nearly 2,000 people needing a bone marrow transplant each year in the UK. It was for these reasons that the society held various information and sign up events throughout the week.

Redbrick spoke to Alex Cupit, the President of Birmingham Marrow to find out more about the week. Cupit detailed his personal connection with the cause as his mother developed leukaemia with bone marrow donation being part of a treatment for the illness. However, there is only a 30% chance of a family member being a

match and no one in his family was a match.

It was then that the charity helped his mother to find a match, which is why he is committed to helping them to assist others in finding donor matches.

The purpose of Hero Week was to make people more aware of the cause. One of the main issues regarding the donation of bone marrow is the lack of ethnic minorities on the register; resulting in sufferers having a smaller chance of finding a donor match. To attract students to give out information to and register potential donors, the society was at Shackleton and the Starbucks in Muirhead Tower throughout the week raising awareness for the issue. The week resulted in the Birmingham Marrow Society receiving 166 sign ups. This has brought the total sign ups to the Bone Marrow donation register to 282.

Redbrick also spoke to donor Jonny Shadwell. Shadwell signed up to Marrow along with some of his friends, and found out he was a successful match a few years ago. When he was asked how much research

he had done before hand or if he had previously donated before, he stated, ‘I already donated blood from time to time and I had heard a little about the need for specific stem cell donations for blood cancer patients from donors with similar tissue types’.

Jonny added that he initially knew ‘that the chances of being a match with anyone was quite low’, so was surprised to find out that he was a match, he was ‘surprised to find out’ his DNA matched another patient potentially.

When asked about his feelings about the recipient of his donation, Shadwell explained, ‘initially I didn't know anything about the patient, which is normal for the process. This prevents any unnecessary emotional distress for either party - especially as the receipt of stem cells unfortunately does not guarantee survival.’ This anonymity changed, when he was contacted directly by the recipient ‘2 years after her [the patient’s] treatment’. It was a letter, detailing that the recipient had successfully gone through her treatment. ‘Finding out

she was alive and well, was the single best news I have ever received’.

Detailing the process of donating the bone marrow, Shadwell detailed, ‘after a quick confirmation blood test I was contacted by the charity and organised to go to London to donate the stem cells. The process was actually quite pleasant.’ He elaborated that he experienced spending ‘a painless morning hooked up to a blood filtering device in a luxurious clinic,’ claiming that ‘contrary to the perception of bone marrow donation, stem cell donation via electrophoresis itself is entirely painless.’

When asked if he would ever himself donate again, or if he would recommend others to sign up to Marrow, Shadwell stated, ‘I would absolutely do it again and honestly cannot think of a reason for someone to not to join the [bone marrow donating] register.’

To sign up to the register or to find out more about donating and the process, the Birmingham Marrow society is on Facebook.

BEMA hosts Mike Brown Vigil ouside Old Joe Sabrina Dougall News Editor

@Sabrina_Dougall

Dozens of students attended a candle-lit ceremony to commemorate Brown’s death after the announcement that US policeman Darren Wilson will not be indicted for the killing.

The gathering, organised by the Black and Ethnic Minority Association (BEMA) on campus, saw around fifty students gather to pay their respects to the 18-yearold. Tea-lights were arranged to spell out the teenager’s name with posters put up on the walls with the names and pictures of victims of racist killings. BEMA say the event was held ‘in recognition of the struggle we share against police and state brutality’.

BEMA say they are ‘outraged and disgusted’ by the decision made by a US jury last Monday not to convict Wilson of a criminal offence. Brown was asked to walk on the pavement by a passing policeman, and, following an altercation with

Wilson, was shot five times, reports Sky News. Wilson claims this was in self-defence.

Many students were visibly moved by the solemnity of the evening. After a speech given by a student, guests were invited to speak the names of victims of race-related killings.

"The system seems like its there to protect but it seems like it's working against black people" A student from BEMA clarified, ‘We are here to remember not only lives lost in the US but lives lost in the UK too.’ A period of silence was held for reflection.

A first-year undergraduate who has lived in New York and Jamaica told Redbrick that she feels racism is highly prevalent in the US and the UK today.

When asked on her opinion on whether or

not the police should be armed she said, ‘Look what it can do.’

Matilya Njau, a second-year student, said that she was there partly in recognition of alleged police brutality in the UK. 'The system seems like it's there to protect but it seems like it's working against black people,' she said.

Seun Babalola, Chair of BEMA, said that she came to the vigil because ‘It’s the closest way I can get in being active against police brutality’. She said this event is significant for UoB students because ‘no matter where incidents like this occur we are still able to transcend geographical location and be united.’

The vigil followed a wave of angry Black Friday protests across Ferguson, Missouri where the shooting took place this August. Protesters in the US took the opportunity of reaching Black Friday shoppers with their message, chanting, ‘Hands up, Don’t Shoot’.

'They're young people dying. We should be caring because it could have been us,' commented a student at the vigil.

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5th December 2014 - 22nd January 2015

05

University scrambles to fill accommodation gap Danyal Hussain News Editor

@DanH__95

The University of Birmingham has started the construction of a new Chamberlain block that will house 726 students and will be based at the location of the old and recently demolished Chamberlain Hall. The block will open to students next September and is the latest measure undertaken by the University to alleviate the annual problem of a lack of student accommodation for first years. The residence will be made up of three blocks and a tower spanning 20 storeys. Vale residents will have noticed that the first of these blocks have already been built, with the others soon to follow.

Lesley Stewart, Director of Residential and Environmental Services, commented, ‘This project illustrates our on-going commitment to invest in our stock of accommodation’. It is hoped that the new block will go a long way in assuring that first year students gain satisfactory accommodation.

Jack Mably, Vice President (Housing and Community) at the Guild, was recently invited to commemorate the completion of the first block of the Chamberlain tower by laying the last of the concrete on the roof of the building (pictured).

The development of the new Chamberlain block follows the submission of two separate plans for new housing in Selly Oak. Selly Oak is the most popular destination for UoB students living off campus and enterprising companies, such as MAS Architecture and Avaro and Aston Spring Developments, have recognised the opportunity to build more and better student housing in the area. In late October, a plan was submitted to the Birmingham City Council to build 347 new bedrooms on the site of 495-505 Bristol Road, directly opposite the University.

The plan proposes the construction of a mix of shared flats and studios, as well as a ground floor retail site. Aston Spring Developments, the company behind the proposal, also intend to build a gym, cinema room and considerable parking space.

Just a week before this plan, Birmingham City Council approved another plan submitted by MAS Architecture and Avaro to build 100 new bedrooms on the site of 778-800 Bristol Road. Their proposal includes the construction of a four-storey building with 100 rooms and four retail units on the ground floor. Both plans are extensive and seek to construct modern and desirable accommodation for students in Selly Oak. Developers have also targeted the area with another group, Elliot Road

Developments, submitting a plan to build 123 studios and 206 bedrooms on Elliott Road, close to the Battery Retail Park and on the site of a group of derelict flats.

This follows the news that Birmingham City Council will introduce an Article Four Direction to limit the number of bedrooms that can be built on existing HMO properties in the Selly Oak area.

Sympathetic fans raise £1700 for burned-out alumni band van Vanessa Browne News Editor

Sabrina Dougall News Editor

@nessabrowne94

@Sabrina_Dougall

A band made up of Birmingham alumni have raised nearly £2000 in just over a week after their van was destroyed in a blaze in Selly Oak. Chris Yates, bass guitarist of Johnny Kowalski and the Sexy Weirdos, told Redbrick of his sadness at losing ‘our trusty van Crystal’. He explained that the

van was ‘completely destroyed while parked on Katie Road’. The drummer, Matthew Osbourne, a graduate in English from the University, was the first to discover the remains of the vehicle on the morning of Tuesday 25th November.

‘We have lost our van that has taken us on 4 European tours and many gigs across the UK along with merchandise, a drum kit and our PA speakers that were in the van at the time,’ say the band.

There is no CCTV available to determine whether or not the fire was caused by an arson attack. The band do not know of any individuals who may have deliberately attacked the van.

‘We haven’t played any gigs bad enough to warrant burning our van

down!’ Chris told Redbrick.

The band appealed to friends and family for donations to replace lost equipment on a crowdfunding website.

Since the website was set up last week, financial contributions have been pouring in from well-wishers and fans of the Sexy Weirdos’ music.

The van’s insurance ran out a fortnight before the fire took place, leaving the musicians unable to claim financial compensation on the vehicle.

Initially aiming to raise £3000 to cover the costs of the vehicle, fifty CDs and other merchandise that were lost in the fire, the band now say they have almost enough to replace everything.

A range of rewards are available to chose from depending on the size of the donation. Ranging from a ‘thank you’ on the sleeve of the band’s next album to ‘an entire evening of musical entertainment’ from the band.

‘We’ve been amazed at how generous people have been,’ said Chris, who explained that a friend has already gifted the band with a replacement drum kit.

The band, who describe their style as ‘ska/balkan/punk’, have appeared at a number of festivals around the UK including BoomTown, Rhythm Tree and Nozstock. Each of the band members have part time jobs, rehearsing and writing music in their spare time.

Dr Ross Miller, lecturer in Health Policy and Management at the University of Birmingham, is also a former member of the band.

From 8th April, Johnny Kawalski and the Sexy Weirdos will begin their fifth European tour. ‘That’s when the van is really needed,’ said Chris. ‘We all have to sleep in it. It’s a bit cosy.’

On 3rd December, the student housing fair, organised by the Guild. took place on campus. It highlighted the range of accommodation options available to students looking for housing next year.

Further information is available at Guild Lettings in the University Centre, which charges no administration fees to students.

Police crack down on anti-social behaviour The West Midlands police have used new measures to tackle anti-social behaviour in the Birmingham South area.

Two men, aged 44 and 46 have been barred from returning to their home on Newcombe Road, Handsworth due to consistent reports from disgruntled neighbours.

Working with Birmingham City Council, police put together a packet of evidence after neighbours complained of drug dealing and drug use which attracted disruptive visitors.

The property was boarded up on 25th November.

This follows the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 published this July by the Home Office. The powers came into force this October. Anti-social behaviour is defined as 'conduct that has caused, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to any person'.

‘Under new powers, if the police or council are satisfied that a particular property is causing nuisance to neighbours, a notice can be served which limits access to the property for a specified period of time,’ according to the police website.

It is thought to be the first time that police have used such powers.

This could potentially lead to similar evictions if ongoing complaints are lodged against student parties which become too rowdy.

06 5th December 2014 - 22nd January 2015

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News

£10,000 postgraduate loans announced Applicants under the age of thirty will be able to apply for a loan for a Masters in any subject Sabrina Dougall News Editor

@Sabrina_Dougall

A new loan of up to £10,000 will be made available for postgraduate students. The measure was announced by George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer, as part of Wednesday’s Autumn Statement.

The loan will be made available from the academic year 2016-17, but it is thought that only students under the age of 30 will be able to apply. The loan can be used towards funding an MA in any discipline.

Announcing the loan to the House of Commons today, Osborne said, ‘The upfront costs for postgraduate degrees deter the brightest students from the poorest backgrounds’. He said that this loan will ‘revolutionise’ access to postgraduate study for young people.

The news coincided with the Postgraduate Open Day at the University of Birmingham at the Aston Webb on campus. Several current postgraduate students were available to

tell Redbrick their thoughts on the new measures.

Maria Arroja, a UoB student in her first year of a Creative Writing masters, said that the availability of the loan would not have changed her decision to apply for her course when she did: ‘Even if I’d known about the [£10,000] loan, I wouldn’t have waited before starting my masters.’ Applying for postgraduate study immediately after her undergraduate, Maria felt she would have ‘been out of the rhythm of education’ and found it harder to begin studying again had she taken a break from education. ‘I think more students would go to university for postgraduate study,’ said Maria.

Other students felt differently. Chiara Cerrato, who is currently studying an MA in Microbiology and Infections, said she wished she had known about the loan before she began her course. Chiara outlined the financial difficulties that postgraduate students face. Some of her coursemates ‘can’t study as much as they’d like to’ because they have to work to earn money.

Funding for postgraduate study is a concern for many students. Chiara told Redbrick that she is funding her MA with savings and help from her family. ‘My entire undergrad I was doing jobs here and there. I worked for three years to save [for this MA]’.

‘It’s so much easier to have the money before and pay it back after,’ Chiara feels.

"this loan will 'revolutionise' access to postgraduate study" Megan Dunn, NUS vice president (higher education) hailed the announcement as ‘a major step in the right direction’. The NUS, who have been campaigning for ‘such a scheme since 2012,’ claimed this measure would make ‘a fundamental difference to the lives and opportunities of students’.

'Many postgraduates are currently funding their study through potentially disastrous measures such as credit cards, over-

drafts and personal loans,' says Dunn.

A Distinguished Alumni Scheme has recently been launched by the University of Birmingham. This will consist of at least fifty merit-based grants of £2,000 for academically excellent graduates from UoB. Stephen Allmark, Head of Postgraduate Recruitment at the University told Redbrick, ‘finance can be a major barrier’ to students wishing to take on further study after undergraduate. ‘Any financial support [for students] is very positive,’ he added.

The current advice for students seeking to fund postgraduate research is to apply for grants and bursaries from charities, trusts and individual awards from educational institutions. The new government loan may replace the popular 'career development loan' which is currently the funding menthod of choice for many students.

A further consultation will be held to finalise details of the loan. It is not yet known how repayment will be restructured.

However, it will be designed so that it will be repaid in full.

Islamophobia Week sees Rally for Feminist 'Take debate and collaboration Back The Night' March Student workshops, debates and film screening held Taahira Khan News Reporter

The Black and Ethnic Minority Association (BEMA), in collaboration with the Islamic Society and the Ahlulbayt Society, held Islamophobia Awareness Week on campus beginning on the 24th November.

‘Islamophobia’ is defined as the ‘dislike or prejudice of Islam and Muslims’, and is an issue that BEMA feel urgently needs addressing by UoB students today.

The Week began with a discussion on Islamophobia between Dr Chris Allen, a lecturer in the School of Social Policy at Birmingham, and Abdel Rahman Mussa, a scholar on Sharia. Dr Allen stressed that Islamophobia is not something new and has been occurring prior to the fifteen years in which he has been researching the topic, before 9/11.

Dr Allen stated that what he found most interesting was that ‘visible’ Muslims were more likely to suffer attacks, with 70% of physical incidents of Islamophobia occurring against Muslim women, unlike other hate crimes like anti-Semitism or racism which targeted men.

Dr Allen argued that it has worsened due to a ‘lurch to the right’ with ‘trigger events’ like the murder of Lee Rigby, causing the ‘seabed of Islamophobia’ to rise to the surface. The debate ended with the two speakers stating that the best and only way to tackle Islamophobia was to work together and have more dialogue and discussions on the topic; a ‘bottom-up approach rather than a top-down one’.

A workshop on how to tackle Islamophobia, hosted by representatives from the NUS Black Students Campaign was also held. Later, there was also a screening of ‘Zone of Nonbeing’, a film about Guantanamo Bay. This was followed by a Q&A with the film’s producer.

The Week ended with a panel on the topic of ‘Good Muslim? Bad Muslim? Myth’ with guest speakers, Dr Salman Sayyid of the University of Leeds Sociology Department, and UoB students Malia Bouattia, the NUS Black Students’ Officer and Afroze Zaidi-Jivraj, a researcher on Islamophobia. One of the things that ZaidiJivraj spoke about was her belief that the media presents British Muslims as being guilty by association, since they share the same faith as extremist groups such as the Islamic State. She stated, ‘We [as Muslims] are not accountable for acts of violence committed by strangers even if it’s in the name of Islam’.

Dr Sayyid stated that Islamophobia is becoming institutionalised, and joked that Ofsted now look out for schools that are not promoting ‘British values’, and although they ‘can’t tell you what British Values are, they can tell you that you’re not doing them’. NUS’ Bouattia rounded off by calling Islamophobia ‘acceptable racism’ referring to, for example, schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 200 which allows airports to detain people who ‘look like terrorists’ without the need of ‘reasonable suspicion’ for up to nine hours.

During Guild Council last month, the suggestion that Sabbatical Officers should be present during the Week's events was branded 'spying' by some councillors.

‘Islamic Societies are subjected to much harsher requirement and checks when wanting to organise events with external speakers’, said a committee member of BEMA at the Council meeting. The Sabbatical Officers had responded by reasoning that the rules apply equally to all societies, and that Officers are free to attend any event on campus that they wish.

The general consensus during the week was that the best way to tackle Islamophobia is to allow for more discussion between Muslims and non-Muslims and to encourage Muslim participation in areas of public life.

Around 40 UoB students attend annual London march Jessica Syposz News Reporter

Thousands of women took to the streets on Saturday 22nd November for the annual 'Reclaim the Night' march in Central London.

Students from the Womens' Association at the University travelled there by coach, taking part in the action with banners, signs and songs filled with feminist slogans.

Organisers describe it as an empowering event that gives women a voice and a chance to reclaim their right to walk the streets in safety. The aim was to bring to light the threat and reality of rape, sexual assault and sexual harassment of women and demand justice for rape survivors. Supported by NUS Womens' Campaign, the End Violence Against Women Coalition and a host of other organisations, it operates as part of the

"The reaction has generally been really positive" London Feminist Network.

The movement first began in the UK in November 1977, when torch-lit marches were held across England, led by the Leeds Revolutionary Feminist Group. These were inspired by news of ‘Take Back The Night’ marches against sexual harassment held in Germany in that year. Since then, 'Reclaim the Night' has spread across the UK to include sister marches in Newcastle, Sheffield, Nottingham, Glasgow and many more. Today, the not-for-profit organisation holds events in more than 30 countries worldwide every year.

UoB Womens' Officer Nora Selmani said of the London march: ‘It was so thrilling to see so many feminists together in one place, young and old, all marching against gen-

dered violence.’

Beth, a Law student and member of the Womens' Association, added: ‘The atmosphere is so exciting and powerful. Temporarily shutting down these streets so we can walk them means that people have to take notice.

The reaction has been generally really positive - people are cheering us on.’

Commencing at Whitehall Place, the march made its way to the Camden Centre on Euston Road. Once there, a rally took place with speakers including Beti Baracki from Object, who spoke of the dangers of objectifying women in music videos and the media. Entertainment followed in the form of spoken word poetry and stand-up comedy.

Lisa from Watford, who has been to almost every march since its reintroduction in 2004 told Redbrick: ‘It’s important to acknowledge that many women do feel unsafe walking the streets during the night and the day. I decided to come on the march for all the women who have been hurt or wronged. We have to stand up and speak out.’

Conflict occurred between some members who wished to exclude transwomen from the march, and those who saw such a stance as discriminatory. Anti-trans leaflets and signs were met with reactionary chants that ‘transphobia has got to go’.

In response, 'Reclaim the Night' organisers later reiterated its stance as an inclusive event where all women are welcome. This includes trans-women, disabled women, women of colour and women of all sexual orientations and backgrounds.

Selmani told Redbrick, ‘Although it was disappointing that there was a small minority perpetuating transphobic ideas, the overwhelming majority were willing to call them out on their bigotry and this resulted in chants supporting trans-women.’

It is estimated that, globally, one in three women has been the victim of sexual or domestic violence.

redbrick.me/comment

5th December 2014 - 22nd January 2015

07

Comment

Why We Gravitate Towards our own Race Graca Mutseyami Commentator

Since coming to university and being one of the few who are 'single and ready to mingle' I've participated in a lot of conversations to do with relationships. Constantly being bombarded by couples left right and centre; in fact, three out of my four flatmates are currently in a relationship. Three quarters of my accommodation are also invested in relationships and it is a bit hard to avoid the topic of conversation.

Confronted with the issue of race and relationships and being questioned on my type tends to make me uncomfortable, because the answers I give allow people to make assumptions about me as a person without understanding my reasoning. Whilst engaging in a discussion with three men (two Asian and one black) I waited for the speech on racism I was about to receive.

Being attracted to white men especially being a black woman is rather limiting as not every white man is sexually attracted to black women and the same goes with any other race.

"I am not sexually attracted to a particular race because my desired goal is to have mixed race children."

The majority of people do often subconsciously date people of their own race because naturally they are bound to have more in common. Similarly, friendships tend to form between people of the same race -especially non-English speakersbecause there's a likeness in their way of living and interests which makes it simple to find mutual ground and form friendships. A natural yet semi-political segregation occurs, which sadly is very evident at the University of Birmingham -even amongst our multicultural melting pot.

However, as soon as I say 'I don't have a type, but I am mainly attracted to white guys' it gives people the basis to scrutinise me and ask imposing questions as well as offend me with ignorant and racist comments. Let me declare these points on behalf of the many people who have had to explain themselves when they really shouldn't about why they are sexually attracted to a particular race: 1. I am not sexually attracted to a particular race because my desired goal is to have mixed race children, with green eyes, to Instagram and make Tumblr famous.

2. I do not seek to live vicariously through them and their white privilege. I have not been deprived of a life that is only associated with the 'white upper/middle class'.

3. I'm not doing it for my parents’ sake nor anyone else's for that matter. I am not rebelling against my parents, either (who, by the way, are the most liberal people and I'm fortunate to say they couldn’t care less about who I loved as long as I was happy).

I live my life how I want to live my life, physically, emotionally and spiritually.

4. I'm not attracted to white men for financial security. There are many men of different ethnic minorities in both corporate and non-corporate jobs who have just as much of an income and work just as hard as their white colleagues. Not only are you insulting me with such a ridiculous line of questioning but also the people who come from ethnic backgrounds and have grafted just as hard to reach CEO positions.

5. I'm not attracted to them to prove any sort of point or establish any form of identity outside of my race. I don't hate my own race. Interracial relationships are not new or foreign to the world. Evidently, new analysis of census figures shows that the number of people in England and Wales living with or married to someone from another ethnic group jumped 35 per cent to 2.3 million in the 10-years up to the last census.

6. It is not a fetish. I am not fantasying an entire race. It is not a must that I only date white men and white men only. I

would happily date any race if I found the person interesting and their personality intriguing just as many people would. But unfortunately, I cannot help who I am attracted to and I will not apologise for that.

I do have a preference toward a specific race and I am free to love whomever I want.

That does not make me nor the people who date outside of their ethnic group creeps.

7. It is not a phase. Indeed, having someone say that 'you should naturally gravitate towards your own race' and that it's rather 'sad' I'm not sexually attracted towards black men makes me rather furious. This implies I've ruled off every other race. ‘Wouldn't it be easier to just date your own race?’ is indeed another question I was asked. I would argue that by only dating black men I would be cutting out a whole group of viable dating candidates.

Along with this, a counter argument of white men finding black woman attractive was brought to my attention. Being called a 'fetish' infuriated me with rage that could start world wars. Being insulted to this extent was truly a challenge to my temperament. I allowed someone to imply I was a zoo attraction and a temporary fix or rather experimentation for white men before they committed to their perfect suitor (a white female as implied). Anyone would take

great offence, especially as this suggests that all my previous relationships weren't because we had common interests (as of course that would be 'weird') but because I was black and they just wanted to 'sleep with a black girl'. This reasoning was what their grandfather had advised, as ‘he never got to do at university, because rumour has it we're just so wild in the bedroom’.

Interracial relationships have not been glamorised to me, therefore, that is not why I am only attracted to white men as some would suggest. As the stigma surrounded with interracial relationships is getting worse, it continually becomes a much bigger topic of debate. Racist rants and complaints are made over television adverts involving interracial families; it does nothing but reverse the integration of different cultures - e.g. the removal of a 2013 Cheerios advert with a mixed race relationship. Cheerios executives responded, saying “we were reflecting an American family”. Good on you Cheerios.

Lest we forget the Civil Rights Movement, the Holocaust and Apartheid as so historically recent. The prominence of race relations in the last century remains as relevant as ever. Worthy and saddening as those movements and events were respectively, we need to remember why they happened and why those moments are history.

Moreover, if you naturally gravitate towards your own race that's wonderful, I have not written this article trying to shame you for dating within your own race. But, if someone ever challenges you on why you do please don't respond with "I am not a racist, one of my best friends is black/different origin". Don't give ignorant responses as an attempt to prove you're not racist; it just doesn't work. If you don't naturally gravitate towards your own race, that's wonderful too, but please don't act like your relationship is a catalyst towards other interracial relationships. You'd be surprised how many people don't care. Regardless of my tantrum, do Iliff whatever makes you happy and dateDavid whoever you want to date. Be with whoever you want to be with without having to explain yourselves.

Emoji Equality It’s as if someone has created secret coding that can be used to perpetuate certain mood or message through text. Everyone instinctively knows about it, yet parents still don’t know how to use the system without being incredibly embarrassing.

When emoji usage and updates reflect a constantly changing society, you know it’s a powerful and persistently relevant system of communication. Introduced in the last wave of emoji were the same sex couple emojis, whilst the next wave to be released mid next year, are rumoured to allow alteration of

Dean Eastmond Commentator

They say a photograph or classical piece of artwork can speak a thousand words. Now it seems that an emoji can too. Derived from the Japanese word “moji”, meaning “letter/ character” and “e” suggesting the electronic nature, emojis originate as ideograms/smileys within Japanese instant messaging to illustrate emotion and sometimes completely replace words. Having received a western passport in the last five years, have emojis formed their own micro cultures?

"Love them or hate them, there's no escape from the inevitable presence of the heart eyes emoji creeping through twitter."

"However you feel about emojis changing language or acting as social comments, there's an emoji for it."

A quintessential feature to any smartphone user, emojis have almost become an equally important part of our online vocabulary alongside actual words due to their abundance over instant messaging services and social media outlets. Love them or hate them, there’s no escape from the inevitable presence of the heart eyes emoji creeping through twitter. Everyone can relate to the undying need for an eye roll or middle finger emoji.

emoji skin tone within user preferences.

This minimalizes the perpetuation of heteronormative ideologies and the silenced representation of people of colour within mainstream western media and technology.

Just like text talk in the early 2000s, emoji have helped aid online language discourse by making the display of emotion far more accessible, enjoyable and somewhat addictive. However you feel about emojis changing language or acting as social commentary, there’s probably an emoji for it.

Formatted as its own keyboard, wedged between Dutch and Estonian categories, emoji is the new language of youth. Research has shown that teenagers interact equally through texting and face-to-face interactions. With two hundred and fifty more emoji announced for release mid next year, expect to see many “satisfied face” emoji smartphone users.

The little yellow faces can now be pur-

chased on clothing, phone cases and other accessories, while Canadian rapper, Drake, had the “prayer hands” emoji tattooed onto him. That’s right; you can actually brand yourself with the unspoken language of instant messaging.

It’s not the first time that we’ve seen pictograms used to aid language and communication. I mean, remember those Ancient Egyptians and their hieroglyphics?

08 5th December 2014 - 22nd January 2015

redbrick.me/comment

Comment

Give more than just a gift this Christmas Zach Bailey

enrolled into the scheme. Similar to the Organ donation system being introduced into Wales in 2015, unless the populationhave a specific preference not to donate, they should be automatically registered.

Commentator

With December fast approaching, and the German Market rolling in town, there is a great opportunity to do something amazing this festive season. Whilst many of us enjoy lots of lovely food and drink over Christmas, it doesn’t hurt us once in a while to think twice about those in our society who need our support.

It really shocked me when I recently read that only 4% of the adult population in this country are registered to give blood. The other 96% of you should be ashamed of yourselves. While I understand that people have hectic lives, there is without a doubt a large section of the student population who don’t give blood because they simply cant be bothered to.

"I'd strongly encourage each and every one of you to do something amazing this festive season."

Imagine a situation when you are driving back form a Christmas shopping trip.

The radio news report cuts out your favourite Christmas tune and reports a serious traffic collision in your local area.

10 minutes later you get a call from a member of your family, distressed and upset as one of your parents or a sibling

"Only 4% of the adult population in the country are registered to give blood."

has had a serious car accident. They are rushed to hospital with life threatening injuries and have lost so much blood, they need several transfusions to keep them alive whilst the surgeons operate.

The blood given by John Smith, and Louise Jones on that bleak December night at Selly Oak Methodist Church has just saved your family members life.

Whilst this may be a hypothetical situation, it is a stark reality of modern medicine. Having sufficient and diverse blood stocks really is a life and death situation for the NHS. For this reason, I would

make it mandatory for Adults aged between 17 and 66 to give blood, on a rotational basis, based on their blood type. We all pay taxes, and national insurance contributions to pay for the countries services, and all adults are obliged to take on jury duty in our courts of law. I see no difference therefore in an obligation if your health and personal circumstance allow to give blood.

I’m not necessarily talking about a criminally enforced law here, I just feel that it would solve the problem once and for all if all adults were automatically

Whilst it’s unlikely that such a piece of legislation would ever be brought forward in the UK, as it would undoubtedly be classed as breach in an individuals freedom of choice or human rights, I’d strongly encourage each and every one of you to do something amazing this festive season.

Whether you’re a regular donator, or interested making a New Years resolution with a difference, Give blood and save a life today.

To book an appointment please log onto www.blood.co.uk, or call 0300 123 23 23 and register to donate at community centre near you.

New Frontiers in Gender Equality Kristine Bagdassarian

opposite. Depicting something quite akin to an inane, 10-year-old child, it mimics walking or standing still in a manner that, above all else, evokes wonder and amusement.

‘She’ just seems to cement the stereotype of slightly silly female perfectly, emphasizing the inequality between ‘her’ and the serious and neatly depicted ‘male icon’ rather than dwindling this discrepancy. All I

Commentator There’s been a lot of talk about feminism lately, especially in the light of Emma Watson’s speech on the HeForShe movement. As a woman, I support and fully understand the importance of feminism. I see it as a fight for equality, one that deserves respect, and one that must be taken to heart by both genders and understood for the value it holds.

Which is precisely why obscure and farfetched measures towards ‘gender equality’ tend to frustrate me so much. Every day, it feels like we are finding new ways to interpret feminism, detaching it from its real aim and fixating on tiny problems that will not work to resolve the more deeply ingrained issues.

The more our perception on what it means to ‘defend females’ spirals out of control, the less it seems to matter to people, evoking annoyance, intolerance and exasperation, rather than the respect it should receive. Suddenly, gentlemanly acts such as holding the door open or paying for coffee are viewed as sexist. Saying ‘men and women’ is sexist (because you put ‘women’ second??), and so are dresses, skirts, high heels. And so much more.

"Every day, it feels like we are finding new ways to interpret feminism, detaching it from its real aim and fixating on tiny problems that will not work to resolve the more deeply ingrained issues. " Just last month, along came a solution of profound magnitude. Half the traffic lights in

"As long as we resort to finger-wagging and frowns when it comes to nonexistent problems... feminists will be stigmatized."

Berlin should be made into girls. The mere notion of this had me staring at the computer screen with my jaw hanging low, poor me trying to decide whether to laugh or what.

Up until recently, it appears I must have been so ignorant, delusional or immersed in the male global conspiracy that are the road rules. To me, the stick man on the traffic lights has always been genderless and pleasantly neutral – I’ve never thought of ‘him’ as a ‘man’, and yet, someone clearly noticed the sinful hidden truth of his sex and decided this atrocity, the traffic MAN could no

longer be tolerated (you’d think women have felt banned from road-crossing up until now). The replacement arrived in the form of a strange, exaggeratedly ‘female’ persona with pony tails and a skirt, whose business was to stop making women so feel inferior every time they are migrating to another sidewalk.

And so, I did not know what to say. Even now, as I regard the images that comes attached to the articles describing this new measure, I am perplexed. Instead of being a proud match to its male counterpart, the female figure comes across as precisely the

could think to myself was ‘What were you thinking’?

Here’s the thing, ladies and gentlemen.

Cat-calling is sexist. Declaring something a ‘woman’s job’ or a ‘man’s job’ is sexist.

Gender wage gap – sexist (in fact, very sexist). But traffic lights? Finding sexism in tiny, every day expressions? In endearments? In good manners? For goodness’ sake. When will we learn to prioritise what is important, instead of focusing the public’s attention on problems that are not really there?

As long as we resort to finger-wagging and frowns when it comes to non-existent problems and we devote our time to debating and exaggerating those topics, feminists will be stigmatized, called ‘man-haters’ and never taken seriously. Performing genderchange operations on of Berlin’s traffic lights is like being tossed a dog treat - it only makes me feel like feminists can be regarded as nothing more than a joke; a hobby that needs the occasional ‘there, there’, a pat on the head and a kind, condescending smile to shut me up.

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5th December 2014 - 22nd January 2015

09

Dancing to UKIP's Tune Satya Mouland Commentator

The heights which the immigration issue have reached saddens me. Not least because it has been spun way out of proportion by UKIP, but because other parties now feel they have no choice by react in an equally disproportionate manner. Yes, net migration has gone up by 78,000 people in the last year to 260,000 against the "Tory promise" to reduce the figure to 100,000, but why must the spotlight be taken off the truth of the matter in the name of politics? The truth is that non-active EU migrants in the UK, meaning those who do not work, is under 1% of the 260,000 living here. They have come here to find work, pay their taxes and benefit from the same things that everyone else benefits from. Nothing should justify discrimination on the grounds of nationality.

The October 2014 report on the impact of the non-active EU migrants on the social security systems by the ICF GHK in association with Milieu Ltd has proven one thing: non-active EU migrants provide more of a benefit than a burden to our society.

Negative cohesion, reminiscent of the preNazi era, is a disease which infects people dissatisfied with the current situation in the country in which they live. In the case of Britain, this is unemployment. People are looking for someone to blame, and migrants, the minority, are the easy targets. Migrants from the EU make up a mere 5.5% of our workforce. Even if they were to be "taking

Advice & Guidance

benefits" this would have a minimal impact on the system. To the contrary, the study has shown that migrants are attracted by work, not the benefits that they might receive.

They pay their taxes just like everyone else and seek work, just like everyone else.

Where is the justification to discriminate against them on the basis of nationality?

In David Cameron's speech, he suggested postponing any receipt of in-work tax credits (top ups on lower paid jobs) in the UK to EU migrants by four years. That means that the current UK minimum wage of £290 per month would drop by around £100 to £196.

In the case of Polish migrants, this is just below their national minimum wage (plus in-work credits). This is aimed at deterring migrants, who everyone seems to assume are just "coming for the benefits". This political manoeuvring to try to quell the UKIP threat has pure discrimination at its heart. What's the sense in denying EU migrants the same rights which UK workers would have in the same conditions, based purely on nationality? The evidence from the October 2014 report show that, in fact, EU migrants are not motivated by the benefits but rather by the work. This means that the measure suggested

by Cameron will not slow immigration but create a system routed in discrimination against foreigners. This is simply punishing those who have brought prosperity and diversity to Britain to make Brits "feel better". I, for one, will not be proud to be British if such a system exists.

The second proposal by Cameron is equally preposterous. He suggests that those looking for work in the UK must either show

they have already found a job before they arrive, or risk deportation after six months of looking. To deport job seekers who have not found work within six months would not only be a logistical nightmare, but again, a discriminatory measure poisoning the "welfare state" which we are all to be proud of.

The current law says that job seekers can stay in the UK as long as want, provided they can prove that it is reasonably likely that they will find work. This is in the discretion of the member state in which they are seeking work. Therefore, the six month deportation plan is empty rhetoric to convince UKIP supporters that the Tories will chuck out the foreigners if they are not contributing. It can have no real effect.

Moreover, if workers cannot receive benefits for four years anyway, then job seekers cannot be said to be "exploiting the system" in this six month period in which they are looking for work. It seems that the Tories haven't thought this through. Or maybe they have, and everything they are saying is a double bluff to trick people into thinking they will make the "deal with Europe" better.

The sad truth is, people are all too ready to place the blame on Europe. In a climate of high unemployment and lack of transparency about what goes on in Europe, it is a game of empty rhetoric to get people on board to various party policies. It might have been necessary for the more mainstream parties to counteract the UKIP threat, and the even greater one of leaving the EU, but I reject the notion that this was possible through "less worse" discrimination against

migrants. Politics is more about a race to the finish than any underlying philosophy or consideration of the real issues at hand. It was only the other week that Labour was professing to give EU migrants in-work tax credits only after 2 years. Great: am I supposed to like you a little more than the Conservatives now? What British politics is lacking at the moment is a party which tells the truth about the benefits of immigration in our country which is real. It is because parties think people don't want to hear it. But surely I can't be the only one? Even for those who do not perceive the clear benefits of cultural diversity, the benefits of immigration to our economy cannot be denied. It was said that Swindon, which has been benefitting from its connection to the Polish city of Torun, could not cope financially without its Polish workforce.

All this negativity seems to suggest one thing: people are scared, feeling threatened and lashing out at the most vulnerable. If we are feeling threatened by lack of jobs, why don't we go about improving ourselves rather than punishing others? Then we should achieve a position based on our merits. What happened to the welfare state and the principle of equality? If Britain is the multi-cultural, open country it often professes to be, it seems counter-productive to bring up the barriers to others on the grounds of their nationality. The British government must rather identify the root of the "problem" which, according to the statistics, cannot be EU immigrants. Trying to solve a problem which is not there is a guise which can bring no tangible solutions.

"When it comes to the issue of victimisation, the rapper can hardly claim that he is the one under attack." job.

BECOME A STUDENT MENTOR... …not your average student

Student Mentor Recruitment for 2015/16 is opening soon.

We’re looking for approachable, self-motivated students with great communication skills to join the Student Mentor Scheme.

“Supporting students living in University accommodation through 1-2-1 support and events throughout the year.”

“Being a Student Mentor gives me the opportunity to do something productive with my time in between studying.”

“Student Mentors provide an invaluable service. need help.”

Recruitment opens on Monday 19th January 2015.

For further information and to download an application pack, visit guildofstudents.com/studentmentors mentorwelfare@guild.bham.ac.uk

0121 415 8568

facebook.com/studentmentorscheme

@StudentMentors1

10 5th December 2014 - 22nd January 2015

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Life & Style

Unforgettable Frocks: The most iconic dresses of all time

Over time there have been many iconic dresses, from the controversial and daring to the highly desirable, which linger on in the public imagination for years and sometimes even decades. Laura-Beth Green showcases some of the best, as illustrated by Life&Style's in-house fashion illustrator Louise Aust.

1. Princess Diana’s wedding dress is one of the most famous dresses in the world and 3. was arguably one of the closest guarded secrets in fashion history. Designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel for the 1981 royal wedding, it was made from ivory silk taffeta, with an unforgettable 25 foot train. Just hours after Diana wore it, copies were available from other dressmakers. If anything is testament to its iconic status, it is the influence it still has on wedding dresses to this day.

2. Elizabeth Hurley’s risqué Versace dress at the premiere of 'Four Weddings and a Funeral' was famously only held together by several large gold safety pins. Despite causing controversy with its plunging neckline and revealing design, it was very much admired and helped to launched the relatively unknown actress's career. In 2007 a copy of the dress was put on sale for the first time at Harrods. The price tag? £10,690. You’d have to save a lot of student loan for that Little Black Dress!

Keira Knightley’s emerald gown developed a huge fan base within days of Atonement hitting the cinemas in 2007. Its design is much more risqué than any other dress of that period would have been, but it didn’t fail to startle audiences with its beauty and elegant satin fabric. Second hand copies have sold for as much as $46,000 and websites are still offering versions of the gown at various prices.

4. No set of iconic dresses would be complete without Marilyn Monroe’s white dress.

She wore the dress, designed by William Travilla, for the 1955 film 'The Seven Year Itch'. Not only did the dress appear in one of the best known scenes of the movie, it also appears in the candid shot of Monroe standing above a subway air vent. The picture of the dress billowing up is considered one of the most well known images of the 20th Century and indeed, considering the posters and popular culture it appears in, it is arguably the most iconic dress of all time.

"Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not giving a damn."

- Orson Welles

Hidden Gems Cow

Rebecca Bulman Life&Style Writer

If you fancy something a bit different that you know no one else will be wearing, why not head over to Cow, Birmingham’s fantastic vintage warehouse!

A nice airy store away from the hustle and bustle of the Bullring, it boasts rails and rails of the most brilliant, unique and vibrant items of clothing you could wish for and at more-than-reasonable

prices.

From heaps of leather bags to rows of groovy jackets and shirts, there is definitely something for everyone.

And if that wasn’t enough, the warehouse even has a sale on at the moment! With t-shirts down to just £3 each and all two-pieces half price (I got one for just £11!). Cow is definitely the place to be.

redbrick.me/lifestyle

Budget Beauty Buys Giulia Bardelli

5th December 2014 - 22nd January 2015

Designer or Imitation?

11

Fierce

(Answer at the bottom of the page!)

Life&Style Writer

Nivea Daily Essentials Light Moisturising Day Cream For Dry and Sensitive Skin SPF15 50ml, (£4.19)

Beauty Advent Calendars Forget the chocolates throughout advent; instead find exciting mini beauty treats behind the doors this Christmas. From Benefit to The Body Shop, our favourite retailers have designed these cute (if slightly pricey) calendars so the beautyobsessed can test all the new products for next season.

As winter is looming upon us, our skin is becoming more and more sensitive and dry due to the harsh weather. This Nivea moisturiser is perfect as it’s very rich but doesn’t have an oily consistency, so it’s suitable for those with oily/dry skin. It contains almond oil and hydra IQ, with these natural ingredients your skin can really benefit! Not only does it also have SPF 15 but it also isn’t pricey at all and will last you a lifetime!

George Ezra His husky, bluesy voice is something everyone should listen to at least once this year. Ezra’s debut No.1 album ‘Wanted on Voyage’ has been my soundtrack of 2014 and his tour in February is not one to miss.

Oversized Scarves A trend seen all over campus as the weather gets colder and the nights come sooner. Keep it cosy with a blanket-size tartan scarf, paired with a cute beanie and a steamy gingerbread latte.

What is the true cost of a 'faux' designer wardrobe?

What used to be seen as an impulse holiday buy or an on-trend sartorial steal now demands further thought. Daisy Holden looks at the consequences of buying counterfeit fashion.

Designer knock-offs and counterfeit goods have always been a problem for the original designer, being both creative plagiarism and lower-priced competition. However, according to Interpol, counterfeiting operations now pose a real threat. Whilst you may not think there is anything wrong with buying a fake Gucci bag off a market stall, it often has larger consequences.

The main problem lies with counterfeit goods, not copy-cat imitations of luxury goods. So what's the difference?

‘Designer-inspired’ wares are legal knock-offs of designer products, although this is a very grey area in terms of legality and creative rights. Many fashion houses see high street imitations as reducing their profits and to some degree even a theft of intellectual property.

American brand Forever 21 has allegedly been sued over 50 times for copying designer clothes and selling them as their own designs. Most high-street chains, such as Zara and Topshop, copy designer looks straight from the catwalks and recreate them in a more ‘mainstream’ way for consumers as ‘inspired’ copies. The item will not be an exact copy and will have slight differences to the original, such as the stitching, the logo and the material. However, sometimes the differences between the high fashion and high street products can be hard to spot.

For example, the hugely popular Rockstud collection by Valentino has created imitations in most shops. This pair of shoes in New Look has

"Forever 21 has allegedly been sued over 50 times for copying designer clothes."

Topshop Prices Topshop is known for being on point when it comes to new trends and timeless pieces, but the price tags can brings tears to a girls eyes when on a student budget. Plus the weak student discount doesn’t give much to work with either, we may just have to live without that metallic mini skirt this year.

Counterfeit items are fake products being advertised or sold as the real thing. The exact definition of a counterfeit product is one that is Catcalling “made in exact imitation of something valuable with the intention to deceive or defraud”. Earlier this year, business secretary Vince Cable called for a global approach to tackling counterfeit operations. This is It’s intimidating and embarrassing and due to many counterfeiting operations being used as funding for rarely complimentary! Women should not criminal or terrorist organisations. Whilst counterfeit clothing cannot be made to feel uncomfortable walking down the street. It’s the 21st century, be seen as dangerous as counterfeit cigarettes for example, as it does where wolf whistling is no longer as not directly harm the consumer. Somewhere along the production line, charming as it was in the 50s. people are harmed - whether it is during the manufacturer violating human rights and child labour laws, or the profits funding drug cartels

"Legal or illegal, is it morally acceptable to profit from a designer's hard work?"

Layering up and burning up

The ever-present issue when it comes to and terrorist groups. Some counterfeiting operations are so widespread the frosty morning commute. Do you add that extra jumper and gloves to keep that it can be hard to spot a fake; only a trained eye can spot the differences. The items are manufactured to a relatively high level of qual- warm, only to face the itchy, sweaty heat once you step inside? Dilemma! ity for fake, and can be sold for high prices. For example, a counterfeit Rolex can be sold for $100 online.

One could argue that being a student you cannot afford luxury designer goods, as shown on the catwalks each season - but does that justify buying into this illegal trade? It can be argued that catwalk

By Courtney Barclay shows set the trends for each season so imitations are going to appear in the shops - that is the hierarchy of the fashion industry. The problem Life&Style Writer arises when counterfeit or exact copies are sold for financial gain.

Legal or illegal, is it morally acceptable to profit from a designer's hard work? Is it right to buy an crude imitation of a designer product just to wear the latest trends?

an uncanny resemblance to the So Noir 65 Pump design. On the other hand, there is also an illegal side to imitation products, but the differences are usually obvious. If you're buying a Louis Vuitton bag for £25 on a market stall, chances are it is a fake!

(Answer - Top: Valentino, £630.00. Bottom: New Look, £24.99)

Finished

e

12 5th December 2014 - 22nd January 2015

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Life & Style

Christmas Gift Guide For your sisters and girlfriends... £5 and under Topshop Christmas Rhinestone Earring Card, £5, most Topshop stores or online at www.topshop.com.

Perfect for a younger or older sister, this little gift set is cheap, cheerful and most definitely Christmas-sy! Ideal for all.

£15 and under Christian Lacroix ‘A5 Rio de Janero Notebook’, £15, available from www. amara.com.

This beautiful notebook by designer Christian Lacroix could be used as a stylish journal for the upcoming year, and is a steal at just £15.

£30 and under MAC ‘Objects of Affection’ Nude & Coral Lipglass, £26, most MAC stores or online at www.maccosmetics.co.uk.

What better to surprise your loved one with than this gorgeous ‘lipglass’ quadruplet from the stunning new MAC range. It is sure to be a hit in a selection of colours, and appears much more expensive than the bargain price in its exclusive case.

For your brothers and boyfriends... £5 and under Hotel Chocolat Alternative Mince Pie, £1.95 (or 2 for £3.90!)

Cute, ironic and delicious; a present the whole family would love, and perhaps a nice alternative for a fussy eater.

£15 and under Firefox 'Make your own Bubble Gum' kit, £14.99, www.firefox.com.

Let's be honest, this ingenious idea will be a bundle of laughs for all ages. Perfect for anyone who doesn't mind getting their hands a bit sticky, or just wants to release their inner Willy Wonka for the day.

£30 and under Zara Men’s Striped Sweater, £25.99, most Zara stores or www.zara.com.

This cosy sweater is the perfect present for the cold winter evenings ahead. In key with the Autumn/Winter monochrome trend, why not spruce up your brother or boyfriend's wardrobe a little?

Compiled by Ally Head

Keeping Up With Kendal Fashion's Latest 'It-Girl'

Esther Newman investigates this very modern phenomenon.

Throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, both in fashion and the media at large, there has been an ongoing phenomenon: the ‘It-Girl’. The It-Girl is the ultimate girl crush; she has an enviable career, cutting-edge style and her life seems to be covered with a fine layer of perfection. She is inextricably linked to consumer societies and, in a way, is a commercial product in herself. The embodiment of current trends and social values, with everyone wanting part of that ‘It-ness’, the It-Girl is a lucrative marketable tool. Even after their fame has been eclipsed by a younger model, they can still come to symbolise something to aspire to. It-Girls Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn

"The It-Girl is the ultimate girl crush; she has an enviable career, cutting-edge style and her life seems to be covered with a fine layer of perfection."

Monroe and Edie Sedgwick are all still cited as fashion icons today; and celebrities such as Beyoncé, Alexa Chung and Cara Delevingne have become the poster-girls of the past two decades.

A quick glance over current magazine covers, runway news and popular Internet search results prove that a new It-Girl of the moment has emerged: Kendall Jenner. Aged 19 and the younger half-sister of Kim, Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian, Kendall has proven herself to be the girl of the moment over the past few months, garnering new endorsement deals, magazine covers and runway gigs.

Following her first hi- fashion runway show in February of this year, Jenner’s modelling career has seen a meteoric rise.

Lauded as the ‘model-of-the-moment’ by Vogue, she has walked in 14 major catwalk shows, starred in a solo photo-shoot in US Vogue and been announced the face of the new global face of Estée Lauder.

While this rise to such heights is nothing new in the fashion industry for an It-Girl, this rise is particularly rare for a commonplace model, as many struggle for years without ‘making it’. This begs the question: is this success only due to her family name?

The sheer power of the Kardashian industry is undeniable; the name Kardashian is now almost synonymous with being famous for ‘no reason’.

But a sex-tape and years of impressively calculated publicity later, the ‘Klan’ is a global, multi-

million industry which has spawned several reality TV shows, countless endorsement deals and fashion, perfume and make-up collections. Today, when searching Kendall Jenner’s name, it seems like everyone has an opinion on her - from social media fans, to respectable publications, both fashion-related and not. This past week, Dazed and Confused magazine, having already featured Jenner on their Winter 2014 cover, posted a Mean-Girls-style Burn Book video with the model, parodying the hate she receives. In her cover interview, the model commented on the hate she has received, saying “Modelling isn’t something I’m doing to prove people wrong. It’s something I’m doing because it’s what I want to do.”

But is it right to even discuss the credibility of Jenner’s success and whether she deserves it? For one thing, socialites, actresses, musicians and other celebrities are nothing new in the fashion industry, with other top models from famous families also embracing their new roles - the Delevigne sisters, Georgia-May Jagger and Gigi Hadid being obvious examples. By definition the It-Girl is a product of an industry constantly hungry for more ways to sell, an aspect that Jenner, with 16 million Instagram followers at the time of writing this, embodies; she is the It-Girl of the new social media generation. The Kardashians are a ‘marmite’ sensation, capitalising upon the intrigue and disgust they generate, wielding the Internet in their bid for world domination. With

"The Kardashians are a 'marmite' sensation, capitalising upon the intrigue and disgust they generate."

Jenner, the fashion industry is simply recognising, and utilising, this power. Case in point: recent publicity stunts including Kim Kardashian’s cover for Paper magazine last month (which was published with the heading ‘Break The Internet’), and Givenchy’s Riccardo Tisci calling Kim the “[Marilyn] Monroe of our age”.

Despite this debate circling Kendall Jenner, fashion is a fickle beast, consuming trends and models alike at a remarkable speed. It’s likely that, whatever your opinion, unless Jenner is able to maintain this level of interest and establish herself as an industry icon, next season will see a new It-Girl with equally perfect hair and marketability, catering to a whole new generation of consumers.

redbrick.me/lifestyle

5th December 2014 - 22nd January 2015

Unlikely Fashion Icons Helena Bonham Carter Ayshea Sara Baker

Christmas Gift Guide For your Mum... £5 and under

You’d better believe it because it’s not magic! Many people best know the inspirational Helen Bonham Carter as Harry Potter’s Bellatrix Lestrange, who is often frighteningly dressed in rugged, gothic black clothing and smothered in pale white make-up. However, off our screens this talented lady magically becomes an incredibly stylish and eclectic fashion icon. She is often criticised for her daring theatrical attire, but in reality she’s actually a symbol of gothic grace and elegance with her edgy yet sophisticated style.

Not only does Helen captivate our attention in films such as The King’s Speech and Fight Club, she has also had a profound influence on the fashion industry. In August this year she wore amateur designer Rosie Dennington’s seductive vintage dress during a Vanity Fair shoot, launching the young girl’s fashion career beyond her expectations. Helen embraces her individuality, adding a certain flirtatious femininity to every outfit. She is immensely inventive and has experimented with both dark and pastel tones, combining traditional feminine vintage with high fashion couture.

Too often nowadays we conform to a ‘mainstream trend’, but Helen pushes boundaries with her strikingly flamboyant layered dresses and her unique twist on the vintage look. We should certainly watch out for her playing the fairy godmother in Cinderella next year - however it’s clear she’s already cast her spell on us!

Both on and off stage, this powerful woman means business.

5 Mini Candles Red Festive Gift Set, £3.50 with a half price discount on www.yankee.co.uk.

With 50% off many of Yankee’s gorgeous Christmas scented candles at the moment, what better time than now to grab a bargain! Hurry while stocks last as they’re bound to sell out shortly.

£15 and under Gray & Feather’s ‘Drink Me’ miniscule bottle of sparkling wine, £8.99, www.graysandfeather.com Isn’t this the most adorable bottle of alcohol you’ve ever seen?! And a bargain too, leaving you with a bit of change left over for some chocolate or flowers.

£30 and under Kate Spade ‘Heart of Gold’ Idion Bangle, £25, www.katespade.co.uk.

This delicate little gem is the perfect ‘thank you’ gift for all the hard work your mum has done for you throughout the year. Stylish, sophisticated and a total steal, it’s sure to show her just how much she’s appreciated.

For your Dad...

Life&Style's Agony Aunt Katie Masters solves all your problems.

Q. There always ends up being some kind of family argument at Christmas time and as such I'm dreading the festivities. Any tips?

A. While we look forward to Christmas, it's a time of year that's renowned for family tensions.

Whether it's due to all of the excitement; everyone being in close proximity to one another for longer than usual or something else entirely, buried conflicts can rear their ugly heads at this time of year.

However, there are things you can do to avoid untimely and un-festive altercations. Most importantly, try to keep calm and try to defuse any situation before it escalates. Before you say something that could be argument-inducing, consider whether it's really worth it, or whether it'd be easier to rise above it. In other words, pick your battles!

Remember that you can voice your disagreement or discontent without being offensive. And if someone says something to you which you don't particularly like and/or agree with, don't blow up: acknowledge what they've said and try to change the subject. If you find yourself getting too stressed out, then take some time out – go outside, listen to Christmas music, anything that helps to relax you.

If it's your family member who's getting a bit fired up, suggest they join you for a stroll outside in the snow, à la Frozen. You could even re-direct all that pent-up energy and build a snowman.

Q. I've got so many people to buy for this Christmas but, as it's nearing the end of term and my loan is running out- I’m absolutely skint.

Help!

A. Firstly: don't panic! There are loads of ways

you can make sure you still have a very thrifty, but festive, Christmas. Secret Santa has to be the way to go; definitely with your housemates, but with your friends and family too if they can be persuaded. Making your own gifts can be a real money saver: 'tis the season to be crafty! Kilner jars are great, relatively cheap and can be filled with all sorts of festive treats: gingerbread, fudge, truffles, or even a homemade body scrub. For the latter, just throw together baby oil, sugar and honey, and voilà! You could also spruce up some plain photo frames using craft materials and add a photo of your choice for a personal touch. Coloured or patterned cellophane bags are a godsend too: fill them with the person you're buying for's favourite sweets, pop a bit of ribbon round the top and you're done. Good luck!

Got a problem or predicament? Send it to lifestyle@redbrick.me

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£5 and under Joe & Seph's Gourmet 'Brandy Butter Popcorn', £4, www.joeandsephs.co.uk.

Surprise your Dad with this wacky twist on the traditional American all-butter popcorn. With a sweet tang and alcoholic kick, it's sure to get anyone in their father's good books!

£15 and under 'The Wolf of Wall Street' DVD, £6.99, www.amazon.com.

Ideal for TV time after your meal on Christmas day, your dad is sure to love this Scorsese/DiCaprio triumph. Perhaps not family viewing, but an acting masterpiece none the less.

£30 and under Fortnum and Mason 10 y/o 'Tawny Port', £23.99, www.fortnumandmason. com.

Alcohol does seem to be a Dad thing, doesn't it? This gift is spot on for your Dad to open for a tipple after the big dinner. What more could a father ask for?

Compiled by Ally Head

14 5th December 2014 - 22nd January 2015

redbrick.me/travel

Travel

New York, New York Travel writer Ally Head gives us an inside perspective on the many wonders of 'The Big Apple'...

‘The city seen from the Queensborough Bridge is always the city seen for the first time, in its first wild promise of all the mystery and beauty in the world.’ F. Scott Fitzgerald The infamous ‘Great Gatsby’ quote above sums up New York for me better than any other. ‘The Big Apple’ is world famous for its all-star inhabitants, crazy road systems and many tourist attractions; as the official ‘NYC’ online guide says, ‘there is only one New York City’. No words can quite capture the pure magic of NYC, yet tourists flock to The Lady Liberty, Times Square and Fifth Avenue all year round,

"As the official 'NYC' online guide says, 'there is only one New York City'." shelling out for views from the Empire State and shows on Broadway. So what exactly makes it such a magical and awe-inspiring place?

Two years ago, my parents decided to make the move across the pond with my three younger siblings. A terrifying but thrilling prospect, this meant that I would be spending about a quarter of each year in New York visiting them, and exploring the city. However, with 55 million tourists visiting the renowned hotspot every year, how could they possibly make it a home? From the rural countryside in Berkshire to central Manhattan – specifically East 60th Street between Park and Lexington Avenues – it was fair to say they’d thrown themselves in at the deep end.

My first visit, I won’t lie to you, was terrifying.

Everything is so big, and busy, and loud compared to my quaint little village back home. Don’t get me wrong, I have travelled before, through inter-railing Europe, backpacking Asia and RV-ing the East Coast of America, I have seen my sights. But nothing quite like New York. A city brimming with focused, motivated business people, I quickly learnt

that attempting to walk down Fifth Avenue during rush hour was essentially a death wish. Grand Central, the largest train station in the World, has 44 platforms, and can only be compared to the Narnian Wardrobe; once you go in, you never come back out. All portion sizes are enormous and it is compulsory to leave a 15% gratuity tip – I am not exaggerating when I say I have been chased down the street before for not leaving one (first – and definitely last! – time). It is worlds apart from England’s quaint politeness in so many ways.

However, as with most places, once you become accustomed to its differences – and in New York’s case, outright craziness - it is absolutely breath-taking. Find your own hidden gems, and it will steal your heart. The trees shedding their leaves in Central Park come autumn time is, and still remains, one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. The Williamsburg Thrift Stores and Food Markets are the perfect Saturday out. ‘Le Parker Meridien’ is one of the most expensive, prestigious hotels in the City, yet through the plush reception down a narrow hallway to the left you will see a neon burger sign pointing to their hidden 80’s inspired burger joint; the best burger I have ever had. Everything is at your fingertips, within walking distance, and you simply have to embrace it.

The Alice in Wonderland Statue on the East side of the Park is my favourite place to sit and read a book when the weather allows it. Created in 1959 by George Delacorte as a tribute to his late wife, it was a gift to the children of New

"Find your own hidden gems and it will steal your heart ."

York to enjoy. ‘Le Pain Quotidien’ Cafe, with its all organic and natural health menu, is only a short 10 minute walk away, with their warming ‘coffee bowls’ to fill you up in the frosty winter months. The current Matisse exhibition

at MOMA is amazing, and a once in a lifetime experience.

The American Museum of Natural History only asks for a voluntary donation for entry, and has most fascinating ‘Morgan Memorial Hall of Gems’ hall, with over 100,000 minerals and gems of different kinds, and even a 94 foot long whale in the ‘Milstein Hall of Open Life’!

Above all, the City boasts some of the most amazing architecture in the world; the newly built Freedom Tower is stunning, and incredibly moving. The Chrysler Building,

"My advice is simply you get what you give... go out of your way to find the real New York." although falling just short of being the tallest high liner to the Empire State (rumour has it the two architects were in competition to create the tallest High Liner, hence the long spike at the top of the Empire State...?) is in my opinion the prettiest building in the whole 5 boroughs. The Flat Iron building - or Spider Man building, as my little brother likes to call it - is one of the most iconic architectural triumphs, with its individual triangular design. All immensely tall and towering, yet stunning and sophisticated, you do not see buildings quite like it anywhere else in the world.

The more I visit, the more I feel I can establish the façade of tourist tricks enticing the newbies from the ‘New Yorkers’ New York; such as the annual Coney Island Mermaid Parade, ‘celebrating the arts’, with the most amazing fancy dress ever, to the free ice skating in Winter at Bryant Park.

My advice is simply you get what you give; if you go out of your way to find the real New York, you will be blown away; don’t pay the taxi fees, just walk – I can guarantee you will see so much more. Find a local, family run restaurant rather than spending too much on fast food at a diner, and make sure you enjoy every second. After all, it is the greatest place on earth.

The 5...

Places to spend the festive period Daisy Holden recommends the best locations to truly indulge oneself in the Christmas spirit...

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3

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Lapland

Australia

Amsterdam

Iceland

St. Anton, Austria

Visit the home of Christmas and stay in a luxury log cabin. From husky and reindeer sleigh rides to snowmobile tours, there is something for everyone. Offering a snowy Christmas, warm clothes are essential!

Ever fancied spending Christmas day on the beach, swapping a roast for a BBQ? Take a trip to Sydney, and spend it the sun.

Extend your stay to New Years Eve, watching the firework displays over Sydney harbour.

For a trip on a budget, you can fly cheaply from Birmingham airport to Amsterdam and use public transport to get around the city.

For a fun night out visit the cocktail museum or even ice-skate down the frozen canals.

For a magical time, travel to Iceland to see the Northern lights.

Go on a trip of a lifetime to see the night sky lit up in a mysterious glow, and with only a three hour flight on a budget airline, it is the cheapest way to see the aurora.

Both advanced skiers and beginners can have fun on the slopes this Christmas. Not to be outdone by other ski resorts, St Anton is almost as renown for its bars and nightlife as its’ skiing - popular with students doing ski seasons.

redbrick.me/travel

5th December 2014 - 22nd January 2015

Strasbourg: The Hybrid City Travel Writer Claire Burling tells us why the Alsatian capital is the perfect place for a Christmas getaway...

I’ll admit, telling people I spent last year living in Strasbourg was an underwhelming experience. Some people had simply never heard of it. Others asked, “You study French; isn’t that in Germany?” Either way, it certainly aroused none of the excitement that the mention of Paris or Lyon might have, but this modest little city was nothing like I could have expected, and at the same time, so much more.

Strasbourg boasts an impressive collection of titles and one of the most important is the Capital of Europe, which stems from its somewhat turbulent history. The entire region of Alsace changed hands several times between France and Germany before and during the Second World War, causing great difficulty for its people. Today, however,

"This city truly comes into its own at Christmas."

Strasbourg stands as a symbol of reconciliation between nations and of the future of Europe. This mixture of FrancoGermanic influences is reflected in everything from the road names and the local delicacies, to the mixture of languages spoken there – hearing Alsatian for the first time was quite a surprise!

Politically, this petite town packs a powerful punch, being home to the headquarters of the European Parliament, the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights, whilst for culture vultures and history lovers alike the designation of the city centre as a UNESCO World Heritage site means there is something for everyone. My favourite place is Petite France, a simply exquisite little area of cobbled streets, medieval timbered houses and overflowing hanging baskets. The rent in this area is sky-high, being the most desirable and attractive location in town, and with the picturesque Ill river winding through it, it is easy to see why.

Strasbourg’s central treasure is the cathédrale de Notre Dame. If you can cope with climbing the 332 steps to the top of the tower of this gothic sandstone beast – most definitely not for those with a fear of heights – then the panoramic city view will reward your effort in spades. If you’d prefer to keep your feet firmly on the ground, the enormous astronomical clock housed inside is a good alternative, and the whole exterior being decorated with lace-fine detail means that something always catches the eye whatever part of the cathedral you’re in.

Being a foodie, I was keen to try out as many culinary offerings as possible – an Erasmus grant spent on French food is an Erasmus grant well spent, I think. Indulging in the classic French staple of cheese at one restaurant, La Cloche à Fromage, is quite an experience, and it is a real struggle to find space on your table to fit the enormous raclette, the fondue and the mountains of bread! Alsatian Winstubs are the best places to find some traditional local dishes such as spaetzle, which are eggy dumplings best served with pork knuckle, or a tarte flambée– large sheets of dough covered in crème fraiche, onions and lardons. To satisfy your sweet tooth, a slice of Kugelhopf cake does the trick, and all these can be washed down with a bottle of the

beer which many Winstubs proudly brew themselves.

I think December is the perfect issue to share this city because it truly comes into its own at Christmas, and I cannot recommend visiting over the upcoming holidays highly enough. Visitors from across the globe flock to France’s oldest Christmas market – the Christkindelsmärik - in the official Capitale de Noël.

The delicious scent of vin chaud and chocolate crepes waft amongst the stalls laden with handcrafted treasures and authentic delights. And, once night falls, the Tudor facades of the picturesque buildings are lit with tens of kilometres of fairy lights. The decoration is by far the most tasteful and traditional I’ve seen, to the point where you feel like you’ve stepped into Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’.

On the opening night of the market, the whole town descends to the main Place Kleber for the illuminations featuring a choir of carol singers and a spectacular light show projected on the façade of a large building. Last year’s light show told the story of a little gingerbread man and his epic quest to make it from Candyland to Alsace in time for the market – it was almost Oscar-worthy. Just as the Cathedral stands guard over the city, in December, a magnificent 30 metre tall Christmas tree erected in Place Kleber keeps watch over the festive revellers. This tree especially symbolises the sense of community and goodwill of Christmas because at its base is the Village du Partage, where presents are donated for the disadvantaged.

Like every city, however, Strasbourg has its dark side, and these disadvantaged citizens make it plain that the city’s wealth can’t benefit everyone. I found it hard having beggars harass us for money and cigarettes while we were on the university campus, and on several nights I was greeted by drunken, homeless men in the entrance of my halls. Recent reports detailing the tragic levels of homelessness in France make it clear that Strasbourg is by no means an exception, but it was an issue I found stayed with me long after I left.

"Visitors from across the globe flock to France’s oldest Christmas market, the Christkindelsmärik."

Nevertheless, the good memories far outweigh the bad, and as a student, this city had a surprising amount to offer me. The initiative Strasbourg aime ses étudiants, (‘Strasbourg loves its students’) offered massive discounts on cinema, museum, and concert entry plus cheap bike rental and 2 course meals for only 3 euros. A good thing too, given that Strasbourg university is the second biggest in the country with 20% of the student body being international – although I wasn’t feeling the love quite as much when it came to 4 hour long exams and 8am starts each morning.

Perhaps the reason I love Strasbourg so much is its hybrid nature; its unabashed blend of French and German, the old and the new. It is a unique pocket of France which offers as much to visitors as it does to its modest, friendly citizens.

24 hours in... Leeds

Sophie Milligan gives us her top tips for a day in this student-friendly city...

How to get there Catching a train from New Street will take you two hours for just over £30 with a student railcard. If you’re visiting a student friend they’ll most likely be in Hyde Park, the Selly Oak of Leeds, and it's a £1 bus fare into town.

What to do Shopping offers everything from Harvey Nichols and Michael Kors, to the independent Hip Store and the street savy Urban Outfitters in The Trinity Shopping Centre. Also available for the edgy kids is a wide range of vintage shops.

Make sure to take advantage of the reasonably priced indie coffee shops scattered around. For £2, pick up a vintage teapot of herbal tea from the The Wardrobe. A ten-minute walk from the bus station it is easy to find sat directly opposite the BBC studios.

Something not to be missed is the renowned American BBQ joint Reds. At £12.50 for a full rack of ribs and two sides it would be rude not to indulge. Pair this with a Hobo

Juice, one of their many cocktails served in a mason jar complete with brown paper bag - it's a match made in American heaven. Leeds is also a complete haven for live music with a huge range of venues. After your meal out, take a stroll up to Belgrave Music Hall: with a range of DJs and live artists they host musical events catering to many tastes. If this is not your thing, Leeds is not short of posh bars. The best place for a glass of smooth talking Champagne is The Alchemist's rooftop bar on the top of Trinity overlooking the city skyline.

A taste of Leeds What better way to connect with the roots of the city than to drink in the oldest pub in Leeds: The Packhorse in the city centre.

Insider’s tip Just off of Reds BBQ is Call Lane, the place to roam if one of Leeds' popular bars is what you’re after.

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16 5th December 2014 - 22nd January 2015

redbrick.me/music

Music St Vincent Birth in Reverse

Paolo Nutini Iron Sky

Kendrick Lamar i

Chet Faker 1998

Song of the year contenders for 2014 have been few and far between. In fact, my most played song of the past 12 months has been around since 2012 (Todd Terje’s ‘Inspector Norse'). That said, 2014 did have ‘Birth In Reverse’.

It’s a song that covers all bases: its rhythms are too angular to be commercial but hold an urgent immediacy, while its lyrics flip between the wildly cryptic and startlingly frank. ‘Birth In Reverse’ is pop music that’s uncompromising in its vision without losing track of its audience. For 3 and a half minutes this year St Vincent sounded like the most exciting artist in the world. Conrad Duncan

Layering a haunting melody over a stripped-down beat, this bleak song offers a more mature sound than previous albums. The accompanying video is fittingly desolate in its depiction of the ‘harsh reality’ of life, and a sample from Charlie Chaplin’s speech in The Great Dictator adds to the political undertones of a song which resonates with current feelings of uncertainty and instability in Europe and the Middle East. For me though, the song recalls not an oppressive ‘iron sky’, but the golden glow as the sun set over Glastonbury and Nutini imploring us, at times almost screaming, to ‘rise over love, over hate...over fear and into freedom’. Katherine Spencer

The uptempo, infectious beat of ‘i’, the use of the Isley Brothers sample, and Kendrick’s celebratory exclamation of ‘I love myself’ makes this track the ultimate feel-good song of the year. Despite claims by some hip-hop purists that the track aims for radio play, and departures from the tone of his 2012 album Good Kid, mAAd City, there is a darkness and honesty in the frenzied screams that reflects the deeper issues that this artist tackles.

With his new album coming in the new year, this song signals Kendrick’s burst back into the modern hip-hop scene, and has been one of the best releases of the year.

Christopher Gray

Not to be confused with 50s jazz legend Chet Baker, Chet Faker is an Australian producer turned singer/ songwriter of the ‘lumbersexual’ persuasion who released his debut album 'Built On Glass' this year. His album is full of electroacoustic pop songs ranging from his more upbeat tracks in the vein of his collaborations with fellow Australian Flume, to more lovelorn ballads with an electronic twist. This house inspired track with warm, glowing synths, tropical beats, 80s inspired lead results in a nostalgic anthem led

by Faker's distinctively emotional vocals. Matthew Freddura

alt-J Every Other Freckle

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‘Every Other Freckle’s seductive mood is rather unexpected of alt-J. The timeworn topic of desire is reinvented with blunt similes such as 'I’m gonna bed into you like a cat beds into a beanbag/ Turn you inside out and lick you like a crisp packet'. The haunting tribal beats of the track pull the song back into altJ’s comfort zone, and their clever juxtaposition of the conventional and unconventional make ‘Every Other Freckle’ an extremely memorable listen, and a standout on their otherwise subdued sophomore album. Rosie Goldsmith

FKA Twigs Two Weeks

Little Dragon Klapp Klapp

BANKS Alibi

Taylor Swift Shake It Off

Theatrical, captivating, and unashamedly sensual, FKA Twigs’ first release from her Mercury Prize shortlisted debut album LP1 epitomises her unique sound. ‘Two Weeks’ blends her ethereal vocal and electronic hypnotism, layered over a rolling bass to form a sultry brand of R&B. The track blurs the line between intimacy and drama (check out the video), and embraces the boldness of feminine expression in its lustful lyrical assertions of desire. Her style, aesthetic and presentation only a further extension of her characteristic elusive grace which has captivated listeners and critics alike. Gurnesha Bola

It's not my favourite song of 2014; it's not even my favourite song of the phenomenal album Nabuma Rubberband, but I defy you to find a moodier groove on the 2014 soundscape. Little Dragon's 'Klapp Klapp' is certified dancefloor classic material and a tantrum masterclass rolled into one.

Yukimi Nagano's vocals, made famous by a luxurious turn on Gorillaz' Plastic Beach, match the organised chaos of the on-beat, and the bassline is full to bursting with good vibrations. After a criminally underrated debut album, is this Little Dragon's breakthrough? A round of applause is surely in order.

Lily Blacksell

A quintessential BANKS song, 'Alibi' manages to stand out even out on her excellent debut Goddess. As the the opening song to both her live show and her album, 'Alibi' creates a sense of that familiar moment, when the lights go down, the music starts and the crowd start cheering. BANKS embraces the annoyingly accurate 'PBRnB' label, merging menacing electronic sounds with indie and dream pop to create a modern super-genre, with vulnerable lyrics 'give me something to convince me/that I am not a monster'. I can see amazing things on the horizon for this Goddess. Dean Eastmond

Given the storm that Taylor Swift created in the latter part of this year, it would be foolish not to include her in some ‘Songs of 2014’ lists. Swift premiered ‘Shake It Off’ back in August, along with an announcement of her fifth studio album to follow shortly, self-described as her “first official pop album”, and it certainly marks a complete departure from her signature country style. But even fans of her original style couldn’t knock it. The upbeat, catchy hooks and playful, positive lyrics made it an instant hit – there’s no denying you sung along to it at least once. Beth Coveney

redbrick.me/music

5th December 2014 - 22nd January 2015

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Tweet of the Week: @arzE: "I'd like to be the world's foremost 'ppl wearing 2 watches' historian" Guided By Voices Planet Score

Beyoncé Flawless

Wild Beasts Wanderlust

Clean Bandit Rather Be

‘Planet Score’ is the fifth track from Guided by Voices’ penultimate album Motivational Jumpsuit. The album is an indie rock patchwork quilt: a mixture of sonic experiment, melancholic balladry and frenetic psych-rock. This track's catchy garage rock riff buzzes the track along for its sub-two minute running time. Meanwhile, perpetual adolescent Robert Pollard delivers his wilfully obscure lyrics in thrilling and enigmatic fashion. This power pop earworm sits nicely alongside the better material in GBV’s extensive catalogue, as well as capturing these lo-fi heroes at their reunited best.

Daniel Moroney

Beyoncé’s fifth studio album was all about her being proud of her sexuality and being a woman and this is evident throughout ‘Flawless’. Feminism has been described as the ‘buzzword of 2014’ and as Beyoncé’s track features part of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s inspirational Ted Talk ‘We Should All Be Feminists’ it makes sense for me to choose ‘Flawless’ as not only my Song of 2014 but also something of a feminist anthem. Self-doubt is a distant concern whilst listening to this song; Beyoncé’s attitude is contagious, the music is uplifting and this song will have me convinced for 4 minutes that I, like Beyoncé, am absolutely ‘Flawless’. Kate Spree

'Wanderlust', although highly unusual comppared to many tracks released this year, seems to make some kind of musical sense in a contemporary-art sort of way. Lead singer, Hayden Thorpe incorporates his fluctuating octaves with aesthetic eerie backing harmonies, a regressive synth and coarse drumbeats. Throughout the years the band have clearly been well in tune with one another creating hits such as 'Brave, Bulging, Buoyant, Clairvoyants'. But also have successfully evolved, 'Wanderlust' portrays a brooding and mesmerizing atmosphere, uncommonly catchy and unsuspectingly hypnotic.

Rachael Clear

After years of inane club pop and obscure indie, here, at last, is a band that blends the two together to make something good - something upbeat and danceable but sophisticated enough to appreciate as well as enjoy.

Perhaps it’s the violins or the perfect vocal/synth blend but this track has been unmatched this year. It’s a song that had a lot going against it; released in January, when single sales are slow, by a band whose classic quirk has always been a hard sell... eleven months on it’s the biggest selling single of 2014. I bet those violins are playing in your head this minute.

Joe Goodsall

Beyoncé Partition

Songs of the Ye a r

Redbrick writers share their take on the greatest tracks they've heard in 2014...

Although the listener is left to interpret for themselves exactly what 'Monica Lewinskied' means, the pulsing, 'slutdrop' bass running through this track certainly tells a story of its own. Using her Texan accent and Ebonics to maximum seductive effect over a scantily clad synth arrangement, Yoncé employs every grind-inducing trick in the book.

The flashing images of intercourse in the back of a limousine, implicit in her request ‘Driver roll up the partition, please’, depicts a scenario of dirtiness and decadence occurring in an existence beyond our wildest dreams.

The War On Drugs Red Eyes

Jamie XX All Under One Roof Raving

Clockwork Indigo Butterfly Effect

2014’s Lost in the Dream is a flawless album with its breath-taking fusion of Springsteen-esque Americana and melancholic indie-rock., but if any one track stands out, it's the hazy, melancholic ‘Red Eyes’. It is a heroic vision of the American dream, all seen through lead singer and guitarist Adam Granduciel’s smoky lens. Its driving beat is subtly stirring and the ethereal yet sublime lyrics are brilliantly sung through Granduciel’s gritted teeth: ‘You abuse my faith/Losing every time but I don't know where”. An understatedly epic tale of heartbreak: simply stunning. Will Haynes

Jamie XX's 'All Under One Roof Raving' conjures memories of stumbling out of Fabric and Lightbox at 8am on Saturday mornings. The track not only shows what an unbelievably talented producer Jamie is but it brings a community of house lovers together.

Jamie perfectly summarises what inspired him and how I feel as 'I was missing life in London and trawling through any music and videos that reminded me of home.' Indeed, this track serves as a reminder not to take time doing the things we love for granted - for me, that’s ‘raving to hard house’ until the last train home.

Graca Mutseyami

'How can a n***a do his homework when his mom’s on crack?' That line sold me that the Underachievers/ Flatbush Zombies collaboration was going to be big. Raw, real and relentless, this song keeps giving, verse after verse, each successive one topping the last. Stacked on top of a sublime, sweeping beat which feels like an opiate haze, and you have a one of a kind package, the kind of song that you can leave on repeat for 10 hours and not even notice time fly by. If CI do not do more with this collaboration then an opportunity for amazing things has been missed. Carl Jones

SOHN Bloodflows

'Bloodflows' begins with a slow, rousing instrumental, with a serene vocal accompaniament later taking a gradual incline as the music evolves. It’s safe to say the song is simply mesmerising and has the listener in a deep trance.

Throughout the song we are introduced to other electric ambient sounds that masterfully juxtapose with the soulful lyrics. It’s already peaked at number 1, very well deserved and very well executed. SOHN definitely knows how to give off a cool relaxed vibe when singing, and it all seems to come naturally to him - definitely one to look out for in 2015. Giulia Bardelli

18 5th December 2014 - 22nd January 2015

redbrick.me/film

Film

Focus on: Jurassic World Critic George Griffiths explores the Jurassic World...

Review: What We Do In The Shadows

Details Release date: 21st Nov 2014 Director: Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi Cast: Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi, Jonathan Brugh Running time: 86 minutes IMDB rating: 8.0

««««« Alice Williams Critic

In the world of movies, there is no greater word at present than ‘nostalgia,’ unless, of course, the other word happens to be prequel, sequel or the ever-present re-boot of a beloved franchise. This week, people were getting excited about welcoming back a once beloved franchise; with new leads, a new story and a new director.

No, I’m not talking about Star Wars, I’m talking about Jurassic World, the fourthfilm in Steven Speilberg’s series that began 21 years ago with literally one of the most brilliant action-adventure films in the history of cinema: Jurassic Park. After two notas-good-as-you-remember-them sequels, the stage was all but set for a fourth film in 2004.

It took another decade for all the parts to be properly assembled as the project festered in development hell, but now in 2015, the park is ready to be opened again and introduce an entirely new generation to the wonders of Jurassic Park – or World, as it’s now actually called.

"After literally one of the most brilliant action-adventure films in the history of cinema, Jurassic Park, and two not-as-good-as-youremember-them sequels."

Shedding old star Sam Neill and trading him in for man of the moment – and candidate for funniest/hottest man on film – Chris Pratt, the film will see the park, Jurassic World, open once more for public use twenty three years after the first horrifying

events of the first movie. The trailer itself did a decent job of building upon this growing sense of nostalgia and un-ease as we saw people once again entering the park and we just know something is going to go wrong.

Step in Bryce Dallas Howard, who holds a position of power in the park (it’s never actually fully stated what she does, however) and a team of scientists who, at the behest of the corporation who now own the park after the death of John Hammond (the late Richard Attenborough), create a genetic hybrid dinosaur. Because, of course, that would work out perfectly well.

Introducing a new genetic hybrid of dinosaur does actually save the premise of the film from just being a re-tread of the first three movies, and fleeting shots in the trailer of said beastie mean that all the surprises aren’t spoiled for when it’s unveiled in the film in what I assume is going to be all it’s terrifying hybrid glory.

Pratt’s hero is also given an introduction, but so far none of his trademark wit and/or likeableness has shone through yet. Although it would be worthwhile noting that Pratt just re-acting Star-Lord probably isn’t the best idea in the world, and Jurassic World is where he’ll get all serious-face as an action hero.

It’s still early days in guessing if this film will be a triumph, however exhilarating and nostalgic (yet, at the same time, completely new) the trailer feels. It is, of course, the job of a trailer to make the movie look appealing.

Jurassic Park is genuinely one of the greatest action movies ever made and a stellar example of why Steven Spielberg is probably the most influential director living right now (although Spielberg won’t be directing World, he’s on board as an executive producer) and this is the perfect chance

to take Spielberg’s legacy and run with it.

There were murmurs about the film being released in that ever present mode of 3D and IMAX, although there doesn’t seem to be any confirmation about this fact. It is perhaps the entire point of why both IMAX and 3D were invented so we could all cack ourselves once again at a T-Rex lunging out to us through an IMAX screen. Get on it this instant, please Steve.

"It's still early days in guessing if this film will be a triumph, however exhilarating and nostalgic the trailer feels."

Director Colin Trevorrow has repeatedly expressed that this film is actually not a reboot of the franchise, but watching the trailer there’s a definite sense that all the components of the classic Park are present – hero, lost kids, hot lady sidekick, dinosaurs loose, a bit of corporate espionage = all ready to thrill a new generation, complete with all the tricks you’ll find in a standard 21st century blockbuster, and with the emotional anchor of the kids in danger, and the added intelligence previously displayed by Trevorrow in Safety Not Guaranteed. Perhaps this will be a blockbuster with a heart, soul and intelligence, not just another Michael Bay brain-fodder film.

You can just bet, however, that an entire new generation will once again be glued to the screen as they enter Jurassic World, much like we were all those years ago.

Written and directed by its stars - Jemaine (Flight of the Conchords) Clement and Oscar-nominated Taika Waititi - What We Do in the Shadows is a belly-achingly funny twist on the often overused mockumentary film format.

Following a quartet of European vampires, ranging in age from 183 to roughly 8000, the film documents their trials and tribulations as they try to live a normal life in a flat-share in Wellington, New Zealand. We meet pedantic former dandy Viago (Waititi), Deacon (Jonathon Brugh), the youngest and rebellious ‘cool’ vampire, Vladislav (Clement), a ‘perverted’ medieval vampire, and Petyr (Ben Fransham), an ancient, mute, Nosferatustyle vampire who lives behind a stone slab in the basement and has never done his share of the chores.

The cameras follow the group in the lead-up to the biggest event in the undead calendar: The Unholy Masquerade Ball.

Complications within the group ensue when Petyr bites and transforms an intended victim, the young, cocky Nick (Cori Gonzalez-Macuer) who moves into the flat and brings his human friend Stu. The group quickly take a liking to Stu, though not all are happy about his presence.

The film is infectiously silly and full of relatively obvious humour, which in no way detracts from its overall brilliance.

The largely improvised script is witty and constantly hilarious and while you would in no way suggest that the film is particularly sophisticated, there is at least a laugh a minute and it constantly feels fresh, exciting and charming, which is surprising given its basis as a largely plotless vampire mockumentary.

I have no doubt that fans of The Office and of Flight of the Conchords will agree that this is one of the funniest comedies of the year. To give What We Do in the Shadows the highest possible praise, it is the funniest film to come out of New Zealand since Peter Jackson’s Braindead.

redbrick.me/film

5th December 2014 - 22nd January 2015

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Film News Stefan Pace Critic

A New Hope? The first teaser trailer for the highly-anticipated Star Wars: The Force Awakens was released last Friday. At only 91 seconds long, with some severely short and disconnected cuts, the teaser offers little insight generally. Nevertheless, with J.J. Abrams at the helm it definitely feels like Star Wars might actually be in some capable hands again, following George Lucas’ tragic attempts at the prequels.

Jurassic World, also received its first trailer last week. Showcasing the impressive CGI creatures the franchise is known for, we’re also informed of a genetically modified dinosaur hybrid running loose in the park grounds. The movie certainly looks the part but also showcases more ridiculous elements with Chris Pratt riding a motorbike alongside raptors. Jurassic World releases on June 12th, 2015.

Review: Paddington Critic Matt Robinson reviews Paddington...

Details Release date: 28th Nov 2014 Director: Paul King Cast: Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters Running time: 95 minutes IMDB rating: 7.9

screen. There were wobbles, of course there were. A poster released early on was deemed unnerving and the 'Creepy Paddington' meme was born. Then news that Colin Firth thought his voice unsuitable and had left the production (Ben Wishaw, who took his place, captures the innocent yet wise bear perfectly). And after we had thought everything might be alright the film was classified PG, with the BBFC warning of mild sex references and mild bad language, now changed to innuendo and infrequent mild bad language, and you began to wonder what had happened to poor old Paddington that had turned him into such a rascal.

Critic

" There should never have been any nervousness, in the hands of Heyman and King Paddington Bear was always out of harm's way"

When the news that David Heyman, producer of (among other things) the Harry Potter franchise, was planning an adaptation of Michael Bond’s Paddington Bear books there was a gentle murmur of unease among the British public. Paddington has been a part of a great many childhoods ever since he came into being in 1958 and to hear that there was going to be a film was not an altogether exciting prospect. 'What happens if they ruin it?' was the first thing that sprang to mind. Because Paddington Bear is not just another children’s series, to be squeezed and beaten into becoming yet another children’s film franchise forced into shaking down every man, woman and child until their piggy banks run dry. Paddington Bear is a British institution. He is a polite, well meaning bear, dressed in a blue duffle coat, a marmalade sandwich in hat.

So we all watched for news of the production, hoping, with every finger/toe/anything else we could think of, crossed, that the bear would make it safely onto the silver

But after all that worry, after the long sleepless nights curled up in a corner of a poorly lit room, hoping that my childhood would survive the apparent butchery of a beloved children’s story, everything has turned up roses.

The choice of Paul King as helmsman is a master stroke. He has brought all the whimsy and creativity he could carry with him from his first film, Bunny and the Bull.

We begin in deepest, darkest Peru and a black and white newsreel showing Montgomery Clyde, an explorer and owner of a splendid moustache, encountering a rare form of bear, teaching them good Queen’s English and introducing them to marmalade.

We jump, with perhaps a slight nod to The Wizard of Oz, from black and white to brilliant technicolour and meet our bear living with his Aunt and Uncle. After a frightening earthquake that gave me horrifying flashbacks to watching Bambi as a child,

««««« Matt Robinson

Paddington is sent off by his Aunt to London with the famous words ‘Please look after this bear’ around his neck.

Arriving at Paddington station, Paddington is taken in, with varying degrees of enthusiasm, by the Brown family. The story is driven along by the search for the explorer and by the taxidermist obsessed with stuffing a rare bear (Nicole Kidman, the only real Hollywood presence in the film). The denouement swerves a little bit far from Michael Bond’s books but we are now in 2014 where even children expect a hint of action and splashes of tension with their entertainment. But the story acts only as a framework for what the film is really about, watching this loveable bear become accepted into his new home with a few mishaps along the way.

There is a lot that is funny here. The slapstick promised by the trailer is present, wonderful and never overplayed. There were moments when the whole cinema laughed out loud, children, adults and students alike. King has played to all ages. A scene in which Hugh Bonneville’s Mr Brown, dressed in drag, flirting outrageously with Simon Farnaby’s deliciously sleazy guard is side splitting. It is also nice to see actors like Farnaby make their appearance, any fan of The Mighty Boosh will recognise him along with other mainstays of British comedy who make brief cameos, it shows King has had the freedom to keep his personality intact.

There should never have been any nervousness, in the hands of Heyman and King Paddington Bear was always out of harm’s way. The film is a bright, pastel coloured marvel. They have taken a set of stories written at a time when WWII and evacuation were still fresh in everyone’s memories and transported them safely to the 21st century but more than that they have made them feel as relevant. Critics looking for something deeper are bound to bring up allusions to UKIP and the like and it is probably a fair parallel. Paddington is an immigrant who has been taken in by a British middle class family and thank god he was.

Variety reports that a bunch of Sony’s latest movies have already leaked online as the result of compromised security. DVD rips of the upcoming Annie remake, alongside others, are being pirated in droves as a result. The group claiming responsibility, “Guardians of Peace”, some suggest may be North Korean in origin; due to national outrage at Sony’s upcoming The Interview – premised around an assassination attempt on Kim Jong-Un.

Richard Linklater’s critical darling Boyhood was awarded ‘Best Film’ at the 80th annual New York Film Critics Circle Awards at the start of December. Jennifer Kent won the ‘Best First Film’ award for The Babadook, with Wes Anderson and Hugo Guinness nabbing the ‘Best Screenplay’ category for The Grand Budapest Hotel. Marion Cotillard and Timothy Spall won awards for ‘Best Actress’ and ‘Best Actor’ respectively and The Lego Movie claimed the award for ‘Best Animated Film’ of the year.

20 5th December 2014 - 22nd January 2015

redbrick.me/tech

Top 5 Christmas Crackers!

The Science and Technology writers collect the best gifts and facts you need to know more about this Christmas.

Web Safety Tips Snowflake Facts Robert Wescott Sci & Tech Writer

Use a Credit Card. (be responsi1 ble). Even if you have to pay a credit card charge of 50p, it is worth it for your peace of mind, especially if you’re shopping on a website you haven’t used before. As long as you have taken reasonable care (i.e. didn’t write your pin down), Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act (1974) means that credit card companies are liable to pay if you're the innocent victim of fraud. So when that broken PS4 turns up, at least you’re protected. If you don’t have one, use a family member's or friend's and pay them back straight away.

If you can’t get a credit card then use your direct debit but only if it’s a reliable seller and you can trust them.

Check for HTTPS at checkout.

Most people know this by now but it is always a good reminder to check the security of websites when checking out or logging on. For good practice, look for the HTTPS in the URL (in the address bar) and check that the website name is spelt correctly, with no typos. If HTTPS is shown then this means the website uses SSL security and the data sent over the internet is encrypted, so you’re more protected from fraud.

Get an Antivirus add-on, extension or plug-in for your internet browser. Assuming you already have antivirus on your PC, an internet security add-on is the next best step. You can easily get a free internet extension like avast! Online security or McAfee SECURE Safe Browsing for your Internet browser.

These usually come with a website

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reputation advisor, which tells you if you are accessing a dodgy website and can also stop you being tracked by adverts and web analytics. Some even come with a website price comparer, which can tell you if there is a better deal on another website (pretty handy!)

Don’t save your card details.

Websites are not impenetrable to hackers; every day I read about big, supposedly secure websites being hacked and having user information stolen and dumped on the internet. No matter how secure a website says it is, it is best to not save your card details ever! It may take an extra few minutes to re-enter them each time, but that is better than the stress and hassle of trying to reclaim money back due to fraudulent purchases from your bank. Alternatively, you could try routinely deleting them, but be careful to wait for goods to dispatch first, if using websites like Amazon.

Public Wi-Fi. Your laptop and phone are also not immune to hackers or malware, especially on public Wi-Fi and without any anti-virus. Anyone could be on the same network and they could even set up a fake Wi-Fi, like “The Cloud WiFi” instead of “The Cloud”, that you accidentally connect to and then they record your every keystroke. You are better off using the cellular data on your phone, whilst out and about shopping, but also beware that many apps don’t use HTTPS. Best buy those Christmas gifts at home on your secured Wi-Fi, not in Costa.

Remember you can always consider buying in store which doesn't have the credit card danger. Also, be careful with that student loan; remember to pay credit cards off every month!

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Claudia Efstathiou Sci & Tech Writer

the air you won’t get a snowflake to form. Often when it’s really, really cold its also very dry and it’s a lack of water vapour in the atmosphere that prevents snow from falling.

As we move towards the end of the year, and the Met Office issue weather warnings about a cold snap in the coming weeks we thought it would be fun to look at exactly what the white stuff is.

Maybe I’ve been living in the UK for too long, but for some reason looking out the window at softly falling snow is much preferred to staring at the ever present drizzle of autumn.

Snow brings with it the feeling of a Dickensian Christmas, an excuse to indulge in mulled wine and chocolate.

Each snowflake is unique – well, not really. The conditions that drive snowflake formation can be highly varied, and this allows a huge range of patterns to form. While you are very unlikely to ever see two identical snowflakes, chances are that there is an identical match out there.

The patterns are always hexagonal this is because the building block of snowflakes, water, can make hydrogen bonds that are strongest when they form a hexagon and these are the only ones stable enough to make it down to earth.

The design of the final snowflake is caused by changes in temperature as it travels down through the atmosphere.

At the centre of every snowflake is a grain of dirt – this is the nucleation point where the first water molecules cluster round, with others coming in to build the structure It can never be too cold to snow – but if there isn’t enough water in

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Best Free Festive Apps You Need Emma Houghton Online Sci & Tech Editor

Here is a list of some of the best apps that can help you to save money, come up with gift ideas and get into the Christmas spirit!

Price Spy: This barcode scanning app, which is available to both Apple and Android users, was developed to help shoppers find the best deals; perfect for students who want to make their loans stretch as far as possible! The idea is to scan the barcode of an item that you like and the app will tell you the comparative prices offered by other shops.

Christmas Gift List: For the super organised Christmas shoppers out there; this app offers a great way to store Christmas gift ideas and to keep track of the gifts you have bought and the money you have spent so far. You can categorise gift ideas according to recipient, to make sure that you’re spending the same amount on mum and dad, and you can input an overall budget. I recommend this useful

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app, which can be found on iTunes and Google Play, as it helps students with Christmas money management- after all, nobody likes going into their overdraft!

The Snowman and the Snowdog Game: A classic game based on an ageless film; play as the Snowman, who

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flies through the snowy night collecting snowflakes. Listen to the original iconic movie soundtrack while you move the character across 3 lanes, helping him to avoid obstacles. This is a simple but addictive game which gets harder as you move up through the levels. Available on

both Apple and Android devices.

Inkly cards: This is an Apple app designed to save the day when you receive a Christmas card off somebody who you had completely forgotten existed!

If, like me, you are too polite to admit it, simply choose an appropriate design on this app, take a photo of the handwritten message you want to appear inside the card and voila! The recipient will receive a personalised printed card and be oblivious to the fact that they’d been forgotten.

(This app isn’t just specifically for the festive season but offers a wide range of cards for various other occasions too.)

Secret Santa Tombola: If you’re unlucky in your Secret Santa and get somebody who you don’t really know (or like!) it could leave you struggling to find gift inspiration, but this is where the Secret Santa Tombola app could come in handy. Simply tell the app the gender of the recipient, what sort of gift you’re looking for (i.e. cute, cheeky or fun) and the price limit, then Santa will recommend the perfect gift. This app is currently only available on Apple devices and helps to raise funds for the Prince's Trust.

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redbrick.me/tech

5th December 2014 - 22nd January 2015

Gift Giving

21

Red Nosed

One of our writers looks at whether gift giving is a human trait or if it is present in other species too.

Our newest Science and Technology editor explores the science behind Rudolph's red nose.

Ellie Patten

Amy Thompson

Sci & Tech Writer

We’ve all heard the phrase, “Christmas is all about giving”. It’s a time when we get into that “Christmas spirit” and think about others: we give gifts to our family, friends and many of us even give to charity. Our charitable nature and desire to act selflessly is something we consider inherently human and we like to use it to separate ourselves from other animals.

But maybe we’re not the only ones with the ability to be generous.

One of the reasons we give gifts is to reinforce relationships. In some species, males aim to improve reproductive success by giving gifts to females. Male Adélie penguins offer pebbles to a female to begin courtship, and chimps

have been noticed to exchange food for sex. We can already see that some animals do exchange “gifts”, but so far this doesn’t sound like a selfless deed or sign of affection: it’s more of a trade or courtship ritual to benefit the gift giver.

However, there are signs that truly selfless behaviour may be present in the animal kingdom. An experiment was carried out in Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary in Uganda, using chimps who grew up in the wild to find out if they will help a stranger even when no reward is offered. The chimps watched a human stranger struggle to reach a stick, which was within the chimp’s reach, but too far for the human to reach. Researchers found that the chimps often helped the human by giving them the stick.

A second experiment was then conducted, by placing fruit in a closed room. The only way for an individual chimp to gain access to the fruit was for a second, unrelated chimp to release a chain which caused the door to open. Chimps were frequently found to help another chimp to access the fruit, despite gaining no reward or fruit for themselves.

So maybe our love of giving gifts doesn’t stem from our education and cultural traditions after all. It could be a trait which evolved before the split of humans and the other great apes.

We can’t be entirely sure of where our giving nature came from, or whether it’s truly selfless or whether it holds some form of selfish motives, either in the form of a physical reward, or the emotional rewards we feel when we give.

What’s interesting is that this trait, which we often consider one of the defining features of humanity, especially at this festive time of year, may not be that human after all.

Sci & Tech Editor

We all know from the song that Rudolph has a red nose, but what if this is not just a song? Scientists from Sweden say that reindeer, not just Rudolph, have red noses.

Through the use of thermal imaging cameras it can be seen that reindeer noses produce a bright white light, meaning they have lots of blood in this area the more blood in an area the hotter it is.

Their noses are specifically adapted for life in the cold. Reindeer heat the air they breathe in before it flows into their lungs by the high temperature in their noses. As well as the air, their noses also condense water from the air to allow mucous to flow along the lungs to keep them warm.

As reindeer find their food in the snow using their nose, they must ensure that it is still sensitive; this is essential to ensure that that they do not eat something that could be bad for them. To make certain that their nose remains sensitive when rummaging through the snow, their bodies send extra blood to their lips and nose. This feature can give them the effect of a red nose.

The scientists were able to find out about the amount of blood vessels in the nose by placing reindeer on a treadmill.

They gave the reindeer cocaine, which is a vasoconstrictor, this would have made the blood vessels in the body narrower therefore pushing blood to the areas where there is a dense network of blood vessels, and then using intraviral video microscopes they were able to take images of the blood vessel networks in the nose.

When studied they found that Reindeer noses have 25% more blood vessels than a human nose; this allows more blood to go to their nose giving them a red toned nose.

The researchers also found that the reindeer noses were especially red during the winter when the snow is at its coldest,

the reindeer pumping blood 3 times faster than usual to ensure their noses remain warm. The research group led by Professor Kroger, next want to study other animals noses including dogs.

Dogs have evolved their cold noses but have more effective sense receptors than reindeer. The team now want to know whether there is a more important reason than just the cold for why Rudolph’s nose is red.

Creature Feature: Reindeer

Rachel Taylor Sci & Tech Editor

The animal most associated with Christmas, as voted for in our online poll, is the Reindeer. Reindeer and Caribou are actually the same thing with many separating the naming of Reindeer as those that live in colder climates, such as Lapland!

Reindeer grow to a height of around 85 -150 cm and can weigh between 80 -120 kg in females to 160 - 180 kg in males. This is the only distinguishable difference in gender as many females grow antlers too, however, males lose their antlers in the winter or spring and females lose theirs in the summer, so look out and see if you can tell the difference! Reindeer can also run at an amazing speed of 60 to 80 km/h and can outcompete any other land animal with their energy efficiency.

University College London researchers have recently discovered that reindeer are the only mammals that can see ultraviolet light, meaning that reindeer can

see 80 nm of wavelength higher on the spectrum than humans! This helps reindeer see things that glow white in the Arctic that would otherwise be camouflaged and missed by other species.

Not only are their noses specially adapted for the cold, as seen in Amy Thompson’s ‘Red Nosed’, but their fur also traps air which provides the creatures with great insulation to their body.

This feature also keeps them buoyant in water which is greatly important to pass massive spans of water during migration.

The poem ‘A Visit from Saint Nicholas’

by Clement C. Moore, which first introduced the world to reindeer pulling a sleigh, describes the creatures as “tiny”, leading many to believe that Santa’s reindeer are from Norway’s Svalbard island.

On this island appear a subspecies of reindeer, with a very complicated name (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus), that weigh only half as much as an average reindeer and are a foot shorter in length.

These features would do well in landing softly on rooves and hiding from excited children! This Christmas, watch out for the different kinds of reindeer about!

22 5th December 2014 - 22nd January 2015

redbrick.me/culture

Culture

Dancing with the Enemy: Review Andrea Giannini Critic

to see what happens when Logan gets there. There might have been one or two points in the story that were a little slow, but the rest of the novel more than makes up for them.

The action is also intense and exciting. There are numerous gun fights, fist fights, car chases, torture scenes and rescue missions to keep the reader fully engrossed. One of the best scenes is when Logan is in a car with FBI agent

@Andrea_Lynn_G

Dance with the Enemy, Rob Sinclair’s first novel, is a thriller which follows the story of secret agent, Carl Logan, the type of agent to get jobs done no matter what it takes. This novel follows Logan through a case that is tangled in a web of lies as he tries to uncover what is really going on. Dance with the Enemy has many intriguing qualities, including the plot, action, and character development, making this thriller an excellent read.

"The action is intense and exciting... which keeps the reader fully engrossed."

"One of the best things about this story is Carl Logan, who is not the typical hardened secret agent."

Grainger, and they are trying to escape from the French police. There is gun fighting involved as well, making the car chase even more intense. I will say that this novel does almost read more like an action movie, but somehow it still works. This is probably because of the detail Sinclair uses to describe the scenes, which help the reader visualise everything.

The end comes a little out of nowhere, and what happens is definitely unexpected. I definitely do not like it, but I also do not hate it. Without giving anything away, it just seems a little unbelievable that things turn out the way they do, and it is pretty disappointing, especially for Logan. However, it does make me look forward to reading what happens in the

Dance with the Enemy picks up after Logan has been on a break from service due to a terrible incident on the job: he had been captured and tortured by a violent terrorist. When his boss calls him back in to locate the kidnapped American Attorney General, Logan tries to use this job to prove himself again. Although he was once cold and emotionless, Logan now has to deal with new feelings and also with the news that the same terrorist who nearly destroyed him is connected to the kidnapping. This job becomes about revenge, which leads to Logan leaving even more destruction in his wake on his journey to the truth.

"The torture scenes definitely add to the story for the readers, helping them understand what Logan had gone through..."

One of the best things about this novel is its protagonist.

Carl Logan is not the typical hardened secret agent. At one point he might have been, but after the traumatizing events that happen to him, it becomes clear that there are deeper emotional levels to Logan as well. He develops feelings and is on the path to becoming “normal.” He feels emotions of betrayal and even love, something he has never felt before.

The character development of Logan is well written, and the reader can see the gradual changes as he becomes more open and in tune with his emotions. This character development is something that makes this novel great and sets it apart from

"The end comes a little out of nowhere, and what happens is definitely unexpected. I definitely don't like it..." other thrillers.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the violent terrorist Selim is plain and simply bad. He is an excellent villain and someone to hate. He tortures people for no reason other than the fact that he likes it, and his forms of torture are just brutal. The torture scenes definitely add to the story for readers, helping them understand what Logan had gone through at Selim’s hands, and to encourage them to root for Logan to find him and get revenge.

The plot is fast paced and full of action, making it hard to put the book down. Indeed, there is no good point to do so because for the most part, the end of one chapter leads into more action in the next. For example, one minute you are finding out where the attorney general is being held, then the chapter ends and you cannot help but keep reading

Birmingham's Poetry Front Dean Eastmond Critic

@deanvictorr

When the spaces between words are as powerful as the words themselves, you know that you are at a poetry open mic evening. I was invited to my first open-mic event by Beatfreeks, a social enterprise using arts as a tool for social development. Being an aspiring poet myself, spoken word artists and poets have always struck me as fascinating, so the idea of the event was somewhat overwhelming.

"Never in my life have I been in a room filled with so much electricity, emotion and talent."

Titled “Level Up”, this open mic night, held at Birmingham’s very own Repertory Theatre (the REP, connected to the main library), slots nine open mic performances, an upcoming local talent and an established poet in the space of two hours with an abundance of audience engagement.

Being my first spoken word event, described as my “poetry virginity” by one of the facilitators, I had no idea what to expect, what the norms for these events were and what I was supposed to do. Helpful, right?

Never in my life have I been in a room filled with so much electricity, emotion and talent. The majority of the audience were between the ages of 18-25, which was surprising. Usually when poetry in “real life” (outside of tedious GCSE lessons) is talked about, most people shrug it off in waves of “middle aged feminists” and tired English teachers. This poses as an extremely unfair and misconstrued representation on the poetry scene in Birmingham.

From university students to young professionals, the REP was packed with aspiring poets who clearly thrive off each other’s energy.

next books, though I have a feeling it will not be too happy.

With writing technicalities in mind, this book could have been written a little better, but I have a feeling that Sinclair has started to master his craft and we can expect even more from his next books. Regardless of this and the slightly unfortunate ending, this novel tells an excellent and action packed story that is hard to put down. For a first novel, Sinclair does a brilliant job, and even if thrillers are not your usual type of genre, it’s well worth the read.

Dance with the Enemy is available to buy now in paperback and eBook formats from all good online retailers and bookstores. The highly anticipated sequel Rise of the Enemy is due to be released in April 2015.

Check out Andrea's interview with Rob Sinclair at: redbrick.me/culture

Culture on the Go Instagram: beautifulbooze Natalie Migliarini is a lover of all occasions that begin and end with beautiful Cocktails, Beer, and Wine! Follow her for some amazing cocktail ideas and for some fantastic photos, guaranteed to brighten a miserable winter day in Birmingham!

redbrick.me/culture

5th December 2014 - 22nd January 2015

23

Crescent Theatre: Taking a look at some of the productions over the last month Theatre in Focus: King Lear Shakespeare lovers will be disappointed according to Hugh Hammond King Lear is a particularly difficult play to perform due to the flaws that are found in the text. George Orwell said that “it is too-drawn out with far too many subplots” and this is true. The play has pages and pages of characters merely soliloquising with very little forward momentum. The play requires an absolutely stellar cast in order to succeed and, unfortunately, this production fails rather heavily.

"...if you're looking for something to draw you into the world of Shakespeare, look elsewhere."

None of the cast are bad, just average and uninspired – as is the whole production really. Nearly every single cast member gives a decent performance that is functional but there is rarely any flair or originality in the performances that grabs your attention. I say rarely because there are a number of exceptions to this rule, namely excellent performances from The Fool, Edgar and especially Kent, who give energetic and layered interpretations of their characters.

But what of Lear? The title character is the key to the play – with a good Lear, an otherwise average play can be saved from mediocrity. Again, this does not occur here. As nearly everything else, Lear is average. He gives his long speeches in an unsurprising manner, only rarely adding particularly noteworthy variations on the famous lines.

As for the direction, it is very inconsistent. The director spends most of the production with a very traditional version of the play which is perfectly fine when executed well, however, occasionally there will be weird moments that jar with the rest of the play and feel odd. The biggest offender is the end of the play, when

The Judas Kiss A 'Wilde' performance from a moving cast, but was it worth seeing?

Ciaran Allanson-Campbell Critic

The Judas Kiss is a play about the lead up to and aftermath of Oscar Wilde's time in prison. The Crescent describes the story as having a “Burning sense of outrage”, and whilst it is a solid performance, it is not one of their strongest; simmers rather than burns.

On the eve of his arrest for homosexual acts, Wilde (David R. Leonard) is counselled by his friends, who wish to avoid his impending incarceration; yet he promptly ignores their advice in favour of keeping his own moral code. Two years later, in Italy, he is again faced with a dilemma and again, much to the irritation of those around him, he ignores their counsel. In plays based on history, character development is not always necessary, and in this case Wilde doesn't really change. Throughout, he is gently-spoken yet infuriating, and intelligent yet slightly foolish, a balance which Leonard sustains successfully with ease.

Though Wilde is at the centre of events, he does not dominate them, or even attempt to. Whether or not this is intentional remains unclear, as it certainly feels that his choices should be centre stage, but at the same time it shows the futility of his dilemma – forsake who he is or be punished by the world. Additionally, it allows other characters to dominate: notably Wilde's friend and lover, Bosie (James David Knapp), and his former lover, who may

even be a voice of reason, Robert Ross (Peter Neenan), both of whom not only embody the mannerisms of young, secretly homosexual men in the 19th century, but also go through well paced interactions, and subsequence aggravations, with Wilde.

In fact, there is no weak link whatsoever in the cast: Though fleeting in their roles, even the serving staff (Rachel Cooper, Damien Dickens and Andrew Lowrie) make a positive effect on stage. Where this performance is weakened, however, is an overall lack of drive. There are lynch mobs suggested, and utter poverty implied in some places, but there is never a sense of urgency.

Considering at one point Wilde is given five minutes to escape London, this really should come across.

Instead, arguments seem to spring from calm and complicated conversations with little provocation, which is a little jarring to watch and, particularly since the Crescent have evidently aimed to portray this in a realistic manner, it is a bit disappointing. There is also full frontal nudity in this play, which is apparently there to increase realism. It is not excessive, although it may be unnecessary.

Such points are distractions, however; The Crescent have succeeded in producing a challenging play at a professional level. It is not one to go out of your way to see, but if you are in Centenary Square at 19:30 in post-German-Market haze, The Crescent is a mere 5 minute walk away, and this is a solid performance. Furthermore, it raises a question – did Wilde make the right choices?

suddenly the entire cast joins in for Albany’s final speech. It feels weird, as this mode appears out of nowhere. If this had been foregrounded and used as a dramatic technique earlier in the play, perhaps it would work; but here it felt out of place.

On the positive side, there is some great costume work, with Cordelia’s costume in the final acts of the play looking particularly effective. The direction was also serviceable during some of the more chaotic scenes, especially the opening of the second part of the performance with an excellent rendition of Edgar, The Fool and Lear in the cave.

Overall, the play was not bad; but it was just not something that is going to particularly affect you. It was a perfectly acceptable way to spend the night, but if you are looking for something to draw you into the world of Shakespeare, look elsewhere.

Look out for these future productions at the Crescent Theatre: A Christmas Wassail 2014

14-16th Dec.

Rent

2-4 Jan.

Private Peaceful

6-10 Jan.

Peter Pan The Panto

23-24 Jan.

The Tempest

28 Feb. - 14 Mar.

24

redbrick.me/food

5th December 2014 - 22nd January 2015

Food

Scandinavian Advent Cake Recipe

Vodka Versus Whisky

Jennifer Cook

Rebekah Coates

Food Writer

Food Writer

To get you into the spirit of all things Christmas-oriented try this simple yet comforting fruity Advent cake. A homemade alternative to supermarket winter treats.

It was announced this year that vodka will overtake whiskey as the most popular spirit in the UK. For students, this may not be that shocking. When you finally crawl out of bed the morning after the night before, you are usually greeted by many empty Glens’ and lemonade bottles all over the kitchen floor, and possibly the odd Jack Daniels bottle still half full hidden in the corner. So it is with joy we see the staple of a student diet become the nation’s favourite too: our beloved vodka.

Ingredients: 100 g butter 100 g brown sugar 240 g plain flour 2 eggs 250 ml sour cream 2 g baking powder 2 g bicarbonate of soda 80 g desiccated coconut 60 g raisins 60 g cashew nuts Method: •Grease and line a loaf tin and preheat the oven to 175c •Beat the butter and sugar together in a bowl until pale and fluffy •Mix in the eggs •Combine the flour with the baking powder and bicarbonate of soda and then fold in this into the butter mixture with a metal spoon (as to avoid knocking the air out of the mixture) •Add the remaining ingredients: sour cream, coconut and raisins •Carefully pour the mixture into your greased

tin and sprinkle with the cashew nuts •Bake for approximately 45 minutes until golden brown •Leave to cool in the tin before removing and eating!

This particular cake is somewhat a recreation of the traditional world-famous German Christmas cake Stollen, usually eaten over the advent period. Though considered a cake Stollen is actually more bread-like in

texture and consistency. For Stollen and cake lovers alike, this recipe incorporates all the sugary, fruity flavours of a Stollen in the form of a light loaf cake; Saving you both the time and hassle of the usual bread-making process. What's great about this seasonal cake is that you can make a variety of ingredient additions or substitutions as you please: think warming spices, orange zest for a hint of sharpness or even a drizzle of rum if you're feeling adventurous!

Good Home Cooking

Cheeky Chocolate Trickery

Safiyyah Gareeboo

One of our readers, George Adye, sent in this photo of the expiry date on his advent calender. Unsurprisingly, the manufacturers have been pretty cheeky and set the date as the 30th November-just one day before advent of next year. By doing this they've cleverly tried to stop people from stocking up in the sales for next Christmas, but luckily we all know that the chocolate is so full of sugar and preservatives that it's likely to last well into the next century.

Redbrick does not, however, condone stockpiling chocolate for next year. It's much more fun to gorge on it all through January!

Food Editor

For those of you who miss coming home after a hard day’s work to the smell of your mum’s homemade cooking, a solution may closer than you think. Local entrepreneur Umar Bader is ready to help out. With a selection of Pakistani, Jamaican and English menus on offer, #MOMS delivers quality takeaways each week that are made by reallife mums of that culture.

As a team we sampled a range of meals from the three menus; I chose the hot hot potato, which certainly lived up to i’s name and was just the right amount of spicy.

Whist this and the other vegetarian meal that I sampled were brilliant, it was a shame that the set menus consisted of a mix of vegetarian and meat options. Whilst this would have been exactly what I wanted when I did eat meat, currently it would put me off a little as it would mean that I would have limited options and most likely would not be able to eat all five meals. I also found the idea of having five rice-based meals a week, as is the case with every menu, a little offputting. However for those who are more keen on rice, all the meals we sampled were very filling and just the right portion size.

The rest of the team sampled Jamaican ‘Brown Down’ and Pakistani ‘Karahi Chicken’, which were similarly spicy. For our online editor, this was almost too spicy, but still enjoyable. In all three menus there are a selection of meat dishes as well as one or two vegetarian options, so aside from the rice there is a good variety.

Each meal was individually packaged in a foild takeaway box with cardboard top, that could be easily stored in the fridge or even frozen. We all felt that presentation

could have been improved slightly, as the packaging means that it gets a little squashed, but as opposed to the common student microwave meal the look was certainly better!

Personally, I feel like the meal options would be too repeptetive to have to myself, but I'd definitely consider ordering a week's worth of food with a few friends and splitting it between us. The low cost makes it comparatively cheaper than ordering a takeaway, and regular Monday deliveries could quickly become a group tradition!

All in all we thought that this was a great concept, and would especially appeal to

Send in your own advent expiry dates to @redbrickfood to be in for a chance of winning a post-Christmas advent calendar in January!

Bacofoil Student Cook of the Year Competition

those who are already familiar with Pakistani or Jamaican food but don’t have the time or resources to prepare it themselves. At £10 a week it also seems economical, and would be ideal for particularly stressful weeks where it’d be reassuring to have food ready for dinner each evening. #MOMS are also offering Redbrick readers a special introductory offer of a free meal if you order for a week, or a week free if you order for a month. That means you could get a month’s worth of dinners for just £30, coming to just £1.50 per meal!

For more information follow #MOMSGHC on Twitter and Facebook.

Until the 31st December 2014, foodie students can enter the competition by posting a picture on Twitter or Facebook of a dish they have created, along with its name and the hashtag #BacofoilStudentCook. Entries will be judged on their presentation skills and the creativity of the dish’s name.

Once the finalists have been selected they will be invited to the final cook off, a high-pressure culinary contest at Cactus Kitchen in London, in which they will need to prepare a dish for the panel of judges.

This year’s judges are celebrity chef and author Sam Stern, Masterchef Winner Steven Wallis, Bacofoil Marketing Manager Melissa Dickinson and Lulu Grimes, Deputy Editor at Olive Magazine.

The winning cook will receive £1,000 worth of groceries.

Entrants can be of any age but must be currently studying at a UK university and have no [rofessional cooking experience.

For more information go to www.bacofoil.co.uk or email: student.cook@bacofoil.co.uk

redbrick.me/food

5th December 2014 - 22nd January 2015

25

Recipe of the Fortnight: Strawberry Shortbread Stars Take a look at our recipes on www.redbrick.me/food/recipes

A Year In Review

As we come to end of 2014, the Food team reflect on our favourite "foodie moments" Rosie Twells 2014 has been a great year for food with a plethora of big stories grabbing the headlines and my favourite moment for this year is no exception. The Man vs. Food craze appears to have made its way across the Atlantic and landed in the UK in the form of

By far my favourite 'foodie moment' had to be visiting my first Parisian restaurant. As expected, there were no vegetarian options, and so I found myself ordering a tuna steak with white chocolate sauce-unusual but divine! For dessert I had more chocolate (and less carnivourous guilt!) in the form of a poached pear with brownies, chocolate sauce and Chantilly cream. The memory alone makes me want to jump back onto a Eurostar train, but the cost of the meal means it'll be a while yet before I can afford to!

Sarah Dickinson

a double doughnut burger. Two beef burgers topped with melted cheese, smoked streaky bacon rashers and BBQ sauce, sandwiched between two grilled, glazed ring doughnuts can be found at your nearest Hungry Horse restaurant. Although this might look like a tempting treat to some, others have labelled the product ‘a heart attack on a plate’. Whether you think this is food heaven or food hell, the new addition to the Hungry Horse menu surely asks if we have gone too far this time with food creations?

This year so far I’ve tasted many great dishes and had a few kitchen blunders I’m sure as any enthusiastic cook has. However, without a doubt some of the best food I’ve eaten this year would have to have been during my summer holiday in America. Within a cute and cosy family style restaurant in Massachusetts was where I first came across ‘Turtle Cheesecake’. If you are American

"The yummy combination of a chocolate biscuit based vanilla cheesecake topped off with a gooey caramel layer and sprinkled with pecans" pecans. Although, it was well worth ordering I couldn’t have finished it all myself if not for the assistance of my similarly sweetloving sister. I do believe at some point I will attempt to recreate my own homemade version, though I think it may not beat my first taste experience of this delicious dessert.

Farzana Miah One of my favourite bakes of 2014 was this banana sesame nut cookie tower, made using my new best friend and highly recommended sugar alternative, Xylitol, which provides great health benefits for your teeth

Jennifer Cook When asked to write about my ‘food moment of the year’ I struggled at first to recall a meal that had been especially memorable.

At least that was the case until I discovered the record of shameless ‘food selfies’ I had been harbouring on my phone. Unbeknownst to me, I had been carefully documenting some of the best, most interesting, meals I had eaten throughout this year. After disregarding some of the more questionable food photos, such as a tomato with a winky face, I stumbled upon a photo worthy of my attention. Earlier this year, I visited my sister in Paris and she kindly treated me to an evening out for my birthday. We sampled a delicious, if not somewhat indulgent, dégustation menu...after all, when in Rome! The picture below is just one of the five courses I sampled.

Safiyyah Gareeboo This year I went to Paris for the first time, to visit a friend who's on their year abroad, and aside from the prospect of meeting friends, seeing tourist attractions and practicing my french, the thing I was looking forward to most was the food!

It certainly did not dissappoint; even basic supermarket food was much better than what we get here, and the prospect of trips to the patisserie for breakfast made waking up in the mornings much easier.

you might be familiar with this dish, though being British I had no clue what the dessert consisted of, besides cheesecake of course. I did briefly have the ridiculous notion that Turtle was the main ingredient! (Well why else would they give it that name!). As it turned out, the cheesecake was absolute perfection, no turtles in sight only the yummy combination of a chocolate biscuit based vanilla cheesecake topped off with a gooey caramel layer and sprinkled with

and the cookies still taste delicious!

I also had the oportunity to work at the Good Food Show this year, where I sampled plenty of delicious treats such as these creme brulee brownies; the epitome of when two great foods become one!

Wheatgrass: Health Lover's Best Friend of Just Plain Grosss?

The Hidden Secrets In Food

Olivia Hyde

Sarah Dickinson

Food Writer

If you haven’t tried making your own detox juice or even seen the pictures of our favourite celebrities sipping on them then you surely must have been living in a cave.

The green-juice hype is living on amongst health-fanatics, and has even made a significant appearance across the pond here in the UK after its popularity grew in America.

Now there’s a new not-so-secret ingredient that’s going into green-juice and promises unbelievable health-benefits: Wheatgrass. Over the last year, this little green gem has become the new must-have ingredient for any detox or healthy juice.

Hippocrates website calls wheatgrass juice “nature’s finest medicine”. Two ounces of wheatgrass juice promises the nutritional

benefits of five pounds of raw organic vegetables in one quick drink. Not only this, but it is a complete source of protein to supply us with the essential amino acids we need.

But, and it’s a big but, what does it taste like? Well, like all green-juices, they may make you look like a fitness-loving, healthconscious, gym-bunny, but in reality it’s often difficult to get around the fact that you’re drinking vegetables.

I’ve tried Innocent’s own version of a wheatgrass smoothie, labelled Antioxidants, and I actually genuinely like it. Now, I admit that Innocent pack a lot of fruit into their smoothies to hide the leafy taste but, hey, as long as it’s not sugar and I’m getting the nutritional wheatgrass I’m promised then I’m willing to go with it.

Food Editor

It might have come to your attention fairly recently that health experts have voiced concern over high levels of the chemical Arsenic found in a variety of everyday foods containing rice. According to research reports, many of Britain’s popular staplebuy food products including cereals such as Nestle Cheerios as well as many baby foods and rice itself contain alarmingly high levels of Inorganic Arsenic even beyond the EU proposed health limits.

"many popular food products contain alarmingly high levels of inorganic Arsenic" Although experts have stated that brief or limited exposure to Inorganic Arsenic may not be harmful, consumption of such foods over a long period of time could have strong consequences for health including an increased risk of heart disease. For babies in particular this could be an even more serious issue as a majority of supermarket food products catered towards young ones at the weaning stage consist of some rice-related substance. This also could have a big impact

on us students if we consider the vast number of us that rely on many of these food products such as cereals, snacks and rice in our daily eating routine. At this point however, experts have not explicitly stated that people should stop eating these products altogether just to be wary of how we eat or cook some of these specific foods and how much we are eating over time.

26 5th December 2014 - 22nd January 2015

redbrick.me/television

Television Seasonal Specials and Festive Fables: The BBC’s Christmas Line-Up 'Tis the season to eat lots of mince pies while vegged out in front of the Television. TV writer William Blanchard tells us the highlights we can expect on BBC this festive season.

Nobody has ever remarked that of all the myriad traditions associated with Christmas, the sudden deluge of festive programming and celebrity frivolity that floods the airwaves is their favourite. It’s not hard to see why either; wheeling out our favourite shows year after year adorned with funny hats and a thick coat of unearned sentiment operates fully within the laws of diminishing returns. Danny Cohen, Director of Television at the BBC, would ask you suspend your cynicism though as he proudly declared this year’s line-up to be one of the BBC’s finest yet, complete with ‘worldclass talent’ and ‘fantastic storytelling’.

While the latter claim is certainly difficult to judge at this stage, the BBC can certainly deliver with the former. Sure to be a family favourite, veteran actors Dustin Hoffman and Judi Dench bring Esio Trot, Roald Dahl’s beloved children’s book to the small screen while the equally prolific Michael Morpurgo’s On Angel Wings is adapted with the help of Michael Gambon and Juliet Stevenson. You can celebrate the life of the great Julie Walters with BAFTA as well as witness That Day We Sang, the musical by her long-time collaborator Victoria Wood set in Manchester, 1969.

Furthermore, you can have a front row seat to the Royal Ballet’s performance of The Winter’s Tale, an exciting new take on Shakespeare’s timeless tale of love and forgiveness.

"Wheeling out our favourite shows year after year... operates fully within the laws of diminishing returns" Returning favourites include Peter Capaldi’s refreshingly abrasive take on the Doctor as he comes face to face with Santa Claus (Nick Frost) in Doctor Who while in Albert Square, Mick launches a traditionally doomed gambit to make their first Christmas in the Queen Vic perfect. The ever popular Top Gear takes the boys and their banter to South America and fans of James May can follow him to another James May’s Toy Stories, in which he considers the (perhaps unfairly maligned)

Action Man. Of course, no BBC Christmas would be complete without the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special in which a host of reportedly memorable contestants, including Rachel Stevens and Chris Hollins, return for a pantomime themed show.

Also aiming to lift your spirits over the holiday are The Wrong Mans and Vic and Bob’s House of Fools, two brand new comedies which serve to bolster and embolden the BBC’s comedic slate that includes Christmas disasters for Mrs Brown’s Boys, Citizen Kahn and Cuckoo, romantic concerns for Lee Mack in Not Going Out as well as Miranda in the final two episodes of Minanda Hart’s well liked sitcom. Still Open All Hours rounds off the slate. For those who find the sitcom too rigid and insincere, there is a selection of alternate formats, including John Bishop’s Christmas Show, which takes the form of a West End Musical extravaganza or Michael McIntyre’s Very Christmassy Christmas Show, an informal exchange of seasonal stories between the comic and a host of celebrities. If all that wasn’t enough comedy, every one of your preferred panel shows will also feature a special episode, including: Would I Lie to You? Pointless Celebrities, QI, Mock the Week, Never Mind the Buzzcocks and Celebrity Mastermind.

On the subject of comic talent, Rick Mayall: Lord of Misrule is a poignant programme looking back at the life of the hugely influential comedian who graced many a sitcom with his unique, anarchic brand of humour including The Young Ones and Blackadder. In the wake of his unfortunate death, a number of celebrities such as Simon Pegg, Lenny Henry, Michael Palin and Ruby Wax reflect on the ways in which they were inspired by him.

For other, more upbeat, forays into the talents of our comics, families may wish to turn to The Incredible Adventures of Professor Branestawm to see Harry Hill in his acting debut or The Boy in the Dress, based on the book by David Walliams which tackles some difficult issues, rarely spoken of, in a sensitive and ultimately uplifting manner. Continuing the heartfelt theme, Storyville: Pantomime is a documentary that tells the story of a small community theatre’s struggles and eventual success at staging a performance of Puss in Boots. Mapp

and Lucia, based on the novels by the same name is also being adapted for television once again (channel 4 produced the previous series).

Christmas music lovers have a lot to look forward to with both Songs of Praise’s special ‘big Christmas sing’ at the Royal Albert Hall and Carols from King’s 60th anniversary. Fans of the show will be happy to see that this important milestone is being celebrated by a one off documentary that explores the show’s rich history. Even Call the Midwife is getting musical as Chummy and Trixie help put on the Sunday school Christmas concert. Gareth Malone is back too with a new series of The Choir: New Military Wives

"It does seem undeniable that the BBC have assembled a diverse array of programmes" The music doesn’t stop there though. Sir Tim Rice: A Life in Song explores the career of the legendary lyricist and Len Goodman expresses his love of Big Band in the appropriately titled Len Goodman’s Big Band Bonanza. Fellow dancer, international ballet star Carlos Acosta hosts a night of vibrant Cuban dance in Carlos Acosta’s Cuban Night and there’s a chance to see Kiss Me, Kate, one of the finest performances from this year’s Proms. The philharmonic orchestra also intend to dazzle with their traditional New Year’s Day from Vienna which features the work of a spectrum of talented composers including Johann Strauss and Hans Christian Lumbye.

Among the familiar faces revisiting our screens are Sumatran tiger cubs Spot and Stripe in the follow up documentary Tigers About the House - What Happened Next. Or you could get to know a very different animal in The Snow Wolf Family and Me. Perennial familiar face Bruce Forsyth will lend his talent to Bruce’s Hall of Fame alongside Jason Manford, Jon Culshaw, Ben Miller and even more guests as they put a spotlight on the people who inspired them.

Given this year by Professor Danielle George, the Royal Institution Christmas Lecture, Sparks will Fly: How to Hack your Home is likely to be just as fascinating.

As for the day in question, BBC One will be airing the The Christmas Morning Service live from St George’s Church. The night before, on Christmas Eve, BBC One will broadcast Midnight Mass live from Arundel Cathedral. Finally, New Year’s Day brings us The Archbishop of Canterbury’s New Year Message, as delivered by Justin Welby.

While I can’t say that much about Christmas television appeals to me, it does seem undeniable that at the very least the BBC have assembled a diverse array of programmes. There will assuredly be disappointments as well as unexpected delights, as is appropriate for the Christmas period, but given the wide range of options, there is likely a winner here for everyone.

Merry Christmas and happy programme hunting!

Best of the Rest ITV: Expect tears and ‘awww’’s all round

on ITV this Christmas. With a Surprise Surprise Christmas special, the festive charity marathon Text Santa and a festive edition of Paul O’Grady’s: For the Love of Dogs, we can all experience a bit of charity this Christmas at seeing hard-working people get a well-deserved treat and adorable puppies get a well-deserved home!

However, there will be drama aplenty with the Downton Abbey special, a tense festive version of The Cube, and Christmas Day’s episode of Coronation Street, which will surely see at least one character killed off in typical soap tradition.

Channel 4: Christmas will be more ‘black’ than white on Channel 4 this year with the return of Charlie Brooker’s dark drama Black Mirror. We can expect horror and mind-twisting plots in this latest series, promised to be the ‘nightmare before Christmas’ – if you want to take a break from all that festive cheer, this is the thing to watch.

The channel haven’t forgotten the laughs though: entertainment will be provided in the form of Come Dine With Me and the amazing Big Fat Quiz of the Year, which will grace our screens twice: with its’ annual festive edition and an anniversary edition too!

redbrick.me/television

5th December 2014 - 22nd January 2015

27

Christmas Quote of the Week: Nobody sums up Christmas quite like Homer Simpson: "Let's just say that on this day, a million years ago, a dude was born who most of us think was magic. But others don't . And that's cool. But we're probably right. Amen"

All-Time Top Christmas Picks

The Christmas period is known for bringing the ground-breaking and unforgettable TV moments. TV critics Olivia Tracey and Lucie Turner give us their favourite Christmas moments from festive TV past.

1. Drop the Dead Donkey Christmas Special 1991 Perhaps the most forgotten-about sitcom in British TV history and yet in my view one of the funniest, Drop the Dead Donkey was created by Outnumbered writers Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin and was set in a fictional TV newsroom. It managed to brilliantly combine both satire and traditional studio-sitcom laughs and its Christmas special 'The Christmas Party' was possibly the best episode out of all six series. Highlights included some festive insults of cabinet ministers, a much-regretted one-night stand and some hilarious drunken conversations.

The episode is available on 4oD. 2. Downton Abbey Christmas Special 2012 When this episode of Downton was first broadcast, it quickly became known as the TV show that ruined Christmas Day. The sudden death of Matthew Crawley after he’d witnessed the birth of his son caused several angry and distressed outbursts on Twitter. It provided a rather spectacular exit for actor Dan Stevens, who was leaving Downton to pursue other projects, and the shock was heightened by the unexpected end to the will-they-won’t-they storyline between him and Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) that had dominated the show since the first series.

While not exactly full of Christmas cheer, it was certainly a memorable end to Christmas Day. 3. Miranda Christmas Special 2010 People like to deride Miranda for being too silly but I’ve always been a huge advocate of silliness and in my opinion, it’s practi-

cally compulsory at Christmas. The 2010 special at the end of Series 2 was certainly very silly, with reindeer onesies, Christmas timetable charts and a brilliant go at delivery depot red-tape make this a wonderfully festive Christmas special. We also meet Miranda’s dad for the first time and find out where she got the genes for falling over in a comedic fashion.

4. Sherlock Series 3 2014 I realise that this isn’t strictly a Christmas special, but the first episode of Series 3 was broadcast on New Years Day so in my view counts as part of the Christmas TV scheduling. It was reported that more people tuned in to see how Sherlock survived his deathdefying fall from the roof of St Bart’s hospital in The Empty Hearse than did to the special 50th anniversary episode of Doctor Who. After The Reichenbach Fall had left us with such a huge cliff-hanger and with a two-year wait between the two episodes, it was easy to see why the audience ratings were so high. With a high-octane rush through London on a motorbike and some hilarious scenes between a reunited Sherlock and John, it was worth the wait.

5. The Snowman 1982 For me, Christmas just isn’t Christmas without Channel 4’s classic The Snowman based on Raymond Briggs’ magical book. I enjoyed the recent sequel The Snowman and the Snowdog, but the 1982 original will never be beaten, the beautiful animation and a swooping soundtrack featuring the chart-topping ‘Walking in the Air’ making a wonderful piece of traditional Christmas viewing.

by Olivia Tracey

1. The Gruffalo There’s something about the holiday season. Maybe it’s the unity of family and the reminiscing of Christmases gone by, but for some reason come Christmas day the wave of nostalgia that engulfs us all calls for some good old fashioned family animation. In 2009 The Gruffalo celebrated its tenth anniversary and in true Christmas spirit the BBC brought it to life. With an all-star cast featuring Robbie Coltrane, Helena Bonham Carter, and James Corden as the Mouse, this modern children’s classic sparkled onscreen. Even for the more mature audience, the Gruffalo ensures a few smiles and transports you straight back to your bedtime stories.

2. The Snowman and the Snowdog Following on in the theme of animation was the highly anticipated 2012 sequel to the 1982 masterpiece The Snowman. When you’re following what can be argued as the definitive Christmas film, you’ve got pretty big boots to fill. Some complained nothing could ever match the original) but I wholeheartedly disagree. It doesn't do a tremendous amount that the original didn't, but in the final scene where the Snowdog has been brought to life to replace the young boy’s recently deceased pet (a Christmas miracle!) the true essence of the Snowman hits hard. If this cycle of life display doesn’t make you tear up, then I can’t win with you, Ebenezer.

3. Friends: The One with the Holiday Armadillo Not technically a Christmas episode, but brilliant nonetheless. Who can forget the

image of Santa, Superman and the Holiday Armadillo sat round that iconic living room? As Ross tries to teach his son Ben about his Jewish heritage it teaches us the important message of getting back to our roots, but also he somehow winds up renting an Armadillo outfit to do so. My favourite part is where Superman flew all the Jews out of Egypt.

4. Doctor Who: Voyage of the Damned Titanic? In space? With Kylie as a waitress called Astrid? While this episode divided opinion, I feel this 2007 special really packed a punch. The digital effects, the writing, and the set-no expense seemed spared. It even provided us with one of the creepiest baddies of all Who-story; the Host. These halo-wielding angels used decapitation to take control of the floating Titanic starship, but with the help of a very Marilyn-esque Kylie, David Tennant triumphed once more (hurrah!). Russell T. Davies wrote this episode, bringing us delights such as Bannakaffalatta and aliens thinking Europeans go to war with Turkey every year. Brilliant.

5. The Office US: Christmas Special(s) If you aren’t familiar with The Office you should be. Arguably one of the best television series of the modern age, there are 9 Christmas specials from which to take your pick. My favourite is Moroccan Christmas, which sees the emergence of Princess Unicorn dolls (how have these not been made yet?), Meredith being kidnapped by Michael to go to rehab and the Angela/ Dwight secret finally being revealed.

by Lucie Turner

Inside the Twisted World of Psychobitches The Doctor Will See You Now: TV Critic Will Blanchard reviews the latest addition, Psychobitches, to arrive on Sky Arts It seems the case in comedy that women are often left wanting in thankless roles, always the voice of reason, and while a well-timed roll of the eyes or an exasperated riposte can be just as funny as a broader performance, it is less likely to be memorable. Furthermore, despite the fact that television is fit to burst with assorted groups of men (or at least heavily male dominated groups), representing a diverse array of comic styles, there are very few comedies that focus on a group of women. Of the few that are around, they leave something to be desired. This perhaps contributes to the reason that women have to tolerate the derisive view that ‘women aren’t funny’ or that comedy is a largely male pursuit. A view that Sky Arts’ Psychobitches sets apart dismantling with manic glee as it returns for its second season.

Directed by Jeremy Dyson, one of the writers of the classic dark comedy The League of Gentlemen, Psychobitches is a sketch show that acts as a fly on the wall of a therapist’s office as she attempts to help a parade of famous women from history, each one a playful exaggeration of their reputation. Paying heed to the old dictum ‘comedy is character’, Psychobitches quickly and deftly establishes the dynamic between patient and therapist, or patients and each other with a short introductory segment. The initial set up is well planned as it allows for a gathering of comedic momentum. Once we understand the central hook of a character, Dyson can freely and rapidly cut between them, in a pace that becomes ever more frenetic as the show continues. Dyson makes sure the entire context, no matter how simple, is grounded and clear in order that every quip and barb can land, something that can be difficult for comedy quite this quick.

Of course, the format is an especially good choice given the subject matter. If the

opening scenes are important for letting the audience develop a shorthand understanding of the character, then what better way to aid this process than by utilising historical (or mythical) figures? Tapping into a common font of knowledge to build understanding between the audience and the comic is a helpful strategy, although, it could feasibly backfire. While Psychobitches will never leave you confused as to the punchline of whatever gag they’re building towards, knowledge of the historical figure in question will allow you to better appreciate much of the humour. For example, the zeal in which Morgana Robinson enthuses about her geriatric sex life is funny by itself, but awareness of the controversy surrounding Anna Nicole Smith shades the sketch differently. The selection of women in this first episode is an interesting mix of well known, immediately recognisable faces and more obscure figures including the Mitford sisters and Wilson, Keppel and Betty meaning Psychobitches is a show that rewards knowl-

edge but avoids punishing ignorance too severely.

You could be forgiven for assuming that setting a sketch show like this in a therapist’s office would be limiting its comedic potential. However, constraints breed creativity and Dyson is clearly invested in stretching the fabric of his world as far as he can without letting it break. His camera occasionally withholds information to mine for humour, but largely this is an actor’s showcase. Thankfully, Psychobitches is wise enough to play some gags as wonderfully absurd and isn’t afraid to let its comic talent be silly which does much to mitigate the limited staging.

I mentioned earlier that the role of the straight man is thankless, but they are almost always necessary, especially when the rest of the cast is so broad. As such, Rebecca Front anchors the show as the therapist, perfectly capturing a sense of world weariness and frustration as she patiently tries to walk a patient through their

delusions. It may not be the most quotable performance, but if the role fails then the show would collapse under the weight of its own silliness and Front deserves credit for holding it all together. Her reserved nature allows other performers to stand out, such as Michelle Gomez, who apparently not content with stealing scenes in Doctor Who set out to steal much of this episode.

Her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher (introduced in the style of Hannibal Lecter in one of the episodes best uses of delayed information) is as cold as the sketch is scathing.

Gomez really makes the most out of selling hard objectivist philosophy with the air of a schoolteacher setting out the rules of her class. Other excellent performances are Kathy Burke and Reece Shearsmith as the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret, who strike up a rapport that is cruel and crude in equal measure. I didn’t think that every sketch landed, however, and felt that the scenes involving country singing icon Tammy Wynette were misjudged.

While not gut-bustingly hilarious, I was consistently entertained by Psychobitches and am glad that Sky Arts chose to bring it back despite low viewing figures as it suggests a commitment to smart, bold comedy and our current slate of female comedy is in need dire need of bolstering. Psychobitches revels in hiring talent and letting them loose and it’s refreshing to see women flex underused comedic muscles. I was impressed with the first episode and if Psychobitches continues to push boundaries and grow more daring, I’m sure the remaining episodes will be well worth tuning in for if the current state of comedy seems too safe for you.

Tweet us your opinions @RedbrickTV

28 5th December 2014 - 22nd January 2015

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Sport

National Badminton League comes to the university's Great Hall Sports Editor Alex Kronenberg reviews the Birmingham Lions match against the University of Nottingham in their second match of the National Badminton League Alex Kronenberg Sports Editor

The Birmingham Lions produced another sensational comeback in their second match night of the National Badminton League (NBL). It was familiar territory for the Lions, who also lost their first two matches against Team Derby in match night 1 of the NBL at the National Indoor Arena (NIA) back in October.

The matches took place in the university’s Great Hall and had been totally transformed for the occasion. It provided an intimate setting in a magnificent venue, more commonly associated with exams and graduation ceremonies rather than highspeed sporting events.

Having gone 2-0 down after defeats for Ben Beckman and Fontaine Chapman in the men’s and women’s singles matches, the pressure was on for mixed doubles pair Alyssa Lim and Nico Ruponen to claw back some pride. Defeat in the third match would have spelled victory for Nottingham overall, without giving the men’s and women’s doubles a chance to get on court.

The added pressure did not seem to have any effect on the duo, who confidently won the first two sets 9-5, 9-7 and successfully used their Power Play to win the second.

However, the Nottingham pair were clearly inspired following their narrow loss in the second set, taking the third 9-7 in another

"the iron-willed Lions pair cooly claimed the next four points, winning the first match of the evening for Birmingham" closely fought game. It looked as though the Lions were going to ease their way to victory in the fourth set, taking a 4-1 lead but again Nottingham were allowed to pull back, levelling the match 2-2. This meant that the new tiebreak ruling was to be used, with the fifth set being a best of five points, or the first to a three-point lead. Nottingham took the first point of the tiebreak, but the

"Hopton and Olver won a fantastic six consecutive points to put them 2-1 up in sets" iron-willed Lions pair cooly claimed the next four points, winning the first match of the evening for Birmingham. Ruponen’s roar after the final point epitomised the duo’s display of character and signalled the Lions’ delight at the potential fight back.

Next up was the women’s doubles match which saw an NBL debut for 17-year old Jess Hopton alongside Heather Olver. The pair raced into an early 7-3 lead but were pegged back 7-5 and looked to have lost

control of the set, before claiming it 9-6. An error-strewn start to the second set saw Nottingham eventually take it 9-7. At 3-3 in the third set and after a timeout, Hopton and Olver won a fantastic six consecutive points to put them 2-1 up in sets. The pair showed great team chemistry, despite it being the first time they had played together competi-

"Having gone 2-0 ... the pressure was on for mixed doubles pair Alyssa Lim and Nico Ruponen" tively, and went on to win the fourth set with a fitting smash from Olver after some good play at the net from Hopton. The crowd were getting increasingly emphatic and the volume levels were rising after every point won.

The Lions were now back at 2-2 overall and it was up to the men’s doubles pairing of Koen Ridder and Gary Fox to complete a magnificent triumph. The first set went 9-8 their way, after some early pressure from Nottingham who had looked the most likely to claim it. The Lions pounced on errors from the Notts pair, who lost their power play, and won the second set rather more comfortably, 9-5. Nottingham showed great resilience and ChrisAdcock, a Commonwealth games gold medalist, provided some tough competition for the Birmingham pair.

Somewhat against the run of play, Nottingham took the third set 9-4 and at this point the home crowd really turned up the volume and got behind the Lions. The encouragement clearly worked as the Lions took the first two points of the fourth set. An incredible moment of brilliance from Ridder saw him

Peter Saxon

"The encouragement clearly worked as the Lions took the first two points of the fourth set." return a shot with a flick of his racquet around his back, which was subsequently hit into the net by Nottingham, giving the Lions a 7-5 lead. Fox and Ridder then opted to use their Power Play, making it match point for Birmingham. However, it was stolen by Nottingham, making it 7-6. It was incredibly tense end to the set with the teams winning alternate points to take it to 8-7 and a second match point to Birmingham. Nottingham had pushed the Birmingham men’s doubles pair as far as they could, but a huge smash from Ridder was enough to seal the victory for the Lions, to a collective roar from the crowd and players.

For the second time in a row the Lions had done it the hard way, coming back from what seemed a certain defeat. The performances of the players in the final three matches really showed the strength of character of the Lions group as a whole and the badminton on display truly was of the highest order.

Peter Saxon

redbrick.me/sport

5th December 2014- 22nd January 2015

29

Derby Day Demolition sees 1st's Romp to Victory Alex Kronenberg Sports Editor

The second fixture of the season between the men’s football 1st and 2nd teams took place at the Tally Ho pitches in Edgbaston, a stone’s throw away from the famed cricket ground. The first encounter between the two was something of a fiery affair and saw a total of six yellow cards and one red card. It was the first league game of the campaign for both sides and there was certainly no love lost between them on that occasion. Thankfully, in the return fixture the majority of talking points revolved around some delightful periods of play and there was only one moment where tempers threatened to boil over.

The match took a while to settle down.

Right from the kick off both sides struggled to fully take a hold of possession and struggled to make any real chances, with both sets of centre-backs sweeping up attempted

"Brown's persistence was eventually rewarded as he earnt his side a penalty, after traumatising the left back again" through balls. This was summarised by a potential attack for the 1sts around the 5 minute mark, which fizzled out when teammates Will Richards and Jake Brown got in each others’ way. Brown was particularly lively in the opening 20 minutes, causing problems down the right wing. On 11 minutes he was denied by 2nd team goalkeeper Ben West after going through on goal having beaten the left back.

The 1st team’s front three of Brown on the right wing, Seb Bowerman on the left and Richards up top had started well, with some nice link up play together, but the 2nd team’s centre back pairing of Ibrahim

Men's Football 1st's

Birmingham 1sts

4

Birmingham 2nds

1

Jabbie and Max Pashley were equally adept to their early challenges. Brown’s persistence was eventually rewarded as he earnt his side a penalty, after traumatising the left

" A bad lunging tackle from Ben Sunderland could easily have seen the 1st team player sent off for a second time against the 2nd's" back yet again. The spot kick was dispatched by Seb Bowerman, who had missed his last, but this time struck it true into the roof of the net.

Shortly after the goal frustrations started to show the 2nds, who are still yet to win a game in the league. It seemed as though many 50/50 calls from the referee were going against them and they certainly let him know about it. However, despite going a goal down they were able to start creating some chances, mostly on the break when gifted possession. Some good play down the wing by Sam Compton who made his way into the box, was the brightest spell for the 2nds, but he was unable to find a teammate with the cutback. Another chance of note came when a 2nd team corner was cleared and hit on the volley with the goalkeeper Jonny Piggot out of position, but it whistled over the bar.

Thirty minutes into the game Ben Sunderland scored a fantastic goal for the 1sts which was somewhat out of the blue.

The tempo of the game had slowed, but after more effective play down the right,

involving Jake Brown and right back Callum White, Sunderland’s shot from the edge of the box flew into the top left corner, over the back-peddling West in goal.

As half time came, the 1sts arguably deserved their lead on balance of play, with the lion’s share of possession and creating greater quality chances.

After the restart, it was clear that the 2nds still felt they could get something out of the game and they so almost got off to the perfect start. A freekick from the left side of the pitch was floated in and after a tame clearance the chance fell for a 2nd team player to direct a header on target.

Unfortunately it was met by Alex Austin, with the left back having made his way back onto the line.

A bad lunging tackle from Ben Sunderland could easily have seen the 1st team player sent off for the second time against the 2nd XI. Born out of frustration, Sunderland reacted by diving in after losing possession on half way. The referee handled the situation well, booking Sunderland and using common sense to not send off the 2nd team player who was tackled, for his reaction.

Just as the 1st XI had in the first half, the 2nds were finding joy down the right wing. They were creating more quality chances and, but for a second goal-line clearance, they would have grabbed a deserved goal on 66 minutes.

But football can be a cruel game and two minutes later Will Richards put the first team three goals to the good. It was a somewhat scrappy goal, with Richards controlling the ball from a freekick in the middle of the area, but he maintained his composure to slot past the keeper through a melee of players.

The 2nds could consider themselves extremely unlucky not to have scored themselves, although it would also have been difficult to argue against the 1sts deserving their lead. Moments after almost conceding

a fourth, the seconds eventually got their goal, which came through a sloppy spell from the 1sts. They lost the ball cheaply in their defensive third and Kev Morjaria, who had pushed forward, was able to slot home for the 2nds with less than 20 minutes left to play.

Following the goal for the 2nds, the 1sts appeared to step up their game again and showed the quality of football they are capable of playing with more flowing football down the right. The link up play between Jake Brown and Callum White was certainly the highlight of the 1st team’s game.

There was time for one more goal as Luke Barrow, who replaced Richards, capitalised on a mistake from the otherwise strong Pashley who stuttered in possession and was robbed of the ball. Barrow still had

"For the 1st's this result means they are still in contention for the title despite a slow start to the season" a lot to do as Pashley seemed to have recovered well, but as he cut inside he struck his shot early and beat West before he had a chance to react.

The game was over, but despite conceding four the scoreline was definitely not a reflection upon the performance of the 2nd team. Rather, it emphasized the clinical nature of the 1sts, which had been missing in previous games. It is clear that both sides are capable of producing good football, but this was simply a case of the stronger side prospering. If the 2nds can continue to play in the same spirit after the christmas break, but improve their chance conversion, they are sure to start picking up points soon. For the 1sts, this result means they are still in contention for the title despite a slow start to the season.

Loughborough pile on misery for Women's 1st's Sam Harrison Sports Reporter

In a performance that left much to be desired, the Birmingham Women’s 1st XV were beaten by the heavy margin of 75-5.

Loughborough opened up the scoring immediately from the kick-off, when a break up the middle of the field put them in an excellent terrortorial position. With the the move finishing off in the right hand corner. However, unlike previous fixtures, the Birmingham players did not let the game get out of hand before putting up points, as a knock on at a lineout gave them possession on the Loughborough 22 metre line. In the broken play that followed, the outside centre broke a couple of tackles and raced under the posts to level the score at 5 apiece.

After that, however, the game was

entirely one-sided in favour of Loughborough. Three tries in a short amount of time put Loughborough 20-5 ahead. The first of these came after they stole a scrum five metres from the Birmingham line, and this was swiftly followed by another in

" The outside centre then scored her second of the afternoon, as she finished off a good move that saw good handling in the back open play. The third came after a period of sustained pressure. Minutes later this lead was extended again, as a series of Birmingham mistakes pinned them back deep in their own half, leading to another score.

The half time score was 37-5, with Loughborough leading at the interval. The

two additional scores before half time came back to back, initially with a set piece move from the scrum, which created an overlap that allowed the left winger to score in the corner. From the restart, the outside centre broke up the left touchline, before cutting back inside to score under the posts, Loughborough’s sixth try of the half.

Very quickly into the second half, Loughborough’s lead was extended, through aggressive defending from the get go, and a turnover at the scrum. The outside centre then scored her second of the afternoon, as she finished off a good move that saw a stolen lineout and good handling in the back line. The centre then scored her third, as she was able to run to the corner following another turnover in Birmingham territory.

There were three more scores, as Loughborough padded the result. They scored between the uprights off a quickly taken penalty, and then again following a

"Loughborough dominated the scrum from start to finish and were on top of the line out for long periods" scrum in midfield. The final score of the game was credited to the outside centre again, scoring under the posts at the full time whistle.

This is not the first time this season that Birmingham have suffered a heavy defeat, and I doubt it will be the last. Though there were promising signs in this one. It was a team that had bright ideas but lacked execution in all aspects of the game.

Loughborough dominated the scrum from start to finish, and were on top of the line out for long periods. There were again too many dropped passes from Birmingham, who lacked clinicality throughout.

30 5th December 2014 - 22nd January 2015

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Sport

Lack of Clinicality Costs Brum Victory Sports Editor Will Robey watched as the women's football 1st XI missed out on victory thanks to a late Loughborough freekick Will Robey

Women's Football 1sts

Sports Editor

Birmingham 1sts

1

Birmingham Women's 1sts' charge towards the top of the table was halted as a resilient Loughborough held on to claim a much needed point away from home. This was a game in which Birmingham should have won. They dominated possession throughout the first-half but failed to convert their dominance into goal scoring opportunities throughout most of the first half. Some good build up play saw midfielder Mannion feed a great ball into striker Francis, who forced the keeper into a save at her near post. Whilst it was a half that lacked many clear cut chances, it certainly did not lack intensity. Both sides made strong challenges as the foul count began to increase. Loughborough were on the back foot for most of the half, having only the occasional opportunity to move into Birmingham's territory. Despite not posing much of a threat in attack, Loughborough managed to keep their defensive shape, ensuring that Birmingham's Alex Francis was to have a tough afternoon upfront. Loughborough did win a free-kick deep inside Birmingham's half, but the effort was a

Loughborough 1sts

1

"Both sides made strong challenges as the foul count began to increase" tame one, falling short of the six yard box before rolling slowly into the keepers arms.

Birmingham took the lead 5 minutes before half-time after some excellent play

down the right-hand-side from Laura Cooper, producing a fine cross for midfielder Alison Hall to score with a thumping header. At half-time, Birmingham would have been disappointed not to have been further in front considering the dominance they had shown throughout the half. Manager Gemma Davies would have no doubt reminded her side that they needed to be wary of Loughborough's counter-attacking threat. The second-half

"At half-time Birmingham would have been disappointed not to have been further in front considering the dominance they had shown throughout the half" began as the first half had ended, with Birmingham playing an attractive brand of passing football, to which Loughborough struggled to counteract with much needed intensity.

Alison Hall had the opportunity to double her goal tally in the 55th minute, ghosting in from midfield to meet another Laura Cooper cross. The midfielder should have done better with the time and space she had but headed wide from the edge of the six-yard box. Some good combination play, 10 minutes later, led to a driven shot

which the keeper could only parry into the path of onrushing striker Alex Francis.

However she was denied her first, and Birmingham's second goal of the afternoon by a good defensive block on the line, with the ball going out for a corner.

The resulting corner came to very little, avoiding everybody in the box and eventually rolling out for a goal-kick to Loughborough.

"Alison Hall had the opportunity to double her goal tally in the 55th minute" There was a short stoppage in play, as Loughborough's keeper punched the ball clear, following through with her fist, striking a Birmingham player. Shortly after the play resumed, Birmingham's dominance began to fade momentarily, as Loughborough looked to find an equaliser.

A shoulder barge from Birmingham's Alex Francis resulted in the referee awarding a free-kick to Loughborough, 35 yards out.

The decision seemed incredibly harsh and was met with a chorus of disapproval from the Birmingham coaching staff. Despite the controversial decision to award the free-kick, nothing can be taken away from the free-kick taker, who hit a sensational strike past Goalkeeper Amy Edwards, who stood rooted to the spot. Davies was furious with the referee, the score was now 1-1, and Birmingham were left reeling for not being more clinical.

The game had a great intensity to it throughout, and this showed no sign of fading as the game headed into its closing stages. Defensive midfielder Aiofe Mannion produced a stunning effort from 4o yards, turning a defender and unleash-

"The game had a great intensity to it throughout, and this showed no sign of fading as the game headed into its closing stages" ing a vicious drive, which dipped and swerved towards the keeper, forcing her into making a stunning finger tip save to keep her team level. Mannion's performance was exceptional. so assured in possession, she was at the heart of all her team did and her dogged and determined attitude certainly resonated with her teammates, who throve off of the England Under 23 international's robust style of play.

Birmingham continued to apply pressure deep into stoppage time, but could not find a way through Loughborough's defence for the second time. Speaking after the full time whistle Manager Gemma Davies said she was 'devastated' that her side failed to come away with the victory; 'We were outstanding for 90 minutes and fully deserved the victory'. When asked about Mannion's sensational performance at the heart of their midfield, Davies hailed the midfield enforcer: '(Sighs) She is just outstanding isn't she. Luckily she is a fresher too so we will have her with us for at least 3 years, but yes she is a very special talent indeed.'

The Lions missed the chance to move to 3 points off of Leeds Beckett in 2nd place, following the 1-1 draw.

Loughborough remain 3 points behind Birmingham and will be looking to improve many aspects of their game for their next fixture.

"In total, the referee dished out six yellow cards, and there were many fouls that, on another day, could have warranted further punishment"

Peter Saxon

redbrick.me/sport

5th December 2014 - 22nd January 2015

Tweet of the week

Wednesday's results

31

The Battle of Bournbrook Returns!

Men

This year sees the return of the eagerly anticipated Brum Rugby Varsity between the University of Birmingham Rugby Club (UBRFC) and the Birmingham Medics (UBMSRFC).

D - Golf 1sts 3-3 Northumbria 1sts W - Badminton 1sts 8-0 Sheffield 1sts W - Fencing 1sts 128-102 Lancaster 1sts

The Birmingham Medics have had a great start to their season, finishing top of their NAMS (medics’ equivalent to BUCS) group, boasting a 100% record from five games. They are traditionally one of the strongest medics’ teams in the country and can take great confidence from their narrow victory in the inaugural varsity match two years ago.

“We know we’ll have to be at our best and we have been working hard in training to give ourselves the strongest possible chance in two weeks’ time”, said Medics captain, Tom Stevens. “We took a lot of confidence from our victory two years ago and it goes without saying that a win in front of a huge crowd on the Bournbrook would be Christmas come early.”

W - Hockey 1sts 2-3 Durham 1sts W - Rugby Union 1sts 34-30 Notts Trent 1sts Women W - Badminton 1sts 6-2 Durham 1sts W - Lacrosse 1sts 3-7 Durham 1sts W - Hockey 1sts 2-1 Durham 1sts W - Netball 1sts 58-46 Worcester 1sts W - Volleyball 1sts 2-3 UEA 1sts

Congratulations!

Congratulations are in order for the university's Pussycats Cheerleading troop. The girls have managed to double their funding which was awarded through the Birmingham Alumni 'Hands Up' scheme. They were up against the UoB Ballroom dancing society and will now receive £2,000 due to accumulating 1,200 likes on their youtube video which can be viewed here: www.youtube. com/watch?v=imMKNtKViR4. The funding will go towards competitions fees and the setting up of cheerleading skills camps which will be available for people of all abilities to attend.

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UBRFC have undergone a transition since the last encounter, with newly appointed coach Tom Drewett taking the helm. A fresh blood of ideas and impetus has been installed into the club. UBRFC have had a steady start to their BUCS campaign consolidating a mid-table position in the BUCS Premier North B league, whilst also progressing through to the last 16 in the BUCS trophy. UBRFC Club Captain Sam Dowell Bennett said, “It is a big commitment playing university rugby and it can be a juggle to balance work and sport together. A city of Birmingham’s size has been crying out for a rugby varsity fixture and the boys are itching to set foot on the pitch come 12th December.”

Matches like these don’t come around all too often in Brum and there’s no doubt that this fierce rivalry will provide an enthralling end to term for players and spectators alike.

KO 7pm Friday 12th December, Bournbrook pitch Bar and Food tent

Interested in Motor Sports? Find out all about the University of Birmingham Motor Racing Club (UBMRC) by reading Sports Reporter Morgan Price's interview with UBMRC committee member, Harry Forsyth.

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32 5th December 2014 - 22nd January 2015

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Sport

P 28 - NBL comes to Birmingham

Warwick Triumph in Grudge Match Sports Reporter Dan Brett reports on Birmingham Lacrosse 1st's defeat to Warwick 1st's, a highly competetive encounter Dan Brett

Lacrosse Men's

Sports Reporter

Birmingham 1st's

Birmingham Firsts were overcome by Warwick in a hard fought grudge match at the Metchley Pitches on Wednesday afternoon. Speaking to Birmingham captain Tayo Webb last week after a convincing victory over Swansea in the cup left no doubt about how big this game was to both sets of players.

However, it was Birmingham who came out second best as Warwick moved six points clear of Birmingham, solidifying second spot behind the dominant Nottingham Trent side.

The first quarter saw Birmingham get off to a nervous start, perhaps forgivable with an intense pre-match build up effecting the players usual game.

Before Birmingham could even venture into the opponents half they found themselves 1-0 down, making sloppy errors that seemed totally missing from their game last week. Simple stick passes continued to go astray and loose one handed pickups rid the home sides first quarter, as they slipped to a quick 3-0 deficit by the end of the opening twenty minutes. Forward attacks by Birmingham were quickly stopped by a well marshalled Warwick defence characterised by the performance of Will Blackhall, which frustrated Birmingham into trying to force the issue with, at times, speculative passes and shots.

Warwick on the other hand found space easy to come by, and it was only the form of Alex Parsons in the home sides goal, maintaining his performance level from last week, that prevented the game being all but over before it had properly started.

Disappointingly for captain Webb the second quarter did not bring about a huge change of fortunes for the Birmingham side. More territory was not reflected in clear goal scoring opportunities, and it came as little surprise when the visitors helped themselves to a fourth as their attack comprising of Gold, Goulbourne, Fletcher and Woodridge proved too lively for the Birmingham defence, with captain Sean Pilau seeing plenty of the ball in attacking positions. Indeed one of the few bright sparks for Birmingham was the performance of George Mann, whose pace got the Warwick defence

Warwick 1st's

5 10

finally facing their own goal on multiple occasions with direct runs off his flank. Despite the score line there was no danger of Warwick letting up, with their passion spilling over as they criticised the referee at every opportunity, enjoying a highly physical passage of play just before their fifth goal. The wide open nature of the goal prompted a stunned Birmingham side to take a time-out, and it was immediately after this team discussion that Brum finally

scored through captain Webb, with a sixth Warwick reply only coming just before the half time whistle blew, perhaps dulling hopes of a Birmingham fight-back.

The third quarter bought a shift in the contest as Birmingham showed great heart despite a large lead opening up for Warwick. This heart was no better typified than by an inspired defensive performance by the Birmingham number two Dan Logue, who stood strong in every 50:50 dual and often launched quick counter attacks from the back. Although Birmingham con-

"We played with so much heart. It is one of those really tough losses and is a "The third quarter bought a hard one to swallow" shift in the contest as tinued to ship goals, offering too much Birmingham showed great space as Warwick broke quickly, there was a noticeable improvement in their heart despite a large lead performance and a late goal by Mann opening up for Warwick " was a reward for both his sides endeav-

ours, and his own tireless running. The momentum gained from this goal was carried into the fourth quarter with fresher Robert Bickerton scoring a fantastic solo effort, before Johnny Odogwu and Jonny Bass scored fine goals that sandwiched a further Warwick score.

The final result of 5-10 perhaps doesn't adequately describe a match which saw almost two entirely different Birmingham teams perform in the first and second half. Coach David Abini acknowledged that it was a "tough score line", and that "Birmingham failed to convert their chances against a very good Warwick keeper". My discussion with Birmingham captain Webb was under more disappointing circumstances than the aftermath of last week's victorious performance. However, he took positives in defeat , commenting "we played with so muchPeter heart.Saxon It is one of those really tough losses and is a hard one to swallow. I got the finest team I could out for the second half and it showed as we proved to them we could play lacrosse and matched them. I thought Logue was outstanding and really led from the front".

Post Christmas and into the New Year will see Birmingham continue their cup run, and Webb was clear about his sides ambitions for the second half of the season. "The focus is definitely on the cup and the boys

"There was plenty of promise shown in the final exchanges of the dual today, meaning there is so much to look forward to"

Peter Saxon

really want to win it. We have some good league fixtures against Northampton and Oxford Brookes at home which we hope to get a good crowd for".

In the short run Birmingham will undoubtedly be hurt by this loss, however there was plenty of promise shown in the final exchanges of the heated dual today, meaning there is so much to look forward to for the side, ahead of an action packed and exciting spring schedule.