The River - Issue 48 - October 14-28

My cheating boyfriend’s lies made me infertile Page 20

River The

Exclusives from the front line of the Arab Spring Page 6-7

KINGSTON UNIVERSITY AND SOUTH WEST LONDON Issue No. 48

www.riveronline.co.uk

October 14 - October 28 2011

Short skirts and low tops. Is it sexy or just down right slutty?

Find out what our top writers think of girls’ nightclub outfits - Page 19

Fox beaten and abused by drunk KU freshers RSPCA launch inquest into animal cruelty by students

By Jess Osbaldeston EXCLUSIVE The RSPCA has launched an investigation after a fox was beaten, kicked and thrown from a top floor window by KU students.

The fox, which was found outside Ama-gi nightclub in Kingston, was dragged more than a mile back to the halls of residence where it was videoed being kicked in the head, thrown from a top story window and disposed of in a bin.

Calie Rydings from the RSPCA said: “This sounds like a shocking incident, that would have caused a great deal of pain and distress to the animal involved.

“If it is proven this did take place, then those involved have committed a very serious offense and, if found guilty, will face a £20,000 fine and/or six months in prison.”

The violence took place in the

early hours of Sunday October 2, after a barbeque at halls moved to clubs in Kingston.

There has been a dispute on whether the fox was in fact dead or alive when it was abused.

One student, who lives in Seething Wells and is friends with those involved, said: “One guy kicked the fox in the head and blood went everywhere.

“You can still see the blood stains on the carpet. Then they chucked it out of the window and put it on a car with a fag in its mouth.

“It’s just horrendous, you can’t even imagine how much they’d had to drink. I mean it’s just not normal behaviour. It’s too early in the term to be making enemies, but what they did is so horrific I can’t just keep quiet.”

The University has launched an investigation into the incident,

sending a letter around Seething Wells.

The day after the incident, security guards visited the flats and said the resident students would be fined if they did not tell them what they knew about the affair.

The student added: “He told us that the fox was screaming in agony, but I don’t know if he was just telling people that to try and scare them into talking or whether someone had already reported what had happened.”

One first year student, who also wished to remain anonymous, saw a video of the abuse on a friend’s phone. He said: “The way they treated the fox was just disgusting and horrible. To think that someone would do it, let alone video it, is just appalling.”

Continued on Page 2

KU students’ stunning new sustainable fashion collections Features page 22-23

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October 14 - October 28 2011

INDEX News

Page 1-16

Comment

Page 17-19

Features

Page 20-26

Entertainment Page 27-29 Sports

Page 30-32

Kingston soccer success Page 31

Contact The River: @RiverNewspaper editors.river@gmail.com Tel: 0208177019 The River, Kingston University Penhryn Road Campus Kingston Upon Thames

NEWS

Thousands of students with nowhere to live left to sleep on floors

By Rosie Williams K0906448 Two thousand Kingston University students have been left without accommodation, with many forced into long commutes, sleeping on friends’ floors or in £60-a-night hotels.

Student housing has been a problem in Kingston for some time, but the housing market over the last few years has meant that the number of students buying to rent has plummeted.

“Kingston has a clear need for new developments for student housing and the council recently turned down a planning application for a development of new halls near the current Clayhill site,” said KUSU president Chris Dingle.

In order to meet the demand Kingston would need hundreds more suitable properties, local estate agents have said.

Planning permission for up to

The length some students go to for a university education

1300, student bed spaces was declined by the council recently after Thames Water decided not to release their land.

Mr Dingle said: “KUSU would encourage the university and the Council to have a round table discussion and come to an agreement on future developments that are clearly needed for students.”

Morris Marah, a third year in-

RSPCA looks

at fox abuse

Scan these codes with your smartphonethroughout the paper and leave a comment under the articles at RiverOnline.co.uk @RiverNewspaper

riveronline.co.uk

Continued from page 1 “They hurled the poor thing around like a rag doll and dropped it out of a window, throwing it on to a car laughing as though it was all just a big joke to them,” he said.

“Unfortunately everyone deleted the video once the university started investigating so there isn’t any hard evidence of what happened and who was involved but I hope they get caught, they deserved to be punished as severely as possible.”

There are conflicting reports about the health of the fox when found. One student claimed: “The fox was already dead but they thought it was just hurt and took it to the top floor to try and give it CPR. When they realised it was dead they got really freaked out and chucked it out of the window.

Afterwards they didn’t think they could just leave it there so they put it in the food waste bin as it wasn’t glass and wasn’t cardboard.”

A university spokeswoman said: “Kingston University takes good student behaviour extremely seriously and has student disciplinary procedures in place which are stringently enforced.

“In addition residents in University Halls sign a contract and can be given notice to quit if they don’t adhere to expected standards of behaviour.

“The University is aware of an incident involving a dead fox that was apparently found near the Seething Wells hall and brought on to the campus during the first weekend in October. The University is concerned about any possible disrespectful behaviour and is currently carrying out an investigation into what happened.”

If anyone has any information on the fox attack, they are urged to call the RSPCA in confidence on 0300 1234 999.

Pic: Rex

ternational relations with television broadcasting student, has been forced to stay at his sister’s near Hackney.

He has had to endure a three and a half hour trip to and from university four times a week.

“It makes it impossible to stay around University after lectures,” ents as they are stereotypically thought to cause less damage and

noise trouble.

Jack O’Grady, who works at Your Move estate agents in Surbiton said: “If we had more student properties available we would be making an absolute mint at the moment.”

The rise in demand has also given landlords in Kingston the means to dramatically increase their rent prices, with the average monthly cost of rent increasing by about £300 compared with last year.

“We still have a need for additional student residential accommodation,” said Kris Drane, head of accommodation services. “We will continue to work with the Royal Borough of Kingston and others to achieve suitable solutions over time.”

The university’s accommodation services were unable to provide any figures for the amount of students currently on the waiting list for housing.

News brands converge at The River and River Online Following our success at the Guardian Student Media Awards over the past two years, this newspaper has absorbed its digital sister River Online.

fun of the journalism it’s our job to create. And when we get too serious (or when we’re not serious enough) we need you to let us know.

Where last year RiverOnline.co.uk was run by MA students, undergrads are now working to bring you news, comment and more from across a range of platforms.

Too often journalists forget that creating journalism online is using a new medium. The Internet doesn't respond to old concepts of professionals talking to amateurs and doesn’t care if the newspaper industry as we’ve known it for eons survives a new century.

The biggest part of our effort this year is engagement and interaction. Because print is a one-tomany media platform and the Internet is many-to-many, it's our goal this year to make your voices as loud as ours.

But to do that, we need your help.

We need your help finding, reporting and telling the stories you want to read, watch and listen to.

We need your help letting us know how we're doing on our Facebook page and on our Twitter feed. Most of all, we need you to share in the

Journalism requires new tools like blogs, new people like you and us and new ideas about how news is made and what to do with it once it’s out.

BA Journalism at Kingston this year is about openness, transparency and connecting people around the product we make for them.

Most importantly this year, them is you. And we want to hear what you’ve got to say.

October 14 - October 28 2011

NEWS

Party crasher

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Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Is it just a plane heading for Terminal Five?

Children’s birthday party gets rudely interrupted by ‘falling satellite’ as dad captures it crash to earth

Top Secret NASA projection of where satellite may or may not hit

By Natasha Szymaniak K0901977 Looking up at the sky, paper party streamers were not the only thing travelling above Paul Robert’s garden last month.

Enjoying summer’s final encore, Mr Roberts readied himself for his small child’s birthday party.

Gazing up at the heavens, like Patrick Moore in an episode of Sky at Night, he saw a large

white streak travelling at speed through the sky.

His explanation was that it must be NASA’s upper atmosphere research satellite plummeting back to earth.

In video footage that Mr Robert captured, a white streak, much like a vapour trail from a jet at high altitude, can be seen heading to the bottom of the screen, possibly due south, towards Gatwick.

A child’s voice is clearly audi-

ble saying: “It’s from Mars!”

NASA’s UARS satellite caused widespread speculation about where it would hit when re-entering the atmosphere, after a 20 year stint in space.

It spent a fruitful 15 years studying the Earth’s outter atmospher, reporting back significant developments on the state of the ozone layer in particular.

The satellite was eventually decommissioned in 2005, spending another six years in retire-

ment orbiting the earth, before falling back to Earth at midnight on September 23 2011.

The American Space Agency tracked the satellite’s fall from grace, but eventually lost it as it broke through the atmosphere.

It is among the largest spacecraft in history to plummet uncontrollably through the Earth’s atmosphere.

Fragments weighing up to half-a-ton are believed to have landed in the Pacific Ocean be-

tween 3am and 5 am BST - safely away from Mr Roberts’s child’s birthday party.

It remains unclear what exactly Mr Roberts saw on that warm autumn’s eve in Surbiton last month. An unnamed relative was sceptical however, saying: “I’m not so sure it was a satellite, but I’m happy to go along with it all - it might just be a plane though.”

Whatever it was, the truth is definitely out there. riveronline.co.uk

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October 14 - October 28 2011

NEWS

Lecturer’s Olympic d e s ig n tak es f l igh t

By Erica Sesay K0904583 A KU lecturer will have his designs appear on 12 British Airways planes that will fly top athletes to and from the 2012 Olympic and Paralympics Games.

Pascal Anson, a senior art and design lecturer, was one of three winners in the airline’s Great Britons competition and as winner of the arts category, his design is expected to be used on the planes for up to six years.

He said: “British Airways is making a documentary about the Great Britons and they decided to surprise the three winners with a film crew, very X-Factor!

“I think they wanted me to cry or say ‘Oh my God!’ like you see on TV. They timed it for when one of my students was in the middle of presenting her work so it was rather awkward. Since then the over-riding feeling is that of feeling creative and confident.”

British artist Tracey Emin was one the judges in the competition and will be Pascal’s mentor in this project.

Pascal said: “She was very supportive of my design at the shortlisting. I have meetings arranged with her to guide me through the process.

Emin said: “Pascal presented a clear and concise idea that we all responded to immediately. If I saw this aircraft on the runway, I’d definitely want to be on it.”

The rest of his prize included an invitation to the British Olympic Ball as a guest of British Airways and an invitation to the BAFTAS opening ceremony where it’s being arranged to have one of his planes fly over the stadium.

The ex-KU student teaches on courses such as graphic design, interior design and the university’s art and design foundation course.

The planes will be in use from February and will be flying guests and dignitaries to and from the games.

He said: “This design aims to change people’s perception of how you see something ordinary like an aeroplane. Once you see the planes I have designed for British Airways, you will never be able to look at a plane again in the same way.”

The lecturer’s designs will be seen on British Airways planes

Pic: Rex

Visiting professor guilty of kissing a fragile teenage girl

By Vegard Botterli K1046247 KINGSTON University employed a psychiatrist as a visiting professor who had been suspended by the General Medical Council two years earlier after kissing a vulnerable child patient.

Kingston University awarded Dr Anthony Baker (63) an honorary position to not only help develop a training package for law students, but to teach postgraduate students as well in 2010.

However, in 2008, the GMC had found Dr Baker guilty of kissing an under-aged female patient while treating her at Basingstoke Child and Adolescent Mental Health Serriveronline.co.uk

vices. He was also charged with failing to keep a proper record of consultations with patients during his time in Basingstoke.

The University said it was unaware of Dr Baker’s background when the position was offered, and that this was not the kind of information it requested from visiting professors. He left the university earlier this year.

A Kingston University spokesman said: “Visiting professors work on a contractual basis and are therefore not on the university payroll. Dr Baker’s role was primarily advisory, although he did, on a handful of occasions, deliver lectures to a group of students.”

Dr Baker’s licence to practice

was revoked for a month in 2008 after he had admitted that his actions were deemed inappropriate and not in the best interest of his patient. A hearing was told he had tried to give the girl a kiss on the lips, but had only managed to kiss her on the face when she turned away.

The GMC was also told that in the period between 2004 and 2006, Dr Baker admitted to only keeping three handwritten notes of the therapy sessions. Only one was dated, in February, 2007. The two other notes only had the patients name on one of them, and none of them were signed.

Other charges of inappropriate conduct, including inviting the

teenage patient to stay at his home for two weeks and making suggestions to hold the therapy sessions at a nearby public house, were found to be unproven and dropped by the GMC. The GMC suspended Dr Baker, saying they had “to preserve public confidence in the profession and to declare and uphold proper standards of conduct and behaviour”.

The GMC stated in its report that Dr Baker must “avoid abusing your position as a doctor” and “keep clear, accurate, legible and contemporaneous patient records which report the relevant clinical findings”. “Furthermore, [Dr Baker] must not use your professional position to establish or pursue a

sexual or improper emotional relationship with a patient.”

Dr Baker is currently not listed in either the GMC’s general practitioners or specialist register. He is listed as an “unrecognised provider,” by private healthcare organisation BUPA. He is currently practising as a consultant in Psychiatry at Ashwood Associates in Woking.

This is not the first time Dr Baker has seen the GMC level charges against him however.

In 1998, Dr Baker was reportedly charged with serious professional misconduct, relating to an alleged incident with a 15-year-old female patient. He was cleared of encouraging the rape victim to leave home and have promiscuous affairs.

October 14 -October 28 2011

NEWS

5

‘Aggressive’ student protester locked up for smashing Tory HQ James Heslip

By Nick Smith K0943718 A Kingston University student has been sentenced to a year in prison for his involvement in the student protest violence in central London last November.

James Heslip, 21, a third year Fine Arts student, pleaded guilty to violent disorder after CCTV caught him smashing a window at the Conservative party headquarters.

“You must bear your share of responsibility for your part in the actions of a crowd,” said Mr Justice Southwell as he judged Heslip to immediate custody, and described Heslip’s behaviour as “aggressive, abusive and completely un-cooperative”.

On November 10 2010 Heslip was seen shouting and swearing by PC Miles who arrested him on the basis of drunken disorderliness and noticed blood on the defendant’s hand, said Kathryn Selby, prosecuting.

At the police station, Heslip maintained that his hand started bleeding after he fell on glass and was released by the police after questioning.

The following day, Heslip returned to the station where he volunteered to be interviewed and admitted to smashing a window with a plank of wood at Millbank Conservative party headquarters.

Kingston Crown Court heard that he listed drunkenness, fear

and confusion as reasons for lying the previous day. The prosecution showed pictures of Heslip before he was brought to the police station on November 10 last year to establish the clothes he was wearing on that day. The court was then shown dramatic video footage from CCTV and the Metropolitan police of a man in Heslip’s clothes smashing the window at 30 Millbank and the glass falling onto him.

Heslip, who pleaded guilty, will

likely serve just six months of the 12 month sentence he recieved.

Integral to Heslip’s defence were a series of “positive” character references from a “wide range of sources” attesting to Heslip’s desperation “to repay the debt to society.” They described him as “a young man who in no way tries to say that his actions were okay,” said the defence council.

Mr Justice Southwell said that the sentence is both punishment

and a clear message to the public as reasons not to acquit Heslip, as well as his “overall part taken in the violence.”

The judge did however take Heslip’s age, plea, and “impeccable character up to now” into account in issuing the sentence.

This was followed by footage of a man fitting Heslip’s description, in clothes matching those seen in previous still photographs and video clips, staggering in front of

a group of Metropolitan riot police with a can of drink in his hand, apparently saying “I bring peace” and gesturing with the two-fingered peace symbol.

The video showed him being pulled away from officers by a woman.

There was “no directing any aggression at police directly,” the defence for Heslip maintained.

Heslip, of Orchard Rd, Kingston Upon Thames, originally from Worcester, Worcestershire, was diagnosed with dyslexia at age 14 and suffers from sporadic depression. His parents are divorced and his mother was not in court because she has been “unwell,” the court heard.

A group of Heslip’s family, friends and acquaintances attended his sentencing at Kingston Crown Court on September fifth, some of whom became emotional and tearful after the sentence was passed.

“I’ve known Hessy since I was young and he’s one of the most laid back, nicest guys I know,” said Joe Hinds, 20, who grew up with Heslip in Worcester.

“Last year he was covered in The River for saving a pidgeon drowning in the Thames.

“He only went to the protests because a group of his friends were going, and now his life is ruined for the next year, not to mention his degree.”

The university refused to comment.

By Kim Heinz K0933694

KU socialist party, said: “Even students who have missed the higher £9,000 tuition fees are going to be affected by education cuts. Every student needs to take to the streets to defy a government that doesn’t have a mandate for these cuts.”

Students from across the UK will descend on London before staging a series of walkouts and occupations, which coincides with arguably the biggest wave of trade union strike action since 1926.

KUSU president Chris Dingle said: “We are currently about to undergo by-elections for part time posts in the Union and the ballot paper will also include a question

on the 9th November demonstration. If students vote on mass to support the protest then we will do so.”

In a letter to the Guardian, six unions and a group of Labour MPs have voiced support for students planning to protest on November 9 2011, saying that “the profit motive has no place in education”.

This year’s protest will focus on government plans to ‘privatise’ universities and could be the biggest yet as the joint fight by workers and students will maximise opposition to the government’s cuts programme.

Michael Chessum, national ex-

ecutive of the National Union of Students and an organiser for the National Campaign against Fees and Cuts, said: “It’s clear that the movement that we built last year has grown into something much bigger, and it’s vital that we keep fighting on education as well as linking to the broader movement.”

Last year’s student demonstrations involved thousands of people who descended on London wprotesting the rise in tuition fees and the drastic cuts to higher education.

There were outbreaks of violence, more than 180 arrests and scores of campuses were occupied, some for several months.

A feral student kicking in a window at Millbank Towers last year

Pic: Rex

KU students voice their protests in Manchester

Student protesters outside the Tory party conference Pic: Rex

Thirty Kingston University students travelled to Manchester to take part in a vocal but peaceful protest against cuts into higher education outside the Tory party conference.

This was only the beginning of a new series of protests as student leaders who organised the mass demonstrations where tens of thousands of people went to the streets last year are planning a new national demonstration starting November 9.

Alistair Farrow, 24, leader of the

riveronline.co.uk

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October 14 - October 28 2011

FEATURES

The frontline of Kingston students tell their harrowing stories from the revolutions that have swept across the Middle East. Ghada Al-Hamoud and Rima Al-Hamoud report

A wave of political upheaval has swept across the Arab world, leaving countries across Northern Africa changed forever. Dictators who had their countries in iron grips for decades saw their power overturned within weeks of civilians fighting for their right to freedom and democracy.

Kingston University students felt the revolutionary spirit, and participated in the cause via marches and protests in London.

Some even found themselves in

riveronline.co.uk

the middle of the action, as they were visiting family and friends in the affected areas. They chanted from Tahrir Square, shot bullets in the air of Bin Ghazi and Tripoli, and feared for their loved ones in Damascus.

A trip back to their home countries was more than just a holiday for several students at Kingston University, unprepared to experience history as it unravelled.

Alaa Gharbawi, 23, from Libya studying aerospace engineering

Alaa is from Benghazi which, in February, was the scene of violent protests. Alaa wishes to remain anonymous due to the details of his story.

“I had heard stories of what happened to the men they took away.

It was inhumane. I couldn’t bare thinking of what they could have done to him. Usually, the arrested men don’t come back. They’re either killed or tortured to death.

Luckily, thank God, they let my brother go,” Alaa says with relief in his voice.

Alaa and his family fled to Tunisia after his brother was released.

He says: “We were so lucky. He’s alive and we’re alive.”

Mazen Abou Gamrah, 20, from Egypt “I knew that there was studying aerospace engineering a chance I might lose my life, but I didn’t care”

Pic: Rex

“After Gaddafi sent out foreign mercenaries to disperse the people of Libya, our only option to protect ourselves was to steal the military deputy’s weapons. We had to break in. My brother and I joined a few others and got the guns.

We were a group with one goal; protecting our families from the brutality of Gaddafi’s men and to keep fighting. I knew that meant that there was a chance I might lose my life, but I didn’t care anymore,” Alaa says.

He talks about his brother who was arrested by Gaddafi’s forces.

Mazen looks back to the days, just over eight months ago, when his country faced the first riots which eventually led to a complete collapse of Egypt’s political regime.

“I was there when it all began in January,” Mazen says.

“I was very worried at the lack of security and for my family’s safety.”

He recalls how his whole family

gathered in front of the TV for the latest news after finding out that a curfew had been placed. They watched the General state that people needed to protect themselves from the degenerates, as he admitted that the army had lost control of the situation.

“Literally three minutes after the speech ended, I heard a woman screaming outside of my house and we could hear gunfire.

“Like an impulsive reaction, my father and I ran downstairs where all the men from the neighbourhood had gathered. We were all armed.”

“If I didn’t kill them, they would kill me” Mazen shakes his head as he says: “You know, when we looked around, the streets were absolutely empty. Usually these main roads are insanely busy, but that night it was dead quiet.

“For the first time in my life I had to hold a weapon. I needed it to feel safe and to keep my family safe.

“I spent whole nights guarding my building from thugs and runaway prisoners.

“The only way to protect ourselves was to be prepared to use the weapon.

“I had to face that if someone attacked my house, I needed to

7

FEATURES

the Arab Spring

Pic: Rex

use it.

“If I didn’t kill them, they would kill me.” Mazen is happy about the freedom that has been achieved in Egypt.

“I’m aware that the large-scale oppression in Egypt was due to the government being corrupt.

I blame the government for not reforming quickly, and at an earlier stage,” Mazen concludes.

Bilal Kashik, 19, from Libya studying civil engineering

break in with weapons.”

Hisham, 20, from Libya studying

engineering Hisham joined the battlefield to liberate his country. He explains how he was trained to use a weapon and how friends and family members gave their lives for the Libyan revolution.

“I had to be trained to use weapons. It scared me” Bilal was in the UK during most of the upheaval in Libya. His entire family however, was in Tripoli in the most troubled area, Souq Jomaa.

“There were times when I couldn’t contact my family. The internet in Libya was cut from March to August.

Some days I was literally jumping with fear when trying to get in touch with my family. Living in Souq Jomaa, they were in danger inside the house as much as they were if they left. People could

“I have friends and relatives who passed away. Martyrs. My friend, who was the same age as me, born in 1990, was shot in the head.

My uncle also lost his life in the riots as he was one of the weapon suppliers in Tripoli, and therefore was on Gaddafi’s list of ‘wanted’ people,” Hisham says, praying that God blesses his uncle’s soul.

“These people sacrificed their lives for their country and they will live through the history of Libya. Today I can say for the first time ever, ‘we are free”.

Even though Gaddafi has not been caught, we are free. Something changed. We have become united Hisham supported the revolution before it first kicked off and he decided to travel back to his home country to take part in the fight for freedom.

“I had to officially apply to be part of a gang. It was the only way to fight. Mine was called the Revolutionaries of Tripoli. I had to be trained to use weapons. It scared me, I won’t lie.

“They sent us out and I felt like they were saying good bye, like when soldiers are sent out to war.

Somehow we were calm about the whole situation. I never knew I had this much bravery in me.”

Hisham describes how he saw dead people in the streets, every day. “That image came to be a normal one,” Hisham says.

for his country. He shares his thoughts about President Bashar al-Assad who remains in power today and is accused of using violence against the people of Syria.

“I would go back and be a martyr for my country. I pray that God blesses the victims, they died for an evil cause,” Osama says.

He is convinced that the media is spreading exaggerated and false information.

“I know that Al-Assad has not given orders to kill people.

Al-Assad is a great leader and he is staying.

I thank Bashar al-Assad for being the leader he is and we will never kneel down to imperialism or Zionism. I believe that when we asked for reform the government responded.”

Osama thinks that the external influences, like other protests in the Arab region, will not serve Syria any good.

Osama Al-Hussain, 21, from Syria studying civil engineering

Osama, who was born and raised in Syria, feels strongly about protecting Syria and losing his life

Hisham’s friend was shot in the head during the Libyan protests at just 20-years-old riveronline.co.uk

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October 14 - October 28 2011

NEWS

Kingston student drowns after drinking to celebrate winning a bet to stay sober

By Lucy Sambrook K091427 A Kingston student who drowned during a drinking session was celebrating winning a bet to stay sober for a month when he attempted to swim across the Thames.

Niall Pawsey, 20, a law student, was 4.5 times over the drink driving limit when he jumped into the river at 5.30pm on April 28 this year.

Speaking after his death friends and relatives paid tribute to Niall.

Girlfriend, Sinead Holland, a geography student at Kingston University, told the Daily Mail: “Niall has meant more to me than anyone else ever has. We did everything together and I will continue to miss him deeply. I loved him and I always will.”

Kingston students have since paid tribute to the young student on Facebook and in a special memorial service held at Kingston hill SU bar.

Niall’s close friend, fellow law student and president of the SU Chris Dingle, said: “Niall was a very bright, intelligent and sociable young man who was taken from us before his time. He would always stop and say hello and he had a kind a generous spirit that made him the life and soul of the King-

ston Hill legal community.”

Ben Ballard, deputy manager of the riverside pub The Slug and Lettuce where Niall worked, said: “Deep, deep shock was the first feeling when I heard he was missing. Quickly followed by the thought of this can’t be real. Many people including myself still expected him to turn up with a big smile on his face.”

After successfully going 28 days without alcohol, Niall had consumed beer, jagermeister and sambucca with friends before getting kicked out of the Kingston Mill pub for singing.

Law student and close friend Daniel Bellows, who has since dropped out of university, told West London coroners court that Naill yelled “watch this!” before diving head first into the water.

He said: “We thought he had got over to the other side. We did not realise he had gone under until everyone started panicking on our side of the bank.”

An inquest into his death heard that a nearby rowing instructor, Andrew Beard, had thrown the student a buoy when he stopped swimming, but Niall made no effort to grab it and instead went under the water. Mr Beard told the court how he had attempted to rescue the drowning boy.

He said: “I jumped into the wa-

Kingston student Niall Pawsey drowned after celebrating the end of his sobriety in April this year. Pic: Facebook.

ter. There won’t be a day in my life when I don’t wish I had jumped in five seconds earlier.”

A police helicopter scoured the area, but Niall’s body was not found until three days later by po-

lice divers, just 10 metres from the riverbank. A post-mortem examination found that Niall had 319mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood at the time of his death, a level coroner Alice Thompson said could be fa-

tal to some people on its own. She recorded a verdict of misadventure.

Niall leaves his mother Patricia, father Phil, sister Gemma, brother Nathan and twin brother Grant behind.

Stay safe and don’t drown

By Lucy Sambrook K091427

Posters have been handed out to all pubs by the river to display. riveronline.co.uk

Kingston’s student union president helped launch a “don’t drink and drown” police campaign following the death of his friend earlier in the summer.

Chris Dingle started a petition to promote river safety after his friend and fellow law student Niall Pawsey drowned after diving into the Thames during a drinking session.

Mr Dingle said: “I started the petition on river safety not long after Niall’s death as it suddenly highlighted to me and others how unsafe the river is and how little there is in the way of rescue aids and signage along the water front.”

The river safety campaign since launched by the police and the council has seen “visually prompting” posters and coasters displayed in most of the pubs and bars along the Kingston riverside.

These are emblazoned with the

slogan “don’t drink and drown” and display graphic images of a young person drowning.

Staff at many of the riverside pubs have since received further training with a “river throw bag” in case of emergencies. The bag, which all pubs will carry, can be thrown into the river if someone is drowning to act as a buoyancy aid.

Mr Dingle, who wanted to highlight the dangers of swimming in the Thames for other students said: “It is essential students realise how dangerous the stretch of the Thames in Kingston is. The currents are much faster and stronger due to the narrowing of the river, and the water is cold and once in it you lose your body heat 10 times faster than in air.”

“I would urge anyone who thinks about getting into the river to think twice. It’s not a price worth paying.

We continue to remember Niall as the shining presence that he was and hope that no one else has to go through what he, his friends and

family have had to go through.”

Ben Ballard, deputy manager of the Slug and Lettuce pub were Niall worked said: “Some of the posters/coasters we received came into us literally a couple of days after the accident.

The one thing that we noted having unfortunately seen them first hand was how graphic the images included were. It was rather unfortunate that no one within the business could look at them for some time after the accident.”

Learn more about staying safe by the river by scanning this code.

9

October 14 - October 28 2011

NEWS

Not just a pageant pretty face

By Ashleigh Wight K0903765 After winning the Face of East Anglia title and the attention of an Asian TV firm, KU student Eisha Acton is definitely not just a pretty face.

The third year entrepreneurship and management student will be talking to a producer at Venus TV to discuss advertising for her co-owned mobile comparison websites Mobilebreeze and White-iPhone4Deals.

“We have a few websites and have put a lot of time and effort into them, so a TV advert would be amazing,” the 21-year-old said. “The producer was filming at a pageant where I was a

runner up and they interviewed me on stage.”

Eisha used the money from the website ventures she set up with her brother to fund her appearance in the Miss Asian Model 2011 competition, for which she was a runner up in June.

She will also be heading to Disneyland Paris in December for the Face of Europe pageant.

She said: I’ve already won one, I’m content with that.”

“Europe would be a massive bonus but I’m not expecting to win.

If I’m applying somewhere and my CV says I’m the Face of East Anglia it will have a massive difference.”

Want to be a billionaire?

With the new wave of young billionaires like Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg (age 27, net worth $6.9 bn) and construction tycoon Li Zhaohui (age 28, net worth $1 bn) it seems everyone want wants to be an entrepreneur.

Now, a new digital platform has been created to help Kingston University students do just that.

According to the board’s creators, BizBoard “is for students at Kingston University who are interested in creating their own business.”

Its aim is to connect budding entrepreneurs with the resources and infrastructure necessary for starting a small business, including ways to find other students.

The board offers spaces to locate employees, partners and available skills, and hosts a calender of local business workshops, competitions and events to make the process of starting a business more accessible.

One section on the BizBoard website looks specifically to link business “mentors” with student entrepreneurs to collaborate and develop ideas.

Visit the BizBoard website at http://www.kingstonuni.biz/ KU entrepreneurship and management student Eisha Acton is the Face of East Anglia.

Eight out of 10 students find health centre ‘too embarrassing’ Students complain at lack of privacy at Fairhill Medical Centre

By Lina Sennevall, Therese Doksheim and Mashaal Mir Over 80 per cent of Kingston University students are reluctant to use the Fairhill Medical Centre at Penhryn Road because of lack of privacy, saying they feel ‘too embarrassed’ to address their problems in front of other students.

Of the 190 students asked, 155 said that talking to the receptionist in front of other waiting students made them uncomfortable.

Fashion student Vic Riches, 21, said: “I wouldn’t feel comfortable to tell them about a problem in front of all the people. It’s such a small space, everyone can hear everything.”

If having to do a urine sample, students are forced to use the toilet in the waiting area before having to riveronline.co.uk

notify the staff to let them through the door to the GP. The waiting room is approximately 85 square feet.

“I went to the health centre last year for a chlamydia test. I had to walk from the toilet to the reception area with my urine sample and other students waiting could see me. I was so embarrassed that I hid the test up my sleeve,” said a student who wanted to be anonymous.

“I don’t want people to know the reasons why I’m seeing a doctor.”

Another student said: “I went to the counselling drop-in and had to walk up to the desk and tell them what I was there for in front of everyone in the waiting area. It’s embarrassing: you don’t want your peers to know your personal information.”

The health centre, located on the Penhryn Road campus, said they

have had no direct complaints on the lack of privacy in the waiting area.

“You can always ask to talk to us privately,” an employee at the medical centre, who wanted anonymity, said. “We don’t really notice how small it is, we are so used to it.”

Nearwly 80 students drop by the health centre every day, she said.

“Loads of people ask if they can talk in private when there is a sensitive issue.”

She added: “Generally you get people that are not bothered, they don’t really care. We haven’t had any complaints. There’s really nothing we can do about it as we are allocated the space by the university and we have no control of it.”

Some students said they would even consider joining other doctors to get more privacy and feel more

80 per cent of KU students are embarrassed by the health centre

comfortable.

Criminology student Esme Edney, 21, said: “I have been to the health centre and I would definitely

go somewhere else if there was some other option because it is very embarrassing to talk in front of everyone.”

10

October 14 - October 28 2011

NEWS

KU students left without their loan struggle through financial crisis

By Amirah Valu K0902702

Hundreds of Kingston University students who have still not received their first student loan installments have been left in a financial nightmare.

With Student Finance England dealing with over half a million enquires due to a high intake of new students starting university, the demand for taking out a loan has been high.

Second year English language and communication student Ashleigh Oakes, 19, who applied for her student loan in June, has still not received any financial support from Student Finance or the university.

Ashleigh said: “My flatmates are buying food for the house - I don’t spend money on anything as I only own £20.

“I still manage to go out with my

three best friends and they have subbed me with my rent costs, bills and my cheerleading membership.”

Many students who have not received their loan are relying on part-time jobs to help them cover their living expenses.

Jonjo Neeves, 21, who studies sports science, said: “I work at Knights Park student union and I get paid weekly, so that’s what’s keeping me going so far.

“But I have to be strict with money and I’m still in my overdraft which isn’t fun.”

Kingston University has said that one of the problems is that students are still not enrolled onto their course.

Keith Houghton, head of student funding service at Kingston University, said: “There has been a significant increase in the number of students coming to see us in student funding saying that they have been told by Student Finance

England that the university has not confirmed attendance and that this is the reason that loans have not been paid.”

KU has also advised students that in order to get their full student loan paid to them they need to be enrolled with the university.

They also need their National Insurance numbers confirmed and must return the declaration form.

A Student Finance England representative said: “A majority of students have already received their loan and payments.

“For students who haven’t received their loans, they are scheduled to be given out by the end of October.”

Any students who still have not received their student loans should contact Student Finance England on 0141 243 3600.

Students can also visit the student funding office at Cooper House where calls are free of charge.

Students in London last November protest against education cuts

Pic: Rex

Sikh societies unite Former student becomes part across all London unis of huge loans miscalculations

By Daphne Tona-Weyalo K0901891

The Kingston Sikh Society is working with other universities across London to help them hold bigger events and encourage more people to join the society.

The organisation, Nishaan, was created by students to help smaller Sikh societies like Kingston’s with more resources and contacts to help them host better spiritual and social events.

“Nishaan is a movement of all the London Sikh societies put together,” said business studies student, Gurbir Singh. “Normally we just have the Kingston Sikh society, and the other societies just work on their own individual events but we felt we’re all the same society so why don’t we help each other and co-ordinate together?”

Based on the fundamental Sikhi teaching of the “oneness riveronline.co.uk

of humanity”, Nishaan is helping Kingston Sikh society hold its first Langar, an event where people volunteer to cook and serve food.

“UCL is known for doing Langar which in our culture is actually the concept of self-service, so giving out food,” said Mr Singh, a member of the society’s committee. This year we’re going to try and do it, so all the resources that they use they can hand them over to us, and all the contacts they have they can hand them over to us to make our society more successful.”

The Nishaan collaboration was announced at the Sikh Society’s Cha (Indian tea) and Samosa party on October 5 2011 which was held to introduce and welcome the new members of the Sikh society. For more information email kingstonsikhsoc@yahoo.co.uk or visit www.nishaan. org.

KU graduate is overpaid before leaving university

By Vegard Botterli & Alexandra Verina A recent graduate of Kingston University had to pay back almost £1,000 when the Student Loans Company (SLC) revoked part of his loan because of a miscalculation.

Alistair Charlton, a former journalism student who graduated from university in May 2011, got a letter from the SLC giving him only 30 days to pay up before legal action would be taken. Mr Charlton, 21, had a rise in income during 2009, and when he received his loan in January 2010, the SLC had not taken this into account, and paid him more than he was entitled to.

Shortly after receiving the loan in January, he received notice from the SLC about the miscalculation.

According to Mr Charlton, the let-

ter was not very clear. “I looked at it and thought I don’t understand.

There was very little information apart from a cheque that you could tear out and fill in,” said Mr Charlton.

“I also thought that it wasn’t possible for me to pay, I’m a student. So I just left it to be honest.”

The letter also said that they would get back to him at a later date. In May, Mr Charlton received a letter with a warning of legal action.

The miscalculation of loans is a trend steadily on the rise in the Student Loans Company, especially when calculating how much students need to pay back once they graduate. In the late 90s, the number of people repaying too much was in the hundreds. By 2008 20,000 had over paid.

During the last two years, it has

Former KU student Alistair Charlton

leapt to 40,000 students being overcharged.

It is expected that the number of miscalculations will keep increasing when the tuition fees soar to £9,000 next year.

October 14 - October 28 2011

NEWS

11

Friends pay tribute to Kingston student killed in bus crash horror

By Vergard Botterli K1046247

A London bus driver has been acquitted after driving the bus that hit and killed a Kingston University design student on a bicycle in central London.

Jayne Helliwell, 26, was seen as a highly promising designer and was cycling to a photo-shoot with U.S rock band Fun Lovin Criminals at the time of the accident.

Ms Helliwell died four hours later in hospital.

Jayne`s father Peter Helliwell, 60, spoke of his family`s devestation after her death. “Jayne was really going places. She had just graduated, having success, full of life,” said Mr Helliwell. “We had visited Jayne in London on the Sunday, and she was dead on the Wednesday. It has destroyed so

many lives.”

Friend and former colleague, Amelia Gregory, remembers Ms Helliwell as an incredibly talented and likeable girl.

“She was quick, and she could turn her hand to pretty much any creative task with ease,” said Ms Gregory. “Jayne had a great career ahead of her and she will surely be much missed by many people.”

Ms Helliwell had just founded her own design agency, Freetrapper, focusing on art direction, print, illustration, moving images, magazine design and illustration before she died in April, 2010.

Writer and friend, Christel Escosa, was among those captivated by Ms Helliwell’s artistic visions. “I fell in love with her darkly optimistic, curious and brooding works,” said Ms Escosa. “Full of texture and grit that she smoothes and bal-

Kingston Uni student: Jayne Helliwell- Courtesy of Northhampton Chronicle & Echo

ances with the gentle nature of her vision.”

Mr Lewars was aquitted of the charge of causing death by dangerous driving in July 2011.

The design student was hit by the bus driven by Carlton Lewars, 59, who was acquitted of the charge of causing death by dangerous driving in July 2011.

Mr Lewars, who was suffering from a nerve disorder at the time of the accident said he felt a “sudden pain” which caused him to hit the Picture left: Jayne (centre) having fun with close friends

accelerator instead of the brakes.

Prosecutor Barry Gregory could not offer any evidence against Mr Lewars, so the jury would be sure “that Mr Lewars drove far below the standard expected of a competent and careful driver given those medical circumstances,” said Mr Gregory.

According to cyclist website bikeradar.com Westminster, the bourough responsible for traffic safety on Oxford Street, had the worst statistic on cycling casualties in 2010, with 308 cases. The majority involving buses or lorries,

according to cycling blogger Olaf Storbeck.

“How is it possible that an illness does not render somebody unfit to do his job, but when he makes a grave mistake due to this illness, he’s not responsible for his behaviour?” said Mr Storbeck.

“Whilst we were aware of Mr Lewars’ sciatica, he had been declared fit by his GP,” said spokesman from bus company Metroline, Scott Crowder. “Furthermore this condition would not revoke his bus driving licence.”

Police target rowdy students during Freshers’ Week

Police tackling students at Freshers’ Week.

By Ashleigh Wight K0903765 Three drug-related arrests were made and seven students were issued with cannabis warnings after Kingston police cracked down on rowdy behav our during Freshers’ week.

Pic: Rex

Operation Target, an initiative to increase police presence and keep students safe, was launched for the fourth year running during Freshers’ Week when hundreds of students ventured into Kingston’s bars and clubs.

“The operation seeks to provide reassurance, to reduce people’s

fear of crime and where necessary to ensure that if crimes are committed those responsible are identified and dealt with as soon as possible,” a Kingston Police spokeswoman said.

Around 70 police officers patrolled Kingston’s streets on the last night of Freshers’ Week, checking mini-cabs for licences and carrying out drugs searches with sniffer dogs. Cases of violence were cut by half from the previous year, with no knife or gun crime reported on one of the busiest social nights of the academic calendar.

“We are hopeful that students will recognise that they can have a great time whilst still acting responsibly,” Sergeant Ed McDonough, the event coordinator said.

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12

October 14 - October 28 2011

NEWS

‘I didn’t cheat, I swear on my mum’s life’ says expelled student

By Isa Hemphrey K0933579 A KU student expelled for allegedly cheating has accused the university of having “no proof” and unfairly kicking him off his course.

Jawal Qasimi told The River that his “life and dreams” had been crushed by the university’s decision to expel him and his brother Jahfar – allegations which he believes are based on “false suspicion”.

In an appeal letter to KU, Mr Quasimi wrote: “I just want this whole charade to end and for me to be able to carry on with my studies.

I have been taking medication due to the distress from all of this and I need to put it all behind me.”

The two brothers, who both studied pharmaceutical science, were accused by the university authorities of somehow obtaining their second year organic chemistry exam paper before sitting it.

“It is assumed that the paper was accessed during the workshop while the tutor was distracted in class,” said Mr Qasimi, quoting the report sent to him by the university after his first hearing.

“We always have our workshops in the JG building where there are two projectors in the classroom,

which are connected to the computer. If I touched the mouse, every person in the class would have seen that. On top of all this, I always sat in the middle of the row, not on the edge, with my friends either side of me.” KU made its decision despite the common practice of using past papers in class for revision, many of which included questions that, Mr Qasimi says, have been repeated in different formats for the module’s exam papers over the past few years. “It is like this all the time,” he said. “The teacher will always give you a clue. They’ll say ‘study this part, don’t worry about this part, that’s not important’.”

When Mr Qasimi asked whether he could re-sit the exam his tutors, who were unable to comment, said that the brothers now knew how to access future exam papers, which would enable them to cheat again.

Both brothers are banned from entering the Penrhyn Road campus and attending their third year lessons until their appeal hearing this week. “I’m proud of what I’ve done,” he said. “I study hard, I haven’t cheated so why should I be shy from people? I haven’t done anything wrong.”

KU was unable to comment at the time The River went to press.

Jawal Qasimi was kicked out of university after “cheating” on a science exam

Pic: Anshu Pandit

Student production company brings globe-trotting film to Kingston Uni

By Mashaal Mir K0920147 Get ready to see Kingston University transform into a film set.

Purpose Arts, set up by students across different faculties at Kingston University, is set to begin shooting a political film that will take place in Kingston University, as well as Serbia and Ukraine.

Solomon Phoenix, 31, politics and international relations student at KU and one of the co-founders of Purpose Arts, said: “The film follows the story of two future leaders of tomorrow, both coming from elitist families, and suffering at an early age.”

“These two characters, both gifted in martial arts, arrive from riveronline.co.uk

Solomon Phoenix Purpose Arts

Pic: Mashaal Mir

the Western and Eastern hemisphere and end up at the same institution to be educated and groomed.”

The film will incorporate suspense and drama with subliminal political undertones. “Both of the characters are manipulated by the same hidden hand,” said Mr Phoenix. “They are on a collision course that will shake their communities and the world.”

According to Mr Phoenix, the shooting will begin next month. The team will be flying out to Ukraine to film the very first scene of the feature.

“We will start shooting

our opening scene abroad next month,” said Mr Phoenix.

“We have secured filming locations at the Carpathian Mountains in Ukraine, in Serbia, as well as here at the university.”

The film was initially inspired by a rap track that Mr Phoenix and his friends recorded a year ago.

According to Mr Phoenix, the song was thought provoking and addressed political issues.

Not long after, Mr Phoenix and his team started filming scenes for the music video before deciding to turn it into a short film.

“The rap track was deeply political and was soaked in questions about international relations,” said Mr Phoenix.

“I and two others from the uni-

versity went along and recorded the track professionally. My ambition was then to record a video for the track.”

The production company is a small unit but already has high aspirations.

Purpose Arts is aiming to finish the ambitious project within a two year span and will send off the finished product to film festivals.

“Ideally we want to submit to the Festival De Cannes, however that really depends on the schedule,” said Mr Phoenix.

“However, our strategy is submitting our material to various film festivals.

We anticipate we will be finished in just over two years from now.”

13

October 14 - October 28 2011

NEWS

Burglary up by a third in Kingston

By Isa Hemphrey K0933579

Case Study

Kingston students homes could be targeted by thieves after new figures showed the number of burglaries in the town have soared by a third.

Despite gun and hate crimes falling significantly, burglaries have risen in Kingston by 33.5 per cent since August 2010, the second highest increase throughout London.

A crime map published by police. uk indicates areas around Kingston Bridge House, Penrhyn Road, Kingston Hospital and Richmond Road as burglary hotspots.

A spokeswoman for Kingston Police said: “A burglar will select his target because it offers him the best opportunity to carry out their crime undetected and with the fewest number of obstacles in their way. A building that presents itself as unoccupied and insecure is far more likely to be targeted than one which is properly secured.”

A Home Office guide for student safety suggests at least one in three students will be a victim of crime at university.

It also warns that many thefts from student houses take place within the first weeks of term “as burglars start their Christmas shopping”.

Despite the many home security

One KU student almost had a break in at his house in Kingston and told The River of his experience.

Third year Graphic Design student James Crave Ward, 22, said: “I was out with my girlfriend one night when I got a call from my house mates asking: ‘Have you seen our back door?’ I came back home and found that the back door had been ripped off its hinges.

It must have happened around 8pm and the door definitely looked as though it had been prised open with a chisel or a crowbar. We called the police, who told us that it could have been Polish gangs that hang around for a week looking for houses to burgle.

It’s weird to think someone would break into our house and it felt really creepy. They never caught whoever did it but the police were really good. They spoke to neighbours, who didn’t see anything, and they came round a lot to check on us.

I’m more wary of security now, I never keep my windows open while I’m out of the room as someone could just reach in and take something.”

The River’s crime map shows burglary hot-spots near you over the past year. Statistics by police.uk. Map by Isa Hemphrey

suppliers in Kingston, the average price of four intruder alarms can range from £499 to £1,100, a price that could stretch a student’s budget.

One landlord who owns student houses in Surbiton said: “There will be some students who will lock every door before they leave and others that will leave their window wide open all day every day.”

Kingston police have advised students to mark their property and register it on immobilise.com,

a free national property register, where information on possessions will be checked by the police if the item is everstolen.

They have also advised students not to leave side gates and accessible windows open, or leave ladders out for burglars to break in through a high window.

Kingston police said: “Each of these makes access to the building far simpler and is an indication to the prospective burglar that it’s worth a second look.”

Want to report a crime? Scan this code with your smartphone.

Is KU all play and no work?

By Kim Heinz K0933694 Nearly two thirds of Kingston University students prioritise studying over socialising, according to a recent survey from studentbeans.com.

The study revealed only 14 per cent of recent graduates saw studying as a priority in their first year of university.

Sociology and criminology student Ben Allmark, 19, said: “I came to University to get a degree, not to waste time and money on getting riveronline.co.uk

drunk. Times are tough and I’ve come here for just one reason: to study so that I can get a good job.”

Kingston University’s Student Union president Chris Dingle said: “The results of this survey illustrate the huge difference in our demographic compared to other universities nationally.

He added: “However, when I leave University I am sure that the involvement I had with sports and societies will make me stand out more than if I had just studied and not engaged with anything around my course.”

Familiar situation? Kingston students admit to prioritising partying rather than doing their coursework. Picture by Rex.

14

October 14 - October 28 2011

NEWS

Fall in open day visitors raises fears for applications

By Rosie Williams K0906448

Empty corridors at the Kingston University open days

Pic: Fabiola Buchele

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Fears about the number of applications Kingston University will get this year have intensified after significantly fewer visitors came to the first open day of the year.

Overall visitor numbers were down around half in some faculties, with arts and social sciences courses particularly badly hit.

The poor turn out at the open day earlier this month compounded disappointing statistics on the number of prospectuses requested and hits to the university’s website.

Univerities across the country are waiting to find how many applicants they can attract now course fees are rising to as much as £9,000.

Kingston is charging £8,500 for most of its courses and will offer bursaries and discounts to many new students.

In April, vice chancellor Julius Weinberg announced that Kingston will raise its tuition fees for most courses. Students doing pharmacy or studio-based arts and design honours degrees will have to pay the maximum allowed fee of £9,000 a year.

“Kingston has been well managed and we have some savings,” he said.

“However, we need to hold onto these savings to protect and prepare Kingston University for the future.”

Kingston is usually in the top 10 in the country for the number of applications it recieves.

At the open day on October 8 some courses saw numbers of visitors drop by 60 per cent or more.

Many potential students and their Scan this bar code with your smart phone’s QRreader.

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parents raised the increase in tuition fees as a concern.

Nicole, 17, from Leatherhead who came to Kingston’s open day on Saturday, said: “The fees and funding is going to limit my choices of universities.” Her mother added that the tuition fee loan is “like a small mortgage”.

Jeff Robertson, 17, who is looking to do graphic design at Kingston, said: “I’m anxious about having to do a foundation year as that will add to the cost. I thought ‘blimey this is out of my league I really need to crack on’.”

There were bright spots at the open day. Engineering and maths saw numbers comparable to last year while the courses of the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture are also thought to have seen encouraging numbers visit. One suggestion is that students are turning to more vocational courses.

The number of prospectuses requested from some departments at the univeristy are thought to be down up to half - although numbers have been declining for some years as more people search for courses online.

However, hits to the university website are also understood to have declined from last year by more than 20 per cent.

The maximum tuition fee was set last year when MPs voted in favour of raising the cap on university tuition fees from £3,200 to £9,000, despite major student protests in London.

Science and maths course leaders were optimistic about the number of people and said they were “buoyant” about the open days. An open day held in July, was reported as being very busy.

October 14 - October 28 2011

NEWS

15

New Kingston nightclub plans rejected by police

By Joseph Longley K0944811 Plans for a controversial 2,000 capacity nightclub in Kingston have been turned down amid concerns it would not be policed properly.

The proposed nightclub near Kingston Station on Richmond Road, which would have been the third of its size in the town, had approximately 80 restrictions enforced on its licence before the application was eventually turned down.

Although Kingston University Students’ Union (KUSU) has no official stance on the number of clubs in Kingston, it did say: “It would be good to see the land used for a community project, especially one that could bring together our students and local residents, rather than a commercial ‘landmark’.”

Plans to transform the site of the old Gala Bingo Hall into a new ‘Kingston Arena’, which could hold concerts, sporting events and orchestral performances, surfaced at the beginning of this year.

However, residents and councillors quickly raised concerns that the land would become another at-

Deserted: The old Gala Bingo Hall on Richmond Road, Kingston

traction for student drinkers.

Liberal Democrat Timothy Dennen, of Kingston Council, said: “I find it completely unacceptable to allow this proposal to go ahead.

“The glossy brochure this applicant has distributed is only a cover for a nightclub scenario at the site.”

Already, people are speculating what the site could be if not a night-

club. Previous bidders and current interested parties are looking at a number of uses including a church, a children’s indoor play park, an Asda supermarket and an ice rink.

June Hillier, chairperson of the Richmond Road Residents’ Association (RRRA), said: “People keep saying if it’s not a nightclub, what will it be; it can’t work. Of course

it can. It can work as a children’s area, and it can work as a completely family-friendly community area.”

“The police have acknowledged that they won’t be able to effectively police a venue outside the town centre. Also, the street pastors who operate in the town centre will not be able to come out here,” she said

after the licensing hearing.

The RRRA have previously voiced fears that a club on Richmond Road would lead to the destruction of property, violence and noise on the nearby residential roads. It also brought into question the character of the owner Franco Lumba, and two licence applicants.

Lumba was arrested on suspicion of money laundering in June this year which lead to his other Kingston club, Essence, being temporarily shut down.

Malcolm Farquharson, one of the licence applicants, was sentenced to six months in prison for phone cloning in 1993. The other applicant, Matthew Deith, was formally warned after committing a criminal offence by breaching a condition attached to his personal management licence.

Hillier added: “We were astonished and very delighted to find the committee had refused the application. We have won the battle, but it is yet to be seen about the war as we are now waiting to see whether or not the applicants will appeal the decision.”

The applicants have until today to appeal. Visit riveronline.co.uk for news of the development in the coming months.

PhD student celebrates opening clay exhibition

By Myriam Dijck and Lisa Schink

A Kingston University PhD student celebrated his debut exhibition of clay sculptures last week with a new display at the Stanley Picker Gallery.

Martin Westwood, whose expertise lies in painting, familiarised himself with the special features of clay while working for 18 months on his exhibition called These Hands Are Models.

“The material does what you want it to do until it dries. There are a lot of unexpected things that, happen when working with clay,” he said. “You have to be much more accepting, and much less controlling during those

accidental, unexpected moments which you might not want to happen. You have to decide whether you run with that or not.”

Westwood used an innovative combination of hand sculpting and extrusion to create the 11 pieces of art. With his exhibition he wanted to point out the parallels between the paper print technique and the extrusion process.

“You take a profile and then push clay through it. This is some rudimentary form of printmaking. It’s reproducible and it has a relationship of material being directed by a profile,” he said.

The predominantly brown and grey pieces with imaginative titles like ‘Fawcettes smother

Fountains’ and ‘Pro, In, De, Con, Re, Peat’ are scattered across the gallery hall; with smaller sculptures on the floor, and the bigger pieces on low bases.

Westwood said that working with clay was liberating to him as an artist.

“It’s opened up quite a lot of doors which I had closed to myself,” he said.

“In terms of the history of being a painter and also in terms of engagement with colour and surface, flippancy, spontaneity and arbitrary contingent things.

These doors have sort of been opened again through working with clay.”

These Hands Are Models is displayed at the Stanley PickerGallery until 26 November.

Westwood used extrusion to create his clay sculptures riveronline.co.uk

COMMENT

Comment

October 14 - October 28 2011

17

What the Fox Killing an injured animal is no way to spice up your night out

By Amirah Valu K0902702

I

t’s in a student’s blood to have one of those nights that we all regret.

Drinking too many Jägerbombs, maybe taking home a traffic cone, or even making out with someone and forgetting their name the next day.

But coming across an injured fox on the street and then dragging it back to your halls of residence?

What were they thinking?

When you have too much to drink you lose most of your inhibitions. However, beating up a half dead fox and then leaving it to die confirms that none of the culprits had an inch of common sense. Anyone else would have left the fox alone.

“These are acts so revolting they personally offend me” It would have been no surprise if this bizarre act was something that young immature boys considered as a university “joke”. But in this case it was different and allegedly two girls were also involved in injuring the fox.

This makes the case unusual and in my eyes even more disgusting and unacceptable.

The distance between Ama-gi and Seething Wells is about 20 minutes, so they clearly had time to think about their actions as they dragged the fox back to halls and

What is The River?

The River is written, edited and produced by journalism students at Kingston University.

The views expressed in this paper do not necessarily reflect those of the university.

What we promise: The River aims to serve the university and the local area.

Our mission statement

Urban foxes are a dirty nuisance, but do they deserve such cruel treatment?

left it to die in what appears to be the most inhumane way possible.

What happened afterwards can only be described as a scene from a horror film.

Kicking the fox in the head, filming it so that their mates could see and then chucking it from the roof, are acts so revolting they personally offend me.

Animal cruelty on this level is punishable by up to six months

in prison and/or a fine of up to £20,000.

Personally, I think the University shouldn’t allow these people to get away with their actions. Given the dire student housing situation one way to go about it may be to give the guilty students’ rooms away as they can’t use them like adults.

It’s clear that some fellow residents who live at Seething Wells have been left distraught by their

commits us to raising and addressing the issues relevant to students and local people, as well as to entertain and inform them.

We aim to celebrate the achievements of students and local people alike.

We aim to conform to the standard codes of conduct of the profession of journalism, it is The River’s policy to print timely corrections and clarifications when we have got something wrong.

If you feel you have been misrepresented or that we have made a mistake, please get in touch.

What we need from you: If you have information or a story which would interest our readers, please contact us.

editors.river@gmail.com

Pic: Rex

actions as blood stains can still be seen on the staircase of the block where the deed took place.

Many students who currently live at Seething Wells have some sort of ushered code amongst them.

Any mention of the fox is met with: “I have no idea what you are talking about, I was sleeping.”

I stress that anyone who does know anything that can help find out who did this should contact the

university. Even the smallest detail can help settle this brutal act.

In the mean time, a word to those stupid children who can’t go a year without running past a primary school in their underwear or throwing a defenceless animal off a three story building; GROW UP. Stop giving Kingston University students such a sickening reputation, and at least try to rejoin the rest of the human race.

Got something to say?

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@ RiverNewspaper riveronline.co.uk

18

October 14 - October 28 2011

THE RIVER COMMENT Kingston University is not perfect, as we at The River are prone to point out on occasion.

Our newly-renovated doors are a tad cramped, we have a sad tendency to lose to Roehampton in sport, and our yearly place in the Times Educational Supplement can be less than flattering.

But there is one title that our university holds that we at The River are proud to tout. We are one of the most multi-cultural universities in the UK. Take a walk down the hallowed halls of Penrhyn Road and you will see Sikhs and Muslims, Christians chowing down with Hindus, and a whole load of Bhuddists, Jews, atheists and maybe even the odd Scientologist thrown in if you look hard enough. We’ve got students from America, Libya, Cuba, Indonesia, France, Poland, Russia, you name it, we’ve got ‘em.

The point is, we don’t discriminate. And so whatever happens around the world makes waves in Kingston. It is with this in mind that our piece on the Arab Spring, depicting the struggles, fears and triumphs of our friends in countries striving for freedom and democracy, strikes so true at the start of our new term.

Stories like Mazen’s harrowing late night vigil in Egypt, as he held a weapon for the first time, remind us that a few dodgy doors on campus are a miniscule price to pay for the freedom to be educated in a peaceful and stable country.

And while we may enjoy mocking our faculties’ dubious financial choices, it is also worth celebrating the people and the victories which make us proud to be Kingston students.

ASK MARK Questions about uni life? Worried about navigating the campus? Got queries about student finances?

Perennial retaker Mark will be here every issue of The River to answer all of the above and explain life, the universe and everything.

The man with all the answers, Mark has been trolling Kingston Universtiy campuses since before smartphones.

Contact Mark at askmark.river@gmail.com riveronline.co.uk

COMMENT

No room for improvement

By Nick Smith K0943718

T

his year’s shaping up to be an austere one, across the UK and at KU in particular.

The River has reported thousands of students still don’t have a place to call home, crime is going up, fees are going up, and I know few people whose loan came through on time, if at all.

Meanwhile, with the aim of improving “the quality, range and accessibility of facilities and services available to students,” the University has been busy all summer – spending your money on a multi-million pound “bundle” of construction projects which included a new student office for the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, a work-back room and a new pastoral office – obviously, much needed.

Most visible among these edgy re-designs is the Penrhyn Road front entrance and lobby area.

Unfortunately, the Penrhyn Road front entrance is among the least functional re-designs in the history of re-dos.

Where eager undergrads used to grind to near halts, squeezing shoulder-to-shoulder in reluctant expressions of entry-way-bottleneck-imposed camaraderie, and disperse again once inside Kingston’s grand walls of knowledge –

Kingston students enter the “re-designed” lobby

Pix: Nick Smith

uncomfortably close students now navigate an S-turn while encased, if only for a moment, in a cage of glass and Kingston branding.

Which, at peak traffic, must be some kind of a fire hazard. (Note to the editor: will you please find out if I am risking my life by coming to lecture?)

According to the university, the Penrhyn Road front entrance refurb was undertaken with the intention “that people will actually stop and use the space rather than just pass through.”

Which is obviously the best possible use for our lobby. Better stu-

dents use that space than, oh say, the library, for instance.

Poshly-named architecture firm Pascall + (don’t think about using an ampersand) Watson were the designers brought in for this series of “improvements.”

And although the university declined to comment on the overall cost of the projects, Pascall + Watson’s website puts the value of the

Penrhyn Road Campus Developments at £50k to £1.5m.

In the last few months the Arab world found a voice, the News of the World found its end, the western-world’s found trouble and we at Kingston got a series of worthless “infrastructural developments” and a 57” Samsung LCD display (retail £3,780) that’s hung blankscreened in the Penrhyn Road lobby since the start of term. (Note to the editor: will you please find out if the flat-screen in the Penrhyn Road lobby is plugged in?)

Welcome back to more of the same at Kingston University.

Six hours of lecture and no lunch break. What do I do?

If you get peckish during your lecture, fill ‘er up and enjoy a nutritious learning experience!

DON’T try this with baked beans, or you run the risk of a potentially lethal and embarrassing in-lecture choking episode. Poor Wolfman...

Alternatively, you can just

leave for a bit and then come back Pop out mid lecture and you will find the queues at the canteen pleasantly small.

You’re an adult now, nobody will shoot you for leaving.

Except maybe those guys at Film Studies, they go a bit stir crazy.

pare you for the horror that waits within.

Acquaint yourself with the Health Centre, as you will inevitably find yourself there, probably with a House M.D style series of bizarre and seemingly untreatable conditions.

So far I have been tested or treat-

ed for mumps, influenza, lead poisoning, mad cow disease, extreme arachnophobia, sinusitis, synesthesia, ADHD, lupus, and in one rare case post-coital paralysis.

I almost made the British Medical Journal for that one, but some bastard in Kent beat me to it by ten minutes!

Jane Derlin Grammer, 19 Here’s a trick I learned from my good friend the Wolfman - get one of those American beer hats and fill a Thermos flask with hot soup.

Where is the health centre?

Marie Storheim Grongan, 19 Oh God, the Health Centre. Situated behind the Tower Block at Penhryn Road, the Health Centre resembles a nice cottage, like your Grandma’s house. Nothing can pre-

“Penrhyn Road front entrance is among the least functional re-designs in the history of re-dos”

October 14 - October 28 2011

COMMENT

19

Skanky or Savvy?

Mini skirts T

here is certainly not a lot of fabric to them, but they provide enough material for a juicy debate.

Two River reporters are debating just where to draw the hemline when it comes to skirt lengths.

Does a mini turn the lady wearing it into a woman confident about her femininity and sexuality or does it just spell tacky, cheap chick all over?

Short skirted students queue outside Oceana. Inset: A Slut Walk protester.

Pix: Rex/Therese Doksheim

Where is your pride? Wear it with pride!

Therese is asking

T

hese non-existing skirts. They’re everywhere.

Whenever I go for a night out in Kingston, I always end up feeling I should have left my jeans at home and worn my top as a dress.

Why is it that on a night out in this town it is easier to spot the girls with skirts that are so far away from covering their knickers, than to spot those like myself: in an outfit that at least covers my mid-thigh?

I wonder, is this just a massive slag cult – or is this what they think actually looks nice?

“We’re entitled to wear what we want, but not all of us want to see your nether regions when you walk down the stairs” I simply don’t think it looks flattering when you can see a girl’s knickers (or the lack of) and at the same time have full access to her chest.

The look is just too cheap. I know we’re all entitled to wear whatever we want, but not all of us want to see your nether regions when you walk down the stairs.

These girls subliminally dress this way

because they know that’s what will get them attention.

Although a night out in Kingston must be a ball for the male sex in a sweaty nightclub, this just isn’t right.

I wonder where this idea of appropriate clothing comes from.

I think it all comes down to the fact that girls in Kingston are getting used to the fact that these teeny-tiny-barely-theresuffocating dresses are their only option if they want to fit in at Oceana.

It is not just the clingy dresses. When they are combined with heels so high that girls topple over, it is not a pretty sight.

It might be the fact that I’m a foreigner and not from a society where girls legs turn blue while queuing for the nightclub.

I just don’t get why you would do that to yourself.

The first time I came to England and saw this phenomenon I was shocked in my woolen coat.

Last winter newspapers splashed pictures of girls in these notorious outfits in a pile of snow.

At least I’m not the only one noticing the trend. I hope the next time I’m out girls have some decency and I can survive a night out without getting flashed on the way up the stairs.

Hayley is saying

T

he quiet tut of disapproval. The barely stifled snigger. The not-sononchalant glance up and down.

Ladies, you know what I am talking about: the girl-on-girl crimes we commit every day, when a woman walks into a room wearing a little less than everyone else.

And let’s not beat around the bush, this is not a daring flash of ankle or wrist.

I am talking about cleavage bulging out of bras like a makeshift shelf and skirts so short that when you bend over you almostmaybe-probably-definitely see some cheek.

You are probably wondering if I dress like this and the answer is no.

The point I am trying to defend here is that if I want to give everybody an eyeful of my tits one day and cover up in a burkha the next, I will.

It is my body, and my right to expose however much or little of it that I want to without any bitchiness.

When women criticise women it only gives men the ammunition to do so as well - and sexist attitudes like this can have dangerous repercussions.

Just this year a Toronto policeman told girls in schools that they should not dress like ‘sluts’ in order to avoid rape and sexual assault. In response, thousands of angry

women and men have marched in Slut Walks across the globe to support the ‘radical’ notion that how a woman dresses should not affect their right to safety.

Why are some women so offended by short skirts? Is it a cultural thing?

The Brits do have a reputation for flashing the flesh, but personally, seeing a gang of girls queuing for a club in the bitter winter cold stirs a sense of national pride within me.

“Display of body confidence seen on women of all shapes and sizes should surely be applauded” Whether you agree or not, this display of body confidence seen on women of all shapes and sizes should surely be applauded.

It’s like sticking two fingers up to how society think a woman should dress and the media’s perception of what a woman should look like.

So ladies, just as long as we are safe and savvy I think we should celebrate being slutty.

This discussion isn’t over. Join it online let us know which side of the argument you’re on

riveronline.co.uk

20

October 14 - October 28 2011

FEATURES

Features

‘My lying, cheating boyfriend made me infertile at just 20’ Emma Hooper speaks to Kingston student Jasmine about how her cheating boyfriend kept her in the dark about having chlamydia for over a year after their break up - and now she has less than a one in 10 chance of conceiving

HER test results were conclusive. It was the news she had been dreading - she was infertile, at just 20-years-old.

“I’m devastated,” says Jasmine, a Kingston University student.

“I’ve been given a slim chance I’ll ever have children. I’m so young, but I don’t feel young anymore, I feel old and useless.

“My boyfriend didn’t only cheat, he tore apart my future, and a lifetime worth of happiness with my own children.

“I hate him, but hate myself for not having regular checks and being too trusting, even in a relationship.”

Kingston Hospital’s Sexual Health Centre diagnosed 800 cases of chlamydia last year.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease rates have been rapidly increasing, - 123,000 incidents last year, largely affecting under-25s.

Jasmine, just like one in every 10 women who have developed pelvic inflammatory disease, is left with fertility problems.

“I hate him, but I hate myself for not having regular check-ups and being too trusting” Tests to find the cause of her intense stomach pains revealed Jasmine now has less than a 10 per cent chance of ever conceiving.

Her specialist suggested the pain could be linked back with a case of chlamydia.

Jasmine is now paying the price of having a long-term relationship with a cheating boyfriend.

“I never expected him to have been with anyone else, he just didn’t seem the type.

“I’ve been torn into pieces by riveronline.co.uk

What is Chlamydia?

It is one of the most common sexually transmitted bacterial infection (STI) affecting both men and women.

Most of those affected do not notice anything wrong, no symptoms – often called a ‘silent infection’.

If left untreated, chlamydia may lead to serious problems such as infertility.

About 1 in 10 sexually active young people who are tested are found to have chlamydia.

Advice & Support Go to your GP, or a sexual health clinic for testing and treatment. All services are confidential. You can also ask a pharmacist.

You can call FPA’s helpline - 0845 122 8690 or the NHS Sexual Health Helpline - 0800 567 123.

Visit www.sexualhealthkingston.co.uk for more information.

Jasmine devastated at being made infertile by cheating boyfriend.

this, my lying, cheating boyfriend made me infertile,” she says, looking down at her feet.

Jasmine pauses to pull herself together, haunted by what has happened.

“Friends told me he’d been bragging about keeping the chlamydia from me for a year after we split. I was instantly filled with rage, I still am.

“He caught it from someone he’d been seeing towards the end of our relationship.

“I went for checks at the sexual health clinic straight after I found out that my ex had chlamydia.

“I was told I had chlamydia, given a course of antibiotics, but my stomach pains, cystitis and irregular periods were all signs I had developed pelvic inflammatory disease after being undiagnosed for almost two years.”

The sexually-transmitted disease had been given time to spread, causing damage likely to be irre-

Pic: Rex

versible to her reproductive system.

She developed excruciating stomach cramps, but brushed them off as period pain.

Jasmine’s GP then referred her to hospital for tests.

There she had a laparoscopy , where the surgeon inserted a thin camera tube through a small incision near her belly button.

The laparoscopy showed scar tissue on both fallopian tubes caused by pelvic inflammatory disease, triggered by chlamydia.

It’s now unlikely Jasmine will ever conceive without fertility treatment to achieve her dreams of motherhood.

“I didn’t think about it affecting my chances to have children,” she says, full of doubt. “I didn’t worry.

Nothing ran in my family so I’ve never seen a reason to consider it.”

Fertility specialist, Dr Geeta Nargunde, head of reproductive medicine at St George’s Hospital

in London, says recent evidence shows declines in fertility across the UK. “Not just women in their 30s, but women in their late 20s are also experiencing more fertility problems.

“This is largely down to lifestyle factors, such as being either vastly underweight or overweight, smoking and, of course, unprotected sex which can lead to chlamydia,” he explains.

Recent figures show that more women than ever before are now faced with fertility treatment in the UK. “There isn’t a doubt that lifestyle factors can have a negative impact on fertility,” confirms fertility expert Michael Doogley, an NHS Consultant Gynaecologist.

In December this year, Jasmine will be having surgery to remove some scar tissue on her womb, in the hope of improving her chances of one day becoming a mother.

“I always wanted a family and dreamt of being a mum. I’m starting to come to terms with the small chances of that dream ever coming true,” the 20-year-old says.

Before the disaster, Jasmine had planned on having children within the next five years.

Just before term started, tests showed she had stopped ovulating.

A specialist prescribed the drug Clomid to help stimulate her ovaries.

However, further tests showed it made no difference.

Not only was she infertile, but unable to qualify for In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) on the NHS until she reaches 25.

National guidelines state that fertility treatment should be available to women aged 25-39.

“My boyfriend didn’t only cheat, he tore apart my future and a lifetime worth of happiness with my children” However, not all health authorities will provide this for women who are that young.

Jasmine’s only chance will be to fund a course of treatment on her own, but with one dose of IVF costing at least £3,000, she simply cannot see herself affording it.

“My parents keep talking about how great adopting can be, but I know that can take years.

“To have my own, all I can do is save for IVF, so when the time comes for me, I’ve got some money to at least try having a baby,” she says in a hopeful voice.

“For young women reading this, I really beg you to look after your sexual health, because you never know what could happen long-term if you don’t.

“I hope this raises the awareness that I missed out on.”

Out of shame, Jasmine has told her current boyfriend to leave her.

But he refused, vowing to stand by her.

“Having him by my side has made this a little less of a nightmare,” Jasmine says, forcing a smile.

Name changed to protect the student’s identity.

21

October 14 - October 28 2011

FEATURES

Shake, stretch and strip the weight off The average drinker consumes 2,000 extra calories every month, adding to your beer belly. But don’t go on a crash diet Joyce See’s alternative exercises will get you fit and be fun to do. The best part: it doesn’t involve the dreaded treadmill

Catslide fitness

Zumba class

Pole dancing

Barre fitness

Bikram yoga

This challenging form of exercise provides fast results, but you will work hard for it. By placing both hands and feet on sliding mats you work out your body by moving your limbs. Catslide challenges the whole body by putting your strength, balance and body control to the test.

Catslide is great if you want to stay in shape or lose the pounds, or just have fun.

Zumba requires a lot of control in the midsection of the body.

It can sculpt and tone all parts of your body, all while enjoying rhythmic Latin music. Bicep curls and lunges are a few of the moves that have been worked into the routines. You don’t need to be a dancer to do Zumba.

They are made up of a lot of repetitions and you will find yourself an expert in no time.

Forget the age-old stigma of pole dancing being for strippers.

Pole dancing is fast becoming one of the best ways to tone up and keep those nasty pounds off.

Holding on to the pole works your arms and shoulders in the same way as a push up and swinging around it is the equivalent of a tummy crunch. Imagine what regular pole dancing classes could do for your body.

Barre fitness combines the elements of Pilates, yoga, resistance training and ballet into a work out which will lengthen, define and tone your body. Using weights, bands, small balls and a ballet barre, you improve your flexibility, posture and core strength. This workout can be modified to suit any level of fitness, and you are likely to see results in just 10 sessions!

Bikram yoga is done in a heated room of about 41 degrees. This causes the heart rate to increase, which helps the body burn more fat and flushes out toxins through sweat. For those weary of being inflexible, anyone can do yoga and you can notice an improvement after only a few weeks. To lose weight, you are advised to attend three classes per week for maximum weight loss benefits.

Time: 30 - 55 minutes Burns: 400 - 800 calories

Time: 30 - 55 minutes Burns: 500 - 1000 calories

Time: 60 minutes Burns: 400 calories

Time: 60 minutes Burns: 250 - 500 calories

Time: 90 minutes Burns: 700 - 1200 calories

How to keep the pounds off 1. Drink a glass of water before you eat – it eases your hunger and fills up the stomach.

2. Use smaller plates – it will trick your brain into getting full on smaller portions.

Sick and tired of the same old papers?

Tell us about it

3. Avoid the centre aisles at the supermarket – that’s where all the processed food is.

4. Go blue; eat off blue plates – studies have shown that blue acts as an appetite suppressant.

5. Eat only when you are hungry - don’t eat out of boredom.

6. Make your own meal - homemade meals are always more nutritious.

7. Don’t forget that alcohol is full of calories.

8. Kiss – Yes, literally. A passionate kiss burns 6.4 calories per minute!

Tweet us @RiverNewspaper

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Sink your teeth into

RiverOnline.co.uk Talk back @RiverNewspaper and on

Kingston University Student Newspaper on Facebook This year the award winning River student newspaper and its digital sister River Online have joined forces to bring you news, information and entertainment from around Kingston and South West London.

But we need your help. Tell us what you think of the paper, the website and anything elsin the comments areas under articles on RiverOnline.co.uk Or let us know what you know Collaborate on and submit stories to The River and River Online at

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FEATURES

October 14 - October 28 2011

25

‘My father wants me dead because I chose to leave Islam’ A Kingston Student tells Daphne Tona-Weyalo how in the eight years since changing his faith he has lived in fear of his father killing him IMAGINE having to live in constant fear for your life and in complete secrecy because you don’t know who you can trust.

Imagine your own father telling you he will shoot you if he ever sees you again. For Kingston student Saamir this is a reality. For the past eight years he has been on the run, hiding from his family because he decided to leave Islam.

Like Saamir, there are an estimated 3,000 ex-Muslims in the UK whose lives are at risk because they have converted to Christianity.

Some Muslims consider leaving Islam an offence worthy of death.

Most Muslims around the world are happy to live and let live, but some take offence to people leaving their faith. A poll, carried out for the conservative-learning Policy Exchange think tank in 2007, showed that almost a third of Muslims aged 16-24 believed that people who converted from Islam should be executed.

“An estimated 3,000 ex-Muslims in the UK are risking their lives after converting to Christianity”

“The blood of a Muslim is always haram, which means it should be protected,” says Saamir. “Haram blood shouldn’t be shed. But, there are some exceptions, for example if you convert, kill another Muslim, or if you are a married man or woman who commits adultery.

Muslim blood is always haram unless commiting one of these” riveronline.co.uk

Saamir grew up in a strict Mus- if you had been on the wrong path lim home. He had a conservative all this time. I was born a Christian father who was a leader in the but at some point I decided to give world’s oldest Islamic political par- up my life and follow Christ. Did ty, The Muslim Brotherhood. His you decide to do that? Did you defather ran away to France and left Saamir in the care of his religious paternal family. Saamir mimicked his father’s leadership in the Islamic community and began preaching in the mosque at the age of 15.

Later on he was offered a schol- Saamir says he now sees Jesus as “one of the greatest teachers” arship to go on a three year training course in Iran to cide to become a Muslim?’ study as an imam, a spiritual leader.

The Lebanese man offered the “People who attended saw the in- speechless Saamir a Bible. At fluence I had,” says Saamir. “One first, Saamir refused to even shed a word and I could direct them any- glance at the book. In spite of this, where.” He was considered a skil- Saamir slowly cast himself into the ful speaker who would be sent to scriptures and the more he read, the Europe to convert people to Islam, more he questioned the faith he had a role that Saamir was honoured to been raised on. What he read “rehave. ally made sense” and Saamir began However, it was first during seeing Jesus as one “of the greatest a confrontation with a Christian teachers”.

Lebanese man that Saamir began Saamir’s internal battle with Isdoubting his religion. He had re- lam went on for two years. In hope luctantly agreed to join a church of getting questions answered and service, only to storm out in an- putting his doubts to rest, Saamir ger when a pastor had suggested decided to schedule a meeting with a prayer for the persecuted Chris- his scholars and other students to tians in the Middle East. express his doubts about Islam. AcThe Lebanese man followed cording to Saamir, the students beSaamir and challenged his faith. came very violent with him, some “He stopped me and said, ‘Imagine even taking off their shoes to beat

him with.

“I began to wonder, ‘How am I going to teach people this? How can I teach a man to beat up his wife?’ If my wife disobeys me, the Qur’an says that I, as an imam, should not give her the sexual right, and secondly, that I should beat her up.”

Although most Muslims are against domestic violence and the translation of the Qur’anic verse is disputed within the Muslim community, Saamir says: “How can I teach them violence rather than what Jesus said, ‘love your enPic:Rex emies?’”

Finally, in March 2003, Saamir took the ultimate step and converted to Christianity. On the day of his baptism he phoned his father and told him the news.

“He paused and said, ‘If I had you in front of me right now, I would shoot you’.” A slight shudder pass-

“If I had you in front of me right now, I would shoot you” es through Saamir as he remembers hearing his father’s words.

Saamir was given one year to recover from his “insanity,” but Saamir did not let go of his decision. The deadline passed and Saamir’s family decided that their disobedient son would have to be captured and killed. Staying in

his home country instantly turned from difficult to impossible. With apostasy laws handing out death penalties to anyone found guilty of converting from Islam and with his family’s hunt for him, Saamir decided to flee to the UK. Not long after, his father offered a reward for

“The past eight years have been very traumatic for me”

anyone who would bring Saamir back. Dead.

“I don’t know who’s out there looking for me, who wants this prize that my father has for them.

I’ve learnt to be very, very cautious. The past eight years have been very traumatic for me,” says Saamir as tears begin to well up in his eyes.

However, England is not a safe haven either. Saamir feels threatened by some members of the Islamic community who have trouble accepting his conversion.

He recalls an argument with a member of the Kingston Islamic Society. “You could see he was very offended and very angry.

When you say to Muslims that you are a convert, you offend them personally,” says Saamir.

Despite the many sacrifices he’s had to make, Saamir still stands firm in his faith. He says: “It’s going to be a constant battle. But life with Christ is a very exciting life.

It’s action, it’s a different life. You find out what hope is. I don’t think I could get something better than that in my life.” *Name changed to protect the student’s identity.

26

FEATURES

October 14 - October 2 2011

Bookshelf of a pick-up artist Ever walked out of a club wondering how the chubby one next to you has three women all over him?

Guys, Mashaal Mir has the answer to all of your burning questions: the bookshelf of pick-up artists.

Get ready to replace your wingman. These must-have holy books will teach you how to attract and seduce women while getting your swagger on. Don’t trust me? How about the millions of men who swear by these books? Read and learn, gentlemen.

The Rules of the Game

by Neil Strauss

The Art of Seduction

by Robert Greene

What Every Body Is Saying

by Joe Navarro

If pick-up artists were devout Christians (no offence to Jesusloving players out there), then The Rules of the Game would be their Bible. Released as a follow up to the bestseller The Game, Neil Strauss is a God and a household name amongst the bachelors. This book will help you get past the deadliest security system in the world: a woman’s barrier. Strauss spent four years observing his techniques tried by over 13,000 men.

The Rules of the Game is a fascinating read and a must-have for every dude out there, single and taken.

Robert Greene is the author of the massively successful The 48 Laws of Power which has inspired hiphop artists like Kanye West, Jay-Z and Drake. This is the go to guy for business executives in need of advice. So when Greene puts out a book about seduction, you better pay attention. The Art of Seduction explores gaining social power as well as manipulating social situations. Greene examines the seven possible ‘personalities of seduction’ by using celebrity examples, teaches you how to emulate them and how to avoid narcissistic traps.

Written by an ex-FBI Agent, What Every Body Is Saying teaches you how to control your non-verbal cues. Sometimes, it’s more about what you do than what you say.

According to a BBC survey, 58 per cent of all flirtation is done through body language. This book will teach you the ability to read people’s behaviour and body language and will give you the upper-hand in negotiations. Understanding and ultimately influencing a woman’s physical response to you is half the challenge. This book will help you win it.

17 nday o M ffle ber Octo uffle Shu s u Tr acch eat @B 0′S B 6 , l l s o ‘n’ R & Blue k c o m h 60’sR Rhyt 50’s/ urf and flyer &S with 1 1 ut efore £2 b £4 witho

Octo

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Battle of the DJ’s 8pm Free entry

October Tuesday 18 Just a Groove @ Bacchus.

Funk, Soul, Disco. £2 before 11 with flyer, £4 all night without.

day Rum 20 Elec p Shake tro, r@ Bacc Bass Hip H hu o , Du b St p, Drum s. ep, G £2 e rime & n . t r y flyer , £4 before 1 all n ight 1 with with out.

10pm -3am . riveronline.co.uk

October Wednesday 19 Drowned in sound @ Knights Park

10pm-3am

Octo b Mad er Mon d ness @ O ay 17 c eana Stud . e play nt night ing R with Pop , and etro, Ch DJ’s e Cha rt m ese, usic . £5 e ntry

Hey, how you doin’? These books will help you gain confidence and charm

October Saturday 22 Crack Comedy @ The Grey Horse.

Pay people to make you laugh with stand-up £7 with NUS, £11 without.

Book early.

Doors 8pm

Pic: Rex

Oc Vod tober Fr ka L i ove day 21 Che @ Ama ap -gi. old p drinks a n e d r v n s cord o ing t or stick ‘chavs y ca ,d o the Face rpets’ irty ac book grou 9pm p.

-3am

October Sunday 23 Outdoor cinema @ The Albert.

Starts 7pm. Free.

Request films on their website. www.thealbertkingston.co.uk/movie-night. php

October Sunday 23 Surbiton Ski Su nday@ St Marks Hill Watch competit ors attach blocks of ice to their feet and ski to raise mon ey for charity.

11am- 1pm.

22 ay d r atu r S C.E @ me. e b to ro N. Oc D.A. ppod i er. aft eH h 6 T le 1/ £ e 1 peop r o e. bef 100 £4 First in fre get m -2a m p 10

October Thursday 20 Pub Quiz @ No. 88 Bar & Grill.

Quiz run by students.

Free to play. Shots and champagne awarded to winners.

2for1 cocktails 7- 10pm.

Starts 8pm.

October 14 - October 28 2011

ENTERTAINMENT

27

Who Run The World?

Kingston girls Miss London tells The River’s Michelle Tiwo about her rise to fame and how she plans to take over the world Better known by her stage name Miss London, Kingston alumnus Dionne Hughes has rocked up a storm in the comedy world in just under three years.

Now she is already in talks with the BBC and American networks, Universal studios and NBC. She said: “I’d like to be like the female Jamie Foxx. The big goal would be to go over to America and make it big. I think that is everyone’s dream, but that’s where I’d like to end up.”

“I’ve done stand-up and I love it.

It will always be a skill that I have, but my next big goal is acting. I want to be in a film, and if it has to be, I will write the film myself,” she said.

At a young age we all choose what career path we hope to go down. For some, their parents have the last say while others rebel to do their own thing. But for Dionne, comedy was something that chose her. She admits not being the prettiest or most popular of students but decided that this would not stop her from doing what she wants to.

Falling more or less mouth first into the comedy circuit, Dionne’s career really began to take off five days after performing at the annual

Roehampton’s Got Talent show.

That was how she ended up becoming the host for one of London’s most popular entertainment nights, The Sunday Show.

Since then, the interest in her has grown quickly for three reasons: she is female, she is young, and she was fresh to the scene.

“It kind of just snuck up on me really. I didn’t think in a million years it would catapult me the way it has into mainstream,” she said.

Dionne, now 22, described how

“I’d like to be like the female Jamie Foxx” her agent, Vivienne Clore, helped take her to new heights when she bagged her CBBC gig.

“I used to see Angelica Bell presenting it and I wanted to be like her, and work there; which would be a dream come true.”

When the BBC headquarters moved to Manchester, no one, including Miss London herself, believed she could work up north. So, she set out on her own path to empower women while making everyone laugh; like her biggest inspiration, Beyoncé.

“To all girls, never, ever, ever, ever second guess your talent,” she said. We get a lot of jibes for being girls. Don’t let people tell you that you’re funny for a girl. No. You’re funny full stop.

“I think there would be a lot more comediennes if we didn’t get put down so much. So, if you’re a funny girl who made your friends laugh, and can make one stranger laugh then you can make a room full of strangers laugh - think of the logic.”

Now working closely with the BBC on her own “mockumentary”, a documentary that takes the mick, the Kingston graduate is focusing on her acting, comedy and writing.

“I can’t really reveal what’s coming up next but I’ve got the mockumentary.

I’m very much still in the game.”

Dionne Hughes: “Never second guess your talent”

Miss London: Dionne Hughes’ winning performance at Funny Women in 2009 riveronline.co.uk

30

October 14 - October 28 2011

KU busted in US football blowout

SPORT

By John Bevan K0818161

A rival American Football player ridiculed the Kingston Cougars by calling their league chances “laughable” before they have even played their first match.

Portsmouth Destroyers’ quarterback Nick Rizzuto, who was one of the essential players to get Portsmouth the winning title last year, claims the newly formed Kingston Cougars are “just another team to be laughed at”.

Nick responded to claims from Kingston’s coach Phil De Monte, who said that Kingston could have a winning team within three years.

“I don’t fancy Kingston’s chances at the moment because they have to earn it,” said Nick. “It takes a big work ethic. A lot of teams have made bold statements in the past and they’ve been laughed at, and to be honest it sounds like that again.”

Portsmouth won all of the eleven matches in last year’s season. This included a thrashing 76-0 of the Surrey Stingers – the team Kingston University used to play with.

In the final the Portsmouth Destroyers met the Birmingham Lions – who had won the championship for the previous two years – and beat them 20-19 in a nail biting encounter in Leeds.

“We smashed the Surrey Stingers last year so if that’s any indication of what the Kingston team will be like then they won’t be able to touch us,” bragged Nick. “The Portsmouth team is known as being one of the most hated teams in the league. We get told we’re cocky

Nick Rizzuto, 21

Surrey Stingers in action during the 2010/11 season

all the time but that comes from a confidence we have, and that we’ve earnt” This year the Kingston Cougars broke off into a individual team and will go through an affiliate year before officially joining the league for the 2012/13 season.

The year the team will need to prove to the British University American Football League (BAUFL) that they are competitive enough to play a full season of games.

The new team have recruited one of the most sought after coaches in the University circuit, Phil De Monte, who previously had spells with the Irish and Welsh National teams as well as the Oxford Cavaliers from Oxford Brookes’ University.

Nick is much less impressed by the coach’s track record. He said: “Phil De Monte used to coach Oxford and they weren’t the best team, so all in all I think their hopes of winning a championship and coming anywhere near us are pretty slim. We were in the league five years before we won a championship and that’s a very, very good time to have done it. I cant see them matching us” The Portsmouth Destroyers will not play against Kingston untill next year when they become an official member of the league, but the quarterback has already set the scene for an explosive encounter against the champions.

Kingston hopes to play at least six games this season, with the first one coming up in November.

Coach targets title in first three years Kingston’s new American Football coach, Phil De Monte, has claimed that his team can win the University championship within three years of entering.

De Monte, 49, has said that University support is key to the success of the team and wants to emulate established teams such as Portsmouth and Birmingham by drawing big crowds to matches.

“I can see us winning the championship within three years definitely,” claimed De Monte. “The amount of support that Birmingham and Portsmouth get is massive and that’s what we need if we want to do well.” The comments from De Monte have been welcomed by American football president Vaz Korotchenko, who has been impressed with the Coach’s start to life in Kingston. “I think Phil is definitely the right man,” said Korotchenko, 22. “We have a very strong character in our team and it takes a tough coach to handle us. We definitely have the talent and potential to win the league.”

Ex Spurs youths aim to bring glory to KU first team

By Lars Thomesen K0929606 TWO former Tottenham Hotspur youth players have joined Kingston University’s football team and are looking to bring glory with them.

Having played just under a year at Spurs’ youth team, the tough business got the best out of the Alex Teniola and his friend who now plays for Kingston University men’s football.

“We trained three times a week when we were 16 - 17 years old.

We didn’t get a contract in the end, it’s such a tough business,” said riveronline.co.uk

19-year-old Alex Teniola After having played midweek semi-professional football for Tilbury FC, Mr Teniola and his friend were spotted by Tottenham Hotspurs and were asked to train with them.

They put their dreams of playing professional football on hold for a while to focus on their studies, and now they want to win the league with Kingston’s first team.

“It’s a standard level at Kingston University with good players.

I think we have a good chance of winning the league,” said Mr Teniola, first team striker and Manchester United fan.

To Kingston they bring not only good and professional experiences, but also good knowledge of movements and technical skills are some of what they were taught during their time in North London.

As for the level of the footballers at Kingston University they were not disappointed. Comparing their time at Tottenham with the Kingston team Mr Teniola said: “The level we played on back then was about the same level as we play on now.”

Before they came to Kingston they went back to play with Tinbury FC, getting knocked out in the FA Youth Cup third round.

Alex Teniola, 19, wants to win the league with KU after playing at a high level already.

October 14 - October 28 2011

SPORT

31

By John Bevan K0818161 Kingston 1st Roehampton 1st

2 3

Kingston men’s first football team were narrowly defeated by a disciplined Roehampton side in an eventful game full of goals and chances.

The game saw Kingston hold a lot of possession, but deliver little end product, as Roehampton were very happy to sit back and play a counter attacking style.

Kingston started well, both on and off the ball, with Roehampton struggling to get out of their own half in the opening exchanges..

The home side looked the more likely to score as they were able to spread the ball wide as Roehampton’s defence struggled to keep up with Kingston’s pacy winger Terry Mireku.

Kingston used their width well as Leon Schwier also made good progress on the right hand side.

Schwier threaded a ball through to striker Gareth Chendlik who managed to time his run to perfection, only to release a tame shot that was Terry Mireku keeps cool one on one against the goal keeper and makes it 1-1 just before the interval. pushed wide.

The strong spine of a Kingston the back post. ston eventually paid off as Mireku and Mireku were involved in a goal team that included a solid Abs Kingston responded positively, managed to lose his marker again line scramble that eventually saw Lagundoye and Shola Fujah man- getting into good positions, but and strike home from a tight angle. Roehampton clear to safety. aged to hold off any attack from couldn’t find the final pass that It was more than deserved.

Soon after, Roehampton were able Roehampton until twenty five min- would have levelled the game. The second half saw Roehampton to break at speed, and finish off a utes. The visitors then had a flurry Schwier weaved his way past two hit the post early, as it was King- flowing attack from 10 yards out of pressure and scored the opener players but couldn’t square to Alex ston’s turn to play on the counter after seventy minutes. after half an hour. A low cross was Teniola who was unmarked seven attack. When the home side did at- Five minutes later, Kingston lost too much for Kingston’s defence to yards from goal. tack, they still failed to cause any their concentration and the same handle, and the striker finished at The constant pressure from King- problems inside the box. Schwier scorer was able to double his tally

Roehampton reign on two goal Terry Pic: John Bevan as he drilled a low shot across the keeper that seemed to put the game out of reach.

Five minutes from time, Terry Mireku set up a tense finish, scoring his second of the game slotting the ball past a stationary ‘keeper. It wasn’t enough, and Roehampton held on at the annual season curtain raiser.

Strong Polis presence as Cougars wreak havoc against Roehampton

By James Baines K0921264

of strength with possession which left Kingston picking up most of the rebounds and punishing Roehampton on the break.

Roehampton managed to find some rhythm in the third, going on an 8 point unanswered run un-

Roehampton 1st 41 Kingston 1st 54

Kingston Cougars dismantled Roehampton to suggest a bright season coming up on the Kingston courts.

From the first jump, tight man marking and quick counter attacking play allowed Kingston control of the varsity game early on.

Captain Alex Polis combined with Joe Taylor well in the Roehampton half.

Their dutiful work paid off when pushing the ball wide Polis received a crafty pass to pocket the only three pointer of the game, leaving Kingston 10-4 up at the end of the first quarter.

Roehampton fell flat in the second, flailing air shots and a lack Polis scores. Pic: James Baines

til assistant coach Ansel Handome brought on Sam Odejimi, who teamed up with Mantas P to break ankles in the key and earn Kingston successive lay-ups.

At 32-28, Kingstons center worked well to quell the pressure that Roehampton tried to put on in the fourth, winning rebounds and slapping down a jump shot in the high post leaving the home side frustrated.

Evidence was provided after their point guard was fouled out after a trip on Kingstons small forward.

A strong performance was encapsulated by a steal in their half, letting Captain Alex Polis run for a sweet lay up in the last minute, Kingston 54 Roehampton 41.

The thirteen point win was welcomed by the new look team, Captain Alex Polish said: “We are rebuilding the team this season, the outlook is prosperous. We’re

all looking forward to the start of the season.”

A tactful show left the Roehampton team a bit worse for wear, with impressively strong and

powerful performances from all the players on the Kingston side making for an enjoyable, sometimes ferocious but always entertaining friendly.

SCORES ON THE DOORS Rugby Imperial Med 7 - 67 Kingston 1st Football Kingston (mens) 1st 2 - 3 Roehampton 1st Kingston (mens) 2nd 0 - 4 Roehampton 2nd Kingston (Ladies) 1st 5 - 0 Roehampton ladies Netball Kingston 1st 52 - 6 Roehampton 1st Kingston 2nd 42 - 26 Roehampton 2nd Basketball Roehampton 1st (mens) 41 - 54 Kingston 1st riveronline.co.uk

October 14 - October 28 2011

Sport

Kingston challenge an Imperial line-out

Pics: Andrew Murphy

Wounded Medics Kingston kick off season with emphatic win over Imperial

By Andrew Murphy K0915001 Imperial Medics Kingston University

7 67

Kingston eased their way to an opening day victory over Imperial Medics 2nds to stamp their authority on a league they hope to win.

KU’s first XV are hoping to bounce straight back up following their relegation last term, and they will be buoyed by their free scoring start to this campaign.

Both Paul Lucas and Josh Robinson bagged braces, whilst John Brooker amassed 27 points with hand and boot, though it could really have been more.

Kingston started brightly, with the lively full back, Brooker who registered KU’s first points of the afternoon with a well taken penalty shortly after the kick off.

In reality, it was a game in which the visitors were always favourites, and they made their early dominance pay. Laurence Stephan finished well after a clever kick out wide for KU’s opening try.

What little early pressure Imperial could afford was soaked up well by the KU pack, who worked hard all afternoon to turn the ball over and maintain good territory.

Kingston looked dangerous with each attack and it wasn’t long before Josh Robinson used his pace to good effect, eluding Imperial’s forwards to score the first of his two tries.

Brooker rounds off solid display After another Brooker penalty made it 18 points without reply, Imperial Medics finally made their presence known on the score sheet. Some strong rucking from the home side allowed Adrian McGrath to capitalise and score the Medics only try of the match.

Inevitably though, it wasn’t long before Kingston’s 18 point lead was re-established by Alastair Polis after Brooker had done well to bring the ball forward from a weak Imperial kick. That lead was extended almost immediately, with good hands and immense power from prop-forward Paul Lucas giving Kingston a handsome 32-7 lead

at half time.

What little resistance the visitors were met with in the first half was almost non-existent in the second.

Despite their best efforts, Imperial struggled to forge a meaningful attack, and Kingston were able to improve on their first half tally with a further 35 points in the second.

David Holby opened his account almost immediately after the restart, and Lucas added a second of his own as the ball started to move much more smoothly through KU hands.

Kingston’s speed of thought and reaction was allowing them to pull further away from their opponents.

A quick tap and run after a clever turn over left Adam O’Leary to take the score past 50, soon to become 60, with a second Josh Robinson try.

There was just time for the impressive Brooker to cap his display off with a try of his own, converting it himself with the last kick of the game.

Its been a pleasant start to the new season for Kingston University who had already celebrated victory in the Rugby 10’s, but following last years relegation, coach Arran Cruickshanks is not getting carried away early on.

“Its a great win,” he said. “We had five or six freshers playing who really gelled straight away, hopefully we can start to gain some momentum.”

“We went down a league last season, but we hope to be competing in this league. We hope to win.”

INSIDE

Kingston Cougar’s blasted in cocky rant!

Full story page 30

For all mini varsity results turn to page 31

Follow @river_sport for previews, live coverage and reaction from Kingston University fixtures riveronline.co.uk