Freshers' 2019

ST R AT H C LY D E

PEOPLE MAKE GLASGOW BUT

STUDENTS MAKE FRESHERS

REVIEWS + GUIDES / FILMS / ART / NEWS / SPORTS

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HELLO!

If you’re one of the 2,000 new students reading this newspaper, first of all, congratulations! Around 670,000 people begin their first year of higher education every year in the UK, and YOU just happen to be one of the lucky ones that arrived here. The Universiy of Strathclyde: a ‘place of useful learning’. Home to loads of hills, a student union that punts Buckfast, and a pretty decent student paper if we say so ourselves.

University is a strange four years. Many people come out the end of it a totally different person, while others see it to be a waste of time. Most are somewhere in the middle. But it really is what you make of it.

There are over 200 clubs and societies here and one is bound to fit your interests and identity. Perhaps that’s us at the Strathclyde Telegraph. We’ve been in continuous production since 1960 and we’re produced by students on campus from start to finish. People make Glasgow, but Students make Freshers.

news@strathclydetelegraph.com

Ryan Harley Music Editor

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Strathclyde Telegraph

3

‘I’m incredibly proud to be a Strathclyde alumnus’

NEWS

an Interview with Rebecca Pick, Entrepreneur and Business School Graduate It’s 9:30AM on a Tuesday morning.

Most people lie in slumber at their desks, drowning themselves in their third cup of coffee of the morning before they finally muster the energy to start the day’s work.

Rebecca Pick is not one of those people.

She’s been working since the sun woke up, and as she arrives to meet me – having barely found the time to cram a quick chat into her morning schedule – she shows no sign of slowing down.

Since graduating from the Strathclyde Business School in 2015, Rebecca has progressed at a speed which most students could only dream of.

Having founded Pick Protection while still in university, Rebecca has grown the company into a multinational business, with a product reaching as far as Australia and several international firms ready to jump on board.

And her success hasn’t gone unnoticed.

In July, Rebecca was invited to participate in the Prime Minister’s Business Council, alongside a dozen-or-so entrepreneurs, including the CEOs of Iceland and Timpson’s, each national high-street chains with eight-figure revenues.

Only four years after finishing her degree, Rebecca had been hand-selected to advise Theresa May. Despite their obvious political differences, she describes the outgoing Prime Minister as someone who showed a genuine interest in what she had to say.

Previously, Pick Protection had been included in the Sunday Times’ ‘Maserati 100’, a list of 100 of the most innovative entrepreneurs of the past year. Look closely at the list, and you’ll notice a recurring theme: almost all of the entrepreneurs are white men, mostly based in London.

As a Scottish woman, Rebecca is

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constantly challenging the business establishment.

Despite her meteoric rise in the business world, her story has humble beginnings. As a fresh-faced second year student, having recently moved out of halls, Rebecca learned that one of her neighbours had recently been assaulted while taking her bins out. The neighbour had shouted and screamed for help, but none of the passers-by had stopped.

Hearing of the terrifying ordeal gave Rebecca an idea.

She had recently completed an internship at the security company her father worked for and noted that there was a surprising lack of protection available to young women to protect themselves. Immediately, she got to work.

“Initially, my idea was for it to be a wearable alarm that you could clip on a bra strap for students to wear, for example girls on a night out,” she explains. Soon, that idea would develop into something much more expansive.

“Every nine minutes in the UK an employee is attacked while they’re working alone.” Today Pick Protection provides app-based security to thousands of social workers, housing officers, and other vulnerable ‘lone workers’ across the country.

To most students, the idea of starting a company while still in university would seem daunting at best. But Rebecca discovered a network of support was waiting for her at Strathclyde.

“Strathclyde was amazing for me. At the Strathclyde Entrepreneurial Network, they’ve got what they call enterprise partners: alumni who are looking to give something back to Strathclyde. You

can ring up and say, ‘I need help with something’, and they’ll connect you with someone who can help.”

Through the Entrepreneurial Network, Rebecca was able to pitch her idea to a syndicate of ‘angel investors’ who agreed to provide the first round of funding for her product.

Her lecturers in particular were pivotal to Rebecca’s growth as an entrepreneur.

She describes how one particular lecturer, Dr Lucrezia Casulli, had congratulated her on her success, “when the first investment came through I got sixty thousand pounds and Lucrezia came into my next lecture with a bag full of coins with ‘Becky’s sixty K’ sewn on it. She’d spent her evening making it for me.”

With a No Deal Brexit looming, many companies will have already entered panic mode. But Rebecca seems completely unfazed by the challenge.

To some, that may come across as naivety, but Rebecca is remarkably grounded for someone with so many years ahead of her. She will take each day just as she always has: one small step at a time.

“The biggest thing I can say is if you’ve got an idea, start in when you’re in uni.

If it comes to you in first year, start it in first year. Anybody who has a business idea should go to the Strathclyde entrepreneurial network and talk about your idea. You’ve got nothing to lose.”

Through her work with the Business School and the Entrepreneurial Network, Rebecca has grown her simple idea into a successful business with global credentials. Still, there is one thing she misses about being at uni.

“The lie-ins,” she says with a smile.

EU Student Population Decreases After Brexit

The number of EU students coming to the UK to study fell for the first time since 2012 a year after the Brexit referendum.

The latest-available statistics from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) from the 2017/18 academic year showed that nearly 1,000 less first-year students came from the EU compared to 2016/17.

In the same timeframe, students from India, North America and the Middle East all increased, although the EU still provides the second-highest number of students from overseas behind China.

Over 10,000 more Chinese students moved to the UK to study between 2016/17 and 2017/18.

The number of postgraduate students coming to the UK from the EU has also decreased by almost 1,000 as academics seek a safer environment to continue their studies without disruption.

On the other hand, the University of Strathclyde has seen a nominal increase in EU students during this time at firstyear enrolment and across all years and degree types.

The country most responsible for the decrease in EU student population is Ireland, while students from the likes of France, Italy and Germany have increased.

Last month Strathclyde led a study into bullying of Eastern European pupils at schools in England and Scotland.

The findings stated that 77% of pupils surveyed had suffered racism, xenophobia or bullying. Of this figure, 49% believed the abuse had escalated since the 2016 referendum.

A pupil told Strathclyde researchers: “At my last school someone made xenophobic comments about my nationality and tried to burn my hair. Last year, a group followed me around chanting ‘Ukip’ and that I ‘should fuck off back to my country’.”

Another said: “I was bullied from the age of six to the age of 12. I had rocks thrown at me, vile rumours spread about me, my possessions stolen – I was mocked and verbally abused simply because I’m Polish.”

Union Demands Answers from Strathclyde in Lecturer Scandal

The Strath Union has expressed “shock and disappointment” at what it describes as the university’s “systematic failure to protect its students”, after former management lecturer Kevin O’Gorman was found guilty of abusing young male students.

In a joint statement issued by the Union, the Student Executive called for answers from university officials as to why the university failed to act upon staff complaints against the lecturer. Despite an investigation in 2009, police were never contacted and O’Gorman was later able to attain a promotion at Heriot-Watt University.

Furthermore, the Executive questioned Strathclyde’s controversial use of nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) during the case.

O’Gorman, who worked at Strathclyde between 2006 and 2012 before becoming a professor at Heriot-Watt, was convicted of abusing eight young men at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

The university has launched an independent inquiry into its past handling of the misconduct allegations.

Asylum Seeker Faces Deportation Despite Masters Offer

An Algerian engineer with an offer from Strathclyde is among 300 asylum seekers facing eviction by the accommodation provider Serco.

Mourad Khelfane, of Shettleston, has been unable to take up the offer he received from the university to study for a Masters’ Degree, having had his application for leave to remain in the country rejected by the Home Office at the start of the year.

Now, as Serco resumes its programme of mass-evictions, Khelfane faces homelessness and is afraid to leave his home in case he returns to find his locks

have been changed.

A number of charities including Living Rent Glasgow have organised a series of campaigns against the evictions, while last August a group of refugees undertook a hunger strike in protest against Serco’s controversial tactics.

Strathclyde Nominated for THE University of the Year

The University of Strathclyde has been shortlisted for the Times Higher Education (THE) Univerisity of the Year.

Strathclyde previously won the prestigious award back in 2012 and is up for three other awards, including Outstanding Library Team.

Principal Professor Jim McDonald said: “This is tremendous news for our entire university community and reflects the educational, social and economic contribution of our staff and students.

“We have accelerated our vision as a leading international technological university to make a positive difference to our students, partners and communities.”

The winners of the THE Awards will be announced in London on Thursday 28 November.

Buckie in the Union

Bars at the Strathclyde Students’ Union have made the extraordinary move to sell Buckfast.

The move to introduce the famous tonic wine came after polls from President of the Students’ Union Matt Crilly illustrated huge demand.

Bucky will be available in the Union starting from Freshers’ Week and will come in glasses, in a Bucky Bomb shot, and in new cocktail recipes.

Crilly said: “The people demanded Buckfast, so we’ve delivered on that promise. If there’s one thing I want my presidency to be remembered for, let it be this!”

5

MUSIC

Playground Festival:

Falling at the First Hurdle Glasgow’s Rouken Glen Park opened its doors to thousands of festival-goers for the first time in August as Playground Festival introduced itself with a turbulent maiden year. With the popular Electric Fields rendered homeless and eventually cancelled, and the final nail being struck in an already-dead T in the Park’s coffin, this seemed a prime opportunity for a new festival to challenge the dominance of TRNSMT in the West of Scotland.

The early signs for Playground were promising, with a number of big-name acts set to take to the site’s single stage over the course of the three-day event.

Day tickets for the festival started at a generous £49, so the decision to purchase a ticket appeared low risk, and was a no-brainer for some. Fast forward to Saturday night, and scores of attendees had already taken to social media to express their fury with the festival’s failures, with many demanding refunds from the organisers.

So, what went wrong for Playground?

In the beginning the festival opened almost without a hitch. Crowds flooded in to the leafy Southside park in their thousands for an evening of dancing and drinking in the August sun. Minor issues surrounding queuing times at bars and toilets cropped up as the crowds began pouring in, but were to be expected as the festival found its feet. Add to this the intermittent sound problems that plagued headliners Groove Armada’s set, and the first day’s mishaps would anger a not-insignificant portion of the crowd – however, few could have predicted the chaos which was to ensue the following day.

With news of the previous day’s logistical mishaps circulating around Glasgow, the pressure was on for the festival’s second day to run smoothly.

The festival’s organisers were not to be so lucky. Once the crowds had descended upon Rouken Glen for Playground’s second day the cracks in the organisation of the event began to show. Reports of

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long waits for the toilets and hour-long queues at the main arena’s two bars once again hit social media and the crowd began the long wait for their headliner. Lauryn Hill – notorious for her lack of punctuality and diva-ish behaviour – did eventually appear over an hour after her scheduled slot and found the time for just a few songs before departing to a chorus of boos as the festival passed its curfew.

Punters arrived on Sunday afternoon in an apprehensive malaise. By now social media was awash with rage and disappointment at the festival’s failings, and this threatened to kill of any potential excitement surrounding the festival’s closing day. However, an impressive afternoon line-up featuring Little Dragon and Django Django helped to banish memories of the previous night’s chaos, and the ever-excellent Hot Chip rounded off the weekend in style. Hot Chip’s powerful synth-driven set served as a superb farewell to the fledgling festival which had cast up so much controversy in the days previous. Although it would be hard to claim that the success of Sunday night had alleviated all of the negative feeling generated on the first two nights, it certainly served to quell the almighty storm that had been brewing around the festival’s organisers.

Perhaps the decision to include such limited amounts of bar space and staff was an oversight by the organisers that will be rectified in later incarnations of the festival, and the opening night’s sound problems can be written off as technical difficulties that could befall any event but the weekend’s biggest failure, Saturday night’s headliner, won’t be as easily forgotten. Securing big names, such as that of Lauryn Hill, would have obviously been a huge coup for the budding festival in its first year, but such a coup only pays off if that big name actually ends up performing for more than 20 minutes. In the organisers’ ambition to book Lauryn Hill they overlooked her history of tardiness and what effect a shortened set would have on the paying audience that had waited for so long to see her. Unfortunately for those who attended Playground Lauryn Hill pulls these kinds of stunts all too regularly, and perhaps the organisers had failed to account for this when choosing to put her in the most pivotal slot of the whole weekend.

Despite all of the negativity that the festival garnered both in the press and

the court of public opinion, the festival’s organisers have already began the marketing push for the festival’s return in 2020, but it’s hard not to wonder if the triumph of Sunday night will be enough to stop Playground’s debut outing from being its last.

By Rob McLaren and Ryan Harley

MUSIC

Glaswegian Artists my glasgow album

1.

The Bones of What You Believe Chvrches

2.

If You’re Feeling Sinister

Belle and Sebastian

No city or region is defined by one particular thing. Cities are an amalgamation of many different groups, sounds, and identities. Just as no one group can define a place, no album can define a city. If You’re Feeling Sinister, Belle and Sebastian’s sophomore release, does not encompass all of Glasgow but paints a vivid picture of the characters and stories of Stuart Murdoch’s particular vision of the city.

Released in 1996, the album encompasses characters from around Murdoch’s home city, including an old soldier on ‘Me and the Major’ or a ‘teenage rebel’ from ‘Judy and the Dream of Horses’. Anyone living in the city for long enough will observe characters like these, and the genius of this album is to translate this accumulated knowledge of the city into music. Speaking to Pitchfork, Stuart Murdoch stated: “I always wanted to write about normal people doing normal things something that is evident all over this record.

The fact that the album was recorded in five days is not evident in the intricate arrangements and lush musicality throughout the album, anchored by Murdoch’s poignant and intensely observed lyrics. For anyone new to Glasgow, this album can help you realise that even in the biggest city in the country, everyone can find their own

By Daniella Theis niche, and there is room for people from all walks of life.

3.

The Week Never Starts Round Here Arab Strap

Aidan Moffat and Malcolm Middleton’s efforts on The Week Never Starts Round Here amount to a near-perfect summation of the more bleak elements of living the life of a twenty-somethingyear-old in Glasgow. Moffat’s whispered reflections on ‘pulling shit pints for shit wages’ in the city’s many dreary pubs tell the story that many in the city have lived, and that many more are yet to.

These little vignettes exploring life in postindustrial Glasgow are still resonating with audiences more than 20 years later.

The ever-present honesty of Moffat’s lyrics sometimes strays into the realm of over-sharing, contributing to the overall tone that the album creates. Whilst the album certainly has its confessional and sometimes depressive moments, such as on ‘Blood’ and ‘Little Girls’, Moffat’s humour shines through on tracks like ‘General Plea to a Girlfriend’ and ‘I Work in a Saloon’. This juxtaposition of the melancholic and the comedic - often within the same song - speaks to the quality of Arab Strap’s writing on the record.

The record’s climax comes on ‘The First Big Weekend’; the most celebrated track in the group’s discography. Moffat’s monotone account of a weekend-long bender at the start of summer has cemented itself as one of the finest tracks to come out of Glasgow’s indie boom of the late 1990s. Malcolm Middleton’s pulsating drum machine and acoustic guitar work serve as the perfect backdrop

By Jack Lowe to the whistle stop tour of a five-daylong night out in Glasgow. Complete with strawberry tonic wine, disappointing Glasgow’s musical pedigree is known worldwide - but is most visible football results, and misguided sexual in the records that the city’s residents have produced. We asked conquests fuelled by a cocktail of strong cider and cocaine - Arab Strap’s outlining three of our writers to choose an album with its roots in the city of the city’s heavy partying culture is the and explain why it is so important to the Glasgow’s musical legacy perfect portrait of modern life in Glasgow.

The Bones of What You Believe is the debut studio album by Scottish synthpop band Chvrches. Released in 2013, the album was a critical success, and was a charting success internationally.

Chvrches’ beautiful combination of synth-style pop, modern electronic rhythms and infectious hooks is perfectly infectious without becoming annoying. The messages of the songs are deep and emotional at times and are complimented beautifully by the band’s musical style.

Lauren Mayberry’s voice is something special - unique, really. Its blend of innocence and sheer power is what makes her lyrics stand out. Her lyrical prowess possiWbly coming from Mayberry’s education in Journalism here at Strathclyde.

The Bones of what You Believe came out around the same time that I moved to Glasgow, and I found it at the perfect time. Moving to Glasgow meant a lot of changes for me; a new home in a new country, the first bits of independence, and beginning to grow up. I was only 18, and I’d never really ever been exposed to electronic music before but from then onwards it would become a big part of my life. This experience of sharing the album with new friends will always make me hold this album dear.

as a whole, and to themselves in particular.

By Ryan Harley

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MUSIC

UPgrade your fresher’s 14th September

Let’s Go Back to the 80s La Cheetah Club, 11 PM - 3 AM Tickets: £7

A staple of La Cheetah’s calendar, and with previous nights at SWG3 and Sub Club you really can’t go back to the eighties enough. The small sweaty space creates an intense experience in which every tune is exponentially amplified for a full sensory overload. DJs Bosco and Mason will bring you everything from Erasure to Eurythmics, Depeche Mode to Duran Duran blended with new wave and electronic beats – don’t miss this.

EELS

O2 Academy, 7pm Tickets from: £34 Our priciest on this list, Eels’ Mark Oliver Everett delivers his latest tour in the O2 Academy. Having established themselves in 1995, the show will blend songs from new album The Deconstruction with classics like I Need Some Sleep (you know, that one from Shrek). Eels’ deeply personal lyrics coupled with his vocal and electronic distortion encapsulates and reinvents the idea of storytelling in his music time and again. Pricey? Sure.

Worth it? You bet.

15th September

Into Industry Sessions Glasgow Film Theatre, 12 PM Tickets: Free!

Run by BAFTA Scotland, this workshop – for those who are awake at this time on a Sunday – follows and explains what happens after a film is shot. This is one for those interested in filming and journalism as it promises an in depth look at the editing process, what footage makes it to film and what ends up on the cutting room floor. No fee for this event – but you have to book in advance.

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It’s that time of year again when you can’t tell when one night

ends and another begins. The Strathclyde Students’ Union is a constant hive of activity all day and night and with so much happening in and around campus it’s easy for you to get lost in all the great things Strathclyde has to offer.

However, if perhaps you’re not that interested in the nights happening within the Union, or you’re a returning student and know nothing will ever top Level 8 legend Cascada, I am here to offer you a list of alternative events happening off campus during Fresher’s Week.

And there you have it, a few off campus events for you to consider this coming Fresher’s week. Whatever you decide to do, the most important thing is to have fun doing it – this is, after all, the week where countless laughs will be had, countless friendships will be formed and countless pints will be sank. Now, if you don’t mind I’m off to mourn for Cascada. What an artist.

19th September Velvet Starlings

King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, 8:30 PM Tickets: £8.80 From California, Velvet Starlings is one to keep an eye on. With a heavy influence from sixties rock and roll, fifteen – yes, fifteen – year-old Christian Gisborne is delivering his first UK tour. His new track Sold Down The River and self-titled album is a spiritual ode to the music of the era that inspires him. The young artist displays a depth of sound and musicality of one beyond his years, with his music sounding like a fusion of Beatles meets Black Keys meets MGMT – with a voice not dissimilar to Jake Bugg.

Red Handed

Oran Mor, 7pm Tickets from: £19.25 Something different here is RedHanded.

The show is a live version of their true crime podcast which covers every case big and small, from serial killers to innocuous strange happenings with chills being the common denominator. Imagine Buzzfeed Unsolved mixed with any Netflix true crime. With over 100 episodes to date, this established duo brings a tried and tested storytelling formula to a live performance.

20th September We Should Hang out More: Demuja B2B Adryiano Subclub, 11 PM - 4 AM Tickets: £9

John Markey and Oliver Melling’s collaboration returns to Sub Club to deliver a sumptuous blend of disco, house and heavy techno. This is a big one and will likely sell out fast, and Sub Club is the perfect venue if you are thinking of taking your first foray into a techno club night experience. With previous events at Berkeley Suite and La Cheetah, and long term serving resident DJs Peter Panther and Shahaa Tops, WSHOM is a fan favourite since its inception in 2014. This offering will hand a double debut for guests Demuja and Adryiano, who between them have played in world class techno institutiions such as Fabric and IPSE, and will definitely be bringing the party to Sub Club on Friday.

By John McGeary

MUSIC

The Garage

This hot-spot on Sauchiehall Street is Scotland’s biggest nightclub and plays an integral part in Glasgow’s club scene. The Garage has multiple rooms, each with a different vibe and genre attached. Expect to hear some punk and emo classics in JD’s Attic Bar, nostalgic hits in the Desperados Bar and some classic dance and R & B in the Main Hall. Open seven nights a week, this club is ideal for a student night out. Don’t worry about getting dressed up to the nines – throw on your favourite jeans or denim skirt and you’re good to go!

Shimmy

Just five minutes from Glasgow Central in Royal Exchange Square, Shimmy is at the heart of the city. This club is for those of you who are seeking out a more glamorous night without breaking the bank, and love to dress to impress. With DJ’s blasting R & B hits to your heart’s content, this is the place to be for lovers of a fun night out.

Don’t miss their weekly student night, ‘No Way Wednesday’, where you’ll receive entry for just £1 before 11.30pm, as well as cheap drinks all night long.

Buff Club

Below the cobbles of Bath Lane lies Buff Club, a vintage style venue that is perfect for a chilled night out in the city. Open seven nights a week, its roster of different club nights hosts a whole variety of genres. Prepare to spend your time here enjoying a range of disco, hip hop and soul music. With a mixed crowd of seasoned clubbers and younger students alike, as well as some competitive drink promos, Buff Club offers a refreshing take on an old school

THE CLUB GUIDE

By Elizabeth Anne Cairney

La Cheetah

If you’re in the mood for a night of dubstep, electro and house then La Cheetah may be the place for you. This underground club, found in the basement of Max’s Bar in the Merchant City, is a firm favourite of clubgoers in Glasgow. Its capacity of just 200 combined with its dark and close atmosphere makes La Cheetah an ideal location if you are looking for an intimate night out on the town.

Be sure to check out this club on a Sunday night for free entry and smooth sounds selected by local DJs.

Sub Club

This iconic Glasgow venue has been a favourite for clubbers across the city since it first opened its doors over 30 years ago. Sub Club is known for its lively club nights, particularly the flagship Saturday ‘Subculture’, which has been acknowledged as the longest running weekly underground club night in the world. With DJs playing iconic tracks all night long, this is a great night out for fans of techno and house music. Look out for Sub Club’s upcoming events which are sure to debut some of Glasgow’s hot new talent.

Cathouse

Known often as a Glasgow institution, Cathouse has always been a staple for rock and metal fans across the city. This Union Street venue is not only a popular night club - it doubles up as a stellar gig venue and has historically hosted some musical legends including Pearl Jam and Oasis. Their selection of weekly club nights is impressive and diverse, so expect to hear anything from emo classics to hip hop number ones. Cathouse plays host to lots of fun Freshers Week events, kicking off with a Freshers welcome party on Wednesday 11 September.

Firewater

Indie lovers unite! At the centre of Sauchiehall Street lies the ever-popular Firewater. This club’s sleek interior paired with well-priced drinks makes it a firm favourite with Freshers, particularly on a Thursday – student night.

Head here for drink promos from 89p as well as a night filled with your favourite hits from the Arctic Monkeys, Oasis and more. If you’re not an indie or rock lover, Firewater’s second room could be more suited for you. Firewater’s Casbah is the place to be for a blast from the past full of throwback hits. With the likes of ABBA and Fleetwood Mac blasting, you're sure to have a ball no matter where your taste lies.

9

Introduction to Sport at Strathclyde

SPORTS

10

Our university has over 50 different sports teams, a year-old £31million sports centre, and a sporting culture to rival any other.

Not only that, but there is a separate student union with the purpose of providing many ways to get into sport at Strathclyde.

From recreational, non-competitive sessions in the StrathActive programme to our Performance Sport Scholars that compete at the highest levels in their fields, the aim is to serve every single student and give everyone a route into sport.

The person in charge of it all is VP Sport Maddy Watson, who acts as the president of the Sports Union and oversees every part of their operations.

We asked her how to get involved in sport at Strathclyde starting in Freshers’ Week.

She said: “The first thing I would say is to come along to our sports fair which is on Wednesday 18 September.

“All of our 53 sports clubs will be there with a stall to sign up and get more information from the committee members. People can come chat to them, get their questions answered about commitment, about money, anything.

“That day you can also sign up to the come and try sessions which are on the Thursday. There are some on the Friday which are more like external sports.

“You can come along to as many as you want, they’re all free and you don’t need a gym membership or anything.

“You don’t have to be of a certain skill level, nor do you really have to have played the sport – we do get a lot of people coming along having played certain sports when they were younger but wanting to try something new when they’re at university.

“The clubs will then take a lead from there, there will be socials on the go and all the rest of it.”

Strathclyde Sport sits opposite the library at the top end of campus. The £31million facility opened last year and it features a state-of-the-art gym, squash courts, multi-purpose sports halls, a swimming pool, sauna and steam room, and much more.

Students can purchase full-year or semester memberships to the facility which also gives them access to the StrathActive programme and a range of classes such as yoga, Zumba, and Box Fit. Watson said: “If club sports aren’t your thing there is the gym. You can get gym memberships from now for the year or semester.

“Included in that is our StrathActive programme of recreational, non-competitive sport.

“We boosted it so that every day there is something and on some days there will be two sessions.

Things like tennis, touch rugby, futsal, netball.

“It’s a no-commitment, flexible programme that you can just dip in and out of. It doesn’t have to be like a club where you have to go to training two days a week at a certain time and if you don’t come you’re out the team.

“It’s not like that, it’s just flexible. If you come once

a month, once every three months, that’s fine – we don’t track it.

“Right up at the top end are our Performance Scholars and applications for that are open now. So anyone who is an elite athlete you can get a scholarship that gets you a gym membership, strength and conditioning support, academic flexibility, that sort of thing.

“The applications for that close on 30 September and I sit on the selection panel for that as well.

“I would recommend just try as much as you can and don’t be intimidated by it all. The clubs are so keen for new members with the fourth and fifth years leaving.

“Of course, if anyone needs any support from the Sports Union our door is always open.

“Definitely the best thing you can do at uni is to get involved with a sport.”

VP Sport Calls for Fairer Highland Games VP Sport Maddy Watson has called out the Scottish Highland Games Association for sexist prizegiving practices.

Watson, who runs the Strathclyde Sports Union, was astonished after winning the downhill mile in the Crieff Highland Games only to find that only the men were given prizes.

Games organisers told her that prizes were given to overall winners, and that the prize belonged to Watson’s male counterpart for beating her time.

But that explanation doesn’t wash with her.

And she called for the Scottish Highland Games to abolish the strange method of prizegiving that pits men and women against each other.

Watson said: “I was competing in the Crieff Highland Games in the downhill mile and one of our other girls was competing in the high jump in Oban.

“I won the womens’ race but at the prizegiving the male winner was given a trophy. We were called up to the podium and he was given his trophy while I was just standing there.

“I questioned this and was told the trophy was for the overall winner - which is always going to be a man, a woman isn’t going to beat the whole mens’ field.

“The same thing happened to the other girl but she hadn’t even been given her prize money and the man had.

“In every other competition there’s a prize for the men and women - I’ve never heard of an ‘overall winner’. That’s the way it is all the way up to the Olympics.

“This was the case even in the kids sections and boys won all those prizes. These young girls were just thinking, ‘what’s going on?’”

Watson highlighted the bizarre events on social media but did not receive the reaction she anticipated.

The post descended into an argument as student runners and Highland Games organisers clashed in the comment section.

And Watson was shocked at the vitriol sent to her and other members of her running team.

She said: “We [Strathclyde Harriers Running Club] posted on our Facebook page, folk were bickering in the comments and getting so aggressive.

“My coach was in the comments, and it was getting too far.

“Crieff Highland Games were in the comments saying it was all untrue and made up.

“And people were saying things to the same effect in a private message and people were being abused in private.

“Since then we have written to both Crieff and Oban Highland Games.

“Funnily enough all of the aggressive comments were coming from men as well.”

Athletics events at Highland Games in Scotland are not certified by the national governing body for the sport.

And that gives way for unfair practices such as what happened in Crieff.

The events are popular for student athletes in particular as they take place during the summer when students are home

from university and little other competitions take place.

Watson added: “Part of the issue is that most races have a Scottish Athletics permit to ensure they’re run properly and this type of thing doesn’t happen.

“The Highland Games haven’t got that and so they don’t have to play by the rules in a way.

“If you did that in the Glasgow 10k there would be absolute outcry, it’s just not the way things work.

“Particularly for student athletics, nothing really goes on during the summer. If you’re not competing in big athletics leagues the Highland Games are quite important to keep you going over summer.

“People from the Highlands love going home to compete in their home games - Crieff Highland Games is my home games.

“It’s fun and it’s a social thing. But that’s no excuse for them not to follow proper ethical guidelines.”

The Scottish Highland Games Association did not respond to requests to comment.

11

FEATURES

Survive & Thrive at Strathclyde

By Darren Beatt

By Hannah Ross

STAY SAFE

University is a daunting experience and the open days and events will never fully prepare you for what's to come. To help you adjust to life here a bit faster I'd like to share some student insight with you all on how to adapt, survive and thrive at Strathclyde.

During my first year, I stayed at my own home, so I had to commute from outside of Glasgow to get into uni. If you are a Scottish student travelling in, remember to get a hold of a Young Scot Card.

When purchasing a train ticket, you'll have the option to buy a weekly or monthly ticket at a substantial discount.

I bought a weekly ticket each week for around £12 which gave me full access into Glasgow for seven days, a great saving considering a return usually sets you back £6 during peak times.

Once you're at the campus you'll notice that it's huge! Strathclyde spans more than 500 acres which is around the same size as the country of Monaco which is insane. When you hear the size, it might begin to sound like you need to be an athlete to make it to class.

Luckily, contrary to what you might

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Freshers week is a rite of passage and an extremely exciting time for students coming to uni for the first time. In the first few days you’ll have bonded with your flat mates, left home and moved to a new city.

However, amidst all the chaos, there are risks that every fresher takes and many mistakes to make during your first week.

With this in mind, here’s some advice to minimize the damage to your liver, your reputation and your wallet.

have been told, most of your classes will be in one area of the campus. In my first year most of my classes revolved around two buildings that were close to each other however this will depend on which subjects you have chosen to study.

It's worth noting however that there are a few streets that you may want to give a wide berth whilst you are here. Montrose and North Portland Street are two of the most infamous streets on campus and are parallel streets with the Livingstone Tower in the middle. Both streets are uncomfortably steep and should be avoided when possible (especially in winter).

You can gain easier access to the top of the street by making your way through the Graham Hills building or by taking John Street where the Union is located.

However, if you're looking for access to either the McCance or the Livingstone Tower then I'm afraid you're out of luck.

Once you locate your building, you'll then need to locate your classes. Like me, you may be taken aback by all the weird letters and numbers if you're not used to it but worry not the University has its very own app which you can download for free from either the apple or android stores.

The app contains everything you'll need and can act as a mobile survival pack whilst you're on the move. The app contains essential tools such as your to ‘get out of here’ with them and you don’t feel like it then be firm and tell them no. Also, if you think someone is so drunk that it’s impairing their decision to sleep with you then don’t force yourself on anybody.

No Glove, No Love.

You’ll have had the talk with a parent a long time ago and I’m not here to do that. Just remember that condoms aren’t only for avoiding a little bundle of joy but also for avoiding a not so joyful STI. Condoms are expensive, but don’t worry. You can get them for free at any Sandyford clinic, from your doctor or from your halls of residence.

No means No! Food is your friend.

Don’t be embarrassed to say no to someone or feel pressured to sleep with

Lining your stomach before drinking is not a myth. Not only does it prevent you from spewing half-way through the night,

timetable, library account, notices, exam dates and a campus map.

Besides the app, you will also have access to the University's two main web resources: MyPlace and Pegasus.

On Pegasus you register for all of your classes and you also have an easy access to your uni email. MyPlace is very userfriendly and will contain all of your lecture PowerPoint and guidelines for your course.

It will also be the place where you submit most of your work too, but you shall learn that later in the year.

Finally, after all of this, you will no doubt need a place to rest. You will, of course, have access to all mainstream options such as Greggs which is located on George Street under the Livingstone Tower. However, by far the cheapest food can be found within our own Union building.

The Union is the place to go for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. There are bars, breakfast and lunch areas as well as shops and even a barber. Not only that but the union plays host to nearly all the University's big events so make sure you stop by occasionally to reap the rewards of the place.

Hopefully, some of these tips have given you a bit of insight into what life is like here. I've only been able to scratch the surface in this article. The rest? Well, that's up to you to find out. food there is in your stomach the quicker the alcohol can reach your blood stream and so, you feel the effects much quicker.

Before leaving for the night keep a pint of water beside your bed to drink before crashing out. It may not completely cure your hangover, but it’s a great start.

Don’t be that person.

First impressions are important when you start Uni. The things that happen during freshers can stick with you for a long time so, for your own sake, try to avoid this embarrassment. There’s always going to be that person who goes too hard at pres and ends up spewing all over themselves.

Pace yourself so that person isn’t you.

A Tactical.

You might get to that point in the night where the drink suddenly hits you, and it’s only midnight. You don’t want the

Help at University

friends.

On top of potential pre-existing mental

By Nicola Rose health issues, it’s no wonder so many students are seeking help. I’m aware that If you go on my Instagram page it’s not everyone has the means to afford full of my summer best bits; posing at a private counselling, and that is the reason music festival with a cup of cider in each why it’s so important to have easily hand or jumping off a boat into the sea accessible mental health facilities within in Tenerife. What I don’t broadcast to all universities. my friends though - which ironically I’m But just how much help can these now broadcasting to everyone who reads student counselling services provide? this – is that in between all the fun bits, I spoke to three Strathclyde University I’ve been attending weekly counselling students that had used the university’s sessions for the entirety of summer to services, each with their own individual help with anxiety and self esteem issues. A struggles and experiences. little less glamorous than the other stuff.

Struggling with an eating disorder I’ve been lucky enough to be able to and depression for the last 10 years, a afford private counselling, and lucky Strathclyde alumni who wishes to remain enough to find a therapist that suits anonymous tried to seek help through the me first time around, that I could university’s mental health facilities. immediately start seeing. However, with “The whole process was very tiring and Honours year just around the corner I’m a confusing,” they said, and even though little worried about whether or not I’ll be some of her advisors knew about her issue able to make time for counselling with a this student was not offered much help busy schedule balancing my studies, work and had to seek it elsewhere. and social life.

“When a person has a mental health I know I’m not the only student who will problem they won’t usually seek help be feeling like this. With research showing themselves and the whole waiting process that more than 11,700 students in you have to go through with university Scottish universities sought mental health makes it so much harder to stick to,” they treatment in 2016-17 compared to roughly said.

7,000 in 2012-13, it’s clear that more and With students in UK universities often more students are needing help. They’re waiting up to four months for treatment under immense pressure to ace their and facing even longer waiting lists assignments and exams, manage their through the NHS, it’s understandable why finances, and if they’re a fresher there’s some students might feel like their efforts the added anxiety of living away from are hopeless. home for the first time and making new to end and go home. I swear by a tactical chunder. There’s so much alcohol and liquid in your system sometimes your stomach just needs to get rid of it, and quickly. Don’t leave it too late and end up being sick with an audience. Head to the bathroom alone and have a tactical. Then drink a lot of water to sober yourself up a bit and you’ll be ready to hit the clubs.

Oh, and maybe grab a bit of chewing gum on the way.

She sips a Coca Cola.

Don’t go out with the attitude that it won’t happen to you. Spiking can happen to anybody, man or woman. The drug isn’t just used as a date rape but also to lower someone’s inhibitions, making them an easy target to rob. To prevent this, never leave your drink alone and pick it up later. If someone offers to get you a drink, go to the bar with them and take the drink from the bartender, don’t accept

someone’s hand. Lastly, if your drink tastes or looks unusual then leave it.

Money, Money, Money.

Bringing cash with you on a night out is a lot handier than you think. Let me paint the picture. It’s 4am. The last hour you’ve been thinking about the cheesiest, greasiest plate of chips you’ll get from Bistro after you leave Bamboo. After twenty minutes of queuing a sign looms above you, ‘CASH ONLY.’ Your hands reach down to your pockets, a couple of 20ps sieve through your fingers. Your begging eyes scan the man behind the counter who points to a cash machine charging FIVE POUND a transaction. Save yourself that fiver, take cash.

If you’d prefer to seek help outside of university you can talk to: Samaritans Glasgow on 0141 248 448 or Breathing Space on 0800 83 85 87

However, Lily, a third year English and History student, only had to wait a month before she was scheduled a meeting with a counsellor.

“Compared to other mental health services it’s quite good!” She said.

Lily attended talk therapy for six weeks to help with her anxiety. Her experience was mostly positive, with her assigned counsellor offering to let her tutors know about her anxiety or allow extensions on essays. Lily said the most beneficial part was the free gym membership they offered while attending the therapy sessions.

“I had my own personal trainer to help my anxiety. It got me out the house more. They made me feel comfortable during meetings before a session at the gym to talk about what I wanted to work on.”

Although for some students it can be difficult to find the time in between their busy lives to commit to weekly therapy sessions. A fourth year civil engineering student who also wishes to remain anonymous was referred to the student counselling services by her lecturer after having a panic attack caused by a recent family bereavement during an exam.

“I received an email the day after to arrange an assessment to determine what type of therapy would be required,” they said. “My first appointment was made for the following week with a great student therapist. We got to know each other and talked about coping techniques.”

But unfortunately, due to a combination of a heavy workload from her course, this student only attended one more session.

“I felt I left it too long to address the actual problem – the bereavement.

The therapist was lovely and I think the service was great. However, it’s just not something I felt compatible with.”

It seems the trick to succeed with counselling is as simple as this; if you think you need help, seek it out. Talk to a friend, a lecturer, a therapist, a journal, your Twitter feed; just don’t say silent if you’re struggling.

The University of Strathclyde offers an array of different services; from behavioural and talk therapy to drop in wellbeing sessions (for those that might be too busy for weekly ones). They even offer a volunteer-ran service called Nightline, that runs from 7am to 7pm, Monday to Friday during term times, if you ever need a listening ear in the middle of the night.

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ARTS

SPOTLIGHT

L

Strathclyde Feminist Reading GroupDanielle Riddell

et me set the scene: you have your lecture and seminar timetable sorted, and whether you’re a fresher or seasoned student, you may be wondering: “do I have time to join a society this year?” Or, maybe more specifically: which society out of the hundreds available is the best one for me?

We can’t help you with that existential crisis, but if you’re looking for an arts-based society that is especially engaging, educational and inclusive, then look no further than our society spotlight stand out: The Feminist Reading Group.

“Is that a book club?”, I hear you ask. Sort of. The Feminist Reading Group offers a variety of media open for discussion, not limited to books. Previously, they have engaged with podcasts, film, fanfiction – anything is up for grabs so long as it invites a feminist discussion. Which most things do, according to president Rebecca Jones.

She said: “The aim of the group is to facilitate open, respectful and diverse conversation around our chosen text(s).” In addition, the group also offers opportunities to network, share research and “give members the opportunity to discover texts and media they might not otherwise encounter.” If you’re worried about accessibility issues, however, fear not: “We are mindful of accessibility,” Jones added.

“So we endeavour to select texts that are available in the university library or freely or very cheaply online or by other means - we don't want anyone feeling they can't engage for financial reasons - and we try to cast a nicely wide net in terms of topics and formats so that there is something for everyone.”

Texts within the group are intended to be analysed through a feminist perspective, but some texts may be uncomfortable reading for some. A full list of trigger warnings is available via the groups website but this shouldn’t put you off. Responsible participation is key; as Jones says: “A text - and by text I mean reading, or podcast or film or whatever - chosen does not necessarily mean we as individuals or a group agree with the position it takes - the contrary is in fact often the case!”

The first meeting is Friday 27 September 1pm-3pm.

If you’re looking for a friendly, safe space to meet new people and engage in rich conversation, or if you’re just looking for new media material, we recommend heading along. Updates can be found on their twitter account @ strathfemreads, and meetings are held every two months, but always on a Friday from 1-3pm.

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The Feminist Reading Group is not affiliated with Strath Union. For more information and updates, follow them on twitter (@strathfemreads), or visit their website for a full list of trigger warnings (http://sufeministnetwork.blogspot. com/p/reading-group.html). You can also join their mailing list at https:// mailchi.mp/7e0ae780d0ad/strathfemreads.

ARTS

Glasgow’s Budget-Friendly Art Venues

The Union offers a wide variety of nights, and all of Glasgow’s museums are free, but if you’d like to widen the net, we’ve got you covered with venue’s that won’t break the bank.

Inn Deep

445 Great Western Rd, Glasgow G12 8HH Phone: 0141 357 1075 https://www.facebook.com/PoetryatInnDeep/ Right at the entrance to Kelvingrove park, this popular bar is well-known for its delicious food and beer. It has run the number one spoken word night in Glasgow for nine years.

Events are held from 19:30 every Tuesday, each night featuring a total of eight poets with a mix of exciting new voice and experienced wordsmiths. Bookings can be made by phone. https://www.inndeep.com

The Lighthouse

11 Mitchell Lane, Glasgow, G1 3NU Email: Information.thelighthouse@glasgow.gov.uk Tucked from the hustle and bustle of Buchanan Street, we have ''The Lighthouse' – a space promoting design and architecture through a vibrant programme of exhibitions and events. Being the first public commission completed by famous architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh, the building itself is a piece of art.

Be sure not to miss the outdoor viewing platform that gives you a beautiful view of Glasgow! http://www.thelighthouse.co.uk

The Space

257 London Road, Glasgow, G401PE Phone: 0141 237 1221 Email: info@thespacescotland.org The Space is Scotland’s first Pay What You Decide [PWYD] Community Arts Venue – as well as having a PWYD café and a PWYD community shop. It is run by the charity People Without Labels into which all profits made are reinvested to provide services tackling poverty and social isolation in the community.

Events include sewing workshops, drawing sessions, and many more. Full details are available on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/thespacescotland/events/ and their official homepage: https://thespacescotland.org

Glasgow Women’s Library

23 Landressy Street, Glasgow, G40 1BP Phone: 0141 550 2267 Email: info@womenslibrary.org.uk Glasgow Women's Library is dedicated to forefront women’s contributions to Glasgow’s history, life and culture. It is the only accredited museum dedicated to women’s history in the whole of the UK. It regularly hosts reading groups, book launches, arts and crafts and creative writing workshops. https://womenslibrary.org.uk

By Daniella Theis

Tramway

25 Albert Drive, Glasgow, G41 2PE Phone: 0845 330 3501 Email: info@tramway.org South of the Clyde towards Govanhill, we have Tramway – a gallery set up in an old tram depot - which commissions, produces and presents contemporary art projects. This includes dance, performance and exhibitions from global artists. This October it will be hosting Scotland's largest international dance festival – DIG [Dance International Glasgow]. Admission to the Tramway building​is free, but not all exhibitions are. However, concession prices are available to students and those registered as disabled. Bookings can be made online via https://www. tramway.org/ or by phone.

Glasgow Zine Library

16 Nicholson Street, Glasgow, G5 9ER Email: glasgowzinelibrary@gmail.com Also worth checking is Glasgow Zine Library – a communitybased zine library in the Gorbals, which also put on Glasgow Zine Fest. Its library contains Glasgow's first-ever public space dedicated solely to zines and self-published literature.

Apart from operating as a fully-functioning library, the area also functions as a community space hosting readings, zine workshops, writing groups, and screenings. https://glasgowzinelibrary.com

The Glad Cafe CIC

1006A Pollokshaws Rd, Glasgow G41 2HG Phone: 0141 636 6119 Email: info@thegladcafe.co.uk Glad Café is a cosy place serving up great coffee and brunches, as well as a good selection of beers. While a lot of its events are music based, others include film, a regular quiz night, open-mic and comedy nights.

Access to the Café is free. Some events are ticketed, though are very student budget-friendly. A list of events and prices can be found on their website: https://www.thegladcafe.co.uk

Category Is Books

34 Allison Street, Glasgow, G42 8NN Phone: 0141 463 4934 Email: categoryisbooks@gmail.com Category Is Books is a new addition to Glasgow. It opened its doors in 2018, speacliasing in new and second-hand queer books, magazines, graphic novels, zines, films and art, created by or with the LGBTQIA+ community. It also regularly runs workshops, book launches, support groups, and film screenings (some of which are on a PWYD basis!) Please note that opening times are Wed-Sun 11-6pm.

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Society Showcase

BY Rebecca Cowie

With over 250 clubs and societies spread between Strathclyde Union and the Sports Union, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed while battling your way through eager society members and flocks of curious students crammed into the Union during Freshers’ Fair.

Despite Strathclyde’s reputation for STEM subjects, many of these societies are more-or-less arts-based and they’re ready to welcome both new and returning students to their ranks in 2019/20.

As the winners of Music, Media, and Arts Society of the Year 2018/19, the Strathclyde Photo Club seems an obvious one to start with. The club welcomes all students with an interest in photography, offering regular trips, workshops, and more. “What makes us different is how active we are!” said president, Hamish.

“We often run up to three events a week so there is something to fit everyone’s schedule. We also have lots of camera gear available for our members to rent, from long range telephoto lenses to beginner’s cameras.” Find out more on the Strathclyde Photo Club Facebook page and group.

Strathclyde Pole Fitness, another awardwinning society (Best New Society of the Year 2018/19) is also taking on new members. President Nisha said: “Pole Fitness is a really fun and unique workout.

All abilities and genders are welcome to come and challenge themselves in our super friendly and encouraging classes led by professional instructors.”

Classes take place on Wednesday afternoons and evenings and Thursday evenings with, regular post-training socials at Revolution.

For more information email strathclydepolefitness@gmail.com, follow @strathclydepolefitness on Instagram, or look up Strathclyde Pole Fitness on Facebook.

Continuing the fitness theme, The Sports Union also has the Strathclyde Warriors cheerleading club. “There’s a team for everyone,” president Kirsty said, “with the option to join a competitive team or a performance team. We have all styles covered including hip-hop, pom, and cheer/stunt.”

If you’re a beginner (or even less experienced than that), don’t worry.

“Our club is open to all abilities,” Kirsty said, “and members include complete

17

ARTS beginners to those who have competed on team Scotland at Worlds.” Training is held on Wednesdays or Thursdays, depending on which team you join. They also hold regular socials and fundraisers, so plenty of opportunities to get to know your team! Find out more by following @ strathwarriors on Instagram or on the Strathclyde Warriors Facebook page.

The Wee Story Society is a newer society, starting in September. “We’re hoping to unite writers interested in short stories for purposes of discussion, critique, sharing, and networking,” president and club founder Holly said.

“We’ll be hosting events in our sessions, welcoming local authors in to tell us about their experiences and work.”

The society will be meeting every third Wednesday of the month at 6pm in the Lounge (union level five). More information can be found on their Facebook page.

For keen singers, the Strathclyde Chorus Society is a fun, non-audition environment, in which to fine-tune your skills and belt out some of your favourite tunes. President Kirsty said: “We sing a range of music including classical, musicals and popular songs.”

She added: “We love food, with regular cake nights at our meetings, and we go to the pub after rehearsals. We are very chill, it isn’t necessary to come for the whole time if people have other commitments, or every week.” To contact the Chorus Society , join their Facebook group or email strathclydeuniversitychorus@gmail. com.

Strathclyde theatre fanatics can find their place at the union’s theatre society, React. React is “a society that allows students to express themselves both onstage and backstage,” Society president Lois said, “showcasing members talents in acting, directing, prop, set design, and stage management.”

He continued: “Our society does one show per semester that our members all help to choose.” The society meets from 5-7pm in GH515, with their first meeting back being on the 17th September. To join, head along to their meetings or to find out more email reactstrathclyde@gmail. com.

Hopefully, this little run-down has inspired you to throw yourself into society life at Strathclyde. If you’re still exploring your options, head to the full online version of this article at www. strathclydetelegraph.com or visit the Union website for a comprehensive list of societies.

glasgowfilm.org/student

FILMS

what’s ON? Phoenix Review

In her latest film, Camilla Strøm Henriksen presents us with a stark look the far to common situation of children taking up the mantle of being the caregiver in a modern family. Jill, Ylva Thedin Bjørkaas, is a typical 13 year old girl who essentially has motherhood thrust upon her as she is forced to care for her younger brother Bo and often at times her mother, Astrid, due to her depression and alcohol dependence. Their father, absent for most of the film, has separated from their mother and provides little care for the siblings leaving Jill under immense pressure to essentially raise her brother.

The film takes place in the days around Jill’s 14th birthday, a point Henriksen uses to further emphasise Jill’s role as the caregiver of the family. At a time when others should be focusing on her and providing an opportunity for her to relax and celebrate, she is lumbered with the task of feeding, clothing and caring for her brother and to a lesser extent her mother. Her father begins to show his underlying feelings of guilt, due to him not being present to raise his children, by buying her an expensive dress.

Henriksen uses the all to familiar themes of substance abuse and adolescent responsibility to keep the film moving at a relatively steady pace. Other than the somewhat unexpected twist the audience is never presented with anything that feels fast or tense. Despite this the film is successful in showing the viewer the complex relationships between characters that have grown out of the circumstances they find themselves in. The siblings show nothing but unconditional affection to their father yet he clearly has great difficulty being honest with them, seeing himself as deeply flawed and a failure for not giving them the start in life they deserved. The film is moving and Henriksen does extract empathy from the audience for the siblings yet the film does feel slow and this can often leave the viewer feeling more a bystander than someone engaged with the characters.

GFT 15-25 cardholders can get £5.50 tickets. GFT’s 15-25 card is entirely free to sign up to.

Ladyworld Review

A contemporary film taking inspiration from William Golding’s Lord of the Flies, Ladyworld has a similar plot to the novel but with some stark modern twists. Eight teenage girls find themselves trapped in a house after an unspecified seismic event leaves all exits unusable, the power cut and no phone signal to be found anywhere in the house. Initially the girls work together and take little care in preserving resources like food, water and phone batteries, but as it slowly dawns on them that rescue isn’t coming they begin to divide into opposing factions. The decent into insanity is catalysed by the presence of “The Man” in the house. The Man is initially witness by only a small number of the girls who become scared and feel the need to defend themselves.

The director, Amanda Kramer, initially capitalises on the sense of disorientation by providing little context to the audience about the whereabouts of the girls or indeed why they are together in the house. This gives the opening of the film a general uneasy feeling which foreshadows the slow breakdown of order and sanity in the house as the girls begin to realise, they are trapped. At points the film becomes unsettling as the girls descend to the primal instincts, the group that have seen The Man begin to engage in cult like chanting and carrying knives with them to protect themselves from danger that does not seem to be present.

Kramer however does a good job of keeping the film exciting and entertaining while not compromising on the unsettling nature of key characters. The film is well paced and gives us a unique glimpse of how quickly civilisation can deteriorate given the right mix of isolation and paranoia. The nearly all female cast makes the film feel fresh while retelling a very familiar story of isolation set out by Golding in his original novel. Overall she successfully takes a classic story and recreates it as a contemporary exciting film.

For more information visit www.glasgowfilm.org/plan-your-visit/ memberships/15-25card

FILMS

GFT Interview New to the film scene in Glasgow? Glasgow is a fantastic city for film and has a strong community of cinemagoers who adore all sorts of film from blockbuster action releases to foreign language dramas. The hub of Glasgow’s film scene is undoubtedly the Glasgow Film Theatre, GFT. A gorgeous art deco building houses one of the city’s few remaining independent cinemas. The cinema has a nostalgic yet heart-warming atmosphere, everything from the faded brown sign and the softly lit lobby to the friendly face at the bar make the cinema feel like a warm, welcoming place where you can allow yourself to become captivated by film. GFT offers something your average large multiplex cinema can’t and that’s a space for film fanatics to get together and create a sense of community.Paul Gallagher, the programme manager at GFT, has been part of the team at GFT for the past 5 years. He sat down with us to speak about his experience working for one of Glasgow’s oldest cinemas and why GFT is the centre of the film community in Glasgow.

Q: What attracted you to work for GFT? A: I got to know the film scene in Glasgow through my

previous job as film editor for The Skinny magazine. I joined back in 2014 in a marketing role for GFT, I took a risk moving to that role as my skillset didn’t quite match.

After 4 years of that I moved on to my current role of programme manager.

Q: What makes GFT’s programme different to your average multiplex?

A:

At GFT we always want to keep our programme relatable and for it to provide a reflection of Glasgow life. There is sometimes overlap naturally with larger cinemas, especially with some of the feature films we show, however our week to week programme is filled with one off films, visiting festivals and foreign language films which all show off the diverse world of cinema. We also try to give light to local films and documentaries to make GFT a place the people of Glasgow can really relate to.

We also try to have as many special events as possible like Q+A sessions, discussion groups and introductions to films from staff.

Q: Have you ever been unsuccessful in securing a film for your programme?

A: This can be a real challenge in this job, often

the issues of rights holders can be a real mess. I can remember trying to secure Spike Lee’s film Malcolm X was really tough as we couldn’t find a UK rights holder.

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Q: Is there anything on the programme we should be watching for?

A: We’ve got some fantastic films coming up in September. As part

of our Cinemasters season on Pedro Almodóvar we’ve got Pain and Glory, a fantastic film which I think would resonate really well with students. Towards the end of September, we’ve got The Farewell, a Chinese-american film, I’d recommend this for anyone with a passion for international cinema

Q: Finally, GFT promotes “cinema for all” why do you think this is important in the era of Netflix?

A: If anything, cinema is more necessary today than it has ever been,

a space to escape to where you can forget everything and just focus on the film, not to mention the sense of community a local cinema like GFT brings. Everyone should have the opportunity to be part of that community, it’s so much better enjoying film together at a cinema rather than at home on Netflix or any other streaming platform.

Coming to the cinema means you are committing yourself to a film in a way you never do with streaming at home and that’s important because it make you look at the film more closely and empathise with the characters more.

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