The Linc print magazine - February 2019

THE

LINC

EST. 2007

FEBRUARY 2019

Pressure on university health service after new student flats given green light -Councillors approve plans for 10 new accommodation buildings -NHS unsuccessful in getting extra funding to meet demand -Councillor brands the NHS ‘lax’

Full story on page four

NEWS: SU PRESIDENT REFLECTS ON BLACK HISTORY MONTH

CULTURE: EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH ENTER SHIKARI

LIFESTYLE: A VEGAN-FRIENDLY CITY

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THE LINC Firstly, I would like to say a huge thank you for picking up the Feburary edition of The Linc. Our team has worked hard to produce the best student journalism that we can offer. This edition marks a huge change in what we do, focusing more on the issues that matter to you. We have also changed the format of this paper to better reflect the content within it.

We hope you enjoy these new changes and if not, let us know, as any feedback is welcome. Have a great start to 2019!

Bethany Lee Editor of The Linc

THE LINC TEAM 2019 Editor: Bethany Lee Deputy Editor: Oliver Pridmore News Editor: Lucy Marshall Deputy News Editor: Suhara Jayasena Online Editor: Kit Vickery Culture Editor: Caitlin Holloway Deputy Culture Editor: Holly Cooper Lifestyle and Fashion Editor: Manisha Sodera Deputy Lifestyle and Fashion Editor: Anna Coleman Sports Editor: Ollie Collins Deputy Sports Editor: Ryan Fletcher SU Sports Editor: Alex Keene

NEWS Pages 3-14

INSIDE THIS EDITION Feburary 2019

PAGE 5 SU President reflects on Black History Month PAGE 6 Lincoln housing agency Loc8me responds to negative publicity PAGE 10 Societies showcase

LIFESTYLE AND FASHION Pages 15-17 PAGE 15 Lincoln: a vegan-friendly place to live PAGE 17 Why vintage will never go out of fashion

CULTURE Pages 18-23 PAGE 18 The Lincoln busker with the flying feet PAGE 22 A cultural review of 2018

SPORT Pages 24-32 PAGE 24 BGU victorious in Cathedral Cup battle PAGE 26 Sports round-up

NEW

News NEWS IN BRIEF

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NEWS IN BRIEF

A selection of the most important stories you may have missed online...

University’s ethnic population three times lower than national average

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he University of Lincoln insists it is committed to ‘equality and diversity’ after new figures revealed that its ethnic minority population is three times lower than the national average.

The Sunday Times Good University Guide shows that whilst the national average of ethnic minority students is 26.3% of a university’s student population, the figure for the University of Lincoln stands at just 9.3%.

Lincoln is also below the average for black ethnic students.

A University of Lincoln spokesperson said: “We are home to students who come to Lincoln from more than 100 different countries around the world.

“As a university, we aim to create a stimulating and engaging academic global community.”

Lincolnshire hospitals worst in country for A&E waiting times

PHOTO: ULHT

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incolnshire’s hospitals are the worst in the country for A&E waiting times, new figures have revealed.

Analysis by the BBC shows that hospitals run by the United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust (ULHT) came bottom out of a total of 130 trusts in the UK for the amount of patients seen at A&E within four hours.

The target for this is 95% of patients and the national average is currently at 89.1% - but ULHT only managed to see 67.2% of it’s patients within four hours.

Mark Brassington, chief operating officer at ULHT, said: “The quality and safety of patient care is the Trust’s number one priority.

“Our staff work extremely hard and we know the majority of our patients feel we offer a good and caring service.”

Students’ Union launches sexual health campaign

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he University of Lincoln Students’ Union has launched its Sexual Health Awareness and Guidance campaign as part of Sexual Health week, which took place in September.

The event, also known as SHAG, coincided with World Contraception Day and included free sexual check-ups provided by the Lincoln Community Health Service, confidential advice and giveaways.

The Students’ Union’s Vice President of

Activities, Cassie Coakley, said: “Sexual awareness is so important, especially if you are a young adult who has moved away from home, you need to know how to be healthy and safe and to know where to seek advice and help.”

University signs mental health pledgE

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he University of Lincoln has joined employers across the city in signing a pledge tackling mental health discrimination.

The ‘Time to Change’ employer pledge aims to challenge the stigma of mental health in the workplace - with Stagecoach East Midlands and Lincolnshire Police among employers who are already signed up to the pledge.

The University of Lincoln’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Mary Stuart, signed the pledge along with the university’s Deputy Vice Chancellor, Julian Free, on World Mental Health Day. Professor Stuart told The Linc that it is aimed at employees and the pledge would have an impact on students as well.

She said: “What you do with the staff of the university will have a knock-on impact in terms of how those staff perceive students who might have challenges around mental health.”

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News

POLITICS

HEALTH

Pressure on university health service after student flats given green light Oliver Pridmore Deputy Editor

New universities minister appointed Chris Skidmore MP has been announced as the new universities minister after his predecessor resigned over the Prime Minister’s Brexit deal.

Mr Skidmore is the third person to hold the role since Theresa May took office in 2016.

His predecessor, Sam Gymiah MP, was in office for less than a year but saw radical changes to the higher education sector during that time - including the launch of the new universities regulator, the Office for Students, and the new gold, silver and bronze grading system for university degrees.

But last December, Mr Gymiah became the seventh Government minister to resign since Theresa May unveiled her draft Brexit withdrawal agreement.

Upon being appointed to the position, Mr Skidmore tweeted that he was: “delighted and honoured’ to be given the role.”

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local councillor has said the NHS was ‘lax’ in it’s funding application for the University of Lincoln Health Service following plans being approved that could see more than one thousand extra students on campus.

The City of Lincoln Council approved plans to build 10 new student accommodation buildings at a meeting of the planning committee on the December 5.

The buildings, from developers Aberdeen Standard Investments, will be located in the western corner of St. Marks Retail Park and will house 1,372 students in total.

But despite the plans first being given outline planning permission, where an authority says a plan is likely to be accepted, in June 2017.

NHS England only made an application for funding to meet the extra demand more than a year afterwards.

A funding application can be made under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, where contributions are sought from developers towards the cost of providing community infrastructure – known as section 106 funding. But NHS England’s application only came last November as part of a consultation, where relevant local bodies are asked to give their views on significant planning applications.

In their consultation response, they requested nearly £400,000 of funding, saying that the

“extra pressure” on the service, given that most of them would be “extremely likely” to register with it rather than other practices in the city such as the Abbey Medical Pratice on Monks Road.

But Councillor Gary Hewson, who voted in favour of the plans, says the NHS should have raised its concerns earlier.

Cllr Hewson told The Linc: “You cannot turn the clock back and no mention was initially made to developers about their concerns.

“It wouldn’t be fair on the developers for this bidding to take place retrospectively, as they don’t do something for free; they have to make a certain profit.

“The NHS is at fault here, as they knew that they should have put a bid in at the time to put pressure on the company.

“According to officers I’ve spoken to, the NHS is going to start getting its act together.”

NHS England oversees the budget and planning of the health service, whilst some elements of budgeting and planning are overseen more locally by Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs).

Lincolnshire West CCG is the organisation responsible for overseeing the University of Lincoln Health Service.

In a statement to The Linc, the group’s Chief Operating Officer, Sarah-Jane Mills, said: “The CCG will continue to work closely with colleagues at the University of Lincoln Health Service to ensure they can provide the high level of care for patients that we expect.

“We will also continue to liaise closely with the council on planning issues, including section 106 applications.”

Demolition work on the former retail units in the western corner of the retail park, which included Lidl and Homebase, has already begun.

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News

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BLACK HISTORY

SU President says lack of Black History Month celebrations was due to the ‘nature’ of the union Oliver Pridmore Deputy Editor

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he University of Lincoln Students’ Union (SU) didn’t celebrate Black History Month in 2017 due to the “nature” of the organisation, according to its president.

Kudzai Muzangaza, who is now coming towards the end of his second year in the role, has previously spoken of the criticism he faced on social media when the SU didn’t do anything to celebrate the month nearly two years ago.

But speaking in an exclusive interview with The Linc to reflect on the 2018 celebrations last October, Mr Muzangaza said they didn’t happen the year before due to the ‘nature’ of the SU. He said: “I think over the previous year, obviously with the nature of the students’ union, you get a new wave of sabbatical officers in June and then they go through an intensive training and acclimatisation process over the summer. “It would have been wonderful to do something within my first year as president but of course with

the nature and timing of where everything was, it was actually quite difficult to do.”

Black History Month was first celebrated in the United States in 1970, before coming to the United Kingdom 17 years later, and has since become an internationally recognised celebration of significant people and events in black history.

The SU President has previously spoken to The Linc about the ‘barrage’ of criticism he faced online when the organisation didn’t celebrate Black History Month in 2017.

But things changed last year as the organisation hosted events including film screenings and panel discussions among its celebrations of the month.

Mr Muzangaza told The Linc that he was working on making it easier for new presidents coming into the role to begin similar campaigns quicker.

He said: “The nature of students unions is that is that it’s a very big organisation and a very big context to

come into and to try and appreciate, particularly if you don’t have any understanding of what it is before going into the role.

“So at the moment in regards to the elections process, what we’re trying to do for students coming into the role is have a much more comprehensive involvement in terms of informing them about the wider responsibilities that they have within the union.

“One of the things I’m definitely taking forward and working on this year is actually looking at making Black History Month sustainable and one of those campaigns [within the remit] of the SU as an organisation rather than the remit of a particular officer.”

Despite his explanation for the lack of any celebration in 2017, the SU President also said that he still welcomed the criticism that he received at the time.

He said: “I think all criticisms towards a students’ union are justified, you have a student body that are very invested in the union as a whole and it’s about taking that feedback from students.

“So, if those students aren’t happy about a particular aspect of what the union is doing, they’re within their rights to let us know.

“When we had students who said they weren’t happy that the union didn’t really do much for Black History Month it was completely justified.

“That’s their view and that’s what they want from their students’ union.”

Mr Muzangaza also said that his work on Black History Month would be one of the highlights of his time as president.

He said: “It was a really good month; there were a lot of lessons to learn from it.

“I think with it being my last year within the presidency there are quite a few things that I’m quite happy and quite proud of.

“But I think that will definitely be one of the highlights.

“For me I just want to make sure that whoever comes into the role after me is well equipped and knows exactly what they’re heading into because it is quite an odd role in itself.”

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News Feature

HOUSING

“There is no smoke without fire” Lincoln housing agency responds to negative publicity

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Suhara Jayasena Deputy News Editor

ltimately, time and action is what is going to change people’s minds, not us saying that we’re going to change.”

That’s what Loc8me’s new operational manager, Charles Krarup, has to say about the recent negative feedback the agency has received after numerous complaints were posted online about ‘problems’ found with Loc8me.

After a revamp of the company over the summer, Loc8me created a successful merge with Charlestown, another agency in Lincoln.

Mr Krarup said: “With regards to Charlestown, the merge took place in the summer and Charlestown did a lot of things well, and we are hoping to learn why their tenants were so happy.”

Social media is often a place where students go to complain, and recently Loc8me has been under fire when over 150 students posted negative comments regarding the company on ‘Overheard at Lincoln’ - a group on Facebook.

Students everywhere always have to make the tough decision at the end of their first year on whether to stay in student accommodation or to venture into the scary world of student housing.

Finding the best letting agency will always take more than one try, and coming across a good home to stay in for the next two years is no different. Many students find their dream house with everything they want, but others are forced to deal with dire conditions that they should not have to live in.

Finding housing whilst in university is essentially part of growing up.

With so many agencies to choose from and Loc8me being the most common among the student community, maybe not always for the right reasons, it is still an agency that is on the list for many potential tenants.

With hundreds of properties being let in

Photo: Google Maps

Lincoln and surrounding areas, the that there was definitely a problem company is successful in terms of that needed to be solved quickly. being 100% let every year, despite Another student posted about a it’s recent complaints.

Loc8me property: “The house was A Loc8me resident from the Uni- in a disgusting state, so much was versity of Lincoln, posting on the wrong. The boiler was broken, the ‘Overheard at Lincoln’ page, said: shower screen was hanging off the “We had a two-bed house full of wall, the carpets left your feet black damp, which attracted snails. The within minutes of walking on them.” boiler kept breaking down, which Charles is new to the role of opermeant we had no heating or hot wa- ational manager, with only three ter for long periods and was charged months of experience. Despite this, an extortionate amount. he is trying his best to find out what “I honestly think the university happened previously. needs to start revising the way these To improve the reputation, actions housing companies behave and can have included hiring a completely start recommending suitable ones. new team, supplying surveys to all I would advise antenants and improvyone to go to an ing their overall comindependent landmunication across the lord or with student agency. accommodation inCharles said: “We stead.” wanted to find out With so many othfirst-hand what tener comments also One student describes their ants thought of us. Off posted onto the experience of student the back of that we’ve page, it showed had a number of house housing

“The carpets left your feet black within minutes of walking on them.”

News visits and we seem to hear the same things over and over again, one of them being communication.

The communication feeds into why the maintenance isn’t getting done as quickly as we want it to, and why tenants’ worries aren’t being addressed quickly enough, that’s one area we want to work on.”

Maintenance for every agency will always be a problem. Hundreds of tenants’ mean hundreds of problems and issues will arise whilst occupying the houses. It’s unsurprising that it may take a while to fix.

Charles added: “I think we had gaps in the way we managed maintenance. Previously we had three departments in the offices, we had ‘lettings’ which was sales effectively, ‘maintenance’ and ‘accounts’.

“We now have property managers, so rather than a tenant ringing up about a problem and being passed between numerous departments.

They will now call their own property manager who knows everything about that house, which should help improve maintenance.”

Although Loc8me as an agency is not perfect, under the new management and merge of the company, tenants should notice a change in the near future.

Charles Krarup had this to say to all the tenants, both now and in the past, who let with Loc8me.

He said: “I’d like to emphasis on behalf of Loc8me that we are sorry for the way some people have been treated, there are certain things on social media that is not quite as it seems, but then again there is no smoke without fire. We have failed somewhere along the way, because of the fact that it has got to that point. So we are sorry that tenants feel like Loc8me have mistreated them and we are taking it very seriously.”

NATIONAL

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NATIONAL NEWS IN BRIEF

A selection of the important university stories you may have missed nationally...

The inquiry was launched on 11. This spiralling grade

Inquiry launched into the December 4 last year and inflation risks undermining racism at universities will run until February 15, public confidence in our

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national inquiry has been launched to examine the issue of racial harrassment at UK universities The inquiry has been launched by the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission is a public body which promotes and enforces non - discrimination laws in the UK, and began operating in 2007.

Publically-funded universities will have to provide evidence of how they deal with individual harasment allegations.

The commission has intervened in some of the country’s biggest discrimination incidents since beginning the operation, including bringing court action against the British National Party in 2009 after a statement on the party’s website read that recruitment to be one of its MEPs was only open to members who were “indigenous Caucasian and defined ethnic groups eminating from that race.”

at which point staff and stu- higher education system. dents must have submitted “We absolutely recognise their evidence. how hard students work for their degrees, and accept Regulator says that improved teaching universities are handing and student support, and out too many top degrees increases in the qualifications students gain before university, could explain some of the increase in grades.

However, even accounting for prior attainment and student demographics, we still find significant unexplained grade PHOTO: compassrose_04 inflation.” he universities regulator, Lecturers concerned the Office for Students by casual contracts (OfS), has warned that too many higher education institutions are handing out the top degrees.

Figures from the body claim that the number of graduates being awarded first and upper-class second degrees PHOTO: COD Newsroom stood at 78% for for 2016-17 he country’s leading compared to 67% for 2010union for university 11.

Commenting on the lecturer’s, the University body’s report on the issue, and College Union (UCU), Nicola Dandridge, its chief has said that lecturers are executive, said: “It is fun- being left feeling vulnerdamentally important – for able by universities using students, graduates and em- ‘casual’ contracts rathployers – that degrees hold er than secure long-term their value over time. This ones. The union claims report shows starkly that that more than half of staff there has been significant in UK higher institutions and unexplained grade infla- are not on long-term contracts. tion since 2010-

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The bus station opened its doors in late January.

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News

MONEY

SU ‘firmly believes’ university offers value for money, after MPs deliver scathing report Oliver Pridmore Deputy Editor

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he University of Lincoln Students’ Union (SU) has said it “firmly believes” the university offers value for money after MPs delivered a scathing report on the higher education sector.

The ‘value for money in higher education’ report was published by the Education Select Committee, a group of MPs from a range of parties who investigate the sector.

The report, published in November, criticised excessive salaries for vice-chancellors, a lack of opportunity for disadvantaged students and a rise in unconditional offers.

But in a statement to The Linc, the SU’s VP of Academic Affairs, Tommy George, said: “In April 2018 Lincoln Students’ Union facilitated a discussion around higher education funding at an all student members’ meeting, attended by 204 members.

“Students agreed that whilst tuition fees are important, living costs, in particular overdrafts and accommodation, were a much more prominent risk to their university experience.

“From another consultation with all academic representatives alongside an all student members’ meeting, students made it clear that “value for money” extends far beyond its fiscal interpretation outlined in the Government’s push on outcome data (how much you earn 15 months after graduating).

“The university experience was held in far higher regard among PHOTO: UK Parliament students including not only teaching but skills gained and extracurricular opportunities.”

The report comes amid an on-going review into post-18 education launched by Prime Minister Theresa May last February, due to conclude in the coming months.

In the select committee’s report, it says: “Higher education is still not as accessible as “Living costs were a it should be, and some institutions are failing in their efforts to admit a more diverse range much more students. prominent risk to of “The excessive salaries of vice-chancellors their university are disconnected from a value for money offer for students. experience” “Higher education must become more flexSU’s VP of Academic ible and focused on helping students from Affairs Tommy George disadvantaged backgrounds climb the ladder of opportunity.”

In a statement to The Linc, a University of Lincoln spokesperson said: “A university degree is an investment into your future.

“At Lincoln, we have invested more than £350 million into our campus and facilities over the past two decades, and we attract ac-

9 What were the report’s main recommendations?

News

£350 million into our campus and facilities over the past two decades, and we attract academic staff from around the world, contributing to the exceptional student experience at Lincoln.

“We rank in the top 10 for student satisfaction in the National Student Survey and 22nd in the Guardian University Guide and we were awarded Gold, the highest rating possible, in the Teaching Excellence Framework 2017.

“Among our most recent graduates, 96% were in work or further study six months after finishing their course with more than 80% in graduate level roles.

“Various studies have shown that in the UK graduates typically have higher employment rates than non-graduates and will, on average, earn substantially more over their working life than those without a degree.

“As an exempt charity, any surpluses the university makes are ultimately invested back into the university.

“Income and expenditure, including senior pay, is published in our annual financial statements.”

However, The Linc spoke to some students on campus who felt that they weren’t being offered value for money.

A second year illustration student, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “They don’t really teach us anything, they give us a project and leave us to do it but don’t teach us anything – and I came to university to learn stuff.

“They taught us a little bit in the first year but it’s mainly project-based and I’d like to learn a little bit more about the industry.”

Reece Smith, who has just graduated in pure mathematics, said: “In terms of lectures and what the lecturers actually do, I don’t think it does represent value for money. I’d probably say that it’s the end goal you’re paying for.

“So when you come out at the end with a degree – that’s what you’ve paid for.

But in the sense of teaching standards they just stand at the front, talk through a power point presentation, upload it

they just stand at the front, talk through a Powerpoint presentation, upload it online and you just think – what’s the point?”

The committee’s report made a series of recommendations on how the higher education sector could deliver greater value for money.

They include calls for the Office for Students (OfS), the universities regulator, to publish strict criteria on acceptable levels of senior pay, a more flexible approach to including two-year ‘accelerated’ degrees alongside the traditional three-year ones and for the OfS to ‘clamp down’ on the rise in unconditional offers.

A statement from Tommy George continued: “We feel the current post-18 funding system is not financially sustainable with Brexit on the horizon and we believe that these changes should be made clear to students.

“The diversification of income from universities and shifting focus to technical degrees will change the landscape of higher education, and with it may change what students view to be good value.

“Alongside this, research would suggest that students are becoming more interested as to where their tuition fees are being spent.

“We firmly believe that the University of Lincoln and University of Lincoln Students’ Union offers good value for money, and this is ensured through the voice they have both on the ground, and at a senior level through over 500 elected representatives within the student body.

“With regards to remuneration of the Vice-Chancellor, we are comfortable that the process of scrutiny undertaken for this is sound and fair.”

- The Office for Students (OfS), the universities regulator, should urge institutions to be more “transparent” about levels of graduate employment.

- The OfS should also ‘clamp down’ on the rise in unconditional offers.

- The OfS should lay out ‘strict criteria’ for an acceptable level of pay for senior staff.

- Maintenance grants, where low-income students are offered extra cash on top of their loan which they don’t need to repay, should be re-introduced after they were scrapped in 2016.

- All higher education institutions should offer degree apprenticeships.

- Greater flexibility in what universities offer, including the possibility of introducing two-year ‘accelerated’ degrees, but that the Government should review how these degrees would impact on disadvantaged students.

- Universities must routinely publish the pay of their vice-chancellors in a ‘visible’ place on their website.

10 News Feature SOCIETIES

The weird and the wonderful...

The Linc takes you through some of the most unique teams and societies on campus

The Assassins Society Anna Coleman Deputy Lifestyle and Fashion Editor

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he Assassins Society may sound like a deadly way to spend your spare time to some but thankfully, there is no actual murder involved in this mysterious sounding group.

I’ll admit that I too had uncertain reservations upon hearing about it, but after speaking to committee member Daniel Allen, I was bowled over by his passion for the various activities this society has to offer and curious to take a closer look at what it involved.

Primarily, the Assassins Society runs weekly games for students to take part in; the main one being ‘the hunt’ where you are given a target which another member and yourself must ‘kill’ in the most creative way you can before you get killed.

“We've had Nerf blasters, magic, cardboard cows, or in one case, a fridge”. Daniel tells me.

It may sound a little unique at first, but just like any other society it’s a great way to meet people with the same hobbies and with this one in particular, you could even get your weekly exercise done!

When I asked Daniel who the group appeals to the most, he answered: “We hope to appeal to everyone, honestly. We have members from almost every school.

“If you're creative, and don't mind getting ‘killed’ at some random point during the week, you'd fit in perfectly.”

The society has been on the go for a few years now and is never short of members.

After recent video games such as Fortnite and Assassin’s Creed have succeeded so much in mainstream gaming culture, it’s really no surprise that the group has been such a success.

“Last year, I wanted to join a society that didn't focus on academia.

“Something I could have a laugh with.

“The assassins table, at the societies fayre, was immediately eye-catching.

“There was a bloke in full Assassin’s Creed costume to the side holding a custom Nerf blaster. I couldn't help but go have a look.

“I went to the first meeting, and I enjoyed it. Now here I am in the committee”. Daniel told me, when I asked how he came across it in the first place.

So, if you like the sound of this society, take a look for yourself and drop into one of the weekly sessions or root them out at the societies fayre!

Just look for the bloke in the Assassin’s Creed costume and you’re good to go!

The University of Lincoln Boob Team Bethany Lee Editor The BOOB team. Photo: UOL Boob Team Twitter

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he University of Lincoln’s Boob Team consists of team leader Grace Thompson, vice leader Juliet Horner, treasurer Katie Lovelock and social media leader Brogan Quinn. This is a student-led project at the SU rather than a funded society.

The team was set up in aid of CoppaFeel, a charity aimed at raising awareness and the importance of checking your breasts or pecs. This is recommended at least once a month to spot signs of breast cancer at an early stage.

It was set up in 2009 by co-founder Kristin Hallenga, after she was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 23.

The Linc’s Bethany Lee spoke to leader Grace Thompson about the campaign.

Tell us a little bit about how this campaign was formed and how did you find out about CoppaFeel?

I found out about CoppaFeel two years ago, before starting university. As the cause is aimed at young people they have started appealing at universities and have started boob teams.

News Feature

The third aim was creating that network of friends that people then rely on because things do go wrong within relationships and then when you add fetish and kink it can go even worse. So, having that extra support network there can help out as well.

So, when I started here, I thought ‘well this uni hasn’t got its own boob team’ so I thought it would be good to have something like this here. I applied in the first year to do it in the second year and the university is happy to have this interest.

If members of the group have issues, would they typically come to you?

What are the aims of this cause?

We want to show people that there is a way, to not to be scared of it. This healthy habit of checking your boobs regularly, just doing something so simple as that can really change your life and we really want to spread this positive message as much as we can.

But have fun with it at the same time.

Have you, or any of the team experienced any breast cancer scares, or know anybody who has suffered with it?

Though we haven’t been affected personally, we all know somebody who has had breast cancer and I think the majority of people know somebody who has or is suffering with it.

My godmother was diagnosed with it when I was three and it has recently come back, so I’m also doing this for her as she has been so supportive of me. It was hard at the time, but everybody has a story to tell and this is why we get so much support on this topic.

What events do you have coming up in the new year, and have you been working with the SU leaders?

Our campaign is running until March 2019 and we have a lot coming up.

We’ve been planning quite a lot for Re-freshers week and we will be doing a lot more ‘hijacking’ around campus. The SU has been so supportive of our cause. We’re very close to the team and they have been lovely to us. It’s been a really positive experience and we love doing this as a team with all the support we get by the uni.”

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The Fetish Society

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Suhara Jayasena Deputy News Editor

he fetish and kink society are a different and often not spoken about society. It was created last year by president Callum Inkster, who developed an interest with the fetish kink in sixth-form before he came to university. The Linc’s Suhara Jayasena spoke to him about the society and what it aims to achieve.

What are the aims of the society being created?

There were a few main aims when we created the society.

The main aim was the fetish and kink community within Lincoln which is not bad but it’s not great, coming from somewhere like Newcastle where it’s quite active and quite big.

In Lincoln it is very small and not really that active. One of the ideas was to create something within the university that would help promote it and get people involved in the community to meet and to help make it more active and make it more permanent and more prominent.

Fetish and kink is a taboo, it is not really talked about, so another aim of the society was to create a safe space so people could go there and talk about their issues, they could talk about anything without having to face the ideas of the general public rejecting what they were into and being disgusted by it. They do not have to worry about it, they can talk openly and free.

Yeah, typically I would get someone coming to me, but it might be that they have made more of a connection with one specific person in the society so they will go to them to seek help instead. It is more about a support network instead of them coming directly to me.

How would you define having a fetish?

One of the main misconceptions of having a fetish or kink is quite often they aren’t sexual related, that is one of the things that you learn very quickly if you get into fetish and kink - that not everything is sexually related. However, a lot of it can be but it is not always. It is more to do with something that you enjoy.

When would you say you first developed an interest in the community?

At the beginning of sixth-form I got fascinated with the idea of fetish and kinks. I wasn’t into them, but the fact that people had them was quite interesting to me, so I started looking more and more into them and different categories of them and as I read about them, I slowly started to realise that I was interested, and it just grew from there.

Would you say it is important to have a society like this at universities?

I think it is quite good, not necessarily important, but I think it is a good thing to have at university, mainly for the reason that a lot of people end up finding fetish and kink while they are here because people are exploring a lot more.

CONTINUED OVERLEAF...

12 News Feature SOCIETIES

How many members do you have?

After we were get created, we managed to get about 20 members last year.

Are all your members anonymous?

Yeah, a lot of them do prefer to remain anonymous, which is why we don’t really have a social media presence because if we do, say if one of our members likes or follows the Twitter or Facebook page, someone might be able to go in and find out who is a member or likes the page of the society.

So, we tend to keep off social media in order to make sure no one gets figured out.

Terrible Film Society Suhara Jayasena Deputy News Editor

nearly 100 members.

The society was orginally created due to the common interest that a group of friends had for terrible films and the enjoyment they held whilst laughing at these terribly made movies.

The Linc’s Deputy News Editor, Suhara Jayasena, spoke to the society’s committee.

How did the society come about?

The society came about as the group of friends found that there was probably a market for that sort of society.

James found that there wasn’t really a film society at that point as although one was active, it wasn’t really a society, that had a large following or much of a presence.

The group felt it was a good theme to launch a society on, as it was a new idea and concept that hadn’t been explored before.

How are these ‘terrible films’ discovered?

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he Terrible Film Society is a new society created by a group of second year students who found an interest in discovering what they believe to be bad films.

The society was created by James Morrison who is the president, Oliver Norwood-Grundy, the vice president, Alex Abbey, the social secretary and Emily Dale, the treasurer. The society has a huge following despite only being established late last year, gaining

Many of the films are found in the ‘deepest, darkest corners of the internet’ or sometimes the films are found in cheap DVD and video shops that they come across.

The society has connections and regular contact with other bad film societies in different universities around the country who recommend films for them as well.

Oliver noted that a lot of the films are seen on YouTube reviews.

There is a whole subculture around the appreciation of these films that are classed as ‘terrible films’ by those who enjoy or review them.

If you just search ‘bad movie’ into Google you are bound to find thousands of films.

What would you say the worst movie you have seen is?

Alex would say that ‘Death Bed: The Bed That Eats’ is one of the worst that they have seen; it had bad audio and it included a three-minute

crawl along the floor, climb up some stairs and then just being dragged back across the room. So, there is no point to it. It was just awful.

The entire movie was shot in the daytime but with a purple filter over it to make it look like the night.

The people in the society were just screaming at the screen while watching it.

How many members do you have?

The society has skyrocketed since first being launched and has gained 93 members who are officially part of the group.

The Facebook page for the society has over 100 likes at the moment.

How often does the society meet and what happens during the meetings?

Emily, the treasurer, told The Linc that the group meets weekly, usually on Mondays, and the society tries to show a film every week.

After each film that is watched. the members host a few different activities that they tend to do afterwards.

They hold general discussions of the films shown, but they also do a ‘terrible film creative corner’ which consists of handing out coloured pencils and a piece of paper and having the members draw fan art of their favourite part of the film.

Would you ever think about creating your own bad film?

Definitely. The group say they have done enough research so they know what makes a terrible film, and how to make a ‘terrible’ film ‘good’.

Emily asked how hard it could be to make a film that is bad, enjoyable.

The society has an entire other semester to think about that, so there is a good chance that we could see a movie created by the ‘terrible film’ society in the not too distant future.

The 20-Minute Society

The Women in Work Committee

News Feature

13

Bethany Lee Editor

The day before the social we will put out on our social media that something is happening through a riddle or hint, but we won’t tell anyone where or what it is before the 20-minute warning the next day. We’ve had members o you think university needs turn up still eating their dinner! more excitement and sponta- Why did you create this society? neity? Well this society does! Meet We created this society because we the 20-Minute Society. realised that there isn’t a general soThis society is run by president Rhys ciety for everyone.

Davis, vice president Juliet Horner, With all of the other societies, you treasurer Anna Mcloughlin and have to have a certain speciality in social secretary Megan Spencer. your interests or skills such as art or The Linc’s Bethany Lee interviewed history.

Vice President Juliet Horner about Here you can be interested in anythe new society that has also been thing. set up in other universities around We try to alternate between the UK, including Brighton, Liver- a drinking social and then an pool and Newcastle. activity-based social.

So how did this society form? So if you don’t like drinking you can The whole point of the society is go to that event. that members pay £5 member- It’s something that everyone can get ship, and then we have their phone involved with. numbers on a text system and then How many members do you curwe send out a message 20 minutes rently have? before the social so they don’t know As of now (December 3) we have 136 what they’re doing until they get the members and it’s continuing to grow. text, and this gives them 20 minutes Do you have any upcoming to get there. events planned for this new year, We wait a bit longer for those who and what events do you usually are running late, but we will give go to? them the 20-minute warning to get Now that would be telling wouldn’t to this place. it! I can’t ruin it. We’re sponsored Last year, Rhys and I were part of by major label, who run places like the Scout and Guides Society and Union and 4Play, so we’ve been to we thought we could set something those events. As for the non-drinking up on our own. We did a lot of on- events we have been to Play Zone, we line research and came up with the did a scavenger hunt, where we issue idea at the end of our first year. challenges. We even went to the comHow do they know about the edy social last night, so we are open event beforehand? to collaborating with other societies.

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The Women in Work Society Bethany Lee Editor

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omen in work is a new society formed by third year business management student and president Olivia Whitworth.

Other members of the committee are vice-president Eleanor Preece and treasurer Rebecca Lawson.

According to a recent report by the BBC, 78% of companies pay men more, and that men make up the majority of higher-paid positions as well as earning higher bonuses.

This society is centered around tackling these issues and encouraging gender equality in male-dominated areas of industry in the UK. The Linc’s Bethany Lee spoke to vice president Eleanor Preece about the society and what it aims to achieve.

How did this society form?

Olivia had just come back off placement year and she had the idea, as we all worked in male-dominated areas in the industry. We all worked in engineering. She had the idea to start the society to help women who weren’t feeling confident about this and to help break down the barriers on getting into these industries. Everyone was 100% supportive and we all thought it was such a good idea.

We’re quite shocked that something like this hasn’t happened before.

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14 News Feature SOCIETIES

There are societies such as the feminism society, but we wanted to concentrate on the work aspect of it

Has anyone in the team struggled to break into these industries?

Not specifically, but I know that in some industries there isn’t many women so for example I know that in the engineering field there is only 11% of females and in the UK, it is actually the lowest in Europe for the number of females which we find really astonishing.

Even subjects such as computer science and even journalism are still very male-dominated.

It isn’t necessarily about wanting to find a job, but it is about the stuff that happens when you’re in the jobs, we had just came back from a placement and we have had first-hand experience of being the only girls in the meeting room. We get little comments like ‘don’t cry’ and ‘don’t be emotional’ and it’s prejudice like that in the workplace that we really need to stop happening.

Stop the stereotyping and stop the barriers. It is fine to be emotional as a human being.

What events do you have planned?

We are currently in the process of getting guest speakers in such as women in the local businesses, so we’re really wanting to host TED talk style meetings. We want women in high positions of power to come in and talk about their experiences. We want to set up mentoring schemes, so linking up contacts with other women in the industries that you want to go into.

This isn’t a course-specific society and we want to let everyone know that they’re welcome to

RESEARCH

And males too. We need boys to get behind us to get things changing so we cannot push them away.

They need to understand the issues too.

Study could reduce risk of dog bites

How many members do you currently have, and would you collaborate with the feminist society?

At the moment we’ve only got around 15 members but we’re in the process of promoting our new society and getting people involved. The Feminism Society fits well with what we’re trying to get out there and I think it would be great to collaborate with them.

Do you think the wage gap has got worse in recent years?

Though it has improved, I think in this day and age it’s not anywhere were it should be. In 2017 it was around 18% on average, which I think is appalling. I can’t understand why women are paid less at all today.

Do you see yourself as a feminist?

I would class myself as a feminist, however this society is not about feminism its just about breaking down the barriers that women can face within certain industries. It is not meant to be a political statement, it is just aimed at helping women.

What more can be done to make sure men and women are equal in the workplace?

I don’t think anyone has the right answer, but we’re definitely moving forward, as more is being done to tackle this subject.

For more information on these societies or any others from the wide range offered by the SU, visit their website: www.lincolnsu.com/activities

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ioneering research at the University of Lincoln could lead to better understanding of how dogs communicate potentially leading to the risk of them biting people being reduced.

The project consisted of three phases involving children aged three, four and five years old and one group of parents.

Each group was shown a series of short video clips of dogs displaying a full range of ‘behavioural signals’ ranging from happy dogs to growling, snarling or biting ones.

Participants were then asked to rate their perception of the behaviours on a scale from ‘very happy’ to ‘very unhappy’.

The groups then took part in a training phase in which the videos were repeated, this time accompanied by simple information explaining the type of behaviour the dog was displaying.

Participants were then immediately tested to establish their judgements of the dogs’ behaviours then tested again after six months and at one year to measure whether the training had a lasting effect.

Results showed that younger children found it harder to correctly interpret behaviour with 53% of three year olds misinterpreting signals such as growling or snarling.

Of the children who made mistakes, 65% thought that these dogs were happy.

Results showed 17% of the parents also incorrectly interpreted these behaviours.

Lifestyle and Fashion

15

FOOD

Lifestyle & Fashion Lincoln: A vegan-friendly place to live?

makes shopping a whole new experience. You will be surprised how many things vegans can eat that you did not know of. Oreos, crumpets and puff pastry, to name a few.

As you have probably already figured out, a vegan diet is not only about eating fruit and vegetables, despite what some people still might believe.

Unfortunately, some restaurants still try selling dishes following that concept and simply try to throw some unseasoned veggies on top of a bun and call it a vegan burger.

So, here are some places worth trying if you are a vegan (or vegetarian or carnivore, they are great places after all):

• Café Shanti: It is well-known for good reason. Café Shanti is a small Desiree Schneider vegetarian/vegan restaurant that ofReporter fers soups, falafels, curries, dahls, paninis, lasagne and alternating vet can be hard to live as a vegan in a popular ones, even amongst meat eaters. gan cakes for reasonable prices in a meat-heavy country like the UK. Still, Alternatively, vegans always have plant- cosy and hippy interior.

I’ve found Lincoln is a great place to get based products such as tempeh, soy or by as a vegan. A good deal of shops, cafés jackfruit, which you can buy in the bigger • Base Camp Coffee: This loveand restaurants have adapted to the ve- grocery stores such as Sainsbury’s, Mor- ly niche coffee shop is halfway up gan lifestyle. They offer a wide range of risons or Tesco Extra. Even the smaller Steep Hill. It has an outer terrace, vegan options and so much more than just Tesco stores in town along the High Street which is worth sitting outside in have a small dairy, gluten and meat-free summer and also on a nice wincold dishes or plain salads.

A full English breakfast, bangers and assortment. Lincoln even offers a vegan ter afternoon. They offer plenty of tempting cakes, and almost all of it mash, black pudding, fish and chips, roast Christmas market. beef and meat are high on the UK’s food If you are relatively new to veganism like I is vegan or gluten-free! Their overagenda. am, it takes time to know your way around. all menu is a small but imaginative Nevertheless, the UK has slowly turned You have to find a balanced diet and may- selection of bagels and ciabatta fillfrom a country that tends to view vege- be create a food plan. Food prepping also ings.

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tables as little more than a garnish into a more accepting one - veggies nowadays get their very own space on the plate.

As more and more people become vegetarian and vegan, the food industry has responded by creating a variety of meat alternatives. Most meat already has almost-identical vegan versions. The Linda McCartney sausages are one of the most

helps to avoid popping into the nearest bar for a quick bite where you probably won’t find anything to eat apart from fries.

Carrying a snack also means you do not have to choose between compromising your principles or going hungry. However, checking labels and the nutritional information can actually be loads of fun and makes shopping a whole new experience.

• Rising Café: Right beside the Evangelical Church away from the busy High Street is this quirky gem.

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16 Lifestyle and Fashion BEAUTY

• If the everyday stores next to you do not offer a lot of animal-free alternatives, have a look at the Asian and oriental supermarkets like the Golden Leaf on Portland Street or Morning Sun supermarket on the High Street. They offer an array of good alternatives and inspirations for new dishes.

• Buy fresh fruit and vegetables at the daily Central Market located on Sincil Street and City Square between 10am to 4pm (only closed on Sundays) or on the Farmers’ Market, which takes place every week-each Friday on High Street and every 3rd Saturday on Castle Hill from 9am to 4pm.

• A lot of cafés up Steep Hill and on the High Street have vegan options or can do their Latte and Cappuccino with soy, oat or almond milk. Just ask for it.

It has a dedicated vegetarian and vegan menu with fancy dishes including including a spinach and bean burger, free fruit scones with dairy-free spread or a vegan chocolate cookie and Bakewell slices that really hit the spot.

• Castle View (Indian restaurant): It is a quite small Indian restaurant with only 40 seats. You should book a table, and not only at the weekend. It is not unusual that throughout the week all the seats are taken. Good food, an outstandingly friendly service and a good location right next to the castle to top it all off. The best thing is, vegans are not restricted to the vegetarian menu. The kitchen offers to make any dish vegan as they are cooked fresh.

Sometimes when you go out and eat it feels like you are the first alien life-form, the waiter or even your friends have ever met.

Be patient and keep your temper.

Don’t lecture but educate.

Explain your choices without being patronising, even though you feel like banging your head against a brick wall.

Your message will slowly get through, trust me.

Last but not least, just grab your friend and drag them for their ultimate shopping experience.

Vegan cuisine has so much to offer and can be a great inspiration for all non-vegans, especially when you have so many options, as you have in Lincoln.

The Winter Skincare Guide 2019

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Manisha Sodera Lifestyle and Fashion Editor

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kincare is a must when it comes to pampering yourself and winter can be one of the worst times of year for your skin. The cold air can make it really dry and flaky so it’s essential that you’ve nailed a routine that’s not only agrees with your skin but it suitable for the weather.

Before prepping your skin, you have to make sure you have a smooth base. A good cleansing wash will make sure you don’t have any dry patches on the skin and it will help your other products sit on the skin nicely. The L’Oréal fine flowers cleansing wash is what I prefer to use.

Lips are also something that are very easily dried out during the winter. I find that a scrub is far better than using a lip balm. It scrubs off all the dead and dry skin on your lips and leaves them nice and smooth. My favourite one is the Lush bubblegum flavour.

When pampering yourself before going out or if you just want a night in, I recommend a good face mask to put some hydration back into your skin. An inexpensive product I recommend is the Garnier Moisture Bomb hydrating sheet mask. They do a lot of variations of this mask, such as a chamomile and a anti-aging one. However, I prefer the original! It’s not messy and really easy to apply and it gives you a dewy finish afterwards.

For that dry winter skin, a good moisturiser is an essential. The one I gravitate towards is the Neutrogena Hydro Boost water gel moisturiser. It is very intensely hydrating and it will help your makeup go on smoothly and it will prevent your foundation from clinging onto those dry spots.

Lastly, I like to use a good eye cream before my makeup as I can get dry under eyes, which can lead to early signs of wrinkles, so a good hydrating eye cream is key in my routine. I recommend the Body Shop Vitamin E eye cream, as it leaves the under eye hydrating without feeling too heavy on the skin.

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Lifestyle and Fashion FASHION

PHOTO: Google Maps

Why vintage will never go out of fashion

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Anna Coleman Deputy Lifestyle and Fashion Editor

pon entering Fab Vintage I’m embraced with a warm feeling of nostalgia when noticing the rows upon rows of worn down, vintage branded clothing.

Cheetah-print patterns and blinding neon colours were an ever-present theme throughout my very 90s childhood, so this is a definite blast from the past. There’s a collection of Fred Perry shirts to my left and an abundance of bucket hats to my right, along with stacks of heart shaped sunglasses that were the key element to every girl’s festival attire this year.

A 70’s style song is blasting and there’s a scatter of students searching eagerly through piles of old sports T-shirts.

The sign above them reads “all T-shirt’s £10. It only makes sense to find students hunting for a bargain wherever there is one. The owner of the shop, Alan, greets me with a welcoming smile whilst humming along happily to the electric rhythm of the background music. This being New Order’s Blue Monday.

He tells me that he’s done this for so long that he can no longer keep track of the years. He says it might be 15… give or take. “We moved to Lincoln just over a year ago. Before that we were doing market stalls and we used to have a shop in Winchester. It’s been ongoing for a long time. It’s a lifestyle choice for us”, he states confidently.

But Alan isn’t the only one passionate about the art of vintage. Stores which specifically cater for the trend are popping up around the country, with major companies such as Urban Outfitters and Topshop coming out with their own vintage clothing sections in stores. But why the sudden fascination? “I think it’s been coming into fashion ever since we started because vintage is just different. I think generally speaking, today’s trends which are sold by some of the main high street retailers tend to be a bit...the same”, Alan muses.

17

Lincoln has a scatter of vintage stores around the centre, so Fab Vintage has competition. The university’s own Engine Shed has additionally been a venue for vintage kilo sales (where you can grab yourself a kilo of clothes for a bargain) and affordable vintage fairs.

There is an obvious correlation between students and vintage clothing sales, and when I ask Alan why he thinks this might be, he pauses for a moment to think before concluding: “I think once you reach a certain age you’ve already decided what sort of style suits you best and you tend to stick to that. Whereas, the student age groups are a little bit more adventurous and tend to experiment a bit more, so I think that’s probably the main reason.”

For many, stylistic choices are an aspect of personal alternatives, as well as a way of defining your own character. But there is no doubt that the current national concerns about Brexit and the economic climate of the country are having clear effects on our lifestyles. Bargains are fashionable. The success of Primark in the past few years is only evidence of that. So could it be for that reason that we’ll soon be seeing the decline of vintage? A growth in popularity automatically means a growth in worth.

And it seems that in some places, the steep prices on vintage items have already set in.

The emergence of online clothes shopping has additionally meant that many vintage clothing sales have been pushed aside for more contemporary items which can be sold in bulk, seen through the popularity of high rising online companies such as ASOS and PrettyLittleThing.

However, figures show that the trend won’t be disappearing out of the picture any time soon. Charity Oxfam launched its vintage section online last year and saw sales through its website shoot up by 400%.We may not have a simple answer for its never-ending success, but it’s apparent that there is an aspect of nostalgia attached to every vintage item that you take on as your own. After all, they don’t just represent a fashion, but a culture, and an era of the past.

18 Culture

Culture

Photo credit: Sinead Pender

Lincoln’s street busker with the flying feet

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Desiree Schneider Reporter

here is barely a day people do not see the Irish step dancer with the ginger hair, busking on the High Street. No matter how warm or cold it is. Tom Conroy has been dancing for 23 years.

But why does a professional Irish step dancer and teacher perform in public?

One with the rhythm of the fiddle, his feet fly across the wooden board on which he dances.

Every step and every tap of his black jig shoes blend into the traditional Irish song.

A fast series of hops and side steps and a concentrated look, then he jumps clicking his feet together.

He is in the air in the split of a second.

Surrounded by a crowd of amazed spectators, Tom busks on Lincoln’s High Street right across from the Stokes High Bridge Café.

That is his favourite place to perform his Irish dance: “It is the best place in Lincoln, everyone passes-by.”

People stop, watch and throw coins into the bowl next to Tom and join the dance,

jumping around and imitating Tom without tangling up their own feet.

Tom Conroy, 31, is a professional Irish step dancer and step dance teacher.

Coming from a family of dancers, he started dancing at the age of eight.

When he was 16, he was placed third at the British National Dance Championships in Blackpool. That is when his career as a professional dancer started.

Within a year he was touring internationally with different groups staging shows in China, Chicago, Russia and Taiwan.

“I made some amazing memories during that time. In China and Taiwan people screamed and grabbed after me wanting an autograph after the show,” Tom remembers. “That was when I really felt famous.”

Shows like The Magic of Ireland also brought him to France, Belgium and Germany.

Germany was the country he performed the most after in the UK. Everywhere in every big and little town with a Stadthalle (city hall).”

DANCE

When he was 19, he had already been to the four tallest buildings of the world at that time: Taipei 101 in Taiwan, Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Willis Tower in Chicago and the CN Tower in Toronto.

At the same age he moved to Dublin.

Living in Ireland he performed seven nights a week, three to four shows a day.

“I mostly danced at weddings or corporate events. It was hard work, but I really enjoyed it, because it is just what I feel good doing.”

His dancing career has taken its toll on Tom: “I used to do everything during high school: football, swimming, rugby.

“But when I started touring during my A-levels I sacrificed everything for dancing.”

Now Tom has left his competitive times behind.

In 2015 he opened his own Irish dance studio in Lincoln, where he prepares his students for the Feis – the Irish dance competitions.

Once someone starts teaching, they cannot qualify for championships anymore.

That is okay for Tom as dancing is a demanding profession.

“I have broken both my ankles numerous times and also my toes.”

He admits that its hurts: “They are only fine when I am dancing.” At the moment he teaches 12 adults and ten children.

Culture

19

Together with his fianceé, Sinéad, the Irish dancer wants to establish in Lincoln what he once had in Ireland. Thus, he goes busking to promote his dancing classes and to have “paid practice time” as he is not competing anymore.

“I love when the children come up, look at me with that admiring look and start dancing themselves. That is ten times better than the money and my real reward.”

His grandfather danced the old-style Irish step dance, Sean-nós. It is more casual than the formal and competition-oriented form of Irish stepdance.

“I don’t dance it myself, but I became a lot more relaxed and fluent over the years and put a bit of tap dance into my Irish dance.

So, I developed my very own style.”

While busking the step dancer follows the rhythm of the song and his balance. “I also have to pay attention to people. When they walk by, I can’t do clicks and have to adapt. That way each of my performances is unique.”

One thing the 31-year-old is especially proud of is that he can dance to any music.

After the rhythmic sounds of the fiddle fade away, he takes his smartphone and changes the music to a modern song, Castle on the Hill from Ed Sheeran. He starts busking.

The girl in the pink jacket looks even more amazed.

All that he needs to impress Photo: Sinead Pender Tom shows off his skills.

Photo credit: Sinead Pender

20 Culture INTERVIEW

A chat With Enter Shikari Caitlin Holloway Culture Editor

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n one of Lincoln’s most anticipated live shows of the year, Enter Shikari brought a dazzling set and a huge amount of energy to the Engine Shed.

As it was the first night of their ‘Stop the Clocks’ tour, we could tell that the band were itching to get back on the stage and they definitely did not disappoint.

In naming their tour ‘Stop the Clocks’, they were teasing the release of a new track by the same name, which they surprised the crowd with halfway through the set, leaving them eager for more. After a heartfelt thank you to the

James Buxton Reporter

crowd for an amazing start to the tour, the band left behind a real sense of connection with their fans and a new bout of energy to our students as they wrestled with their deadlines.

The band formed in 1999 in St Albans, Herefordshire and released their first album, Take to the Skies, in 2007. Ever since then, they have gone from strength to strength, releasing four more studio albums, and selling out shows across the country.

Our culture team here at The Linc managed to grab a chat with them before the show on December 1.

Every album you’ve released has been so different and yet very Enter Shikari. Of all of them, which would you say defines you the best?

Well, we were different people in a different band when we made each album, so I think the first album defines us best, as the people and band we were at the time. So right now, The Spark would define us best. It’s who we are.

It’s such a brilliant non-answer but it’s true.

We’re just constantly changing as musicians and songwriters, so the albums are constantly changing with us.

Culture Your first album came out 11 years ago. What’s changed the most when it comes to doing live shows?

We used to just rehearse the songs. Now so much more goes into programming and the whole production and the setlist now that we’ve got so much more music to choose from. We’ve got a lot of songs that we haven’t played in a while on the set tonight.

Who are some of your biggest musical influences?

It’s hard to answer that because there are so many and it’s always changing, but in terms of big names who have had a lasting effect in carving what Shikari sounds like, I’d have to say Radiohead and Rage Against the Machine are big ones.

We grew up in a punk hardcore scene, so a lot of that influence, but we also grew up with drum and bass and jungle and then anything from electronica to classical, indie to post punk, a bit of everything.

Is there anything new from Shikari coming soon?

We’re playing a new song tonight actually for the first time ever, so look out for that.

What do you prefer playing, smaller venues like the Engine Shed or big arenas?

If there’s a big stage I love that. I love playing any show but if it’s outdoors, not in a tent and I can see the sky then I’m sorted. If I’ve got space to move, fresh air and a dry floor, then that’s perfect.

What would you say is your favourite song to play live?

Rou: Mine has been pretty solidly Undercover Agents for the last year now.

I just love those chords. It gets me every time. And it’s rare for a song when you’re playing it every other

21

“It does annoy me that a lot of artists who have success don’t talk about luck” night to still have such a visceral effect on you.

Rob: I think Zzzonked is mine. It’s just fun to play. It’s not exactly difficult but I get to smash hard on the drums and get aggressive with it and it really boosts the energy.

What would you say has been your biggest challenge as a group and how did you get through it?

The biggest challenge for the rest of the band is keeping up with Rou’s creativity. Like, he’ll come in the day before a tour starts and be like: “right guys, brand new set idea,” and it’s always for the best at the end of the day but it really keeps us on our toes.

How do you guys work through your creative process?

I don’t think we really struggle there, honestly. The hardest stuff has probably been label things.

Like we’ve never had a proper nightmare deal, but we’ve had some pretty laborious points as a band.

It does annoy me that a lot of artists who have success don’t talk about luck.

Like, they’ll happily talk about the grind and the hard work and all that, but the amount of luck you need to have to survive as long as we have is insane.

The people around us really help too; it’s really like a family business.

This is a long tour. What’s it like spending time with all the other bands you’ve performed with?

There was this one time we were touring with The Prodigy.

There was an after-show party with free booze and they didn’t come, whereas

we as the support band were there having the time of our lives thinking ‘why wouldn’t they come? They’d be the kings of this place.’ Now we’re a little bit older, we’re like, ‘nah I really don’t want to go out tonight, even though there is free beer. I need a good night’s sleep.’ I’m making myself sound older than I really am.

You’re still doing the afterparty tonight, though! Is it massively different doing a Shikari Sound System DJ set compared to playing live?

It couldn’t be more different. Like chalk and cheese.

A DJ set really is just a bit of fun.

Yeah some work goes into it and me [Rou] and Rob are the actual DJs so we do practice some mixes and stuff whereas with an Enter Shikari set the amount of preparation and work that goes into it is insane.

Enter Shikari are currently on a world tour, spanning until August and are still playing shows in the UK, in cities such as as Leeds, Bristol and Manchester.

To keep up to date with all the latest content from our culture team, visit the website: www.thelinc.co.uk/category/ culture

22 Culture REVIEW

A cultural review of 2018

The Linc’s culture team looks back at the best that last year had to offer in culture..

Anyone who knows and has enjoyed Zusak’s previous works will be familiar with how well this author can manipulate emotion, and this novel is no exception.

A captivating story that reminds the reader of the importance of their loved ones.

These are only five of the many exceptional novels to have come out in 2018.

I believe that in this age of digital forms of entertainment, it is important to break away from it occasionally in the pages of a book.

I think these five examples are perfect ways to start.

ALBUMS

PHOTO: caligula1995

BOOKS Rebekah Lee Reporter

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he Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle – Stuart Turton

My personal favourite book of the year. This tale is a gripping murder mystery full of red herrings that keep you guessing almost to the very last page.

The plot twist is one of literature’s very best, in my opinion.

This is a must-read for anyone who is even slightly enamoured by the works of Agatha Christie.

Duncan Haddrell Reporter

A unique and progressive way to write fiction that I think many would enjoy.

Mythos – Stephen Fry

A modern retelling of Greek mythology from the mind of one of Britain’s wittiest men.

This book is extremely charming, it’s reimagined tales of heroes and monsters makes it the perfect escape from everyday life, and let’s be fair, who hasn’t been interested in Greek mythology at one point in their lives?

Kingdom of Ash (A Throne of Glass novel) – Sarah J. Maas

The latest (and last) novel in the Throne of Glass series. If you’re looking for something to get heavily invested in, this series has it all.

Fairies, enchantments and a struggle for The Only Story – Julian Barnes A romantic, forbidden love story… at power. first. This book is told in a rather unu- For lovers of fantasy worlds, this series offers you so much and this last novel is sual way.

First tells you the story in the tra- its unforgettable finale. ditional way (in third person) and Bridge of Clay – Markus Zusak then re-telling it, but more inti- From the author of The Book Thief, this mately, through the perspective of a is a tale of brotherly love and how far different character, which plays with you would go to protect your family – and challenges your view of the plot. both those alive and dead.

J

ack White-Boarding Reach

House

If you’re interested in the more experimental side of rock, then this album is meant for you.

The latest project of former White Stripes vocalist offers up pulsating rhythms and piercing vocals.

Whilst echoing his classic style, White manages to offer up something fresh and memorable.

Though this album is definitely an acquired taste, it’s definitely worth a listen for those that enjoy White’s work, or are looking for something new.

Noname-Room 25

Before listening to this album, I’ll admit that I’d never heard of the Chicago rapper Noname, but the second I stumbled across Room 25 I quickly checked out her entire back catalogue.

In her second studio album Noname breaks away with soothing beats and witty lyrics discussing anything from politics to her place in the music scene.

Culture In this brilliantly produced record, Noname showcases the best of the Chicago indie rap scene and has proven she is an artist to be watched out for.

BTS-Love Yourself: Answer Whilst Kpop may not be everyones cup of tea, it is hard to ignore the massive impact that South Korean group BTS have made on the Western music scene this past year.

The seven member boy band demonstrate a lot of versatility within this album, offering up a variety of genres with each track while still remaining true to their unique style. Love Yourself: Answer is a progressive record both in their emergence into western culture and in injecting a message of self-love and acceptance into our modern society.

The Magic Gang-The Magic Gang (Deluxe) After years of festival performances and EPs, the Magic Gang finally released their first studio album in 2018.

The small indie rock group offered up a lengthy record combining the best of their EPs and topping it off with more original songs, even chucking in some acoustic covers to close it all off.

They provide listeners with upbeat guitar melodies singing about love and relationships whilst still managing to appear fresh.

In the world of passable rock music, The Magic Gang give a breath of fresh air to the genre that, after years of build up, did not fail to disappoint.

Twenty One Pilots-Trench

After a year away from the studio and three years since their last album, Blurryface, Twenty One Pilots took 2018 by storm with their hotly ancipipated new record, Trench.

Whilst still maintaining their experimental style, it is clear that with this latest release they have established their own personal sound. Their time away has clearly allowed them to produce a very polished album, with

every track having its own distinctive style. Full of addictive basslines and a lyrical prowess that songwriter and vocalist Tyler Joseph has become renowned for.

Trench is an album not only for the fans, but a perfect way for new listeners to discover this alternative duo. Highlights from the album include Jumpsuit, Morph and Chlorine. The duo are currently on a ‘complete diversion’ world tour and will hit the UK in Feburary.

FILMS James Buxton Reporter

A

vengers: Infinity War

The culmination of 10 years of Marvel storytelling came together earlier this year in Avengers: Infinity War. With an all-star cast that’s too long to name and the closest thing to this decade’s iconic villain, Marvel’s 19th outing in their combined universe is everything it was expected to be and more. Every scene felt earned and its now infamous cliff-hanger ending promises to keep the fans talking until everything is concluded.

The hotly anticipated follow-up, Avengers: Endgame, is due out in April of this year.

Bad Times at the El Royale

Drew Goddard’s second film as writer and director was a fantastic addition to this year’s cinema lineup, though you probably didn’t know that because no one went to see it. Despite crashing at the box office, Bad Times caught the attention of critics and audiences alike in a very good way with its all-star cast and unique aesthetic. If you’re even vaguely into thrillers, crime-noirs or Chris Hemsworth’s torso, this is one worth checking

torso, this is one worth checking out when it hits DVD.

Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again I won’t lie, I wasn’t expecting to love this film nearly as much as I did.

The sequel to 2007’s ABBA-themed musical jaunt improves on its predecessor in every way, adding a genuinely engaging plot and much stronger vocal performances from almost everyone (looking at you, Brosnan).

Lily James is delightful as a young Meryl Streep and gives us the backstory we always wanted, complete with all the biggest ABBA hits in a complete package that defined the summer of 2018.

First Man

The biggest shock about First Man is that it took until 2018 to make a Neil Armstrong biopic.

Damien Chazelle’s portrayal of the early days of the Apollo program is truly spectacular, both visually and narratively, covering both the more public aspects of the story as well as Armstrong’s personal trials and tribulations with his family and work.

Isle of Dogs

Wes Anderson’s triumphant return to animation was very well received and delivered something both completely new and definitively of Anderson’s style. Isle of Dogs carries the same style as 2010’s Fantastic Mr Fox but tells a completely original story about a Japanese island populated entirely by dogs. Starring Wes Anderson veterans Bill Murray and Jeff Goldblum, as well as newcomers Bryan Cranston and Scarlett Johansson, Isle of Dogs is a feelgood movie through and through that’ll please die-hard fans and casual viewers alike.

23

24 Sport CATHEDRAL

BGU celebrate their victory

BGU victorious in Cathedral Cup battle

B

Kieran Walsh Reporter

ishop Grosseteste University beat the University of Lincoln on penalties at Sincil Bank on October 25 to take home the 2018 Catherdral Cup and level the series between the two rivals.

Penalties were needed to split the two sides after the game ended 2-2 with goals from James, Buckthorpe, Lyons and Ward. This was not enough to separate the two in regular time.

Keeper Jack Gibbons was the hero for BGU as he slotted home the vital penalty to overcome The University of Lincoln 4-3 in the shoot-out.

Sport

PHOTO: Kathie Daniels

The clash started in a nervous fashion with both teams struggling to keep the ball in play in the opening minutes.

However, as the players grew into the game, BGU looked to dominate possession as captain Callum Brown cleared up Lincoln’s attempted breaks.

Lincoln were made to rue this missed chance after 20 minutes when George Tuck gave away a penalty after a sloppy foul just inside the area.

Shaking off his previous miss, Sean James stepped up and coolly slotted the ball to the keepers left, wheeling away to celebrate in front the BGU dominated Sincil Bank crowd.

As the second half started to take shape, Lincoln continued to dominate the ball, however BGU skipper Brown kept his side compact at the back restricting Lincoln to a

speculative effort from Oliver Lawrence.

This pressure continued until the 69th minute when Lyons’, who had been working hard all night, was again found behind the BGU back four after a smart run, even if there was a slight question of offside, to level the game at 1-1.

Lincoln weren’t level for long, as they failed to clear a corner in the 79th minute.

Buckthorpe was the quickest to react after the ball struck the post and he calmly put the ball past the dispairing keeper.

BGU lead 2-1 with just over ten minutes to go.

Just like the rest of the night Lincoln dominated the ball as they looked to reply but were still struggling to create clear opportunities.

That was until the 82nd minute when Matt Reynolds

was brought down just inside the box for the second penalty of the game.

Oliver Lawrence stepped up and hit the top corner of the BGU net levelling things up for the Swans.

Lincoln were now comfortably on top as the game ticked toward penalties.

Ed Sheen and Alfie Loughton both had great opportunities to win the game for Lincoln late on but both shot straight at the keeper. Lincoln were left ruing their missed chances as the match ended 2-2.

The game was set to be decided with penalties in front of the Stacey West Stand.

The first to step up was Mikey Pywell for the University of Lincoln who calmly slotted the ball to the keepers left. James Holdsworth failed to level the scoring as Ellis made a good save to his left.

Lincoln couldn’t take advantage however as they missed their next two spot kicks with Nathaniel D’Rosario smashing his penalty to the keepers left in between, levelling the spot kicks 1-1.

Sean James then put BGU ahead after Gibbons made a good save to deny Connor Walker.

Both teams then confidently scored the next two penalties, leaving the score at 3-3.

Oliver Rawlings stepped up to take his penalty to win the match for BGU. He blazed the ball over the bar leaving the fans crazy with excitement.

Sport You can now watch highlights of the game on The Linc’s YouTube channel However, Ed Sheen let BGU off the hook as he followed suit with hitting his effort over the bar.

The second chance to win was given to Jack Gibbons, the BGU goalkeeper and with a stutter in his run up, he sent the Lincoln keeper the wrong way and calmly scored the winning penalty.

Bishops Grosseteste University had therefore regained the Cathedral Cup after a 4-3 win on penalties thanks to heroic goalkeeper, Gibbons.

BGU had levelled the Cathedral Cup series at two wins each.

After the game BGU Football President, Ewan Chesman, said: “I couldn’t be happier with the performance from the guys.

“We showed a real team spirit to win the game after coming in to it as underdogs.”

To keep up to date with all the latest content from our sport team, visit the website: www.thelinc.co.uk/ category/sport

25

SU SPORT

Focus on SU Sport: Badminton Alex Keene SU Sports Editor

W

ith nearly 40 SU sports teams this year, we wanted you to get to know some of them better.

We sat down with the Badminton Society to ask everything you might need to know about what they do and why.

Emily Mercer, a fourth-year student studying Forensic Psychology, is president of the bsociety.

We caught up with her to see what she had to say about the team’s year so far.

How many members does your team have right now?

Our team has 39 members, 20 men and 19 women.

How many freshers are involved?

We have 18 freshers this year, 10 women and 8 men.

What are your aims for the rest of this year?

We want to continue with our successes from previous seasons.

At the moment, both of the men's teams are in very good positions in their leagues so they are striving for promotions by the end of the year.

What do you wish more people knew about your team?

Badminton isn’t known as the most ‘seshy’ sport, people think we don’t have great parties, but we throw some great socials!

Can you provide a little background or history of the team?

We’ve been an established team at the university for a number of years, and have been one of the university’s top British (BUCS)

PHOTO: Marco Verch point earners for the past few FIXTURES UPCOMING years.

BADMINTON Since 2017 we expanded to FIXTURES four teams (two men’s and two women’s) rather than one of each.

This has been highly beneficial Lincoln Women’s First Team because it means that we can take v. on more potential athletes and De Montfort University train them up, and more people February 6 get to compete for the university Lincoln Men’s First each week.

Team Are there any other interesting v. things you would like people to Loughborough know about the team?

University February 6 Fun Fact: We’re really good at quizzes, we’ve won the Sunday Lincoln Men’s Second quiz at Walkabout three times in Team a row! v.

University of And, finally, what are your Bedfordshire thoughts looking ahead to VarFebruary 20 sity?

Since all of our teams are doing Lincoln Women’s First Team relatively well this season, we v. have high hopes for Varsity scores University of Cambridge in our favour.

Women’s First Team Everyone has been more February 27 dedicated and committed this year Lincoln Women’s First which fills me with pride.

Team I couldn’t be prouder of what v. we’ve achieved as a team and a Loughborough University Women’s society in the four years I’ve been Third Team at Lincoln and hope the March 13 successes continue!

26 Sport REVIEW

SPORTS ROUND-UP

A summary of how Lincoln’s teams have been faring in recent months...

LINCOLN CITY Ryan Fletcher Deputy Sports Editor

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incoln City started the 2018/19 season after finshing the previous one by falling short in the play off semi-finals.

But, the Imps definitely didn’t let that demotivate them over the summer. An unbeaten start in the league saw them climb to the top of League Two, only losing to Blackburn Rovers in the English Football League Cup. Lincoln carried on their impressive start to the season throughout September although their first defeat came at the hands of Crawley during the month, but City still maintained their top spot position on goals difference.

With just two wins out of a possible six, October was a difficult month for Lincoln. The month began with a 1-0 loss to Tranmere Rovers when James Norwood inspired a great second half performance handing Lincoln their second loss of the season.

Returning to Sincil Bank, Lincoln maintained top spot with a second 1-0 score line in less than a week, but this time in their favour.

Next up for the Imps was the EFL Trophy where they were pitted against Lincolnshire rivals Scunthorpe United, one league above Lincoln, and managed to come away with the victory on penalties giving them full momentum going into their next league game against Port Vale.

Full of momentum they certainly

were as the trip resulted in an impressive 6-2 win, although that momentum fizzed away as the Imps didn’t pick up a win during the rest of October, with two draws at home to Cambridge United and Carlisle United, and an away defeat to Colchester United.

A return to Sincil Bank in November saw a 2-1 win against Forest Green Rovers keep them at the top of the league but just a few days later a penalty loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers’ U21 side was all they could manage in the EFL Trophy.

A second cup tournament fixture in the same week resulted in a win for Lincoln as they booked their place in the second round of the FA Cup with a visit from Carlisle United.

The following week City had the weekend off as the game away to Yeovil Town was called off due to the home side having three or more players away on international duty, meaning EFL regulations allowed them to call off the game and for it to be played at a later date. To finish off the month Lincoln drew both of their final games meaning MK Dons

regulations allowed them to call off the game and for it to be played at a later date.

To finish off the month Lincoln drew both of their final games meaning MK Dons overtook them in the league.

After advancing to the third round of the FA Cup following a win over Carlisle, City were ultimately knocked out of the competition following defeat at the hands of Everton.

Despite this, their place at the top of the League Two table looks to be secure as we continue with a new year of fixtures.

LINCOLN UNITED Matthew Williams Lincoln United Correspondent

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incoln United have endured a tough run of late and lost both of their festive fixtures.

The Whites enjoyed a strong

Sport opening in the few months of the 2018/19 season, reaching second place in the EvoStik East Division.

At 19 games into the campaign, United boasted a healthy points total of thirty-two.

The start ignited hopes of a promotion push this season for the Whites, who found themselves at the head of a tightly contested play-off push.

Speaking amidst the optimism at the time, Manager Sam Wilkinson said: “A club like Lincoln United aren’t in this position very often, we need to take our opportunity’’. But Boxing Day marked the start of a change in fortunes for the club.

They travelled to Cleethorpes Town and suffered a 4-1 loss, Andy Hutchinson being Lincoln’s only goal scorer.

The picture didn’t improve on New Year’s Day for United as they lost 3-1 at home to lowly AFC Mansfield.

Hutchinson put the Whites 1-0 ahead but a remarkable six minute hat-trick from Joe Iaciofang secured the points for Mansfield.

The season had previously thrown up some memorable victories for the Whites, including a 3-0 win away at Spalding Town and a 3-2 home victory over promotion rivals Markse United.

In the latter of those two wins, forward Matt Cotton scored an excellent game-clinching goal in the 85th minute.

The forward has been a standout performer for Lincoln this season, contributing four

goals to their promotion push and providing many opportunities for his team mates.

Cotton spoke about the squad’s hopes for promotion, stating: “I think the lads are starting to believe a bit now, but we’re not counting our chickens just yet!’’

Indeed, it seemed Cotton displayed impressive foresight with that comment, after a 2-0 defeat away at Stamford on January 5 rounded off United’s dismal festive performance.

That result left the Whites 9th in the Evo-Stik East Division table, with their hopes of a play-off place at the end of the season reduced.

A

SU SPORTS Alex Keene SU Sports Editor

fter entering 36 teams into the BUCS league programme this year, the University of Lincoln have seen a win rate of 45%.

We have seen 88 wins and 15 draws so far, but suffered 93 defeats.

Men’s basketball and women’s fencing have seen a run of great form so far, having won each of their fixtures.

Not far behind, the men’s rugby union have won all but one, with a draw suffered midway through the first term.

Still up there in the league tables, men’s squash, football, volleyball and lacrosse all have near-perfect records.

Only one defeat each taints their winning streaks.

At the other end, some Lincoln teams have not faired so well. So far, the men’s and women’s tennis teams have both suffered nothing but defeat.

Joining them, men’s Gaelic football, men’s futsal second, women’s hockey and netball second.

So far, none have been able to break their run of bad games leading into the new year.

FIXTURES

UPCOMING LEAGUE FIXTURES

LINCOLN CITY Lincoln City v.

Northampton Town (Home) February 9 Lincoln City v.

Stevenage (Home) February 16 Lincoln City (Home) v.

Exeter City February 26 LINCOLN UNITED Lincoln United v.

Morpeth Town (Home) February 2 Lincoln United v.

Frickley Atheltic (Away) February 16

Lincoln United FC

27

28

Sport

LINCOLN UNITED

LINC

Lincoln United held in 1-1 draw with Sheffield FC

Matthew Williams Lincoln United Correspondent

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incoln United drew 1-1 with Sheffield FC in a tense encounter at Ashby Avenue in their latest Evo-Stik First Division East encounter.

The Whites were looking to bounce back from their recent 4-1 loss away at Brighouse Town.

Sheffield knew a win would close the five point gap on Lincoln to two, a real incentive considering the three games in hand they hold over United.

Lincoln thought they’d taken the lead after 18 minutes.

Scott Matthews whipped a free-kick low into the Sheffield area, the ball took a deflection and nestled in the bottom corner.

Unfortunately for Lincoln, the linesman’s flag saved the away side and kept the score level.

The lively Matt Cotton looked to give his side the lead soon after, bringing the ball down in the box and getting a shot away which looked goal bound until it was well blocked by a Sheffield defender. Matt Wilson was given the first yellow card after he brought down James Greg-

ory as the winger went on a direct run at the heart of the Lincoln defence. After the resulting free-kick was cleared, Stuart Ludlum had Sheffield’s best chance of the first half.

Lincoln had grown into the game and asserted themselves well on the first half without finding the opening goal.

The team took the lead five minutes into the second half. More good work from Cotton set up captain Sean Wright on the edge of the box.

His low shot was saved by Adam Kelsey, however, the Sheffield keeper could only parry the ball into a dangerous area and Smith was first to react to turn the ball home.

The away side responded well to going behind, building momentum before grabbing an equaliser in the 59th minute. After a free-kick was initially cleared, the ball was fizzed back in by Gregory and Mark Newsham was able to divert the ball into the

Lincoln net and level the game at 1-1.

With 15 minutes remaining, the game was on a knife edge and the tension began to show on the pitch as both teams sought a winner, but were also aware one mistake could mean a defeat.

Sheffield came close on two occasions in injury time. First, Michael Jacklin sliced a clearance and the defender was grateful to see it drift narrowly wide of the post.

The Whites were then thanking their goalkeeper as Michael Emery produced a fingertip save to see an Adam Chapman header round the post.

After clearing the corner, Lincoln tried to launch one last attack but couldn’t create a meaningful chance and the match ended in a hardfought draw. Whites manager, Sam Wilkinson, said the result was a fair one: “I thought we were good first half and I was pleased with how we came out second half but we just didn’t kick on…we had no real sustained pressure on Sheffield in the second half.”

ms

Sport

29

LINCOLN UNITED

Lincoln United beat Spalding United 2-1 in Lincolnshire Derby

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Alex Slater Reporter

n a game described as ‘ugly’ by Lincoln United manager Sam Wilkinson, his side emerged victorious in a Lincolnshire derby thanks to two goals from Tom Garrick.

Spalding started the brighter of the two sides, perhaps sensing the early nerves in the Lincoln ranks, fearful of another negative result to continue their awful form, a team without a win since November.

It took just a few minutes for Spalding to find a chance, as Bradley Wells ran on to a well weighted ball but fired it over.

From there, the game descended into a scrappy affair; with sparks of frustration showing as neither side was able get hold of the ball for any decent period of pay. Debutant and Lincoln City loanee, Timothy Akinola, was the first to end up in the book, just 6 minutes in, for a tough challenge.

On the 43rd minute, a drifting Scott Matthews free-kick found its way to Matt Wilson who, after getting the ball out his feet, struck towards goal. Spalding were fortunate to have men in position to make the block, but the rebound fell back to Wilson who this time, opted to chip the ball towards the sixyard box. There, Tom Garrick was on hand to provide an unorthodox header with his back to goal to put the Whites in front.

At 1-0 up, United slowed the game down to reach the half time whistle.

Whatever the Spalding United manager Matt Easton said at half time must have resonated with his side, and particularly James Hugo,

Lincoln United in action. All photo credit: Steve Percival

who scored the pick of the game’s goals with a beautiful strike on the 49th minute. Latching on to a long ball down the left-hand side, Hugo took a few touches before lashing a strike from an angle with his left foot towards the far right. Emery dived well but couldn’t quite make it, as it cannoned off the post and in to the Lincoln net.

The match returned to its first half format after the teams drew level, with neither side able to carve out good chances or periods of possession, with the only glimmers of hope coming courtesy of set pieces for either team.

It took until just past the hour mark for Lincoln to find the ultimately decisive 3rd goal in the game.

A throw-in on the right-hand side culminated in the ball being booted into the clouds as Spalding attempted to clear.

Callum Dye was first to meet it, and looped the ball over the visitors’ defensive line where Garrick was making the run.

He muscled off his opposition and charged towards goal before collecting himself and calmly stroking the ball into the bottom right.

The goalkeeper was left sprawling and shouting at his defence, who had fallen asleep for seconds, and been punished for it.

Lincoln had found their way into the lead, and this time made it show, as they began to really take a hold of the game, limiting Spalding’s chances towards the end of the second half.

The 85th minute marked the end of Garrick’s game, no hat-trick today, but a round of applause echoed around Ashby Avenue as he made way for Jack Wightwick.

Spalding United never really looked like scoring once Lincoln took the lead for the second time, and the Whites performance was deserving of the three points as the full-time whistle came. A first win since November and potentially another turning point in Lincoln United’s rollercoaster of a season.

After the game Sam Wilkinson said: “It’s a great result for us and I thought we dominated the physical battle today.”

The Whites face Morpeth Town at home next Saturday and Wilkinson is expecting a tough game: “They’re the best side in the league but they will be used to playing on a nice pitch and we’ll have to see if they can play on our bobbly one!”

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Sport

LINCOLN CITY

Lincoln City beat Grimsby Town 1-0 in the Lincolnshire Derby Kieran Walsh Reporter

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n a Lincolnshire derby that surprisingly lacked tempo, 9650 fans saw Lincoln come out 1-0 winners through a brilliant Harry Toffolo effort early in the first half.

Coming into the derby, Lincoln were firm favourites. They had managed to keep their spot at the top of the tree over the Christmas period while Grimsby were coming off the back of three straight defeats and were sitting in fifteenth.

The atmosphere inside Sincil Bank was rising to breaking point just moments before kick-off as both sets of fans made it clear, in no uncertain terms, how desperate they were to get one over their Lincolnshire Rivals.

Lincoln started brightly, with Harry Anderson looking dangerous down the right wing, getting the best of Sebastien Ring in the opening exchanges.

The first chance however, did fall to Ring as he broke forward after a corner, hitting it just over the bar.

Apart from Ring’s speculative shot, the Imps dominated early on, until the 12th minute, when Harry Tofollo opened the scoring for Lincoln. Hitting a low driven shot to the Grimsby keepers left as a Harry Anderson corner fell to him on the edge of the box.

After Lincoln’s goal the Imps piled on the domination with Grimsby failing to put together anything going forward until the 25th minute when Elliot Embleton snatched at a chance just inside Lincolns six-yard box.

This chance however did little to stop Lincoln’s domination of the game, with the Imps looking calm in possession of the football. The two Grimsby Town centre backs were struggling to deal with the physicality of Akinde as the game edged closer to half-time.

Grimsby however were not about to let

the game slip away to half-time as they saw two corners cleared just in front of the goal line. They had started to get a foothold in the game and looked the more likely to score before the break.

The first half overall was a very stop start affair with constant petty fouls from both sides stopping the flow of the game.

Lincoln were very happy to be ahead as the half-time whistle blew although Cowley’s men needed to re-find the tempo from the start of the game if they hoped to capitalise on their lead in the second half.

Lincoln looked to respond quickly after the break, with the first chance of the second half falling on Michael Bostwick’s head after a dangerous corner from the right-hand side.

The Imps continued their domination until the 56th minute when McCartan saw his goal chalked off after Akinde was deemed to have pushed a Grimsby defender in the build-up.

Akinde quickly looked to make up for his mistake creating two quick chances that forced a good save and even better block from the Mariners back line.

After Akinde’s two quick fire chances the game fell into a lull with neither side able to create any clear-cut chances with fouls continuing to be an issue for the flow of the game.

The only spark was seen when new signing Danny Rowe came on and almost created an open goal for Akinde after a clever free kick from Neal Eardley.

Rowe continued to breathe new life into the game when in the 76th minute he was just too fast for the Town defenders and goalkeeper. He got to the ball just in front of the Grimsby keeper, James McKeown, who was forced to take him out. McKeown clearly took the man rather than the ball and was sent his marching orders by referee Mike Dean.

As the game moved towards the fulltime whistle, Lincoln failed to capitalise on being a man up in terms of adding to the score line.

The final whistle blew, and it was Harry Toffolo’s first half strike that separated the two sides. Although only 1-0 Lincoln had to be pleased with how they dominated and controlled the majority of the game with Grant Smith not having a save to make in the game.

After the match Danny Cowley explained how this one was for the Lincoln fans; “It’s great for the supports, they have been great for us all season, it’s not just almost selling out Sincil Bank every week buts it’s also about the atmosphere they bring every time.”

The Imps now look toward to their midweek game against Yeovil Town where they will be hoping to extend their lead at the top.

9650 people attended the Lincolnshire Derby. Photo: Ollie Collins

31 LINCOLN CITY

Lincoln City go top after impressive 3-1 win over Morecambe Ollie Collins Sports Editor

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he Imps went back to the summit of Sky Bet League Two after an impressive 3-1 victory over the Shrimps at a chilly Sincil Bank in December.

Harry Anderson opened the account for Lincoln City in the seventh minute, before a John Akinde penalty and a Jason Shackell free-kick completed the scoring for the Imps.

Kevin Ellison scored a consolation goal for the visitors late on but it wasn’t enough to prevent Lincoln City taking all three points.

Before the game, news came through to Sincil Bank that MK Dons’ game away at Newport County had been cancelled due to a waterlogged pitch, allowing the Imps to overtake the Dons with a win.

Morecambe boss, Jim Bentley, is the longest serving manager in the football league, being appointed in May 2011. His side came in to the game at 19th place in the league.

Lincoln City manager, Danny Cowley, made one change to the previous starting line-up bringing in Shay McCartan for Bruno Andrade who picked up an ankle injury against Stevenage. The Imps started brightly and took the lead in the

seventh minute thanks to Anderson.

A defence splitting pass from Tom Pett found Harry Toffolo who picked out the un-marked Anderson to tuck home from eight yards.

Akinde doubled the Imps lead from the penalty spot in the 33rd minute. Alex Kenyon fouled McCartan in the area and Akinde finished coolly from 12 yards. After the game he said: “I don’t get nervous in those situations I just back myself to score.”

The Imps scoring was completed in the 37th minute by defender Shackell.

Much to everyone’s surprised the defender stepped up and smashed a powerful left-footed free-kick in to the top corner to make it 3-0 at the break.

The conditions were playing a part in the second half as the freezing rain continued to fall.

The visitors had the ball in the back of the net in the 52nd minute as Smith fumbled a cross but referee, Sebastian Stockbridge, judged that Smith had been fouled.

The Shrimps got a goal back in the 80th minute through 39-year-old winger, Kevin Ellison, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Lincoln City taking all three points.

Despite going top of the league, Danny Cowley said: “We’re not interested in positions at this point we’re only interested in accumulating points.

“However, the attitude and application of the boys today shows we can go all the way this season.”

THE

LINC

The Linc’s sports team covers SU

sport plus Lincoln City and United

City knocked out of FA Cup

L

incoln City travelled to Goodison Park on 5th January for their FA Cup third round tie with Everton. The game represented an exciting chance for Lincoln to test themselves against high level opposition, with Everton sitting in 11th in the Premier League going into the match and fielding a line-up boasting the likes of Gylfi Sigurdsson and Theo Walcott.

Ultimately, the Imps were defeated 2-1 but the narrow margin of defeat and the performance of Danny Cowley’s side meant they could travel back to Lincoln extremely proud of their efforts.

Early in the game, there were fears Everton would win by a heavier scoreline as the home side raced into a two goal lead within 20 minutes of kick-off. Goals from Ademola Lookman and Bernand giving the Toffees what seemed a comfortable cushion.

However, Lincoln rallied as they got to grips with their Premier League rivals.

Matthew Williams Reporter Central defender Michael Bostwick gave the Imps hope as he tucked home the rebound from a Jason Shackell header shortly before the half hour mark.

Bostwick and many others in red and white distinguished themselves during a second half in which Lincoln restricted their opponents to few clear-cut chances.

There was even a sniff of an equaliser and a potential replay at Sincil Bank. Jason Shackell came closest with a header which caused some panic in the Everton defence and was eventually cleared just a few metres from the goal-line by Brazilian attacker Richarlison.

The Fans’ View

Overall, it was a day to remember fondly for Lincoln fans despite the final result. The supporters travelled in huge numbers, 5481 Imps packed the away stand and sang noisily throughout, determined to make the most of their experience of watching their team play against Premier League opposition.

We caught up with some supporters to get their views on the day.

Ambrose McAleavey, an Everton fan of 50 years said: ‘’We had the majority of possession but every time Lincoln had the ball and especially on set pieces they threatened. Especially after such a tough start going two down quickly they didn’t put heads down. The defence was solid after a shaky start. Bostwick with the goal just edged the Lincoln man of the match.’’

Laura Gates has been an Everton season ticket holder for ten years but has also followed Lincoln in the past 5 years whilst at university. She was at the game and said ‘’They were a challenging opposition, to me they’re not like a typical league 2 side, they’re very well organised.

In the build-up to the game I was quite nervous before the team news came out as I wasn’t sure if Marco Silva would underestimate Lincoln and put out a weak team, however he put out a strong team and essentially got the job done, despite it being a bit nervy at 2-1.