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How to pick a house
LIFESTYLE SPORTS WEDNESDAY 4TH FEBRUARY | ISSUE 163
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COMMENT
Millennial Life
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Ian Ayris Interview
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Happy Valentine’s!
The Candidates have been Revealed Revealed!
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News Editorial At the end of last term, amidst one of the crazy, last pre-holiday weeks I got a phone call. The phone call offered me an opportunity to do a short temporary job for a position that had suddenly become vacant. I was so stumped by the call it took me a while to even understand what it was about, and as the offer became clear my first thought was yes I should definitely do this, more opportunities, more contacts, and better jobs in the future. Microseconds later it dawned on me I was already doing a million things that week, things I had committed to long before this phone call ever came about. I was really not in a position to drop everything else I was doing no matter how much the phrase “say yes to everything” was ringing in my head. Was I losing out on an opportunity of a lifetime by saying no? Was I not living my “truth” (or whatever they said on Oprah) if I turned down this chance? Maybe, but then that did not hugely bother me, albeit after a slight hesitation. At the end of the day it would have bothered me more to abandon a task I had already committed myself to. I consider myself a loyal person, and responsibility once accepted for something means a lot to me. When asked once which animal I would most consider myself like I answered a dog, loyal, sometimes to a fault. Of course in university not many of us have the luxury of being picky with the opportunities we get, but we still shouldn’t feel so guilty about saying no once in awhile. The tidal wave of fear about not getting employed and the crushing guilt when you take a moment to yourself free of work is not a very healthy combination. And maybe some days you can compartmentalise and feel like you deserve a day off but as graduation grows nearer those days fade into oblivion. In those times I at least try to think of what I have achieved and the promises I have kept and honoured.
Your Editor, Saga Eriksson
Ed Gove, Content Deputy Editor Emily Townsend, Online Deputy Editor Andrew Smith, Design Deputy Editor
Jake Stones, News Editor Fiolla Korenica, News Deputy Editor Shaun Quilter, News Deputy Editor
STUDENT
Accommodation Special Letting agencies around Colchester currently will be hoping for your custom, but who is the best to go with? We asked The Rabbit staff and friends what advice they have for other students.
The views included in this feature are those of the writers, and reflect their individual experience. They do not necessarily reflect the views of The Rabbit as a whole, nor of the University of Essex Students’ Union. The Rabbit editorial team spoke to a few students to hear their comments.
wanted an UK guarantor, and we obviously didn’t have one. The fact that we didn’t have to pay any fees was a plus as well! We had lovely landlords, always very helpful to sort out any problems that we had with the house (for example when our washing machine broke, we had a new one the next day). I think in general you can find properties with cheaper rents, but Student Lets is definitely very convenient, especially when you rent out for the first time and don’t really know what to look for.” - Luiza Şandru, Lifestyle Editor.
Letting Agencies
List of other local accommodation agencies:
Student Lets Who are they? Student Lets is a letting service set up by the Students’ Union, meaning unlike other letting agencies in Colchester, Student Lets are not for profit. They have an office on campus found in the corridor of ‘The Salon’ and ‘Go Go Global’, and are open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. Agency fees? None. Student Lets is for the students of the University of Essex, therefore they want to make the process of finding off campus accommodation as easy as possible.
Here are some of the local estate agents, with comments by Rabbit staff and friends. Alphalets – Contact details: Call 01206 855 044 or email info@alphalets.com. “Disorganised, expensive, and unreliable. But the house is pretty nice. It was around £50-£100 more expensive than every other letting agent.” Lewis Smith. Boydens – Contact 01206 762244 or email enquiries@boydens.co.uk.
Deposit? All agencies are going to ask for a deposit, however Student Lets’ not-for-profit model means that they have little interest in taking your cash needlessly.
East Anglian Properties – Contact details: 01206 764490 or email info@eastanglianproperties. co.uk.
Is it a good idea to go with Student Lets?
Essex and Suffolk Lettings - With a rating of 2.4 stars on Google reviews. Contact details: Call 01206 571111 or go to www.essexandsuffolk.co.uk
“The Student Lets website was most useful for me when finding a house off campus. It was straight forward and an easy website to use.” “In our second year, me and my friends went through Student Lets. It was very convenient because as European Students most of the agencies
“I used Essex and Suffolk in my 2nd year and didn’t much like them. The house was filthy when we moved in - there was rotten food in the cupboards, but they kept saying that professional cleaners had been in, which I doubt. The guy who arranged it all seemed inept, and the woman who took over
WEDNESDAY 4TH FEBRUARY | ISSUE 163
management when we moved in wasn’t much better. Cost-wise it didn’t seem too bad (although we didn’t know any better) however with the deposit they were really tight about it, deducting money despite the house being far cleaner and tidier than it was when we moved in. They sort of just took advantage of our ignorance really. My advice: don’t use these guys unless you know what to expect and will not let yourself be pushed around. Although it could have just been a one off.” - Ed Gove, Editor for Content.
Hence, by finding and working with a landlord, you are likely to save money, as there are fewer fees involved. Agency fees? Landlords are not letting agents, so you would not incur any agency fees. This is because as long as you are paying rent, the landlord is making money anyway. This is already one major reason for trying to find a landlord instead of going through an agency, as some agencies can incur high fees for things which can easily be done for free.
Ezemove Ezelet – Contact details: Call 01206 564 700 or go to www.ezemoveezelet.co.uk.
Deposit? And will you get it back? The deposit is unavoidable. It’s a matter of accountability and ensures the letting agency or house owner has something which they can hold against you in order to know you are going to treat the property well. The deposit will vary from every independent landlord and usually is the sum of 1 or 2 months rent.
Gallant Richardson – Contact details: Call 01206 548222 or email lettings@gallantrichardson.co.uk. Hale Lettings – Contact details: Call 07909972730 or email liz@haleletting.co.uk. “I went through Hale Lettings in my 3rd year and I was very happy with the service. Liz was fabulous, we already had an eye on a flat that we saw on the internet and she showed us another two (same number of bedrooms and price) so we can make a better decision. We paid £70 each on fees and I think that is very good compared to other prices that I’ve heard of. She always replied very quickly and we signed the contract in a matter of days. Overall, very happy with Hale Lettings.” - Luiza Şandru, Lifestyle Editor.
Jackson & Co. – Contact details: Call 01206 266
Overall, is it a good idea to go with an independent landlord? “I cannot speak better of my landlord. He’s not mental about rent being paid on the first second of the month, he doesn’t harass us and shall only come over when we have an issue - which he deals with quickly. He even let me bring my dog to live with us.” - Jake Stones, News Editor.
The Rabbit would like to note that, although this is Jake’s experience, all landlords differ, whether they are private landlords or commercial estate agents.
714 or go to www.jacksonco.co.uk.
Saxons - Saxons are a letting agency found in Colchester Town on the High Street. The staff are friendly and will drive you to viewings if you go into their branch. The agency has been established for a long time. However they tend to have high agency fees. Agency fees are fees that are asked for processing your paperwork. This can be a good few hundred pounds, and you do not get it back. It’s a fee for their work, not a deposit.
William H. Brown - Contact details for the Colchester High Street branch: Call 01206 577772 or email colchester@sequencehome.co.uk “Pros: None. Cons: Contract arrived late and had 24 hours to sign as the tenancy started the following day. Multiple services were promised (including a handyman) but never happened. Tried to charge £4000. The company also refused to contact the landlord whenever we had issues; I could go on with this. Fees: £250 which was non-refundable, as well as a non-refundable £350 deposit. So yes, far too much! Not worth it one bit.” - Tom Phillips, Sports Editor.
If you do decide to rent privately, try to make sure you and your housemates set some house rules (if sharing with previously unknown tenants) and prevent from paying for house repairs as that should often be the landlord’s obligation. Student Lets do not charge any fees and are, like The Rabbit, Students’ Union run. If you would like more information, go to: www.essexstudent. com/services/advice_centre/housing/. There is a Student Street Guide available to collect from the Advice Centre or Student Lets. This guide is downloadable from the Student Lets’ website. It contains a checklist of what to look for when house-hunting.
Going via the landlord
“Lastly, some advice when moving in to a property. Do not allow your estate agent to just let you in and leave; you should check the inventory. If there is something on the inventory that is not in the house, that is the time to raise it with them. You can also take photos of the house as you move in, possibly while you are doing the inventory, and email these to your estate agent or landlord. This means that if there are any problems with deposits at the end of the tenancy then you have evidence for your claim.” - Ed Gove, Editor for Content.
Who is the landlord? All the houses that students rent are ultimately owned by a landlord, and not by the companies who let them out. When rent is paid it goes to the person who owns the house.
Jake Stones Fiolla Korenica Shaun Quilter
NEWS
Housing checklist If this if your first house hunt then you may not be sure what to look out for. If it is not your first time, then you may just need a refresher. Check out our handy house shopping list: External checks: do the roof and gutters look structurally sound? Do the window frames look rotten? Does the rent include bills? Does the house have double-glazing? Is there any mould or damp? Is there ventilation in the shower room? Check there is a valid Gas Safety certificate. Do the internal bedroom doors have locks? Does it have a smoke detector? Is the house insulated? Older houses are more vulnerable to heat loss, and therefore higher gas bills. Are there enough radiators? Does it have the things you need: a good sized fridge, a washing machine, a microwave. Are all the rooms fully furnished? What is the neighbourhood like? Is it easy to get to and from campus? What fees are the company asking for? Does the house have car parking spaces?
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Candidates for SU Elections Revealed It’s that time of the year again. The elections are here and a total of 61 candidates are running for a variety of fulltime and part-time positions. The Union are set to recruit 7 Sabbatical Officers, 10 Part-time Officers, an SRF chair, 6 Student Trustees, 3 NUS Delegates, 5 Loughton Officers and 5 Southend Officers at this election. Next week the provisional candidates will attend briefings and submit their manifestos. Campaigning will begin on Friday 6 February at 6pm. Voting will start on Wednesday the 11th of February at 10 am and will close Friday the 13th of February at at 4 pm. You can either vote online at essex.su/elections or in the foyer of the Lecture Theatre Building (LTB).
The Rabbit contacted all those running to give them a chance to send a message out to you voters, so here they are your candidates.
President JACK FULLER ADRIAN CHIRA
“I believe I have the right knowledge, qualities, morals and heart to be your next SU President.” FEMI ADEYEMI-EJEYE
“Vote Fuller for more reading room plugs, 24/7 seminar rooms, less bureaucracy, more regulated SU Bouncers and increased promotion of equality.”
“As a PhD student and SRF deputy chair, who has done an MSc. I have both the skills and experience to be your next President. Vote Femi4Prez”
SARAH OLUBUNMI
“A Change CAN come, change WILL come. Vote Sarah Olubunmi. This girl can make it happen!!”
MICHAEL CHALMERS FELIX POOLE
USE YOU VOTER !
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NEWS
Vice-President for Welfare and Community Adam Coll
Rehana adam
“Building a strong community
Antony taylor
is what I want. We are one body with individual differences we will embrace and celebrate. Vote Adam for Welfare.”
Jessica rich
“I want to help you spot the signs of mental illness in your friends so that together we can support each other. I’m here 4 u! #jesswecan”
“Celebrate diversity. Empower all students. A healthier campus. Better health services. More safety at night. Vote Antony #1 for Welfare!”
“Michael, Miguel, Mikey or Mike, I will push the University to improve the standard of Welfare - I can dig #NoConstruction”
Vice-President for Activities alin petcu
“Want something done? Alin is the one. No societies Guild Membership, Coaches for every sport!! Continuous growth. Vote Alin VP Activities”
Tomas Kasiulis
Michael Farah
hamza eric kazmi
“I’m standing for VP Activities to make sure you’re never bored at Essex & Sports/Societies enhance your experience & be your best memories”
“Everything is in your hands: vote for Tomas and get changes towards better community and improved welfare as well as unforgettable experience in Essex.”
Mitchell bond
““I want to make every society and club bigger and better than ever before. I also want to celebrate success and get everyone noticed.”
Megan sweeney
samuel grocott
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Vice-President for International
VicePresident for Education
CHRISTINE ANASTASIOU
“For 3 years now I have fought in representing international students. That is why I’m running for VPInternational this year! Vote Christine!”
OSEI DOWNES SAM FRENCH
JOELLE LEILICH
“Ohana means family, which means noone is forgotten or left behind, which is why I stand for better holiday offerings for everyone.”
PAULINA HAGYARIOVA
VALENTINA POHSIEN LI
Vice-President for Services and Communications DAN WARD
“The most important part of our SU is you, not revenue! Locked doors and fabled representatives don’t reflect this. I want change. Do you?” JOSEPH SPICER
“When something’s wrong, with services and comms. who you gonna vote for? JOE SPICER. #nothingbutperfection ”
MICHAEL NEWMAN
JOSH O’CONNOR
“I’m standing for change, better WiFi on campus, cheaper campus food alternatives, and no campus health service cuts #Mike4VPServicesAndComms” TOM PHILLIPS
“I’m running for VP services & comms because I believe in Student Media, great services & ents and transparency! Ask me more with #TP4VP :)”
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NEWS
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Vice-President for Southend and Loughton shola akinyemi
Chaoying wu
“The sum total of my life is ser-
“I hope to make some contribution to my campus
vice, contribution and adding
and students. I desperately hope to help them, make
value. Being elected is a good
friends with them and communicate with them.”
platform to do more. Your vote can make it happen.”
yujing liang
Part-time Officers Black and Minority Ethnic Students’ Officer Sebastian Lescott
Campaigns Officer Christopher Flossman
Trustee Student Trustee Anjli Hansora George Johnson Joseph Ikebudu
Stefan Bertram Theodoros Lambrou Valentina Poshsien Li
Equality and Diversity Officer Sabrina jamil
Ethics and Environment Officer Isabel Rivas Martinez
LGBT Officer Kevin bedford Simone mendez-sutcliffe Taran Baragwanath
Mature and Part Time Officer George Johnson
Participation and Involvement Officer
Southend Trustee Yujing Liang
NUS NUS Delegate Adrià Porta Caballé Alex Perring Andrew Arnott Ava Etemadzadeh Christopher Flossman George Johnson
jake parkins
Women Students’ Officer
Jordan Cohen Joshua Murray
Sarah griesmer
Sabrina Jamil
Will Stacey
Southend Part Time Officers International Students Officer Dhanalakshmi Sridhar
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Comment
Philippa Dobson, Comment Editor
Editors Note: The views represented in this section are from those of the individuals and do not represent the editorial views as a whole.
Casual Sex:
Not a new concept Although it’s not something I regularly rave about, I am OBSESSED with BBC Four historical documentaries. It’s one of the lamest hobbies you will ever encounter, second only to things like bus spotting and stamp collecting. However, it has allowed me to understand the changing climate of society; be it economically, politically, or just what the general population think about the state of things. And the one thing that I’ve learnt is that sex is a constant. While we view the world now as being sex filled, we forget that it was almost a sign of greatness for a King to have mistresses. Yes, that’s plural! King Charles II had three mistresses, as well as a wife, causing him to father fourteen illegitimate children. He made no secret of this, and provided luxury houses and care for them and their mothers. Now, if we think of the typical views of young people out there; the no-strings-attached sex, the copious amounts of drinking, the subversion of the family structure, what appears to be any different from what that 17th century monarch was doing? We also have this view that ‘waiting-til-marriage’ was a thing of the past, but is that really so? A recent study found that only 11% of participants between 1954 and 1963 waited until marriage to have sexual contact. Conversely, roughly 3% of people between 1994 and 2003 waited to put a ring on it before they hit it.
Now, while there has been a shift, it’s not as big as I expected (that’s what she said?). This, at least in my eyes, does not signify that people are being more reckless with themselves, but more an example of greater personal freedom and expression. Yes, fewer people are waiting until marriage to have sex, but that’s not to say that the majority of the older generation didn’t get busy before the big day, and that’s not to say that no young people are waiting, they’re simply taking control of their sexual exploits; it’s their choice. Additionally, another survey suggested that up to 51% of people believe that brides and grooms should wait until they’re married, so who’s saying we’re no longer a conservative society? While I still don’t totally get the vendetta that the media seem to have taken up against any generation other than their own, they seem to forget about all of the things that took place during their youth. Perhaps it’s because their parents told them that they shouldn’t do certain things, and they think we shouldn’t do them either? Or maybe they’re jealous of our ability to choose our own lifestyle and not be so highly judged for it? Either way, no matter what the newspapers say, whether it is 1715 or 2015, people always have and always will be getting busy.
Savanna Rayment
WEDNESDAY 4TH FEBRUARY | ISSUE 163
COMMENT
Appreciate Technology The millennial generation have been lucky enough to grow up with essentially all the information in the world at our fingertips. Unlike our parents at our age, we can find the answer to almost any question in a matter of seconds. When former generations yearned for answers they had to go to a library or purchase a book regarding the topic. The millennial generation (at least the latter half) have had the pleasure of Google whilst growing up. Whatever question we may ponder, we can Google. However, as a generation, have we taken full advantage of this? This may come across rather presumptuous, but should a generation of people who have possessed technology capable of uncovering the answers to all of our questions know far more than a generation who were restricted to looking for answers book by
book and page by page? Of course, books are fantastic sources of information. This is indisputable. This is proven by the fact that libraries have not yet been replaced by online libraries. Before the digital age information was obtainable, however it wasn’t so easily accessible. Nowadays, when friends dispute an issue, hard evidence is easily available from quick and easy Google searches via smartphones and other devices. This displays just how easy it is to access any information a person may desire. So should young inquisitive minds not be constantly feeding our curiosity, rather than watching videos of cats? The answer is probably yes, yet for some reason, we don’t seem to. How did languages come about? What causes
hypnic jerks? Why do giraffes have such long necks? The internet allows the millennial generation to have extensive knowledge of a wealth of subjects, far more easily than previous generations. Informative videos can be found in abundance on YouTube through accounts like ‘Vsauce’ and there are countless websites and apps with facts and figures to tend to every question. There are a plethora of questions waiting to be answered. Some answers may be extremely useful, and others may be trivial, but nevertheless the answers will either broaden the mind or act as ‘cool facts’ to impress people with at pubs. We have the world at our fingertips, so hop on Google and learn something new.
William Chamberlain
The Selfie Debate The millennial generation have grown up in a somewhat digital world. The birth of social media (along with front facing phone cameras) has subsequently led to the birth of the worldwide phenomenon, the selfie. The word was added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2013 showing just how widespread it became. Most people are unlikely to experience scrolling through their news feeds on social media without a selfie appearing, whether it’s of an acquaintance or a close friend. The issue surrounding this is why young people have developed an obsession of repeatedly posting photos of their face online, day in, day out. Is it self-expression or is it narcissism? I can admit that I have been guilty of the odd selfie, however in recent times I have banned myself from doing so without another point of interest within the photo (like being in a supercool place). I struggle to claim any ounce of my reasoning behind these selfies were to ‘express myself’.
At the same time however I have taken a narcissism test online (whilst fairly bored). I found myself bang in the centre of the average score, which potentially did at the time reflect my seemingly average number of selfies for the regular teenager. Comprehending narcissism as a reason behind selfies seems to make far more sense than selfexpression. Although some wouldn’t admit to it, people post photos of themselves with the hope of likes; recognition of their wonderful face. This is opposed to expressing oneself through facial expression… or the idea of simply keeping friends up to date with their actual face. Subtle admiration of oneself is not necessarily something to be worried about. Nevertheless, the mindset of those who appear to be extremely narcissistic can be questioned. Why do you feel as though it is necessary to post a photo of yourself daily? A craving for appreciation found through likes and comments in order to boost self-esteem.
Narcissism seems more prominent in the millennial generation due to social media and selfies. The mind set some have leading to a yearning for recognition through selfies is perpetuated by others doing the same, in a competitive manner. Selfies are fine, as long as a quota of likes doesn’t become a necessity for whoever is posting it.
William Chamberlain
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Modern Education When I hear the experiences that my parents had with education in their youth, I can’t even begin to imagine what it was like. Sometimes I see it as ideal: less pressure, lower university fees, more job availability, etc. There are other times when it seems not so ideal: corporal punishment, out-dated teaching practices, less social mobility. It got me thinking: what is the true price of our education? And what does this mean for our generation? We are looking to be the most educated generation so far, with roughly 45% of 18-30 year olds going into higher education. 20 years ago, only 1 in 20 people did the same. This is a great thing, showing how university is now more accessible than ever before, and allowing so many people to pursue their academic
career. But is this really what’s happening? And at what cost does this come to the millennials? The Sutton Trust have estimated that the average student will have racked up more than £44,000 in debt by the time they finish their time at university. But this doesn’t go away. It is believed that they will also still owe roughly £32,000 by the time they’re 50. Now these changes will directly affect the present and upcoming generation of students, considering that many are now opting out because of the financial strain that education places on them. Now, it may not be such a hard decision if we were able to enter into a decent paying career sometime after graduation, but this is also appearing less and less likely.
The average starting salary for graduates into some form of professional employment has actually dropped 11% from £24,293 (2007), to £21,701 (2012), so whereas university once seemed like a golden ticket into employment, success, and sustainability, it now just looks like a lot of debt to get drunk and read books that you don’t like. The security that education once brought is no longer with us, and all of this means that our education comes at a higher price than ever before. As the millennials face the first wave of this downward trend, will we continue to see a rise in higher education students? Or will the economics outweigh the future gains? Is it worth it?
Savanna Rayment
Students and Politics: Our unusual relationship Recent surveys show that an overwhelming amount of British millennials don’t believe that voting makes any difference. And who’s to blame them? It doesn’t seem to help us much (ahem, Clegg). Young people, it seems, are not only becoming disillusioned with the system but with the parties that work within it. Our views rarely align with those of the political parties. But despite all this our generation is incredibly politically aware, maybe that’s why we are so disillusioned? A large majority of young people said that their interaction with political affairs and current issues is influenced greatly by modern technology, in particular the smart phone. And this technology was not available two years ago, never mind the last general election. If we’re so politically aware then where is our attention focused? The top areas in which millennials believe spending should be focused
include education, the NHS and affordable housing. Selfish thoughts maybe? But then I’d have to agree, as I’m part of this generation, and as a student I see the great value in education. Another major area of interest of millennials is social justice and equal rights. Okay, so we’re interested in politics, but if we’re not going to vote than what do we do about anything? Do we just share issues on social media? Well we do that, yes. But young people often take action in their local communities as well as virtual ones. Many people in this generation have a strong belief in alternate forms of political engagement, as is shown through the popularity of crowdfunding. Maybe our disillusionment with the UK political system is a sign of hope which may result in a change in politics for the better and more democratic. But then I would say that, I’m young, I’m supposed to be optimistic and self-centered.
Alice Vardy
WEDNESDAY 4TH FEBRUARY | ISSUE 163
COMMENT
Manners Cost Nothing Working in a supermarket, you notice that there are many things that annoy you about people. It might be customers complaining about prices, someone using their card to buy gum, or the ohtoo-familiar jokes about having cashback only if it’s free. But for me, there is nothing worse than someone who is ignoring your existence whilst staring at their phone or listening to music. Phones are undoubtedly important and helpful to our lives. Since the invention of the iPhone, no man has ever needed to ask for directions, and getting a boyfriend is one Tinder swipe away. It is noticeable that recently the negatives of phone use are more regularly referenced in society. I’ve even seen a video on Facebook saying that phones are ruining communication in society (irony anyone?). But what really is my concern is that phones are becoming an excuse for the ill-mannered.
Remember a time, when you used to go to Sub Zero knowing that if you lost someone, sending a text was not an option (showing my age). As much as that used to be inconvenient, especially at 3am when you’re trying to organise who wants to leave now and who wants to get a NomNoms first, nights weren’t ruled by your phone. Nowadays, however, it seems that Snapchatting your friends to show them how much of a great night you’re having is not only a worthy Snapchat story, but also essential in order to prove how much you love a song. Don’t get me wrong, I’m as guilty as the next slightly-too-drunk girl on a Saturday night, but I can’t help but feel sad that people feel the need to prove to others that they are having a good night.
The effect of technology on our generation has meant that we’ve distanced ourselves from what is in front of us, constantly feeling the need to show rather than enjoy the experience we are having. This means that people have less time to remember their ‘pleases’ and ‘thank yous’ to people in front of them and leaves more time to respond to a WhatsApp or scroll through Instagram. So next time you’re looking at your drunken Snapchats from the previous night in the shop, don’t forget to say thank you to person serving you at the till.
Rachel Gover
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Arts
ART
Jess Rich, Arts Editor
‘Tis a Pity She’s a Whore Lakeside Theatre, 22nd-24th January. Written by John Ford, Directed by Tony Casement. If I was to take a shortcut in reviewing John Fords ‘Tis Pity She’s A Whore’, directed by Tony Casement, it would be to repeat the word “Perfection” five hundred times over. Because, that is exactly what it was. The cast enter down the steps through the audience, blank faced, and in perfect synchronisation, sit either side of the stage on chairs lined up, where they remain until they perform. The contemporary twist of having the cast dress in smart black and white attire, with the exception of the leads, made it even more accessible to the modern day audience. The choice of set kept it clean and minimalist, using shadows and flashlights to create strong and attention-grabbing visuals. From start to finish, the entire cast kept the piece alive, entertaining the audience with scenes that contrasted from laugh out loud humour to intense, heart breaking moments. I was worried that I would find myself losing interest due to the nature of the language used, but I am thankful that I was proven wrong. Casement and the cast have transformed this brutal and somewhat disturbing text into a production that won mine, and fellow audience member’s hearts. The leads of Giovanni and Anabella, portrayed perfectly by Dan Jinkerson and Ashling Edward, brought the characters to life with such an intense chemistry and passion, it caused the tears to spring from the eyes of even the more hard faced theatre goers. You find yourself fully supporting the couple, despite the taboo nature of the subject they were portraying. However, this merely shows the pairs commitment to their roles, so much so, you almost forget that they are brother and sister.
Showing outstanding moments of comedic timing, Ryan Cogman and Paige Blastock excel in playing the master and servant double act of Bergetto and Poggio. The decision to make Poggio female added a new dynamic to the pairing, but I applaud Casement’s choice in keeping any romantic entanglement that could have happened between the two very minimal, focusing more on the friendship than anything. The climax of the piece poured with (literal) blood, sweat and tears, as few of the remaining alive characters gathered onstage for a showdown of violence, rage and torment. The heart-breaking screams of Joe Lyndon playing the father of Giovanni and Anabella, were particularly hard to watch, capturing the epitome of devastation and anguish. It was evident that every single person on that stage was completely immersed and projected energy throughout the concluding emotionally hard hitting scene. I can honestly say with the utmost confidence that ‘Tis Pity She’s A Whore’ has been the best show I have ever viewed at The Lakeside Theatre and it will be a struggle for any other show to even come close. Being completely immersed from start to finish, I was astounded by the commitment, energy, humour and emotion of the entirety of the cast, feeling an overwhelming sense of pride of Essex University and the Theatre Arts Society as the cast took their final bow.
Sophie Joshua
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Did you make wigwams out of sticks? Exhibition Review of Outwith at Art Exchange, 12 January – 14 February 2015 Opening Hours: Tuesday to Friday 11am – 5pm & Saturday 12pm – 4pm Conversation with the Curator: Wednesday 11th February 6 – 8pm Free Entry www.artexchange.org.uk January finds many students recollecting on recent encounters with family, childhood, and change. What does the word ‘home’ evoke in your memory? Is it a place or a time? Did you build shelters in the woods as a child? Such reflections are well spent under a tree in Art Exchange this month. In a brand new commission internationally acclaimed artists Sally Underwood and Roxy Walsh explore themes of memory, dependency, and the materiality of home, bringing their ongoing collaborative project to Art Exchange at the University of Essex. Roxy Walsh paints large areas of the walls in colour like winter light through the large gallery windows. These provide a background for Underwood’s central tree sculpture and a series of small semi constructed walls. But then at other moments these sculptures become the setting for a collection of Walsh’s framed watercolours. Sculptures within paintings and paintings within sculptures, their relationship is forever fluctuating and playful, walking around you feel very much inside a living artwork.
This interplay raises ideas of dependency and protection. On a bench by the window you are invited to sit pensively, as when given the space that nature affords. As Mr and Mrs Andrews do in the Gainsborough painting surveying their estate, or as somebody might take their tea to drink by the window to reflect and think. Dwellings like this provide sites of shelter in their work that also reveal human need for them, human vulnerability and dependency. People are integrally part of spaces such as home in the making and shaping process, while at the same time always being dependent on the presence and acts of others. The faded hues of glazed paintings and materials in this exhibition emphasise the fragility of spaces like home, and their transience. Domestic histories captured in carpet stains and family portraits, the material catalogues of our memories. The sculptures are hand made using simple base materials that one might find in the immediate university environment: engineering bricks, the same as those used to construct the imposing north and south towers on campus, tiles cut from book binding leather, timber latten.
Like the child who gathers sticks for her wigwam this art comes out of acting on the material at hand, as in Jackson Pollock and Allan Kaprow. I see art as the process here. As the actions, worlds, and life, that are revealed and contained within objects: “But the most unforgettable were the walls themselves. The tenacious life of these rooms refused to let itself be trampled down. It was still there; it clung to the nails that had remained; it stood on the handsbreadth remnant on the floor; it had crept together these among the onsets of the corners where there was still a tiny bit of interior space. You could see that it was in the paint, which it had changed slowly year by year: from blue to an unpleasant green; from green to gray; and from yellow to an old decaying white which was now rotting away. But it was also in the fresher places which had been preserved behind the mirrors, pictures, and cupboards; for it had drawn and redrawn their contours and had also been in these hidden places, with the spiders and the dust, which now lay bare…” Rainer Maria Rilke, The Notebooks of Malte Laurids Brigge. 1910.
Calum MacMillan
Memphis moves to London! The city of 1950’s Memphis, Tennessee hits London’s West End as the new musical takes centre stage. The new hit musical ‘Memphis’ opened its doors to the public on the 23rd October 2014, after being on Broadway for three years, and winning four 2010 Tony Awards including ‘Best Musical’. Inspired by true events of the 1950’s underground clubs, ‘Huey Calhoun’, played by renowned West End star Killian Donnelly, makes history by being the first white DJ to play black music. Huey wants to change the world and meets his partner ‘Felicia Farrell’, played by the Queen of British soul Beverley Knight, who is looking for her big break.
Their journey through the struggles of racism and their forbidden love makes this musical worthy of its awards. From the soulful music, to the amazing dancing and costumes, this new musical is definitely a must-see for the New Year as they take you on a journey through the history of the 1950’s. David Bryan (music and lyrics) and Joe Dipietro (lyrics and book) show their amazing talent as this show takes centre stage on London’s West End stage.
So join them on their journey to the ends of the airwaves – filled with laughter, soul, and rock ‘n’ roll!
“A must-see for the New Year!” The Rabbit Rebecca Stokes
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Music
Alex Driscoll, Music Editor
BJÖRK - VULNICURA Back in 2001, Björk released a beautiful wintry album entirely on the subject of how enjoyable she was finding sex with her new partner, Matthew Barney. ‘Vespertine’ was often lyrically explicit (in a delicately touching way – no artist in the modern commercial music market has quite the same grasp on the English language as Icelandic Björk), orchestral and built on a base of microbeats, the world’s most unabashedly inventive artist has now written its spiritual sequel; ‘Vulnicura’. Having been leaked two months before its proposed release in March, Björk released the album in full to iTunes. It topped iTunes charts and trended on Twitter. Even twenty years after her commercial peak, the release of a new Björk album is a show-stopping event. Early impressions were positive; the collaboration between Kanye West/FKA Twigs producer Arca and The Haxan Cloak simply
could not have been a disappointment for many. After concept albums (2004’s ‘Medulla’, made entirely of human voices, and 2011’s ‘Biophilia’, which was accompanied by a set of educational iPad apps now featured in school music curriculums worldwide), there’s a more personal approach at hand here.
Her voice, imperfect and emotional as ever, is potent in its enactment of lyrics like “I am one wound/my pulsating body/suffering being”. The beats that surround the strings ensemble are brittle and naturalistic, brash and hurtful; the perfect encapsulation of Björk’s release of pain.
The album is a set of nine songs with time labels, leading up to, and in the wake of her break up. Opener ‘Stonemilker’ is the most beautiful song she has put her name to since the 1990s; it’s dazzlingly orchestral, but the tone of the album only plunges into despair from then on. ‘History of Touches’ is the album’s shortest track, and it details the final sex of the relationship, and her realisation of that fact.
‘Vulnicura’ is an album of songs to sift through at a moment where you have time to reflect on a person’s discharge of serious agony. It is not pop; this is Björk’s least positive album.
The album’s longest track, ‘Black Lake’ specifies two months since the dissolution of the relationship, and it is at this point the sadness of a character like Björk becomes so painful to the listener.
Alex Driscoll
Brooding and firmly more artistically-minded than any of her previous releases, it is also her most beautiful hour of music since the 1990s, and for such a pivotal artist, that warrants the respect and attention it has been given.
WEDNESDAY 4TH FEBRUARY | ISSUE 163
MUSIC
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ALBUM REVEWS
MARK RONSON UPTOWN SPECIAL A review of “Uptown Special” from a man who has never heard Mark Ronson before: with no prior knowledge of Mr Ronson or his spectacular music, I was of course forced by the insistent airplay of ‘Uptown Funk’ to accidentally learn all the words, to the extent that it was constantly in my head. However, no matter how incredible that single is, it does not fully justify why Mark Ronson is heralded as one of the most incredible talents in music today. “Uptown Special” is one of the most sporadic albums I have ever heard: from “Feel Right’s” fast paced hip-hop verses to the catchiest song on the planet right now, “Uptown Funk”, it’s all spliced together with the bounciest funk beats and bass grooves. Musically, this album is genius, reigniting the funk flame that once burned so hot, which has honestly been cold for too long. That’s because of the incorporation of sounds both modern and old school, to create an album with appeal to a wide audience. Here, Ronson has found the balance.
MARILYN MANSON THE PALE EMPEROR There are those who say that Marilyn Manson is nothing without shock value: that he has lost his raison d’etre and should be confined to a musical closet of irrelevance. To expect a man approaching his fifth decade to produce the same hard-hitting revolution he led in his twenties is nothing short of delusional. Thankfully, those lucky enough to get their hands on it will find Manson’s best album for fifteen years. Whilst lacking the hard-hitting political message and perhaps the lyrical complexity of ‘Holy Wood (In the Shadow of the Valley of Death)’, it also doesn’t mess around with extraneous themes of 1930s Germany, vampires, or even covers with Johnny Depp. Instead, he leaves behind any previous anthem for a doomed youth, treating fans to a raw introspection, replete with mythological and Biblical references. It plays like a long musical hangover that appropriately mirrors the hedonistic feast of the Triptych.
But for all its darkness, ‘The Pale Emperor’ is ultimately an album that one can truly enjoy; packed with fun. The set’s most memorable tracks include‘Deep Six’ – the album’s second track – packing the biggest punch with its upbeat heavy hooks and almost dance-track rhythm, and ‘Third Day of a Seven Day Binge’ could be mistaken for something by the Pixies until the unmistakable drawl begins twisting it into something haunting and melodic. Ten grim tracks carry the album through personal reflection and despair, teasingly intertwining blues and unbridled rock guitars with eerie synthesisers, from epics to near-lullabies, and all with Manson’s own unmistakable voice. There will always be those who pine for the Manson of the 1990s, and it is the album’s third track ‘The Mephistopheles of Los Angeles’ that really puts the question best. I’ll leave it here for the fans to decide: “fated, faithful, or fatal?”
Margarida Santos Silva
Laurence Crow
The Triumphant Return of Vinyl For decades, devoted music fans have been participating in a near sacred ritual; first flipping through the new releases and then sifting through older gems, making the crucial decision which ones they would take home. Savouring the crackle as the needle dropped into the groove, indulging in the sound of their favourite bands emanating from the turntable. This ritual fell into steep decline in the 1990s, and vinyl disappeared from retail shelves to become a relic of the past.
By the end of 2014 vinyl sales topped 1.3 million, the first time since 1995. Vinyl records remain a niche at only 2% of the UK music market, but sales are still on the rise in the UK and worldwide. The biggest selling album of the format last year was Pink Floyd’s ‘The Endless River’, closely followed by The Arctic Monkeys’ ‘AM’. In the US, Jack White’s “Ultimate” LP ‘Lazaretto’ sold over 86,000 copies, dripping with unique features such as dual-grooves, reverse playing, hidden tracks and holograms.
Top sellers this year include the Royal Blood, Beck, The Black Keys and Lana Del Rey. Nearly every major label is putting out a vinyl version of new releases, something that hasn’t happened since the 1990s. Audiophiles have finally got the message over that vinyl has more to offer than an MP3 download. The return of the ritual is all down to user experience, because as my Dad swears: “nothing beats the sound of vinyl”.
Alice Vardy
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Film
Edward Lincoln, Film Editor
Big Hero 6 Super hero and Disney films are currently the blockbuster favourites in the world of cinema right now, so putting them together seems to make perfect sense. That is where Big Hero 6 comes in. The film is not just a blend of genres but also of styles, with a Japanese cyberpunk narrative intertwined in a family friendly Disney format. Set in the fictional city of San Fransokyo, which is a tapestry of eastern and western culture, the film is a typical underdog story with the main hero, conveniently named Hiro, a 14 year old prodigy who turns away from a life of education to partake in illegal robot fighting, setting out to avenge the death of a family member with the help of clumsy but kind (and all-round hysterical) healthcare robot Betamax. The film creates strong emotional ties to its main protagonists and makes you care about the duo’s misfortunes, as well as alerting us to the dangers
of greed and the human desire to conquer science and technology for personal gain. Whilst the storyline is not revolutionary or original, there are many rib-tickling scenes provided by Betamax, usually involving social stereotypes and flatulence metaphors. Big Hero 6 manages to easily and fluently change the mood and emotion of a scene, however a lot of the plot lines are underdeveloped. Some of the the story arcs are too quickly and hastily explained, so the audience is expected to assume parts of the plot, rather than actually getting to see them. However, this film does have a real human core (despite it being based around a robot) and leaves you feeling for the characters and with a smile on your face. The blend of cultures is refreshing to see, and the film ends with lots of possibilities for a successful sequel.
Aiden Mills
Corden in the Woods Into the Woods is a classic musical written by the genius that is Stephen Sondheim, the award winning composer and lyricist also behind Sweeney Todd and West Side Story, and winner of an Academy Award and eight Tony Awards. To say that Sondheim is revered in his field would be an understatement. So as a musical lover, when Disney decided to make his classic musical into a film I was really excited. The film has it all; Meryl Streep as the witch is perfect casting. She has shown her musical talents before in films such as Mamma Mia and she was excellent in this latest effort, for which she has now been Oscar nominated. Anna Kendrick is flawless as the undeceiving Cinderella, and who knew Emily Blunt could sing? For me though, the film is stolen by the kids, as their acting and singing surpasses all of the adult performances. There is just one problem: James Corden.
I know the States seem to be in awe of the Gavin and Stacey actor, with CBS having asked him to take over the Late Late Show from Craig Ferguson this March (a travesty in my opinion), but if you have seen Into the Woods you will surely agree with me… The man cannot sing. I don’t know what Corden is doing but it’s some weird amalgamation of an American and British accent and it’s downright distracting. It got to the point where I was sitting in the cinema praying to God that the Baker (Corden’s character) would either get killed off or at the very least have his tongue cut out. I love a musical and it takes a lot for me to say it’s bad, but Corden’s performance nearly ruined the film for me. I know he has worked hard for a long time to get the recognition he deserves but whoever told him he can sing should be fired. We already know Hollywood is full of people who will mollycoddle anyone to be near the top but this has taken it too far. Come back to England James, we will tell you the truths you need to hear.
Amy Bater
WEDNESDAY 4TH FEBRUARY| ISSUE 163
FILM
You can win free tickets to see a film at ODEON Colchester by writing an article for the Rabbit! More details at therabbitnewspaper.com
American Sniper It is a film that has caused controversy in the United States recently and divided the country in half, and no it is not The Interview, it is Clint Eastwood’s latest film American Sniper, which is based on a true story about…well, former American Sniper, Chris Kyle. The film has divided audiences over its underlying political ideologies and messages with Republicans such as Sarah Palin giving it its biggest plaudits, whilst Liberalist Filmmaker Michael Moore branded snipers as ‘cowardly’ and Canadian actor and comedian Seth Rogen said it reminded him of the fictional Nazi propaganda movie in Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds. Despite these conflicting reviews it has racked up many academy award nominations, including best actor for its lead, Bradley Cooper. American Sniper chronicles the life of America’s most dangerous sniper, (with the most recorded kills ever in US military history) from his early childhood, to his deployment to Iraq. The film succeeds in portraying the psychological trauma that war inflicts on soldiers, while reminding us that they are also victims of war. It shows us the mental unravelling which Kyle undergoes as he tries to balance his job with his home life. But with
Paddington After selling 30 million books globally, and becoming the second most famous bear in children’s literature, finally Paddington has come to the big screen in a warm-hearted comedy for all ages. With the marmalade-loving bear voiced by Ben Whishaw (Skyfall) and supported by a star-studded cast including Hugh Bonneville, Julie Walters and Peter Capaldi, the line up of this animation is not to be sniffed at, and it shows in the final product. Obviously the film will appeal to children, but as we follow Paddington on his many adventures I was surprised at how successfully the film holds an older audience’s attention, with enough laughs to keep you interested throughout. For maximum enjoyment, combine this with a cold winter evening, a blanket (or duffle coat) and a generous pile of marmalade sandwiches.
Katherine Jane Lewes
every kill he makes he becomes emotionally distant and withdrawn from his family life. The film reflects the social displacement that soldiers often find themselves in after returning home from war. However the narrative can be seen as one-dimensional with it only being one side of the story, which limits this film from being a true depiction of the war. Whilst there is an enemy sniper who is meant to mirror Kyle, he acts as a stereotypical antagonist, rather than a fully-formed character. Also, whilst Cooper gives a good performance as the lead, his closed-off, ultra-masculine persona make it occasionally difficult for a viewer outside of the US to relate, as he is presented as an embodiment of US patriotism. This film has great cinematography, a good plot format and at times some tense scenes, but it never really matches up to its peers, such as Hurt Locker, as a modern day war movie. Given the amount of talent working on it, this is a shame. The film relies a lot on national pride, rather than characterisation or plot development, which will surely harm its odds at the forthcoming Oscars.
Aiden Mills
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TV
Nisa Khan, TV Editor Amy Bater, TV Editor
Spoilert Alert! The following articles contain spoilers for The Walking Dead, House of Cards, and Orange is the New Black.
House of Cards House of Cards returns to Netflix on the 27th of February with its 3rd season, and I cannot wait. After binge watching the second season last February, I have been left in eager anticipation for this 3rd season, and after the trailer dropped earlier this month, it looks to hold the same high standard of the last two seasons. Fresh off his Golden Globe win as Best Actor in a TV Drama (even though it’s technically not on TV), Kevin Spacey returns as the vengeful proverbspitting politician Frank Underwood who will stop at nothing to rise at the top. The first season starts with Frank being stabbed in the back (figuratively) after being promised the role of Secretary of Defence in exchange for swaying the vote inside the Democrat party. He conspires with his wife Claire (played by the brilliant Robin Wright), who is as equally ruthless and meddlesome, in order to gain revenge on the people who betrayed him, by any means necessary.
Spacey does an amazing job in bringing Underwood to life through the use of direct address to the audience in Richard III style. The character is loathsome yet charismatic which makes him so intriguing, you are always wondering what he will do next. Each season looks at Frank’s rise in Congress and as the narrative progresses you see his ingenious plans unwind. The show does a great job to show the dark side of US politics with all the back-stabbing, treachery and hidden secrets and what really lies beneath the surface. The Underwood’s are a perfect personification of the problems within democracy, and how it is undermined by the people within it. House of Cards was a tyrant at the Emmys and Golden Globe’s this year and just like Frank Underwood, were ruthless in rising as one of the best shows of the decade. As Frank says ‘Democracy is so overrated’.
Aiden Mills
The Walking Dead Returns There are so many programmes that I am looking forward to in the coming year. Over the Christmas break however, at my sister’s desperate, non-stop, insistence, I began watching The Walking Dead. I knew this was a bad idea with a dissertation looming over me and countless essays that need writing and books that always need reading (seriously my library card is on a one in, one out policy that every history student endures) but nevertheless I sat down to watch episode one and obviously, like most people who have done the same, I was hooked. I’m serious, I spend most of my day wondering if I would survive a zombie apocalypse and I had a discussion with a friend in which we decided that if the zombies came lurking whilst we were working in the Store we would be fine because there’s
food and stairs that lead down to underneath the university as a good escape route. Perfect right? My love hate relationship with Rick has of course been turbulent, he is a powerful and strong willed protagonist and alongside him there is a brilliant cast that keeps the story moving and I cannot wait for it to start again in February because I have watched every episode in less than a month (I am seriously addicted) and I’ve heard of Walking Dead Withdrawals. It’s a thing. And Daryl withdrawals, I love that Southern hillbilly. I can’t wait for the Walkers to be back and see what the Atlanta survivors have in store for them when season 5 continues next month! So basically what I’m saying is if I fail my degree I’m sending the bill straight to my sister.
Amy Bater
WEDNESDAY 4TH FEBRUARY | ISSUE 163
TV
Orange is the New Black Yes, the bitches will be back and where the hell do we begin? After season 2 ended, we were all cheering when Rosa managed to escape in the van, running Vee over in the process. So, this leaves a million questions unanswered. What happens to Rosa? Does Vee die? Will Alex and Piper rekindle their relationship? This is just a few of many unanswered questions that we are all eager to find out! When Orange is the New Black began, an original Netflix series, the main focus was on Piper. However, since it has grown in popularity, we have got to know and love the other characters that share the same block as Piper. Red, Crazy Eyes and Lorna are just a few of them that we have grown to love and learn their stories of how they have ended up
in prison. We are yet to see Daya have her baby, which has caused so much drama between herself and Bennett as he, being a correctional officer , impregnated her. At this point, we’re begging for the much-hated character, Pornstache, NOT to return, especially after what happened. However, there isn’t many characters left in the show that we can dislike as much as him so, we need to prepare ourselves! All we need to know is that hopefully there won’t be long to wait until we have this hilarious drama comes back into our lives!
Gina Dedman
Wolf Hall The Telegraph have hailed Wolf Hall as magnificent, the best drama ever created about the Tudor dynasty. And it’s true. Mark Rylance portrays the manipulative genius that was Thomas Cromwell with ease and finesse. As a Shakespearean actor, Rylance is well versed in sixteenth century politics and script and this really shows in his portrayal of Henry VIII’s most infamous henchman.
clearly rising in favour and I for one am enjoying every moment. The cast is incredible with a new face appearing around every corner, Damian Lewis is acting alongside Mark Gatiss who is known for being Sherlock’s brother Mycroft Holmes and Thomas Brodie-Sangster who after a long career, sprang to huge fame after starring in Game of Thrones as the lovable Jojen Reed.
The show follows Cromwell, the common lawyer’s rise to power, and is quite historically accurate. The costumes are beautiful, they’re all hand made for Wolf Hall and they really give an insight into the clothes of the period.
I couldn’t write a more positive review of Wolf Hall. If you love history or are a sucker for a drama, especially Henry VIII who loved a good execution then this is a show for you. Be prepared to fill your Wednesday nights with suspense and action that you will not want to miss.
As a viewer we are left hanging on every word, with so much content to cover the show is not rushing. In episode two Cromwell and Henry (Damian Lewis) have grown close and Cromwell is
Charlotte Louise Bell
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Books
Georgina Dedman, Books Editor
INTERVIEW
An Interview with Ian Ayris The Rabbit: What inspired you to write Abide with Me? Ian Ayris: The inspiration for the writing of Abide With Me came after having several short stories published; I decided to try my hand at writing a book. Immediately, one of the short stories came to mind as being part of a larger story. The story was told in the first person East End vernacular by a somewhat disillusioned adult, a story about his friends and his family. To extend the short story to book form, I realised the best place to start would naturally be the childhood of the narrator. From this point, the book almost wrote itself. But that is when I realised, for me; writing is more like channelling than writing. And the entire process tore me to pieces – and made me a better man in the writing of it. TR: Who is your favourite character and why?
TR: What research was required for the novel?
TR: How long did it take for you to write it?
IA: The novel is set in the East End of London during the 1970’s and 80’s. Football is a central element in the first half of the novel, the 1980 FA Cup Final between West Ham and Arsenal being a pivotal chapter in the book. I remember watching the match as a child, but the chapter needed to be told as if the narrator were actually watching the match as it unfolded. To make sure I got this right, I bought a copy of the DVD of the match and wrote notes as I watched the game. These notes then became the chapter.
IA: The entire novel took me three months to write. It is a short novel – just sixty thousand words, but I found the entire process incredibly intense – the intensity increasing as the story unfolded. The last third of the novel – about twenty thousand words or so – was written in just over five days, mostly through the tears in my eyes. TR: What writing tips would you give for others who wish to begin a writing career? IA: The main advice I would give for others in terms of writing, is write something that means something to you. If it means something to you, then it will mean something to others.
Gina Dedman
IA: My favourite character is John, the narrator of the novel. I found writing the novel an incredibly cathartic experience. John faces the issues and expresses the feelings I, at the time of writing the novel, had spent my entire life avoiding. He showed me how to do it. He showed me what courage is.
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold The Lovely Bones is a story of Susie Salmon, a teenage girl who is killed one afternoon on her way home from school. The crime is described in the first part of the book, where the reader is thrown straight into the story which is told through Susie Salmon’s eyes, while she watches over her family from her own version of heaven. Alice Sebold’s book draws you in and keeps you entertained, whilst reading about the drama of a family that just lost their child. Chapter by chapter, the reader becomes more anxious and a relationship develops with the book itself – from the incredibly caring dad that does everything to discover the killer, from Susie’s heaven and her battle with the afterlife. She does not want to give up on her life yet, and intensely watches her family, longing for them, whilst wishing for her killer to be found.
The writing might not be the best, but I don’t personally expect that in a debut novel - which this is. The emotion on the other hand is very much developed and the characters seem very real. Their positive qualities, as well as the pain, confusion and hope, help to build a relationship between the reader and the characters. It can even make you sob a little bit, especially if you are feeling homesick and miss your loved ones. The language is occasionally a bit pompous and some of the similes are a bit exaggerated, meaning some readers might find it hard to read. But if you can ignore those, the book is definitely entertaining and worth the read! I found that there are many mixed reviews of this book, so it is definitely not everyone’s cup of tea, but if the story sounds interesting enough, you should put those opinions to the side and give it a go.
Luiza Sandru
WEDNESDAY 4TH FEBRUARY | ISSUE 163
BOOKS
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Oh Frabjous Joy! Born: 27rd of January 1832 ‘Twas brillig, and the slithy toves Did gyre and gimble in the wabe: All mimsy were the borogoves, And the mome raths outgrabe. Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was dreamed up on 4th July 1862 whilst its author spent a golden afternoon in a rowing boat, telling stories to Alice Liddell and her two sisters. Three years later, the novel was a published sensation, beloved by children and adults alike, and since then the book has never been out of print. Translated into at least 97 languages, adapted countless times, Alice has been portrayed in film, theatre, TV, radio, comic book… she has even been represented by both The Care Bears and Betty Boop. Tim Burton’s 2010 film Alice in Wonderland, intended as a sequel to the original story, adeptly highlights the wacky, witty nature of a cacophony of characters, including the Cheshire Cat, White Rabbit, Jubjub bird and dreaded Bandersnatch. Lewis Carroll captured our imaginations with an entire wonderland of fictional flora and fauna, illustrating his story’s delightfully unexpected twists and turns with charming, often parodic, poems and quirky songs. Lewis Carroll is, in fact, the pen name of Reverend Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, an accomplished mathematician who dedicated his adult life to the Anglican Church. Raised in Cheshire as a member of the upper middle class, Dodgson had ten siblings, amongst whom he was the eldest boy. In adulthood, he stood a slen-
der six feet tall with curling brown hair and blue eyes. He was an engaging and entertaining house guest, with a talent for charades, but was miserably obsessed with his ‘hesitation’, a stammer that plagued him from childhood. Born in 1832, Dodgson died at 65 years of age, having never married or fathered a child. Under the pseudonym of Lewis Carroll, Dodgson published numerous literary works, including poetry collections and fantastical novels, however none achieved acclaim comparable to that of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and its sequel Through the Looking Glass, And What Alice Found There (which included the renowned Jabberwocky poem). The wondrous images conjured up by Dodgson’s often fabricated vocabulary have engaged generations, and a quick web-search produces pages of images of various fans’ illustrations of Tumtum trees in Tulgey wood, Vorpal swords and Tweedle Dum & Tweedle Dee. Charles Dodgson also published a whole multitude of lauded mathematical and political works under his own name, as well as the amusingly useful Eight or Nine Wise Words About Letter-Writing, which includes such gems as “When you say, in your letter, ‘I enclose cheque for £5’, or ‘I enclose John’s letter for you to see’, leave off writing for a moment – go and get the document referred to – and put it in the envelope. Otherwise, you are pretty certain to find it lying about, after the Post has gone!”
Natalie West
Caves of Steel: Can Sci-Fi and Mystery Mix? “A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.” This is a simple irrefutable fact known to all residents of futuristic New York City. However this does not quell the sizable anti-robot majority that wish to remain unsullied by robot assistance. Therefore when a robot appears to be the prime suspect in a murder there is a race against time to prevent an all-out riot. Detective Elijah Baley is instructed to get to the bottom of the case as quickly and quietly as possible. External political pressures intervene, however, and mean robot-sceptical Elijah must partner up with the human-like Robot, Daneel Olivaw, to crack the case. The legendary Sci-fi writer Issac Asimov wrote Caves of Steel in 1954. In this novel, however, the sci-fi takes a back stage to an interesting twist on the mystery crime genre. Described by many to be the best mix of the two genres, Asimov combines the technological elements seamlessly with what mystery does best – murder.
The book demonstrates that indeed logical deduction is the same both in the past, present and future. Whilst the plot shows sometimes our initial hunches are important, we should be flexible in our thoughts wherever possible. The most stimulating ideas are that of the robots. Whilst eased into and well explained, the concept is much more complex than it first appears. What can be learnt from Robots? How indeed is a humanoid robot different from a human at all? Deep thoughts aside, Caves of Steel is a thrilling and interesting read. The world is built upon characters and ideas, not technology. This really shows as the plot develops and leads to a stunning conclusion. Overall, Caves of Steel is a great crossroads into both genres. Modern Sci-fi fans will enjoy the more classic version of the genre and hopefully will explore the wealth of Asimov’s universe. Meanwhile mystery readers will experience an interesting change of pace which will you keep you forever on your toes. Exploring fascinating concepts and worlds never got more accessible!
Luke Coomber
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Science
Alice Vardy, Science Editor
“I’m sorry Dave, I can’t let you do that.” Our lives are closely connected through technology these days. Every day we wake up to check our smartphones, turn on our computers, play with our technological devices at work. We have become so used to technology in our lives that some individuals even have mental breakdowns when their smartphones or computers are taken away. But are we all actually aware how this is changing our lives? It is true that new technological inventions helped the human race in lots of ways and improved our survival rate, but there is also a downside to it. With so many hours we spend in front of the computer or TV, we experience higher rates of back
problems, muscle aches, spine deformations and higher obesity rates. On the other hand, spending our time on smartphones gave caused our thumbs to be more agile, which was not very common in our past. Improved technology in the food industry brought us products which may last longer in our fridge, but they also bring us higher probabilities of health problems in later life, such as type 2 diabetes or heart attacks. Technology may also have brought us higher suicide rates, as more people suffer from mental breakdowns, various types of anxiety and other
mental health problems. And this is because human race spends most time minimizing pain and maximising pleasure, causing technology to transform us into couch potatoes living on floating chairs as could be seen in the movie Wall-E. Admit it; you rather take bus then walk for 15 minutes, because it is easier and more comfortable. I am not saying technology is bad for our lives, but sometimes it takes too much space, slowly creeping behind us and transforming us into something which doesn’t seem very beneficial. Is it already too late or can we still change the way the human species will be evolving?
Barbora Eliet Hrádecká
The IK Prize The IK Prize is a competition organized by the Tate that requires contestants to manufacture an innovative idea that uses digital technology, in order to connect broader audiences to art and help existing audiences have a more immersive experience. The competition is down to its four-candidate shortlist - many of whom are utilising increasingly popular technologies in their designs. Firstly, we have Digital Re-Sculpt by Artzoom. This studio hopes to digitally scan famous sculptures and, using 3D-printing technology, create near perfect replicas to be scattered around London, creating a new tourist trail.
Secondly, a mobile phone app called My Tate Mate by Five10Twelve wishes to match your snapshots to artworks housed at the Tate. It uses complex algorithms and a CBII search engine to use a person’s selfies or otherwise to find resembling pieces of art and, once you have been sent your match, you are free to share it on your social media platforms. Thirdly, Flying Object have devised a Tate Sensorium that would initially make use of basic headphones and scented bottles to engage the senses and give a more complete experience of a certain artwork.
Simultaneously, more complex technology would measure visitor’s brain waves and neurological responses to observe the hopefully heightened response they may have to the art. Lastly, Tate Here by Wieden + Kennedy, possibly the most ambitious of the four, consists of a “dome” of audio experiences surrounding a museum style bench. Each dome would relate to a British art piece and be placed at a location within the country that inspired it. By pointing your phone at different areas around the bench, like tuning a 3D radio station via a mobile app, the visitor would hear archival materials, stories and music that directly relate to the bench’s location and that particular artwork.
Alexandria Andrayas
WEDNESDAY 4TH FEBRUARY | ISSUE 163
SCIENCE SCIENCE
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The Best Inventions of 2014 (Sorry, no flying cars yet)
The year 2014 brought us lots of fantastic technological innovations, so many it would be impossible to list them all here. But here are the five I found most interesting. 1: Invisibility cloak
3: Smart contact lenses
No, this isn’t just reality in the world of Harry Potter but our world too. The invisibility cloak was developed by scientists from University of Cambridge.
In January, Google (yes, Google) developed smart contact lenses that are able to monitor glucose levels in diabetes sufferers. These lenses use chips and sensors no bigger than the size of glitter and should be able to offer early warning by analysing tears.
They used a laser light to stitch particles of gold together, reaching a material that can reflect light through refraction. Sadly, we will have to a wait long time before we can use this cloak in ordinary life, its first application will be in the military field. 2: Hover board A hover board was created by tech firm Hendo, which is based in California. It can float only an inch above the ground and only over conductive material, such as copper or aluminium, with a battery that can survive for only 15 minutes. So no, not exactly the hover board which Marty had in Back to the Future, but we never know where this tech will take us in the next few years. This technology may become very important for some countries, the firm has a plan to develop magnetic hovering technology to stabilize buildings during earthquakes, protecting people’s lives and their property.
4: Charge your phone with your footsteps Every step you make releases enough energy to illuminate a light bulb. To use this power, Matt Stanton created a shoe insole that stores electricity. The resulting product weighs less than 140 grams and includes a battery pack and will charge your phone via USB. However, you need to walk 25 kilometres to fully charge your phone. So unless you love to walk, it’s probably still better to charge your phone at home. 5: Shape-changing robot Engineers at Harvard and Cornell Universities have created a shape-changing robot, which can be used in extreme conditions such as snow, direct exposure to flames or can even be run over by a car and still survive. This all is possible because the robot has a silicone body.
Barbora Eliet Hrádecká
Science Update: Sweet Science A four year old boy in Australia has received the world’s first artificial pancreas. Around 80,000 children every year are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease that affects the amount of insulin produced by the pancreas. This leap forward is the first commercial artificial pancreas that automatically regulates insulin levels reducing the risk of experiencing hypoglycemia. Doctor! We’re Low on Cyan Ink A San Diego-based company Organovo has used the technology behind 3D printing to create samples of liver cells that function as they would in a human. Though don’t go too hard on Fed, the cells are still not fully functional and it may take a few years before they can replace your abused liver.
Ceres Celestial Legend The Dawn space probe has sent new images of the dwarf planet Ceres. Dawn was launched in 2007 to find out more about Ceres and protoplanet Vesta. It is surprising how much we know about the solar system and very little about these huge entities in the asteroid belt. We Broke the Planet, Well Done Guys Recent research has shown that humans have irreversibly changed the planet, and it is humanity that will reap this harvest. As a species we have not only had irreversible effects upon the world’s climate but upon the planet’s biodiversity, chemistry, land and ozone layers. Although extinction rates are hard to gauge, research shows that we are in the greatest mass extinction this planet has ever seen. Alice Vardy
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Lifestyle
Luiza Sandru, Lifestyle Editor
Valentine’s Day Special!
Sweet Tradition or just Plain Consumerism? Anyone who has ever dated me knows I dislike Valentine’s Day; actually, I would say I despise Valentine’s Day. It’s coming up to that time of year when posters reading “2 steaks for £20” and “The perfect gift for Valentine’s” are seen on every shop window in the High Street. Every company jumps on the Valentine’s bandwagon because they know there is money to be made. It is another ‘holiday’ that is designed to take your money. It’s almost as bad as Christmas. So on a day when we are supposed to show love to the ones we care about (who we apparently treat terribly for 364 days of the year), and the Beatles quite rightly said “Money can’t buy you love”, why is so much money spent? Obligation. And that’s how businesses work.
You would be some selfish jerk if you didn’t even fork out 29p for a generic card made by some poor child in an underdeveloped country, and you would still be considered unromantic if that’s all you did. Valentine’s Day is a day where your love is measured in pounds and pence.
google searches for things such as recipes, poems and homemade gifts in the run up to V-Day 2012 businesses quickly implemented discounts and offers for Valentine’s related things and now two years later, the rise in consumers using online voucher codes to purchase gifts is significant.
The average spend per person on V-Day is about £120 which is great news for businesses who need to get over the January lull in spending.
This is a trend that needs to stop, we need to stop believing that this consumerist holiday has any importance and is anything more than a tool used by businesses to take our money. I implore anyone reading this to do as I do this year, and every year for that matter, to follow and simply ignore Valentine’s Day. Tour love shouldn’t have a price tag and certainly shouldn’t only be shown once a year. Let’s not allow corporate greed to tell us how and when to love.
Even the single people among us can freely part with their cash at ‘anti V-Day’ parties or a day at the spa. Because companies want you to believe that if you are single on Valentine’s Day, you have to overcompensate by spending money to make yourself feel better. I read an article saying that after seeing a trend of
Alan Mitchell
Minimalist Valentine’s Day make-up Whether you are in a relationship or not, Valentine’s Day is an excuse to put in a little extra effort when it comes to our makeup. Gone are the days of the classic bold red lipstick and we’re saying hello to new subtle slicks of coral lipgloss. Selena Gomez has this covered. Base
Eyes
1) Apply your choice of foundation and concealer until you have achieved your desired base. (If you are lucky enough not to need either of these products, feel free to skip this step.)
1) White eyeshadow is always key for minimalist eye makeup. White Opal by natural Collection is a great one to choose on a student budget. Apply with an eyeshadow brush to the eyelid, brushing any excess towards the brow bone. As well as being a safety net in case you apply your eyeshadow too heavy on the lid, the white pigment will catch the light where the sun will hit your face, giving you great bone structure.
2) Next is blusher. I have opted for a cheek & lip stain by bellapierre in the shade Coral. This is a cream blush so it should be applied to the apples of the cheeks, using your ring finger. As with all makeup, it is best to apply a small amount and then build it up, until you reach your desired look. 3) Now apply Rimmel Stay Matte powder. Make sure to press the powder on with your brush rather than sweeping it across your face; this will keep your makeup in place for longer.
2) Step two is a risky step for everyone: liquid eyeliner. For optimum control, I recommend Collection Fast Stroke Eyeliner. First off, apply a very thin line to your upper lash line, as close to your eyelashes as possible. This will make your eyelashes look fuller and thicker. If you are feeling brave you can add a wing, but this is not essential. 3) Apply a black pencil eyeliner (Estee Lauder Artist’s Eye Pencil) to the lower lash line. This will give you an effect to make your eyes look bigger.
4) Mascara is arguably the most important part and choosing the right one can be hard. Don’t choose one that will clump your eyelashes together of turn them into spider legs. Fluttery lashes are the best lashes. To achieve this look, go for So Susan Flutter Mascara.
Lips 1) Using TOPSHOP lipstick in shade macaroon, line your lips, being careful to accentuate the cupid’s bow. Then fill in the rest of your lips with the same lipstick, while paying attention to create an even coverage. 2) Finally, slick one coat of lipgloss over the top. I suggest I Found Nemo from the Tanya Burr Classic Collection. This will make your lips look shiny and fuller.
Luiza Sandru
Wednesday 4th FEBRuary | Issue 163
Not sure where to take your date? Students review the best places in town! Andreea Ghita
Stefan Vallance Despite not being the priciest restaurant in the area, if you’re looking for a romantic night with great food, you should definitely not overlook Prezzo. This Italian-style restaurant offers a very modern and stylish space, but still manages to provide a comfortable, homely atmosphere with its subtle lighting and warm colours. The food is nothing to sniff at either, Prezzo provides a wide variety of choice, from pizzas to lobster dishes. But more importantly, everything tastes just as good as it looks on the menu and is only further complemented by great service. Make sure you consider this restaurant next time the two of you fancy a treat.
Gina Dedman Replacing Strada on North Hill, this new place, Middletons Steakhouse and Grill opened up on 31st 2014. Having recently been there, whilst not many changes have been made on the décor, it is much lighter (Strada went for a darker ambience) and great value for money! The lunchtime special menu allows for three courses for £9.95 plus £2.00 for a small glass of wine! Great sized portions and an enjoyable place to go for a meal. What better way to burn it off than by walking up the lovely North Hill after?
Although the name doesn’t scream romantic, The Slug and the Lettuce is one of my favourite places to go on a date in Colchester. The ambiance is very lovely, because the restaurant is always dimly lit, which creates a nice atmosphere when combined with the purple walls and simple decorations. The food is excellent (go for the Fisherman’s platter), the service is nice and they have a wide variety of cocktails and drinks to set the mood. All in all, it’s a great place to go with your special someone and enjoy a nice romantic date.
LIFESTYLE
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COLUMN
I heard it through the grapevine Here are some of the most popular beauty rituals to inspire big names throughout history, as well as many modern women. In the spirit of your Green Beauty column, all the ingredients mentioned are 100% natural.
1. Milk Bath. This is equally medically beneficial, for which the disintegration of dead cells acts as proof, but also an indulgence, as Cleopatra and Elizabeth I of England would call it. Fresh milk can be substituted by powdered one and optionally, you can choose from a wide range of scented oils, honey, herbs or sea salt to add to the goodness. I too realize this is not something I could enjoy regularly and I have actually not tried it yet, but it is definitely on my bucket list!
2. Apply a thick layer of Vaseline to the face and neck and let it absorb in over night. Marilyn Monroe swore by this! When I tried it myself, the results were simply amazing, the skin looked very hydrated, my skin tone was even and the hairs in my eyebrows and eyelashes were shining. Above all, the one thing I had feared prior to doing this was as good as forgotten: my face did not turn shiny, neither excessively oily throughout the following day. The amazing result is that the skin becomes extremely hydrated. Altogether, how miraculous is it to find out that something to have been keeping in your bathroom cabinet can give the same results as products from the cosmetics giants? 3. Facial massage using ice cubes, targeting especially the eye area. This is
Savanna Rayment Frango’s is a great place for anyone who has a boyfriend who seems to have a bottomless stomach. The dishes are delicious and substantial enough that they actually make you question whether you want to order dessert (of course you do). It’s easy enough to get to so you don’t have to spend 35 minutes waiting for the 62 bus in your heels, and comes at a price that doesn’t mean you have to tactically order all your own dishes if you’re taking the bill this time. Recommendation: The nachos. But only if you have a team to tackle them with you.
both relaxing and vasoconstrictor beauty trick that I admit I have been a fan of long before I heard it from English make-up guru Lisa Eldridge. Nonetheless, to find out that one the most inspiring modern women out there is a proponent of this, gives me great confidence that I am also doing all the right things, the all natural way. I prefer to do this before massaging the face using oils, but it is truly a matter of preference.
4. Replace night time moisturizers with 100% Pure Cold Pressed Rosehip Oil. A few years ago, I heard Australian supermodel Miranda Kerr say in an interview that, at night, she applies Rosehip Oil to the face and neck just like you would apply any moisturizer. I took it upon myself to try it, especially because I was curious about its miraculous healing of damaged skin (acne scars, depigmentation, fine lines). The hunt for an affordable priced bottle of this magical elixir proved to be tricky, but when I finally purchased one, I was surprised by it regenerating powers. I have been religiously using it for two years now and I am currently half way through a 100ml bottle purchased on Amazon for £8, a bottle that I have had for more than half a year! Talk about a bargain! 5. Lavender scented candles, sachets, pillows. Lastly, I decided to mention something I like to do in order to ensure a deep, calm sleep at night. Two or three drops of lavender oil on the corners of your pillow will take your struggle to fall asleep after a long day battling life to a new level. That is all you need for a peaceful and sweetly scented place that induces happy thoughts. You will find that surrendering to sleep will much easier and you will be recharging your batteries in no time. I would lastly like to mention to bear in mind the level of sensibility of your skin before attempting any of the above – the best way is to try the products first on your wrist or on the neck and wait 24 hours. If you don’t react, it is safe to use. And with that I wish you good luck until next time.
Madalina Leordean
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Single? So what? Valentine’s Day is just around the corner . That time of year where all the cards come out in the shops, the love songs are playing, the birds are tweeting and everyone that you bump into seems to be in a relationship!
feet by my knight in shining armour and be taken to Paris for Valentine’s! But I don’t see that happening any time soon and I’m okay with it. And if you’re single for the the big day you should be okay with it too. I mean come on, it only lasts for 24 hours.
Everyone but you, right? It can be the most horrid feeling ever- trust me, I’ve been single for almost two years, and spent the last three Valentine’s Days alone. So I’ve had more than enough time to settle with the feelings of being lonely on this day. And you know what? It’s honestly not that much of a big deal.
And you know what you don’t really have to be in a relationship to celebrate it. Why not go on a “date” with your best friend? Or rather go out in a big group of people, you’re all friends, you all love and care for each other. And Valentine’s Day is all about celebrating those that you love and care about most. So why not spend it with friends? Its better than being upset about not having anyone.
Don’t get me wrong, I am a massive romantic at heart and I’d love nothing more than to be swept off my
Or better yet spend it with your parents. They are the people who undoubtedly love you the most. More than anyone in the world and will never turn around and say they don’t love you. You have years and years to find someone to settle down with and be all super cute on Valentine’s Day. Don’t rush yourself and don’t be upset about being single. You’re worth more than worrying and being upset about just a day!
Emma Louise Allwood
DIY Your Way to their Heart They say a way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Now, while this may be true, the way to everyone’s heart is really through crafts. These gift ideas are ideal for any partners, friends or family members you’re spending Valentine’s Day with. And if you’re worried about these being a bit difficult, I promise you, these will be 5000 times easier than those 26-year-old-American-mother-of-4s show you it is on Pinterest.
Book Roses An ideal alternative to the overpriced 4-day-old roses you’re used to giving on the 14th personal, and you’ll having something other than rotting plant matter to keep in a vase next week.
You Will Need: · Blank greeting card OR A4 sheet of card · Old postage stamps · Glue stick · Pen
7) Repeat, only this time, using pliers, wrap the stem around the first flower tightly, so that it’s firmly in place.
8) Do this until you are happy with the size of your bouquet.
2) Take your postage stamps (used stamps can be found in most charity shops or online) and arrange them on the front of the card to vaguely resemble a heart. Play around with the formation before you begin sticking them down
cheesy greeting. I suggest something like ‘You’re First Class!’, but anything cute will work too! NOTE: If your handwriting isn’t the best, do all of this on a piece of paper and print out your saying in a nice font, then you can attach it to the front of the card and it’ll look as perfect as you wanted.
4) Now fold the bottom corner over and wrap the page round, taking care to make sure that the top is splayed out wider, and that the bottom is kept tight.
make it look fuller and more realistic.
any stationary shop or online) OR fold an A4 sheet of card in half to create one.
4) In your neatest year 5 handwriting, write a really
Note: For bigger roses, tear bigger strips.
6) Once wrapped, gently spread the flower open to
1) Start off with a blank greetings card (available from
TIP: Overlap them to ensure there are no white spaces left showing
strips.
5) Now clip off a 9 inch piece of wire and tightly wrap it around the smallest end of the flower, taking care to leave enough to work as the stem of the rose.
‘First Class’ Card
3) Leaving 2 inches from the bottom of the card, once you’re happy with your design begin gluing them down.
3) Tear out a page and rip it vertically into 2 inch
9) Once finished, wrap your ribbon around the entire of the handle, to stop any wire poking out and to make it look neater. Secure the end with superglue or a hot glue gun. You will need: . These are simple, · A book · Thin wire · Wire cutters · Pliers · Ribbon
1) Get over the fact that you’re about to do something destructive to a book. Unless it’s a first edition Shelley novel no one is going to care that much.
2) Choose your partner’s favourite book (unless it’s 50 Shades, for reasons I shall not mention).
Tip: For an extra special touch, take some watercolours and simply paint around the top edge of the flowers.
10) Now present this to your valentine and be ready to catch them as they swoon over your crafting abilities. Offer as either just as a bouquet or in a jar to be kept as a permanent declaration of your love. Luiza Sandru
WEDNESDAY 4TH FEBRUARY | ISSUE 163
LIFESTYLE
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Business in the Spotlight: Supply Four Supply Four is a charitable clothing business, that chooses to donate £4 for each sale to a cause supporting one of four necessities of life: health, education, food and water, clothes and shelter. Andrew Smith interviewed their founder, Ross Temple. The Rabbit: You run Supply Four. Did you start it on your own? Ross Temple: Yes, I work with a few designers, but otherwise it’s all me. TR: What motivated you to do that? Tell me about what drives you. RT: I was mostly motivated by the ethics behind the business. It’s registered as a social enterprise, and the aim is really giving something back to the community, and co-ordinating what is around me to help others. TR: Supply Four is a charitable business. Why did you decide on this, rather than focusing on solely business or starting a charity? RT: At the moment I’m not making any profit from this, just meeting costs, so for me it is a charity. My main drive is helping others, and I’m now trying to build a community around the site. Our first design was #othersmatter, and that’s really the slogan for the company. TR: The business is named after four essential human needs, which you aim to provide. Why did you choose these four? RT: I personally believe that they are the most vital. I believe that your health really is your wealth, and getting an education is also extremely important. As for the others, you need them to survive. I’ve grouped them because you can’t have food without water, or water without food, and clothing and shelter are also connected. TR: Your current campaign is “essential education”. Is this an important issue for you? RT: Everyone should have an education: it gives you a good foundation for life, and broadens your horizons, so how can anybody not? These designs support HogartyMaths, which is a great charity providing online maths tutorials to anyone in the world, especially those who might otherwise not have access to this sort of learning. Not everyone is in a position to afford education, so I’m trying to help others who don’t have that benefit.
TR: A lot of your products feature positive messages. In addition to the £4 from each sale going to charity, do you believe that this is an additional way to do go, by adding positivity to world? RT: Absolutely. I believe that what we feed our mind is what we essentially become. TR: You also write a blog on your website. I saw that there was an entire post devoted to Michael Jackson’s Man in the Mirror: what about this song spoke to you in particular? RT: The blog isn’t somewhere where I carefully construct posts; I am stating my real thoughts as they come to me, and anything can give me inspiration to write about it. In this case, I was just listening to the song and really heard what the lyrics were trying to say, a message I thought was worth sharing. TR: How important would you say that music, and other media, are in spreading this sort of message? RT: Very important. It goes back to what I said earlier, that what we feed our mind defines who we become. I’m not the biggest fan of television, because I feel that sitting and watching the same thing repeatedly can dull our creativity and motivation, but music is definitely more of a pusher, it helps people and can even be a form of therapy. TR: I also noticed a quote on the blog, from Tim Ferriss: “think big and don’t listen to people who tell you it can’t be done. Life’s too short to think small.” Would you say that this is the mantra behind your business? RT: Some have looked at my idea and think I’m a complete raving lunatic. Normal people are used to mediocrity, and there’s a lot of mediocrity in this world. I’m trying to create something bigger. TR: Finally, is there a message you’d like to give to our readers? RT: Just spread the word as much as possible! Visit the website, read the blog, buy the products. All our designs are limited edition, because the designs change as the issues we focus on change, so you’re getting a limited edition product whilst helping others at the same time!
Andrew Smith
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Sports
Tom Phillips, Sports Editor
O U Beauty The U’s dominated throughout the game with some wonderful passing and controlling the midfield with stand-in captain, David Fox, playing a pivotal role in the three-man midfield.
Tempers began to flair afterwards with Romain Vincelot being shown the yellow card for dissent and Elliot Hewitt seeing red following a violent conduct challenge on the Frenchman.
The O’s have been struggling to bring back the winning formula that saw them reached the play-offs the past two seasons under former manager Russell Slade.
Kaspars Gorkks, who has recently extended his stay at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, doubled United’s lead within minutes of the second half starting after a superb delivery from youngster Sammie Szmodics.
A man of the match performance by Sam Walker as he had a lot of work cut out throughout the game to ensure a clean sheet and a U’s victory.
Gavin Massey proved manager Tony Humes made the right decision in putting the winger back in the starting line-up with a stunning volley from close range in front of the away fans.
Orient’s hopes for a way back into the game were quickly ruled out after Chris Dagnall’s goal was ruled offside by the assistant referee, much to the frustration of the Orient followers.
Colchester United returned to winning ways following a defeat to Walsall at home in a two-nil win over Leyton Orient. The U’s played a crucial relegation six-pointer against underachievers, Leyton Orient.
Tom Phillips
Women’s Lacrosse For women’s lacrosse, our first match of the term was a friendly against the University of Sussex. They reached out to me a few months ago, requesting to play a couple of friendlies and so of course I accepted.
Audrey Katz Boucher playing in defense. Of this lineup, it was Audrey and Eva’s first match and so they are to be strongly commended for their efforts and part they played in the team.
On the 21st of January was the first of the two organized matches and so the team travelled to Brighton! We took thirteen girls, these were a range of players from experienced to freshers, this meant that were able to give everyone a chance.
The final result was a win for Essex with a score of 16-10. However, after dominating throughout, a fifth round was set to be played and due to the fact that we only had thirteen players, meaning only one substitute, our players were getting exhausted!
The lineup for the match included Aurora Granaasen, Amber Jade Newell, Kathryn Malpas, Zoe Utton and Alina Gräfin von Koenigsmarck playing in attack, Lauren Newland as centre and Anna Myhren, Charlotte Palmer, Hayley Wood, Eva Kariuki, Gaelle Dndrx and
Therefore, the result did not completely reflect on the standard of our playing, but we were not to be disappointed with a win! We are set to play our second match against Sussex on the 25th of February, so we look forward to a rematch!
Jessica Miller
WEDNESDAY 4TH FEBRUARY | ISSUE 163
SPORTS
Too Sexy? For the last year or so, there has been a debate within the surfing industry as to whether female surfers are publicised because of their genuine talent on a surfboard or due to the fact that they spend their time in a tiny bikini, and as a female surfer, I am in two minds about the topic. Part of me says that surfing in a bikini is all just a part of the sport, almost like a uniform, so let’s not read too much into it. Confidence is what makes a girl sexy, not the tiny bikini and based on that theory, all surfers are sexy. Sponsors have zoned in on this and use women to represent their brands and wear their clothes and swimwear, creating a thin line between two careers. Professional female surfers are now having to add modelling to their portfolio because it is a guaranteed way to not only be represented in a very male dominated world, but the fact that they will be remembered by the masses (mainly men) because they were photographed in a bikini for a double
page spread presents a bit of a problem for the women that are trying to kick start their career based only on their surfing talent. Sponsors are the financers of careers, they pay for travel and equipment, but for the up and coming surfers with an immense amount of talent and current professionals, it is starting to become clear that a career based entirely on surfing talent in a materialistic society is just not a viable option and that talent alone, won’t get you anywhere. Appealing to men undoubtedly brings exposure but it consequently devalues the surfing, which is after all, the reason that we find ourselves here in the first place. Whilst I am of the opinion that if you have it then you should flaunt it, and that all publicity is good publicity for both the surfer and the label, seeing a surfer using the bikini for its intended use is the way that it should be and that without surfers to put their products on, their businesses would suffer severely, but the amount
of adverts that consist of the surfer actually surfing, as opposed to lying in the sand are rare and pushing the presentation of female surfers towards Sports Illustrated can never be a good thing. It is undeniable that women need to do things that will get them noticed in a world where the men are given bigger competition prize pots, better waves to surf and endless amounts of publicity, but it also poses an interesting question. If the tables were turned and men found themselves in an industry dominated by women, would they be forced to go to the same extent in order to be noticed?
Grace Morgan
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