The University Paper February 2015: Preston by The University Paper

PRESTON EDITION February 2015

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SIMON AMSTELL: HOW I DEALT WITH ALL THE PROBLEMS OF BEING PAGE 9 A HUMAN BEING

SHOCK AT DEATH OF GAMING STUDENT CHARLOTTE ARROWSMITH

MODEL STUDENT: Martha Ruberte shows the look that has helped the third-year UCLan music practice student, 21, reach the ﬁnals of Miss Galaxy England full story p3

STUDENT gamers have been left stunned after a popular member of their course was found dead in halls. Their tutor spoke of their sadness over the death of Jonathon Harbottle, who was praised for his creative input into the games design course at the University of Central Lancashire. He was found at his halls in Victoria Street in the early evening of January 24. An ambulance was on campus

within seven minutes but Jonathan, who is thought to come from Southport, was said to be dead at the scene. Police have said there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death but have not commented on exactly how he died. The coroner has been informed and will decide if an inquest is to be held. Bev Bush, leader for Jonathon’s course, said: ‘The staff and students are extremely saddened to receive the news that one of our students,

Jonathon Harbottle, has passed away. Jonathon was very well liked and will be missed by us all. ‘He was a warm, friendly person, noted for his kindness and very popular with his fellow students. ‘Jonathon had a strong creative input into our course. He also got to know many students in his year group who valued his friendship and company. ‘We would like to express our sincere sorrow at his passing to his family and friends.’

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February 2015

Stars in her eyes Model sets out to conquer a galaxy not so far away... CHARLOTTE ARROWSMITH A SINGING beauty queen has reached the �inals of a nationwide pageant. Martha Ruberte, a third-year music student at the University of Central Lancashire, will represent Preston at Miss Galaxy England on February 8. She is also trying to launch a singing career and performed for an audience on Britain’s Got Talent in December last year. Although she failed to get further than the live auditions, she was not put off and has recorded an album – Final Lullaby – which is available on digital outlets and SoundCloud. But for now, she is focused on the pageant. ‘My beauty regime has become more intensive,’ she said. ‘I am going to the gym every day and eating healthily – not only to stay �it but to make my skin, hair and nails look better. I’m trying to get enough

sleep, which is hard.’ Martha �irst got a taste for pageants in her native Latvia, where she started modelling. She entered Miss Internet Latvia in 2011 and reached the �inal ten from 400 contestants. ‘I didn’t win the competition but it was an amazing experience,’ she said. But she claimed she had always been conscious of her unconventional look, adding: ‘I never thought modelling could be something serious. ‘I’m not tall enough or thin enough to be a model. I was just enjoying the process.’ Martha will travel to the �inal, in Chorley, alone, as her friends and family are back in her home country. If she makes it through this round, she will �ly to Orlando for the international �inals in the summer.

Hopeful: Martha Ruberte is vying for the Miss Galaxy title PICTURES: JACQUELINE GABRIELLA

Club to offer ﬁghters foot in the ring A WRESTLING school could turn Preston into a training hub for the sport, fans hope. The academy, in St Mary’s Street, opened its doors last month and promoter Preston City Wrestling hopes it will get more people into the sport. Luis Sanchez, who hosts wrestling slot Total Geezers on UCLan’s Frequency Radio with Aaron Pearse, said: ‘Preston is a massive wrestling town. If anywhere in the country is going to be a central hub of potential talent for this sport, I think here will be the ideal place.’ Preston City Wrestling has signed up former WWE wrestler Chris Masters – aka the American Adonis – as a tutor. Aaron, who studies international journalism, said his involvement would encourage wrestling fans to have a go themselves. ‘Preston City Wrestling are also bringing in international stars for guest seminars,’ he added. To book, visit prestoncitywrestling. com. Charlotte Arrowsmith

February 2015

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We can make it better... if you register to vote JAMIE KEHOE SHOULD the Lib Dems be made to pay for failing to keep their promise on tuition fees? Has David Cameron broken his word on protecting the NHS? Could you ever trust Labour again with the economy? Well, if you’re not registered to vote, you can’t make a difference one way or the other. With the general election just months away, UCLan students’ union, supported by Preston City Council, is launching a drive to get students signed up to vote. A study by the Higher Education Policy Institute shows student voters, despite only making up three per cent of

the voting populations, will shape the outcome in about ten constituencies. Lee Mac, UCLan students’ union president, said: ‘If we as a community unite, we could change the way politicians view students.’ The new registration drive will employ current students to explain the benefits of voter registration through a series of on-campus activities, door-to-door visits and social media activity. ‘It’s essential to register this year as students who have moved in the past 12 months don’t automatically get registered,’ said Lee. ‘It’s quick and easy to register and could be done while making a brew!’ John Collins, a first-year

screenwriting student, has registered to vote and understands the benefits it can provide students. He said: ‘Although politics can be confusing, we are all affected by the legislation. Just look at the tuition fees which are now financially crippling for us students.’ Lorraine Norris, chief executive of the council, said she was delighted to be working with the students’ union. She added: ‘It is vitally important that students and young people register to vote with this year being election year. If they do not register they have no vote, no voice, and no say.’ The final date for registration is likely to be mid-April.

TOMB WITH A VIEW: Dr Vicki Cummings examines a neolithic dolmen, or tomb, with colleague Prof Colin Richards. Their work at Garn Turne, Pembrokeshire, has been nominated by specialist magazine Current Archaeology as research project of the year. ‘It would be lovely to win,’ said the UCLan academic. The project has revealed new information about how these monuments were constructed Natassia Tang

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February 2015

You can take that glass of wine to the bank YOU would be forgiven for entering The Twelve Tellers and thinking you could sort out your student finances. But now the staff behind the counter will be serving pints instead of sorting pounds after the former bank was turned into a J D Wetherspoon pub. The Grade II-listed building, formerly the Preston Savings Bank, has kept its historic look – but now alcohol will be served until 2am. First-year journalism student Vanessa King, from Preston, said: ‘It looks to be a great place for students to eat out. ‘I am very much looking forward to making regular visits there in the

Drink it up: Guests, right, enjoy a night out at bankturned-pub The Twelve Tellers, left and above PICTURES: FACEBOOK

future.’ The bar will also serve food and will run student nights from 9pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, with music

from DJ Mark Wood. Pub manager Darran Jacklin said: ‘It is a great opportunity for owners Lloyds No.1 Bar, as this

Week to put seal on eco credentials EMMA ROSEMURGEY THE eco team at the University of Central Lancashire is looking to save the world through Green Week. Students and lecturers will be doing their bit for the environment by writing down green-friendly vows to be hung on a tree in the students’ union. There will also be events, including a farmers’ market and a Fairtrade clothing market, in the week which runs from February 2 to 6. The project comes after the university passed its ecoexam with flying colours. UCLan received a first-class classification from People and Planet for its green cre-

Coming soon: Green Week will see students doing their bit for the globe PICTURE: TWITTER

dentials – putting it in the top handful of higher education institutes nationwide. It was ranked 27th of 151 universities, scoring 100 per cent for its environmental policy and auditing. Clair Challen, environment and sustainability manager at UCLan, said: ‘It’s fantas-

tic news that we have again received a first-class award. ‘The green league itself has become more challenging and wide-ranging and therefore this recognition demonstrates our commitment to sustainability.’ Hannah Smith, spokeswoman for People and Planet, added: ‘The progressive universities at the top of our league are proving their ability to change their impact on communities and the wider world. ‘These are the universities equipping their graduates with the skills they need to tackle the threats of climate change and global inequality.’ Find the full timetable at www.uclan.ac.uk/greenweek.

is the first one to be opened in many years.’ The Twelve Tellers was officially opened last month by the bank

manager of the PSB which used to sit on the site. Meanwhile, a new wine bar will also open in Preston Guild Hall after a

redevelopment. Review is one of a number of venues to open at the site, with restaurant Mundo Tapas already on the line-up.

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Safety ﬁrst is a winner for prize ﬁlm-maker JOHN COLLINS THOUSANDS of people will see the work of screenwriting student Stevie Smith after he successfully secured a �ilm deal with Northern Rail. Having won with his pitch for a 50-second clip illustrating the dangers of overhead electric cables near train lines, the University of Central Lancashire student will now work with industry professionals to turn his concept into a reality. Once complete, his work – called Overhead Power Lines

– will be shown to school children and screened online and on TV. The Durham-born student was also awarded a trophy and a 12-month Northern Rail pass after winning the annual competition, run by the train company in partnership with the university. Stevie said: ‘I am ecstatic and thankful for the opportunity – and delighted by this further involvement with the development of the �ilm in the near future.’ He added that pitching his idea came naturally after

learning the important skill during lectures. David Wilkinson, community safety manager for Northern Rail, said: ‘I’m sure Stevie’s �ilm will make a big

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impact on people when it is screened and I want to congratulate him on producing a quality pitch.’ Despite not winning the competition, two other

UCLan screenwriting students – Daniel Case and Beth Irwin – were also praised for their pitches. They were each given a sixmonth Northern Rail pass.

Bulldozers go in to club site

WORK is under way to demolish former nightclub Blitz as it makes way for student �lats. The site will be turned into a 253-room accommodation block after Vale Park Demolition Services were appointed to bring down the venue by property developer Portergate. The move will see more than 200 workers descend on the site, with the project expected to take around 12 months to complete. The development, called Friargate Court, will be targeted towards University

of Central Lancashire undergraduate students, as well as postgraduates, apprentices and key workers in Preston’s new Enterprise Zone. It is predicted to be ready for its �irst tenants to move in next year. Portergate chairman Anthony Jackson said: ‘There is no doubt that today’s students and their parents are demanding ever more from their accommodation providers. We have to respond to that. Students are looking for more privacy and better bathrooms.’

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Havoc to hit train travellers THERE will be major disruptions to trains on the West Coast Main Line this month. Repair work from February 14 to 16 and February 21 to 23 will see services from Preston go to Manchester then Shefﬁeld, before terminating at London St Pancras. A replacement bus service will operate from Lancaster and the Lake District to Preston. Routes will also be more busy than usual in the days before and after the works. Travellers are asked to plan ahead. Galileo West

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Plans: The new student block at Friargate Court

Mamma mia! How much? A HUNGRY student was left with a bad taste in his mouth when he almost paid £52 for a pizza. Joshua Brandwood, a third-year public and uniformed service student at UCLan, stopped off at a takeaway for a 9in margarita, which should have cost £4.30. Choosing to pay by card, he spotted the error just as he was about to hit the enter key. He said: ‘It could have been a genuine mistake but I was suspicious how £4.30 is nothing like £51.65. Not one digit is the same.’ Josh Bamford

We need a talk about Kevin... GRUMPY teens and the awkwardness of adolescence will be discussed in a free talk at the University of Central Lancashire. Prof Sarah-Jayne Blakemore will will look at possible explanations for this difﬁcult life stage of in her Adolescence: A Sensitive Period For Social Brain Development lecture. It will take place at the Darwin Lecture Theatre on February 12.

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February 2015

Rewriting my history New lease of life: Marion Mather receives her degree on her graduation day

CHARLOTTE ARROWSMITH GRADUATE Marion Mather has proved her primary school teachers wrong… at the age of 67. She now has a degree in history and politics from the University of Central Lancashire under her belt, having been written off all those years ago as her dyslexia went unrecognised. ‘At primary school, when they did reading, they used to say to me, ‘‘Marion, you get your colouring books out’’,’ she said. ‘I wish I could show the teacher at my primary school. I just hope she knows now that I have got my degree. ‘She thought I was lazy but I just wish I could show her my dissertation.’ The great-grandmother, from Chorley, is thrilled with her achievement. ‘I’m so proud of myself, for what I’ve done and what I have achieved in the last five-and-ahalf years,’ she said. ‘It’s just something I’ve always wanted to do and now felt like the right time. At first, I was a

Dismissed as lazy at school, Marion has the last laugh bit worried about the students. I didn’t want to be sitting on my own when all the young ones were sitting together. ‘But I just joined in with the conversation. It keeps you young, looking at the world through young people’s eyes. ‘We even went around all the pubs at Christmas, I thought… ‘‘Oh my, if my family could see me now...’’.’ After her husband died, she bought herself a computer and went on a ten-week course. She then enrolled at Runshaw College to take GCSEs and a higher education introduction, which she passed. Choosing her degree was easy. ‘I have always been interested in politics,’ she explained.

‘I was a strong trade unionist when I was younger.’ Marion has nothing but praise for her fellow students and lecturers. ‘It has to be some of the best three years of my life,’ she said. ‘I didn’t want the students to look at me like I was their great-grandma but they didn’t. ‘They accepted me as a student – they were wonderful. They made it for me. ‘The tutors were the same – they were always there to help you. They have been absolute treasures.’ And next? ‘What I would really like to do is do a web design course and then incorporate my writing and my poetry,’ she said.

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Cyclist Matt is on a mission MARATHON man Matthew word significantly about IC Gough is gearing up for a and also improved treatment punishing 130-mile cycle and eventually found a cure,’ ride to raise awareness of an he said. ‘I want to give money incurable condition. to the Cob Foundation because it is more specific to my illness. The 20-year-old University There’s a long way to go but it of Central Lancashire sport researches better treatments.’ and exercise psychology student will be riding the He has to have monthly route of the Leeds–Liverpool treatments for IC, which canal in aid of the Cob affects about 400,000 people Foundation, a researchin Britain. Matthew has been funding charity, selling wristbands and the Bladder to raise money and Bowel for the charities Foundation. and last year ran the coastMatthew to-coast route has interstitial from Cumbria cystitis, which to the northcauses chronic east. For more inflammation of details, visit www. the bladder. ‘I will not stop until I justgiving.com/ have spread the ICWristbands. Gritty: Matthew

Cash boost in talent search THE University of Central Lancashire has received £240,000 to help get more young people into higher education. Dr Lynne Livesey, pro vicechancellor at UCLan, said: ‘Government figures suggest that a young person’s chance of going to university still depends heavily on where they live, their background and whether they are male or female.’ She said the money would go a long way in getting new talent into higher learning.

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February 2015

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talkingPOINTS

Comment, opinion and the occasional wild rant from our student writers across the country

Top dog Farage will get my vote MANDY FULLER ‘WHO are you going to vote for?’ is one of the most-asked questions at the moment. With the general election in May, the major parties don’t have long to win us round. Personally, I’d rather have a tea party than the Labour Party... but I can’t see the Great British public voting for that. However, I am genuinely tempted to vote Ukip. No, I haven’t lost my mind. I believe every dog has his day and, let’s face it, Nigel Farage is a bit of a dog – in that bloodhound, jowly cheek look he wears so well. As a student, I

Future PM?: Ukip leader Nigel Farage PICTURE: TWITTER often have to work long hours for s*** money, so any man that promises I don’t have to pay tax because I’m on the minimum wage is the man for me. I don’t

care if he’s branded a racist misogynist – and, as a black girl, that should really bother me. I want to keep more of my hard-earned cash. The main reason I’m going to vote Ukip is because of their pledge to remove tuition fees for university students on certain courses, based on academic performance. Let’s face it, the political party that allows me to take home more of my wages and cuts tuition fees – allowing me to spend more on my alcoholic, party-animal lifestyle – is definitely the political party for me. Nigel Farage for prime minister!

If you spot an error, we are committed to putting it right. Contact us at corrections@unipaper.co.uk. If you do not wish to receive a copy, then email us with your address at nothanks@unipaper.co.uk. We print 200,000 copies in 16 university cities. The University Paper is published by The UniPaper Ltd, in association with Simian Publishing, 23-24 Margaret Street, London W1W 8RU. Printed by Newsquest, Oxford.

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PARTY POOPER: The words ‘house party’ and ‘danger’ go hand in hand. Waking up in a bleary-eyed haze to find someone has scrawled rude drawings in permanent marker on the kitchen walls or to discover vomit that hasn’t quite made the toilet bowl has to be among every host’s worst nightmare. So, is that ‘small gathering’ that you were about to publish on Facebook (accidentally without the ‘invite-only’ setting) worth it? Michael Quinn

PICTURE: WIKICOMMONS/KF

EXAM STRESS: We are constantly being told that today’s youth has it far too easy when it comes to education, so there is now a demand for exambased learning. Surely it is counterproductive to only be tested on less than ten per cent of what you have learnt in the space of a couple of hours while under intense pressure? Students should be encouraged to exercise their skills about the subject thoroughly and this is best achieved through coursework. It also allows a student to choose their own question, encouraging them to pursue and expand their own ideas which they are passionate about Natalie Wellings

I HEART VALENTINE’S: Whatever complaints the anti-Valentine’s brigade has, no-one can resist the excitement of knowing someone out there holds a special place for you in their heart. Regardless of the tacky merchandise of February 14 and the 11million additional texts sent on the day of love, the simplistic act of giving an anonymous card will undoubtedly bring a smile to anyone’s face Lucy Kehoe

PICTURE: WIKICOMMONS/ FLICKRLICKR

LOVE SICK: Whether you’re single or taken, Valentine’s is utter tripe. I just don’t think a heart-shaped box filled with cheap chocolates picked up from Card Factory for 99p, or an over-sized teddy bear that will ultimately be abandoned once the endorphin-filled day loses all its glory, class as romance. Watching couples flap about confessing their undying love for one another because they are compelled to do so really does have me contemplating shooting a fat little Cupid’s arrow through my own head Ema Brewer

COST OF EDUCATION: Students shouldn’t get a free ride – but getting a degree surely isn’t a free ride? The truth is – as if you hadn’t noticed – the economy is on the fritz and paying for higher education seems to be a knee-jerk reaction. Instead of genuine economic pragmatism, paying for education is yet more evidence that austerity is ruining people’s outlook. Saddling ambitious, forward-thinking students with debt – or, worse, making further education unavailable to some – is regressive in the most devastating way. Student Loans has already lost a load of tuition fees, the rest won’t ever get paid back – why not just scrap them altogether, George? Joe Evans

DIS-MAY: I agree with chancellor at the University of Birmingham Lord Bilimoria, who has attacked Theresa May’s plan to clear out non-EU international students from the UK. Closing Britain off to foreign students would damage its reputation as a nation that attracts talent from all over the world and cut off important cultural ties. Every international student pays thousands of pounds more than any British student each year and they do not get a loan like home students. It seems like Theresa May’s plan doesn’t have either economic reasoning or support behind it Natalia Alyukova

facebook.com/TheUniPaper You can read fuller versions of these pieces at www.unipaper.co.uk. Then, let us know what you think; email us at comment@unipaper.co.uk

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February 2015

theINTERVIEW: Simon Amstell

The journey to a comedy awakening S

IMON AMSTELL is delving into his psyche. Describing his �irst taste of the hallucinogenic brew ayahuasca during a trip to Peru – the inspiration for his latest stand-up tour, To Be Free – he says it failed to transform his thoughts in the way locals and gap year truth-seekers had claimed. ‘I imagined afterwards I’d have the feeling of total peace and serenity and I’d no longer feel stuck or limited,’ he says. ‘But despite this life-changing, profound, unexplainable experience, I’m still imprisoned by my own various insecurities.’ These stubborn doubts seem to be almost an asset for the 35-year-old, who does not shy away from letting his �laws take centre-stage. ‘My last tours were both quite… sad,’ he laughs. ‘Loneliness and the feeling of disconnection were big themes. However, this one is about me trying to �ind total freedom in my life. ‘I no longer feel as broken or troubled, so I think there’s generally more joy in this show. Although I’m still dealing with all the various problems of being a human being, they’re not quite as tragic as they were in previous shows. ‘I think I’m now closer to a fully functioning

TV presenter-turned-comedian Simon Amstell talks to CASSIE DONEY about psychadelics, clowning, Buddhism and the struggle to become a functioning human being human being than I’ve ever been.’ But the trope of the troubled comic has endured, partly through 2012 sitcom Grandma’s House, where his drifting ex-TV presenter character’s situation seemed to mirror his own life following Never Mind The Buzzcocks. He sees his ability to turn pain into humour as a survival skill. ‘If I didn’t have comedy as a career, I’d be desperately trying to �ind some other way to cope,’ he says. ‘I’d probably be in therapy full time.’ Although his stand-up show touches on the politics of the meat industry and the ‘absurdity’ of having a royal family, Amstell is not mounting a Russell Brand-style call for revolution quite yet. ‘I think the best thing for me to be doing is to retain the mask of the clown, where the clown is cheekily questioning things around him,’ he says. ‘I think the moment you become the politician, you lose the clown. And I feel like the clown is freer than the politician.’ The role of clown is one Amstell takes seriously. He

studied at Philippe Gaulier’s prestigious clown school in Paris – an experience he likens to an aspect of Zen Buddhism, where young monks are given puzzles to solve. ‘The reason they’re so tricky is that the mind can’t solve these puzzles,’ Amstell says. ‘The solution was to throw away rational thought – to be instinctive and childlike. And I wasn’t good at any of those things.’ Not all clowning around has been worth it, though. ‘I learnt to juggle as a kid,’ he says. ‘It doesn’t get you sex. It gets people to look at you for about 30 seconds, and then they go and look at something else.’ Watching acts at the Edinburgh Fringe, things �inally clicked, however. ‘The performers I found funny were the ones who had a sense of childlike wonder,’ he says. ‘Because everything is essentially ridiculous – and, through comedy, you can express that ridiculousness of everything we experience being an absurd illusion created by our ego monkey minds.’ He pauses. ‘There’s a quote for you.’

SIMON AMSTELL plays Liverpool on February 12, Bristol on February 26, Coventry on March 5 and Glasgow on March 18 and 19

Long trip: A Peruvian drug inspired Simon Amstell’s tour

INSIDE: Toddla T looks to lose his mind, The Wombats go wonky and Sigma make a racket

February 2015

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clubbingCALENDAR monday, feb 2 Social Mondays, Cameo & Vinyl, £5 Social Mondays PreBar, Source Bar, free Monday Madness, MACs, £2 Beans, Mokai, £3-£5

tuesday, feb 10 Karaoke and Cocktails, Source Bar, free Treble Tuesdays, Mokai, £3-£5 Student Night, Warehouse, £4 Quiz and Karaoke, Roper Hall, Varies, #Pounded, Rumes, £1

wednesday, feb 18 Epik! Wednesdays, Evoque, £4

tuesday, feb 3 Karaoke and Cocktails, Source Bar, free Treble Tuesdays, Mokai, £3-£5 Student Night, Warehouse, £4 Quiz and Karaoke, Roper Hall, Varies, #Pounded, Rumes, £1

wednesday, feb 11 Epik! Wednesdays, Evoque, £4 Evoque Prebar, Source Bar, free Wednesday Club, MACs, £2 Student Night, Popworld, free

thursday, feb 19 YBD Thursdays, MACs, £4 Big Beat Thursdays, Evoque, £4 The Exchange, Source Bar, free Quids In, The Adelphi, £2 Flavour Thursdays, Rift & Co, varies

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thursday, feb 26

friday, feb 27 Lush Fridays, MACs, £3 Guestlist Alibi, Evoque, £4 Fridays, The Warehouse, £5 SpotiFriday, SourceBar, free I Am VIP, Rift & Co, varies Kuckoo, Kuckoo Boutique Bar, free Fridays@Factory, Factory, free

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wednesday, feb 4 Epik! Wednesdays, Evoque, £4 Evoque Prebar, Source Bar, free Wednesday Club, MACs, £2 Student Night, Popworld, free

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sunday, march 1 Smartphone Quiz Sundays, Source Professor Craig’s Fantastorous Open Mic Machine, Roper Hall

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February 2015

clubbingCALENDAR friday, feb 6 Lush Fridays, MACs, £3 Guestlist Alibi, Evoque, £4 Fridays, The Warehouse, £5 SpotiFriday, SourceBar, free I Am VIP, Rift & Co, varies Kuckoo, Kuckoo Boutique Bar, free Fridays@Factory, Factory, free

saturday, feb 14 Sourcey Saturday, Source Bar, free Fridays, The Warehouse, £5 Studio Saturdays, Evoque, £6 Late Nights, Lofty’s, varies Saturdays, Cameo & Vinyl, £5 DJ Melissa Reeves Valentines Day Special, MACs, £5

sunday, feb 22 Smartphone Quiz Sundays, Source Professor Craig’s Fantastorous Open Mic Machine, Roper Hall

saturday, feb 7 Sourcey Saturday, Source Bar, free Fridays, The Warehouse, £5 Studio Saturdays, Evoque, £6 Late Nights, Lofty’s, varies Saturdays, Cameo & Vinyl, £5 nvasion Bolton, Evoque, £6

sunday, feb 15 Smartphone Quiz Sundays, Source Professor Craig’s Fantastorous Open Mic Machine, Roper Hall

Social Mondays, Cameo & Vinyl, £5 Social Mondays PreBar, Source Bar, free Monday Madness, MACs, £2 Beans, Mokai, £3-£5

Smartphone Quiz Sundays, Source Professor Craig’s Fantastorous Open Mic Machine, Roper Hall

monday, feb 23 Social Mondays, Cameo & Vinyl, £5 Social Mondays PreBar, Source Bar, free Monday Madness, MACs, £2

tuesday, mar 3 Karaoke and Cocktails, Source Bar, free Treble Tuesdays, Mokai, £3-£5 Student Night, Warehouse, £4 Quiz and Karaoke, Roper Hall, Varies, #Pounded, Rumes, £1

monday, feb 9 Social Mondays, Cameo & Vinyl, £5 Social Mondays PreBar, Source Bar, free Monday Madness, MACs, £2 Beans, Mokai, £3-£5

monday, feb 16

Social Mondays, Cameo & Vinyl, £5

Social Mondays PreBar, Source Bar, free Monday Madness, MACs, £2 Beans, Mokai, £3-£5

Beans, Mokai, £3-£5

monday, mar 2

sunday, feb 8

tuesday, feb 24 Karaoke and Cocktails, Source Bar, free Treble Tuesdays, Mokai, £3-£5 Student Night, Warehouse, £4 Quiz and Karaoke, Roper Hall, Varies, #Pounded, Rumes, £1

wednesday, mar 4 Epik! Wednesdays, Evoque, £4 Evoque Prebar, Source Bar, free Wednesday Club, MACs, £2 Student Night, Popworld, free

tuesday, feb 17 Karaoke and Cocktails, Source Bar, free Treble Tuesdays, Mokai, £3-£5 Student Night, Warehouse, £4 Quiz and Karaoke, Roper Hall, Varies, #Pounded, Rumes, £1

wednesday, feb 25 Epik! Wednesdays, Evoque, £4 Evoque Prebar, Source Bar, free Wednesday Club, MACs, £2 Student Night, Popworld, free

thursday, mar 5 YBD Thursdays, MACs, £4 Big Beat Thursdays, Evoque, £4 The Exchange, Source Bar, free Quids In, The Adelphi, £2 Flavour Thursdays, Rift & Co, varies

February 2015

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what’sON pick of the month MUSIC WITH the closure of 53 Degrees, it’s been tougher for up-andcoming bands to find venues to showcase their talent in Preston. Thankfully, The Ferret continues to fly the flag for new acts. Three bands have been lined up for a night of alternative rock on February 6. Liverpool band Elevant, the brainchild of songwriter/singer/ guitarist Michael Edward, draw their influences from blues to post punk. Also playing are Wigan band Deepshade who, despite only having formed just over a year ago, have been described as a ‘brooding melting pot of grungy alternative rock and psychedelic blues’. Completing the line-up are Manchester rock duo Duke Mercury. Although relatively new to gigging, they’ve garnered quite a

THEATRE WORLD-renowned Beijingbased percussion group The Red Poppy Ladies are to play Preston. They reinterpret the classic tale of Mulan, a young girl who leaves home to take her ailing father’s place in the Emperor’s army. The group have graced venues such as the Sydney Opera House, so it is a bit of a coup to get them to the city. They play Charter Theatre on February 24. Tickets cost £10.

reputation, with Mike Walsh, head of music at XFM, describing the two as being ‘more unpredictable than Jack White’. Entry to The Ferret is free.

MUSIC FIRST formed back in 1977, there’s no denying that hardcore punk band Discharge are veterans to the scene. Going back to the classic line-up from the early 1980s, the band’s music is characterised by heavy guitar-driven sound, with raw vocals on anarchist and pacifist themes. They are supported by Billyclub and Repulsive Vision. Tickets for the gig at The Continental in Preston on February 13 cost £10 in advance or can be bought on the door for £12.

COMEDY MANFORD’S Comedy Club opens once again on February 6 at Ribby Hall

ARTS

Elevant in the room: The Liverpool-based band play The Ferret as part of a triple-header Village. Veteran funnyman Ray Peacock, who has done warm-up comedy for Russell Howard’s Good News and Not Going Out,

will MC the night. It also features stand-up comedians Adam Staunton, who placed third in the 2009 Beat The Frog

Word Series, and Phones 4U Comedy contest winner Barry Dodds. A third act has yet to be confirmed. Tickets cost £12.50.

KOROVA Arts Café and Bar has made a name for itself as the home of Preston’s creative types – and one of the best ways to see this in action is at KorovaKlectic. The evening showcases the best of Korova and more, with a mix of theatre, comedy, poetry, magic and music. It is hosted by resident MC Kiri Pritchard-McLean on the first Friday of the month, with free entry for anyone who feels like exploring their creative side. Previews by Josh Bamford

30000 Students in Preston enjoy themselves every month Make sure they know about your event

To place your listing please contact listings@unipaper.co.uk

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February 2015

what’sON

Our comprehensive guide to entertainment in Preston. If you have an event which you would like included please email us at whatson@unipaper.co.uk

Out of the shadows DJ Jack’s vision for change

Prepare for an Invasion

EVOQUE is spreading the word on what Preston has to offer by sending out coaches to neighbouring towns to bring the locals in. The first Invasion tour will be from Bolton on February 7. Business development manager Luke Maher said: ‘We’re proving successful with

DJ G2 in the mix at MACs...

ONE of Manchester’s hottest DJs, DJ G2, returned to MACs for a massive Friday night at the end of January. The Koosdays resident DJ, who’s worked with big names such as Nicki Minaj and Drake, took to the stage for YBD Lush Friday, spanning both floors. MACs said getting him back was a no-brainer, given the different style that he brings to the club. Events with special guests are becoming a regular thing, with names such as Gaz from Geordie Shore attending a beach party at the club. The YBD team is also looking at getting another latenight venue after losing Blitz. Josh Bamford

With Preston looking to make its own identity away from Liverpool and Manchester, DJ Jack McCluskey tells LIAM OSBORN about his career and what he feels needs to be done to promote the city T’S Saturday night and the drinks are flowing at Rift & Co, one of Preston’s newest nightclubs. But it’s not the booze that has brought the punters in – it’s the music. Step forward DJ Jack McCluskey. While he has the clubbers in the palm of his hand, he’s a man with a view on the bigger picture. Brought up in nearby Bamber Bridge, Jack has seen Preston attempt to step out of the shadows of Liverpool, Manchester and Blackpool. ‘I feel our transformation from town to city has been delayed,’ he says. ‘Where cities like Manchester and Liverpool have the advantage is that they are a place to spend a day or a weekend – there’s shopping, cinemas, restaurants, as well as a thriving club scene. ‘I believe the only way Preston will put itself on the map is through turning the city into a destination – and that means developing our daytime leisure venues in

Thriving: Jack McCluskey sees a vibrant club scene but wants more during the day to ‘transform the town into a city’ the centre of town, which will boost tourism and give the nightlife scene the means to expand and thrive further.’ But he sees change coming, if not at a pace he would like. ‘This ethos of change and variety is moving throughout the city,’ he says. He cites the transformation of the old Frog and Bucket, the former Rumes, Mokai and Factory. ‘Glovers Court has a refreshing breed of young DJs – even Baluga has live bands on some nights,’ he adds. Jack started DJing while at school, using it as a way of crashing parties. ‘I carried on doing private functions and house parties until the day I finished my final

college exam,’ he says. ‘I was contacted by the manager of Lava to take up residency on a Saturday, which justified my controversial rejection of going to university and made club DJing a feasible career. ‘At first I found it tough, but as I get older, my contact list gets longer, my profile grows and my ability to find work becomes more professional,’ he explains. Jack is getting two gigs a week while he looks out for a residency. In the meantime, he hopes Preston can live up to his own ambitions. He adds: ‘The thing that summarises it best for me is trying to explain where I live to people outside the northwest: “It’s near Blackpool’’.’

Hands in the air: Bus, VIP entry, drink... all for a tenner the uni but on other nights, like Thursdays and Fridays, the city seems dead. So we’re looking to give people the opportunity to travel

into Preston.’ A tenner gets you on the bus, into the club and a drink. Wigan, Burnley and Leyland are also lined up. Josh Bamford

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theBEAT

We need a scene where we lose our minds On the verge of dropping a new mixtape, Toddla T chats to MORGAN HINTON about DJing at the age of ten, promotional politics and being proper s**t at school

hen did you discover your love for music? I got heavily into music aged about nine or ten. When I was ten I had turntables but they were unusable – all you could do was select tracks. Anything else and the needle would snap. What moment did you commit to being a DJ? I’ve got a bit of a weird mind in that I can’t concentrate on things I’m not into. At

school I was proper s**t – not because I’m thick, I just didn’t give a f**k. Music was one of the only things I could really focus on. With raves now promoting unknown line-ups, would you play at an event that wouldn’t advertise your name on the bill? One hundred per cent – I think that’s a really good idea. If you can sell tickets with the night being the

FO F F O RSITY PAPER E UNIV EADERS R

In the mix: Toddla T has been in the studio with singer Protoje focus over the DJs, that’s the ultimate winner. How do you feel about the underground scene in Britain? Dance music has got so popular over the last few

years, with so much money in the industry, you get all the bulls**t that comes with it. It’s necessary to have underground nights, now more than ever. Dance music has become new and shiny,

whereas the underground scene should be somewhere you go to lose your mind. What are your aspirations for this year? I’m doing a mixtape with a Jamaican artist called

Protoje. We’re blending his instrumentals and trying to merge the Jamaican sound with the UK sound. Toddla T and Protoje’s mixtape is due for release this month.

Go to www.littlewhitelieslondon.com and enter code LWLU25 to claim your discount Can be used on full price items only, cannot be used in conjunction with other coupons.

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theBEAT

February 2015 Love your music? So do we! Tune in here for all the latest interviews, previews and reviews

It all got kind of moody Record pushed us to edge of reason

They’re back: (l-r) Tord, Murph and Dan have been working on their third album

The Wombats frontman Matthew ‘Murph’ Murphy tells PORTIA FAHEY about pouring his soul into the new album, what it’s like having LA as your fantasy girlfriend and his new-found fondness for dogs

HE Wombats have ‘pushed themselves to the edge of the human soul’ to create their latest album, Glitterbug. ‘The back end of the recording process was nuts for me,’ according to the band’s lead singer Matthew Murphy, aka Murph. ‘I was back and forth between London and LA. It was very exhausting and it all got kind of moody towards the end. All I know is that I’m incredibly proud of the album.’ And so he should be. The new record, due out in April, has taken four years to complete and Murph – along with bandmates Dan Haggis and Tord Øverland Knudsen – is about to embark on a 26-date European tour in March to promote it. ‘We’re all perfectionists and a lot of the songs have been through heavy critiquing by myself before the others get to them, or they’ll send me a backing track and I’ll work on it and rewrite and rewrite and then it goes back to them,’ he says. ‘We are all definitely guilty of over-analysing things.’ ‘I’m not saying we’ve had

to go down the mines every morning. I’ve certainly put a lot of myself into this album emotionally, psychologically. ‘It’s hilarious – I’m only starting to realise now that when I was in it, I actually had no idea what was going on.’ Thankfully, the band had Bastille’s producer, Mark Crew, on hand to guide them through some of the darker moments. Murph, 30, says: ‘Mark was unbelievable and would take the p*** out of us so much, which is something no one’s ever done before – well, not to our faces, anyway!’ The Liverpool-born singer has also found three new loves in his life: LA, his girlfriend and her dog, Daisy. ‘Daisy’s awesome and I’m completely obsessed with her,’ he laughs. ‘I spent the majority of yesterday just staring at pictures of her.’ And his obsession with LA has become so strong, the city is the main focus of the new album. ‘I’d stay over in LA and I fell more and more in love with the city,’ he explains. ‘I got to know it a lot more

Rising star: Laura Welsh

LAURA WELSH entered the mainstream last year when she featured on Gorgon City’s top ten hit, Here For You. Now, the singer is looking to cement her place there. She spoke to TUP ahead of the release of her debut album, Soft Control, in March. What was it like working with Gorgon City? Musically, it’s completely different to what I do but it was an amazing experience – and to play festivals with them gave

Catch The Wombats on tour during April in Bristol, Manchester, Birmingham, Sheffield, Glasgow, Liverpool and Newcastle. Visit thewombats.co.uk

and then, suddenly, it was this person that I’d written the songs about. I’d created this non-existent person in my head and thought about what it would be like having a long-distance relationship and dealing with jealousy and things like that.’ But most of all, his love is for the fans. ‘It means f*** all if you don’t have some fans that care about you and we’ve always been very lucky in that our fan base is strong but they’re also obsessed with us,’ he says. ‘Everything else is just background noise.’

Singer without compromise me the opportunity to play in front of much bigger audiences. How was the recording process for the album? It was incredible to have it finished and mixed for me. The most important thing was that I’d made the record that I wanted to, without compromise. What do you like to do in your down time? I love photography. I’ve got a Canon film camera so I like shooting on that. Edward Jones

For a longer version of this interview, log on now to www.unipaper.co.uk

tourDATES

KNOW THE INSIDE

DO YOU

T R AC K O N

CAMPUS?

IF SO THE UNIVERSITY PAPER WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU. We are scouring the UK for student journalists, so whether you are looking for work experience or simply spending too much time in the SU, get in touch today. We are on the look out for opinion leaders and change makers who can write engaging copy. Your pieces will be printed in The University Paper which is read by thousands of students across the UK and you will get that all important byline - perfect if you are looking to build a portfolio. Not to mention that age old adage, it will look great on the CV. So if you would like to be an influential voice for the student community or just have a strong front page tell us what is going on - pitch your ideas to The University Paper, email: editor@unipaper.co.uk

February 2015

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theBEAT

Together... because we loved to make a big old racket

Passion: Cameron Edwards (left) and Joe Lenzie scored No.1s with Changing and Nobody To Love

ISTENING to drum ’n’ bass duo Sigma chat about getting soaked in champagne and downing trebles, you would think life was just one big booze-fest. But Joe Lenzie and Cameron Edwards have been working hard, releasing four EPs and �ive singles since 2010, two of which – Changing and Nobody To Love – made it to No.1 in the charts. They have also collaborated with the likes of Paloma Faith and Labrinth, who features on their forthcoming single. Catching up with them on their way to the studio as they take a break from live shows to work on debut album Life, due out later this year, I ask how they felt about Kanye West’s track Bound 2, which they reworked for Nobody To Love. ‘Overall, it sounded like someone was having a musical heart attack but we really liked the d’n’b part, so gave it a mix,’ says Edwards. Kanye’s management contacted the duo about playing at Wireless Festival last summer but they declined, preferring to ‘do our own thing’. The pair met at the

They have gone from two mates who fuelled their passion for drum ‘n’ bass with nights out to professionals with two UK No.1s under their belts and a single with Labrinth soon to be released. HENRIETTA PAINTER speaks to Sigma about champagne, doves and staying healthy University of Leeds, where going out three or four nights a week together fuelled their passion for drum ’n’ bass. Those nights were ‘without a doubt the best places to go’, claims Edwards, a former events student. They formed Sigma out of ‘a mutual love for making a racket together’ and were originally going to be called Lesbian Doves. Can I ask why? ‘One night a pair of lesbian doves �lew down from Joe’s shed,’ Edwards explains. ‘So we wanted to call ourselves that – but it sounded too r’n’b for us.’ Twelve years on, and do they still feel Leeds has a healthy d’n’b scene? ‘It’s changed a lot now, but then again all scenes have,’ says Lenzie. ‘We love to go back to Leeds whenever we play there. The d’n’b scene has become really healthy.’ It is clear the duo are not shy of a party or four. ‘I can’t remember my best memory from uni – it all seems like a constant haze,’ says

Edwards. So, what are their other favourite places for a night out? ‘We played at HAU5 festival in Newcastle last year and ended up at an afterparty in Tup Tup,’ says Lenzie. ‘I can’t tell you all the details but we were covered in a lot of champagne that night.’ He confesses he’s never had a treble, though – at which point, Edwards proudly announces that he has. ‘Cam’s still a student deep down,’ says Lenzie. Making music has always been on the cards for them, although Edwards once had a yearning for the army. ‘It’s weird,’ muses Lenzie. ‘When you’re growing up, you don’t realise that music is this whole massive industry.’ It is one they’re getting stuck into and life at the moment is a mixture of touring and studios, fuelled by beer, their PlayStation and vitamins. ‘On tour it’s great to have each other,’ says Lenzie. ‘And the vitamins keep us healthy.’

Sigma will perform at Future Music Festivals across Australia on February 28 and March 1, 7, 8 and 9, and Germany’s Sputnik Springbreak Festival from May 22 to 24. Higher, featuring Labrinth, is released by 3beat records on March 22.

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February 2015

onSCREEN

Love a good night at the movies? Or perhaps you need a quiet night in front of the TV? Read on to find out what’s on...

out soon

Just mates: Daniel Radcliffe and Zoe Kazan in What If?

Predestination (Feb 20) A TIME-travelling agent (Ethan Hawke) working for the ‘temporal bureau’ is sent on his final assignment to stop an infamous terrorist who has eluded him. He is forced to hop between the years to prevent a major crime, picking up a new recruit in John Doe (Sarah Snook) along the way. Jakub Szweda Kill The Messenger (Mar 6) REPORTER Gary Webb (Jeremy Renner) exposes the shocking truth of the CIA’s role in importing cocaine into America and using the profits to arm Contra rebels in Nicaragua. Despite threats from drug lords and CIA operatives, Webb keeps on digging – endangering his career, life and family. Antoniya Gerimpapazi Chappie

(Mar 6)

UNNATURALLY clever robot Chappie (Sharlto Copley) is kidnapped at ‘birth’ and later adopted and raised by a dysfunctional family. Director Neill Blomkamp (District 9) is known for addressing big issues such as race, discrimination and freedom – and this latest outing looks set to do the same. Aaron Lembo X+Y

(Mar 13)

NATHAN ELLIS (Asa Butterfield) is no normal child. While others play, he hides away and solves problems. When his teacher Martin Humphreys (Rafe Spall) finds his rare gift, he sends him to the International Mathematics Olympiad, where Nate realises there is more to life than maths. Antoniya Gerimpapazi

In the friend zone? DANIEL RADCLIFFE, star of What If?, out on Blu-ray and DVD this month, tells TUP about friends he doesn’t want to sleep with, correcting pronunciation and banter

OES sex always get in the way of a good friendship? Daniel Radcliffe explores the thin line between friends and lovers in What If? What were your first conversations with director Michael Dowse? He was referencing movies like It Happened One Night and When Harry Met Sally. They were big touchstones for us, because it’s all about how relationships are built through banter and taking the p***. When the script came to you, what shape was it in? It was pretty much as it is now. The moment I knew I was going to do the script was on

n TINA FEY’S latest comedy offering, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, sees Kimmy Schmidt (Ellie Kemper) escaping to New York after spending 13 years in a doomsday cult. She is determined to start her life again, finding work as a nanny for a wealthy Manhattanite (Jane Krakowski) and friendship with Titus (Tituss Burgess), a larger-

page two, when Wallace is correcting Chantry on her pronunciation of a word, and I was just like, ‘Ah, I’m that guy.’ The film seems clear men and women can be friends. How does it strike that balance? I’m friends with lots of women who I have no intentions to sleep with. There is also the question of whether men and women who are incredibly sexually attracted to each other can just be friends. That’s the issue that is present in the film. What’s Toronto like to work in? I had a great time there. I ate really badly – lots of poutine, which is chips in gravy, cheese and bacon. It was a really fun.

tvPICK

than-life singer who works as a robot in Times Square. Created by Tina Fey, the show has signed up to two seasons on Netflix, with the first coming out on March 6. Rebecca Thomas

February 2015

hiTECH

www.unipaper.co.uk The latest in everything gadgets and gaming

Ambitious street car racer is bit of a drag The Crew (Xbox 360) Rating 3/5

LUNGING gamers into the heart of Detroit’s illegal street racing scene, The Crew is looking to redefine the open-world racing genre. Players will attempt to infiltrate and take down the 510 gang that pulls all the strings in motor city. But the action isn’t limited to Detroit, as the massive game offers coast-to-coast, online-only action from LA all the way to New York. The best thrills emerge in the vast, inter-city stretches that perfectly capture the experience of the great American road trip. Unfortunately, that ambition leaves the gameplay

Resident Evil Revelations 2 ONE of the great horror series returns with some familiar faces. Fan favourite Claire Redfield stars with Moira Burton, the daughter of the legendary Barry Burton. The two women, who are working for antibioterrorism organisation TerraSave, are captured at the start of the game. What follows is a gory quest for survival and answers. Fans can expect better gameplay from the previous outing, while features such as raid mode allow players to fight through a map without following the main storyline. Out on March 2. Aaron Lembo Project CARS

On the road: The Crew takes you on a high-octane journey into Detroit’s illegal racing scene feeling stretched. The immense landscape gives a poor frame rate, causing lagging, dubious graphics and sketchy audio. The AI isn’t

quite right either, veering from erratic decisions to outright cheating in a bid to ramp up the tension in what is a flat driving experience.

Added to this, online matchmaking is a work in progress – a serious issue for the online-only campaign. Josh Mcloughlin

THIS is the racing simulator that gamers have been waiting for. The highly ambitious racer, which has been in production since October 2011, lets players take control of a huge variety of motors, from karts to supercars. They can also take on real-life race tracks, such as

out soon Donnington, Silverstone and Brands Hatch. Everything from the nuts and bolts up has been wonderfully recreated to replicate their real-world counterparts, with the game also boasting fully dynamic weather systems and a competitive online feature. Released on March 20. Umar Hassan Battlefield: Hardline ARE you going to be a cop or a criminal? Choose your side in this highspeed multiplayer mode. There are seven online games to choose from, including rescue, a tense five-on-five match in which the police have to save hostages before time runs out, while the perps do everything they can to stop them. In the single-player campaign, gamers can now use nonlethal force takedowns to gather intel on criminals. There are also a number of new weapons, cars and bikes to keep seasoned fans entertained. It’s out on March 20. Matt Bullin

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theTRIP

February 2015

Every journey begins with a single step... take the first one here, with our look at great places to go abroad

Foster far-flung friends Get travel ideas off pals from overseas

So, where should you go? Our favourite getaways

ESPITE tough talk from the government about international students, our campuses hold a wealth of people who have come from overseas to study. The diversity of the university population is an indication of how enlightening travelling can be, with the melting pot giving undergrads an insight into a host of different cultures – so why not get inspiration on where to travel from global friends? The cost of a trip abroad can put many off but if you stay with an international friend, you can reduce the cost considerably, as well as get off the tourist trail and find out what living in the country is really like. Study leave and the Easter holidays provide a perfect opportunity to get away for a few nights. If you’re looking for something more than a quick break, most universities offer the chance of studying at campuses across the world at summer schools and as part of the Erasmus scheme. This allows you to study abroad for between three months and one academic year, with no extra tuition fees. You can also apply for a grant under the programme to cover any extra costs of studying abroad. Andrew Griffiths

ISTANBUL: East meets west in this city, where the Galata Bridge offers views over both the Black Sea and the Mediterranean and you can find Christian art in the Hagia Sophia mosque, which was once a church. The Blue Mosque (pictured), with its awe-inspiring dome, is also worth a visit. As a

student on holiday with friends, I found it affordable – our student discount cards were taken at the huge imperial Dolmabahçe Palace and we filled our backpacks with beautiful food – in terms of taste and colour – at the spice market while sticking to a tight budget. Anupama Subramaniyam PICTURE: AS

NEW YORK: The Big Apple, the ‘city that never sleeps’ – New York City has many affectionate nicknames. And for good reason. It is home to some of the most famous landmarks in the world – the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty and glittering Times Square, pictured. If you usually prefer beach resorts or countryside estates to

city breaks, make an exception for New York. Aside from feeling as if you have stumbled on to the set of a film or TV series, the city has something to suit everyone, whether you want to sample some culture at its museums and galleries, catch a musical in Broadway or wander through Central Park. Adiba Khatoon PICTURE: FRANCISCO DIEZ

FINLAND: When people ask me about my favourite holiday destination, they don’t expect me to say Finland – the Nordic country can sometimes fall off the getaway radar. But in Helsinki, you can sip an espresso in an ultramodern coffee shop surrounded by hippies, while being haunted by

the city’s Soviet past and inspired by its neo-classical cathedral (pictured). The street food festival, in March, involves talks and parties as well as delicious meals – while a traditional Finnish sauna followed by a run through the snow is not to be missed. Mane Grigoryan PICTURE: TAZRIAN KHAN/FLICKR

KEFALONIA: Nicknamed ‘the jewel in the Ionian crown’, this western Greek island is home to the soft white sands and the turquoise waters of Myrtos, widely thought to be one of the best beaches in the world. You may recognise the island from the film Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, which was set and filmed there and took much of

its mood from the surroundings. You can take a yacht from Argostoli, the island’s main working port, which has a natural sheltered harbour, to explore the coastline. If you want a break from the beach, there are plenty of villages and medieval castles to explore. And keep a look-out for the island’s famous turtles. Charlotte Seddon PICTURE: CS

Signs of trouble: Yellow flowers, feet and thumbs SNOG someone outside a chicken shop on the way home from a night out in the UK and you could find a compromising picture posted on Facebook of you and your ‘friend’. But in the Middle East or India, it could land you in serious trouble. A smooch between a British couple in Dubai in 2010 led to a prison sentence – and, while PDAs between your housemate and their

‘significant other’ sometimes put you off your beans on toast, you probably don’t want anyone to end up behind bars. Here are some other faux pas to avoid while on your travels. 1. Learn your left from your right. In many cultures, including the Middle East and parts of Africa, people eat with their right hand and find using the left disgusting –

it is reserved for more, er, intimate acts in the bathroom. 2. Avoid pointing the bottom of your feet at anyone if you are in a Muslim country, as they are considered the lowest and most unclean part of the body. 3. If you think about getting a bouquet of flowers for a Ukrainian friend, never bring an even number – and avoid yellow. This

may appear to be odd but the colour is considered impolite, while even numbers of blooms are associated with funerals. 4. A thumbs-up is interpreted by most Brits as a sign of approval or thanks but if you are travelling around Afghanistan, Iran or parts of Italy, it takes on a whole other meaning – think middle finger. 5. In Japan, when you are out

with your drinking buddies, it is traditional to pour beer for one another as a gesture of companionship and respect. 6. In Nepal, it is thought to be ill-mannered to open a gift in the presence of the giver, to avoid offence – so don’t take it personally if your hosts leave your offerings unopened on the side. Joe Taylor

yourNIGHT

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foodBREAK

Save dough with these budget eats

A fast �illing �ix for a night out... Chilli, artichoke and cheese dip

A GOOD host knows that food should be on offer if guests are coming – especially if you are about to head off together on a big night out. But, with limited amounts of time and cash, what’s the best way of feeding your friends without breaking the bank? For ease and speed, it doesn’t get much better than a chilli, artichoke and cheese dip. For just under £15 you can create a taste sensation that will have your friends praising your culinary skills for years to come. All you need is 250g of grated mozzarella, 50g of grated parmesan, three cans of artichoke hearts, two to three chillies (a combination of red and

green for colour) and 325g of mayonnaise. Finely chop the chillies and either half or quarter the artichoke hearts (depending on how chunky you like it). Next, combine the ingredients together and stir until well mixed. Pop your concoction into an oven-safe dish, about an inch-and-a-half to two inches deep, and stick it in the oven at 200C for about 15 minutes or until golden brown on top. Serve with tortilla chips and voilà... your guests will think you put a lot of effort into making a tasty treat, while you will have time to get ready and a bit of dosh left in your pocket. Aria Dixon

Cheap treats: Baked beans and Dolmio sauce

TUDENTS are masters of scrimping – especially when it comes to food. But what should every undergraduate’s cupboard contain? Check out TUP’s top ten bargain bites. 1. Garlic bread – This family favourite will cost you less than a quid and it couldn’t be easier to cook. Stick it in an oven and come back ten minutes later. 2. Rice – There is barely a country in the world that

 HUNTING for a student-friendly shop? Look no further than Aldi. If you can keep up with the lightning speed of the cashiers then this is where you should head for a bargain. Pick up frozen tuna steaks at a decent size and price (400g, £2.99) or take advantage of their weekly ‘super six’ deal, where all the fruit and veggies are just 59p Cheryl Culliford-Whyte

doesn’t have a rice dish. From Spanish paella to Jamaica’s rice and peas, it can be added to most meals and doesn’t cost the earth. 3. Noodles – A packet of

simple noodles can cost pennies but are perfect for adding bulk to stir fries. Mix them with a spicy sauce and a load of your favourite vegetables for a healthy,

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February 2015

foodBREAK

We’ve all got to eat. So whether you fancy preparing something at home or popping out for dinner, we have the recipe for a great meal

Economic edibles: Filling up on noodles, garlic bread, cereal or rice is a tasty way to save some cash PICTURES: ZOE MACNAUGHTON PHRAWR/HAT M/ MAMMA MIA/FLICKR

quick and, most importantly, cheap meal. 4. Ready-made tomato sauce – While making your own is undoubtedly better, there’s no reason why a ready-made tomato sauce can’t be used when time is short. Throw it together with some pasta or even in

a ratatouille to add a bit of �lavour. 5. Cereal – Start the day with a delicious and quick snack. Add your fruit of choice for some much needed vitamins, or try some yoghurt and honey. 6. Baked beans – Although they taste great on a baked

potato or over toast, why not use them in a stew? They make a great addition to a sausage casserole – and, let’s not forget, they are a vital component for a Sunday morning fry-up. 7. Crisps – Not healthy – but everyone deserves a treat every now and then. They

can be eaten as a snack but also used for a quick-�ix meal, such as nachos. 8. Potatoes – They can be roasted, baked, mashed, fried or boiled. In fact, the ’tater is an extremely versatile ingredient. If you are feeling adventurous, you could even cook a gratin

dauphinois to add sparkle to the humble spud. 9. Bread – Obviously useful for simple sandwiches or toast in the morning. Add butter, raisins and an eggand-milk mixture to make a marvellous bread-and-butter pudding. 10. Rolled oats – During

the cold of the winter months, there aren’t many other dishes that warm you up better. A bit bland on their own – but add some milk and jam, and you have a wonderfully �illing way to begin the day. Antoniya Gerimpapazi and Zoe Macnaughton

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February 2015

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brainTEASE an you match the quote to the well-known person?

A: ‘I love the smell of diapers; I even like when they’re wet and you smell them all warm like a baked good’

B:‘At the end of the day, I just know I’ll probably have the worst, spoiled little kid ever’

C: ‘I’m not that good-looking. I think I’m a pretty weird-looking guy’

D: ‘In an action film you act in the action. If it’s a dramatic film you act in the drama’

E: ‘Being a Scientologist when you drive past an accident… you know you have to do something about it because you know you’re the only one that can really help’

Who said what? 1 Tom Cruise, 2 Lindsay Lohan, 3 Kristen Stewart, 4 Sarah Jessica Parker, 5 Eminem, 6 Jay Z, 7 Ryan Gosling, 8 Dennis Rodman, 9 Jean Claude Van Damme

F: ‘How come when Kanye acts like an idiot he gets a gold record but when I act like an idiot, I get a police record?’

G: ‘Don’t be an asshole. That’s my relationship advice.’

ANSWERS

H: ‘Chemistry is a class you take in high school or college, where you figure out two plus two is ten or something’

I: ‘I’m stupid, I’m ugly, I’m dumb, I smell. Did I mention I’m stupid?’

Can you unscramble these singers’ names…

1. MR SOON RANK 2. ROHANN MAIGRET 3. THIN L BAR 4. RENE HONDA SELL 5. SIR THIN MARC 6. NEW HO BEAN

in a

muddle

7. KIN P 8. GLAZES ME ONE ANSWERS

1 Mark Ronson, 2 Meghan Trainor, 3 Labrinth, 4 Ella Henderson, 5 Chris Martin, 6 Ben Haenow, 7 Pink, 8 Selena Gomez

Take a break and put your grey cells to work with our selection of puzzles

A4 B6 C7 D9 E1 F2 G3 H8 I5

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February 2015

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NO cash? Don’t let that take away your right to a proper coffee. Win one of eight Breville Coffeexpress machines and �ilter your morning �ix straight into a takeaway bottle on your way to a lecture, or just make a cuppa at home. It’s easy to use – just add water and your favourite ground coffee, �lick the switch and go.

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Non-stop party: Explore Mallorca’s clubs and chill at the beach on this ﬁve-night holiday

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February 2015

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

Horoscope 

What’s written in the stars for you this month

ARIES: MARCH 21APRIL 19 Your social life might seem scrambled, Aries. However, this is a blessing in disguise, as you will be able to see people’s secret agendas. Don’t be afraid to speak your mind

TAURUS: APRIL 20MAY 20 Take control, Taurus. Your workload has signi�icantly increased since the new year but this shouldn’t be a challenge. If you do not have enough time, simply say so GEMINI: MAY 21JUNE 20 Don’t lose track of your �inances, Gemini. A matter will arise early on in the

month. You are more than equipped to deal with it; just do so swiftly, or you will be in a vulnerable situation CANCER: JUNE 21JULY 22 Now is not a time to shy away from the world, Cancer. Stand tall and you will surprise yourself. Someone may even catch your eye who will inspire and improve your world

LEO: JULY 23AUGUST 22 You need to make some changes, Leo. Rediscover some of your sparkle that for some reason has fallen by the wayside recently. This month, you can be the life and soul of the party

VIRGO: AUGUST 23SEPTEMBER 22 Take this time to take a long hard look in the mirror, Virgo. You have been doing more than enough for everyone but yourself. Take some well-needed time out or you will burn out

LIBRA: SEPTEMBER 23OCTOBER 22 This month is full of temptation, Libra. Don’t get carried away. You need to put someone at home �irst – but that doesn’t mean you should put your social life on hold SCORPIO: OCTOBER 23NOVEMBER 21 You have been yearning for something out of the

ordinary, Scorpio – and now is the time to realise it. Right now, it seems as though anything is possible – and, if you focus, it is SAGITTARIUS: NOVEMBER 22DECEMBER 21 Respect yourself, Sagittarius. Someone in particular might be calling in favours left, right and centre – but what you don’t realise just yet is that they do not need the help as much as you think

CAPRICORN: DECEMBER 22JANUARY 19 This month is all about patience, Capricorn. You are about to hit the jackpot but

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

if you rush the decisions along the way, all you will be left with is fool’s gold AQUARIUS: JANUARY 20-FEBRUARY 18 Stay focused, Aquarius. There is an important opportunity coming your way but you will miss it if your eyes aren’t wide open to everything that is happening around you

PISCES: FEBRUARY 19MARCH 20 You have immense in�luence, Pisces. Use it your advantage and you might just break through the solemn secrecy surrounding a certain situation. Take action to regain the reins

Be careful which pal you ditch OUR �irst semester ended in a blaze of glory. Surrounded by new friends, you drank your way into the holidays, safe in the knowledge that a month separated you from deadlines and exams. This is where the gloves come off. You return after Christmas, brimming with con�idence after a month with your adoring ‘home friends’, and decide to trim the fat in terms of misguided friendships. But tread with care: ditch the wrong acquaintance and you could �ind the hands of friendship withdrawn left, right and centre. While it’s unlikely every pal you made was a wise choice, considering you were drunk half the time, it’s worth remembering you

let’sTALK

came to uni to get a degree (well, that’s one reason). The coolest friends may not be the ones who will stick around when you’re knee-deep in 17th-century politics – and they may not be the kind of people you want to live with next year. So use your common sense and judge kindly. Moving away from home and being doused with cheap alcohol doesn’t bring out the best in many people – second semester could be the time for second chances. That homesick girl who invited you round for a cup of tea every �ive minutes? She could be a mate for life. The dubious conquest who kept in touch via occasional creepy Facebook messages? Not so much. Lindsey Coombs

Equality: Gay marriage PICTURE: PARGON/WIKICOMMONS

Let’s focus on people, not the masses

THE new year is a time to look back at our achievements – and 2014 was a big milestone for the LGBT liberation campaign. Yes, I am talking about marriage equality. The fact it was passed in the UK gives an example to many other countries. And, of course, anyone can now get married – we are all equal. You may wonder what else there is to do. LGBT activists could give you a list: trans* equality and health services, integration in workplaces, tackling homophobia… all important things. Yet I think something is missing. Something very important. And that is people themselves. Activists tend to look at problems as applying to groups. But what if we made a new year resolution to focus on individuals, rather than the masses? What if we started to listen to what minorities need and want, as opposed to ignoring the details of the mosaic we are a part of? Let’s listen to those who struggle with their sexuality – because unless we do, nothing can be changed. Filip Bigos

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February 2015

let’sTALK

Relationship trouble? Sex worries? Feeling low? We’ve got wise words to set you right

Alice ask

Tough time: Cancer can devastate families PICTURE: ANNETTE/FLICKR

Y mum was diagnosed with breast cancer at new year. I’m devastated. We are at opposite ends of the country and the train fare alone is more than £100. I feel so guilty for not being there. Sophie, Edinburgh

I’m so sorry to hear that, Sophie, but try not to feel guilty. Find other ways to be around her. Right now, she needs you to bring her some light and joy – and even if that’s just a phone call every night, she’ll know you are there for her. And don’t suffer in silence. As much as your mother needs support, so do you. Request a pastoral tutorial. You can apply for extenuating circumstances for your coursework and, if you decide to, you could also apply for a leave of absence. This is an authorised break from your studies that would allow you to go home and return to university next academic year.

WAS doing drugs in digs and I’ve been issued with a 28-day notice to quit. I didn’t go to the disciplinary meeting and now I don’t know what to do. Aaron, Warwick

If you have broken your tenancy agreement, it is unlikely that you will be able to argue your case successfully. However, just because you have been given a notice to quit doesn’t mean the university won’t

Separate but together... is it possible?

ONG-distance relationships are always controversial. While some believe that absence makes the heart grow fonder, others think it can only lead to break-ups. Of course, every couple is different – but there will always be ups and downs when your other half is living in a different city. But doesn’t every relationship have good and bad moments? Being a student who has experienced a long-distance relationship throughout university, I can say – it is not easy. A lot of people think that students can’t hold down relationships at the best of times, so one with the added pressure of distance – no chance, right?

Miss you: Time apart is hard PICTURE: ANGELA MARY BUTLER/FLICKR

Wrong. While it is tough to spend long periods away from your partner, seeing each other after a busy few months can be more than rewarding. Spending time getting to know each other at a steady, slow pace can work

wonders. On top of this, when you’re in the middle of a hectic semester and all you have time for is research and essay-writing, it’s probably a good thing your other half isn’t around. If they were, you would want to spend every waking hour with them – and that’s time when you should probably be doing work. At the end of the day, it’s simple: distance alone can’t destroy a relationship. In some cases, in fact, it can even help to strengthen it. If they’re ‘the one’, they’ll wait for you. And if they’re not, they won’t. Semesters aren’t that long – and you can always visit home in your reading week or at the weekend to see them. Kelly Smith

continue to support you. Go in person to your hall residence manager or accommodation services team. Although you might not be able to stay in halls, they will be able

Submit us your questions and get the answer in next month’s issue

to help you find private sector accommodation or extend your notice until you have found alternative digs.

FLUNKED January exams and now there is a real possibility I might have to re-take first year. I like my course but I haven’t been keeping up with reading or essays, which makes it even easier to skip class. James, Manchester You will be entitled to funding for the duration of your course, plus one extra year, in case you have to repeat – and repeating a year isn’t the end of the world. But, first of all, you need to identify why you haven’t been keeping up with your coursework. Whether it’s time management or you need someone to do your reading with, head to academic support for some advice – otherwise, this time next year, you will be saying exactly the same thing. Struggling with your studies, wrestling with a relationship or is your social life at a standstill? Contact our agony aunt on alice@unipaper.co.uk

February 2015

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researchROUND-UP

Our flick through the most fascinating findings from universities around the country

What a melt... ice cap is vanishing from view ALARMING satellite pictures have uncovered the melting of an Arctic ice cap. The observations were made by a team of scientists from the University of Leeds who noted that, since 2012, the ice cap has thinned by more than 50m – about one sixth of its original thickness. The study also showed that over the past two decades, ice loss from the south-east

region of Austfonna, in the Svalbard archipelago, has increased significantly. There is evidence that the surrounding ocean temperature, which has increased in recent years, may have been the original trigger for the ice cap thinning. Melting ice caps and glaciers are responsible for about one third of recent global sea level rise.

Hang on, I feel I’ve read this before...

Thawing out: The red regions show where ice loss has taken place

PICTURE: CPOM/GRL

Losing streak? Blame it on your body clock

S NOTHING going right for your team? Every shot going wide? Every tackle a foul? Well, don’t call in the ringers just yet – it could be that the timing of the games is out of sync with your body clock, research shows. An athlete’s performance can vary by more than 26 per cent depending on what time of day it is, according to a University of Birmingham study. And early risers perform best in the afternoon, while night owls are at their best later at night, they say. Dr Roland Brandstaetter explained: ‘If a one per cent difference in performance can make the difference between first place and fourth place in a 100m race and actually winning you the gold medal at the Olympics, then imagine what a 26 per cent difference in your performance could give you. ‘Our research takes us away from the idea of “time of day of the race” and directs us to internal biological time.’ Dr Brandstaetter and co-author Elise Facer-Childs studied 20 sportspeople with different sleeping patterns, testing their cardiovascular

IF YOU feel as though you’ve already seen that TV programme, then you are probably watching Dave... But one unfortunate man had to stop watching telly, listening to the radio or reading newspapers after he started experiencing persistent déjà vu, stemming from anxiety. The 23-year-old said his episodes made him feel as though he was ‘trapped in a time loop’, according to a report from Dr Christine Wells, a psychology lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University. ‘Rather than simply the unsettling feelings of familiarity, our subject complained that it felt like he was actually retrieving previous experiences from memory, not just finding them familiar,’ she said.

Praise fathers from the past FATHER’S Day may be ages away but dads from the 19th and 20th centuries deserve a pat on the back, say Leeds and Manchester historians. British fathers were more involved in their children’s lives than previously believed, their research showed. Dr Julie-Marie Strange, from the University of Manchester, addded: ‘Since the Victorian era, men seem to have been just as hands-on as they are today and equally as affectionate.’

Learning the tools to talk On the ball: The University of Birmingham’s Emily Defroand (l) and Holly Payne, who participated in the study PICTURE: ANDY SMITH endurance at different times of day. They found subjects who were early risers were best in the early afternoon, while those who slept later were at

the their best later at night – contradicting the previous belief that all athletes were better in the evening. It means managers or coaches who want to find

out an athlete’s personal best performance should consider a number of factors, including testing them at different times of the day. ‘Obtaining a personal best

performance is on everyone’s agenda – but how to do it? Now, that is a different question,’ Ms Facer-Childs added. John Shaw

Bored of the same old football shirts? Blame capitalism CASH looks to have another victim in football – the lairy kit. Although new shirts have become more frequent, their designs have become more traditional, analysis

of home kits since 1888 shows. Dr Chris Stride, a statistician from the University of Sheffield, put the trend down to plainer strips offering a less intrusive

background for sponsors. ‘Though most clubs now change their home shirt design every season, changes usually consist of just minor details

– small flashes, collar styles or trim. The innovation in football shirts has shifted from design to marketing tactics,’ he wrote in Sport In History.

CAVEMEN did more than just grunt and wave clubs at each other, it seems. Our early Stone Age ancestors had a more sophisticated language system than previously thought, according to researchers from the University of Liverpool. The team studied the way tools developed in the Oldowan period and how the techniques to make them could have been passed on. The increasingly complex nature of the tools means it is likely a proto-language was used, they found.

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February 2015

beyondUNI

Need a job? Considering a gap year? Graduating and struggling for inspiration? Then read on...

What jobs work for you? Don’t just RETAIL? YOU’RE TWIXT A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE wait for right role

VERYONE knows someone with the worst part-time job in the world, be it dodging �lying plates in a pub kitchen or serving screaming children from an ice cream van. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Here are some ideas for jobs to suit all schedules and personalities. 1. Cafés and restaurants – waiting staff have the option of working during the day or evening. You can add tips to your wages if you’re good with customers and maybe even pick up free food. 2. Fast food chains – places such as McDonalds or Burger King may sound less than glamorous but many big companies offer training opportunities and good terms for part-time staff. 3. Pubs and clubs – if you have no time to work during the day or you are simply a night owl, you might consider applying for a job at a bar or club. Bar and door staff alike have a great social life together after work. 4. Supermarkets – you can apply online for a wide

Breaking point: A Twix-related customer complaint added drama to one worker’s shiftPICTURE: SCOTT EHARDT I WAS funding my way through a media and communications degree at Birmingham City University with a job at a well-known supermarket chain. During one evening shift, a man came in threatening to sue the store because of the price of a Twix. He

range of roles at superstores. The applications will take you through a couple of tests, including on your numeracy and literacy skills, as well as a behavioural test – but don’t worry, they’re not too tough. 5. Universities – from bar-tending at the union to designing a website, a job at your university can offer some of the best opportunities to develop your skills. 6. Newsagents – if you

then proceeded to state his interpretation of consumer rights law at me. I said: ‘For 60p, you’re kicking up a fuss?’ He then unwrapped the Twix and ate it in front of me, saying between chews: ‘Consumer rights my a**e.’ Greg Edwards

like cycling and are good with directions, you could become a paper boy or girl. The job is not the best paid but at least you get to be the �irst to read the papers. 7. Manual note-taking – many universities get temporary workers to take notes for students who need support with their work. You will need to be able to write clearly and quickly and be understanding of the people you help. Antoniya Gerimpapazi

Good, bad and the messy BUSKER

THE grind of long shifts or having to get up for work while suffering with a hangover can make that part-time job an extra drag. If, like Glasgow Caledonian University student Stephen Mars, you can sing or play an instrument, being your own boss and taking up busking could be the answer. Stephen, who can make up to £100 a day busking on the city’s streets, says: ‘It’s doing what I love, when I want. What could be better?’

Aynsleigh Hollywood

CHUGGER

I ONCE spent a long summer working as a professional fundraiser – otherwise known as a charity mugger, or chugger – to help me through my studies at the University of Central Lancashire. I went from door to door asking people to support charities like the British Red Cross. My colleagues were fantastic but this did not make up for the commission-only pay or the abuse, which was so harsh you would think I was the one causing the humanitarian crisis. Luis Sanchez

SHOT GIRL

SHE patrols the club selling dubious-looking spirits from a belt to boozed-up, over-excited punters until the wee small hours, wearing less to sell more. The job of shot girl is not enviable. One past owner of this title is Raisa Begum, who once worked the sticky ﬂoors of Liverpool’s clubs. She says: ‘They were awful shifts. Bosses would often ask workers to stay past their ﬁnishing time.’ Sophie Sear

WHEN it comes to jobs, I have the best of both worlds. I work as a part-time sales assistant at Debenhams while studying at Swansea University. While it means being on my feet for ten hours during a shift on a Saturday, it brings with it the beneﬁt of the ‘travel transfer’. During term time, I can ﬁt work around my lectures in Swansea – then, when I go home for the holidays, I can move seamlessly to a branch in my hometown of Cardiff. My student loan covers my tuition fees and rent but for nights out, food and textbooks, I’ll use my wages. It means I’ve never had to touch my

overdraft – and, if I did, I would be back in the black as soon as my pay came through. Working on a shop ﬂoor may seem pretty simple but you will be gaining essential life skills – such as customer service – that your university course will not teach you. These can really make you stand out on a job application form and you never know who you’re going to meet – one of your colleagues could end up helping you get a job in your chosen career after graduation. So, even something as seemingly simple as retail work could really make an impact on your future. Rebecca Thomas

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February 2015

beyondUNI

Need a job? Considering a gap year? Graduating and struggling for inspiration? Then read on...

Big nights out are off the cards for aspiring teacher and mum

When story time meets deadlines

HILE many students would only be up at 6.30am if they were crawling into bed after a night out, Gabby Rea is already up and about, getting her son ready for nursery. The 20-year-old juggles the duties of being a mum to twoyear-old Teddy with studying English at Birmingham City University. She has just over an hour in the morning to get them both ready and fed, before leaving the house to drop Teddy off at nursery and heading to lectures herself. ‘It’s all about balance and organisation,’ she says. ‘I try to make sure I have a routine that sticks, for Teddy’s best interests as well as mine.’ Fitting Teddy around student life is tricky, however. His dad, from whom Gabby has separated but remains on good terms with, is in the army, based in Chester and can only see his son every other weekend. Nursery charges are £150 a week and, although Student Finance England pays 85 per cent of Teddy’s fees, it all adds

When English student Gabby Rea has an essay due in, first she has to think about caring for her toddler, Teddy. MEGNA FARMAHA finds out if you can still have a social life while mixing tantrums and tutorials up. With limited choices for childcare, Gabby admits there can be a conflict between studying and spending time with Teddy. ‘It’s hard to distinguish between the important tasks,’ she explains. ‘It’s a constant battle knowing whether a bedtime story is more urgent than the assignments I have due soon. ‘Sometimes I may miss out on a field trip because Teddy needs new shoes. But he is my priority and I’m totally willing to give things up so he has the best.’ She aims to become an English teacher after she graduates, to try and build a better life for her and her son. ‘It’s all about the bigger picture,’ she says. ‘I may feel guilty sometimes but there need to be sacrifices for the future and, one day, my boy will understand I did it all for him.’ Being a single parent

means Gabby has to forgo the wild nights and drinking sessions many associate with student social life. ‘I do miss out to a certain extent,’ she admits. ‘I want to be involved but having a child means this is put on a kind of back burner.’ But it’s not all work. ‘I do get to socialise,’ she adds. ‘Just not in the stereotypical student way. My social life is much more relaxed, rather than alcohol-fuelled.’ She has support from family at home, as well as the university’s student parents and carers’ association, which organises social lunches and coffee mornings. She says the responsibilities of motherhod have taught her a lot. ‘It’s quite clear, to me more than anyone, that I’ve matured since being a mum,’ she says. ‘I feel like I have an older perspective on

Tiny housemate: Gabby Rea with her two-year-old son, Teddy things compared to my peers because I’ve experienced a lot more. ‘To be honest, it can make me feel slightly alienated – my peers don’t understand

my situation, which can be a little frustrating. I live in a whole other world to them.’ So, does she have any advice for others in the same situation? ‘Balance all your

PICTURE: MEGNA FARMAHA

responsibilities,’ she says. ‘It’ll make things ten times easier. ‘And never forget to leave time for yourself, to unwind and de-stress, before it all gets too much.’

Tarot cards showed me the way to ease cash woes AS A journalism student at De Montfort University in Leicester, I wanted to avoid struggling for money but I didn’t fancy facing angry or drunk customers at a takeaway. So I decided to work from home doing something that I am passionate about – tarot card reading. Most of my work is done online. I passed some initial tests and have been working for two websites over the past few years.

The first benefit is being able to work from home and sit, warm and toasty, in front of a laptop. Having said that, however, it’s a difficult profession. You are revealing information to someone that could seriously challenge their

emotional well-being. Learning the strict boundaries needed took me a while. I always used to get too connected to clients and you can’t always afford to do that. I have had negative experiences, such as trolls coming into my chatroom, and that

can be horrible. I have had to learn to brush it off. It has also taken a lot of time to build up clients, meaning I’ve had to spend vast amounts of time online just to make sure I’m earning enough money. I get irritated by many of the popular psychics. Many are said to be fake and use psychology as the basis for reading people. They tell the clients what they want to hear, just to keep their likeable image. Life isn’t always

going to be OK and, sometimes, these psychics give us honest clairvoyants a bad name. While you must be careful not to get ripped off working online, if you find a reputable company, it can solve many of the problems of having a part-time job, such as spending money on travel and having to deal with people face-to-face if this isn’t your thing. And it doesn’t hurt to earn some extra – life is expensive. Emma Thompson

February 2015

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When they’re sharing the love a bit too much

HETHER they are gazing longingly into each others’ eyes or in the middle of a blazing row, couples can be a nightmare. There are ways to make your life easier, however, without trying to break them up. 1. Invest in ear plugs: Whether it’s love-making or shouting, ear plugs will help you get on with work. 2. Establish boundaries: The last thing you want is for the person who doesn’t pay rent to be drinking your milk, so draw the line. 3. Make friends: Getting to know your �latmate’s partner will make you feel more comfortable around them and it won’t be awkward when you’re left alone. 4. Remain respectful: Remember what it’s like to be

yourSPACE I LIVED with a guy in second year who had his girlfriend over all the time – to the point where she had practically moved in. The worst part, besides the baby talk, was how selﬁsh they were. Her laundry was everywhere and they’d take over the living room for days, leave the heating on for hours – even in warm weather – and basically disregard the rest of us. We eventually confronted them and the short story is that it got ugly. He didn’t even say goodbye when we moved out. James King, University of Birmingham

LIVING with others is difﬁcult enough at uni – and then some of them couple up, making life a special type of hell. Sleep is almost impossible because 4am is obviously the ideal time for the world to hear their bedroom activities… normally bickering over trivial matters. Natassia Tang, UCLan

Get a room: Living with a coupley couple can be awkward PICTURE: FLICKR

head-over-heels for someone. Sometimes it’s better to keep your cool and just have a laugh with them.

5. Communicate: If their relationship is making you uncomfortable or they’re distracting you from your

work, make sure you talk to them or to someone you can trust, such as a residential mentor. Olivia Clark

I LIVED with a girl whose boyfriend visited so frequently he should really have paid rent (or at least offered us some beer). Instead of cosying up on the sofa, they insisted on spending every minute together... cooking. I’m talking MasterCheflevel cooking, with huge carving knives and meat mallets. They took up the entire kitchen, chose really awkward times to cook and left heaps of washing up for us while they indulged in their Michelin-standard cuisine. And we didn’t even get a nice meal out of it. Mollie Carberry, University of Shef�ield

www.unipaper.co.uk

February 2015

yourSPACE

How to �ind the right place to live, the right people to live with and how to keep your place right

We uncover the spookiest student homes in the nation... with terrifying results

Homes with the wooooo factor

Spine-chilling: Students have reported ghostly sightings and strange sounds in their homes

oooo

BUMP in the night, a creaking �loorboard, a tap that drips no matter how many times you turn it off... Surely there is a logical explanation for what you just heard – or is there? I am convinced a ghost haunts my house in Leicester. I have called her Harriet, in the hope that will stop her from harming me. I think she lives in my attic – but, unfortunately, I don’t have a ladder to get in and reveal the truth. Sam Rose, a games WHEN viewing the house, we never asked what was in the room – we were only told not to go in there. On the top floor of our six-bedroom property is a battered doorframe, chipped and cracked, with thick, rusted double locks. It was through collective fear that, on hearing a shrieking female voice, we did the unthinkable. With a little manual labour, we managed to wrench the door open. Among the rubbish that filled the room, there were some interesting photos, along with letters from a past generation. We fixed the door – but every now and then we hear that same blood-curdling shriek and can’t explain why. Tom Bean, Bath

programming student at De Montfort University, has also had an unwelcome guest. He says: ‘The front door was being knocked on but no-one was ever there. We stood by the door and waited for the noise and found no-one. It freaked the s*** out of one of my housemates.’ He says he

was so scared some nights, he would play movies constantly with the lights on until he could get to sleep. Unbelievers will say there is an explanation – but what if there isn’t? Hannah Louise Wilson, creative writing and journalism student, De Montfort University

‘MY FRIEND was talking and joking that there might be a ghost in our house,’ says one University of Strathclyde student who lives in a spooky 200-year-old property. ‘Then the lightbulbs in the chandelier above her popped and all the lights in the house went out.’ Things got even creepier in the haunted house after the friend went home, as the doors were opening and closing all night long. Zahra Faqir, Glasgow A HOUSE near Swansea’s city centre had a ghostly woman who stalked one room. She did no harm – but in this house there was a room that was never opened. It had always been locked and gave the students living there a weird vibe. Even more surprising is that, when the room was opened by the landlord, it was spotlessly clean. Another house nearby has experienced something similar. The housemates heard footsteps coming from above. One went outside, looked up and saw an unknown woman peeping through the bedroom window. Anupama Subramaniyam JAMES ARMSTON, 21, a Liverpool John Moores University student, rented a house that came with a rocking chair in the corner. He thought no more of it until, dead in the middle of the night, the residents of the Cretan Road house walked into the room to ﬁnd the chair rocking back and forth as if someone had just stood up from it. Sophie Sear

I STARTED worrying about ghosts in Constantine Court after following a shadow into my bathroom. I’ve also seen lights ﬂickering around my room. I didn’t believe it at ﬁrst, so I recorded it on my phone. You can shrug it off but one thing’s for sure – these happenings seem to be a bit more than just a coincidence… Abigail Gillibrand, Manchester I BEGAN to notice things move places. We would also hear noises coming from rooms that were empty and locked. Then we were told that students had reported seeing a young girl. Apparently, a children’s hospital used to be where the accommodation is now. Emma Brooks, third-year media and communication student, BCU As told to Jakub Szweda

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yourSPACE

February 2015

How to find the right place to live, the right people to live with and how to keep your place right

Avoid a flap over a fill-in

Hunt down a housemate before it costs you dearly

Box clever to brighten your room

IF YOUR bedroom looks like a bomb site, you will probably find it difficult to get on with that important coursework. Keep it clutter-free with these top tips. Beautiful boxes: Pick up some quirky, patterned boxes that fit with your decor. They will also act as a good footrest when you’re studying. Out of sight: You’ve bought the new season’s fashion trends, only to realise your wardrobe is ready to burst. Store clothes in a suitcase and slide it under your bed. Hang it up: Dangle jewellery from hangers. Not only will this add a bit of colour to your room but it will remind

Neat solution: Stash junk in boxes to keep it tidy you to wear accessories you have forgotten about. Rack ‘em up: Get a shoe rack that hangs from a door and you won’t have to sacrifice

PICTURE: CHARLOTTE SEDDON

any footwear for space. Look high: Take advantage of dust-filled spaces by hiding junk on top of your wardrobe. Charlotte Seddon

OU’VE sorted who you’re living with, found a house and paid your deposit – then, out of nowhere, someone drops out, leaving you with a room to fill and bills looming. You need to get someone in as soon as possible but how are you going to do it? Here are a few steps you can take to make sure the house – and, more importantly, your bills – are shared by the right number of people. 1. Out and about: There’s no point hoping someone will come to you. Be proactive and ask people on your course. Sometimes students who live at home might want to move out in second or third year. 2. Spread the word: You could try advertising the room on your university’s noticeboards or website. Sometimes they have a

page where fellow students can advertise spare rooms. International students or people who start later in the year may be looking for a room for six months or under. It’s worth bearing this in mind if you want to get that room filled. 3. Get web smart: Websites such as student.spareroom.co.uk allow you to advertise your room, flat or house to potential tenants all over the country. It is designed specifically for students and allows you to advertise spare rooms based on your location or university campus. 4. Post it: Get on social media and post statuses and tweets with photos of the bedroom you need to fill. Get help from your friends by asking them to share your work. Gemma Sargent

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February 2015

wellFIT

Advice for a healthy lifestyle and staying in shape

Go online to get in shape

IKE CHANG, CT Fletcher, Furious Pete and the Hodgetwins may sound like obscure DJs – but they are part of a fast-growing breed of internet fitness gurus with a combined YouTube following of more than 6million. Health, fitness and workout channels have gained mass popularity as people turn to social media personalities for advice and motivation on training, diet and even the best gym apparel. Mike Chang, owner of the Six Pack Shortcuts YouTube channel, currently has more than 3million subscribers to his high-energy workout and weightlifting guide, which is thought to be one of the biggest workout channels. Online fitness coaches have the benefit of being accessible anywhere, thanks to smartphones. And, while apps and videos offer something magazines cannot, Men’s Health still boasts more than 13million readers worldwide. Anthony Gilmour

our pick of the YouTube work-outs

chosen by Samantha Coles

Blogilates

Subscribers: 1,894,736

www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCg_gh_fppI

THE detail that sprightly host Cassey goes in to makes these pilates videos perfect for beginners. Along with working the abs, legs and arms, she also explains the principles of lateral breathing, posture and form, ensuring you get your technique right. The clips are 15 to 30 minutes long and vary in difficulty, so you can increase intensity as your confidence builds, while the energetic tracks will keep you moving. Cassey also offers sound advice on ‘cheap, clean eats’.

FitnessBlender

Subscribers: 1,712,910

www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-5VTmZYDko

MOST of these workouts, created by friendly husband and wife duo Daniel and Kelli, need no equipment. If weights are required, they will suggest a household alternative – and even perform one routine lifting their puppy. With more than 300 videos ranging from four minutes to half-an-hour and more uploaded every week, you can mix it up and find something to fit every schedule and ability level. The pair also offer meal plans and nutrition advice, and post FAQ videos.

BodyRock

Subscribers: 851,909

www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjU6NVAyvs0

IF YOU’RE a fan of high-intensity impact training or have a hectic schedule, BodyRock is ideal. Offering a wide range of vids featuring some of the more unusual moves, instructor Lisa-Marie will have you sweating in less than 15 minutes. If her impressive physique isn’t motivation enough, the channel has a great community, with ‘BodyRockers’ sharing their before and after pictures. The real-time daily workouts make you feel like you’re all in it together.

February 2015

www.unipaper.co.uk

sportNEWS

Crunch matches loom as Andy eyes elite role TOM GREGGAN ANDY HARRISON is a man with his eyes on a big prize. While he juggles life as a third-year sports coaching student, managing UCLan’s men’s football second team and as a coach at Blackpool ladies reserve team, he’s looking at the bigger picture. ‘I’m hoping for a full-time coaching role when I graduate,’ he said. ‘I have already arranged interviews with clubs in the north-west, so hopefully this will be successful. ‘But if I can still fit Blackpool in then I will continue there as I

love the club and they have done so much for me, as I have for them. I feel an attachment there.’ Andy got the Blackpool job after he contacted the club secretary directly at the beginning of the 2013/14 season. ‘I was placed with the ladies squads and as pre-season came to a close, we sat down and decided on what coaches would go with which team. I took the reserves,’ he said. Andy, however, has his sights set on the highest stage. ‘I would certainly like to think I could coach at an elite level when the time is right. My next step is to complete my UEFA B

Licence and my FA Youth Mod 3,’ he said. ‘Football at elite level is very internal and often coaches get jobs through recommendations and general word of mouth, so I’m just going to take each step as it comes.’ In the meantime, he has the UCLan seconds to take care of. The team sit fourth in the league, a point behind leaders Cumbria II, with five games to go. What’s more, Andy’s seconds have been drawn against the first team in the BUCs Northern Conference Cup. They meet on February 18 at the UCLan Sports Arena. Kickofff is at 2pm. Crunch time: UCLan rugby league team stands on the brink of promotion

We must cut out errors if we want to win title

PART OF A SPORTS TEAM? Get a write-up in this month’s paper.

Contact: editor@unipaper.co.uk

IT’S crunch time for UCLan men’s rugby league team. Just two games stand between them and promotion glory – and one of those is against nearest challengers, University of Salford I. Salford sit second behind table-topping UCLan but with two games in hand. UCLan captain Liam Thompson said: ‘With the league structure the way it is, there’s no room for any slip-ups between now and the end of the season, so every game is massively important.’ Club chairman Cameron

Ladd added: ‘In this league, if you lose a game you have little chance of gaining promotion, so every game is really important. It’s even more important knowing Salford have had two really convincing wins before Christmas, so their confidence will be sky-high.’ The UCLan– Salford clash is set for February 25 and UCLan finish the BUCS Northern 2A division campaign on March 4 against Manchester Metropolitan II. And, just to add a little extra tension, Salford will

be out for revenge. ‘No doubt they will want a big performance against us after we beat them pretty convincingly last season at their own ground,’ said Cameron. But even two victories may not be enough to win the title, with Sheffield also within striking distance. Liam said: ‘At the moment, they have a better points difference, so we will need to put plenty of points on the board in our last games if we’re to win the league but we have the ability to do that.’ Anthony Gilmour

Basketball men’s double boost UCLAN’S basketball men produced two dominant performances as the weather wrecked much of the outdoor action in the latest round of BUCS matches. The firsts beat Northumbria II, while the seconds handed out a 100-25 thumping of

Manchester Met IV. Elsewhere, the men’s badminton players and the women’s hockey firsts and seconds were among the winners. Outdoor home fixtures on the grass pitches at the UCLan Sports Arena were called off because of the bad weather.

www.unipaper.co.uk

February 2015

sportNEWS

Ready for a Ram slam Our ‘Super Bowl’ has added spice TOM GREGGAN THE biggest game of the American football season is looming – and, no, it’s not the Super Bowl. Unbeaten UCLan Rams will take on rivals the Lancaster Bombers at the UCLan Sports Arena. Rams second-year wide receiver Luc Kinder and third-year linebacker and defensive co-ordinator Jamie Rattigan look ahead of the clash, which takes place as TUP goes to press. How are the team feeling ahead of the game? Luc: It’s always the fixture we want to win the most. Jamie: Oh, no doubt Lancaster’s visit has been circled on the calendars since day one of the year and there’s the buzz of excitement about it. What do you know about Lancaster? Jamie: Both teams know each other like the backs of our hands. Luc: Knowing what they can do in offence and the schemes they run allow us to work on what we think will

provide us with success. We just need to make sure that we execute our game plan with the knowledge we have on what they do. Jamie: If we do what we plan to then it doesn’t matter what Lancaster bring to the table. That being said, you’d be a fool to think this game won’t go down to the wire. The Rams are unbeaten so far but have still to face another unbeaten team in Aberystwyth. How big an achievement will it be to go all the way? Luc: Any team that goes undefeated in any league, of any sport, obviously has something special. Jamie: An unbeaten season has been the goal all year; realistically, the play-offs would be nigh on impossible to reach without a clean sweep. We aren’t willing to settle for anything less than play-offs but, again, you’d be a fool to think any of the remaining teams are going to lie down and give us the wins. The team will be hosting their annual Super Bowl party after the Lancaster

Head on: The Rams will be looking to keep their unbeaten record against the Bombers

PICTURE: CHARLOTTE BOLTON

game. What are your predictions for Super Bowl XIV? Luc: I said at the start of the season Green Bay and New England would be in the Super Bowl. Since I said New England would be there, I have to go with them. Jamie: As a Patriots fan my heart says we win it but my head says “remember the last two times we were here?”

We’re getting in step for dance showdown

EXCITEMENT is building as the UCLan dance club prepares to host its second major competition. The club will be facing teams from six other universities, competing in five categories – tap, jazz, ballet, contemporary and hip-hop. Chairwoman Maria Berna de Torres said: ‘I’m hoping for our competition to be as successful as it was last year and for UCLan dance club to be known and recognised by all the other universities. ‘While preparations are very stressful in the run-up to the competition, the dance committee are working very hard to get everything ready.

PART OF A SPORTS TEAM? Get a write-up in this month’s paper.

Contact: editor@unipaper.co.uk Hard at work: The UCLan dance club in training Last year, we took home plenty of trophies, many of them being first place, and we’re hoping to do the same this year.’ The competition is on February 7, at the Sir Tom

Finney Sports Centre, from 10am until 5pm. There will be a social after the event. For tickets, visit /www. uclansu.co.uk/events/dancecompetition-spectator.

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