Volume 16 Issue 8

bathimpact The University of Bath Students’ Union Newspaper

Volume 16 Issue 8

Your newspaper. Your news.

15

facebook.com/bathimpact

VOTE

Tuesday 3rd March 2015

Vote be tween:

10 th-12 th

electionsp

March

ecial 20

15

Elections Special pullout in the centre of paper

EXCLUSIVE: General Election polling results

ARTS AT BATH: Is there room at Bath for the arts?

Is there room for the Arts at Uni of Bath?

Marianne Gros and Deputy Editor Benjamin Butcher consider how the Arts are being supported at the University of Bath, particularly given the recent opening of the new Arts and Mangement Building. After only 45% of students claimed to be satisfied with the arts in a survey last year, we ask why this is and what is needed to change the perception problem at Bath.

HWUPetroleum

See more page 4

EDUCATION: Black people under-represented

Uni of Bath falls short in black representation Maighna Nanu looks at a recent report by the Runnymede Trust which has revealed that the proportion of black lecturers and students at the University of Bath is below that of the national average. She considers the reasons behind this disproportion and how this issue of under-representation can be addressed by the University.

See more page 5

Greens have support of 26% of student body, poll suggests A quarter of students back the Conservatives, with another quarter still undecided

GREEN SURGE ARRIVES IN BATH A

recent poll conducted by bathimpact has revealed that almost half of students at the University of Bath intend to vote for either the Conservative party or the Greens at this year’s general election, with the latter coming out top of the poll with 26 per cent of the vote share.

The results of the poll indicate that over three-quarters of Bath students have registered to vote, with less than one per cent not intending to vote at all in the election. The poll also found that the economy is the central issue which is of greatest important to students, receiving 30 per cent of the vote share, whilst inequality and health care are also of great focus for many students at the University.

Full story page 6

2

Tuesday 3rd March 2015

bathimpact

Editorials

facebook.com/bathimpact

Journalists need free rights T

he current state of the media and journalistic ethics were again thrown into disrepute last week with the very public resignation of The Telegraph’s Chief Political Commentator, Peter Oborne.

On February 22 Oborne published an article on Open Democracy, explaining why he had resigned from Britain’s premier Conservative broadsheet. He cited the poor running of the paper under the ownership of the Barclay brothers, the fact Murdoch MacLennan, the chief executive of the Telegraph Media Group, was taking readers for granted, and the arrival of “click culture”, as instances that inflicted “incalculable damage on the reputation of the paper”. These were fundamental factors in his decision to leave.

The decline in standards in journalism is a fairly common discussion at present, with publications searching for anything that will build online advertising revenue and resorting to Buzzfeed style clickbait articles. However, more crucially, and with more sinister

implications, Oborne also lambasted the paper for its coverage of the HSBC scandal.

HSBC suspended its advertising account with The Telegraph in 2013 following an investigation by the paper into accounts held with HSBC in Jersey. After this, reporters were ordered to destroy evidence of the investigation and stories critical of the bank were declined; with a former Telegraph journalist claiming “anything that mentioned money-laundering was just banned”. The papers main priority was getting the contract back and the quality of journalism declined significantly as a result. This culminated in an almost complete refusal to cover the recent BBC Panorama story about HSBC engaging in wide-scale tax evasion through its Swiss banking arm.

Following Oborne’s revelations, The Telegraph delved deeper into the journalistic swamp when, rather than face the allegations seriously, they attempted to smear other publications with the same brush.

They did this without any mention

of Oborne and it included a vile attempt to capitalise on the tragic deaths of two members of the News UK, publisher of the Times and Sun, commercial department. This was cruel and crass, a move more associated with the gutter press than a publication renowned for its serious investigative journalism.

A red-top tabloid executive claimed that “In almost 30 years on Fleet Street I have never seen broadsheets have a go at each other with such viciousness”, and this turn is perhaps indicative of the intense pressures the traditional press is coming under to adapt to a changing media environment.

They eventually released one article concerning Oborne’s statement. An editorial that reeked of desperation and had the tone of a hostage with Stockholm Syndrome; smiling for the camera and reading their lines, barely feeling the revolver pressed into their back anymore.

The Telegraph is the most public example of the problem, but it is far from the only culprit. In his article Oborne describes the “rise of

shadowy executives” in many British publications, portraying a very Chomskyam, Propaganda Model of the press.

This is not just restricted to the national press either. There have been numerous stories in recent months about universities restricting the freedom of student papers who have written controversial or critical articles. Here at bathimpact, for example, we are unable to discuss commercial club nights that compete with SCORE or Klass on Wednesday’s or Saturdays, whilst we are also bound by the Union’s agreement with A-List. These are minor issues in the grand scheme of things, yet they are examples of how commercial demands can impact journalism at every level.

A free press is crucial for the working of any democracy at every level, from student to local to national. We must fight against these worrying trends and work to expose them when they occur, as Peter Oborne has done, to make sure that the discourse he has enlivened continues and produces positive change.

Don’t lose your voice: register A re you registered to vote in this year’s general election? You should be. Voter apathy is a terrible thing and means we are losing our right to decide the make-up of the UK government.

You might think that right now your vote in Bath will be a drop in a Yellow Liberal Democrat ocean, but you’d be wrong.

A month ago only about 20% of students in Bath had registered to vote in the constituency, a depressingly low number. We at bathimpact urge you to register and vote, especially as this election will be particularly interesting due to opinion of the Lib Dems slumping with their perceived weakness in the current coalition.

How much this is going to affect the results remains to be seen, but it will make the voting less rigid this year and gives all major parties a realistic chance of claiming

the Bath and North East Somerset seat.

Apathy is going to be directly responsible for the strong student vote we have here being squandered and parties getting in charge that wouldn’t if we’d had a say. The number of students in Bath is around 20,000 which makes up a large percentage of the eligible voters.

If your argument is that they’re all as bad as each other and there’s no point voting for the lesser of the evils, that exact attitude is the one which has weakened the power of the vote in the first place; a vicious cycle is started turning by people not voting. This means parties can rely on keeping a seat in a particular constituency because people cannot be bothered to fight against them, they just let it go. Safe seats shouldn’t be a thing, and every party should have

to fight to earn votes in every election.

The deadline for registering to vote is the 20th of April so you still have about seven weeks to register. Make sure you do it so that your voice can be heard in May. This year in Bath there is a new candidate for every party who are represented in this constituency - even Don Foster, the Lib Dem chief candidate, who has been in charge since he first ran in 1992, is stepping aside.

You should take some time to familiarise yourself with them as one will be running the show soon.

If the above hasn’t stirred up your passions, just remember you’ll have your entire adult years to get beat down and disillusioned with the world of politics, but you’re a plucky young student who’s supposed to care about stuff like this.

If you are still unconvinced, remember that the right to vote is a privilege of citizens in the country. In many countries across the world, people lose their life trying to get a fair voting system so that their voice can be heard, not drowned out by mogul, controlling leaders. Even in the UK, voting rights have come a long way since they were first introduced. The suffragettes campaigned to enable women to have equal voting opportunities to men and would be disgusted if they knew that their hard work was being wasted by people who were too lazy or disinterested to even register.

Therefore, if you do one thing tonight, register yourself to vote at https://www.gov.uk/register-tovote and make sure students and student issues are taken seriously by the candidate who will be representing us.

Is racism still rife in society?

L

ast month Chelsea football fans were seen and filmed preventing a black man from boarding a Paris metro train just before the team’s Champions League fixture against Paris Saint-Germain. Chanting “We’re racist, we’re racist and that’s the way we like it”, the hooligans reminded us all that racism in sport – or in any respect – is far from being eradicated.

Racism is no longer just associated with extreme right-wing populist movements such as the National Front in the 1970s and 1980s, or the English Defence League in the present day in this

country; instead it hides behind all parts of society. Consider the West Ham fans who were allegedly singing anti-semitic chants and mocking disabled people just days after the incident with Chelsea. Racist chants have long been associated with football hooliganism, but bathimpact believes that we cannot truly blame the sport in this case. With key players such as Ramires and Didier Drogba in the Chelsea squad, it can hardly be said that the club itself is invoking racist behaviour, nor can it be said that the chants made on the metro in February make any sense or have any form of ‘justi-

fication’, given the demographics of the team they support. Surely these football fans would not stop John Obi Mikel from getting on a train? bathimpact believes that the problem lies much deeper than just being the norm in the world of football. bathimpact argues that this inherent racism lies within society itself, not just a sport. How this problem can be tackled, however, remains unknown. It is not enough for footballers such as Rio Ferdinand calling for more to be done about racism in football or in society as a whole; this is not a case where

quotas or positive discrimination or any form of affirmative action can take place. The reality is that this is an issue of people’s attitudes to others, and attitudes are far harder to change than physical discrimination which can be seen and perhaps be fixed.

Last year Chelsea Manager Jose Mourinho claimed that “there is no racism in football”. Though there is a vast amount of evidence that appears to conflict with this statement, bathimpact believes that racism amongst football fans is perhaps even more prevalent, as well as in the case with society as a whole.

The bathimpact team Matt Powell Editor-in-Chief impact-editor@bath.ac.uk

Benjamin Butcher Deputy Editor-in-Chief impact-deputy@bath.ac.uk

John Barlow bite Editor impact-bite@bath.ac.uk

Ramiye Thavabalasingam News and Comment Editor impact-news@bath.ac.uk

Alexandra Egan Features Editor impact-features@bath.ac.uk

Michael Powell Sport Editor impact-sport@bath.ac.uk

Olly Bailey Photography Editor impact-photo@bath.ac.uk

Thomas Gane Online Editor impact-it@bath.ac.uk

Connor McGregor Morton Publicity Officer impact-publicity@bath.ac.uk

Siân Maria Morgan Design Editor impact-design@bath.ac.uk

This member is Campbell involved in an Elliott Media Officer election campaign and so did not handlesu-media-offi contentcer@bath.ac.uk in this issue

Advertising Enquires Helen Freeman H.Freeman@bath.ac.uk 01225 386806

www.facebook.com/bathimpact @bathimpact

bathimpact Students’ Union University of Bath Bath BA2 7AY 01225 38 6151

The opinions expressed in bathimpact are not necessarily those of the bathimpact editors nor of the University of Bath Students’ Union. Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the information contained in this publication is correct and accurate at the time of going to print, the publisher cannot accept any liability for information which is later altered or incorrect. bathimpact as a publication adheres to the Press Complaints Commission’s Code of Conduct.

Please contact them for any information.

Tuesday 3rd March 2015

bathimpact

News

facebook.com/bathimpact

3

expressimpact

cartoon of the fortnight

The number of zero hour contracts used by British companies last summer.

£5000

The amount per day that Jack Straw allegedly charges firms for using his influence in the EU

figures of the fortnight

1.8m

News Lite

infographic of the fortnight

UPCOMING EVENT

NATIONAL

UPCOMING EVENT

The General Election BIG Debate. An opportunity to put Bath’s parliamentary candidates to the test. Quiz the candidates on their stance on student issues and national affairs, with representatives from all the local parties attending.

Greater Manchester has become the first English region to receive full control of its health spending, as a part of plans to extend regionally devolved powers. The £6 billion health and social care budget will now be in the hands of the region’s councils and health groups, according to Chancellor George Osborne.

One Young World Summit. The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences has launched a competition for two students to attend this year’s Summit.

The entry deadline is the 27th March.

For more information, visit: http:// www.bath.ac.uk/hss/oyw2015/

EDUCATION

UPCOMING EVENT

INTERNATIONAL

Members of an LGBT society at Westminster University have pushed a petition to stop a preacher accused of homophobic views from speaking at the University. The petition, which has received 2,500 signatures so far, asks for Haitham al-Haddad not to preach on campus the day before it hosts a national gay pride event.

Grease. Bath University Student Musicals Society presents their adaptation of the musical classic about the ups and downs of teen love in the 1950s.

Tickets are available from the ICIA website or the box office.

The Austrian parliament has passed a controversial reform to the country’s 1912 law on Islam. The law saw Islam become an official religion of the country, with the new bill seeking to give Muslims greater legal security, but also banning the foreign funding of mosques and imams, in an attempt to tackle Islamist extremism.

When: Thursday 16th April Where: University Hall

When: 11th-14th March Where: The Edge Theatre

When: 18th-21st November Where: Bangkok

Follow us on Twitter @bathimpact

4

Tuesday 3rd March 2015

News

bathimpact facebook.com/bathimpact

What they say

“ “ “ “

I think the attitude is wrong. I think they should give us money to make experiences better, rather than balancing the books” Ethan Duffy, Chair of BUST

Greater emphasis is put on sport. We are famous for it after all.

But if you look for it, you will find everything you want” Tom Burgess, Chair of BUSMS

It feels like a lot of other universities put a lot more into the Arts, so we must, if we want to keep Bath on the map” Molly Noble, Chair of BodySoc

I think things will improve with the new ICIA building, but the University is in danger of turning arts at Bath into a business of its own” Matt Kemp, Chair of MusicSoc

“

The arts building is not adequate as the one room suitable for us doesn’t allow shoes; vital for salsa” Sonia Cristina Codreanu Chair of SalsaSoc

Benjamin Butcher and Marianne Gros Deputy Editor-in-Chief & bathimpact Reporter

T

he University of Bath prides itself on student satisfaction. For the past two years, we have triumphed in the National Student Survey, coming first in the country, most recently with a 93% overall satisfaction rate. Qualified staff, a vast array of teams and societies as well as stellar teaching and sporting facilities are amongst the highlights of our university experience, the aim being that – wherever a student wants to get involved – they have the opportunity to do so.

Yet within this emerges a startling buck to the trend. When asked by a Which? consumer magazine survey in 2014, the University scored a disappointing 45% satisfaction rating in the institution’s creative prospects.

The University’s poor performance regarding the Arts has not gone unnoticed, and a lot has changed since the survey was conducted. The opening of the £10 million Arts and Management building, bemusingly christened as the Edge, finally offers somewhat appropriate facilities for our art enthusiasts, notably an avantgarde Arts Theatre, multiple studios and practice rooms designed to cater for all of the University’s 18 arts societies. It symbolises a genuine effort on behalf of the University to prioritise the Arts and their impact on students.

Students’ Union Activities Officer Freddy Clapson sees the building as a key step, saying “Last year we didn’t have any sort of arts theatre. Not having such a place is obviously going to hit our arts performance. Hopefully that rating will increase with the new arts centre” Having the facilities has already proven beneficial to some, relieving societies like ChAOS, the University’s orchestral society, and BodySoc, the contemporary dance society, from the burden of having to practice in the Chancellor’s Building.

Although it is now open and available for use, the funding for The Edge has dried up, leaving the building unpolished and the target of sharp criticism. BUST, the University’s theatre group, mentioned that stage doors were not large enough to fit sets through. SalsaSoc are unable to use the dance studios, as they were designed for bare-foot dancing only.

The lack of funding is something John Struthers, Director of the Institute of Contemporary and Interdisciplinary Arts, who manages the arts at Bath, is wary of. John was unsure of the cost, but it is estimated to be as high as £60,000.

Rooms need better soundproofing, instruments looked after and sound systems attached. These are small problems, but ones which could have been prevented if con-

Hugh Wren

Is there room for the arts at Bath?

University of Bath Arts activities range from workshops to productions, including Spring Awakening sultation with societies, the main “It’s pretty much bad financial that Bath has a solid base for those beneficiaries of the building, had management from certain socie- interested in the arts. But attitubeen better. ties. The way in which the funding dinal changes take time; many of On paper, the problem may ap- works, and is very business prac- the Arts societies offer an excelpear to be rooted in funding. Each tice, is that if you haven’t spent all lent experience to their members, year, the Students’ Union is given your money, you don’t need that through events, lessons, rehearsa ‘block grant’ by the University much next year. So if you’re allo- als and socials, but it isn’t publicly which, in turn, is allocated to the cated £1000 but only spend £500, broadcasted. various arms of the SU. In the at the end of the year, if a society Equally, the 85 societies, which 2013-14 academic year, sports re- has that much money in their ac- organise over 500 events throughceived a generous annual budget count, they’ll drop our budget by out the year, either in an official of just over £183,000, dwarfing that much.” or casual capacity, have only two that of societies which received But the perception that Bath is full-time members of staff dealing £50,000. In light of an unequal a sports university as opposed to with everything from budgeting to distribution of the grant, the SU a well-rounded one is an ongoing organisation. is seen as increasingly biased to- problem, and one that is deeply “I am working on the staff and wards sport clubs at the expense rooted in the University’s history. realise that we are massively unof the Arts.

John Struthers claims that, hav- derstaffed,” Freddy told us. If Additional funding, it seems, is ing been hired as the first Director Sports generate more revenue, often problematic. Money means of Arts sixteen years ago, sports there is greater incentive to enpower and greater possibility to had long been the focus of the in- hance their publicity, and allocate deliver. Many committee members stitution as “we were science and resources in terms of budget and would like to see a greater flow of mainly male”. The sporting prow- staff cash to organise trips, competi- ess of the University had been The institutions are committed tions, professional workshops and a consequence of the situation, to enhancing the arts, from John, purchase costumes. In this aspect, rather than one of deliberate pri- who campaigns fiercely for more it is difficult not to compare the oritisation. money for better equipment, to arts with sports, some of whom – On this point the SU is clear: Freddy, who deals with student perhaps deservedly, given the Uni- the sports are not prioritised. groups whenever they approach him. It has just been buried versity’s reputation – have every John Morgan told us that, in never-ending adneed catered for from professional “If one area [sports] ministrative work, coaches to therapists. The amount is well funded, but the search for of time, effort and resources given under pressure, sustainability to the athletic environment at the it is difficult to and energyUniversity continues to uphold its tell that area need draining national reputation of sporting ex- they less”. Sports power policellence. tics, leaving However, in relation to society have a wellstudents disfunding, the issue is not as black e s t a b l i s h e d illusioned by and white as it seems, and there history of perthe University’s is a lack of correlation between forming to elite ability and will to Art societies’ complaints and the standards, which more support them.

SU’s response. John Morgan, Fi- requires But within the picnance Director of the SU, told money and, ultimately, ture of a creative environbathimpact that, “Societies horrif- gains greater publicity and ically underspend their budget. If attention; both internally and to ment hidden by the successes of sport emerges a group of students they’re not going to spend it, we’re the outside world.

Perhaps it is the shadow cast committed to their individual pasnot going to give it to them. The by sport that makes it appear less sions: “The point for us is people budget is there to be spent.”

There is some truth in this. prioritised; a university which who want to be involved can be inWhilst sports societies found already excels will attract sports volved”, the Chair of BUSMS told themselves considerably over students, and member from the us. This is the key to achieving the budget in 2012/13, the arts socie- arts societies are aware that this, necessary reputation that would ties themselves (albeit to differing and the fact that the University of- raise awareness and encourages levels) had a surplus of a over a fers no arts-based degrees, plays students to fully engage with the Arts. Only then will the University thousand pounds. Mismanage- against them.

The new ICIA building could of Bath be considered as a wellment of budgets is something which Freddy Clapson has noticed act as a symbol in that way, en- rounded institution, committed to couraging prospective students perfect student experience. and considers as the main issue:

Tuesday 3rd March 2015

bathimpact

News

facebook.com/bathimpact

5

Maighna Nanu bathimpact Contributor tudies from the last year show that only 0.85% of lecturers at the University of Bath are black compared to the national average of 1.48%.

Similarly, a mere 1.7% of UKbased students in Bath identify as black compared to the national average of around 6%, figures from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (Hesa, 2012/13) suggest.

A Freedom of Information request also revealed that the University of Bath had ‘less than five’ black professors. The exact number could not be given due to data protection laws.

The revelations emerge as the debate surrounding the lack of black representation in academia and higher education continues to grow.

S

The University of Bath itself has recognised the necessity to “attract a more diverse student body through a number of outreach initiatives”, and state that in the last six years, there has in fact been a 4% increase in black and minority ethnic (BME) students (or students of non-white descent).

However, a disparity between student attainment for white students and black students prevails, with 10% more white students achieving First-Class degrees, as well as the pay gap between white and black employees being 4.2% higher for the former.

A recent report by the Runnymede Trust highlighted the fact that in spite of marginal increases in BME students, they are still underrepresented at the best universities and less likely to get the same jobs as their white counterparts.

How we do we compare?

Black academic staff

Black students

Bath (orange) falls behind nationally (green) in black representation

HWUPetroleum

Bath falls behind on black lecturers

Black students make up just 1.16 per cent of the student population at the University of Bath Guyanese descent for Tottenham, Staggeringly low figures such as make-up of the area.

This might explain why London, who recognises that although unithere being only 15 black academics in positions of senior authority and for example, has a black population versities, such as the University of only 17 black female professors in of 13% and King’s College London Bath, acknowledge the problem the entire British university system has 2% of black lecturers and 6.3% of race inequality, in spite of their are amongst the findings of the re- of Black students respectively, both “lofty ideals… they do no better – and are in fact doing worse…when figures above the national average. port.

Despite this, actions are being it comes to race equality”.

On the other hand, Bath is well The University of Bath Students’ renowned for being a predominant- taken by the University of Bath to ly white area and black residents combat such inequality by means Union Community Officer Tommy only constitute 0.8% of its popula- of further research into why black Parker has stated “The University staff are not progressing to the needs to look into the lack of black tion.

In a similar vein, the fact that same level as their white colleagues, lecturures and senior staff very criti0.85% of lecturers are black and as well as raising awareness of this cally. Having role models within the institution is incredibly important, 1.16% of students are black is sig- inequality.

Conversely, the essence of the not only in promoting diversity, but nificant as there are in fact a higher proportion of black students and problem is perhaps encompassed showing black students that they lecturers than reflect the ethnic best by David Lammy, an MP of can get into the world of academia.”

Alisha Lobo bathimpact Contributor niversities are giving students more First Class Honours than ever before, information from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (Hesa) suggests.

At the University of Bath there has been a continuous rise from 23% to 28% of graduates receiving the grade in the past few years.

Nationally, between 1995 and 2013 the number of Firsts being awarded has increased from 7% to 14%.

The University of Bath is one of the most generous when it comes to grading with just Imperial College London, University College London and University of Oxford handing out more Firsts.

Meanwhile, the total number of Upper Second Class Honours made up 53% of total grades at the university, whilst Lower Seconds and Third Class degrees was just under 20% for the 2012/12 academic year.

Alan Smithers, Director of the Centre for Education and Employment Research at the University of Buckingham has suggested the grade inflation was due to increased pressure on universities: “Universities are under pressure to improve league table standings and higher degrees provide this league ranking’s links with funding and attraction of international stu-

U

Southern Arkansas University

Bath leads country in Firsts awarded

The University of Bath awards the fourth highest number of First Class degrees in the country Adding to this, research con- ment (PISA) results show that the dents to the university.”

However, a University spokes- ducted by Lancaster University at- UK education standards to be stagperson said on the increase in tributes the increase in grades to nant at best.

In the 1990’s only 8% of stutop grades, “We have raised our the rising caliber of students being entrance requirements for many accepted into universities. As stu- dents received firsts. There has courses over the last few years and dents hold better A- level results been a steady increase in university Bath students are amongst the and therefore are “better prepared” population as more people have access to higher education than ever for university life. brightest in the country.”

In the same research it was before. The make up of the univer“Our world-leading research informs our learning and teach- also found that there was leniency sity population has changed due to ing and equips our graduates with amongst top universities where the steady increase in international the latest thinking in their fields. they were 8% more likely to award students over the past 29 years.

Equally, there has also been a Coupled with this is the diversifica- higher degrees after A- level differtremendous change in the course tion of assessment...we expect our ences were taken into account.

However, whilst this may be the structure, moving away from exstudents to do well in their degrees and are very proud of the results case, the recent 2012 Programme ams to incorporation of coursefor International Student Assess- work and lab reports contributthey achieve.”

ing to the overall grade inflation as there is an increased ability to score higher in these aspects of the course.

However, some may argue that these aspects of the course allow students to improve their skills of analytical and evaluative research, among others. Skills that, are conducive to the current job market. In this new course structure students are also able to re-sit exams, which facilitate higher grades.

The increased use of modern technology has allowed for past paper access, online lectures, vast educational resources to be made available to students. This supports statements that students are indeed more prepared than ever before.

In this respect the use of modern technology has also allowed students easier avenues to plagiarise, despite strict guidelines with harsh penalties by universities.

In the past it was seen that university degrees would grant you automatic employment, albeit it was an opportunity reserved for the few elite or fortunate ones in society. However, in today’s competitive job market it would appear that students strive for at the very minimum a 2:1 in order to seek employment.

Employers now exercise far more tests and interviews as part of the vetting process prior to employment for graduates.

6

Tuesday 3rd March 2015

bathimpact

News

facebook.com/bathimpact

Greens come out top at Uni of Bath poll Ramiye Thavabalasingam News Editor impact-news@bath.ac.uk

O

ver a quarter of University of Bath students are set to vote for the Green Party at this year’s general election, according to a new poll conducted by bathimpact.

The Greens, who won the vote of 26% of those surveyed, were followed closely behind by the Conservative Party, which received a 23% vote share in the poll.

These figures correspond to the results of recent polls amongst young people at a national level, as a recent YouGov poll revealed that the Greens and the Tories are level pegging amongst the youth vote, with 22 per cent of 18 to 24 year olds across the country planning to vote for each of the parties.

Despite Young Greens, the youth wing of the Green party, having just over half the number of members nationally as Conservative Future, the Tories’ respective youth outlet, the Greens have received widespread support from the student community in Bath. Both parties have significantly more youth members than any other political party, with the Conservatives doing particularly well in terms of party membership, as Conservative Future has 15,000 members nationally.

This strength in the parties’ youth movements make both the Greens and Conservatives appear to have a significant amount of support amongst young people both nationally and within Bath at the moment, as polls can only show so much - many young voters are still undecided, with a quarter of students at the University

of Bath being unsure of who to vote for.

Secretary of the University of Bath Conservative Future Roberto Di Paola told bathimpact that he is “very pleased” with the survey results, adding that “it illustrates that students are supportive of the work the Conservatives have done in a wide range of areas, especially the economy. “[This result] comfortably challenges the conventional wisdom that the Conservatives will not eat into the student vote, which will be a decisive voting bloc in the upcoming election.”

Arguably this recent surge in Green support at the University, as well as nationally, is greatly connected to the failure of the Liberal Democrats to implement the youth-friendly policies they had laid out in their 2010 election manifesto.

General Election 2015 poll results Are you registered to vote in Bath (%)?

Are you registered to vote (%)?

Yes

Yes No

No

If the election were tomorrow, who would you vote for (%)?

Policies

77%

Want a change of government

The Greens (green) and Conservatives (blue) are neck and neck, with Labour (red) trailing behind. Meanwhile, the Lib Dems (yellow) are ahead of ‘other’ (light grey). Almost a quarter are undecided (black).

6%

4%

Party leader How will/did you decide which party to vote for?

Fixing the economy, jobs Healthcare, NHS Immigration Europe Education Inequality, tax avoidance Environment Social equality, minority rights None of the above/Other Don’t Know

Which one issue is the most important in the upcoming election for you (%)?

The Lib Dems lost a significant amount of student support since the last general election, receiving just 6% of the vote share in the bathimpact poll. The Greens are now seen by many young people - particularly students who had voted Lib Dem primarily based on their position on tuition fees - as the only liberal alternative.

Whilst the student population continues to look at Nick Clegg with distrust, students now look to the Green party for so-called ‘youth policies’ such as the scrapping of tuition fees. Many Bath students may have felt particularly betrayed by the Lib Dems after the passing of the Article 4 direction by the Lib Dem-led council, which placed greater restrictions on the development of Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).

Meanwhile, images of Caroline Lucas, Green MP for Brighton Pavilion, getting arrested for protesting against fracking further persuade many young people that the Green Party is the only party willing to fight for leftwing values.

Jamie Smith, the Green Party’s local candidate for the Oldfield Park ward and University of Bath student, has said the party is “delighted” by the results, adding, “As a student at the university it’s fantastic to see so many students engaging with our policies like scrapping tuition fees.

“This poll shows people have seen we are about more than just the environment and backs up that we are nationally ahead with young people.

I’m thrilled that so many people will be turning out to vote in the general and local elections and will be voting Green. We really can and will make real gains in BANES in this election.”

Whilst the Labour party comes out top amongst 18 to 24 year olds at a national level (receiving about 32 per cent of the vote share in the same poll), University of Bath students do not appear to be so convinced.

Just 15 per cent of those surveyed said they would vote for the opposition party, despite the Bath Labour party aiming young with their candidate being 19-yearold university student Ollie Middleton. Labour’s success in the West Country has, however, long been limited, with just 13 out of 50 constituencies in the South West being held by the party; the constituency of Bath has, in fact, never elected a Labour candidate to Parliament.

Thus it is unsurprising that the figures for the Labour party from University of Bath students do not match those of their counterparts nationally.

Perhaps even more unsurprising is the support for the UK Independence Party amongst the University’s student population; less than 1% of those surveyed said that they intend to vote for UKIP at this year’s general election, despite the party’s attempts to push for the youth vote.

In terms of voting behaviour, the

overwhelming majority of University of Bath students consider policies to be of utmost importance. When asked: ‘How will/did you decide which party to vote for?’, over threequarters of those surveyed answered that the party’s policies best match their views, with just 5 per cent voting for a party based on their family’s views, with a similar proportion of students voting based on the party leader.

The poll also found that just over a fifth of University of Bath students have yet to register to vote, whilst only 1% do not intend to vote at all at the general election. Additionally, eligible

“

The poll shows..we are about more than just the environment Jamie Smith, Green local candidate for Oldfiiled Park

student voters at the University appear to be split fifty-fifty in terms of voting at either their home constituency or voting in Bath.

The survey conducted by bathimpact also looked into issues which students at the University found particularly relevant for the general election.

When asked “Which one issue is the most important in the upcoming election for you?”, 30% said ‘fixing the economy, jobs’; despite the national unemployment rate continuing to decrease, youth unemployment remains at its worst since 20 years ago, with young people aged 16 to 24 being three times more likely to be unemployed.

With figures such as these, it is not surprising that amongst students, the economy, and jobs in particular, is the most important issue in this year’s election.

Other significant issues for Bath students included ‘inequality, income disparities, tax avoidance’ (17% of the vote share), ‘education, universities, tuition fees’ (16%, and ‘healthcare, NHS’ (12%). Immigration did not come out as particularly important to Bath students, with just 3% of those surveyed arguing that it is the most important issue for this election, despite it being considered to be among one of the most significant issues at a national level.

Young people aged 18 to 24 represent 24.4% of eligible voters in Bath, making the student vote particularly significant for this constituency. This is especially true for this year’s general election, as the incumbent MP, Liberal Democrat Don Foster, will be stepping down from his post, leaving the election open to all the party political candidates, and giving students in Bath the opportunity to swing the election.

The survey was conducted with individuals on a face-to-face basis and polled 356 eligible, prospective voters.

Monday 3rd March 2015

bathimpact facebook.com/bathimpact

News

7

Michael Powell Sports Editor impact-sport@bath.ac.uk

N

ominations have closed for this year’s Student Union Officer elections with 19 students standing for the five positions, SU President, SU Community Officer, SU Education Officer, SU Activities Officer and SU Sports Editor.

President and activities are the most popular positions this year with 6 candidates standing for each position, whilst just two are standing for both community and education. There are 3 candidates for the Sport Officer position with all three candidates currently on the Sports Exec. There is an even split between the genders with 10 females and 9 males running in the elections.

All candidates’ online profiles went live yesterday (Monday 2 March) and campaigning will begin on Friday. All people standing for election will be seen around campus trying to build up support and gain votes.

POCs will stand on parade and visit lectures to outline the main aims of their manifestos and portray their visions for the year ahead if they are elected.

There will be questions to candidates on Monday 9 March and Tuesday 10 March with the polls

opening at 09.00 on the Tuesday.

All questions to candidates will take place in the student centre in the Students Union with the Activities Officer debate taking place at 13.15 on Monday, President’s at 18.15 on Monday and the other three positions all taking place at 13.15 on Tuesday. The polls, in which all students can vote for their preferred candidates, will remain open for just under 3 days, closing at 22.00 on Thursday 13 March. Results for all five positions will be announced on Friday 13 March during the Week-end warmup in the SU. This year saw the ‘Recommend a Friend’ campaign launched, a new initiative introduced to encourage more students to stand in elections. This appears to have been successful with more people nominating themselves this year than last year when only 11 students stood for election. The SU then ran information sessions during the first week of February to help those considering standing for any of the posts including information on how to write a manifesto and how to carry out a successful campaign.

The students who are elected represent student opinion on all matters at the University and will sit on several University committees including the Senate and

bathimpact

SU Officer elections process begins

The five elected SU officers will listen to students views and help shape the university’s future Council, Senate, Students’ Union University by working with people with the current officers speding (CSSU), both of which are chaired in the local community, our volun- two weeks to hand over the reigns.

They will then spend 12 months by the university’s Vice Chancellor. teers and some fantastic engaged Each of the individual officer students and made sure student’s in their position helping to shape the future of the university and roles have their own area of re- needs are met.”

No doubt, those elected this putting across students views to sponsibility and have collective year will feel the same sense of the various boards that they sit on. and team obligations.

Current SU Community Officer duty and have had a positive im- With a number of student issues Tommy Parker commented “Be- pact of University life when their currently hot topics in the public domain, all officers will be attending an SU Officer has been such a term finishes.

The newly elected officers will ing important meetings throughrewarding experience. I’ve been able to help shape the future of the start their roles during the summer out the year.

8

Tuesday 3rd March 2015

bathimpact

Comment

facebook.com/bathimpact

BME students put off of academia

BME students appear to be put acts with the few BME students on campus, I know only of a few that actually aspire to become academics. Exploring this further led me to two main reasons: status and lack of confidence.

Historically, black people have always been the servants to society, serving in roles like nannies and even teachers. Perhaps this has led to people seeking to disassociate themselves from such stereotypes even though the sta-

off by a career in academia as a result of a lack of confidence tus of a professor is held in quite until having done the approprihigh regard. Also from young ages ate research. Those that said they the media bombards the minds of might pursue academia feared people to understand that in or- being discriminated against in der to gain this status you will the process. A fear that isn’t reeither have to be athletic or artis- dundant, having spoken to one tic, Academia has never been por- of very few black female profestrayed as something that is finan- sors at a recent NUS conference, cially rewarding or fulfilling. That we discussed the discrimination being said the wage of an aver- she faced in the duration of her age professor at the University of career.

We can even look at James Bath is approximately £70,000, a fact that I myself did not know Watson who helped to develop

what we know today as the Watson crick model of DNA, his achievements were celebrated and his racist and sexist views were completely overlooked and swept under the rug. Even historically BME people have never actually been acknowledged for the achievements and contributions to science and medicine examples of which we need look no further then our pages and accounts in our numbering system which originated in the Arab regions of the world, a fact unknown to many. However names like Thomas Edison are household names even though ironically he wasn’t actually the inventor of the light bulb. So even the prospect of recognition is muted and this in itself may lead BME students to believe that even if one should chose to pursue a career in academia that their pursuits will be in vain.

If we look at the risks vs rewards of pursuing a career in academia as a BME student the rewards are practically non-existent apart from the financial and even so one could easily raise to this financial status in other respects at a much faster rate and also be recognized so the final thought that comes to mind is why bother?

Liam Gowing bathimpact Writer hat do politicians fear most?

Recessions?

Scandals? Global catastrophes? Any of these things is perfectly understandable. But a bacon sandwich? Perhaps less so. Unless of course your name is Ed Miliband. If you are a member of Mr Miliband’s press team you probably fear nothing more than a repeat of his encounter with said savoury snack. This is modern politics. It is wrong.

Ever since Ed Miliband was elected leader of the Labour Party in 2010 he has been publicly scrutinised for his persona; his mannerisms; he has been portrayed as socially awkward and weak. Every

opportunistic journalist around seems to point a camera in his direction hoping to catch him pulling a strange face or, god forbid, eating a sandwich. It is hard to feel sorry for a politician but at times it seems as if Milibandbaiting is the media’s new favourite game. Rarely is there a discussion about Miliband that does not draw reference to his appearance or his perceived weakness. Is this what politics has become? A glorified popularity contest for the TOWIE generation?

Politics is not about – or rather it should not be about – charisma and persona – about how good the candidate is at speaking. It should be about what they are actually saying. Take President

Obama as an example. He is extremely charismatic, a brilliant speaker and a very likable man.

But has this made him a great president? Many would argue it has not.

Politics seems to be becoming more about the person and less about the policies. This is a worrying development. The rise of UKIP is seen as a reflection of a mounting discontent for the old guard of British politics: rich middle-aged white men. UKIP are the exciting new kids on the block and Nigel Farage is their frontman. He has been fantastic at manipulating the press with repeated photographs of him appearing down-to-earth with beer in hand and grin on his face. He is very charismatic and extremely appealing to many people because of it. He has successfully distracted many people from seeing what he actually is: a rich middle-aged white man.

In October and November of last year UKIP gained their first elected MPs. Douglas Carswell and Mark Reckless both defected from the Conservatives, triggering by-elections that they won by significant majorities. This was seen as a major victory for UKIP and has made Westminster take them seriously. But does it not in fact provide evidence of something else? What is often overlooked is the fact that both of these men won their Conservative seats in 2010 by similarly large majorities. While the Conserva-

tives and UKIP are both on the right-hand side of the political spectrum, other similarities are hard to come by. In fact, the public knowledge of UKIP’s policies is pretty limited. And this is worrying. Is it not the case that these two MPs won their seats not because of the policies of the Party they belong to but because of who they are – their charisma and public persona?

Don Foster has been MP for Bath since 1992 and has consistently won significant majorities over his opponents. This is despite the policies of his Party evolving considerably over this timespan. Boris Johnson is routinely touted as David Cameron’s natural successor as leader of the Conservatives. He is highly quotable – the press love him; he is the class clown and would almost certainly do well were he to lead the Conservatives into a general election. Regardless of policy.

Charisma is therefore clearly a valuable asset for any prospective politician. It is the sign of a statesman. It portrays strength and power. Vladimir Putin is a statesman. An all-conquering figure whose persona Russians find reassuring. Winston Church-

ill was the same. He is regularly voted as the ‘greatest Briton’ but I would argue that he was not our greatest Prime Minister – not by some distance. His policies were often flawed and as Chancellor in the 1920s he can be held partly accountable for causing the hardship of the following decade.

Clement Attlee, however, I would argue is our greatest Prime Minister. He was quiet and unassuming – poor at public speaking and lacking the charisma of many of his counterparts. And yet he rebuilt the country after World War Two and formed the foundations of modern-day Britain. Ever heard of him?

And this is my point. What a politician looks like or does in front of the camera indicates absolutely nothing about how good they will be at running the country. Britain does not need a statesman – someone that worries foreign governments simply due to their public persona. It is not the Cold War anymore. What the country needs are strong policies. That is what we should base our decisions on come 7th May. We must vote for policies, not personalities.

Guilia Spadafora

Miada Mo Hassan Race Equality Chair t the University of Bath less than 2% of the student population is of BME decent. The figures only get worse when we begin to investigate the trends in academic staff. A recent study showed that BME students find it significantly more difficult to be accepted into elite academic institutes; however, the question posed is this: in 2015 is there still discrimination in the system? The answer to that is most definitely ‘yes’. However, my belief is the question posed should actually be ‘what are the many factors that play into the shortcoming of black people in academia?’.

The general trend shows a negative correlation between the ranking of the university and the number of black students that attend. If we review the top five universities we can see that the number of black students gets progressively less. However, if we look at one of the lowest ranked universities London Metropolitan approximately 43% of the student population is of BME decent. This could also be a look into why BME students don’t end up working in academia.

As a black student that inter-

A

Riots Panel

W

Personality politics has affected both Miliband and Farage (right)

Euro Realist Newsletter

UK needs policies, not personalities

Tuesday 3rd March 2015

bathimpact

Comment

facebook.com/bathimpact

9

Let students learn from mistakes Bro. Jeffrey Pioquinto, SJ

John Barlow bite Editor

S

tarting this year, College and 6th form students are moving away from modular exams with four separate exam periods and towards a 2 year course with one final exam encompassing the entire syllabus.

Working from the idea that students cram before modular exams and then forget the entirety of the content afterwards, this 2 year exam structure ensures that the students in question will have had to crammed 2 years’ worth of content, before completely erasing it with cheap booze, blackjacks, and hookers AKA a gap year.

Undeniably this news story is old, and I am sure most people already have a firm grasp on why the changes are taking place and the impact it may have on results.

Whilst the changes to the A-levels may not directly impact any of you, the University has recently decided it may change the shape of its academic year; aiming to mirror A-levels more closely having end of year exams instead of two separate exam periods.

There have been many responses to this change with most focus-

The University has proposed changes that would see all exams being taken at the end of the year ing on the fact that it is “unfair to a potentially more devastating els as they were gave a chance for ask so much of students at the end outcome which has been mostly students to realise that the subof the year” (Owen W.) Or that overlooked by both the media in jects they had studied in school are many students “chose this uni- general and the University specifi- very different when applied in inversity because of the assessment cally. This is that students don’t tellectual spheres. Likewise from structure”. Being an engineering have the required time to find A level to university, the content, student, with many projects, lab out what they wish to study or in work requirements and method of reports and highly modular units I which direction they wish to take learning changes dramatically.

It is damn near impossible to obviously have many reservations their lives.

Most of you will have gone know what a course in engineering about this change.

I feel however, just as I feel through the A-level system in or- or politics will be like at the age of with the A-level changes there is der to get to University. The A lev- 16 even for that matter at the age

Simon O’Kane bathimpact Writer recall attending a joint meeting hosted by the campus trade unions and Bath SU back in 2012, with then SU President David Howells and the late Marie Morley among the speakers and Des Freedman, co-editor of The Assault on Universities: A Manifesto for Resistance as the keynote. After the meeting, I remember asking Marie: “Why should taxpayers fund degrees for which the graduate premium is less than the cost of the course?”

She simply replied, “I disagree.”

Three years later, I have come to see that she was right.

The general premise of Freedman’s book is that universities are slowly being transformed from unified, democratic communities into bodies that behave much like corporations, with the characteristic divide between managers, the managed and customers. This paradigm shift is grounded on two assumptions: that free markets are the most efficient model in most circumstances, and that the benefits of university education and research are largely economic. Back then, I was unsure about the first assumption but wholeheartedly agreed with the second.

It wasn’t just me; these assumptions were often held aloft not just by the government but by the students themselves. When the legislation for £9,000 fees was passed by Parliament in 2010, the Students’ Union and even bathimpact’s editorial team began to focus on how to use students’

newfound status as customers as leverage against the University, oblivious to how the very notion of division between business and customers undermines what a university is supposed to be about.

Until recently, the National Union of Students held the view that graduates should make at least some additional contribution to the costs of their studies that non-graduates with the same income do not. Most disturbingly of all, the proportion (yes, the proportion, not the number) of students graduating with a 2:1 or higher has doubled since the original £1,000 fees were introduced.

In the last couple of years, however, the Students’ Union has changed its tactics somewhat.

Whereas the SU has previously treated negotiations like a game of chess, last year they unashamedly presented a list of demands to the Vice-Chancellor, including another call for the Living Wage, better pay and conditions for postgraduates who teach and the fixing of international student fees.

While these demands were mostly rejected, the SU did secure the Gold Button to allow disabled staff, students and visitors to report accessibility issues. Meanwhile, NUS changed its policy last year to support free education, following a dramatic debate at National Conference. This year, one of the main focuses is ‘lad culture’. This is arguably linked to the corporatization of education in that it is fundamentally anti-democratic and actively vilifies participation in academic life

of 18. This is a period in our lives where we need to make mistakes, we need to try out as many subjects as possible in order to truly know what it is we enjoy and wish to carry on with.

Whilst I can understand from an institutions point of view, people changing subjects, taking half a year off to work and travel, or having to organise many exam periods may be disadvantageous.

It would seem our institutions need to remember that they are as much a service to the students as to their end of year statistics and that students being both passionate and happy with their subject choices can only produce positive results.

The people I know who get the most out of university are those who made their mistakes, failed their first year of college or changed degree after some terrible first semester results. Changing to longer examination periods only serves to stop this happening; leaving a generation pushed into A-levels then pushed into higher education all whilst never having the time to work out what it is they want to do or why it is they are doing it.

I

Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology

Have students become customers?

Since the introduction of tuition fees, the proportion of graduates awarded a 2:1 or above has doubled beyond getting a good grade at the Boris Johnson, the embodiments agement was recently overturned of laddishness made flesh. The in the courts. end.

What has caused students’ cries of the poorest students, the I’ve talked about students’ ununions to have such a change of victims of lad culture and depres- ions, but what are students on the heart? At first I thought it was sion sufferers have become too ground doing? Demanding exam largely due to universities being loud to ignore any longer. coaching instead of feedback. dominated by those who have The impact of this idea of the Saying, “if it’s not on the exam, I paid £9000 fees, only to realise ‘corporate university’ is perhaps don’t care.” Propping up ‘lad culthey’ve been cheated. But now I’m easier to see at other institutions, ture’. Not even bothering to vote not so sure; I now think it’s more where several academic staff have in SU elections. In other words, of a general backlash against been dismissed for failing to meet fast asleep. managers’ increasing top-down research income targets that were Terry Pratchett famously wrote: control of universities, rendering not in their contracts and im- “You enter university knowing you previous negotiation strategies posed by managers in order to know everything, and leave knowless effective. make savings. Dr. Alison Hayman ing you know nothing.” If things It is of course impossible to dis- of the University of Bristol is the keep going as they are, that will no miss the effect of the wider eco- latest high-profile victim of this. longer be true and that quote will nomic crisis. In times of hardship Meanwhile, a blanket ban on any be replaced by one from Charlie we are compelled to seek blame, and all demonstrations imposed Brooker: “In summary, our world hence the rise of Nigel Farage and by the University of Sussex man- is doomed.”

10

Tuesday 3rd March 2015

Politics & Society

bathimpact facebook.com/bathimpact

EU powerless in Ukraine debacle Marianne Gros bathimpact Writer

Kalispera Dell

O

ver a year has passed since political instability first rooted itself within the lives of Eastern Ukrainians and the escalating violence leaves little room for hope of greater stability in the near future.

Insuring regional security has become a topical issue for many on the international scene, but the already failing ceasefire paired with the growing tensions between Russia, Ukraine and the Western allies is additional proof that this is a very singular situation, in comparison to other cases of European conflict resolution.

The peace plan that was drawn during the Minsk talks on 11 February sought to get a landscape view of the conflict, drawing 13 points that aimed to kick start in depth political development in the region over the next year.

It implored the withdrawal of heavy weapons over a two week period, called for the exchange of prisoners from both sides and set a goal of Ukrainian control over Russian border by the end of 2015. Territorial boundaries of the agreement were clearly defined and signed by all four leaders, theoretically putting an end to the conflict in some of the most affected cities.

If at the time negotiations came to a reasonably peaceful end, the agreed ceasefire is not off to a promising start. Intense fighting was reported in eastern

Petro Poroshenko gazes steelily at Vladimir Putin whilst conversing with Angela Merkel at talks Ukraine, just 48 hours after the from day one, and continue to im- mental approach when initialising agreement was signed in Minsk. plement sanctions to the best of foreign policies. When Vladimir The fights, which had, until now, their abilities, mainly through as- Putin and Petro Poroshenko met to in Minsk to discuss the ceaseremained centred in the towns of set freezes and travel bans.

However the Ukrainian crisis fire, the debacle was supervised Donetsk and Lunhansk, moved to the smaller, yet strategically im- has become an emblem of the en- by Europe’s favourite power couportant, Debaltseve located in be- larging gap between the West and ple: French President François tween the two. The latter has be- its Eastern rivals. The latter issue Hollande and German Chancelcome a key frontline area in light has complicated the process and lor Angela Merkel. These major of the continuing battle for terri- responses from the internation- world leaders have worked closely torial gain between pro-Russian al scene have received their fair with other European countries like the UK but also with the United separatist rebels and Ukrainian share of criticism.

EU institutions remain in the States, while the Commission and government forces.

As with every other past in- shadow of their more powerful the Parliament remained in the ternational disputes, the west- member states, who have taken background.

Naturally, with a big political ern spectators have been closely it upon themselves to drive coopinvolved in the Ukrainian crisis eration towards an intergovern- actor like Russia, consequences

are less scary then the West hoped, and with good reason. Over the past few weeks, the media sphere has publicised a new wave of accusations and warnings from US officials, backed by their British sidekick. Earlier this month just over 2,500 Ukrainian government troops were forced out of Debaltseve, surrendering the strategic town to the pro-Russian rebel army.

But the former Soviet Union continues to challenge the truth behind those threats, fortified with leverage and lacking in fear of punishment. A recent meeting with Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, during which nuclear power was methodically discussed, suggesting that Putin is seeking backup from the eastern front, questioned the idea that Russia is diplomatically isolated in its anti-western ways. Repetitive threats from the ‘Western club’ appear increasingly empty against an inflated Russia that continues to withhold from crumbling under pressure.

In light of deep-rooted tensions between Russia and the Western states, the Ukrainian crisis is far from being resolved, and locals have become first recipients of the consequences. With pro-Russian rebels denying entry to international actors like the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the town of Debaltseve and its unfortunate inhabitants are left secluded and abandoned.

Amy Jones bathimpact Writer

F

ounded in October 2014 in the East German city of Dresden, Pegida (Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamisation of the West) has been regularly attracting thousands to its weekly demonstration each Monday against what it considers to be the islamisation of the West.

However, the resignation of two of its leaders, Kathrin Oertel and Lutz Bachmann, has underlined the growing uncertainty surrounding the group’s future.

Despite its bold claims and for the most part strongly anti-immigration and above all anti-Islam speeches and intentions, Pegida appears to be unsure of what it is, what it wants and where it is going and as a result cracks are beginning to show in the group. However, what is dwindling in Germany may be just about to begin in the UK. What started out in October last year in Germany as little more than a Facebook page with a few hundred members, has grown into a group of thousands of supporters taking part in their ‘evening strolls’. Pegida has tried to be something for everyone, which may have led to its rapid increase

of popularity, but is now leading to its demise. It presents itself as being both radical and moderate offering a political space for those disappointed with mainstream politics.

It has also revealed itself to be a group of contradictions, with supporters carrying signs bearing the words ‘Beware of Ali Baba and his 400 drug dealers’, yet its leader, Lutz Bachmann, has a criminal record for drug dealing as well as breaking and entering. They are a group who claim to be in no way connected with Nazis, yet attract many Lonsdale-clad neo-Nazis (Lonsdale is a popular label for neo-nazis as it has the letters NSD in it).

Moreover, Lutz Bachmann resigned as leader after photos emerged of him sporting a Hitler moustache and hairstyle. Supporters ‘walk’ for a huge variety of causes as wide as the abolition of the TV licence, to campaigning against battery-hen farming.

Asking a Pegida supporter what they stand for also won’t necessarily help ascertain their aims as demonstrators have been urged not to talk to what they call the “Lügenpresse”, a word used by the Nazis to condemn the free press.

Through its ambiguity and con-

Krassotkin

Pegida marches to come to UK

A Pegida demonstration was held in Dresden starting at Georgplatz earlier this year in January tradictions, Pegida seems to have seems to have lost its very mod- have consistently outnumbered dug its own grave in Germany. erately radical battle, the fight in those of Pegida. In Berlin an antiThe number of people prepared to the UK could be about to begin. demonstration even blocked the leave their homes on a cold even- The Facebook page Pegida UK has street preventing Pegida from proing to chant about whatever they attracted over 15,000 supporters gressing on their planned ‘walk’.

It is possible to say that Gerfeel like is rapidly declining. In- and the group is planning its first deed 4,000 took to the streets in ‘walk’ through British streets in many has a greater responsibility to protect minority groups and Dresden this Monday, a stark con- Newcastle.

In Germany Pegida demon- stamp out racism due to its histrast to the 17,000 the week before and still less than the record num- strations have been met by anti- tory, but some in the UK might demonstrations, which have often follow its example and stand up ber of 25,000.

However, although Pegida been supported by politicians and against Pegida UK.

Tuesday 3rd March 2015

bathimpact facebook.com/bathimpact

No smoking in UK cars itv news

Roisin Haigh bathimpact Writer

F

T

Smoking in cars will be illegal in the UK as of October this year the difficulty of policing which pas- randomly spot-check cars containsengers are in fact minors. Will all ing smokers?

Whilst this law has been critichildren now be required to carry ID in case of a police car pulling cised by many for seeming ‘excesthe adult driver over for smoking? sive’, in reality no obvious harm How, at a distance, can police ef- can come of this law, while the fectively see that a vehicle in which positives from preventing passive a person is smoking is carrying un- smoking and its effects are clearly der 18s, or will they be required to for the benefit of society as a whole.

in being denied the right to vote in the various UK elections between 2009 and 2011. The juridical arm wrestle between the UK and the European Court on this matter dates back to the case of Hirst vs. the UK on 6 October 2005 where the blanket ban on UK prisoners’ right to vote was deemed contrary to the European Convention on Human Rights. Following the trial, the British political establishment has remained steadfast in its opposition to the ECHR’s stance, unanimously voting against lifting the ban in 2011, and with David Cameron denouncing the ECHR’s perceived overruling of

Adrian Grycuk

he European Court of Human Rights last week once again condemned the unlawfulness of the United Kingdom’s continued denial of the right to vote to 1,015 members of its prison population, but stopped short of recommending compensation to those prisoners and ex-prisoners that had brought the case to the court.

The mass claim was brought forward by lawyers of current and former convicts who felt they had been subject to abuse of their human rights

The European Court of Human Rights continues to criticise the UK

the democratic decisions of national parliaments in a speech in 2012.

Sean Humber, head of the Human Rights department at Leigh Day, a law firm acting for 544 of the clients taking their case to the ECHR, stated ‘the government stubbornly refuses to act’ in the face of Strasbourg’s condemnation and that ‘it should be extremely worrying to all of us that the government seems to have so little regard for its international human rights obligations or the rule of law’.

While a former inmate quoted in The Guardian wonders, on the subject of the vote, ‘taking responsibility…is surely part of the rehabilitation?’ the Equality and Human Rights Commission affirmed that ‘the European Court cannot change UK laws’. This ruling has come as no surprise, being part of a long list of similar cases, and it is likely that no resolution will be found until after the General Election, which, in the case of a Conservative victory, will likely see the UK government assume the position of regarding the ECHR’s rulings as merely advisory.

Women voters in UK A Eleonora Monoscalco bathimpact Writer

survey by the House of Commons Library has revealed that 9.1 million women did not vote in the 2010 General Elections. Looking at past statistics, it is apparent that from 2005 onwards, the number of voting women has decreased.

According to Labour Party MP Harriet Harman, many women tend to regard politics as a ''menonly zone”. Despite all the progress made, many of them still fall victim to discrimination. This is the main reason why Harman launched her ‘'Woman-to-Woman'' Labour campaign last month, which aims to encourage women to get involved

Is the media failing Muslims?

Scarlett Clark bathimpact Writer

M

Prisoners to get vote?

Rob Cole bathimpact Writer

Politics & Society

in politics by voting for their MPs in their respect constituencies. "Use your vote, use your voice because politics is too important to be left to only men voting." As Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities Gloria de Piero explains, they will be talking with ''women across the country'' about ''the issues they care about and how a Labour Government can and will deliver for them.''

Despite meaning well, the campaign has received much criticism because of the eye-watering pink van Harman and her colleagues are travelling in, deemed patronising and sexist by many. This potentially ridicules the serious problem that is under-representation.

The issue of the under-represen-

tation of women is to be reckoned with. The data released by the Labour Party shows that only 25% of Conservative candidates in their target seats are women, whilst 31% of Liberal Democrat candidates in their target seats are women.

On the contrary, a Labour majority could allow for 43% of target seats to be attributed to woman candidates and as a result a more balanced team of men and women MPs will be able to tackle discrimination both effectively and fairly as well as many other domestic issues at a national level.

For all these reasons, Harman considers it vital for women to vote: this election can be ''a watershed for women in this country.''

edia and journalism exist to bring forward an accurate account of a situation as it happens, to give people knowledge in a way that is as unbiased as possible. Whilst a certain degree of bias is inevitable, journalists should seek to cover the necessary across the globe.

A 23 year-old man, Deah Shaddy Barakat, his 21 year-old wife, Yusor Mohammad, and her sister Razan Mohammad AbuSalha, 19, were all shot dead in cold blood in a suburban neighbourhood of North Carolina in February. American citizen Craig Stephen Hicks, 46, has since been charged with three counts of first degree murder. The following day Chapel Hill police said an ongoing parking dispute apparently led to the shooting which was a theory later rejected by the late sisters’ father, Dr. Mohammad Abu-Salha, who, according to the BBC, has described the shooting as a hate crime due to the family’s Muslim background.

The lack of media coverage of the massacre has caused the Twitter sphere to go up in arms, whilst people also debate whether or not declaring the murders of the three students who happen to be Muslim can legitimately be labelled as ‘Islamophobic’?

Last month, an array of Twitter users has accused major media outlets of failing to provide sufficient coverage of the shootings. The murders have sparked anger, specifically by those who believe the tragedy has not been given the attention it deserves. Within hours the hashtag #ChapelHillShooting was trending worldwide. As a result the hashtag has been used more than 900,000 times.

The hashtag seems to have been started by Abed A. Ayoub, the legal and policy director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, who tweeted “Please keep the family of the victims in #ChapelHill in your thoughts and prayers. Senseless

violence,” as a first tweet. An Arabic hashtag, which translates as ‘Chapel Hill Massacre’, was also trending with almost 33,000 tweets. Meanwhile the hashtag #MuslimLivesMatter was mentioned almost 100,000 times in the day following the shooting, condemning the lack of media attention the massacre received.

“Mainstream media is not reporting it. Let’s ask about this.

Let’s talk about it. Don’t let them sweep it under the rug. #MuslimLivesMatter” @IjeomaOluo.

Norren Khan from the BBC Asian Network tweeted “No media outrcry? No angry protests?

No demands for apologies? No major coverage? But Twitter on it. No surprise there. #ChapelHillShooting”. “Muslims only newsworthy when behind a gun.

Not in front of it,” one particular tweet read.

According to reports, Hicks used Facebook to express his atheist views. In spite of this though, it has been suggested that the faith of the victims was limiting coverage of the case, were the victims of the wrong religion? The Woolwich incident was of course the murder of Fusilier Lee Rigby by Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale. Mobile phone video footage taken only minutes after the attack showed one of the killers, hands covered in blood, clutching a knife and a machete, speaking directly to camera. It was first shown by ITV at 6.20pm, then on Channel 5 News a few minutes later and finally on the BBC News Channel at 7.02pm.

Sky and Al Jazeera also showed parts of it. Some of the most distressing footage ever seen on UK television was broadcast and led to national and global coverage of Mr. Rigby’s funeral. The North Carolina shootings have now finally been covered by both local and international media but without the use of social media the shooting may have been covered to a lesser extent, fading into the background to be later described as a religious dispute that ended in tragedy.

Fox 28 Web Staff

ollowing the 2007 smoking ban, it has been announced that from October 1 2015 a law will come into place banning smoking in cars carrying children, that being anyone under the age of 18, as passengers.

This law follows a similar ban enacted in Wales and aims to reduce the effects of second-hand smoking on young people, who a lot of the time do not have the choice of inhaling the smoke or not.

This ban comes as no major surprise due to the serious health risks associated with passive smoking and the increased danger in enclosed spaces such as cars.

Whilst this is ultimately a positive move regarding smoking laws, questions have been raised over the efficacy with which it can be policed. It relies largely on the reporting of these ‘incidents’, due to

11

A Muslim man, his wife and sister-in-law have been murdered

16

Tuesday 3rd March 2015

bite

facebook.com/bathimpact

Crossword

Snuzzly Puzzly Zone

Arithmaster

Enter the numbers 1–6 into the grid so that each number appears precisely once in each row and column. For each barred block, the result of applying the given arithmetic operation to the numbers within the block must equal the given result.

Jigsawduko Enter the numbers 1–9 into the grid so that each number appears precisely once in each row, column and barred block.

Across

Down

1 Counterattack in fencing (7) 5 Ban on trade (with another country) (7) 9 Flying social insect (9) 10 Powdered tobacco for nasal inhalation (5) 11 Sanctimonious, self-righteous (6-4-4) 13 Unsuccessful person, loser (4-3) 15 Decode, decipher (7) 17 Personal pride (3) 18 Fiendish (7) 20 _______ Smith, protagonist of 1984 (7) 22 Head of a convent (6,8) 26 Extreme boredom (5) 27 Indigenous Australian (9) 28 Picturesque features of a landscape (7) 29 Reticence, timidity (7)

1 Red precious stone (4) 2 Excessively self-important (7) 3 Persevere (7,2) 4 Smouldering piece of coal or wood (5) 5 Make-up for the eyelid (9) 6 Depression in the earth; sink (5) 7 Approximately (7) 8 Distracting, disconcerting (3-7) 12 Lack of order (10) 14 Needed, required (9) 16 Harmony, correspondence (9) 19 Daytime performance of a play, etc. (7) 21 Be unfaithful to (a lover) (3-4) 23 Banish from one’s homeland (5) 24 Religiously devout (5) Subdivide the grid into regions such that each contains exactly one dot, 25 Disorderly and confused state (4)

Pinwheels

about which it has 180-degree rotational symmetry.

Quick Quiz 1. Canaletto was famous for his paintings of which Italian city?

2. What is the longest river in Ireland?

3. In Wayne’s World, what is Wayne’s surname?

4. What is the official London residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury?

5. The Rupert Bear comic has been published since 1920 in which national newspaper?

6. Cinnabar is a principal ore of which elemental metal?

7. In Japanese cuisine, of what is matcha a powdered form?

8. What does BMX stand for?

9. Who defeated Edward II at the Battle of Bannockburn?

10. What was Ben E. King’s only UK number-one single?

Solutions 17th November Dialinear

One Upper

Unequality

Quick Quiz Answers 6. Mercury 7. (Green) tea 8. Bicycle motocross 9. Robert the Bruce 10. Stand by Me

1. Venice 2. Shannon 3. Campbell 4. Lambeth Palace 5. Daily Express

Crossword Solutions Posted @ ‘bathimpact’ on Facebook; join the darkside for solutions

Puzzles created by Dorian Lidell

Tuesday 3rd March 2015

bathimpact

13

World

facebook.com/bathimpact

Tommi Mazzanti bathimpact Writer n 30 January, Robert Mugabe was appointed as Chairman of the African Union (AU) , a role which entails representing Africa at global summits and major conferences such as the G8 and the G20 summits.

The announcement was followed by controversy. On the one hand, supporters of the African leader argue that his struggle in liberating Zimbabwe from colonial rule means he is a suitable representative for the continent.

On the other, his opponents declare that his countless human rights violations, tyrannic abuse of power and undemocratic election rigging proves him to be a ruthless dictator unsuitable for the role.

Mugabe was once considered a heroic figure in Africa, leading the rebels to free the then-named Rhodesia from British colonial rule. After spending a decade in prison, Mugabe gained supporters in Zimbabwe much like Nelson Mandela in South Africa.

However, as he became leader of the of the ruling party, the Zimbabwe African National UnionPatriotic Front (ZANU-PF), in 1980, the comparison was soon dismissed. The white-owned farmlands seized for the free people of Zimbabwe were quickly divided up and partitioned between Mugabe’s close friends and polit-

O

ical allies. Land was the nation’s main economic resource and its monopolisation plunged the country into poverty. Although the BBC estimated Zimbabwe’s annual inflation to be 100,000% in 2010, Mugabe continues to rule Zimbabwe and now will chair the AU over the year to come.

His new role’s controversy is surrounded by allegations of human rights abuses. In addition to his poor handling of Zimbabwe’s finance and infrastructure, Mugabe has instilled a tyrannical reign where human rights violations are rife. The ideological war waged onto the west during the liberation years followed him into office as any local opponent of his regime is accused of being “a puppet of the Western imperialists,” the French newspaper Libération has previously claimed. In a referendum vote in 2000, Mugabe faced defeat for the first time since 1980 and the war-veteran commanded his private militia’s to kill all political rivals as well as their families to ensure victory. Two years later, when the 2002 elections took place and Mugabe failed to gain enough votes to avoid a secondround scrutiny, he dismissed the elections claiming that only God could remove him from office.

Whilst Mugabe’s tyrannic nature is obvious, few foreign states and organisations have been able to intervene due to their absence in the area caused by his obses-

BotMultichillT

Dictator chairs the African Union

Robert Mugabe’s new position as Chair of the African Union has caused a stir internationally sion of eradicating any Western space for “colonialists and impe- rican-Western relations with the influence. International organi- rialists” to take advantage of their rise of fundamentalist terrorism sations have highly criticised resources. Once the new Chair throughout the continent. Many the terror commandeered by of the AU sits at the same table claim it to be one last symbolic Mugabe, but the lack of interven- with other world leaders at future gesture to an ageing 90-year-old tion has only led to financial and autocrat that once stood for an travel bans from the US and the important cause for the African EU. While European diplomatic people. It is, however, unforgivHis new role’s controsources have declared that the able that a mass murderer is to versy is surrounded by ceremonial appointment will not be symbolically decorated for human right’s abuses” past actions that have long been damage their relations with the continent, there is no doubt that erased by the bloodshed of init will be difficult to collaborate summits it will be up to him to nocent people. As ineffective as with a man they accuse of being decide who are his “friends” and his role may be, the nations that a tyrant. As for Mugabe, during not the “colonialists” he has fer- have condemned his actions in his acceptance speech, The Times vently fought his whole life. the past must take a stand now reported he welcomed “friends” Mugabe’s controversial new against his election as Chairman to partner up with the continent, role of Chair of the AU takes of the AU, which seeks to probut declared that there was no place during a critical stage in Af- mote peace across frontiers.

“

Chris Knutsen bathimpact Writer

A

lthough over a year remains before voting day, the jostling for the position of Republican Presidential Candidate amongst the hopefuls is underway. In these early days, the field is wide open, with over twenty realistic Republican primary candidates in the fray, although a few contenders seem to be cementing their position at the front of the pack already.

Both John McCain, the Republican nominee in 2008 and Mitt Romney, the candidate in 2012, have bowed out of the race, so it is out with the old and in with the new for a party desperate to find a unifying figure that also appeals to the US’ crucial swing voters.

Jeb Bush, the brother of George W. Bush, is the latest member of the Bush political dynasty to publicly express interest in running for the Presidency. With backing from much of the party establishment and a deep-pocketed donor network, he is seen as a favourite.

Perceived as more moderate than both his father and brother, he has spoken of improving upward-mobility and reforming immigration, a move many have interpreted as an appeal to minority voters, an increasingly important American

Gage Skidmore

Republicans begin race to Presidency

Jeb Bush is a favourite for the Republican party candidate in the 2016 US Presidential elections voting block that typically votes him hot property in the Grand Old damage his chances, as the ReDemocrat. His family name bears Party (GOP). Ted Cruz, the young publican foreign policy debate many advantages, but are Ameri- Texan senator, is however also vy- becomes increasingly hawkish in cans looking for a new leader un- ing for position as the sweetheart light of new threats from ISIS and tarnished by the unpopular politi- of the Republican conservative Russian belligerence in Ukraine. wing. There is strong competi- Paul, as well as other potential cal status quo?

Scott Walker, the Governor of tion for this important split in the nominees like Bush and Texan Governor Rick Perry, are running Wisconsin and ex-talk radio host, GOP. Another contender, Kentucky on the strength of their record embodies the ‘new generation’ of Republicans, untainted by the Senator Rand Paul, also has broad within their home state, but few machine politics of Washington. A appeal with his mix of Tea Party of the stand-out candidates have proven conservative that has won credentials and liberal views. proven foreign policy experience.

In a move widely seen to adtwo consecutive terms in a tradi- However, his non-interventionist tionally Democratic state makes foreign policy positions could dress this shortfall in his Presi-

dential credentials, respected New Jersey governor Chris Christie made a recent 3 day trip to the UK which included a meeting with David Cameron. After being cleared of wrong-doing in the ‘Bridgegate’ scandal in his home state, he looks clear to run as a leading figure of the Republican party with wide support, although some see him as too brusque to garner popular appeal.

Over the past six decades, the ten most polarising years in terms of presidential approval have been under George W. Bush and Barack Obama. The Republican establishment must be feeling the pressure to find a candidate that will appeal to the both the party faithful and the broader American public. Unity under one figure is, however, a tall order. The GOP itself is internally divided across the right-half of the political spectrum, from Tea Party and Evangelical voters at the extreme right to more centrist moderates.

Can such a candidate appeal to a diverse American electorate that has voted for a Democratic President during the last two occasions? Hillary Clinton, the likely Democratic nominee, is sure to provide a formidable challenge to whoever wins the Republican primaries.

14

Tuesday 3rd March 2015

bathimpact

World

facebook.com/bathimpact

jchensiyuan

W

the increase of ISIL threat to the national border. Over a thousand people have been deported by the Turkish authorities against the migration of peoples to join the Islamic State.

Following the brutal murder of the Jordanian pilot, Moaz alKassasbeh, Jordan has also become a major military agent in the conflict. However, even with the increase in global cooperation, the EU has condemned the recent use of capital punishment by the Jordanian government to punish captured terrorists.

Federica Mogherini, head of EU foreign policy, calls Jordan “a valuable partner of the EU and the international community in our common fight against terrorism” but the EU condemn the notion of an “eye for an eye”.

The EU announced last week that 1 billion euros will be invested in the Syrian conflict and a meeting in Brussels will take place later this week in order to discuss the ban of jihadi propaganda on the Internet and other methods of Islamic indoctrination. The attacks in Paris, along with the growing threats of islamic expansionism, have resulted in growing racial tensions throughout Europe. As a result, some Muslims are turning to fundamentalist groups in order to voice their anger about the ostracisation they are experiencing in their own homes. A number as high as 3,000 Europeans have allegedly travelled to Syria and Iraq, in the hope of joining the fight with the Islamic State. The success of groups such as the ISIL will inherently depend on the Western diplomatic theatre, where unanimous cooperation of all races and religions will have to stand strong against the threat of fascism once more.

Morocco and France have reconciled amid terrorist threat

The socioeconomic gulf in Spanish society is widening with more people below the poverty line Agathe Barceló bathimpact Writer

T

he European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN), a coalition of NGOs, European organisations and grass root groups released a report last month about the increasing risk of exclusion and poverty in Spain.

The figures showed that 27.3% of the population, about 12.8 million people, are in risk of poverty and social exclusion. This means 1.3 million more than in 2009.

Ironically, the European indicator AROPE (At Risk of Poverty and/or Exclusion) has found there to be a gradual decrease in poverty since 2008. However, this result can be explained by the return of migrants to their country of origin following the crisis combined with a statistical change in the indicator of the Spanish Statistical Office. The AROPE indicator encompasses three different poverty aspects: the relative poverty, material deprivation and unemployment. Material deprivation has touched a large part of the Spanish population,

who found themselves even before the recession unable to feed themselves properly, to pay their bills, to heat their homes and to account for unexpected spending.

This alarming situation has had many negative implications for Spanish society, primarily affecting the youth, such as exclusion and poverty which have given way to a highly fragmented society. The Gini indicator, which measures social inequality, recorded an increase of 22.7% between 2009 and 2012. Furthermore, the wealthiest part of the population’s income has actually increased by 6%. The report also emphasised huge economic disparity between northern and southern Spain. Regions such as the Basque Country and Navarra, which invested more in social policies before the recession, have been less touched by the economic deflation than South located communities, such as Andalucía or The Canary Islands.

Overall poverty throughout Spain, however, has been a result of the global recession which has

in turn led to a reduction of social policy investment and exceptionally high unemployment. It is important, however, to acknowledge that unemployment is not the main reason for poverty in Spain.

As shown by the figures, 11.7% of the people in poverty were employed. This can be explained as well by the rising number of parttime jobs. The European AntiPoverty Network (EAPN) warns against the demission of the middle class and demands for the implementation of more social policies that favour this population sector.

Furthermore, social discontent has translated to politics, where the left-wing political party PODEMOS is seriously challenging the established two-party system and the dominant economic elite. The outcome of the 2015 election will highly depend on the socioeconomic situation in Spain and the last European AntiPoverty Network (EAPN) report shows that the cautious economic recovery of Spain is not working in reducing poverty effectively.

for the past six years. With a track record of suicide bombings, massacres, kidnappings and instilling extreme Sharia law, the postponing of the election is perhaps understandable, given Boko Haram’s uninhibited brutality.

However, the electoral committee’s decision for delay puts Nigeria’s future as a democratic country at stake. Not only is it preventing people from exercising their right to vote, but it has also led to suspicion worldwide over the transparency of the elections. Some believe that delaying the elections until March will endanger rather than protect democracy, enabling current President Goodluck Jonathan to rig the vote in his favour. The postponement comes shortly after news of his decreasing popularity due to his lacklustre response to the kidnapping of 276 schoolgirls last year.

Jonathan’s competitor, Muhammadu Buhari, also poses a threat to

his mandate, which has led some to believe he might bypass true democracy to protect his position.

Others express concerns that the army and security forces heavily influenced the decision to delay proceedings, indicating that Nigeria is regressing back to its military past and signifies the military’s growing ambitions at a political level.

Though the postponement of the elections may seem reasonable, it is unlikely that Boko Haram will be defeated in the next 6 weeks, and therefore the prospect of further delay is entirely possible. One thing is certain, as Boko Haram continue to pursue control over much of Nigeria and its surrounding countries, the need for a democratic and headstrong government becomes ever more pressing. One can only hope that the election in March goes ahead in the safest and fairest way possible and yields a result that is representative of the country’s people.

Nigeria elections postponed Eve Alcock bathimpact Writer

Nigeria, a nation the size of France, the United Kingdom and Ireland put together, has always had a turbulent history. With a record of coups, civil war and disunity after gaining independence in 1960, it is no wonder splits remain between the north and south, Muslims and Christians and the political left and political right.

At the beginning of February, it was announced that the democratic elections, due to take place on Valentine’s day, were to be postponed for six weeks until the 28 March, amid security concerns in order to protect the polls from Sunni jihadist group Boko Haram after their recent insurgency in the country’s north-eastern area.

The Islamist militant group, whose name translates as “western education is forbidden”, have been carrying out a campaign of violence against the people of Nigeria

Bath RAG

Gaia Caramazza bathimpact Writer ith the rise of The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and the recent Charlie Hebdo attacks, Europeans have been taken aback by the repercussions of the Middle Eastern situation. For many the attacks in France proved how entangled Europe is with the rise of Islamic fundamentalist groups.

The aggressive tactics of the group have demonstrated the desperate need for a united front against ISIL. The European Union’s imminent response resulted in stronger diplomatic ties with countries of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and Western Balkan states to create a solid unity with decreased terrorist infiltrations and to dissuade citizens from joining the group itself.

In the light of recent events, France and Morocco have reconciled in the name of regional unity. The rift between French and Moroccan Heads of State began following an activistlead accusation of human rights abuses by Moroccan intelligence officials. As a result, French police stormed the Moroccan embassy in Paris in February 2014 ending in a tense diplomatic incident. A halt in joint investigations and prisoner transfers were immediate consequences.

However, following the Charlie Hebdo attack, the French and Moroccan Ministers of Justice met to create “deeper and more effective” cooperation.

Over 1000 Moroccans have left their country to join ISIL, and French-Muslim minorities have also been gradually moving towards fanatic tendencies.

Turkey has recently received Western intelligence aid against

Buddyonline77

Common enemy Spain’s social tragedy unites the world

Tuesday 3rd March 2015

bathimpact

15

World

facebook.com/bathimpact

Hackers declare war on terrorism

Marco Scozzafava bathimpact Writer ou will be treated like a virus, and we are the cure.

We do not forgive, we do not forget. Expect us” was the eerie and enigmatic message ‘hacktivist’ group ‘Anonymous’ gave to jihadist rebel organisation, ISIS. In a video released by Anonymous, a Guy-Fawke-style masked figure vowed to ‘hunt’ ISIS stating that there was ‘no safe place’ for them.

This ominous warning was supported by an online message from Anonymous entitled ‘#OpISIS’ where they outlined plans which threatened to expose the extremist group’s affiliates. Furthermore, Anonymous gave the full URLs of 12 Facebook users and listed nearly 100 Twitter handles of people they suspect of being associated with the ISIS group with the promise of “more to come”.

The bold threat Anonymous has made to one of the most infamous and feared organisations on the planet shows just how far the haktivist group has come from its early beginnings. The group was founded in 2003 and comprised of a group of teenaged hackers, anonymously posting pornographic images onto the imageboard website ‘4chan’. The group later moved on from their trivial online antics and evolved into an anti-establishment, anarchist collective, targeting the websites and seeking to undermine the credibility of various governments, religious groups and corporations.

A number of worldwide organisations have fallen prey to

Anonymous Group

Y

The self-claimed ‘Hactivist’ group Anonymous has declared war on the likes of the ISIL terrorists the cyber-warfare tactics adopted police forces. Following the Char- animalistic beheading of several

by Anonymous. In November lie Hebdo shootings in January British and American civilians in 2012, the group targeted Israeli 2015, in which eight journalists orange jumpsuits in the middle government websites and even were killed by ISIS fanatics, Anon- of the desert. In January 2015, managed to hack into the Israeli ymous has vowed to avenge their hackers claiming to represent central bank’s website homepage, deaths by attacking the jihadist’s ISIS hacked into the US Central briefly shutting it down before website and revealing incriminat- Command’s YouTube and Twitter the Israelis were able to respond. ing evidence about the associates accounts for over half an hour in In November 2014, the group re- and members of the infamous ISIS which they posted the private information of retired US Army gensponded to taunts and threats terror group.

ISIS, like Anonymous, is well erals, information that could have from the Ku Klux Klan and declared a cyber-war known as ‘#Op- known for its cyber-warfare tac- proven extremely dangerous for KKK’. Anonymous successfully tics and has used social media as those whose details were released. took over the group’s Twitter ac- an effective propaganda outlet. In Furthermore, ISIS claimed to have counts following the shooting of 2014, they became infamous af- hacked the computers and mobile the unarmed 18-year-old, African- ter posting grotesque homemade phones of the US military forces.

American Michael Brown by US videos online which showed the Confidential US military files pur-

porting aerial images of North Korea were also leaked onto Twitter, embarrassing the incumbent President Barack Obama, who had just given a speech on the US’ tight cyber security earlier that very day.

Perhaps the most menacing act the ISIS hackers permitted was posting a photo, claiming to show the insides of a US military base accompanied with the caption “ISIS is already here, we are in you PCs, in each military base”. Anonymous may now be the only option in this new type of warfare that is arising, that of cyber-warfare.

Whilst cyber tactics have been used extensively by both sides of the terrorism battle, it seems to be a very limited form of warfare. At times, cyber terrorism has become more of a nuisance than an actual threat, seeking to embarrass the vast political institutions who have merely been fooled by, more often than not, a teenaged individual, sitting comfortably at their laptop in their bedroom. However, by moving the war on terror into an online, virtual environment, it has become more open and accessible to anyone that wishes to take part. People become much more involved in the debates and disputes between the belligerents and begin to feel like they are playing an active role in the war on terror, a phenomenon which has contemptuously been dubbed as ‘clicktivism’. As the old maxim goes, ‘knowledge is power’ and when that power is available for everyone to take, it becomes clear that there are plenty of players in this new form of warfare.

Troubled Venezuela devalues the Bolivar Agathe Barceló bathimpact Writer

T

Económica) that will last until 2019.

Under Hugo Chávez government, Venezuelan currency exchange was divided into three highly-regulated markets with differing exchange rates. The current Venezuelan government has announced the openup of a third new totally free system where there will be selling and Agencia Brasil

he Venezuelan government has announced a devaluation of Venezuela’s bolivar currency in response to the consequences of the economic crisis caused by the fall in oil prices, an annual inflation rate of around 64%,

and a shortage of many basic goods across the country.

Finance Minister Rodolfo Marco Torres declared “We are going to optimise the current exchange system in order to attend all the markets”.

The government is taking on an “Economic Recovering Programme” (Programa de Recuperación

Nicolas Maduro has come under a lot of criticism for his terrible handling of the economic crisis

buying of hard currency. According to the Central Bank of Venezuela, the dollar will be exchanged between 125 and 140 bolivars causing a devaluation of the bolivar by 95%.

The devaluation will depend on the amount of dollars the government allows to pass through the free market exchange.

The 6.3% exchange rate established so far would remain in place for imports that are deemed essential, such as food, medicine and agricultural supplies. Marco Torres added “70% of the needs of the economy is guaranteed at 6.3%.” In addition to a primary exchange rate of 6.3%, some businesses will be invited to buy dollars at an existing intermediate exchange rate of 12%.

The free market currency exchange will boost the entry of new currency that do not necessary come from the oil market, reduce Venezuela dependence on imports and ease the government’s budget deficit.

However, this policy has been heavily criticised for exacerbating distortions in the economy, leading to high inflation and shortages of basic goods. Venezuela is facing a severe economic crisis aggravated by the fall in oil prices. According to The Economist, the “Venezuelan

economy is the worst-administrated economy in the world.” Venezuelans are suffering on a daily basis due to the dramatic increase in prices. Luis Vicente León, President of Datanálisis, and a fierce opponent of Nicolas Maduro government, declared in El País that “Venezuela is the country with the highest inflation in the world, there is severe scarcity, people are constantly queuing in the supermarket and there has been a fall in foreign investment”. This was clear in the 2014 protests demanding an effective response to the economic situation in the country and high insecurity.

Due to the political and socioeconomic crisis, the government’s new plan has been regarded with scepticism. Marco Torres has not specified how much money would flow through the free market platform and what the new exchange rate will exactly be. Some investors see the effective devaluation as cosmetic, which cannot prevent the reality of runaway inflation and swelling supermarket queues. “For the most part, the market’s view is that things will be horrendous in Venezuela for quite a while,” concludes David Whiston, a senior equity analyst at Morningstar Inc.

Tuesday 3rd March 2015

bathimpact

17

Science & Tech

facebook.com/bathimpact

Professor Science: the plastic age H

umans on this planet are obsessed with plastic.

Plastic is everywhere.

Perhaps in the distant future geologists will unearth fossils from the plasticene, or another age – the plastic age!

Plastics are made from organic polymers often mixed with other chemicals to make synthetic or semi-synthetic organic solids.

Early plastics were made by modifying natural materials, such as vulcanizing natural latex to make rubber by adding sulphur and heat. The first man-made plastic is considered to be parkesine, made in the UK in 1856 from cellulose - the major component in plant cell walls.

They are versatile, malleable and impervious to water. That is also in their name; plastic from the Greek platikos meaning ‘capable of being shaped’. The versatility of plastic and the easiness of manufacturing it mean that it has taken over the world and replaced many traditional materials in products ranging from paper clips to space craft.

Palaeobiologist Jan Zalasiewicz explained that “all the plastics that have ever been made are already enough to wrap the whole world in plastic”. Bear in mind that plastic, unlike other materials such as wood, does not degrade on a conceivable time-scale.

Every year, 300 million tonnes of

plastic is produced. Over a third of this fuels our throw-away society, being disposed of soon after production. Recycling plastics seems to be difficult or hampered by the reluctance of governments and companies to install appropriate systems. A lot of the plastics thrown away end up buried in landfills. This is a good thing if it stays there, contained and separated from food chains that also include human food supplies.

However, some of the plastic trash reaches the world’s waterways and eventually oceans. In 1997 Charles Moore discovered the ‘Great Pacific Garbage Patch’ when he sailed across the Pacific. Since then other patches have been found in many places around the world. The patches are created as plastic rubbish floats in the surface waters and gets caught in the currents meandering in circular loops from coast to coast either side of the equator. One such patch in the Pacific contains such enormous amounts of plastic that you could walk on it.

Scientists estimate that around 260,000 tonnes of plastic are currently floating in the ocean waters. Not all plastics float though. Scientists found a lot less plastic floating in the surface waters than expected. Now they have found some of it in Arctic sea ice and in deep-sea sedi-

Poppy Peake

Our trustworthy scientist looks at our fascination with plastics

Our Professor Scientist certainly knows how to make the most of the plastic age in modern times ments at the bottom of the ocean. pieces, but we do not know if they plastics are a sanctuary and bufWe do not really know yet what will ever completely disappear. fet alike. Some bacteria can break happens to these plastic bits. We These small plastic pieces, micro- down certain plastics and feast. know that larger marine life, such plastic, also enter the food chain, Some insects and fish use plasas bird, turtles, whales, and fish, as these microparticles break tic floats as nurseries, but so do often confuse larger plastic piec- down further they eventually re- pathogenic bacteria, such as Vies with food and die of starvation. lease the additives, which may be brio species, and viruses.

We also, know that plastics cancerous or mimic hormones Love our planet. Reduce Rebreak down into ever smaller For other creatures floating use. Recycle.

Cure for Alzheimer’s? UK heads driverless technology “The big advantage is that we haven’t just come up with a drug and not really understood what it is doing. We’ve come up with a general strategy that could work.”

Brichos would likely be absorbed by the body before having the chance to have any significant effect in the brain if used as a drug. However, the findings have proven that the

“

...a general strategy that could work.”

Samuel Cohen

series of reactions that result in the symptoms of Alzheimer’s can be interrupted before they become apparent. Cohen has said of the steps following the discovery that “a good tactic now is to search for other molecules that have this same highly targeted effect and to see if these can be used as the starting point for developing a future therapy”.

Overall, this discovery represents a major triumph in the pursuit to better characterise and treat neurodegenerative diseases and has marked a major potential pathway for future Alzheimer’s research.

Will Bourchier bathimpact Writer riverless cars will no longer be science-fiction but a modern-day reality. The technology is coming on leaps and bounds, with almost all major car companies now actively pursuing driverless technology.

Take the BMW i3, for example, which can drive itself along a road, slow down and accelerate by using sensors to detect the car in front and judge the stopping distance accordingly. It can even parallel park for you. The driver, however, can always take back control of the car.

It will, however, be at least a decade until we see fully driverless cars on

D

the roads.

A number of legal, social and technological bureaucratic complications still need to be confronted.

The UK government is aiming to get ahead of the game and establish itself as a world leader in this emerging technological market. It is performing a legislative review of road rules, to integrate driverless-carspecific laws, and is providing £19 million of funding for trial projects across the UK. The technology could not seem more relevant in a world, where an estimated 1.2 million deaths occur on the roads due to human error each year. Most people, however, say they would feel less safe if tech-

nology was in control. There are concerns over driverless car safety, with hacking, and the adaptation of technology to cope with all weather conditions are major problems.

Subtle communication between drivers is an important part of safe driving, how will a car know that another human driver is letting them out at a junction if they cannot make eye contact? How will the computer deal deal with large crowds?

In the transitory period where humans and cars share the road, such as with the i3, these issues could cause chaos. Convincing people to let driverless cars ‘take the wheel’ may be the biggest roadblock of all.

Norbert Aepli

Alex Fyans bathimpact Writer Researchers at the University of Cambridge have discovered that a “housekeeping” molecule expressed in normal brain tissue could play a crucial role in delaying the effects of Alzheimer’s disease, opening up possibilities for the development of drug treatment.

Urgent need for such treatment of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s is heightened by the lack of knowledge about their causes and the global ageing population problem.

In particular, many view the pursuit to develop treatments that can actively inhibit disease progression to be one of the most pressing causes in modern science, emphasising the potential importance of this discovery.

The molecule, known as Brichos, works by coating the exterior of proteins in the brain called amyloid fibrils to prevent them from sticking together in a runaway process and forming large protein clumps in the brain. Left to form, these clumps are one of the earliest contributing factors to Alzheimer’s.

Samuel Cohen, lead researcher in this investigation, stated

The UK is hoping to turn driverless technology from science-fiction into reality in the near future

18

Tuesday 3rd March 2015

bathimpact

Business

facebook.com/bathimpact

I

in things that seem stable, or reliable, but the ongoing rhetoric is hard to buy into.

The practice of bullshit can therefore be seen as the best way to weaken words. From the compulsive liar to the Daily Mail columnist, each and every misleading statement made will make an impact on how much people value said person’s statement.

But my experiment in lying has always been an economics experiment designed to understand that, if words can lose their value so quickly, can that value recover equally as quick?

The short answer is no. According to a poll conducted by the BBC, the most trusted people in the UK are those who deal in facts, be it scientists (#8 – Stephen Hawking), newscasters (#11 – Jon Snow) or QI presenters (#4 – Stephen Fry). Unsurprisingly, a similar poll in the United States saw disgraced TV presenter Brian William – who recently lied about an experience he had in Iraq – drop 812 places in the table. People need accurate facts, much like an economy, to trust and invest in people’s words.

The transition from bullshitter to factfeeder is difficult, similar to people’s reluctance to reinvest in a deflated, unreliable economy. Hard work and restructuring of one’s track must be done to convince people otherwise.

So, if a liar’s word has little value and a scientist’s worth a lot, then where does that leave economists, like myself? Well, we also pride ourselves in dealing with facts most of the time; unless it benefits us in some way of course (see Enron, 2008 Financial Crisis, HSBC tax scandal etc.). So where does that leave me? I guess you’ll never really know.

Oast House Archive

have always blamed my pathological lying on other people’s failure to understand sarcasm. My pathetic little practice begins with a misleading statement in order to invoke a reaction, before quickly retreating on the statement in due course.

Have you started your dissertation? Yes, I’ve done around 5,000 words. How are you doing? I just got back from the doctor, I have full-blown chlamydia. Now, few people take what I say at face value; every little thing I say is given a slant of the eye and the need for confirmation.

I quickly understood that words are like money. They have value and can be easily used to convince those around us to shape the things we do and think, or the way we act. Like money, their value changes according to how they’re used and who uses them.

Take Katie Hopkins. After a series of disastrous interviews and even more unsettling moments on social media, there are few who attach any value to the toxic waste that comes out of her mouth. Just last week, after watching the pop star performing on television, she asked the poignant question “did Kelly Clarkson eat all of her backing singers?” Whilst everyone is aware words are coming out of her mouth, there is little that will come of them. Her words are the Euro of the English language: it has been abused to such an extent that it has become entirely devalued to the human ear.

Unfortunately, the same analogy could be used to access many of our politicians. Mistrust has run rife through British politics in the past five years with five different versions of the truth being produced on issues as varied as Europe to the NHS. People invest

Webtreats

Economics of... YouTube brings the money Bullshit

YouTube has had to crackdown on advertisement rules recently as YouTube stars make money Helen Edworthy bathimpact Writer ver the past few years, several new mediums have cropped up on the internet for people to promote themselves. The one people tend to think of when this idea is mentioned is Twitter – immediate, easy, and most people have it.

When it first started creating a name for itself in 2008, however, Twitter did not even have a mention function; this was something users created and which the website’s publishers picked up on and implemented into the core workings of the site. This is the kind of user-based functional change that is so interesting about media on the internet, and can be applied to many sites. One that has been increasingly appeared over the past year is YouTube.

YouTube has a pretty humble beginning, much like Twitter. Originally, it was just a place where people talked to a camera about their daily lives and maybe uploaded their low-budget indie creations. Granted, this is still a lot of the basis for YouTube’s success, along with being the perfect place for starting viral trends, yet one of the most fascinating parts of YouTube is the creation of the ‘YouTube star’, who not only

makes money off the kind of lowbudget production that generally used to be seen as a bit of a joke, but can base their entire career on it.

The kinds of YouTubers that tend to get the most loyal viewers tend to be Beauty blogger ‘Gurus’ and gaming/Let’s Play channels.

Videos created by Beauty Gurus have come under fire in recent months for unfair and dishonest advertising practices. Beauty Guru Zoella, who was recently embroiled in a ghostwriting scandal, is an example of such practice. A staple practice of many Beauty Gurus is the monthly ‘favourites’ video, where they list and show off their favourite beauty and lifestyle products of the past month.

Because you can see their faces, and a beauty guru’s brand is usually that she is approachable and a ‘girl next door’ type, you are inclined to believe that these really are her favourite things that she chose herself.

However, this is often not the case. Many Beauty Gurus have management and are given products and items to promote. This is what gets the bigger YouTubers a lot of money; viewer and subscriber counts are a solid income if you have enough, but that won’t buy you security in making YouTube

your entire career. These sponsorships are becoming bigger, and more widespread. Vlogger FleurDeForce, who is more honest than most about advertising, has a well-known deal with The Body Shop and frequently talks about their products. If we compare with fellow vlogger Essiebutton, however, because her favoured practice is hiding affiliate links under tinyurl or bit.ly domains, when she talks about The Body Shop it is not clear whether or not this is to promote them for the money, or if she genuinely likes them.

Due to these practices, ASA ruled last year that, as affiliate links and sponsorships can be so easily hidden, YouTubers must now make it clear when they are doing so by putting ‘AD’ in their video headers. Some YouTubers fail to do this, or try to hide exactly which product they are advertising by talking about a load of other companies and products at the same time. ASA rules state that, in accordance with the UK advertising code, adverts must be ‘obviously identifiable marketing communications’. It remains unclear which situations break this regulation, and what reprimand breaking this rule will incur. As YouTube evolves, presumably the law will evolve alongside it.

Agathe Barceló bathimpact Writer HSBC has become embroiled in another scandal. According to leaked files, the Swiss bank has been allegedly helping their wealthiest customers to evade taxes and conceal millions of dollars in assets. Tax authorities discovered that the bank engaged in said illegal activities between 2005 and 2007.

This is not the first time an HSBC scandal has surfaced. It ap-

pears that everyone but the bank itself is facing serious allegations, in particular David Cameron, the Conservatives and HMRC. Stephen Green, Chief Executive of HSBC during the period in question, was appointed as Minister of Trade from 2011 to 2013; this matter thus implicates Cameron for failing to notice Green’s misconduct.

HSBC itself, however, is unlikely to stop aiding its wealthy customers in the future even as the

prospects of tax evasion punishment loom. Despite the fact that Spain, France, the UK have recovered some of the tax money stolen, no actual punishment has been executed. Denmark claimed that it will seek out names and Spain declared that it was ‘considering’ issuing international arrest warrants for directors of HSBC. No solid precautions have been taken to prevent future tax evasion.

HSBC remains powerful in banking circles.

O

More scandals for HSBC

Words are like money...the way they are used changes their value

Tuesday 3rd March 2015

bathimpact

19

Activities

facebook.com/bathimpact

Sam Leveridge bathimpact Writer

I

Bath RAG

t’s that time of year again, when for one week only there will be strange sights and weird and wonderful activities. If you’re wandering down Parade and notice people bungee jumping in the East car park, or people sleeping rough outside the library, don’t worry, it’s all part of RAG Week from 2 March until 6 March to support various charities.

It kicks off on Monday night, with a Night at Gatsby’s opening launch party in the Claverton Rooms. Tickets are on sale now on www.bathstudent.com for £10. The party will have a 1920’s theme and takes place from 9pm until 2am, with a live band and DJ performing. There’ll also be a casino and a raffle.

Tuesday night will see 60 participants sleeping rough outside the library. There will be entertainment from ChaOs, food and drinks, films and games for those who take part, who can sign up on www.bathstudent.com. This event is being held in support of Julian

House, a charity in Bath which helps provide shelter and support to those affected by homelessness.

Another tough physical challenge will be held on Wednesday where you can abseil down the Avon Gorge, a height of 200ft for just £20. Transport to and from the event will be provided and you will be supported by trained professionals to help you down the Gorge.

All money raised at this event will go to Worldwide Cancer Research.

If you’d rather go up than down, then Wednesday offers the chance to go tandem skydiving with Bath RAG at Dunkeswell Airfield alongside an experienced instructor, giving you a chance to skydive with just basic training.

You can then lay back and relax by enjoying a movie screening of Mean Girls at 7:30pm in 8W2.1 as part of Wear Pink Wednesday to raise money for Breast Cancer Research UK. The best pink outfit worn by each boy, girl, club, team and society will win a prize if they tweet a picture with the hashtag #bathwearspink.

Thursday at 8pm in the ICIA

Bath RAG has helped give to many charities through fun activities

Arts Lecture Theatre is an opportunity for Bath’s best talents to showcase their skills in the Bath’s Got Talent contest. The crowd and judges will decide a winner to crown as Bath’s most talented act of 2015.

Friday will see the end of RAG Week and it will go out with a bang.

First off you can bungee jump in East car park to give you views across campus and the city of Bath for £40 by buying your ticket at www.bathstudent.com.

RAG Week’s happy hour will witness ‘I’m an SU Officer…Get Me Out of Here!’’s return, where our beloved SU officers face challenges such as egg Russian roulette and drinking a non-alcoholic dirty pint in the hope of being crowned ‘King of Campus’.

That evening there will be the finale event, held at Second Bridge.

Tickets will be available at a discounted rate of £4 each, and with each ticket sale £2 will go to RAG. Tickets for this event can only be bought at Friday’s RAG Week events, so make sure you go!

Throughout the week RAG will be running the #RAGSelflessSelfie campaign. The idea is that you choose something simple to give up for RAG Week, write what you’ve given up on a piece of paper and take a selfie with it. Then share it on social media and nominate your friends, and donate the money that you would have spent on what you’ve given up to RAG instead!

While some events are run with specific charities in mind, RAG will primarily be supporting their Big 4 for 2014/15.

These include Time2Share, a Bath based charity that help to build confidence and self-esteem of young disabled people by providing a non-judgemental environment and social outings with volunteer ‘befrienders’.

Bath RAG

Bath raises and gives for charity

Campaigner Vishala Ramswami takes a Selfless Selfie for RAG There is also Jamie’s Farm, The last of the big four is Unwhich gives vulnerable inner city seen, a national charity which prochildren the opportunity to expe- vides safe and secure emergency rience life in the country and on a accommodation for female surfarm. It also provides therapy and vivors of human trafficking. They support to help these children to aim to combat modern day slavery flourish in education and their and prevent young females from being forced into slavery. communities.

RAG Chair Matt Gilchrist said Forever Friends is another Bath based charity that raises money to “It’s really warmed my heart to see support patients at the Royal Unit- how many students have given so ed Hospital. Their current project much of their energy, spirit, creais to support the building of a new tivity and dedication to put togethcancer care centre at the hospital er this really incredible week, full of which would benefit 2,200 patients exciting events.”

See you there! yearly.

Sophie Hindley bathimpact Writer

T

he Poker Society is not one of those societies that can perform at the societies showcase, or compete in the talent show, so you may not have heard of us, but we are here! We have over 100 members and every week we hold tournaments from 7pm until around 11pm where there is usually a turnout of around 70 players.

Having so many members means that we have a complete range of different abilities, from complete beginner to expert and everything in between. We meet on Thursdays at 7pm in 4E 3.44 and hold a Texas Hold’em tournament where the top players get points which then go towards an annual leaderboard, and the top three players of the night receive amazon vouchers. At the end of every year the top nine players on the leaderboard play on our final table and play for real prizes.

Our top prize this year is going to be

a brand new PS4, with lower down prizes also mainly being electrical products, or even poker chip sets and similar poker themed items.

We also hold ‘virtual cash games’, starting at 8-8.30pm, so that people who bust out of the tournament through the night can still play poker for a few more hours.

As soon as you join the society you get a ‘bankroll’ of £100,000 chips, and you can withdraw this up to a max of £10,000 at a time. The 5/6 players with the highest bankrolls at the end of the year will also be eligible for prizes. The cash tables generally run Texas Hold’em, however if there are players who want to learn new varieties of poker, such as stud or Omaha, then Poker society teaches and plays those as well!

In addition to weekly tournaments, we also hold outside events on a weekend that last for most of the day. This lets players play tournaments for much longer, and at a much slower pace, and the ticket

Bath Poker Soc

Wanna Hold ‘em like they do in Texas

Poker Society is a place where you can come and play a bit of Texas Hold’em and win some prizes price for this includes higher value ning to run an all-day charity tour- you wouldn’t normally get to meet, amazon vouchers for the top play- nament, where the winners donate and have a chance of winning some ers as well as unlimited Domino’s their share of the prize pool to a really good prizes!

If you are interested in joining, or registered charity of their choice. pizza for lunch.

Non-members are also welcome We’re really excited about organis- even just having a go then your first tournament is always free! So come at these events, all details are on ing and running this tournament!

That’s pretty much everything along, Thursdays at 7pm in 4E 3.44. our Facebook page, which gets updated roughly two weeks before the we offer in a nutshell, a chance to Any other questions or queries you learn and play poker, meet new may have please feel free to email: tournament.

In addition, this year we’re plan- people with similar interests that socs-poker@bath.ac.uk

Tuesday 3rd March 2015

bathimpact

21

Sport

facebook.com/bathimpact

Christian’s 10 big challenges for Theo

Christian with nephew Theo who suffers from Cerebral Palsy

Zoe Trust Charity Challenge 2015 Emily Hogge impactsport Contributor

T

Over the past three years the club has taken on three similar challenges, covering in total over 14,000km and raising over £6000 for the trust. This money has helped to relocate an orphanage which is home to 22 vulnerable children.

If you would like to help the club continue to change lives, you can sponsor them at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ CC2015 and follow their progress on the facebook page or twitter @ ZoeTrust. If you would like to join in with the challenge then email Emily Hogge at emily@zoetrust. org or go along and sign up on the day.

The event is being sponsored by PwC, DBmax and nuun.

Emily Hogge

his year the University of Bath Triathlon Club are aiming to cover the distance of 22 Iron Man triathlons in just 22 hours on the University campus. That is 4051km of cycling and 929km of running. In the process they hope to raise money for The Zoe Trust, a charity which helps give children living in poverty in South Africa the chance to a brighter future through education. The challenge will take place between 5pm on the March 19 and 3pm on the March 20. You will find them cycling on stationary bikes outside the library and running a 5km loop around the university.

Why 10 challenges? A marathon is crazy enough…

Yes, people think I’ve lost my mind! Mainly the scale of it is what I am aiming for. I wanted to stand out as there are plenty who do challenges everyday, I wanted people to think “Wow that guy is crazy!”, which is mostly the response I’ve had. I’m pretty nervous as the challenges are all hard work and vary too.

The Zoe Trust Challenge returns to campus for a fourth year

How can other people get involved?

So people can either create their own Just Giving page, say I am going to swim the distance of the Channel for my friend for example. They can also just post on Facebook saying I am going to be doing this, here is where I would love sponsorship to go and post my link. One of the girls I used to work with at the University is doing that for the Bath Half for Theo, which is really nice.

Do you hope that this will not only raise money for your nephew, Theo, but also awareness for other people suffering with Cerebral Palsy as well?

Yes, definitely! There are many children who suffer with Cerebral Palsy and Tree of Hope helps to provide for children who need specialist care and specialist treatment. Tree of Hope covers mostly neurological and disability issues, and help children who need surgery and treatment. It also doesn’t just have to be for children suffering with Cerebral Palsy. The money raised is so important in providing treatment to the likes of my nephew; in helping kids receive therapy and treatment that help things like movement in an effective way. The equipment needed will also constantly change as Theo grows, like a wheelchair.

You must be quite overwhelmed with support. You

have helped to raise over £20,000 with your family so far…

Yes, it’s amazing! From the very first day I put it on Facebook people started donating who had seen the Facebook post through friends of friends and people sharing it. The support is incredible, I don’t know anyone else who has survived doing this! Now that I’ve committed I have to see it through and complete all of the challenges, and the messages of support and donations make it so worthwhile. £50,000 is the five-year target.

What would you like to say to our bathimpact readers?

Thank you to all those who have donated so far and anymore donations would be fantastic! To be honest though I love it when people want to get involved, if anyone wants to raise money either for Theo or for a charity of their own but don’t have the confidence to do it alone then I would love them to contact me! I would love it if everyone kept updated with my events on my blog at http://tenbigchallengesfortheo.blogspot.co.uk/ where people can also check events and dates on a regular basis!

For more information or to donate, please visit Christian’s fundraising page at https:// www.justgiving.com/tenbigchallengesfortheo or his sister’s page at https://www.justgiving.com/ thinkingoftheo/.

End of England team?

Hugo Varley impactsport Contributor

S

ky Sports and BT Sport recently paid a staggering £5.163 billion to broadcast the Premier League for the next three seasons. This figure is far higher than the broadcasting revenue received by any of the other major football leagues in the world and could potentially have huge ramifications for the English game. Ultimately, much of this money will trickle down to the Premier League clubs, leading them to becoming far wealthier than their European counterparts. One obvious advantage is that clubs will have the ability to offer higher wages and therefore attract a higher calibre of players to the Premier League. This will mean that the quality of the Premier League is likely to further accelerate ahead of its rivals. In addition to this, we can also expect Premier League clubs to achieve more success in competitions such as the Champions League and the FIFA Club World Championship. However, the new broadcasting deal provides a number of worrying dangers.

Firstly, the quality of the England national team is likely to be damaged. This is because the increased foreign talent that the Premier League will attract will

restrict the opportunities for English players. This problem is especially confounded by the fact that English players have historically struggled to settle and acclimatize in foreign leagues. The new broadcasting deal has therefore made a repeat of the 1966 World Cup winning heroics seem increas-

citing signing, more people will want to watch the team and therefore demand for tickets will rise.

Such a rise in demand will then lead to prices being forced up.

This could serve to price out many dedicated fans and enhance the increasingly upper class nature of the Premier League. Finally, an often overlooked issue is that the potential cash bonanza that promotion to the Premier League will bring, could attract unscrupulous owners to the Championship.

These owners will be enticed by the opportunity to make a “quick buck” and may have little understanding of footballing culture in general.

This form of ownership is usually extremely unpopular and often leads to supporter alienation, which can be highly damaging to the long term popularity of the game.

Without a doubt the new broadcasting deal will help to increase the standard of football in the Premier League. However, measures must be taken to limit the dangers mentioned above.

For example, the Premier League could strengthen the current rules on the minimum number of homegrown players a team must have. Additionally, initiatives to keep ticket prices stable and prevent the mismanagement of clubs should also be pursued.

Dean Jones

F

eatures Editor Alexandra Egan sat down with Christian Miller, a 22-year-old Economics student and hockey player at the University of Bath, to discuss ten monumental challenges he is undertaking this year to raise money for the Tree of Hope charity. Christian’s nephew Theo, son of his sister Lucy Crunden, who turns 3 in August, is the motivation behind this huge undertaking in the hope of raising money for treatment and therapy. When Theo was born, his brain was starved of oxygen and he suffered Hypoxic Ischaemic Encephalopathy. This caused his quadriplegic cerebral palsy, secondary dystonia, epilepsy and visual impairment.

What exactly are the “10 challenges for Theo”?

The challenges include the London Marathon and the Bath Half.

Then I’m skydiving too - I hate heights and tiny planes! I’m also running 500 miles and swimming the distance of the Channel in a year. There’s climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon, the three highest peaks in Scotland, England and Wales. I will also be doing the Major Series South Mud Run. Next is cycling the length of the UK - the big one! A place in Cornwall to a place in Scotland in ten days. After that I’ll be building Theo’s Fairy

Garden, as at the moment our garden is either too grassy or has really uneven turf for my nephew, who will be in a wheelchair. Therefore we are going to build a little maze walkway with lighting for him. Finally there’s creating a website, so we can post updates and photos and have a story behind this; a sort of combination of Facebook, Just Giving and selling tickets for future events to raise money.

Christian Miller

Alexandra Egan Features Editor impact-features@bath.ac.uk

New TV rights could stop young English players getting games ingly unlikely for the England national team. Second, many football pundits have explained that ticket prices will in all likelihood increase. Despite the broadcasting deal granting higher revenue for clubs, history suggests that fans will have to pay more money to see their teams. For example, when a club makes a new and ex-

22

Tuesday 3rd March 2015

bathimpact

Sport

facebook.com/bathimpact

Jono Spencer impactsport Contributor

he last couple of weeks have seen plenty of success and drama for the Hockey Club. At the start of February, the Men’s 1s snatched the league title in dramatic circumstances from Exeter and a week later on February 11, the Women’s 3s won their league rather more comfortably.

Going into the final day of the league season, the Men’s 1s needed Exeter to lose against Bristol to have any chance of claiming the tile. This did not look likely as Bristol were fighting to stay up, but against all the odds, our close neighbours defeated the Devon outfit 3-2. The news filtered though in Bath and the celebrations were truly underway with welcome drinks that evening. According to Freddie Everett, the Men’s 1s goalkeeper and Chairman of the Hockey Club, the committee’s main aim was “to improve performance of all teams and ensure we distance ourselves from our rivals and winning the league is testament to the team and clubs improvement.” A Bath victory at home to Oxford on the same day meant they claimed the title by one point and as a re-

sult, the 1s will now play the winners of Bristol or Nottingham University in the cup.

Special mentions for this achievement go out to Josh Mardell, Sam Hatherley, Ben Mackey, Nik Rieger and Luca Signorelli for becoming the only University of Bath Men’s hockey players in the history of the club to win two league titles for the Men’s 1s.

The Ladies 3s secured the league title after an emphatic 4-0 victory against UWE 2s. The result meant the women won the league with two games to spare and are currently seven points ahead of Marjons 1s. They have only dropped two points so far all season and will be hoping to finish their league campaign strongly. Captain, Becky Connell commented “winning the league is a fantastic achievement, especially winning it a few matches early.

Captaining this team was a dream and topping the league was just what everyone deserved.” After a tough season last year resulting in them being relegated, the 3s have bounced straight back up in an impressive manner. Well done ladies.

Rach Porter & Rach Fellows impactsport Contributors very year Bath Uni Canoe Club take the long drive on to Teesside to participate in the BUCS Slalom, an event which involves negotiating a white water course while trying to pass through gates. This year, 13 University of Bath Canoe Club members of mixed experience and ability arrived late to the hotel and prepared themselves for a cold but fun weekend.

The canoeists arrived bright and early at Tees Barrage to sign in and get kitted up in time for when practice started at 8:30am. Slalom isn’t a discipline that the club specifically train for, so as some people had never even tried slalom before,

practice was important. However, some competitors went for an unplanned swim after getting caught out by a slightly larger feature at the bottom of the course.

The events started with the men’s K1 (kayak) in their plastic boats and the competition was rife up against some of the top sporting universities in the UK who had specialist discipline specific boats and coaches. Stuart Wood achieved the highest placing from the University of Bath men in 37th with the others following closely behind. The afternoon brought not only a little sunshine but the women’s team event, 3 members per team, one run and finish within 30 seconds of the first and last paddler, our girls prepped

T

Michael Powell

League titles falling to hockey club

The Men’s 1s beat Exeter to the league title in dramatic fashion In other news, both the Men’s just how impressive his team have 2s and Men’s 3s are currently in a been this year, “After escaping head to head battle to secure fin- relegation last season, a quarter ishing first in their league, above final in the cup against Exeter and fierce rivals Exeter. In previous a battle for the title shows how years Exeter have dominated the strong we have become this year”.

The two Bath sides teams play league and Bath have always attempted to knock them off their each other in the league in their perch. Now both Bath sides have penultimate match of the season, leapfrogged their rivals, with the which is sure to decide who wins Men’s 3s sitting two points ahead the league. They may also meet of the Men’s 2s. Will Mainwar- each other in the cup semi-final if ing, the 3s captain, emphasised they both win their quarter-final

matches. Sam Wilson, the Men’s 2s captain compares this this inter-club rivalry to competitive siblings in sport, “You love them because they’re family but there can be nothing more satisfying than putting one past them on the field”.

The Men’s 4s are also joint top of their league with Winchester as things stand. Both sides are currently sitting on 18 points but the Hampshire outfit have an extra game still to play. This means everything is still to fight for, in what is sure to be an exciting end to the season.

This success has seen the Hockey Club become the second most successful team within the University so far this year, just behind the Badminton Club. The hockey sides currently have 204 BUCS points compared to Badminton’s 240. Things are looking very good for the Hockey Club at this moment in time and hopefully there is more success to come, not just in the league but also the cup competitions as the season reaches its climax. So show your support for the Rangers by going down to the Sitec Arena as all of the teams give one last big push!

Slaloming success A bad-terring

The Canoe Club finished in 5th, their highest ever slalom position

Chris Hotchen impactsport Contributor

T

he University of Bath Badminton men’s 1s made history as they cruised to the Premier South Division title this year. Not only did they win this division for the 11th consecutive year but they did so by winning every match 8-0. The feat was successfully accomplished after a particularly one-sided affair against Southampton in the last game of the season. Harrison Simcock got Bath off to the perfect start with a 21-12 21-15 win against the visitor’s top singles player in what turned out to be the closest game of the day. A strong Bath lineup including former junior national champions Sam Dobson, Chris Hotchen (captain) and Angus Pedersen, proved far too strong for their opponents as Southampton only made double figures in one other set. The home side quickly wrapped up their tenth 8-0 victory of the campaign to finish top of the table by 10 points and with an aggregate score for the season of 80-0. This is the first time in BUCS history that a team has won the badminton Premier Division by winning every match 8-0, which is the largest possible margin.

Bath is renowned for its excellent badminton high performance

training, which is led by former England international Pete Bush, and attracts some of the best badminton talent across the country.

It is therefore no surprise that all badminton teams at the University are having yet another successful year. The women’s 1s replicated the men’s success by beating Southampton in the last match of the league to lift the title of the Premier South Division for the 10th time in 11 years. The 8-0 victory was secured by excellent performances from Amy Reddaway, Lubomira Stoynova (captain) and partner Yuni Kwon.

Both women’s and men’s 2s have an equally impressive record, having won their divisions for the last four and five years respectively despite playing against other university first teams. Neither of the 2s can be promoted as they are in the division directly below the 1s.

Both the men’s and women’s 1s will now aim to continue their success as they focus on the knock-out competitions where the women will be hoping for revenge against the University of Leeds after the northern side proved too strong for Bath’s women in the quarter finals of the competition last year.

The men also have a difficult draw as they are due to face last year’s runners up, Leeds Beckett Carnegie, in their first match.

Michael Powell

Holly Merritt-Webster

E

themselves to paddle hard.

Day 2 and the skies appeared to be brighter, but the water just as cold with a lot more events to do and the women’s K1, men’s C1 (canoe), women’s C1 and C2 (two man canoe) were all in one block. With only one C1 between the club, a rather old boat, it was tight for time trying to get everyone down the course before the events finished.

Hannah, managed to sweet talk a competitor into lending her a slalom boat and paddled harder than ever to 15th place showing Bath how it can be done.

Carnage (lots of swimming) wasn’t too high from Bath, until they brought out the C1. Most of the team who participated in the event swam at least once, although when they didn’t they earned valuable points towards the team’s total score.

In the end, team work, encouragement and lots of runs down the course led to University of Bath to success! The club ranked 5th overall, the highest Bath have ever achieved at that competition, only being beaten by Loughborough in 1st, Nottingham 2nd, Newcastle 3rd and Strathclyde 4th. Everyone at the club was extremely pleased with the valuable BUCS points that they had earned and the University of Bath Canoe Club were hoping for. If was a great weekend for all the competitors that braved the north!

If you want to find out more about the Canoe club you can visit their blog buccapaddlerstale.blogspot.co.uk or follow the club on fb.co.uk/bathunicanoe.

Tuesday 3rd March 2015

bathimpact facebook.com/bathimpact

A

fter a strong pre-season and bolstered by an exciting new crop of freshers, it was with high expectations that the University of Bath’s Men’s Football second XI met to discuss their season objectives. The message from the coach (Tom King) and club chairman (Jack Stanbury) was clear; after back to back relegations it was absolutely essential that the team achieved promotion.

The season began with a trip to Cardiff to play against their medic first team and any preconceptions about playing in what was thought to be an easy league were soon dismissed as within the first 15 minutes the opposition were busy and well drilled, with Bath struggling to break them down. Thankfully, despite the lashing rain and boggy pitch the boys were able to show their class and after a barnstorming run for the opener from centre forward Steve Sides the team ended up 4-0 winners.

Over the following weeks the team turned in strong performances against USW and Gloucester, meaning that as they journeyed to play UWE 2s, they had scored 13 goals without reply in 3 games.

What should have been an easy win in light of recent results turned out to be a difficult fixture with the strong current from a nearby wind turbine causing the Bath defenders all sorts of problems under the

Only Cardiff Medics have denied the Men’s 2s victory this season home side’s long ball tactics. How- ute. A frantic last ten saw Bath go ever, strong performances from the close but fail to win all 3 points. The Duke (Johann Kirsten) and Hayden medics would later tweet that they Rogers allowed the team to grind are not only good footballers but also save lives for a living – we wish out an uncomfortable 1-0 win.

As the last Wednesday before them all the best in their careers.

After a long Christmas break Christmas approached the Bath goal remained unbreached in the Bath returned to action with anleague and the boys welcomed the other away trip to Wales knowing return leg of their contest against that two more wins would secure Cardiff Medics. A change in goal the title. The task in front of them saw Jack Penn come in for the was a strong USW outfit whose first unavailable Rogers and this was to team had just won the Southern prove costly as Cardiff nodded in Prem Title. The game turned out to a free kick early in the second half be Bath’s strongest of the year with to see Bath fall behind for the first Ben Sawney scoring 6 goals in what time this season. The boys rallied was a 7-0 romp. The game also amongst some strong play from the saw the return to action of a new Welsh Wizard Jake Cross, but it streamlined Alex Zubaidi, though was Luke Wilson who would poke sadly there appeared to be little imin the equaliser in the 80th min- provement in the fitness levels of

Gemma Waters impactsport Contributor

A

t the start of February, the University of Bath Trampolining Club took to the stage at the Cambridge Open.

With a squad of 18 competitors, the team were ready for a day which looked to be fun filling and exciting.

The competition which forms part of the Southern Universities Trampoline League (SUTL) sees participants from a wide range of universities competing in categories varying from beginner to elite. With a compulsory and voluntary routine, the Bath athletes once again gave some outstanding performances. Gold medals were claimed for Tori Foote and Gemma Waters in the lower synchronised event, Mark Percival won a bronze medal in the men’s SUTL2 category and Ryan Hylands took bronze in the men’s SUTL6 category. Incredible performances from all.

Aside from the medallist’s, Bath also had some other impressive performances with a number of fourth place finishes. These came from Charlotte Male in SUTL 1 Ladies, Shan Bendall in SUTL 3 Ladies, Toby Nash in SUTL 4 Mens and Gemma Waters in SUTL 5 Ladies. This is not easy when categories often exceed 20 performers

Shan Bendall

Bouncing to medals

The four Bath trampolining medalists from the Cambridge Open and with SUTL 5 ladies consisting results which produced a day to of 66 performers. An outstanding remember, but with such a large effort by all!

Bath contingency, the team spirit It doesn’t stop there however, and team work were remarkable. for the University of Bath Tram- The event was enjoyed by all that polining Club, with more suc- took part and can be recognised cesses and further remarkable re- as another successful day for the sults from Hannah Milbourn and Trampolining Club this year.

Emma De Cruz placing 5th and The Trampolining Club pride 8th respectively in SUTL 2 ladies, themselves on being a fun and Connor James and Will Pile com- friendly club who welcome indiing 5th and 6th respectively in viduals at all levels. With enthusiSUTL 5 men and Tori Foote 7th astic coaches and weekly training out of 59 in SUTL 6 ladies. sessions, the club is going from It was an incredible day for strength to strength. If you would the squad with so many individu- like more information about the als excelling in the name of Team University of Bath Trampolining Bath. The dedication and training Club then contact Katie Holmes has paid off and it wasn’t just the (Chair: kgh22@bath.ac.uk).

the ex-Chelsea legend.

The following round of fixtures saw a title decider between first placed Bath and their closest rivals Gloucester. Lifted by the promise of a packed balcony of fans, family and potential suitors the boys were suitably buoyant in the pre match huddle. Coach Tom King wasn’t afraid to mention how often he had tweeted about it and there were rumours of more than one retweet.

Despite the large support the game turned out to be a relatively dull 2-0 win for the home side. In a game of little quality, two long balls from Joseph Priestley finished by Jake Cross and Ben Sawney, were enough to see Bath secure promotion.

It has been a wonderful season so far but no less than the boys expected. Currently the record stands as: Pl 8 W 7 D 1 L 0, with 27 goals scored and just one conceded, with two games against the bottom two sides to go. The team also look forward to a semi-final against Hartpury in the Regional Cup this Wednesday (5th March) after an impressive 3-1 quarter final win against a Cardiff Met side from the league above.

Sport

Archers winning formula Alex Snell impactsport Contributor The Archery Team again had a fantastic run at a competition, this time the all-important BUCS Indoors on 7th February. Almost 700 archers attended the competition, but that didn’t stop the team from bringing home more than their fair share of medals.

Gold and bronze medals were won in the Experienced Lady Barebow category, another gold was claimed in the Experienced Male Longbow category, and there was a silver for one of the club’s new members in the Novice Lady Barebow category. Their Experienced Male Recurve Team placed 6th, up from 12th last year. A total of 37 BUCS points were won, meaning last year’s total of 48 points should easily be surpassed. The team has already started training for their next set of competitions and are hoping their winning streak continues.

Rec cricket Chris Leaney impactsport Contributor

W

hile England endured the worst possible start to their World Cup campaign in Australia, cricket of a very different nature was taking place in Bath at the end of last month. The inaugural indoor tournament for the University of Bath was hosted by Kingswood School, attracting six seven-a-side teams consisting of all abilities, years and both genders. Each match was six overs per innings with everyone bowling one over apart from the wicketkeeper. This year the University has placed a large focus upon recreational sport, with cricket one of the clubs to lead the way by hosting events like the one on Saturday.

The teams were all fairly evenly matched as they had to contain a maximum of two squad players and at least one non-member with the rest consisting of recreational members. This showed in the first of the round-robin contests as Seven Byes narrowly overcame Sydney Seveners by eight runs thanks to Ed Clark’s two wickets in the final over. This group also contained Hobart Harrykanes who beat both Seven Byes and Sydney

Seveners thanks to Jo Priestley and Jack Penn’s retirements on 20 respectively.

In the other group, Chris Martin’s innings for Varun Chopra’s Barmy Army was enough to see off Man Down (the Ladies’ side) despite Sophie Griffiths retiring, before Man Down lost to Fine Legs after Sam Barnes and Max Robson both retired. This set up an effective semi-final which saw the highest successful chase of the day – 70 - by Varun Chopra’s Barmy Army after Tim Graham’s rapid 22.

Retirements from Connor Morrison, Zac Millar and Chris Leaney ensured that Sydney Seveners won the 5th / 6th play-off vs Man Down before Jack Hulme inspired an 11-run victory for Seven Byes over Fine Legs to gain third. In the final, Jack Penn and Matt Hamilton’s runs at the start for Hobart Harrykanes proved crucial as they defeated the Barmy Army by eight runs in a tight, hard-fought contest despite Chamath Jayasooriya’s two wickets.

The whole day was played in a great spirit and proved a fantastic success, and it is hoped that cricket can make this an annual event as part of the inter-halls tournament run by the university every year.

Chris Leaney

Joe Priestley impactsport Contributor

Michael Powell

Football two’s bounce back

23

The first recreational cricket tournament was in February

impactsport

Hockey Club enjoying successful season page 22

Michael Powell

UIPM

Michael Powell

Tuesday 3rd March 2015

Rugby lose as City dream of Wembley

Bath draw in FA trophy semi-final first leg but Rugby and Netball defeated Tom Cawse impactsport Contributor ath City FC have continued their remarkable run in the FA Trophy, the cup competition for teams in levels 5-8 of the football pyramid. After conceding two late goals in the quarter-final first leg against Dover Athletic, Bath beat the Kent side 2-1 in a replay at Twerton Park. The Romans are now looking to defeat North Ferriby United in the semi-final to march on Wembley for the first time in their history. North Ferriby sit midtable in the Conference North at the moment and Bath may well be glad to avoid Conference teams Torquay United and Wrexham in the semi-final. The semi-final is played over two legs and at home in the first leg, Bath fought back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2, setting up a tense re-match in Yorkshire.

The home leg came at the end of a bizarre

B

week in which City beat Farnborough 7-4 in a midweek league game. The fixture equalled the record for the most goals in a Conference South game and also saw Nick McCootie score four goals, the first Bath player to do so for 17 years.

Bath’s rugby team however have had a less successful week. After losing to Saracens, second place Bath lost a top of the table clash against Northampton 13-21 at the Rec. Two defeats in a row mean Bath are now 9 points behind Northampton, but still on course to make the play-offs and qualify for next season’s European Rugby Champions Cup. After starting well, including racing into a 10-0 lead with new signing Tom Homer kicking 5 points to add to Olly Woodburn’s early try, Bath were pegged back and Northampton gained a 2 point lead by the break. Despite having George Pisi sinned binned for a mid-air tackle,

badminton

the Saints marched on to victory in the second half.

It has however been more successful for some of Bath’s players in the Six Nations.

Johnathan Joseph has set the tournament alight by scoring 3 tries in the opening two matches for England. His side-steps have left many an international defender stranded and his pace has then left them in his wake. Since then there have been inevitable comparisons with Bath and England legend Jeremy Guscott. Bath’s George Ford was also top of the points scoring charts after the end of the second round of matches after impressive performances from the fly-half.

Team Bath Netball have endured a difficult start to their Superleague season with four straight defeats after an opening day victory over Team Northumbria. This run of poor form leaves Bath in sixth place in the table and

football get involved

Men’s 1s complete record breaking season

Men’s 2s gain promotion after winning title

impactsport’s Chris Hotchen writes about another incredible year for the University of Bath’s Badminton Club, including the Men’s 1s creating some history with their unprecedented success.

After two tough years, the Men’s 2s bounced back by easing to the league title with 2 games to spare. impactsport’s Joe Priestley discusses how they achieved the feat with an overview of the team’s season.

e pag

22

already facing an uphill battle to make the top 4 at the end of the season.

Meanwhile, exactly one year after her Olympic gold, Lizzie Yarnold won gold again in Sochi in this season’s world cup event. It was Yarnold’s 5th victory of the season and secured her silver in the overall standings behind Austria’s Janine Flock. Yarnold will now lead the Bath-based British Skeleton team for the FIBT World Championships in Germany, where she will aim to add the one trophy missing from her collection.

Another British team based at the University is modern pentathlon and the multi-eventers have also enjoyed a successful week. In the first world cup event of the season in Sarasota, Florida, world champion Samantha Murray won gold with British number one Kate French claiming bronze in the women’s race and Jamie Cooke winning gold in the men’s.

We’re always looking for writers, photographers, people to take part, or just all round sports buffs to help out.

e 23

pag

So if you are interested in sport and want to contribute, then contact impactsport Editor Michael Powell (impact-sport@bath.ac.uk) to find out more about how you can get involved.