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bathimpact The University of Bath Students’ Union Newspaper

Volume 13 Issue 7

Monday 20th February 2012

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In this week’s bathimpact

Thats an App!

The University of Bath hosted its first ever mobile technology competition in a new initiative run in cooperation with Student Enterprise, BANTER and the Students’ Union.

The evening hosted an array of speakers from the mobile technology industry who discussed the scope for advancement in the field.

Turn to page 3

Robert Edwards Bath Uni Memes

Healing deal

Bath Uni Memes has taken the University by storm, with 3000 likes in under a day. Buses are always a topic for ridicule, see comment page 9

The Advertising Standards Agency have recently stepped onto Bath’s streets to tell a Christian group they are no longer allowed to preach the healing powers of God in public spaces. Is such activity an unwelcome encroachment into public space or part of the right to free speech? Christiana Langma takes a look...

Turn to page 8

Further NUS action announced Peace launch T Emma Clarke bathimpact Contributor he National Union of Students (NUS) have announced the latest wave of action in relation to government cuts to education.

An email was sent out to the national student body earlier this month promoting the ‘walk out’ which is set to take place on the 14th of March as part of a week of activism in the run up to a series of events which are currently in the pipeline for April.

The NUS are still fighting against the recent changes to higher education fees and wider education funding and expresses the need for further debate and awareness regarding the changes, so that current students, and potential applicants are fully informed about the full implications

of the new legislation currently making its way through parliament. Until recently, the NUS was lobbying the government through the higher education bill which would have enacted most of the changes the originally called for, however the bill has been shelved until 2014. The renewed need for improved public debate has arisen as there is now a fear that such measures will be pushed through without a decent airing in the commons.

Commenting on the issue, NUS President Liam Burns said “The coalition government may have shied away from making its plans clear... many of the most damaging reforms they want to push through do not actually require legislation”. He continued to state how students need ‘protection from institutional failure’ and the

haphazard changing of the loans system.

The NUS state that the changes will mean students will be ‘priced out of education’. Fears are still prominent throughout the organization and other related bodies that the shift will ensure that students from less privileged backgrounds will experience lessened accessibility, in an era where education is of increasing importance in a shrinking job market.

The government have been adamant in disputing such claims; the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills said “Most new students will not pay upfront, there will be more financial support for those from poorer families and everyone will make lower loan repayments than they do now once they are in well paid jobs”.

The NUS call the current plans

‘destructive’ and believe that the changes are part of a grander plan to privatise an increasing number of higher and further education institutions as the role out of academies continues.

The action is aimed to raise the profile of the issue once again as the NUS and other unions’ fear that it has slipped too far from the minds of the people it will affect the most.

They said; “The walkout will show the government what campuses will look like if they continue to press ahead with their plans for privatisation”... empty.

Leeds University is one of the first institutions to confirm that they will back this latest run of action with the aim of reminding the Coalition that the issue is not at the back of student minds after all.

Continues on page 3...

Sudan has taken a step towards creating peace in the war torn territory. The Darfur Regional Authority (DRA) has been set up to encourage peace after multiple failed attempts by those in power to establish some kind of stability in the region. The steps have been hailed as formidable, but only time will measure their effectiveness.

Turn to page 16

National bites Is Great Britain really that great?

No one even really calls it that any more, but why? This issues bite has a look at what makes the UK good and what makes it bad in the run up to a Spring and Summer of indulgent Britishness with the Jubilee and other events bringing out the good nationalist in us.

Page 2 of bite

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Monday 20th February 2012

Editorials

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Kylie Barton Editor-in-Chief

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The University of Bath Students’ Union Newspaper

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Magali Calabressi Treasurer

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Jack Franklin IT Officer

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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.

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If you don’t vote, you really can’t complain

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lections. Sabbatical Officers. It’s that time of the year again. Before you start moaning about how you don’t care and it doesn’t make any difference and you wish the Students’ Union would just leave you alone because you never go in there anyway and you’ve never really seen any of the benefits... stop. Stop and listen.

Firstly, we’d like to emphasise now that this is in no way an arse-kissing ego boost for the SU. Nobody has asked us to write this.

This is a genuine student opinion on why it’s important for you to vote for the students who will run the SU next year. Without the Students’ Union, our lives at Bath would be very different. We’d have nobody to complain to about the buses. Nobody to fight for subsidised pricing on campus. Nobody

to reduce the number of very early or very late lectures. Nobody to provide free services and advice when you had no idea where to go to get yourself out of the mess you were in. No societies, no Media, no Plug, no Score, no Fuzzy Ducks. Whether you’re familiar with them or not, those are all things that the SU does for you on a regular basis.

From students who aren’t directly involved in the SU, there doesn’t seem to be much appreciation for the people that run it. We’re telling you that you don’t know how lucky you are that the Sabbatical Officers are here. You might not know how much you all benefit.

Anyone who is involved with the 3:Thirty Club, Varsity or any of our teams, the involvement you have and opportunities you get are due to our VP Sport fighting for you on a regular

basis. The £100 Sports fee might have been higher if you didn’t have a Sabbatical Officer on your side.

The societies you’re involved in?

They wouldn’t even exist without the SU. There wouldn’t be a VP Activities and Development to affiliate you and make sure everything was running smoothly.

Without a VP Education, there’d be no way to provide feedback about our education and help to change and enhance our learning to reflect what we need and what lecturers can provide.

Without our VP Community and Diversity, there’d be no one to go to with any of the problems you might encounter as part of your uni life. Nobody to make sure the council don’t stop people from building student housing, nobody to fight for us when something un-

fair or prejudiced happens.

Without the SU President, there’d be nobody holding the team together and making sure that each and every student was getting the most of their time at University as is humanly possible. The University doesn’t have time to do this for us, it’s important that as many students as possible have their say and support an organisation that does so much for them, even if they choose not to participate in the extracurricular activities it has to offer.

For these reasons and more, we urge you to vote. Or, even better, run for Sabb. You get paid, you get free accommodation and you get to pretty much run the place for a year.

And if you don’t want to run? At least vote. You heard what we said, these people get to run the place. It can’t just be any old student.

Grammys, awards and all that jazz

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pparently some 20 million people sat down and watched the Grammys the other day. As a music fan I cannot imagine what would possess someone to do that. After years of ridicule it has been decided that from 2012 onwards the Grammys will cut the number of categories to just 78 from 109. I cannot conceive what 78 categories would be let alone 109.

At that point you might as well give them out. Not including the special awards, the BAFTAs have 21 categories; the Oscars have 24. I don’t

watch them and have no interest in the award for Best Supporting Cameo Appearance in a Short Foreign Film by an Actress over 45.

There is a Grammy Award for Best Album Notes. To clarify that, the album notes are the writing you get on the sleeve on the inside cover of the album. Why would anyone award that? If you want a really good laugh then look at the list of winners of the Best Spoken Word Album category. Obama won it a few years back. No joke. Three U.S. Presidents have won it as well

as four U.S. Senators. A couple more Presidents have had recordings after their deaths. Michael J Fox, Christopher Reeve and Magic Johnson are just a few more of the winners.

Personally I think we should be a little more picky about who we give a prestigious award to and which awards we designate as prestigious.

The BAFTAs were on the same day as the Grammys. That should give us an indication of how prestigious the Americans think the BAFTAs are. What do you do if you are an

actor and a musician? Where does Will Smith go?

This is all worth thinking about as later this term the SU hits award season. If you are involved in any group there is probably an award ceremony just for you. More importantly you nominate peers who you think deserve awards. Come to think of it, the students actually decide what the categories are in the first place. And so I urge you all to nominate people for such awards.

Just do so whilst thinking about the award and who deserves it.

implications it may have for the future of education based on its success or failure.

As we have discussed in recent issues, technology is changing every aspect of our lives, from political participation, to consumption, and now with the increased use of smart technologies such as tablets… education. We as the student population are all guilty of missing the occasional lecture, usually with the excuse that we can find the notes online after anyway, but we are also all aware that merely reading a PowerPoint doesn’t make the information sink in to the same degree as hearing the lecturer emphatically discuss the topic, or hearing the class debate certain aspects of it which may not be emphasised in the online documents.

Lecturers also have a cheeky little habit of dropping hints with a wink or

a nod as to what may or may not appear in the exams. This dynamic part of learning that sifts the go-getters from the layabouts is a crucial part of the whole education experience, and the part which often is the groundwork for the skills looked for by employers.

Skills such as confidence speaking in public, assertion, team play and the knack for spotting something others may not have. Things one most certainly cannot get from sitting in front of a computer screen Also for all technologies wonders, the bottom line is, it fails. It is more likely to fail than an academic who has lived and breathed the topic being learnt for the best part of his adult life. If this happens in a completely automated online assessment, who is culpable for the potentially skewed outcome? Students will be outdone.

This also leads to the question, at

what classification will these ‘certificates’ be based at? With no entry requirements and in spanning a globe full of different marking criterion, who knows what this will actually mean?

Employers probably won’t and almost definitely shouldn’t. Will the student who slogged it out in 14hours a week plus of lectures get treated the same as someone who has been through no filter system, had none of the extracurricular benefits of a literal learning environment? Let us hope not!

Technology as a tool to aid traditional methods is the calculable, innovative and exciting next step, which has a huge amount of potential for widening participation and enhancing the learning experience. But to do away with all the other crucial elements is to strip the heart out of education, do the student body a huge disservice and inevitably dumb it all down.

‘Degrees’ of separation in online learning

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he Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have announced that they are to provide the first fully online course, which will be free to take up, and assessed remotely via the web. The electronic course which will be fully automated raises questions again about the quality of education, the technology ‘dumbing down’ debate, and student laziness. Trust America to come up with it first.

There are already courses that can be completed online with facilities such as the Open University using similar methods, but with more interactive approaches also incorporated.

MIT’s innovation is ground breaking as it takes on students from across the globe without imputing any entry requirements to study for the certification. The benefits of this must seriously be considered against the wider

Monday 20th February 2012

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Enterprise staff and speakers S Scott, R Godfrey and A Walker will go off.”

The second speaker was Richard Godfrey of iPrinciples, another tech firm based in Bath. He gave a talk about the expected trends of technology that should be available in the near-future.

He claimed we should see geo-location software, visual-searching and mobile commerce soon. He also spoke about the expected death of text messages, as mobile phone users find other means such as email and Facebook messaging to communicate with one another.

Recounting the phenomenal success of games such as Angry Birds and Bejeweled, he said: “The best app to make is a game. Andrew Walker, Godfrey’s iPrinciples colleague, also demonstrated a prototypical weatherbased app, called ‘Will I need a coat?’

Speaking after the competition launch, Andrew Seed said: “It’s amazing how many tech businesses there are in Bath”. David Cameron, VP for Activities and Development, stated: “This was a great evening for Student Enterprise”.

It is a team competition to create a mobile phone application, with the deadline for entry on 5th March.

On 8th March, there is a pitch to the judges. Each entry will be based on the business case, technical achievement of the app and success of the pitch.

Those who enter may win the chance to make their app with Intohand, VIP tickets to the X Media Labs conference, an internationally-renowned technology conference, and tickets to the Bath Digital Festival.

you see on our front page, which we bet is partially why you picked us up in the first place - everyone loves seeing the internet not on the internet. (p.s. Don’t worry Coach Ed, we love you really.)

Additionally, the page serves as a brand new platform to keep up the friendly banter between the University of Bath and Bath Spa University (where you can, allegedly, learn to count to potato and they give out degrees to dogs. They also seem to think they have a lake...) but if you look at the Bath Spa Uni Memes page, it becomes unclear whether they’re there to take the mick out

of themselves or it’s another page setup by one of our own students to take the mick for them. Some questions may never be answered.

“I’ve not even looked at it for the last week , I can’t believe how many likes it’s got already” said one of the creators, when asked this week what he thought of the page’s progress. As for revealing the names of the mysterious jokers, they can be officially quoted as saying “I think we’re too cool to be named”. Says it all, really.

Note: Meme rhymes with cream.

Not mee-mee, not meh-meh, not mem. Meme.

Gemma Isherwood bathimpact Deputy Editor impact-deputy@bath.ac.uk

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ou’ve all seen them. There’s Sheltering Suburban Mom, Scumbag Steve, Socially Awkward Penguin, Good Guy Greg and, the classic, Philosoraptor. And the more we make memes relevant (and exclusive) by making them all about Bath, the better.

So, three bored Engineers decided to make the Bath Uni Memes page while procrastinating between lectures (trust us, we know who they are) and in doing so, seem to have started a facebook-wide trend in Universities throughout the UK. And maybe beyond, who knows?

Nobody’s quite sure who started it, and it would take far too much facebook trawling to find actual creation dates, but Bath’s memes seem to have been some of the first out there, and they are hilarious.

Being able to relate on such a local level is actually quite nice - and, of course, to our friends at other universities, we can give the classic, “Oh, it’s a Bath thing, you probably won’t get it” in true Hipster Kitty fashion. Some of the funniest include “Eating in the library? That’s a paddlin’” and ‘What? Six hours of lectures a week?! I thought I signed up for Coach Ed’ as well as the one

Bath Uni Memes

Don’t be so meme!

This is one example that we can all deeply sympathise with...

ally with these serious issues.”

It is often the case with such instances of political activism that the interest in the run up to the event is more prevalent than the event itself. Bath has seen depleted involvement with recent pro-

“

We are still unsure whether the NUS’s plans are directed enough

”

David Howells tests such as that against the Article 4 Direction at the end of last semester and a small presence in London last November.

The NUS are urging students to reactivate themselves despite recent deflated attitudes.

If you are interested in keeping up to date with the latest developments concerning the walk out, or in participating, please visit the NUS website or contact a member of the sabbatical team.

Bath’s got skills Tom Ash bathimpact Contributor

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s nationwide university applications fall by almost 9%, apprenticeship schemes based in Bath are seeing a resurgence in popularity.

Statistics released by local MP Don Foster’s office reveal that 460 trainees were enrolled in apprenticeships during the 2010-2011 period, an increase of 61% on the previous year. Foster hailed the rise in the number of apprentices as ‘welcome news for young people in Bath’ and remarked that apprenticeships will provide those young people with the skills necessary to survive in today’s job market and to forge a prosperous career.

These statistics were released in the build-up towards National Apprenticeships Week, which ran from the 6th to the 10th of February and is part of the government’s drive to promote business and industry in an effort to clear up what Foster describes as “Labour’s economic mess.”

The scheme does pre-date the Coalition government, having been set up by Labour four years ago in the wake of the financial crisis.

Nevertheless, Liberal Democrat politicians in particular have seemingly taken National Apprenticeships Week to their political bosom; Business Secretary Vince Cable described it as an opportunity ‘to celebrate the countless achievements of learners and employers, and to call on more firms to hire an apprentice

38 Degrees

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pps Crunch, the University of Bath’s first-ever mobile application design competition, was launched on 8th February in the East Building.

It was organised by Luke Tregidgo and Andrew Seed, two Student Enterprise administrators for the Students’ Union. To help inaugurate the competition, Stuart Scott and Richard Godfrey, both of whom are Bath alumni, gave talks to the audience about their experiences making apps.

Stuart Scott, CEO and co-founder of Intohand, a Bath digital technology firm, spoke to students about development of mobile. The sale of mobile phone applications is expected to reach US$15.9bn this year, noting that “Apple and Android having pretty much got the smartphone app market nailed”.

Speaking of the need to have a presence in the mobile world, he said: “People used to say in the 90s, ‘You’ve got to have a website’, and now people say ‘You’ve got to be on mobile’.” Giving advice to help students fine-tune their work, he said: “Software is a like fruit. Leave it alone for a while and it

Enterprise

Anthony Masters bathimpact News Deputy

Flickr

App attack on campus

Continued from the front page...

Campuses across the country are expected to take part in different forms and to varying degrees.

The University of Bath’s Students’ Union are yet to come to a decition, it will be interesting to see if they choose to sit on the fence once again as happened with the last NUS organised protests in London in November.

Regardless of the action the Union decides to take they will ensure that information will be available to students wishing to know more. The Union will keep students up to date with any decitions that are made regarding the upcoming action.

SU President, David Howells commented: “The shelving of the HE bill is very concerning, but we in the Students’ Union feel that for a protest to be effective it must have a clear goal. We are still unsure whether the NUS’s plans are directed enough to really engage students and people more gener-

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Don Foster in the community and enjoy the competitive advantage they can bring to a business.’

Apprenticeships form a key part of the Coalition’s plans to rebalance the economy, not least because they provide common ground for its members; they satisfy both the Liberal Democrats’ long-standing commitment to social mobility and the Conservatives’ aim for private enterprise to take the lead. For this reason that the government is providing support for those businesses looking to hire an apprentice for the first time.

Other incentives to take on a trainee include the inexpensive labour that they provide, as well as creating and maintaining a skilled workforce which will enable the business to expand.

With university fees set to treble this September, the value of a degree as an investment is being heavily scrutinised by school leavers.

Apprenticeships have been given a facelift and young people are now beginning to give them serious consideration.

Monday 20th February 2012

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Cerian Jenkins bathimpact Contributor

The website, launched in Bath this year following a successful pilot in the city of Edinburgh, offers a variety of occasional work, from writers, models and those who fan-

cy working at festivals. Students are able to quote a price for which they would be willing to do a job, which is then compared by potential employers to other quotes. Once a job is completed, employers and students leave mutual feedback which can then be referred to for future jobs.

In a recent interview with The Guardian, Andrew Howes, operations director, said: “The beauty of the site is that it really is tailored to students whilst providing job providers and the general public with a free, easy-to-use recruitment service that puts them in control and gives access to a previously untapped pool of skilled candidates.”

Mike Howes, commercial director, added: “Students are a unique group of potential recruits as their backgrounds, interests and hobbies mean they will have ‘hidden talents’ that they can bring to the most unlikely jobs, as well as banishing the ‘lazy student’ stereotype - all whilst fulfilling a full area of need for job providers.”

Amy Bradshaw bathimpact Contributor lthough pondering over the health of your liver may not be your top priority whilst enjoying the student life, there are many benefits to taking part in the six week ‘Love Your Liver’ challenge endorsed

by Bath & North East Somerset Council.

The aim of the campaign is to encourage people to make a few small changes to the way they drink alcohol in order for them to see the long-term health benefits, and to win a free session at the Thermae Bath Spa. The campaign ties in with a Government initiative to warn people of the harmful effects of consuming too much alcohol. Research shows that regularly drinking two large glasses of wine or two strong pints of beer a day triples mouth cancer risk and dou-

bles the likelihood of high blood pressure.

To avoid these nasty effects of excessive alcohol consumption, there are some simple guidelines to follow. They include not exceeding the recommended daily limits, making sure you have at least three alcohol-free days a week, and leaving at least 24 hours after drinking before having alcohol again. By doing this you can protect your liver from damage. Although these recommendations seem to oppose the student lifestyle, abiding by them not only means you’ll have a healthier liver, but you’ll also save money and be in a generally better state to study.

Anyone who is keen to take up the challenge can register at www. ministryofcheer.org to get their free challenge pack and be automatically entered into the prize draw to win two free tickets for the Thermae Bath Spa.

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Flickr

new website hopes to give struggling students in Bath flexible work options; usefulstudents.com has been designed to offer a free service matching those studying in the city with families or business looking for someone to do odd jobs on a casual basis.

Drinking in despair Dafydd Angove bathimpact Contributor

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lcohol is once again on the political agenda as David Cameron steps out in support of a minimum pricing system to curb the affects of drinking on the Nation’s health.

In recent hospital visits around the country, Mr Cameron has seen firsthand the negative affects alcohol has on the health of people in the UK to the tune of £2.7bn a year, putting unnecessary stress on the National Health Service (NHS).

The government is currently reaching the end of a year of consultation with health professionals and the drinks industry which was orchestrated with the aim of compiling a strategy to combat the growing problem in Britain.

Scotland seems the keenest to undertake such measures, but Westminster and the devolved powers are waiting to ascertain whether the proposals would be legal under EU legislation concerning free trade.

The strategy is likely to be rolled out in regions, and there has been

talk that Merseyside are considering implementing a 50p per unit price constriction to reduce alcohol consumption in the region.

The moves have been criticised by the opposition for thinking too narrow mindedly about a much wider problem and that a broader approach is needed which spans multiple departments, at the same time as look-

cohol related hospital admissions almost doubling in the last decade.

It is a problem that affects many sectors, from health professionals, to emergency services, educators and families, merchants and producers and one taken very seriously by local councils dealing with the resulting crime and disobedience that ensues afterwards, as B&NES have shown

Flickr

Site for students

Sam Short

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The measures aim to reduce excessive drinking such as this ing at grass root problems related to Britains drinking culture.

Cameron highlighted the specific issues surrounding underage drinking; a trend that statistics show has increased over recent years, with al-

with their ‘love your liver’ campaign.

Cameron stressed the need to penetrate those involved at varying levels “so that responsible drinking becomes a reality and not just a slogan”.

Kerstin Wellekötter

Love your liver Working nine to five A

Oranges are good for your liver, cocktails most definitely are not

Bart Everson

bathimpact’s Imogen Grace Ware tells how evidence suggests unemployment is less likely if you have a degree of work experience

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ew research claims that pupils who partake in work experience during their school careers are less likely to be unemployed later in life.

Work based learning, contact with professionals and employers, work experience, visits and enterprise competition, are among the activities which are said to have had a large impact on young people’s prospects.

The evidence is based on a report from the charity Education and Employers Taskforce, which analysed potential ways to prevent young people from ‘dropping out’ of some form of education.

The charity carried out a survey on approximately 1000 19-24 year olds questioning their current

employment status, experiences and attitudes of the world of work whilst at school.

Contact with employers has said to have been especially beneficial as it has provided trustworthy information and useful contacts. Pupils who participate in four or more work experience activities are five times less likely to drop out of school or training, according to Dr. Anthony Mann, author of the report.

He declared the evidence demonstrates that: “A lot of a little goes a long way.” He also suggests that many young people who took part in work experience went on to obtain part-time jobs at those places.

The report found, however,

that those who have not undertaken any kind of work experience were the most likely to not be in education, employment or training. Recent figures suggest that in England, one in five 16-24 year olds are not in any form of work, education or training.

Dr. Mann’s report also suggests that independent school pupils appear to gain the most from work experience, due to how these schools approach experience sessions with employers, as opposed to ambitious individuals making the most of any opportunity.

Whilst this information may appear to be simply common sense to many, Dr. Mann stated “We have found the hard evidence for the first time.”

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Unfunnily frightening International Stephen Jones

Alice Oakley bathimpact Contributor

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recent survey undertaken

by Ernst and Young have revealed some shocking truths about the lives of students.

Using a psychological assessment to test 1,000 students for 60 characteristics needed for the world of work.

The results suggested that students struggle to “recover from set-backs, do not make the most of their time and are not good at making themselves stand out from the crowd, overcoming fears and taking risks”; all of which are key skills required in the world of work.

The firm, which receives 18,000 applicants for 800 graduate trainee posts and 700 internship placements each year, said only 25% of graduates they interviewed had the skills needed to work for them.

The head of recruitment for Ernst and Young, Stephen Isherwood said, “Relationship development and problem solving are key attributes that we look for in our trainees. But the candidates who end up with job offers also demonstrate determination and resilience, and are able to work hard and thrive in difficult situations…

We need to know that they are going to be able to cope if they are sent half way across the world to work on a client project.”

This comes out at a time of increasingly high youth unemployment: the latest jobless figures

visitors at Bath Kylie Barton bathimpact Editor in Chief impact-editor@bath.ac.uk

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Alan Carr. Student’s are said to be funny, but afraid of risk taking show about a fifth of sixteen to twenty-four year olds are out of work. This makes competition for jobs all the more intense, and Isherwood highlighted that “getting a degree from a good university is no longer a guarantee of getting a good job.” Students need to work to develop and demonstrate these key skills.

However, the survey was not entirely negative. The findings emphasized student’s strengths in problem solving, taking pride in their work, and being true to themselves, as well as building relationships and having a sense of humour. Moreover, it found that 87% of students are positive about achieving their career aspirations.

alestinian ministers visited the University at the beginning of this month as a part of the British Council’s ‘fact-finding’ tour to an exclusive group of UK institutions.

The tour included many high profile names in the field of academia. Professor Jan Millar of Bath University who is the Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research) lead the group which included Palestinian Minister of Education and Higher Education Lamis al-Alami.

Staff presented a range of topics on undergraduate work placements and employability. The visitors also showed a keen interest in the work of the Research Development Support Office.

Professor Millar said that she was ‘honored’ that the guests chose Bath as part of their UK tour. She also spoke of how she hopes to use this meeting in future to help with the ‘development of higher education’ in the fragile territories and that the visit has really opened up a dialogue.

The British Council is an executive non-departmental public body founded in 1934 and is

a registered charity. The Council seek to ‘promote cultural relationships and understanding’ whilst widening knowledge of the UK and the English language overseas. It seeks to do this by encouraging ‘educational cooperation’ between countries to advance and improve access to and the quality of education.

The visit was not the only high

The visit really opened up a dialogue. profile event on the agenda this month, as the Politics society welcomed Alon Ron-Snir Deputy Ambassador of Israel for the UK to kick off a series of talks being hosted across Politics month which runs until the middle of March. An event organised by students in cooperation with the Students’ Union.

Bath’s own MP Don Foster was also on campus last Thursday where he discussed Article 4, placement and the NUS walkout among more national topics.

Look out for bathimpact’s new Politics section, the launch of which will coincide with the end of Politics month for more details of the visit which sparked emotive debate amongst students.

Fair access? Not in this cabinet...

Ben Butcher describes how the Government has faced another, yet quieter rebellion Tom Reynolds

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riction between the coalition partners over higher education has continued with the Conservatives vetoing Vince Cables preferred choice for director of the Office of Fair Access (Offa), Les Ebdon.

The decision, which as Minister for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) lies in the hands of Mr Cable, is one in a series of issues to do with higher education which has split the coalition since Parliament voted for a significant rise in tuition fees in 2010.

Les Ebdon is a controversial figure in the university sector for both his endorsement of ‘Mickey Mouse’ subjects and plans to go “nuclear” on universities which fail in admittance targets. Professor Ebdon, who is currently the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bedfordshire, has stated that if selected he will prohibit universities who fail in promoting fairer access from charging the new

Vince Cable’s preferred choice has been vetoed . The Coalition has become increasingly tense recently £9000 tuition cap. With almost all the “elite” universities, including the University of Bath, charging the maximum from the next academic year, many are worried it will deter those from poorer socio-economic backgrounds from applying.

Data shows the poorest 40% of

students are seven times less likely to be admitted to the 20 most prestigious universities than the richest 10%. Currently Offa can do little more than charging £500,000 for falling short of targets, or refuse to sanction an access agreement, in effect banning them from charging

more than £6,000. However, these incentives for better access have failed in their motives and many from Labour and the Liberal Democrats are calling for harsher measures.

The veto was carried out by members of the BIS select committee and

was partisan with all Liberal-Democrats and Labour MP’s voting for his approval and all Conservatives against. The report, which failed to endorse Professor Ebdon, claimed the committee “struggled to get a clear picture of Professor Ebdon’s strategy for the future of Offa”.

Committee member, Labour MP Paul Bloomfield, claimed however that Professor Ebdon had been the victim of a “political ambush” which “had more to do with coalition politics than concern with access to our universities”.

Despite the rejection of Professor Ebdon, Vince Cable stands by his choice. On Wednesday a BIS spokesperson said “Vince remains of the view that Les Ebdon is the right candidate.”

Mr Cable can override the committees veto, but the House of Commons must confirm the appointment. If this occurs, it is likely to escalate a superfluous debate.

Monday 20th February 2012

News

www.bathimpact.com

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uture PLC have recently announced that its online and digital advertising revenues have offset the decline in its print publications, an impressive feat in the current climate where print media is sorely suffering from a decline in funds raised from advertising space. Digital revenues rose by forty one per cent against an overall drop of 7 per cent.

Future PLC founded in 1985, based in Bath, is a multinational corporation which has over 180 special interest titles ranging from ‘Total Film’ magazine to the official Xbox magazine. With 3.2 million print copies of the magazines sold each month, and 23 million visitors to its multiple websites, the company has a large audience

base from which advertisers can benefit from. The fact the content is so specialised also means that the target demographic is more easily identifiable for potential investors, which is a key aspect of online marketing due to its lack of boundaries, here focus remains.

Future has described this expansion into the digital markets as an ‘important milestone’ in the company’s direction. New Chief Executive Mark Wood stressed how he feels this is a sign that the company is really starting to change direction to a digital orientated focus, something which mainstream media is currently battling against.

With the increased usage of tablet devices and smart phones digital expansion is an important part of any media companies remit. Future are at the forefront of this shift.

Tesco in Bath Bethan Rees bathimpact Contributor

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upermarket giant Tesco is set to open its first store in the centre of Bath.

Due to open later this year, the Tesco Express store will be located near the Odeon cinema in the Westgate Buildings of the city centre, formerly the premises of Bath City College.

The building has also previously housed a Co-op department store, meaning it is already equipped with the necessary planning permission for retail businesses.

Asked about the sale of the building, Matt Atkinson, principal of Bath College, stated that Tesco’s bid proved to be both the

most financially beneficial and the most flexible for his institution, which allowed the college to continue to use the Westgate building rent-free until the completion of its new Roper Building.

With the site located within a short walking distance of Avon Street’s Co-op and the Sainsbury’s Local in Seven Dials, Emma Heesom, Tesco corporate affairs manager has said that the convenience store ‘offers a great opportunity to bring additional shopping choice and value to the Westgate area of Bath’.

The new branch is also expected to provide new job opportunities for the city’s residents, with an estimated 20 to 25 new jobs being created on its opening.

Lathered Lizard Charlotte Stone bathimpact Contributor

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olidaymaker Sue BanwellMoore received a rather reptilian surprise after her two week break in the Cape Verde Islands.

After unpacking her suitcase and putting a load of dirty washing in the machine, she caught sight of the rare Chinonia lizard – affectionately known as Larry the Legend – peeking up at her. Larry had not only travelled just over 3500 miles in Mrs Banwell-Moore’s suitcase; he had also survived a one and a half hour cycle in her washing machine!

“I was hanging out the washing on the clothes dryer, I looked down and there was this lizard there,” said Sue. “I put a saucepan over it, and called my daughter – she was screaming with laughter and I was screaming with shock.”

Larry will now be moved to the Tropiquaria Wildlife Park as the last part of his rather traumatic journey.

Experts are concerned, however, that the unsuspecting lizard may be susceptible to pneumonia due to ingesting too much laundry detergent, and a much closer eye will be kept on him this time as a result. bathimpact wishes him a speedy recovery! Get well soon Larry.

HOTS feel ad heat Anthony Masters bathimpact News Deputy

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he Advertising Standards Agency (ASA), a government advertisement watchdog, has banned a Bath Christian group from claiming that prayer has physically healed people on its website and leaflets. It concluded that adverts by Healing on the Streets (HOTS) Bath were misleading to the public.

HOTS Bath have staged sessions

Linton from Coleraine spoke of witnessing “legs growing, twisted fingers being straightened, fibromyalgia disappearing, being told of cancerous growths vanishing”. HOTS Bath has been praised by local politicians, including Liberal Democrat councillor Andrew Furse. “In these difficult times it is refreshing to hear good news from a group which aims to bring well-being and peace to people in our city,” the former Deputy May-

or of Bath said.

The ban on using such claims of healing following complaints by Ms Hayley Stevens, who saw a HOTS session on a visit to Bath. Ms Stevens had suffered a life-threatening ear condition during her teenage years,

and said on her ‘Hayley is a Ghost’ blog: “I couldn’t care less if somebody believes it is God, Allah or the Flying Spaghetti Monster that will heal the sick, but I do care when claims are being made that might be providing those who are extremely ill with hope where hope does not exist.”

HOTS Bath has responded to the ban with an appeal against the ASA, and stated their website that: “We are disappointed with the ASA’s decision, and will appeal against it because it seems very odd to us that the ASA wants to prevent us from stating on our website the basic Christian belief that God can heal illness.” HOTS Bath has also submitted an e-Petition to the government entitled “I believe that God can heal.” This petition has currently attracted less than 100 signatures.

The University of Bath’s Christian Union has replied to the ruling that: “Bath CU, like HOTS, wants to share this awesome news of God’s love with everyone, and we do this through events like the upcoming week ‘Bath Matters’.”

The ban by the ASA followed a similar ruling against another HOTS group based in St. Mark’s Church in Nottingham, after a complaint by the Nottingham Secular Society.

The HOTS ministry was set up in 2005 has been taken up by dozens of churches in the UK.

to more than two risk factors the effect is much more damaging. Children who grow up around several risk factors suffer from poorer behavioural development and range of vocabulary at ages three and five in comparison to their peers and often fair ‘worst across most developmental outcomes’.

These results have called for new measures to be taken in order to prevent child development in the UK being held back in the future. The

researcher Professor Shirley Dex has stated that health visitors should be more aware of families which pose multiple risk factors and offer help and guidance. Furthermore, Families will now be able to receive help if they meet certain criteria including drug addiction and anti-social behaviour as the government has set itself the target of 2015 to turn around the lives and improve the behavioural development of the England’s 120,000 most troubled families

Bath Abbey serves as the backdrop for HOTS sessions outside the Bath Abbey for over three years, with leaflets that declare: “Need Healing? God can Heal you today!” This is accompanied with a list of serious illnesses including MS, arthritis, paralysis, asthma and cancer. A HOTS testimonial from Carol

Risks to development Sophie Sachradja bathimpact Contributor

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recent study carried out by the Institute of Education has revealed that a quarter of children in the UK live in families which pose risks to their educational development. The research looked at ten different risk factors including depression, teenage parenthood, financial stress and substance abuse and analysed their effects on 18,000 families who are part of the wider Millennium Cohort studies.

According to the report, 28% of the families were living with two or more of these risks and only four in ten people experienced no risk factors in early childhood. These figures, if applied to the population as a whole, show that around 192,000 children born in 2002 have spent the last ten years growing up in families where they have been exposed to multiple risks to their development.

The research, published by the Centre for Longitudinal Studies, suggests that if children come into contact with just one of the risk factors the effect is fairly small however in families where there is exposure

Holly Narey

New publishing Kylie Barton bathimpact Editor-in-Chief impact-editor@bath.ac.uk

bathimpact

David Kennaway

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The report suggests legislation is needed if help prevent the risks

Monday 20th February 2012

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Comment

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Healed by God in Bath?

Christiana Langma bathimpact Science Deputy

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he Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has recently banned a Bath Christian organisation from advertising that God can heal illnesses. This, they say, is due to inadequate evidence from the organisation to back up the claim, and that they may be misleading the public.

Healing On The Streets (HOTS) can no longer advertise that ‘God can heal’ as they apparently cannot prove it. The

the supposedly misleading claim that ‘God can heal’, where is the evidence that he can’t? As a practicing Christian, I believe that the many examples in the Bible (which I think is the infallible word of God) give us enough proof to believe that Jesus Christ not only had the power to heal the sick but also to bring the dead to life. His power over spiritual things, and the many miracles he performed, made Jesus’ claim of being the saviour, sent from God to take away the sins of the world, all the more convincing.

their lives and is watching not just their current existence, but their eternal lives, looking for a successful eternal outcome.

Prayer isn’t meant to be a cure in itself; it is a way of placing your request before God and the rest is up to him. Sometimes the answer isn’t what we want, but he knows best.

And when he answers our prayers, he can use any medium he chooses be it doctors, medication, etc…I mean, how could we possibly deny the creator of this world the choice to use his own Andrew Hitchcock

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Healing On The Streets have been told to cease their activities which centred around Bath Abbey ASA deemed testimonies from people who felt they had been healed through the organisation’s prayers as insufficient evidence to back up the organisation’s advertising claims.

Some people say this ban is an infringement on religious freedom, others think it is justified.

I would like to argue in favour of the organisation. Are they really guilty of raising false hope with these claims and, hence, giving vulnerable, extremely ill individuals hope where no hope exists?

Well, firstly, where is the harm in hope, in whatever way or form it is given? The expectation of a better tomorrow can bring new meaning and happiness to a person’s life and promotes a successful recovery even in the direst of situations. So how could it possibly be wrong to impart this feeling upon someone?

Secondly, with regards to

With this in mind, I believe that God can heal and as such I have no issue with any organisation rooted in this belief claiming that it can bring healing to others through prayer. Christians do not claim that in and of themselves they can heal, but that they have a God who listens to their prayers and can use them as his vessels through which he can bring about healing. Understandably, if you don’t see things from a Christian perspective, you may find these words a bit doubtful.

One of the main issues in this particular case is a lack of understanding of what Christians mean by prayer; and with attempts to stifle religious beliefs in our proatheism age; it is not surprising that many people have a misguided view of many different religions. Christians don’t simply expect God to suddenly snap his fingers and bring about the desired outcome when they pray, but they believe that God is at work in

creation to bring about a result?

Lastly, I think it’s a shame that the testimonies of individuals who have found the group’s prayers effective haven’t been given more weight. If a shampoo ad were to claim that 70% of its users found it effective, this would be allowed by the authorities. There isn’t much difference in this case. Most advertisements are subject to personal interpretation. Christians do not intend to deceive anyone. We simply place what we believe to be the facts before others and they can make up their own minds. Christianity is first and foremost a relationship between you and your creator and it is up to the recipient to check out whether these religious claims stack up for them or not.

It seems to me that the HOTS adverts are in no way misleading and I feel any organisation should be allowed to freely express its religious beliefs.

Language lies Daniel Lane bathimpact Contributor

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or those who have studied languages or have considered doing so, the old adages of “great for your CV” and “exactly what employers are looking for” will sound very familiar. Yet the experiences of many modern languages students at the University of Bath paint a very different picture of the prospects for life as a linguist.

“Most graduate employers don’t want European language-speakers any more. I spoke with some employers and they were only interested in speakers of Asian or Middle Eastern languages like Chinese or Arabic” said one student from the PoLIS department.

Though it is highly unlikely that you haven’t noticed, the University of Bath is this year’s Sunday Times University of the Year. This is down in no small part to its fantastic graduate employment rates, whose weighting was doubled in this year’s award. Yet despite languages being on the decline in schools, it seems that the demand for European language-speakers in jobs which actively require a language is not growing accordingly.

Indeed, whilst languages undoubtedly enrich a CV and attract employers, this interest will generally come from sectors such as business and finance, where a language can be useful but not essential. Many students in our own modern languages department, who started university with aspirations to work in a multilingual environment, are having to

come to terms with this reality.

“It seems unfair that such a good picture is painted of job prospects for linguists. The options seem endless until it comes to crunch time. Some of my fellow language students are embarking on one year law conversion courses just to make sure they have something planned” said our student.

It’s probably safe to say that the majority of language students didn’t undertake their course intending to then muscle their way into the law industry, but some are being forced to do just that.

“Sometimes it feels like the university is encouraging us to apply for opportunities outside of the linguistic domain just so that they can preserve their good employment rates” he states. The University of Bath is hardly culpable – a high graduate employment rate will be an especially important incentive for universities as the tuition fees rise – but it is easy to understand the grievances of this and many other students in the same situation.

Perhaps a sea-change in the orientation of modern languages departments is needed – as Asia becomes an increasingly important player in the world balance, why are faculties not responding by offering widespread courses in Mandarin, Arabic, or Japanese? If our students are to compete in the job market, and if Great Britain is to compete on a global level, schoolboy French and German must be replaced in favour of the new wave of modern languages.

Dying shame Liv Hows bathimpact Contributor

Over the last few years the death of major music celebrities has intermittently been plastered across news headlines. The deaths of the likes Michael Jackson, Amy Winehouse and then last week, Whitney Houston have become major items of news, their life histories and the dramas of them being analysed and documented within an inch of their former lives.

What seems ridiculous is the fact that when MJ, Amy and now Whitney died, people were publicly seen in the street mourning the loss of someone they never knew. I have no doubt that most people don’t cry that much for the death of people they do know. Seems somewhat dramatic. Maybe it’s just that the whole ‘celeb’ bonanza slightly baffles me but it does seem that people simply have too much time on their hands if they can afford to spend hours online blogging, tweeting, re-tweeting, fa-

cebooking and beboing about a person who would never have cared less about them.

It is persistently overlooked that every day across the globe people die of drugs, alcohol or substance abuse. It seems that the fact that just because some people have lived their entire lives through the media and have made obscene amounts of money simply by lip-synching or being photographed in compromising circumstances, they then have the right to have their lives honoured and are hailed as legends, when in reality they had the resources to prevent their fate. However, those who are left destitute and scorned by society for the very same reason that left other’s as near deities, seems very indicative of the celebrity culture of today.

It is undoubtedly a tragedy to lose someone as talented as Whitney Houston, but really she is only a person, so why don’t we all get thousands of personalised headlines when we die?

Monday 20th February 2012

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Comment

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Sex, slavery and the Super Bowl

Amy Jackson tells how sex trafficking is still blighting many young lives Amy Jackson

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n Manchester there is a court case taking place where there is a couple accused of keeping a ten year old girl as a slave. In London, another case is being heard with a couple accused of keeping a seven year old in slavery. The girls were raped, beaten and forced to work. They slept on cold floors and were deprived of an education. This happens on our doorstep and with an estimated 27 million people in slavery (over half of which are children) it’s not uncommon.

Last year I went to Nicaragua and grew attached to a nine year old girl called Majorie who had the most beautiful smile. After talking to a neighbour, I found out that this little girl was being sold by her mother for 17p a time to have sex with local men. Majorie has lost her childhood and she will lose her smile. She is one of millions and not an extreme case.

Whilst watching the Super Bowl with our flatmates, the biggest sex trafficking event in the world was taking place outside the stadium; in the back alleys, hotel rooms and on street corners. In 2010 it was estimated that 10,000 sex workers were bought into Miami for the Super Bowl. Similar numbers were trafficked into Indiana for this year’s Super Bowl which means that in just a few days, thousands of women and children were raped repeatedly. Whilst we played drink-

Majorie has lost her childhood as her own mother allows her to be raped for 17p a time ing games, for the victims, the Super Bowl was not a game; it was a horrific experience.

How does it all link? What does the Super Bowl have to do with Majorie and what does Majorie have to do with a domestic slave in London? What do I have to do with any of it and what can I do about it?

What I hadn’t realised until I started looking into this murky world is that it could have been me.

I could have been the girl targeted on facebook and I could have been lured away from my family for a life with a guy who flattered me. It could happen to anyone: and we are

lucky we haven’t been trapped into a series of mind games and exploitation when we have been at a weak point. My mum could have been so desperate for me to have a better life that she let me go away to a new place for a fresh start with a ‘family’. I may simply have been in the wrong place at the wrong time and been abducted. When I relate slavery to myself it becomes real and I feel responsible. It stops being in another world and starts being in my world.

The slave trade makes an estimated $32 billion annually. What is going to stop such a successful

market from existing? There is always someone willing to make a profit, no matter what the risks are.

Slavery is an issue that needs to be talked about, and global action is needed. Remember, slavery is not just sex: it also includes forced labour which can be indirectly linked to the companies we support. By boycotting certain companies, we can take away the profit incentive of condoning slavery.

But, we are poor students and our buying power is limited. There isn’t much we can do about what goes on behind closed doors. It isn’t behind closed doors though: it’s around us

and it’s common. This year alone it is possible we have walked past a slave and not realised. Even if we had: what would we do? Recently, a victim was interviewed about her experience and the most shocking part for me, was that she had been beaten up in Times Square in front of police officers and the public by her pimp - not one person had come to her aid.

With all the hype surrounding the Olympics, it is hard to believe that these games are likely to be the second biggest sex trafficking event in the world, after the Super Bowl.

We are going to be living amongst imprisoned and abused children: in London, this summer. Please do not be a bystander - you are somebody’s only chance of freedom and so, if you see any signs of human trafficking, report it straight away.

For now, as students all we can do is be aware. In the future you will have power. You will be the decision makers and the CEOs. You will choose where to invest and where to make your products. Simple economic theory: get rid of demand and suppliers will stop supplying.

As you carry on with your life, keep thinking of the 27 million people in slavery and keep talking about it.

Remember that it could be you and let that affect the decisions you make in business and in pleasure.

Majorie and millions like her are relying on you.

“We think there should... Alcohol Agenda

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...always be a bus when you need one” so reads the advertising banner on First Bath and Bristol’s buses that creak their way up the hill to the University.

The irony will be lost on anyone who has never experienced service levels on their ‘Bright Orange’ bus service; now operated more by dirty white vehicles than their bright orange, articulated ‘bendy’ counterparts, in a bid to cut the numbers running through Bath.

Or on anyone who has waited outside Starbucks as three, four, five, six, seven buses roll past full (but with plenty of breathing space for those towards the back, of course), one turns up but can only take half the queue before pulling away.

But perhaps we are missing the point. We have, perhaps, forgotten the point of public transport. Why should there always be a bus when we need one? Public transport is meant

to be cheaper and, by virtue of the fact that you are sharing it with a hundred other people who might need to go somewhere different from you and at different times, invariably less convenient than private transport like, say, a car or taxi.

A car or taxi leaves when you want it to, and goes where you want it to. The concept of public transport means sharing that car with other people - and so having to make it a tad

bigger - and being slightly more flexible in order to bring down the cost.

Of course, when several hundred students are regularly trying to get to the same place (the University campus) for the same time (9.15am), then there is no reason for such pitiful service anyway.

First may think there should always be a bus when you need one, but it is clearly incapable of delivering on its beliefs.

bathimpact

Chris Wooten bathimpact Contributor

The orange bus isn’t living up to expectations

Kylie Barton bathimpact Editor in Chief impact-editor@bath.ac.uk

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o drinking is on the agenda... again.

I don’t know about you but I kind of get the feeling this is one of those issues a little bit like immigration; politicians jump on it to boost pole ratings.

There is no doubt that drinking is a huge problem for the NHS, and therefore for society as a whole, however there has been much talk in times gone by, about how to ‘solve’ it, but it obviously hasn’t worked. You just have to walk into any supermarket or down any city street, well, any day or night of the week to see that.

I am personally fed up of politicians feeding off of real issues for wavering white hall gains. Those in the upper echelons of society are quick to judge the rest of us for latching onto and exhausting easily

sensationable subjects, and getting ourselves in a tizz about them (the relationship between video games and crime is a recurrent example) when it doesn’t suit the agenda of the day.

Characteristically of politicians however, they are highly hypocritical and periodically do the very same thing. Accept when they do it, it’s worse. As they actually influence the way the topic of the month will unfold and concertina back on the rest of us.

I bet the prices in the Strangers bar will see no increase, and I would state the same about the subsidised food prices of Portcullis House. Tut. Drinking prices may change, but it is too much of a lucrative business for government, and a hot potato for its biggest names, to be a successful policy. Just in case it is a card that is needed in play in the future of our Punch and Judy politics.

Monday 20th February 2012

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Sabbs Corner

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Article 4 and the housing hunt Naomi Mackrill VP Community and Diversity sucommunity@bath.ac.uk

Some facts about Article 4 Direction:

-increase It does not work to the standard of

B

ack in November, you would hopefully have heard mumblings of something called Article 4 Direction, and you may even have realised that it is something related to student housing. Over the past few months we have been working hard behind the scenes to highlight to the council that there is no evidence that introducing Article 4 Direction in Bath will solve the problems that they want it to. This has resulted in many conversations and many variations being considered and we have now reached the time for action.

At 6:30pm on Wednesday 14th March, the eight members of the Bath and North East Somerset LibDem run Council’s Cabinet will meet in an open meeting in the Guildhall to vote on the future of shared housing in Bath. Anyone can attend this meeting, and that is what we are asking you to do. Fortunately for us, the Lib-Dem run council are, as stated on their website, a “listening council, and take note of what the public want”.

It is vital that we show that our voice, the student voice, is worth listening to; this is why we’re asking for a small amount of your Wednesday evening to attend the Cabinet meeting. There will almost definitely be campaigners there speaking up for the apparent benefits of an Article

shared accommodation.

Limiting the stock is likely to drive standards of accommodation down.

- It could cause an increase in rental prices, as limiting the housing stock will limit the competition for houses.

4 Direction, ignoring the fact that shared housing is vital housing stock; so we need to speak against it. It is the people who are NOT having their right to choose where to live being taken away that will be speaking for it (who also happen to be the people the Councillors expect to vote them in again); it’s up to YOU to speak against it.

Sign up on www.bathstudent. com/article4 to show your attendance and we will keep you informed of all the details as they are made available.

Several plans have been discussed and suggested over the past three

months, and it is unclear what the Council’s final proposals will be. A week before the meeting the agenda will be released, which is when we will know exactly what proposals they are voting on, allowing us to prepare the final response.

In order to ensure all the points we want to make are made, we need people who are willing to speak at the meeting as everyone is entitled to two minutes.

If you are keen to join the fight to save shared housing, an issue which could affect students for years to come, email me on sucommunity@ bath.ac.uk

- It would give the council the power to choose where students could live, which could result in large, poorly managed, accommodation blocks, commonly referred to as “student ghettos” - It affects anyone who relies on shared housing, not just students. Due to the rising average age of buying your first home, it is mainly the

ucloccupation

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ike almost all students’ unions in this country, our SU is affiliated to the National Union of Students (NUS). The NUS is a representative organisation for all students within the UK; its mission is to ‘to promote, defend and extend the rights of students’.

Each year delegates from students’ unions across the UK come together for the NUS Conference in April. The NUS is a democratic organisation, and the conference serves two important functions: delegates elect the officers who will represent you nationally (much akin to our sabbatical elections this month), and they vote on policies to set the direction of the NUS for the coming year.

So what’s coming up this year?

Last year former NUS President Aaron Porter became the first in 30 years not to seek a second term, paving the way for the current President, Liam Burns. Will Liam seek re-election?

And more importantly, will he win?

Aaron Porter on the street with student protesters At least two of the six national officer positions will see new holders, but the question of who is and isn’t running won’t be answered until after the close of nominations on 24th February.

While policy proposals from individual unions have yet to be published, the NUS’ own proposals are already out. Some of the topics on offer include support for a university applications system where students apply after their exam results, campaigning for proper national funding for postgraduate taught students as well as better pay for internships, a motion of developing employability and skills and support for the NUS’ ‘I am the change’ campaign.

Your delegates for this year have already been elected: two of your sab-

batical officers (Naomi Mackrill and myself) will join two students (Kylie Barton, 2nd year Politics & IR and Henry Rackley, 2nd year Chemistry w/Industrial Training). But that doesn’t mean there aren’t opportunities for you to be involved! You can find links to all of the policy motions (along with an explanation of how it works and forums to leave your comments) at bathstudent.com/democracy/nus. Your Union also still has the chance to submit our own ideas, so if you have any suggestions, let us know!

Kylie Barton will be reporting on NUS elections hustings in a future issue of bathimpact, and we’ll have a round-up of what’s occurred after the conference in Sheffield this April.

- There is no evidence to suggest HMOs cause an increase in anti-social behaviour. In Bath, most ASB calls occur in the city-centre.

In areas with high proportions of students, there is no increase in ASB calls compared to other areas.

- As a student in Bath, we are residents of Bath. We have the right to choose where we live and who we live with, in affordable accommodation that is up to a reasonable standard.

Introduction of an Article 4 Direction would take all this away.

Wednesday afternoons Matt Benka VP Education sueducation@bath.ac.uk

t the University of Bath, and across the entire higher education sector, Wednesday afternoons are free for undergraduates. For a large number of students, this is critical to their sporting lives, but having Wednesday afternoons free also gives students time for other activities, such as part time jobs. As a result, free Wednesday afternoons are considered an integral part of the undergraduate student experience.

Unfortunately, the lack of space on campus and tight timetables is putting Wednesday afternoons under pressure. Unless more teaching space is built on campus, it may get to a point where either there is a re-

duction in the amount of free time on Wednesday afternoons, or there is an increase in 8:15s and 6:15s. Neither of these options are appealing to students.

From the research we’ve done so far, students are telling us that keeping Wednesday afternoons free is critical. As such, the Students’ Union is lobbying to not only keep Wednesday afternoons free for students, but to extend them to start earlier.

We’re also looking at the possibility of postgraduates having Wednesday afternoons free. The arguments for this will be presented at a meeting of Council/Senate/Students’ Union on the 29th of February, and hopefully we’ll be able to tell you more about the future of Wednesday afternoons then.

The Festival on the Hill is the Students’ Union’s annual celebration of the diverse cultures on campus.

But in order to make this celebration the best it can be, we need you!

Whether you are involved in a cultural or performance society, sports and other activities or just want to take part, get in touch!

The Festival lasts a week, with events including a cultural society showcase on the parade, a globally

themed pub quiz, film showings from around the world, a student photography exhibition (courtesy of the ICIA and Photosoc) and a languages café.

This year’s Festival will run from 19th to 25th March.

Anyone interested in taking part should contact me (sucommunity@bath.ac.uk) or the Advice & Representation Centre in person or at festivalonthehill@ bath.ac.uk

NUS conference is coming A David Howells SU President supresident@bath.ac.uk

young who rely on shared housing, making it a policy that will disproportionately affect the young.

Festival on the Hill

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Monday 20th February 2012

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Activities

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Using melodies to cure maladies T

he best of Bath’s young musical talent are to hold a charity concert to raise funds for Ukrainian orphans who are HIV positive.

The Heart2Heart gig is the idea of Dariya Silko, a Ukrainian who is a former City of Bath College student and who now studies at the University of Bath.

Dariya was so upset and moved by the plight of the young children at the orphanage in Donetsk that she was determined to do something to help.

“When you visit the orphanage and see the children it’s heartbreaking,” said the 17 year old.

“Many of the children are left at the orphanage by their parents who are also HIV positive. It’s so sad that I felt I just had to do something to help.

“I’m hoping we can raise money so that the children at the orphanage can get the medication and support that they so badly need.”

Dariya approached BA1 Records, City of Bath College’s own record label, to host the charity gig.

“When I was at City of Bath College I went to a lot of BA1 Records gigs and was always amazed by how talented the College’s musicians were,” she said. “Bands like Bite the Buffalo and solo artists like Luke Denning were just incredible.

“BA1 Records has a really good reputation locally and I know that the concert is going to be fantastic.

There will also be musicians from the University of Bath supporting the event and we will be offering

Dariya hopes that the concert will help her cause something to satisfy every musical taste. It promises to be a fantastic night – I can’t wait!”

Max Weedon, Head of BA1

Records, said: “BA1 Records is pleased to be working with Dariya to raise money for such a worthwhile cause.

“Our musicians are fully behind the project and we’re hopeful of attracting a big crowd to raise as much money as possible.”

Stos from Bite the Buffalo added: “AIDS is close to our hearts as it is a huge issue in Zambia and Botswana where we and Max are from, and dedicate this to friends we have lost.”

Heart2Heart takes place on Friday March 2nd at The Tub, the University of Bath nightclub, from 8pm to 2am. Tickets cost £3 in advance (available from the City of Bath College shop) or £4 on the door. You can also order tickets by emailing Dariya at ds440@bath. ac.uk.

Acts appearing at the concert include Bite the Buffalo, Tallis Morris, The HST, Peyote, Grace, The Cerulean, Mark Ingram and many others.

DJs are Bristol Bass legends Gatekeeper and Arkist who are both currently being played on BBC radio.

ChaOs in concert It’s RAG week! one of the best value concerts you will ever get the chance to attend.

Don’t miss out!

To find out more about ChaOS, find us on Bath Student, Facebook or email su6caos@bath.ac.uk. We

are the society run by musicians for musicians and offer a range of instrumental and vocal ensembles.

No need to worry about scary auditions - whatever your ability, you are welcome to join us.

Lucy Collins

E

xcellence in sport is never very far away here at Bath; now it is time for the musicians to take centre stage. On Saturday 3rd March at 7.30pm, nine of the University’s finest musicians will perform in University Hall for the ChaOS (Choral and Orchestral Society) annual recital. With a diverse program including the world premiere of ‘Around the World in Twelve Minutes’ by Neil Poole, a current student, it is bound to be a memorable evening of outstanding, entertaining and enjoyable music.

To top it all, this black tie event will see cheese and wine served in the interval. At £4 per ticket (in advance from the ICIA or on the parade in the week preceding the concert) or £5 on the door, this is

A previous recital that blew the crowd away

Andrew Kuznetov

Play-ing with poison Beware skulls on bottles

F

ind out with BUST in its latest performance, Arsenic & Old Lace by Joseph Kesselring, a dark comedy following the ancient Brewster sisters, Abby and Martha and their penchant for poisoning their elderly lodgers in 1930s London. This show will be on at the Mission Thea-

tre in town from March 1st to March 3rd at 7:30pm. Tickets are priced at £4 for students and £8 for a standard ticket and can be bought on parade, at the ICIA or on the ICIA website. Drinks will be provided at the interval, just stay away from the elderberry wine… it has quite a kick.

T

his week is RAG Week, kindly sponsored by KPMG and we have lots of exciting events coming up for you! This evening (Monday) sees the traditional Bierkeller take over The Tub (three sittings for just £10!) followed by Jumble sales, pancakes and skills training sessions throughout the week, there’s something for everyone. Thursday night sees everyone’s favourite Saturday night show “Take Me Out” hit Bath and in this special Bath RAG version we're going to let the boys flaunt themselves in front of 15 beautiful girls AND the girls are going to be attempting to win over a panel of gorgeous guys! Check out the RAG Week timetable for all

the details in bathimpact or search “Bath RAG Week 2012” on facebook! As always, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved and volunteer this week and way into the future; for more information on how to get involved e-mail Hanna Wade at chair@bathrag.com.

Also don’t forget to come along to our Paris Hitch Interest meetings in the next few weeks to find out details of the most anticipated event of the RAG Calendar!

Sign up lists to help out at the Fashion Show are also now up on our website for all those interested in helping out at the event.

All of our events and news can be found on bathstudent.com/rag or on facebook (search Bath RAG).

Monday 20th February 2012

bathimpact

Activities

www.bathimpact.com

juggling & circus skills society, will be hosting the 4th annual UpChuck juggling convention on Saturday Oliver Byford

H

old onto your balls, it’s time for UpChuck!

Gravity Vomit, Bath’s

Gravity vomit - it’s a whole bunch of fun!

25th February in Founders Hall.

This event attracts many professional jugglers who will be running many beginner to advanced workshops in ball & club juggling, hula hooping, bar flair, poi, origami to name just a few.

University Hall will be transformed into a fantastic stage for the evening’s sell-out cabaret style show. It will feature some of the best talent from around the UK as well as our own members. We promise it will amaze and astound you!

This event is perfect for both first timers who want to learn a new skill and seasoned jugglers who want to be inspired by the amazing atmosphere!

Tickets will be on sale during the week before on parade, on the door or visit our UpChuck website for more information; www. bathupchuck.co.uk .

Tickets are priced at £4 for the day event, £4 for the evening show or a combined ticket price at £7. You don’t want to miss out on this great catch so buy your tickets early and come and enjoy the festivities.

Fairtrade fun F

airtrade Fortnight is from Monday 27 February to Friday 11 March this year and encourages friends and family to switch to Fairtrade.

Last year the University of Bath renewed its University Fairtrade Accreditation. It has been three years since the University won the accreditation and has now held onto the mantle for another two years, promising to deliver Fairtrade products in all their Bars & Eateries on campus and raise awareness about Fairtrade throughout the year.

Over the past three years university retail have increased the range of Fairtrade products on sale. Among many, these products include Fairtrade fresh cut flowers, fruit juices and smoothies and six more Fairtrade wines.

This year’s campaign encourages people to ‘Take a Step’ asking you to change some of the products you buy on a daily basis to Fairtrade. Register your steps at the Fairtrade stand in the Student Centre and enter a prize draw for the chance to win a hamper full of Fairtrade goodies If you miss this, then please remember to register your ‘Step’ on

the interactive ‘Step-O-Meter’ and track the Fairtrade journey to trade justice www.fairtrade.org.uk/step.

A step could be someone buying your first packet of Fairtrade coffee, tea or sugar. By choosing to buy a Fairtrade coffee on the way to work, or adding Fairtrade products to your weekly shopping, you are taking a step in the right direction.

Together, the Fairtrade Foundation wants the public to take 1.5 million steps for Fairtrade in 2012.

That’s one for every Fairtrade producer Fairtrade aims to work with around the world. Each step leads to a better deal that millions of farmers and workers in developing countries urgently need.

Shared Interest

Campus clowning around

13

Bee kind to fairtrade farmers

T

Fair.

Over the next few weeks there are lots of activities to get involved with, such as the ones led by Arts Societies – more of which you can read in these pages or the trip to a local curry house by BUCAS to eat, perhaps unsurprisingly, curry!

Other societies are raising funds such as the French Society who will be selling doughnuts on the 24th or BUGS (Guides & Scouts) who will be running a quiz night at the Huntsman on March 1st whilst the

David Cameron

he past 2 weeks have been as packed as usual in the Societies Area, with many starting up activities after the long break for Christmas and exams. We have seen the Refresh Fair, where many societies including many who have been recently affiliated the chance to show people what they can offer to the student population as they hadn’t been formed at the start of the year when many people would have seen them at the Activities

Dave and Pippa don’t just bake cakes they appreciate them

David Cameron

Your update on society shenanigans

He kilt get enough of all the Scottish things Scottish Society pay tribute to their national bard, Robert Burns with a (delayed by the exams) Burns Night on the 23rd, complete with recitations, bagpipes and some haggis!

The Activities Awards are fast approaching, this year taking place on April 30th. This is your chance to nominate groups and individuals in Societies, Volunteering, Media and Diversity & Support for something that you think has been extraordinary. We have a wide range of awards from Best Society of the Year through Best Newcomer to Outstanding Contribution to the Community. The winners will not only have their success immortalised in our stylish glass awards but will also be able to celebrate their successes with friends and VIPs alike, including the Vice-Chancel-

lor, so remember to nominate now at www.bathstudent.com/socs/activities.

For those people who were wondering the result of the election that was called in the last issue of bathimpact, Giles Partington was duly elected as the new Societies Treasurer following a very close vote. Remember, if you want to get involved in Societies and think that you would be great for Exec then stand in the elections which will be open for nominations shortly after the sabb election results have been released and voting will be the week following this.

Speaking of the sabb elections, do you think that you know what needs to happen to the Societies area next year? If so, then run for VP Activities & Development – the

sabbatical officer role that looks after the Societies area and is responsible for its development and success. If you think that you are the person for the job then contact David Cameron, the current VP A&D at suactivities@bath. ac.uk.

One last thing – are you on facebook? Then why not like the Bath SU Societies facebook page! You can get to it by going to on.fb.me/bathsocs or by scanning this (hopefully) conveniently placed QR code using your mobile phone!

That is it for now folks! We hope that you have a great few weeks and remember to find out more about the Societies area, go to www.bathstudent.com/socs.

QR code for Bath SU societies on facebook

Monday 20th February 2012

bathimpact

15

Media

www.bathimpact.com

Your Media, your news Want to run Media?

A W e in Media hope you thoroughly enjoyed being refreshed last week! You may have seen flashes of purple red and green dashing around campus on the Thursday or bopping past on a bright orange space hopper. So what was it all about?

Your student Media groups are using these stunts to try and grab your attention and let you know about all the fantastic things you can do as part of Media. bathimpact were sporting their shiny new banner in the Student Centre, URB were showing off with all their gadgety goodness and CTV were putting YOUR faces on TV! The day went really well, plenty of you came up to see what we were about and we got some more names on our sign up sheet! Look out for some emails in the near future telling you how to get involved, what we’re doing when, and how you can help

out with all the hundreds of things we do on a weekly basis.

Another exciting Media venture is the training day happening this Friday (see advert below) speakers

include Claire Prosser, Director and founder of the BBC Journalism Training Scheme who will talk about the dif-

ferent opportunities within the BBC. Eddie Barrett, Editor of The Journalist magazine, an NUJ publication, who will be speaking about the union’s new fight for fairer internships... something we are all currently battling against.

Paul Wiltshire from the Bath Chronicle will be providing small news writing workshop, and we also have Myra Lee, a current employee of the University who has worked for ITV and the Bristol Evening Post and George Chan will be focusing on television production, as someone who spent many years working in the industry.

The event is perfect for those set on, or merely wishing to find out more about the industry. With such profes-

sionals providing a unique insight for Media members. The day is free to attend so make sure you pop it in your diaries. Visit bathimpact’s Facebook page for more information.

This month has seen many competitions going on at the station. The ‘New Voice of Radio’ competition is well underway with student’s sultry tones being recorded across campus.

URB also launched the ‘If you could only listen to one song before you die/ If all music were destroyed bar one song, what would it be’ competition where students had the chance to get their hands on Score tickets. We also had Young Guns visit the studio which will make for a great podcast so keep your ears peeled for that one!

You may have noticed the new speakers at the U18 bus stop courtesy of URB, the speakers will play out the station’s shows and music 24/7. So now, there’s no escape!

If you want to get involved at URB or any of the Media groups make sure you join online at www.bathstudent.com/media and tune in on www.1449urb.co.uk

s we get deeper into semester two, it is a great time to start thinking about how you can be involved in more areas of student life next year. Media is your answer.

All three Media groups are looking for enthusiastic, creative and outgoing students to throw themselves into the world of Media, with fantastic opportunities soon arising to become part of the committees and the Exec and really shape the direction of your student newspaper, radio station and campus TV next year.

This is a chance to work in all three Media groups next year. Posts on the bathimpact Committee range from IT to Editorial, Treasurer to Publicity and Distribution. We will be seeking replacements for our entire committee next year as we’re on placement and, in the nearer future, bathimpact will be electing a new IT Officer at the next Media General Meeting, so keep your eyes on Facebook and emails for more info on that.

CTV have recently come into some lovely new equipment so will be looking for a team of new members to come in, learn to film and edit footage like pros and carry on the excellent work CTV has done this year - just check out the Freshers’ Week videos and the promo video for Sleeping Beauty if you don’t believe us. There’s also a huge chance to get involved in live events which is great for anyone interested in the technical stuff like Freshers’ Week.

The CTV Committee is made of a Station Manager, Head of Advertising and Marketing, Head of Live Production

and so much more!

The added value of taking up something like this will no doubt place your CV at the top of the employers ‘call back’ pile. In Media, you have real responsibilities and with it a real chance to make a change and do something which could potentially affect and enhance over 10,000 students experience on campus. All of the jobs in Media look great on your CV and help you develop skills with all sorts of software, hardware, technology and organisation.

URB are looking for people to carry the torch next year and keep up their stunning shows, maintain the fantastic equipment that lets them do what they do and generally make sure URB is out there and recognised as one of the top three radio stations in the coutnry!

The benefits of being involved with student media are second to none, and as well as all the serious stuff, we get free books, CDs, gig tickets, films, theatre tickets and more, sent to us on a regular basis! This year we will have an almost unprecedented amount of free training, right across Media but especially within bathimpact, showing that Media truly is a platform on which anything is possible. To find out more, keep an eye out for our weekly Media newsletter for details of a cross-Media contributors meeting soon coming your way, like us on Facebook, or just pop up to the office for a chat! We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Media love xx

16

Monday 20th February 2012

bathimpact

International

www.bathimpact.com

Darfur Regional Authority launched Julia Fioretti International Deputy

L

ast week Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir inaugurated the Darfur Regional Authority (DRA), a body intended to kickstart post-war reconstruction and facilitate the peace process in the war-torn region of Darfur in western Sudan. The launch of the new body marks an important milestone in the implementation of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD); the peace agreement signed in Qatar last year between the Sudanese government and one of Darfur’s rebel groups, the Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM).

The deal has been rejected by other rebel groups, including the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), which holds parallel talks with the Khartoum government.

President Al-Bashir announced the creation of the DRA on Wednesday 8th February in the region’s capital Al Fasher, as well as a gener-

al amnesty for the prisoners of the LJM. He also urged the rebel movement to ensure that the security arrangements of the deal, which would envisage the integration of LJM fighters into the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), are correctly implemented. This would avoid a repeat of the failed 2006 Abuja agreement in which Minni Minnawi, the one rebel signatory, went back into rebellion after having rejected the security arrangements.

Mr Bashir stressed the importance of repairing the social fabric of local communities after the nine-year war and bringing criminals to justice all the while inviting the nonsignatory rebel groups to join the peace accord.

UN Secretary-General Ban Kimoon welcomed the inauguration of the DRA, recommending that the parties “take all necessary measures to equip the authority to fulfil its responsibility to promote reconciliation, early recovery and devel-

opment so that peace dividends are realized by and equitably shared among the population of Darfur”.

Ban Ki-moon further urged the rebel groups who have not signed the peace accord and the government to enter into negotiations for a final agreement immediately so as to pave the way for a comprehensive peace process.

Similarly the President of Chad, President Idriss Deby, who is believed to have supported the JEM during the war because he belonged to the same ethnic group as its former leader Khalil Ibrahim, pledged to put his country’s resources at the disposal of Sudan to aid the peace process, and stressed the importance of dialogue as the only conduit for the resolution of problems.

Behind the bullish talk however lies a formidable task in ensuring that the Qatar peace process is implemented successfully. The appointment of an LJM member, Ti-

Blasting gun crime C

orruption, gun trafficking and high rates of homicide by firearms; three ever worsening problems that Jamaica has been faced with and is now being forced to tackle head on. Jamaica has one of the highest rates of gun crime in the world, with around 75% of all homicides being committed with firearms, and is joined at the top of the ranks by countries perhaps more commonly associated with gun crime such as Colombia and South Africa. The high levels of gun crime have had a significant impact on the Jamaican economy, and figures from The World Bank show that criminal violence costs the economy around $400 million each year.

Despite the rates of gun crime increasing over the past few years, evidence shows that the murder rate in Jamaica is actually falling.

Between 2002 and 2010, the murder rate had risen from around 40 per 100,000 people, to 52 per 100,000 people, however comparisons between 2011 and 2010 show that the murder rates had dropped by approximately 44%, and in some areas of the capital Kingston, up to 60%. Nevertheless, authorities still feel that more needs to be done in order to fully curb the problem.

On 8th February, the first stage of a large scale operation to remove firearms from the streets was set into action, with around 2000 illegal firearms being melted down in a furnace in the capital, Kingston.

Around half a ton of ammunition was also destroyed, and it is reported that another 2000 firearms will be melted down in the coming weeks.

Many of the weapons melted down were actually firearms previously used by the police, military and prison officers. Jamaica’s National Security Minister, Peter Bunting said “The removal will help to reduce the risks of these weapgre.ceres

Alex Marshall bathimpact Contributor

Ganging up on gun crime ons being possibly diverted back into the illicit trade”. There have been reports of police officers taking weapons and ammunition and selling it on to criminals. Just last year a former Jamaican police sergeant was sentenced to 15 years in

prison for stealing 18 high-powered weapons and around 11,000 rounds of ammunition from the Kingston police armoury, with the intention of selling them to criminal gangs.

This issue of corruption within the Jamaican authorities has led to criminal gangs becoming as well armed and equipped as the forces themselves, therefore making it very difficult for police officers to compete with and arrest gang members, especially considering some gangs control entire areas of certain cities.

Other gang owned weapons have been smuggled in from the US in cargo trucks, or have been obtained through the ‘guns-forganja’ deals. These are carried out by fishermen who take deliveries of Jamaican marijuana to Haiti in exchange for weapons, which again, are believed to have come from the US. A proposed police pension reform could lead to police officers receiving just 32% of the pension that they would currently receive after working for 40 years. Perhaps if the government focused more on solving issues within the police force, there wouldn’t be such an incentive for officers to become corrupt and further escalate the problem they are trying to tackle.

The deal will hopefully bring peace to the war torn region jani Sese, as head of the DRA marks an important step in fulfilling a power-sharing arrangement, along with the inclusion of LJM ministers in the federal government. However it is as yet unclear how the DRA’s executive body will work with other authorities such as the state gover-

nors, who will probably be loath to accept a reduction in their powers.

Whilst the launch of the DRA is no doubt a significant development in the long peace process in Darfur, the exclusion of other rebel groups and other unresolved issues presage a long road ahead.

Brazil con-dammed Holly Narey bite Editor impact-bite@bath.ac.uk

M

ore than ever before, our thoughts must turn towards our planet and the effect our actions have upon it, so how have the plans to build the third largest hydroelectric dam in the world, in the Brazilian Amazon Rainforest managed to advance this far? This proposed dam would flood an incredible 0.01% of the Amazon Rainforest and cause massive relocation of indigenous peoples and loss of biodiversity on a huge scale.

The plans have been in the pipeline since as far back as 1975, but due to public outrage and demands for resurveying and redesign they were constantly delayed. Now the plans are back, and it has the approval of the Brazilian president.

To the uproar of members of its own agency (and the resignation of some leading members as a result of political pressure to approve the dam), in 2010 the Brazilian Environmental Agency granted the project an environmental licence, despite its admission that the environmental and social impacts would be high.

The diversity of fish species in the targeted river is estimated at an incredible 600, with many being found only in this area. Independent experts have said that the dam will mean that the river “will not be capable of maintaining species diver-

sity”. Hundreds of species may be lost to the wild forever.

Loss of biodiversity is not the only environmental impact to be considered. The effect of increased methane levels due to lush vegetation being drowned by waters, converting trapped carbon to this much more potent greenhouse gas must also be thought of, especially since it has been recorded that similar dams produce 3.5 times more greenhouse gases than an oil

“

Hundreds of species may be lost to the wild forever.

”

power plant.

Despite the government’s insistence that the dam is essential and unavoidable, in 2007 WWF Brazil released a report revealing that if Brazil invested in energy efficiency it would save the power equivalent to 14 Belo Monde hydroelectric plants, cutting the country’s demand for electricity by 40% by 2012. With this in mind, it must be considered whether the price of losing the ancient cultures of the 40,000 indigenous peoples who would be shunted from their homeland, as well as loss of the potentially undiscovered biodiversity hidden amongst over 1500km2 of land that the proposed dam would devastate, is just too dam high.

Monday 20th February 2012

bathimpact

17

International

www.bathimpact.com

World Economic Forum

O

nce heralded as Africa’s most peaceful country, Senegal has encountered some troubles regarding its upcoming elections. Uprisings have been taking place in the capital, Dakar provoking harsh responses from the police. The protestors have one goal: to prevent the current President, Abdoulaye Wade from seeking re-election. Many believe it is time to put their aged leader into a political elderly home.

Eighty-five year old Wade has ignored subtle hints that it is time to retire after almost twelve years in power and is seeking re-election.

Constitutionally a President can only serve for two terms, a bill that Wade himself wrote in response to his predecessor’s 20 years in power. Courts have ruled, however, that since this was not written into the constitution until a year into his Primacy, it is legal for Wade to run again.

The President’s track record shows his mule-like stubbornness. It was not until his fifth attempt at running for President did he win. Now, he appears to be grooming his son, Karim, to succeed him. Not surprising, given that his hypothetical next term in government would see him

Tyrant? Will Abdoulaye succeed power? turn ninety.

Wade, who was the toast of the party in 2000 has since been accused of concentrating his efforts on his international profile rather than the domestic problems facing the country. The President has been known to act as the mediator in foreign conflicts whilst turning a blind eye to Senegal’s own issues. Now the country is declaring ‘y’en a marre’ – ‘we’re fed up’.

What was once simmering disapproval irrupted into unrest in June last year when Wade attempted to

pass a bill lowering the threshold for a President to be elected to 25%. He finally backed down in the face of mass movements. But the discontent did not disappear.

It seems that internationally, the news of Wade’s bid has raised eyebrows. It is suggested that foreign pressure could persuade the statusobsessed President to step aside.

Senegal’s democracy has been the example to so many struggling African countries, but now we see the cracks emerge. Let’s make sure they don’t swallow the country whole.

A new report by the charity Save the Children has illustrated the dreadful effects of malnutrition on half a billion children. The report says that one in four children have stunted physical and mental growth because of malnutrition.

The sharp rise in food prices over the past year has impacted negatively on child malnutrition and the previous progress in reducing child deaths.

Freedom House

Chloe Wittet reports on the Senagalese elections

Babasteve

Wade past his expiry date Wad of World News

Furore over Falklands B

ritain is used to having its flag burned. The thousands who have had their lives ripped apart by the so-called neo-colonialist agenda of the UK often feel that the only way to express this anger is through the symbolic destruction of the Union Flag. In recent weeks this action, synonymous with the war-torn, despotic Middle East has been occurring in an entirely different scenario: the European styled, developed streets of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Here, the issue is as old as the country itself and concerns a more obvious form of colonialism.

Although it has been almost thirty years since the conflict, Argentina is pining for the Falklands, who it claims to have the actual sovereign claim to the islands they call las Malvinas, more than ever.

Recent events have not particularly helped the situation. The discovery of vast quantities of oil within the island’s waters has meant that there is more to play for. The tiny islands, with a population of only 3,200 and economy of little over $170million per year, are no longer just the barren, wind-swept, plains where 907

died in 1982, but an archipelago filled with potential.

So, as the stakes are raised, so is the rhetoric. During Prime Ministers Questions David Cameron claimed that Argentina’s attitude to the issue was ‘colonial’, an irony not wasted on the Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner who called the claim "mediocrity bordering on stupidity". Last week Argentina took the issue to the United Nations (again) accusing the UK of “militarisation” of the South Atlantic after Britain sent a state of the art destroyer, HMS Dauntless, to the islands as well as Prince William who supposedly came dressed in "the uniform of

“...the debate has al-

ready gone beyond a ‘war of words’

”

a conqueror".

Much of the issue will remain a war of words rather than develop into a full blown conflict on the scale of 1982. Both countries are solid democracies with voters to please and backhanded comments will no-doubt

do the trick in most cases. However, with feigning support and a country unanimously agreed that las Malvinas are sovereign territory of Argentina, behind closed doors President Kirchner has probably not ruled out the possibility, even if she has in public. If Argentina were to attack, Cameron would be forced to respond.

Some would even suggest that the debate has already gone beyond a ‘war of words’. Many Latin American ports now refuse to accept ships from the Falklands whilst Argentina’s transport union will boycott any ships associated with the UK. President Kirchner is currently fighting to stop all flights leaving from Ushuaia, a move which would effectively isolate the islands from their closest source of food.

The UN has preached caution to both sides, Latin America is firmly standing by its continental ally and even actor Sean Penn has taken a stance claiming to be adamantly proArgentina. However, amongst the bickering are the Falkland Islanders themselves; all 3,200 of them. To them it is all a non-issue. The dispute is already resolved: the Falklands are British always have been and, as far as they are aware, always will be.

Amidst all the chaos in Syria, President Bashar al-Assad has announced a referendum on the new draft constitution which will be held on 26 February. President Assad received a copy of the draft constitution on Sunday which was produced by a national committee. The draft notably dropped the article which made the Baath party the ultimate leader of politics and society.

Gaffke Photography

Ben Butcher bathimpact Contributor

A massive fire swept through a Honduran prison in Comayagua on Tuesday night claiming at least 300 prisoners. There were clashes between the relatives of prisoners and police forces as the former attempted to break into the prison to get information. It is still unknown whether the incident was caused by rioting before the fire or an electric fault.

18

Monday 20th February 2012

bathimpact

Science

www.bathimpact.com

Bath uni CGI Calling new scientists!

Phil Stythe tells bathimpact how he thinks revolution science can be made more appealing T

he University’s Computer Science department has produced a program that realistically emulates trees swaying in the wind. It may not sound like much, but it’s a remarkable invention that could slash severalfold the time and money required to create high-quality computer animations.

Using current technology, the trees must either be animated frame-byframe or consist of digital alterations of physical trees shot using a video camera. Neither of these processes have the scope to introduce randomizations, resulting in the need for each individual tree to be handled separately. As a result, both processes are so time-consuming that most animators opt for static trees.

Dr. Peter Hall and his PhD student iL nauhC Tree-ly good technology Chuan (Chris) Li, however, have developed an algorithm that can, based on video footage of real trees the team shot, simulate the movement of any given tree as inputted by the user.

The only input the system requires is a two-dimensional outline of the tree to be simulated. The program then extrapolates that shape into a three-

dimensional tree before applying the movement algorithm. Using this process, it is possible to create an entire digital forest of moving trees, each of them unique.

The innovation has not only received coverage in the national media

“

It’s a game changer that could save us the huge chunk of our time

”

Jordi Bares including the BBC and New Scientist, but has impressed professionals in the CGI industry. Jordi Bares of Londonbased animation studio The Mill says, “When I saw this my jaw was on the floor. It’s a game changer that could save us the huge chunk of our time we currently spend creating natural 3D assets like trees.”

Having created the program, which is almost certain to attract strong commercial interest, Li has even greater ambitions: “In the future we want to use the same technique to animate other objects like clouds, water, fire and smoke.” The work was published in the journal ACM Transactions on Graphics last December.

This is the second piece I’ve written on the remarkable achievements of our PhD students. It just goes to show what our students are capable of achieving at this centre of excellence; your discovery might not change the world, but it might just make it that little bit better. So give it your all!

H

ow do you sell science to a sixteen year old? Every day, education workers ask themselves this question, as it is well-known that secondary school pupils are choosing not to study science beyond their GCSEs. Instead they are opting for the arts and then degrees in cat illustration from Bath Spa. Is it that science is too difficult, not taught or understood properly, or simply un-cool (No one wants to be a nerd, especially at age 16)?

Some would say that science is just really boring, but that would be like saying that the universe is dreary. Unfortunately the future prospects that science graduates have can seem to be just that, when in actual fact many carry out research work that drives science forwards. Telling a prospective science student that they should study Biochemistry so that they might one day cure cancer is not fair or honest.

Telling the student that they should study Biochemistry so that they might have their name on the title of some obscure article focusing on intracellular signalling pathways in metastasized cell populations, which may be read by Clive to aid his research, ultimately contributing to that cancer cure would be far more accurate. Unsurprisingly the latter has not made it to any prospectuses. Here lies the conundrum. When you ask the average research scientist what they actually do, the explanation will require at least a degree in the subject, a fair amount of interest and reading, plus a day of your life before it is understood. This doesn’t mean that it is boring per se, but it certainly sounds it.

So how do we get school pupils

SLU Madrid Campus

Simon O’Kane bathimpact Contributor

A student battling through the so-called dreariness of science and the world in general interested in science again? Perhaps the answer lies in looking at how science used to operate; the preserve of the rich, ambitious or eccentric, when more often than not the breakthrough ideas came as offshoots from the main point of the study.

More recently the space race was the result of competition between two wealthy and ambitious nations whilst Concorde was the not-so-love child of Anglo-French technological collaboration. You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to understand the appeal and excitement of a man on the moon or beating the time zone to New York.

Moving away from engineering conquests, the Human Genome Project now shows us every gene in the human organism, the result of a $2.7 billion international effort. The Large Hadron

Collider will advance our knowledge of particle physics. You can make up your own mind as to the value of that! The point is that these expensive projects act as figure-heads for their respective industries and give young pupils something tangible to look up to.

As scientists they may only make up small pieces of the jigsaw but the final output is usually something that we can see and understand. As the financial situation of Europe worsens, governments will crack down on research spending and we will undoubtedly see less expansive science and more conservative, low-risk studies. We must hope that the rich and ambitious, such as Richard Branson and his search for Biofuels/Space tourism, and Bill Gates and his fight against third world disease, continue to help drive science, the world and the young forward.

Parkinson’s cells grown in US labs S

cientists in the USA have successfully grown human brain cells with the parkin mutation that causes genetic Parkinson’s disease in the laboratory.

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by a lack of the neurotransmitter dopamine. It affects around 120,000 people in the UK with mutations in the parkin gene causing disease in 1 in 10 of patients. There is currently no cure; the symptoms, which include tremors, rigidity of muscles and slow movement, get worse over time.

This is the first time that human dopamine neurons have been grown in the lab from patients with the parkin mutation. These cells provide a very good model for testing new treatments as animal models that lack this gene do not develop the disease and are therefore not beneficial.

The parkin gene controls the production of MAO (monamine oxidase), an enzyme that regulates production of dopamine.

The mutation causes an increase in levels of MAO; this is toxic to dopamine-producing neurons causing cell death. This loss of neurons is what causes the symptoms of Parkinson’s.

Scientists used techniques that have already been proven in order to turn donated skin cells into neurons. Four skin samples were used in total: two from healthy individuals and two from patients with genetic Parkinson’s disease.

These cells can now be used to test treatments that might prevent damage to brain cells and prevent disease in patients with mutations in the parkin gene. It has already been shown that it is possible to reverse the effect of mutations by putting a normal copy of the parkin gene into diseased neurons.

Led by Dr Jian Feng, this research is a big step forward as it has overcome the difficulty in

obtaining live human neurons for study. It will allow further research to be carried out and

the development of possible new treatments for sufferers of this disease.

Aigars Mahinovs

Clodagh McGuire bathimpact Contributor

Scientists will be able to give us more insight into the disease

Monday 20th February 2012

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Science

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Coming soon: mind Professor Science Higgs boson or controlled weapons SMI Eye Tracking

Esther Osarfo-Mensah bathimpact Features Editor impact-features@bath.ac.uk

I

t sounds like something from a science-fiction come horror novel. Armies rising up against each other in blood-soaked battle fields, the scene flooded by the harsh redness of the setting sun. They march expressionlessly towards one another, surrounded by floating weapons that seem to be unleashing ammunition out of their own will. An evil sorcerer gazes down at the terror from the battlements of a medieval castle in the distance and a smile slowly spreads across his face. His plan has finally come into fruition. At least that’s immediately what came into my mind when I first came across this news story. Maybe I’ve been watching too much Dexter and reading too much Eragon en lieu of doing my lab reports.

In a report that was recently published by the Royal Society, mankind’s advance in the field of neuroscience is picking up speed at an astounding pace. Scientists are constantly discovering and developing new drugs and methods of treatment to help boost neural performance, something that may be harnessed by the armed forces. It is feared that although these new developments will help to bring about treatments for mental illnesses and diseases of the brain, the majority of neuroscientists seem to be oblivious to their applications in the world of security.

Studies into brain-machine inter-

No its not an extremely colourful hairnet, its an EEG. faces (BMIs), which at the moment are being used to allow brain signals to directly control cursors on computers and artificial limbs for amputee patients, are being closely examined.

The report states that, "Since the human brain can process images, such as targets, much faster than the subject is consciously aware of, a neurally interfaced weapons system could provide significant advantages over other system control methods in terms of speed and accuracy." BMIs could be utilised to make fighting more efficient with hopefully less collateral damage, but as Rod Flower, the chair of the report’s working group says, "If you are controlling a drone and you shoot the wrong target or bomb a wedding party, who is responsible for that action? Is it you or the BMI?”.

Another tool that has potential military applications but originated from a harmless background is the electroencephalogram (EEG). It’s a machine that we’ve all seen, where someone off the street is yanked into

a lab, sat in a chair and forced to wear a hairnet full of electrodes that record their brainwaves. In some cases, these people are even volunteers.

EEGs use ‘neurofeedback’, where the ‘volunteers’ have the ability to learn how to control their brainwaves and so ultimately improve a myriad of skills. Darpa, a US military research organisation, is known to use EEG as an aid in detecting targets in satellite images. Without the technology, the person carrying out the detection is likely to be three times less successful.

For some neuroscientists, this report comes as no surprise. Vince Clark, a cognitive neuroscientist, says that, “If I stop my work, the people who might be helped won't be helped.

Almost any technology has a defence application."

If neuroscience and the military continue to walk hand in hand, it looks like the scene described at the beginning of this article may not be so fictional after all.

Higgs bos-off?

I

t’s 2008 and the world is about to end. I remember sitting in sixth form, surrounded by friends praying for a quick and painless death. We’re all gazing at computer screens, holding our collective breaths. A scientist gingerly flicks the switch on the Large Hadron Collider… and suddenly the world falls into darkness. Four horsemen rip through the sky and we all perish in fire and brimstone.

Ah wait. That didn’t actually happen. The world didn’t get sucked into a man-made black hole, give birth to a whole new universe or end just as the book of Revelations predicts. Instead, humanity stepped into a new era of science, reaching a new height of understanding of how our world works at the sub-atomic level.

Zipping forward to February 2012 and we’re still making strides in physics. The large hadron collider (LHC) is basically a machine that allows you to smash two protons travelling at incredible speeds into one another. The protons travel a total distance of 27km, spanning across the FrenchSwiss border. It was primarily built to look for what is colloquially known as the ‘God Particle’, or the Higgs boson. Thought up by a team headed by English physicist Peter Higgs, the particle is an integral part of a theory called the Standard Model. With this model,

we have a near understanding of our world, as we can begin to predict how tiny particles interact to give the world that we see.

However, there is one flaw.

No one can comprehend why or how all of these particles have mass. Without mass, everything would move at the speed of light and nothing would be gathered into balls of ‘stuff’. This is where the Higgs mechanism steps in. It theorizes that there is a field infused within the universe that interacts with particles to give them mass. Finding this magical Higgs particle is the difficult part, as the Standard Model doesn’t provide any information for the mass of the particle itself.

This is why scientists announced this week that they plan to further increase the energies of the protons by 14% to boost the search over a larger range. After two years of playing it safe, the director of accelerators and technology at Cern, Steve Myers, says that they now have, “the confidence to safely move up a notch, and thereby extend the physics reach of the experiments before we go into the LHC's first long shutdown." Let’s hope that we go out with a big bang.

If you would like a question answered by Professor Science, send it on to impact-features@bath. ac.uk.

Not having a whale of a time Mike Baird

Elena Ramsamy reports on the struggle between whales and human technology

He’s got a lot to whale about

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kay, so here’s the latest scientific update on the current dialogue between whales and ships…

Wait, what…? For those of you who are not up to speed, there has been recent scientific discovery that the propellers on ships produce a sound of similar frequency to that which some species of whale use to communicate. This information is based on previous studies demonstrating the changes in whale communication in noisy areas.

However this information is old news now, the real question everyone is asking is what exactly are these ships saying? It really could

mean anything. Slightly reminiscent of Pixars very own ‘Finding Nemo’ in which Dory (the angel fish, suffering from short term memory loss) attempts to communicate with a whale to, erm, ask for directions… Yeah, never mind.

It seems that Dr Rosalind Rolland from New England Aquarium, Boston, has research to provide a sort of answer to this question.

She’s been conducting studies measuring the levels of stress hormones in whale faeces (yes faeces) and it seems like the messages are definitely not happy ones. A hormone called glucocoticoid is associated with stress. It seems in areas where there is increased traffic and

noise, the concentration of glucocorticoid metabolites in faeces has increased too. In recent decades the level of noise has increased along with growth in ocean traffic and this is having a stressful effect on the whales.

Shipping lanes have already been relocated in areas such as the Bay of Fundy, in 2003 to save the more endangered of the species.

The next step for the research team is to study in a wider range of locations and compare the effect on different types of whales to figure out a long term solution once and for all. So hopefully this will all be sorted out for our finned friends before the faeces hit the propeller.

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Monday 20th February 2012

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Business

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Understanding Greece’s anger Nikos Roussos

Sterios Schinas Alvargonzalez bathimpact Contributor

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reece seems set to be rescued again by its European partners and the IMF, close to securing a 130bn Euro bailout. However, the night that the majority of Greek MPs were voting in favor of further austerity measures as the conditions for the new rescue package, Athens witnessed some of the worst rioting scenes in its history, with 45 buildings from banks to theaters being burned. Thousands of protesters during the day took over streets and Syntagma Square outside the Parliament. People all over the world are confused: Why is a country that’s being saved from bankruptcy by its partners reacting in this way? Showing hatred instead of gratitude to the EU, the IMF and especially Germany?

A key point to emphasise is that the Greek crisis is unique in nature. The country does not simply face an economic crisis, but a political and social one at the same time.

Athens turns up the heat on austerity measures Greeks feel betrayed by their politicians; they believe that for years the political system was not a platform for political developments and attractive ideological debates as would be expected in the birthplace of Democracy but rather the basic maintenance tool

for a clientelist, corrupt system.

Politicians are still seen today as concentrating first on being elected and not on finding solutions to the crisis. Parties in parliament have been reluctant to endorse new austerity measures, a bitter but necessary pill in order for

the country to save itself, by fear of loosing support in the coming elections. For the “squeezed” middle class Greeks, governments and politicians that drove the country into a borrowing spree after it joined the Euro are the ones that should be paying for their mistakes. Those in the private sector accuse those in the public payroll of benefiting for all these years from the state’s “largesse” while the poorest point at tax evading lawyers and doctors. No one accepts the blame and everyone is angered by what they identify as unfair conditions imposed on them.

By consequence the “Troika”, which refers to the EU Commission, IMF and European Central Bank is not seen by the Greek people as a Doctor with the magic cure but rather as a collection of European states and institutions that due to their power and the incapability of Greek politicians to resist can impose limitless austerity measures in the country. Foreign media are shocked when they

see demonstrator’s posters with pictures of Angela Merkel and Christine Lagarde being hanged but this is the response to what is perceived to be a loss of the country’s sovereignty.

Then there is fear. No one is sure they will keep their job or that a member of their family will not become unemployed. Greeks have been lied to numerous times in the last year about no more austerity measures being implemented.

People are scared that their benefits and incomes will keep decreasing while their taxes keep rising harming even more their quality of life.

Optimism is starting to fade away and the light at the end of the tunnel is harder to see. Yet, understanding Greek anger is a must if the EU and other international lenders want the ongoing adjustment program to succeed. If not the Greeks will simply keep rolling the stone of “Sisyphus”. A king in Greek mythology punished by being compelled to roll a giant stone up a hill only to watch it fall back.

M u l t i - m i l l i o n Britain’s credit rating RBS restructure threatened by Moody’s

A brand new RBS is on its way performing very well with profits of £33 billion over the last three years.

This suggests that the money pumped into RBS by taxpayers can perhaps in the future (and it may be several years before it can happen) be recovered when RBS have finished their long restructuring process and are ready to be sold.

Magali Calabressi tells bathimpact about the UK market’s near miss downgrade

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he credit rating agency Moody’s has threatened to downgrade Britain’s AAA rating, something MP George Osborne describes as a ‘reality check.’

Moody’s claims Britain is at risk due to “materially weaker growth prospects over the next few years” Moody’s broke it down to three main risks; these were a combination of slow growth with “reduced political commitment to fiscal consolidation”, “a sharp rise in debtrefinancing costs, possibly associated with an inflation shock or a deterioration in market confidence over a sustained period”, or even a financial debacle.

S&P threatened to downgrade Britain in 2009, but this was changed following the coalition government’s first austerity budget in 2010. However, this time the warning is noteworthy – Britain national debt is colossal (topping £1tn), there is a lack of growth, which indicates a bleak economic outlook, and voters are used to a

fast-paced environment; a touchand-go situation. An AA rating is not the end of the world, the fear is that once downgraded, Britain may be downgraded again in a similar fashion to Spain, or Italy.

“Any further abrupt economic or fiscal deterioration would put into question the government’s ability to place the debt burden on a downward trajectory by fiscal year 2015-16” Altogetherfool

A

fter the controversy that has surrounded RBS in recent weeks with the stripping of Fred Goodwin’s knighthood, and chief executive, Stephen Hester waiving his £1 million bonus due to political pressure, it has been revealed in a memo by Hester to staff that the restructuring of the bank has cost £38 billion so far.

The £38bn figure takes into account loan losses, disposal costs and restructuring charges that the bank has had to absorb. RBS were bailed out by the government for £45bn three years ago. Despite the large sum of taxpayers’ money that has been pumped into the bank, Hester made clear just how big the RBS cleanup is by mentioning in a Radio 4 interview that the money injected has been “lost” and describing the task as the “biggest time bomb in history”. Furthermore, observers close to the bank have predicted that eventually the restructuring bill for RBS will surpass the investment the government made.

Despite the gloomy picture painted here, Hester’s memo was largely meant to be a rallying call

for RBS employees after the bank received plenty of bad spotlight in the media. He said how the last three years proved that they can “successfully overcome great obstacles” and they should “prove the critics wrong”.

Moreover, he also revealed that core businesses of RBS had in fact been Elliott Brown

Aran Gnana bathimpact Contributor

George Osborne pretending that he knows what’s going on

Monday 20th February 2012

ECB president Draghi looking as bleak as the EU economy Magali Calabressi bathimpact Treasurer impact-money@bath.ac.uk

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ario Draghi, the president of the European Central Bank (ECB), has kept interest rates unchanged at an all time low of 1% for the second consecutive month.

“We frankly did not discuss any prospective or current change in interest rates,” said Draghi during a press conference following a meeting of the ECB’s 23-head rate-setting council.

The chief forecasted a bleak economic outlook facing the 17

€489bn Amount of money the ECB ent to over 523 banks members of the Eurozone and warned of a currency bloc. He did optimistically add, however, that data showed “tentative signs of stabilisation in economic activity at the low level” and that “the ECB

are less pessimistic than the IMF.” At the same time, Draghi has become increasingly secretive and has sidestepped questions.

It seems Draghi has followed the advise of US Secretary of Defence McNamara under Kennedy and Johnson, “never answer the question that is asked of you, answer the question that you wish had been asked of you.”

Concurrently, lawmakers in Greece have devised a debt-andbudget deal aimed at supplying E130bn of bailout funds to allow Greece to distance itself form default. Draghi seemed optimistic that Greece was now approaching a solution to its debt crisis. To whether the ECB would accept a haircut on their E40bn of Greek bond holdings he said “I cannot say anything on how the ECB’s holdings will be treated.”

The chief of the ECB has made a deal, but we do not know what it is. In fact, he ended his opinions on Greece by saying that “the most important thing is getting the agreement in place,” (patently) referring to the above agreement reached by Greek lawmakers in Athens.

LTRO stands for Long Term Refinance Operation. It is an acronym that started in late December, and it refers to a 3-year funding facility that the ECB announced in December to aid the Eurozone crisis. Essentially it means that banks can borrow from the ECB at exceptionally low rates (which remain unchanged at 1% as mentioned above). The largest refinancing ever took place on the 21st December 2011, when the ECB lent E489bn to 523 banks at its first three year refinancing operation.

Draghi is praised and acknowledged as having saved the Euro banking system in response to these three year loans. He was keen to advertise their success by saying that it was thanks to these that a major credit crunch was

CDS – Credit Default Swap: Essentially this is like an insurance on a bond, such that if there is a default, that is if the issuer of the bond cannot pay, then the CDS provider is due to pay the holder of

Everyone’s favourite cereal brand Kellogs is the soon to be owner of Pringles for the sum of $2.7 billion. The company that hopes to sell is Procter and Gamble who originally wanted to deal with Diamond Foods last year, but it unfortunately failed due to issues with the former’s accounts and was investigated by authorities for alleged booking of payments inconsistencies.

“[There is] no

plan B for Greece. Having a plan B means you’re defeated already.

”

ECB President Mario Draghi avoided. The next LTRO is taking place on the 29th of February.

To whether this will be the last, Draghi said that he “would not want them to be a part of the permanent monetary policy.”

So, is there a plan B for Greece Mr Draghi? “No plan B for Greece.

Having a plan B means you’re defeated already.”

On a further note, the UK has seen a further £50bn of QE from Mervyn King (BoE) to get the economy flowing after having spent £275bn. This amount was expected.

Business Glossary LTRO – Long Term Refinance Operation: Essentially this refers to a three-year funding facility where European banks may borrow from the ECB at an ultra-low rate of 1% (newly introduced).

A bite of business

the bond.

Naked CDS – This is when a CDS is taken on a bond that the person who takes the CDS does not hold.

According to the UK’s Competition Commission (CC), the cost of calling a mobile from a landline is just too damn high. There have been calls to bring about the cut the prices much more quickly, but appeals from O2, Vodafone and Everything Everywhere are holding up negotiations. The CC hopes to implement the proposed 80% cuts by 2014.

World Economic Forum

INSM

ECB keeps interest rates on the downlow

Business Tim Gerland

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Erik Hersman

bathimpact

The president of the World Bank, Robert Zoellick has announced that he is to step down from his position on 30th June. He first gained the role 5 years ago under George Bush, and it is a job that has traditionally been held by an American. This has been a source of discontent in the world market, so calls have been made to allow emerging economies the opportunity to undertake the responsibility.

Monday 20th February 2012

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Sport

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Handball, what’s it about?

Toby Smith bathimpact Contributor andball is a sport and it is the second most popular team sport in Europe after football. It is an Olympic sport for both men and women. It is a sport that has no complicated rules or expensive equipment. Yet, if you ask anybody on the streets of England what handball is, they will probably have no idea what you are talking about.

For the benefit of all you out there who don’t know what handball is, let me fill you in. Handball is a seven-aside contact sport played indoors, on a court, with a football style goal. In its simplest form the aim of the game is to throw the ball into a goal. Attacks are made by throwing the ball between teammates and attempting to get past the defence. A little bit like netball or basketball, except the target’s a hell of a lot bigger.

The rules: 1. You are allowed three steps with the ball before you have to start bouncing it.

2. There is a seven metre area in

University of Bath Hanball Club

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front of the goal in which only the goalkeeper is allowed.

3. The sport is full contact, but only if the defending player is between the attacker and the goal. So no hair pulling guys!

It really is that simple. Handball is played all over the world, but until recently it has been a neglected sport within England. The sudden interest in handball has been due to the upcoming Olympics where Team GB will be represented in both the men’s and women’s competitions. As a result, competitions in England and especially university clubs have seen a lot of interest in this strange new sport.

At this point I know the question you are now all dying to ask, and the answer is “Yes! The University of Bath does have a handball team!”

We are one of the few sports clubs to have former international players as coaches. We also have two players who currently play for the British Students Handball Team. One of whom only took up the sport a year ago, proof if proof be needed that literally anyone can give it a go.

Bath needs a 3G Pitch to remain competitive Jamie Hosie bathimpact Contributor

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port is a major part of many students’ lives here. For hundreds of prospective students, it is the reason they choose Bath for their studies. Indeed, if you are playing at the top end of your sport, you will in all probability be well catered for. The £100 sports pass may even seem like money well spent.

Although, there are those who are not necessarily gifted with ground-breaking abilities and who are simply looking to play something a bit more casual. At certain times of the year, however, they may be left rather disappointed.

The men’s rugby 4th team, the women’s rugby team, and the American football team all share a small patch of grass colloquially known as ‘The Shit Patch’.

During the winter months, it certainly lives up to its name. Ironically located behind the all-weather pitches, tucked in next to the 1st team rugby pitch, it is about the size of half a standard pitch. In recent weeks it has been in such poor condition that it has been unplayable, meaning these teams have had nowhere to train. American Football Chair Simon Love voiced his complaints saying “We've now had three consecutive training sessions cancelled.”

The need for a 3G pitch seems to be ever increasing. The men’s Rugby 4s had their first training session in 2 months an hour before

Jonathan Gleave

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The appropriately named ‘Shit Patch’ living up to its billing the kick-off of their first game... in Exeter. Should students paying £100 for sports facilities have to

“

The current facilities situation is ruining our season

”

Simon Love travel two hours to train? On another occasion they were forced to play a home match at Bradford-upon-Avon rugby club, after not having been able to use any of the six pitches under the control of Team

Bath.

Love cited the need for a 3G pitch by adding “We also had a game cancelled before Christmas and had to resort to playing a game at Bradford-Upon-Avon. Having a 3G would have meant all of this could have been avoided. The current facilities situation is ruining our season.”

Whether it is the aforementioned 3G pitch, or simply floodlights over one of the normal pitches, something needs to be done if students are not to become more and more disgruntled by the lack of playing space.

Twerton Park naming rights up for grabs

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ship through a similar fundraising draw; however, the chance to name the stadium is a first for the relegation-threatened club.

Sponsorship deals are nothing new, with naming rights earning teams millions of pounds in additional income. Whilst formal sponsorship may lead to boring names, they are at least guaranteed to be clean. Opening up the naming rights to the general public will undoubtedly lead to the occasional ridiculous, humorous and dirty name suggestion.

Some rather comical stadium names that could provide inspiration include: Gay Meadow, home to League Two Shrewsbury Town FC. Bargain Booze Stadium, the previous name of Witton Albion

FC’s home under an old sponsorship deal.

Arnold Schwarzenegger Stadium, home of Austrian Bundesliga team, SK Sturm Graz.

Wankdorf Stadium, venue for the 1954 FIFA World Cup final and home to Swiss football team BSC Young Boys.

You can forgive the language barrier for odd European names; however, there is no forgiving the Americans for the awfully named Kuntz Stadium. The ground is home to FC Indiana, one of the few professional female soccer teams in the US. However, the team is in negotiations to relocate to the hilariously inappropriate Bush Stadium.

I certainly hope that the new name for Twerton Park remains

appropriate and reflects the history and tradition of the football club as well as the city of Bath. Having said that, I fully expect all of you to let your imaginations run wild and

submit the silliest names possible. If you would like to take part, full details can be found at http://bathcityfc.com/namethestadium thisisbath.co.uk

Owen Tomlinson bathimpact Contributor ver dreamt of having a football stadium named after you? Well now is your chance.

Bath City F.C. has launched a competition this month to win the naming rights to their ground for the 2012-13 season.

All for just £50. The aim is to encourage supporters and local businesses to submit potential names, with club management suggesting that they be dedicated to friends, family, favourite players or chosen charities.

Competition entrants can also opt to leave the 80-year old Twerton Park name unchanged. The club has previously offered shirt sponsor-

Monday 20th February 2012

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Gymnasts are flipping brilliant

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et’s face it, we were never going to be prepared for a competition that took place the weekend after the Inter Semester Break, especially when half the team were injured/ concussed from skiing the previous week. Add exams and the Christmas break into the mix and we weren’t expecting to be on our top form going into the competition. Despite our lack of preparation (a grand total of eight hours this year for one particularly unlucky gymnast) we turned up to the BUCS Gymnastics Championships determined to have a good time and show off our skills.

The girls did incredibly well, with some beautiful floor work and solid vaulting from Leah England, Han-

nah Wiseman and Heather Carver.

Caitlin Elliott’s twisting somersault and last-minute impromptu dance helped her finish 4th on the floor (11th all-around). Kasha Smith performed smoothly on the bars to finish 8th, despite having to change her routine 30 seconds before competing when she was informed by the judges that one of her moves was too complicated and wouldn’t be counted. In typical Bath Gymnastics fashion, however, we found a McDonald’s for lunch and rounded off the day with a curry and a drink or three.

The lads were in action the next day, with the girls cheering on from the stands. Ed Nice was competing on one already injured shoulder and managed to injure the other one during warm up. Despite this,

he performed an excellent straight tsukahara on the vault. Joe Basquill gave a very impressive all-around performance, especially when taking into consideration his relative lack of experience in the sport. He

completed the parallel bars with a superb dismount, and managed to pull off a nice Arabian somersault on his floor routine.

Overall it was a very successful weekend - well done team!

Helena Bleasby

Helena Bleasby bathimpact Contributor

Beer pong. Could it become the Sports Association’s next club?

Tom Lacey bathimpact Contributor

A

Greg Ma

fter losing my Superbowl virginity, and being rather underwhelmed by the whole occasion, I realised I was missing a vital ingredient that most Americans seem to use to make watching the Superbowl bearable: beer pong.

So, after a quick browse on Amazon, followed by a few anxious days

wait, I was able to set up my very own red and white SOLO cups. It was immediately put to good use as my housemate and I had a few games before a night on the tiles.

He raced into a lead nailing his first three shots. I, however, after pulling myself together and regaining my focus, I pulled it back and won.

Winning at beer pong gave me the same sort of elation I’d expect

an Olympian to feel at having won a gold medal and it certainly had nothing to do with the copious

amounts of booze in me. This lead me to believe that if I persevered at it and went down the right authoritative channels to officialise the sport, I could one day be a beer pong Olympian.

I was then drawn into a drunken debate about what should/is classed as a ‘real sport’ and what may just be a recreational activity.

I draw the line at darts. Darts takes a lot of skill and requires years of dedication and unemployment in order to take you to the top of the game. I have also heard the argument that Golf shouldn’t be a real

sport, and at first I agreed. Then, after actually trying golf, hitting a middle aged woman with the ball and having her rinse me of my masculinity, I decided that it too should be classed as a sport on the basis that it’s damned tricky.

This leads me back to American Football: which I agree is definitely a sport, and I also agree that Manning and Payton should be regarded as sporting greats. The guy who gets wheeled on, however, kicks a straight kick through the posts and then goes to chill out again frustrates me massively and this is where grey areas come into it.

The only problem I can see with beer pong being inaugurated into the next Olympics is that I doubt Jacques Rogge would see beer as a recommended dietary component for an Olympian. Therefore, I may have to become an Olympian in water pong. Doesn’t quite have the same ring to it though does it...?

Loose Forward, who rounded off his league performance having played every minute of every game since October.

We are now looking ahead to the BUCS Trophy Knock-out competition as well as our Varsity game on the University campus against Exeter on March 24th.

Ste Taylor, Bath RL’s Team Captain: “It has been an outstanding first season for the boys and we have enjoyed every minute of it. I

am thoroughly looking forward to the BUCS Trophy, it will be an opportunity to play against some great teams and really test the lads ahead of Varsity!”

Team founder Ali Dawson had this to say “The Team has come so far in the last 18 months and I am so proud of what the we have achieved.

We are excited for the future of Rugby League at Bath and would love some local support in for Varsity on March 24th.”

£13.95

A bargain for a 12 cup Beer pong set and hours of fun

Rugby League win their first title

Ali Dawson bathimpact Contributor his season, the University of Bath Rugby League Men’s 1st XIII made their debut appearance in a BUCS League. The team was entered into the Wales and West Conference division and has had a flying start to their BUCS career, ending the season on Saturday January 28th with a league record for nine wins from ten matches and a points difference of +276.

T

The final game of the league was an away clash between Bath and second placed Swansea. Swansea took Bath all the way to the final whistle, but the team from the South West of England managed to snatch victory from the team from South Wales with a final score of 20-14 to the visitors. Man of the Match was awarded to Bath Hooker Matthew MacDonald for his outstanding performance. Special mention also goes to Harry Chapman-Walker, Bath’s

23

Sport

Gleave’s gripes Horses are neigh good

Waking up the morning after the cider festival with a hangover that would slay even Ricky Hatton, I managed to recall various events from the night before (remarkably). In particular, a bizarre dream I had had about horses.

In said dream, I was being chased by horses. Being a human and not a long limbed quadruped, it was obviously a race I was never going to win and I ended up getting trampled. I’ve never been one for horse racing (especially when it results in me getting squashed).

In all fairness, I’ve never given it a chance and have never attempted to sit through a race; a furlong to me sounds like a cross between an Ewok and a Shih Tzu. It’s just one of those things that I don’t see having a place in modern society.

I can see the origins of horse racing and how it may have come about. Before cars, we used horses for everything transport related and for remotely laborious tasks.

The quicker your horse was, the more productive you could be.

So if you had the fastest horse, this would have been perceived to have been a good thing. But just the concept of a sport where you award the jockey (who seems to always be a short, squeaky Irish bloke) some flowers for effectively managing to sit on his ass for a few miles, baffles me. What baffles me more; however, is how you can then lavish the winning horse with untold amounts of praise and the promise of a lot of pure bred sex with other fast horses.

This is an animal that has no concept of self grandeur, do you really think that Red Rum cared that he was on the back page of every national paper when he won the Grand National. Of course not, he was a horse. All he wanted to do was eat apples and chase random little humans that strayed into his field. He did not want to spend his life running around in a circle.

I think my point is that the horse has no idea what’s going on, and in all honesty, probably doesn’t want to really be there.

It’s competing in an outdated sport that celebrates the driver rather than the thing that is really doing all the work. We already have a modern equivalent of that anyway. It’s called F1. And at least in F1 you can guarantee that your car isn’t going to shit down your leg at some point.

impactsport

Mens first team claim title in their first season Rugby League, p23

Monday 20th February 2012

Inside impactsport Bath City sell naming rights Bath City Football Club are selling the rights to rename Twerton Park.

Here’s to hoping that it ends up being called something humorous.

See page 22 for details

3G pitch is the only way forward Jamie Hosie and Simon Love offer their opinions on the current facility crisis up on campus at the moment and how all (or at least most) of the winter fixture cancellations could be solved with a 3G pitch.

Polly Hawker

Page 22

Last years Varsity rugby match at The Recreation Ground proved a popular affair, this year will be even bigger and better against Exeter

Varsity is nearly upon us

»»Nominations for the Blues Awards are now open Chris Clements VP Sport susport@bath.ac.uk

M

arch 24th will see the University of Bath take over the city in a weekend of Varsity sport. The Best of the South West dual is set to be the largest student sporting event in the history of the University.

A number of events will be taking place against Exeter University across the city and campus. With football being played at Twerton Park and Rugby taking place at The Rec, where the eventual winners will be crowned as the inaugural Varsity Champions for 2012.

The day will see a host of events happening on campus, inside the STV, as well as in the city. It all kicks off in the morning in the main STV Sports Hall where the all conquering Netball and Badminton teams will be in action, with tiered seating available. Meanwhile, out on the pitches, our Womens Rug-

by, Womens Football and Rugby League Teams will lock horns.

As we move into the afternoon, focus will switch on to the city, with the Men’s Football taking place at the 8,880 capacity Twerton Park, home of Bath City Football Club.

This comes after the launch of a partnership agreement with Bath City, whereby The University side will be looking to impress the scouts and work their way into the development squad.

The grand finale of the day will be the Rugby at The Recreation Ground, home of Bath Rugby. The Rugby Men’s 1st team are currently top of the Premiership South Division and in the Quarter Finals of the national cup. The only blemish on their record this season is a loss in the reverse fixture against Exeter at Sandy Park earlier in the year.

With an expected crowd of over 3000 and the Bath side looking to avenge that defeat it promises to be a close encounter.

All the events will be free to attend, with a voluntary contribution on entry to the events. Those of you wanting to show your colours can purchase a special Varsity – Best of the South-West t-shirt for £5 which will be on sale from bathstudent. com/sport shortly.

If you would like to experience

2,000

Last years Varsity crowd at The Rec

the event in style we have boxes available at The Rec. A box for 20, including a buffet meal will cost £200+VAT, working out at just over £10 per head. If you are interested please contact Chris Clements on susport@bath.ac.uk. All profits from contributions and t-shirts sold will be split jointly between the Students’ Union Sports Association and the RAG charities.

Another big date for your sport-

ing diaries is that of the Blues Awards. Nominations for this years Blues Awards are now open and will close on the 1st March. The awards are a great chance to recognise the contribution students make to sport in their time at university through their performance, participation and the running of clubs.

In order to be eligible for a colour you have to have played for any university team for a total period of three years, or in any 1st team for two years. Beyond this there are specific criteria for winning half and full blues colours.

In addition to this, there are a number of special awards. These include Sports Personality of the Year, Club member of the Year, and Club of the Year. More details are available at www.bathstudent. com/sport/events/bluesawards The ceremony itself will take place in The Assembly Rooms on Wednesday 2nd May. It is a great occasion and one not to be missed.

Handball, exactly what’s it about?

Handball chair Toby Smith tells impactsport all about this upand-coming physical endeavour.

Although not having the largest of profiles within the university, it is a sport that continues to grow.

See page 22 to read about the rules, regulations, and competitions

Gymnasts vault over competition Bath’s gymnasts overcame injuries, McDonald’s and hard-topronounce vault names to put in a solid performance at the BUCS Gymnastics Competition with Caitlin Elliott finishing in 4th place on the floor routine.

Page 23

Get involved If you like sport and want to contribute, then contact bathimpact Sport Editor Jonathan Gleave (impact-sport@bath.ac.uk) to find out more details about how you can get involved.

We’re always looking for writers, photographers, people to lay up, or just all round sports buffs in general to help out. So, if you have a story you want to share, don’t be afraid to get in touch!

Yuichi Kosio, John Cooper, Redcountess,, Jon’s pics, Humbert 15, jaswooduk,Mike Fleming, Annabelle Narey, Gary Bembridge, Ishawalia,

Great

Britain

2

Monday 20th February 2012

bathimpact

EDITORIAL Written by Holly Narey

Holly Narey bite Editor

impact-bite@bath.ac.uk

CONTENTS Student Lifestyle

And did those feet, in ancient times - Page 2&3 Olympic Woes - Page 5 Hi, just call me “Great” Britain - Page 3 Cymru am byth - Page 3

Sex & Relationships Online fishing to avoid excess trawling...- Page 6 First dates and heartbreaksPage 6

The Guide Page 7

Music

Live - Page 8 Listen up - Page 8 The Next Brit Thing - Page 9 Brand New Review - Page 9 Album Highlights - Page 9

Film

Oscars? No Thanks - Page 11 Chronicle Review - Page 11 Carnage Review - Page 11 Long live British film - Page 12 The Muppets Review - Page 12

Fashion

British Fashion - How did we get so cool? - Page 13 Bye Bye Winter! - Page 13

Food

It’s not all Feesh and Chipz Page 15 Thai Green Curry - Page 15

Puzzle Corner Page 16

www.facebook.com/bathimpactbite www.bathimpact.com U n i v e r s i t y

o f

B a t h

S t u d e n t s ’

U n i o n

STUDENT

m edia

Hi all, and welcome back to bite. I hope you’ve had a lovely two weeks. This issue is all about Great Britain. We all live in this country, where a jar of Marmite costs more than a gallon of petrol, where our teens get pregnant more often than anywhere else in Europe, and where we just can’t bloody well get enough of queuing. Whether for fact or stereotype, we are known throughout the world. We have a country the has somehow, impossibly, managed to produce something as insane as the BNP, when as a country our strength comes from our diversity and ability to welcome everyone onto our green and pleasant lands.

Ben Hooper tackles our theme in our lead article this week, and talks about all things British. Thomas Gane discusses the construct that is Nationalism on Page 3, and Tomos Evans, News and Comment editor, describes England from the point of view of a displaced Welshman.

We cover British music on pages 8 and 9, both as comments on the history of it and of course mentioning the current new releases, both British and from the big wide world. If you’re interested in films, head to pages 11 and 12, where we have a critique on the Oscars courtesy of Charlotte Lightowler, A review of two fabulous films; The Muppets and Carnage, and a reflection on just how good British film can be.

Harriet Tangney discusses our ability to pull off the “I don’t care” look, and has selected for us a few internet shopping highlights, all on page 13. Nia Evans gives us a balanced view on page 15, about how British food goes beyond the stereotypical (and quite frankly, amazing) fish and chips.

We have free speech, and almost endurable weather, and not very many species of animal that will kill with a single bite (poor Australia). We do festivals better than any other country and whatever the stereotypes, know how to have a good time. So raise your cups of tea for a toast to all of the lovely people living on the British Isles, past, present, and future. Give it a blow before drinking though, that shit’s hot.

To get involved in bite head over to our facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/bathimpactbite Or email me at impact-bite@bath.ac.uk

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

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.

University of Bath Students’ Union

Printed by Harmsworth Press Ltd.

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The Queen implores you

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And did those feet, Written by Ben Hooper

I

’ve been living in Britain for 26 years now, and I still don’t really know anything about it, and that’s because I’ve not much external knowledge with which to draw comparisons. It’s hard when posed with the question ‘what is Britishness’ to establish a succinct argument in just 1200 shorts words. rolling hills to rolling cheeses, it’s not all just Fish and Chips, Tea and Tallyho you know. Though I wish it were. So ‘ere goes. The British Empire was established by Boyzone in 1805, of course they named it San Diego, which in Irish, means a whale’s vagina (smug mode). Since the times of colonialism, Indians have been fascinated with the Boyzone’s philosophy and the groups’ liberal ways. Ghandi, upon hearing their phat rhymes, flew to England and became pie minster (that’s the name of a British King) for a millennia, until the great military coup initiated by our leader by divine right, Stephen Fry. Their views which brought about this change were best exerted in their first album ‘The Magna Carta’, signed sealed and delivered by Stevie Wonder in the year 1215.

The Magna Carta was their best album and arguably the first ever written ‘constitution’, only bettered by their unreleased LP ‘Yellow Submarine’ which was later stolen by the Beatles; leading to the well-known assassination of John Lennon, by the CIA under the SOPA regulations. Think about all of those British celebrities that have been shot on American soil, such as John Lennon… and you know, John Lennon; compared with those shot on English soil? John Lemon? Anyway, my point is that Britain established an empire on which the sun never set – an empire which controlled trade routes and established English as an international language of business, this has paved the way for Britain as a country to be a power in the international community. This may not have been the case if we’d never have been so heave-ho with our seafaring. Imagine if we’d not stamped our Brand on the world. Everyone in North America would be speaking Spanish (even more so than they are) or French, and we’d be slightly more humble, and rightly so. It’s always nice to see small kids in the playground sticking up for themselves though, isn’t it? An interesting but not very well known fact for you now: We never claimed the moon, because it’s made of cheese, and therefore a liability. Notwithstanding Britain is still a big exporter of services, raw materials and many manufactured products including electrical goods. Still its biggest export remains the supply of dignified middle aged actors to Hollywood… although, thinking about it, imagine just how much cheese we could export if we’d claimed the moon first. Damn it! Britain’s unpredictable weather is another thing it’s famous for, I’m always amazed when people tell me it rains all the time here. If it does, I’m never awake for it. I think that’s because drizzle and drear are often confused with a good downpour.

The question of national identity is a topic which could be speculated upon for hours and I’m not sure if you really want to read a reconstitution of various sociology textbooks/lessons, so I’ll keep it short. The idea of Britishness is a notion brought about in the times of the Napoleonic wars, as a means of unification but it has created many divisions within modern Britain. In times of war, flag waving was key to our survival as a country, and everyone clubbed together, no one has time to squabble when they can’t have a fried egg with dinner. The notion of national identity is an interesting one. Two of my housemates are Welsh and one refuses to be called British, I’m English and I don’t have a problem with it, mostly because I’m not really a fan of nationalism. Now that’s not to say we represent all English and Welsh people, of course. This is possibly because there is no strong sense of English identity which requires not subscribing to the British mantra, unless the rugby’s on. I would also argue that Welsh identity is stronger than that of England, but for those who don’t speak Welsh, I don’t see a big difference between England and Wales; Britain prevails, yay! Now I know Wales possesses its own language, which was native to our lands before the mass migration of cultures and I personally would like for us all to learn Welsh, it is the language of our home and native land. I’m not really sure where all the hostility comes from over English people, it’s as if their land was sacked and taken from them about a thousand years ago? There’s an interesting book on the development of the English language by David Crystal which identified a unique quality in Britain, he argued that the Saxon and Norman invader brought with them their language and culture, yet at the same time incorporated the native tongue of Britain with it. Enough with national identity, I hope that globalization will eventually do away with it. I’m still yet to go to Scotland, so I can’t comment; I know barely anything about what makes Scottish culture, apart from Burns and Auld Lang Syne. Scottish people seem lovely however.

Popular culture is something which makes Britain stand out in the rest of the world; but mostly in an historical sense, along with American recording artists, Brits have dominate the ‘world’ of music. To some extent in music, the English language is able to transcend cultural and language

Monday 20th February 2012

bathimpact www.bathimpact.com

in ancient times barriers, succeeding where other languages and literature just can’t. Even when prose and poetry is translated well, it seems that true meaning will always be lost. In the modern world the internet continues to homogenize music; the musical movements such as punk which have encapsulated youth culture over previous decades seem to be a thing of the past. Youth culture is changing and I don’t know anything about it. I’m still trying to get my head around memes. It seems at least in Britain we’ve lost our fighting spirit, and we bow down to our larger transatlantic cousins in most respects.

Another point worth mentioning is the plethora of dialects available in Britain, I am from Leamington/Warwick (I can never decide which) and if you travel fifteen minutes down the road to Redditch you’ll find everyone talking a strange half brummy. I have no idea of how this compares to dialects in other countries, but it’d be a nice personal Wikipedia conquest. I know in Russia that the language is pretty much standardised over nine time zones spanning over a land which is approximately 74 times larger than Britain.

All in all, Britishness is bally good fun. We can pretty much do as we please, living within certain restrictions and capitalism is pretty lame, but it could be a lot worse. Our past is littered with horrific acts and I’m damn sure we’ll fuck a few more things up before we establish an ideal society, which we will. We’ve forgotten all about colonialism, we’re not sure if we understand capitalism and we only ever got involved in wars for cheap holidays. We live in a great land of multiculturalism, it may not be perfect but it’s not half bad. I do have one qualm on our immigration policy, however, I say scrap the x-ray machines at Dover and Heathrow and replace them with men dressed in heavy armour demanding herring whilst chanting the word “Ni”. (Subtext: to all those reader who’ve never seem Monty Python and the Holy Grail, please go forth and watch it – you can borrow it from me bch24) I hope you enjoy this issue of bite, to send you on your way I’d like to list 10 things which I think make Britain great: Boiled eggs, stiffupperlipedness, the idea of the English gentleman, the fact that most of us apologise for everything from giving someone a cup, to saying sorry for saying sorry too much, red post boxes, pies, James Bond, one pound shops, the post office and, of course the NHS (hands off, Cameron).

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Hi, just call me ‘Great’ Britain Written by Thomas Gane

I

don’t like the name Great Britain. Firstly the prefix “Great” is just desperate. As a country we’re the equivalent of that kid who tries to give themselves their own nickname at school. “Hey guys I was thinking, wouldn’t it be really cool if you guys called me spider because I’m like scary and awesome and stuff and I spend a significant portion of my time secreting bodily fluids.” All you’re doing is ensuring your only nickname begins with C, ends in ensorship and results in all the other countries talking ironically behind your back. “The United Kingdom” is no better; it’s like calling ourselves “The Rebel Alliance” in an attempt to portray heroism and justice, we may as well just cut the pretence and call ourselves Gondor. Okay, that’s me being petty out of the way, on to Britain.

Does it really exist? I mean when even Cornwall wants independence (really Cornwall?

Really? I’m sorry but in a globalised world, the economics based on webbed feet and pasties really isn’t viable anymore) it’s pretty clear that we’re not really “United” and rich or poor, everyone can engage in a spot of harmless nationalism. Being Welsh I’m more qualified to speak of our independence movement and personally I think it’s a tad stupid. We take more than we give (really it should be everyone else trying to get rid of us, but that’s a secret) and I think the argument for small states being successful in the EU has been put on hold for a while, although I hear the firebomb industry is flourishing. Basically a significant percentage of those who call for independence do so because there are more pictures and fewer

words on a flag than a manifesto. Some people were told when they were young that their country was very important and that other countries weren’t as good as we are, despite what those pesky facts say.

This may seem harsh and I have met a fair few people with very good arguments for independence, but in my experience the general flag wavers aren’t really up to scratch when it comes to politics. They’ve been to taught to say, “f***ing English c****” at the Rugby and it always works there, so why not just adopt it as political philosophy. I joke about this, but the welsh referendum was actually held during the Six Nations part of the year when the streets of Cardiff are emblazoned with flags and “national pride” is nice and ripe. My fundamental problem with this is that it’s all a lie. When someone’s young (or just a bit slow), you can tell them that the sky is yellow or that leprechauns are real, then wave something shiny and smile and they’ll probably believe you. This is all fun and games when you make a 5 year old think a cabbage is an apple, but not so much when you tell them who it’s not okay to kiss or to judge people upon the colour of their skin. The same principle applies to nationalism.

It’s fine to be proud of where you’re from, but as soon as you start using it as an excuse to judge other people it becomes idiotic. Obviously the extent you want to extend this principle is up to the individual, but we must all agree to stop this angry nationalism, it’s silly and if you do it again your ears will fall off.

Got that? Good. Now let’s all move forward in the name of Gondor.

Cymru am byth Written by Tomos Evans

Guillaume Paumier Flickr

I

Sad David hungry for an NHS

am Welsh. I love Wales, and I miss it. Now, to clarify, I don’t munch leeks nor shag sheep.

But I do say “now, in a minute” – Which is perfectly logical when on the other side of the Severn bridge.

I grew up in a family where no one spoke the national tongue – which I’ve managed to blame on an English person; all of Wales’ ills can be blamed on the English if you try hard enough, believe me.

Maybe I have too much time on my hands?

When we ventured across to England, I always expected it to be smelly and grey. It wasn’t. I guess, it’s not too dissimilar from Wales, but hey, Wales if all fuzzy and warm in my mind.

We’d make cheers when on our return those words “Croeso i Gymru” appeared – I still smile when I see it now.

There are too many reasons why the Welsh

don’t like the English. I don’t know them all, and I’m not the voice of the nation. I probably couldn’t give you a straight answer, but all I know is that I’m not supposed to like you… Even if my Great Grandmother was a Saeson.

I always say I don’t like you… Well, I don’t.

Yet, I suck it up get on and enjoy myself. If living amongst you, and sometimes passing as one of you has taught me anything it’s that, although you’re not half bad, I wouldn’t want to be one of you.

We are different, but I wouldn’t want to float out into the Irish Sea, you’re alright, I guess. Some of you are my best friends, and I’ve slept with a few English. So, my ramblings are probably bitterness going back to before the 16th century. But Britain would be a lot duller if we all ‘loved’ each other.

Don’t you agree?

Monday 20th February 2012

bathimpact

Olympic woes Written by Thomas Gane

I’ve got a new rule. Whenever anyone says something about how the Olympics is going to be awful and we can never compete with the Beijing Games, I should be allowed to use an angry Honey Badger, some tabasco sauce and an excruciatingly dull power point to explain exactly why they are an idiot. This is because I’m quite a big fan of this little thing we call perspective, more people should try it, it’s awesome.

The Olympics will last a few weeks; my life will last quite a bit longer than that. Now if I have to suffer through these seventy or so years, there are a few things that I like doing that take priority over flashy fireworks and stadiums that look like a sparrow’s house. To effectively make my point we’re going to do a little test: 1. Does winning lots of gold medals make sex selective abortion okay? Yay/Nay 2. What do you prefer, (a) having the right to call David Cameron a “pitiless blank-eyed hell-wraith” without having you head caved in by an angry man, or (b) pretty fireworks?

3. Human rights aren’t as important as cool stadiums? Yay/Nay 4. Quality of life is dependent on the quality of your gymnastics team? Yay/Nay 5. Censorship makes people run faster? Yay/Nay

Flickr Ivan Walsh

If you answered Nay, (a), Nay, Nay, Nay, then I’m very sorry but you aren’t allowed to complain about the Olympics. If you didn’t answer that, then I’m very sorry but you have bigger problems than being annoyed at our stadium being a bit late. We have this inherent problem with our society in that we measure our worth on big events like this or on predominantly economic terms and from this perspective we will never really compete with China. Personally I think a system in which the healthiest society is the one that consumes the most oil, sells the most weapons and transfers the most money is fundamentally flawed. I admit that actually advocating this seriously would be subscribing to obscene levels of anarchism and utopianism, but can we just stop with the incessant whining.

The Olympics might be crap; it’s not the end of the world. There are problems yes, but we’re not “Broken Britain.” We have food, healthcare, shelter, water, education and if I call David Cameron a lizard who wears the skin of missing orphans as a suit, I’m pretty confident that I won’t be water boarded. From my point of view that’s a tad more important than making everyone go “look at the pretty lights!” for two weeks, so from now on nobody is silly and complains about the Olympics by comparing us to China.

If you still want to complain I have good news, you would clearly make the perfect mindless worker/slave a country needs to build a spectacular Olympic experience. Although I fear you would more likely be used to create a Death Star that allows Lizard Cameron to enslave humanity and return to his home planet with Nick Clegg as a pet, but that might just be me and Charlie Brooker.

Hmm, free speech or a pretty stadium...

Overworked & underpaid Written by Rowan Emslie

S

omething that attracted me to the University of Bath was the opportunity to take a third year work placement in a relevant field to my studies. Seeing how undergraduate degrees alone aren’t worth the (inflated) price of the paper they’re printed on and, subsequently, almost all jobs in Development require both a Masters degree and several years of experience, doing a degree without a placement seems like a giant waste of time.

I’m almost exactly halfway through my year with ARTICLE 19. It’s been an interesting, challenging and frustrating experience – as, I think, most entry-level jobs are – and one that I am increasingly anxious about finishing. The longer I’m out of Bath, the less I think about ‘studying’ or essay writing or revision or horrendously awful themed club nights. This is quite pleasant. Every so often, though, I get a little shot in the arm when friends/ placement supervisors/parents ask things like, “Have you sorted out housing for next year? I hear all the good places have gone already.”

The subject line of an email I received the other day genuinely made me groan out loud, “Thought about your dissertation yet?”

(No, I haven’t dealt with any of those things. Anything happening six months in the future, in another city, doesn’t seem like reality. I know that’s quite a lazy way of looking at life but there it is. Don’t look at me like that, with your judging eyes. I’m disgusting, I know.)

It’s easy to get very focused on something like a placement, particularly because I think it may well be the most important bit of my degree so I’m very keen on getting the most out of it.

As such, I think it’s important to be in and around the office full time, to get in different departments, to try and finagle my way on to training courses, to ask (and probably annoy) my colleagues for advice and tips on their work, offer to get involved in multiple projects and programmes and just generally stick my nose into as many different aspects of the organisation’s work as possible.

What with all this agitating for CV filling activity, I didn’t see the point in taking any time off – I was only contracted to work for a year, I couldn’t afford to waste any of that. Over the last few weeks, however, I’ve been noticing that I often take a little longer to do

Daniel Stone

www.bathimpact.com

5

I don’t really miss student housing very much. tasks, it’s gotten a little harder to get out of bed in the morning and I find my attention waning mid-afternoon. On a very small scale, I started to recognise that I was a little mentally fatigued.

Obviously, this is not an enormous issue – I’ve only been working for six months after all – but it has given me a little window into an interesting and potentially vital issue facing development as a whole.

The research project Mindfulness For NGOs has been highlighting the problems associated with the lack of concern shown by NGO workers for their own mental health and happiness since 2007. Recently, the influential development blog whydev highlighted their work in a post written by Alessandra Pigni, the main figure behind Mindfulness. In the post she lays clear her reason for spearheading the campaign, “I am convinced that “changing the world starts from within”, and that successful projects on the ground derive not only from professionally competent, but also psychologically healthy staff. How we feel within ourselves has an impact on how we engage with the world. This is no small matter.”

She is releasing a series of white papers on the subject with a view to improving the structural approaches from the development industry to the problems of “burnout, stress, trauma, loneliness, isolation and depression in the field, and the urgent need of doing something about it”.

If working in a London based HQ office of a well established, international NGO can be a little taxing if

you don’t take a bit of time off, the problems that face NGO workers on the front line of some very extreme situations can be crippling. It seems to me that not looking at the potential problems that come from, say, trying to deliver aid to humanitarian disaster stricken areas is inviting poor delivery of service to people who need it most. Of course, people suffering from famine or debilitating civil war are the ones we should be most concerned with – to some, focusing on the aid workers’ welfare in such situations is perverse – but the successful conversion of that concern to actually helping those people is massively reliant on the ability of the aid workers themselves to work quickly and efficiently. Ignoring their problems is very unlikely to result in helping more people.

This is a purposefully extreme example of why this issue is worth thinking about but it is relevant to all levels of the sector and, I might argue, to most industries. Taking some time to give your brain a rest from something you’re working on can help you finish it – a lesson for revision you’ve probably heard at least a thousand times.

Why would that stop being relevant when you get away from exams and start actually trying to do things?

http://storify.com/rowanemslie/governments-hate-the-internet For more go to: rowanemslieintern.wordpress.com/ Or follow me at: twitter.com/RowanEmslie

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Monday 20th February 2012

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Online fishing to avoid excessive trawling...

Written by bite’s relationship columnist

Thomas Quine

A

Sexy Mc Sexerson sex me up you sexy smiley man.

fter the sex column discussing the pitfalls of online dating last issue, I decided to take the plunge back into it. My findings after just one short week spurred me to write somewhat on an anti-thesis to the article which appeared last issue, although whilst literally LOL funny, was very far removed from my own experience...

People think of online dating as a place for loners, losers and general fuckwits who don’t have the social communication skills to strike up a conversation with an actual human being, so instead cyber-shimmy their way into people’s pants. On the other hand, there are the people who just simply live fascinatingly interesting lives with enviable careers who simply don’t have the time to hang around in bars for the opportune moment to strike a relationship out of nowhere. There are a sea of law professionals, policemen, parachute instructors, bankers (ok so maybe not as enviable) all merely looking for a new and quick way of finding someone they click with. Britons are time poor, but ‘the horn’ means more.

In a world where most of us don’t even have as much time as we would like for our closest friends and family, dating online cuts the crap from traditional dating. It is kind of a screening process, where you find out the age, height, vocation and interests of a potential mate without actually having to take the time out of your busy schedule to take them on a date. Also all the vitals are logged in plain language, rather than becoming mixed up in a multitude of flirtatious body language which is the most dangerous type of communication. “Ok so he seems like a bit of a twat but OH THOSE EYES!” - leading you to make decisions when ‘caught in the moment’ as opposed to being informed and calculated on the things that actually matter

when choosing a partner.

If you reach date stage you can relax and enjoy each other’s company rather than go through the awkward semi interview which is the protocol for most first dates, and as you already know them a little, it is a little quicker moving straight to the good stuff. You lay the groundwork online then lay him in person.

Ok, so I know you are going to say a high percentage of online daters, especially the serial kind, are in fact nutters – but look round your average night out and tell me that it is any different (I can see lechy-leerison in the corner now). The kind of people that are too busy doing things to further themselves in life to hang around clubs on the off chance are exactly the kind of people I want to meet.

Online you can chat back and forth for days, getting the measure of someone to ensure that they are in fact genuine, and if you find out they are not, the delete button is a technological wonder with no real life equivalent.

Online dating is all about minimal outlay, maximum impact.

That first rush of catching someone’s eye from across the room, or as you stumble out of a taxi en route to their front door is so much more intense if you already know half their story. It lessens the potential of nasty surprises that could be lurking. If you’re really lucky, your policeman will far outdo your expectations, enthralling you with hours of deep conversation and then rewarding you with a little dignified restraint, and an impressive truncheon.

What a week.

My first seven days on the ‘scene’ definitely proved there are indeed plenty of fish in cyberspace, and they are not all mutated recluses as you may first think.

First dates and heartbreaks I

have been on many a horrendous date, with many unprepared, uninteresting and unappealing men. Over the years, one would think fellow members of society would mature and grow - quite the opposite has seemed to have happened. As cinemas around the globe continually push romcoms in our faces throughout the year (and especially in this “month of love”), romantic expectations have done nothing but increase.

After excruciatingly long periods of waiting, very rarely, someone will meet - and go above - my expectations. On one particularly memorable occasion, I had been met at a bar by a witty, attractive, intelligent man who ticked all the right boxes; he had a fantastic job and great conversation regarding politics, travel, religion and past experiences. After a few hours, I felt like we really had potential to go somewhere and he had already insinuated he wanted a second date. We left the bar together and shared a romantic kiss by a wall followed by asking what I had planned for the rest of the evening. I saw this as my chance. I could feel a pulsating desire deep within my foof.

I had wanted him from the moment he stepped into the bar.

I did invite him back to my place, followed by an intimate, yet brief, encounter. At 3am he called himself a taxi and then he was gone - apparently a busy day of work lay ahead of him.

As soon as he left, I had an awful feeling we would never see one another again. Days passed and reality hit: I was nothing more than a one night stand. I felt that I really knew him and that we had shared something special, albeit for a brief period.

I did eventually receive a half-hearted protocol text, to make sure that if we ever did meet again, it wouldn’t be awkward I

guess.

Weeks passed and I still thought about him. It is very unlikely for someone like me to be so affected by sexual encounters, but this one really got under my skin. Not knowing who to turn to, I asked a friend, who gave me one of the most thoughtprovoking and important pieces of advice I have been given to date.

First of all, it may sound cliché, but would anyone want to buy the cow if they can get the milk for free? After having sex so quickly with very little effort, the incentive to wine and dine a girl has depreciated massively. The initial curiosity has been lost after having exposed yourself in one of the most intimate ways one can and so the magic, that little spark of chemistry, is almost bound to be lost by one party. Secondly, although you may feel swept off your feet after a short three hour date, you may even feel like you know the person like the back of your hand after they’ve given you their edited, shortened and simplified life story. The way they walk, the way they greeted you, the way they talk to the bar tender and even the way they speak to the tramp who asks for change on the way home has been altered to be the way they want to be perceived.

After this epiphany, I realised what I thought I had fallen for was self-invented and if I did have my time again, who knows what could’ve happened with my handsome intellectual. Being a self-proclaimed sexual liberation feminist, I do not judge and verge on encouraging woman to go forth and multiply (well… not necessary multiply, due care must be taken) until their heart is content, but heed my experience. Heartbreak is never fun.

Robert S. Donovan Flickr

Written by bite’s sex columnist

A glass of wine, some good conversation...

Monday 20th February 2012

bathimpact www.bathimpact.com

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The Guide Written by Tom Rookes

Music

Hello Maccabees, your new album is very lovely to our ears here at bite.

Arts

Bierkeller Oompah Band, Bristol Bierkeller. £6 entry/£10 with meal.

Every Saturday.

Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour 2012 Komedia £10.00 entry 8th March.

If any of you were unlucky enough to miss the Bierkeller night in Fresher’s week then fear not because every Saturday in Bristol’s Bierkeller venue (about a 20min walk from Temple Meads) you can experience a night of drinking songs, Oompah bands, Lederhosen and stein after stein of beer. Great for a group night out and fancy dress in practically encouraged, what more could you ask for.

Any adrenaline junkies out there? Any extreme sports fans? Any mountaineering addicts? If so then the Banff Mountain Film Festival is the thing for you. This touring show hosts some extraordinary short films from some of the world’s best adventure film makers.

The films this year include ‘All I can’, an awarding ski film featuring awe inspiring time-lapse of snowflakes forming and shots of people skiing inside volcanoes!

Also on the bill this year is ‘Cold’ , the chilling account of a world record attempt to climb one of Pakistan’s 8000m peaks, the three climbers are in sub zero temperatures and completely isolated…and then an avalanche hits.

The rest of the line up includes films about white-water rafting, free climbing, downhill mountain biking, B.A.S.E jumping…get the picture.

The Maccabees O2 Academy, Tickets £17 13th March Having recently released their new album, ‘Given to the Wild’, The Maccabees are currently on tour in the UK! The band recently toured in small more intimate venues around the country but this tour sees the return of the London based Five piece band to bigger venues and bigger shows. Critics are tipping their new album as their best yet. Don’t bank on this not selling out; get your tickets quick!

Austin Lucas & The Bold Party + Crazy Arm + Apologies, I have None The Croft, Bristol Tickets £7 1st March.

Austin Lucas has a face only a mother could love but a voice that everyone will love. This folk guitarist has his roots playing as bassists and singer in a variety of punk bands between the late 1990’s and early 2000s. He has since been pursuing a more acoustic solo career however the sentiment and ethos of his punk routes can be heard in his music along with the strong influence from his Midwestern American routes. Support comes from the superb Crazy Arm essentially defined as a ‘punk band’ however it’s easy to here influences from 60 protest music, Rock ‘n’ Roll, country and folk. Not one to miss.

The Bath Live Art Project The Bell Inn £3/£2 entry.

28th February.

This seems like a pretty cool one. I recently discovered the Bell Inn (and loved it there) so I’ve been keeping an eye on their listings when this one just grabbed my attention. The Bath Live Art Project put on live events with intention of showcasing live visual arts and music. Now your right, that does sound a tad pretentious but based on the videos on there websites (www.bathliveart.co.uk) it looks like a lot of fun. You can watch an original piece of artwork being created over the course of the evening whilst you listen to a live band and have a drink.

This definitely has Bath Spa written all over it but there’s no reason we can’t share this city with them really. So play nice children!

Campus

ICIA Practice is here again for those interested in theatre and performance and its stages that precede a final piece of work. On the 25th of February ICIA are hosting this intriguing show, which is not only a show but a chance to engage with artists who are in the process of creating artwork themselves. In 2011 Sylvia Rimat showed off her work in progress, while last semester we had a chance to see Two Destination Language, both now showing their full pieces in the coming months.

As you can see for the next few weeks things are quiet around the ICIA, but let’s take a look at what other programs are there for a student to attend. The talented group of jugglers, also known as Gravity Vomit are organising their annual Upchuck, a juggling convention on Saturday 25th of February, while BUST are putting up a show on the coming weekend (1-3 March), with Arsenic and Old Lace. The choral and orchestral society is also holding a recital on the 3rd of March, so if interested, jog on to the University Hall at 7:30 pm and check them out, tickets are £ 5 on the door.

If you still want to sign up for arts classes then don’t be shy, go along to the office of ICIA, or sign up online. If you want to know whether classes are full or cancelled, then definitely pay a visit to their office and ask them for some advice on what you can join in with. There were some great workshops happening the past week, and a Life Drawing Intensive is still to come on the 17th of March, where you can build your confidence and skills for a whole day with the help of David Moxon.

To find out more, visit ICIA’s website at : http://www.bath.ac.uk/icia/classes/ or visit their box office in 1 East 2.1.

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Monday 20th February 2012

bathimpact www.bathimpact.com

Listen Up!

Live.

Written by Iwan Best et me get the excuses out of the way first. I’m lying in bed, barely conscious and definitely not sober having just watched 6 gigs in 5 cities in 4 days in 2 countries over 600 miles. I’ve spent all but £8.17 of any money I have, can’t see any means of income for the foreseeable future, have no food in the kitchen and no petrol in the car.

This isn’t a sob story by the way, that was one of the best weeks of my fucking life. I’ll delve into some detail about the most important gig of my campaign, Beans on Toast, as I think my editor, Holly, wants me to review that one rather than blather on about live music in general (I got that impression when she said “can you review Beans on Toast for me”). On Friday night, a singer songwriter from London travelled down to play at our student’s union (which I still can’t bring myself to call ‘the tub’ without the level of shameless irony causing me to throw up in my mouth). I met two amazing girls who’d driven down from Coventry just for the show, and who can blame them? This was the man who is supporting Frank Turner at Wembley arena in April playing a free show for us. He justified his cult status and kept a buzzing crowd gripped from start to finish, even throwing in a lecture (well we are university of the year), a guest rapper (who was phenomenal) and a guy from the crowd to play guitar (who was ginger). He sold every CD he bought, was begged for a second encore and could barely get away to catch his train at the end because of the mob of people wanting to congratulate him. So (and here comes the tangent, sorry Holly) why was the room nowhere near as full as it would be for fuzzy ducks?

Whilst promoting the gig I came across one young man who told me that it ‘wasn’t his thing’. Upon questioning, I learnt that he was an avid attendee of club nights in and around Bath and listed music as one of his favourite things. I can only assume that music doesn’t suit his fragile tastes unless it’s made by a computer. Had the headline act been an extremely angry metal band, a heavy dubstep DJ or some anarchistic punks then I could completely understand if it wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea. I can’t understand how a man playing a guitar and singing songs about love, politics and cocaine can be that offensive though. Alright, maybe the cocaine, but we are students after all. So what is it about fuzzy ducks that fills the SU? Is it the same songs that get played every week, written by teams of writers for attractive people who have sort of nice singing voices after hours of auto tune? Is it the endless remixes of classic songs (and sometimes, shit songs) to relentlessly drain every last penny out of them for greedy record label moguls? I get the feeling that most people would say that it’s to have a few drinks and good time with their friends. So here’s a request or a challenge or whatever you want to consider it as. Next Saturday, instead of going to another identical club night (just because this week you dress up as school girls rather than cops and robbers doesn’t mean it’s not the same fucking thing with the same music) go and actually watch a band. Any band. Maybe not even a band, just anything that’s real.

Pulled Apart by Horses are in Bristol, see Skrillex in London, hell, go and see a play. The movement is beginning. Be a part of it. Check out the outallectuals on Facebook, pick up an instrument and make your own music, stop being raped by Simon Cowell, stand up for yourself

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URB’s Crouching Beaver, Hidden Squirrel give us an overview of recent releases

In order of awesome...

1

2

3

Most likely to: make you actu-

Most likely to: make you dance like a toddler again.

Most likely to: soundtrack the beginning of an epic sea voyage.

4

5

6

Most likely to: not be popular at karaoke night.

Most likely to: elicit a cross between dancing and lunging that you call ‘swag’.

Album Review: The Weeknd - Echoes of Silence The only album to feature in this edition of Listen Up! is both satisfyingly excellent, and satisfyingly free.

Despite releasing two free albums already in 2011 and turning up on Drake’s Take Care, he still shows no sign of ever having a bad idea – in fact, this third album has some of his best. Thematically linked to the previous two releases, this completes the trilogy and leaves you craving more Download at: the-weeknd.com

Track Review: Grimes – Genesis Emerging from Montreal, building considerable internet hype and signing to the legendary indie label 4AD bodes well for Grimes’ forthcoming album in March, as does this wonderful slice of girly dreampop. A little hard to grasp on first listen, by the third or fourth you’ll realise that the mumbled and multi-tracked vocals, hidden as they are beneath layers of synth and oriental arpeggios, actually make perfect sense.

Track Review: Chairlift - I Belong In Your Arms The 80s nostalgia of the past few years has all too often channelled the artifice and cold sonics of the Me decade while forgetting the exuberance and subtle complexity of its most revered hits. Chairlift nail it though, stuffing what is effectively a ‘Take On Me’ cover as performed by a female-fronted Head-on-the-Door era Cure with a synthesised choir, a Blade-Runner breakdown and some African-style chanting.

Track Review: M.I.A. - Bad Girls M.I.A. shot herself in the foot in 2010 by releasing an album that was the musical equivalent of a middle finger to her new fans, while confusingly sneaking out a load of good ideas as the free ‘Vicki Leex’ mixtape at the year end. A snippet of Bad Girls appeared on that tape, and here is expanded into a gloriously swaggering Arabian hip-hop number. Even better is the video, featuring dancing Keffiyehs and car stunts.

Track Review: The Shins - Simple Song James Mercer and co. return after a 5 year absence with their patented blend of sixties pop and indie rock. There is complexity and evolution here – harmonies and pianos swoop in and out of the dense, arena-sized production – but simplicity can be found where it matters: fist-raising guitar chords and a sing-a-long chorus.

They must have struck the balance right because it gets better with repeated listens.

Track Review Miike Snow – Paddling Out This song is electronic indie by numbers – house-y piano, kooky sound effects, a reverb-drenched hook – but it is undeniable fun.

I don’t actually know any other Miike Snow songs (although I know two members wrote Britney Spears timeless ‘Toxic’), but after hearing this I’m definitely interested.

Most likely to: …check out more Miike Snow?

Monday 20th February 2012

bathimpact www.bathimpact.com

The Next Brit Thing Written by Eleri Burnhill

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hen posed with the question ‘what is British music?’ what springs to mind?

It’s often hard to tell. If you were to look at the UK billboard chart, the majority of leading artists would come from across the pond, suggesting that British musicians are failed by an industry which is disproportionately in favour of American artists. Contrary to this belief, as Brits, we have presented the world with a number of hugely innovative and influential artists from The Beatles to Dusty Springfield. The term ‘British Invasion’ was coined

by Americans to describe the era in which British performers gained popularity in the US through the mid-60s. After a CBS News reporter ran a story about the “Beatlemania” phenomenon in the UK, a 15-year-old Marsha Albert from Maryland wrote to her local radio station posing the question; “why can’t we have music like that here in America?” In January 1964 The Beatles occupied the top five positions on the American billboard chart, unlike any other artists to date have accomplished.

In addition to this, the Britpop movement emerged in the early 1990s predominantly as a reaction to the grunge phenomenon of the late 1980s in the United States. Bands such as Blur and Oasis drew from the music of The Kinks and The Beatles, positioning themselves as opposition to American grunge bands invading the UK music industry. Britpop groups were typically characterised by what many call ‘true talent’; playing instruments themselves and writing original material. Singing in their regional British accents, these bands quickly drifted away from the American twang that most artists had adopted by that time. They wrote and sang about matters that concerned the young Brits of their generation, with reference to British places and culture.

The Union Flag became a prominent symbol of the movement which was displayed by Geri Halliwell when she wore that iconic Union Flag dress at the 1997 Brit Awards. The Spice Girls are testament to the success of British artists as the most successful girl group of all time, having sold 75 million records

in comparison the 45 million of Destiny’s Child.

It would seem that the Britpop movement, led by the likes of Suede and Blur, along with the ‘British Invasion’ have had a truly tremendous impact upon the success and so called re-birth of British music.

According to figures from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) almost 12% of global sales of recorded music were accounted for by British artists. UK acts now account for 1 in 10 of all albums sold in the US and around 50% in the UK. In March 2011, for the first time in 26 years, British artists held the top three slots in the US music charts, thanks to Adele, Mumford & Sons and Marsha Ambrosius (former member of Floetry). Also, with the introduction of Gary Barlow and David Cameron’s new scheme to discover and support the next generation of British artists; “the next Brit thing”, British music is set to have yet another come back. To say that this is an exciting prospect is an understatement Think the next The Rolling Stones, Oasis and (hopefully) The Beatles. Long live British talent and innovation and God Save the Queen Music.

Anyone interested in taking part should go to facebook.com/nextbritthing

Brand New Written by Thomas Gane

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efore we start this review proper it is important to establish that this band is probably better than your favourite band. That’s not to say that you shouldn’t like your favourite band more (unless your favourite band is Coldplay), just appreciate that Brand New are probably better. Also I warn you that I arrived at this particular concert recently jilted and in possession of a higher than average blood to alcohol ratio. This particular combination may make some details slightly hazy, but I assure you that it is the perfect mental preparation for this particular band.

Brand New took to the stage to the dramatic tones of Bangkok and then seamlessly moved into the

“The Archers Bows Have Been Broken” and a string of similarly high tempo and heavier than expected songs that covered a few albums worth of material. The focal point of the set was the consecutive playing of “Sic Transit Gloria”, “Okay I believe you, but my Tommy Gun Don’t” and “The Quiet Things That No One Ever Knows”, the core songs from standout album Deja Entendu. If you want a testament to how effective this burst was then look no further than my bruised and cut body the next day (there’s nothing more therapeutic than a mosh pit), the atmosphere for the whole gig was raw and intense, but that fifteen minutes was incredible. In terms of sound they were very tight and technical, but you’d expect nothing less from a band of this calibre. Jesse Lacey’s stage presence was interesting, powerful and aggressive when singing but shy and tentative when addressing the crowd with little witticisms such as “we’re Brand New by the way, someone told me the singer is supposed to say that”.

It’s hard to classify Brand New, but if you like the alternative post punk scene, then there are very few bands who can match these boys from Long Island.

Album Highlights Written by Holly Narey

Artist: Field Music Album: Plumb Release date: 13th February 2012 Field music formed in Sunderland in 2004, and over the years have gone through several different names and line ups, at some points including members of Maximo Park and the Futureheads. So why have they remained relatively unknown in comparison to the destination of their departing band mates? Probably because they choose to be; they have spent a lot of the last few years claiming they are not a real band; that it is a product of their existence, not the driving force for it. Their fans love them for their originality; they refuse to stick to a musical genre, and each of the 15 tracks on the 35 minute long album has a different feel and personality, it takes a couple of listens to get over the slightly disjointed feel, and to get to know each song individually, but this is an undoubtedly rewarding experience. To get your head around how much they switch time signatures and shifts in tempo – there are over twelve of these switches in the opening track, Start the Day Right, alone. Funky, poppy, indie, rocky, this album is serious value for money with incomparable variety. A highlight for me is their energetic A New Town, which had us all boogieing in the office.

Overall, the album feels a little fractured, but quickly begins feeling more like a collage rather than a mess, with each song being carefully thought out, in all of its bizarreness.

For a taster, download “(I Keep Thinking About) A New Thing” on their website: http://www.field-music.co.uk/

Artist: Dry the River Album: Shallow Bed Release date: 5th March 2012 Dry The River have been around since 2009, and the quiet crows of joy of music-lovers everywhere at their existence have been, over the past few years, slowly gaining the attention of the layman. With their debut album on the brink of release, it’s about time everyone was prepared for it.

The aforementioned album, Shallow Bed, attracts your ears with the high energy of Animal Skins, and pulls you in irreversibly by the memorable refrain and delicious folky feel of New Ceremony. Once you reach History Book, you will be lulled by the gentle lilting tones until you are reinvigorated by the deliciously unexpected introduction of the brass section (always a winner with me). Later you move onto Demons, which contain echoing vocals backed by a ghostly military drumbeat. Then you reach Weights and Measures grows exquisitely from the opening lines, familiar in sentiment to many, “you’ve made your decision, now get up and leave” to a beautiful, heartbreaking, anthem-esque ending, which I can imagine myself playing at full volume after a few pints and belting along with until my housemates tell me to please, shut up, it’s 3am. The melancholic Lion’s Den begins gently, and as the energy builds and the song gains more layers and depth, you can really see how these boys have been lauded as the next Mumford. The bonus track, Family, feels like an appropriate debrief, beginning by stripping right back to an acoustic guitar and Peter Liddle’s rather lovely voice, but cannot resist ending with crashing instruments and the strains of a violin.

The Chambers and the Valves is being released on single on Monday 27th February, and the full album is out on the 5th March, and it’s a romantic, emotional rollercoaster, and it will do very, very well, it has to, it must do, it deserves to.

Buy this album, beg, borrow and if you absolutely must, steal this album. Drown your ears in Dry The River and then in your own tears, that they played at Moles in November and you didn’t go.

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Monday 20th February 2012

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www.bathimpact.com

Oscars? No thanks

Chronicle

Charlotte Lightowler tells us why she hates the Oscars... perhaps because they’re not the Baftas? in Juno and Little Miss Sunshine. They are usually perfectly enjoyable, a little slow and overly soppy. The latter is especially the case for Clooney’s latest, which features a voice-over when the dramatic soundtrack is not playing and whose plot centres on his comatose wife’s affair (precoma, of course). It is unclear where the plot is going, if anywhere. From what seems at first a father’s struggle in holding the fort with his two ‘difficult’ daughters turns into a quest to find and confront his vegetated wife’s exlover. Without a clear plot, it is hard to know whether there is a happy ending and who for.

This year’s The King’s Speech, but with Meryl Thatcher, The Iron Lady was probably my favourite of the three, but is not up for Best Picture. However, if Meryl Streep does not win Best Actress for her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher... it will be because the Oscars were cancelled, or maybe because the nomination was disqualified as they could not prove that it wasn’t in fact Thatcher playing herself. The film cleverly merges the confused, quivering 80-something Thatcher in the present day with a montage of the most explosive moments (literally) of her extraordinary life. Of course, although critics claim Streep has Thatcher down to a tee, few can compare her performance with today’s dementia-ridden Thatcher. Although, they are right that she’s done a good job portraying her younger years- she comes across less as Prime Minister, more raging dictator.

So there you have it. With these three haunting our Vues, Odeons and Cineworlds for the next few weeks, you will soon be reduced to counting down the days until the next Alvin and the Chipmunks sequel, trust me.

Carnage

prayitno

I

t has come to that time of year again. That precious time when going to the cinema is an entirely different experience altogether. Outside the months of January and February, frequenting your local multiplex is a depressing excursion. As you stand there contemplating whether to plump for Midgets vs. Mascots or Swinging with the Finkels (NB. these were actual 2011 releases), and pay your £9.50 in order to sit in a darkened room, sometimes even given dark glasses, often alone (especially if you choose one of the above) you would be forgiven for immediately booking yourself into therapy once the ordeal is over. So it is at worst a relief when the aforementioned cinema is transformed into an esteemed arthouse, playing the best quality and most eagerly awaited films of the Oscarian year. However, although a big step up from the Christmas blockbusters, the superiority of these particular movies is disputable. Take this year- I happen to have had the pleasure of viewing the favourites for three of the most prestigious awards: Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Actress.

The hype this year has largely settled on Best Picture favourite: The Artist. This picture is the most puzzling of Oscar favourites. If you have somehow managed to miss the universal critical acclaim of its “innovatism” and “individuality”, you will be surprised to hear that the best film the world has come up with this year is alleged to be a black-and-white, silent movie set in the twenties. Worse still, its plots of both famous-man-meets-unknownwoman-who-then-acquires-greater-fame-than-man and silent-movies-get-replaced-by-talkies have been done several times before. It is therefore a predictable story and its only thrill seems to be in nostalgia. Granted, there is a twist, when today’s technology permits snippets of sound, but in my mind this only contradicts the original premise. Leave silent cinema in the past, in its glory years, I say. As well as not appealing to the modern audience, I also felt it lacked the polished feeling that today’s films acquire from reaping the full benefits of the brilliant technology available in 2012.

Best Actor will surely go to George Clooney. Deservedly as well; he is a supreme actor, but the same cannot be said for the film that will most likely win him his first Best Actor Oscar. The Descendants is your typical arty, indie movie about an American dysfunctional family. Again, the genre has been done before, and much better, such as

Written by Darius N

Written by Luke Walsh

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dapted from Yasmina Reza’s critically acclaimed French play “Le Dieu du Carnage”, Carnage is set in real-time and almost solely in one New York apartment, centring on two sets of parents who have arranged a meeting to resolve a physical altercation between their sons. While the film’s simple set-up is intriguing, what is most appealing is the stellar talent involved, with Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz and John C. Reilly going head to head under the assured direction of Roman Polanski (The Pianist, Chinatown).

In transferring the story to screen Polanski fortunately avoids making the film more typically “Hollywood”, staying loyal to the original stage setting. His smooth, voyeuristic direction allows the sharp dialogue to take focus; as people turn on each other, their flaws laid bare through verbal sparring, black humour is utilised both to increase tension and provide dark laughs.

Ultimately Carnage is an actors’ film. Reilly is as dependable as ever, initially providing a calm counterbalance to his shrill and officious wife; Foster is on top form portraying a self-styled artsy liberal who is first to break the faux pleasantries with her brilliantly catty swipes; and Waltz, a morally dubious attorney constantly distracted by his mobile, provides much amusement as a father who appears largely indifferent towards the situation. MVP status must go to Winslet, however, whose gradual unravelling (with the help of whiskey) from a genial professional to a screeching and combative wreck provides the film with its most entertaining moments.

Carnage stays engaging throughout its refreshingly brief 80 minutes, thanks to exceptional performances and an intelligent script that highlights the hypocrisies of (and disillusionment with) middle class social roles and beliefs.

C

hronicle tells a story about three teenagers that discover and react to having telekinetic abilities.

This isn’t a “save the cheerleader, save the world” type of tale akin to TV series Heroes. Instead, the three teenagers simply try to understand what they can do and for most of the film try to accommodate that into their lives in what start off as amusing ways. Needless to say, things get a lot more sinister later on though…..

The key unique selling point for Chronicle is that it uses and refreshes the found-footage style of filming that has been demonstrated in the likes of The Blair Witch Project and Cloverfield. Where it stands out from these is that the portrayal of leading character Andrew suggests his reasons for why on earth he feels the need to use a camera so often in his everyday life. The telekinetic abilities also mean that the camera doesn’t always have to be in someone’s hands, so the story feeds the format cleanly and in a novel way.

The moments when the characters initially learn their abilities together as friends are brilliant. They offer a genuinely amusing and thrilling sensation that highbudget superhero films usually gloss over. These could have been far too hammed-up, but the characters are so well acted that the audience will find some pathos with them even in what should be the most fantastical moments of the story.

Although Chronicle uses the found-footage style effectively it also highlights Chronicle’s simplicity and flaws. Anyone who has seen a full-length trailer for Chronicle will be able to see where the plot is heading. Fortunately it‘s fewer than 90 minutes long and so events progress at a brisk enough pace for this not to be too much of a problem. However, the final act of the film is predictable and clichéd which is a shame given how ridiculously powerful and complex characters become.

This final act also lacks some of the creativity of earlier scenes and almost comes across as an imitation of ideas that contemporary video games have already been toying with.

For a film with no instantly recognizable names the acting from the leading cast is extraordinary. DeHaan‘s portrayal of Andrew is extremely unsettling. There is very much an ominous undertone throughout his story, made more noticeable by the likeable supporting characters of Matt and Steve. These two come across as realistic teenagers, just getting along with their lives and enjoying their friendship.

In short, it’s an entertaining yet brief film which would be a suitable send-off to the found-footage style of film-making. But I’d rather be watching The Muppets!

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Monday 20th February 2012

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Long live British films

www.bathimpact.com

Written by Tom Rookes

‘

Yes mum, I am watching a film about lesbian vampires.’

Not the ideal conversation you ever want to be having but that’s what you get for trying to support British Cinema. Of course I’m talking about James Corden and Matt Horne’s tongue in cheek (but still generally terrible) film, Lesbian Vampire Killers and not some weird undead, lesbian fetish of mine. British Films have had a bad reputation in the past few years; with a recession stricken industry there’s been little to no investment and often only one or two decent films come out a year amongst all the drivel. However, it looks like that’s all changing. No one wants to jinx it but British Cinema is booming; dare we say the words Golden Age? Some of the top grossing films in the UK last year were British; Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and The Inbetweeners Movie to name a few, but where the real magic is happening is in British Independent Cinema. Names like Steve McQueen (Hunger, Shame), Lynne Ramsay (We need to talk about Kevin), Paddy Considine (Tyranosaur) and Richard Ayoade (Submarine) are ones to watch over the coming years. Steve McQueen’s feature debut, Hunger, came out in 2008 to critical acclaim (and his latest film, Shame, was a huge hit at the Venice Film Festival). The film depicts the 1981 Irish hunger strikes in harrowing detail. One very bold scene in particular stands out in which the protagonist and a priest discuss the morality of his decision to go on hunger strike. The scene is shot as a 15min single take from a fixed camera angle and is just plain brilliant. Now, why am I praising a director who only shot one take and couldn’t even be bothered to move the camera around a bit, surely that’s a bit boring? Well, for a director to be able to use such simple tools yet still keep me completely engrossed

takes something special. The combination of lighting, brilliant dialogue and a superb performance from Michael Fassbender come together to make, what could have potentially been a sinfully boring scene, totally captivating.

The great British film director Alfred Hitchcock managed to achieve the same thing in Psycho with a scene of Anthony Perkins mopping a bathroom, yes actually doing housework! If comparing a contemporary British writer/ director to the late, great Alfred Hitchcock isn’t indication of a Golden Age I don’t know what is.

I cannot wait to see Paddy Considine’s directorial debut film Tyrannosaur. He has, up until now, mainly stuck with acting, starring in some fantastic British films such as Hot Fuzz but probably his best work so far comes from his pairing with the incredible British director Shane Meadows. Writing an article about British cinema and not mentioning Shane Meadows is like having Christmas dinner without the pigs in blankets, it’s good and everything but the best is definitely missing. His films Twenty Four Severn, Dead Man’s Shoes and This is England are all brutal and brilliant and if you haven’t managed to catch his This is England TV spin off then watch it now on 4OD! They portray a honest yet cruel view of real people in real situations in a way that only British Cinema manages to achieve. Anyway, got a bit distracted there; back to Tyrannosaur. The film is an expansion of Paddy’s short film and is loosely based on his experiences growing up on a council estate. The film received worldwide acclaim in film festivals and won the best picture award at the British Independent Film Awards. Paddy has clearly learnt something from working with Shane Meadows so hopefully there’ll be plenty more to come.

As a perfect segue (it’s as if I planned it all along), Paddy

Considine also appeared in Submarine, Richard Ayoade’s funny coming of age drama about Oliver Tate, a 15 year old boy from Swansea and his two goals; to lose his virginity before his next birthday and to stop his mother’s love affair with a new age Guru. The film is simultaneously stylish and goofy, surreal and down to earth and draws the fine line between endearing and annoyingly cheesy perfectly.

The film works so well because it is so easy to relate to in its portrayal of the horrors of teenage life in Britain. I think this may be what British cinema is all about. I’m not really one for nationalism but I think it’s a thing to be proud of when we can make world renowned British Films about British things. I’m not saying we should make films in an overtly, ‘Go Britain’, propaganda type way but make relatable, intelligent, powerful and entertaining films like only us Brits can. And if nothing else, if it prevents me from ever having a conversation about the sexual persuasions of mythical bloodsuckers with my mum again then it’s got to be a good thing. Roll on the golden age.

The surreal tones of Ayoade’s Submarine

Review: The Muppets Written by Ron Morrow

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hose loveable, manic, felt-based Muppets have been missing from our lives for so long, but now they’re back in town and they’ve brought the whole gang along for the ride. Bigger than ever, The Muppets have defied their old age (Kermit looks damn good for 57, so if you ever need the number of a fabric surgeon, you know who to call), bringing themselves up to date once again, keeping themselves relevant for yet another generation to love.

Joining the ranks of such mayhem are Mary (Amy Adams), Gary (Jason Segal) and Walter (voiced by Peter Linz), incentivised to take on bad guy, and recognised plot device, Tex Richman (Chris Cooper) to stop him from destroying the old Muppet Studios. From start to finish the film recognises and plays off its absurdity through the use of over the top song and dance choreographies (that would put HSM to shame) and meta-jokes. Themes like these can easily be overdone, but after years of perfecting the formula, everything is done in moderation and paced down to a tee. The songs are evenly spread and not overly long, the cameos are casual and plentiful (Dave Grohl, Neil Patrick Harris and Jack Black to name just a few), and no matter which of your characters was your favourite it’s likely they see enough of the limelight for you to be satisfied (unless yours was Rizzo the Rat who doesn’t get a single wisecrack).

As I mentioned, The Muppets are one of the most adept creations at staying relevant. The soundtrack is written

by Bret McKenzie (the more bearded half of Flight of the Conchords), whose eclectic, self-aware style suits the film perfectly. Even as I write this I’m playing the film’s soundtrack on repeat, attempting to engrain its upbeat tunes and subtly hilarious lyrics onto my brain for use on a rainy day. It’s not just the music that’s been brought into the 21st century though, as the graphics department have been invited to test their skills. They’ve stepped up to the plate and knocked it out of the park though as their work is almost invisible. As every Muppet is still hand operated (and more emotive than any animatronic system can even dream of being) a lot of the shots had to be filmed against blue screen (green screen doesn’t work so well when you’re a frog) so that the puppeteers could be hidden. It’s all put together seamlessly though and I have the utmost respect for them implementing brand new tech without resorting to gimmicks like 3D (we’re looking at you here Star Wars) or losing any of what makes The Muppets a goldmine of nostalgia.

If you’re new to The Muppets, this might not be enough of an introduction to why things like the Swedish Chef’s semi-comprehensible gibberish or Gonzo’s chicken entourage are hilarious, but if you’ve met the family before this is the perfect recap. Brace yourself for 103 minutes of ear to ear grinning because this is what real feel-good is all about.

Jim Henson may be dead and gone, but thank God his Muppets live on.

What a bunch of Muppets.

Monday 20th February 2012

bathimpact www.bathimpact.com

Bye Bye Winter!

How did we get so cool?

Written by Harriet Tangney, bite Deputy

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et’s face it, we as a nation are pretty fashionable. So how did we get so fucking cool? When I think about British fashion, of course I think of our great designers and how they have carved their way through the fashion world in the last century. In the 60s, Mary Quant lead the youth of the day in search of colour, glamour and shorter and shorter hemlines.

In the 70s, Vivienne Westwood helped thrust punk into the faces of the British public, and still today has not lost her eccentricities. And of course where would an article on British fashion be without a mention to the late and great Alexander McQueen, without whom modern British fashion would be at a loss. But it’s not just designers that inspire us, we also seem to be completely obsessed with the notion of the fabled and very much debated Style Icon.

Tired I am of reading fashion magazines where every month they talk about style icons.

Firstly, most of the names on these lists were on last months lists, and on every other magazine’s lists (but that is a general problem with fashion magazines); secondly, has no one remembered that most celebrities have stylists? Just because that celebrity turned up to that red carpet event with a lovely dress on that they picked all by their own big self out of a rail of equally lovely dresses that someone else spent a lot of time searching for does not make them a style icon.

But I’m being unfair, magazines don’t just worship celebrities with stylists. It might be just me, but Alexa Chung is not a style icon. This girl has won the British Style Award at the British Fashion Awards twice, but i don’t get it! Yes, she’s announced before that she picks her clothes herself (well done Alexa! I don’t think I could ever do that!) but I see no depth to her style, no real thought, just pretty designer dresses. Its like when people are praised for looking good when they pick an outfit right off the mannequin at Topshop.

Though Alexa Chung did once say something once that pleased my ears. In a conversation about the difference between the way British girls and American girls dress themselves, she commented on her own dishevelled look that it takes three hours to look this shit. I’m not sure if that’s a direct quote, but that is something that I don’t mind so much about my girl Alexa. She’s got that “Hi! I haven’t washed my hair in a week and this is last night’s make-up” look that lots of British girls rock, including myself. The way that the woman on the street dresses is the best thing about British fashion in my opinion, and certainly where I take most of my inspiration from.

British women aren’t afraid to look strange and eccentric and they have a grunge attitude that I love. Just taking a trip to London and seeing people on the street inspires me. I don’t really think there’s as much pressure to look perfect and that experimentation that we do so well is how the next big thing gets started.

Right: Mont Bear TShirt - Supremebeing £25 Left: Cutout Back Self Stripe Flippy Dress - Topshop £25

Silk & lace bra and pants - Untold at House of Fraser £28 and £14.40

Left: Baggu Canvas Backpack - www. asos.com £40

From left to right: Lips in Charmed Topshop £9 Lip Paint in Dolly Pink - Barry M £4.50 London Lasting Finish Lipstick in Coral in gold Rimmel £4.99

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Monday 20th Februrary 2012

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It’s not all Feesh and Chipz Written by Nia Evans Bite Deputy

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Trying to find anything which was in the slightest bit exotic or different to the Italian palate was like trying to find a politician in the Italian parliament who was unwilling to accept an invitation to a bunga bunga party.

And so help me god if I attempted to champion British cheese in the staff canteen of my French school whilst the cheese board full of brie, Roquefort and comté came out after every meal. However my favourite and perhaps most cringe worthy food related episode of my year abroad was when a middle aged French teacher asked me if I’d ever had a strawberry before. When I replied saying that my father actually grew them he appeared to be completely astounded by the fact that the fruit could

leduardo flickr

I

t has to be said that one of the biggest stereotypes about us Brits is that we have truly terrible food.

Last year I spent most of my year abroad in France and Italy, the culinary capitals of the world, attempting to dispel this myth. However our European friends can’t seem to grasp the fact that British cooking is not what is once was; long gone are the days of sitting down at the dinner table faced with a stodgy pie and mash or the driest piece of chicken with a can of condensed mushroom soup for a sauce. Unfortunately these classic (albeit horrendous) recipes cannot be escaped as I soon tired of attempting to defend our fantastic food culture. Even when a Polish girl laughed at me for saying I missed British home cooking, I was a true Brit and just sat smiling politely instead of saying what I really wanted to, that being – what the heck is Poland famous for in the culinary world?

The fact that I missed British food is entirely true.

Of course the Italians and French certainly know how to cook and their food was definitely one of the biggest highlights of my year abroad (particularly when the canteen staff at the French school I taught at asked me how I would like my steak cooked). But there is one thing which I believe we have got right on this beautiful island which the Italians and French haven’t quite caught onto yet and that is simply: variety. Don’t get me wrong I love pasta, but by the end of five months in a country where the locals seem to worship the stuff I felt as though I would have spaghetti for hair if I ate one more strand.

grow in such a cold and northern country, as if Britain was the North Pole! Thankfully we are not quite so ignorant about food other than our own here in the UK and that is why I love British food so much. We are blessed to live in a country with many different cultures and foreign influences which have been adopted to make our food exciting and diverse. We have the luxury of being able to go into the supermarket or along the high street and sample food from every corner of the globe – try finding that in France or Italy. There is nothing wrong with being a magpie and learning from other food cultures to make your own tastier, healthier and more colourful on the plate and the palate.

What’s in season now in Britain?

• Rhubarb • Cauliflower • Kale • Swede • Leeks • Mussels

Thai Green Curry

hese days a curry has become a true British classic. Here’s a light and zingy recipe for a fragrant Thai Green Curry to get your taste buds tingling.

Ingredients 1 tbsp vegetable oil 2 tbsp Thai green curry paste (according to taste) 1 tbsp sugar 1-2 lemongrass stalks 750g/1½lb chicken breasts Zest and juice of 1 lime 400ml/14fl oz coconut milk Splash of light soy sauce Small handful of coriander

(Serves 4)

leduardo flickr

Method 1. Heat the oil in a large wok or frying pan.

2. Add the curry paste and sugar cook on a high heat for a minute and stir it with the lemon grass (bash the end of the lemon grass with a rolling pin to bring out the flavour).

3. Reduce the heat a little, add the chicken cut into large chunks and the lime zest.

4. Next, add the coconut milk and soy sauce and cook the curry on a simmer for about 25-30 minutes.

5. When it has thickened stir in the coriander and lime juice and add a splash more of soy sauce if it needs more seasoning.

6. Allow the curry to thicken a little more.

7. Dish up and serve with rice.

Try finding this France or Italy!

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Monday 20th February 2012

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Puzzle Corner

Quick Crossword

Puzzles made by Dorian Lidell

Brain Trainers

Jigsawdoku

Enter the numbers 1-9 into the grid so that each number appears precisely once in each row, column and barred block. In standard Sudoku, the blocks are nine 3x3 squares, but here they can be any shape at all.

Across

Down

1) Famous fractal (10,3) 10) Blackjack (French: “twentyone”) (5-2-2) 11) Dispute, debate (5) 12) Type of massage therapy (7) 13) Saying expressing conventional wisdom (7) 14) What you should be doing! (4) 15) Type of dolphin (6-4) 18) Unrealistically impractical (10) 20) Arthur ____, American tennis champion (4) 23) Overact, exaggerate (3,2,2) 25) Interrupt, trouble (7) 26) Crime of deliberately setting fire to buildings, etc. (5) 27) Ensure (9) 28)Common name for the disease rubella (6,7)

2) Ring-shaped (7) 3) Confine; hold in custody (6) 4) Inclined to take legal action (9) 5) Accumulate, incur (a bill, debts, etc.) (3,2) 6) Cloth for drying dishes (3-5) 7) “The Greek”, Spanish Renaissance painter (2,5) 8) In all directions (5,5,3) 9) State of apprehension and nervousness (6-7) 16) Low quality (5-4) 17) Precious metal (8) 19) In a group; all together (2,5) 21) Intentionally sink (a boat); container for coal; move quickly (7) 22) Academy Awards (6) 24) Irreligious person (5)

One-Upper

Enter the numbers 1-5 into the grid so that each number appears precisely once in each row and column. A bar between two cells indicates that the numbers either side of the bar must differ by 1; if there is no bar between two cells, the numbers in the cells differ by more than 1.

Darius N

Quiz This fortnight: literature!

1. Major Major Major Major is a character in which Joseph Heller novel?

2. Which American newspaper is nicknamed the Grey Lady?

3. Which classic novel by Leo Tolstoy opens with the immortal line “Happy families are all alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.”?

4. Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov was originally written in which language?

5. Which Charles Dickens novel features the wealthy spinster Miss Havisham?

6. Who is the eponymous “shrew” in Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew?

7. In Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, what happens to Alice when she drinks the contents of a bottle labelled “DRINK ME”?

Last Week’s Solution

8. Which American writer’s only complete novel is his 1838 work “The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket”?

9. What is George Orwell’s real name?

10. “Or if the secret ministry of frost / Shall hang them up in silent icicles / Quietly shining to the quiet Moon” are the last three lines from which Samuel Taylor Coleridge poem?

Answers:

Bridge It! Solution

1. Catch-22 2. The New York Times 3. Anna Karenina 4. English 5. Great Expectations 6. Katherina 7. She shrinks 8. Edgar Allen Poe 9. Eric Arthur Blair 10. Frost at Midnight

Arithmaster Solution

bite needs you If you have any interest in getting involved at a contributor level, or if you’re interested in learning how to lay up a magazine, get in touch and join the team. There will also be chances for free gig tickets for reviews, and even opportunities to interview your favourite artists.

Get in touch at: impact-bite@bath.ac.uk