SpaLife Magazine Christmas 2016 by BathSpaSU

SPALIFE MAGAZINE Christmas 2016

Bath Spa University Studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Union is a registered charity no: 1139037

In loving memory of Henry Burke. A kind, passionate and devoted son, boyfriend and friend who will be greatly missed. Henry was a second year Geography student who participated in Snow Sports and Rugby, and has made an impact on us all. May he rest in peace.

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CONTRIBUTORS THE TEAM Emily Dove Editor-In-Chief Anika Schulze Page Designer & Columnist Jacob Lewis-Leeson Commissioning Editor Oliver Cliffe Entertainment Editor Isabella Hambley Junior Copy Editor Susan Hammond Senior Copy Editor Amy Rivers Head of Photography James Hopkins Political Correspondent Courtney Burton Events Planner Emily Bate Social Media Coordinator Isobel Donovan Social Media Coordinator

WRITERS & ARTISTS Jenny Brock Drew Chaos Oliver Cliffe Isobel Donovan Emily Dove Miles Finch Fiona Kirton Jacob Lewis-Leeson Charlotte Makepeace Annabel Miller Emma Oliver Hannah Pierson Georgia Parish Conrad Pollock Rhian Pritchard Anika Schulze Louise Thacker

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EDITOR’S NOTE HELLO SPARTANS! What a term it has been for us all. With some of you settling into your new surroundings while others return to complete their final years of study, it has been a whirlwind of a ride. As a small team of dedicated, volunteering students we have worked very hard to create this very special edition of SpaLife Magazine, including exciting things to do this Christmas, reviews of local bands and pop- © Emily Dove ular films, as well as beautiful artwork and photography. I have dedicated this issue to Henry Burke, who sadly passed away two weeks ago. This came as a shock to us all and has left us heart-broken but we have shown the world that Bath Spa University is a family. We have all come together to pay our respects and love to this devoted, kind and loving person and that he will never be forgotten. RIP Henry. I hope you find this interactive issue – simply hover over images and names – inspiring and encouraging as we approach our final few weeks of this term. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Emily Dove Editor-in-Chief

CONTENTS

Â© VisitBath

FEATURES 8 10 14 18 20 22 26

Degree Tree Project Jeremy Irons In Talk Join Something New Hurt So Good The Winter Heron of Sydney Gardens Bon Appetite! Upcoming Events

COVER STORY 28 30 32 34

Our Christmas Favourites 48 Hours in Bath at Christmas Top Pick for Christmas My First Christmas at Bath Spa SPALIFE MAGAZINE

INTRODUCING 38 42 44

All That Glitters Is Back! Ground Control to Major Inspiration Charlie Brooker: Scary Man, Clever Man, Funny Man Collaborating Authors

REVIEWS 50 52

The Girl on the Train Indie Meets Rock ‘n’ Roll

Page design © Anika Schulze Front cover on behalf of SpaLife Magazine © Mark Banham

FEATURES

Â© Jo Hook, CEO Temwa; Chris Darts

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DEGREE TREE PROJECT

s a student I know that I feel guilty about the amount of paper I use for studying. On average each student uses seven hundred pieces of paper per year. It is often hard to imagine that the impact of the paper industry, as it is not our local woodlands that are being ripped apart, and the effects of the pollution caused by the industry, are less severe for us in the West. The pulp and paper industry uses over forty percent of all industrial wood traded globally. It is the fourth largest industrial user of energy and so a significant emitter of greenhouse gases.

What is the Degree Tree Project?

It is the idea of getting students to donate ÂŁ3 to Temwaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Degree Tree campaign. This covers the cost of growing, planting and nurturing a tree in Malawi and compensates for all the paper used during our degrees. You could also buy trees as presents for friends and family. Founded in 2003, Temwa is an NGO working in Nkhata Bay North, Malawi. The area is one of the most disadvantaged and remote regions

in the world. Temwa currently runs interlinked projects in five key areas: health, education, enterprise development, agriculture and forestry. In the last decade thirty percent of the forests in northern Malawi have been destroyed. Temwa is working to combat this with their tree planting project, and seventy percent of their target communities are now actively involved in tree planting. Temwa continues to raise funds with the goal of planting one hundred thousand trees on an annual basis. The Degree Tree Project is an opportunity to offset our impact as students on the environment and to create a positive change by supporting Temwaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tree planting project. If we could get even half of the student population at Bath Spa University to donate three pounds or buy a tree as a present, this would cover the cost of growing, planting and nurturing one hundred thousand trees a year in Malawi and go directly to the communities, schools and farmers that rely wholeheartedly on a functioning environment to survive. Please consider buying a tree today. Click here for more information and details.

FIONA KIRTON

FEATURES

JEREMY IRONS IN TALK

alking into the Georgian room of the Main House, a figure leaned out of the sash window overlooking the green grounds. Smoke plumed around the lounge as the light rain fell softly outside, the figure turned around, cigar in mouth, ‘Ah, you’re here to interview me’. A busy man with a busy schedule, Jeremy Irons had a chancellor inauguration ceremony that afternoon and was flying to Georgia to film An Actor Prepares the following morning. He had a 15-minute slot with me before being whisked off to his hotel. His PA tapped her watch emphasising our limited time together before leaving the room. Quite the opposite to what one might imagine at his stage in career, Irons seemingly still lives the lifestyle of a famous actor with all its ensemble. In his interview, however, we focused on environmental, political and educational issues; far more concerning to Irons as his post as Bath Spa University’s chancellor than his acting career. Upon congratulating Irons on his new post as the University’s chancellor he immediately expressed his knowledge at the dissent surrounding this position. ‘Dissent is very good and should be written about. I think someone should do a piece and interview on why it’s not a good idea I’m chancellor to start a debate [...] a bust debate is what it’s all about.’ Irons’ approach to this situation was surprising and reassuring; arguably modest. He

came across sincere and genuine in his interview, with an honest belief in freedom of speech. I asked Irons about how he hopes to highlight environmental and political issues through the position of chancellor at Bath Spa. He responded that these were ‘two issues that should be brought up in any discussion about anything because the environment affects our health and our surroundings, and politics affects how we deal with it. So [he] would see those two subjects as being intrinsic to any discussion.’ Irons further expands the importance of internationality, and

‘If we can get to Mars for god sake, surely we can get some of the best minds to create an economy that serves us.’ – Jeremy Irons. how this contributes to our political and environmental status in that it enriches our culture and political situation. Irons is also keen to have a hands-on relationship with the students at Bath Spa in-between his busy schedule. He expresses how to a certain extent he can help abroad with internationality. He also hopes to help within the university as he can have discussions with those working in film, television and acting as well as other disciplines such as business. He expands that in business, for instance, people still need to be able to comprehend and use the

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Â© Chris Wakefield @ Crescent Photography

JACOB LEWIS-LEESON

FEATURES

Â© Chris Wakefield @ Crescent Photography

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arts. Irons is fully understanding of Christina Slade’s desire to embrace and encourage the liberal arts, and his view of combining the likes of business with arts is a fine example of this. He claims to be ‘a new boy’ who is ‘still learning how the university works and what it needs,’ and it certainly seems as though he is heading in the right direction with his vision for Bath Spa. I asked Irons about fracking, a tumultuous issue in our country at the moment, and he showed the same concerns as environmentalists across the world on the issue. ‘I think it’s an assault on our environment sole-

‘We’ll look back in 50 years’ time and see that huge things have changed.’ – Jeremy Irons. ly in the method of extraction. It’s very unproven and indeed there are some terrible examples in America of long-lasting damage to the water and the stability of the geology. I think we should be putting all our resources into sustainable energy and I’m very sorry if in the last gasp of an oil driven society we ruin our environment.’ Irons’ views are befitting to the ethics of Bath Spa University and its pursuit of a green status. Perhaps we should remind Theresa May and Sajid Javid of this before they undemocratically commission several more fracking plants across the country. I went on to further talk with Irons about internationality. At this point, I should point out that our interview has adjusted into a relaxed chat as opposed to a formal interview. ‘It’s

terribly important’ is Irons’ response to internationality. ‘England, historically, has always had tentacles going out into the world and I know all the recent publicity with Brexit makes everyone think that we’re turning inwards. It has never served us well to look inwards, we’ve always been outwards looking and had influence far above the size of our country. So, the fact that Bath Spa has and is growing its international connections at the moment is one of the healthiest and exciting aspects the university is involved in.’ Finally, I asked Irons not what his views on Brexit are, as I am sure he as well as half the country have reached their emotional capacity on the topic, but rather how he feels we can progress from such a result. ‘You know I think there’s actually a very slow but rumbling revolution happening. And I think we’ll look back in 50 years’ time and see that huge things have changed. But we have to restructure and we have to make a decision about whether we buy the cheapest or whether we create it ourselves to provide employment and therefore self-respect for our nation and pay a little bit more.’ An economy like that of Switzerland or Norway I asked. ‘Yes, kind of. I mean I’m not an economist but my instinct is that. You know if we can get to Mars for god sake, surely we can get some of the best minds to create an economy that serves us.’ What a profound and relatable statement which certainly echoes truths. If we can get to Mars and have technology to achieve this, it isn’t too difficult to ask for an economy that serves us... is it?

JACOB LEWIS-LEESON

FEATURES

JOIN SOMETHING NEW: Spoken Word and Performance Poetry Society (SWAPP)

Walking and Mountaineering Society

What inspired you to set up the society? We felt that first years joining Bath Spa would struggle to identify potential places to perform poetry in the local south-west area so it would be great for students to find out about events like RAR, Raise the Bar, and Hammer and Tongue.

What are you hoping to achieve? We just want to spend more time escaping from the pressures of uni. It’s refreshing to get outside and enjoy nature, explore the local area, try new things, keep fit in a fun way, and just enjoy each other’s company!

What activities do you do as a society? We go to open mic nights, slams, and poetry performances. We may run workshops in the future. Mostly we help people make decisions about their own performance career. What’s your favourite thing about the society? It’s just students helping support each other and pushing each other creatively. It doesn’t take a lot of time but it helps create a community you can rely on if you have writer’s block, if you need critique, or if you need help being brave to do something new with your work. Contact: kathryn.jeanes13@bathspa.ac.uk Meetings: Find us on Facebook at SWAPP Soc Membership:£3

What activities do you do as a society? We try to do at least one walk a week, sometimes long rambles, sometimes short, often starting from Bath or heading out into the surrounding area. They’re pretty casual adventures, but eventually we want to do some big trips away to other parts of the UK, and we’re in the process of branching out into cycling and climbing too. We also do slightly crazy things, like Wild Swimming at Warleigh Weir (definitely a summer activity) and watching the fireworks together on Bonfire Night from up on the Skyline. It’s really diverse and it means that there’s something to suit everyone!

Contact: rhianna.pritchard15@bathspa.ac.uk Meetings: Find us on Facebook, Walking and Mountaineering Society, for our weekly walks Membership: £5

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SPA’S NEWEST SOCIETIES Women’s Football Society

Alternate Faith Society

What are you hoping to achieve? I am hoping to achieve a team that lasts, a team where we can have a giggle and a bit of a kick around, I hope my ladies have lots of fun and fond memories of University because of ladies football.

What inspired you to set up the society? I wanted to create more representation for people of faiths not understood or recognised within the university, and to provide them with a place where they can feel welcome. I also intend to set up a conduit for religious and special events that could occur throughout the year.

What’s special about the members of the society? They are up for everything, all very optimistic and positive ladies, we are all forming quite the bond. What’s your favourite thing about the society? I love that we are all learning the ways and techniques of football together, it’s new and fresh for most of us. Contact: Bath Spa Ladies Football on Facebook Meetings: Odd Down 3G Pitch, Friday 4.30-5.30PM Membership: £35

What are you hoping to achieve? A safe space where people of myriad faiths and beliefs can come together to join us in celebrating diversity and promoting equality through discussion and events.

Contact: robert.retallack13@bathspa.ac.uk Meetings: At least once or twice a month. Membership: Free

RHIAN PRITCHARD

FEATURES

Biology Society

Swim Society

What are you hoping to achieve? As a group of third year students, we wanted to achieve a more integrated biology based subject area, ranging from general Biology students to Environmental Scientists and Nutrition students. We hope this will break down communication barriers so that students can benefit from closer ties to each other! We also wanted to offer help and guidance to the first and second years.

What inspired you to set up the society? I set up the society because I found it difficult to get into a routine of going swimming by myself. I would never stick to it, so having the society means I have more of a reason to go. It’s also a great way to meet new people and to do something that’s different from your degree.

What activities do you do as a society? So far we have gone to a set of public lectures, had nights out, failed to win at pub quizzes and held study sessions. What’s your favourite thing about the society? There were so many people on my course that I didn’t know and never had the opportunity to speak to, and I never realised how great they were. I’ve met so many people and it has made such a difference in my experience this year.

Contact: hannah-jade.parker15@bathspa.ac.uk Meetings: Find us on Facebook at Bath Spa Biosoc Membership: £3

What’s special about the members of your society? The members are great! We’ve got our regulars now and the extra additions are bonuses. They are all really full of life and want to be better swimmers and improve their fitness! What’s your favourite thing about the society? I love how everyone’s new, even the vice president and I, so we’re all on the same page.

Contact: cora.goldie15@bathspa.ac.uk Meetings: Thursday evening 8-9PM, Better Leisure Centre Membership: £3 joining fee then £30 per term

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Biology Society © Shoham Vaich-Shkolnik

Women’s Football Society © Chloe Linfield

Spoken Word and Performance Society © Kate Jens

Walking and Mountaineering Society © Becky Bischop

Swim Society © Tim Bridgewood

Alternate Faith Society © Rob Retallack

RHIAN PRITCHARD

FEATURES

HURTS SO GOOD

here’s a thing about human behaviour that I don’t quite understand. I do it, and I’m certain that most people I know do it. And since we’re back from summer break those glimpses of, I’d call it, self-sabotage have grown in occurrence. A friend of mine is lactose intolerant. Therefore, chocolate and pizza aren’t the best things for her to eat. But no matter what, she still eats both regularly, enjoys it while eating, and pays for it later. She knows that what she does isn’t good for her, or her health, but does it anyway. And let’s be honest, who would want to give up on either of those things for good? When we were kids we would try out anything that seemed like fun to us, not knowing that it might hurt us. And growing up meant to understand, and learn, that it’s not clever to touch the hub while your mum’s cooking, or to play around with the really sharp knife your dad just cut the Christmas roast with. But when we were little we didn’t know these things; we’re adults now, and therefore should know better. ‘You’ll learn from your mistakes’ is what they tell us, but every now and then I wonder, do we actually? In movies and, unfortunately, real life, we’re introduced to people that simply don’t care about anything, or anyone. They only care about themselves. Often you realise this very important fact too late. So you already started to like this person and accept pretty much any-

thing he or she does to you. Such as seeing him kiss someone who isn’t you – or their partner – but you go home together anyway; sleeping with the same person again and again, although both of you want different things; or getting back together with your ex, aware of the risk to get hurt again. All those things are mistakes that we do not just once, but probably a hundred times. We didn’t learn the first time, and we certainly didn’t learn the second or third time. Why do we go back to something that isn’t good for us? I think it’s the fact that we know how good it felt to be with that person, or how tasty that chocolate bar was, which draws us back to it. We know we’ll probably get hurt again, gain weight, or feel guilty for not doing any work, but if the opportunity opens up for us we don’t think twice, we take the risk, dive in head first, and regret it later. But for that one little moment it feels right, and that’s what we hold on to, because we feel secure and carefree. We don’t think about what happens afterwards. We don’t care. And maybe that’s the problem. Procrastination is another form of self-sabotage and the most common one. I don’t know a single person who doesn’t do it. It’s probably one of the hardest appearances of self-sabotage there is to overcome. Everyone knows the problem – it’s Monday,your deadline is Friday, but all you do is watch one episode

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of your favourite TV series after the me, ‘We always want the things we other. You know you should be do- can’t have!’ We want to be healthy ing work, but instead you tell your- and fit without having to work out; get self that you’ve got plenty of time a first on our essay without putting to do it tomorrow. Problem is, you’ll much effort into it; be with the person be saying the same thing tomor- who’s taken; eat as much chocolate as row. It’s an endless cycle. The feel of we want without gaining weight. But guilt and self-pity grows with every we stand in our own way of achievepisode, but somehow you can’t stop. ing that, maybe because we’re scared of change, or success, or even hapIt’s like an addiction. piness. I don’t I know it’s know. But what hard to overI do know is, come a pattern we need to try of self-sabotage, our best to stop and not everysabotaging our one is capable lives. of it. Some beSelf-sabotage come more and can take on more self-demany different structive, which shapes for difis a serious ferent people. medical conSome eat too dition, people much, others over-eat, abuse too less; some drugs and alcospend money hol, commit sothey don’t have; cial suicide, and, others drink too in some extreme much alcohol; cases, harm some procrasthemselves. tinate; others But why self-pity. I would would we do even consider things that will ©Jenny Woods: bunnyjennyphoto.com over-worrying a harm us, make us feel sick, or set us back from the form of self-sabotage. But no matter what type you are, goals we’re trying to reach? Is that tiny moment of comfort and happiness the first thing to do is to realise and really worth the pain? We should be accept it. Only then you can work on able to see that life would be much yourself, and your behaviour, to try easier if we’d stay away from the and do it differently next time. And it’s ok to stand still for a mothings that aren’t good for us. Maybe my housemate has the ment, to take a breath, and to figure answer to our problem. She said to out what the heck you’re doing.

ANIKA SCHULZE

FEATURES

Holbourne Museum Â© Matt Brown

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THE WINTER HERON OF SYDNEY GARDENS

ature has always been a part of our consciousness, whether we are aware of it or not. But sometimes, engaging with the world around us doesn’t always feel accessible or valuable. In modern society, people have never been more greatly disconnected from nature with the invasion of technology and constant stream of information. What if we could change this? The trees you walk past on your daily journey into the city or the squirrel you see foraging for food are a part of us, aesthetically, spiritually and biologically. But if you live in a city such as Bath, where do you go to discover nature and its offerings? First, you as an individual must acquire the energy and enthusiasm to seek out the beautiful and peaceful natural worlds that Bath has hidden within its concrete heartbeat. I took a trip to the Holbourne Museum and discovered a rich and green wonderland concealed behind its quarters. Sydney Gardens invoked a romance and tranquillity; the diversity of trees, decadent and stunning bridges, and the bountiful squirrels bopping for nuts – their feet crunching on the shrivelled winter leaves, are only some of the sights available. Beyond the grass hills and Georgian bridges is the Canal which stretches over six miles to Bathampton. The crispness of the water is immensely rewarding as the noise of the city gradually

fades away. On my journey, a single rock, encrusted into one of the bridges, grabbed my attention. Standing calmly and tall – a Heron. Deciding that this chap was indeed a ‘He’, I began to observe him. The mighty sharp beak stood confident on his S shaped neck. His legs as thin as matches clung to the slippery rock he had called his home. The intimate view of the Heron was enthralling, such a finely groomed bird with a curiosity as large as a toddler. As his head tilted from left to right, I began to imagine a wise old man; reserved and intelligent. If you’re patient, you may be able to catch a glimpse of a few mischievous squirrels conspiring with conkers, hopping only a few metres from you. Mallard ducks and swans also trail along the Canal, calmly gliding through the frosty water, on a journey of their own. Another common visitor to the park are crows, the purest black you’ll ever encounter. Their feathers shine and they hop along, swooping into the air. Bath has many concealed natural gems that are teeming with life and history. Winter especially is the perfect time to wrap up and glimpse some remarkable wildlife. Through the Christmas markets and tussle of people, nature is waiting for you, a reminder of the complexity of the natural world that is beautiful, diverse and fascinating.

LOUISE THACKER

FEATURES

BON APPETITE!

s a student your diet is most likely quite unhealthy. Maybe you stick with the ready meals because it’s easier. Or perhaps you’re unsure what to do when it comes to a well-balanced diet. We’ve collated some fab healthy recipes and tips to help you eat well!

Veggie Picks

Cascara

As a vegetarian or a vegan it can be hard to find places to eat or things to create that aren’t ‘boring’. Luckily for you, there are plenty of places in Bath that serve great veggie foods at decent prices. Even if you’re a meat eater, you should go and give these places a try:

This is a great little place for coffee and freshly prepared smoothies. They make some amazing cakes that are suitable for vegans, vegetarians and those who are gluten free. There’s also a little spaniel in the shop who is very adorable – good food and good company!

Metropolitan Café

Beyond the Kale

Some great vegetarian options, really good wraps, nice drinks, and caters for vegans and gluten free too. It’s not the cheapest place but for a good hearty and healthy meal, it’s the place to go.

Offers freshly prepared vegan and veggie foods. It’s tasty, healthy and filling. They also do the best smoothies and freshly made juices!

The Green Rocket Café

A large menu of vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options – open all day. It’s run by Vegans who are enthusiastic about good tasting, fresh and healthy food!

Chapel Arts Centre

A café that uses local produce to create completely vegetarian and vegan meals. They sell homemade flatbreads, fresh salads and delicious cakes. It’s also a gallery space for local artists, so you can enjoy looking at local artworks whilst eating some scrummy food!

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WINTER WARMERS Bean and Sausage Hot Pot (40 mins)

What you need: 8 sausages of a tomato sauce A can of butter beans 1 tablespoon of black treacle 1 teaspoon of mustard Steps: 1. Fry the sausages until golden brown (10 mins) 2. Add the sauce, stir in the beans; add the treacle and mustard. 3. Simmer it and then cook it in the oven for 30 mins. Serve with rice or bread.

ÂŠ Emily Dove

Winter Fruit Salad (30 minutes) What you need: 600g of ready to eat dried fruit of your choice 3 tbsp of clear honey 1 vanilla pod 1 earl grey tea bag 1 tbsp of lemon juice Mascarpone or Greek yogurt

Steps: 1. Pour the fruit and 700ml of cold water into a saucepan 2. Add the honey and vanilla (put the seeds into the pan) and bring the mixture to the boil. Stir and simmer for 10 mins. 4. Take the pan off the hob and stir in the tea bag. Allow it to infuse for 10 minutes. 5. Tip out the mixture into a bowl and pour lemon juice over it. Leave to cool. Serve with mascarpone or Greek yogurt.

HANNAH PIERSON

FEATURES

Roasted Cauliflower (1hour 15 minutes)

What you need: 4 garlic cloves 1 tsp of paprika 1 whole cauliflower Bunch of thyme Salt and pepper Olive oil Lemon 4 tbsp of sherry (optional) 400g plum tinned tomatoes Steps: 1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees. 2. Peel the garlic, add it to a bowl with the paprika and half the thyme © Anika Schulze leaves. ‘Bash’ it together to create a paste. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and season it with salt and pepper. 4. Cut the cauliflower so it can sit flat without falling. Then rub the paste onto the cauliflower. Place it into a medium covered dish. Pour the sherry and juice from the lemon on top. 5. Put it in the oven for 1 h 20 mins. Leave it uncovered for the last 20 mins. 6. Take it out the oven and pour the chopped plum tomatoes over the cauliflower. 7. Sprinkle the rest of the thyme leaves and lemon zest onto it. 8. Put it back in the oven for 10 mins, or until the cauliflower is golden brown. Serve with rice or whatever else takes your fancy!

Snowball Dippers

What you need: 10 large marshmallows 150g of dark chocolate White hundreds and thousands 10 lollipop sticks Steps: 1. Simmer a pan of water on the hob. Place a heatproof bowl of chocolate on top of the pan (make sure it doesn’t touch the water) and melt the chocolate. 2. Push a lollipop stick into each marshmallow. Pour the sprinkles into a separate bowl. 3. Dip each marshmallow into the chocolate and then into the sprinkles. Make sure the marshmallow is completely covered. 4. Leave to set and then enjoy!

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TIPS AND ADVICE

Cheap and easy ways to help with a well-balanced diet: Don’t skip meals. As students we tend to skip meals. Eating 3 meals a day is vital to our well-being, providing us with the right energy levels to help us through the day! Eat breakfast. It’s true what they say, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Cereal contains lots of fibre and has high nutrition, contributing to our balanced diet. Top up on your fruit and veg. It’s healthy! Check out the recipes and restaurants in this column for good ways to get your fruit and veg into your diet. Hit up the market for your fresh fruit and delve into the supermarket freezers for your veg – it lasts longer, it’s cheaper and it’s healthy. Fortunately, in Bath we have the farmers market, where they sell fresh fruit and veg at very decent prices – certainly cheaper than the supermarkets.

SOME ADVICE FROM ALED, VICE-PRESIDENT OF WELFARE

‘Being healthy at Uni can be tough. In my opinion, the most important thing to watch is your sugar intake. Certain things that we think are relatively healthy, such as pasta sauces, can actually have over double your daily amount of sugar in them! Make sure you balance your unhealthy meals with healthy ones. Everyone binges once in a while, and that’s completely fine as long as it doesn’t become the majority of your diet. There’s an app called “Change4Life Sugar Smart” that allows you to scan the barcodes of the food you eat so that you can see just how much sugar is in there. Once you realise which foods contain less sugar, you’ll find yourself with a bit more energy every day. Balance this with a bit of easy exercise a few times a week, and you’ll avoid the weight that students traditionally put on!’

Aled Davies

Vice President Welfare © Students’ Union

su-welfare@bathspa.ac.uk

HANNAH PIERSON

FEATURES

UPCOMING EVENTS IN BATH DECEMBER 2016 - MARCH 2017 Comedy

7th Jan 2017: Krater Comedy Club, 8PM Last Thursday of every month: The Porter Cellar Bar, Fitz of Giggles Comedy, 8PM First Monday of every month: New Act Comedy Night, Komedia

Art/Museums

19th Nov 2016 – 5th Mar 2017: Djordje Ozbolt: The Grand Detour, Holbourne Museum 3rd Dec 2016 – 19th Feb 2017: Jean Rose: The Poetry of the Everyday, Victoria Art Gallery 3rd Dec 2016 – 19th Feb 2017: Peter Brown: A Painter’s Travels, Victoria Art Gallery 27th Jan 2017: Holburne Up Late, Holburne Museum, 5pm

Cinema/Theatre

6th – 10th Dec 2016: In Praise of Love, The Mission Theatre 8th Dec – 8th Jan 2017: Aladdin, Theatre Royal, Sawclose

Food/Drink

6th Dec 2016: Tenors Un Limited, Abbey Hotel, 7PM 31st Dec 2016: New Year’s Eve Ball, The Pump Room, 7.45PM 21st Jan 2017: Burns’ Night, The Pump Room, 7PM

Other

16th – 18th Feb 2017: Bath Bachfest, LOCATION TBC 26th Feb – 6th Mar 2017 (TBC): Bath Literature Festival, LOCATION TBC 12th Mar 2017: Vitality Bath Half Marathon, Great Pulteney Street 18th Feb 2017: Bath Rugby in the Aviva Premiership (Harlequins), Recreation Ground, Spring Gardens, 3PM 4th Mar 2017: Bath Rugby in the Aviva Premiership (Wasps), Recreation Ground, Spring Gardens, 3PM

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Â© Jenny Brock

EMMA OLIVER

COVER STORY

OUR CHRISTMAS FAVOURITES Après-Ski Bar at The Abbey, Bath Open daily 10am to 11pm from 24 November – 8 January 2017 ‘The Abbey Hotel is set to be the place to be this Christmas with the hotel’s legendary Après-Ski Bar! Bringing a true touch of the Alps to the heart of Bath, guests can sip ski-boot cocktails or glug steaming mulled wine in the snow-capped chalet or under the starry night sky, wrapped up in cosy blankets on the terrace. New for 2016 are irresistible fondue feasts – lashings of melted cheese, crusty bread and crudités to share with family or friends. Meanwhile, Sunday is the new party night, with disco parties taking place every Sunday in December.’ – The Abbey Hotel

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The Bath Christmas Market Open daily from 24 November – 11 December 2016 The Christmas Market in Bath is the most special event to see in Bath. There are more than 170 traditional wooden chalets that line the streets of Bath along the Bath Abbey. It really gets you into the Christmas mood and is the perfect place to buy stocking fillers!

The Christmas market is also home to Mulled wine and food from all around the world each year, thus two of our favourite reasons to stroll around Bath during the season.

CHARLOTTE MAKEPEACE & EMILY DOVE

COVER STORY

48 HOURS IN BATH AT CHRISTMAS

f time is of the essence and you have friends or family visiting you to embrace Bath’s atmospheric Christmas spirit, we have provided you with a short and fun guide of things you could do and see in less than 48 hours. Discover Milsom Place for a spot of Christmas shopping or treat yourself to a delicious meal at one of the many restaurants available to you.

Take a trip to the famous Bath On Ice for some twirling and fun at Royal Victoria Park from £7.75, exclusively for students.

Victoria Falls Adventure Golf have lightened things up this Christmas with their new glow-in-the-dark mini golf starting from £5.50. This is not one to be missed.

If you’re looking to kick up some leaves and see some remarkable views, then take a walk to Alexandra Park or Bath Skyline Walk, and make sure to take a good camera with you.

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Not to miss during the Winter are the Royal Crescent and Royal Circus at the top of Bath. In snow covered or not, Royal Victoria Park is the place to go if you want nature close to town.

For a fabulous afternoon tea in our world heritage site visit Sally Lunn’s, one of the world’s oldest eating houses, or try the lovely Old Time Vintage Tearooms on Saville Row. And treat yourself to the famous Bath bun at The Bath Bun Tea Shoppe in the heart of the city.

The Pump Rooms are even more beautiful at this time of year so why not indulge into their glorious food or the history that lies within the grand building.

And visit the tranquil Prior Park on the outskirts of Bath for a magnificent photo opportunity of The Palladian Bridge and all its surroundings.

CHARLOTTE MAKEPEACE & EMILY DOVE

COVER STORY

TOP PICKS FOR CHRISTMAS

f you are, like me, a lover of all things Christmassy you will know that a huge element of the festive season is the music and films that come with it. So, here at SpaLife we have collated a list of our top five favourite Christmas songs and movies.

Kate Bush – December Will Be Magic Again

Kate Bush’s December Will Be Magic Again (bongo version) is a song I consider to be somewhat of a Christmas gem. Many people haven’t heard of it, therefore I am keen to promote it here. Kate gives us those unique high pitched notes that we are all so familiar with on Wuthering Heights. The song has wonderful Christmas undertones, and Kate also makes reference to Bing Crosby – what more could one wish for at Christmas? http://tinyurl.com/z9jkrhd

Bing Crosby – White Christmas

The Pogues Featuring Kirsty MacColl – Fairytale of New York

It’s been 28 years since this song was first released. With a slow drunken start, it turns into an upbeat Irish jig that’ll have you dancing on the tables of your local tavern. http://tinyurl.com/cvb4sv8

Kate’s already made reference to Bing in the above song, so now it’s my turn. Feeling happily sedated with a whisky and mince pie? Then White Christmas is the song for you. Embrace the crackling recording and the rich warbles of Bing and his choir. This is a song sure to get you in the Christmassy mood, it honestly never fails. http://tinyurl.com/nkn4cqq

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Wham! – Last Christmas

Richard Curtis’ Christmas Rom-Com is a must at this time of the year. It will be shown several times in the lead up to Christmas and if you just can’t pinpoint it on TV, the DVD is worth a purchase and then you will have it for

From the heat of Club Tropicana to the snow covered ski slopes in Last Christmas, Wham! provide for all seasons. While the meaning of the song is somewhat melancholic, the bells

in the chorus certainly make up for it. Whether you’re suffering from heartbreak or simply suffering withdrawal symptoms of George Michael’s voice, this song is a definite at this time of year. http://tinyurl.com/8lnpvpg

Nothing quite beats the original Christmas hymns. If you feel you need a true fix of this, why not visit your local Church for a real treat of wonderful carols. You’ll be singing along without a doubt – particularly at ‘Five Gold Rings’. http://tinyurl.com/zf72vzx

Love Actually

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life! It contains love, heartbreak, and everything in between. It is a gentle reminder that for some Christmas is not as fun.

Elf

The Kids will love this film. When I say kids, I’m referring to the students. Who can’t love Elf? It follows Buddy’s desire to track down his family in New York after he realises he is not an elf and is in fact human. Of course, many obstacles are presented along the way and Buddy receives some hurtful rejections, but as with all Christmas films, there is a happy ending!

The Snowman

Did I say all Christmas films have a happy ending? Oops. The Snowman has possibly one of the most heartbreaking endings to an animated film ever. The soft sounds of ‘Walking in the Air’ playing as he realises the snowman is a metaphorical symbol of his childhood that’s now gone. I’m not selling this am I? The Snowman is one of the most beautiful Christmas animations and contains Raymond Briggs iconic soundtrack. It follows the adventures a young boy has with the snowman he built the day before. A short feature film at only 26 minutes long, but well worth a watch. N.B. Get the box of tissues ready ©New Line Cinema

for the ending.

The Polar Express

Talking of animations, The Polar Express is another must watch animation over the Christmas period. It fills you with true belief in Santa Claus and leaves you questioning why you were never visited by the Polar Express. Must have missed your stop? Full of dance and song with the familiar voice of Tom Hanks as one of the main characters, The Polar Express is a definite for all of you big kids.

The Holiday

Cameron Diaz, Jude Law, Kate Winslet and Jack Black. What line up could be better? This really is a Christmas romance film that leaves you wanting to live in the snow covered cottage owned by Winslet’s character. What? It was a set and no such cottage exists? Still, you could never afford it anyway, so continue dreaming and make yourself a nice hot chocolate to sip in front of the fire with your famalam.

JACOB LEWIS-LEESON

COVER STORY

MY FIRST CHRISTMAS AT BATH SPA

aturday 24th September 2016 was a very big day; I can’t bring myself to call it life-changing but it was a very important day. For the past year, like many others, I had been building up to and working towards coming to university. So, with a car filled to the brim with the finest cooking appliances from Wilko and a supermarket sweep worth of IKEA furniture I was here, I was at Bath Spa and ready to move in. Moving day went a little something like this: I unpacked everything I owned into one room, shoving thirty pairs of socks into one drawer and white-tacking an array of posters to the wall. Then saying a relatively emotionless goodbye to my parents. I’m a bit disappointed they didn’t cry at the site of their one and only son leaving for university. I then sat awkwardly in a kitchen full of strangers talking about what A-Levels we did, where we are from, and how much we miss our dogs already. Finishing this hectic day of moving to a new city and even a new country (Yes, Wales does count as a different country!), by getting somewhat intoxicated at ‘pre-drinks’ which lead to me hugging all my flat mates, which I’d only known for ten hours, and telling them that I love them and they are the only people who ‘get me’. Fresher’s Week, or Welcome Week as it’s now formally known, was a blast and a blur. The most challenging part being the continuous 9AM lectures,

yet the captivating and humorous UniSmart lecture was totally worth it. In between learning how to cook, wash clothes, making new friends and partying hard, I didn’t find much time for many of the Students’ Union ran day time activities which is a shame because Pimm’s and ping-pong sounded right up my street. The first week taught me a lot; I discovered where all the clubs are in Bath, thanks to the help of Google Maps. I tested the boundaries between me and my flat mates after, accidentally, throwing out someone’s half eaten pizza because it was taking up half of my shelf in the fridge – they were totally cool about it. I was also able to make friends with neighbouring flats by stealing their inflatable elephant on a night out (don’t ask), and again they were totally cool about it. In fact, I quickly came to a realisation that everyone at Bath Spa was super nice and I felt completely at home pretty much straight away, it was as if Bath Spa and I were simply meant to be. As welcome week ended I realised I was actually a proper student now, I had lectures for my course that I had to attend to, and reading I was supposed to do. I had doubts in my mind just like everyone else did. Am I smart enough for this? Will I enjoy it? Did I pick the right course? Now writing this week on I wish I had silenced those negative doubtful thoughts straight away, because I love it! I genuinely enjoy going to lectures and seminars, of

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Â© Sam McKenna

MILES FINCH

COVER STORY

Â© Mark Banham

SPALIFE MAGAZINE

course the fact that my earliest start is 12PM does help. I remember in one of my very first seminars the teaching team introduced themselves and told us what their research specialisms are (I’m a Media Communications student), and I was totally dumbfounded that I was going to be taught by one of the founding fathers of ‘metal studies’, which is studying heavy metal music. I mean how cool is that? Some of my friends from home are studying math degrees and I get to learn about popular culture, social media, films and heavy metal music. I was feeling rather smug to say the least. As the weeks rolled by I recollect feeling particularly humbled when I woke up to potential Bath Spa students and their parents wondering around my house (my flat mate is a student ambassador, they didn’t break and enter), asking questions about what it’s like to be a student. It really put it into perspective that I was actually a full-time student here at Bath Spa, and that this time last year I was a little bright eyed and excited potential student on an open day. I felt accomplished and proud to be calling myself a student at Bath Spa, I felt like a proper student, not just a fresher. Another pinnacle point in the first few weeks was returning to Bath Spa after visiting friends from home’s university’s (I most definitely cannot mention which universities). I quite quick-

ly realised how lucky I was, having a campus which is on a country estate, living in halls with a sense of community, being able to walk to all my lectures in ten minutes, and how safe and posh I felt whilst wandering the streets of Bath. In the first few weeks I was beginning to feel like Bath Spa was my home and I was very glad about it. October turned into November and November turned into December, the Halloween decorations were pulled down and replaced with Christmas decorations, arguably a far nicer holiday to celebrate. The overwhelming array of tinsel, fake snow and paper snowflakes made our humble flat seem far homelier. The pinnacle point, the centre piece, the crowning jewel of our Christmas decorations effort had to be the make-shift Christmas tree we created using a traffic cone. As the term draws to an ever-closer end, myself and my flat sat reflecting on the past few months. It had been a complete and utter world wind of emotions and events, but what had shocked us the most was how close we had grown to one another in the three months we’d spent together, we’d created some incredible friendships and memories. I learnt a lot in the first term about my course, myself and how to live alone, but the most important thing that happen was to find such good friends. So, thank you! Merry Christmas Bath Spa.

MILES FINCH

COVER STORY

ALL THAT GLITTERS IS BACK!

escribing her own music as pretty and glittery post-rock Led Zeppelin, Sarah Clayton and fellow band members Theo Stevens, James Davis, and Craig Webber are definitely one not to miss. Sarah is currently enrolled on the Arts Management MA course at Bath Spa University. I had the honour of meeting Sarah to interview her about All That Glitters, her idols and advice she has for fellow musicians! What inspired you to pick BSU above other universities? There’s just loads to get involved with, if you want to. For example, this morning I went to learn to use a really fancy digital camera. Next week, I’m going to learn how to do videography. I’ve just had my lecture at the Holbourne Museum. It’s great. Tell me more about your band members, do they also study here at BSU? My drummer, Craig, he did the Commercial Music course with me here. We went to school together, and university together, and now we’re in a band together! My bassist, Theo, and I went to college together and now ten years later we are in a band together. Our guitarist, James, we met through a jam night in Bath. Do you suggest going to these ‘jam nights’ and seeing what everyone in Bath is doing? Yeah, I mean there are so many musicians in Bath. So many! And I think, if you’re a musician, don’t limit yourself to the people on your course and in your year because you’re really restricting yourself.

What was your inspiration for the name ‘All That Glitters’? Well, ‘all that glitters’ are lyrics to a Led Zeppelin track, but more than that some of our music is quite pretty and atmospheric, but also post-rock. Everything is about big slow builds, pretty and glittery post-rock with Led Zeppelin blues, and that means we are All That Glitters. What genre of music do you play, is it a particular style? I would say the style that we play is mostly rocky blues, bit of an indie mix. If you think London Grammar infused with highly charged blues rock, that’s kind of what you get. What are you working on right now? Are you producing or gigging? Currently we are just trying to get out and gig a bit more. It’s really nice to be able to play for a student vibe and get a whole load of new people behind us as a local band. Do you prefer playing in bars or festivals, is the atmosphere important? I like playing intimate moody spaces. When I perform, I guess what I want

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DREW CHAOS

COVER STORY

to do is create a certain atmosphere that gets across really well, that’s the connection or transcendence I want to create.

It could be having a bigger following. What it truly comes down to is; am I still writing, am I still performing, am I still enjoying it? That’s most important.

Can you describe your process of making music? Do you compose music as a group, or individual? I’m what we call a ‘top down writer’. Being the singer and rhythm guitarist, I write everything from the lyric and vocal melody first, then the rhythm guitarist on the back. I take that to the band and we kind of, hash out what the rest of it goes like.

So, would you like to travel, or would all of that be enough? I would love for my music to take me… places. It already has! It’s taken me to places that you know, without being in a band, I wouldn’t have gone or experienced. I’d like to record an album, that’s the next short term goal. We’ve produced an EP which you can download and buy at our gigs or online, but the album is next.

We’ve spoken about so many, but who are your musical icons/inspirations? Musical inspirations... oh my word. I think what you listen to and what inspires you, is quite different to what you then end up writing. I’m a big blues fan, Zeppelin and Mayer, and then you’ve got bands like London Grammar. Oh! And I really like strong female vocalists. I get a lot of inspiration from that, thinking Fleetwood Mac or Aretha Franklin. Anything that’s got a bit of balls behind it! Where do you hope to be in the next five years, in terms of music or other careers? I hope to successfully finish my MA! Hopefully that’s only two years, not five! No, just to be writing and gigging and people enjoying what we create.

How do you feel about the internet and social media in the music industry? Do you find it benefiting your musical careers or do you find people to be cruel/harsh outweighing the positives? The internet is an incredibly useful tool. It’s quite easy to get caught up with how many followers do I have for this, how many people have seen this post, how many downloads do I have? Use the internet, it gets your stuff out there, connects you with other bands, more useful to me is speaking to people at gigs. Getting them through the door to see you play, that’s what’s important. Us performing live to an audience is so much more impacting than them listening to the MP3.

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What do you like to do outside of the band? Music really is my world from eight am to nine pm. When I actually do get away, I’ve got a two-year-old Labrador. I love to go for countryside walks with her, and when I can spend time with my lovely husband! Going for drinks at our favourite bars, and seeing our friends, throwing house parties, still. I love it.

Finally, what is your key advice to bands or even solo artists? Song writing. Take the time to write. You could be the best guitarist or drummer in your peer group, but it’s the songs that are important. So seriously? If you want to be noticed, write some decent songs.

All That Glitters are playing The Fleece in Bristol on the 1st of December. More information and the bands EP, also available on the night, found here.

DREW CHAOS

INTRODUCING

Â©Jenny Brock

SPALIFE MAGAZINE

GROUND CONTROL TO MAJOR INSPIRATION

hris Hadfield is probably best known as ‘that astronaut who sang David Bowie’s Space Oddity in zero gravity and posted it on YouTube’. While this is, in itself, a pretty impressive achievement, Commander Hadfield,who has so many letters after his name it would take up most of my word count to list them, is also the author of three books. The most recent of these, The Darkest Dark, is his first book aimed at children, telling the story of a young boy and his fear of the things that go bump in the night. As part of Bath Children’s Literature Festival2016 Hadfield spoke to an audience of all ages about his new book, how he became an astronaut, and what it’s like to float out of a space shuttle, look around, and see absolutely nothing. While I honestly didn’t expect much from a talk from a man who, I believed, was just there to sell books to children, Hadfield’s talk was simultaneously optimistic, realistic, and inspiring. In fact, the event focused largely on one encouraging and moving motif: if you can dream it, you can do it. Like most people reading this, I’m pretty unsure what I want to do with

the rest of my life. I don’t want to be an astronaut, but that’s about as far as I’ve managed to narrow down my career path so far (anyway, I’m pretty sure that ship sailed when I decided to spend three years doing a Film Studies degree). But hearing Hadfield talk of watching the grainy, black and white footage of the very first time a person stood on the moon and deciding ‘Yes. That’s what I want to do’, was one of the most inspiring moments of my adult life. It’s easy to assume that celebrities only write children’s books as a cheap attempt to make some quick cash and build their ‘image’. Hadfield, however, seems to have a genuine and important reason for writing The Darkest Dark; his childhood was about learning that if he wanted to, he could be anything. Literally, anything. Even an astronaut. And through his book, I hope that others will be inspired to find what they love and chase it until they feel that same weightless, euphoric bliss that Hadfield felt the first time he unbuckled his seatbelt, floated to the space shuttle window, and looked down on the tiny spinning Earth, surrounded by the darkest dark you can imagine.

OLI CLIFFE

INTRODUCING

CHARLIE BROOKER: SCARY MAN, CLEVER MAN, FUNNY MAN

here’s an idea amongst literary circles, that if you’re good enough at what you do, they’ll eventually get a word for you. You only need to look at ones such as Shakespearean, Ballardian and Kafkaesque to know what I mean; their work is so unique that a whole new dictionary entry is needed to describe it. It’s conceivable, that in a few decades’ time, the term Brookerian will have entered the English lexicon, as people use it to describe something totally unique and memorable; the creative outpouring of Charlton ‘Charlie’ Brooker. Who else could write such scathing, acidic television talk shows for Weekly Wipe and find a way to make tasteful comedy out of even the most terrible atrocities that are going on in the world around us? Or create a television show, where every episode is set in an entirely new universe that is always working technology against its lead characters? In simpler terms, could anyone else have made Black Mirror as we know it today? I think not. Brooker started working in the entertainment industry when he was 15, when he started sending cartoons he’d drawn in to Oink! Magazine, which then ran on a weekly basis from 1986 to 1988. He spent several years working under similar conditions with various other independent magazines, including spending much of the nineties ‘working in shops writing game’s reviews through a haze of

splif-smoke’, as he puts it. Brooker has referred to this period of his life as being very formative to his early work, as he was able to spend a lot of time watching television programmes and dissecting how they were written and what made them special and memorable. He feels that this was more influential than the media studies course he was doing at the time. Brooker’s first major creative work came in 2000 when he joined the writers’ room for Channel 4’s The 11 O’clock Show, which gave him a legup into the wider world of British television writing. Shortly after this he co-wrote Nathan Barley, a comedy miniseries which he created with Chris Morris (Brasseye,Four Lions). The series was the first partnership between the two writers, and over the years that followed they often teamed up in order to deliver witty, dark humour to the wider world of TV writing. Brooker has also worked with noted TV writer Jesse Armstrong,who was partially responsible for the creation of such comedy juggernauts as The Thick of It and Peep Show. Brooker really came into his own with the introduction of the Wipe programmes, which began with Screenwipe in 2006, a satirical ‘interest’ programme with meta-connotations as it tore apart and made fun of the television industry, while explaining the finer points of the business to ordinary viewers at home. Through the series

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came Brooker’s home-grown style of humour was introduced to a wider public audience. It dissected TV, film and other areas of pop culture, whilst pointing out the fact that most people in these industries are neither geniuses nor visionaries, but rather just ordinary folk who don’t have a long-term plan and don’t know what’s good half the time. This brand of humour was later expanded to politicians, first through the Weekly Wipe format that looked at current media events, taking particular interest in the hypocrisies demonstrated by various politicians. Following the 2015 special Election Wipe, which was broadcast on election night and made light of the parties running, their leaders, and the various campaigns they’d been maintaining in the months beforehand. With electrifying wit and scorching criticism, Brooker untangled every person involved in the political game, and made us realise they’re not gods raised on plinths, but just little people like all of us, alone, confused, and scared. Brooker’s greatest work arrived in 2011, when Channel 4 began broadcasting his television extravaganza Black Mirror, which looked at how far technology has come for us humans, what great things it has given us, and the nightmares that have come with it. What makes Black Mirror so memorable and worth watching is how unique each episode is from anything else on television. As a new episode begins, you find yourself diving into a new reality you’d be foolish to try and expect beforehand. Each story is wholly its own, every character gone so soon

after being introduced, and all the time you find yourself wanting more and more, until you realise that Black Mirror is not just a cautionary tale for society, but one for you as well. The show was once described at an opening press release as being ‘a hybrid of The Twilight Zone and Tales of the Unexpected which taps into our contemporary unease about our modern world’, and it’s not hard to see why. In the years following its first broadcast, a number of the episodes have seemingly come true. The first episode ‘The National Anthem’ which deals with a prime minister who is being blackmailed into having sex with a pig on live television, was re-watched with additional glee after David Cameron’s ‘pig-gate’ scandal. Then it was discovered that San Francisco journalist Eugenia Kuyda had built a chat-box messenger that mimicked the writing style of her dead best friend, a set-up that is uncomfortably similar to the premise of the season two episode ‘Be Right Back’. And finally, the presidential candidacy of Donald Trump in America was seemingly predicted by Brooker a couple of years in advance, as the episode ‘The Waldo Moment’. It seems that Black Mirror is a show not about society and how it should change, but rather for society, and how we are possibly beyond change; sometimes life really does imitate art. So, what’s so special about Charlie Brooker’s work? It’s certainly not the first of its kind, television poking fun at television, but it does carry something with it that most shows are unable to achieve, and that’s familiarity. It’s the idea that Brooker is just one of us, that

CONRAD POLLOCK

INTRODUCING

Â© Jenny Brock

SPALIFE MAGAZINE

he is no better a person than anyone else who watches television and forms an opinion of it. The idea of familiarity in television is essential when trying to attract new viewers, so that they don’t feel daunted or put-off by a series’ wider continuity. If we take the examples of Skins and The Inbetweeners, we see this theory in practice. Despite both shows receiving positive reviews during their original broadcasts, The Inbetweeners is seen as the better programme. This is mainly due to it being closer to reality, and therefore more familiar to the audience, than Skins ever was. Not just that, but The Inbetweeners is far more a show that you can just dive into casually, whilst Skins has long-lasting character arcs you need to watch to fully understand and appreciate. This philosophy of ‘casual viewing’ can be found in nearly all of Brooker’s work. It’s why each episode of Nathan Barley is self-contained, why Weekly Wipe uses material taken only from the last week, and why every story of Black Mirror is its own, isolated, dark, little fable. Brookers’ creations are far too disturbing and shocking to be seen as mainstream. Whilst he always has a stimulating and thought-provoking idea within all his work, he is unlikely to change his style anytime soon and go ‘traditional Hollywood’. Brook-

er has snatched a rare gem out of a pile of dirt, and clung onto it with all he’s got. Every script he writes, every piece of work that he puts out, he makes sure is water-tight and perfect before it’s seen by anyone else. He is someone who’ll never give up, never fall back and call it a day before he’s made the mark he wants to make. His work make us see and consider the world around us in a new way. He, in many ways, should serve as an inspiration to all of us, all those that create and take joy in doing so. One of the comforting things about Brooker’s story being a successful one, is that it gives hope to anyone else wanting to make their mark through writing and other creative forms, due to the fact that Brooker is not a genius. He failed university and admits to spending most of his twenties as a ‘slacker’. Yet he clawed his way up through work and strain, came out the other side with a slew of successful television programmes, a number of bountiful years at a top-selling British newspaper, and a name worth more in TV today than most whole companies bundled together and sold as one. Brooker made gold out of nothing, and for that alone, he deserves all the praise and fascination in the world. So go on, turn on your computer, go on Netflix, and see what it is that everyone’s talking about.

CONRAD POLLOCK

INTRODUCING

COLLABORATING AUTHORS

ne thing that really struck out to me was how they were so clearly on the same wavelength. For those of you who don’t know, David Levithan and Rachel Cohn are two American YA novelists, who have collaborated together for several different books; one being, Nick and Noah’s Infinite Playlist. It was a privilege to have them at the Bath Children’s Literature Festival, and the turnout was quite large. Yet, most people had the same question: how do you work with someone on something so personal? This isn’t too surprising. As a Creative Writing student, most of the work I do is individual, and I think most people, who write, like it that way. But here we’re seeing two authors, who are very successful independently, being able to come together to make great books. What is their secret? They trust each other absolutely and like each other as people. They know that if one chapter doesn’t work as they had planned, that the other is able to follow it through. Cohn said that Levithan, ‘Got her sense of humor’ and that she found him funny; while Levithan said that ‘No one else finds him funny’. They were similar, yet different, and just simply clicked when together.

But the two haven’t only collaborated with each other; most notably, Levithan has written a novel with John Green called Will Grayson, Will Grayson. Was writing with Green the same as writing with Cohn? ‘No’, was his honest answer. He simply worked with Cohn for longer and better. This familiarity with one another means that, when writing, the two find that they can bounce ideas off each other. Both say that it’s exciting not to know what was going to happen. Though, Cohn made clear, it’s always important that you never get wedded to an idea, as there is no way of knowing if the other is going to like it. And that is where the trust is needed most. In fact, on their first book, the two of them hardly contacted each other at all. They spent three months working on it, sending receiving chapters without discussing how it was going to end or anything. Often in university, it‘s easy to get caught up in your own individual work. But I think that it’s important to work together as often as we can. Get more ideas, take risks and share experiences. Even if you’re simply showing someone else your work and to get advice, things always turn out a lot better with some extra help.

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Â©Jenny Brock

GEORGIA PARISH

REVIEWS

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THRILLING BUT SHALLOW

he Girl on the Train is the kind of film where you need to make sure you don’t lose your train of thought, otherwise you might go down the wrong track. Emily Blunt stars in this dark, graphic and thrilling film that could leave some 15-year-old teenagers scared for life – it should definitely have an age rating of 18. Rachel (Blunt) is a young woman who rides the same train everyday. She has broken nails, bags under her eyes, greasy hair and dry lips. Sadly her imperfections are clear signs that she lost control of everything – ‘even the places in my head.’ Unsurprisingly, she is an alcoholic. The world through her eyes is seen as a constant hangover. The view from her seat on the train allows her to catch a three-second glimpse into her old house, where her ex-husband lives with his new wife and their newborn baby. One crisp morning Rachel notices her old neighbour, Megan Hipwell (Hayley Bennett),standing on the balcony kissing and embracing a man who isn’t her husband. This leaves Rachel feeling shocked and extreme-

ly sorry for Megan’s husband Scott (Luke Evans). But the day that Megan suddenly goes missing is the day that Rachel’s world gets turned upside down. However, even though her character is falling apart, she is the one who holds the film together. Unlike Paula Hawkins’ best-selling book, the film adaptation doesn’t go into much detail about Megan’s life. Her disappearance is shocking – but not as shocking as it should’ve been. Throughout the book Rachel is the odd one out, she narrates the uneven chapters. The book makes you feel as if you’re on a journey with her, and need to make her realize that she should no longer be an outsider, that needs to take charge. The pages in the book and the movie screen tell this thrilling story very differently. As a viewer who read the book before seeing the film, I highly recommend reading the book and not spoiling it by watching the depressing film. The story about Rachel’s life is a lot more fascinating when you get to picture it in your own head.

CHARLOTTE MAKEPEACE

REVIEWS

INDIE MEETS ROCK ‘N’ ROLL

resh from Manhattan, the indie quartet Public Access TV bring back rock ‘n’ roll with debut album Never Enough mixed with a refreshing dose of effortless cool. Made up of John Eatherly (lead vocals, guitar), Xan Aird (lead guitar, vocals), Max Peebles (bass, vocals) and Pete Star (drums, vocals), Public Access TV look as if they’ve just stepped out of the 80s. In their plain white tees, turned-up skinny jeans and an assortment of Converse, they set themselves apart from the sea of middle partings and floral shirts currently on the scene. After a summer of tours and festivals in Europe the band has, not only grown recognition, but gained dedicated followers. Never Enough is energetic and fast paced, kicking off with ‘In Our Blood’, a new track for current fans and a perfect introduction for new listeners, who are able to see exactly what this band is all about; carefully constructed songs, balancing a tight sound with memorable riffs and messy, rhythmic vigour. The album is lyrically strong, melodic and noisy, maintaining a quick but slick pace throughout. ‘Careful’, the only quieter track, provides breathing space on the album, allowing the band and listeners to

gear up for the larger, well-known songs ‘In Love and Alone’ and ‘On Location’. A firm favourite is the fourth track on the album ‘I Don’t Wanna Live in California’, a smooth reworking of ‘Metropolis’ which appeared on PATV’s earlier EP. The album version preserves the same dreamy cool and instrumentals, accompanied by the satisfying ‘eargasmic’ guitar solo. Yet, this revamped track has more muscle behind it; a catchier chorus, reiterating the band’s love for their New York roots. Public Access TV are ending the era of boring Arctic Monkeys wannabes, who all seem to be coining themselves as working class lads, yet somehow, still come across as manufactured with samey tracks, dull expressions and a sprinkle of originality. PATV are like one of those clunky bands you’d find rehearsing in a garage in an American teen flick; most likely featuring an awkward, older brother, some floppy haired mates, and a mum asking them to turn it down – for the neighbours’ sake. Only better. And cooler. As Public Access TV keep their approach to music casual, dedicated and real, they give a sometimes stale genre, a much needed revival. Never Enough is out now.

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Â©Jonah Freud

ANNABEL MILLER

SpaLife Magazine is published in a print or digital edition once a term. All content is produced by student volunteers who want to keep up to date with the latest university news and events, entertainment, travel and more. Pick up your copy around campus or via the SU website. If you would like to get involved, send your work to: spalifemag@bathspa.ac.uk, or emily.dove14@bathspa.ac.uk You can also find us on social media: @spalifemag BSU SpaLife Magazine

With a wide range of shows, pod casts and live streams of music, news and entertainment, you are sure to find something that tickles your ears. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re always on the lookout for new talent, so why not put forward your own demo or topic for discussion and join us. spaliferadio@bathspa.ac.uk spalifetv@bathspa.ac.uk