Private schools are no good for British democracy
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Inside Occupy Louis Sidwell This past month I have been thrust into the midst of the Occupy movement, engaging and learning more about the collective group in recent weeks than I have since the movement began. It began with Occupy Boscombe. Hearing about the occupation of the vacant Boscombe Community Centre for Arts (BCCA), I headed down to the centre to meet with the occupants. I found a group of individuals from Occupy Bournemouth, Anonymous and Direct Action members who were united by their collective beliefs and campaigning for a common cause. The BCCA site is due for partial demolition. Bournemouth Borough Council aims to develop a block of 11 homes for ‘first-time buyers’ alongside a much smaller ‘arts hub’ in a bid to regenerate the area. The occupiers are protesting against these plans, and their main intention is quite simple: to reopen the centre to the people of B o u r nem outh. In this, they were already successful, holding poetry and music evenings, setting up art galleries and opening the building to local residents who have used it for drama rehearsals, band practise, and even their own kickboxing sessions.
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Does polymory really mean that you are cheating?
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Lee Bradbury leaves AFC Bournemouth
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‘chairs’ for sunshine
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JULIA DENNI
2 news
Thursday 29 March
| The Rock
New university app to provide services Jasmine Cainey
THURSDAY MARCH 29, 2012
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Accessing the University website is not ideal for phones JOE KENT
Bournemouth University have plans to create mobile phone apps for students to access everything, from lecture timetables to renewing library books. Over the past six months, BU have been looking at developing the services provided to students who are on the go. According to student feedback over the last year the use of mobile phones to access information has increased heavily. The plan is for the apps to include things such as a university-wide PC availability checker, academic timetable, staff directory, Unilinx bus timetables, library search and also book renewals. The development will continue even after the app is launched to ensure functionality and services are smooth and evolve after feedback from students.
“We want to make sure that our mobile app is the best of the bunch, and we will, in the future keep listening to student feedback and build in more functionality to it to add benefit to students,” said Scott Bellamy, the Students Communication Manager at Bournemouth University. “There are key things that can make a student’s life that little bit more convenient whilst studying, so that students can access their information on or off campus.” Students will also be able to keep up to date with the latest news and events more easier, so as not to miss any of the opportunities on offer whilst at university. In addition to mobiles, the app will also be available for use on other devices such as tablet computers. The first version of the app will sit alongside alternate services that are available elsewhere for students, for example on the Student Portal, so no one is at a disadvantage. The app is hoped to be released by new academic year.
Script festival inspires students Jasmine Cainey
The script writing festival at Bournemouth University hosted a fantastic range of speakers from Dr Who writer James Moran, to the University’s very own successes John Foster, Nick Turner and the unexpected hit, Myles Mcleod. The event inspired and motivated hundreds of young writers, and gave students a perfect opportunity to interact with professionals. Scriptwriting student, Emily Smith said there was “the opportunity of very human, personal conversations with those in the industry. Some of the professionals went as far to add students on Facebook.” Many had the chance to pitch their script to a panel of inspirational writers already in the industry, who in return provided advice and contacts within the
professional world of scriptwriters to help their future careers. The event was an excellent networking opportunity, especially at the dénouement on Sunday evening at the prestigious award ceremony. Highlights included the interactive theatre writing workshop and the entertaining and hilarious comedy panel with Fay Rusling, which not only involved participants, but sparked interest and motivation. With the wide assortment of guest speakers who each had their own speciality and the genre-themed sessions, there was something for everyone no matter what their specific interest was. Delegates who attended the more insightful talks were given the rare opportunity to have one to one sessions with experts to discuss creative ideas, placements and work prospects, or ask any other questions they wanted to be answered. The students who attended “had a great weekend and heard some
The festival was a good opportunity for networking JASMINE CAINEY great speakers” and all seemed to finish the weekend “drunk on a cocktail of inspiration and industry lowdown,” said Diane Allton, an enthusiastic amateur scriptwriter and scriptwriting festival attendee. The festival was fun, full of energy and student-friendly, including a
free lunch. Everyone now has high expectations to make sure the next festival lives up to this years event, which means they will have to work hard to achieve another fruitful festival. Organisers believe they will be able to achieve this with a lot of hard work and dedication.
University union receives green award Richard Addicott
Bournemouth University’s Student Union (SUBU) has been awarded Silver status in the 2011-12 Green Impact Awards this week. It is the second time that the University have qualified for the award after gaining silver certification in 2009. The accreditation, which took three months of preparation to achieve, is marked on a number of
criteria that the University has to meet in order to collect points. The marking criteria is diverse, including everything from small environmental necessities, such as plants in every office, to larger issues of hazardous waste disposal. The university achieved 514 points placing them in the Silver Award band but were only 16 points off achieving Gold, which is the student union’s goal for next year. Sarah Harrison, the Support Projects Co-ordinator, who was instrumental in conducting the recent environmental changes said:
“One of the key themes in SUBU’s central strategic plan is to be ‘ethical and environmental in its activities’. Gaining Silver standard in the Green Impact Awards is proof that in the way we run our Union, we are achieving this aim. I am proud of this achievement and look forward to supporting SUBU in going for Gold status in 2012-13.” The news came shortly after Climate Week, a national initiative that seeks to raise awareness and take action on environmental issues by organising events all over Britain. The First Climate Week took place
in March 2011, and half a million of the British public took part. This year the university did not shy from the challenge and set up a “Spring Greening” stall in Poole House atrium. The stall gave advice to students for ways to use natural substances such as vinegar, to clean their ‘undoubtedly messy’ student houses with, which will save them money and help contribute to a more healthy environment. As it turns out that the grass really is greener on Bournemouth’s side of the fence.
news 3
The Rock | Thursday 29 March
Occupiers ordered to leave
Occupiers came to Bournemouth University earlier this month in the hope of meeting its Chancellor, Nicholas Phillips who is also President of the Supreme Court JOE KENT
Charlotte Foot Occupy Bournemouth protesters have vowed to continue occupying land, despite losing their fight to remain at on Bournemouth University’s Talbot Campus. The demonstrators camped on a section of land, which is owned by the Talbot Village Trust, at the university’s main campus for over two weeks. The protesters arrived at the site around 11am on Friday March 9 and erected tents close to the university’s pedestrian entrance by Boundary roundabout. One member of Occupy Bournemouth initially told The Rock the amount of protesters could increase to 60 or 70 if they remained at the site. After a brief hearing at Bournemouth and Poole County Court last Thursday morning, a possession order was approved for the Talbot Village Trust (TVT) to evict the protesters from the patch of land just outside the campus.
The occupiers were given 48 hours to leave the site before bailiffs could be deployed to remove them. The district judge who heard their case ruled: “There is nothing to assist your case in the UK courts, European courts or in schedule one of the Human Rights Act.” The protesters hoped their presence on the site would lead to a meeting with the university’s Chancellor, Lord Nicholas Phillips, who is also the President of the UK Supreme Court. However, they received no communication from Lord Phillips during the time they have stayed at the university’s Talbot Campus. Speaking from outside Bournemouth and Poole County Court, Occupy Bournemouth member Gary Sherborne said: “We can’t get near the supreme courts in England and Wales. “We’ll occupy a bit more land, make sure it’s relevant and make sure it’s a legitimate target. “We’ll just keep coming back.” In an interview on Nerve Radio’s student hour last Wednesday, Head of facilities management at Bournemouth University, Stuart
Laird, said the university had spent thousands of pounds on seeking legal advice to evict the protesters. Mr Sherborne argued the cost of the court case was a good investment for members of Occupy Bournemouth, as it provided them with the opportunity to explain their rights to a judge. The university’s site management decided to erect a fence around the demonstrators during the time the demonstrators were present on the site. Mr Laird made the recommendation after receiving reports from security staff of young people, possibly under the influence of alcohol, coming into confrontation situations with the protesters at night. On the first evening they camped on the university grounds, fireworks and rockets were placed in close proximity to the occupiers’ tents. Speaking at the time when the fence was erected, Mr Sherborne believed it was an “aggressive” and “melodramatic” move by the university, which inconvenienced staff and students more than it did the occupy protesters.
During the debate that took place on Nerve Radio, Mr Laird said he was not prepared to apologise for an “operational decision” that may have affected some people “trespassing” on land close to the university. On Friday March 16, Bournemouth University’s Student Union held an open forum for students to express their opinions on the demonstrators. Members of the Occupy movement and Mr Laird were also present, as well as members from the University and College Union, who previously had passed a motion to support the Occupy movement. Suggestions that it was a political decision to erect the fence were rebuked by Mr Laird, but it was not made clear from the debate whether the fence was actually a move to protect the protesters or students. A vote was taken on general support for the Occupy movement in Bournemouth and 18 to 1 students voted in favour of the protesters. SUBU invited the occupiers into the heart of Talbot Campus to meet and interact with students last Wednesday – the day before their court appearance – as some students felt the fence was suppressing the
right to free speech. The section of land next to the university’s campus was the fifth site in Bournemouth the protesters have occupied. They also set up camp at the town hall and another in the grounds of a 25-bedroom mansion located in East Cliff. Protesters from the movement have also recently taken up residence inside Boscombe Centre for Community Arts, which Bournemouth Borough Council hopes to demolish in favour of developing affordable family housing for the community. Mr Sherborne added: “It just goes to show in my mind what three or four people can do if you think of the amount of column inches we’ve managed to attract. “When you think of what we’ve achieved with some tents on a bit of grass, just on a local level, it’s quite an achievement.” However, student reaction to their prescence was not as positive as he’d first hoped. “We haven’t had that much communication with students and we don’t want people to think that it was us who put up the fence.”
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Thursday 29 March
| The Rock
The other side of the fence Louis Sidwell
Continued from page one
The Occupy Bournemouth protesters have been friendly, willing to engage with myself and the local community. After investigating the Boscombe occupation, members of the wider Occupy movement set up camp at Bournemouth University and I followed them to report. They are hard to miss, situating themselves at the pedestrian entrance by the Boundary roundabout. Although loosely affiliated in some sense with the BCCA occupants, the occupiers on campus have their own goals. They are hoping to speak with the university’s Chancellor, Lord Nicholas Philips, also the President of the UK Supreme Court. Student reaction has been missed, with some feeling that the protestors are causing an inconvenience, while others seemed willing to engage. The university seems keen to see them gone, erecting a fence which blocks the pedestrian entrance, forcing students to take the alternative path. The University has stated that this was due to feedback from students who did not wish to walk past the camp. Despite mixed reactions to the encampment, the student union took the opportunity to invite the occupiers to engage with students, and on Wednesday March 21 the protestors set up a small table in the open air crescent, in the heart of the university. Gary, one of the occupiers, mentioned that a couple of lecturers have even donated food to the group. I asked him how the dialogue with students has been overall. “Very limited to be honest,” he replied. “First they ignore you, then they take the mickey out of you.” Not all students have been as reserved or seemingly intimidated, he noted, but the feeling on campus is that there are some who would be pleased to see them leave. Gary feels frustrated that the issues are not at the forefront of people’s minds. “Nobody’s talking about the issues, only the inconvenience,” he told me, keen to stress that their aim was not to cause chaos, but to highlight concerns raised by groups such as protests at St Pauls Cathedral in London and those on Wall Street in New York. The occupiers have now been there for over two weeks, yet their protest will shortly come to a close. In their short time, the occupiers on Talbot Campus have already
Occupiers are caring for the threatened arts centre, as well as running public events LOUIS SIDWELL been to court twice. The land that the occupiers are camping on belongs to Talbot Village Trust (TVT). The latest trial was on Thursday March 24 where the TVT took the protestors to court. I attended the court with my friend Tyler. Arriving at the courts early, we met with Gary, the representative for the encampment. Just before 10am, we went inside, emptying our pockets and stepping through a metal detector. We headed up to Court 3 and waited outside in the seating area, and it was here that we unwittingly met the opposing side for the first time. The claimant for the TVT approached us and asked our names. We obliged and he jotted down our names. Confused, we entered the court room and sat in the public seating section, waiting for the hearing to begin. The case was listed as Talbot
is talking “ Nobody about the issues, only the inconvenience ” Village Trust vs. “Persons Unknown,” where the claimant announced to the judge the names of the Occupy members present with the inclusion of myself and my friend Tyler, despite only being there as members of the public. Confused, we interrupted the court and objected to this, stating that we were, in fact, neither members
nor representatives of the Occupy movement. Had we failed to do so, we discovered afterwards, we would have been liable for any rulings and costs dealt out. Frustrated by the unprofessional action of the TVT representative, we asserted our independence to the judge, who accepted that we merely members of the public. The judge ruled against the occupiers in favour of TVT, issuing an “order of possession forthwith”. Gary asked whether he could appeal, and on perhaps the third insistence the judge replied begrudgingly that they could appeal to a “circuit judge”. Afterwards, we had a short conference in a vacant room before heading to Bournemouth hospital’s café to reflect and decide the next steps available. The occupiers are frustrated that there has been no chance for dialogue with the TVT who own the land. An open dialogue and channel of communication could have saved the time and legal costs incurred through the eviction process. I asked Gary if they had heard from the Trust, to which he replied “not one word,” other than the verbal request to leave that they was issued on the third day they arrived. After this, the Trust began the legal process of repossession of the land. The TVT is a charity with funds exceeding £36million. According to Charities Direct, the Trust is listed in the following categories: poverty, disability, accommodation/
housing, and general charitable purposes. Their aims and objectives are: “To support any charitable purpose within the area of benefit which is limited to the Boroughs of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole and the Districts of East Dorset and Purbeck, particularly projects which support youth, the elderly and the disadvantaged.” The occupiers believe that the actions of The Trust violate the Trust’s stated aims and principles. Gary appealed to the judge to request that TVT speak with the occupiers, but the judge stated that it was the Trust’s decision whether or not to engage with them, not the court’s decision. On Friday afternoon, a court enforcer arrived at Talbot campus with a thick bundle of papers for the occupiers. Representing “Bournemouth University Higher Education Corporation,” the official told them that there was a hearing at 2pm that day at Bournemouth and Poole County Court. The Corporation seeks an injunction, including a penal notice, to prevent the protestors from remaining or attempting to enter the Campus, together with an order for costs to be recovered from the occupiers totalling £14,392. Overall, the side of Occupy that I have seen portrays a group of individuals keen to engage with the public, and open up about their aims and beliefs for others to take in and decide what they believe.
news 5
The Rock | Thursday 29 March
Sex attacks on students Chloe Cook
Students should be aware when walking home
SOPHIE OUTEN
The Student Union at Bournemouth University has responded to a recent spate of sexual assaults on students by launching a new safety campaign. Students’ Union president Toby Horner says although “it’s not a very common thing for something like this to happen,” students need to know about the dangers. “Students should be aware, they shouldn’t be worried. We’re doing anything that we can do so they don’t find themselves in situations where they would need to be worried,” he said. The Stay Safe, Head Home (SSHH) campaign, which launched last week, has seen a ‘safety bus’ parked outside The Old Fire Station last Tuesday and Friday night. The bus will also be there tomorrow as volunteers hand out water and flyers asking students to never walk home alone, stay with a sober friend and use licensed taxis. Dorset Police has confirmed that the recent sexual assaults on female students in Poole and Bournemouth are all independent incidents and have not been carried
out by the same man. PC Andy Scarratt who is part of the university policing team, says that students can “suddenly forget about their personal safety” after settling into a new place and a new way of life. PC Scarratt says that students may now do things they “might not have done for the first couple of months they were here.” “They think ‘it’ll be alright’ and they may walk home by themselves, they may not tell somebody, they may trust somebody that they wouldn’t have trusted when they first started,” he says. SSHH is part of Operation Protect, a safety initiative focusing on reducing the numbers of sexual assaults in Dorset, which was launched in August last year by Dorset Police. The iconic yellow triangle is now prevalent in the town centre. It has been linked to a 50% drop in sexual assaults and rapes fuelled by the night-time economy in the Bournemouth area. Horner says he’s aware that, “Operation Protect has been criticised because of the fact that it’s very much ‘if a woman get’s raped then it’s her own fault’.” Although the new campaign is
partner to Dorset Police’s initiative Horner says they are taking a “softer” approach and have made sure their message can’t be seen in the same way to avoid causing offence to anyone. Alongside the Stay Safe, Head Home campaign is a second ‘Stay Silent’ message, which came about after a number of noise complaints from local residents. “There’s a huge interest in what the university is doing to combat negative relations with the community,” says Mr Horner, who has been working with the community to improve student resident relations since he started as SUBU president in 2010. As part of the plans one of the largest suppliers of taxis for students in Bournemouth, United Taxis, has signed a pledge to help reduce the noise from picking up and dropping off students late at night. The new measures to stop noise will mean that drivers will no longer be allowed to beep horns after 8pm. Taxi engines will also have to be turned off whilst the driver waits for students to get in and out of their car. They have also promised that their drivers will park cars responsibility. The campaign follows a series of complains about student noise.
Sex assault victim tells her story Jasmine Cainey Dorset has been identified as an area with a high rate of sexual offences, despite reports they are down by half. “Rape and sexual attacks have a massive impact,” says Jess Weir, who works for the Dorset Rape Crisis Line. “It is like dropping a pebble in a puddle. The rings that follow are the extent of repercussion for a victim experience.” This is certainly true for Lizzie*, who wanted to share her experience of sexual assault after a night out. “I was on my own when a man on a motorbike pulled up by my side. I was visibly upset already as I had fallen out with my friends, and I guess he tried to take advantage of my vulnerability. “He grabbed me and tried to force me to my knees, whilst lifting up my skirt and trying to get under my clothes. His fingers were where they shouldn’t be. “If it wasn’t for people coming up the road, I would most definitely have been raped. “The man bolted away on his motorbike and left me an
emotional wreck on the side of the road. “I sometimes get really upset on nights out and it has caused me to become really protective over all of my friends. “I have re-lived the experience every night since it happened. It affects me every time I go out and I can’t enjoy it as much.” A new rape centre opened in Bournemouth in Maderia Road earlier this month and aims to offer victims like Lizzie general advice as well as emotional support with court proceedings. *Names have been changed
Dorset Police’s advice ...
Rape alarm: When you are out carry a safety alarm. Lighting: stay in well-lit areas. Are they trustworthy? Consider very carefully whether you should leave with someone you have just met. Spiking: Never accept a drink from anyone you don’t know or trust fully.
People like Lizzie are becoming victims of sexual offences in the Dorset area
JASMINE CAINEY
6 news
Thursday 29 March | The Rock
The future of Bournemouth at night Dom Buchan
Residents, students and business owners from Bournemouth have been discussing the future of the town’s nightlife at the first of two workshops. The project, named ‘Bournemouth By Night’, aims to reinvent the image and reputation of Bournemouth after dark. An eclectic selection of people were invited to voice their opinions, including taxi drivers, council workers and even face painters. Ronnie Murray, from Diamond Faces Face Painting, and Nicky Kay from FitKid both attended, wearing intricate cat makeup. Miss Murray heard about the workshop through the local paper, “We work with kids. As soon as we saw the article about this project particularly wanting to entice more families into the town centre, we took an interest.” The initiative is being run by urban design and planning studio, Feria. Company Director Richard
Eastham was happy with how many different groups were represented. “We’ve got a police officer, safer communities people, there’s a priest. We didn’t want a room full of councillors, we didn’t want a room of students, we wanted a balance. Looking around, we seem to have achieved that.” John Ship, night-time economy coordinator for Bournemouth said: “There are so many people who work in the night-time sector to make this a better and safer place. We feel like we are moving in a very strong direction, but as yet we still do not have a positive vision or strategy for the town at night and this project is about filling that gap.” Mr Eastham started off the workshop with a thought-provoking presentation, making use of strong images showing how people make use of the town centre at different times of the day. “The Goths and the Emos hang around on the edge of the park, they’re like little flocks of starlings dressed in black. There’s big differences between groups of young people and in the afternoon
you see a huge variety of faces and ages. At night it perhaps isn’t as representative.” Whilst the natural beauty of Bournemouth’s cliffs and award winning beach are a big draw in the summer months, Mr Eastham pointed out that: “In November people retreat back into the town, and the town needs to be clean, safe and well designed if it’s going to have an appeal all year round.” The attendees at the workshop were divided across eight tables, each with a different theme, such as licensing and regulations, safety and security and public walking space. Each group spent 20 minutes at each of these workstations so that a general consensus could be formed. Safety generated a lot of discussion, with each group highlighting Horseshoe Common as an area that didn’t feel safe at night. Mr Eastham said: “When you have a young crowd, with large posters [promoting alcohol], on a narrow pavement, it’s ripe for trouble. And that’s where it happens. “There is an issue with the dominance of young people at
The project aims to improve the town’s image at night DOM BUCHAN night in the town.” The Director did have some ideas on possible improvements that could be made to Bournemouth adding: “The town centre needs more restaurants as a means of surviving. We might be doing more
Cupcakes make money for charity Jennie Slevin
Hundreds of cake enthusiasts gathered at the Pavilion last weekend as it was transformed from a quiet seaside arts venue to an all-American cupcake extravaganza. Hoards of volunteers, amateur and professional alike, came together to sell their scrumptious looking treats, all in the name of raising money for children’s charities, including Childline. As well as many different cakes for people to buy and eat, there was also a small table of cakes set aside which were to be judged on their appearance and taste by a small group of experts. One of the judges was television presenter and founder of children’s charity Childline, Esther Rantzen. “Childline is so important, especially to children’s services, because how else can they ask for help? This is really an imaginative and creative idea.” The TV veteran admitted that the competition would be hard to judge with so many different cupcakes
designs to choose from. “You’ve got beautiful little vintage ones in elegant cups. You’ve got ones shaped like burgers. “You’ve got tiny, beautiful, fragile ones, works of art. The artistry is just fantastic.” One of several competition categories was ‘Best baked by a child’, into which seven-year old Maisy Costin entered her Diamond Jubilee cupcakes. “I decided to make Diamond Jubilee ones because it was on The One Show,” Maisy said. The budding young baker decorated each of her chocolate cupcakes with a mini sugar paste of Buckingham Palace. “I tried two first but they didn’t look right, so I printed off a picture and then they were fine.” Unfortunately Maisy didn’t win her category, her Jubilee inspired cupcakes were trumped by another entry, this one decorated like spaghetti and meatballs. The Best in Show award went to Charlie Barkshire from Treats2Eat, with her rose-shaped cake-pops. The event raised an estimated £3,500 for the Childline service and other children’s charities.
The event brought forward some eccentric designs
CHLOE COOK
shopping online but we can’t eat online. Maybe the town centre’s future is more food lead.” This was the first of two workshops at the Durley Dean Hotel. The second workshop took take place on April 24.
Estate agents struggle with large demand Property agents have expressed their efforts to cope with the high demand for property and lettings. Agents across Winton admit to having problems supplying the increased demand placed on them by customers. Demand for lettings is higher than that of property. Cliff Wheatcroft, the director of Real-Est8 property solutions in Winton, said that the market is strong, but the problem is demand. The manager at Palmer Snell in Winton, Simon Spicer, said: “There are more sellers than buyers. More people are into lettings these days, and the lettings go quickly.” Jason Skinner, Partner at Clifftons – Independent Estate Agents & Property Consultants, said they get about 20 calls a day for lettings, but there just aren’t enough to go around. Any available lettings are snapped up within two days. When asked how they manage with the surge in demand, with no new buildings under construction, Skinner simply says: “We have to work hard to survive.” Wheatcroft told The Rock: “We have to go cold knocking from house to house for available properties sometimes.” The agents we spoke to say that demand is balanced between students and families. Buying property in Bournemouth remains a good investment for those who can afford it, considering the huge demand.
news 7
The Rock |Thursday 29 March
Student to carry Olympic flame
Gemma Mullin
A Bournemouth University student has been chosen to carry the Olympic Torch before the games begin this summer. 20-year-old Lisa Marshall, who is in her second year of a Psychology degree, found out last Fridy that she was one of the chosen 8000. “I was amazed when I heard. Even though it was only based on a CRB [Criminal Records Beaureau] check, which I knew I’d pass, I still doubted whether I would get it.
“We weren’t allowed to tell anyone until Monday though so the hardest bit was keeping it a secret because I was just so happy,” she said. Lisa has suffered from cerebral palsy since she was born and after facing a serious of operations to fix the curve in her spine she was nominated by her mum, who said in her nomination statement: “Lisa gives her time to others through volunteering whilst studying at Uni, despite having had three major surgeries in the last four years.” She has handled the operations at some of the most pivotal times in her life, including having her right hip resurfaced during her GCSE’s in July 2008,and then the left one during her AS Levels in November 2009. Last
July she had an operation to have her spine fused, where rods and screws from her neck to her pelvis were put in place. “It’s been a year since my last operation, so it closes that chapter of my life. I want to use this to inspire other people. “I feel like I’m just living my life like a normal person, like going to Uni, but I know that there are people with disabilities that don’t think it’s possible. I want people to see that it is, and you can do what you like.” A special Olympic minibus will pick up Lisa, who is being sponsored by Coca-Cola, along with the other torchbearers where she will go on to carry the Olympic torch in Lowestoft, Suffolk, near her home in
Basildon, Essex on July 5. A week later, on July 13, the torch will arrive in Bournemouth. The torch will be relayed along the route via Wallisdown Roundabout and ending at Bournemouth Pier, before making its next leg of the journey the following day out towards Christchurch. Leader of Bournemouth Borough Council, John Beesley, encourages residents of the Borough to line the streets and enjoy the ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’. “The route announcement is a very proud moment for the town. It has helped to remind everyone that we are just a few short months away from the Olympic torch making a historic visit.”
Olympic torch could cost us £75k Ashley Frazer The Borough of Poole has revealed that its section of the 2012 Olympic torch route could cost Council Tax payers up to £75,000. Officially branded materials such as banners, bunting and flags, which will be displayed throughout the summer, will make up the largest allocation, costing £25,000. £20,000 is also planned to go towards organisation and support for a number of celebrations and sporting events at many of the locations along the route throughout the Olympic period. Events are being shaped by the Borough of Poole, through ongoing engagement with sports clubs, schools and community groups around the area, with activities
at Turlin Moor and Branksome Rec already in the pipeline. It will be the first time in Poole’s history that the Olympic torch will pass through its streets, visiting the communities of Hamworthy, Poole Town, Ashley Cross, Branksome and Wallisdown on July 13. The torch will also be making overnight stops in Weymouth and Bournemouth on July 12 and 13. Cllr Judy Butt, Portfolio Holder for Public Engagement and Participation, said: “It will be a fantastic day for Poole. Communities will come together to celebrate this unique event and there is much to look forward to.” Cllr Butt was also pleased that: “Councillors had decided that this was excellent value of money” having voted through the proposed budget. The torch is due to reach within 10 miles of 95% of the people in the UK, Isle of Man, Guernsey and Jersey.
The 2012 Olympic torch will begin to travel all around the country from the middle of May
JON CANDY
Students support the Olympics Jasmine Allday
As the world waits in anticipation for the 2012 Olympic Games in London, students at Bournemouth University are gearing up for their chance to be involved in what Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, promises will be “the greatest games ever held”. Since London won the bid to host the Olympics back in 2005, organisers have been asking the public to help make the games fantastic. With an anticipated
workforce of around 200,000, and with jobs as diverse as broadcasters to builders, dancers to drummers, there is something for everyone. Twenty-year-old Emily Gloyens, a journalism student, has been selected to dance ballet or hip-hop in the opening ceremony. “There’s a lot of hype around the opening ceremony and a lot of pressure on Britain to live up to Beijing,” she said. A devoted member of Bournemouth University’s dance society, Emily is thrilled to be performing live to an estimated two billion viewers. Psychology student, Chris Frost, has also been selected to dance at the opening ceremony. Encouraged
by his family, he applied for the role back in April. “I have performed in big venues before but nothing quite as big as the Olympics,” he said. It was a long wait, but in September, he was chosen to audition. After gaining a place, he found out he would be rehearsing three times a week – in the midst of his university examinations. The opening ceremony is being put together by Danny Boyle, the director of the Oscar Winning film Slumdog Millionare and preparations are top secret - even to Chris: “It’s so secret that I don’t even know what I’m doing yet. It’s a mystery but that adds to the excitement.” Chris does
not share Emily’s view that the ceremony in the UK needs to live up to Beijing’s. “London will find its own way to show the world what it can do.” Charlotte Blake, another journalism student at the university, is excited to be involved in such a global event. “I applied at 4am, after a bar shift, I didn’t think I had a chance,” she said. After attending a gruelling five days of training in London, where she was one of the only girls in a hostel full of boys, she accepted an offer to become a commentary systems operator. Speaking of the training process, she said: “I was the only trainee journalist there, most
of the people were training to be sound engineers. I had to learn how to operate new equipment.” She is based at the Royal Artillery Barracks for 15 days during the games and her role is to support the commentators with their technical equipment. When asked what she was most looking forward to, she said: “I can’t wait to gain new skills and network within the industry. It’s my way of being part of the Olympics.” As the eyes of the world gaze upon on London this July, the people of Bournemouth University will also be watching to see how a handful of their fellow students support the Olympic Games first-hand.
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The Rock | Thursday 29 March
Win a baby with the IVF lotto Tazz Gault
ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR An IVF lotto could see winners receiving up to £25,000 worth of IVF treatment. The former charity, ‘To Hatch’, has invented the idea of an IVF lottery, where single, married, gay or straight people can buy a £20 ticket to win IVF treatment. The game has sparked a huge debate over its controversial terms and conditions and has yet to be fully launched, hoping that 2012 will be the big year. Once a month, the lotto will offer the chance to become a parent, but it is hoped that this will increase to every fortnight. If the first cycle fails, other possibilities would be taken into consideration, such as donor eggs, surrogate birth or reproductive surgery. “It’s purely luck of the draw,”
said Camille Strachan from London, the founder of the lotto. “Even parents who have previously conceived are free to participate.” Camille set the lotto up due to personal experiences in infertility and IVF treatment. “To be part of something that can help improve the lives of people affected by infertility would be amazing,” said Camille. “One in seven of us have problems with conceiving, so a lottery based system would give those who cannot afford treatment a chance to have a baby.” Infertility is defined as failing to get pregnant after two years of regular unprotected sex, and according to the NHS is the second most common reason for visits to a GP. 84 out of 100 couples will conceive within a year of regular sex, but 3.5 million people in the UK experience fertility problems. “I was just 22 when I started my infertility treatment,” said a 51-yearold mother from Wiltshire, who is now a university lecturer.
“It was 10 years before I successfully conceived my daughter. Whilst it is deeply traumatic for a woman unable to conceive a child, I think more money should be invested in research and treatment rather than the proposed illconsidered ‘win-a-baby’ lottery.” The treatment, as confirmed by Camille, is most likely to take place in America. “The rules on ages, gender and marital status are far more lenient than the UK. Patients can be up to 50 years old in comparison to the average 35 here.” On discovering they have won, the winner would be provided with ‘the ultimate pampering and Concierge Service,’ with travel and accommodation costs covered, a chauffeur driven service and a mobile phone or personal assistant to enable questions to be answered 24/7. ‘Fertility legal advice’ and a ‘luxury hamper’ is also included. “I completely understand the lengths that patients will go to for a baby,” said nurse Rose Johnson*
student body. “I don’t think people quite understand how much work goes into making the student experience really good at the university.” She says she will be working her hardest to make sure students feel they can talk to her about anything, and she will be working hard to fix any complaints. “Students complain and it gets dealt with but it’s so far away from them that they don’t hear anything back for months and it’s just not effective. I think that’s why people end up complaining, stuff is being done but they don’t know about it.” The final-year phycology student seems very level headed about what she wished to achieve next year, she realises that there are creases that need to be smoothed out but also
knows that she will have her work cut out for her. “Hopefully the plans I put in place are not very specific, ‘Ok I’ll get cash machines, well that’s done what are you going to do now?’ It’s more about getting a really solid structure in place, and a really big presence of SUBU.” The 20-year-old says she just wants to make sure that students are having the best time they can while they’re at Bournemouth: “Especially next year when they’re paying £9000, they’re going to be expecting a lot, and they should. It’s more than just their academic experience, there’s all the other aspects as well, they’re going to want lots of options and I’m going to make sure that they’ve got that. “The whole student shout thing
3.5 million people in the UK experience fertility problems RAHEGO from Bournemouth Hospitals’ Infertility Unit. “As awful as it sounds, I think it is unfair that those who accidentally get pregnant can have a child and not appreciate it, whilst some are left struggling for years,” argued Rose. Information on infertility,
relationships and pregnancy can be found at www.to-hatch.co.uk. A documentary was supposed to air in early 2012, but has yet to be confirmed for its rescheduled date. *Names have been changed.
Bryant promises a better union
Jennie Slevin
Student Union President Elect, Louise Bryant says that not enough has been done in previous years to make students care about their student’s union (SU) or what goes on within it. Speaking to The Rock she said: “The sabbaticals should be down here talking directly one on one, which is the plan we’ve got for next year.” Louise thinks that student’s may struggle to care about their SU when they’re not entirely sure what each person there does. She says that the previous full-time officers haven’t made it clear to the
doesn’t work, that’s going to be changed next year there’s going to be something better brought in.” Louise also thinks that the way the SU executive committee is run also needs changing. “There’s going to be a shake up, potentially of the executive committee because we’re aware that some things don’t work.” Louise, who works at The Old Fire Station alongside her degree, says that throughout her election campaign, she remained very honest and tried not to use any gimmicks. “I just had a chat with them, especially the people who had decided they didn’t want to vote or couldn’t be bothered, I explained why it was worth them having a say and why I think if they voted I’d be a good candidate.”
NUS ‘come clean’ week provokes change
Aiden Dunford
An NUS ‘Come Clean‘ week has prompted Bournemouth University to reconsider aspects of university life, following damning statistics regarding hidden fees. The NUS campaign urged students to walk out in protest, prompting the BU students’ union, SUBU, to stage a ‘talk out’ with university officials, including Vice Chancellor John Vinney.
A survey of Bournemouth University students showed that nearly one third are facing expensive hidden fees within their course. NUS President Liam Burns, said: “It cannot be fair that academic success is dictated by how much disposable cash you have.” The talk was held at the university on Monday March 12, where students and staff attended to question university officials about matters ranging from course costs to contact hours. Third year student and next year’s Student Union President Louise
Bryant put staff on the spot when revealing she had only one hour per unit per week, with some units not involving seminars. Dean of Design, Engineering and Computing Jim Roach responded to this, telling Bryant staff changes were to blame. He said: “Please appreciate the time lag. I would also add there is the opportunity to attend seminars, however some students don’t take advantage of this.” Students were also keen to know how Lansdowne, home of many student halls, would develop further
in the near future. John Vinney revealed that a six year plan would see the high quality campus at Bournemouth University emulated at Lansdowne. He said: “The library at the Talbot campus is, at present, the academic heart of BU. “The Lansdowne campus is being worked on, and we want engagement with professionals available at all campuses.” Murray Simpson, student and vice-president of education, revealed his course costs were set to rise to £8,200. He asked if there would also be an increase in hidden course fees.
John Vinney said: “Bournemouth University is not there to make profit, we invest back into resources and we are transparent about our costs. “There are plans to spend £30million over the next 6 years to improve facilities.” Jim Roach supported this and explained exactly where the money would be spent. Roach said: “This will include providing better learning spaces, specialist labs and e-resources across the range of schools we have at the university.”
10 news
Thursday 29 March | The Rock
Sarkozy: Can he do it again?
Sam Thomson NEWS EDITOR
Nicolas Sarkozy’s Union for the Popular Movement may not be so popular after all. “Sarko”, as he is not so affectionately called has led the country since 2007, coming to power in the wake of Jacques Chirac, one of France’s most unpopular politicians. Much of the popularity that the Conservative president had has now also faded. In his time, Sarkozy has made some embarrassing mistakes – from inviting Colonel Gaddafi to visit, to faking images of himself at the fall of the Berlin Wall. Gaffes aside, his politics have also raised eyebrows on the world stage. He has capped tax bills for the rich, vowed to expel Romani Gypsies from France and backed a controversial ban on veils for Muslim women. On top of all this, his famed celebrity lifestyle has alienated ordinary voters, especially at a time of global economic crisis. Despite playing an important role on the European stage, and forming close bonds with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, as well as a successful military intervention in Libya and repairing a fallout with the UK, it’s too little too late for Nicolas Sarkozy. He now faces very stiff
competition from the other candidates. It is not clear who he will be facing in the second round of presidential elections but Socialist Party candidate François Hollande set to be his main rival. However, senior lecturer in Global Current Affairs at Bournemouth University, Dr Roman Gerodimos is sceptical about an imminent change in French politics if Hollande is victorious: “I haven’t been persuaded that Hollande and the socialists have an alternative plan. One of the reasons why Europe is in such a mess is because the European Social Democrats [the left-wing contingent of the European Parliament] have failed to come up with an alternative plan to deal with the economic situation. Hollande is well read and has got some ideas, but I don’t think he’s prepared for the reality of French or European problems.” The other frontrunner is far-right National Fro nt candidate Marine Le Pen. Her father, Jean-Marie Le Pen came close to the Presidency himself in 2002, when he got through to the second round of elections. Concern is growing about the rise of the far-right across Europe, according to Dr Gerodimos, victory for the National Front seems unlikely. “The possibility of Le Pen going into the second round seems very slight at this stage, unless something really big happens between now and the first round. But a week is a long time
in politics. The reason Jean-Marie Le Pen got to the second round in 2002 was because the Socialist Party completely misunderstood what was happening in society and their leader Lionel Jospin was a good politician but a bad tactician and campaigner.” So how safe is Nicolas Sarkozy? Not very, as Dr Gerodimos said, but he will still be difficult to beat. “What few people take into account is the difference between the two rounds of elections. In the second round, the two frontrunners go head to head, and you can’t predict who will vote for which candidate. If it’s Sarkozy against Hollande, I’ve heard that not all of Le Pen’s supporters will vote for Sarkozy – some of them will vote for Hollande because they can’t stand Sarkozy. The hatred between the right and the far-right is so deep that Le Pen’s supporters will vote for Hollande, even though he’s a socialist, which is crazy.” For now, the election is very close to call. Evidently, the man who recently had to hide from protesters in a pub for two hours has a long way to go to secure a second presidential term. That said, there is hope for the beleagured president in the shredwest sense. If he can lead a nation in mourning after last week’s massacre in Toulouse, he could turn opinion polls around. Though Sarkozy briefly stopped campaigning as a mark of respect, the gesture will have won support.
Sarkozy’s political safety is not guaranteed
thrown away and left in bin bags to use for their own use, saving it from waste. Tom Bromley, a student studying Business Management at Bournemouth University managed to pick up some of the food that was thrown away as rubbish. “We found ham, fruit, sandwiches, bread and ready meals. There was easily enough for three days food,” said Tom. Around 17 million tonnes of surplus food is dumped on landfills every year, costing £18million annually, which would be enough to feed the population of Hungary
which is 10,008,703 for a month. Stuart Booth, chef and co-worker at Bournemouth homeless shelter argued that supermarkets need to “step up some more to help out”. When asked about the possibility of workers slyly giving away food, he replied: “I know for a fact that things happen that shouldn’t, but proving it is another matter. “More supermarket donations would really benefit the charity in helping people back to society, rather than it being viewed as waste. It would help many charities,” argued Stuart. The estimated number of homeless
people in Bournemouth ranges from between 100 and 800. The problem is not always at the supermarket end, and can also be found at the manufacturing stage. “Every time a product is trialed at my company, 500kg batches are made, each flavour three times over,’ said a product development manager for a local company. This equates to 24,000kg of waste due to the 16 potential flavours: “I think the cost is criminal, and I would be much happier if there was a way to prevent it,” she argued. Binned food has continued to be spotted outside the store.
Exclusive illustration for The Rock SAM MATTACOTT
The new supermarket sweep Tazz Gault
ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR
Edible supermarket wastage is being handed out to those in need without managers’ knowledge. A Tesco in the Bournemouth area has been throwing out quality, fresh food as rubbish, but allowing those in need and passers-by to take it. A worker at the Bournemouth store has been seen allowing people to take the bags of food
Students warned over Easter break security A word of warning to students going home for the Easter break. Burglary happens in the UK every 37 seconds, and that in January, 71 burglaries were reported to police in Bournemouth? Student properties are common targets, especially during the
holidays because of poor security features and plenty of valuable contents left inside. Student Emily Gloyens, 20 knows only too well. Her student house in Charminster is one the 7% of UK homes which has been burgled 3 times. Speaking to The Rock, she told
us that getting her landlord to fix the problem wasn’t easy. “Our house wasn’t very secure. The locks on the door weren’t very strong and there weren’t any at all on the windows. “Our landlord wasn’t much help. When the Police Investigators carried
out checks on our house, they said it was too easy to break into. The police sent our landlord a report of all the places where security was lacking, but it took him a long time to do anything about it, Students going home for the Easter break are advised to
take their valuables with them. Alternatively, Dorset Police suggest hiding valuables in unusual places to outwit burglars and to hide laptops, money and jewellery in rooms other than the bedroom, which is usually the first port of call for burglars.
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The Rock | Thursday 29 March
Tesco slip up sold iPad for £49.99 Tazz Gault
ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR A computer glitch caused the new iPad 3 to be up for sale for £49.99 on Tesco’s website. The new generation tablet was launched earlier this month, but the 4G 64GB model was seen at this price days earlier. Tesco have said that they will not honour any transactions as it was due to an ‘IT error’ and will actually be priced at £659, which is more than ten times the price first advertised. “We always look to offer our customers unbeatable value, but unfortunately there was an IT error on the site which has now been corrected,” said a spokesman for Tesco. “Most of our customers realised that this was an obvious mistake, but we apologise for any inconvenience caused.” Many customers have been left disappointed and angry by the decision made. “A group of us were discussing
the pros and cons of trying to buy an iPad at such a cheap price, but failed to find a con,” said Alastair Duncan, 32, a farm manager. “Our only concern was whether Tesco could take a larger amount of money if they wanted to.” Alastair and his friends all successfully purchased an iPad 3 and received confirmation emails shortly afterwards, but were later told that it would not be honoured. “We all received what we class as the ‘up yours’ email from Tesco the next day between 5 and 6pm. I’m pretty sure if they over priced an item, they would say, ‘well, you agreed to pay that for it’. “We all feel pretty aggrieved.” Within Tesco Direct’s terms and conditions, it states that if an item is under priced by mistake then they are not liable to supply it, as long as they have informed the customer before the item is dispatched. Other incidents where pricing errors have occured at Tesco include buying three boxes of alcohol for £11 when they were intended to be sold for £20, and Terry’s Chocolate Oranges selling for 29p instead of the reccomended £2.75.
An iPad usually sells for approximately £650
MASAAKI KOMOIRI
Why resort missed out on city status Izzy Williams
Bournemouth lost out on being granted city status last week after a competition in aid of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee saw Chelmsford, Perth and St Asaph walk away with the accolade. The location was among 26 other towns competing for the status, after applying for the competition last May. The announcement on Wednesday surprised residents after a YouGov survey had mapped it as a sure thing. It was only recently that Bournemouth received an award for having the ‘Best Beach in the UK’ which stretches seven miles. But the bid to become city status marks a pivotal point in Bournemouth’s development as a major holiday resort. Roger Guttridge, a Dorsetbased historian and author, is well researched in the changes Bournemouth has undergone since its beginnings as a deserted heathland. He said: “If you go back around 200 years, Bournemouth was ideal for smuggling, but not a lot else really. My own ancestors were among the smugglers who came to Bournemouth beach to land cargo, mainly brandy, in the 18th Century.” Before the building of a railway line in 1870, the town was a little known resort. It was hard to
Bournemouth is a popular resort and tourist destination MARUFISH access and relatively obscure in the landscape of Britain. The railway line transported Londoners from a smog-clad city to a tranquil beach, and Bournemouth’s prominence as a symbolic British base was established. “The real take-off was when the railway arrived. At first Bournemouth was considered too small to have a railway, so if you wanted to visit you had to come via Christchurch or Poole. When the railway did arrive, that’s when it became a fast-growing holiday resort,” said Gutteridge. Bournemouth quickly became a haven for not only the affluent but those in search of a health kick,
a facet still recognised through statistics revealing Bournemouth resident’s life expectancies to surpass national averages. “Bournemouth became famous as a resort for people with chest complaints, and of course this was the great era of tuberculosis so those who could afford it used to come from the cities and industrial smog to try and recover from these health problems. That was its original appeal,” he said. The Second World War marked a period of tourist decline for the town. However, with a growing population as the surrounding suburbs expand further, Dorset became a settling place for the
older generation. A 2009 survey revealed that Dorset was home to two of the oldest populated areas in the country. “Bournemouth used to be known as the bath-chair capital – it’s also been saddled with a label of being associated with invalids – and it’s taken a long time to shed that image. “But I think it has lived that down, its reputation now is allnight drinking. Perhaps it’s gone the other way.” Since the building of a busy University in 1992, a town renowned for being a calm, retiring haven has seen a culture clash as flocks of students migrate to the sunny, party town. More than 25,000 students now reside in the town every year. Bournemouth is currently the largest settlement in Dorset, with a population of more than 160,000. “The university increased the status of the town considerably,” said Gutteridge. “It’s created a lot of employment and generated a lot of income”. “I don’t think the university has negatively affected Bournemouth. I don’t think Bournemouth is any worse or any different to anywhere else in the UK.” Twitter last week resonated with the question that was on everybody’s mind – why didn’t Bournemouth get city status and will it ever? Gutteridge said Bournemouth is yet to be established enough to receive such an honour. “I don’t know if there’s anything that sets it apart from large towns. It’s a new town, only 200 years old.”
Race for life speeds ahead The Race for Life team have already passed the one thousand people mark in their bid to get 9,500 entrants for it’s races in Bournemouth and Poole.. Cancer Research’s annual Race for Life consists of two 5km races carried out first along the Bournemouth seafront on the June 17 and again a week later in Poole. Rachel White, Race for Life South area events manager, has confirmed that 1,658 out of the 6,000 places available for the Bournemouth race have been filled, and 1,107 out of the 3,500 in Poole. The event has become a national success and has attracted women of all ages to take part and raise money for Cancer Research in the UK. Even though numbers are successful, Helen Johnston from the Central South Cancer Research Department urges more people to get involved. She said “People come back because of how inspired they feel after running the race, and by the people around them. “The thing about Race for Life is that it is for women only, but men can come along and volunteer and show their support as well.”
Bournemouth to run out of phone numbers Ofcom have confirmed that it will soon be compulsory to dial the ‘01202’ area code to make a local call. The change has been proposed to come into effect on November 1 2012 and is designed to “safeguard the future supply of landline numbers in the Bournemouth area.” Ofcom say: “This change in dialling behaviours enables us to release new numbers for use without requiring any change to existing phone numbers. “Dialling the full number will not affect the cost of the call.” The Bournemouth area will be the first area code in which the change will be implemented. Ofcom forecast that they would run out of 01202 numbers to allocate by the end of 2014 if they do not take action. Ofcom say that their aim is “to safeguard the future supply of landline numbers to ensure that a lack of numbers does not prevent consumers and businesses from enjoying the wide choice of telecom providers and services.” Bournemouth Borough Council will help to raise awareness of the change, but are unsure of what the implications will be. Councillor John Beesley, leader of the Council said: “Although I have been involved in discussions, I regret that I do not feel qualified to comment on the proposals at this stage until the implications have become fully clear.”
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Thursday 29 March | The Rock
Bournemouth becomes home to world’s biggest deckchair Harriet Rose-Gale
DEPUTY NEWS EDITOR An enormous deckchair, thought to be the world’s largest, appeared overnight on Bournemouth beach last week. The red and white striped chair, constructed by 57-year-old sculptor
Max Horwood, 19
The steel construction weighs almost 6 tonnes SAEED RASHID
“I think it’s really fascinating and really looks Photoshopped in pictures. It’s quite surreal, but I do think it would be better if it was art work, rather than an advert – that would make it more interesting.”
Stuart Murdoch, was spotted by beachgoers on Thursday March 22. At 8.5 metres tall and 5.5 metres wide the chair is more than double the size of a coach and took approximately three weeks to make. The quintessentially British deckchair was commissioned by drinks company Pimms and weighs almost six tonnes, making it heavier than a fully grown elephant.
Katy Bowman, 19 “I like it a lot and wish we could get much closer. As it’s an advert, it would be nice for Pimms to be sold around it too and make it an even bigger attraction. It’s fascinating how everyone has been talking about it.”
It graced the Bournemouth sands Sunday March 25 and was enjoyed by the hundreds of beachgoers that hit the Dorset coast last weekend. The arrival of the chair could not have been timed better - the weekend saw temperatures hit 20 degrees. The Rock hit the beach and asked those lapping up the sunshine what they thought of the gigantic deckchair.
Mike Phillips, 64 “It is absolutely fantastic! I don’t believe it’s intrusive at all, and it’s brilliant how no one has abused it. It is so unique, it definitely doesn’t detract from the beach and is much better than the usual bouncy castles!”
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OPINION
The Rock | Thursday 29 March
Editorial When private parts become public property
Julia Denni
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Sex tapes have been a useful tool in the lives of many celebrities: Pamela Ander-
son, Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian – to only mention a few. Now Tulisa Contostavlos, the 23-yearold X-Factor judge, appeared online with an anonymous set of male private parts. Since the privates went public their owner has been named and shamed. Tulisa is now suing an ex-boyfriend for breach of confidence. In this edition of The Rock, the issue of privacy is examined in detail as we explore the issue of cyber-bullying. Twenty years ago, a celebrity’s sex life might have been the subject of a few whispers amongst her friends and
enemies but we now live in an age when any indiscretion can enter the digital universe for eternity in the click of a mouse. The digital age means it is possible to see your friends on the other side of the planet every morning with Skype, text people during court cases, or chat on your mobile as you walk your dog on Bournemouth beach. Singer Annie Lennox refuses to go on Twitter, because she says it is stalking yourself. George Clooney’s father Nick, a journalist and campaigner, says that privacy is now dead. Tulisa’s video was posted week before
her debut single was released. Was this violation of privacy, or a shrewd 21st century marketing move? While her former boyfriend Justin Edwards is fighting back saying she is behind the scandal, I felt sorry for Tulisa when she appeared in a modest self-produced video in the tamed light of her apartment – to apologise – not for her acts but for the intimate video being released. Tulisa underlined that she isn’t ashamed to enjoy sex, but I sympathise with her, because even in the digital age some things – especially private parts – should never be made public.
relationship. The UK enjoys unparalleled links with the US intelligence service, not to mention close military ties with the two nations fighting side by side in countless wars and conflicts over the last 100 years. With all the charm and sense of self-importance the Brits may get from being flattered by the most powerful nation on the planet, the decline in our world standing over the last fifty years cannot be ignored. Britain can no longer rely on her own military reach or economic strength. The fact we enjoy close ties with America is a privilege, but it is a position put at risk by our increasing global economic irrelevance. Markets such as Brazil, India and China that are emerging, or have already emerged, are quickly pushing Britain further into the background. It seems there is little option for the future of Britain to remain a significant player on the world stage - unless it surrenders sovereignty to the only organisation able to form a realistic global competitor to the
giant economies of the world. That organisation is the European Union. In 2005 Britain’s economy was larger than all but three other nations - US, Japan and Germany. Less then ten years on we have slipped to seventh , having been overtaken by China, France and most recently Brazil. Counting the EU as a whole, the World Economic Outlook Database says it is the largest economy in the world. For this reason we should be clamouring to be at the centre of the organisation. Soon the calls for our position as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, the ultimate symbol of political power and influence, will be questioned. How can it continue to be justified that regions such as Africa and South America go completely unrepresented whilst a country in comparative economic decline, whose best days are fifty plus years behind it, continues to occupy a seat at the table?
Submission to the European project would allow Britain to pursue foreign policy to suit our agenda rather than taking our lead from America. If Britain wants to continue to be considered a major player on the world stage its only chance is being at the heart of Europe.
they were ignorant, cynical sadists, I began to wonder why I felt so passionately about something I’d only just been introduced to. During the thirty-minute plea, I felt fear, sorrow, admiration and inspiration but above all I thought his son was adorable. Just like the young boy in the film, I was new to the subject and felt I could relate to his naivety. But unlike a child, I didn’t want to be spoon-fed one side of the situation. Counter arguments focused on the campaigns unconventional approach and finance faux pas. Some seceptical bloggers have come out with bold and unsubstantiated claims that the true aim of the campaign is to access Uganda’s oil reserves for example.
Last year, the organization spent over $8million and only 32% went to direct services according to their public spending review. I understand raising awareness can be expensive, especially when it’s aimed at a global audience. However, the charity Oxfam has assets of over £80million pounds, with £45million of it sat in the bank. Charities are businesses and it is ignorant to believe that all donations have a direct route to solving the issue. If that’s what you’re after, I recommend handing over the money in person, but that would include travel, accommodation and other necessary costs. We are bombarded on a regular
basis with media footage of those less fortunate than ourselves, which inspires us to save the world one pound at a time, including one standard call cost from any mobile or landline and so on and so forth. Despite a squeeze on income, 79% of Britons give money to a charity each month and were ranked fifth on the World Giving Index in 2011. When donating, I feel a sensation of pride that I’ve ‘put money to good use’ but now I doubt myself and the charities I support. Don’t be driven into an investment without determining the interest gained from paying out, it’s good to give but know who the receiver is. Don’t be blinded by tactical tears.
Britain is in the wrong ‘special relationship’ Aaron Golightly COLUMNIST
Porn
The feminist view of the internet rage
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Tweet beat
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David Cameron: the world's first pay-per-view Prime Minister.
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@charltonbrooker
ohillrocks@gmail.com
The so-called special relationship is easy to mock. Few don’t sneer with contempt during these sycophantic joint press conferences, given whenever the President of the United States meets our own elected head of government. As much as we may snicker and deride, the relationship between the US and Britain is, as Obama put it himself, essential. America has a special relationship with many other nations. Canada, Ireland and Israel to name but a few. However, there are few countries with whom their relationship could be described as essential. Britain is the biggest importer of US goods in Europe and the fifth largest in the world. However this, and other economic purposes, is not the sole reason for the essential
Cry me a campaign Robyn Montague COLUMNIST
It’s hard to see where your money goes when tears distort the bigger picture. With over a 160,000 registered charities in the UK alone, what convinces us to pay the pledge? After reading and taking part in countless debates arguing for and against the recent viral video ‘KONY 2012’, I noticed my reaction was fuelled by the emotive, well made film, rather than the understanding behind it. As I typed away furiously trying to convince the opposition that
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Thursday 29 March | The Rock
Porn is sex’s worst enemy Chloe Cook COLUMNIST
I hate porn. I don’t watch it and I would never go out with someone who did. I expressed this sentiment to a friend’s boyfriend once who then asked - “but what do you masturbate to?” That right there says it all. Porn has become the standard for getting yourself off and that scares me. I’m no prude. I’ve been to my fair share – and maybe a few others’ shares – of Ann Summers parties. But our generation has become so fixated on pornography that we can’t recognise real sex even if it’s staring them right in the cave of wonders. Raquel Welsh paved the way for a more sexualised society in 1966 when she appeared in the film One Million Years BC wearing a fur bikini. It was pretty shocking at the time, but tame compared to stars in Hollywood films today. Ms Welsh recently hit out
against porn saying that it is, “ruining us with all the explanations and the graphicness. Nobody remembers what it’s like to be left to form your own ideas about what’s erotic and sexual.” She’s right. Porn feeds us a narrow view of what’s sexy and fuels industries that are based around looking like a porn star. You get your boobs done. You get waxed and vajazzled. Some women even undergo labiaplastys – operations where the labia is cut and sewn so it looks neater. According to the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 1,118 women had this surgery on the NHS in 2008. This was a 70% increase from the previous year. None of these actions actually serve any real purpose. Will a few rhinestones above your vajayjay make your orgasms last longer? Will fake and potentially poisonous implants make them more intense? That’s what sex comes down to – the actual pleasure. What you see on your laptop screen is staged and just plain bad. It teaches nothing about mutual
enjoyment. The porn industry is breeding an army of ill-prepared and misguided young men and throwing them into a battle that they’re destined to lose. Now that’s not fair on anybody. There is a movement against this though. Filmmakers like Erica Lust and Anna Span make ‘feminist’ porn for women, with real orgasms using ‘normal’ people. After all, porn isn’t inheritably sexist. In its basic form it’s just two people gettin’ busy. However I can’t help thinking that this kind of filmmaking is just a kneejerk reaction to the mainstream porn that degrades and defiles women. You can dress it up and give it fancy ‘feminist’ titles but the films still dictate what you should like sexually – which is exactly the problem. So no, I wouldn’t go out with a guy who watches porn. If you’re into demeaning sexual acts against women – which is what some porn boils down to – then you’re probably not going to respect me much. That’s not cool with me and it definitely shouldn’t be cool with you.
In 2010, 13% of web searches were for erotic content RACHEOCITY
you’ll more than likely need me to explain (or use a crayon to draw a pretty picture). In essence it’s the same as any other greedy, selfish, fame-obsessed nonsense. To make it the producers took the ‘X-Factor’ blue prints, photocopied them and then added some glorified computer chairs to keep Mr Cowell off thier backs. We already have well over one hundred televised ‘I’m an overweight pop dancer on ice with talent and a ridiculous name’ competitions in the UK and that is a true fact. Probably. What’s different about this show is that the judges are as just a mixed bag as the contestants. There’s a Welsh knight, a girl from
Essex, an American with punctuation in his name and an Irish nobody. I can only think that they must have got really desperate when the latter member of the panel was chosen. As I endured a segment of the programme in order to gather enough ammunition to slate it, it turned out that for the first time since 2009 when I decided to grow my hair long, I was wrong about something. If you’re wondering why that hair style was a poor decision just picture the top part of a muffin on my head and there’s your answer. It seems ‘The Voice’ is actually all about the singing and not anything at all to do with the fact that some
of the people on there have got seriously bushy eye brows and are engaged to their own cousin. Here is a talent show that’s truly about skill, with an unbiased heart and that’s brilliant. Well it’s interesting if nothing else. Actually I’m sceptical to be perfectly honest because I don’t think the already overcrowded world of music has room for a minger. You might think that I’m being harsh and disrespectful to individuals who have taken a fair beating from the ugly stick but in reality that’s the way it works and even I know that. Rightly or wrongly this industry isn’t just about being able to
reach that high note or having the guts to perform in front of a live audience – like anything in life you need the whole package. Becoming a successful artist means fame, and fame attracts the kinds of trashy gossip magazines that my sister reads like vultures to a carcass. Unfortunately having the appearance of two week old road kill will get these dreadfully vain publications swarming in no time. This is a shame as despite being a horrible person I never like to see anyone being knocked for having a go or shunned because they don’t fit the mould. Unless they are properly awful that is, then I hurl as much abuse as I deem appropriate.
is ironically anything but equal. And the reason being for this inequality? Independent schools. In other words, the fancy name usually given to an outstanding school whose student population usually consists of children who are blessed by the bank of mum and dad, courtesy of an average termly fee reaching over £5000. Quite simply, the mere existence of these fee-paying schools is the reason why only a privileged minority of people are the ones who frequently rise to the top. Just 7% of children are educated privately. These individuals who are lucky enough to have an Etonquality education under their belts are undoubtedly no longer in the minorities when their time comes
for university. Research shows that students who attend private schools are 55 times more likely to win a place at the two most prestigious UK universities, Oxford and Cambridge, than students who attend comprehensive schools and receive free school meals. This is unsurprising considering the wonders a generous bank account can bring to a child’s education. Children who are educated privately undoubtedly have a huge advantage over the majority of the population who attend state schools. Better facilities and smaller class sizes are two straightforward features of a private school which help secure their pupils a ticket to some of the most selective universities. Around one in eight
children in English comprehensives are crammed into classes of more than 30. If we then compare this to the private sector where there is on average one teacher per ten pupils, it’s no wonder the posh kids snatch the places at Oxbridge. As you would expect, those from independent schools are greedily hogging positions in the professions too. It’s been found that 70% of judges, 54% of leading journalists and 32% of MPs went to fee paying schools. Again, the sons and daughters of loaded parents who have been fortunate enough to have attended one of these success-breeding schools only account for 7% of the British population. What we should all find even
more alarming is dark truth behind the Tory government that currently pull the strings of our country. Over half of these MPs attended an independent school. If these statistics reveal anything, they really do unveil the ugly side of our so called ‘representative’ UK Parliament. Why then would any wealthy parent want to send their child to a bog standard comprehensive? The alternative, if you can afford it, is to secure their loved one a place at a private school which can almost guarantee outstanding results. The answer’s simple - they wouldn’t. However, if we abolish private schools, the unfair system whereby mummy and daddy’s bank account is often the ultimate passport to success may well be abolished too.
Talent show fails as game changer Oliver Hill
OPINIONS EDITOR As I’m too tight to pay the licence fee, TV is a rare treat. So, you can imagine my stark horror and disgust to find that another bloody talent show has landed this week. In case you’re as cheap as I am and don’t have a television either, I’ll give you a brief run-down of what happens – although I’m not sure it’s strictly necessary given the evidence already provided. Saying that, if you are the sort of person who allows themself to get caught up on naff shows then
Private schools are an assult on our democracy Adele Couchman COLUMNIST
Britain, a nation proudly associated with being the ‘mother of all democracies’. As well as this alleged strong democratic nature, the optimistic image of Britain as a classless society has undoubtedly been a picture frequently painted by many UK politicians. In reality, these two cheerful assumptions really are a little too good to be true in a society where class really does matter, especially when it comes to education. Despite equality being the core value of any decent democratic system, Britain’s education system
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The Rock| Thursday 29 March
Vs An issue of mice against men Adele Couchman COLUMNIST
Animal testing, a topic that is no stranger to controversy. Since the day it began, the revolutionary act of testing vaccines and products on animals has been a delight to the world’s scientists, yet a disgrace to any self-proclaimed animal lover. According to the myths, animal testing is nothing but a savage process involving millions of cuddly creatures undergoing torturous conditions. In reality, mild procedures such as taking blood and urine samples mean that animals are not always rigorously tested on as popularly assumed. Another belief is that lab animals suffer in the name of human vanity. Yet the facts prove otherwise considering that animal testing on cosmetic products is banned in the UK. Surely then, we should be proud to live in a nation that deems an animal’s pain for the sake of a piece of makeup or hair product immoral. We should also never underestimate the vital role animal testing has played in the development of medical treatments that still remain crucial to our health. Cancer, HIV drugs, blood transfusions and the vast majority of medical treatments couldn’t have been attained without research on lab animals. UK regulation remains strict and requires that alternatives to animal testing should be used whenever possible. Yet despite the alternatives, many scientists believe that they aren’t adequate enough to replace a whole organism. For medical progress to continue, we must therefore be able to conduct animal research. Sadly, no matter how cute these creatures are, they are a real necessity for the continuing advancement of the lifesaving medicine we take for granted today.
Who do you agree with?
Lotte Baldwin COLUMNIST
tweet us at @BournemouthRock with your views
Exclusive illustration for The Rock Animal testing is one of those big debates that sorts the men from the bunny huggers SAM MATTACOTT
I’m not naive to the fact that new drugs need to be tested on something, but come on, we live in the 21st century. Animal testing should be becoming a thing of the past but sadly, it is still common practice amongst most institutions. If a human were forced to undergo a drug trial without informed consent, the Metropolitan Police and the media would have a field day. Yet put an animal in the same situation and no one seems to bat an eyelid. There was probably a mouse somewhere that was injected with some kind of concoction wanting to say: “Get that needle away from me! Seriously, not again!” Don’t you want to say that when a needle is heading in your direction? These animals need a voice that has to be heard, and that is why animal activists should be praised. Besides, what are the chances that a human is going to have the same reaction as a mouse or cat? I’d say, quite slim. We live in a world full of technology, so computer modelling which actually applies to the human body can be the alternative. Let’s not forget that after all the prodding and probing, these animals suffer pain and discomfort, then get killed off and discarded - once they have served their purpose. The compassion of the human race knows no bounds. Here’s the icing on the cake. Scientists involved in the testing say this is OK because it’s beneficial for human welfare. In fact there is a good chance that most substances that are tested do not get prescribed to the general public, and some cases do not meet approval at all. All these animals died for no reason. In my eyes, this ‘trial and error’ is just another way of saying ‘unnecessary murder’.
Fortnight fight for Fairtrade rights Jessica Long COLUMNIST
The Fairtrade fortnight, which ran from February 27 until March 11, is aimed to make us think ethically when we shop. The campaign also hoped to increase sales of fair trade products and raise awareness about trade justice. Celebrities such as Alistair McGowan and Simon Webbe pledged their fair trade step, and encouraged Great Britain to do the same to help the 1.2 million families who currently benefit worldwide from the Fairtrade organisation.
But for both consumers and farmers, how fair is fair trade? For the consumer, fair trade food can have up to a 50% mark up on non-fair trade food. I know that when I’m in a supermarket I don’t even bother looking to see if the bananas I am picking up are printed with the Fairtrade sticker. I just get whatever is cheapest. In this economic climate I can’t afford to take my morals shopping, and I wouldn’t think most of the country could either. The real problem with fair trade though, is that it is not fair to anyone but the big businesses. I feel in some cases using the Fairtrade sticker as a superficial label, to give what seems an ethical
stamp of approval, is failing to live up to standards in many other areas. It is especially not fair to the smaller farmers who would benefit from the Fairtrade organisation much more than the large industrial plantations they help. I feel it is time that supermarkets such as Tesco take some responsibility upon themselves and start their own fair trade movement. With their co-operate power they could have more success in making fair trade fair, and maybe succeed in getting some of these above the poverty line. In the grand scheme of things, it doesn’t really matter if I myself buy fair trade goods or not. In the past year fair trade sales have gone up 12% and Britain is
the largest seller of fair-traded products. The larger developed nations of this earth need to look at their
trading habits, most notably across the Atlantic. If the USA starts trading fairly it could maybe spread globaly.
Britain is the largest seller of fair traded products SHAREDINTEREST
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The Rock | Thursday 29 March
Flatworms could give humans the key towards immortality Joshua Saunders COLUMNIST
The American columnist Herb Caen once reasoned: “The only thing wrong with immortality is that it tends to go on forever.” Despite this, humanity’s quest to avoid the coal-cloaked, scythewielding skeleton continues on. Every day we are inundated by tips to sidestep the aging process, from cosmetics for covering wrinkles, to moisturisers that make your eyes twinkle. Even in the world of art, Oscar Wilde’s vanity fixated Dorian Gray sought longevity through concealing his soul in a painting. More recently, Jay-Z and Mr Hudson have become obsessed with remaining ‘Forever Young’. But sadly the truth is time’s ticking, and there’s not a lot anyone can do about it. It may surprise you to read that just over 100 years ago, the average
life expectancy was a mere 31 years, and now in 2012 it’s over double that. However, all may not be lost. Death’s waiting room could soon be barren if the mysteries of a wriggly regenerating worm, called the Schmidtea mediterranea, can be translated to mankind. Deep in the laboratories of Nottingham University, scientists are eagerly examining flatworms in the hope of unlocking the secret behind the animals’ ability to regenerate. The lake-dwelling flatworm is able to split itself in two and regrow the other, genetically identical, living half, meaning that slicing a large flatworm 20 times would result in as many new flatworms forming. Please note, this does not work on normal worms from your garden, so this is not a DIY or ‘Here’s one I made earlier’ moment. The lab that they are working from has a colony of 20,000 copies all generated from the same original worm over four years. Tragically, most of the cylinder-
shaped creepy crawlies only survive a year, due to thair being highly susceptible to infection. The trick to its immortality lies within telomeres – the body clock cap located at the ends of chromosomes. For humans, these shorten over time, preventing cells from dividing and renewing. By understanding the key to slowing down the aging of these telomeres, scientists aim to grow hearts, livers and brain cells, all from within the confines of a dish; as well as developing drugs capable of staving off diseases suffered by those attaining old age. Until scientists unveil the way to ‘cheat death’ and thus live forever, playwright Jean Giraudoux left the powerful message that the key may lie with changing your outlook: “A man has only one way of being immortal on earth: he has to forget he is a mortal.” Then again, Giraudoux died in 1944 so what does he know?
the fat girl went for a run, and it resulted in the same consequence. As soon as the clock struck I would be right back in front of the screen, but now, as a compensation for my grand socializing effort, I would sit one extra hour; without any more thoughts about family dinners. Therein lies the problem. Yes, people will participate in earth
hour – much like I participated in the family dinner, and the girl went for her run. But unless she really starts caring about her weight, and goes for a run more often than she has cake, the single run itself will not get her any thinner. On the contrary - it will give her the sense of justification she needs to eat even more.
Earth Hour removes the guilt we need to care Robin Gustafsson COLUMNIST
Earth Hour, March 31, the one time when the human race comes together as one and takes a joint step towards mending the gaping wound that is the environment – or so they like to think. You see, when the one-hour is over, Mother Nature is still bleeding under the bandages and the only thing that has been mended is the participants’ feeling of guilt. As everyone who has glanced over the mathematics has undoubtedly realised, it would take 168 years’ worth of Earth Hours to give us one extra week - roughly put. We all understand this, and yet we all feel a sense of pride after just 60 minutes. In my eyes, mankinds’ relationship with the environment is like that hefty girl we all know, the one who insists on wearing tight
clothes even though it’s obvious she can’t bear it up. Earth Hour, on the other hand, is that one-day when the girl actually goes for a run. She knows that just one run won’t make her fit better into her clothes, we all do. Despite this insight, she will update her Facebook, proclaiming how proud she is of herself for going through with it. After that, she is likely to ‘reward’ herself with some good (read: unhealthy) food, effectively nullifying any impact the run actually had on her waistline. But the guilt is gone. I know the WWF does not consider Earth Hour a campaign to save 60 minutes of energy but rather to raise awareness of, and get people involved in, sustainable ways of living on earth. If only the common man would interpret it the same way. As it stands, some households neglect the environmental aspect completely, my family being a prime example. My mum would use the switching-off of the electricity as an opportunity to drag my sister and I away from our computers so we could all have a family dinner for once. For me, this gave the same sense of accomplishment as when
The simple concept that has rapidly gone worldwide
EARTHHOUR
A problem that keeps sticking around
Drew Hollinshead COLUMNIST
It’s everywhere. It’s on the pavement, under chairs and tables and smeared in carpet. It’s disgusting. When you take your shoes off and realise there’s gum stuck in the groove of the sole of your shoe. It really is one of life’s crappy moments. Yes I admit, I am guilty of having stuck chewing gum under my desk at school. My childhood favourite ‘Hubba Bubba’, seemed to turn to concrete once pressed in. However, I am no longer a chew and stick offender, I pride myself with wrapping up the gum in the shiny foil paper it is so delicately presented in, and then I throw it in the bin like I’m Michael Jordan. It horrifies me to know it has been estimated that every minute the UK spends £300 on trying to clean up chewing gum. If my calculations are correct, that’s £18,000 an hour, £432,000 a day and a colossal £157,680,000 a year of the taxpayer’s money. I believe that Wrigley’s and every other major chewing gum manufacturer should take responsibility for part of this bill. The Metro newspaper owners do this so why shouldn’t Wrigley’s? Let’s continue to fine the downright lazy litterbugs that fill pavement with blotches of sticky mess. So why do we still chew gum? It is basically a tastier and softer version of plastic that costs our country £157,680,000 a year! How on earth can we cut the cost of cleaning? Well, Leicester City Council has introduced £50 on-the-spot fines for dropping litter, including chewing gum. The legislation is carried out by a group of street wardens around the city centre. This may deter, but are a few old wardens going to stop this everincreasing problem? I highly doubt it. So lets prevent rather than deter, like the city-state of Singapore did by banning the sale, import, and chewing of gum altogether in 1992. Would there really be an outcry of opposition to my suggestion? Perhaps, Sir Alex Ferguson would make a case but I leave you with an anecdote. When BBC reporter Peter Day suggested that chewing gum stuck to the pavements “might be a sign of creativity”, former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew quickly set him straight: “If you can’t think because you can’t chew, try a banana.”
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The Rock | Thursday 29 March
FEATURES
If three’s a company,
how many’s a crowd?
Having multiple partners doesn’t have to be ‘cheating’. Jasper Taylor speaks to the people who see polyamory as a rich and rewarding lifestyle
How to...
Tips from music industry experts on breaking out
24
Hypnosis Does it really work?
26
vhuttonrocks@gmail.com
Terisa lives in another with her two other partners. Monogamy was never an option for her. “Polyamory gives you a sense of total security and freedom in your relationships that I don’t think is possible in monogamy. It encourages you to give your partner freedom and relinquish control.” Dr Sue Johnson, the Director of the Ottawa Couple and Family Institute and the International Center for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy, has a different opinion. “We are programmed to ‘prefer’ monogamous relationships. “Polyamory is no alternative at all as it sets up competing attachments. Essentially it goes against our need for secure bonds where we know we matter and come first and someone will come whenever we call.” Currently, there are more than 500,000 polyamorous households in the United States but, like most things in life, ‘poly’, as it is known, can come with its problems too. Matt highlighted some of these, “Poly relationships can feel like they are constantly changing. Sometimes, it seems that every
“
Polyamory gives you a sense of total security and freedom in your relationships
”
half-day brings a new challenge and that can be tiring.” Polyamory is often challenged on the grounds of jealousy. Many people would shudder at the thought of their significant other even sharing so much as a passionate kiss with someone else, let alone passionate sex. So, is jealousy an issue in polyamory? “There is always some element of jealousy,” said Terisa, and Matt backed this up, “Yes, but it is usually very specific and temporary.” It appears that jealousy in polyamorous relationships is very similar to that of any other kind of relationship. “I am more jealous or envious if my boyfriend is on a date than if my husband is,” says Vera. “I feel that my boyfriend could more easily replace me with someone new.” Given the situation though, jealousy as an emotion is certainly easier to deal with than in monogamous relationships, for example if a husband
SAM MATTACOTT
T
erisa Greenan is 44 and an actress. She lives with her husband and her boyfriend, and, down the road lives her other boyfriend, Matt. He lives with his wife, Vera, whose boyfriend is Terisa’s husband. Confused? This is polyamory. Many people have misconceptions about polyamory – that it was dreamt up by an aggravated guy who couldn’t act on his office crush because of the restrictions of monogamy or that it is just ‘a posh form of swinging’. The reality of polyamory is very different though. It goes a lot deeper than just sex. Polyamory is a lifestyle based around relationships with multiple partners in an open, honest and non-possessive way. The emotional fulfilment comes from not limiting themselves, or their partners, to just one significant other. It seems that this way of living is internal to some people, Terisa being one of them. “It’s been an idea in my head for a very long time. Since my early teens I’ve thought that only one partner was limiting and stifling and also that having multiple partners could be viable.” One of her partners, Matt Bullen, only began a polyarmorous relationship five years ago. “I thought there was something very workable and enjoyable in consensual sexual variety and sharing.” His wife of sixteen years, Vera, said she thought that it would “enrich my life, and the life of my spouse”. So far, it appears the ‘newbies’ to polyamory haven’t been let down. Matt and Vera have been with their new partners, Terisa and her husband, for three years now and are still enjoying the varied nature of their lifestyle. Matt said: “It has hugely enriched my romantic and social life. It has made it possible for me to really savour and enjoy my partners, who are so different in so many ways.” They all live in Seattle now, although Matt grew up in England, and have two separate households. Matt, Vera and their son live in one house, and
Exclusive illustration
cheats on his wife and breaks that bond without consent. Matt talked about how jealousy is dealt with in his relationships when it arises. “The best approach is to try and identify what you’re jealous of very, very specifically. Once this is clear, the talking really needs to start. If you can trap the exact nature of this jealousy, it can be pretty easy to handle and negotiate. Often the ‘sufferer’ just needs genuine reassurance.” Practical challenges also emerge through polyarmory. For Terisa, “Scheduling is one of the most difficult aspects of poly and an ongoing, dynamic challenge.” So what’s her solution? “You try to meet everyone’s needs, as well as your own. You ask if they are getting everything they want from you, and if they aren’t, you adjust. You try to do what works for everyone as an individual.” Matt added his own tip. “What’s far more important is to become content with the exact ‘shape’ and constraints of each relationship.” The child in the middle of all these relationships must be considered as well though, for he has not specifically chosen to be involved in this lifestyle choice. There will be an impact on his childhood, but Matt and Vera, his parents, believe that the impact is a positive one. “Children grow up loved by many caring adults in poly households,” says Vera, “and get more of their day-to-day needs met.” Terisa agrees too, “It helps a child feel more supported and loved having more than two loving adults throughout his or her life.” Dr Johnson, however, does not agree. “Growing up in any household where close relationships are ambiguous and unclear will likely impact any child. Evidence says that one or two main bonds are essential for optimal child development, and loss or change of attachment figures is very difficult for kids.” Ultimately, polyamory is a matter of personal taste. It is clearly better than cheating in a monogamous relationship, although it is not enough to suddenly announce a state of polyamory, as it takes a lot of work to make such a relationship successful. A joke is often shared in the poly community that ‘polyamory’ is inherently wrong – a word should never mix Latin and Greek roots.
20 features
Thursday 29 March | The Rock
Famous and cyberbullied Celebrities are now more connected with their fans than ever, but letting themselves be exposed online can come at a cost Chloe Oliver ARLINGTON COUNTY
Obsession, fear and isolation: the real horrors of Germaphobia lurk beyond the skin’s surface Vikki Hutton
FEATURES EDITOR
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wo years ago, I was in India, travelling, when I dropped my purse onto the floor of the car – something anybody else would probably struggle to recall amongst all the memories of an incredible two-month stay in Asia. The purse lay next to my walking boots that had traipsed across the dusty ground – roamed by potentially rabid dogs and laden with the evidence of the locals’ tobacco-spitting habits – and I couldn’t pick it up. I can vividly recall sitting there, staring down at it and being completely paralysed as my eyes welled up. It seems ridiculous now. I’m known for being quite a sensible person, the one my friends come to for advice. So how can I convince you that it all seemed perfectly logical at the time? Well, remember those antibacterial spray adverts which showed germs on ‘clean’ surfaces in fluorescent patches? That was the way my mind worked non-stop. Take, for example, how clearly I recall the simple task of using nightclub toilets and the potential it had to ruin my night out. My friends might go to wash their hands after – although, you can trust me, I’m observant about these things, most people don’t – but the likelihood is that there’d be no soap and only cold water. As a girl who will never buy a cleaning product which does not profess to kill 99.9% of bacteria, I know full well that no soap and cold water won’t rid them of the germs they’ve picked up on the way in. Don’t even kid yourself that there weren’t any. Beyond the basic bathroom nasties, those doors would’ve been embossed with the
handprints of clubbers who have fallen on the dirt-covered dancefloor as well as with the unseen stains of desperate paralytics. From that point onwards, until I knew my friends’ hands were clean, I’d be uncomfortable with their slightest touch. I wouldn’t even pick up a bottle they’d held and if I had, I’d immediately become aware of everything my ‘dirty’ hand would go on to touch – whether that be my face, my hair or my clothes – so that I could make a mental note to wash it later. It sounds unkind, almost comical, I know. But it was never personal or funny. On top of the massive burden of fear I bore, there was also the shame in knowing that all these thoughts, judgemental and unfounded as they often were, dictated who I could feel comfortable being around while everyone else was none the wiser. As a medical condition, the fear of germs and contamination – Mysophobia, as it is properly known – exists in its own right. I never sought consultation and thankfully no longer need it, but I see in my former self the tell-tale traits. With many similarities to OCD, a sufferer can feel the need to sanitise their hands repeatedly. They may avoid shaking hands with people, touching door knobs or using public transport and restrooms. They can experience sweating, palpitations or emotional breakdowns when they believe contamination may have occurred. It can have serious side-effects on your social life too – people don’t take so kindly to you hand-gelling immediately after greeting them. There is a stigma attached to it which makes me think that society needs to learn to understand its sufferers better. For too long now, Germaphobia has been treated like some kind of dirty word and if nothing else, I just can’t stand that level of irony – so it is time to lift the lid on this social taboo.
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he astronomical rise of social media has led to some heavy drawbacks. Social networking has provided the perfect landscape for bullies, who can say whatever they want without consequences or repercussions – all from the comfort of their bedroom. With 24-hour exposure and free advertising it is no surprise that every celebrity under the sun has flocked to websites such as Twitter and Facebook. Unfortunately, hidden within the thousands of fans and friends are some not-so-friendly followers who, for a number of deluded reasons, undertake personal attacks on individual celebrities. Classical singer Katherine Jenkins has been one of the victims of online bullying through her Twitter account. Despite attempts to block and flag the bully’s account, who repeatedly mocked the heartbreaking death of her father when she was 15, they managed to find ways of contacting her. The account tweeted into an interview she was giving on Something For The Weekend, and unbeknown to producers, the question was read out. Katherine later tweeted: “u have no right to harass me as u’ve done over the past year with comments like ‘bring out the dead daddy story again”. This is far from a one-off. Celebrity cyber-bullying has become a dangerous trend in the past year, with bullies thinking they can get away with virtual assaults on celebrities because of their online anonymity. People need to draw the line somewhere. Everyone has read a magazine and pointed out an unflattering dress or significant weight gain of a celebrity. But would you go up to them in the street and tell them so? Celebrities, I think, expect a certain level of scrutiny, and they understand that not everyone in the world will love them. Still, they put themselves in the spotlight, they make money for taking a risk and, if successful, they gain a loyal legion of devoted fans. In Britain there is a shocking amount of Internet users who want the celebrity ‘champagne lifestyle’ but, perhaps in their jealously, they
use the keys in front of them to bring their chosen victim down a peg or two. This type of behaviour is surely no different to everyday bullying and, as such, should be treated with the same importance and strict disciplinary measures. Online victims include Wayne Rooney, Cher Lloyd and Adele. However, it seems that bullies don’t realise that when they write an offensive message about a famous face they are sending it to a human being – someone who may be
well-known in the public eye, but is still as prone to insecurities as the rest of us. Should the internet be doing more to protect us? At long last, users are being given more help on how to deal with inappropriate behaviour. Facebook now employs its ‘Trusted Friend Tool’, which sends abusive content to someone that can help the victim. But if prevention is always better than cure, perhaps the front-runner of social networks can start a new trend of encouraging users to think before they type.
Katherine Jenkins was bullied by a Twitter follower DAVID SKINNER
What does the Twittersphere have to say? @ellie_weekes - People should be allowed to say what they want, that’s the whole point of the Internet. @narddd_ - It’s pathetic. Even though hurtful comments can be anonymous, people definitely need to think about the impact of what they say. @DevonJFrancis - Being cyberbullied is a horrible & traumatic thing for everyone to have to go through, celebs included, they’re human too!!
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The Rock | Thursday 29 March
Bigger, fatter, more racist? Can we really trust Big Fat Gypsy Weddings’ representation of the travelling community? The Rock speaks to a teenage traveller fighting for change Nick Reilly
W
hen My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding burst onto our screens in 2010, we became a nation obsessed with a community where it would seem that extravagance and excess was the order of the day. The pilot episode of the first series pulled in 6.4million viewers and by the second installment, the show had become Channel 4’s eighth highest-rating programme of all time. Just like that, gone were traditional images of the travelling community as simple pastoral folk, instead it was replaced with the portrayal of people revelling in gaudiness at weddings where oversized dresses and lavish celebrations were common place. It’s been a runaway ratings success for Channel 4, yet as we watch, there’s no denying that the programme seems somewhat shallow and one-sided. The show’s prying nature at times feels like a return to the days of the Victorian freak show, as we from the outside look into a little known community, with many British travellers complaining that their representation on the show is both highly inaccurate and deeply discriminatory.
Can we really trust a documentary that billed it’s return as “Bigger, fatter, gypsier”? Late last month, 17-year-old traveller Pip McKenzie, who has his roots in both the Romany and English travelling communities, voiced such concerns when he wrote an open letter to Channel 4, claiming that “Big Fat Gypsy Weddings is a work of fiction”. The letter received 50,000 hits online within two days, showing that people are willing to take
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Its main aim is to get ratings through laughing at us. After our history of suffering, I don’t find our community any laughing matter
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awareness of an alternative view removed from tiaras and 30 stone wedding dresses. Speaking to Pip about the letter, he seems both impassioned, well articulated and an impressive young man – a far cry from the ignorance that the show often portrays. “The show uses the word Gypsy as a blanket term for two very diverse communities and over represents the Irish community. It
ignores the grim reality of life, the higher than average suicide and infant mortality rates. “It is only interested in feeding negative stereotypes. “Its main aim is to get ratings through laughing at us. After our history of suffering, I don’t find our community any laughing matter.” Similarly, Pip is quick to rubbish the show’s admission that it is filmed from the perspective of the travellers. “They say it is filmed through the eyes of the community. The community have no say in the editing or narration, the show will not show anyone who deviates from the stereotypes because they know that the reality is not interesting.” In a society that is currently more multicultural than ever, Pip also believes that Big Fat Gypsy Weddings is a backward step for the representation of the travelling community. “We live in a multicultural society, and it seems the curriculum is pushing the multicultural agenda, so that we understand immigrant populations. “There has been a lot of allowance for people who speak different languages or practice different religions but the government have forgotten about our ethnic group, one that’s been here for more than 500 years. “The types of people who watch these programmes are not the types of people who then go on to research our history, and are probably very unlikely to come into contact with us, so their views are shaped entirely by a very
unrepresentative programme.” A spokesperson for Channel 4 has claimed: “This observational documentary series features a mix of Irish travellers, English and Romany gypsies and makes a clear distinction between those different communities. “All the issues touched on in the series were meticulously researched and are told through the eyes of the contributors themselves, talking about their own experiences in their own words. “The programme is a fair and accurate portrayal of what the programme makers experienced during filming.” It seems that Channel 4 has subscribed to the mantra of most 21st century television sensationalism sells. It is for this reason that the show has been such a success, but while it is arguably harmless to view as a representation of a singular section of the travelling community, it’s important to remember that it is not a depiction of the community as a whole.
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The true lives of others in the travelling community aren’t accurately reflected by the steretypes of Channel 4’s popular show CHANNEL 4
Wash your mouth out This week, the Rockís resident sexpert explores talking dirty in bed For some, dirty talk can be music to their ears, and to others it can leave them reaching for the mute button. The trick is to seductively speak your mind, but there are also some things in sex that are better kept quiet. Like a conversation, it’s about listening and reacting to your partner’s responses. If they enjoy having filthy nothings whispered into their ear, don’t be afraid to broaden onto new topics and get creative with innuendos. Describing a fantasy in detail can paint a passionate picture, especially when you focus on the graphics. Just because your audience is engaged, doesn’t mean you should drop into the characters you watch on your computer screen in private. Authenticity is key, and to play a convincing role, you need to use your own feelings and desires as inspiration. The tone and speed of your voice is also important. If the action intensifies, don’t hesitate to mimic the change in pace with your talk to compliment the movement. Some things are better said slowly, while others require speed to help pass the finish line. A survey conducted by K-Y’s ‘Good in Bed’ sex site found that women were more experimental in bed and far more likely to have talked dirty and shared fantasies with their partners. Survey Director for the site, Kristen Mark MS, believes the results came as a shock due to women being represented in society as prudes, which statistics show isn’t the case. Erotic talk can appeal to both speaker and listener, and the act of using dirty language has been proven to relieve tension. The technical diagnosis for this type of outburst is lalochezia. Talking dirty to your partner doesn’t necessarily show a lack of respect. That is unless you follow the guidelines set out by clichéd songs, or the predictable, unimaginative scripting seen in porn. Overdoing the dirt can turn some people off by using degrading and sickening speech. Like most fetishes, it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, so start slow to ensure the feeling’s mutual. XXX
22 features
Thursday 29 March | The Rock
Photo of the fortnight Reiss Marshall has produced the photo of the fortnight. Originally I came to Bournemouth to capture the beautiful landscapes for a photography assignment. I took this picture to test my camera’s colours. It wasn’t until I was checking my pictures later I noticed how cool this was. It’s as though there was a story behind the scene, the abandoned
shoes perhaps left by someone running for the surf. It was something about the stripes on the canvas blowing in the wind. As if they were flowing with life. Also the abandoned shoes pefectly placed, as though waiting to be photographed.
The Rock | Thursday 29 March
features 23
24 features
Thursday 29 March | The Rock
JAMES GIBSON
Fixers
JEN SPRINGALL
Break into the music industry ng
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Fresh from touring his unique psychedelic mix with Kaiser Chiefs, Jack Goldstein and his band Fixers are set to rule 2012 Nick Reilly
I
t’s a Friday night at Bournemouth’s 60 Million Postcards, and in the midst of a sea of amplifiers, leads, guitars and drums, Jack Goldstein unassumingly adjusts the height of a microphone with an air of confidence that suggests that he’s a man at ease with the technical demands of a 21st century band. His loosely fitted cardigan is combined with a vintage orange shirt and messy brown hair, appearing every inch a musician. He’s positioned at the far end of the room, with drinkers occasionally glancing over to view Goldstein’s musical lair, before refocusing their attention upon friends and alcohol. Such a scene is unbelievably understated, so much so that you’d be forgiven for failing to realise that Goldstein is the lead singer of Fixers, an electro alternative band, hailing from Oxford and hotly tipped for 2012, having recently headlined the “BBC Introducing” stage at the Reading and Leeds festivals. Fixers have been touted as a curious amalgamation of the sounds adopted by psychedelic outfit Animal Collective and the surf rock trademark of The Beach
Boys. The latter comparison is an enormous compliment to Goldstein, who cites lead songwriter Brian Wilson as being the biggest musical influence upon himself. “I remember when I was 18 and a friend bought me a bootleg of Brian’s ‘Smile’ album. I’d never been so taken aback by music, it took me a fortnight to get past the first 11 minutes. The way the harpsichord combined with the piano forte blew me away and made for one of the most beautiful sounds I’d ever heard.” A deep-rooted adoration for the revered sounds of Wilson is of little surprise, as The Beach Boys remain one of the most influential groups of the 20th century. However, when Goldstein is quizzed about influences in modern culture, his response is totally unforeseen. “Have you heard Party In The USA by Miley Cyrus?” he excitedly asks. “Man that’s an incredible song, a friend played it to me and I was blown away. It’s not necessarily the greatest lyrical content, but the beauty of the song’s infrastructure and where it sits, I keep listening to it on repeat.” It’s musings such as these that really affirm Goldstein’s character, his ability to wax lyrically over the construction of songs shows that he isn’t just another indie star craving the adoration of a certain crowd. Instead, he seems characterised by “an intense passion for music, it’s the only thing I’m good at, as opposed to those who enthuse over it, but lack
the time required and instead go back to it on casual terms”. Similarly, there’s a near schoolboy charm in Goldstein’s fond recollection of an early gig, where Fixers supported Best Coast, an American surf pop outfit. “It was so exciting, it was only our third show and we were playing with one of our favourite bands. I felt awestruck at playing with a band that we collectively admired, it’s something you very rarely get to do.” In a music industry renowned for prima donnas and pretention, Goldstein’s unassuming, approachable demeanour is refreshing. He later argues that British bands find it hard to “articulate themselves in a polite manner”, although it seems Goldstein doesn’t struggle with such problems. Fixers will release their debut album in April, but Jack fears he may become quickly bored with it “not because of any linear reason, such as playing it live, but an inability to be content with the record”. Goldstein’s fears seem ill-founded if recent singles “Crystals” and “Swimmhaus Johannesburg” are representative of the band, both of which are characterised by a genius combination of chart-friendly, infectious beats. There is yet to be a psychedelic pop band to make a real impact on the UK music scene, but in 2012, under the helm of Goldstein, that looks set to be “Fixed”.
Adam Scholey
Errol Anderson
George Underwood
you do in cities, ideally London, the more likely it is you’re going to get that break,” says Adam. “There’s a lot of support around the big cities.”
Manager of Plastic Parrot music label, DJ, solo artist and lead singer of rising band Voice of Reason.
ASS’T FEATURES EDITOR
1 Be motivated
It’s not enough just wanting to break into music. You need a project that you are genuinely enthusiastic about if you’re going to get noticed and have the motivation to stick it out. “If you’ve got an idea that you really have a lot of passion for then that passion will show through, it will shine,” says Adam Scholey. At only 23 he has been involved in almost every aspect of the music industry, from creativity to management, big labels to small, and every genre from electro to punk rock.
2 Don’t rely on digital
Today any aspiring musician can get noticed by simply putting their music on Facebook, but Adam warns against leaving it at that. “There is a tendency for bands to easily slide into idleness. There still needs to be that personal element, you still need to go up to people with flyers and say ‘come and check out my band’. Get them to add you on Facebook if they want to keep in touch, but for the first part they do have to come and see you live. There has to be that engagement – it’s human instinct.” Errol Anderson, editor of Decibel Soup, a music blog which gained 2.2 million views in its first six months, says there is definitely value in social networks. “Bands with a social presence naturally interact with their fans better,” he says, but adds, “The number one thing to focus on is definitely the music, because if that isn’t any good then nothing else matters.”
3 Get out there - literally
Goldstein, shown perfoming at 60 Million Postcards, is an unexpected Miley Cyrus fan
NICK REILLY
It’s no good just staying in your town and waiting for the industry to come to you – you’ve got to get on the move and make sure you’re noticed by as many people as possible. Cities are obviously the best places to do this. “The more
Music writer for publications including the Independent. Editor of DecibelSoup.com
4 Be original
Doing something different is what separates a good band from an amazing band. “It’s becoming harder to mould a sound that’s instantly recognisable as yourself,” says Errol, “but working endlessly on that makes the ears of bloggers and journalists prick up. Music journalists never fret to create a new genre.” Adam agrees: “It’s very easy to say ‘I like what that band’s doing, I’m going to copy them to the note’. The Beatles and The Stones didn’t do that. The greatest acts are born out of the originality. Identify a unique selling point and really push it.”
5 Build a brand
Whether you’re a solo artist or in a band, the name and image you use is more than just a label, it’s the brand you’re selling to the industry and potential fans. Adam says: “Get one thing, say ‘this is what we’re doing now and this is who we are’. If you want to, change your image later down the line, but don’t change it every year. Make sure that name and that brand establishes itself as firmly and as early on as possible.” Errol points to rappers Odd Future as a good example. “They brought something very different to the rapping table. Not only did that create a niche for that scene, but it also created a mini cult of fans who all bought into ‘swag’. It just made them so much more than music for people, and it became a brand rather than the mere sight of them shouting expletives on stage.”
6 Get connected
“Make as many different connections as you can, from fans to promoters to venue owners, even label owners and management,” says Adam, “They all work and come together. The minute you get the smallest amount of positivity, that’s something to work on.”
features 25
The Rock | Thursday 29 March
Florence + The Machine
Tickets to see them are so sought-after that their tour this year sold out within 10 minutes of going on sale. Following Florence’s recent gig at the BIC, there’s no doubt that she will thrill audiences across all the best European festivals this summer Carrie Mok
HEAD DESIGNER FEATURES
I
f Florence + The Machine’s last recorded set of her debut album Lungs, on David Letterman, was anything to go by, then her current album tour with support acts The Horrors and Spector was guaranteed to be an elegant spectacle from beginning to end. Spector were charming, albeit slightly unprepared, with frontman Frederick MacPherson announcing towards the end of their performance, “Okay we have one song left…” before being interrupted by someone who corrected him, “Oh we have two songs left, brilliant!” At the very least, Spector were a memorable opening act with catchy songs (What You Wanted and Never Fade Away) and a cheeky demeanour. On the other hand, Faris Badwan of The Horrors was a man of few words. Truth be told, it was understandable. The Horrors were consistently tight, focusing entirely on their performance rather than joking around on the stage. Their
set was a mix between their second and third albums, Primary Colours and Skying, respectively. But it was disappointing that The Horrors omitted playing anything from their more industrial first album Strange House, for example Sheena Is A Parasite or Count In Fives. When it came to their final song of the night, the ambient beginnings of Still Life brought the audience to a standstill. The song was treated to a beautiful duet with Florence Welch at the NME Awards Show a couple of days earlier and it would have been a great live rendition for the tour as well. Sadly it was a version that can only be watched on YouTube for the time being. And then, a mysterious illuminated screen brought a caped and statuesque silhouette to the back of the stage. As the words “And I had a dream about my old school” echoed throughout the venue, it became obvious that the silhouette could only be one woman. Florence Welch. Florence almost floated towards the audience in a flowing cape during the first song Only If For A Night. She then thrust out her covered arms in the crescendo of What The Water Gave Me to show the full extent of her caped outfit. First album
favourites Cosmic Love and Between Two Lungs came fourth and fifth in the set before the more energetic Shake It Out. Then came a greeting from Florence, who, in her slightly trembling voice, showed a modesty that completely contradicted her vocal power in the next song Dog Days Are Over. Afterwards, Heartlines meant that the stage was bathed in a red light and Florence’s cape was removed to reveal a gold-adorned, black velvet catsuit as she pranced along the stage chanting the beginning of the song. In the encore, an eerie blue glow decorated the stage, exaggerating the famous Florence + The Machine harp. Florence shyly chirped that she had had no time to visit Bournemouth beach despite being obsessed with the sea and smiled as she urged fans to “look at the ocean for me. Just go and look at it for me.” No Light, No Light was the last song and Florence heartbreakingly serenaded the words “Revelations in the light of day, you can’t choose what stays and what stays away. And I’d do anything to make you stay, no light, no light…tell me what you want me to say…” and then the lights dimmed and the room faded to black.
Top; A mysterious entrance. Bottom; Spector
Left; Florence Welch. Middle top and bottom; the infamous harp used in Florence + The Machine’s albums, The Horrors. Right; Florence and her drummer
CARRIE MOK
CARRIE MOK
26 features
Thursday 29 March | The Rock
A trance encounter Letting someone hack into your subconcious is not something many people are prepared to accept, especially from a stranger, but can a curious sceptic be convinced that hypnotism really works?
Exclusive illustration for The Rock Is hypnosis a genuine alternative or just a clever trick? Charlotte goes under Nick’s trance to test the controversial treatment for herself SAM MATTACOTT/F1 PRODUCTIONS
Charlotte Gay
I
awkwardly perch on the edge of the sofa looking Nick directly in the eye. “I can have you under in seconds,” he says, explaining how the hypnosis experience would unfold. To say I was nervous would be a monumental understatement – for all intents and purposes this man was a stranger who was about to put me in a very vulnerable state. I nodded to what he said, trying not to reveal my nervousness, but nevertheless the scratching of skin and bite marks around my fingertips showed otherwise. Before I explain what happened next you ought to know that I am a sceptic. Before I was introduced to Nick, hypnotherapy was a treatment I’d never considered worthy to try. I’m not a disbeliever, I don’t think all alternative therapies are schemes crafted by modern day charlatans, but I do not consider myself as someone who would be susceptible to these therapies.
I’m a journalist; someone who intrinsically questions everything, especially when such alternative treatments are shrouded in mystery. However, from being an avid fan of Derren Brown’s performances and witnessing many scenes of hypnosis as a form of entertainment, it did make me wonder, is this actually real? A couple of days running up to the big event I began to question my reasons for feeling like it would not work. Was it because I disbelieve the whole notion of alternative therapies? Am I a closed minded person? Or am I heavily influenced by my sceptical father? All these questions and more circulated in my head and by the time I came to knocking on Nick’s door I really wanted the treatment to work - but I was scared. If this was truly a way of tapping into someone’s mind, would I be letting myself bare all to a total stranger? That’s not something I am at all comfortable with. Sitting in his office I asked Nick about his work and the whole nature of hypnotherapy. “You will be disappointed,” he said, “It won’t be what you expect.” He described
that being hypnotised was like going into trance but still being aware of all your surroundings. A bit like when
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I was scared, if this was truly a way of tapping into someone’s mind, would I be letting myself bare all to a total stranger
fast paced, and spoke rapidly. It was not the hippy, relaxed environment I had envisaged. So when it came to the crunch, I thought, you know what, just man up and do it. He began by talking to me about the relaxed environment he was going to put me in, how when under I would still be able to hear his voice but that I would be in my own bubble of subconsciousness and that this would be a self-reflecting time for me. As he is saying this I notice Nick speeding up, and placing emphasis on certain words, he then began to ask me riddle-like questions, “What do you remember to forget?” Taking his words literally, I attempt to answer but realise he’s not looking for my reply. Nick starts speaking faster and faster in more confusing questions when suddenly he grabs the back of my head and pushed it down so I am hunched over facing my legs. I listen to him with my eyes closed and my head feeling heavy as he held my arm out straight and told me to leave it there when he let go. At this point I am aware how conscious I am. How even with the blood rushing to my head and
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you’re driving somewhere you’ve been a thousand times before and suddenly you’re home, or when you are watching a great film and you become so involved with it you lose all track of time. This didn’t sound so scary, I thought to myself… but I was still apprehensive about undertaking this challenge. Nick is not what I expected from a hypnotherapist. He was agitated,
the warmth of the house being somewhat comforting, I was still conscious that I wasn’t ‘under’ completely or at least not how I was expecting to be. In fact, I even opened my eyes at one stage to see if I could, which began to make me think, Nick was right, this is disappointing. After the build-up of it all, I really wanted it to work, but if this was all hypnotherapy is – making you feel a little more relaxed – then it wasn’t hitting my expectations. It might be that hypnotherapy works – it just didn’t work for me. I visited Nick to see if I would ‘go under’ but I didn’t have a specific issue to overcome. Over half a million people in Britain seek alternative therapies to combat specific problems such as smoking, losing weight and dealing with anxiety. I didn’t have a real reason to undertake hypnotherapy, so it would be unfair of me to say that the industry does not work. Perhaps if I booked a session with someone who was going to deal with a specific problem of mine then it would work – but my perception has changed to see hypnotherapy as a form of counselling and not a mysterious mind power.
features 27
The Rock | Thursday 29 March
The perfect physique in twelve weeks flat With over a third of men willing to give a year of their life to gain the ideal body, Michael Weal decides to see what it really takes
I
t’s 5am. There’s a hard knock at my door and it suddenly swings open. “Come on Mikey, get up mate”, my flatmate Sam says, waking me up for our morning cardio. I roll out of bed in my gym shorts, stumble into the kitchen to mix up a protein shake and five minutes later we’re outside, my eyes still half closed, the brisk air quickly waking me up. We loop down and along the beach, back through town and into the gym for the day’s training session. Finally it’s back home for egg whites on toast – and it’s still only 7am. A recent survey from Bristol University revealed that 4 in 5 men “regularly engage in conversation about another’s body” and most of these men are also unhappy with their own shape. Meanwhile, Men’s Health became the market leader three years ago, outselling FHM and LOADED. So what are we using Men’s Health for if we’re all still unhappy with our bodies? They promise everything in six weeks or less. Seeing that the survey also notes that 35% of men would willingly sacrifice a year of their life for the ideal physique, my curiosity is growing. 11 Weeks ago my flatmate Sam and I began our transformation: a 12-week deadline in order to dramatically go for broke and transform our bodies from the booze demolished, pizzasaturated lumps we’d become over the past couple of years. It can’t be that hard, can it? Six weeks? Four weeks? We’ve given ourselves twelve. Surely by the end of it we should be able to dip ourselves in grey paint and play statues in a Greek mythology exhibition. At the start I weighed just shy of 81kg. Sam weighed in at a mighty 91kg. I’ve just weighed in at 73.7kg and Sam’s at 76.4kg. Safe to say we’re well on the way to accomplishing our mission – but how did we do it? We decided to go straight back to absolute basics. The issue we had was that, although simply eating less will get the same results, the survey notes that men aren’t just unhappy about a beer belly (74.5%) but their muscularity. That ‘I could steal
Getting a body like this takes hard work and dedication, but not necessarily a year your girlfriend out of your arms’ physique that Men’s Health cover models and fitness models alike all share. Muscular without over doing it and ripped enough to pull off the Bay Watch run minus any jiggle. So after some research we set our diet. For breakfast: Whey protein with oats followed by 6 egg whites and seeded toast. For lunch: Chicken breast, brown rice and mixed vegetables washed down with a whey protein shake. Finally, for dinner: Chicken breast, brown rice and mixed vegetables again, followed by another whey protein shake. Alongside this we drank four litres of water a day, green tea and only black coffee. We decided it was best to keep things as simple as possible, avoiding all fat burning supplements, pre-workout training enhancers etc. as these just complicated matters when keeping to a strict calorie intake. We needed to take whey protein throughout the day in order to supplement our protein needs if we were to gain or maintain muscle while cutting fat. A list of things I
miss: sugar (in all its glorious forms), milk, chocolate, fruit, crisps, beer, rum, vodka, Wall other alcohol, pizza, cereal, bacon, sausages, cheese, anything battered, anything coated, anything fried, anything remotely satisfying, all forms of gravy, sauce or marinade. Anything other than what was in our meal plan we avoided. I understand there are a couple of things missing that would surprise most people – fruit, for example, is obvious when you think about it: we need to avoid all forms of sugar, and fruit contains fructose so it’s out. We have, however, been taking multi-vitamins daily to avoid scurvy. Milk and all other dairy products are out because of their high calorie/fat content. You do need fat in order to maintain healthy brain function and aid in the absorption of vitamins, but they need to be ‘good’ fats gained from omega-fat tablets or small portions of flax seed oil added to meals. What could go wrong? How about some basic figures? A pound of fat is roughly thought to work out at 3500 calories. Now, at 81kg and living a moderately active lifestyle, my body needs around
MICHAEL TAGGART
2935 calories a day to maintain my weight. You can discover your daily calorie requirements using calorie calculators online. All use the same equations based on your sex, weight, age and level of activity. With 2.2 pounds to the kilo and my original goal of 74kg (a loss of 7kg, equalling 53,900 calories), I would need to train for 54 days with a deficit of 1000 calories a day in order to hit my goal, without considering any type of muscle growth. With this in mind we did the math and began cooking our chicken meals in bulk for the week, measuring out to the gram; chicken, rice and vegetables in order to meet our nutritional needs. This turned out to be a massive benefit in saving time, yet unbelievably dull after a while. But once you begin to see food as fuel for your goal instead of something to indulge and actually enjoy, it becomes bearable. Personally I think it depends on the person and which approach they take – you’re either in it for the run or you’re not. Kris Gethin, of Body By Design and now the editor of bodybuilding.com, has established the ‘transformation’ as his master class, so we began
following his 12-week training programme. 40 minutes of cardio every single day divided into 20 minutes each morning and evening, building to 50 minutes a day and later 60 as we progressed. Our gym sessions have consisted of very high intensity training in order to burn fat whilst also gaining muscle. It’s hard to put into words the pain felt during some of these sessions, but they have worked and I recommend the plan to anyone. The programme is available for free online via bodybuilding.com and is in the format of a video blog following Gethin on a daily basis as he does the transformation for you. So far the results have shocked both Sam and myself. We’ve both cut fat at an incredible rate and are well on our way to achieving our goal. But its not been easy, at times our diet and fat loss has caused us to become incredibly lethargic and tired, which is not the best thing when writing your dissertation or designing your final year project. You become increasingly forgetful for the first couple of weeks as you get used to a low fat diet. We are accustomed to the food now, seeing it as purely a fuel source for our training. Whilst the training has been tough, the results each week simply spurred us on further. Time has never been an issue. Many people complain about the way they look and never push to do something about it, often conjuring up lame excuses like they have no time or they have bad genetics. Sam and I are currently in our final year at Bournemouth University. Sam’s final year design project and my dissertation and full time weekend job all add to our already busy schedules. We have pushed the boundaries of time management during our transformation, but that’s exactly what it comes down to in the end. If you’ve got time to sit and watch Deal or No Deal, or complain about your physique, then just do something about it. Magazines, websites and advertising all show us these transformations can be done in just a few weeks, but in reality in order to do it safely, and achieve results that will last, it takes a little longer. But you can still get it done before summer hits, and, for those men who were willing to give up a year of their life for that physique, how about three months?
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The Rock | Thursday 29 March
SPORT
Inter Milan win NextGen The NextGen Series, which pits the best European under-19 academy sides against each other, was a complete sporting success
Tom Bennett
CHIEF SPORTS REPORTER
Olympics Meet the GB boxing team
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Beach Soccer
Is Poole its new home?
Inter Milan won this year’s debut edition of the NextGen Series, after defeating Ajax on penalties at Leyton Orient’s Matchroom Stadium on Sunday. Lorenzo Crisetig scored the winning penalty for Inter as they took the shootout to 4-3. The tournament puts sixteen of the best European academy sides against each other in a Champions League-style format to determine the best youth side on the continent. For potentially world-class talents, the NextGen Series represents a unique opportunity to experience all aspects of senior football at a competitive and international level. They face new challenges such as adapting to different types and styles of play, as well as prolonged periods of travel, essential for stretching their ability to the absolute maximum and absolutely key for making the sought-after transition to the first team. Such high praise has been placed on the first tournament that another eight teams have signed up to enter next season, including Chelsea, joining current English representatives; Liverpool, Manchester City, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur. However, Spurs controversially resigned from the tournament following their progression to the semi-finals. They fielded an ineligible player but demonstrated immaculate sportsmanship by admitting their wrongdoing. As the
Tweet beat
“120till thedays
Olympics!
Ajax’s impressive run to the final also drew attention to their coveted youth system. The Ajax Academy is renowned worldwide for producing some of the greatest players of our generation including Dennis Bergkamp, Johan Cruyff and Rafael Van der Vaart. Ajax beat FC Barcelona 3-0 in the quarter-finals to demonstrate their prowess on the European stage, even at this young age level. The Dutch club boasts a complete schooling program for the youngsters as well as top-class football coaching. Several teachers and academic coordinators are available for the players during their studies as Ajax attempt to organise everything perfectly on and off the pitch. Jean Marie Dongou of FC Barcelona has stood out throughout the group stage and is being dubbed ‘the new Samuel Eto’o’ at the Catalan club.
The striker netted six goals in as many matches throughout the group phase and at only 16-years-old has a very bright future ahead of him. Gary Gardner has also been a huge influence on the tournament for Aston Villa and looks likely to break into the first team as a regular very soon. The 19-year-old was sent out on-loan to Coventry City earlier this season but only played four games for the Midlands side as he was recalled and put straight into the Aston Villa senior squad. Whilst on loan at the Sky Blues, he scored nine minutes into his debut in a 2-1 defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion. Gardner’s most impressive performance came in the last game of the group stage when Villa thrashed Ajax 3-0. Gardner grabbed all three goals on this night and really established himself as one of the tournament’s top performers.
Inter players celebrate after winning the NextGen Series at the Matchroom Stadium last Sunday LEE/GETTY
Fabrice raises awareness Goodbye Mr Bradbury
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@Oly Countdown
tournament entered its final stages, Spurs headed into the knockout phase as one of the favourites after an unbeaten series of impressive results, in particular a 7-1 thrashing of Inter Milan on the opening matchday. However, a club statement was released on February 3 claiming that the club had breached the rules and would terminate their time in this year’s competition, hoping to return next season. Tim Sherwood, former Spurs player and manager of the NextGen Series side told the club’s website it was “obviously disappointing” especially as the team “will not be able to play another game at such a competitive level this season.” Eventual winners Inter Milan’s prestigious academy came into the spotlight following Sunday’s victory. A number of top players have came from their Centro Sportivo Giacinto Facchetti facilities in northern Italy. Goran Pandev, Obafemi Martins and Mario Balotelli are all recent graduates of the 30,000 sq/m academy. The tournament has provided some really optimistic hopes for some of the top performers as they have came under the continental spotlight.
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jonnybyrnerocks@gmail.com
Jonny Byrne
SPORTS EDITOR Despite the obvious concern, there are many positives to take from Fabrice Muamba’s cardiac arrest. It has shown a more compassionate and unified side of football, which is lost in relentless stories of racism, hooliganism and prejudice. The incident has hopefully ensured that the good work clubs do to give their players thorough and rigorous health checks continue. However, I think the most positive outcome is that it has raised
awareness of heart related health issue in young men, regardless of whether they are a top level athlete or not. And this is something that only a near tragedy could have accomplished. Support from across the globe has poured in for the Bolton midfielder, expressing peoples relief and showing the impact the story has had on football fans, players and wellwishers alike. Reports have begun to emerge that Muamba was essentially dead for 78 minutes, making the fact that he is now up and walking around on his own even more remarkable. When Fabrice regained consciousness, Dr. Andrew Deaner whispered to him: “What’s your name?” The twenty-three-year-old replied, “Fabrice Muamba”. The doctor then said: “I hear you’re a really good footballer” to which Muamba quipped, “I try”. I’m not a believer in miracles but this seems damn close.
Andy Mitchell
ASS’T SPORTS EDITOR So we bid farewell to Lee Bradbury – some are shocked, some are relieved and most think Eddie Mitchell is eccentric to say the least. With recent goings on at the Seaward Stadium I don’t think either Mitchell or Bradbury could win, and with the nature of the chairman’s interview with BBC Solent, there are still many more questions than answers. It is hard not to feel sorry for Bradbury from a professional point of view - he inherits a play-off squad
in his first job, sees it mercilessly butchered, rebuilds, then rebuild again when some investment comes in – Sir Alex Ferguson would struggle with that upheaval, let alone a rookie with 14 months experience. But once the fans are on your back, it’s hard to survive, and Bradbury is far from the first boss to get his P45 this season – I’d bet good money that he won’t be the last. Looking to the future, at least the side appears to be in safe hands for now, though no one knows how long Paul Groves and Shaun Brooks will take the reins for – little has been made of Groves’ stint as Grimsby player/manager many moons ago, but he did fairly well in some very trying circumstances. From Groves’ comments on the club’s website it seems the fall out that lead to Bradbury’s departure was tied in with how involved Groves and Brooks should be in first team affairs I guess we’ll find out before the end of the season who was right.
30 sport
Thursday 29 March | The Rock
Road to London 2012: meet the The late Chris Finnegan earned Britain Gold in 1968, going on to become British and Commonwealth light-heavyweight champion. Audley Harrison and James DeGale earned Britain their only Gold medals in the last twelve years. Dan Welling looks at how this year’s competitors might fare in front of a home crowd
The Rules Boxing in the Olympics is quite different to the professional game. Both competitors wear protective headgear and gloves with white patches across the knuckles. To score a point, a boxer must punch an opponent with the white patch. Because of the headgear, knockouts are rare in amateur ranks although not unheard of, as Amir Khan proved when he knocked out a Korean in the 2004 games.
There are three three-minute rounds in the men’s game, with ten different weight categories ranging from light flyweight to super heavyweight. In the women’s game there are four two-minute rounds with three weights: fly, light and middle. To reach the final, a boxer must win four matches in a knockout tournament, but uniquely, both semi-finalists win a Bronze medal instead of facing off.
Medals Table Team GB have 48 Olympic medals, made up of 14 Gold, 11 Silver and 23 Bronze
Did you know? Boxing has been a male only event in the Olympics until this year’s Games
World Records The fastest knock out on record stands at four seconds after the bell rang in a match in 1947
WEAVER
Iain Weaver In my last 10 tournaments, I’ve medalled in nine of “ them. Hopefully I’ve got my nose just in front and the coaches can see I’m the better international boxer ” Iain Weaver may be the unluckiest boxer in the GB squad. The lightweight from Ferndown, Dorset may not yet have qualified for 2012, but he could have easily done so if the ringside judging had been up to scratch. He famously lost to home favourite Akhil Kumar at the 2010 Commonwealth Games due to controversial scoring and he revealed the run of bad luck has continued. “In the last four tournaments I’ve been to, I’ve lost to the home boxer by one point, and I know it sounds ridiculous but I should have won all four of them.” “Sometimes I can get quite unlucky getting the ‘homeboy’ in the final. “Maybe if I get him in the earlier rounds, the scoring would be a bit
fairer but when you get to the final, they want their boy to get the gold medal.” On the face of things, it may seem that Weaver should sail into the squad, but he has flattered to deceive in the British Championships – arguably the most important tournament to stake a claim for Olympic selection. In the last two tournaments, Weaver has gone in as favourite and both times has been humbled. “When I’m boxing a Brit in Britain, I feel like I have something to prove and I go out there and don’t box like I know I can.” But he has recovered from his dip in form during 2011, partly because of the change in weight to lightweight. Weaver has previously boxed at featherweight, where he won Silver
at the European Championships in 2010, and at bantamweight, but claims that boxing at lightweight easily brings out the best in him. “Making weight at bantam was killing me. “I would have to get out of the ring, put loads of sweat gear on and do another session, so it was like having two fights in a day instead of one. “Being at lightweight I can box perfectly with a lot more energy so it has helped me. I feel a lot stronger.” Even with the rise in form, Weaver now faces an anxious weight to see who is selected to go to the European Championships in Istanbul, and effectively the Olympics, between him and Martin Ward. “At the start of the year they said they would send us to
432 1904 48kg
Pairs of gloves competitors will get through during the Games
The first year boxing was introduced into the Olympics
The maximum weight for a light-flyweight competitor
two tournaments and see who does better. “And who’s done best in tournaments? I’ve won hands down,” he said. “In my last 10 tournaments, I’ve medalled in nine of them. He’s [Ward] playing catch up. I’m getting to finals and getting ripped off. Hopefully I’ve got my nose just in front and the coaches can see I’m the better international boxer. “
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Maximum age boxers can be, to be able to participate
£250
The top price for one ticket to an Olympic boxing event
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The Rock | Thursday 29 March
team GB boxing hopefuls
Anthony Joshua 22-year-old Anthony Joshua is the golden boy of the GB boxing team. The super heavyweight from Watford demonstrated his natural talent for the sport when after only two years in the game he was crowned the British & ABAE champion in 2010. After a promising debut at a global tournament where he reached the quarter finals of the 2011 European Championships, he truly announced himself to the general public in the 2011 World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan. The three year ‘novice’ had a Cinderella style run to the World Championship final, including a victory over the current Olympic champion Roberto Cammarelle. He lost by one point to the home town favourite Magomedrasul Majidov, with many feeling that had
Jess Long
the fight taken place in a neutral country, Joshua would have been the World Champion. The silver lining for the young Londoner was, that with his unexpected performance, he qualified for the Olympics in 2012 and was voted the British Amateur Boxer of the Year. Joshua has risen 42 places in the world rankings in just one year. Currently ranked 4th in the world, his target is a medal of some colour, and if he can continue his rate of growth the Gold is certainly a possibility. Most of the spotlight on the British team will fall on Joshua’s broad shoulders as he looks to emulate Audley Harrison’s amateur career and win Gold. Let’s hope he can rise to the challenge during this year’s Games and not emulate Audley Harrison’s professional career.
Tom Stalker
The 27-year-old Scouser may not be a glamour name like Joshua but he is probably Britain’s best bet for a medal at the games. Stalker is Britain’s most consistent boxer over the last two years, earning four separate medals in major championships including a Commonwealth Gold in 2010 and a Bronze at the worlds last year. But it could have been so different for the light welterweight. When he was in his teens, Stalker was a self-confessed petty criminal, often robbing cars, and first took up the sport as final attempt to sort his life out after the death of his grandmother. Just like Joshua, Stalker started boxing at 18 and has not looked back since then. He put the disappointment of losing out on Olympic selection to Frankie Gavin in 2008 behind him, becoming one of the most decorated boxers in the GB Boxing squad in the process. In 2010 Tom won a Silver medal at the European Championships in Moscow and Gold at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi where he was Captain of the England boxing team winning the British Amateur Boxer of the Year award in 2010. In June 2011 he won his second European Championship Silver medal in Ankara and three
months later became the first member of the GB Boxing squad to qualify for the 2012 Olympics when he beat Alexander Solyanikov to make the quarter finals of the World Championships in Baku. He went on to finish the tournament with a Bronze medal after losing to Denys Berinchyk. Stalker was rewarded for his fantastic consistency when he was named world number one at light welterweight in the world rankings. Despite being number one, Stalker will have to deal with the Cuban Ronial Iglesias and Berinchyk if he is to win Gold, but the favourite for the role of Britain’s captain looks set to follow in the footsteps of fellow light welterweight Amir Khan and an old sparring partner Carl Froch.
Medals Table
USA top the medal table with 108 in total, 48 of which are Gold
Rise of the Plastic Brits
FSHR
Nicola Adams As women’s boxing makes its official Olympic debut in 2012, Britain’s leading lady is 29-year-old Nicola Adams from Leeds. Boxing for Haringey Police Community Club, Adams started at the age of 12 and had her first bout a year later. Adams has broken numerous records for English boxing as she became the first ever English female to earn a medal in a major championship when she picked up the Silver in the European
Did you know?
There are 11 weight classes in Olympic boxing, from lightflyweight to superheavyweight
Championships in Denmark. A year later she became the first English woman to earn a medal in the Women’s World Championships in Ningbo, China. She whitewashed the American Cynthia Marella Moreno before narrowly missing out on the Gold medal, losing to the Polish world number one, Karolina Michalczuk. In September 2010 she picked up another world championship Silver medal, this time losing out to Chinese boxer Ren Cancan, but became the first English woman to win two medals at a world championship. Adams got revenge against double world champion Cancan when they faced off in Bulgaria in February, prevailing by just one point. She later comprehensively beat her next two opponents to take Gold and further increase her chances of taking top spot in London 2012. If the world number three can make the final of 2012 or possibly win Gold, it would put women’s boxing in the spotlight and could usher in a new generation of medal winning boxers for 2016.
When Great Britain were announced as the host nation for the 2012 Olympic Games back in 2005, some members of the squad for Team GB in the summer were not competing for Britain. Since then, approximately 50 athletes with dual nationality decided to switch nations and now make up part of the 550-strong 2012 Team GB. In recent weeks these elite athletes have had the term ‘plastic Brits’ used against them, as some believe they are not British enough to wear the Union Jack. This storm came to its climax when American-born Tiffany Porter refused to recite the British national anthem when requested by a journalist at a press conference. The conference was at the World Indoor Athletic Championship in Istanbul where she was team captain, although she competed for America until 2010. Like many, she had the right to be in the British team as her mother was born in the UK, but many argue she only switched allegiances as she was not good enough to make the American team. But should we be complaining? At the same championships Porter won a Silver medal in the 60m hurdles and another ‘plastic Brit’ Yamile Aldama, who had competed for Cuba and Sudan in the past, won Gold in the triple jump. Countries have traded athletes for years, and as long as they have been successful the public have not seemed to care. Look at the Ashes heroes of 2005. One of the England’s greatest players, Kevin Pietersen, was born in South Africa, but no one questioned his loyalty to our nation. When the Olympics begin in the summer, the British handball team will have 19 foreign-born players, and the Basketball side has ten players born as far afield as Sudan and there is nine more foreign-born players in the volleyball side, to name a few. But is this due to the lack of homegrown talent, or are the authorities just looking to better sporting nations for our teams? Either way, how many British people will be concerned about the birth place of an athlete if Britain win gold at our home Olympics? My guess is not many.
32 sport
Thursday 29 March | The Rock
What’s the point?
Who do you agree with?
tweet us at @BournemouthRock with your views
The world and his wife are always looking for a way to make football more exciting, but does football’s closest sporting rival, rugby union, have the right idea, awarding bonus points for scoring goals and losing margins? It has certainly divided our sports desk – take a look at the points system, our changed league table and our arguments and let us know what you think.
It’s time for a re-think Andy Mitchell Having taken in my first rugby match this season after numerous stifled, defensive or one-sided football matches, it pains me to say the egg chasers actually have the right idea. Bournemouth Lions have been powering their way to the National Three South & West title this season and were firmly in control towards the end of their match with Exmouth, despite a shaky start. Yet the match was still fiercely competitive due to the extra league points on offer through the ‘bonus point’ system. The visitors were clinging onto their bonus point for losing by a small margin, while Lions were chasing a fourth try to complete a maximum haul. Imagine what it would be like in football – instead of going to Old Trafford and watching a routine 2-0 lead sat out for the last hour, United would have to push for a third goal. Once you get to this stage the big boys can smell blood
Let’s all just calm down
and go for a cricket score while the opposition are still only a goal away from a point of their own, so they open up rather than trying to merely prevent a hammering. This system rewards teams that go for the throat and play at full tilt for 90 minutes – it increases competition, makes title races and relegation battles to the wire as more points are available and it keeps matches interesting throughout. Reward success further – if you give Wolves a 6-0 cuffing you deserve more than the side who rests players and grinds out a 1-0. Don’t hold your breath though, I can’t see any of the big boys going for this while they want to rest their prima donnas for another enthralling trip to the capital of Liechtenstein in midweek.
Jonny Byrne When was winning a football match not enough? Why must further incentive be dangled in front of teams to promote massive score lines? This idea is fantastic if your main goal is further alienating the ‘smaller’ clubs in a league. When Man City beat new arrivals Swansea 4-0 on the first day of the season, no one was surprised. For this the title contenders would receive five points. However, when Swansea recently shocked City with a wellearned 1-0 win at the Liberty Stadium, they would have received just four points for a feat that is arguably as impressive. Teams should be rewarded for challenging the ‘big’ teams, instead of being penalised for not thrashing them. Football teams never intend on getting beaten by
NAH, KEEP IT AS IT SHOULD LOOK
THIS IS HOW IT COULD LOOK... Man. City Man. Utd Arsenal Tottenham Chelsea Newcastle Sunderland Liverpool Everton Norwich Swansea West Brom Stoke Aston Villa Fulham Blackburn QPR Bolton Wigan Wolves
P 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 29 30 30 30 29 30 30
W 22 23 18 16 14 14 11 11 11 10 10 10 10 7 9 7 6 8 5 5
D 4 4 4 7 8 8 7 9 7 9 9 6 8 12 9 7 7 2 10 7
L 4 3 8 7 8 8 12 10 12 11 11 14 12 10 12 16 17 19 15 18
F 72 74 61 53 49 44 39 36 30 41 34 36 29 31 37 43 33 33 27 31
A 22 27 39 35 34 42 34 31 32 47 36 41 41 38 41 62 53 58 55 65
GD 50 47 22 18 15 2 5 5 -2 -6 -2 -5 -12 -7 -4 -19 -20 -25 -28 -34
BP PTS 20 116 12 112 14 94 9 87 11 83 6 78 14 72 10 72 9 67 8 66 6 64 10 62 6 62 9 61 6 60 16 58 14 52 9 45 4 44 8 42
large margins; goal difference can prove far too important, as does pride. Getting obliterated 8-2 can happen to even the best of clubs. A better goal difference almost acts as a bonus point for rivalling teams and can make all the difference at the end of the season. Let’s not create more arguments by throwing extra bonus points into the equation. The system as it is does this job. If you lose a game you don’t get rewarded for it, which should be incentive enough. Over past seasons, Man Utd have been impeccable at grinding out results when they count, whether they are pretty or not. With Rugby Union’s system they could win five out of five games and still earn less points than a team who won four and drew one. Where is the justice in that? Football is simple and it is that simplicity that makes it so exciting to watch. Big score lines don’t always equate to the most exciting matches. Although, the gap between Arsenal and Spurs would be a bit bigger, so maybe it isn’t such a bad idea after all.
How the points system works
4pts for a win 2pts for a draw 1pt 1pt for scoring three or more goals for losing by a one goal margin
Maximum 5 pts per game
P Man. Utd 30 Man. City 30 Arsenal 30 Tottenham 30 Chelsea 30 Newcastle 30 Liverpool 30 Sunderland 30 Everton 30 Swansea 30 Norwich 30 Stoke 30 Fulham 30 West Brom 30 Aston Villa 29 Blackburn 30 Bolton 29 QPR 30 Wigan 30 Wolves 30
W 23 22 18 16 14 14 11 11 11 10 10 10 9 10 7 7 8 6 5 5
D 4 4 4 7 8 8 9 7 7 9 9 8 9 6 12 7 2 7 10 7
L 3 4 8 7 8 8 10 12 12 11 11 12 12 14 10 16 19 17 15 18
F 74 72 61 53 49 44 36 39 30 34 41 29 37 36 31 43 33 33 27 31
A 27 22 39 35 34 42 31 34 32 36 47 41 41 41 38 62 58 53 55 65
GD PTS 47 73 50 70 22 58 18 55 15 50 2 50 5 42 5 40 -2 40 -2 39 -6 39 -12 38 -4 36 -5 36 -7 33 -19 28 -25 26 -20 25 -28 25 -34 22
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The Rock | Thursday 29 March
Poole bids to be home of beach soccer Tom Bennett Jasper Taylor Dorset FA is looking to make Poole beach the “home of England beach soccer.” On Sunday March 25 the England Beach Soccer team gathered in Poole for their second training camp of the season. A lot of the players have past footballing credentials including playing in the Spanish and Italian leagues. General manager of the England squad David Jones explained: “If you looked at their CVs most of these would have been involved in a professional club in some capacity. When they were younger they may have got an injury that put an end to their professional career.” Beach soccer is now the centre of attention for these players as they look to compete on the world stage. The England team is currently training in a bid to qualify for the 2013 World Cup in the small pacific island of Tahiti. “We hope to travel to Moscow at the end of July for the World Cup Qualifiers. We have never
qualified, but in it early days we were invited to play.” Europe tends to dominate the beach soccer scene, apart from the undoubted dominance of South American giants Brazil, but Europe only have four qualifying places in the bi-annual tournament. Beach soccer is always looking to gain more publicity and Jones believes it will become an official sport at the 2016 Olympic Games. “We believe it will be at the Olympics in 2016 because they are in Brazil. It is logical that they want to promote it and get a Gold medal in their own games.” The national side was formed in 1995 but the sport was first played in England on the Isle of Wight. Jones told The Rock, “The sport was originally developed on Small Hope Beach. The guy who got the right to promote beach soccer just got some goals, painted them yellow and stuck them down the beach.” Poole is hoping to provide the perfect preparation setting for England’s summer World Cup Qualifiers. The beach already boasts a full size beach soccer pitch but Jones is excited at the prospect of more facilities. “What a great venue we have here but it would
A Realist’s Perspective
Dan Welling
Torres troubles The squad hopes beach soccer will become an Olympic sport BENNETT be a dream to have permanent infrastructure. A second pitch I believe is going to be installed as well.” Despite the rise in popularity of the sport, it has still not quite caught enough attention from FA Officials. “We have to have their permission to compete and wear the Three Lions. We don’t get financial support as in a monetary sense, we are just amateurs trying to be professional. We do get kit from Umbro.”
We recently got voted to “ have one of the best beaches in the country and from my point of view it is part of our vision as a county FA that Poole becomes the home of England beach soccer
”
This forces the national team to seek funding from elsewhere. “We are always cap in hand saying please help. with how things are at present we generally rely on sponsors to generate money from somewhere to go to tournaments.”
Poole set to host first mainland league Dorset FA is currently in the process of developing the first UK mainland Beach Soccer League, to be hosted at Poole. The league will consist of teams from up and down the country with a potential national selection as the ultimate prize. Todd Govan from
The England beach soccer team in action on Sunday TOM BENNETT
The official rules of Beach Soccer were created in 1992 after the beaches of Brazil were littered with acrobatic athletes who used the sand as the perfect canvas to showcase their footballing talents. Expect to see skill, agility and some spectacular goals as the game averages a goal every three minutes. The sand provides a tricky surface which forces the players to use every part of their body. Overhead kicks and diving headers aren’t rare in this sport, so prepare yourself for a thrilling match.
the Dorset FA told The Rock: “We are very keen to get as many teams involved in that as we can. The England boys have said they will put a development squad into the league with a view for players to potentially get spotted to play for their country.” Todd struggled to contain his excitement for the sport and said: “I don’t think a day goes by when I don’t talk about beach soccer to someone.” Poole Beach looks to be spearheading the sport in England and Todd added: “I think it’s absolutely fantastic. We recently got voted to have one of the best beaches in the country and from my point of view it is part of our vision as a county FA that Poole becomes the home of England beach soccer. To have them down here is an excellent resource and publicity for us.” Jones is also excited about the prospect of the league in Poole and believes it is “massive. We desperately needed it. We are a football nation.” And that nation will continue to grow with the inclusion of beach soccer, and Poole beach acting as the catalyst to its popularity. The Poole Beach Soccer League will run for six weeks throughout the summer and will follow the same rules as normal beach soccer except games will last for a slightly shorter period. A women’s and junior league will also be established next summer in a bid to strengthen the reputation of this ever-growing sport even further. Anyone interested in entering the new league should get in contact with the Dorset FA. The pitch measures 28x37 metres, about a quarter of the size of a standard grass pitch. Each team consists of five players and up to five rolling substitutes. This lends itself to accelerating the pace and flow of the game. There are three quarters of twelve minutes in each match but if teams are level, a three minute ‘Golden Goal’ period determines the winner. If the teams are still tied, a penalty shootout decides the victor. And of course, one of the main rules - no shoes!
For the past year, I have been tormented to see a striker of such undeniable class toil so much at a club. I can’t imagine there is a player in the Premier League who makes fans feel such a wide range of different emotions as Fernando Torres. Even guys like Ashley Cole and Mario Balotelli, who are not the most popular amongst the armchair fans or showbiz columnists, really only divide fans in two groups - those who believe they are talented footballers and those who think they are spoiled brats. With Torres however, there is an entire myriad of emotions. I’ve seen sympathy for the lack of service provided to him by a lacklustre midfield. I’ve seen anger from Blues fans who are constantly shouting “SHOOT” a second after the Spaniard turns in the box, passing up another goal scoring opportunity. I’ve seen pure comedy from fans that have turned a once proud striker into the Premier League’s laughing stock. But what might be the most common of all is confusion. How can a striker become the shadow of the man he once was and then stay that way for almost an entire year. They say form is temporary and class is permanent but in Torres’ case, there are rumours circulating the press that this ‘permanent’ expression might have gone forever. But in the society we live in, class can easily return in just half an hour. Torres’ scored twice against Leicester City in the FA Cup and immediately words such as ‘revitalised’ and ‘resurgent’ were appearing in papers and forums across the country. You would have thought he had scored the winner in the FA Cup final itself, but he hadn’t. No disrespect to Leicester City, but two goals against a struggling Championship side, one of which was hardly convincing, does not mark a return to form. The same Torres of 2011 returned against Man City on Wednesday. Good link up play, but didn’t look like scoring at all. If Chelsea are to regain their mantle and challenge for the Premier League next season they need Torres to score. We’ve been waiting for this almost inevitable streak to begin in every game Torres plays, but the longer it’s put on hold, the more Chelsea suffer and the more likely it’ll never happen.
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Devil's Advocate
Thursday 29 March | The Rock
Have English clubs fallen off the pace?
5 years not out Jasper Taylor
Mohammad Amir was found guilty of spot-fixing when he deliberately bowled two no-balls in the test against England in 2010. He was ordered to six month’s imprisonment and a five-year ban from all forms of cricket. For the good of the game, this ban needs to be reduced or even rescinded by the ICC. Fans of cricket want to see a fair game with no outside influence, especially monetary, but real fans also want to see the best, young players carving a long and successful career. It is particularly heart-warming when a player is touted from the streets of a remote village, such as Amir, and has the potential to spearhead a team to glory. What Amir did was naïve and showed a lack of experience, but why was an 18 year-old not protected by the Pakistan Cricket Board or by senior players? Amir revealed in a recent interview that his senior Salman Butt befriended him and tricked him into cheating. Butt allegedly blackmailed Amir by telling him the ICC had recorded phone calls relating to spot-fixing and that his name wouldn’t be mentioned if he could bowl the two no-balls during the test. He was told his career would be ruined if he didn’t. When we take a step back, bowling two no-balls didn’t actually affect the match or the series. England won the match by an innings and 225 runs, mainly thanks to Trott and Broad’s record eighth wicket partnership and won the series 3-1. It is utterly frustrating to look at just what a talent the world is missing out on. The potential of Amir was demonstrated in that fateful game against England, as the teenager took nineteen wickets in the series at an average of 18.3. This included two five-wicket hauls, the first of these making him the youngest ever player to take a five wickethaul in England. The series also saw him become the youngest ever bowler to reach fifty test wickets. If he carried on at this rate, as well as improving and honing his technique, it is fair to say he would have easily surpassed the wicket total of his idol and Pakistan legend Wasim Akram. Amir could become one of the greatest, create a legacy and be a hero to so many other Pakistani cricketers, including those learning their trade on the streets. The sooner he comes back, the better.
The team are now touring, talking to fans and answering questions BIC
Tom Bennett
CHIEF SPORTS REPORTER Matt Le Tissier has said that Manchester United and Manchester City should not worry about being
knocked out the Europa League and claimed: “I think most teams care about that as much as they care about the Carling Cup.” Le Tissier was part of the panel that took to Bournemouth’s International Centre last week for the first leg of their Gillette Soccer Saturday Live tour, and shared his
views on many subjects, including whether England are falling off the pace as a nation. England’s top two clubs were eliminated from the Champions League at the group stage this season and only overcame one round in Europe’s secondary club competition. Manchester United were knocked out at the hands of Spanish outfit Athletico Bilbao whilst Manchester City fell short of the pace against Sporting Lisbon. These exits came in a week where Arsenal were also eliminated from Europe despite a hugely positive display against Italian giants AC Milan. Chelsea now remain England’s only hope in the Champions League, but even they gave themselves an uphill task to seek progression. However, Le Tissier said that these teams were in “transitional periods,” and believes it was “just a blip,” and that this season was unlucky for English sides in Europe. Despite this season’s disaster, the former Southampton midfielder is optimistic about next season’s Champions League and said: “I’m hoping for the sake of our Premier League that it is only a mere blip that will be taken care of and hopefully we’ll see two or three teams in the quarter finals next season.” Phil Thompson agreed, but said he was shocked at the exit of the Red Devils: “If you look at Manchester United, what happened there? They’re top of our league but they
got beat by a very good team who are seventh in La Liga. We’re miles away at the moment from La Liga.” Jeff Stelling wisely cracked: “If Manchester United, City, Arsenal and Chelsea are off the pace then god knows where Liverpool are Phil!” to which the former Liverpool Assistant Manager was displeased. Thompson brings up an interesting point, though. The Premier League and La Liga are arguably the two best leagues in the world, and have been rivalling each other for that crown for decades, so should we be worried that Spanish giants are dominating Europe’s top club competitions this season? A few months ago, fears were raised that the La Liga championship was turning into a two-horse race, much like the Scottish Premier League, with Barcelona and Real Madrid controlling the top two positions with their enviable wealth and style of play. Since then Valencia have had an unbelievable season and are only marginally behind the top two. Levante have also shone this year and remained second place for a prolonged period of time at the start of the season. Whether English clubs are falling off the pace in Europe is yet to be seen. The next few seasons should tell us whether we are slowly crashing out of any chances of European silverware, or whether this season was a minor blip that shall not soon be repeated.
Williams chairman Our thoughts are Parr steps down still with Muamba Liam Wood Williams Chairman, Alan Parr has announced he will leave the British F1 team this week. His resignation has come as a surprise to both the team and the F1 paddock, considering last month the companies founder, Sir Frank Williams, referred to Parr as his successor. “Over five years, Adam’s achievements have surpassed my expectations and I must thank him for his service,” said Williams. “Adam leaves us on good terms to pursue a better balance in his life for which I wish him and his family well. “He has left us in good shape and I have every confidence that the board and senior management team at Williams will continue to drive the business forward into a promising future,” he added. Parr joined the historic team in 2006 as chief executive officer and was promoted to chairman in 2010. He is to be replaced by Nick
Rose, ex-chief financial officer of the world’s largest spirits company Diageo, as non-executive chairman on March 30. “I am very grateful to Frank for giving me the opportunity to work for Williams over the past five years - a period that has been both challenging and rewarding,” Parr said in a statement. “Williams is now set up to move forward and I wish everyone at Grove well.” Williams have had a strong start to the season with Bruno Senna finishing sixth in Malaysia last weekend and Pastor Maldonado’s excellent pace in Australia. The impressive run of form is partly down to the new technical team that Parr put in place. Parr successfully floated the company on the Frankfurt stock market last year, making a profit and leaving the team with a bright future. Team Williams don’t race agin until April 15, where they will be looking to put more points on the board in Shanghao, China. Williams currently sit seventh in the team rankings this season.
Tom Tudgay Twenty-three years of age. That’s nothing. Fiancée and three-year-old son. That’s everything. I was at White Hart Lane on that day, the day football held its breath, the day one of its own lost his. Chants of “Fabrice Muamba, Fabrice Muamba” filled a kind of silence I had never heard before. Football sometimes represents the worst of us, that day it represented the best. The reaction of both the Bolton and Tottenham players was remarkable, and the response of those in the stands even more so. I watched as club doctors and physios went about saving a young man’s life, and listened as the West Stand chanted Muamba’s name. Fans of both clubs, who had come to watch a football match and escape life’s pressures, were quickly reminded of them. Muamba had started the match well, but faced a battle with England captain Scott Parker for the midfield. Instead, he battled for his life, his engagement with Parker rendered
insignificant, also rendering football altogether insignificant. It didn’t take much to realise it wasn’t a sprained ankle, twisted knee or pulled muscle. The pumping of Muamba’s chest, in full view of some thirty thousand empty faces was proof enough. By the time the defibrillator shocked Muamba’s body, many were already on their way out the ground, unable to watch any more. I was not in the stands. I was one of just a few in the ESPN television trucks, sat behind the director, who made the decision that the incident didn’t need to be on TV. About ten minutes after the police came into the trucks to review the footage, I too, had to leave, unable to watch any more. As the always impressive Howard Webb abandoned the FA Cup quarter final tie and the stands emptied, I would imagine no one grumbled they had missed out on the chance to see their team progress into the last four. Their thoughts, and mine, had turned to a young man, his family and his fight for life. Football. That’s nothing. Life. That’s everything.
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The Rock | Thursday 29 March
A call for better heart screenings
Close up with:
Craig Rodhouse
MacDonald
AFC Bournemouth defensive coordinator Ryan Garry has called for better heart screening for players, in the aftermath of Fabrice Muamba’s cardiac arrest on the pitch whilst playing for Bolton. Muamba collapsed during Bolton’s FA Cup tie with Tottenham, and Garry – who played alongside Muamba at Arsenal – was affected more than most by the ordeal. “I played with him when we were kids at Arsenal. He was a very positive guy and it was very clear that he had a great attitude and was going to go far in the game,” said Garry. “To see what happened in the game was absolutely tragic, but I’m very happy to see that he’s on the road to recovery.” Muamba’s case is not the first to be seen by footballing fans and Garry has revealed that he would like to see improvements to the heart screening of all professional footballers. “Marc-Vivien Foe sadly passed away in 2003 and since then we’ve had problems with other players. But they were obviously around five years ago and so it was a massive shock to see what happened to Fabrice. “It affects everyone involved with footballers; the players, staff and supporters because you very rarely see it. “We do get screened as players,
Wilcox future doubt Cherries’ assistant manager Russ Wilcox has been placed on gardening leave following the departure of Lee Bradbury. He will return to the Seward Stadium in two-weeks time to discuss his future at the club. Wilcox, took the role in December last year, following Steve Fletcher’s brief spell as Bradbury’s right-hand man. Despite only having the role for three months, Wilcox has been involved in an up-anddown spell for the Cherries. Having been in fifteenth place at his appointment, they only lost two of their next eleven games, climbing to eighth position and becoming play-off contenders. However, a dip in form saw five straight losses and Bournemouth plunged into the bottom half of the table. The recent reshuffle has left the permanent future of Wilcox at the club under increasing doubt.
Shaun The Rock talks to midfielder Shaun MacDonald and finds out what his favourite goal for the Cherries is
Ryan Garry says that clubs need to ensure players are screened AFCB but I think we need improvements. Without knowing the details of what happened with Fabrice, it’s obviously a problem that has developed since he had his last screening. “There’s definitely a case for players to have more regular screenings to make sure that cases like this don’t happen again.” Cherries’ physio Steve Hard agreed that heart screenings need to be improved, but said that modernday physiotherapists are trained well enough to deal effectively with any potential incidents like Muamba’s. “I’ve done my advanced resuscitation and emergency aid training and I know a couple of the boys that were on the pitch at Tottenham. It’s one of those things that you hope you never have to use, but they have had to use it and I
think it shows as Fabrice has pulled through. “You definitely still want to have your heart screens though; we never want to have to use the training we have. “You get screens when you’re at the academy but you do get some players that come into the game later than others. The problem with doing screenings when your younger is that your body changes massively as you age. “We definitely want to do more. A few years ago we screened the whole first-team squad again, regardless of whether they’d had screenings when they were younger. “Whether we do yearly screenings I don’t know, but we certainly need more to prevent incidents like these happening again.”
Is Steve Fletcher set for Hollywood? Tom Bennett Steve Fletcher is trading shooting at goal for shooting some movies. The AFC Bournemouth striker, who has just moved on-loan to Plymouth Argyle, stars in a short film called ‘The Boxer’ written by Cherries fan Nick Dearman. Fletcher told The Rock: “I suppose it is something you always want to do, star in a film.” Fletcher plays a world heavyweight champion boxer who blinds one of his fellow fighters in a heroic tale inspired by the movie The Fighter. The film is hoping to be jetted off to the prestigious Cannes film
festival and Dearman explained to The Rock why he chose the Bournemouth striker for the role: “I chose Steve because of his physique, he’s a good actor as well. He is not just a footballer. I think he is the new Vinnie Jones,” Dearman got in contact with Steve via Twitter and the 39-year-old Bournemouth record appearance holder was more than happy to help out. Fletcher said: “Nick is an avid Bournemouth supporter and he contacted me through Twitter asking me if I would like to play a part in the film. Obviously straight away you’re like ‘yeah I’ll be part of it’!” When asked whether he had a future in acting, Fletcher was quick to dismiss the idea by explaining: “I think this was just a one-off, I’ll stick to the football.”
MacDonald joined the Cherries from Swansea in August 2011 AFCB
Name: Shaun MacDonald
Best mate at the club:
Age: 23
Wes (Fogden) and Marc (Pugh) are top lads. I’m good mates with my roommate Steve Cook too.
Position: Centre Midfielder Been at club since: 2011 Favourite goal: The Hereford one, it was a nice finish. I remember it bouncing on the edge of the box, I took a couple of touches and then hit it into the top corner.
Favourite moment: The win against Notts County. I was just coming back from injury and I came on as sub and ended up setting up the winning goal.
Least like to sit next to on the coach: I get on well with all the lads here and wouldn’t mind sitting next to any of them.
Describe yourself in three words:
Hardworking, professional, skillful.
Favourite thing about playing for Bournemouth: Spending time with my family in the area.
36 sport
Thursday 15 March | The Rock
A parting of ways
I don’t believe it! Real big money Apoel Nicosia’s record signing cost a mere 1% of their Champions League opponents Real Madrid. The Cypriot club’s star striker Ailton cost a fraction of Cristiano Ronaldo’s £80million move to the Spanish giants. Ailton has scored an average of once every four games whilst Ronaldo scores more than a goal every game for Madrid. Apoel’s annual budget stands at £8.5million - virtually pocket money to the multi-million pound Real Madrid.
The curse of Gold Jordan Key
Bye bye Bradders: Bradbury departed the Seward Stadium on Sunday afternoon after a long talk with Chairman Eddie Mitchell AFCBOURNEMOUTH
Andy Mitchell
ASS’T SPORTS EDITOR Lee Bradbury left his role as AFC Bournemouth manager on Sunday by ‘mutual consent’, with mystery surrounding his departure from the Seward Stadium. A brief statement merely said that youth coaches Paul Groves and Shaun Brooks would be taking control “in the best interests of the club”. In a strange twist, no comment was made by Bradbury’s assistant Russ Wilcox, who was then placed on “gardening leave” 24 hours later. Bradbury, 36, had been in charge for just 14 months after taking over, but a run of one win in eight matches bought an abrupt end to his tenure. The club has insisted the decision was made by mutual consent following a meeting between Bradbury and Chairman Eddie Mitchell, though rumours of new investor Maxim Demin making the decision have been fuelled by Mitchell’s strange interview with the BBC. After prolonged silence in the face of several questions on the issue, Mitchell eventually told Radio Solent: “Both Lee and I spent considerable time talking on Sunday morning and we couldn’t
conclude together. “I don’t want to comment on Russ and I don’t want to comment on Ryan [Garry, Cherries coach].” He refused to say how long
wins from their final 12 games saw the Cherries forced to scrape into a play-off spot and they lost, albeit valiantly, to Huddersfield in the semi-finals. Bradbury faced the tough task of rebuilding a successful side after the sale of star players, while the club’s name is dragged through the mud when Mitchell took to the pitch with a microphone and ranted at supporters in September.
“ I don’t feel it
is my place to comment on where we are in the league ”
With a third of the season passed, Bournemouth were in the relegation zone with just one home win all season, but a run of nine wins in 14 matches catapulted Cherries to just two points off the play-off places. By the end of February they hit another slump and were embarrassed by coverage of Demin’s wife entering the dressing room at half-time and chairman Mitchell swearing on Radio Five Live.
Eddie Mitchell Cherries Chairman
Groves and Brooks will take charge for, bizarrely claiming: “I don’t think it’s my place to comment on things further ahead than that [Tuesday’s game against Stevenage].” Before adding: “I don’t feel it is my place to comment on where we are in the league.” Bradbury’s departure curtailed what was an eventful start to life in football management – it was January 2011 when he took over from Burnley bound Eddie Howe with third placed Cherries flying high in League One, however, two
Matches 69
Paul Groves takes over as manager until the end of the season
Won 24
Drawn 20
Lost 25
Win% 34.78
All those who go to the Olympics hope to make their nation proud and claim a Gold medal. Team GB go into the tournament in great spirits with their team captain Tom Stalker and new team talisman Anthony Joshua winning the tough Bocskai competition in Hungary. Both improving from second best performances in the Amateur world championships last year in Baku. Stalker, Joshua and the Welsh Flyweight Andrew Selby, are hotly tipped to perform well in the upcoming summer games. Olympic gold can catapult a winner into a hall of fame with fantastic company, Cassius Clay, Sugar Ray Leonard and Oscar de la Hoya all bringing home Gold and then going on to become megastars. However this is not always the case, some Gold medallists never find their feet in the pro’s, and fall short of their potential. The classic example of this is the everconfident Audley Harrison. After claiming Gold in the 2000 Olympics he was given a ten fight contract with the BBC, reportedly worth £1million. Dull lacklustre wins hindered viewing figures, and ‘A-Force’ is credited with ruining boxing for the BBC, now completely snubbed. 2008 Gold medallist James DeGale also needs to bounce back, and into the public eye with big performances after a shock loss to rival George Groves. DeGale’s career, however, can still be saved whereas there is very little hope for ‘A-Farce’ who has recently pulled out with Iranian heavyweight Ali Adams.
AFCB
Turn to p30 for our Olympic special