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Islamic Centre decision delayed
Sophie Witts News editor
The University’s controversial decision to close the Islamic Centre on campus has been delayed. Following several months of protest by Muslim and non-Muslim students alike, the University has put the decision on hold and will instead look to formulate a clear policy on faith provision across campus, after consulting with the chaplaincy, a variety of UEA’s faith groups, the Union of UEA Students (UUEAS) and possibly the local community. A meeting on 15 October will examine the consultation’s findings, leading to a decision on the University’s long-term policy, as well as the future of the centre. In an official statement, the University’s executive team stated: “[we will] ask the University Council to consider a longterm policy for UEA on the provision and organisation of facilities for prayer and religious observance on campus, and the principles that should guide any future developments. Provisionally, therefore, the building housing the current Islamic prayer facility will remain open.” Speaking to Concrete, Union Communications Officer Matt Myles said: “the Union welcomes the University’s
FEATURES
decision to delay the closure of the centre in order to think more strategically about faith provision on campus. We want to see the university comprehensively consult students over the creation of the longterm policy on campus faith provision, as it will affect thousands of us this year and in future years”. Muhammed Suleman Patel, vicepresident of the Islamic Society, said the Muslim community at UEA were both happy and grateful to the University for the decision, but acknowledged that their campaign was far from over. “We have certainly not become complacent and we will continue to work with attentiveness. At this point it seems inevitable that our campaign will spill out into the next academic year. Nevertheless I believe a major benefit that can be found from this whole ordeal so far is that it has brought further unison to the UEA Muslim community and has brought us closer together with the wider UEA student collective.” Following the initial announcement of the closure of the centre, the University indicated that there were no plans to replace the facility, and those affected would be re-accommodated in the campus Chaplaincy, despite Union members
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having voted on and approved a policy in 2011 indicating that the building was not an adequate multi-faith facility. Speaking to BBC News earlier this year, Patel stated that the space was “too small to accommodate those who want to attend
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Friday prayers”, which includes members of the local community as well as at least 530 Islamic students who currently attend UEA. Continued on page five.
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Sam Gladstone
OUR MAP OF CAMPUS
REVIEW: ANNA KARENINA
RETURN OF MERLIN
UEA SPORT PREVIEWED
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concrete.editor@uea.ac.uk
Issue 271
Editorial
Contributors
Editor-in-chief | Amy Adams concrete.editor@uea.ac.uk Managing Editor | Chris Teale concrete.managingeditor@uea.ac.uk Online Editor | Harry Slater concrete.online@uea.ac.uk News | Philip Thomas & Sophie Witts concrete.news@uea.ac.uk Comment | Ciara Jack concrete.comment@uea.ac.uk Travel | Polly Grice concrete.travel@uea.ac.uk Features | Lauren Cope concrete.features@uea.ac.uk Global | Robert Norris ueaconcreteinternational@gmail.com Lifestyle | Emma Williamson concrete.lifestyle@uea.ac.uk Science & Tech | Rebecca Hardy concrete.science@uea.ac.uk Environment | Tim Miller concrete.turf@uea.ac.uk Sport | Billy Sexton & Sam Tomkinson concrete.sport@hotmail.co.uk concrete.sport@uea.ac.uk Copy editors | Sidonie Chaffer-Melly & Charlotte Cox concretecopyeditors@gmail.com Chief Photographers | Elizabeth Margereson & Chloe Hashemi concrete.photographers@uea.ac.uk
News | Amy Adams, Chris Teale, Sophie Witts, Philip Thomas, Emma Williamson, Billy Sexton, Rachel Knott, Michael Drummond, Frances McKeown, Lucy Jobber Global | Robert Norris, Ben Hardie Comment | Tim Rose, Emma Holbrook, Ciara Jack, Sebastian Crawford, Jess Collett Features | Billy Sexton, Sarah Boughen, Amy Griffiths Science & Tech | Samantha Price, Suhailah Ali Environment | Ella Gilbert, Tim Miller Lifestyle | Jess Beech, Lucy Jobber, Bethan Williams, Emma Williamson, Holly Whitaker Travel | Jessica Crisp, Jake Deller, Matt Tidby, Kirsten Powley, Robert Norris Sport | Chris Teale, Daniel Suen, Marco Bell, Jack Enright, Sam Tomkinson Proofreaders | Amy Adams, Harry Slater, Chris Teale, Oliver Balaam, Tilly Wood
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Editorial
21/09/12
The Editor’s Column
It’s been a funny old summer. Jess Ennis may have warmed the cynical hearts of Britain, but meanwhile the presidential race grows ever-more farcical, America still refuses to consider gun control, and education reforms in the UK continue to terrify anyone who has anything to do with education. And let’s not even get started on the political minefield that is London Met. But over at Concrete HQ, things are looking pretty good. While we haven’t been in print over the summer, we’ve still been busy. Our online wizard Harry Slater has built us an entirely new site, which is far shinier and full of extra content. Meanwhile, we teamed up with UEA’s Illustration Guild to create an alternative map of campus, with all the tips you need
Tweet of the Week Lewis Spurgin | @LewisSpurgin
“ FRESHERS. It’s
You can also keep up by searching for us on Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr.
Essential items for moving to Norwich: 1. goggles 2. boiler suit 3. pate. #uea ”
to dive straight in to the new year. Not only that, but we have previews of the University sports clubs, a look back at significant stories from the summer, and our cultural pull-out Venue is bursting with reviews of films, music, this summer’s festivals and some amazing Olympic nails. If you’re a first year, then welcome to UEA. It’s a fantastic University and an amazing experience, no matter how you feel about freshers’ week. Finally, make sure you sign up to Concrete at Societies Fair, and join the sections you’re interested in at the Big Meet on Thursday in the Congregation Hall at 7pm. See you there! Amy Adams Editor-in-chief
Contact Us Address Union House University of East Anglia Norwich NR4 7TJ Editorial inquiries / complaints concrete.editor@uea.ac.uk concrete.event@uea.ac.uk Got a story? concrete.news@uea.ac.uk Telephone 01603 593 466 Websites www.concrete-online.co.uk www.concblog.wordpress.com
Concrete welcomes all letters and emails, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Letters should be addressed to the editor-in-chief, and include contact details. All emails should be sent to concrete.editor@uea.ac.uk. We will consider anonymous publication, and reserve the right to edit for length and clarity. Anonymous article submissions are permitted. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the newspaper. No part of this newspaper may be reproduced through any means without the express permission of the editor, Amy Adams. Published by UUEAS Concrete Society ©2012 Concrete BMc ISSN 1351-2773
News University reassures international students 21/09/12
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Stricter attendance monitoring planned Campus Chris Teale Managing editor
Campus Sophie Witts News editor UEA has responded to concerns from the international student community after the UK Border Agency’s (UKBA) recent decision to revoke London Metropolitan University’s licence to sponsor non-EU students. In a statement issued to the press, the University asserted that it took its responsibilities to “comply with visa regulations extremely seriously and its UKBA highly trusted sponsor status is completely secure. No UEA students will be adversely affected by the difficulties at London Metropolitan University.”
The highly trusted sponsor status (HTS) is designed for use by universities to ensure that students entering the country via the education system do so with the intention to study rather than to work illegally. Commenting on UEA’s position, vicechancellor Prof. Edward Acton said: “International students enrich our campus community beyond measure, enhancing the student experience for all. “Talented students come to UEA from more than 100 countries worldwide and we look forward to welcoming both the new intake and our returning students next week.” An external examination of London Met’s files by UKBA found that the
Honorary doctorates awarded Campus Emma Williamson News reporter The University of East Anglia awarded 14 honorary degrees this summer, with a number of household names included in the honours. Between 17 July and 20 July, a variety of notable individuals were recognised in UEA’s 2012 graduation ceremonies. Amongst this year’s honorary graduates were My Family actress Zoë Wanamaker, former director of the Victorian and Albert Museum Sir Mark Jones, and Prof. John Durant, director of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Museum.
Brian Summers, UEA registrar and secretary, said: “We present honorary degrees to those who have made a remarkable contribution to the arts, science, sport, and civil society.” Jake Humphrey, who was seen this summer as part of the BBC’s Olympic presenting team, was awarded an honorary doctorate of civil law. Upon receiving the honour, Humphrey said: “I’m incredibly privileged to receive such an accolade from the University of East Anglia. “I must also admit to feeling rather embarrassed and very lucky to be meeting the rest of the graduates who have all had to study a lot harder than me to achieve their doctorates.”
university was failing to adequately monitor its students in the manner required by the HTS programme, which includes checking the validity of a student’s UK visa, testing English language skills, as well as monitoring attendance and academic progress. Around 2,600 students currently face deportation from the UK. Immigration minister Damian Green said London Met’s administration and monitoring of international students had encountered a “serious systematic failure” that was identified six months ago. The Union of UEA Students is asking international students to email any concerns they may have to union.community@uea.ac.uk
UEA will be phasing in a new academic model with new first year undergraduates from September 2013. The model contains a number of new initiatives that increase expectations of students and is also intended to improve their academic experience. The model was first proposed in 2010, and has been formulated by the Learning and Teaching Committee. One key change under the new model will be the requirement of students to pass all modules before they can progress to the next year of their degree. Currently, students can fail up to 40 credits in a year and continue with their studies regardless. However, one aspect of the model that has caused some concern is the use of stricter attendance monitoring to determine whether a student who has failed a module can automatically enter re-assessment. Under the proposed scheme, a student will need to have been to 80% of teaching that has monitored attendance, and have achieved a mark of at least 20%. If attendance is less than 80% in a failed module, extenuating circumstances will have to be proven for a re-sit to be allowed to take place. Caroline Sauverin, acting director of Learning and Teaching Services, believes it is the right time for the new model to be introduced. She told Concrete: “With the introduction of new fees, students are going to expect more from their course, and we want to give them more. Sauverin added: “We also want to increase employability, so if we can get students to improve their degree classifications through engagement and performance, that will help.” In response, Union academic officer Josh Bowker said: “The Union has policy opposing the University’s attendance monitoring proposal, as we believe that students should be measured on their academic performance, as fits a university experience, rather than their attendance, which is more appropriate within school. We want to work with the University towards a system that better meets the needs of UEA students.”
News Moo’d have thought it? Pizza and quiet 4
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Norwich
Sophie Witts News editor The popular student takeaway Mr Pizza has lost its licence to serve hot food after 11pm following complaints of anti-social behaviour. Green Party councillor David Rogers, who backed local residents at the licencing hearing this week, said the result was “a tribute to the patience of local families who have tolerated late night disturbance for many years. The Green Party supports
From the website - in case you missed it. More news online. Campus Chris Teale Managing editor Four highland cows have mooved into UEA’s campus to help improve the biodiversity of the land. Named Delia, Chocolate, Cornflower and Cecily, they will reside in a field on the western edge of university land, and help manage the flora and fauna of the fenland, flood plain and meadows. UEA is believed to be the first university in the UK to use cattle for conservation purposes, and the idea for their use came from grounds manager Oliver Deeming. He said: “The cattle will graze areas of the land to differing heights, which will help diversify the plants growing in these areas. “Their droppings also act as a catalyst
for invertebrate growth – many different bugs and creatures will feed on the dung they produce, and these in turn will provide sustenance for the larger animals on campus such as foxes and badgers. “It will also help us to substantially reduce costs – clearing the fen by hand would take an extremely long time and require many man hours.” The four cows are owned by local farmer Nigel Darling, who said: “Highland cattle are very suitable for rough grazing, as they eat plants such as reeds, in addition to normal grass. “They are also extremely hardy, and do not require accommodation at night or in bad weather. They will be right at home at the University.” The cows will stay at UEA until the end of autumn on a trial basis, and could return next year in greater numbers if the trial is successful.
Meat and two veg University Lucy Jobber News reporter UEA has received a million dollar grant to investigate the effects of broccoli on reducing the risk of prostate cancer. The university’s research department will be looking specifically at the naturallyoccurring compound sulforaphane found in broccoli and its effects on both metabolism and gene expression in the prostate tissue. The funding is one of only nine donations awarded by the Prostate Cancer Fund, with the University’s unique capacity within the Norwich Research Park to incorporate plant science research,
food research and clinical studies on a single campus being a crucial motive in the granting of this esteemed award. The research will be led by researchers at the Institute of Food, with UEA’s cancer genetics expert Professor Colin Cooper, as well as Professor Richard Ball and Robert Mills of the Norfolk and Norwich University hospital assisting the research. The study could produce potentially life-changing results, with prostate cancer listed as the most common form of cancer in men in the UK, with more than 35,000 diagnoses per year. The results will hopefully result in better drug development and higher quality dietary advice in the future.
local businesses, but in this case the late night licence was inappropriate in a quiet residential area.” Residents of the Portersfield Road area of the Golden Triangle expressed relief at the decision. Janet Wilkinson, who applied to the council to deal with the disturbances around the takeaway, claimed that noise and anti-social behaviour in the vicinity had “escalated to unacceptable levels”. Following news of the licencing withdrawal she added “I now look forward to the return of peace and quiet in the neighbourhood”.
UEA rises up the rankings for seventh year running University Philip Thomas News editor The University of East Anglia was ranked 236th in the most recent publication of the renowned QS World University Rankings. UEA has consistently ascended the league table since being ranked 365th in 2007 and climbed 25 places this year. Natural Sciences, along with Arts and Humanities witnessed noteworthy improvement, being ranked 214th and 218th respectively. Vice-Chancellor Prof. Edward Acton said: “I am delighted
that we continue to rise through the world rankings. To have risen by 120 places in just seven years is a splendid achievement.” UEA received further acclaim in the current Which? University Guide, describing the University as “a great place to both live and learn”. The guide highlighted the high student satisfaction of 89%, while noting that graduates had good prospects when seeking either work or further study. Additionally, the website emphasised the broad range of courses and extracurricular activities available at UEA.
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UEA’s Golden Summer National
Michael Drummond News reporter UEA students and staff were among thousands involved in the events of London 2012. Roles included carrying the torch on its journey through Norfolk, working to ensure the games ran smoothly, and even competing in the games themselves. Former Pro-Vice Chancellor Tom Ward and students Melissa Ilboudo and James Colley all carried the torch as it passed through the county. Melissa has taken part
in triathlons and half marathons and since coming to the UK has raised £330,000 for her home country of Burkina Faso. James Colley, a chemistry student and qualified hockey umpire, took a rather unusual trip with the torch: jumping out of a plane with it from 15,000ft above ground. James told Concrete that he was both “shocked and amazed” at being chosen as a torch bearer, and that after jumping with the flame “the feeling I got during the relay, that I never thought I could match, was equalled.” He added that after
searching online it was possible he was one of the first people ever to skydive with the Olympic flame. UEA graduate Jess Draskau Petersson ran for Denmark in the women’s marathon, finishing 18th. She studied Law with German Law and Language during her time at the University and was named UEA Sportsperson of the Year in 2000. Three chemistry students on PhD courses worked with GlaxoSmithKline in the anti-doping laboratories, where they helped prepare samples for screening for
prohibited substances. Several students also took part in the opening and closing ceremonies of the games, while others volunteered in roles such as reporters and drivers. UEA also played host to the Paralympic torch where it was unveiled at the University during the build-up to the games. The University’s commitment to sport and national culture is plain to see in its involvement in the events of London 2012. Who knows how many UEA graduates will take part in 2016?
declares Delayed decision on New look WHO Norwich a for Blend ‘healthy city’ UEA’s Islamic Centre Campus
National
Rachel Knott News reporter
Frances McKeown News reporter
UEA’s catering service has received a facelift over the summer, rebranding itself The Campus Kitchen and aiming to offer a “locally sourced global menu.” One of the first changes is the refurbishment of Blend, which reopened on 10 September to reveal a new paint job and a brighter, more open-plan layout. The menu and atmosphere remain much the same, ensuring that Blend is still the same postlecture lunch spot we all know and love.
Norwich has become the latest city to join the World Health Organisation’s worldwide network of “healthy cities.” Councillors submitted a bid in July to join the network which works together to improve health in urban areas. 19 cities and towns across the UK have pledged their commitment to improve housing conditions, transport facilities and employment prospects, as key factors that can influence health.
Continued from front page. There have been further concerns about how the absence of adequate prayer facilities may potentially deter students from applying to study at the University, as well as how the decision over the centre will affect those beginning their courses this autumn who applied when the Islamic Centre was still promised in the University’s 2012/13 prospectus. Norwich South MP Simon Wright (Lib) also raised concerns over the closure with the UUEAS and representatives of the University. He told the press: “I know from meeting with members of the Islamic Society that recent proposals
raised some complex issues that were the cause of considerable anxiety. For many prospective students, knowing that there will be good prayer facilities and wide-ranging opportunities to take part in religious practices can be a key part of their decision to choose where to study. The decision to look again at the whole issue of religious facilities on campus can be good for existing students and also help the University’s efforts to recruit the very best students.” The future of the centre will continue to remain uncertain as the University begins its consultation, with a decision expected to be made in the coming months.
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News
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Further embarrassment for Norwich North MP
No more Literary leaflets! festival returns
Local
Campus
Billy Sexton News reporter
Amy Adams Editor-in-chief
Chloe Smith, MP for Norwich North constituency, became famous overnight in late June, as she was humiliated to a large degree by political commentator Jeremy Paxman. She now faces further embarrassment, coming under heavy criticism after being appointed the new lobbying minister in David Cameron’s cabinet reshuffle. Smith was unable to answer any of Paxman’s questions during her interview on Newsnight concerning fuel duty after being was sent in place of Chancellor George Osbourne. The treasury were later accused of cowardice and criticised for throwing Smith to the wolves. She spent a hapless two minutes dodging around a simple question about when she became aware of the government’s U-turn. She was also unable to provide Paxman with information on how the
UEA is cracking down on illegal leaflet distribution around campus. Any distribution which has not been approved by the University, such as takeaway menus in secure accommodation, could potentially lead to prosecution of repeat offenders. Campus services co-ordinator Helen Mount said: “The main priority for tackling this issue is student safety. It’s unsafe to have leaflets in stairwells, and the last thing we want is for someone to slip or fall down the stairs because of this issue.” Similar rules apply for booking rooms on campus for society events. Any student who wishes to distribute leaflets or posters for events or societies must first get permission from campus services. Either visit their website or email Helen at h.mount@uea.ac.uk.
£550m move would be funded. Hoping to start afresh – if such a thing exists in British politics – Smith’s tenure as lobbying minister got off to a dreadful start as one of the main groups representing Britain’s lobbyists made negative comments about her in a press release. The PRCA made comments about her grilling from Paxman which certainly caused eyebrows to be raised among journalists and politicians alike. The press release rounds off quite a dismal summer for Smith, who, before her fateful interview with Paxman, was considered to be a rising force in Parliament.
Campus
Rachel Knott News reporter
UEA’s International Literary Festival is upon us once more. The Autumn leg of the annual festival, run by the Arthur Miller Centre, commences on September 26 with Sebastian Faulks, award-winning author of Birdsong. There are plenty of big names among the line-up, including Ian McEwan, graduate of UEA’s prestigious Creative Writing MA, Ben Elton, and Jeremy Vine, among others. In other literary news on campus, Olivier-award-winning playwright Timberlake Wertenbaker and Whitbreadwinning novelist Ali Smith are joining UEA as the first Unesco City of Literature visiting professors.
Comment
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Romney, riots and the royal family Ciara Jack Comment editor I didn’t write an editorial for our short and sweet handover issue, so here is my formal introduction. In the style of an in-flight safety presentation: hello my name is Mandy I mean Ciara - and I’ll be your Comment editor this year. This issue features opinion pieces on topics and news items that featured this summer. When families and decent TV programmes evacuate for the summer, big and important news stories and events don’t pause for a break. This summer’s news, with its various controversies, didn’t fail to disappoint. In Russia, the protest punk group Pussy Riot brought their government’s problematic freedom of speech policy to the forefront of global scrutiny. The balaclava-clad group kicked their way into the media after a performance of one of their songs was audaciously performed in a Moscow cathedral. Three members were soon jailed for
for hooliganism. In court they showed no bowed heads, but instead the protesters beamed with confidence as they were sentenced. The song was directed at the Russian Orthodox Church’s support for president Vladimir Putin. Since their arrest, their protest is no longer confined to a church and their argument has powered its way onto the world’s television screens. The constitutional question mark now hangs over the globe.
“This summer’s news, with its various controversies, didn’t fail to disappoint.” Meanwhile, in America, the electoral race was gathering speed with Mitt Romney’s worldwide foot-in-mouth tour. Obama coined the rather observant remark that: “Romney’s strategy is to shoot first and take aim later.” Obama’s profile was being further raised by a glittering range of famous supporters. For those who care less about the future public services and the
economy, and more about who is a big deal right now, you might like to know that Scarlett Johansson like totally went out there and voted for him. She was like, super enthusiastic about it. Amongst other things, our government’s cabinet was reshuffled with some questionable decisions, and Australia’s cigarette packaging laws
inspired some debate for the same to happen in the UK and Europe. Look to our writers in this issue for some interesting perspectives on these summery topics, including the apparently raunchy coverage of the royal family in the media. I’m delighted to be editing Comment, and I’m sure the news won’t fail to disappoint. Let’s not make it too tragic.
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Romney: dodging truth in the media could endanger democracy Sebastian Crawford Comment writer Mitt Romney’s venture beyond the frontiers of the United States brought with it criticism from almost every country he visited, and questions about his validity as a serious challenger to Obama. In Britain, he expressed doubts about our readiness to host the Olympic Games. Speaking in Jerusalem, he espoused that the reason the Israelis were so prosperous and the Palestinians were so impoverished was the underlying culture difference between the two. This is not all Romney has come under close scrutiny for. The debacle over his tax returns remains a key issue in the run-up to the election. His wealth and the image it presents seriously hinders his chances of accruing votes from certain demographics. And yet Romney is pushing Obama all the way. The gloss of hope and change that came with Obama’s election in 2008 has faded somewhat despite the recent performances of Bill Clinton and Michelle Obama at the Democratic
National Convention. Further, Romney has selected in Paul Ryan a deputy who has grasped the Republican elephant by its trunk and hauled it into a new age of political campaigning known by many commentators as “post-truth”. Ryan’s address at the Republican convention contained so many lies that when prompted, the Republican’s top ad strategist merely replied with a flippant: “Fact checkers come to us with their own set of thoughts … we’re not going to let our campaign be dictated by fact checkers.” Romney has followed in Ryan’s steps, attempting to subvert the truth on such topics as Obama’s welfare reforms. The role of the media here is crucial. They must take steps to begin calling out the Republicans on such blatant abuses of the truth as the Romney/Ryan campaign gains momentum. If they do not, the American people simply will not have the requisite information to cast an informed vote. Mitt Romney in office will have farreaching consequences, not just for the United States, but for the rest of the world.
Cigarettes needn’t be concealed Jess Collett Comment writer I am 20 years old. I can vote, rent a house and buy enough tequila to drown a very small elephant. The British government seems to think that despite all this, I am incapable of thinking for myself. Cigarette stands are now covered up so that I am saved from seeing the corrupting influences of tobacco products. You see, if I see a packet of Rizla, I might be overtaken by a massive desire to smoke 40 cigarettes at the same time. They’re even thinking of banning brand names and colour on the packaging of tobacco products, in case the bright colours and unique packaging make children think that smoking is cool. If brand names and logos can fill children with an unquenchable desire to smoke (a desire that lasts until they are legally able to buy tobacco products) then how is it that the bright, colourful and eye catching packets of sweets and junk food products offer no temptation at all? It’s not like getting addicted to junk food is dangerous at all. Or getting
addicted to alcohol, which is advertised as a glamorous necessity in life. Medical conditions linked to obesity or drinking too much are never serious. The fact is, no matter how you try to restrict them, people will smoke. Taking brand names and colours away isn’t going to change anything. It’s just going to level the playing field for tobacco companies selling their products.
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The omnishambles is not over yet Tim Rose Comment writer Cameron’s joke reshuffle just shows how out of touch and incompetent his government is. The prime minister conducted his reshuffle in such a bizarre way that it can only be taken as an active attempt to damage his government. It contained a multitude of inexplicable decisions, such as the sacking of Justine Greening for supporting government policy, and the promotion of Owen Patterson (who appears to be a climate change denier) to environment secretary in the “greenest government ever”. However, three decisions in particular stood out. First, Cameron left his most incompetent and unpopular minister Gideon Osborne (his actual name) - in his job, rather than replacing him with someone more capable such as William Hague. Osborne has been so ineffective that the supposedly hated Gordon Brown was treated as a hero when he appeared at the Paralympics. This was in marked contrast to Osborne who was roundly booed by 80,000 people when he appeared at the Olympic Stadium. (I’m assuming it was
only that few as the stadium doesn’t hold any more.) Presumably, Cameron didn’t move him because in doing so he would be admitting that the government’s entire economic policies have been profoundly wrong. Second, he promoted Jeremy Hunt, a minister who has received an enormous amount of criticism for his apparently improper links with News International
when he acted as an independent adjudicator in their bid for BSkyB. In most circumstances this would be more than enough for a minister’s dismissal, but in Cameron’s government it results in being made health secretary. Doubtless, the NHS will soon be sold to Rupert Murdoch. More worryingly, on actual health matters Hunt appears to know nothing.
He’s a keen supporter of homeopathy which is entirely without scientific basis, contributed to a book that argued for the privatisation of the NHS, and even objected to the NHS being part of the Olympic opening ceremony. Finally, Cameron sacked his most experienced minister, Ken Clarke, one of the few decent and widely respected figures in cabinet. The justice secretary lost his job purely because he was seen as being too liberal by some Tories. Clarke’s liberalism extends only to being prepared to state a few patently obvious things, such as prison not always working. This seems to be a perpetuation of the insane idea that the Tories’ troubles result from the fact that they haven’t been right-wing enough. Of course, attempting to privatise the NHS and slashing welfare while cutting tax for the rich are thoroughly left wing policies. As a moderate party the Tories only received 36% of the vote so it is hard to see how they can do better by being more right-wing. The only good news to come from the reshuffle is the sacking of Andrew Lansley and Baroness Warsi. Ultimately, Cameron is further from sanity and the public, and bowing to the most unelectable wing of the party.
public interest. Certain factions of the media have become so blinded by greed that they have sacrificed their moral responsibility for higher revenue, and an increasingly
insatiable public are actively encouraging this behaviour. Ultimately, neither of these stories are about freedom of the press. They can barely even be classed as journalism.
Illustration: Ciara Jack
A right royal disaster Emma Holbrook Comment writer When it was first reported that a member of the royal family had become the subject of a naked photograph scandal, Prince Harry, already the king of bad judgement, was the natural candidate. In a fine example of a grown man throwing his toys out of the pram, Rupert Murdoch allegedly ordered The Sun to print the infamous pictures of Harry to prove that the Leveson inquiry had not rendered newspapers impotent. The Sun’s front page read: “Pictures you’ve already seen on the internet”, thus acknowledging the futility of their publication. The souvenir edition stamp was the real evidence of the paper’s lack of class. However, the surprise victim of what was the second royal scandal in as many months was the Duchess of Cambridge, falling prey to French paparazzi that
notoriously harassed her late mother-inlaw. Whereas Harry was photographed in Sin City thanks to a cocktail of carelessness and probably alcohol, Kate and William were in a secluded château in France seeking a rare moment of privacy. Unfortunately, they were not granted such privilege. The frankly perverted pictures of a topless Kate are worryingly reminiscent of the treatment of Princess Diana by the press and papparazzi 15 years ago. They undoubtedly call issues of privacy into question, but human decency has also suffered here. Not only did the French edition of Closer consider it reasonable to publish these deeply invasive photos, a disturbing number of people are trying to access them online. Their subsequent publication by the Italian magazine Chi was then justified by its owners as being “natural”, and in the
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Global
Brazil is blooming rapidly Ben Hardie Global writer It appears there are now two superpowers located in the Americas. The first is the United States of America and the second is the Federative Republic of Brazil, or Brazil as it is more commonly known. Already famed for the beautiful natural wonder that is the Amazon rainforest and a vibrant, colourful culture that illuminated the Olympic closing ceremony, Brazil can now join the list of rapidly growing economies alongside the Asiatic powers. Brazil’s gross domestic product (GDP) has already overtaken the UK’s, and they now have the sixth largest in the world. As the fifth largest nation on Earth with a population of almost 194 million people and vast natural resources, this is perhaps unsurprising. In addition to the country’s ballooning economy, Brazil also boasts a rich and diverse culture. The country holds a mix of different ethnicities and races making it a genuinely multicultural nation, and since 1830, homosexuality has been legal. The liberal attitude towards sexuality in Brazil has even lead to the world’s first “thruple” (three way couple) who have now been joined in a legal union.
Australia’s same-sex marriage bill unsuccessful
This rich culture will surely lead to a spectacular Olympic Games in 2016 when Brazil attempts to follow in the glory of the recent Games. The Brazilian government has already invested $17bn in preparing the mass transit systems and has doubled the size of the Paralympic sports budget to $82.5m. The organiser, Leonardo Gryner, has given us something of an insight in his promise to “bring Brazilian joyfulness to the Games and transform the city and the country.” Of course Brazil is not a country without problems. While homosexuality is accepted in the liberal urban areas of the country, there is still homophobia in rural areas. Homophobic violence appears to be rising and a huge number of Brazilian asylum seekers flee persecution in the United States seems to support this view. Poverty and urban slums remain, while nearly 12% of the population is illiterate. However, one of Brazil’s quirks is its ability to change and to reinvent, as the adoption of a new constitution as recently as 1988 shows. While Brazil continues to shoulder its share of problems, the future of the South American power seems bright and very promising.
Robert Norris Global editor The run up to the Australian parliament’s vote on legislation that would legalise same-sex marriage has been controversial; with one senior MP having to resign his position after alleged comments comparing homosexuality to having sex with animals. Despite the overwhelming support in
Get settled in with the Conversation Club It’s not always easy being an international student. Living, working, studying and making friends outside of your comfort zone is difficult, especially during Welcome Week. Whether you’re studying at UEA as part of an exchange programme or for your full degree, things can be tough. You may have noticed how quiet and empty campus is, but that’s simply because the home students you’ll be living with don’t arrive until the weekend before Welcome Week, which this year is 22 and 23 September. Things are likely to get noisier as home students settle into their new lives by drinking and partying until the early hours. This may seem a little overwhelming. You may want to soak up a bit of English culture but some of their antics may baffle you. If English is not your first language, or if you’ve come to UEA specifically to learn and improve your English, mixing with British students can be even more difficult. British students may forget that your English is not quite as good as theirs and will often speak to you so quickly that you can only nod and smile back at them, not
understanding a word they’ve said. There may also be jokes, TV shows and sports that you’re not familiar with, but your British flatmates will talk and laugh whilst you, again, simply nod and smile. You might be ready to immerse yourself in the UK’s rich culture, but mixing with home students may be difficult. All too often it becomes easier to stick with students from your own country, rather than mingle. However, it doesn’t have to be this way. The University has many programmes to help international students settle into life in the UK. One of these programmes is UEA’s Conversation Club. The club meets every Tuesday from 6pm at the Vista restaurant above Blend, near the square on campus. The Conversation Club is run by British UEA students who volunteer to help international students with any questions or concerns they may have. Whether you have trouble with your English, making friends or fancy meeting other international students, be sure to join. Joining the club is a great way to get settled in and find your feet at UEA. If you’re not sure what “find your feet” or any other weird English phrases mean, then come along and get an explanation.
favour of same-sex marriage from various pressure groups in the country, only 42 MPs ultimately supported the bill, with 98 MPs opposing it. Although the outcome is disappointing for many supporters, frontbench MP Anthony Albanese who voted in favour of the bill stated the vote has still proved to be a significant step forward for same-sex rights. However, same-sex marriage campaigners remain unhappy with the
result. Head of pressure group Parents of Lesbians and Gays, Shelly Argent, stated that it’s not fair for homosexual people to be viewed as “second-rate” citizens. The results of the vote may have turned out differently if leader of the opposition, Mike Abbot, had allowed his Liberal party a free vote on the issue. Liberal MP Malcolm Turnbull had previously spoken out in favour of legalised same-sex marriage, but was forced to vote against the bill.
Robert Norris Global editor
Features A history of freshers’ week 21/09/12
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Features writer Billy Sexton delves into the history of freshers’ week Freshers’ week (or Welcome Week as it’s officially known at UEA) is, for most students, an essential rite of passage one will undergo in the transition from home life to independent living. You’ve all heard what it’s like: meeting and living with a plethora of new people; signing up to a shedload of societies at the Societies Fair; consuming copious amounts of alcohol and learning more about drinking games in the space of seven nights than you will about your entire course in three years. It’s difficult to imagine the concept of a first week of university existing without all the fresher events, but, whether you like to believe it or not, the first years at Oxford University in 1167 didn’t have Ring of Fire to keep them “preoccupied” of an evening. Firstly, you may be wondering how and why fresher’s week has developed as a concept, and the answer lies with the lack of technology. Prior to the phenomenon that is online registration, students had to complete their registration manually, meaning there was a lot of waiting around … and you
thought Tao Thursday queues were bad. Returning students recognised that new students were becoming bored and therefore began organising events for the new students to participate in. A significant, and also sometimes controversial, aspect of freshers’ week is that of sports club and society initiations. Although we may now be more acquainted with stories of dirty pints and a streak through the square, back in the early 1900s new students competed in blindfolded boxing matches and reportedly also found themselves covered in paint and axle grease. Moving rapidly toward the 21st century and we’re even making our traditions here at UEA. Freshers Fair, SocMart and SportsFair are all part of the daytime events you can attend on campus and if the weather is as lovely as it was last year, the square is a really cool place to hang out with friends. We have returning acts coming to the LCR in the evening too: Zane Lowe has been a regular attendee in the past few years and Stevie Starr also looks
to be in the Union’s plans for a while as the (nearly) famous regurgitator from Britain’s Got Talent returns to the Welcome Party for another year. There are also plenty of inaugural socials, including Concrete’s annual Big Meet, so
make sure you immerse yourself fully in the UEA experience and make the most of the week; you’ll only ever have one freshers’ week! And, don’t forget, ‘UEA is wonderful’; and if you’re not sure what we mean, you will be soon.
A refreshing look at studying abroad Features writer Sarah Boughen comments on the change from a domestic to international student during her year in America Studying abroad has become a common occurrence for many students at UEA, who can spend time in universities around the world, from Spain to Australia, Hong Kong to France. For myself, this opportunity has led me to the USA and the University of Oregon in Eugene. With the setting of the Pacific North West, it is fair to say that Eugene has a bit of a different feel to the flat land of Norfolk.
“This year, make some time for those international students at UEA during Freshers’ Week if they look a bit lost” Having only been here for a week so far, it is difficult to see how the UO differs to UEA. In all honesty, there is a slight dash of familiarity about the place; the union is even made out of concrete. There is a lot of green and there is the general attitude that the campus belongs to the students, something which I always feel is
true at UEA. Although it does feel familiar in some ways, the campus is also so very American. It’s easy to constantly feel like you’re in Saved by the Bell: The College Years, or like you’re about to bump into Sabrina the Teenage Witch when she headed off to college on the television series of the same name. Having constantly being told that what we see in Hollywood is not real, the appearance of a US campus is very contradictory; what we have been led to believe it looks like is exactly what seems to be true. However, there seems to be one thing missing: the American students. I have moved into dorms with my roommate (yes, we have to share) and have stumbled across the nicest pizza in the area, but due to international students arriving early, making friends with American students is still to be ticked off the list. It is this concept which must be the hardest for students from the UK studying in America: we don’t feel like internationals, we speak English! Regardless, I still have to sit through the
endless meetings about the differences of the culture, and even how to greet an American. Plus, watching the faces of many bemused Americans trying to figure out a Yorkshire accent will be amusing (no, we don’t all sound like the Queen!) Being referred to as an international student isn’t exactly what anyone on a year abroad wants, as it can create a feeling of differentiation between students. I don’t want to be treated differently from the girl who will move into the next room. Year abroad students come to America for the true college experience and the “international” label can place a barrier in the way. Orientation week is not yet over but it has become apparent that simply because I speak the same language, I am not going to be seen as an honorary American. It seems that for the whole year I will still be seen as “international” and probably rightly so; our culture is different, our education is different and even our language is slightly different (as demonstrated by asking where the nearest cinema was, which the locals just didn’t understand).
Amongst (plenty of) other things, this week has taught me that being an international student is easier said than done. I’ve gained a vast admiration for the many internationals who are welcomed to UEA every year, particularly those who are not native English speakers. Moving to a different country, even for a year is hard, especially when there are so many things to deal with, from signing up to classes to simply finding your way around campus.
“Even our language is slightly different (as demonstrated by asking where the nearest cinema was, which the locals just didn’t understand)” So, this year, make sure to take some time for those international students at UEA during Freshers’ Week if they look a bit lost. It’s not easy studying somewhere else for a year, and being friendly goes a long way.
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Map by Amy Griffiths, Illustration Guild vice-president The Illustration Guild meets weekly for workshops about drawing, animation and other means of storytelling. All students are welcome. If you can’t draw you’ll pick up some new techniques, while skilled artists can share secrets and make new friends. Annual membership is only £3. For meeting times and more information visit: www.facebook.com/groups/ UEAIllustrationGuild.
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Home of “the village people”. You can hang out with all the boys.
21/09/12
A Fresher’s Map of UEA Our multi-million sportspark, does what it says on the tin.
If you haven't already herd about UEA's other freshers, visit our website.
Nicknamed “T-Paine”, it’s the upmarket LT 1 and 2.
NO MAN’S LAND
Here for all your cultural needs (or a coffee and cake). Bring the parents.
Come and visit us in the Concrete office. We’re a lovely lot. So much to say about the LCR, so little space.
Not as great as T-Paine. Don't even get us started on LT3 and 4.
The Hive: best place for a smoothie.
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You’ve arrived in Norwich, waved off your parents and are ready to get stuck in and enjoy Welcome Week. Take some tips from Concrete and make sure you visit the best places on campus.
The international building. Legend tells of the best roast dinners on campus.
Zest: best Twitter account on campus. Hungover fry-ups and the best potato wedges around.
Other than Concrete’s Big Meet, the main events here will be exams, seminars and graduation. Fun.
For the other kind of all-nighter. Just watch out for the Library Police. No, really.
The lake: rent a BBQ in summer.
Always competing with Britten and Paston, but wherever you live: get used to the 5am fire alarms.
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Environment
Getting hot under the collar Bother and over future geoengineering badger Tim Miller Environment editor
Artist’s impression of artificial trees that could be used to absorb carbon from the atmosphere Ella Gilbert Environment writer Geoengineering involves modifying natural planetary systems and processes in order to combat climate change by addressing the difference between incoming and outgoing solar radiation. It is done either by reducing the incoming solar radiation, for instance by firing mirrors into space to divert sunlight, or by trapping carbon dioxide and storing it in long-term reservoirs, such as by dumping minerals into the sea to encourage greater absorption of CO2. The idea of geoengineering inspires the same level of queasiness and unease as the thought of consuming some unrecognisable slurry that has been at the back of the fridge for far too long. Perhaps that is an overstatement, but both geoengineering and nuclear energy share the accolade of being distrusted by gut instinct, which is generally considered to be fairly accurate. Geoengineering is deeply unnerving, in much the same way that nuclear energy is; both concepts involve messing with something we don’t properly understand, like a kid sticking her finger in a plug socket. Tinkering with the environment in order to satisfy the public that enough is being done about
climate change, whilst having very little idea of how the sensitive systems involved are going to react, or creating tons of nuclear waste that will take millions of years to degrade, seem much the same when such a high degree of scientific uncertainty is involved. It is particularly terrifying when the science behind it can be manipulated to justify changing very little about our lifestyles, and not tackling well-entrenched inequity on a national and international level without tackling wider issues. On top of that, most of the proposals sound like science fiction, like launching a field of mirrors into space? Mimicking a volcano by spraying sulphur into the atmosphere? Building metal trees to absorb carbon? The list continues... The intentions are right, as without a binding international agreement and drastic action on the part of developed countries to curb emissions, there is little hope of achieving reduction targets, and geoengineering appears to provide a solution. However, it is abundantly clear, that there is no easy solution, and that the most realistic chance of change is incremental and attitudinal. Not a very sexy answer, unfortunately, whereas shiny solutions that involve space travel and chemicals certainly are. There are
definitely some defensible fixes, such as painting roofs white to deflect sunlight. Impractical, implausible and pretty ineffectual, but missing the harmful side-effects that other strategies have; like tons of iron filings washing up on beaches along the Pacific due to poor understanding of ocean circulation. This week experts have said that Arctic summer sea ice will have completely melted in four years, and have called again for drastic action to be taken on climate change. Prof Peter Wadhams of Cambridge University outlined the need for a dual approach in an email to the Guardian: “we must not only urgently reduce CO2 emissions but must urgently examine other ways of slowing global warming, such as … various geoengineering ideas”. It is apparent that geoengineering has a place in the context of emissions reduction and curbing consumption, though it is necessity that has driven the scientific community thus far – had emissions cuts been made earlier, no doubt such dramatic steps would not have been needed. Were things not looking so bleak, maybe we could steer away from tampering with what we don’t know, but either way it looks like soon we’re going to be sorry, whatever happens.
Readers with a particular affinity for badgers should look away now. In fact, if you have a distaste for political bandwagoning or any interest in how your tax money is spent then this article may also annoy you. The first licence for large-scale badger culling in England was issued this week for a 300 square-kilometre pilot area in West Gloucestershire. For six weeks a year, farmers in the area will be permitted to cull at least 70% of the local badger population in an effort to curtail bovine tuberculosis. The pilot is purportedly a scientifically-based policy that will be used to test the effectiveness of shooting free-running badgers, in the coalition government’s hope of issuing further licences. But the move appears to be a shortterm political calculation which carries considerable risks and is laughably unscientific. Firstly, the issuing of the licence follows an extensive, 10 year scientific trial of culling which concluded that cage-trapping and shooting could reduce TB by a pitiful 16%; the licence doesn’t even cover this form of culling. Also, the government’s plans could actually increase the rate of TB, as traumatised badgers have a habit of leaving culling areas and infecting more cattle. Further, the number of badgers in the trial area hasn’t even been counted, so the pilot scheme can only consider if the culling is humane and if farmers can deliver the results. This also means that adherence to a maximum number of culls specified by the government will be difficult, putting the government at risk of causing local extinctions and violating the Bern Convention, a European treaty to protect wildlife. On these grounds Lord Krebs, the scientist who instigated the former scientific trial, has dismissed the cull as “a crazy scheme”. While the licence will likely have a negligible or even negative impact on reducing bovine tuberculosis, farmers will also lose out financially, being forced to foot the bill for continuous culling every year. The calculated cost to the taxpayer also deserves consideration, especially as it conveniently excludes the costs of armed police who will be used to deter protesters. Yes, bovine TB is a terrible scourge, but second only to this awful idea.
Science & Tech
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Has Apple’s iPhone 5 been worth the wait? Samantha Price Science writer
The wait for the iPhone 5 is finally over as the latest Apple smartphone hits the shops. Despite there being rumours of its imminent release since 2011, the iPhone 5 has been launched to pre-order numbers that have left Apple “completely blown away”. Over two million devices were pre-ordered in the first 24 hours. So is it everything we have been waiting for, or just another gimmicky gadget? Aesthetically, the iPhone 5 is obviously different from its predecessors, and with a depth of 7.3mm, and now carries the title of the “world’s thinnest smartphone”. Despite boasting a 4 inch screen with 1136 x 640 resolution (326ppi) and 44% colour saturation to allow for richer screen
colours, it’s 20% lighter than the iPhone 4 at 112g. Having a larger screen means access to more apps, including five rows on the home screen, and updated versions of all the built-in apps. Apple is also particularly proud that this model is made entirely of aluminium and glass, saying that it is “unlike anything we, or anyone in the industry, has made before.” One of the most innovative updates of the iPhone 5 is the inclusion of the new 4G chip which allows access to superfast broadband via the Everything Everywhere network. The advance from 3G to 4G technology is expected to be comparable to that of the advance from dial-up to wireless internet connections. The Apple A6 chip being used to achieve this is both more energy efficient (useful when designers are promising an “incredible” battery life of
up to 225 standby hours) and 22% smaller than the chips in the earlier models. However, the one big criticism that Apple now faces is that of the lack of NFC (near field communication) compatibility in the iPhone 5.
“Unlike anything we, or anyone in the industry, has made before.” NFC allows the phone user to pay for goods and public transport “on the go”, and considering some of the biggest high street banks have spent millions advertising this possible new phone feature, Apple may have missed a trick. Overall, the iPhone lives up to the incredible hype that surrounds any new Apple release, and more than makes up for the anti-climax that was the rather unimpressive 4S.
The bloody basics: the biology behind blood doping breakdown of ATP that releases the energy required for muscle contraction.The more physical the activity, the more ATP you use, so enough would be produced by Bolt for a gold medal performance. Endurance sports rely on efficient oxygen delivery to the muscles in order to keep them working for a continuous period of time; so the better the oxygen uptake in muscles, the greater the endurance. While the maximal oxygen uptake for an average male is 35-40 millilitres or kilograms per minute, an elite male runner can achieve an oxygen uptake of up to 85 per minute.
“Every action, whether leaping off a starting block or shouting words of encouragement, requires energy.” Suhailah Ali Science writer The excitement of the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics has now passed; over a month of athletes pushing themselves to the limits of their physical capabilities, and spectators around the world watching in awe. It is startling to think that the molecule that allowed Usain Bolt to fly down the track and defend his title is the very same used to keep us onlookers on the edge of our seats. Every action, whether leaping off a starting block or shouting words of encouragement, requires energy. This is obtained from the breakdown of glucose, which releases chemical energy used to make a molecule called adenosine triphosphate, or ATP. It is in turn the
Oxygen is carried from the lungs to muscles by erythrocytes (red blood cells). The production of these cells is controlled by a hormone called erythropoietin, or EPO. It functions by binding to a specific receptor and stimulating erythrocyte precursors, found in the bone marrow of humans. Low oxygen levels trigger the production of EPO in the kidneys and liver, which helps maintain healthy erythrocyte numbers. More erythrocytes allow greater oxygen uptake, but regulation is important as having too many can increase blood viscosity, reducing blood flow and increasing chances of blood clots and in turn heart attack and stroke. Athletes can increase their oxygen delivery by altering their red blood cell count; this is known as “blood doping” and was banned from the Olympics in
1985. The methods used to achieve these effects include red blood cell transfusions, a process involving a transfusion from either a compatible donor (homologous) or the athletes themselves (autologous), and injections of pharmaceutical EPO, usually used to treat certain cases of anemia. Altitude training, and machines used to simulate these low oxygen conditions, can also stimulate EPO production. Haematocrit, the percentage of blood made up of red blood cells, varies naturally between people, and certain genetic mutations can confer huge advantages. Finnish skier Eero Maentyranta, winner of seven Olympic medals, had a mutation in his EPO receptor gene, giving him 4050% more red blood cells than an average competitor. Director of the Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics, Professor Julian Savulescu, puts forward an interesting perspective, proposing that focus should be on which risks athletes should be exposed to rather than the origin of that risk.
Apple facts 1. In 2011 alone, Apple sold: -70 million iPhones -30 million iPads -59 million other products 2. In the same year, the average profit per employee was $400,000 3. Apple has currently sold around 410,000,000 iOS devices. 4. For the last 5 years, Mac sales numbers have outpaced the whole of the PC sales market. 5. The last quarter left Apple with $117 billion in the bank. This is enough money to buy Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Pinterest and still leave $30 billion. 6. To raise money for their fledgling company, Steve Jobs sold his Volkswagen van and Steve Wozniak sold his Hewlett Packard scientific calculator and raised $500. 7. Apple’s first computer, manufactured in 1976, was essentially an assembled circuit board and did not include a keyboard, monitor or case. 8. In July 2011, Apple boasted a cash balance of $76.4 billion, more than that of the U.S government who had a balance of $73.7 billion. 9. On August 28, 1991, the first true email message from space was sent by the crew of the space shuttle STS-43 Atlantis using a Mac Portable and specifically configured AppleLink software. 10. Steve Jobs, founder of Apple Inc, is a college dropout. He dropped out of Reed College in 1972, after attending only one semester.
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Travel
Introducing: the wonderful world of Oz Kirsten Powley Travel writer About a week before I was leaving for Australia to live there for six months, I started thinking “What on Earth have I done, or let myself in for?” As scary as it was, I didn’t have to worry about my semester abroad as it turned out to be the most amazing experience of my life. I lived in the European capital of Australia: Melbourne. I had been to other areas Down Under before, so I noticed immediately how the vibe was different. Few people in the UK realise this because of Sydney being more apparent in the media, but Melbourne is considered more trendy with a quirkier atmosphere. It is actually the only place in Australia to have Topshop, need I say more? St Kilda was a particularly interesting area, appealing to my sweet tooth with cake shops abound and boutiques aplenty. Instead of the modern feel of Sydney, Melbourne consists of older looking, more historical buildings, giving it a depth of
character more relatable to us British, with every nook and cranny ingrained in history. For the first few months, the weather oozed stereotypical Australian sun. What to do in such heat? Go on a road trip with your new-found friends and relax on some beaches on the Great Ocean Road, of course. Rarely in England could I roll down all the windows of the car due to the sharp wind, my hair going everywhere so my face became undistinguishable and items of rubbish going on a collision path with said face. On the Great Ocean Road, the warm air was pleasant and the prospect of rubbish seemed not to exist in this natural beauty. The wind still had the same ideas about my hair, but it was more of a windswept, surfer look. At least, that’s the story I’m sticking with. More people should be familiar with the Great Ocean Road. It has amazing views of the ocean, every colour bright and proud, and rock formations such as the 12 Apostles, London Bridge and Loch Gorge
are stunning and breathtaking. Waterfalls amongst rainforest-like surroundings such as Erskine falls are the epitome of a serene environment, until you see danger warnings of snakes in the river. If you’re lucky and keep your eyes peeled, you’ll see koalas in the trees and kangaroos grazing. The entire time I kept on thinking: “this place is exactly what Australia’s all about.” When April rolled around, I was obsessed with the sun and I followed the heat up the East Coast. I went to the Gold Coast, Byron Bay and Brisbane. If I’m perfectly honest, I don’t have too much to say on the Gold Coast. The beaches were lovely, but the scene of the city Surfers Paradise was a bit on the tacky side for my liking. However, if all you want is to get hammered and end up in a grotty club, look no further. Byron Bay was my highlight, as the rumour of Australians as really chilled surfers just loving life was true. Sydney, secluded parts of the state of Victoria, more living as a Melbournite and even a trip to Bali were also crammed into my overwhelming first half of 2012.
Almost all of what I was experiencing throughout my time in Australia was the student experience of the country, which I am beyond grateful for, as it was a once in a life time opportunity. If you have the slightest chance to study abroad, grab onto it. You’ll meet fascinating people and open your mind to new cultures. It’s unlike anything else. Top Aussie tips by Robert Norris 1. Get a working holiday visa: the minimum wage in Australia is much higher than in the UK. If you can’t afford a hostel, many allow you to stay there for free if you help out during the day. 2. Plan ahead: It can be fun turning up to a random part of Australia and just seeing how things turn out. However, if you don’t research a few things first you may find yourself paying more than expected. 3. Book accommodation: Usually a bed in a hostel is easy enough to come by. However, be aware of the peak travel seasons, as this varies from state to state.
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How not to be a tourist in the city of Paris Local trips Jessica Crisp Travel writer Even if you’ve never been to Paris, the stereotypical image of a grumpy waiter in a starched white apron and black bow tie will no doubt come to mind. Parisians have a reputation for being impossibly rude, impatient and condescending towards anyone other than their own. This may be frustrating for tourists, but learn how to fit in and you could find yourself strolling round the city as smug as the locals and with an air of disdain for all the anorakdonning sightseers. 1. Banish any form of sportswear from your suitcase. The trackies we may find acceptable to throw on when popping to the corner shop will only be met with deliberately condescending looks. Parisian are always impeccably dressed and make no effort to hide their disapproval of your lack of effort in the fashion capital of the world. Sure, we can’t all afford Chanel, but leave the trainers, leggings and hoodies at home. 2. Always, always walk. Segways are becoming popular in Paris, particularly among, yes, you guessed it, the Americans. They may be fun, but nothing screams annoying, lazy tourist than these two-wheeled contraptions. 3. Remember your manners. The French may seem abrupt, but they’re a stickler for politeness. ‘Bonjour Madame’ or ‘Monsieur’ when you enter a shop or restaurant will get you immediate service and you won’t be left at your table confused as to why the waiters are staring right through you. 4. Never tip! In Paris, if you leave a tip you will be taken as a plouc – a mug, as 15%
for service is always added to the bill. 5. Be sure to take your drinks the Parisian way. Drink your coffee at the counter like most locals; this will also save you some Euros as you avoid service charges. Ask for a café crème if you like a dash of milk, or you’ll get a shot of espresso strong enough to keep you bouncing off the walls for the rest of the day. Never ask for water as you’ll be paying top dollar for bottles of mineral water. Instead, ask for une carafe and you’ll get tap water, just how the Parisians like it. 6. Last but not least, a trip to France is not complete without tasting Absinthe. But
this liqueur has to be drunk the French way, no arguments. We may knock back shots at break-neck speed and with little regard for what we’re gulping, but the French take their drink very seriously. Go to La Feé Verte where this green elixir is served with water poured over a sugar cube. Paris is a city full of beauty and surprises, and the people are among the friendliest, you just need to know how to crack them. As long as you don’t stick out like a sore thumb and remember your Ps and Qs, you’ll avoid those indifferent shrugs and depreciating frowns.
“Paris is a city full of beauty and surprises, and the people are among the friendliest, you just need to know how to crack them”
Reaching new heights in New Zealand Jake Deller Travel writer Hiking, water activities, Queenstown, Maori culture and Auckland. These are advertised as the “Top Five Things To Do” in New Zealand. Although first, you do need to make sure you can gain access into the country. My initial proverbial hurdle was the check-in staff at Brisbane Airport. In spite of meticulous planning, I had not brought the proof required to show that I would in fact be leaving New Zealand, they evidently assumed from my striped jumper and ‘SWAG’ emblazoned backpack that I had come to capture all their kiwis and sheep. Fortunately my wily British charm eased their qualms and I was graciously accepted into their country. For this trip you need to save a good amount of money. The list of adrenaline-
fuelled activities is huge, but they are expensive. You can go hiking, though, which is free! Due to these prices my adrenaline came courtesy of bungeejumping and ice climbing, both extremely worthwhile and exhilarating experiences. The Nevis Bungee was my first port of call in Queenstown. For this bungee you jump 134 metres out of a suspended cable car into a deep valley overlooking the Nevis River. A truly unforgettable and must do experience. The ice climbing experience begins with a scenic helicopter flight to the base of the Franz Josef glacier, where you begin. As you hack into the ice, the brilliant sun glimmers against the pristine glacier arching above you, whilst behind you the flowing glacial valley combines with the surrounding rainforest providing an environmental combination only available in three worldly locations.
New Zealand is truly spectacular, in a two-hour long drive you can pass through snow-capped mountains, thick rainforest, golden beaches and cavernous valleys. In short, you have not seen the world until you have seen New Zealand.
Matt Tidby Travel writer
Berney Arms 30 minutes by train from Norwich. Book ahead, as services are infrequent. Tired of the hectic hurly burly of Norwich’s urban jungle? On the run from campus security? Accessed only by boat or a train from Norwich, this secluded spot in the remarkable Norfolk broads is the perfect escape for an afternoon of quiet contemplation or hiding. With its iconic windmill, which is the tallest in Norfolk, and a pub so wonderfully dated that they are more likely to have on-site homing pigeons than wi-fi access, for pure, calming simplicity, it’s the perfect retreat. Sheringham and Cromer One hour by bus or train In the 19th century, the Victorians left London. They started building railways to the horizon, which is how Norfolk was discovered. When they ran out of land, they built the quaint resort towns of Sheringham and Cromer, which today are the perfect spot for a nostalgic day out: fish and chips, a steam train ride on The Poppy Line at Sheringham, a bracing walk and the obligatory construction of some kind of amazing sandcastle fortress. Air New Zealand currently have a sale on flights to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the airline. Fly from London to Auckland direct (via Hong Kong) for £1,044 per person if you book before 26 September. Go to www.airnewzealand.co.uk/ more info.
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concrete.lifestyle@uea.ac.uk
Issue 271
21/09/12
Lifestyle
Top 10 tips: make the most of your UEA experience Lucy Jobber Lifestyle writer
The University of East Anglia is an amazing place to live and study, offering first class entertainment, sports clubs, societies and academia to undergraduate and postgraduate students from across the world. It’s easy for students to overestimate how much time they have to experience the abundance of one-of-a-kind Be organised. With fairs and parties left, right and centre, freshers’ week can be hectic. Spend a little time structuring your week will leave you stress free and flexible when it comes to events.
Get involved with everything. If there’s a sport you’ve always wanted to try, or you think that you’ll find likeminded people at the quidditch team or cocktail society, then go ahead and put your name on the list. Don’t be afraid to sign up for everything and anything that you’re interested in.
Budget, budget, budget. This doesn’t have to mean drafting up Excel sheets and mathematical formulas, but merely setting yourself a £20 budget before a night out makes a big difference to your purse strings. Trust me, there is nothing worse than getting to the end of term eating plain rice, whilst dribbling over past memories of Domino’s pizza.
Don’t be too frugal. Budgeting is essential, but there is also a rare breed of student who goes the opposite way and will not spend a penny more than necessary. Go out and use your dollar to attend some fantastic local events, gigs or nights out on the town.
Be silly. Yes, university is foremost a place for education, but it’s also a place to let your hair down and take yourself out of your comfort zone. University goes by incredibly quickly and before you know it, they’ll be no more lie-ins or student discount for you. Embrace your student lifestyle and go and have a ball!
attractions and experiences that life at UEA has to offer. With over 150 clubs and societies in our Union, a city rich with historic attractions, and a campus environment combining award-winning architecture with unique nature and wildlife, students at UEA have a wealth of opportunities at their disposal. With Concrete’s top 10 tips, you’ll easily be able to make the most of your time at UEA. Decorate your room, but before you hop onto a bus to B&Q for a large tub of paint, think again. Buy posters and print photos of family and friends to stick on your walls. Your new little room may seem terrifying at first, but the instant you’ve got snaps of your best mate pulling a silly face on the wall, it doesn’t seem so bad.
Ga Chun Yau Make the most of your tutors, lecturers and the services on offer at university. If you’re struggling with an essay or need advice on coping away from home, there is always a place or a person who will be willing to help you out. Make an effort to find out what resources are on offer and don’t be afraid to use them when in need of a little help.
Attendance. When you’re a newlyblossomed clubber with a daily hangover, it’s very easy to forget that attendance is important. It may seem hard to believe but, trust me, scrubbing neon paint off your face in a panic and running to the lecture theatre in your pyjamas is better than missing a lecture completely.
Do different with Norwich nightlife Bethan Williams Lifestyle writer When you first start venturing into Norwich in search of the perfect night out, it’s easy to get swept up in the crowd heading to the Prince of Wales Road. Whilst the big clubs all have positives, Norwich has a huge amount to offer when it comes to an alternative night out. One of the best options for a great night in the city is the good old fashioned pub crawl. Norwich has a huge selection of
fun and quirky pubs and bars for you to explore. My perfect Norwich pub crawl includes stops at The Birdcage, The Belgian Monk, The Bicycle Shop, The X Bells and Frank’s Bar, all of which can be found in and around the Pottergate area and on the vibrant St. Benedicts Street. If you really want to make a night of it, no serious Norwich pub crawl is complete without a last stop at Delaney’s Irish Bar, which, whilst a little rough around the edges, is open late and is always an entertaining end to the evening.
Explore your city and campus. Freshers’ week is a great opportunity to explore your new home. Norwich has some great shopping facilities and tourist attractions, but it never hurts to just go on a hunt for your classrooms around campus.
Write for Concrete! We’re always looking for budding writers and journalists, so come and see us in the Concrete office or at the Societies Fair.
Ga Chun Yau
Lifestyle
21/09/12
Issue 271
concrete.lifestyle@uea.ac.uk
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Ga Chun Yau
The peaks and falls of life in halls at UEA Jess Beech Lifestyle writer On the first day in halls, I found out that I would be living in an all-boy flat. Cue an intense panic about mess and an awkward “I love you and I’m sure they’re all gay anyway” call to my boyfriend. In my opinion, I was right to worry. Housemate A followed an intense exercise routine which included doing handstands to passers-by in our glass hallway, all to keep him in the best nick for getting “the third year puss”. He also gave us enough hilariously inappropriate
anecdotes to fill a large wall chart, until the cleaner decided she had read enough. Housemate B was one part of the most beautiful bromance Nelson Court had ever seen, and could often be found playing ball in the hallway, mercilessly bantering with Housemate A and playing computer games until the early hours. Oh, and he had a top secret love of The Only Way Is Essex. Housemate C had the best salsa dancing hips I have ever seen on a man. He survived first year on a nutritious diet of scotch eggs, hula hoops, bacon and beer. He managed not to hoover even
once in the whole year, and his room also boasted the world’s largest Diet Coke can sculpture. Housemate D planned to write his masterpiece and die young so he could be appreciated like the literary greats. He often had to be calmed down during times of late night hysterical poetry writing, and have his books confiscated and put in the fridge when he read too much. He was easily convinced that women’s skinny jeans were the way to go and hasn’t turned back since. Thank god for our female honorary housemate, who brought with her
Keep it safe, keep it secure Your cycle
Your possessions
Your memory stick
A quality D-lock (otherwise known as a “shackle” or “U-lock”) is one of the most secure types of bicycle locks available to buy. Without a D-lock, it can take a criminal opportunist just a few seconds to take a bike which is not properly secured. UEA heavily promotes the use of D-locks on campus, and they can easily be bought from the post office on campus and from Dr. Bike, who can be found between Britten House and Congregation Hall. Security officers in the lodge are always happy to give any advice regarding securing and coding locks, as well as the prevention of cycle theft. A limited amount of free and secure cycle storage is also offered at various compounds for cycles on campus. To register for access to these, visit www.uea.ac.uk/estates/ campusservices/Security/lockedcycle-compounds
No one wants to come to university for the first time, only to lose half their possessions. UEA have a system called “Hermes”, which allows UEA Security to register your property on the Immobilise website. This is a free service which is highly recommended, and can be used to register anything which has a serial number, including cycles and high-value electricals (such as iPods, phones and laptops). Registering your belongings with this service raises the likelihood of your property being returned to you if it is found. The most important thing to remember is to keep your property either in your sight or securely locked away, as most thieves are opportunists. Do not hesitate to visit the security lodge if you have any queries or concerns. It is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
There is nothing worse than the sense of utter panic at losing days of work in one go. Lost property at UEA receive in excess of 700 memory sticks per year. This equates to one in every 20 students losing their memory stick each year, and the majority are never returned to their original owners; potentially disastrous if they held the final copy of an essay or coursework. By simply marking your registration number onto your USB stick with a UV pen, the likelihood of your memory stick being returned to you is considerably higher. The easiest way to ensure the security of your USB stick, however, is to always double check that it is removed from any university computers you have used.
For more information on security at UEA, visit www.uea.ac.uk/estates/ campusservices/security
clothes to share, extra oestrogen and the belief that stars really do have points. On paper, I don’t think you could ever say we were all destined to get on. But once you have lived through listening outside as a group to each other’s conversations, sex lives, breakups, vomiting and drunken ranting; a November of dodgy moustaches; DIY haircuts; and partial nudity, you all become very close. By the end of first year, you’ve all seen each other at your very worst, and I’m sure you will, as we did, become a highly dysfunctional but very happy family.
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concrete.lifestyle@uea.ac.uk
Issue 271
21/09/12
Lifestyle
Fighting off those freshers’ blues Emma Williamson Lifestyle editor The past two years of hard slog have paid off, and you’ve finally moved in to your new student digs. You’ve conquered the stainless steel of the UEA kitchen, broken the awkward silence in the flat corridor, survived your first lecture, and somehow discovered the whereabouts of the CD Annex, all in the space of seven days. The chant at the end of last night’s LCR event was right: UEA is wonderful, but that’s not to say that the first week is wonderful for everyone. First year students arrive at university with a wide array of expectations, and naturally there are students who feel disillusioned by their first encounter with university life. The anticipation of the first week of university can often outweigh the reality of week one, and, although it’s not often admitted by students, it’s far from unusual to feel unsettled. Homesickness and loneliness can strike any new student, regardless of experience and age, and it’s important to speak up and
tackle such feelings when they arise. The Union Advice Centre has many tips for first year students. Firstly, don’t hide in your room. It may sound obvious, but doing simple things like cooking your meals at times when your kitchen is busy will ensure that you interact with your flatmates and start to forge relationships. Make suggestions to your flat about going out as a group, whether it be a night on the tiles or a daytime visit to Norwich city centre. Also, whilst it can be tempting to visit home when you’re feeling low, do try and hold it off for a few weeks. Adjusting to independent life can take time, and it doesn’t take long for the vast majority of students to adapt to their new surroundings. The most important thing struggling students need to remember is to speak to somebody about their feelings. Be it a parent, a peer or an adviser, sharing your thoughts with someone is often the best way to rationalise them. Settling into university can certainly be hard, but it isn’t impossible. For more help and guidance, visit the Union Advice Centre.
Elizabeth Margereson
Veggie fare in the fine city of Norwich Bethan Williams Lifestyle writer There’s no shortage of cheap and cheerful places to eat in Norwich when you’re on a student budget, but until I went and found myself a boyfriend of the vegetarian persuasion I hadn’t really considered things from the animal-friendly perspective. Our best find has definitely been Pulse Cafe, located just off Guildhall Hill, near the market. Pulse offers a great range of delicious vegetarian, vegan and glutenfree food at lunch and dinner, making it a
Easy cheesy pasta recipe Holly Whitaker Lifestyle writer Without your mum at hand, cooking at university may seem intimidating and somewhat tedious. However, this is an affordable, healthy and fail-safe recipe to ensure you keep away from those oh so tempting ready meals.
Ingredients
Method
• • • • • •
1. Boil the penne in a saucepan of boiling water for 10-12 minutes. 2. Add the broccoli and peas to the saucepan for the last five minutes. 3. Meanwhile, add the crème fraîche to another saucepan on a medium heat and warm. 4. Add grated cheddar to the crème fraîche and stir until melted. 5. Drain the pasta and vegetables and add to the cheesy sauce. 6. Put them into a bowl, and add the pepper or herbs for taste. 7. Dig in!
A serving of penne. A handful of frozen peas. A handful of broccoli florets. Three tablespoons of crème fraîche. A handful of grated cheddar. Black pepper or dried herbs to season.
perfect choice for those with specialised diets (but trust me, even the meat eaters will love it!) The food is inventive, freshlycooked and great value; and there’s no dreaded mushroom risotto, the staple of vegetarian options everywhere, on this menu. Highlights include their ever-changing array of veggie burgers, the spicy bean enchiladas and, if you’ve got room for dessert, I recommend their amazing chocolate brownies. Give it a try if you’re in the mood for something a little different next time you’re in the city.
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concrete.sport@hotmail.co.uk
Issue 271
21/09/12
Canary Corner by Marco Bell
Editors’ column Sam Tomkinson Sports editor This is going to be the easiest yet most difficult column I’ll be writing this year. Easy in that there is so much to write about Britain’s greatest summer of sport, however the difficulty comes in trying to squeeze it all in. The Olympics and Paralympics were obviously, and rightly, the headline event of the summer. The atmosphere it brought was exceptional and the feelgood factor helped lift spirits despite the problems that face our society at this time. The Tour de France and the achievements of Bradley Wiggins has not only inspired many to take to two wheels but also caused many elderly men to wear spandex that has been boxed up since 1979 and struggle along the country roads of Britain, causing huge build-ups of traffic. My favourite moment, despite the small matter of the Ryder Cup and Twenty20 World Cup to come, was Andy Murray losing his proverbial “under-achiever” tag. Winning Olympic gold and the US Open title, after the clinic he was given on Centre Court at Wimbledon by Roger Federer, showed impeccable character. To go to the same court, against the same opponent and being so convincing in his manner of victory just weeks later and take gold is the reason I believe that he should be Sport’s Personality of the Year, a contest that will be incredibly difficult to call. Many question his cold stature in front of camera but does being media savvy, but does that define a man’s personality? His ability to bounce straight back in resounding fashion shows the personality I want to see in a sportsman. Enough of what has happened; sport is in the moment anyway. This year will be another big year for sport at UEA. After a good year for the clubs last term they will be looking to continue this with more impressive performances. Concrete Sport will be aiming to cover as much of this as possible, including the return of Derby Day to UEA where a great range of sports will be played, the support will be incredible and we will bring you up to date scores as ever. I’m excited; I hope you are too.
With Paul Lambert gone, Norwich fans travelled to Craven Cottage to take on Fulham on the opening day of the season somewhat unsure of what to expect. Their deepest fears were confirmed in a very lacklustre display, as they slumped to a 5-0 defeat. Having held their own in the early encounters, it was a simple cross-field ball which found Damien Duff with acres of space to run into and he made no mistake. From there on in, Norwich’s defence self-destructed. New signing Michael Turner hardly covered himself in glory, giving away a cheap penalty to allow Steve Sidwell to score the fifth. Nevertheless, a positive performance on home soil against QPR saw Norwich pick up their first point of the season. Javier Garrido and Sebastian Bassong made their debuts in the defence, and certainly shored up the cracks. A crowd of 26,000 watched Simeon Jackson head home 11 minutes into the game. QPR’s equaliser had an element of controversy attached, with Bobby Zamora nipping in for the easiest goal he’ll score this season. Norwich responded well and nearly won it at the death, as Russell Martin headed onto the crossbar. The QPR result was followed by an impressive draw at Tottenham. Norwich matched Spurs throughout in every department and it took substitute Moussa Dembele to break their
stubborn resistance on 68 minutes. Being away from home, many would have expected a Tottenham onslaught thereafter, but Norwich reacted well and got their just reward when Robert Snodgrass powered home late on. The Canaries could have won the game well into injury time, Bradley Johnson seeing his shot saved by an inspired Brad Friedel. It’s too early to gauge exactly what sort of season is in store for Norwich. The aim is clearly survival, with anything else a bonus. The last two games have shown the belief and togetherness which Lambert cemented, and Chris Hughton, a shrewd operator, appears to have adopted the same approach as his predecessor. Grant Holt looked dangerous against Tottenham, and Steve Morison looked like a man with a point to prove. Snodgrass is an intelligent purchase too, adding set piece ability to the midfield, as well as having the ability to shoot from range. Goals will not be Norwich’s problem; it is in defence where their season could potentially be defined. Kyle Naughton has returned to Spurs, having been a success last season, and their new signings will need to gel quickly to avoid any future drubbings. Hopefully Norwich can prove the critics wrong, and establish themselves as a Premier League club.
Sport in 140 characters Daniel Suen Sports correspondent Jamie Murray (@jamie_murray) What a historic night! Tonight Andy achieved his dream. He got the result his talent dedication and perseverance deserved. So proud of him. Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) The BBC Sport’s Personality of the year is getting rather silly! Lance Armstrong (@lancearmstrong) Congrats to @bradwiggins on his historic Tour de France victory. Very impressive. IPC (@Paralympic) “We have all been touched by the triumphs and dramas of the Paralympics”- Lance Corporal Rory McKenzie sums it up perfectly #closingceremony TeamGB (@TeamGB) 29 gold, 17 silver, 19 bronze - We finished 3rd in medal table after most successful Olympics for 104 years #OurGreatestTeam VisitEngland (@VisitEngland) England lose on penalties. For more on our culture and traditions go to http://www. visitengland.com ;) Gary Player (@garyplayer) @McIlroyRory Wow!! Youngest ever winner of the PGA, simply blew everyone away. Phenomenal golf. Congratulations
Sport The lighter side of sport Jack Enright Sports correspondent
There we have it. The London Olympic and Paralympic Games, possibly the most expensive anti-depressants ever prescribed, are over. It has been a veritable avalanche of drama, triumph, and according to the Scrooges amongst us, an almost unbearable amount of happiness. Cynics of the highest calibre emerge from their darkened bedrooms, and take to throwing worried glances at the television in case Boris should appear with another tirade of trademark glee. Boris has, of course, been manning the Olympic feel-good bandwagon from the very start. Even four years ago at Beijing he was displaying a level of delight hardly thought attainable for people who had stopped believing in Father Christmas. But attain it he did, and like some precious yet fragile classic car, he nurtured his Olympic bandwagon all the way to London. The scene is quite different now, of course. The bandwagon is a meek embarrassment no longer, but a London double-decker on the rampage. Every day, yet another politician hurls themselves aboard, shrieking hysterically to anyone in earshot about how much they have always loved athletics. A desperate David Cameron has already taken to screaming “Inspire a Generation” at every voter he can find. Not even a couple of weeks ago, George Osborne was photographed jogging round St James’s Park in London, apparently hoping to engender some sort of “undiscovered-Olympian” vibe. The poor fellow looked about at home in trainers as Emile Heskey does in front of goal. One mustn’t be too hard on George though, God knows he has already had it rough recently. In what is now a shooin for the Political Tragedy of the Year Award, the Chancellor of the Exchequer took centre stage in his own pantomimeesque debacle, evoking unanimous boos from a crowd of 80,000 during the Paralympics. Bearing in mind that this summer’s spectators have been roundly lauded as being the most joyous and goodnatured since the beginning of time, this makes for impressive viewing. Rain, G4S, infrastructure meltdown; all these potential mood-killers were evaded. No, only George Osborne was capable of bursting the feel-good bubble. More surprising still, it seems the bemused Osborne was incapable of understanding why, after gutting the state benefits available to the disabled, he was unwelcome at the Paralympic Games.
Sport
21/09/12
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concrete.sport@hotmail.co.uk
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Athletics
Baseball
Trampolining
“Last year, we competed in numerous events: East Anglia Cross Country League, Bucs indoors, outdoors and multi-events, and attended numerous open meets and road races. The cross country team started the year well as winners of the overall cross country league which gave great confidence heading into the Bucs events which included numerous finalists and semi-finalists - a huge achievement with the final event of the season being held in the Olympic Stadium. This season we would like to build on the success of the Olympics and last year’s Bucs finals. We would also like to field a strong cross country team in order to retain our East Anglia Cross Country title. With numerous coaches available, we have the support and expertise to advise athletes on their specific events. The club is involved with different community initiatives such as coaching younger athletes.”
“We had a successful season last time out. We won the National Championships which were hosted at UEA and we also ran a winter league which involved several university and senior sides from around the country. We are currently working to increase membership at our club and expand the winter league so that we can host more games. We also hope to retain the National Cup in October and improve our diamond. We’re always on the look out for new members of any ability and we offer coaching and games for those who get involved. We also have weekend away tournaments.”
“Last year we added an extra session on a Wednesday afternoon so that our club is more accessible to people who can’t attend evening sessions. We also competed at Loughborough University and beat Essex in the annual Derby Day competition. Our aims this season are to keep our club running smoothly and make sure that everybody enjoys themselves and manages to improve. Obviously, we’d also like to beat Essex again and give our members the option to participate in the annual charity naked calendar. We accept members of any ability from beginners to the elite and there is absolutely no obligation to come to every session or compete. Anybody of any skill level has the opportunity to compete if they would like to.”
Archery “Last season we improved on our finishing position in both Bucs and BUTC. We have finally found the competitive edge we were lacking in previous years. We aim to continue to improve our skills and also finish higher up the tables for Bucs and BUTC, but also improve the club’s individual competative side with the club league table. The main aim is to beat Essex at Derby Day as we haven’t beaten them for a few years now. We are hoping to nurture a group of naturally talented amateur archers to compete for their university and hopefully do well, but also keep pushing senior archers so they can continue to improve.”
Men’s Hockey “Last year, our Saturday first eleven and fourth eleven were promoted. We also won the Plate at the Harleston mixed tournament and the Dragon’s trophy. We aim to keep the first eleven in the new division and gain promotion in Bucs. We also hope to beat Essex at Derby Day and get more people playing hockey and have fun! A lot of people graduated last year so there are places for people of all abilities in all teams. We will also have two Bucs teams this year.”
Fell and Mountaineering
“Last year we had the most members the club has had for a long time; we became one of the Union’s new focus sports; went to the Bucs orienteering championships for the first time and ran a large variety of trips all over the country. We want to keep building on what we achieved last year. This year we aim to run our first international trip to Morocco in January 2013 and increase the number of people doing their gold Duke of Edinburgh award.”
Swimming
Sports Club Preview Sports editors Billy Sexton and Sam Tomkinson got in touch with UEA sports clubs to analyse last year’s performance and assess their expectations for the coming season. For more previews, visit concrete-online.co.uk/sport Photography by Greg Mann and Tom Oliver.
Cricket “We only managed to get a few games in as the weather was so dismal last year. Both teams remain in the same divisions and we managed to get into the semi-finals of the Bucs indoor league, which was played at Edgbaston. We hope to remain in both divisions again, build on a good foundation to push for promotion for further years and to have a successful tour to Salou in Spain. Having lost quite a few people over the last two years through graduation, we need a few spinners as different bowling options for our first team. Ideally, we want as many people as we can get to push players and encourage competition for places. We are also looking to have fitness sessions as well the usual net sessions, along with skills workshops to develop our personal games.”
Men’s Saturday Football “Last season we narrowly missed out on promotion. We defeated Cromer 6-0 and thought we were destined to be promoted, however this wasn’t the case as only teams placed first and second were promoted, and we missed out on second by one point. Our aims for this season are to win the league and get promoted. To do this we must not drop points at key stages of the season. We also hope to reach the final of the Norfolk Junior Cup, which is played at Carrow Road. We are looking to strengthen our squad by finding a strong striker. Every year we strive to move the club forward and up the league tables.”
Korfball “Last season we were placed eighth in the country at first team level and seventh in the country at second team level. In the local league, all of our teams stayed in their respective divisions and our third team were promoted. The aims for the season are to finish in the top three at both first and second team level in the national championships to hold our positions in a very tough local league. We will also be looking to add UEA players to representative regional and national squads across the country. We’ve just set up a fifth team in the club, which makes us the biggest student club in the country. This also means that everyone who joins will get plenty of game time and that’s the best way to bolster our club. Our competition squad has been bolstered by the arrival of really high quality players, and we’ve appointed the England senior squad assistant coach as our first team and senior squad coach for the season. With that in mind, and prospects looking good, we always want new players. Whether you’re a regular sports player who wants a new challenge or a complete beginner, one of our five teams will suit you!”
“Last season was a good season for the club. With a team made up primarily of first years we managed to reach the division two Bucs team final in Sheffield for the first time in five years. We finished seventh but there’s potential for the coming season. We also had individual and relay finalists in both Bucs short course and long course. The minimum expectation would be to reach the division two Bucs team’s final but we would be looking for a top four finish and possibly gaining promotion. We are always looking for talented swimmers. We would like more competition within the club to help people be pushed in training. Aside from the competitive side of things we would also like to see a strengthening in people who want to use swimming as a sport to keep fit as we’re better set up for this now.”
Tennis “Overall our squads had a good season. Our men’s Bucs first team were promoted to division one, and our Sunday league B team also moved up a league. Unfortunately, our Sunday A team were relegated from a tough division but are well placed to go back up this year. The men’s second and women’s Bucs team stayed in their leagues. Our aims with the Bucs teams are for the men’s and women’s first teams to stay in their respective leagues, as both are really challenging. It would be great to see men’s second team gain promotion, as they came quite close last season. The Sunday teams also have potential to get promoted. We welcome all first years. A few key squad members left last year and we want as large a squad as possible. We have great competition in the squad and make sure everyone gets a competetive game throughout the year. Trials are early on in the semester.”
@concretesport
Concrete Sport UEA
American Football confident ahead of new BUAFL season
SPORT
issue 271 21 september 2012
UEA clubs season preview
Page 23 Canary Corner Tom Oliver
Chris Teale Managing editor UEA Pirates are confident of another successful season after a superb run in the play-offs last year, as they look to make an impact in the British Universities American Football League (BUAFL). The team play in the south eastern conference of BUAFL, and are hoping to build on last season, which saw them reach the semi-finals of the league’s Challenge Trophy competition. The Pirates were defeated in that game by the Sheffield Sabres, but the club’s president Steve Omanyondo is aiming for further improvement this season, and a possible tilt at a national championship crown. “The team’s goal this year is to go into the national championship playoffs and go on a run in that competition,” explained Omanyondo. “We are not only returning a high number of players but also players with a lot of talent and experience.” To achieve their goals, those players still on the Pirates’ roster from last year are working hard on their physical fitness with training programmes provided by
the coaching staff. The Pirates will be led by a new head coach this year, with Nick Rockell replacing Rob Kerr, who becomes defensive co-ordinator. Rockell has a great deal of experience, and is currently also running backs coach at London Blitz, the best senior team in the country. They will be joined on the 17-man coaching staff by recent graduates Mark Rivett, Ashley Mullin, Andy Custerson and David Murphy, who will help prepare the Pirates for the challenges ahead. The club have had a number of players graduate, Omanyondo explains, but the current crop of players are more than capable of moving the side forward. He said: “We lost some great players through graduation. However, there is more than enough talent coming through to carry this team to new heights. “Jack Anklesaria spent a year learning our complicated offensive playbook, and is ready to take over from Mark Rivett at quarterback and control our explosive offence. “Chris Carson is back again after another great season at running back, when he scored 23 touchdowns and,
in the process, made the Great Britain team.” “Joseph Van Der Merwe also made the GB squad and averaged 8.4 yards a carry, which is an extremely good stat for a running back. “Another key player will be offensive lineman Andy Smith, who was included in the second team of the BUAFL all-star team.” Defensively, Omanyondo will be key at middle linebacker, while fellow linebacker Joe Boon will be hopeful of further development after a superb first year with the Pirates. This year, American Football will be sanctioned by British Universities and Colleges Sport (Bucs), and Omanyondo is hopeful that the Pirates can make this season one to remember. “The feeling about this coming season is extremely positive. Players have bought into the programme by working out all summer to be the best football players they can be, and there is strong belief in our programme that we can take this team to new highs.” The Pirates are keen for new players to join the club, and will be at Sports’ Fair on 28 September.
Page 22 Sport in 140 characters
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