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Backlash over buses
Fiona Grundy & Amy Adams
The reputation of First Buses in Norwich has reached an all time low as the bus routes, especially the 25 and 25A, have become increasingly unreliable. Following an online plea to readers and followers of @Concrete_UEA, several students sent in their experiences of the First Bus service in Norwich. Complaints included late arrivals leading to missed seminars and appointments; rude drivers and confusing route changes. The attitude of certain drivers has also received complaints. One third year student told Concrete: “The girl in front of me in the queue got on the bus and asked the driver how much it was a single to wherever she was going, and the driver proceeded to shout at her that he was half an hour late and didn’t know. She rummaged in her purse for some change, and he told her to get off and that he wouldn’t wait for her. In the end he left her at the side of the road.” He also said: “Last academic year, on a 21/22 into the city late at night, every other bus takes a slightly different route. An angry woman didn’t realise this and asked the driver to stop to let her off even though there wasn’t a stop,
COMMENT
and he refused (which was fair enough). “They ended up in a massive shouting match. She was standing near the doors, she was being abusive and he got really angry, refused to stop the bus and drove past several stops (he was trying to get her as far away from where she wanted to get off as possible, just to piss her off some more), and kept speeding up and slamming on his brakes in an attempt to knock her over. He succeeded, and in the process threw everyone else on the bus into the seat in front of them a number of times (it was late, there were only a few people on the bus). Eventually she got off, in the dark, a long way from her stop.”
undergone so many revisions it’s a joke, but they never put updated timetables at any of the stops. I now live round the West Earlham area off Dereham Road and there’s no service from there to the UEA, it’s walkable, but for less able people it must be a problem.” Continued on page four.
“The driver proceeded to shout at her ... she rummaged in her purse for some change, and he told her to get off and that he wouldn’t wait for her.” Further complaints highlighted where the newly-revised routes actually take people. One post-graduate from Bowthorpe said: “This route has
P.9 MUSIC
Philip Thomas
Inside: Full coverage of the English Defence League and We Are Norwich protests. Turn to page three. Rhian Poole
V.12-13 ARTS
V.20 ENVIRONMENT P.14
Elizabeth Margereson
STAR WARS EPISODE VII
INTERVIEW: PETER HOOK
THE CRUCIBLE REVIEW
GIANT PANDAS IN DANGER
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concrete.editor@uea.ac.uk
Editorial
Editor-in-chief | Amy Adams concrete.editor@uea.ac.uk Managing Editor | Chris Teale concrete.managingeditor@uea.ac.uk Online Editor | Harry Slater Deputy Online Editor | Luke Boobyer concrete.online@uea.ac.uk Advertising Manager | Kat Brook concrete.advertising@uea.ac.uk News | Philip Thomas & Sophie Witts concrete.news@uea.ac.uk Comment | Ciara Jack concrete.comment@uea.ac.uk Global | Robert Norris concrete.global@uea.ac.uk Features | Lauren Cope concrete.features@uea.ac.uk Environment | Tim Miller concrete.environment@uea.ac.uk Science & Tech | Rebecca Hardy concrete.science@uea.ac.uk Travel | Polly Grice concrete.travel@uea.ac.uk Lifestyle | Emma Williamson concrete.lifestyle@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 Distribution Manager | Steph Gover
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The photograph accompanying the article “More cuts to Norwich drinking hours” on page four should be credited to Sam Gladstone. The photograph accompanying the article “Greater research into energy
Contributors
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Editorial
20/11/12
News | Sophie Witts, Philip Thomas, Amy Adams, Fiona Grundy, Billy Sexton, Rachael Lum, Alex Carlson, Chloe Hashemi, Francis Mckeown, Ricardo Monni, Callum Graham, Elizabeth Jackson Comment | Livvy Brown, Tim Rose, Harry Edwards, Joe Ferris, Elliot Wengler, Peter Sheehan, Oliver Balaam Global | Holly Mcdede, Tingting Chen Features | Michael Drummond, Charlotte Galt, Charlotte Cox, Caitlin Gray, Lauren Cope Environment | Matthew Protz, Kathryn Fox, Peter Sheehan Science & Tech | Michael Bolton, Ben Dickson, Sophia Quenby, Jacqueline Ward Travel | Jessica Crisp, Callum Graham, Amy Cullen, Amy Sweetman Lifestyle | Emily Fedorowycz, Lydia Clifton, Rhian Poole, Maddy Hutt, EmilyClaire Tucker, Holly Whittaker Sport | Sam Tomkinson, Matt Hubbard, Oli Platt, Matt Haynes, Holly Wade, Gabrielle Inch, Louise Chadwick Proofreaders | Charlotte Cox, Sidonie Chaffer-Melly, Jessica Crisp, Kate Marlow, Caitlin Gray Photographers | Elizabeth Margereson, Philip Thomas, Sam Gladstone, Ga Chun Yau, Will Gladman, Issy Witcomb, Rhian Poole
Corrections, issue 274: •
Issue 275
efficiency needed” on page five should be credited to Ga Chun Yau. The article “We don’t bite ... unless you want us to” wrongly stated that the Deviant Society was formed as a gaming society in 1993. It was in fact a splinter of UEA GameSoc formed in 1998.
The Editor’s Column The excitement of the elections is finally over, and I don’t just mean the showdown between Obama and Romney. Sadly, our own didn’t have quite as many fireworks; in fact they were more like sparklers which got a bit wet. In case you hadn’t noticed (we wouldn’t blame you if you hadn’t), the new police and crime commissioners have been chosen. Despite the efforts of local author Keith Skipper, who recorded a rap video under the guise of Duzzy Raskel, encouraging Norfolk to vote, the turnout still only reached 14.5%. You can read more in Features on page 12. Thankfully, there’s always some entertaining animal news to make everything okay. This fortnight’s favourite is the BBC’s “Australian drunk survives
attempt to ride crocodile”. The headline essentially tells you everything you need to know about the run-in with Fatso. Meanwhile, over at Concrete HQ, it has been a standard production weekend. Far too much time has been spent looking at pictures of pandas and listening to an offensive amount of S Club 7. We’ve got the compulsory timing for Reach down perfectly, and look out for a video of the editorial team dancing along to S Club Party on one of the most surreal afternoons of the year so far. And yes, I promise I’m not joking. Wherever you are, have a great week and enjoy the issue. As ever, it is packed full of great content and whimsical puns. Amy Adams Editor-in-chief
This fortnight in photos
Concrete is launching an online gallery for your photos. Send your snaps of UEA and Norwich to concrete.online@uea.ac.uk or tweet them to @Concrete_UEA.
Tweet of the Week Ed Balls | @edballsmp Sorry Tulisa, but Carly Rae-Jepsen’s Call Me Maybe’ was THE song of 2012 #X-Factor
Contact Us Address Union House University of East Anglia Norwich NR4 7TJ Editorial inquiries / complaints concrete.editor@uea.ac.uk concrete.venue@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
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Not welcome in Norwich Policing the protests
Will Gladman
Issue 275
Three men were arrested and a fourth cautioned following a march by the English Defence League through Norwich city centre on November 10. A 22-year-old from Norwich was charged with possession of an offensive weapon whilst a 45-year-old from Milton Keynes and a 28-year-old from Norwich were charged with using threatening words or behaviour. A number of reported incidents occured after the march had officially dissipated following outbreaks of violence on Prince of Wales road. The march was regulated by police made up from 11 different forces who
halted the procession at four points along the route to maintain order across the group. Speaking to Concrete, Super Intendant of Norfolk Police Paul Sanford said: “We’ve worked really hard this afternoon, the officers I think have done a cracking job.” A spokesman for Norfolk Constabulary confirmed to the Norwich Evening News that it would take a months for the full cost of the “significant and complex” policing operation to be calculated. He added: “Norfolk Constabulary has contingency funds in place to cover operations such as this, so there will be no impact on the policing budget.” Sophie Witts
Will Gladman
EDL march on city hall
Will Gladman
We Are Norwich take to the streets Up to two thousand members of the We Are Norwich coalition protested in Norwich on Saturday November 10. The crowd gathered in Chapelfield Gardens at 11:00am before marching past the Forum and gathering once more outside City Hall at 12:45pm. The protest opposed the English Defence League demonstration. We Are Norwich was made up of 25 groups. Secretary Nick O’Brien spoke to the BBC and said: “We had two main aims: number one, to make sure the EDL didn’t get to City Hall or the war memorial. Number two, we wanted to make sure we outnumbered them and send a really clear message that the EDL aren’t welcome.” Songs were performed and speeches
made as We Are Norwich rallied in Chapelfield Gardens, including Clive Lewis of the Norwich Labour party who said “that it [was] time to unite and fight.” UEA was represented by Union members Joshua Bowker and Jack Brindelli, who also gave speeches to the rallying activists. As the group moved out, the atmosphere was one of peaceful determination, with one member of the We Are Norwich march saying: “as an international student at UEA I think it was important for me to come here today, diversity should be celebrated and if you look at everyone here today it’s easy to see why.” Callum Graham
The English Defence League gathered in Castle Gardens near The Mall, where around 150 protesters arrived under the escort of police and riot vans, with more officers stationed in surrounding streets. Roads were blocked off as the EDL marched down Castle Meadow, carrying flags identifying divisions from as far away as Birmingham and Coventry. Their chants ranged from “No surrender to the Taliban” to “We’re the famous EDL” and “Let’s go fucking mental.” A minor fight broke out as a male anti-facist protestor positioned himself at the bottom of the castle bank, protecting himself from hurled objects with a guitar while taunting EDL protestors. Several EDL members scaled the wall to confront him, and a scuffle ensued when other antifascist protestors came to the man’s aid. Police eventually broke up the fight, and one young anti-EDL protestor emerged with blood on his head and neck. When the League reached City Hall, a sizeable crowd had gathered to heckle them, shouting “Nazi scum.” A line of riot officers and mounted police held back the
crowd of onlookers. EDL speeches were introduced with a raucous rendition of the League’s adopted song Coming Down the Road followed by a one minute silence “for all serving and fallen British troops.” Despite the presence of the much larger We Are Norwich group, EDL spokespeople maintained their intent for non-violent protest, and individual members attempting to clash with members of the public were held back by both police and EDL stewards. The group’s message urged defence of what they perceived to be integral English values of Christianity and national identity which they felt had been eroded through decisions like Norwich City Council’s closure of the Christian book stall. EDL speaker Glen Saffer introduced members to give their own anecdotes and experiences to the assembled crowd. He invited a young black man on stage to show that EDL is “not racist, not BNP, not National Front.” Elizabeth Jackson
Philip Thomas
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News
First Group failings Continued from front page They went on to say: “They’re just not reliable. They never stick to timetable. You never should rely on the last bus, because it might not come and then you’re left out in the cold. That’s happened to me. Once I had a rude bus driver shut the door in face because I asked him where he going because there hadn’t been a bus going my way for a long time and I knew that sometimes the bus drivers forget to change their signs when they change direction. Also, where the bus drivers change over at Castle Meadow can be a nightmare, because some just don’t turn up. I was late for my PhD interview here because of that happening.” Concrete also received complaints about the price of the tickets that
are affecting many of First’s student customers, which become increasingly expensive year after year. Students are now asked to pay £210 for a bus pass for what many believe to be an unreliable service. Customer services at First have been known to help when they can. Their Twitter account @FirstNorwich, for example, does regularly offer assistance to people who are angry at the service. When asked for a comment First Buses said: “We are aware of issues on certain journeys in the new ‘colour branded’ Norwich Network. Our local Commercial Team have taken these issues extremely seriously, and timetable changes will be registered to improve the punctuality and reliability where possible.”
Norwich officially declared Unesco City of Literature Norwich Chloe Hashemi News reporter
Ga Chun Yau
Father Crochet
Campus Frances Mckeown News reporter
A knitted Christmas tree measuring over 15 feet tall is being displayed at the Sainsbury Centre over the festive period in support of the charity Livability. The charity provides accommodation for 20 disabled and disadvantaged young adults, enabling them to live independently in self-contained flats. Chief Operating Officer at the Sainsbury Centre, Tony Johnson, described the tree as “the inspiration of Ann Meijer, whose daughter Catherine
lives at John Grooms Court in Norwich”. The Centre is “delighted to be able to support Livability and showcase the work of the many generous contributors to this worthy cause throughout the festive season.” Over 600 people were involved in the making of the tree which has nearly 2,000 decorations, with the tub, bark and star, all hand-knitted. The aim of the project is to raise funds to support new units and a new lift for John Grooms Court and donations can be made either at the Sainsbury Centre or directly to Livability at John Grooms Court Norwich.
Norwich was officially declared a Unesco City of Literature on 5 November. The city is the first one selected in England, and the sixth in the world The new status was celebrated with a ceremony in the Cholmondley Room in the House of Lords, with several UEA writers in attendance at the event hailed as the “launch of Norwich” in the literary field .
Andrew Cowan, Professor of Creative Writing at UEA said he was “immensely proud” that “our city has yet again contributed something to British and global cultural life through this achievement.” The new title has been hailed as excellent news for the University, paticuarly the Literature, Drama and Creative Writing department. A grant of £340,000 has been approved through Unesco’s flagship project, which will possibly lead to a creation of an “international centre for writing”, to be located in Norwich.
NUS set for London march National Ricardo Monni News reporter The National Union of Students’ “Demo 2012: Education, Employ, Empower” event is set to take place on Wednesday. The central London demonstration aims to raise public awareness regarding the perceived deficit of funding in the
education sector, the poor employment prospects confronting students and their lack of political representation. The Union of UEA Students will be running a coach service to and from the demonstration; requiring a £5 deposit which will be reimbursed to be paid to the Box Office. Follow @Concrete_UEA for updates from the march on the day.
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Drop in university applications Not Hear among middle class students just yet University
National Billy Sexton News reporter University applications have dropped among the middle classes, according to recent figures. Despite this general trend, the University of East Anglia saw a 3% growth in applications made in 2012. A spokesperson for UEA said, “Due to the ranking and reputation of the university, the rise in tuition fees did not have a dramatic effect on applications in 2012. “Applications to study at UEA were up around 3% on 2010 which is the most recent comparable year. This illustrates
that applicants still recognise UEA’s excellent academic reputation and the outstanding student experience we offer. “The best year for comparison is 2010 as there was a significant surge in applications to UEA in 2011 – the last year before the increase in tuition fees. We knew that this anomalous growth would not be sustainable.” However, other areas of the country has seen a drop of almost a quarter with regard to number of applications made to university – in North Tyneside, 23% less students have applied to go on to higher education. There has been a national study
of university applications based on parliamentary constituencies and it has revealed that the affluent middle classes are beginning to reject university as an option. Considering that tuition fees for most universities are touching £9,000 a year, it comes as no shock that application numbers are generally falling. The fall among middle and upper class applicants is being attributed to to students not being able to take advantage of living grants and tuition fee waivers offered by Student Finance. Although fees have trebled, there is no need to repay accumulated debt until one is earning £21,000 or above.
UEA scientists tackle West Country river pollution National Rachael Lum News reporter UEA has teamed up with South West Water and Westcountry Rivers Water Trust to run the UK’s first ever auction based scheme designed to help reduce river pollution. South West Water has invested £360,000 in this pilot project, which provides financial aid to farmers in an effort to lessen the amount of farm
pollutants in river water. In turn it should reduce water treatment costs. Professor Brett Day from the School of Environmental Sciences said: “An auction puts much more focus on farmers than other possible schemes. “Farmers propose what they can do on their land to improve river water quality and then bid in the scheme for a payment for those actions. Competitive pressures ensure farmers don’t ask for excessive amounts, but still get a payment that they are happy with.”
Successful bidders will receive funding for farm improvements such as building fences near rivers to prevent water contamination by stray cattle, increasing their slurry storage and developing better pesticide management techniques. Of the 41 bids received from farmers with land near the River Fowey in Cromwell, 18 succeeded in securing money from this environmental scheme. South West Water will cover the part or all of the cost of these improvements, up to a maximum of £50,000 per farm.
Philip Thomas News editor The University of East Anglia are delaying the implementation of the Higher Education Achievement Reports. UEA is introducing the Higher Education Achievement Report (Hear) to coincide with the new academic model for undergraduates. The report provides a comprehensive record of student experience, which the university hopes will boast student engagement and employability. Hear reports will supplement single degree classifications (for example a 2:1) with more detailed academic information, in addition to nonacademic achievements. The reports will now be issued to students enrolled in 2013. A spokesperson from UEA said: “Following guidance from HEFCE, we have decided to delay implementing the Higher Education Achievement Report for undergraduate students so that it coincides with the launch of the New Academic Model. We are working closely with the Student Union to ensure preparations for HEAR continue. Until HEAR is implemented, the EU Diploma Supplement will continue to be issued to all graduating students.”
Unfinished symphonies
Norwich
Alex Carlson News reporter On Friday November 23 UEA Symphony Orchestra perform two unfinished masterpieces: Benjamin Britten’s Double Concerto for Violin and Viola and Orchestra and Edward Elgar/Anthony Payne’s Symphony No.3 under the direction of Sharon Choa. The concert will be the first time that the East Anglia-born composer Benjamin Britten’s Double Concerto for Violin and Viola and Orchestra has been performed in Norwich. Like Britten, Edward Elgar never completed his masterpiece. It was not until 1997, that Anthony Payne, the current composer in residence at UEA, completed the scoring of the work. The “Britten Centenary Celebration Concert” is the first in a series of concerts being held to celebrate the centenary of Britten’s birth and takes place at 7.30pm at St Andrew’s Hall in the centre of Norwich.
Comment
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The presidential race is run
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Livvy Brown looks into why the Republican party and their leader Mitt Romney fell at the last hurdle, as Tim Rose explains why Obama’s head start will give him the opportunity to be truly radical. Livvy Brown Comment writer This American election has been amongst the most hotly contested in living memory. In the end, the Democrats pulled ahead with a surprisingly large margin of victory in an election which, right up to the wire, was “too close to call”. So how did Mitt Romney fall so far, at the final hurdle? Romney began his political career as the governor of Massachusetts. In the liberal state, Romney was a fairly moderate Republican. In 2011, he announced his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination. It was a bitterly contested race, and Moderate Mitt faced opposition from more extreme elements within the party. Who could forget Rick Santorum, so “beloved” of liberals nationwide that a campaign ran to coin a neologism of “Santorum”? Google it at your peril. Eventually, Romney snatched the nomination - but he was faced with a party divided. Immediately, the backpedalling began. Romney revised his views and his stance on the economy, healthcare, abortion and welfare all became significantly more conservative.
Tim Rose Comment writer In his first term in office, Barack Obama promised a lot but attained few concrete achievements. Now freed from the burden of seeking re-election he has the opportunity to be the radical reformer he has always threatened to be. Although it would have been almost impossible to fulfil the level of expectation placed upon him, Obama consistently underperformed and made little progress on many issues in his first term. Guantanamo Bay is still open, the Israel-Palestine Conflict still unresolved and the war in Afghanistan is still lingering on. It really does not say much for his presidency, when his most heralded “achievement” so far was an act
His hardline economic views had bleak prospects for America’s working class. His opposition to the Federal Emergency Maintenance Agency (Fema) came under intense scrutiny in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy’s devastation, leading to Republican governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie’s, glowing praise of Obama. Romney frequently and vitriolically espoused his hatred for Obamacare, isolating the millions whose lives have been changed by the availability of free healthcare. Gaffe after gaffe exposed the Republican’s archaic views on women.
of state-sponsored murder. Re-election gives Obama the chance not only to ensure his healthcare reforms are implemented, but to go further and establish a universal healthcare system in the richest country in the world. It also gives him the potential to tackle other issues that could provide him with a meaningful legacy. The fact that America is the only Western country in the world to still carry out executions is a horrific blemish on its human rights record. Obama does not appear to be especially keen on the death penalty, but so far he has failed to take a real stand on the issue. This may well change in his second term, as there are signs of growing support for abolition in the US that Obama could harness. America’s frankly insane gun laws
Todd Akin, that loveable rogue, enlightened us all as to the definitions of “legitimate” rape. He confounded a nation of medical experts with his declaration that women cannot get pregnant from “forcible” rape. Obama’s sweeping victory in 2008 rode on the shoulders of previously forgotten elements of the electorate: women and minorities. However, the 2012 Republican campaign seemingly ignored this sweeping electoral change. After all, Obama’s popularity had plummeted; he had lost his mojo. Surely lightning could not strike twice.
are another area that Obama could seek to tackle. The case of Trayvon Martin clearly illustrated the consequences of giving almost anyone access to firearms. Even reinstating the Clinton-era ban on assault weapons, or at least making it harder to purchase weapons would be a good start. Despite the clear potential for changing America domestically, it may be overseas where Obama looks to find his legacy. This due to the fact that the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, is likely to be obstructionist to many elements of his domestic agenda. One of the key hopes for Obama’s second term is that a lasting solution can be found in the Israel-Palestine conflict, something that has eluded his
The Republicans grossly miscalculated. They banked on the votes of angry white men, the demographic that had swept them to victory eight years prior. They did not, however, consider the change that had swept America. Women, once an electoral minority, may have decided this election. Obama won nearly 70% of the female vote, in a clear rejection of the Republican’s outdated and insulting policies. African Americans and Hispanic voters once again voted overwhelmingly for Obama. In Romney, America had a white, middle class, conservative candidate; in Obama, a mixed-race president born to a single mother in Hawaii by way of Indonesia and Chicago. Obama is the embodiment of the modern, multi-cultural American dream. If America is the land of the free, it is now also the land of the minority. The Republicans ignored that fact at their detriment. Now, any chance of securing victory in 2016 depends on their ability to adapt. They must understand the unique issues facing America’s minorities. They must be willing to learn. America is changing, and the Republican Party must change with it or perish in the wasteland of electoral irrelevance.
predecessors. The resolution of one of the world’s longest-running conflicts would be an incredible achievement for Obama. It would also do enormous good for the US’s reputation in the region, which is tarnished by its one-sided support for Israel. However, to secure a real long-term legacy for himself and the world Obama must act on the most pressing issue facing the world today: climate change. One solution is to implement a carbon tax, as Al Gore has called on Obama to do. This could easily form part of the upcoming budget negotiations with Republicans. In addition, a new worldwide treaty on reducing greenhouse gas emission is needed more urgently than ever, following the inconclusive nature of the talks in Copenhagen in 2009. Due to his global popularity Obama has the chance to be the leader to spearhead this change. It may be too late for the world if he does not. Although it remains to be seen how many of these issues Obama will take head-on, his re-election is a great cause for hope. Now it is time for the change.
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Comment
Is the tide turning against social conservatives?
Harry Edwards Comment writer As Obama headed back to the White House to start his second term, most of the world breathed a collective sigh of relief. There is more to celebrate than just avoiding a Romney presidency, however. While the media circus was descending into spasms like a spider on ecstasy over Obama’s re-election, I want to celebrate some of the other victories that have been overlooked on what was a horrific election night for many conservatives. For the first time gay marriage was passed by ballot in three different states, and in Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin became the first openly homosexual senator. These are indicators of thawing attitudes towards the LGBT+ people. With a president now who has definitively come out in favour of gay marriage in the White House, the election night was a great night in this respect and gives hope for future progress.
It was also a good night for proponents of drug legalisation, as both Colorado and Washington voted in favour of legalising recreational cannabis use. Of course these
are small victories but the movement towards a rational drug policy is fantastic news. The ending of a fruitless, expensive and unwinnable war on drugs (at least in
these select corners of America) should be celebrated. Among the Democratic of House Representatives, there are now equal numbers of men and women. While the Republicans are still 90% white males, it is comforting to see, at least on one side of the political divide, that being a woman is no longer such an obstacle to be in political office. With Todd “legitimate rape” Akin losing a seemingly easy race, as with LBGT+ issues, there is a sense that the tide is changing. Indeed, in all probability one of the next Presidential Candidates for 2016 will be a woman, in the form of Hillary Clinton. America is still a long way from being a progressive utopia. It is still a country where a man who wondered why aeroplane windows don’t open was in with a shot at the highest position of public office. But there are signs that America may be turning a corner away from social conservatism, and instead towards a more liberal and accepting place. It would seem that, in the end, the Republicans’ socially regressive platform contributed to their downfall.
Nadine Dorries: MP to VIP Joe Ferris Comment writer Nadine Dorries, MP for MidBedfordshire, began her stint on ITV’s I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here last week. Shrouded in controversy, serious questions are being asked whether she has acted irresponsibly by featuring on the programme. Dorries has justified her participation, stating it will give her the stage with a 16 million strong audience to raise concerns on the current abortion limit. However, beneath the gloss-coated causes she claims to stand for, there seems to be another agenda rearing its ugly head: fame. Dorries found her name by publicly rebelling against the leadership of her party. Last April she claimed the prime minister and chancellor were two “out of touch posh boys, who didn’t know the price of milk.” Coupled with her
stint on I’m a Celebrity, it is actions like these that devalue any virtuous opinion on policy she may have. If she focused on putting her mind to arguing the case for her agenda, rather than hijacking the headlines, she might just get somewhere. I can’t remember the last pro-life activist
eating the nether regions of exotic creatures to get their message across. Going to the jungle serves only one purpose: to boost her celebrity career. What’s worse is the treatment of the constituents of Mid-Bedfordshire. By going away for up to a month, she
effectively breaks the promise she made to represent her constituents in 2010. During her absence, she’ll miss two important votes on the EU budget and one on the chancellor’s autumn report. The voters of Mid-Bedfordshire through that time will not have political representation. While Dorries gains £40,000 and a celebrity face, it’ll be the constituents who lose their voice. This is an MP’s gravest betrayal. Some will draw parallels with Gordon Brown, (still MP for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath, Scotland) who is rarely seen in parliament. I criticise him equally for not representing his constituents. But just because Gordon Brown doesn’t turn up, it doesn’t give Dorries the excuse to abuse her position and publicly cheapen the role of an MP. Parliament have suspended her, and rightly so. There is no way her appearance will do anything for the case to reduce the abortion limit; if anything it will eclipse it. Dorries is either incredibly naive, or has very wisely formed the beginnings of a celebrity career under the guise of activism. As a businesswoman and former special advisor in her former life, which do you think she’s doing?
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May the farce be with you Schofield’s stunt shows the value of real journalism Elliot Wengler Comment writer When I saw “Star Wars” trending on Twitter the other week, my housemates and I reacted like every other being in the world: with horror. Lucasfilm has been sold to Disney and part of the contract is a new trilogy of Star Wars films. “I have a bad feeling about this” is probably the standard position, but then we have to consider that there are a lot of positives to look forward to with Star Wars Episode VII. The first thing to consider is that George Lucas will be doing nothing than checking in as a producer and consultant. In a restricted role, his child will do better by him, perhaps as shown by The Empire Strikes Back. It has been announced that Michael Arndt, the writer of Toy Story 3, will be delivering the screenplay. There is a whole generation of talent being offered the chance to fix or reinvent the franchise that inspired so many of them into filmmaking. Consider Star Wars directed by Christopher Nolan, Joss Whedon, Brad Bird, or current frontrunner, Matthew Vaughn (currently directing Kick-Ass 2). A darker, or more fantastical spin on the galaxy? Why ever not? In fact, almost every director speculated upon so far would combine a clear visual style with a more character-driven affair than the
Peter Sheehan Comment writer
prequel offerings. Giving Star Wars onto a new generation is Lucas proving he still has sense. I loved being able to see The Phantom Menace on the big screen earlier this year. Star Wars belongs up there. If Hollywood are trying to reinvigorate the series, then surely we should let them try? I’d love to see Luke Skywalker in an older Obi Wan style role. Those scenes from A New Hope are just begging for more thoroughly developed parallel in the future, and Hamill is rumoured to already be on board. If it goes wrong, then what will we do, not go to see it? I somehow doubt that. Are people suggesting that this will be a less exciting prospect than the Justice League film that Fox are shoving through the machine? Star Wars VII will be exciting, and I say get on board early.
Phillip Schofield is not Jeremy Paxman. To many, this is abundantly clear, but unfortunately Phillip Schofield is not among that number. By handing David Cameron a list of alleged paedophiles garnered from an evening’s casual googling, he was attempting to make the considerable leap from presenting Dancing On Ice to making a splash in the real world. Perhaps he thought it would help? That it might lead to a conviction? But it looks rather like he and the This Morning team were using a cheap stunt to garner even cheaper attention. Using these events in such a way is distasteful and morally questionable. The programme has been widely criticised, and rightly so. Sensationalism, particularly in the context of so emotionally charged a news story, is dangerous and unhelpful. For instance, Rebekah Brook’s contribution to this debate back in 2001 resulted in a doctor being hounded out of her home: apparently “paediatrician” looks a lot like “paedophile” to a busy tabloid editor. What’s more, allegations of this kind hang around like an invidious miasma, even if they are subsequently proven false. Wafting names around on national television not only shows
a cavalier disregard for the process of justice, but also risks permanently damaging the reputations of innocent people. That’s not to say that all people on the list are guiltless. The point is that we may never know. This is very much a question of using reliable sources. Although the internet has undoubtedly made gathering information very easy, trawling forums and comment boards for prurient muck will produce just that: muck. Dragging it out from the bowels of cyberspace and dressing it up as investigative journalism gives it a gravity and an exposure that it does not warrant. A hungover skim read of Wikipedia may help avoid awkward questions at your next seminar, but responsible journalism requires both discernment and judgement. The fact that, just a few days later, Newsnight wrongly accused a former Tory politician of involvement in child abuse at a Welsh care home during the 1980s demonstrates that even the most experienced of reporters can still make serious mistakes. At a time when journalism and the free press are being scrutinised as never before, the gross stupidity of this stunt should have been all the more apparent. In playing at being a journalist, and against the backdrop of a BBC in turmoil, Phillip Schofield has inadvertently shown what a good job Jeremy Paxman normally does. Hopefully, he’ll emulate him more successfully in the future.
Israel, Palestine and the limits of self-defence Oliver Balaam Comment writer “We are fully supportive of Israel’s right to defend itself” stated President Obama last Sunday during the ongoing Israeli bombardment of Gaza. When he made the comment, Israel’s offensive had claimed the lives of 64 Palestinians and injured at least 560, the majority of whom were civilians. Hamas rockets had claimed the lives of three Israeli civilians. Regardless of your position on the wider political conflict, framing those lopsided statistics as self-defence strains the very definition of the term. Indeed even Israel’s interior minister struggled to maintain the line of self-defence, commenting that “the goal of the operation is to send Gaza back to the Middle Ages.” Israel’s recently completed, US cofunded Iron Dome defence system has a 90% success rate in shooting down missiles launched from Gaza into Israel. With a line
of defence this effective, it becomes even more difficult to justify an offensive of this scale. While the Iron Dome protects Israel from physical attacks, an Irony Dome seemingly protects them from the blights of criticism and self-awareness. A political discourse that refuses to recognise Palestine as a state, and a mainstream media that uses the words “Hamas” and “Gaza” interchangeably, form the backbone of this
defence system. Indeed, Obama continued his aforementioned speech with the statement: “There is no country on earth that would tolerate missiles raining down on its citizens,” evidently not recognising Palestine as one. Similarly while Palestinian civilians died over the weekend, Israel’s tourism minister lamented a “heavy price on the tourism industry”. Coming just after the US elections and two months before Israelis vote in
early elections, the convenient timing of the offensive also stretches the partyline of self-defence. It handily shifts the political agenda away from the domestic issues that opposition leader Shelly Yachimovich has been focusing on and combats the growing image of the Likud party as an impotent force against Hamas. Furthermore Ehud Olmert, the previous Israeli prime minister, was expected to announce his return to politics on the same day that the strike commenced. He launched Operation Cast Lead four years ago and would undoubtedly be seen as the candidate taking the hardest line against Hamas. It’s both ignorant and offensive to label Israel’s treatment of Gaza “self-defence”. Only a significant shift away from the binary discourse around this conflict presents any hope of a peaceful outcome. Unfortunately, as Israeli ground troops begin mobilise, that outcome is nowhere in sight.
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concrete.global@uea.ac.uk
Issue 275
20/11/12
KAOS launch shoebox appeal Tingting Chen Global writer
China’s newest leader Holly Mcdede Global writer Last week, China’s Communist Party unveiled its new fifth generation of leaders, with vice president Xi Jinping taking over from outgoing president Hu Jintao as party chief to lead the second largest economy and over one billion people for the next 10 years. This appointment, by China’s previous generation of leaders, was predictable. China’s future, however, may not be. This is largely because to many people Xi is a bit of a mystery man. He vanished this past September with no explanation from the Chinese government for two weeks. Xi’s first speech as party leader spoke of vague economic reform and “advancing the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics.” Another clue came in current president Hu Jintao’s state address that called for the new leaders to remain committed to state ownership. Many economists argue that China’s state owned companies need to be opened to competition for China’s economic growth to continue. Xi hasn’t spoken about his political beliefs, so analysts are left to press buttons on their “Educated Guess Machines.” Most likely, this new generation will provide token reform to maintain power. They will have to address the wealth gap
Global
as well as corruption. The gap between rich and poor remains glaring, and needs to be lessened. Poverty has decreased in China, from 80% of people living below the poverty line in 1981 to just 16% in 2005, according to a 2011 World Bank research report. However, the country is currently home to a great deal of millionaires and also many millions of people who live on just one dollar a day. Recently, the wife of Bo Xilai, the party leader once seen as a candidate for top office, has been accused of involvement in the murder of British businessman, Neil Heywood. This scandal has prevented Xilai from taking on the role of party chief. Whatever happens in the next decade will be of great global significance. Since 2010, China has been the world’s second largest economy behind only the United States. It is also the world’s top exporter and biggest emitter of greenhouse gases. Seeking to stabilize rocky U.S ties, Joe Biden and Xi cheered for the Los Angeles Lakers together back in 2011. A leaked U.S diplomatic cable also revealed that Xi is a fan of Hollywood war movies. There appears to have been an absence of any major outcry or violence during the handover of power in Beijing. What major changes, if any, will take place in China over the next ten years will, for now, be purely speculative.
KAOS, Kids Action Overseas, is a charity society based at UEA which organises a number of events throughout the year to help raise money for children living in poverty abroad. The money raised through events such as the KAOS charity fashion show goes directly to help fund volunteers from the society to travel to orphanages in Kenya and Uganda and help children directly. However, during the Christmas period KAOS organisers its annual shoebox appeal for children in Romania. The shoeboxes are sent to the poorest parts of Romania, such as the rural town of Dorohoi in Botosani County. Before the fall of communism in Romania, Dorohoi had a strong workforce in its factories and almost no unemployment. Today, things have drastically changed and all the towns’ factories have been closed for years. Cristina Gherghisan from the UEA Romanian society has been helping to promote the KAOS shoebox appeal. She said, “I’ve seen children with no proper clothes for winter, no food or even no adults to shape their future. This makes me very sad and disheartened whenever I think about what the heavy winter will be like for them.” The wrapped shoeboxes will be
handed out directly to the children in Dorohoi by volunteers from the charity RCHF-UK who will be dressed as Father Christmas. Photographs from last year’s shoebox appeal show children receiving their gifts, but also the poor conditions of their housing. Mud brick houses and apartments are the norm in the rural parts of Romania and it is not uncommon for homes to be without gas, electricity or a decent water supply. Those interested in sending a shoebox to Romanian should either email KAOS at ueakaos@gmail.com or join the KAOS Facebook group. KAOS will then send an email with information on what items should be included in the shoebox. Items to be put in shoeboxes will vary depending on the gender and age of the child. Common items include colouring pencils, paper, games and Christmas chocolates. Boxes should also include hygiene products for boys and girls, such as a hairbrush, toothpaste and toothbrush. Shoeboxes should be covered in wrapping paper and KAOS asks for at least a £3 donation with every shoebox to cover the cost of shipping, which will be over £400. Volunteers from KAOS will be in the Hive during the last week of November to collect shoeboxes and any help will be greatly appreciated.
Features 11 Representing the student voice 20/11/12
Issue 275
concrete.features@uea.ac.uk
Michael Drummond interviews the UEA student running in a Norwich city council by-election The resignation of a city councillor has triggered a by-election in the Nelson Ward area of Norwich. Layla Dickerson, a second-year student at UEA, has been chosen as the Labour candidate and is competing to be the city councillor in the December by-election. She is 25, studies history and is in her second year at UEA. Layla has lived in Norwich all her life, and has worked at a lot of local pubs. She has plenty on her plate, being vice president of the UEA Labour Society as well as managing her career in politics and studying for a degree. When asked what prompted her to get involved with Labour in the first place, Ms. Dickerson says that she originally voted for the Liberal Democracts in the last general election. “[I was] really disappointed when they joined with the Tories to form the coalition government. I believe in education being accessible to people of all classes and I feel that the promises which were broken by the Lib Dems in government have really let a lot of young people down.” In particular, she is concerned about the statistics that applications for university are falling, and believes that “a lot of people aren’t willing to get themselves into that much debt for university because of the recession.” Layla clearly places young people’s rights at the top of her agenda. She said: “I feel that it’s important that more young people get involved in politics and make their voices heard. Too often these days we have policies implemented on us by people who are completely out of touch with what
young people actually care about and what their issues are.” She continued to say that she has seen a decline in social equality and “strictly opposes” proposed changes to the NHS. Being a student living in Norwich means Ms. Dickerson is able to understand problems that blight young people’s lives on a personal level, which is sure to make her relatable with the hefty student population in the city. She added: “I feel that as a student living in Norwich I see a lot of issues which aren’t being addressed, especially concerning students, such as poorly maintained student properties for which sky-high fees are sometimes charged. I know personally of some friends who are still living without any heating and don’t know when it’s going to be turned on. “It feels like some landlords think that they can treat students how they like because no one’s going to hold them accountable. That’s something I feel very passionate about.” Ms Dickerson was next asked how, if elected, her role as the youngest person on the council would be likely to bring a different perspective to it. She answered: “I think that actually having a young person’s voice on the council will make a difference. I’m not scared to say what I think and I’m not scared to stand up for people who I know aren’t being properly represented. “If I’m elected one of the things I would seek to do would be to relook into any cases of bad student property management, as well as the issue of the street lights being turned off late at
night. I am conscious that turning street lights off may pose safety issues for a lot of young students coming home late at night.” And, on balancing the campaign with her university workload and social life? “I must admit that it does get tough especially around deadline time, but I know that what I’m doing is really important. I think that if students don’t stand up and aren’t represented properly then they’re not going to get their views heard. Luckily for me I also have the amazing support of the members of the UEA Labour Society, who have helped me with campaigning, canvassing and leafleting. They’re also a great bunch of friends as well.”
Ms. Dickerson is concerned that many students in the area may miss the chance to vote in the by-election, as it takes place on 19th December, during the Christmas break. “I thought that they may not know that they can apply for a postal vote so that they can vote while they’re away and still have their voices heard.” Application forms for postal votes can be obtained from the Norwich City Council website or from the Hive, while the Nelson Ward boundaries can be found on the Norwich City Council website at www.norwich.go.uk. You can contact Layla by email at layladickerson@live.co.uk and follow her on Twitter at @Layla4Nelson.
Fancy getting involved yourself? Concrete looks at the benefits of getting involved in student politics. If you fancy following in Layla’s footsteps, getting involved with student politics is a must. Although to some it has a negative reputation, it is filled with people who want to change students’ experiences for the better. So, what roles are there on offer? To put it simply - lots. School and faculty representatives are crucial in ensuring we get a good deal from our education. You could be a part-time union officer in a particular area; for example ethics, LGBT+ representation or women’s rights. Full-time positions in the union are Academic, Communications, Finance
and Community and Student Rights officers that last an entire year. There are roles in most areas to suit you. You can make real changes by being involved. The union is eager to listen to our views and being the vessel that relays them is an influential position to be in. If you would like to increase the amount of vegetarian food on campus, want to alter coursework feedback or want a certain type of facility to be increased, being involved in student politics is a great way to ensure that it happens. Dare we say, it also looks great on your CV. A position of such responsibility
shows a variety of skills like leadership, organisation, creativity and confidence. It is impressive to any potential employer and a must-do for anyone looking to go into politics in the future. UEA’s Communications officer Matthew Myles tells of his experience in student politics: “Students can have a massive influence on the world around them through campaigning activities. For example, last year myself and the Community and Student Rights officer lobbied for cash bursaries and accommodation discounts for eligible students, and now the most financially
vulnerable students can have access to up to £3000 to support them whilst they are students. “Being politically active at university also helps to develop skills that you will need to have political influence later in life. The National Union of Students has a huge influence on the world around us, from successfully lobbying the UK Border Agency to allow 2000 London Met students to stay in the UK to successfully pressuring Barclays to withdraw its investment and support for the apartheid regime in South Africa in the 1980s.”
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concrete.features@uea.ac.uk
Issue 275
20/11/12
Features
UEA: Enough dry nights on campus? Features writer Charlotte Galt looks at the various alternatives at UEA for non-drinking students
Drinking hours look likely to be cut in Norwich when the council votes on the issue later this month. Police and politicians have tired of the increased crime in the city after extended drinking was introduced in 2009. The move was intended to stagger leaving times and remove the temptation to binge drink, although in practice it seems to have made the problem worse. It’s no secret that the UK has issues with alcohol. Last year, alcohol associated hospital admissions topped the one million mark, over double the figure from a decade earlier. Many people struggle to stick to the maximum two to three units the government recommends in a day, despite the health concerns. High
blood pressure, cancer, fertility and liver problems can occur years after of excess drinking, and usually with little warning. Students are particularly at risk of excessive alcohol consumption. As if temptation were needed, the cut price offers, constant parties and peer pressure can prove hard to resist. At UEA, taking part in extra curricular activities is an encouraged addition to the academic record. As job markets are squeezed, any chance to cut through competition is seized by those hoping to get ahead. With over 150 clubs and societies, from clay pigeon shooting to Xtreme BBQ, there’s something for everyone. However, be warned - they each have their own individual take on
socialising, and for students wary of drinking too much, this should probably be a deciding factor. Sports societies suffer the worst when it comes to a reputation for drinking, although some are actively changing that. Korfball’s social secretary Adam Mower alternates events that aren’t alcohol focused: “We have over 70 members, and we want to make sure that non-drinkers aren’t forgotten. Every other social is based on an event where people don’t feel pressured to drink.” The LCR and Union pub are the main focus for student socialising on campus. Given that both serve alcohol, you could be forgiven for wondering if UEA does enough to cater for tee total students. Beth Drewett helps run the knitting society, and feels the Union pub is welcoming enough for them to hold weekly gatherings there. “It’s got a nice atmosphere, and comfy seating. We’re here when it’s quiet on Sundays, and there are people buying coffees from the bar, so it doesn’t have that pub feel really. I don’t think we need somewhere specific that doesn’t serve alcohol”. The knitting society also makes a conscious effort not to socialise exclusively with alcohol. “Our Christmas social is at Biddy’s tea shop in Norwich, so no drinking there. If people want to carry on for drinks after that’s fine, but it’s not our focus.”
Whilst it seems that UEA students are relatively comfortable with making the decision to avoid drinking, Cambridge University produced a film warning international students about British drinking culture. In it they reassure students not to feel pressured into drinking, as it is not a part of the university’s culture or tradition. Across the country there is evidence that the attitude of ostracising nondrinkers is beginning to change. The numerous documentaries depicting drunken Britons falling into the gutter have clearly been too much for some to bear, with several university cities setting up alcohol free bars. Manchester, Newcastle and Cardiff are following the steps of Liverpool, which opened the doors of The Brink last year. Open during the day, and hosting various evening events, The Brink is everything a trendy venue should be - minus the alcohol. In its place, there is an extensive list of alternatives. The only thing it doesn’t need like a regular bar are the door men. Norwich already has a well established cafe culture. We’d like to think we’re civilised, but the review of the drinking hours suggests otherwise. Perhaps we should take a leaf out of Liverpool’s book, do a little for our health, a little for our wellbeing, and be comfortable to drink a little less.
National flop in PCC elections Features writers Charlotte Cox and Caitlin Gray examine the recent votes for local Police and Crime Commissioners The first ever Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) election in the UK saw the worst turn out of any election since the second world war. The voter turnout ranged from 13-20% nationwide. The Guardian’s Deborah Orr argued: “It’s arrogant of the Conservatives to establish these new police commissioners – the electorate has not provided a mandate for this.” In the majority of cases, the public were simply not informed about the elections that were taking place and what impact they would have on the local communities. Many have complained that there was not enough publicity or political attention given to the by-election. Or, alternatively, do the public just want the authorities to do a competent job for them without any of the responsibility of the decision making, thereby removing themselves from the accountability? Overall, Orr argued that it was a “comedy of errors from start to finish”. The Conservatives have
argued that the by-election is a display of democracy by giving the public a chance to decide upon their local leaders, yet the amount of votes cast told a different story. So, do the public care about democracy, or are they just apathetic to the subject? In Norfolk, independent candidate Stephen Bett won the election with 3,378 votes over the closest opposition, Conservative candidate Jamie Athill. Although he ran as an independent candidate, Bett was a Conservative party member for 27 years, and represented the Tories at county council level. Having worked for the Norfolk Police Authority for 16 years, Bett resigned as the chairman to stand in the elections. Bett stated his belief that “politics should not be a part of policing. We should do what is best for the people and the constabulary of Norfolk. I feel that I have shown in the past 17 years that I have done that and I would like to do it through these very, very tricky times”. With an established track record of
working with the Norfolk police force, Bett clearly impressed the public enough to win. However, turnout in Norfolk was incredibly low, at just 14.5%, despite efforts to publicise the election. £5,000 was spent to produce a video raising awareness, which was filmed in key locations across the county, and featured a rap by local author and journalist, Keith Skipper, under the guise of Duzzy Raskel. Skipper stated: “I don’t think people can complain if they haven’t voted.” However, the statistics get worse in other areas across the UK. In Bettws Ward, part of Newport in Wales, no votes were cast. There were rumours that the polling station was held in a rundown cricket club, and the Conservative councillor Matthew Evans, who is also the leader of the opposition in the area, blamed the lack of turnout on the time of year, saying: “it’s cold and miserable”. He also said that the fact that no one has voted “doesn’t show anybody in a particularly good light”.
All in all, Britain’s current attitude seems to agree with Andrew Rawnsley, who jibed: “There’s an election … get me out of here.”
Features
20/11/12
Issue 275
concrete.features@uea.ac.uk
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Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week Features editor Lauren Cope puts the spotlight on the campaign concerning the dangers of carbon monoxide You’ve been living in your new house for a couple of months now, you pay your bills, you’ve sorted out your tax exemption and you’ve almost got the hang of when the bins go out. But, have you thought about gas safety in your house? Chances are, probably not. 19-26 November is the national Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the issue, particularly as the winter months approach.
“Its odourless and colourless nature makes it so dangerous, with many not realising there’s any risk until harm has already been done.” Causing around 50 deaths each year in England and 4,000 hospital visits, it’s a bigger risk than most are aware of. Carbon monoxide (sometimes ominously known as the “silent killer”) is produced when fuel is burnt, including oil, gas,
wood and coal. Symptoms to be aware of are similar to that of a flu virus: headaches, nausea, abdominal pains, dizziness, sore throats and dry coughs. However, it does not cause flu-like high temperatures. More severe poisoning can cause confusion, drowsiness and breathing difficulties. It can result in loss of consciousness and seizures. In children, the symptoms are similar to that of an upset stomach, such as nausea and vomiting. Its odourless and colourless nature makes it so dangerous, with many not realising there is any risk until harm has already been done. In April 2007, six Oxford University students narrowly escaped death after they discovered a carbon monoxide leak in their student house. When the emergency services arrived, they found exceptionally high levels of the deadly gas. Luckily, the students had fitted an audible carbon monoxide alarm in the house, which was set off after a leak from the gas cooker. If they hadn’t been so careful, they could have lost their lives.
Thankfully, carbon monoxide poisoning is preventable and there are certain tips to ensure you minimise the risk of exposure. BBC Health recommends you ensure your applicances are installed and serviced annually by a registered gas installer, a registered oil technician or a qualified service agent. Vents and chimneys should be kept clear. An audible carbon monoxide alarm must also be installed, which are available from many DIY stores, and never run motorbikes or lawnmowers in a closed garage. It also advises learning to spot warning signs, so you can recognise the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning. If headaches and other symptoms arise more during the winter months when the heating is on, or disappear when you go on holiday, it is worth visiting a GP. If you’re unsure of anything, don’t hesitate to contact your landlord or letting angecy. Your landlord has a legal obligation to provide a gas safety check every 12 months. The Union’s student service support manager Jo Spiro said: “I suppose the
only thing I can say is that landlords are required by law to provide a valid Gas Safe Register certificate for each gas appliance in a property. If your property is advertised through the Union’s Home Run service then an original Gas Safe Register certificate must be supplied every year as this is required in order to register.
“Causing around 50 deaths each year in England and 4,000 hospital visits, it’s a bigger risk than most are aware of. “ “Look out for stains and discolouring around water heaters or fires – particularly orange or yellow flames or strange smells – these are all signs of possible poisonous carbon monoxide release.” For more information look at the Union’s webpage “Safety in the Home” at www.ueastudent.com/../image_uploads/ advice_centre_leaflets/housing_safety_ in_the_home.pdf.
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concrete.environment@uea.ac.uk
Issue 275
20/11/12
Environment
Climate change: a moral issue
Giant panda set for extinction
Matthew Protz Environment writer
Kathryn Fox Environment writer
At present a dangerous myth infects much of the developed world: that the existence of anthropogenic climate change is uncertain, which for many means action towards preventing potential crises is not an option while we wait for the science to be clearer. However, if we look directly at the current scientific understanding, we can see that the vast majority of those in this field believe we are having a detrimental effect on the climate, demonstrated most dauntingly in an agreement signed by the national science academies of the G8 nations (plus Brazil, China and India). Of course, the public seldom see such data and forge their beliefs with help from politicians and journalists who distort information for their own agendas, and so we continue waiting for answers. They might be employing a limited understanding of the scientific method to these ill-informed opinions, aware that modern science attempts to function using falsifiability, a principle that is sceptical of all hypotheses and rather than trying to prove their validity, it states that we must try to disprove them and we can only confirm the hypothesis if its falsification becomes impossible. Such a process works very well in widening our scientific understanding
A new study conducted by researchers in the US has predicted that climate change could leave giant pandas struggling to survive. The findings, published in the journal Nature Climate Change indicated that rising global temperatures are set to wipe out much of the bamboo the bears rely on for food. Not only is bamboo the sole item of the bears’ diet, it also provides essential shelter for them and other animals. Unfortunately, the plant’s unusual reproductive cycle limits its ability to adapt to climate change. The situation is so severe that the entire panda habitat in China could be lost by the end of the century. Also, human development has blocked their access to areas where bamboo is less affected by rising temperatures. Whilst this research focused only on the Qinling Mountains in Shaanxi province, this are does account for 17% of the entire wild giant panda population. Co-author Jianguo Liu has stressed that “looking at the climate impact on the bamboo can help prepare for the challenges that the panda will likely face in the future.” Conservation efforts are now aiming to protect the areas that have a better chance of supplying the pandas with food, and building natural “bridges” to help the animals escape the famine.
and has its place in the realm of climatology, but it can’t be used as an excuse to sit idly by until we possess certain knowledge, because climate change is an issue of morality as much as it is one of science. When we think of what action is most moral (assuming a consequentialist ethical theory), we must make predictions about what effect our action will have without certainty of what will result from this. Suppose there was a house fire and it appeared everyone had escaped, but there was doubt as to whether one of the residents who hadn’t come out was at home. If we apply the public perception of climate change, that there is an even chance that the resident was indoors, given the information available, we would expect the firemen to enter to ensure no one is harmed despite not being certain of what will follow.
This is without taking on board the actual scientific opinion, which translated to this analogy would be more equal to most of the residents being positive this person was at home, with only a tiny minority of those who could possibly know disputing this. In this scenario, would we dream of telling the fireman to stay away because there is a minute chance their action would be in vain? And if not, how is our burning planet any different? Science has the ability to tell us what is the case, and if we pretend this issue is just for the scientists we can see that going by their own methodology we can’t be sure, but we forget that there is something science can’t tell us; that is, what we ought to do, and given the information provided by climatologists, taking action becomes unquestionable.
Arctic ice shrinks to all time low Peter Sheehan Environment writer On September 16 this year, sea ice in the Arctic melted to the lowest extent ever observed. The 3.4m km2 observed on that day was 18% lower than in 2007, the year of the previous record low. As winter in the far north deepens, the ice will spread and thicken, but the reprieve is only temporary. Come next March, the melt will begin again, and with many scientists predicting that this may prove to be the beginning of the end for the Arctic ice sheet, as next year could bring even worse news.
“changes to ocean circulation, including a slowing of the Europe-warming Gulf Stream, are a real possibility” Arctic sea ice is a crucial component of the climate system. The frozen ocean reflects around 90% of the sun’s energy that falls on it. When the ice melts, the
underlying water is exposed which, in contrast, absorbs the majority of the energy that hits it. The more energy absorbed by the planet, the more it will warm. And ice loss, even as far away as the North Pole, has global implications: changes to ocean circulation, including a slowing of the Gulf Stream that warms Europe, are a real possibility. But not all is doom and gloom. At the opposite end of the planet, a curious thing has been occurring. At the same time as the Arctic sea ice has been declining, ice
cover around Antarctica has been steadily increasing. For the last thirty years, and possibly for longer, an extra 17,000 km2 of open ocean have been consumed by the advancing ice. The reason for this has only just become clear. A study published this month reveals that, where the prevailing winds around the Southern Ocean blow sea ice to the north, away from the continent, the water closer to the coast is left free for the formation of more ice. Because this is multi-year ice, and
because the underlying ice-cold water is transported with it, the freeze survives the spring melt, thus increasing the overall coverage year-on-year.
“it is probably too late to prevent the collapse of the ice sheet” Unfortunately, the Arctic is melting five times faster than the Antarctic is freezing. Globally, the ice is still receding. It is probably too late to prevent the collapse of the Arctic ice sheet, as even if we were to stop emitting greenhouse gases today, the climate would continue to warm for some years: we are now committed to a certain degree of warming. But many environmentalists are hoping that this may be a shot across the bows of governments around the world. With the loss of the northern ice cap in summer, surely only the most pig-headed could continue to deny the existence of climate change. Here’s hoping that we don’t have to lose anything else before the message finally sinks in.
Science & Tech
20/11/12
Issue 275
concrete.science@uea.ac.uk
Considering studying for a PhD? Michael Bolton Science writer So you may be thinking that a PhD is the right route for you, or maybe you have never even considered it. Here are the pros and cons, right from the horse’s mouth. The days of not turning up to lectures in first year are over. The afternoons spent trying to keep your eyes open in a second year lecture that you didn’t want to be in are gone. The long nights trying to polish your dissertation into a last ditch attempt at a 2:1 are behind you. Three years done and you have finally graduated, but what to do with your life now? If, like me, you think three years at university is not enough by any stretch of the imagination, then postgraduate study might be for you. I’ve recently just started a PhD here at UEA in the School of Biological Sciences, and I’d like to pass on some tips for future students thinking
about doing the same: Shop around – there are hundreds of titles for PhDs advertised across the country, all completely unique in some way or another. Pick a title that will keep you interested for a long time as they typically last four years. Four years is a big chunk of your life that you don’t want to spend doing something that’s not right for you.
“get used to reading a paper with your cup of tea in the morning” Reading – since starting on 1 October, 80% of my time has been spent reading. Papers, journal articles, books - you name it, I’ve read it. The majority of this is to get a starting knowledge of what you’re studying, but that knowledge is constantly updating so get used to reading a paper
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with your cup of tea in the morning for the next four years. Work, work, work – typically as an undergrad you spend between five and 20 hours (maybe more if you’re particularly unlucky) in lectures, workshops and seminars a week. Postgraduate study is more like a real job. Supposedly, it’s your average nine to five in the office or the lab. However, one great thing about this PhD business is the fact that you are your own boss. Want to take an hour off to go to the gym at 11am? Unlike a proper job, that’s fine, as long as you’re sensible and are making your targets. So, while some of the above may sound like I’m trying to dissuade others, the fact of the matter is, that when it comes down to it, I really am enjoying the beginning of my research. It’s both a completely different experience from being an undergrad, and at the same time, is almost exactly the same, in all the right ways!
Great White shown in new light Eager beavers
Diamond record
Ben Dickson Science writer
Jacqueline Ward Science writer
Research published this week in the journal Palaeontology has shed new light on the debate over the origins of the great white shark. For 150 years, scientists have argued about the origins of one of the planet’s most infamous sharks. However, the discovery of a new fossil belonging to a prehistoric mako shark, Carcharodon hubbelli, shows intermediate features for the present-day great white. It was once believed that they originated from much larger megatooth sharks, such as the Megalodon (Carcharocles megalodon), because of similarities found in the structure of their teeth, with both possessing serrations on the cutting edges. But this discovery has meant that the great white can be conclusively linked
to the smaller mako shark, which still swims in our oceans today. However, persuading the rest of the scientific community that this was a feasible solution to the argument meant acquiring a more accurate date on the fossil. They travelled back to the site where it had been discovered in 1988 and, thanks to the incredible preservation of molluscs that they found in the same excavation hole, were able to date the fossil at roughly 6.5 million years old, two million years earlier than first thought. This two million year push back is crucial to their discovery because it means the fossil pre-dates the early Pilocene, a time when fully evolved great white sharks already swam in the oceans. So at least the great white doesn’t have to carry around the terrible ancestry of the Megalodon, which possesses one of the most formidable bites in fossil records.
Sophia Quenby Science writer
The Netherlands’ flood defences are under threat from their thriving beaver population. Although this may sound like a rather cute problem to have, the rapidly increasing beaver population is wreaking havoc by burying underneath the dykes that are directly connected to the surrounding water. The Netherlands is famous for its dykes which prevent huge areas of the country from being permanently under water. The beavers, originally brought in to encourage biodiversity, have bred so successfully that there are now roughly 700 beavers living in the huge number of streams and canals in the country. In fact, so productive are their mating habits, that beaver numbers are expected to increase to 7,000 by 2032. Beaver expert Vilmar Dijkstra says that the only way to stop them is to put mesh over the tunnels of the most steeply sloping banks because it is their nature to burrow underneath steeply sloping banks specifically.
Despite the current financial difficulties faced by most of the world, the Archduke Joseph diamond has been sold for $21m (£13m). The 76-carat diamond is now not only famous for being internally flawless, its auction selling price is the highest ever achieved by a colourless diamond. Given the pre-sale estimate set at £15m and the $6.5m it achieved when it was last auctioned in 1993, no one thought that its price would reach anywhere near as much as it finally sold for. Despite the bidder wishing to remain anonymous, the diamond’s seller, Black, Starr and Frost, thought that it would be “going to a museum”. Despite it being colourless, the diamond’s history is distinctly colourful. It came from the illustrious Indian Golconda mines where it shares its birthplace with other famous diamonds such as Koh-iNoor and the Blue Hope Diamond.
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concrete.travel@uea.ac.uk
Issue 275
20/11/12
Travel
It’s New York, but not as you know it
Jessica Crisp Travel writer Thousands of lights dazzle the night sky as the dots of cars and people rush along the streets below. You can see all of New York and it is stunning, but it’s been done before. If you’ve been up the Empire State Building, climbed the Statue of Liberty and shopped endlessly in Macy’s, it’s time to discover a different New York away from the typical tourist traps to see what the quirkier side of the city has to offer. The best way to get under the skin of Manhattan is to take a more unusual tour, such as the Foot Bike Tour which will get you whizzing through Central Park, along the Hudson River or through Brooklyn on an old-school scooter. Alternatively, testing your navigational skills on one of the many scavenger hunts is a great way to check out the locals’ haunts. Watson Adventures run some of the most unusual hunts: The Wizard School, Gangsters New York, Pastrami and Wry and Dumbo Dash, to name a few. The Metropolitan Museum, Museum of Modern Art and Museum of Natural History are all fantastic museums, but one definitely worth the visit is the City Reliquary. Here you can connect to past and present New York through old photographs, bed bugs and even pigeon feathers. Rather than hitting Fifth Avenue
for a spot of shopping, head to Hell’s Kitchen flea market. Vintage clothes, jewellery, decor and antiques are found here on weekends and bartering is the norm. Contrary to popular belief, the best way to see New York is not from the Empire State Building, instead, head up Top of the Rock at the Rockefeller Center which will afford the same view, but with the art deco giant actually in your snapshots. New York is synonymous with pizza and where better to enjoy it than at the Pizza Casa School. You will be taught how to make artisan pizzas easily recreated at home. Sandwiches are also big here, and there’s no better place to attempt to wolf one down than Katz’s Delicatessen. Known for its pastrami sandwich and that infamous scene in “When Harry Met Sally”, it’s the only place in the city to try a real New York-style sub. Need a bar to end the night in? Union Hall in Brooklyn is a bar, restaurant and live music venue, complete with a library, cosy firesides and indoor bocce ball courts for you to exercise your bowling skills. Try to visit on the third Thursday of the month to play the ‘Spelling and Grammar Bee’ where every wrong answer is punished with a shot. Next time you’re in New York, forego some of the predictable attractions and discover the oddities of the city which will have you coming back time and time again.
Grabbing life by the horns in Pamplona Callum Graham Travel writer Just after crossing the border from France, gently rolling down through the Pyrenees Mountains into the Basque country of Northern Spain you begin to see the first signs for Pamplona. Like most of the mountain cities in Spain, Pamplona is an anticlimactic grid of metal and glass office blocks from the outside. But the further in you head, the more lost you become in the maze of cobbled streets, the more you see how the city used to look and the more you discover how little life has changed here. The annual festival of San Fermin is held in Pamplona every summer and we had unknowingly arrived right in the middle of the mayhem, when the whole city wears outfits of white and red, and no one leaves the house without a jug of Sangria for the celebration. The highlight of the festival for locals and tourists alike is the running of the bulls that takes place daily at 8am. The day after our arrival in Pamplona we made sure our outfits were ready and took to
the streets early to be a part of it. Supposedly, the Spanish say that the sign of a good Run is being able to feel the breath of the bull on your neck as you try to outpace it and reach the Bull Ring, which is the end of the Run, before the last rampaging bull has stormed through. Now, I don’t know if we had a good run according to that definition, but we survived it at least, and even managed to make it into the Bull Ring before the high wooden gates were slammed shut. The day was a blur, but some moments do stand out. The first, taking our places at the beginning of the course and seeing every balcony along the run was full of people drinking and celebrating in the early morning sunlight. Halfway through the run, I’d lost my friends, my shoe fell off and was trampled by the surging bulls who I hadn’t realized were right behind me. I was half blinded and choked by the dust of the Bull Ring as I sprinted ahead of the bulls and into it. Finally, as the dust slowly began to settle and the roar of the crowd filled my ears I caught sight of my friends across the ring and realised that it was over, and we had done it.
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The sights and sounds of Sydney Amy Cullen Travel writer The charismatic city of Sydney never sleeps. It stirs and bustles, eager to be explored because it has so much to offer, and the magnificence of this city is second to none. As the capital of New South Wales and the most populated city in Australia, Sydney is home to a myriad of diverse localities, well-known tourist attractions and a busy events calendar. Whether you enjoy monument spotting, bargain hunting, indulging your tastebuds, soaking in the sun or enjoying a night on the town, you will be spoilt for choice in this dynamic and accessible city.
Sydney has plenty of tourist attractions, both old and new to feast your hungry eyes upon. If you feel like sightseeing, check out the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House, or Darling Harbour. If you are missing those late nights you spent with your head buried in a text book, why not stimulate your mind at the Powerhouse Museum. If you like to be amused you could buckle up at Luna Park, and Sydney Wildlife World definitely has the cute factor. If shopping is a guilty pleasure, all budgets are catered for. Central to the city is Paddy’s Markets which dates back to the early nineteenth century. Today it provides a leisurely and affordable market experience where you can purchase
Every week our writers will tell you their favourite place in the world. Travel writer Amy Sweetman describes her favourite bar, the Café Corillo in Salamanca, Spain The jazz bar, Café Corillo, is one of my most-loved venues in Salamanca with its chic interior, two floors and an impressive collection of chilled-out music. During the day this stylish bar is the perfect meeting place for a relaxed coffee, a bit of tapas, or even a mojito outside soaking up the
anything from fruit and vegetables, arts and crafts, clothing and accessories, electronics and much more. What about brand names you ask? Pitt Street slinks away from the fresh, sea breath of Circular Quay into the pounding heart of the city itself. If you like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Hermes, and Wayne Cooper, this is the place to go. Once you’ve bought your new swimsuit, you will want to put it on because the sky is blue and the weather is balmy. Bondi is the only solution, the most iconic and popular beach in Sydney. There are also a number of must-do food experiences in Sydney. Satisfy your pancake craving at Pancakes on the Rocks, where you can embellish your
stack with anything from bacon and eggs to strawberries and cream. And chocolate sauce is always an acceptable condiment regardless of filling. China Town is a melting pot for Chinese food, where every other store front is a small and cosy restaurant with an eager waitress at the door beckoning you to take a look at her reasonably-priced menu. Sydney is notorious for its nightlife, especially Darling Harbour, Kings Cross, Potts Point and George Street. A trip to Sydney would be incomplete without dressing to the nines and rolling some dice at The Star Casino. Keep your eyes peeled, because you never know what surprises are waiting just around the corner.
Photography corner
gorgeous Spanish sun. At night, for as little as five euros it offers live music twice a week as well as some fantastic cocktails. The friendly staff and relaxed atmosphere make it the perfect place to spend an evening and unwind: truly the spirit of Spain.
Issy Witcomb at Avoriaz in the French Alps Are you a budding photographer? Here at Concrete we love seeing your travel pictures, so why not send them in? Just email concrete.travel@uea.ac.uk.
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concrete.lifestyle@uea.ac.uk
Issue 275
20/11/12
Lifestyle
Observing Thanksgiving from across the pond Emily Fedorowycz Lifestyle writer With November marking the lead up to Christmas, shops beginning to advertise glittery wares and the Coca-Cola advert appearing on television again, we ready ourselves for the season of giving. Meanwhile in America, the longstanding tradition of Thanksgiving similarly prepares them. The custom originates from the Pilgrims thanking the Native Americans in the 16th century for helping them to learn how to farm the land and subsequently providing a big feast. Their big turkey dinners often mirror our upcoming Christmas feast, exchanging our apple sauce for their native cranberry, and always with lots and lots of stuffing. This year, as well as observing Thanksgiving from across the pond, we also got to see a unique political event marked in history, with the end of the year marked not only by Christmas festivities, but by the 2012 US elections. The UK certainly participated in the fierce debates between the candidates Mitt Romney and Barack Obama prior to Obama’s victory as incumbent. The stark differences in opinions between the two included views on healthcare, with Obama signing of the Affordable Care Act to begin covering over 32 million uninsured Americans from 2014, and Romney’s opposition of it.
This issue definitely seemed to sway the British in the direction of Obama, with unavoidable comparisons to the NHS. However in America, Romney’s
opposition to gay rights and abortion highly appealed to the more conservative right-wing. Opinions on the war international
relations also sparked debate after Obama pulled troops out of Iraq immediately, whereas Romney felt that keeping them in occupation was the best way to maintain civilization and order. In the end, the polls swayed dramatically throughout the voting period that many of us were watching so intently. America’s festive holiday revolves around being thankful for what they have, and it’s fair to say that many Brits would also like to take the time to be a bit more thankful, as well as the excuse for another big dinner! It’s almost an intrinsic sentiment as we near Christmas in the act of giving and gratefully receiving gifts from our friends and family, and usually a happy reunion with lots of festive food. It is common for American local newspaper and TV stations to collect a “turkey fund” throughout the year to provide for those who can’t afford a dinner on Thanksgiving in their communities. However, perhaps it would be even more beneficial to be thankful all year round and not just concentrate all our efforts on just one day. If Thanksgiving has never been brought to your attention before, you might consider this year in England what you are thankful for, and why it is so important to stop and consider it. Even if it is not every day like we should, at least at this moment in time, like our trans-Atlantic friends.
The dos and don’ts of communal living Lydia Clifton Lifestyle writer University is often the first time many students find themselves living without their parents, and the first time they live with complete strangers. It can be liberating and exciting, but there are a few ground rules that make communal living a lot easier, and help avoid those awkward fall outs. It’s not surprising how disgusting kitchens can get without the magic cleaning fairies we had back home. Make sure to clean up soon after you cook, and don’t let pots and pans sit for days until they are finally mouldy. Not only will you need new pans, but you’ll have irritated a few housemates along the way. It’s also a good idea to keep your kitchenware to yourself and not make cooking equipment communal. It might seem like a good idea to share when you are on a high during fresher’s week, but when your pans get ruined or you break someone’s pint glass, conflicts will quickly arise. Perhaps the most annoying of
communal kitchen issues is dealing with the disappearance of food. Never eat other people’s food. Ever. Equally, don’t leave your food lying where drunken hands may find it and “forget” what happened to it by morning. Always assume your housemates are like Joey from Friends, and remember that Joey does not share food.
Rhian Poole
Other important things to be aware of in the kitchen are fridge spaces and cooking times. It’s easy to organise sections of the fridge to each housemate, but be careful not to buy so much food that it overflows to other people’s space; there’s the risk it’ll get moved or worse, eaten. In terms of cooking times, just make sure you communicate with everyone
and let people know if you need the microwave for a long time, as that is most students’ first port of call when it comes to meal time. Out of the kitchen and into the bathroom; keep it clean and keep it quick. Be particularly careful not to leave any form of mess for another unsuspecting housemate, and just try to be as hygienic as possible. If you leave your shampoo or toothpaste around, they will get used, so keep them in your bedroom. But most importantly, shower quickly in the morning and don’t hold anyone else up so as to avoid stress and irritation. Hungover students running late are not happy people! When living with students, it’s important to be tolerant of some mess and disorganisation, but it’s also important to speak up about any house issues that are upsetting anybody to avoid any conflicts that get out of hand. Communal living can be one of the best experiences you will ever have, just make sure to be careful, respectful and considerate of everyone you live with.
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Help end bullying this November Rhian Poole Lifestyle writer From 19-23 November, the Anti-Bullying Alliance will be helping the UK observe Anti Bullying Week 2012. Some may shrug their shoulders and move on, but for those affected by bullying life is not so easy. Anti-bullying week is an opportunity to send out the message that we are better without bullying, and to educate people about bullying in all of its overt and insidious guises. Bullying is normally unprovoked and sustained, rather than an isolated incident. The bully’s aim is to humiliate, control or cause harm. It can occur anywhere, at home, at school or in the work place, and in this age of technology the internet has opened new opportunities to cyberbullies. Bullying takes many forms and can be physical, verbal or social. Anyone can be the target, even celebrities and sporting stars. Many people feel that teasing is a normal part of growing up, but it doesn’t always remain so innocent. The National Bullying Survey in 2006 showed that 69% of UK children reported being bullied,
and that 87% of parents said their child had been bullied over the last 12 months. The survey specified that 71% of victims had been physically hurt and 34% had required medical attention. These are daunting figures. Victims are left feeling demoralised and helpless, some frightened to leave their homes. Children may become withdrawn, avoid certain places and show behavioural changes. The effects of bulling can be crippling for its victims, often leading to low selfesteem and depression. There are many ways to try to prevent bullying. Most schools and businesses have anti-bullying policies, and the University of East Anglia is no exception. UEA has a harassment policy which outlines how everyone should be treated “fairly, consistently and with respect.” It is also important for bullies to know that there will be consequences. They need to know that their antisocial behaviour will not be tolerated. It is important to educate people about bullying so that they can recognise it even in its most subtle forms. Victims need to know their rights, and where to go for help, so that they can feel confident that
steps will be taken to protect them and stamp bullying out. As individuals we need to ensure that everyone is treated with respect. AntiBullying Week encourages people to be more accepting of different cultures, races, ideologies and sexualities.
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If you are having problems with bullying, there are services available at UEA that can help. Nightline is a service available if you need someone to talk to, whilst the Dean of Students’ Office is also available to aid students having problems with bullying.
The Workshop: more than just a cup of tea Maddy Hutt Lifestyle writer As a café enthusiast, it is easy to spend a lot of time drinking tea and coffee in the various eateries of Norwich with a good book or great company. This “research” has led this particular coffee-lover to find the best kept secret in the city. Located
on Earlham Road, a little way down from the Roman Catholic Cathedral, The Workshop can be found quietly tucked away. With its friendly staff, wide range of warming spirits and fantastic food, once you’re settled in here you will find it hard to leave. The Workshop is open from Tuesday to Sunday serving Turkish and Italian
inspired soups, tapas and paninis, as well as some favourites such as fish finger sandwiches and flatbread pizzas from 6pm til late. The large portion could comfortably feed three, and be warned that it is likely to arrive on a wooden board larger than the table! Wifi access is available throughout the café for just £1 and their comfy sofas make a great spot
to sit and work away on an essay with a regular supply of mini baklava and coffee. This café-bar regularly advertises for language exchange, so for those looking to learn a new language while teaching someone else their own can sign up here. Film showings are also a regular occurrence down in the basement, as well as a number of live music and poetry nights. If you are looking for an alternative source of entertainment, upstairs hosts a wide range of literature and board games. There is even a ukulele and a ping pong table if you should feel the urge to play either! What could be better than a Sunday evening playing Scrabble while munching their signature pizza? Or challenging your friends to a ping pong game and sampling the range of exotic gins and beers on offer? The Workshop also have a good selection of well-priced wines, interesting coffees and fruity delights. The mango lassi topped with crushed pistachio is a must-try. The Workshop even offers a post pick-up service; so if you regularly sleep through the postman’s knock and are plagued with little red “sorry we missed you” notes, you can now have your post delivered to the Workshop to pick up at your convenience. Not bad at all right? This gem of a place is well worth a visit for one or all of its quirks.
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concrete.lifestyle@uea.ac.uk
Issue 275
20/11/12
Chicken pie recipe Emily-Claire Tucker Lifestyle writer Ingredients • Four chicken breasts • Two medium carrots sliced lengthways • Two medium onions, quartered • Two sticks of celery, sliced • 200g of frozen peas • One can of chicken soup • One packet of ready rolled puff pastry • One medium egg beaten Method 1. Preheat oven to 200c/Gas Mark 5. 2. Place the chicken and all of the vegetables, except the peas, into a large saucepan and cover with boiling water. Season and then bring to the boil, before simmering for an hour.
Lifestyle
3. After an hour, drain the chicken and vegetables and reserve about a quarter of the water. Chop the chicken, onions and carrots into bite sized pieces and then place them into a large pie dish with the reserved water. Pour over the chicken soup and add the frozen peas. 4. Unwrap the pastry and cut out a long thin strip, and place it along the rim of the pie dish. Cut a piece of pastry big enough to cover the pie dish, and place this over the entire dish. Press the pastry onto the edges of the dish - the thin strip of pastry will make the larger piece stay in place better. 5. Brush the beaten egg over the pastry to glaze it, and place the pie in the oven for around forty minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and the filling is piping hot. Eat with mashed potato and gravy.
Chilli chicken recipe Rhian Poole Lifestyle writer Ingredients • Four chicken breasts • Chorizo (as much as you like) • Red pepper • Half an onion • Ready-made tomato and chilli sauce Method 1. Slice up the chicken breast into cubes. 2. Remove the seeds from the pepper and slice it into small pieces. 3. Slice up the chorizo sausage to a similar size to the pepper.
Minestrone soup recipe Holly Whittaker Lifestyle writer Now that winter is here, we all have the same problems. Freezing nights in your student house, dark chilly journeys back home from late night cramming sessions in the library, and only having the motivation to make shameful toasted sandwiches for dinner. This chunky winter soup is the perfect solution; it’s speedy, filling and it will make you a definite hit with your housemates. Ingredients • Oil • A garlic clove, finely chopped • A large onion, finely chopped • 500ml of vegetable stock Emma Williamson • A tin of chopped tomatoes
• • • • •
Tomato puree Pasta, a handful Berlotti beans, a handful Half a leek, finely chopped Two celery sticks, finely chopped
Method 1. Pour a tablespoon of oil into a saucepan 2. Add the garlic, onion, leek and celery and fry over a low heat until they turn translucent 3. Pour in the vegetable stock and simmer for five minutes 4. Add the chopped tomatoes and tomato puree and simmer for a further five minutes 5. Add the pasta and berlotti beans and simmer for a further 10 minutes 6. Season with salt and pepper 7. Serve with crusty bread and enjoy!
4. Slice up the onion and simmer until slightly brown. 5. Begin frying the chorizo sausage in oil for between five and seven minutes, until the juices begin to run. 6. After a few minutes, add the chicken and cook on a gentle heat until the chicken is sealed. 7. Add the tomato and chilli sauce and stir it in. 8. Add the peppers and onions and leave to simmer for 10 to 12 minutes until cooked through. 9. This meal is best served with rice, mashed potato or finely chopped potato with garlic, and definitely with some green beans or asparagus.
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concrete.sport@hotmail.co.uk
Issue 275
20/11/12
Canary Corner by Matt Hubbard
Editors’ column Sam Tomkinson Sports editor When a sportsman or woman changes their sporting discipline or when a “celebrity” attempts to break into the world of sport a good amount of scepticism precedes their first outing. This is no more true than the critically panned return of Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff to the sporting arena as he fights American Richard Dawson at the MEN Arena on November 30. Big names in the sport such as Frank Warren have dubbed it a scandal, especially as it is being filmed as a threepart documentary, however with the help of coach Shane McGuigan and his father legendary former featherweight champion Barry McGuigan he has managed to lose 21 kilograms, a symbol that he is taking this extremely seriously and not just using it as a publicity stunt. In contrast to Heather Mills’ paralympic skiing ambitions, the constant media coverage does give strength to Warren’s opinion. However, the sport itself is watched by a much wider audience and so does warrant the coverage it is getting. With little prior boxing experience this will be a baptism of fire, no matter how well trainings gone it will be tough for him to defeat the unbeatan Dawson. There has been many discipline changes for sports stars. Sprinter Dwain Chambers tried rugby league and American Football, both unsuccessfully, while serving a drugs ban. Michael Jordan attempted to swap the basketball court for the baseball field but having failed to make it to MLB decided to go back to basketball. A successful convert was Rebecca Romero who, after winning a silver medal in the quadruple sculls rowing at the Athens Olympics, went on to win gold in the cycling velodrome at the Beijing Games four years later in the individual pursuit. As Romero’s example proves, changing sports can work very well for professional sportspeople. Hopefully Flintoff’s move from the cricket field into the boxing ring can be one of these success stories.
A packed Carrow Road witnessed an incredible 1-0 victory for Norwich City against Manchester United. The result is one of the best in the Canaries’ recent history and the atmosphere inside the stadium was deafening. Norwich’s victory was a result of their ability to create chances against a top-class side. A brilliant 60th-minute Anthony Pilkington header was enough to beat the 19-time Premier League champions. Manchester United had much of the possession but failed to create any clear chances, with Wayne Rooney missing the game due an ankle injury. The Canaries looked just as dangerous as United throughout and could have doubled their lead in injury time but Johnny Howson missed a golden oppurtunity. A stand-out perfomer in the game was John Ruddy who looked assured in his performance and made a fantastic late save from a wayward Sebastian Bassong header. Ruddy’s recent form brings into question whether or not he should be more heavily involved in the England team, espeacially considering Joe Hart’s poor perfomance against Sweden.
After the game Chris Hughton described the win as “very special” and considered it to be up there as one of the best managerial victories of his career. Hughton’s recent successes has seen him gain increased support amongst the fans because of improved form which has seen his side go on a five match unbeaten run. The fourth game in that run was away to Reading at the Madejski Stadium nearly a fortnight ago. The game finished 0-0 and meant Reading still awaited their first win of the season. However, Reading have ended their poor run after a win at home to Everton. The Reading v Norwich fixture was mostly uneventful but demonstates Norwich’s defensive solidity. Reading looked the more dangerous side in the game and Chris Hughton seemed happy with the finishing scoreline, saying after the game: “A point away from home to whoever in the Premier League is a decent result.” The Canaries haven’t conceded in 270 minutes. Hopefully they will be able to carry their fantastic run on into the next game which is away to Everton at Goodison Park.
UEA Avalanche slide to defeat Oli Platt Sports correspondent In their first competitive match in the British Universities Ice Hockey Association, UEA Avalanche were defeated 11-6 defeat against a strong Warwick Panthers B team. Rob Gale bagged six goals and drew the Avalanche level with his fourth midway through the second period but Warwick, boosted by the extra players on their bench, eventually pulled away to secure two points. Warwick opened the scoring in the first minute but Gale quickly replied and Sian Ridley, making her debut in goal, matched the experienced Panthers goal tender throughout the first period to keep the Avalanche in touch. Angus Wang and Richard Brookman registered assists. Trailing 4-3 going into the second period, Peter Buscombe stepped in between the posts and repelled everything that came his way to enable Gale to tie the game. Warwick’s extra manpower soon proved a factor, however, and the visitors notched three goals before the buzzer to take a 7-4 lead. When the Panthers added two more early in the third period, the Avalanche could have been heading for a heavier defeat but showed great courage to pull themselves back into the contest. Gale scored twice in 16 seconds, with the first
assisted by Craig Jacobs, before, once more, tiredness began to set in. The Avalanche had trained at the Norwich ice rink for a year prior to its closure during the summer but are now forced to travel to Peterborough in the late hours simply to practice. They play their home matches at Lee Valley in London. Despite the challenges facing them, the Avalanche were named best new sports club by the Union last year. “It was a very special night for everyone involved as it was the culmination of over a year of devotion, organisation and struggle,” said club president Richard Brookman. “As far as I’m concerned we are the best sports club at UEA and I’m sure our results will begin to reflect that soon.” He added: “I cannot fault any of my team. They all gave 110 per cent for everyone else, which is the ‘play like an Av’ mentality we like to promote.” The Avalanche face a long journey to Cardiff to face the Redhawks in their next fixture on 24 November.
Trish Thompson
Sport Men’s Badminton dominate Leicester Matt Haynes Sports correspondent
In the first round of the men’s badminton Midlands Conference Cup, UEA were drawn against Leicester II. Despite a slow start to the season, the UEA team went into the match full of confidence playing against a side in a lower division and emerged victorious, with a final score of 8-0. The match started with the two UEA singles players, Ryan Leung and Francis Meng, both outplaying and outclassing their respective oppositions. This quickly gave UEA a 2-0 lead. It was then the turn of the doubles pairs to step onto court. First on was the home side’s first pair of Ross Buckingham and Matt Haynes. They quickly ensured the team built on the 2-0 lead with a quick start that the Leicester pair never recovered from, giving the home side a 3-0 lead overall. On the adjacent court was the UEA second pair of Simon Watkins and Rhys Kibble. This was Rhys’ first BUCS match for UEA, however he and Simon were never really tested by the Leicester first pair and put UEA into a commanding 4-0 lead. With UEA only requiring one further leg to put them into the second round, the singles players returned to court to play the reverse legs. Again the UEA players just looked a level above the Leicester players, and Leung decisively sealed the victory over Leicester’s top singles player. Not long after, Francis made it 6-0 to UEA. Despite knowing the match was finished the home side’s doubles pairs continued to play with the same level of performance. Once again the Leicester partnerships weren’t able to play with the same pace and agility, so 6-0 quickly became 8-0. None of the Leicester team could challenge the dominance of this UEA side and this was shown in the fact that they did not drop a single set in the whole team. Normally, a player is awarded man of the match by the captain. However, this week the captain, Matt Haynes, said: “With a strong team performance like this it is not possible to pick one player to nominate as man of the match.” In the next round UEA will have an away fixture against either Cambridge 1st or De Montfort 1st. When asked about how he sees this fixture Haynes replied: “We have, in the past, beaten both these sides, but as usual playing away from home adds an extra difficulty to the match. However, if we can continue to play the badminton on show today, I see no reason why we will not be able to progress further.”
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Interview: Jake Humphrey Sports correspondent Holly Wade chatted to one of BBC Sport’s finest talents. Here is what she found out.
Walking into Waterstones at 9am on a Saturday morning, there is a huge queue forming around the shop. Customers stop and stare, wondering who the elusive
celebrity could possibly be. This particular morning it is BBC sports broadcaster Jake Humphrey who is there to sign his new book The Inside
Track. Not due to begin signing for another hour it just goes to show how big his Norwich fan base is that nobody wants to miss their opportunity to meet him. Concrete was lucky enough to grab an interview with Jake. He revealed details about his career in broadcasting and how he is moving on, all while signing a mound of books for his local fans who couldn’t make it on the day. Jake divulged how Formula One can sometimes be a constant “slog” that results in jetlag. He loves his job and he described how it was difficult to move on but felt a “natural progression” was needed in his career. He is to present Premier League football on BT Vision from 2013. Jake’s wife is pregnant with their first baby - “he/she is due on the day of the first race of the new Formula One season.” Sport has been a huge aspect of Jake’s life and he has now become one of the main sports broadcasters of the moment. His contract with BT is “non-exclusive,” meaning he will still be on our terrestrial TV screens and he is currently in talks with the BBC about a new show.
Jake has hosted some of the most well sought after BBC jobs: F1, Sports Personality of the Year and the Olympic Games. Yet he never really knew he wanted to get into sport. He said: “it’s really important to do something that matters” and clearly, to Jake, sport is that something. Jake definitely came across as a lovely, selfless man. When discussing the role he played in the Olympics he replied “it’s really important to pick the right things, not for you, but to do justice to them.” For him, sports broadcasting is not about whether he will look good in that particular moment but to convey the right attitudes to express just how great an achievement it is for the sporting star. He spoke of Sir Chris Hoy and how he will never forget the moment he won and how important it was to get everything right for Chris and not for himself. Jake’s attitude is brilliant and after the interview he rushed downstairs to sign copies of his book, all before he raced home to prepare for a wedding. For the full interview, visit concreteonline.co.uk/jake-humphrey
Hockey make easy work of Coventry Gabriel Inch Sports correspondent Men’s hockey I continued their strong start to the season with a comfortable 3-1 victory in the second round of the Midlands Conference Cup over the University of Coventry. Despite the fact that Coventry are currently above UEA in the league, it was the home side that settled into the game the quickest, displaying the fast-paced passing game that has seen them win every game in their BUCS division so far this season. It was from a well-rehearsed short corner that UEA took the lead, as Rob Turnbull’s drag flick was stopped six yards from goal, and Jordan Taylor calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner for his first goal of the season. The lead was doubled within ten minutes, as Sam Coyne was the first to react to a loose ball in the D, and was able to stab home beyond the stretches of the Coventry keeper. UEA proceeded to consolidate this lead with a spell of possession that saw extreme composure from the defensive four, as Coventry failed to escape from coach Pat Clyne’s infamous “spider web” of play.
It was unsurprising therefore that UEA scored again just before the halftime break, again from a slick short corner. Once again it was a Turnbull drag flick that was turned in this time by Merlin Smethurst running into the near post, his sixth goal of the season. The second half however saw a swing in momentum, as Coventry came out determined to score early to try and inspire a comeback. And, after UEA squandered
Elizabeth Margereson
two early chances, the ever-widening gap between the defence and midfield was exploited as Coventry managed to find the center forward in the D who swept home past the otherwise extremely impressive Tom Esterhuizen. Coventry came close to scoring again, but team captain Louis Preston was on hand to make a calm goal line clearance from a short corner, before Esterhuizen made a superb low save with his stick in
the closing minutes. UEA finished the game on top with a late flurry of short corners, and Joe Broadbent could have scored with almost the last touch of the game after calmly beating two defenders and the goalkeeper, but his shot was well stopped by the last man. The final whistle marked the end of a game in which UEA had demonstrated their improvement as a side, especially regarding their short corner routines and ability to retain possession while under pressure. It was a win that left the captain Louis Preston happy. He said: “It’s been a solid start from the guys in BUCS, and we managed to work as a team to take the form into the cup. We’re feeling confident about the next round.” And on the fact that it was a side in a higher division that was beaten, Preston added: “we were too good today.” The team will now look to continue their strong league form, as they aim to gain promotion this season. They will face Nottingham Trent III in the last 16 of the cup, another side in the league above. UEA next face an away trip to face the University of Staffordshire on Wednesday for another league game as they look to tighten their grip on the top spot in Midlands Division 3A.
Derby Day March 13th 2013
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Issue 275 20 November 2012 Jake Humphrey interview
Sam Gladstone
Women’s Football take easy cup victory Louise Chadwick Sports correspondent Women’s football faced Bedford (Luton) I in the BUCS Midlands Conference Cup knowing they had to make an impression after a poor run of away losses. Home advantage always has a knock-on effect, and what an effect it had on the starting eleven. After a mere two minutes a severe defensive error in front of goal enabled Louise Chadwick to slot the ball passed the Bedford keeper and open the scoring for UEA. Then on six minutes centre forward Avi Abrahams doubled the score line with a solo effort resulting from a through-ball placed behind the last defender. This unravelled the Bedford defence who couldn’t cope with the following onslaught with further goals from Chadwick, two for Chelsea Laughinghouse and another from Abrahams before the end of the first half. UEA utilised their space and dominated their opponents, leaving goalkeeper Lois Does very little to do except collect the occasional back-pass and redistribute the ball to back into play. The central midfield worked the ball tirelessly through Leanne Stubbings and Gabrielle Glover, with each rewarded by adding their names to the score sheet, dispatching balls forward from defensive
midfielder Sammy Algar with relative ease. In response to this, Bedford played deep into their half; a very difficult position to come back from, especially when a rare counter attack broke through the midfield, there was still three-quarters of the pitch to cover. Fortunately this caused no issue for the defence; as KC O’Shea kept the line solid from centre-back, employing fellow defenders Charlotte Munday, Rhiannon Dack and Hannah Ewart to settle on the ball and begin constructing the next attack. Already six goals up, the second half saw changes with Amelia Glean and Abi Knell taking over the wings and stretching the defence with a revitalised burst of energy, enabling Abrahams to score a further two goals, walking from the pitch with a total of four. Knell also scored her debut goal for UEA from Glean’s cross, further obliterating the visitors and exploiting fatigue to bring the final score to 11-0, with seven minutes remaining. Coach Mark Gribben stated after the game: “It was nice to see us playing with a will to win. It was like the girls remembered that the UEA jerseys are not for second best and that they don’t shrink to fit inferior players. They stood up and attacked this side.” BUCS captain, Gabrielle Glover was also full of compliments for the team saying: “We
have been working really hard on our game in training and it was great to see this being reflected in our performance on Wednesday. Hopefully this will continue for us in our BUCS and Sunday league fixtures.” With the sun setting over Colney Lane, UEA’s job was done. They are safely through to the next round of the cup with a new air of confidence going into next week’s match with De Montfort University. UEA will pick up their cup campaign away to Oxford Brookes on November 28 for a place in the quarter finals.
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Men’s Badminton Whye Tchien Khor
Page 22 UEA Avalanche Trish Thompson
Sam Gladstone
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