Concrete - Issue 294

UEA’s Student Newspaper

Issue 294 • Free • Tuesday 25 February

Look out for the Concrete Drugs and Alcohol Survey! @Concrete_UEA /ConcreteNewspaper ConcreteUEA

Inside...

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Our list of the top independent eateries in Norwich.

Union restructure proceeds amidst uproar This article has been subject to the following Union Staff Protocol: “Except as otherwise indicated, the Union shall under no circumstances permit any public discussion of matters relating to the responsibilities, conditions of employment, performance or conduct of members of staff in… any Union media, including student media, correspondence or publications of any kind.”

Travel P. 16

Home brewed UEA We meet the students who have been brewing their own beer.

Lifestyle P. 19 Andrew Ansell & Sonya Qureshi News Editor & News Reporter

UEA student’s art We take a look at the UEA student’s exciting new art exhibition.

Arts V. 10

The Board of Trustees has agreed to proceed with controversial plans to restructure the Union of UEA Students (UUEAS). The decision from those responsible for the Union’s management and administration comes in the face of heavy criticism following the announcement of the plans earlier this month.

The changes, which could see significant job losses, come in response to the need for cost-reductions at UUEAS, which has been operating a budget deficit of between £100,000 and £250,000 for the last three years. Just over £500,000 of Union reserves have been drained as a result of annual loses since 2010.

Two external reports into the

Waterfront and campus services conducted in 2013 recommended reform.

For the Waterfront to provide a more significant contribution to the Union, the report proposed creating a more flexible staffing structure. Making alcohol prices more competitive and trading more aggressively was an option rejected by the report.

The second report warned of severe financial consequences if the current business model was allowed to continue. The focus on licensed trade and entertainment facilities in the Union building was identified as an area of concern. The Student Union at Aberystwyth University, which operates a similar business model, was cited as an example of how rapid decline and inaction can cause a “meltdown”.

As a result, the operational elements

of the Bars and Entertainments teams will be merged to form a Venues Management department to improve cost control, delivery and safety. Changes will also be made in Finance and Human Resources.

Voluntary redundancy is currently being offered to Union staff. The plans also entail reducing the number of management staff.

In future students will be trained to take on supervisory roles over a six month period. However, a poll conducted

by Concrete found that over 86% of respondents would prioritise studying over employed work. A member of Union staff has informed Concrete that many student staff have no desire to take on a role with more responsibility.

Continued on page 3...

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Editorial

Editor-in-chief | Sidonie ChafferMelly concrete.editor@uea.ac.uk Deputy Editor | Sophie Witts concrete.president@uea.ac.uk Online Editor | Billy Sexton concrete.online@uea.ac.uk Deputy Online Editor | Amelia

Marchington concrete.online@uea.ac.uk News | Andrew Ansell & Lara-Jayne Ellice concrete.news@uea.ac.uk Comment | Zoë Jones concrete.comment@uea.ac.uk Global | Ella Gilbert concrete.global@uea.ac.uk Features | Bridie Wilkinson concrete.features@uea.ac.uk Environment | Peter Sheehan concrete.environment@uea.ac.uk Science & Tech | Dominic Burchnall concrete.science@uea.ac.uk Travel | Niyonu Agana-Burke concrete.travel@uea.ac.uk Lifestyle | Lydia Clifton concrete.lifestyle@uea.ac.uk Sport | Charlie Savage & Will Medlock concrete.sport@hotmail.co.uk Copy Editors | Stephenie Naulls & Anna Walker concretecopyeditors@gmail.com Chief Photographers | Jacob Roberts-Kendall, Will Cockram & Jonathan Alomoto concrete.photography@uea.ac.uk Distribution Manager | Steph Gover

Issue 294

Contributors

News | Andrew Ansell, Lara Ellice, Daniel Falvey, Rachel Cutress, Geraldine Scott, Elliot Folan Comment | Dian Atamynov, Robert Staniforth, Eliot Folan, Peter Sheehan, Christopher Donaldson Global | Dan Falvey, Ella Gilbert Features | Daniel Falvey, Theodore Antoniou-Philips, Holly Wade, Anna Knell Environment | Marta Catalano, Peter Sheehan, Jacob Beebe Science & Tech | Elizabeth Leddy, Mabon Elis, Jasmine Groves Travel | Patrick Turner, Rachel Parsons, Rachel De Saint Pern, Hayley Musson Lifestyle | Hayley Musson, Lydia Clifton, Jonathan Alomoto, Holly Wade, Rebecca Bemment, Emil Fedorowycz Sport | George Clemons, Will Medlock, Robert Clark, Lottie Hill Proofreaders | Katie Tsappas, Eugene Arourski, Ella Sharp, Ellen Morris, Jennifer Johnson, James Szumowski, Steph Naulls, Anna Walker

Win! Win! Win! Turn to Venue page 23 to win tickets to the Harry Potter LCR!

Editor’s column It’s somehow the end of February already, and the first big coursework deadlines are looming fast. Thankfully, the weather seems to be finally shaping up, so take a break from essay writing and head to the square to take a read of what we’ve got this week.

There is a host of UEA’s own home grown talent, as Lifestyle have an interview with a group of students who have been brewing their own beer. While it sounds a little risky (exploding kegs?), it’s an undeniably cheap

Editorial

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way of getting your LCR predrinks sorted.

Meanwhile Venue have taken a look at UEA student Jack Coleman’s exciting art exhibition at the Anteros Arts Foundation Gallery.

In other news, we have launched the Concrete Drugs and Alcohol Survey. Head to concrete-online.co.uk to take part, and be sure to pick up a copy of our next issue to find out all the results!

Sidonie Chaffer-Melly Editor-in-Chief

Hayden Helps...

Dear Hayden, I’ve got so many deadlines this week, and I’ve not seen my partner for days because of it. How would you suggest getting around this?

I have it on good authority that Carrel no.320 has two chairs and two desks, so maybe think about having a study date? Of course, if you wanted to study then you’re also in prime position to score one of your five Ls. Dear Hayden, I had a sex dream about one of my tutors last night and I can no longer look them in the eye – what should I do?

That sounds rough. Was it any good? On second thought, keep it to yourself.

Unfortunately I don’t have much advice for you: if you avoid attending your seminars then your grades are going to suffer; if you bite the bullet and face them, your inner dignity is likely to be shot. All you can really do is make a best out of a bad situation and get it over and done with. And pray for the semester to be over.

Dear Hayden, My flatmate’s boyfriend has now moved into our house rent-free. PDAs in the living room are a common occurrence and he is there all the time. I’m constantly woken up by their arguments and it’s getting too much.

Help!

I’ve consulted the editorial team and we’ve decided that the only way forward is to be more annoying than they are.

If you have a partner, PDA like you’ve never PDA-ed before.

If they keep you up at night, set your alarm for early in the morning and wake them up with the loudest song in your iTunes library. If that fails, then maybe leave your increased bills around for them to realise they’re being incredibly selfish.

It’s been real, it’s been cute, but it’s not been real cute,

Hayden

Send your questions anonymously concreteuea.tumblr.com/ask

Tweet of the Week “Terrified that my habit of going on twitter every five minutes in the library will land me on Spotted UEA Library one day”

@nedsammy

Contact Us Union House University of East Anglia Norwich NR4 7TJ 01603 593 466 www.concrete-online.co.uk www.concblog.wordpress.com Editorial inquiries / complaints concrete.editor@uea.ac.uk concrete.venue@uea.ac.uk Got a story? concrete.news@uea.ac.uk

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, Sidonie Chaffer-Melly. Published by UUEAS Concrete Society ©2013 Concrete BMc ISSN 1351-2773

News

Continued on from front page

A petition on Change.org calling for the current restructuring to be halted and revaluated has gathered over 400 signatures and was presented to the Trustee Board. Many comments on the petition expressed great concern about the restructure.

Unison do not feel that staff were sufficiently involved in drawing up the plans and the Student Officer Committee was not involved in the planned restructure. The 30 day consultation period originally proposed by the Union was labelled “unrealistic” by a trade Union representative. A group protested outside Trustee Board meeting in Congregation Hall on Thursday 20 February, where trustees voted to continue with the planned restructure, albeit alongside a “consultation process on a timeline agreed with Unison [Trade Union]”. It has since been extended to give a full opportunity to explore alternatives to compulsory redundancy.

The board has agreed to look into cost-saving measures that remove the need for staff cuts, and to “make every effort to avoid compulsory redundancies through potential alterations to the proposals”.

At the meeting, the process of continuing consultation, with the aim to identify ways of avoiding compulsory redundancies, was agreed. There were

25/02/14 three abstentions and no votes against.

Following the announcement of the restructure, the UUEAS Council voted to censure the full time officers.

Behind the vote of disapproval was the grievance that attempts to campaign for a bigger block grant from the university have been lacklustre. In comparison with Guardian top 20 universities, UEA comes 18th in the size of the block grant which it provides to the student Union.

Disapproval over the issue is not restricted to Union councilors, who have voted to call an emergency meeting to discuss the planned restructure. More than three quarters of those polled in a survey conducted by Concrete indicated that they did not think students had been adequately consulted on the proposed restructure, with most suggesting that they believe the Union is “not very transparent or accountable”.

The Union communications officer, Rosie Rawle, has stated that the UUEAS has £1.6 million in reserves. There have been calls to use these reserves to preserve jobs while problems of inefficiency and over-spend are resolved. However, another source close to the Union assured Concrete that much of the reserves are tied up in restricted funds and a pension scheme, which means that if the Union registers another similar deficit next year, the whole organisation is at stake.

Recent policy that was passed by

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Union Council mandated council to form a sub-committee to investigate all possible avenues to extend the university’s block grant to the Union, and calling for a halt to staff redundancies until such time as this can be confirmed.

Despite reassurances from the Full Time Officers that relationships with the university are strong and that discussions about the block grant are ongoing, there has been no evidence thus far of the possibility of a higher sum. The first meeting of such a subcommittee only met on Wednesday 19th February, indicating that the possibility of getting a higher block grant has not been exhausted, particularly as there has been no student-led campaign to increase funding to the Union.

Natasha Gales, Unison representative on campus, said: “Unison are very concerned that the current proposals would lead to a serious cut in the level of service provision within the Student Union, and the impact that a cut in staffing of this level, would have on the staff remaining.”

Joe Levell, Chair of the Trustee Board and UUEAS finance officer said: “We want the Union to be well run, financially healthy and delivering what our members want in terms of services, campaigns and representation.

Regrettably, delivering this will mean that a number of Union staff are at risk of redundancy.”

Landmark moment for house building in Norwich Andrew Ansell News Editor For the first time in over 20 years the building of affordable homes in Norwich is underway. The houses, under construction at Pointers field, represent the first milestone in Norwich City Council’s commitment to build 250 homes across the city over the next five years.

The £700,000 scheme, due to finish in September 2014, is working under a pilot ‘self-build’ scheme. Under the scheme, the dwellings will be built

to 90 per cent completion whereby incoming residents will have a range of options available to finish the build themselves. Alternatively purchasers could buy the building services of the main contractor, potentially reducing the overall purchase price.

A ‘shared ownership’ scheme also underpins the project, helping to bridge the gap for individuals unable to purchase a home outright on the open market.

The leader of the Labour run Council, Brenda Arthur, said: “It’s fantastic to be here today to mark this historic occasion as we begin construction on

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what we hope will be the first of many much, affordable council owned homes for the city.”

She added: “The inclusion of one bedroom flats within the scheme are vital in helping us tackle the impact that welfare reforms are having on those in the greatest hardship across the city.”

Councillor Mike Stonard, portfolio holder for environment, development and transport, said: “I’m delighted to witness this resurgence in the building of council owned homes at a time when they are needed more than ever and even more pleased that our first scheme will benefit my local community”.

Elliot Folan News Reporter Union Council, the representative body of the Union of UEA Students (UUEAS), voted overwhelmingly to increase its power to amend the union’s budget. The proposal would give councillors more opportunity to feed into the budget process, give them more time to consult the wider student body and lays out other new budget processes.

The proposers of the amendment argue that the current budget process is not clear or transparent and that it needs to be improved, and that councillors should be given more time to consult their constituents on how the union spends money.

Previously, Union Council has only had powers to approve or reject the entire budget, but as a result of this amendment individual councillors will now be able to propose their own changes to individual sections of the budget.

Joe Levell, UUEAS Finance Officer and proposer of the amendment, said: “The policy makes it much clearer for Union Council to monitor and keep track of the Union’s finances and will provide the opportunity for valuable input into how the Union spends its money.”

Sam Alston, a union councillor and co-writer of the amendment, said: “The passage of the budget is one of the most important things that Union Council does; this motion makes it easier to review the budget. The previous structure made it very difficult for the Council to hold the officers to account and made it even harder for groups to demand changes to the budget. I think that the amendment will improve accountability, strengthen Union Council and potentially create the walls to ensure oversight. However, this motion creates walls and walls are only as strong as those who defend them.”

The union’s annual spending on its charitable objectives is approximately £1,800,000. The budget is drawn up by the Management Committee (composed of the four full-time officers) and the Trustee Board (composed of the fulltime officers, two part-time officers, four elected students and four external trustees). It must be confirmed by Union Council, composed of 200 elected members who represent clubs, societies and courses.

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News International students feel unwelcome in the UK

concrete.news@uea.ac.uk

A third of graduates jobless after six months Andrew Ansell News Editor Nearly 40 per cent of today’s graduates have not found a job six months after graduation while a quarter are still looking for work after a year, new research has found. Of the 676 graduates surveyed by totaljobs.com in December 2013, almost half regretted choosing an academic route instead of a something vocational. A third of graduates apply for more than 20 positions a month, according to the research conducted.

Figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) last week revealed that the unemployment rate now stands at 7.2%. Nonetheless, an ONS report published last year showed 47 per cent of graduates in employment within six months of graduation were working in jobs which did not require a degree.

Mike Fetters, graduate director of totaljobs.com said: “Despite the economic upturn, graduates are still struggling to find work after university. Our research shows that many graduates are starting to wonder if they should have studied for a more vocational qualification as more effective route to employment. Although a degree is an essential qualification for some industries, school leavers need to think more carefully about which route to employment is best for them as some may be more suited to an apprenticeship scheme.”

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Daniel Falvey News Reporter Half of students from outside the EU feel unwelcome in the UK and one in five non-EU students would not recommend studying in the UK to a friend or relative, a survey conducted by UCAS has revealed While nearly two thirds of PhD students involved in the study felt the UK government and its people were unwelcoming, 74 percent of the 3100 international students polled claimed that the introduction of a £150 NHS levy would make it either not possible or more difficult to study in the UK These figures accompany the statistic that last year the number of international students studying in the UK dropped by over a sixth from 239,000 to 197,00. The release of the results from UCAS’ survey implies that this is a trend which is likely to continue.

UEA’s vice-chancellor, Professor Edward Acton has previously slammed the government’s attitude towards immigrations. He has claimed that decline in the number of international students studying in Britain would have a detrimental effect on the quality of service universities could offer.

NUS international students’ officer, Daniel Stevens has said that ‘these figures confirm what we have been saying all along. Many international students feel unwelcome in the UK as a result of the government’s hostile and overzealous policies.’

Speaking of the Immigration Bill that is currently being debated in parliament, Mr. Stevens claimed the government’s proposals are ‘[not only] unwelcoming,

they are also unworkable, expensive and discriminatory. Given the huge contribution international students make to the UK, they also stand to be self-defeating, sending a message that the UK is closed for business.’

Data provided by the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) have been seen to show that international students contribute nearly 8 billion per year to the UK economy and education sector.

Government miscaluates repayment of student Castle to host debt Roman exhibition Rachel Cutress News Reporter

On 8 March Norwich Castle will host the largest exhibition of Roman artefacts in the United Kingdom. Alongside the artefacts from the British Museum will feature an exploration of archetypal Roman themes.

Life drawing classes imitating the Roman style alongside artist interpretations of Roman art will accompany the event which is free to attend for young people.

With the Romans being the pioneers of food aid, Norwich Foodbank will also be present, collecting donations for local people in need. Castle Events Coordinator Rachel Trevor said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for young people to experience a fascinating past within a fun and laid back atmosphere.”

Geraldine Scott News Reporter Over the next 30 years the treasury will be forced to write off more than £80bn in unpaid student loans, a public spending watchdog has warned. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has found that the Government is over-estimating the amount that will be paid back by students after they graduate.

In 2013, outstanding student loans amounted to £46bn and is expected to rise to £200bn by 2042. The government estimates that 35-40% of all current student debt will never be paid back, however the PAC have accused them of overestimating this amount by 8%.

The committee’s report said: “The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills’ model for estimating future loan repayments still consistently overestimates annual repayments by about 8% compared

with the amounts actually collected. As a result, the department is likely to be underestimating the value of student loans that will never be paid back. The approach to collecting debt lacks rigour. The department and the Student Loans Company need to improve the collection of loan repayments.”

The report also criticises the Student Loans Company, particularly for the use of premium-rate phone lines and inefficient IT systems.

Rachel Wenstone, Vice-President of the National Union of Students, said the report showed that: “The £9,000 tuition fees model is ideology pursued at the expense of common sense... graduates now stand to pay back twice, through their student loan repayments and as taxpayers confronting the spiralling costs of this ill-considered scheme.”

The report also alluded towards the possible sale of the student loan book, with clear guidelines that any sale must ensure a good deal for tax payers and had to be properly valued.

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills insisted it had “an effective and efficient process for collecting student loans through the tax system”. A spokesman said that system resulted in “high collection rates at a low cost which we believe demonstrates good value for money”. However the department acknowledges there is “room for improvement”.

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Marking boycott could prevent graduations

Andrew Ansell News Editor Student assessments and graduations could be jeopardised after the University and College Union (UCU) gave the green light for a marking boycott.

Should a pay dispute between universities and staff fail to find a resolution the ‘ultimate sanction’ of a marking boycott will be implemented from 28th April. This will result in lecturers refusing to mark exams, coursework and communicate marks, applying to all categories of student.

The UCU, which has not enforced a marking ban for a decade, rejected a pay increase of 1%. It claimed this increase would leave staff with a real-terms cut of 13% since 2009, while vice-chancellors has seen their salaries rise by over five per cent on average.

UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: “A marking boycott is the ultimate sanction, but an avoidable one if the employers would negotiate with us over pay. No member I have spoken to wishes to see this dispute escalate, but in the continued absence of meaningful negotiations from the employers, we are left with no alternative.

“I fail to see how any university can claim to have students’ best interests at

heart if it is not pushing for talks with the union to resolve this dispute. Even now the timetable we have set provides a generous window of opportunity for the employers to address our just demands, which we, and students, hope they take.

The Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) which represents universities in pay negotiations, claimed there is only “dwindling support for industrial action” have said that the loss of Photo:and Bill Smith support for the union’s campaign have meant the recent strikes have had little impact.

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Artist inspired by UEA Lara Ellice News Editor The University of East Anglia’s Brutalist concrete architecture has inspired artist Noah Da Costa’s to explore different viewpoints in architecture and photography.

Da Costa’s exhibition ‘Concrete’, at the Gallery at Norwich University Centre of the Arts (NUA) consists of a series of digitally-altered photographs of concrete architecture. Da Costa has manipulated the photographs to alter the shape and surface of the buildings, producing an alien effect.

Da Costa has lived on the UEA campus and was brought up in Norwich, and the Brutalist architecture that captivated him has had a lifelong effect on him. Da Costa said that after he moved to London Southbank, the architecture of National Theatre designer Denys Lausden brought back childhood memories of UEA. Da Costa said of his exhibition: “This series of work in Concrete goes back to 2012. The work in the exhibition is shot at the UEA and the Southbank Centre, the National Theatre. Denys Lasdun is a

main influence.

“The images are architecturally based but they are abstract. They are literally details that stem from my camera walks.

I picked out little details and worked on them back in my studio using mirroring

“The architecture of National Theatre designer Denys Lausden brought back childhood memories of UEA” techniques and symmetry techniques on the computer.

“There are several layers to them the textures, the shapes, the sculptural elements.”

Da Costa studied a foundation course at the NUA, and is delighted to be exhibiting his work there.

NUA’s pro vice-chancellor Neil Powell said: “Noah Da Costa’s exquisitely produced, monochromatic photographs present the viewer with kaleidoscopic versions of reality that are simultaneously familiar and alien. The illusionistic space of the work draws us into wondering just where these locations are – and where our place is too.”

Comment

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The NUS needs a change in leadership Elliot Folan Comment Writer Some of you might remember the Blurred Lines referendum last November. Alongside that vote, UEA held its elections for our delegates to the National Union of Students (NUS) national conference. I was one of them, elected on a manifesto of communism, agrarian reform and cats for all.

Delegates vote on NUS policy, elect members of the executive committee and elect the full-time officers of the NUS – including the President. With conference drawing closer, it’s worth looking at the candidates for President.

The candidates for this year are: Toni Pearce (incumbent), Daniel Cooper (Vice-President of the University of London Union), Aaron Kiely (NUS Black Students Officer) and Jack Duffin (a parliamentary candidate for the UK Independence Party). There is also a campaign to get Beyoncé elected as

President.

As things stand, the first preference vote of this writer goes to Daniel Cooper. Strongly on the left, he’s been heavily involved with occupations, anti-

cuts campaigns, campaigns for workers’ rights and the movement to turn our campuses into police-free zones.

My second preference is hovering between Aaron Keily and Toni Pearce.

ccsu.co.uk

To the my mind the NUS has not offered enough resistance to the Tory-led government’s cuts under Toni Pearce’s leadership, but this writer also disagrees with Aaron Keily on some issues.

I will not give any preference to Jack Duffin. He is a member of a racist party whose policies would harm the lives of millions. UKIP demonises immigrants, denies the existence of climate change and opposes gay marriage. Its leader, Nigel Farage, has said that the racist Enoch Powell is his “political hero” and he also believes women are “worth less” to employers after having children. Jack Duffin himself has lectured feminists on what they should campaign on, supports abolishing affirmative action and has demanded “control of our borders”.

The NUS needs to change. It needs to resist the Tories, push for cops off campus, campaign for open borders and support free education. Some may disagree. But we should all stand against attempts by UKIP to hijack the NUS for their xenophobic agenda.

Get your best genes on Peter Sheehan Comment Writer Scientists in the United States claim to have found a region of the X chromosome that has some impact on a man’s sexuality.

Only some, mind you: they don’t know which of the many genes in the Xq28 region are important, or whether other parts of the ‘gay gene’ may lie elsewhere in our DNA. What’s more, the identified genes are neither sufficient nor necessary to make a man gay. It remains possible – probable, even – that other factors influence sexuality at least as much as an individual’s genetic inheritance. Exposure to certain hormones in the womb has also been cited as a possible determinant of sexuality.

What is more interesting is the controversy that this ‘finding’ has generated. The idea that genes affect our sexuality is hardly surprising. Neither is it the first time that such a theory has been postulated. Memorable contributions from the not-so-distant past include this zinger of a headline from the Daily Mail: “Abortion hopes after ‘gay genes’ findings”. (Oddly, the paper’s report on the latest research neglects to mention

this illustrious history.) Given this kind of reaction, it is utterly understandable that many question the appropriateness of this kind of research.

Attempting to better understand the workings of the human body is not, in itself, immoral, neither is it something from which biologists are to be dissuaded.

They are biologists, after all: it’s what they do. Seeking to understand the genetic mechanics of sexuality can be done perfectly well without regarding homosexuality as an aberration or something that needs to be cured.

expression rather than of intent. It’s like the word ‘admit’. “Admitting” to being gay is markedly different to “announcing” it. Similarly, it is eminently possible to discuss the innateness of homosexuality in language that avoids conferring upon gay people a sense of irreparable otherness.

Too often, people conflate cause and blame when it comes to sexuality. When that happens is when the conversation

“Tolerence requires a mind that is altogether better informed Mainstream science has moved on from the bad old days of seeking to ‘cure’ homosexuals. And one hopes that, in this more enlightened age, even the halfwitted monkey-bigots at the Mail would think twice before publishing something so demonstrably reprehensible.

Furthermore, if the suggestion that “gays can’t help being gay” implies to some that homosexuality is a problem that cannot be solved, it is the fault of poor

Wikipedia

turns nasty – but that is not the necessary end point of scientific investigations into the roots of sexual attraction. Frequently, science seeks to understand for the sake of understanding. Choosing to remain ignorant ourselves is no way to guard against the ignorance of others.

Prejudice breeds on the rich pickings of stupidity. Tolerance requires a mind that is altogether better informed.

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Comment

Facebook gender labelling revolution Dian Atamyanov Comment Writer @Dragoonfire

Good news for the LGBTQ community!

With the help of its Network of Support, everyone’s favourite marketing machine, Facebook, has now fully recognised the fact that we live in the 21st century. You’re no longer required to choose either ‘male’ or ‘female’, and you have the option to customize the gender section with over

“Facebook has now recognised that we live in the 21st century” 56 different gender identities. However, if you’re considering an alternative to the default setting, a lot of the options listed might come out as confusing, so let’s take a look at some of them.

For those who aren’t keen on being constrained by any kind of gender, the category of agender or neutrois will fit

you well. Next up, for those who can identify but have a hard time pinning it down, Facebook has tried to include all spectrums of uncertainty – from the gender questioning to the androgynous and the bigenders who feel they’ve got the best of both worlds.

Though why stop at just masculine and feminine? The genderqueer like the pangendered would strongly disagree with this binary tradition, as they describe themselves with all genders, while some gender fluid folk just don’t have it in them to stay in one spot. But wait, it doesn’t end there, just type in the word Trans (pick one with the asterisk) and you’ll find yourself safely tucked under an umbrella term that embraces all forms of gender nonconformity.

Although, intersex people know it’s not all about feeling it, as sometimes your own biological makeup doesn’t allow you to distinguish yourself between the two sexes. In cases like these, some decide to take matters into their own hands and, through the magic of surgery, transform themselves into trans men or trans

women.

Despite all these colourful choices, you still might be struggling to find the group you belong to. Well, if you have a bit of Apache in your blood, maybe you’ve been looking to join the twospirit people – a mystical group of highly esteemed transsexual Native Americans, who are said to embody the very essence of the two main genders.

Before you rush to ask your grandma if her father was dancing with the wolves, maybe you should sit down and consider

the possibility that your sex matches your gender identity. Maybe you’re a woman who likes men after all, but you don’t see it as though this is the norm. Facebook has got you covered – you’re a cis, literally meaning ‘non-transsexual’, a term coined

“What some might see as homosexual, others may consider ‘two-spirited’”

by German sexologist Volkmar Sigusch, which has come to challenge the notion that ‘male’ and ‘female’ are the standard.

This sort-of guide that might help you to venture into some of the more uncommon gender identities is certainly not exhaustive, as the sexuality and gender identity of people vary immensely across cultures and societies. What some of us might see as homosexual, others might perceive as being ‘two-spirited’.

All of this goes to show just how intense the search for our own identities has become, and Facebook’s new policy seems to be but a symptom of this new mental revolution.

Prison break with tea and cake Robert Staniforth Comment Writer Would you ever let an inmate serve you a coffee or a cake? If it’s on the bucket list, then Norwich Prison has just the thing for you, because in conjunction with a group of local businesses, they recently opened a Café to the public, and staffed by the inmates.

It’s all about reducing the number of prisoners that end up back behind bars.

The most recent re-offender statistics from last year said that around half of all prisoners serving custodial sentences of less than four years re-offend. But with nothing to stop them changing their ways, it’s just a vicious cycle. HMP Norwich is trying to break that cycle and, in doing so, provide a useful service to Norwich residents and improve the lives of inmates, giving them a better chance of staying on the right side of the law.

Is Norwich at the forefront of prisoner reintegration? Sadly not, though what they have created is a novel twist on an already well used formula. Three prisons have previously opened The Clink restaurants, offering a sit down meal prepared and served by inmates, and Gordon Ramsay has created a fully functioning bakery in HMP Brixton, whose products now get stocked in Café

Nero.

So, it’s not new… But does that make it a good idea? What if the master plan backfires? Fear not! It has been statistically proven that inmates who get into some sort of employment are significantly less likely to offend again. Of course, as any student knows, one of the best ways to get a job is to gain qualifications – and that is exactly what the café aims to do – train the staff it employs, all of whom volunteer for the scheme.

HMP Norwich, Wikipedia

As for the training, any tax-payer may wonder why their money is being spent on training prisoners. Well, we would hazard a guess that it’s a bit cheaper to train them for a short period of time, so they can start contributing to society, than it is to house them for a prolonged period of time.

No one wants people to end up living a life of crime. This gives the inmates a chance to start integrating with the public in the Café, while also earning

qualifications that they can use in the future to secure employment. Indeed some inmates have already secured job offers for when they leave.

So, I go back to the original question: Would you ever let an inmate serve you a coffee or a cake? Students and prisoners seem to get so much negative publicity, but while admittedly it is for different reasons, all any of us want is a chance to prove ourselves…

So, yes – I would. And you should too.

Comment

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concrete.comment@uea.ac.uk

Tut tut, looks like poor rain defence

Christopher Donaldson Comment Writer Contrary to what Cameron may say now, “money is no object”, it is. Gone are the days of flood protection at any cost but to say anything else now would have been political suicide. The current government has been cutting the flood defence budget annually since they got into office. Part of a wider strategy outlined in the 2005 policy document ‘Making Space for Water’ - simply put, the government said, we can’t afford to protect everyone from flooding, forever, so we need to make some room, and that room may be in your house.

These days, the flood defence budget is allocated on a cost: benefit analysis.

So, as the former MP for Somerset Levels admitted recently, the benefits of dredging just didn’t outweigh the costs, particularly when large cities like Leeds need protection too. Anyway, flooding wasn’t expected in the area any time soon. Then wouldn’t you know, a one in 250 year flood rolls around.

Climate change means the unexpected may become more expected. Though

Telegraph

9

it’s not really a question of whether this year’s floods can be linked to climate change or not, without a ton of computing power, that’s hard to find out.

The question is what should we do to prepare ourselves against future floods that scientists say will be more common and extreme?

Some plans such as natural catchment management; paying farmers to allow their lands to flood to protect towns and villages downstream look promising, as will further restricting development on flood prone sites, even though on a small island with a growing population that has always been difficult.

Unfortunately, years of building on natural floodplains and fast eroding coasts mean some people will have to make tough choices.

For the government, it’s time to come clean about money, some estimations put the cost of this year’s flooding to the economy to over £14bn already. Not everyone can nor will be protected and when the cameras leave, flooded communities and local councils will have to pick up the pieces.

Honest conversations about their future are vital.

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concrete.global@uea.ac.uk

Issue 294

Global

25/02/14

Drama unfolds in Ukraine as the political system implodes Ella Gilbert Global Editor Violence once again erupted in the streets of Kiev and other Western cities in Ukraine at the end of last week as part of the ‘EuroMaidan’ protests. This came after a period of relative stability and peace which had led many people to be optimistic about a rapid conclusion to the bloodshed. Protests began anew after proposed changes to the constitution were to be discussed in Parliament on Tuesday.

There was anger with the political system; opposition leader Klitschko was booed and heckled at the barricades earlier in the week, and many protesters said he had come two months too late, and had sold out to the President.

The protests initially started in 2013 over a row about the Ukrainian government’s alliances with Russia and the EU. Things have since broadened into an expression of wider discontent. The demonstrations are essentially about Ukrainian identity; victory cries of “Glory to Ukraine, Glory to the heroes” are shouted from every corner, and the presence of far-right nationalism is heavily felt. What started as a protest can now be said to be an uprising, with protesters demanding a revolution.

The early protests had success, after Prime Minister Mykola Azarov and his cabinet resigned in January, and the antiprotest laws that triggered more violence earlier in the year were revoked. On Sunday 16 February an amnesty law was declared that saw police and protesters withdraw from their stand-off in Hrushevskoho Street, which has been the focus of much of the fighting in Kiev. Protesters also moved out of ‘revolution HQ’ in the City Administration Building, and political prisoners were released. Many people were hopeful that the strained peace that prevailed could be extended and a deal between the government and the people

could be reached.

Following the amnesty on 16 February, the situation calmed down, until Tuesday, when violence surrounding constitutional amendments flared up once again. The death toll stands at 77, and the majority of the deaths were from police bullets.

Hotels surrounding Independence Square, at the heart of the demonstrations, were converted into makeshift morgues and hospitals, and there are bloody corpses strewn across the streets. Police snipers are stationed at the top of buildings surrounding the square, and at least 15 people have been confirmed dead, shot at long-range. Police fired on people after they re-took Independence Square at the end of the week, and there is growing fear amongst demonstrators because there is evidence that the police are using handguns and even AK-47s, whereas they are largely unarmed. Many resorted to using shields and wearing body armour to protect themselves from the rubber bullets, tear gas and water-cannon, and, increasingly, live rounds. Doctors say they have not got the equipment to treat serious bleeding in hospitals, and that police are increasingly shooting people in the “heart, neck and lungs”, which makes it more difficult to save them.

There are reports of snatch-squads

kidnapping protesters, some of whom have turned up dead, including one man who was kidnapped, beaten, and left outside of Kiev in the snow, and who died of exposure. Volunteer forces have been established to try and help locate missing protesters and provide legal aid, and religious figures, who are influential in Ukraine, are trying to keep the peace.

Many are concerned about the presence of the far Right – paramilitary organisations and the ‘right sector’ are extremely prevalent, though some commentators have said the protests have become so widespread that they have lost their ideological foundations.

Nevertheless, the interior ministry blamed the arson of the Trade Union building on right wing elements, and many journalists have spoken of overt and covert nationalist sentiment on the barricades.

Violence and rioting sparked off elsewhere in the country too, particularly in western cities closer to the border with the EU. On Thursday 20 February protesters stormed the prosecutor’s office in the Lviv region and forced the police to surrender, declaring independence from the central government.

Since then, things have taken a dramatic turn. Negotiations between parties, which were “very difficult”, led to a shaky peace

Photo: Vice

prevailing in protest camps and across the city. Yanukovych fled the capital on Sunday, and was rumoured to have retreated to his stronghold of Donetsk. The city is one of the last remaining places in Ukraine to resist the Maidan supporters, who are reportedly seen as fascists, and the Berkut (riot police) were cheered there on Sunday.

Yanukovych gave pre-recorded interviews over the weekend, and was still claiming to be President on Saturday evening. He has since made failed attempts to leave the country, and MPs voted to impeach him and strip him of his powers, putting the speaker, Oleksandr Turchynov, in power as interim president, until elections are held on the 25 May. Yanukovych has compared his opponents to Nazis, and there are further fears that Russia will intervene to aggravate separatist sentiments in the largely ethnically Russian areas of east Ukraine and the Crimea.

Protesters claimed control of Kiev over the weekend, dissolving traditional power structures. Ex-president Yulia Tymoshenko, the long-standing rival of Yanukovych, who was jailed in 2011 for breach of office, was released from prison in a controversial move. She expressed regret at not having been at the barricades in the last months, saying to protesters that “this is your victory because no politician, no diplomat could do what you have done, you have removed this cancer from this country”, and hailing them as “heroes”.

Many protesters are suspicious of her however, and would like to see fresh faces in the new government.

Things are very complex and confused, and no doubt the situation will develop in the coming days. The role of the EU and Russia will add tension and shape events, but for now, it seems the will of the people has won out.

Russia will add tension and shape events, but for now, it seems the will of the people has won out.

Stalemate at Syria talks continues Dan Falvey Global writer Mediated by the UN, meetings between Syrian government officials and representatives of the rebel army met between 10 and 15 of February in Geneva, Switzerland, in the hope to restore peace to Syria.

With the conflict having claimed more than 100,000 lives since March 2011 and having forced 9.5 million people to leave their homes, the UN is eager to bring an end to the fighting in the region as quickly as possible. After the first round of meetings between 22 and 31 of January,

in which a ceasefire in Homs was agreed, there was hope that the second round of talks might make further progress towards peace.

However, after a face-to-face meeting between the two sides on Saturday 15 lasted a mere 27 minutes, UN mediator, Lakhdar Brahimi, felt as if he had no choice but to apologise to the Syrian people, saying that he was “very, very sorry” that the negotiations had ended in stalemate.

The talks fell through due to the different agendas held by the two parties at the table. While the Syrian government were interested in discussing violence and terrorism, the opposition rebels were

keen to talk about putting a transitional government into place. However, the tensions over the table were so high that not even a date for a third round of talks was agreed. Speaking of what should happen next, Brahimi said, “I think it is better that every side goes back and reflects on their responsibility, [and on whether] they want this process to continue or not”.

“It’s not good for the process; it’s not good for Syria that we come back for another round and fall back into the same traps that we have been struggling with”.

Both sides accuse the other for the fallthrough in talks. Other countries have also joined in the blame game, with the UK’s Foreign Secretary, William Hague,

accusing President Assad for the failure of progress at the talks.

“With the war in Syria causing more death and destruction every day, we owe it to the people of Syria to do all we can to make progress towards a political solution”, he said.

In reality, both sides can be understood to be responsible for the breakdown of the talks. Neither the Syrian government nor the rebel opposition trust one another, and neither appear willing to compromise on their aims.

For now, it appears that until both sides see restoring peace as a more important issue than achieving their other aims, the violent civil war will continue to rage.

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The Dangers of Young Celebrity Holly Wade looks at the effects our invasive media has upon young stars, and if it is possible for them to rise above its pressures Celebrity culture has worsened in recent years, especially after social media has encouraged us to stalk our favourite celeb’s every move and never allow them to make mistakes. Take Justin Bieber, one of the biggest teen stars of the moment. Recently he has been seen as going ‘off the rails’- but can we really blame him? His intense stardom has brought him nothing but scrutiny and millions of screaming girls. As much as others would say it’s a good life, it must be pretty daunting to face that kind of attention on a daily basis, particularly at such a young age.

Imagine walking onto campus with every single person staring at you on the way there. They’re pointing,

seriously damaging trends about you.

Remember the horror of #cutforbieber?

Any of this would be difficult enough for an adult star to handle, but imagine being thrust into the limelight as a teenager or youngster and being forced into this kind of lifestyle. Photographers and the media always invading your personal space and everything you do is being judged. It’s only natural that many would snap under this kind of intense pressure. Choosing to be a musician or actor comes at a huge cost these days, and it seems that young celebrities really are paying the price.

“Imagine walking onto campus with every single person staring at you” whispering, “could it really be you?”

Perhaps you’re running late, or didn’t sleep well last night, or just seriously not in the mood. It doesn’t matter.

Everyone stops you for a photograph, an autograph. This happens to you every single day. You can’t escape in real life, and online it’s probably worse. You get so many tweets that you could never possibly read them all and try to have a life as well. And to top that off you have

photo:wikicommons

Miley Cyrus is a recent example of a child star that has emerged into the

“Why is it that we scrutinise child stars so much more than adults?” media and reinvented her image. She has people everywhere talking about her, from her raunchy outfits to her hammer-licking ways. Her sexualisation becomes shocking because she is young and because we have grown up watching her as Hannah Montana.

Just because Miley has reinvented herself in this way does it really mean that she is going off the rails?

Selena Gomez recently admitted that she took a stint in rehab, following on from an admission from Demi Lovato who has been incredibly open about her eating disorder and experience in rehab. Why are so many young adults struggling with stardom so much?

Justin Bieber is now facing a DUI and was surrounded by controversy after he attempted to punch a photographer in 2013. Why is it that we scrutinise child stars so much more than adults?

Is it really only because we have seen them growing up on television and it just seems so wrong that Hannah Montana, or Mitchie from Camp Rock could possibly be acting so adult?

The issue arises when these child stars, especially the Disney protégées, attempt to move away from their image as sweet and innocent, and to be taken seriously as adult stars. Selena starred in Harmony Korine’s 2013 film Spring Breakers, attempting to play a very different character to that of her real life persona and so change her media image.

The problem, then, is that instead of easing themselves into an adult career these teenagers go to extreme lengths to show themselves as being the complete opposite of what they once were.

With a media and society like ours, how can we possibly have any hope for teenage stars? Many of them seem to turn to drink and drugs, an outlet that offers them the only real escape. Rather than spending so much time judging these kids, they should be helped and it’s a positive thing that so many of them are openly admitting their stints at rehab. Child star Drew Barrymore was addicted to cocaine at the tender age of 13 but she has come out of it on the other side and is now regarded as a great actress. However, that was in 1989, and, of course, 2014 is a very different era for celebrity culture.

These teenagers have little choice but to indulge too much in the dark side of the industry to be able to cope with the intense pressure and media scrutiny they face on a daily basis.

Ten Signs that You are Growing Up Features writer Anna Knell lists the things that we all do that, scarily, are indicators of becoming a grown-up.

Regardless of where you are in your university education, if you’re anything like me, you repeatedly find yourself feeling increasingly old.

Whether you’re in first year, finding you can’t face as much alcohol as you could last semester, a second year feeling rather house-proud, or a third year experiencing how traumatic it will be to enter the real world, it’s safe to say that university is the prime time for maturing. This of course does not apply to everyone, and there will always be those who spent all three years surviving off ready meals.

However no longer being a teenager puts some of us into a little quarter-lifecrisis, so here are ten ways that show us we are indeed growing up. Either that, or becoming incredibly boring…

1. Not only owning a slow cooker, but also using it regularly and devoting a Pinterest board to slow cooker recipes… Worse still, using ‘Mum’s slow-cooked BBQ chicken’ as that recipe you can always fall back on when you lack inspiration.

2. Spending a substantial amount of

shopping time perusing the wine aisle, carefully selecting a few bottles of red to suit your current wine phase (mine is South African at the moment), and refusing to spend less than £6 because cheap wine just doesn’t hit the spot anymore. Consequently, discovering a terrifying secret… that a bottle can actually last more than just one evening.

3. Using words like ‘perusing’,

“No longer being a teenager puts some of us into a little quarter-lifecrisis” ‘idiosyncratic’ and ‘fastidious’ during everyday conversation in a very nonchalant manner.

4. Noting that Dysons are the Ferraris of the hoover world, because the Henry your landlord provided is simply far too below average to cater for your OCD tendencies.

Nevertheless, determinedly using it to vacuum the coving, because the sheer amount of dust that defies gravity makes you want to cry.

5. Actually taking your makeup off at night. Netflix has a pause button, so there really is no excuse.

6. Using your day off as a day to try out the cleaning tips you saw on Pinterest.

Then sharing the glass-cleaning benefits of white vinegar with anyone and everyone who will and won’t listen.

7. Speaking of Pinterest, (this may apply to girls only), making a board for everything that may ever occur in life. Planning your entire non-existent wedding, hoarding ‘fitspiration’ ideas you will never look at again, and pinning craft ideas you will never make.

This is what we call ‘grown-up procrastination’, and you may be shocked to know it is no more productive than that time you watched the whole of Desperate Housewives within three weeks in first year. Unless of course, you have a board full of cleaning tips.

8. Seeing your Facebook feed fill up with engagements and weddings, especially around Christmas time. Scarier still when it’s people younger than you.

9. Going to your parents for advice

because you realise that they genuinely are right 99% of the time. And on this note, discovering that you will become your parents. Whether it be by inheriting your dad’s hairline or your mum’s unique way of folding socks.

10. Disappointedly finding that

“Christmas and birthdays are no longer quite as magical” things which excited you as a child are slightly underwhelming to you now.

For example, Christmas and birthdays are no longer quite as magical.

Yet, things that underwhelmed you as a child give you a fleeting flicker of excitement now. For instance, fresh sheets, the new sponge in the sink and the fact that someone else already emptied the bins.

If you can relate to any of these moments, I salute you. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, keep your wits about you, it will happen.

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concrete.features@uea.ac.uk

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Features

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Sochi Olympics and Gay Rights

Daniel Falvey addresses the controversy surrounding the Sochi Winter Olympics and the anti-homosexual laws of their host country Russia, and asks; are the games morally just?

So far the Sochi Winter Olympic games have proven to be a success. Despite a few embarrassing mistakes during the opening ceremony, including one of the five Olympic rings not working, the winter sports have provided thrilling entertainment. Credit deserves to be given where it is due, namely to Russia’s government who have managed to pull off a successful Olympic games, despite negativity from the press in the months leading up to the opening ceremony about the country being underprepared to host such a big event.

However, the build up to the Sochi Winter Olympics was also overshadowed by the introduction of Russia’s new antigay laws and the ongoing prosecution of homosexuals within the country.

Last year, the Russian government banned the promotion of ‘non-traditional’ sexuality, and made it punishable by fine for individuals or media groups to provide information on homosexuality to those under the age of 18. Any individuals found to break the law can be fined up to 100,000 roubles (£1,975) and media organisations may face fines up to £1m, on top of being shut down for up to 90 days.

The introduction of these rules just months before the Olympics was

particularly

controversial

because

“The build up to the Sochi Winter Olympics was overshadowed by the introduction of Russia’s new anti-gay laws and the ongoing prosecution of homosexuals within the country” Principle 6 of the Olympic Charter (by which all countries must obey) clearly states: ‘Any form of discrimination with regard to a country or a person on grounds of race, religion, politics, gender or otherwise is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic Movement’.

However, Russian President Vladimir Putin, told the head of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach that Russia would “do everything to make sure that athletes, fans and guests feel comfortable at the Olympic Games regardless of their ethnicity, race or sexual orientation.” This has not stopped many homosexual public figures calling for the games to be boycotted. Stephen Fry said that a boycott of the Olympics was “simply essential” and announced at a protest last summer that “all homophobic

regimes say this - they say they do it for the children. They do this to stop children being propagandised at by gay people.”

“That’s not the situation at all. What they have done is unleashed thugs who have done unspeakable things to teenagers, lured them, beaten them, humiliated them, tortured them. This continues to be the case.”

Large businesses and organisations have also made their disagreement with Russia’s treatment to homosexuals clear.

Just before the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics, a rainbow Google Doodle was shown on the search engine’s homepage in place of their regular iconic logo.

It is fair to say that the majority of the UK public support homosexuality and disagree with Russia’s ‘anti-gay’ laws, but is boycotting the Sochi Winter Olympics the best way to show support for the cause? A survey taken by YouGov just after the new ‘anti-gay’ laws came into place highlighted that 20% of the British public believed that boycotting the Olympics was a good idea. However, the Prime Minister, David Cameron outlined that he believes “we can better challenge prejudice as we attend, rather than boycotting the Winter Olympics.”

photo: Flickr@ TofflerAnn

Indeed, he can be seen to have a point. Surely the successes of homosexual athletes such as the Dutch speedskater, Ireen Wust, (who has just won a gold medal in Russia) does more to support the gay community than not participating at all? Further still, surely small acts of defiance such as Emma Green-Tregaro painting her nails to look like a rainbow, which was seen on televisions worldwide, are a better way of promoting the gay rights campaign than simply not turning up to the Olympics?

Despite the punishment for Russians who promote ‘gay propaganda’ being a fine, for foreigners the criminal act could lead to two weeks imprisonment and deportation - the fate of foreigners who break the law - a punishment which might be handed to Green-Tregaro for her nail varnish protest. Furthermore, acts of protest are also against the rules of the IOC. Rule 50 of the Olympic charter clearly states: “No kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas.”

“No form of publicity or propaganda, commercial or otherwise, may appear on persons, on sportswear, accessories or, more generally, on any article of clothing

“Russia are indirectly responsible for any protests due to being the ones who originally broke the rules of the IOC through discriminating against homosexuality.” or equipment whatsoever worn or used by the athletes or other participants in the Olympic Games, except for the identification... of the manufacturer of the article or equipment concerned.”

Some may argue that athletes therefore have no chance to protest during the Winter Olympics because they risk their careers. After all, breaking such rules may result in sanctions or disqualification. While it is true that there is that chance, Russia are indirectly responsible for such protests due to being the ones who originally broke the rules of the IOC through discriminating against homosexuality.

Therefore, the committee would have to be pretty brave to take action against athletes protesting for gay equality given the fact the IOC took no action over the rule breaking of the host country.

LGBT History Month In celebration of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transexual History Month, Theodore Antoniou-Phillips reflects on the journey of the LGBT community.

photo: Flickr@Purple Sherbet Photography

In 1791, as included in the new penal code of the revolution, France decriminalised homosexual acts, becoming the first Western European country to do so.

France, Netherlands, Brazil, Portugal, Turkey, Japan, Italy, Poland, Denmark, The Philippines, Uruguay, Iceland, Switzerland, Sweden, Greece, Jordan, Thailand, Czechoslovakia and Hungary all decriminalised homosexuality before good ol’ Blighty finally caught up in 1967.

The Sexual Offences Act decriminalising homosexual acts between consenting males ‘in private’ over the age of 21 (lesbianism has never actually been illegal in the UK).

For those who are unaware, this month is LGBT+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) History Month. It is dedicated to remembering the sad history of discrimination towards LGBT+ individuals throughout the world, whilst recognising how far many societies have come, particularly in the last century. LGBT+ History Month is about pushing society towards a more accepting environment for all LGBT+ individuals whose lifestyle has been demonised for centuries.

LGBT+ History Month also reveals

something that is not focused on about the LGBT+ community: the fact that LGBT+ history goes back literally thousands of years. For example, sexual depictions in Neolithic and Bronze Age drawings reveal a ‘third sex’ - a human figure with female breasts and male genitalia - which could be as much as 8,000 years old. One of the oldest and most celebrated classical Greek lyrical poets, Sappho, born on the isle of Lesbos, wrote many lesbian themed poems giving her name and homeland to the very definition of lesbianism, or the less widely used ‘sapphism’. The Roman Emperor Nero married two men in his life, which is definitely something to consider before claiming that marriage has ‘always’ been between a man and a woman.

“They’re legal now, what more do they want?” was a common phrase heard by many during the gay rights campaigns of the 70s. Today, “they can get married now, what more do they want?” is more common. It’s certainly a big step, but some people are still ignorant to the discrimination that LGBT+ individuals face in the UK and on campus today.

Men who have had anal or oral sex with

another man cannot give blood unless a 12 month period has passed since their last sexual encounter. It’s a ridiculous law, as all blood donated is tested, and a 12 month period makes no difference to whether an STI is present in the blood, particularly HIV.

“LGBT History Month is dedicated to remembering the sad history of discrimination towards LGBT+ individuals throughout the world, whilst recognising how far many societies have come” Transgendered people still receive a massive amount of transphobia in society, and even LGBT+ charity organisations fail to effectively campaign for transgender rights. Recent attention was brought to Stonewall’s advertising campaign where their posters show two people pictured with the phrase “One is gay. If that bothers people then our work continues.” Some posters also feature “one is bisexual”, but Stonewall did not produce a single poster which

included “transgendered” or “transsexual.”

Last year’s Anti-Bullying Week also focused on homophobic bullying in schools, and how such bullying can seriously affect the confidence of young LGBT+ people. Homophobic bullying has been completely ignored in the past, and shedding light on the issue is extremely important. Especially considering that the anti-gay legislation of Section 28 of the Local Government Act in 1988, which prohibited the promotion of “teaching in any maintained school of the acceptability of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship”, was only repealed in 2003.

Up to 98% of lesbian, gay and bisexual young people hear phrases like ‘you’re so gay’ in schools, with only 10% saying that staff intervene every time they hear homophobic language.

It was also revealed last year that many schools, particularly religious schools, still enforce their own ‘Section 28’ rules.

In a report revealed by the Union of UEA Students in 2012, 52.8% of LGBT+ students participating in sport felt unable to disclose their sexuality to their team mates. 50% of respondents also stated that on at least

one occasion they had hid their sexuality when attending social events or training.

LGBT+ History Month is about revealing these prejudices in the UK, and helping to end them. Even on an

“Even on an international level, LGBT History Month can give hope to LGBT+ indiviuals living in the 83 countries where it is illegal to be gay international level, LGBT+ History Month can give hope to LGBT+ individuals living in the 83 countries where it is illegal to be gay thanks to the internet and new ways of global communication. It can show them that change is possible, the ignorant can be educated, and that there are happy individuals living their lives who also openly, and with pride, consider themselves LGBT+.

For information on how to get involved, attend LGBT+ History Month lectures or any socials on campus visit www.facebook.com/ueapride or for events around Norwich visit www. lgbthistorymonthnorfolk.org.uk/events.

14 Environment Blame the experts: Apple acts against conflict minerals what I learnt concrete.environment@uea.ac.uk

Issue 294

25/02/2014

from Eric Pickles

Marta Catalano Environment Writer Under pressure from human rights groups, the technology giant Apple has decided to take some steps forward, the constitution of a clean supply chain, by asking its suppliers for verified conflictfree materials like tantalum.

This metal, along with tin, tungsten and gold, is frequently used in many electronic industries. Such substances are frequently known as “conflict minerals”: they are mined in areas such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) where their extraction often benefits armed groups associated with human rights violations.

In its eighth annual supply-chain report, Apple confirmed that its hardware factories will “continue to require all suppliers to use only verified tantalum sources”, and promised to continue with monitoring its suppliers’ materials.

However, Apple’s policy suggests that a total ban is not the way to go. They said that “rather than avoiding minerals from the DRC and neighboring countries entirely, we’re supporting verified supply lines and economic development in the region”.

They believe that the best way to counter the human rights abuses on the ground is “to have a critical mass of smelters verified as conflict-free, so that demand for the mineral supply from questionable sources is affected.”

Thus Apple has announced that it will push its suppliers of tin, tungsten, and gold to use verified and conflict-free sources instead of avoiding them all

Peter Sheehan Environment Editor

Flickr: Julian Harneis together.

This decision can be the first step towards major changes in the worldwide technology industry and might push other companies to do the same – or even more. Last month, for example, Intel announced that it would no longer use conflict minerals in its microprocessors.

While this sounds like a good beginning, in an age where products are invented and produced like bread, one is left to wonder if naming and shaming a few suppliers is really the best policy that companies such as Apple can implement. However, this will certainly start to redeem Apple’s public image and drive what they call “real change”: they may have realized that their responsibility towards people has become nearly as important as the products they offer to them.

Conflict minerals African conflict diamonds are well known. Indeed, they are the subject of films such as Blood Diamond and Die Another Day. Conflict minerals are less known, but they arguably much more significant: while diamonds are an undeniable rarity, many of the minerals that go into electronic devices we use every day play a sinister role in some of the poorest regions of the world. Peter Sheehan The Democratic Rep. of the Congo. It sits atop the largest reserve of minerals on Earth, yet has the world’s second lowest GPD per capita.

Should the Princes lecture us on environmentalism?

Jacob Beebe Environment Writer The royal family, particularly Prince Charles, have long campaigned for the protection of wildlife, primarily on the African continent. Earlier this month, Princes Charles, William and Harry attended an illegal wildlife trade conference in London to tackle demand for endangered animal products. The Royals and the assembled signed the London Declaration, pledging to address demand and consumption of illegal products from endangered wildlife.

But what real progress can we expect from promises? Should it be the Royals, among other celebrities, that remind us of the importance of protecting wildlife, considering that just one day prior to the conference, the Sun reported Wills was on a hunting trip in Spain?

The ivory trade in Africa is not a recent phenomenon. In Kenya, the elephant population dropped by 85% between 1973 and 1989. However, it is not just animal products that are of interest. A biological misunderstanding of their toxicity meant that slow lorises, everyone’s favourite rice-ball-eating delight, have their teeth removed before being sold into the illegal pet trade.

Prince William has always been an advocate for wildlife protection as a result of his mother’s involvement in animal preservation. No-one would condone the illegal slaughter of endangered The slow loris: “everyone’s favourite rice-ball eating delight Photo: Mark Dumont

species, however, there are some criticisms regarding method. It could be considered that we are past the point of

using celebrity to simply raise awareness, and that David Beckham making a video appeal is futile in addressing the root of the problem.

Writing in the Guardian, Simon Jenkins has suggested that attacking supply to reduce demand simply does not make sense, as it would only lead to an increased associated value. Furthermore, he argues that the only way to protect elephants would be to farm them for their ivory, thus reducing the influence of the black market.

We need to consider various angles if we are to leave the illegal wildlife trade in the past. Whilst we are all aware of the impact of celebrity influence in advertising it could be argued that the concept of celebrity environmentalism is fundamentally flawed. Should we really congratulate Paul McCartney for having an ‘eco-car’ flown 5966 miles to his house by plane?

Eric Pickles is a man with a problem.

Parachuted into Defra to marshal the government’s response to The Floods – the Environment Secretary, Owen Paterson, is recovering from what is perhaps the best-timed eye operation in western politics – he finds that there is precious little he can do to command nature. As Canute, the memorable Viking monarch, so potently demonstrated almost 1 000 years ago, the waters are not to be bidden. Not even by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

For a politician, this is something of an inconvenience. In the murky waters of all that is party political, something is always somebody’s fault. Now the Labour party’s putative fiscal freefor-all is hardly to blame for excessive rainfall (haven’t we already established that that is a gay conspiracy?). And he can’t blame the Met Office: it predicts the weather, it doesn’t encourage it.

So he alights upon the Environment Agency.

It would appear that the government “relied too much” on the agency’s advice that certain rivers should not be dredged. It seems that he himself caught the government in the shameful act of taking recommendations from expert hydrologists and engineers!

Knock me down and call me Susan!

Here’s hoping that never happens again... (It has since been suggested that dredging may not be the catch-all solution the government hoped - but no matter...)

And quite how the EA is supposed to improve the service that it offers while also dealing with budget cuts has not been elucidated. Pickles insists the EA’s alleged failings were the exclusive result of its own flawed policy, not of funding reductions from government.

Either way, 500 jobs in flood risk management are still to be sacrificed on the altar of efficiency savings.

Pickles is indulging in the great political tradition of blaming the nearest person who is not oneself. It may work wonders at PMQs, but in the real world – and it’s unclear how many politicians are aware that such a place actually exists – it just makes you look like an arse. And a useless one at that.

Eric Pickles: it really isn’t his fault Photo: DCLG

Science & Tech

25/02/14

Issue 294

concrete.science@uea.ac.uk

15

Sigh of relief as grown lungs a success

Elizabeth Leddy Science Writer Dr. Joaquin Cortiella and Dr. Joan Nichols of the University of Texas have taken the next step in the race to be able to artificially grow a fully functional human organ, by successfully generating a new set of lungs from a small culture of cells.

The development follows the previous success of lab grown kidneys and windpipes that have been successfully implanted into rats and humans. The lung, however, is a much more complicated organ so has taken longer to observe and understand the development from a stem cell into the extremely specialised mass of alveoli and capillaries that help us function daily.

Dr Nichols explained how the project was undertaken: lungs were taken from two donor bodies, the first of which had all cells removed leaving a casing of collagen and elastin. This is known as a scaffold structure and is being used by researchers across the globe as a method of growing organs, and has been successful with organs such as the bladder. A sample of

healthy cells was then removed from the second. These healthy cells were coated onto the collagen and elastin scaffold of the first lung and left in a tank of nutrientrich solution to allow new cells to grow in the empty space of the structure. After four weeks, they had grown into a new lung.

To confirm the results, the experiment was run again to the same success.

Though these lungs are unlikely to be fully functional if transplanted into a human host, the ability to be able to develop an organ such as the lung proves a huge success for medical science, as it provides potential to provide lung transplants for many of the thousands of people who die each year waiting on the transplant list.

For vital organs such as the lungs and the heart, much more research is required as they are highly complex organs, and so can’t be grown for transplant into a human until they are identical to a naturally grown structure. Although the scientists leading this experiment expect it will take at least a decade to create a fully functional lung suitable for a human transplant, it is clear that this experiment has left the contributors hopeful for what the future holds.

Flexing fishing lines Mabon Elis Science Writer Materials scientists have shown that powerful artificial muscles can be made cheaply using nylon fibres that are commonly used to make fishing lines and sewing thread.

The work comes from an international team of researchers from the US, Australia, Canada, South Korea, Turkey and China.

They used a technique called extreme twisting to coil the fibres. The resulting material can lift loads more than 100 times heavier than human muscle of the same size can.

This heavily-twisted muscle can expand or contract in response to heating, depending on the way its fibres are coiled.

Cooling the muscle again reverses it to its original length.

Ray Baughman, the University of Texas professor who led the American team, said that there could be many applications for these polymer muscles.

“Today's most advanced humanoid robots, prosthetic limbs and wearable exoskeletons are limited by motors and hydraulic systems,” he said. Twisted polymer fibres could offer much smaller and lighter alternatives, offering better

strength and dexterity, he added.

Carter Haines, lead author of the paper in the current issue of Science, believes one application could be the manufacture of better sportswear, "we have woven textiles from the polymer muscles whose pores reversibly open and close with changes in temperature. This offers the future possibility of comfort-adjusting clothing”. A similar textile, with pores that close during heating, could be useful in protecting firefighters from intense heat.

The researchers also showed how the coiled muscle fibres could replace noisy and energy-consuming motors for opening and closing windows and shutters according to room temperature.

Geoff Spinks, who led the Australian work on the project, finds it ironic that this powerful material should have such humble origins. He said: “After nearly two decades developing exotic materials as artificial muscles, we have now discovered that the best performing systems can be made from ordinary, everyday fishing line.”

Photo Credit: Seyed Mohammad Mirvakili

guardianlv.com

Plight of the bumblebee Jasmine Groves Science Writer As we near the end of winter and welcome in the spring we expect the return of all types of insects, including the bumble bee.

Although there have been many reports in previous years noting that bee populations in general have been declining, this year there is an additional threat that could reduce populations further. In the past, decline has been mainly explained by changes to global climate and loss of the green spaces in which these very important organisms thrive.

This new threat comes in the form of diseases. Thought to be initially harboured by honey bees, it has been discovered that the diseases have now spread to wild bumble bees. A team of researchers, who have recently published their work in the journal Nature, have identified a number of infectious pathogens that spread between the two species. One of these pathogens, DWV or the Deformed Wing Virus, shortens the life spans of the bees, affecting whole colonies. Another is a fungus which can also be transferred between species with a detrimental effect to numbers.

Bees are a vital part of crop production,

pollenating three quarters of the world’s food crops, while also playing an important role in pest control. Many may think that they have a very small role to play in the world but it is becoming evident that they are important to the ecology and wellbeing of many environments. The British Bee Keeping Association is advising that bee keepers take measures to reduce disease in domestic hives, and help prevent the spread of these infections. It is also calling for research into new treatments and procedures for effective infection control.

Correction: In the last issue of Concrete, an article on Coquerels’ Sifakas was wrongly attirbuted to having been written by Dominic Burchnall. It should have been credited Mabon Credit: Brad Plummer, SLAC Elis.

Credit: SpaceX

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concrete.travel@uea.ac.uk

Issue 294

25/02/14

Travel

Israel: culture and conflict

Rachel De Saint Pern Travel Writer Israel may conjure up ideas of war, human rights violations and Zionism, but it is also a country rich in kind, generous people, and beautiful landscapes. Much like its sister in arms, America, Israel is a nation fragmented by history and culture. It is a contrived and contradictory state where you can spend an evening partying with drag queens in Tel Aviv, and be chided the very next day for showing your bare arms in Beit Shamesh, an orthodox village west

of Jerusalem.

The first thing to be aware of when visiting Israel is that they have a conscription army, the IDF. It can be daunting to step off the plane in Tel Aviv, the second largest city in Israel, and find yourself faced with seventeen year old boys toting assault rifles as if they’re toys.

However, the soldiers, young or old, are hardly going to open fire in front of you, nor is it likely that bombs will fly in from Gaza, contrary to popular belief. If staying in Tel Aviv, expect an experience very similar to London with the added indulgence of a sweeping beach looking out on to the Mediterranean Sea. It’s liberal, it’s exciting, it’s smelly, dirty, and it’s debit-card-bustlingly-expensive. It’s everything London would be if it landed in the Middle East. Visit the Rothschild and Ben Yehuda boulevards, and of course, the seafront, for the party destinations.

If you’re looking for culture, follow the beach over to Jaffa, Israel’s ancient port.

It has the charm of Montmartre, Paris, with narrow alleyways and steep stairs.

The town is awash with stunning Arabic architecture, the orange stone making for a breath-taking contrast between the azure of the Mediterranean, and the concrete grey of Tel Aviv.

Be sure to venture away from the main tourist melting pots, and find

one of the many hidden cafes offering beautifully cooked fresh fish and refreshing Limonana; a frozen lemonade and fresh mint virgin-cocktail. When the sun is setting and losing its grip, add Arak, a potent Levantine spirit, to your Mediterranean lemonade. Not only will you fit in like a local, but it’s a flavour you will never forget.

Jaffa offers many quirky free tours, one of which is the graffiti tour. It will take you past Arabic buildings fit for an Indiana Jones movie, through the decrepit and ignored shack districts such as Florentin, which has the same impassioned youth culture as Hackney, and back into Tel Aviv. Along the trip you will see the mark of disenchanted individuals and underground movements trying to find a voice for their protests against Israel’s “war on terror”.

To be able to put Israel into a larger

context, it’s important you stray from the big cities. Visiting the Negev desert or the Dead Sea will place you in the territory of the ignored and forgotten: the Bedouins and Palestinians, who are more than willing to give you food and water, and impart not only their wisdom on the unforgiving terrain, but also their side of the conflict. They will tell you how many native Arabs have been forced into the IDF against their will, both initiated into Israeli military, and excluded from full citizenship.

On the way to the Dead Sea, take note of the giant walls which straddle the desert, behind which is The West Bank.

It’s surprisingly easy to forget the conflict when you’re in the urban areas, however when you are reminded it can be like a slap in the face.

This is Israel, a conflicted and contradictory state.

Top independent eateries in Norwich Hayley Musson Travel Writer Norwich plays host to a vibrant culinary culture boasting fine examples of British cuisine, all locally sourced and organically produced. From high-end cheap eats to independent café-bars, Norwich has an eatery apt for every craving.

The Bicycle Shop, St Benedicts St. Suitably named for its previous vocation, The Bicycle Shop is a top pick for an affordable eat. The Bicycle Shop is a quaint and cozy café-bar nestled in amongst the hustle and bustle of bohemian St Benedicts Street: jampacked with bistros, specialist shopfronts and vintage stores, an area well worth exploring.

Serving an excellent variety of hot and cold foods, The Bicycle Shop is the perfect choice for any meal of the day.

With a fantastic ambiance, and a regular line up of local music, The Bicycle Shop ranks around one of the most versatile and consistent independent

establishments in Norwich. Expect a laid back service and make sure to try the crepes, they’re amazing!

Top Tips: Dog Friendly, serving draught beers, evening booking’s a must.

The Library, Guildhall Hill The Library, located opposite the historic Guildhall, is the perfect example of a high-end cheap eat in Norwich. To not break the bank, make sure to check their website and welcome boards for seasonal deals and lunchtime set menus.

A hearty brasserie serving generous portions, from towering burgers to succulent steaks, The Library’s menu boasts a fantastic array of carefully crafted choices, lovingly cooked on their famous wood fired grill.

Top Tips: Excellent wine list if you’re feeling flush, make sure to book.

Waffle House, St. Giles St. Got a sweet tooth? Then look no further than the Waffle House. Housed in a Grade-2 Georgian building a stones throw from Norwich Market, the Waffle House provides exactly what it says on

the tin, serving an exciting selection of (you guessed it) waffles - both sweet and savory, using locally sourced organic ingredients.

A creative menu, make sure to check out the daily specials board for something a little more unique.

Top Tips: A great selection of sides, student discount available.

Cafe 33, Exchange St. Looking for the best coffee and cake in Norwich? With Cafe 33’s £3.50 cake and a hot drink deal, you really can’t say no!

Serving big breakfasts, light lunches

and fairly priced hot meals throughout the day, Café 33 is popular with the local crowd and for good reason! With a huge array of teas locally sourced from Wilkinson’s of Norwich, Café 33 is the perfect independent city centre stop for grabbing a drink to-go or sitting down for a natter over dinner. It’s great value for money, with a regular queue out of the door, so make sure to get in before the rush.

Top Tips: Definitely don’t over-look the cake; perfect for embracing your inner glutton.

Travel

25/02/14

Issue 294

concrete.travel@uea.ac.uk

Viva Las Vegas?

Patrick Turner Travel Writer Nothing but desert for miles, then out of nowhere erupts Las Vegas.

Towering hotels replace the more familiar American skyscrapers. Banks and corporate headquarters substituted for the Bellagio and Caesar’s Palace. As you take it all in, it feels more like you’ve stumbled into a movie set than a city.

The hotels provide an endless stream of themed casinos and high end shopping centres, all strung together by

a series of walkways, so you barely have to touch the street between designer shops. Amidst the beautiful Prada models on advertising boards, homeless men and women slouch in the roasting heat. Billboards costing thousands to promote yet another ‘all you can eat’ buffet aren’t half as powerful as the cardboard sign reading, “I have cancer - no healthcare - Homeless”. Poverty makes an awkward appearance for those tourists, who are all too ready to place dollar after dollar into the mouths of insatiable slot machines.

Escaping the heat in the shade of the

Statue of Liberty replica and staring up at the Eiffel Tower, you cannot help but be struck by how surreal it all seems. To be in Las Vegas is to totally leave reality behind. But, if you try hard enough to shake the feeling that your feet are stepping in perfect time with the beating heart of Capitalism, as you stride in between the impressive and the insane, you might just have a brilliant time.

Wandering along the promenade that lines the cartoonish blue lake outside the Bellagio, you could be forgiven for momentarily mistaking your location for the French Riviera. That is until the 3pm fountains burst into life in an unmistakably American fashion. As you lean over the edge to admire the sheer excess of it all, think back to Ocean’s 11, and know that Brad Pitt and George Clooney were once stood in the very same spot.

Although each hotel provides something different, at least in décor if not function, almost nothing sums up Las Vegas better than the interior of the Venetian Hotel. You’ll enter the overwhelming Plaza by an airport style conveyor belt walkway, and find there a series of lavish stores, each riddled

17

with boutique art dealers and yet more designer brands. Below, there is a network of water ways with Gondoliers who themselves recite verses of Opera as they ferry couples around.

Overhead is a tribute to the Italian sky, painted clouds over a bright blue have transformed the ceiling in an alarmingly thorough attempt to immerse visitors in the façade. Letting go of how unnatural it all feels, and embracing the madness, experiencing Vegas’ attempts at replicating foreign spectacles becomes strangely entertaining - even addictive.

As night descends people flock to the betting tables, the nightclubs, the big fight, or even jousting tournaments at the Excalibur Hotel. For an alternative though, nothing is better than getting to the highest vantage point and looking out over the strip. Nowhere else is there so much to see it just over four miles. As the dazzling lights emerge excitedly into the foreground, those cardboard sign holders shuffle away from the glare, and back to where they sleep. As ruthless as the contrast between wild excess and desperation makes Las Vegas appear, it remains a truly spectacular and unique city.

Welcome to Miami Rachel Parsons Travel Writer Miami is the ideal party scene, with its spectacular beaches, crazy nightclubs, huge Hispanic culture and its large celebrity population; this city is the perfect holiday destination.

Usually the first thing people think of when they say Miami is the legendary South Beach, Miami’s most popular tourist attraction. During the day tourists fill up the restaurants and bars on the sidewalk, with music blaring in the background and women and men dressed in their best beach attire. At night, the party prevails. South Beach’s most famous club, LIV, has been named one of the best night clubs in the world!

Located at the hotel Fountainbleu, this prestigious, one of a kind, high-energy night club is not to be missed. LIV attracts many celebrities including rappers such as Lil Wayne and Flo Rida, who can frequently be seen on Sundays, while world star DJs Avicii and Nero have made several performances there. With money literally falling from the ceiling, and spectacular lights, smoke machines and more, LIV definitely lives up to its reputation. You will not be disappointed.

It’s good to mention that if you are female, South Beach nightlife can be a cheap, drunkenly, fun-filled night out.

Unfortunately for the guys, it could turn out to be a very expensive. As clubs are so prestigious and often driven by desire to lure plenty of women in, South Beach clubs tend to charge extortionate prices for men, especially if they don’t bring along women. Prices can range from $30 (if you’re lucky) to about $150 (if the bouncers really don’t like you).To avoid such extreme prices, be sure to get to the club before 11pm, bring a bunch of girls, or promoters usually give some good price deals (many including an open bar).

If South Beach doesn’t sound like your scene and you’re looking for a more relaxed atmosphere, then downtown Miami is for you. Brickell is located at the heart of downtown, known for its large skyscrapers, wide variety of bars and restaurants and famously P Diddy’s club Fifty, located at the top of the Viceroy Hotel. Brickell is very diverse with an Irish bar, lots of cocktail bars and a few dance clubs. Although it is not as expensive as South Beach, drinks can still be pricey at the bars, especially at club Fifty. As with South Beach clubs, Brickell bars also have a strict age limit of 21.

miamitattooexpo.com Lastly, if you’re looking for a younger and wilder crowd, then Coconut Grove is the place to be. Usually referred to as just the Grove, this is most popular area for the University of Miami students, especially on Thursday nights. The Grove is home to the infamous Fat Tuesdays bar, known for its large frozen alcoholic beverages such as strawberry daiquiris as well as Mr. Moes bar which appeals to the many College basketball players.

Although Coconut Grove is relatively small and very student based, celebrities have managed to make appearances.

Last year Enrique Iglesias was spotted at Mr. Frogs bar partying away.

And what’s more, if you’re not 21 then the Grove has bars such as Mr. Frogs and The Goose which allow those 18 or older to enter. Word of advice, because the Grove is situated less than a mile away from a very bad neighbourhood, tourists are advised to stay close to the bars and not wander off from the area. There are lots of police and taxis around the Grove so help is always there if you are lost.

Overall Miami’s club scene is diverse, cultural and most importantly lots of fun! Don’t just think South Beach is the only clubbing spot, once you explore Miami you’ll soon learn that there is so much more to it than what you see on TV.

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concrete.lifestyle@uea.ac.uk

Issue 294

25/02/14

Saving the pennies

Rebecca Bemment Lifestyle Writer We all know that our student loans aren’t going to last forever, and we’ve all felt the effects of spending a little over our monthly budget at some point during our time at university. However, being a student doesn’t always go hand in hand with being poor, a little frugal know how can leave you feeling the benefits rather than the pitfalls of university life.

From nights out to cooking, there are lots of ways for students to save the cash when things get tough. For instance, a night out doesn’t always mean having to spend lots of cash and waking up with an empty wallet the next day. Not taking a card and only a limited amount of cash out controls what you spend, so that when the drunkenness kicks in you aren’t tempted to buy the nice strangers those Jäger Bombs. Drinking before you go out instead of spending money on overpriced drinks in bars and clubs is a good way to save the money on a night out.

Similarly, when it comes to cooking, buying in a group can have its advantages in terms of sharing food and splitting the

cost. Making meals in advance and freezing them can stop the last minute pizza cravings when the fridge is empty.

Being a university student means textbooks are a part of life, an expensive part. Therefore, using the library wherever possible can help cut down the cost of books

that are required for your course. Likewise, using sites like Amazon can help you to find cheaper alternatives or to use as a way to sell your old or unused books.

But failing all the money saving tips, getting a part-time job can be a great way to earn a little extra cash. There are so many

Lifestyle

opportunities for students to make money on campus, such as helping out on open days, being a brand promoter or getting an internship during the summer. These are all great ways to do something a bit different away from your studies. And not only will you feel the short-term benefits of having an income, it will pay off when it comes to writing your CV later on. It’s worth either checking out the employability website where several jobs and internships are advertised for both on and off campus or going to the careers and employability office on campus.

Money issues will be on the mind of every student at some point during their time at university, but it’s important to remember that it isn’t everything. Every student is different when it comes to money and spending, but as long as you’re aware of your own budget, and not getting too stressed over it, university becomes a great way to learn about how to survive within your means. Working out your budget in a way that works best for you can help sort financial worries before they even happen, and can stop the serious overspending and the chances of not being able to eat for a week.

Getting over a breakup Emily Fedorowycz Lifestyle Writer Whether it is the month of love or not, break ups are no bunch of roses. Far away from home it can be daunting going through PBT (post-breakup-trauma) on your own, without some mummy TLC and some homey meals to put the warmth back in your smile and your belly. The initial reaction is to rebound, and try getting over your ex by getting under someone else. Whilst this may seem a good idea at the time, a better approach might be to use this time to reinforce your individuality and spend some quality time with those who love you no matter what: your friends.

Having someone to laugh with and really depend upon can be a huge comfort in the initial struggle, and they can eventually help you back on your feet again.

However, whilst spending time with your mates will surely offer a great bit of support, if you’re not over the relationship yet then you have to deal with the internal stuff first. First, you need to get some space.

Don’t talk to your ex partner until you are ready to talk on a totally platonic level. That means no texting, no FaceBook messaging, no Skyping or casually meeting up for coffee with friends. Fully break it off. You will find time heals everything.

The next tricky part is getting past the

hate stage. It is easy to resent a partner after a break up: for wasting your time; for something they might have done to cause the break up; for the lack of good reasoning behind them ending your relationship. This is normal and very understandable, but it is only ever a waste of time and energy.

Instead, try to laugh about the bad stuff, the “turn-offs”. Appreciating the things you didn’t like about the other person will make you feel much better about the relationship being over. Maybe they never did anything spontaneous, or his room used to smell, or she had an annoying laugh. Remind yourself of their bad characteristics, and be glad that you are free of them, without hating them.

Some people end up hating themselves, over what they might have done wrong or

what they could have done differently. It is self-destructive and a useless exercise to worry over something you can’t change, and could be detrimental to your self-esteem. It is okay to feel a sense of responsibility where things may have gone wrong, but don’t let it eat you up. Sometimes it just doesn’t work out. It doesn’t mean that you’re not a good person; it’s just the way of the world.

It is also very common to romanticize the relationship and remember more good than bad, so be aware that your judgment may be impaired by this. It is dangerous to re-think or over-think what has happened after the decision to end it has been made, so try to be accepting and be happy with the choice made by either you or your partner.

It’s okay to remember the good things, just

don’t forget, if it was all good, it wouldn’t have ended.

There are also some other little things you can do to help the process along. For one, stay active. Staying indoors all the time will make you feel down and sluggish. So get out and do some things! Break ups are also the chance for a new beginning: a fresh start. Have a tidy up. Breaking up is stressful so clear the clutter from your life to give you a clean break. This involves getting rid of memorabilia that will remind you of your partner – you don’t have to throw it away, just pack it up so you don’t have to see it and upset yourself. Even items associated with good memories should be packed away until some time has passed and you feel more collected.

You could also try writing down your feelings. Be honest with yourself. Writing makes you clarify your thoughts and helps you to understand them, often bringing new insights you hadn’t thought of before.

As the pain lessens, continuing to write may help you to understand what you have learnt from the experience and illuminate some valuable life lessons.

No relationship is ever a waste, even if it doesn’t work: each one is part of the journey that forms who you are, and you will always find you understand yourself better as a result of them.

Lifestyle

25/02/14

Issue 294

concrete.lifestyle@uea.ac.uk

19

UEA’s home brewing students

Jonathan Alomoto Lifestyle Writer Jonathan Alomoto meets Will Ascott, Ben Artis and Matt Harrold - who brew their own beer.

First of all, why?

Well, why not? You can get drunk on the cheap, it’s an easy process, you can create your own flavours of beer, and did we say it’s cheap?

Yes you did. How cheap exactly?

Initially picking up all the equipment can cost you up to around £40. You need a bucket, a keg, a siphon tube and a wooden spoon - they all come together in a box from Wilkinsons. Once you have all the accoutrements, you just need a beer kit which contains all the ingredients. Each beer kit costs around £12-£20 and you get around 40 pints out of each one.

explosion….

If your bottles are under filled, the air pressure can build until they blow up, painting the walls with beer and distributing glass splinters in all directions. Tank explosions are worse. In some circumstances the fumes from aging beer can ignite and explode in flames! But you have to be fairly careless for any of this to occur.

I wouldn’t want to live next door! But back to how it’s made… How, exactly, is it made?

First, pour the wort you get in the beer kit into the bucket with some sugar, stirring as you fill the bucket with the right combination of hot and cold water to control the temperature. Once you’re done stirring, add the yeast from the beer kit and put the lid on. The bucket must

have an airlock lid so that the air pressure doesn’t reach explosive levels.

What next?

It has to be left to ferment for two weeks or more - depending on the individual beer kit - but after that it’s ready to drink. However, the taste is improved significantly if you are prepared to bottle it up while adding sugar and wait for a further two weeks for the bottles to mature. It’s a shame we rarely have the patience…

Do you have any favourite brews?

We particularly enjoyed our ‘Dark Cider The Moon’ but then we were going through a Pink Floyd phase at the time.

Another favourite was our ASDA apple juice cider, which we called ‘ASDA La Vista’.

It all sounds perfect for the student market…

Unfortunately, due to hygiene requirements you need a license to legally sell homemade alcohol - although the owner of the home brew shop told us about some students who used to make homemade vodka and sell it on campus.

That sounds dangerous.

Well yeah, poorly made alcohol at high percentages can cause blindness! But apparently the vodka producers paid off their student loans within a year. Students can be pretty carefree when it comes to cheap alcohol.

Do you have a brewmaster?

Yeah, that’s Matt, but he’s allergic to beer.

Oh …

Ironic, we know. He tends to stick with cider.

That works out at around 40p per pint!

Isn’t an endless supply of extremely cheap alcohol somewhat of a health risk to yourselves?

Yeah… We’ve had to learn a little selfcontrol…

Finally, in case you’ve inspired any would-be brewers, what would be your top tip?

Don’t use the cider kits on sale, they’re way too sweet. We used bottles of ASDA apple juice instead and it came out much better, although we got some pretty weird looks in the supermarket buying three huge crates of apple juice. Alternatively you can pick your own apples but unless you enjoy the process, picking or buying apples and then pressing them can be pretty time consuming.

And aside from the self-inflicted, what other health hazards are there?

Nothing you can’t avoid by keeping your equipment sterile - if you don’t, you can end up with a pretty bad stomach afterwards. Oh, and there is the risk of

Long distance friendships Holly Wade Lifestyle Writer Having a long distance relationship can be really difficult when you’re at university. People often focus on the romantic significant other aspect to this, but what about long distance friendships as well? How can you maintain a strong friendship with your besties from home when you’re miles away for months at a time? It can be even harder if they’re at a different university too, and finding a time when both of you are free can be tough.

Texting is one of the easiest ways you can keep in contact with your friends from home, though maybe a little old fashioned. With social media changing and developing all the time there are so many more ways to keep in contact.

Whether you Facebook chat them every now and again or send them Snapchats of your daily life, keeping in touch has

probably never been easier. Everything is so quick and it only takes a matter of seconds to communicate.

Skype is another great way of catching up with your friends. Set aside an evening every few weeks and that way you can talk about all the big news in your life. Seeing them on webcam will make it seem more personal and despite the distance it will feel just like being at home and talking over a nice hot cuppa.

Flickr: chapendra

When you actually do manage to come home try to arrange it when your friends are also returning. That way you can all catch up together and it will be a lot more fun. When you’re home if you’re seriously busy with your dissertation or just need some rest from life, try to squeeze in a quick break with your friends. It will make you feel a lot better about your workload and give you a bit of space from your family too. Make

time for them and they are sure to be there for you.

No matter what you end up doing, make sure you don’t take your friends for granted, friendship is a two way street.

If you are constantly avoiding talking to your home friends when you’re at university then don’t expect them to be there for you when you are home and feeling lonely. Like any other relationship it requires give and take. But if you’re the one doing all the contacting and not getting anything back maybe it’s time to let that friendship go.

It’s ok to move on once you get to university. A lot of people find that their friends from home eventually fade from their lives. This happens to a lot of people so don’t feel like you have to keep in contact with friends from home if the friendship isn’t doing anything for you. But if you do manage to stay friends whilst at university, it’s likely that they will be in your life forever.

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concrete.lifestyle@uea.ac.uk

Issue 294

25/02/14

Beef Florentine

Hayley Musson Lifestyle Writer Serves 6 No nonsense comfort food for those cold winter evenings.

Ingredients • 700g beef mince • 450g fresh washed spinach • 400g tinned tomatoes (drain excess) • 250g mushrooms • 1 red onion • 2 cloves of garlic • 175g cream cheese • 150g grated cheddar cheese • filo pastry sheets • salt and pepper • pinch of chili powder • dried mixed herbs to season (at discretion) • olive oil Preperation Filo pastry is usually stored frozen, so make sure to thaw before use.

Preheat oven to 200C.

Lifestyle

Part One 1. Heat oil in a large frying pan.

2. Chop the onion and garlic finely and fry on high heat.

3. Add beef mince, chopped mushrooms, chili powder and all seasonings.

4. Cook until meat is browned, stir regularly.

5. Drain and add both tins of chopped tomatoes, and bring to the boil.

6. Reduce heat and cover. Simmer for 45mins to an hour. Set aside to cool.

Part Two 1.Wilt the spinach, gradually adding the leaves to a pan with tiny amount of hot water, stirring gently. Drain well.

2. Chop roughly and add to a mixture of cream cheese and grated cheese.

Combine well.

Part Three 1. Spoon meat mixture into a large baking dish (preferably ceramic).

2. Cover equally with the cheese and spinach mixture.

3. Unfold the Filo Pastry sheets and lay roughly on top of the mixture.

4. Brush or dot with a small amount of butter.

5. Cook in a preheated oven, 200C for 35minutes til golden.

Flickr: amsfrank

Cajun sweet potato wedges Lydia Clifton Lifestyle Writer The perfect snack or side dish, complete with a cajun kick!

Ingredients • 1-2 large (800g) sweet potato – to cut into rough wedges.

• olive oil • chili powder • cayenne pepper • black pepper • mixed herbs • (additional spices eg paprika are optional).

The dip soured cream (250g) chives or mint (fresh, chopped).

Preheat your oven to 200C/Gas mk 6.

Sweet potato wedges can be prepared with or without the skins. Rinse before use.

Method 1. Using a sharp knife, remove the ends of the sweet potato and cut in half lengthways. Continue to halve at an angle until you achieve rough wedge shapes.

2. In a large glass bowl, coat your wedges lavishly with olive oil.

3. Add chilli powder, mixed herbs, black pepper and cayenne pepper to taste.

4. Mix, Using your hands to rub in the spices.

5. Once you are happy with your seasoning, place wedges on a baking tray.

6. Place in the oven for 30 mins at 200C (or ‘til they begin to crisp).

Whilst they cook you can prepare the dip Sour cream and chives is a typical American favourite, and compliments the cajun spices well! Alternatively you can use creme fraiche or a natural yoghurt.

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Issue 294

Sport

25/02/14

UEA Korfball look ahead to The National Championships The UEA Korfball side have home advantage in the up and coming Championships taking place at The Sportspark next month. Lottie Hill looks ahead to what promises to be an enthralling spectacle.

Editor’s column Will Medlock Sports Editor Nostalgia shapes and defines sport like little else. We perpetually reminisce about ‘that’ goal that ensured relegation was staved off, or ‘that’ moment that made our hearts stop because of the unrivalled ecstasy or impending doom that was about to envelop us. It’s because of nostalgia that the removal of the Eisenhower Tree at the Augusta National Golf Club brings with it a sense of sadness.

The tree was given its name after President Dwight Eisenhower’s routine failure to hit a shot from the tee of the 17th hole that didn’t strike the great loblolly pine. It is thought that it irked him so much that he called for its exile.

While the United Kingdom has been enduring record breaking weather conditions over the past two weeks, leaving devastation in its wake, the tree, situated at the heart of one of the world’s most renowned and revered courses, also fell victim to the elements.

An ice storm caused significant damage, leading to its begrudging removal.

Many pundits and players have expressed their sorrow that the tree came down, despite promises from officials that it will be given appropriate recognition in the near future.

As tempting as it may be, situations such as the tree’s removal should not be classified as merely trivial. Shefki Kuqi’s strike against Crewe Alexandra in April 2005 is surely a moment of zero significance to the majority of the people reading this column. Yet, to me it is poignant for being the first goal that I saw live from the team that I would go on to endure years of heartache over (and still do). It’s moments like these that remain indelible, defining bonds between friends and family in the process.

It is without doubt the tree meant more to many than just the bark and roots it consisted of. It is because of nostalgia that the hairs on the back of our necks stand up when remembering ‘that’ penalty save or ‘that’ seemingly improbable drop kick. Or even ‘that’ tree.

When the 17th hole is approached for the first time at this year’s Masters, of which Augusta is its home, you can be sure there will be those who are saddened that the obstacle that made their lives just that little bit harder is no longer around for them to secretly bask in.

UEA Korfball club are currently preparing to host the biggest event in the Korfball calendar.

On the 8th and 9th of March 2014 The National Championships return to the Sportspark where UEA will fight to defend their title from last year.

This year there will be 16 University teams coming to Norwich compete.

Teams firstly have to compete for a place at either Northerns or Southerns and the top 4 from each are seeded. Those that fail to qualify will go on to play in Club Championships which are being hosted on the 15th of March in Cardiff.

Teams to watch this year are Birmingham, who finished first in Southerns and UEA, who topped Northerns. Both sides will be heading to the competition knowing they were the best in their region.

The exit of a number of senior international players means this year’s competiton will be a much more balanced affair, there are no outright favourites. This being said, individual players to watch are Alex Bell for Southampton, brother Ollie Bell for Cambridge, and Lizzie McCloud of Nottingham, who have all played for the

England Squad at some point.

UEA are looking in good shape to protect their title, currently being top of Division 1 in the Norfolk Korfball League.

The absence of 5 of the 6 boys, in particular England player Charlie Vogwill, who were in the winning squad last year originally meant a restructure for the team but this in no means set has them back.

Last year’s final was a tantalising spectacle, finishing 12-9 to UEA against Nottingham. The tournament was credited

for being highly organised with superb facilities and one of the best finals in student korfball.

The games are free to watch and will offer a great insight to the sport and showcase the best student korfball teams in the country. So if you’re not doing anything on the Saturday the 8th and Sunday the 9th of March come along to the Sportspark and watch some Korfball.

Games will start from 9.30 a.m and finish around 5 p.m each day.

Women’s lacrosse lose out to Nottingham despite spirited display Robert Clark Sports Correspondent After an irksome loss at home to Leicester last week, UEA Women’s lacrosse were defeated once more after losing out to Nottingham 3s at Colney Lane.

The defeat does not end UEA’s promotion push, but means that the remaining three fixtures are all must-win games if they are to win the division.

After a particularly cold snap in previous fixtures, the weather held up and UEA got off to a strong start.

The home side were matching Nottingham fairly well in fast-paced play, managing to hold them off from scoring too many goals in the first quarter, with Harriet Steggles putting one away for UEA. In the second quarter Kaho Yoshida was able to add to UEA’s tally, however Nottingham found their rhythm and were able to continually find the back of the net despite the best efforts of goalkeeper Amy Powers, who was able to see off as many as she conceded.

The third quarter saw captain of the day Olivia Peach score the third and final goal for UEA. Despite this pressure, a particularly fast Nottingham midfielder continued to cause havoc, making lengthy runs down the wings and outfoxing the UEA women

who were unable to keep pace.

The final quarter did not see UEA live up to the play of the first quarter, with a number of goals conceded. Despite this, honourable mention must go to Clare Gilchrest who prevented a good number of attempts on goal, as well as ably clearing the ball out from the defensive half.

Ultimately, the day was lost, with a final score of Nottingham 3s 16-3 UEA. The side can be proud of their efforts, after comimg up against a strong Nottingham side.

UEA Women’s now sit in second place due to goal difference, rather than points, as they look to gain promotion heading into the business end of the season.

Women’s Lacrosse BUCS Midlands 2A Standings Nottingham 3rd Leicester 1st UEA 1st Warwick 2nd Bedford 1st Northampton 1st

P Pts 8 18 8 18 8 15 9 15 93 60

UEA Fixtures: 26th February Vs Northampton 1st 05th March Vs Warwick 2nd 08th March Vs Northampton 1st

Photo: Elizabeth Leddy

Sport DERBY DAY 2014: PREVIEW 25/02/14

Issue 294

concrete.sport@hotmail.co.uk

With the annual meeting between UEA and the University of Essex just two weeks away, Will Medlock previews UEA’s chances of retaining the title Will Medlock Sports Editor It may not be able to claim the sort of proximity that Merseyside powerhouses Everton and Liverpool can, yet Derby Day for UEA and the University of Essex has every other ingredient mandatory for a compelling and competitive affair.

Victors last year, courtesy of a convincing 36-9 score, UEA have every reason to be confident of holding on to

“UEA have every reason to be confident of holding on to their crown” their crown when the teams travel the 62 miles to Essex on March 16th. Despite currently finding themselves 11 places behind Essex in the BUCS table, UEA have a number of strong outfits capable of both tightening their grasp on the respective matches won last year and atoning for the small number of losses.

The men’s rugby sides, reformed at the start of the academic year, are positioned in first and second position in their respective leagues. The men’s first team have won all 10 matches this season in their Midlands 3B league and a number

of them will take to the rugby pitches in Essex after the women’s team have attempted to claim victory in their 11:30 kick – off.

Also taking to the courts just before midday are the men’s tennis team, with the women set to complete their matches at around 6:30. Neither of the men’s outfits have enjoyed particularly successful seasons, with the second team sat in fourth spot in the Midlands 3B league and the first team finding themselves just one spot and two points off the bottom in their 2B division. However, the opportunity to claim bragging rights over their Essex counterparts may prove to be the appropriate tonic.

The men’s cricket teams will find themselves in different locations on the day, with the second team travelling to a venue off campus. Neither of the indoor sides have been particularly prolific this year but will take heart from victories for both the first and second sides last year.

Sam O’Doherty

There’ll be no shortage of confidence in the netball camp, with the first team on an impressive nine game winning run. The second team have endured a far tougher season, having claimed two wins outs of eight games. In contrast, the Essex first team are third in their South Eastern 3B league and still in with a chance of claiming the title. The two teams will face off at 10:30 on the Essex tennis courts.

While the UEA men’s squash side find themselves marginally adrift at the bottom of their league, the Essex men’s first team have fared only slightly better this season, sitting in fourth place in their 1A league. The hosts will look to use this slight advantage to gain the upper hand on UEA as they attempt to atone for their Derby Day defeat last year.

In spite of Essex’s aforementioned slender advantage over UEA in the BUCS table, there is reason for the travelling party to be hopeful of holding on to their champions status.

The memories of the emphatic win last year will provide a confidence boost for those teams who have struggled in their BUCS fixtures, while solid league form from teams such as the men’s and women’s rugby sides, the women’s netball and the men’s football first team will encourage them to dream of consecutive Derby Day victories for the university.

Moji Adegbile

A LOOK BACK: DERBY DAY 2013 Will Medlock Sports Editor There is nothing like the agonising wait for revenge to inspire athletes to run half a second quicker or to tackle with the intensity that is sometimes missing from routine league matches.

That is what made the Derby Day victory for UEA last year all the more sweeter. Essex had been clear winners in 2012’s annual meeting, ensuring that 2013s effort, on home soil, would be a chance to prevent the unthinkable for UEA. Two straight Essex wins.

It wasn’t just the quality of the opponents that stood in UEA’s way of reclaiming the honours in March 2013.

Heavy snowfall had thrown some of the outdoor matches into jeopardy, with five of the outdoor matches forced to be moved to different locations.

While American football outfit UEA Pirates saw the encounter with their Essex counterparts called off completely, volunteers worked hard to clear the tennis and netball courts.

Their efforts were rewarded as both the netball first and second teams won

their respective matches just prior to a hail storm.

By quarter past two, UEA appeared to have run away with proceedings, with the women’s and men’s badminton team having claimed victory and ballet and futsal not far behind in seeing off the visitors.

Fifteen minutes later, the downtrodden Essex finally claimed their first victory of the day, as the pole dancing team were edged out by 37 points.

As the women’s football team earned a 2-1 win at Colney Lane, the Sportspark was bouncing after the men’s hockey side came out on top in a 5-4 win.

There was slight confusion for the UEA cyclists after the officials needed extra time to determine who the winners were in the time trials amid awful conditions. Eventually, the win was awarded to the home side as UEA began to romp towards a crushing victory over their rivals.

Despite the women’s hockey team surrendering a 1-0 lead and eventually the game 3-2, the trampolining group won to all but ensure the title was UEA’s.

In arguably one of the matches of the day, the UEA men’s basketball team came from 33-26 down at the interval to

win 63-59, sending the Sportspark into raptures.

While the hundreds of spectators set to amass on the Essex campus will be hoping for this year’s Derby Day to emulate the drama of 12 months ago, the participating UEA teams would undoubtedly settle for a series of scrappy wins if it means returning to Norfolk with yet another Derby Day win in their back pockets.

Concrete will be providing live coverage of all of this year’s games via the twitter feed (@concretesport).

The Guardian

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SPORT

Issue 294 25 February 2014

Derby Day Preview

UEA Rugby first team defeat Aston to progress to the Quarter-Finals George Clemons Sports Correspondent With both UEA rugby teams already promoted in their respective leagues, the first team travelled away to Aston with plenty of support as they prepared to carry their stunning league form into the cup.

Many thought this would be the first real test for the side this year as they prepared to face an Aston outfit who sit top of their league.

Their match began tentatively, with both teams testing each other’s strengths.

Aston missed two soft penalties before Marco Merlina got the first points on the board for UEA with a simple penalty.

This provided fresh impetus for UEA to establish themselves. Quick passing from good forward work saw the ball shipped out wide to winger Kolade Awobowale who showed great strength, balance and pace to score a try in the corner.

This gave UEA added momentum, and a try from Fraser Murphy just before

half time meant the away side went into the break 15-0 up in control of the game.

The second half began as the first had ended, as UEA continued their dominance. Awobowale scored a second try before producing the standout moment of the game. Picking the ball up in his own try area, Awobowale showed outrageous pace to run around his opposite winger before sidestepping the fullback and scoring a length of the pitch try.

Five minutes later Merlina broke the gameline yet again to assist Rich Heap giving UEA a commanding 35-0 lead.

Aston scored a dubious consolation try in the final moments after UEA had produced some memorable tackles on their own tryline in a real show of commitment.

The game ended 35-7 with UEA clearly the superior dominant side and Awobowale the stand out player.

This result puts the side into the quarter final and sets up a promising tie against the winners of Warwick and Harper Adams, as UEA look to clinch a league and cup double in their first season back to competitve rugby.

Page 23

Women’s lacrosse

BUCS Men’s Rugby Union Midlands Conference Cup Quarter-Final Draw: Nottingham 3’s Vs Worchester 2’s UEA 1’s Vs Warwick OR Harper Adams

Page 22

Northampton 1’s Vs Lincoln 1’s OR Northampton 2’s

Korfball

Harper Adams 1’s OR Staffordshire 1’s Vs Coventry OR Leicester 1’s

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