Concrete - Issue 178 by Concrete - the official student newspaper of UEA.

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1ssue 178 · Wednesday, May 18th, 2005

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SHA’AP! WHY DO WE TALK LIKE TV? Page 5

DOWN ON THE FARM WITH MICHAEL EAVIS Page 7

WHO DID MARK LAWSON VOTE FOR? Page 4

WEDNESDAY 11TH PROVES UNLUCKY FOR SOME AS THE ELEMENTS CONSPIRE AGAINST UEA Helen Pike News Editor

Friday 13th came early to UEA as a series of unlucky events sprung up on campus. A fire broke out on Wednesday evening in a Common Room in Nelson Court, leaving substantial damage to the room and surrounding area. The room will now be totally out of action for a matter of weeks and an investigation has been carried out into the cause of the fire. Firefighters were called

to the scene at 7:53pm and the last of three fire engines in use that night left the university at 10pm the same evening. All of Nelson Court was evacuated from the moment the alarm was raised, yet according to sources a limited amount of security staff on duty at the time meant that students weren’t stopped when they went back into the building complaining of the cold weather. The cause of the blaze is thought to be an arson attack due to the rapidity in which the fire spread. A resident of Nelson Court said, “I was first alerted by the

alarm and the sheer stench of the fumes rising”. The investigation into the fire is now complete yet, according to Norwich fire station, the full results are still unknown as Concrete goes to press. A burst water pipe in the early hours of Thursday flooded the Hive bar, taking hours to fix. According to one of the workers at the Hive, this incident is just part of an ongoing problem with the pipe system. If you witnessed any suspicious activity close to Nelson Court on the night of the blaze, alert security staff in the Porter’s Lodge.

Firefighters had to break windows in Nelson Court to tackle the blaze last Wednesday night.

STUDENT REFUSED RIGHT TO VOTE IN GENERAL ELECTION IRISH NATIONAL STUDENT TURNED AWAY FROM UNIVERSITY POLLING STATION ON MAY 5TH Olly Haywood

Deputy News Editor A UEA student was refused permission to vote on the 5th May after controversy over Irish nationals’ right to have their say in UK parliamentary elections. Having received polling cards for both local and national elections, Aidan Burns of MTH expected to

cast his vote on the Thursday without problems, yet officials at the university polling station informed him that as an Irish national he was entitled to vote only in the local elections - even though he was born in the UK and has lived there all his life. Since permission to vote could not be granted by Norwich election officials, Mr Burns was forced to contact

the returning officer for the Norwich constituency who, it turned out, was not available. After several other phone calls, he eventually managed to talk to a helpline, who informed him that if he presented his British passport and birth certificate at the polling station he would be able to vote. After presenting all the required documents at the polling station, Aidan was

allowed to vote, but he felt that he “shouldn’t have had to go to all that trouble”. “My mother was born in the Republic of Ireland and my late father had Irish nationality and they always voted at elections in England” he added. According to Mr Burns, another Irish national was present at the polling station, who had been unable to contact anyone to gain per-

mission to vote, even though they were fully entitled to without further action. The government’s website states that to vote in parliamentary elections in the UK you must be a British citizen, a citizen of another Commonwealth country or of the Irish Republic, as well as being resident in the UK, aged 18 or over, included in the register of electors for the constituency and not

subject to any legal incapacity to vote. Mr Burns believes that officers at the university polling station were given the wrong information regarding the eligibility of Irish nationals to vote and has since attempted to contact the government’s helpdesk to inform them of the communication error. No-one has so far been available to comment.

GOOD LUCK WITH EXAMS AND ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS

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ELECTION RESULTS Labour won the election again and Norwich was no exception, the vote breakdown in this region was largely reflective of the country. Charles Clarke saw his majority fall from the 2001 elections as votes carried over to the Greens and Lib Dems. More surprising, perhaps, were the amount of Conservative votes still left in the region. Results:

Norwich South Charles Clarke (Lab) 15,904 5,000 down from 2001 Andrew AaldersDunthorne (Lib Dem) 12,251 3,000 up from 2001 Antony Little (Con) 9,567 1,000 down from 2001 Adrian Ramsey (Green) 3,101 Vote doubled from 2001 Vandra Ahlstrom (UKIP) 597 Christine Constable (English Democrats) 466 Don Barnard (Leglaise Cannabis Alliance) 219 Roger Blackwell (Workers Revolutionary Party) 85

Norwich North Ian Gibson (Lab) 21,097 Slightly reduced majority (5,459 from 5,863) James Tumbridge (Con) 15,638 Down 123 Robin Whitmore (Lib Dem) 7,616 Adrian Holmes (Green) 1,252 John Youles (UKIP) 1,122 Bill Holden (Independent) 308

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PRACTISE PLAGIARISM? STUDIES PUBLICISE THE GROWING CONCERN OF PLAGIARISM Jane Douglas and Helen Pike News Editor A new report published last month has urged universities to take further steps in order to crack down on plagiarism. Guidelines issued by the Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC), warn that plagiarism is on the increase due to the increased accessibility of information in recent years. And as most university courses today are heavily coursework based, the opportunity for students to cast off other people’s ideas as their own has got better than ever. JISC’s report states one of the main causes of plagiarism is the Internet, a fact backed up by UEA lecturer Tim Dant. Dr. Dant, who teaches Sociology, speaks as a university lecturer who spends much of his time marking coursework and dissertations when he says that “I feel angry, disappointed and frustrated by students who plagiarise”, believing that it “breaches

the trust put in you by the person who has taught and is prepared to mark the work”. The report titled, Deterring, Detecting and Dealing with Student Plagiarism quotes research from 2002 which analysed 1770pieces of work from five Australian universities, over a range of schools, and found that 8.8% contained more than 25% of un-attributed material from the internet. Two pieces were found to contain more than 75% of lifted material. Further research, carried out by the University of Glamorgan suggests that more and more students have resorted to purchasing essays, PowerPoint presentations and dissertations from commercial sales sites such as eBay, already a favourite for buying and auctioning goods in order to fund student life. The research by Mike Reddy suggests that not only do some buyers repeatedly purchase essays from the site, but that amongst the several topics available to buy is one offering advice on “how to get the dissertation

past the tutor”. However easy it is to access material and pass it off as your own, chances are that the material will be of poor quality, resulting in poor grades that can affect your whole degree. Further research from Loughborough University claims that several essays analysed contained factual errors, rendering efforts to find essays useless. Reasons why students choose to plagiarise are broad ranging but many markers and students are left frustrated at the prospect of offenders colluding or even getting away with it. Dr Dant feels upset when he suspects any of his students. “If I’m wrong it reveals a lack of trust on my part, if I’m right it reveals a betrayal of trust on theirs.” William, a third year LLT student talks of his own feelings towards plagiarism. “I get really angry at the prospect of students who are given the same project as me to do, yet aren’t honest about the source of their work and instead of putting effort in, they’re down the pub. I feel especially wound up consid-

ering the amount of hard work I often put into an assignment.” Besides being a method to get down the pub quicker, plagiarism most likely occurs through the ongoing stress of everyday life- part time jobs, extra coursework towards the end of term, particularly at this time of year and the demands of extra-curricular activities make the prospect of an easy route to a complete essay more inviting. The increasing amount of plagiarisers has now resulted in demands for universities to instigate a serious crackdown on offenders who are essentially “abusing the academic system”. As far as UEA is concerned, plagiarism is taken very seriously. Dependent upon the extent of the offence, students can face an altered mark to the extent that 0% is given. However this type of punishment isn’t consistent nationwide, a criticism made by Jisc and a problem they want to combat. One issue with plagiarism which many students have thought of is the idea of

“mistakenly” offending. The Jisc report highlighted the fact that if “students enter programmes where the ‘rules of the game’ are unclear; they might continue to use tried and tested approaches and thereby, inadvertently, plagiarise”. One first year student, who wished to remain anonymous, has, since coming to UEA, found the footnoting system confusing and is often left worried about unwittingly committing an act of plagiarism. “I end up re-reading my essays several times in the fear of being accused of something I didn’t even mean to do”. So that students don’t fall into this trap, Tim Dant advises that “all quotations and all sources for ideas, even when paraphrased in the current author’s own words, should be properly referenced so that the reader can check those sources for the context of the ideas and the current author’s accurate interpretation”.

HOW DID THE UNION OFFICERS FARE THIS YEAR? THE EXECUTIVE OFFICERS ARE ASSESSED ON THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE UNION Helen Pike News Editor

It’s been three weeks since the new part time Officers took their positions and only a couple of months until the new full time officers are in place. Concrete spoke to the officers to ask what they achieved this year and whether they kept to the promises of their manifestos. The Union of UEA Students has been extremely active this year in raising the profile of campaigns with special attention made to the environment and liberations. It has also lent a hand

to the Tsunami appeal and 2005’s Make Poverty History campaign. All of the Officers have enjoyed an input into the changes that have occurred in the past academic year. Academic officer Chris Ostrowski attributes a lot of his success to the hardworking Academic Officers before him, saying “if it was not for the work of my predecessors we would not have achieved what we have.” Achievements include the university agreeing to harmonise coursework penalties across schools of study. The combined turmoil of school committees being restructured and the library in its final stages of refur-

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bishment has made it a tricky academic year. Chris has also reported a well attended Union Council, increasing in numbers year on year, “we also ran a successful policy ballot and had more people voting in the Union elections than last year”. It’s been equally busy for Finance officer James Drakeford. James has made some procedures for clubs and societies easier, but admits there is still quite a way to go. His work has paved the way for future Finance officers to continue the improvements though. James also organised the CASA’s “with more people attending and enjoying the event”, as well as organising Derby day at UEA, totalling 29 matches. As Welfare Officer, Jo Wright has contributed substantially to each of the themed weeks that have taken place throughout the year. Jo also helped to organise the International party, as well as being on hand to support students in non-academic related issues. Cat Lumb had quite a tough act to follow when she stepped into Ned Glasier’s place as Communications Officer last August. Union publication Rabbit has continued with Cat editing it in paper and web format, informing UEA students of

upcoming events and listings. Cat has also maintained the running of the Union website, and has trained societies to create their own mini-sites. Their role being unpaid, the Union’s part time Officers have to juggle their job with the demands of their degree. Last year’s Women’s Officer Kat Bowker admitted that when she took the job on, “I had no idea what the job really entailed”. She soon discovered that she could make the position anything she wanted it to be, so set about creating a women’s group to let UEA students have a voice, and initiated several Union campaigns including a crackdown on drink spiking. Kat also organised self defence classes throughout the year and events for world women’s day. Rowena Boddington maintained her role as Publicity officer to a high extent by continuously attending Regional and National Student Union conferences. At campus level, “a lot of my job was not about ‘doing things’ myself, but helping the other officers and also clubs and societies to achieve what they wanted to.” Her role included making posters and mini-sites, assisting various campaigns such as environment week, safe-sex week and liberations week, not to mention

getting the momentum going for the Make Poverty History campaign. Joe Moon felt that as International Officer he was well rewarded in helping students whose first language isn’t English to communicate with the rest of UEA. He also contributed a commendable amount to the International party. Shah Rahman as societies Officer helped to maintain the running of UEAs societies, as well as helping to train committees in the upkeep of the websites. He also won a CASA for services to the Union of UEA students. Andy Higson will remain on the Union executive committee for the next year, moving from Envrionment Officer to Communications Officer. Andy organised Environmental week in Autumn semester, and there has been a regular stall in the Hive dedicated to giving away free energy saving lightbulbs. Helen Davis as Sports Officer has continued the fight to keep Wednesday afternoons free for sports. Sportsnight socials have remained a permanent feature on the weekly Union calender. Fran Stapleton, Liberations Officer, organised a very successful Liberations week as well as Mental Health week.

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THEFTS Police are appealing for information following the theft of a bike from The Forum in Norwich at around 2.45pm on Sunday 8th May. The cycle was a silver Marin mountain bike with red forks, worth around £800. Police are also asking for information about a burglary in York Street, Norwich, which happened between 9.30pm on Friday 6th and 8.30am on Saturday 7th May. Stolen items included a Sony DVD player and a Ford Fiesta registration AU03 YRN.

ASSAULT

Two teenage boys were victims of an assault at Mercy nightclub on Saturday 30th April. The incident occurred at approximately 10.15pm when the boys were punched repeatedly in the face by two unknown men. Anyone with any information on the above events should contact Norwich police on (01953) 424242 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

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Former communications officer Wayne Barnes has recently been appointed as one of only six full time referees for the Rugby Football Union. Wayne Barnes known to many as ‘Wursel’ was communications officer at UEA four years ago and was also the initiator of ‘Rabbit’ the Student Union newsletter.

BEATING OFF COMPETITION CMP STUDENTS TAKE HOME £3000 IN UNIVERSITY’S BUSINESS PLAN CONTEST

Isabel Dyson Three UEA students have won a leading prize in the University of East Anglia’s Annual Business Plan competition. The business group, Techlim, is made up of computer science students, Luke Jefferson, Iain Toft and Mike Powell who won £3000 in the competition. Techlim triumphed in the competition after developing an alternative market place for buyers and sellers to interact and exchange commodities in an original and innovative framework. Veteran of the competition, student Luke Jefferson, had previously won first prize in 2003 with his FarbenTech idea that corrects colours for colourblind computer users. In order to win the UEA competition, Techlim had to beat off tough competition from several unique business ideas, including a com-

pany providing research and evaluation services in the social care arena and a website for buying and selling specialist books. Winner Iain Totf said: “We are delighted to win the business plan competition. We intend to pursue our venture further and hope to maintain the working relationships forged as a result of the competition.” The Univeristy of East Anglia’s Research and Business Services division runs the competition and aims to accelerate business ideas and encourage entrepreneurship among students and staff at UEA and the Norwich Research Park. Entrants submitted business plans for entrance into the competition in January that detailed the target market for their proposed product or service, research into demand, and financial projections for their companies. Five finalists were picked from competitors and pitched their ideas to a panel of seven judges, including representatives from

EX-UEA OFFICER BECOMES REF Claire Bull

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Barnes decided to pack in a career in criminal law in order to become the RFU’s youngest ever full time referee. While studying at UEA Barnes played rugby for the university team on Wednesdays and refereed on Saturdays, his progression through the ranks was rapid. Just four years after graduating from UEA he has put aside aspirations of becoming a barrister to take this fantastic opportunity.

Wayne’s performance has been well received by Colin High manager of the RFU’s elite referees ‘‘Wayne’s appointment will be a great boost to the elite game. It’s encouraging to see somebody so young progress in the profession”. Wayne Barnes is an inspiration to students at UEA his dynamic personality and passion for Rugby have landed him in a position many rugby fans can only dream of.

The proud winners of the UEA Annual Business Plan competition receive their prize. Moneyfacts, EDP, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Mills and Reeve, HSBC and Lovewell Blake. The judges were particularly impressed with the quality of the finalists and acknowledged the importance of the

competition to stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship within the university and Norwich Research Park. Rob Marshall, director of Research and Business Services at UEA and compe-

tition organiser said: “The competition promotes new ideas within the university and provides a great incentive for people who have ideas and wish to take the next step to starting a new company.”

FUTURE’S GREEN FOR NORWICH Olly Haywood Deputy News Editor The Green Party made history this month as Norfolk candidate Andrew Boswell won a seat on the County Council, loosening the grip of three-party politics in Norfolk. With a vote of 2135 – up from just 355 in the last election - the party exceeded all expectations with a majority of 900. New County Councillor

Andrew Boswell said “the Greens now have representation not just at City level, but at County level. This means that Green sympathizers all over Norfolk now have someone to speak for them; and it means that our voice will be heard not just in Norwich, but across the whole County.” Mr Boswell added: “I am proud to serve at County Hall, and to voice our highlydistinctive Green concerns – such as ethical investment,

sustainable planning and transport policies, and opposition to all privatisation including all ‘PFI’ schemes – there and beyond.” The Greens narrowly missed winning a second seat in Wensum ward, and also secured several third places in seats across Norwich and Norfolk. On average, the Green vote across Norfolk doubled from the elections four years ago to over 8% - 17,635 individual votes.

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UEA Islam Society Branches Out WHAT IS YOUR WORLDVIEW? The UEA Islamic Society is trying to create a new perception of Islam in Britain. The society is recognised nationally for the work it does in promoting Islam and helping new students settle at UEA. They want to forge a culture of tolerance and understanding in a world that is quick to judge. Clare Bull reports.

his month the Islamic society is organising a series of events towards the end of May as part of an Islam awareness week. This society at UEA has been described as one of the leading multinational groups in Norfolk. The popular scholar Shabir Ally will be giving a series of three talks on a variety of subjects. The talks are free and open to everybody. Mansour Almazroui, the president of the society, says that he hopes the events will be multi-faith gatherings which will help further establish a positive, informed view of Islam within the UEA. The Islamic society was set up in the 70’s and has been expanding ever since. The events planned should help to make all students aware of the society and its many functions, which range far further than simply the campus Mosque. The Islamic society of UEA is a body that represents the Muslim community which is a central element of the religious diversity within the campus. As such, it welcomes new students when they come to UEA and helps them establish themselves as part of the growing Muslim community. The society aims to dispel ideas that Islam is an ‘aggressive’ religion and instead aims to demonstrate the peaceful nature of the religion. The society wishes to take on any issues that Muslim students at UEA may have, and to refer these issues to the appropriate welfare bodies within the university. Mansour Almazroui says ‘we members of the UEA Muslim community are grateful for the help that we have received through the university over the years’. The society is overseen by a ‘Shoura’ council, which represents Muslim students of UEA as well as

Members of the UEA Islamic Society enjoy the breaking of their Ramadan fast. the wider Muslim community within Norwich. It also maintains an excellent relationship with the Dean of Students. The council consists of members from the society and the Norfolk and Norwich Muslim association, which is a registered charity. The Council is keen to reiterate that it is a ‘non-political and nonpartisan’ body, and the aims of the council are to take care of the day-to-day running of the Mosque, as well, of course, as advancing the peaceful and law abiding cause of Islam. The society wants to build a strong and healthy relationship between Muslims and Christians. Recently Members of the society visited St Thomas’

Church in Norwich and members of the Church have also visited the Mosque on campus. The Society has regular contact with Christians and this interaction is beneficial to both communities as understanding is essential if we are to maintain a friendly multi-cultural atmosphere at UEA. The society is especially supportive for students during Ramadan, when Muslim students are fasting and therefore may feel isolated (as well as hungry!). The society organises an ‘Iftar’ where students can celebrate the breaking of their fasts together in the mosque. In addition, every year the society undertakes to ensure that the two Eids of Ramadan and Hajj can be celebrated in a communal and joyful manner. A member of the society enthuses how ‘it’s an active society that gives me the opportunity to practice my beliefs freely, and without restrictions’. They feel that ‘the provisions of the services that the society offers are an important part of the non-discriminatory policy that UEA boasts’.

uslim students hope that the ‘Islamic Week’ talks will help clarify the role and rights of women in Islam, a topic which has been the focus of much media attention and criticism over the last few years. Within the Islamic society, apart from being able to attend the mosque and also being active in other ways, the ‘sisters’ also hold separate gatherings once a week. These gatherings have a strong social element and are open to all female students and staff, as well as visitors to UEA. In order to draw attention to these issues, and dismiss many ‘unfair’ assumptions, there will be a talk on ‘The role of women in Islam’ as part of the awareness week. The ‘sisters gatherings’ are said to provide an excellent opportunity to ‘‘get to know each other [as women] and build bridges among themselves’’.

However as time goes on the society is successfully striving to improve the welfare of all Muslim students. Recently the society has helped organise the serving of Halal food in ‘Zest’ on campus one night of the week and talks are continuing at the moment to expand this service further. Membership of the society has grown rapidly over the past few years, due partly to an increase in British and international Muslims studying in the schools of medicine and pharmacy on campus. When it first began, prayers were said in what is now the small prayer room on Suffolk Terrace, which has recently been refurbished. This quickly became too small, especially for Friday prayers, and these had to be held in common rooms. It was not until 2001 that the current temporary mosque building was opened. Mansour Almazroui says that even now during busy periods members are often forced to pray outside as the Mosque is too small to accommodate all those who need to pray. It is hoped that before long a new permanent mosque will be built for the growing UEA Muslim community. The society has forged many friendships, and is doing excellent work to spread a positive and peaceful perception of Islam within and beyond the university. Long may it continue to provide an inclusive and informative service for all students, where we may celebrate not only our similarities, but also the diversity of the students and staff populations at UEA. Some facts about Islam - Islam is not named after a person. Christianity is taken from Christ, Buddhism from Gotama Buddha. Islam is an Arabic word that means the submission of one’s will to the only God worthy of worship, Allah. It also implies peace. - The Holy Islamic scripture is the Qur’an and the building for communal worship is called a mosque. - The religion is over 1300 years old. It began in Arabia and was revealed to humanity by the prophet Muhammad in the 7th century. - There are an estimated 1.3 billion Muslims in the world, making it the second largest religion after Christianity. This is also true in Britain, where there between 1.5 and 3 million Muslims. - There are two main groups of Muslims in the world. Sunni Muslims comprise 90% of the population. The other main group are the Shi’ite Muslims. - There are five pillars of Islam. They are: 1) Shahadah: A declaration of faith. 2) Salat: Ritual prayer five times a day. 3) Zakat: Giving a fixed proportion of income to charity. 4) Sawm: Fasting (most notably during Ramadan). 5) Hajj: The pilgrimage to Mecca, the Islamic Holy City in Saudi Arabia. Every Muslim who is able is expected to make this pilgrimage at least once in his or her lifetime.

Some Muslim students have to pray outside until a permanent Mosque is built and can house them all.

ollowing hours upon hours of surveys and interviews, the Worldview Survey sponsored by the Christian Union has stumbled upon a not so remarkable finding: The majority of UEA students cannot identify themselves with any life philosophy. According to the computed analysis, while 72% of respondents professed at least foundational or significant existentialist views, only a small minority realised they held such. Based on extensive follow-up interviewing of survey participants, strong levels of existentialism were generally the ‘default’ worldview and often represented a lack of critical thought concerning personal beliefs. The survey claims that existentialists rarely recognized the implications of creating their own meaning and reality, namely the possibility of moral anarchy and a dismantling of rudimentary logic. However, those respondents who scored higher in naturalist and nihilist philosophies tended to have reflected more on their worldview and its ramifications. While those with nihilist philosophies only garnered 6% of the participants, students with nihilist leanings were considerably more introspective. Believers of nihilistic philosophies often held an evolved variant of existentialism that, while less positive, claimed to acknowledge the logical sociological and spiritual endpoints of an atheistic universe. Those who adhered to the more dominant philosophy of naturalism or its leanings emerged heavily from an educational background in the sciences. This group of 23% had also significantly reflected on their worldview. This was most likely in light of an academic discipline which, on a biological level, typically rejects any theistic possibilities. In addition, while only 8% of students professed dominant new age/pantheist philosophies, the large percentage of students who dabbled in them were of two cross-sections. One was made of students from East-Asian cultures which were exposed to such beliefs by their family and culture. The other section was symbolic of a group wanting more of a meaningful existence than that of the atheistic philosophies, but unsure of the means by which to achieve it. These students rarely had any formal exposure to pantheism, but in light of most western philosophies being found unconvincing, created their own beliefs out of individual emotional, intellectual or psychological needs. The primary explanations included the desire for an afterlife after death and wanting to avoid the ‘self-deification’ or hedonistic worldview that they believe came with existentialism. In addition to the nihilists the students who most often reflected the highest level of critical thought in determining beliefs were theists and deists. Though they represented only 15% and 5% of the survey participants respectively, these students consistently spent the most time in philosophical introspection, and did so through both private reflection and communal participation (i.e. Churches, Mosques). Theists scored by far the highest in intellectual consistency, which can be attributed to both the practice of their spirituality and through the philosophically unifying effects of organized theology. However, intellectual consistency was not a mark of critical thought in all categories outside of theism. Those who followed along some line of nihilism, naturalism, deism or pantheism were often much more intellectually engaged than their purely existentialist counterparts. Their inconsistencies were not the result of poor logic, but often rather a worldview that was in flux and in continual evolution. There also existed a strong correlation between philosophical awareness and religious backgrounds. Students who were exposed to any religion through one or more parents or grandparents usually possessed a broader understanding of all philosophies, while students with no religious background typically knew little about competing belief systems. Based on the interviews, no student without significant religious education or background was aware of the basic doctrines of any of the three major monotheistic religions. General perceptions of organized religions tended to lump them without distinction, wrongly assuming that organized religions professed doctrines that were in general harmony with one another. Yet, in spite of these results, the overwhelming majority of students surveyed said they believed that a UEA education gave good exposure to other mainstream religions, but not to the extent where one could fairly except or reject any one religion.

THEISM - Defined here as Christian Theism, which dominated Western thinking for centuries. Belief in God, that he created our world, that he seeks to be involved with us, that he bestowed dignity on us at creation. God, being good, defines the standards of goodness and morality. LOVE: We can love because we were created in the image of a loving God. MURDER: Is wrong because it violates God’s moral command, written in his word and on our conscience. DEISM - After the scientific revolution, scientists saw that many things could be explained by natural causes. Consequently, God’s role in dealing with people and the universe seemed to be less significant. However, the deists did not eliminate God altogether. He was there but he was, for the most part, irrelevant. Deism is therefore the philosophical bridge from theism to naturalism. LOVE: As theism. MURDER: Is wrong because it violates the “natural order”. NATURALISM - By the 19thC, naturalism won the day among intellectuals who, in their excitement over the reliability of science, decided that ALL things could be explained by natural causes; God was therefore deemed not only irrelevant but non-existent. The initial euphoria over the grand promise of science to explain all has since worn off as people have realised the limits of science in answering some age-old questions about humanity (e.g. love, evil, morality, etc.). LOVE: Is really just a fancy description of the human instinct to propagate its species. MURDER: Is deemed “wrong” by societies because people recognise that it is in their own evolutionary survival interests to do so. NIHILISM - The “logical conclusion” of and a powerful critique of naturalism. If there is no God, and all things are merely the products of natural forces, then a human is really no better than a snail or even a boulder. The only difference being that our molecules are arranged differently (as a result of a random, directionless evolutionary process.) In that case, life has no purpose; concepts like love and morality and justice are meaningless. LOVE: Is meaningless as a term that describes anything more than having sex to propagate the species. MURDER: Also a meaningless moral term; if society deems it “wrong” to kill in one instance, what if it decides in another that it is permissible (Nazi Germany)? EXISTENTIALISM - The attempt to rise above the gloom of nihilism and restore meaning and purpose to life. The existentialist does not oppose naturalism but rather seeks to go beyond it by saying that humans are unique in that they can and should create meaning for themselves. Note the subtle but important contrast with theism: Both identify meaning, morality, value, etc., but while the theist looks to God for an absolute standard, the existentialist looks to himself alone. Some would say the philosophical problem of this world view is that if we all decide for ourselves what is right, wrong, valuable...then what happens if we disagree? LOVE: A concept created by each individual in his/ her attempt to add some meaning to an otherwise meaningless existence. MURDER: Is “wrong” if the individual decides it is wrong. (Most individuals just happen to decide it is wrong because they don’t want to be murdered). PANTHEISM / NEW AGE - The New Age Movement is primarily an eastern world view (pantheistic monism) adapted to western thinking. New Age thinking seems to be gaining greater acceptance as

people tire of the spiritual emptiness of the atheistic world views but refuse to return to their theistic roots. Among other things, this worldview elevates nature and denies theistic claims of a personal God who created us, asserting instead that we are all ‘divine’. Proponents of this view even claim that its concepts defy explanation and simply need to be “experienced” rather than understood. All distinctions & categories, including moral ones, will ultimately disappear as we realise our oneness with all things; there-

fore little attention is given to moral questions such as love and murder since this would be promoting the “illusion” of such distinctions. However, love might well be redefined in terms of “cosmic harmony” and murder as the taking of any life, human or otherwise.

Colin Kerr

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, 2005

Opinion ROSS GRAINGER

SI, OUI, JA: SAY YES TO THE EU

ow that the general election is done and dusted we can get ready for another vote, the outcome of which is a lot less predictable. It’s the referendum on whether to adopt the European Constitution. The European Constitution was drafted in November 2004, but it must be approved by all 25 member states by October 2006, through either national referendum or parliamentary vote, before it becomes law. Spain, Italy, Malta, Slovenia, Hungary and Lithuania have already done this. France is voting on the 29th of May. The argument I put forth in this article as to why we should vote ‘yes’ will be for naught if France votes no. The constitution was drafted under a deal that is tenuous at best: if just one member state votes against it then the whole thing stalls. But France is no

ZOA MATELLA

A RANT ON THE STUDENT UNION UEA student union, ‘run by the students, for the students’ the slogan proudly proclaims. Yes, we all know they do great things: the redevelopment of the Hive, the improvement of the lighting on Colney Lane playing fields, and more recently the part-time ban on smoking upstairs in Union House. So it’s all lovely. Unless of course you’re a smoker (you can go and stand in the rain), or an employee. Then it gets interesting. First and foremost their recruitment process is intriguing. Not only can you get a job if you know ‘the right people’, but if you’re “pretty and

IAN McSHANE

A RANT

ell better late than never. For the past three years I’ve been watching this strange world spin by from the

ordinary member (no offence, Luxembourg). France was one of the six founding members of the EU in 1953, when it was the European Steel and Coal Community. Come to think of it, so was Luxembourg, but as the latter half of the 20th century progressed, France became one of the leading members of the European Union and its most vociferous supporter. France is synonymous with the EU. Them leaving would be like Manchester United dropping out of the Premiership. If France votes no, bad stuff will happen. No one is exactly sure how bad that stuff will be, but several doomsday scenarios are likely. The constitution will certainly be dealt a deadly blow. Indeed the entire concept of a European Union will be endangered. Groups such as UKIP will party so hard that the rest of us will be in danger of getting caught up in the moment and thinking that it’s a good thing that the EU is collapsing. The first and perhaps most redundant reason for maintaining the EU is peace. When the EU was formed from various coal and steel companies in 1953, Europe was very different. The Eastern half was under the thumb of the Soviet Union. Portugal and Spain

were dictatorships and no one would have ruled out something even worse than the World War that ended just eight years earlier. Today, war is unthinkable. This argument actually seems like a waste of column space, so pervasive is peace within the EU. The most favourable and useful of the EU’s benefits, particularly for students, is the ease with which one can now travel around the EU. I passed through Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania with just a brief passport check and a smile (from me, at the ease with which it was all happening). Before the EU expansion last May getting to countries like these was a nightmare. And if, on your EU travels, you come across a place you love, you can work there without too much hassle. That’s one of the fundamental purposes of the EU: to make it easy for people to work, study and travel in member states. But we’re not voting on whether we like the EU, at least we’re not supposed to be. We’re voting on whether to adopt the EU Constitution. The two, though, are one and the same for most of us. This vote will be a vote for or against the EU, such is the deal we, the electorate, have been given: vote yes or we’re out of the EU.

Perhaps the constitution deal the members made in November was crafty rather than tenuous. So since we’re officially voting on the Constitution it’s necessary to point out why it’s a good thing. It’s not going to make the EU a superstate. Our laws are not all going to be made in Brussels. As Gordon Brown said recently in an interview with Channel Four: all of the things that Britain did not want in the Constitution are not in there. We still have vetoes on taxation, foreign policy and defence. Broadly speaking the Constitution will make the EU simpler. For example, the current policy of rotating the President every six months between nations will be replaced with a single President elected by the European Council (which is composed of the leaders of members states), and the President will then serve for two and a half years. It gives more continuity to the system and gives the EU’s leadership a stable face. But it won’t be a President like the US and France have. This President will be subject to the Council and will not have broad executive powers. The Constitution also strengthens the power of the EU parliament. The EU Commission proposes legislation,

and the EU Parliament debates it and decides whether to pass it. And since we get to elect the members, expanding its power is good for us. Eurosceptics say that the Constitution will mean that the EU gets to impose more of its laws on member states regardless of what member states want. EU law is absolute in those areas where it has the right to be absolute. Those areas are the same today as they were when Britain joined the EU in 1973. We have vetoes on matters that we deemed important, and since the procedure for creating and then imposing EU law hasn’t changed, there is a really a lot of fuss over nothing. That’s what people forget: we’ve been in the EU since 1973. Our country has improved and Europe has improved. Look at all the countries in Europe. With the exception of Switzerland and Norway, all the countries in the EU are enourmously better off than those not in it. We must vote in favour of the constitution. But since that vote is not until next year, you should hang onto this piece. Until then, ring any French friends you have and tell them to vote yes on the 29th of May.

have nice boobs” you can start immediately. I’m sure the people on the waiting list who get ignored won’t mind, all two hundred of them. I don’t have to tell you that this is not the process we would expect from a union who claims to be democratic and fair. Have you ever noticed that the girl-to-guy ratio is so high behind the bars and in the shops? No? Take a look. Who’s actually running the Student Union? Who’s governing the governors? I can assure you it isn’t us students, none that I know anyway, and it sure as hell isn’t beneficial or fair either, even if you are only staff. No written contract. Countless early morning finishes - or someone else will have your job - not to mention a notable absence of health and safety training. Let’s be honest, working for the Union doesn’t score high on the security scale, or ostensibly the legal one come to mention it. But it’s the Student Union, and it’s ‘run by us, for us’ so they must know what’s

best. Did the Union Council decide this when they were renovating the Hive? Or trying to make poverty history? It’s unlikely. So it’s just a business after all, and a poorly run one at that. Take this example: The Student Union insists that the workforce reapply for their jobs, and then refuses to continue their employment. But why? ‘Policy Reasons’ apparently. Is it possible that the employers are trying to cut costs? Yes, except the replacements are already rolling in, so it’s hardly a saving in cash (I wonder if they were on the waiting list). Maybe a company that’s getting rid of substandard workers. Sub-standard? What standard?! Does a business that fails to supply written contracts provide work standards? Well apparently the Union does, though they are not displayed in any of the staff areas, and are not shown to anyone during their training, which, whilst I’m here, more or less consists of ‘here’s a tshirt and off you go’.

Or was the whole thing just a well-disguised witch-hunt? That’s the million-dollar question. How does a business get rid of staff that can’t work late nights because of early seminars, who have a recurring illness, or simply have an essay deadline looming? None are sackable offences, this is a Union of Students after all, but they’re not ideal for an employer. Maybe I’ve already told you the answer: Maybe they mark everyone against a set standards without telling them, then inform them that they have to re-apply for their job and don’t offer them the position. Did this idea come from the Union Council? Was this decided ‘by students for students’? Clearly not. But whoever it was, so much for our welfare. The victimised now have to find a way to pay for fees and accommodation next year. Congratulations, the coup de gras has been successful, against who it’s obvious, but by who remains a mystery. Unfair dismissal

indeed. Is the fact that an employee “doesn’t smile all the time whilst working”, as in more than one case, enough to force them out? And as for “unwillingness to work unsociable hours”, what have they been doing until two in the morning multiple times a week whilst everybody else is partying in the LCR? Beats me. But anyway, surely these are things that should be said quietly, noted areas for improvement, not victimised oustings. Being run by the students, the promoters of equal rights and justice, you would think that our Student Union would treat it’s staff better. Yes the UEA union of Students is a valuable asset. They fund our societies, look after our environment, welfare and women etc. They provide our on-campus food, papers, stamps and drinks, but do the students really know how it works? Is it really run by us? Not the parts that I’ve seen. Is it ‘for’ us students? Definitely not this one.

squashed shelter of my residency window. I suppose I should begin with UEA. I love it. Food, fun, gigs, discos, clubs, socs, we’ve got it all. The lake, the square, the LCR, the Sportspark. Who’s complaining? I want to meet them and tell them to get their head out their arse and realise something: it doesn’t get any better than this. And top-up fees? Ha! Oh, please don’t make me pay £3,000 a year, then I won’t have any money to get pissed,

and my mates and I will have to cancel our trip to Amsterdam. Tutition fees - do you have any idea how much money you spend on an average night out? Of course you don’t - You’re pissed! The student loan is sufficient, and if you spend it all on drugs and booze that’s your fault. And if you don’t like it, where you gonna go? The USA? Ha! Over there they pay £20,000 a year. You know why I hate elections? They bring up things like top-up fees and go on and on about how the country is going to hell. Hell? Please. You want to complain about the NHS? Fine. But you better not be one of the boozers who cost the NHS £1.7 billion a year. If there are problems with the NHS it is because we are a country of boozing kebab lovers with short tempers and big guts. Our binge drinking, increased obesity and sedentry lifestyles are why the NHS suffers. Go anywhere in the world. National health care doesn’t get much better than

this. The Pope? A scoundrel. And does anyone find the idea of an emaciated 82 year-old virgin pontiff giving contraceptive advice a tad...ridiculous. And the new Pope? Couldn’t care less. Come on, religious people. I used to be religious too, but let’s face facts. The Bible is a collection of books filled with a load of crap that has cost more human lives than car crashes and guns combined. Religion is going the way of the late John Paul. Read ‘Brave New World’. Israel? Now I’m not expert, but it seems to me that the Palestinians are somewhat indigenous to that area whereas as white Israeli jews are not. What basis does Israel have for setting up shop in the heart of the Middle East? Oh yes, the Bible. Why not Siberia? If you ask Russia nicely I’m sure they’ll give you Siberia. The world? Well, it runs on contradictions, sly deals and a total lack of morals. We champion human rights and then buy oil from Saudi Arabia, where they behead homosexuals. We say we want to make poverty history, but we, like most western nations, can’t even find .7% of our budget for foreign aid. We say have a special relationship with the US, but we haven’t done anything special. And speaking of the USA, I have to say this. I lived in the USA from 1996 to 2004. I am graduating with a degree in American Literature with creative writ-

ing. having spent these past three years studying everything American. From that, my time there, and all the things I read about it I have come to a conclusion that has been bubbling inside me, waiting to be released. America is f***ed up. Well and truly. Americans are nice people for the most part. But they are trapped in a country and a culture that is pure poison, run by a government that is just an amalgamation of various huge corporations. Where does one begin? 60 million Americans voted for George W. Bush. There’s the War in Iraq, the 30% adult obesity rate (not overweight, obese), the shamelessly biased Fox News Channel, the addiction to oil, the 40 million people without health insurance. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. America is sinking in a pit of consumerism, greed and endless adverts. I had fun there, and I have some great friends who are Yanks. It can be a wonderful country. But on the whole I do not hesitate to call it f***ed up. It is. Anyone can see that, even Americans (usually the ones who voted for Kerry). And while America is the most powerful country in the world we must be relentless in our criticism of it, the way people criticise the biggest football clubs, like my favourite - Hull City. So thank you for allowing me to spew forth the feelings I have been collecting for these past three years. I love you, UEA. It doesn’t get much better than this.

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PROTESTORS PUNISHED

SUMMED UP

Lancaster University are attempting to suppress criticism of controversial activities on their campus

Amount of money pledged by the UK towards the international immunization adults and children = The annual cost to the NHS of the elderly falling over = The annual sales of organic food in UK (now the world's largest organic producer) =

ÂŁ1 billion Rise in share of the votes for the Green Party's Adrian Ramsey this general election = Rise in the number Brits visiting abroad this year =

concrete.turf@uea.ac.uk 9

ix students and members of the local community are facing jail for taking part in a peaceful demonstration against multinational corporations meeting at the university in September 2004. There are now wide fears that this could set a precedent in other universities and discourage other students from raising their voices.

UEA has witnessed more than its share of protests, the largest of which involved hundreds of students joining together to show their anger towards the new top up fees. Now, with many of our faculty and students alike growing increasingly concerned about the lack of democracy here at UEA, this news will strike a worrying chord. Protestors at Lancaster University went into a lecture theatre to hand out leaflets and talk to people at the

"Corporate Venturing" Conference - a networking meeting for multinational corporations. The conference played host to speakers from controversial arms manufacturer BAE Systems, Shell and other companies with reputations of human rights abuses and environmental destruction. The protesters were also bringing attention to the commercialisation of university research. Some of delegates to the conference were drawn into with the protestors while security removed others from the lecture theatre. The demonstration then continued outside. The police were called even though the demonstrators were still doing nothing illegal. Five months later all six received a court summons for Aggravated Trespass. The 1994 Criminal Justice Act defines this crime as a trespass 'with intent to intimi-

date, obstruct or disrupt'. It carries a maximum sentence of three months imprisonment. As trespass is a civil offence and the university's approval was needed to press charges, this means that the university is punishing its own students in favor of the multinational groups they were opposing. Said one of the students involved â&#x20AC;&#x153;it is wrong, and in the long term counterproductive, for an academic institution to ignore such concerns, let alone to prosecute those who raise them.' Students from around the country are now being called upon to lend their support. This can be done primarily by writing Lancaster University's Vice Chancellor Paul Wellings and letting him hear your discontent. For further details visit: http://www.freewebspace.biz/GeorgeFox/index.html

The unemployment rate in of Britain =

Drop in the acid rain chemical Sulphur Dioxide since 1990 (though still nearly at the million tonne mark) = Proportion of the population of Kazakhstan who have running water = Percentage of Americans who support stem cell research =

74 %

TURF RAPS ITSELF UP

s concrete raps up for another year, so does its environmental section. This year we've reported on the changes taking place from the city and its markets to the university and its ever controversial car park plans. We've seen the Kyoto Protocol finally ratified, and the election of a new Environment officer. But what does the future hold? Next year we will host a number of debates with the focus, it seems, on the University's food sources. We have already examined the issue of free range eggs, and our Environment Officer is calling for a closer look at the locality of the food that is sold on campus. Turf will act as both a forum and notice board for a range of groups as we work to tighten up UEA's environmental policies. We would like to encourage as many students as possible to take a lead in some of these campaigns. Plans to devel-

op focus groups to tackle many of these issues are being formed for an early start next year. If you would like to be part of the decision making process and have your say on transport, food or energy policy please contact the Turf page to find out when and where these groups are setting out their agenda for 2005.2006. Once again we must remember the reputation that our University has in the field of Environmental Studies and the prestigious bodies, such as the Tyndall Climate Research centre, that the UEA boasts. It is down to the student body to insure that this isn't tarnished by damaging policies that may come by or may need changing. Finally, keep Turf in mind as you enjoy your long summer break. We would love to report on the green causes that have been fought in our absence when we return. There are plenty of ways to make you summer greener. Keep it sustainable, and see you all next year.

TREE OF THE FORTNIGHT We are proud to bring you one last Tree of the Fortnight. It was with lingering sentimental memories of all those past trees we have visited that we chose the Castanea sativa as the final tree to hold this prestigious title. For the many of us leaving the university the Sweet Chestnut will likely be the last of UEA's great plants that we see. Scattered along the road that links the union house with the wide world outside, the chestnuts will be waving the long leaves goodbye. It's just such a pity that we won't be here for the last few days of summer, as the Castanea's leaves turn gold. Some may demand reasons for this tree not honored sooner, but they will fall silent in respect for our foresight and a realisation that this is a perfect tree to end our journey upon. Height: 50 - 100 ft Spread: 25 - 50 ft Shape: Mounded Foliage: up to 8 inch with heavy veins and sharp teeth Flower: Small plain monoecious flowers Fruit: Perfectly edible chestnuts And what of the Tree of the Year? Turn to The Enquirer p. 15.

Castanea sativa

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LATE FOR THE SKY

was struck by a Jackson Browne song that I was listening to on the train the other day. It was the second song on ‘Late for the Sky’, an album that will send you willingly into a deep melancholia, a real whimsical taste of life from one of the great voices of a wholesome America that sadly feels long gone when you listen to it now. The first verse is an anecdote of looking through photographs and finding a picture of ‘you’, we assume a loved one. It remembers the moment of capturing the image of this person and the line that really caught me was the final one: ‘And at the moment that my camera happened to find you, there was just a trace of sorrow in your eyes.’ Of course, the more cynical of you will scoff at this, an old cliché, ‘who let this naive pop-lyric lover into the world-hardy realm of student journalism?’ You’ll have to trust me, if you don’t know his stuff, Jackson Browne’s voice would breathe richness, depth and life into an M People song. But whether you ever hear it or not (Browne, not M People), allow the concept of the line to warm its way into your steel hearts for the next thousand or so words and the significance of this little moment of mine will become clear. Sri Lanka has perhaps, since late December of last year, become synonymous with ‘Tsunami’. As one of the worst affected areas of the devastating catastrophe, Sri Lanka is a country we all suddenly heard a great deal more about than usual. Now, after the Hollywood hype has died down I doubt we give a great deal of thought to the little island south of India. Interestingly enough, it was my intention to write a piece about Sri Lanka before disaster struck, I have been an unofficial advertiser of the place since my gap year trip there three years ago. Yet it still somehow seems insensitive to write about the country without respecting the gravity of what it endured, courtesy of Mother Nature’s random and chaotic twists and turns. My own experience of Sri Lanka was long before

Concrete Wednesday, May 18 , 2005 th

TRAVEL Some people come and go out of our lives, and some people stay with us Rob Castell tells us of a Sri Lankan family which has stayed with him.

the tsunami, and yet the defining image of my trip has even more importance for me now. Having been truly spoilt on our week in Colombo, the country’s capital, my friend Craig (a Sri Lankan himself) and I were heading for the North East of the country. We had, up to this point, dined in Western hotels, relaxed in tourist beach spots and been treated to fine hospitality from Craig’s wealthy relatives. I was wondering when this hardcore gap year danger stuff was going to happen, not that I was looking very hard. But I hadn’t even had diarrhoea yet, it was all rather easy. Anyway, we were persuaded by a friend of Craig’s cousin that a trip to Trincomalee would really stimulate our young adventurous minds. This friend was nicknamed Mr T. and he was to guide us on this intrepid chapter of our travels. He was so called because of an uncanny physical resemblance to the lovable brute, but also because he lived the testosterone-fuelled, no-nonsense life of the A-team hard man. He entertained us all with stories of hunting, close encounters with wild elephants and near run-ins with the infamous Tamil Tigers. The terrorist group was under ceasefire when we were there, but nevertheless, we were heading for war zone territory in Trincomalee, complete with regular army checkpoints and barbed wire strung up between trees beside empty dusty daunting roads.

rincomalee had essentially become something of a ghost town, or perhaps not the town itself, but certainly the surrounding area and anywhere north of it. Twenty years of fierce fighting had meant a huge area of the country had become an uninhabitable wasteland. Land mines were densely planted and only when the army gathered enough cows to herd through and explosively clear the way (a cruel and bizarre spectacle I imagine) were areas safe enough to wander across. A strange irony presented itself though, the war had let nature grow as it wanted,

without man’s constant interference choking it of its wild ambition with machinery and industry. The landscape was beautiful, dry and savage, but full of life, bold strokes of unhindered natural character. The war had stopped life and allowed life. We spent some of the day by the beach, a few fishermen had returned since the ceasefire in the hope of a prize catch from the untouched waters. It was

incredibly hot, and even more so when you went inland from the breezy shore. We walked across the plains, through old towns, crumbling buildings decorated with bullet holes, shocking scenes and very hard to imagine that within my own sister’s lifetime there may have been a community in one of these empty spaces of rubble. Eventually, we came to a crossing, where an old ramshackle ferry was taking people a few at a time over the water

the world. I was watching, embarrassed, aware that I stood out, when one of the men from the group approached me. He was smiling, ushering me over with him to another few people. Pointing excitedly at my camera, he gathered what I understood to be his family together, ready to pose. He stood so proudly, his wife beside him with one child in her arms and two other children obediently standing next to her. I didn’t really think about framing

make us all react in guilt. But rather a record of how dignity was maintained even in such circumstances, a hopeful picture of how family and humanity was ever-present, defying the very nature of destructive movements in the world that would break those things apart. Jackson Browne got me thinking about that photo. The photo in his song is of his wife, who died tragically when still very young. The song was written

‘Sri Lanka has perhaps, since late December of last year, become synonymous with Tsunami.’ that had crept in from the sea. A huge crowd of refugees came from the road we had been down and stopped, waiting for their lift by the water’s edge. I would guess close to a hundred were all gathered together, carrying their children and their homes on their backs. Mr. T told us that this was often the case, many were simply forced into a nomadic existence because of the war. It was a peculiar sight, families looking weary, weak, with nothing it seemed, and yet with their children in trainers and a t-shirt – refreshing to know that Oxfam collections really do find their way around

the image in any particular way, the moment was surreal, almost uncomfortable. I snapped once and the father allowed his models to relax. He looked at me with thanks and carried on his way. No address to send anything to, no real interest in the camera, a conversation, my reason for being there or telling me his story. I just saw a determination in his eyes that he and his family would be recorded by someone from a very different world and that his image would endure and be looked upon and leave an impression. Not for sympathy either, not an image that would

after her death and knowing this gives it more of an effect. I wonder if that ‘trace of sorrow’ in her eyes was there in the photo before she died? That one sustaining image carries a sadness because it represents what was lost. I wonder whether that family in Trincomalee were lost. Whether the great wave tore that family apart as it did so many others on the eastern and southern shores of Sri Lanka, as in Indonesia and Thailand. I will never know, but I can’t help seeing a trace of sadness in the eyes of the father when I look at that photo now.

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YOUR STARS FOR THE FORTNIGHT

WITH DEIDRE HYMEN

Aries: Mar 21 - Apr 19 As the end of term draws near and summer looms it’s time to air those pins and invest some time in outdoor persuits that excercise the body after the past few months of brain strain. Particuar areas of interest might be the lake, Chapelfield Gardens, and golf courses.

Cancer: Jun 22 - Jul 22 You’ve been brave and plucky, like a good little toaster. Now have a sit down and reward yourself with a bit of bread and jam. You could toast it. Then put the jam on. Don’t underestimate the importance of good complex carbs in this Atkins crazy world.

Libra: Sept 23 - Oct 23 Someone knows something about you that you don’t want to get out so stoop to any means of bribery and persuasion necessary. Remember: should the truth be revealed the culprit will fall prey to a just punishment. Stay out of kitchens and away from tittle tattle.

Lucky Words: Immac; sweat bands.

Lucky Words: Home cooking.

Lucky Words: Reserve; retreat.

Taurus: Apr 20 - May 20 With Venus racing through the stratosphere you’re seconds away from death. So say sorry, kiss and make up, promise you’ll never be prey to such violent urges again. Life as you know it is nearly over, say whatever will get you a goodbye hug.

Leo: Jul 23 - Aug 22 With your element being fire don’t forget to cover up as the sun peaks with increasing force through the clouds to escape a crisping/ frying/complete incineration. You should also be wary of men wearing bandanas and women walking dogs.

Scorpio: Oct 24 - Nov 21 Have things really changed or are patterns still repeating themselves? Make sure you act with caution, but also with feeling, and don’t take less than the best from anyone. Remember Auntie Jone used to say: “cleaning clarifies”.

Aquarius: Jan 20 - Feb 18 Have a party. A big one with balloons and cake and everyone you know and love. You’re due a strings free allianceand where better to conduct a clandestine liaison than your own back garden?!

Lucky Words: Regret; time travel.

Lucky Words: Hot dogs.

Lucky Words: Mopping; organic.

Lucky Words: Towels; sticky.

Gemini: May 21 - Jun 21 Oh dear, dear, dear, dear. But you can rescue some semblence of spring by hitching up your knickers and taking a mate to the seaside for a paddle. Salt water and ice cream heal all ills.

Virgo: Aug 23 - Sept 22 Today a loved one will surprise you with a gift of kindness and beauty that mirrors the transcendent ascent of Jupiter into the realm of Scorpio. Take time to meditate and put the diet off until it becomes imperative.

Sagittarius: Nov 22 - Dec 21 Sometimes it just seems like things couldn’t be any better. Well it seemsthey can! Keep an eye out for a lucky charm left in a bus stop and don’t look for meaning where there isn’t any.

Pisces: Feb 19 - Mar 20 Oh, you’ve got it good this week. I predict a freak encounter that will lead to untold riches and lasting love. Seek divine inspiration when making an important decision, the universe will provide.

Lucky Word: Bucket and spade.

Lucky Words: Cream teas.

Lucky Words: Naturists; umbrellas.

Lucky Words: Score; crystal balls

Capricorn: Dec 22 - Jan 19 An unexpected visit is due this week, keep the kettle full from Wednesday just in case. Saturn is currently passing through Osiris so now is a great time to make holiday plans and do something a bit different... Lucky Words: Caravans.

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SPORT

UEA ATHELETES SET CLUB RECORDS

Jemma Thake UEA athletics celebrated the weekend of the 1st and 2nd of May after making the long trek up to Glasgow for the BUSA track and field outdoor championships. Despite difficult weather conditions and injury problems the team performed well and broke five club

records. Performance of the weekend had to go to Jess Trowbridge who finished 5th in the 2000m steeplechase. In her first race of the track season Jess knocked a huge 21 seconds off her own club record. Meanwhile in the 800m, president Dave McKinlay completed his last ever race for UEA in style by breaking the club record and qualifying for the semi final in a time of 1.57.30. Also

representing UEA in the 800m was Stephen Downey who finished third in his heat in a time of 1.59.79. Stephen also contested the 1500m, where he finished 7th in his heat. In the 5000m event Ali McGeoch-Williams finished 14th in his heat in a time of 17.41.50 while team-mate Calum Nicol ran an excellent race, clocking 16.25.10; smashing the club record by over half a minute.

In the 10,000m event UEA was represented by John Dowding and Richard Hammond who ran 40.09.23 and 40.52.31 respectively, although confusion amongst the officials led to John having to run an extra lap. In the men’s 200m Nick Horton finished 2nd in his heat to qualify comfortably for the semi finals. Unfortunately, Nick was forced to withdraw from the semi final due to injury problems.

The women’s 400m and 200m events saw Jemma Thake set new club records. Jemma finished fourth in the heat of 400m with a time of 59.48s and sixth in the heat of 200m. Jemma entered the 200m at the last minute to replace multieventer Catherine Holdsworth who had to withdraw from the championships due to injury. Catherine was the star of the UEA team at the indoor BUSA championships back in February in Sheffield where she became double silver medallist in the 60m hurdles and long jump. James Green became a double finalist in the discus (22.11m) and the shot putt (6.66m). James was joined in the shot putt by Neil Jennings who threw 8.24m to finish 17th. Neil enjoyed a busy weekend of athletics competing in a total of five events. As well as shot putt Neil represented UEA in the 100m, 400m and long jump. Despite struggling with a hamstring injury Neil went on to break the javelin club record by a

UEA Sailing and Windsurfing Two-Day Dip!

Ever felt like trying your hand at sailing or windsurfing? On Tuesday the 31st May and Wednesday the 1st June the UEA sailing and windsurfing clubs are joining together to present you with the opportunity to try both. Sailing and windsurfing are two of the university’s biggest sports clubs, and this is an opportunity to come and find out exactly what we do, what equipment we have and how we function. Whether you are an experienced sailor or a complete beginner, you are welcome to come along on one of these days and have a go. The event will be entirely free, and will run from about 9am to 6pm on both days. You will be invited to come on either the Tuesday or the Wednesday, and all participants are invited to a barbecue social by the lake on Wednesday evening. If you are interested please contact either the windsurfing club at su.windsurf@uea.ac.uk, or the sailing club at ueasailingclub@hotmail.co.uk, stating your name, contact details, and day and sport of preference.

GOT A SPORTS STORY FROM YOUR CLUB? E-MAIL US AT CONCRETE.SPORT@UEA.AC.UK Concrete Prize Crossword #68 ACROSS

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1. Basketball Michael or girlfriend of 22across (6) 4. Season (6) 6. US hospital drama (1.1.) 7. Good person - town road (Abbr.) (2) 8. Goodbye and all the best (8) 11. As __ (2) 12. __lian - relating to wind or music mode (3) 14. Lucas and Walliams’ country (6,7) 16. Will Smith’s film Wild ____ (4,4) 19. Before Christ had cool ventilation! (Abbr.) (1.1) 20. That is (1.1.) 21. Warm upper underwear (4) 22. Brit singer having baby with 1across (5,5) 25. Song contest with points (10) 29. Corrects - cures (5) 30. Immoral act (3) 31. J.F., Charles or Karl (7)

1. Closer Brit actor (4,3) 2. Replace machinery (5) 3. First version of writing (5) 4. Guide (5) 5. Small or huge measure (Abbr.) (3) 7. Absorbent surgical pad (4) 9. __ Lane, superman’s girl (4) 10. Comic made into new film (3,4) 13. Ketchup or BBQ (5) 15. Move downward (5) 17. See 27down 18. Somewhat - small amount (3) 19. Street with trees (Abbr.) (3) 22. Spice and later Beckham (4) 23. Rope knot (5) 24. Pious (4) 26. America (Abbr.) (1.1) 27 and 17. XXX actor (3,6) 28. Hotel (3)

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