Concrete - Issue 197

#(2)34-!3 30%#)!,

4UESDAY TH $ECEMBER 5%!gS )NDEPENDENT .EWSPAPER )SSUE

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02/'2%33 -!$% 7)4( &)234 "53 .ATALIE ,ASANCE 7ITH STUDENT DISSATISFACTION OVER THE BUS SERVICES TO AND FROM THE 5NIVERSITY REACHING BOILING POINT

THE 5NION 7ELFARE /Fl CER WAS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT PROGRESS IS BEING MADE WITH &IRST BUSES )NCREASED FARES ON &IRST BUSES

ALONG WITH THE ABOLITION OF RETURN TICKETS HAVE CAUSED MANY STUDENTS TO COMPLAIN 4OM -C%LROY A STU DENT AT 5%!

SAID h4HE PRICES ON &IRST BUSES ARE A COMPLETE RIP OFF )T

IS RIDICULOUS THAT YOU CAN GET ACROSS ,ONDON FOR FAR LESS THAN IT COSTS TO TAKE A MINUTE BUS JOURNEY IN .ORWICH v &IRST HAVE BLAMED IN CREASED FUEL COSTS FOR THE PRICE RISE

BUT MANY STUDENTS ARE UNSATISl ED WITH THIS EXPLANATION AS IT STILL DOES NOT ACCOUNT FOR THE MASSIVE PRICE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN .ORWICH AND OTHER CITIES 3TUDENTS ARE ALSO UPSET ABOUT THE SERVICE THAT THE COMPANY PRO VIDES AND HAVE CALLED FOR IMPROVE MENTS SUCH AS EXTRA BUSES DURING PEAK TIMES ,UCY 3PENSER A THIRD YEAR AT 5%!

COMMENTED h4HEY

DON T SEEM TO UNDERSTAND CUSTOMER SERVICE 4HEY SHOW SUCH LITTLE AP PRECIATION FOR US v (OWEVER 3TEVE !LTMAN 7ELFARE /Fl CER WAS HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE THAT AFTER A MEETING WITH THE DIRECTORS OF &IRST "US #OMPANY LAST WEEK THERE IS HOPE FOR THE FUTURE h) RAISED A NUMBER OF KEY CONCERNS THAT STUDENTS HAD RAISED WITH US

AND THE COMPANY IS LOOKING TO MAKE SOME CHANGES TO THE QUALITY OF ITS SERVICE v HE SAID 4HESE CHANGES WILL HOPEFULLY INCLUDE SOME CONCESSIONS IN TICKET PRICES FOR STUDENTS AND MORE BUSES

DURING PEAK PERIODS )N RESPONSE TO SPECULATION ON A POSSIBLE STUDENT BOYCOTT OF SERVICES 0HILIP 3EAGO OPERATIONS DIRECTOR OF &IRST SAID h7E ARE LOOKING AT EXPANDING OUR RANGE OF STANDARD DISCOUNTED TICKETS AND TO l ND OTHER BENEl TS THROUGH OUR DISCUSSIONS WITH THE 5NIVERSITY !UTHORITY AND THE 3TUDENT 5NION 4HERE IS ALREADY A HEAVILY DISCOUNT ED ANNUAL PASS IN PLACE WHICH IS AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS AT a PER YEAR AND COMPARES VERY FAVORABLY WITH THE STANDARD PRICE OF a ! BOYCOTT OF SERVICES IS IN

NOBODY S INTEREST AND WOULD THROW THE DISCOUNTED TICKETING INTO QUESTION v !S OF $ECEMBER ANY PROVEN COMPLAINTS WILL BE COMPENSATED WITH A a TRAVEL TICKET 3TEVE !LTMAN SUGGESTS THAT IF STUDENTS HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE COMPANY

THEY SHOULD CONTACT HIM WITH THEIR TICKETS OR WITH THE l VE DIGIT NUMBER ON THE BACK OF THE BUS AT SU WELFARE UEA AC UK 4RAVEL DIARIES ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE 5NION (OUSE RECEPTION IF STUDENTS WANT TO HELP THE 7ELFARE /Fl CER TO MONITOR THE SERVICE

-ERRY #HRISTMAS A (APPY .EW 9EAR

#/.#2%4% 4UESDAY TH $ECEMBER

!MBASSADOR FOR #HANGE &IGHTING 0OVERTY 7ITH (ANDBAGS .EIL *ENNINGS lNAL YEAR %NV 0($

HAS FOUGHT OFF STIFF COMPETITION FROM AROUND %UROPE TO BECOME A "EN *ERRY S #LIMATE #HANGE !MBASSADOR !FTER A TOUGH SELECTION WEEK END IN 2OTTERDAM .EIL WILL BE ONE OF TWO 5+ AMBASSADORS JOINING THE PROGRAMME THIS YEAR 4HE "EN *ERRY S #LIMATE #HANGE #OLLEGE TRAINS SIX PEOPLE EACH YEAR AGED BETWEEN AND FROM THE 5+ )RELAND THE .ETH ERLANDS AND 'ERMANY THROUGH A MIXTURE OF LECTURES WORKSHOPS AND lELD TRIPS 4HE SCHEME ENABLES THE AM BASSADORS TO TURN THEIR IDEAS INTO REALITY BY EQUIPPING THEM WITH THE SKILLS TO LAUNCH THEIR CAMPAIGNS !S PART OF HIS TRAINING AT THE "EN *ERRY S #LIMATE #HANGE #OL LEGE .EIL WILL PARTICIPATE IN A lELD TRIP TO THE !RCTIC 7HILST THERE .EIL WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE

THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE lRST HAND 5PON HIS RETURN .EIL WILL FO CUS ON PUTTING HIS OWN INNOVATIVE CAMPAIGN AGAINST GLOBAL WARMING INTO PRACTICE 4HE 3TUDENT 3WITCH /FF SCHEME WHERE RIVAL (ALLS OF 2ESIDENCE COMPETE TO REDUCE THEIR ENERGY USAGE HAS ALREADY BEEN A BIG SUCCESS AT 5%! .EIL HOPES TO ROLL OUT THIS IDEA TO THREE MORE INSTITUTIONS .EIL COMMENTED h) M AB SOLUTELY DELIGHTED TO HAVE BEEN CHOSEN AS A "EN *ERRY S #LIMATE #HANGE !MBASSADOR ) M RELA TIVELY WELL ACQUAINTED WITH CLIMATE CHANGE CAMPAIGNING THANKS TO MANAGING MY OWN PROJECT AT 5%!

BUT ) KNOW ) VE A GREAT DEAL TO LEARN AT #LIMATE #HANGE #OLLEGE WHICH BENElTS FROM THE EXPERTISE OF THREE SUCH DIFFERENT PARTIES ) CAN T WAIT TO START IN *ANUARY v

3AFE 3EX ,#2 A "IG &LOP %MMELINE 3AUNDERS

&OLLOWING THE SUCCESS OF 3AFE 3EX WEEK COMES THE NEWS THAT THE THEMED ,#2 ON 4UESDAY .OVEMBER TH WAS TO PUT IT DELICATELY A BIT OF A mOP /N THE NIGHT ONLY TICKETS HAD BEEN SOLD AND REVELLERS FOUND THAT THE CONDOM MACHINES IN THE TOILETS OF THE 2ED "AR WEREN T WORKING 7ILD RUMOURS THAT AN FOOT MULTI COLOURED INmATABLE PENIS WAS TO BE PRESENT WENT UNFULlLLED AND OTHER AHEM

COCK UPS INCLUDED A NO SHOW OF A @PORN BED THE ABSENCE OF SEX SHOP 3IN3IN S LOVE STAND AND THE DISAPPEARANCE OF A SECOND GIANT BLOW UP PENIS THIS TIME IN AN AROUSING SHADE OF GOLD (OWEVER #OMMUNICATIONS

/FlCER &RANCIS (AMLYN AMID LOTS OF GIGGLING AND SNORTING

MANAGED TO TELL US THAT hTHE CROWD WAS GOOD THE BASELINES WERE THROBBING AND WHEN IT CAME TO A HEAD ) THINK PEOPLE HAD A GOOD NIGHT v h) THINK QUITE A FEW CONDOMS WERE BEING HANDED OUT SO ) IMAGINE THAT EVERYONE THERE AT LEAST HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRACTISE SAFE SEX EVEN IF IT WAS ONLY WITH THEMSELVES WHICH LET US NOT FORGET IS THE SAFEST KIND v $ESPITE THIS MANY STUDENTS FELT THE NIGHT WAS OVER WELL BEFORE IT HAD PROPERLY BEGUN &RANCIS CONCLUDED ) HAPPEN TO BELIEVE THAT ABSTINENCE IS THE BEST FORM OF SAFE SEX AND IS THE CHOICE ) REGULARLY MAKExOR HAVE THRUST UPON ME )T WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE TO HAVE A GIANT KNOB ON THE STAGE BUT UNFORTUNATELY ) WASN T AVAILABLE v

!RT FOR E!24H S SAKE /N 3UNDAY .OV TH THE (IVE WAS TEMPORARILY TRANSFORMED INTO A BUZZING ART GALLERY FULL OF PEOPLE

FUNKY MUSIC AND RECYCLED ART @!RT FOR E!24H S 3AKE THE ONE NIGHT ART EXHIBITION AND CLUB NIGHT

WAS SET UP TO MAKE STUDENTS MORE AWARE OF THEIR ENVIRONMENT 4HE ART WAS AN ECLECTIC BUT INTERESTING MIX OF NATURE PHOTOGRA PHY PAINTING AND SCULPTURES MADE FROM RECYCLED MATERIAL /NE OF THE MOST EXCITING ACTIVITIES OF THE EVENING WAS A COMPETITION FOR THE BEST WASTE ART PIECE WITH lRST PRIZE GOING TO THE 0ERMACULTURE SOCIETY FOR THEIR NATURE THRONE INSTALLATION 4HE ART SHOW WAS ORGANIZED

BY THE #AMPUS 3USTAINABILITY )NITIATIVE SOCIETY OR #3) 4HE AIM OF THE EVENT WAS TO PROMOTE THE SOCIETY S PROPOSAL OF A 3USTAIN ABILITY )NITIATIVE &UND WHICH

!NDY *ONES

,AST 4UESDAY A BEAUTY PAGEANT WITH A DIFFERENCE TOOK PLACE IN THE "LUE "AR 4HE BEAUTIES IN QUESTION WERE NONE OTHER THAN THE STRAPPING YOUNG MEN OF THE -AKE 0OVERTY (ISTORY SOCIETY 4HE PAGEANT TOOK THE FORM OF EACH BELLE PARADING THEMSELVES IN FRONT OF THE BAYING HOARDS OF ,#2 GOERS THEN ANSWERING A SERIES OF QUESTIONS DEVISED BY THE lENDISH QUIZMASTER .ICK +ENT !FTER ALL THE @LADIES HAD BEEN INTRODUCED TO THEIR ADORING PUBLIC

THEY WERE EACH AUCTIONED OFF AS ESCORTS FOR THE EVENING 4HIS REPORTER ENDEAVOURED TO DISCOVER WHAT THE ESCORT DUTIES ENTAILED HOWEVER IT WAS PERHAPS FOR THE BEST LEFT TO THE IMAGINATION 4HE PAGEANT WAS WON BY $AVE -ARKUS OR @%LEKTRA AS HE SHE IS KNOWN AT WEEKENDS 7HEN ASKED HOW SHE FELT -ISS -ARKUS SAID

hTHIS IS THE PROUDEST MOMENT OF MY LIFE ) FEEL ALL WARM INSIDE JUST THINKING ABOUT IT v 4HE WINNING BID STOOD AT a AND THE TOTAL FOR ALL SEVEN YOUNG LADIES WAS a 7HEN ADDED TO DONATIONS AND BUYOUTS FROM THOSE LACKING THE TESTICULAR FORTITUDE TO PARADE AROUND IN A DRESS ROUGHLY

a WAS RAISED FOR 5NICEF 4HE PRESIDENT OF -AKE 0OVERTY (ISTORY 3IMON $UNK SAID THE NIGHT WAS A GREAT SUCCESS h7E RAISED A LOT OF MONEY FOR A GOOD CAUSE AND GOT TO DRESS UP LIKE WOMEN SO REALLY EVERYONE WAS A WINNER v -AKE 0OVERTY (ISTORY CAMPAIGN ON DEVELOPMENT IS SUES PETITIONING THE GOVERNMENT

WHICH IS MAINTAINING THE lNANCIAL AND DEVELOPING STATUS QUO OF THE WORLD S POOREST COUNTRIES AND ORGANISING ENTERTAINING EVENTS WITH THE AIM OF RAISING FUNDS FOR DEVEL OPMENT PROJECTS AROUND THE WORLD 4HEY WILL BE HOLDING MORE EVENTS AFTER THE .EW 9EAR INCLUDING #(!.'% )) AND A HOUR DANCE

.53 !TTACKS ,ADS MAGS *OHN -UTCH 5NIVERSITIES ARE BEING CALLED UPON BY .53 TO REMOVE LADS MAGS FROM THEIR SHELVES #RITICISED BY THE .53 FOR THEIR hOVERTLY SEXUALv FRONT COVERS AND THEIR hDEMEANING AND DEGRADINGv CONTENT MEN S MAGAZINES SUCH AS :OO -AXIM AND ,OADED ARE SET TO BE MOVED FROM DISPLAY AND HELD BEHIND COUNTERS AT UNION SHOPS AROUND THE COUNTRY 4HOUGH UNIVERSITIES DO NOT HAVE TO CONFORM TO THE MOVE

MANY CAMPUSES HAVE ALREADY TAKEN THE NECESSARY STEPS 3UPERMARKETS ARE SET TO FOLLOW A SIMILAR INITIATIVE 3AINSBURY S HAVE ALREADY BEGUN USING hMOD ESTY WRAPSv AFTER COMPLAINTS FROM CUSTOMERS -0 #LAIRE #URTIS 4HOMAS INTRO DUCED A BILL BACK IN *ULY IN A SIMI LAR MOVE ATTEMPTING TO PUSH SUCH PUBLICATIONS TO TOP SHELF DISPLAYS ALONGSIDE PORNOGRAPHIC MAGAZINES #URTIS 4HOMAS MAIN CONCERN HOWEVER WAS WITH THE hUNRESTRICTED ACCESSv TO THE ADULT MATERIAL IN THE MAGAZINES AND INSISTED THAT CHIL DREN SHOULD BE SAFEGUARDED AGAINST SUCH EXPLICIT CONTENT 4HE RESERVATIONS OF THE .53

ARE NOT ABOUT CHILDREN AS CHILDREN TEND NOT TO SHOP IN UNION OUTLETS )NSTEAD .53 PROPOSE THAT THE VERY PRESENCE OF LADS MAGS IN THE SHOPS IS DISRESPECTFUL AND DAMAGING TO FEMALE CUSTOMERS 4HE LOGIC IS

THEREFORE THAT ALTHOUGH THE MAGA ZINES WILL CONTINUE TO BE OFFERED FOR SALE WOMEN WILL NOT SUFFER THE DISPLEASURE OF HAVING TO SEE THEM ON THE SHELVES 5NION SHOP SALES COULD FALL AS A RESULT OF THE MOVE -EN S MAGA ZINES ARE TYPICALLY RELIANT UPON IMPULSE BUYERS USUALLY LOCATED AT EYE LEVEL ON THE SHELF THEY LURE IN CUSTOMERS THROUGH PLUGS AND ATTRACTIVE COVERS 4HE PRINCIPLE READERSHIP OF LADS MAGS IS YEAR OLD STUDENTS WHO MAY FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE HAVING TO ASK FOR A MAGAZINE HELD BEHIND THE COUNTER

AND THEREFORE OPT OUT OF BUYING ,EICESTER 5NIVERSITY HAS ALREADY BANNED THE MAGAZINES (OWEVER

NOT ALL STUDENTS ARE SUPPORTING THE CHANGE 4HE STUDENT NEWSPAPER

4HE 2IPPLE HAS SO FAR SECURED THE SIGNATURES OF OVER STUDENTS IN AN ONLINE PETITION TO BOYCOTT THE MOVE !LTHOUGH NO ONE ARGUES THAT THE MAGAZINES ARE SOPHISTICATED OR ENLIGHTENING THEY CONTINUE TO BE BIG SELLERS AMONG STUDENTS *AMES -AY ()3 A REGULAR BUYER OF -AXIM FEELS THEY ARE IDEAL FOR hTOILET SEAT READINGv WITH THEIR hFASHION TIPS AND HUMOROUS STORIESv AND IS CONCERNED THAT THE .ATIONAL 5NION OF 3TUDENTS IS FAILING TO REPRESENT THE VIEWS OF THE MAJORITY OF STUDENTS

GROUPS AND DISCUSS THEIR FAVOURITE NOVELS AND ANY VOTES WILL BE EN TERED INTO A BOOK PRIZE DRAW 4HE IDEA WAS COINED BY ENTHU SIASTIC 5%! 7ATERSTONE S EMPLOYEE 3AM WHO HOPES THE CAMPAIGN WILL ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO READ FOR PLEASURE (E SAID hTHE AIM IS TO GET PEOPLE INTO READING 7E WANT TO PROMOTE IT TO THE WHOLE 5%! COM MUNITY NOT JUST LITERATURE STUDENTS )T S NOT A COMMERCIAL VENTURE AT ALL v 5%! LITERATURE LECTURE 0ETER 7OMACK BELIEVES READING IS IMPOR TANT TO SOCIETY AS A WHOLE h4HERE ARE SO MANY BOOKS THAT THEY RE IM

POSSIBLE TO HOMOGENISE OR CONTROL ! SOCIETY THAT READS IS VERY UNLIKELY TO BE UNANIMOUS ABOUT ANYTHING "OOKS IN THAT SENSE ARE A SPACE OF MENTAL FREEDOM v 4HE CAMPAIGN IS SUPPORTED BY THE EXISTING 5%! BOOK CLUB WHICH HOPES IT WILL GIVE STUDENTS A TASTE FOR READING AND ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO JOIN THEM ONCE THE CAMPAIGN IS OVER 3ARAH (EATON WHO ORGANIZES THE BOOK CLUB SAID h)T SOUNDS GREAT ) M SURE THE MEMBERS WOULD BE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING TOO h)T S A LOT OF FUN TALKING AND DISCUSSING A BOOK THAT EVERYONE S READ v

"OOK WORMS ENCOURAGED TO SEE THE LIGHT 3AM %MANUEL

#ONCRETE ART 7E LOVE IT

WOULD CONTRIBUTE DIRECTLY TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENTS ON CAM PUS )T WOULD BE MADE POSSIBLE BY A a PAYMENT FROM EACH STUDENT 3IMILAR SCHEMES HAVE ALREADY HAD GREAT SUCCESS IN UNIVERSITIES ACROSS !MERICA

"OOK WORMS AT 5%! ARE BEING ENCOURAGED TO COME OUT OF THE WOODWORK AND TAKE PART IN AN EXCLUSIVE READING EVENT 4HE FORTHCOMING 5%! ,OVE "OOKS CAMPAIGN BEGINS NEXT TERM

AND WILL INCLUDE LECTURES AND GUEST SPEAKERS GIVING TALKS ABOUT THEIR FAVOURITE BOOKS 4HE CAMPAIGN WILL LAST FOR WEEKS COMPRISING OF SIX WEEKS OF NOMINATIONS AND THEN SIX WEEKS OF VOTING ON THE SHORTLIST )T WILL ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO FORM BOOK

#/.#2%4% 4UESDAY TH $ECEMBER

0ROlTABLE 5NIVERSITY $ANIEL -ORLEY 4HE !MERICAN EDUCATION COMPANY +APLAN HAS ANNOUNCED PLANS TO OPEN A PROlT SEEKING UNIVERSITY IN THE 5+ IN A MOVE THAT HAS ADDED TO THE DEBATE AND UNCERTAINTY AS TO THE PUBLIC FUTURE OF "RITAIN S EDUCATION SYSTEM +APLAN IS ALREADY PROMINENT AND EXPERIENCED IN THE 53 RUNNING THE 3!4 EXAMS FOR ENTRY INTO UNIVER SITIES )T ALSO RUNS ITS OWN UNIVERSITY

WHICH GOES BY THE NAME OF @+APLAN 5NIVERSITY +APLAN IS NOT ALTOGETHER ALIEN TO THESE SHORES EITHER HAVING JOINT VENTURES WITH .OTTINGHAM 4RENT AND 3HEFlELD UNIVERSITIES

AND OWNING THE $UBLIN "USINESS 3CHOOL +APLAN GENERATES REVENUES OF OVER BILLION AND AS SUCH MANY WILL PERHAPS FEEL IT IS A HIGHLY SUC CESSFUL COMPANY IDEALLY SUITED TO OPEN THE lRST PROlT BASED UNIVERSITY HERE 4HIS MOVE WAS MADE POSSIBLE

BY THE GOVERNMENT S RELAXING OF THE LAWS OVER WHO CAN AWARD DEGREES IN RESPONSE TO ITS DRIVE FOR OF THE "RITISH POPULATION ATTAINING DE GREES (OWEVER IT IS BY NO MEANS CER

TAIN AS TO WHETHER +APLAN WILL BE SUCCESSFUL IN ITS BID AND THE SUG GESTION OF IT HAS SPARKED MUCH CON TROVERSY REIGNITING THE DEBATE OVER TOP UP FEES AND THE ENTIRE FUTURE OF OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM 4HE MOST PROMINENT CRITICS OF PROlT DRIVEN UNIVERSITIES ARE LIKELY TO BE THE #-5 WHICH REPRESENTS

ABOUT UNIVERSITIES IN %NGLAND 4HEY HAVE ALREADY BEEN OUTSPO KEN IN THEIR CRITICISM OF THE GOV ERNMENT S RELAXING OF LAWS ON THE AWARDING OF DEGREES CLAIMING THE CHANGES COULD ROB UNIVERSITIES OF VITAL FUNDS AND MAKE IT DIFlCULT TO HARMONISE STANDARDS ! SENIOR lGURE WITHIN THE #-5

SAID REGARDING THE NEW LAWS h4HERE HAS BEEN ABSOLUTELY NO CONSULTA TION ON PRINCIPLE MECHANICS OR IMPLICATIONS FOR SUSTAINABILITY v 4HE GROUP PRIDES ITSELF ON BEING THE BIGGEST PLAYER IN ATTRACTING STUDENTS

FROM POORER BACKGROUNDS TO HIGHER EDUCATION (OWEVER WHATEVER THE MOTIVA TIONS AND CREATION PROCESSES OF THE NEW LAWS MANY WILL STILL FEEL THAT A NEW INDEPENDENT KIND OF UNIVER SITY WILL OPEN UP THE "RITISH HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM AND PROVIDE MORE COMPETITIVENESS LOOKING ACROSS TO THE !MERICAN SYSTEM WHICH HOUSES MOST OF THE WORLD S TOP UNIVERSI TIES &EARS THAT THE POTENTIAL UNI VERSITY MAY AIM ITSELF AT THE MORE WEALTHY CUSTOMERS POTENTIALLY LEADING TO ELITISM IN UNIVERSITIES AS IN !MERICA MAY BE CONlRMED BY ITS RUNNING OF THE 3!4 SYSTEM FOR EN TRY INTO SUCH INSTITUTIONS 4HIS HAS LED SOME IN THE 53 TO QUESTION THE EFFECTS OF HAVING PRIVATE COMPANIES RUNNING ELEMENTS OF THE EDUCATION SYSTEM h4HE CONVENTIONAL WISDOM IS THAT THE ;3!4= TEST IS JUST ANOTHER LEG UP FOR RICH KIDS WHO CAN SHELL OUT FOR A TEST PREP COURSE 4O SOME THE LIKES OF +APLAN AND 0RINCETON 2EVIEW HAVE TURNED GOOD 3!4 SCORES INTO A COMMODITY AN OTHER SALEABLE TICKET INTO !MERICA S )VY ,EAGUE ARISTOCRACY v SAYS +ERRY (OWLEY AN !MERICAN TEACHER 4HE IMPLICATIONS FOR THIS HAPPENING WOULD ALSO EXTEND BEYOND THE BOR

DERS OF THIS POTENTIAL UNIVERSITY AS IT WILL PRESUMABLY BE IN DIRECT COM PETITION WITH PUBLIC ESTABLISHED UNIVERSITIES #LEARLY MANY STUDENTS WILL HAVE THEIR FEARS AND RESERVATIONS OVER THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS n SOME SEE EDU CATION AS A RIGHT AND A FUNDAMENTAL LY PUBLIC NOT PRIVATE INSTITUTION )T APPEARS TO ADD TO THE FEARS OVER THE POTENTIAL LIFTING OF THE TOP UP FEE CAP AND IS PERHAPS PART OF THE SAME INEVITABLE PROCESS A VIEW HELD BY 5%! STUDENT )SOBEL "OYCE

h) FEEL IT IS A NATURAL INEVITABLE PRO GRESSION )DEOLOGICALLY ) DISAGREE WITH IT n ) WANT TO SEE UNIVERSITIES REMOVED FROM THE MORE CYNICAL BUSINESS WORLD (OWEVER IF STU DENTS BENElT IT S lNE 5NIVERSITY SHOULD BE CENTRED AROUND THE STU DENTS NEEDS v 3O THE QUESTION IS WHETHER SUCH A UNIVERSITY WILL SUPPORT THE STUDENTS INTERESTS )T WILL BE MORE INDEPENDENT FROM THE GOVERNMENT

HOWEVER IT WILL NOT BE AS INDEPEND ENT FROM MARKET FORCES AND IN A SERIOUS ECONOMIC DOWNTURN WHEN THE MARKET SHRINKS AND THERE IS LESS MONEY TO EMPLOY STAFF THERE WOULD BE FEW CHECKS ON THE QUALITY OF DE GREES

4O BAN OR NOT TO BAN ! POLICY BALLET WILL BE HELD IN 7EEK TWO TO DECIDE WHETHER TO CONTINUE THE 5NION BAN OF #OCA #OLA ,AST SEMESTER #OCA #OLA WAS BANNED BY A STUDENT MAJORITY (OWEVER A RECENT PETITION BROUGHT THE DEBATE BACK INTO THE STUDENT ARENA 4HE INTERNATIONAL "OYCOTT OF #OCA #OLA WAS CALLED BY 3INAL 4RAINAL IN #OCA #OLA ARE ACCUSED OF COMPLICITY IN THE MURDER OF 3INALTRAINAL TRADE UNION LEADERS #OCA #OLA DENY ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE MURDERS HOWEVER MANY OF THE WORKERS WERE KILLED INSIDE #OCA #OLA PLANTS WHILE NEGOTIATING COLLECTIVE AGREEMENTS #OCA COLA ARE ALSO HEAVILY CRITICISED FOR THEIR DEVELOPMENT IN DROUGHT AREAS

MONOPOLISING THE SPARSE WATER SUPPLIES

%ATON 0ARK !TTACK /N 4HURSDAY NIGHT THREE YOUTHS SET UPON AN INNOCENT STUDENT IN %ATON 0ARK /NE OF THEM WAS WIELDING A BRANCH )F YOU HAVE ANY INFORMA TION OR WOULD LIKE ADVICE ABOUT PERSONAL SAFTY CONTACT 2AJ THE CAM PUS COMMUNITY SUPPORT OFlCER ON

5%! 3 .!+%$ #(!2)49 #!,%.$%2 #/-).' 4/ ! 7!,, .%!2 9/5

/PEN BANK HOLIDAYS -/.$!9 4(523$!9 PM &2)$!9 3!452$!9 -)$.)'(4 35.$!9 PM

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#/.#2%4%

4UESDAY TH $ECEMBER

%XCLUSIVE 3ANTA %XPOSE 5NTIL NOW &ATHER #HRISTMAS HAS BEEN AN ELUSIVE lGURE BUT WHEN 2EBECCA 7HITAKER GOT HER HANDS ON THE INTERVIEW OF THE CENTURY AND SAT DOWN WITH THE MAN HIMSELF SHE FOUND OUT THE TRUTH BEHIND THE LEGEND OF 3ANTA #LAUSE (O (O (O

/

N MY TRAVELS YEARS AGO ) WANDERED INTO A SMOKY BAR IN A TINY )TALIAN TOWN AND ORDERED A LARGE GLASS OF 0ROSECCO !CROSS THE ROOM SAT A VERY OLD MAN WITH FULL BEARD WHO SAT STARING IN A MEL ANCHOLY WAY AT A COPY OF 'EORGE %LIOT S $ANIEL $ERONDA WHILE HIS COFFEE GREW COLDER 4HERE WAS SOMETHING ABOUT THIS MAN THAT DREW MY GAZE AND WHEN AT LENGTH HE RAISED HIS HEAD AND CAUGHT MY STARE ) WAS COMPELLED TO GO AND SIT AT HIS TABLE h4HE TROUBLE ISv HE SAID WITHOUT PREAMBLE hTHAT NOBODY ASKS FOR THIS ANYMORE ) VE COMPLETELY LOST TOUCH v 3EEING MY CONFUSION HE SMILED AND ORDERING A NEW COFFEE FOR HIMSELF AND MORE WINE FOR ME HE INTRODUCED HIM SELF h) M %DWARD "UT ) THINK YOU MIGHT RECOGNISE MY OTHER NAME ) M ALSO CALLED 3ANTA v 3O THERE ) WAS SHARING A DRINK WITH &ATHER #HRISTMAS ) COULDN T BELIEVE IT BUT WHEN HE OPENED HIS MOUTH AND STARTED TELLING ME HIS STORY IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE NOT TO TRUST WHAT HE SAID 7HAT FOLLOWS IS THE TRUTH IN HIS OWN WORDS ,ADIES AND 'ENTLEMEN PRAY SILENCE PLEASE FOR &ATHER #HRISTMAS &ATHER #HRISTMAS HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE THE FOURTH CENTURY

BUT IT S NEVER BEEN THE SAME PERSON FOR ALL THAT TIME ) MYSELF WAS BORN IN ,ONDON AT THE TURN OF THE SEV ENTEENTH CENTURY 4HAT WAS A GREAT TIME TO BE ALIVE -Y PARENTS WERE FAIRLY WEALTHY SO ) WAS EDUCATED WELL AND MY PASSION FOR BOOKS WAS FED BY #HAUCER ,YDGATE -AL LORY AND THE GREATEST PLAYWRIGHTS OF THE AGE ) WAS GREATLY INSPIRED

BY THE WORKS OF *OHN $ONNE AND LONGED TO ENTER THE CHURCH SO ) COULD WRITE MY THOUGHTS AND HELP THE WORLD AND DEVOURED EVERYTHING ) COULD LAY MY HANDS ON TO HELP ) STUDIED HARD AND WAS ACCEPTED INTO #AMBRIDGE TO STUDY 4HEOLOGY %VERYTHING WAS GOING WONDER FULLY AND YET THERE WAS AN UNEASY FEELING IN THE HOUSEHOLD ) CAME HOME FOR THE #HRISTMAS HOLIDAY FROM #AMBRIDGE AND INSTEAD OF THE USUAL FESTIVENESS THERE WAS A PERVASIVE FEELING OF UNSPOKEN SADNESS 4HE NIGHT BEFORE ) LEFT

WHAT WAS UNSPOKEN lNALLY BECAME VOICED -Y PARENTS SAT ME DOWN

AND TOLD ME THE TRUTH ABOUT MY SELF /NCE IN EVERY HUNDRED YEARS THERE IS BORN A MAN WHO IS CAPABLE OF BRINGING JOY TO THE WORLD ONCE A YEAR )N SHORT THE LEGEND THAT ) HAD LONG SINCE STOPPED BELIEVING IN WAS TRUE AND IT SEEMED THAT ) WAS THE NEXT IN LINE FOR +RIS +RINGLE

&ATHER #HRIST MAS HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE THE FOURTH CEN TURY BUT IT S NEVER BEEN THE SAME PERSON FOR ALL THAT TIME

HAD GROWN SO OLD THAT HE FELT UN ABLE TO HANDLE ALL THOSE BLOODY REINDEER )T S AN ODD SEQUENCE OF EVENTS THAT GO TOGETHER TO MAKE THE AR RANGEMENTS FOR CURRENT AND FUTURE 3ANTAS ,IKE ) SAID IN EVERY CENTURY ONE BOY IS BORN THAT HAS THE CAPA BILITY TO BECOME 3ANTA BUT THAT DOESN T NECESSARILY MEAN THAT THEY DO /NLY WHEN THE CURRENT 3ANTA FEELS UNABLE TO DO THE JOB PROPERLY

EITHER BECAUSE OF AGE n THE OLDEST 3ANTA WAS YEARS OLD WHEN HE RETIRED n OR BECAUSE AFTER SUCH A LONG WORK PERIOD THE PERSON FEELS THEMSELVES TO BE OUT OF TOUCH WITH WHAT IS BEING ASKED FOR 7HICH IS PRECISELY MY PROBLEM )N MY HEY DAY THE MOST PEOPLE ASKED FOR WAS A COPY OF THE LATEST NOVEL OR A NEW LUTE .OWADAYS THE THINGS THAT ) M ASKED FOR STAGGER ME ) MEAN WHAT ON EARTH IS THE USE OF A MOVING CAR THAT ONLY AN ANT WOULD BE ABLE TO DRIVE OR A TINY BOX THAT EMITS WHAT PASSES FOR MUSIC NOW "UT ) M GETTING AHEAD OF MY SELF )T TURNED OUT THAT +RIS +RINGLE WASN T RETIRING FOR ANOTHER YEAR OR SO BUT IN ORDER FOR ME TO LEARN THE ROPES ) HAD TO START MY APPRENTICE SHIP 3O POP WENT MY DREAM OF ENTERING THE CHURCH AND ) MOVED TO THE COLDEST WINDIEST PLACE ON THIS EARTH 9OU WANT TO KNOW WHY NO ONE HAS EVER REALLY FOUND THE PLACE WHERE WE MAKE THE PRESENTS )T S BECAUSE NO ONE IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WOULD EVER WANT TO LIVE HERE ) M SURE YOU NEVER THOUGHT THAT &ATHER #HRISTMAS WOULD BE SUCH A GRUMP "UT YOU TRY LIVING IN A PLACE THAT IF YOU GO OUTSIDE WITHOUT AN ADEQUATE NUMBER OF SCARVES YOUR NOSE IS IN DANGER OF FALLING OFF )N THE SHORT SPACE OF TWO YEARS ) WAS lNALLY READY TO TAKE THE

REINS AND MY INITIATION WHILST NOT EXACTLY TRIAL BY lRE WAS NERVE WRACKING TO SAY THE LEAST )T S NOT THE EASIEST THING DIRECTING REIN DEER AND SLIDING DOWN CHIMNEYS

PARTICULARLY WHEN YOU RE NOT USED TO THE EXTRA WEIGHT ABOUT THE MID DLE 3EE THAT S THE THING ABOUT THE IMAGE OF &ATHER #HRISTMAS (E S AN OVERWEIGHT BEARDED JOLLY AND RED FACED OLD MAN !ND YES ) DO HAVE A BEARD NOW BUT ) M OVER YEARS OLD n WHAT ELSE WOULD YOU EXPECT 7HEN ) STARTED THE JOB ) WAS A TALL FAIRLY THIN AND RATHER UN JOLLY YOUNG MAN SO WHAT ON EARTH WAS TO BE EXPECTED !S THE DECADES PASSED ) GREW MORE COMFORTABLE WITH THE ROLE ) MANAGED TO EXERT A WIDER DEGREE OF CONTROL OVER THE REINDEER WHO HAD CAUSED +RIS SO MUCH TROUBLE

AND INTRODUCED A GREATER NUMBER OF CHILDREN TO THE JOYS OF #HRIST MAS THE ONLY PROBLEM WAS WHAT TO DO WITH THE MASSIVE AMOUNT OF FREE TIME THAT ) HAD 9OU MAY NOT KNOW THIS BUT WORK FOR &ATHER #HRISTMAS STARTS IN 3EPTEMBER AND lNISHES ON TH OF $ECEMBER WITH THE OFlCE CLEAN UP 7HAT DO

) DO FOR THE OTHER NINE MONTHS OF EACH YEAR )T S NOT THAT EASY lNDING PASTIMES WHEN YOU RE AN INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED lGURE

AND IN THE lRST HUNDRED OR SO YEARS THERE WAS NOTHING ) COULD DO WITHOUT DONNING A COMPLETE DISGUISE ) MADE A FAMILY FOR MY SELF AND SPENT MOST OF MY TIME EXPLORING THE COUNTRYSIDE AROUND MY NEW HOME PROPERLY BUNDLED UP WITH SCARVES OF COURSE 7ITH THE COMING OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY HOWEVER FATE HAD ANOTHER TRICK UP HER SLEEVE 4HE INTRODUCTION OF THE CELEBRITY MEANT THAT lNALLY ) COULD COME AND GO AS ) PLEASED BECAUSE EVERY CELEBRITY NEEDS MONEY AND WHAT S THE BEST WAY TO DO THAT

BUT ENDORSE PRODUCTS !LRIGHT -Y PREDECESSORS MAY CLAIM THAT ) SOLD OUT THAT ) REJECTED THE TRUE IDEALS OF THE JOB IN FAVOUR OF MORE MONEY BUT IN REALITY THE ONLY THING ) REALLY DID WAS CHANGE THE COLOUR OF THE SUIT )N THE OLD DAYS WE WORE GREEN AND THE PRESENTS WE GAVE WERE SIMPLE AND LOW TECH 3ADLY THIS DIDN T CONTINUE THE DEMAND FOR PRESENTS

7ANTED 4O COMMENCE TRAINING IN *ANUARY

)NTELLIGENT ENERGETIC YOUNG MAN WITH LOVE OF mYING AND HEAD FOR HEIGHTS -UST HAVE ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE WITH ANIMALS BE CAPABLE OF HEAVY LIFTING AND HAVE JOLLY DEMEANOUR !LL APPLICATIONS TO BE SENT TO 3 #LAUSE DAMNCOLD COM

GOT EVER GREATER AND MORE COM PLEX AND OUR FUNDS GREW SHORT 7HAT WAS ) TO DO ) COULDN T GIVE CHILDREN THINGS THEY DIDN T WANT

AND ) COULDN T AFFORD THE THINGS THEY DID WANT 4HEN THE ANSWER CAME IN THE MOST SURPRISING FORM ) WAS OFFERED MONEY FROM A lRM

AND ALL ) HAD TO DO WAS CHANGE THE CLOTHES FROM A GREEN GOWN TO A RED SUIT %ASY /F COURSE IN THE THIRTIES PRODUCT PLACEMENT WASN T TOO HARD ) JUST HAD TO POSE FOR A BILLBOARD POSTER HOLDING A COKE BOTTLE AND LOOK JOLLY .OW THERE S ACTING INVOLVED BUT STILL IT lLLS UP THE FREE TIME 3O THAT S MY STORY ) VE BEEN &ATHER #HRISTMAS FOR ALMOST YEARS 4IMES HAVE CHANGED AND TOYS COME AND GO #HILDREN GROW AND PASS THE LEGEND ON THROUGH THE AGES YET ) STILL FEEL REGRET FROM THE FACT THAT ) NEVER FOLLOWED MY OWN DREAMS AND PURSUED MY ACADEMIC LEANINGS ) WANT TO GO BACK AND BECOME WHAT ) DREAMED OF WHEN ) WAS EIGHTEEN -AYBE NEXT YEAR

4UESDAY TH $ECEMBER #/.#2%4%

/H 5%! IS 7ONDERFUL

)S IT A PUB CRAWL IS IT A NUDIST CAMP DAY OUT .O IT S A 5%! SPORTS INITIATION 5%! S SPORTS TEAMS ARE RENOWNED FOR THEIR ROWDY START OF TERM ANTICS ,OUISE $UNGATE lNDS OUT WHETHER THERE REALLY IS MORE TO THEM THAN NUDITY HUMILIATION AND ALCOHOL

4

HIS TERM HAVE YOU FOUND YOURSELF ASK ING h7HO IS THAT GIMP KISSING A RAW CHICKEN AND WEARING NOTHING BUT SCARILY SMALL UNDERPANTS v OR h7HY DOES MY mATMATE NOW RESEMBLE A BAT TERED COD v ) HAVE !ND PERHAPS ASKING EVEN ONLY ONCE IS ONE TIME TOO MANY .EVERTHELESS THESE PEOPLE ARE PROBABLY PEOPLE WHO FEEL THE URGE TO DON A KIT OF YELLOW

WHITE AND BLUE AND REPRESENT THE 5NIVERSITY IN A COMPETITIVE SPORT %VERY YEAR 5%! ACQUIRES A SUR PRISINGLY LARGE NUMBER OF CRAZED LUNATICS EAGER TO SWING THEIR BRIEFS OVER THEIR HEADS AND CRY SOME STUDENT RELATED PROFANITY !N INTE GRAL PART OF 5%!

SPORTS ARE OFTEN VALUED HIGHLY AMONGST MOST AT TENDING STUDENTS AND CAN CONTRIB UTE TO A WELL ROUNDED UNIVERSITY EXPERIENCE 4HIS POPULARITY IN TURN HAS SPURRED THE IMPLEMENTATION AND NOT TO MENTION A NOTORIETY OF INITIATIONS 4HEY HAVE BECOME A RITE OF PASSAGE BEING BOTH EQUALLY ANTICIPATED AND FEARED 4O THE OUTSIDE WORLD THEY ARE SUSPI CIOUS PERHAPS A TAD TOO CRUEL AND PROBABLY HIGHLY UNETHICAL $ESPITE 5NION CONCERNS AND CONSEQUENTLY THE PROPOSAL OF REGULATIONS THIS YEAR HAS NOT BEEN WITHOUT SUCH EVENTFUL hWELCOMING CEREMONIESv /FTEN MISCONSTRUED THE TERM hINITIATIONv IS DElNED IN THE DIC TIONARY AS A FORMAL ADMISSION INTO A GROUP OR SOCIETY )TS PRIMARY PUR POSE IS AS ) RESEARCHED APPARENTLY NOT TO MOCK AND PUBLICLY HUMILI ATE BUT TO ACTUALLY PROVIDE A BASIS FOR A SENSE OF BELONGING AND UNITY WOW YOU CAN LEARN SOMETHING NEW EVERY DAY !T 5%!

IT IS USU ALLY SPORTS TEAMS SUCH AS FOOTBALL

RUGBY AND HOCKEY WHO FAMOUSLY MAKE IT A COMPULSORY ANNUAL EVENT WITH EACH CONSECUTIVE YEAR GROWING IN INTENSITY 4EAMS WHO DON T FEEL THE DESIRE TO INITIATE NEW MEMBERS INCLUDING !MERICAN &OOTBALL HAVE GIVEN REASONS SUCH AS hQUITE FRANKLY ) DON T PROMOTE THE DRINKING OF BODILY mUIDS OF OTHER TEAM MEMBERS )T S NOT WHAT SPORT IS ABOUTv $ON T REALLY BLAME YOU TO BE HONEST /FTEN TAKING PLACE ON CAMPUS

YOU MAY WELL HAVE BEEN PRIVI LEGED UNFORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAVE WITNESSED A hCEREMONYv lRSTHAND .OT FOR THE WEAK STOMACHED THEY CAN OFTEN MAKE FOR A DAMN GOOD SHOWING AS ) DISCOVERED LAST YEAR WHEN ) DID NOT HAVE A TELLY BUT INSTEAD HAD A FEW FRIENDS WHO WERE AMUSINGLY EXPLOITED BY THEIR CHOSEN TEAMS 3OMETHING ALONG THE LINES OF NUDITY PERMANENT MARKER A LOT OF LIPSTICK AND BIN

4HE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF INI TIATIONS IS AS ) RESEARCHED AP PARENTLY NOT TO MOCK AND PUB LICLY HUMILIATE

BUT TO ACTUALLY PROVIDE A BASIS FOR A SENSE OF BELONGING AND UNITY BAGS AS ) RECALL 5NSURPRISINGLY THIS YEAR HAS ALSO SEEN ITS FAIR SHARE OF EVENTFUL NESS FROM THE USUAL TEAMS -OST OF WHICH EXCEEDED THE MAYHEM CAUSED BY TEAMS LAST YEAR OWING TO THE UNWRITTEN RULE THAT SOCIAL SECRE TARIES MUST PROVE THEIR WORTH AND OUT PERFORM THEIR PREDECESSORS %ARLY /CTOBER SAW THE 5%!

(OCKEY #LUB WELCOME NEWCOMERS TO THE TEAM WITH A VARIETY OF SOME WHAT INTERESTING ANTICS INCLUDING THE DOWNING OF A PINT OF hWATERv COLLECTED AT THAT PRESTIGIOUS SOURCE THE 3QUARE S FOUNTAIN THROUGH A RATHER DIRTY HOCKEY SOCK (YGIENIC )NEVITABLY ALCOHOL SEEMED TO BE HIGH ON THE SOCIAL SECRETARIES AGENDA WITH MEMBERS CONSUM ING NO LESS THAN lVE ASSORTED PINTS IN OUR SPLENDID 5NION WITHIN THE SMALL SPACE OF THE lRST HOUR -EN S SOCIAL SECRETARY #HARLIE -AY SAID

h$RINKING WAS THE MAIN PRIORITY

AND ) AM PROUD TO SAY THAT ONLY TWO PEOPLE FAILED TO THROW UPv ) TRULY DOUBT THAT A MORE ETHICAL STATEMENT COULD BE MADE $ESCRIBED AS ONE OF THE MOST SOCIABLE TEAMS AT 5%!

THE HOCKEY CREW PUT ON A GOOD SHOW WHICH INCLUDED A COMPLEX OBSTACLE COURSE INVOLVING HOCKEY STICKS )N THE USUAL SPORTING FASHION OF HUMILIATION NEWCOMERS WERE MADE TO WEAR INCONTINENCE NAP PIES AND BIBS BEFORE PROCEEDING TO BE TIED TO PARTNERS BY THEIR LEGS AND HANDS !N EXISTING TEAM MEMBER THEN TOOK CHARGE OF

BY THIS POINT

A FAIRLY INEBRIATED NEWCOMER AND ALSO ENJOYED FREE REIGN WITH A PERMANENT MARKER 4HE PROFANITIES THAT WERE TATTOOED ONTO MANY A PERSON WILL PROBABLY ENSURE A LOT

OF PHOTOS WON T BE SENT HOME TO THE FAMILY THIS #HRISTMAS .OT TO BE OUTDONE WERE THE INFAMOUS 5%! -EN S FOOTBALL ERS ,ED BY 3OCIAL 3ECRETARY $AN 2OBINSON THE EVENING TRULY TESTED THE COMMITMENT OF THE RATHER NAKED NEWCOMERS TO THE TEAM )N FOLLOWING WITH THE GREAT SAYING h7HEN IN 2OMExv ALL INITIATEES WERE SPRAYED WITH REAL FARMING CATTLE MARKER /O ARR .ARWICH !ND WITH IT NOW BEING .OVEM BER "ONlRE .IGHT TO BE PRECISE

IT WAS TERRIlCALLY COLD AND DAMP )DEAL CONDITIONS FOR BEING MADE TO RUN ABOUT WITHOUT CLOTHES AND GET SLAPPED WITH A WET lSH IN THE EYES OF FRIENDS AND THE PUBLIC ONE MIGHT SAY 4HAT IS EXACTLY WHAT OCCURRED /NLY WITH THE ADDITION OF INEXPLI CABLE AMOUNTS OF EGG mOUR AND VINEGAR 0ERHAPS $AN WAS AIMING FOR THAT VERY IN SEASON h) WORK IN A &ISH SHOP LOOKv 7ELL ) MUST SAY

IT CERTAINLY DID TURN SOME HEADS

AND SOME NOSTRILS FOR THAT MATTER 7HEN ASKED WHAT HE MADE OF THE NIGHT $AN S RESPONSE WAS hxAS FAR AS ) M CONCERNED YOU RE NOT A REAL MAN UNTIL YOU HAVE BEEN VIOLATED

BY A TROUTv ! PROMINENT CEREMONY WHICH PERHAPS UNDESERVEDLY RECEIVED A FAIR AMOUNT OF CRITICISM WERE 5%! -EN S 2UGBY ! TEAM WHO ARE ALWAYS STEREOTYPED AND ANTICIPATED TO BE THE MOST OUTRAGEOUS AND THE MOST CONCERNING WELL THERE WAS A RAW CHICKEN INVOLVED WERE ACCUSED OF BEING hOVERRATED AND FRANKLY DISAPPOINTINGv 7ITH SUCH A LARGE TEAM THE ORGANISATION OF SUCH A NIGHT WAS DIFlCULT BUT WELL MANAGED BY 3OCIAL 3ECRETARY 3AM

7ILSON (E PUTS hANY ANTI CLIMAX DOWN TO THE 5%! SECURITY PREVENT ING US FROM DOING ALL WE WANTED AND WHAT PEOPLE WEREN T AWARE OF IS THAT MUCH OF THE FUNNIER ACTIVI TIES HAPPENED PRIOR TO THE 3QUARE v 3ECURITY THAT NIGHT WERE UNDE TERRED BY THE VINEGAR AND CHICKEN GREASE WELL ON GUARD AND DUE TO THE SOMEWHAT OVERWHELMING AMOUNT OF MALE NUDITY FROM THE TEAM LAST YEAR EXCUSE THE AWFUL PUN CRACKED DOWN ON THE FULL EXTENT OF NAKEDNESS THAT WE MAY HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO /THERWISE THE NIGHT WAS QUITE HUMOROUS 3EEING MEN LINED UP IN THEIR BOXERS KISSING A CHICKEN AND RECEIVING AMUSING NICKNAMES INCLUDING 4IMONE 0UMBAA

!NONYMOUS AND -R 4ICKLE WAS REALLY QUITE ENJOYABLE 3O NOW YOU MIGHT ASK YOURSELF

HOW DOES ONE GO ABOUT PLANNING AN EVENT SUCH AS THIS 0ART OF A THREE WOMAN h3OCIAL 3ECRETARYv TEAM FOR 5%! 7OMEN S 2UGBY WE WORKED OUR STUDENT BUMS OFF TO MAKE SURE THIS YEAR DID NOT DISAP POINT 0RIORITIES INCLUDED CHOOSING A LOCATION THE TRADITIONAL 3QUARE IS ALMOST ALWAYS IDEAL A DATE TO COINCIDE WITH A CLASSIC ,#2 NIGHT

A THEME #AVEGIRLS YABBADAB BADOO AND ACTIVITIES THAT COULD ONLY BE BEST PERFORMED WHEN EVER SO SLIGHTLY AHEM hTIPSYv 4HESE INCLUDED LEAPFROG hDINOSAURv EGG AND SPOON RACE AND A JELLY EATING CONTEST 4HE NIGHT CONSISTED OF THREE TEAMS A RIDICULOUS AND EQUALLY MAGNIlCENT AMOUNT OF FAKE LEOP ARD PRINT FUR OODLES OF ALCOHOL

HOMEMADE hCOCKTAILSv AND A RATHER

SUSPICIOUS VODKA JELLY 4HE TERM hSUSPICIOUSv OWING TO THE RATHER COPIOUS LUMPS OF SAUSAGE mOAT ING ABOUT 4HE USE OF SAUSAGE

WHICH IRONICALLY MADE MY NIGHT FAR SHORTER THAN HOPED WAS MY IDEA )NITIATIONS ENDED ON A HIGH WITH ALL NEWCOMERS EACH RECEIVING AN ALL IMPORTANT NICKNAME 4O NAME BUT A FEW WERE h0OSHv FOR THE 6IC TORIA "ECKHAM LOOK ALIKE h3PECIALv FOR THE hEVER ON THE BALLv BLONDE LEGEND AND FOR THE MOST FORGETFUL TEAM MATE h!MNESIAv 4AKING SIX WEEKS OF PLANNING SCHEDULING

lNANCING AND RECRUITING THE OR GANISATION WAS NOT SHORT OF GRUEL LING AND STRESSFUL (OWEVER FELLOW 3OCIAL 3ECRETARY "ECCA *ENKINSON REMARKED THAT hWE WOULDN T HAVE HAD IT ANY OTHER WAY 4HE TREMEN DOUS EFFORT MADE BY EVERYONE WAS BEAUTIFUL AND ) RECOMMEND BEING A DRUNKEN CAVE GIRL TO ALL v 7ITH SPORTS PROVING TO BE SUCH A VALUED PART OF 5%! LIFE HERE IN THE RUMP OF "RITAIN ) DO THINK THAT INITIATIONS ARE A WORTHWHILE EVENT 4HEY DO NOT REALLY NEED TO INVOLVE FULL NUDITY NOR THE CONSUMPTION OF STAGNANT FOUNTAIN WATER BODILY mUIDS UNCOOKED lSH OR POULTRY AND ESPECIALLY ARE NOT A REASON TO PUT YOURSELF OR TEAM MATES IN A DANGEROUS POSITION 4HAT ISN T WHAT SPORT IS ABOUT )N ACTUAL FACT

IT IS ABOUT HAVING AN EXCUSE TO MAKE YOUR FRIENDS LOOK LIKE UTTER GOONS IN FANCY HILARIOUS MINUTE ATTIRE WHILST ALSO RUNNING AROUND CAMPUS LIKE A LUNATIC )F THEY ARE MIGHTILY EMBARRASSED AND CON SEQUENTLY REFUSE TO SPEAK TO YOU

SO BE IT !FTER ALL YOU CAN JUST TELL THEM THAT WHICH DOES NOT KILL YOU CAN ONLY MAKE YOU STRONGER

#/.#2%4% 4UESDAY TH $ECEMBER

"AREBACK .ATION )N THE WAKE OF 3AFE 3EX 7EEK EVIDENCE SHOWS THAT ALTHOUGH SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DIS EASES ARE ON THE RISE MORE OF US ARE CHOOSING NOT TO USE CONDOMS 2OBERT *ACKMAN ASKS WHY CONDOMS HAVE BECOME SO UNCOOL

7

HEN IT CAME TO THE 5NION S 3AFE 3EX WEEK THERE WAS NO TIME FOR SUBTLETY 7ITH SEXUALLY TRANS MITTED DISEASES DUBBED "RITAIN S @SILENT EPIDEMIC NOTHING WAS OFF LIMITS IN THE MISSION TO PROMOTE SAFE SEX &ROM PENIS SHAPED BLIMPS TO THE ,IBERATIONS /FlCER DRESSED AS A GIANT CONDOM n THE MORE AT TENTION GRABBING THE BETTER !ND THE 5NION ISN T ALONE IN LOOKING TO NEW TACTICS TO PUSH THE SAFE SEX MESSAGE ,AST MONTH THE $EPARTMENT OF (EALTH LAUNCHED A NEW INITIATIVE TO MAKE YOUNG PEOPLE THINK OF CONDOMS AS @%S SENTIAL 7EAR .ORTH OF THE BORDER THE 3COTTISH .(3 JOINED WITH ,'"4 GROUPS TO WARN OF THE @#OMEBACK 4OUR OF ()6 -EANWHILE THE CHARITY + 'ENERATION USED TEXT MESSAGING TO ALERT TEENAGERS TO THE DANGERS OF SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS !ND THE CAMPAIGNS ARE NEEDED n EVIDENCE SHOWS 34)S ARE ON THE RISE (EALTH REPORTS BLAME THIS ON @CONDOM FATIGUE 4HEY CRITICISE COMPLACENCY TOWARDS ENCOURAGING SEXUAL HEALTH AND WARN THAT THIS HAS LED TO A CULTURAL DIVORCE FROM THE CONDOM &ROM TRENDY LABELS TO TEXT MESSAGING THE CAMPAIGNS ARE UNITED IN ONE THING n THEIR DESIRE TO REVERSE THIS /F COURSE YOU RE UNLIKELY TO STUMBLE ACROSS THE PHRASE @CON DOM FATIGUE ANYWHERE OTHER THAN HEALTH REPORTS /N THE STREETS AND BETWEEN THE SHEETS THE TERM IS @BAREBACKING /NCE CONlNED TO THE DARKER RECESSES OF GAY PORNOGRAPHY

THE TERM HAS SEEPED INTO MAIN STREAM SEXUAL VERNACULAR &ROM THE THUGGISH BOASTS OF RAP ARTISTS TO LU RID POSTERS ADVERTISING @RAW NIGHTS AT GAY CLUBS THE RISKS OF UNSAFE SAFE SEX ARE PORTRAYED AS A THRILL RATHER THAN A WORRY "UT THEY REMAIN A WORRY TO THE (EALTH 0ROTECTION !GENCY )N .OVEMBER THEY PUBLISHED ALARM ING STATISTICS ON THE STATE OF ()6 IN THE 5+ 4HE STATISTICS REVEALED THAT DIAGNOSES OF ()6 LAST YEAR WERE HIGHER THAN ANY PREVIOUS YEAR ON RECORD %VEN MORE STARTLING WAS THE ESTIMATE THAT ONE THIRD OF THOSE INFECTED ARE UNAWARE THAT THEY HAVE CONTRACTED THE VIRUS 7ITH MASSIVE MEDICAL AD VANCES IN TREATING ()6 THE VIRUS IS NOW SEEN AS A CHRONIC MALADY RATHER THAN A DEATH SENTENCE A

DISCOURAGING MEDICAL CONDITION BUT A MANAGEABLE ONE NONETHE LESS A DISEASE AKIN TO DIABETES ()6 CHARITY THE 4ERRENCE (IGGINS 4RUST FEARS THAT NOW UNSAFE SEX IS NOT AN IMMEDIATE MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH MORE PEOPLE ARE PREPARED TO TAKE THE RISK 4HIS IS THE CALLOUS IRONY OF SEXUAL HEALTH 4HE BETTER THE TREATMENT

THE MORE LIKELY WE ARE TO TAKE THE RISK !MONG PROMISCUOUS CIRCLES

()6 HAS BECOME THE HANGOVER OF THE SEXUAL WORLD n AN UNFORTUNATE CONSEQUENCE OF EXCESS THE DOWN SIDE TO INDULGENCE 9ES THERE LL BE ACHES AND PAINS BUT NOTHING THAT A HANDFUL OF PILLS CAN T SORT OUT %QUALLY UNNERVING ARE THE STATIS TICS ON CHLAMYDIA $IAGNOSES HAVE RISEN EVERY YEAR SINCE RECORDS BEGAN n WITH A RISE SINCE )T IS ESTIMATED THAT IN SEXUALLY ACTIVE PEOPLE UNDER ARE CARRYING THE INFECTION !ND THE .53 FEAR THAT THE SITU ATION WILL GET WORSE n ESPECIALLY WITH THE CONDOM FACING EXTINCTION ON CAMPUS 7HEN THEY CARRIED OUT A SEX SURVEY IN THEY WERE ALARMED TO lND THAT ONLY OF STUDENTS SAID THEY ALWAYS USED A CONDOM AND THAT OF STUDENTS SAID THAT THEY NEVER USED A CONDOM !ND AS FOR THOSE WHO DID USE A CONDOM THE .53 FOUND THAT THE MAIN REASON WAS A FEAR OF PREGNANCY RATHER THAN A CONCERN FOR SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS )N DESPAIR AT THE RISE OF 34)S

THE $EPARTMENT OF (EALTH HAS POURED MILLION POUNDS INTO A NEW SEXUAL HEALTH OPERATION 4HE CAMPAIGN IMPOSES THE NAMES OF 34)S ONTO WELL KNOWN DESIGNER LOGOS #HLAMYDIA IS STITCHED INTO THE WAISTBAND OF A PAIR OF #ALVIN +LEIN BOXER SHORTS WHILE @'ONOR RHEA ADORNS A #HRISTINA !GUILERA STYLE NECKLACE @)F 34)S WERE AS EASY TO SPOT AS DESIGNER LABELS THEN YOU D ALWAYS WEAR A CONDOM THE CAMPAIGN WARNS !DD SOME NEAR NAKED TEENS AND A PUMPING SOUNDTRACK AND THE TELEVISION ADVERT IS COMPLETE "UT HOW CAN THE $EPARTMENT OF (EALTH BE SURE THAT THEIR CAMPAIGN WILL BE NOTICED !FTER ALL NEAR NAKED BODIES ARE EVERYWHERE ON TELEVI SION WHEN IT COMES TO ADVERTISING

8 RATED IS THE ORTHODOX 7HETHER YOU RE SELLING CARS ALCOPOPS OR PERFUME NOTHING WILL HAVE YOUR PRODUCT mYING FROM THE SHELVES LIKE A DOSE OF THE STEAMY AND SUGGES

TIVE "UT WHILE SEX HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE SELLING DEVICE THIS #HRISTMAS IT ALSO BECOMES THE PRODUCT AS THE lRST TELEVISION ADVERT FOR A SEX TOY REACHES OUR SCREENS 4HE ADVERT IN QUESTION IS FOR A VIBRATING COCK RING n THE lRST PRODUCT TO EMERGE FROM $UREX S NEW $UREX 0LAY RANGE "UT WHY DO THE CONDOM MANUFACTURES FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE TELLING VIEW ERS TO WEAR A COCK RING THAN THEY DO TELLING THEM TO WEAR A CONDOM )T S A DISTURBING PARADOX n WHILE SEX HAS CONQUERED OUR SCREENS

SEXUAL HEALTH HAS VANISHED FROM THEM )NDEED TO lND OUT WHETHER $UREX S COCK RING CAN BE WORN WITH ONE OF THEIR CONDOMS ONE HAS TO DELVE INTO THE SMALLPRINT OF THE $UREX 0LAY WEBSITE WHERE WE RE TOLD THAT THEY TOY IS ENTIRELY CONDOM COMPATIBLE "UT THERE S A WIDER QUESTION OF COMPATIBILITY n ARE $UREX 0LAY S CONNOTATIONS OF EXPLORATION AND INDULGENCE COMPATIBLE WITH THE CONDOM

SOMETHING WHICH ADVERTISERS REGARD AS OVERCAUTIOUS AND PRUDISH !FTER ALL WHY HAVE $UREX DECIDED TO LAUNCH SUB BRAND $UREX 0LAY TO UNVEIL THEIR RANGE OF VIBRATORS AND LUBRICANTS 7HAT DOES THIS SAY ABOUT $UREX S OTHER PRODUCTS #AN ONE NOT EXPLORE AND INDULGE WHILST USING A CONDOM 4O PARAPHRASE AN OLD PUBLIC INFORMATION lLM IS IT NOT POSSIBLE TO PLAY SAFE "RITAIN PRIDES ITSELF ON ITS PRO GRESSIVE ATTITUDES TO SEX WE RE SO SURE THAT WE VE MOVED AWAY FROM THE @.O 3EX 0LEASE 7E RE "RITISH STEREOTYPE "UT IN REALITY WE RE STILL EMBARRASSED TO TALK ABOUT IT n THAT S WHY WE LET OTHERS DO IT FOR US "UT UNFORTUNATELY WHEN IT COMES TO THE SEX IN ADVERTS AND MUSIC VIDEO FANTASY OUTWEIGHS REALITY 4IMID TEACHERS AND STUTTERING PARENTS HAVE LEFT A GENERATION UNSURE ABOUT SEX AND LOOKING ELSEWHERE FOR GUIDANCE &ROM TO (OLLYOAKS THEY VE BEEN lLLED IN ON THE FORNICATION BUT WHEN IT COMES TO THE FALLOUT THEY RE STILL IN THE DARK 4HE 5NION AND THE $EPARTMENT OF (EALTH S LAST HOPE WILL BE THAT THEY lND OUT ABOUT IT FROM THEIR CAMPAIGNS n AND NOT FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

&OR MORE INFORMATION ON CONDOMS SEXUAL HEALTH HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM 34)S AND TO lND YOUR NEAREST '5- #LINIC VISIT WWW CONDOMESSENTIAL WEAR CO UK OR CALL THE FREE AND CONlDENTIAL 3EXUAL (EALTH HELPLINE 4EXTPHONE FOR PEOPLE WITH HEARING DIFlCULTIES

#/.#2%4% 4UESDAY TH $ECEMBER

# &%!452%

# &%!452%

#ELEBRATE GOOD TIMES

4UESDAY TH $ECEMBER #/.#2%4%

!

S WE ENTER $ECEMBER MOST OF OUR THOUGHTS HAVE TURNED TO THE FORTHCOMING CELEBRA TIONS OF #HRISTMAS AND THE .EW 9EAR

AND OF COURSE TO THE IMMINENT EXAM INATIONS THAT THE MAJORITY OF US WILL BE TAKING AT THE END OF THE SEMES TER )N THIS TIME OF CELEBRATION AND EXCITEMENT IT IS EASY TO FORGET ABOUT THE ROOTS OF THE FESTIVALS WE CELEBRATE AND THOSE THAT WE PERHAPS MISS OUT ON ALTOGETHER ) RECENTLY CELEBRATED 4HANKSGIVING FOR THE l RST TIME -Y m ATMATES AND ) HELD A PARTY IN HONOUR OF THE TWO !MERICAN STUDENTS WHO LIVE WITH US AND ) FOUND IT INTERESTING HOW MUCH WE ALL INVOLVED OURSELVES WITH THE PREPARATIONS AND CELEBRATION /F COURSE ) KNEW ABOUT 4HANKSGIVING AND ITS TRADITIONS BEFOREHAND THROUGH SCHOOL TELEVISION PROGRAMMES AND l LMS BUT PARTICIPATING l RST HAND WAS A NEW EXPERIENCE )T GOT ME THINKING ABOUT THE OTHER CELEBRATIONS WE MISS OUT ON PURELY THROUGH NOT LIVING IN A CERTAIN PLACE OR SUBSCRIBING TO A PAR TICULAR RELIGION ) THOUGHT THAT ALTHOUGH EVERY RE LIGIOUS OR WORLD FESTIVAL HAS ITS OWN INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS WHICH LINK IT TO A CAUSE OR CELEBRATION FROM THE PAST WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO AS INTEL LECTUALS RELATE TO THESE DIFFERENT RE LIGIOUS FESTIVALS IN THE WAY ) DID WITH 4HANKSGIVING 0ERHAPS ) DIDN T THEN KNOW THE HIS TORY OF HOW THE 0ILGRIMS BEGAN THE ACT OF GIVING THANKS IN THIS WAY BACK IN THE TH CENTURY BUT ) TOOK FROM THE CELEBRATIONS MY OWN EXPERIENCE ) THINK THAT SOME OF THE SITUATIONS WE l ND OURSELVES IN WHETHER IN OUR LIFE AT HOME OR AT 5NIVERSITY CAN BE APPLIED TO RELIGIOUS CELEBRATIONS THAT ARE PREVIOUSLY UNKNOWN TO US )N THIS ARTICLE ) HOPE TO SHOW SOME LINKS BE TWEEN THE COMMONLY KNOWN FESTIVALS WE CELEBRATE AND SOME OF THE LESS WELL KNOWN ONES THAT ARE HAPPENING OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS 4HANKSGIVING IS A FESTIVAL THAT IS LARGELY ONLY CELEBRATED IN !MERICA AND #ANADA AND IN ESSENCE IS THE CEL EBRATION OF THE THINGS WE HAVE THE RELATIONSHIPS WE HOLD AND WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED OVER THE PAST YEAR )T FALLS ON THE FOURTH 4HURSDAY IN .O VEMBER IN THE 5NITED 3TATES AND ON THE SECOND -ONDAY IN /CTOBER IN #ANADA 7HEN OUR m AT SAT DOWN FOR OUR 4HANKSGIVING MEAL WE TOOK IT IN TURNS TO SAY WHAT WE WERE THANKFUL FOR AND IT WAS THEN THAT IT STRUCK ME HOW MANY SIMILARITIES IT SHARES WITH

4HERE ARE CEL EBRATIONS IN "UD DHISM )SLAM

*UDAISM 3IKHISM AND EVEN 3CEIN TOLOGY TO LOOK FORWARD TO OVER THE COMING WEEKS

SOME OF THE CELEBRATIONS WE POPU LARLY SUBSCRIBE TO NAMELY #HRISTMAS AND %ASTER &OOD IS A KEY INGREDIENT OF MANY OF TODAY S RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS AND CELEBRATIONS AS THE ACT OF SITTING DOWN FOR A LARGE MEAL BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER WHETHER FAMILY OR FRIENDS

IN THE KITCHEN OR AT THE DINNER TABLE /F COURSE #HRISTMAS IS THE MOST WELL KNOWN AND WIDELY CELEBRATED FESTIVAL IN THE 5+ OVER THE MONTHS OF $ECEMBER AND *ANUARY BUT IT IS FAR FROM THE ONLY RELIGIOUS EVENT THAT IS COMING UP 4HERE ARE CELEBRATIONS IN "UDDHISM )SLAM *UDAISM 3IKHISM AND EVEN 3CIENTOLOGY TO LOOK FORWARD TO OVER THE COMING WEEKS #HRONOLOGICALLY THE l RST CELEBRA TION IN $ECEMBER IS THE #HRISTIAN FESTIVAL OF !DVENT WHICH COMMENCES ON THE RD THIS YEAR THE FOURTH 3UN

DAY BEFORE #HRISTMAS AND ENDS AT MIDNIGHT ON THE TH )T IS THE BEGIN NING OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL YEAR AND IT INVOLVES THE COUNTING DOWN OF DAYS BEFORE THE TH $URING !DVENT SOME PEOPLE MAKE OR BUY CALENDARS THAT HAVE TWENTY FOUR SEALED LITTLE WIN DOWS ONE FOR EACH DAY IN $ECEMBER LEADING UP TO AND INCLUDING #HRIST MAS %VE EVEN THOUGH !DVENT DOESN T START UNTIL THE RD THIS YEAR 4HE IDEA IS TO OPEN ONE WINDOW A DAY TO REVEAL EITHER A PICTURE OR A MINI CHOCOLATE SHAPE THAT CORRESPONDS TO SOMETHING CONNECTED TO THIS TIME OF YEAR 4HESE CALENDARS HAVE BECOME BIG BUSINESS FOR CONFECTIONARY MANUFACTURERS AND BARELY HAVE ANY AGE LIMITING STIGMA ATTACHED TO THEM ) HAVE ONE AND ) M YEARS OLDx ) THINK IT APPROPRIATE TO MENTION A RELATIVELY NEW CELEBRATION THAT HAP PENS ON $ECEMBER TH ESPECIALLY AS IT IS ALMOST A FAUX PAS NOWADAYS NOT TO KNOW WHO 4OM AND +ATIE ARE 3CI ENTOLOGISTS CELEBRATE &LAG ,AND "ASE $AY ON THIS DAY TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE &LAG ,AND "ASE IN #LEARWATER

&LORIDA IN 4HE BASE IN QUESTION IS THE CONTROVERSIAL hWORLDWIDE SPIR ITUAL HEADQUARTERSv OF THE #HURCH OF 3CIENTOLOGY AND IS ESSENTIALLY 3CI ENTOLOGY S VERSION OF 6ATICAN #ITY ) PROBABLY SHOULDN T GIVE MY POINT OF VIEW ON 3CIENTOLOGY BUT LET S JUST SAY THAT AFTER RESEARCHING THE RELIGION ) HAVE COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT BE ING A MEMBER OF 3TRINGFELLOWS WOULD BE MORE BENEl CIAL FOR THE VAST MA JORITY OF US 4HE NEXT MAIN CELEBRATION THAT HAPPENS IN $ECEMBER IS THE "UDDHIST CELEBRATION OF "ODHI $AY ON THE TH 4HIS DAY CELEBRATES 'AUTAMA "UD DHA S !LSO KNOWN AS @4HE "UDDHA ATTAINMENT OF ENLIGHTENMENT UNDER A BODHI TREE IN "ODHGAYA IN NORTHERN )NDIA !NOTHER NAME FOR THE COM MEMORATION IS 2OHATSU *APANESE FOR THE TH DAY OF THE TH MONTH 4HE *EWISH FESTIVAL OF (ANUKKAH FOLLOWS NEXT FROM $ECEMBER TH TO THE RD (ANUKKAH CELEBRATES THE REDEDICATION OF THE 4EMPLE IN *E RUSALEM AFTER IT WAS RECAPTURED FROM THE 3YRIAN 'REEKS BY THE -ACCABEE "ROTHERS IN "# 4HE IMPORTANCE OF THIS EIGHT DAY HOLIDAY IS THAT IT TELLS OF THEIR STRUGGLE AGAINST OPPRESSION AND THE BATTLE OVER TWO THOUSAND YEARS AGO TO KEEP THE *EWISH FAITH ALIVE /NCE THE 4EMPLE HAD BEEN RE DEDICATED THE VICTORIOUS *EWS COULD ONLY l ND ENOUGH OLIVE OIL TO LIGHT THE MENORAH ! NINE BRANCHED CAN DLE HOLDER ALSO KNOWN AS A #HANUK KIYAH FOR ONE DAY BUT THE CANDLE

BURNED FOR EIGHT STRAIGHT DAYS BEFORE EXTRA SUPPLIES WERE FOUND 4HIS EIGHT DAY PERIOD IS MIRRORED IN THE LENGTH OF (ANUKKAH AND *EWISH FAMILIES LIGHT ONE MORE CANDLE ON THE MENO RAH EACH DAY FOR HALF AN HOUR WHEN THE SUN HAS GONE DOWN /N THE l RST DAY THERE WOULD BE ONE CANDLE LIT ON THE SECOND DAY THERE WOULD BE TWO CANDLES LIT AND SO ON 4HE REASON FOR THE MENORAH HAVING NINE BRANCHES

OR HOLDERS IS TO INCORPORATE AN EX TRA AUXILIARY CANDLE OR SHAMASH TO GUARD AGAINST SECULAR USE OF THE OTHER CANDLES AND ALSO TO LIGHT EACH CANDLE EACH DAY 3UCH THINGS AS (ANUKKAH PARTIES ARE HELD AND FOOD FRIED OR BAKED IN OIL ARE SERVED PREFERABLY COOKED IN OLIVE OIL TO LINK BACK TO THE MIRACLE OF THE CANDLE THAT BURNED FOR LONGER THAN IT SHOULD HAVE 4HE WINTER SOLSTICE IS CHRONOLOGI CALLY NEXT AND IS WHEN THE SUN IS AT ITS FURTHEST POINT AWAY FROM THE EQUATOR

GIVING US OUR SHORTEST DAY OF THE YEAR 4HIS YEAR IT S PRECISE MOMENT IS JUST AFTER MIDNIGHT ON $ECEMBER ND BUT IS USUALLY CELEBRATED ON THE ST !FTER THIS DAY THE SUN RISES EARLIER AND SETS LATER SHOWING THAT SUMMER IS ON ITS WAY $ECEMBER TH IS THE END OF !D VENT AND THE DAY WHEN WE OPEN THE LAST DOOR ON OUR CALENDARS USUALLY THE LARGEST ONE OF THE LOT CONTAINING A -ARS BAR OR SIMILAR DEPENDING ON BRAND OF CALENDAR 4HIS DAY RATHER OBVIOUSLY IS ALSO KNOWN AS #HRIST MAS %VE 4RADITIONALLY THIS WAS THE DAY WHEN HOUSEHOLDS WOULD SET UP THEIR #HRISTMAS TREES AND PUT UP THE BULK OF THEIR DECORATIONS (OWEVER

OVER THE PAST GENERATION OR SO THE LENGTH OF TIME BETWEEN PUTTING UP YOUR TREE AND #HRISTMAS ITSELF HAS GROWN AND GROWN IN SOME HOUSE HOLDS IT MAY EVEN STRETCH TO OVER TWO MONTHS BEFORE 4HERE ARE OFTEN HOUSES COVERED IN LARGE DECORATIONS IN THE AID OF CHARITY THEIR OWNERS BEING SPONSORED BY LOCAL RESIDENTS AND SMALL BUSINESSES TO KEEP THEIR DECORATIONS UP 4HERE ARE DEBATES AS TO WHETHER THESE TYPES OF DECORA TIONS ARE EYESORES OR MERELY OVEREN THUSIASTIC INSTALLATIONS -Y VIEW IS THAT ALTHOUGH THEY CAN BENEl T CHARI TIES PERHAPS A LARGER AMOUNT COULD BE CONTRIBUTED IF WE WERE ASKED TO DONATE TO KEEP THESE DECORATIONS IN THEIR BOXES THIS YEARx #HRISTMAS $AY IS UP NEXT AND NEEDS LITTLE INTRODUCTION AS IT IS ONE OF THE MOST WIDELY CELEBRATED OCCASIONS OF THE YEAR 7E ARE ALL AWARE PERHAPS BEGRUDGINGLY AS STUDENTS WITH BANK ACCOUNTS IN THE RED OF THE TRADITIONAL

EXCHANGING OF GIFTS THAT HAPPENS ON THIS DAY /BVIOUSLY AN EXPENSIVE TIME OF YEAR FOR MOST IT HAS BEEN COMMENTED THAT THIS FESTIVAL HAS LOST ITS ROOTS IN RELIGION AND BECOME IN CREASINGLY COMMERCIALISED #HRISTMAS IS A RELIGIOUS AND SECU LAR HOLIDAY THAT CELEBRATES THE BIRTH OF *ESUS #HRIST )T IS CELEBRATED ON $ECEMBER TH BECAUSE THIS IS THE OBSERVED DATE OF *ESUS BIRTH AS WELL AS THE HISTORIC DATES OF THE 2OMAN FESTIVAL OF 3OL )NVICTUS AND THE WIN TER SOLISTICE A FEW DAYS EARLIER 4HE CELEBRATION INCLUDES THEMES OF FAM ILY GOODWILL GIVING AND COMPASSION AND SHOULD BE ENJOYED BY ALL 4HE NOT SO RECENT HISTORY OF #HRISTMAS HAS AT TIMES BEEN CONFRONTATIONAL

ESPECIALLY DURING THE 2EFORMATION IN THE TH CENTURY WHEN 0ROTESTANTS CONDEMNED #HRISTMAS CELEBRATION AS hTRAPPINGS OF POPERYv AND THE hRAGS OF THE "EASTv 4HE #ATHOLIC #HURCH RESPONDED BY PROMOTING THE FESTI VAL IN A MORE RELIGIOUSLY ORIENTED FORM 7HEN A 0URITAN PARLIAMENT TRIUMPHED OVER THE +ING #HARLES ) OF %NGLAND #HRISTMAS WAS OFl CIALLY BANNED 0RO #HRISTMAS RIOTING BROKE OUT IN SEVERAL CITIES AND THE BAN AFTER LASTING FOR FOURTEEN YEARS ENDED WITH 4HE 2ESTORATION IN ! MORE RECENT AND MORE COMPAS SIONATE EXAMPLE OF #HRISTMAS ABIL ITY TO IMPROVE RELATIONS RATHER THAN STRETCH THEM WAS IN DURING 77 WHEN IN THE MIDST OF l GHTING

THERE WAS A #HRISTMAS TRUCE BETWEEN 'ERMAN AND "RITISH TROOPS IN &RANCE 3OLDIERS ON BOTH SIDES SPONTANEOUS LY BEGAN TO SING #HRISTMAS CAROLS AND STOPPED l GHTING 4HE TRUCE BEGAN ON #HRISTMAS $AY AND CONTINUED FOR SOME TIME AFTERWARD 4HERE WAS EVEN A GAME OF FOOTBALL BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES 5NFORTUNATELY OUR TROOPS LOST THAT GAME PERHAPS A LATE #HRISTMAS PRESENT FROM OUR BOYS TO THE 'ER MANS 4HE TH IS ALSO THE l RST DAY OF #HRISTMAS AND AS THE SONG GOES ) SHOULD BE EXPECTING MY TRUE LOVE TO PRESENT ME WITH A PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE 4HE TWELVE DAYS CONTINUE UNTIL *ANUARY TH

BY WHICH TIME IF WE VE STUCK TO THE SONG WE WILL HAVE ACCU MULATED QUITE A GANG 4HE DAY AFTER #HRISTMAS IS "OXING $AY A TIME TO ENJOY THE COMPANY OF YOUR FAMILY GO ON LONG COUNTRY WALKS OR IN MY CASE A CHANCE TO l N ISH OFF THE LEFTOVERS FROM THE DAY BE FORE 4HERE ARE DIFFERING EXPLANATIONS FOR THE ORIGIN OF THE NAME @"OXING $AY BUT MOST OF THESE CENTRE ON THE THEME OF THE EXCHANGING OF PRESENTS

OR TO BE MORE SPECIl C BOXES CON TAINING GOODIES THAT WERE PASSED BE TWEEN SERVANTS AND THEIR EMPLOYERS CENTURIES AGO .EXT UP ON $ECEMBER TH THE EIGHTH DAY OF THE )SLAMIC MONTH OF $HU AL (IJJAH WHICH ON OUR 'REGO RIAN CALENDER RUNS FROM $ECEMBER ND THIS YEAR TO *ANUARY TH NEXT YEAR THE ANNUAL -USLIM PILGRIMAGE TO -ECCA BEGINS %VERY ABLE BODIED -USLIM WHO HAS THE MEANS TO TRAVEL TO -ECCA IS OBLIGED TO UNDERTAKE THE PILGRIMAGE AT LEAST ONCE IN THEIR LIVES 4HE PILGRIMAGE REQUIRES THE PARTICI PANTS TO LEAVE -ECCA AND TRAVEL TO THE NEARBY TOWN OF -INA WHERE THEY SPEND THE REST OF THE DAY 4HE NEXT MORNING THE PILGRIMS LEAVE -INA FOR -OUNT !RAFAT 4HEY MUST SPEND THE AFTERNOON WITHIN A DEl NED AREA ON THE 0LAIN OF !RAFAT UNTIL AFTER SUNSET 4HERE ARE NO SET RITUALS OR PRAYERS REQUIRED DURING THE STAY AT !RAFAT

ALTHOUGH MANY PILGRIMS SPEND THE TIME PRAYING TALKING TO 'OD AND THINKING ABOUT THE COURSE OF THEIR LIVES !FTER SUNSET THEY LEAVE FOR -UZ DALIFAH AN AREA BETWEEN !RAFAT AND -INA WHERE PEBBLES ARE GATHERED FOR THE STONING OF THE JAMARAT (AVING SPENT THE NIGHT IN -UZ DALIFAH THE PILGRIMS NOW GO BACK TO -INA )T IS NOW THE TH OF THE MONTH OF $HU AL (IJJAH OR $ECEMBER TH

THE DAY OF %ID UL !DHA 4HIS IS THE )SLAMIC COMMEMORATION OF 0ROPHET )BRAHIM S WILLINGNESS TO SACRIl CE HIS SON FOR 'OD 4HE 0ROPHET DIDN T ACTUALLY SACRIl CE HIS SON AS HE WAS ABOUT TO KILL HIM 'OD TOLD )BRAHIM THAT HE COULD IN FACT SACRIl CE A SHEEP IN HIS SON S PLACE !S THE l RST PART OF THE STONING OF THE JAMARAT 3TONING OF THE $EVIL RITUAL PILGRIMS THROW SEVEN PEBBLES AT THE LARGE JAMRAH WALLS BUILT IN PLACE OF THREE OLD PIL LARS IN -INA !FTER THIS AN ANIMAL IS SACRIl CED 4RADITIONALLY THE PILGRIM KILLED THE ANIMAL HIMSELF OR OVER SAW THE KILLING 4ODAY MANY PILGRIMS BUY A SACRIl CE VOUCHER IN -ECCA BE FORE THE GREATER (AJJ BEGINS THIS AL LOWS AN ANIMAL TO BE SLAUGHTERED IN THEIR NAME ON THE TH WITHOUT THE PILGRIM BEING PHYSICALLY PRESENT /N THIS DAY PILGRIMS ARE RELEASED FROM MOST IHRAM RESTRICTIONS THEY HAVE THEIR HEADS SHAVED AND CHANGE OUT OF THE IHRAM GARMENT )HRAM IS A STATE THAT PILGRIMS MUST ENTER INTO BEFORE CROSSING THE PILGRIMAGE BOUNDARY

WITH THE IHRAM GARMENT SIMPLY BE ING THE CLOTHING WORN WHEN IN THIS STATE 4HE HEAD SHAVING IS A SYMBOL OF REBIRTH SIGNIFYING THAT THE PIL GRIM S SINS HAVE BEEN CLEANSED BY

0HOTO BY !NTHONY 2EED

7ITH THE #HRISTMAS PERIOD UPON US AND A HOST OF CELEBRATIONS BEGINNING IT REALLY IS THE SEASON TO BE JOLLY -AX !SKWITH l NDS OUT WHAT S REALLY BEHIND THE EXCITING FESTIVITIES HAP PENENING ALL OVER THE WORLD

COMPLETION OF THE (AJJ /N THIS OR THE FOLLOWING DAY THE PILGRIMS VISIT THE -ASJID AL (ARAM IN -ECCA FOR A TAWAF CALLED THE 4AWAF AZ :IYARAH WHICH IS AN OBLIGATORY PART OF THE (AJJ AND REFERS TO THE RITUAL OF CIR CLING THE +A BAH THE HOLIEST BUILD ING IN -ECCA SEVEN TIMES DURING THE PILGRIMAGE OF (AJJ /N THE AFTERNOON OF THE TH OF $HU AL (IJJAH OR *ANUARY ST PIL GRIMS MUST STONE ALL THREE JAMARAT IN -INA 4HE SAME RITUAL MUST BE PERFORMED ON THE FOLLOWING DAY 0ILGRIMS MUST LEAVE -INA FOR -ECCA BEFORE SUNSET ON THE TH &INALLY

BEFORE LEAVING -ECCA PILGRIMS PER FORM A FAREWELL TAWAF CALLED THE 4A WAF AL 7ADA $ECEMBER TH IS THE 4ENTH OF 4EVET THE TENTH DAY OF THE (EBREW MONTH OF 4EVET AND IS A MINOR FAST DAY IN *UDAISM &ROM DAWN TO DUSK THERE IS NO EATING OR DRINKING TO MOURN FOR THE TIME ANCIENT "ABYLO NIA LAID SIEGE TO ANCIENT *ERUSALEM MARKING THE BEGINNING OF THE END

AND EVENTUAL DESTRUCTION OF 3OLO MON S 4EMPLE THE &IRST 4EMPLE AND OF THE SOUTHERN *EWISH +INGDOM OF *UDAH 4HE FOLLOWING DAY IS .EW 9EAR S %VE A CHANCE TO REMINISCE ABOUT THE YEAR THAT S JUST PASSED DISCUSSING THE GOOD THINGS YOU VE ACHIEVED AND PER HAPS THE BAD THINGS TOO 7E ALL MAKE OUR RESOLUTIONS FOR THE NEXT YEAR AND TRY IN VAIN TO STICK TO THEM AS ) DON T SMOKE OR DRINK (ONEST ) VE HAD TO THINK ABOUT MINE THIS YEAR AND ) VE DECIDED ) NEED TO l ND MORE TIME FOR EATING !S A FRESHER ) HAVE FOUND

MYSELF DISTRACTED BY OTHER THINGS OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS ) GUESS YOU COULD SAY THAT FOOD S BEEN ON THE BACKBURNER 4HE THEME OF FOOD CONTINUES IN THE CELEBRATION OF .EW 9EAR S %VE AS IT IS ANOTHER OCCASION WHERE A LARGE MEAL IS SHARED BETWEEN FAMILY OR FRIENDS /F COURSE ) COULDN T TALK ABOUT THIS CELEBRATION WITHOUT MENTIONING ALCO HOL IN SOME PART WITH SALES UNDOUBT EDLY RISING OVER THE PREVIOUS WEEKS FOR #HRISTMAS AND .EW 9EAR S THIS NIGHT IS A CHANCE TO SHARE AMONGST GUESTS AND PARTY UNTIL THE EARLY HOURS TO SEE IN THE 4HE TALK OF @7HAT ARE YOU DOING FOR .EW 9EAR S HAS BEEN ECHOING AROUND MY m AT OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS ALMOST OVERPOWERING TALK OF HOUSING FOR NEXT YEAR ALMOST )TS CELEBRATION OF STARTING AGAIN AND BEGINNING ANOTHER CHAPTER HAS CRE ATED INSTITUTIONS ALMOST IN THE 5+ OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS &OR EXAMPLE

THE FALL BACK PLAN OF WATCHING *OOLS (OLLAND AND HIS (OOTENNANY WITH A GLASS OF WINE IS IN THE MIND OF A FEW OF US AS WE PLAN OUR CELEBRATIONS FOR THE ST 5P NEXT IS .EW 9EAR S $AY MARK ING THE END OF A PERIOD OF REMEM BRANCE OF THE PASSING YEAR ESPECIALLY ON RADIO TELEVISION AND IN NEWSPA PERS WHICH USUALLY STARTS RIGHT AFTER #HRISTMAS $AY 0UBLICATIONS SUCH AS #ONCRETE OFTEN HAVE YEAR END ARTICLES THAT REVIEW THE CHANGES DURING THE PAST YEAR #OMMON TOPICS INCLUDE POLITICS NATURAL DISASTERS MUSIC AND THE ARTS AND THE LISTING OF SIGNIl CANT INDIVIDUALS WHO DIED DURING THE PAST YEAR /FTEN THERE ARE ALSO ARTICLES ON

PLANNED OR EXPECTED CHANGES IN THE COMING YEAR SUCH AS THE DESCRIPTION OF NEW LAWS THAT MIGHT BE COMING INTO EFFECT IN THE .EW 9EAR !NOTHER COMMON USE OF THE DAY WITHIN THE DEMOGRAPHIC MOST OF US FALL INTO IS AS A DAY OF REST AFTER THE NIGHT BEFORE ) THINK OF IT AS A SIMILAR DAY TO "OXING $AY AS IN MY FAMILY ITS ACTIVITIES OFTEN INCLUDE FAMILY OUT INGS OR LONG DRIVES DOWN TO #ORNWALL TO SEE THE GRANDPARENTS !LL EXCITING PROSPECTS OF COURSE -AHAYANA "UDDHISTS CELEBRATE THEIR NEW YEAR ON *ANUARY RD AS THIS IS THE l RST FULL MOON DAY IN *ANUARY *ANUARY TH IS WHEN 3IKHS CELEBRATE 'URU 'OBIND 3INGH S "IRTHDAY THE LAST OF THE TEN 'URUS 4HE 'URU IN TRODUCED THE l VE +S WHICH ARE l VE ITEMS OF FAITH THAT BAPTISED +HALSA 3IKHS WEAR AT ALL TIMES 4HE ITEMS ARE A +ACHH 3PECIAL DESIGNED UN DERGARMENT A +ARA IRON BANGLE A +IRPAAN STRAPPED SWORD A +ANGHA WOODEN COMB AND A +ESKI SMALL TURBAN /N THE TH OF *ANUARY %PIPHANY IS CELEBRATED )T IS A #HRISTIAN FEAST IN TENDED TO CELEBRATE THE @SHINING FORTH OR REVELATION OF 'OD TO MANKIND IN HUMAN FORM IN THE PERSON OF *ESUS 4HE OBSERVANCE HAD ITS ORIGINS IN THE EASTERN #HRISTIAN CHURCHES AND INCLUDED THE BIRTH OF *ESUS THE VISIT OF THE -AGI OR 7ISE -EN TRADITION ALLY NAMED #ASPAR -ELCHIOR AND "ALTHASAR WHO ARRIVED IN "ETHLEHEM AND ALL OF *ESUS CHILDHOOD EVENTS UP TO HIS BAPTISM IN THE *ORDAN BY *OHN THE "APTIST 4HE FEAST WAS INITIALLY BASED ON AND VIEWED AS A FULl LL

MENT OF THE *EWISH &EAST OF ,IGHTS

OR (ANUKKAH 4O SAY THAT WE SHOULD CELEBRATE EVERY ONE OF THE FESTIVALS MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE IN THE SAME WAY THAT ) EMBRACED 4HANKSGIVING WOULD BE RIDICULOUS "UT THAT S NOT TO SAY THAT WE SHOULDN T TAKE SOMETHING FROM EACH ONE 4HERE ARE COMMON THEMES THAT RUN THROUGH ALL RELIGIONS AND THEIR CELEBRATIONS THOSE OF FAMILY

LOVE AND GOODWILL "UT IF YOU LOOK A LITTLE DEEPER YOU CAN l ND CLOSER TIES 4HERE ARE NOTIONS OF SELF IMPROVE MENT IN THE PILGRIMAGE TO -ECCA THAT ARE MIRRORED IN THINKING UP A .EW 9EAR S RESOLUTION 3IMILARITIES EVEN IN THE *EWISH FAST DAY OF THE 4ENTH OF 4E VET AND OPENING JUST A SINGLE DOOR OF YOUR !DVENT CALENDAR EACH DAY RATHER THAN OPENING ALL OF ITS DOORS AND EAT ING UP THE CONTENTS IN A SHORT SPURT 4HE THEME OF SACRIl CING SOMETHING

ABSTAINING KNOWING YOU CAN HAVE IT NOW BUT INSTEAD WAITING TO TAKE IT AS A MARK OF RESPECT !NOTHER THEME IS ECHOED IN BOTH THE 'REGORIAN .EW 9EAR THE NOTION OF .EW 9EAR S ON OUR CALENDAR AND IN THE -AHAYANA .EW 9EAR ON *ANUARY RD 4HEMES OF A FRESH START A NEW BEGINNING MOVING ON 7HETHER IT HAS BEEN A YEAR TO FOR GET OR THE BEST OF YOUR LIFE ) HOPE YOU HAVE SOMEONE TO CELEBRATE WITH OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS %VEN IF IT IS JUST A CALL TO .IGHTLINE TO SAY -ERRY #HRIST MAS AND A (APPY .EW 9EAR !FTER ALL

HAVING THE CHANCE OF A FRESH START IS SOMETHING WE ALL SHOULD APPRECIATE

42!6%,

4UESDAY TH $ECEMBER #/.#2%4%

"ACKPACKER S 0ARADISE !LWAYS SIX MONTHS AHEAD OF THE GAME #ONCRETE 4RAVEL REPORTS THIS WEEK FROM SUNNY $OWN 5NDER &LORENCE "USWELL EXPLORES THE WONDERS OF BACK PACKING AROUND !USTRALIA S EAST COAST FROM SKYDIVING TO DIDGERIDOO LESSONS

7

HETHER IT S THE BEAUTIFUL LONG HOT DAYS THE STUNNING LAND SCAPE WHICH SCATTERS THE COAST LIKE UNDISCOVERED GEMS THE CHANCE TO EXPERIENCE THE @DIFFERENT THE EXHILARATING OR THE VARIED WILDLIFE AND PEOPLE YOU MEET GAP YEAR TRAVELLERS AND BACKPACKERS ARE NOW PUTTING !USTRALIA ON THE TOP OF THEIR TRAVELLING AGENDAS "UT WITH OVER SIXTEEN THOUSAND MILES OF COASTLAND AROUND ITS PERIMETER

WHAT MAKES THE EAST COAST IRRESIST IBLE ESPECIALLY FOR THE TRAVEL LER WITH LITTLE TIME AND EVEN LESS MONEY 7HERE CAN YOU FIND YOUR OWN UNIQUE EXPERIENCE "ACKPACK ING IN THE AREA FOR THREE MONTHS EARLIER THIS YEAR ) FOUND THAT IT IS ALL A QUESTION OF BALANCE )F YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A CHILLED EXPERIENCE FOLLOWING THE SUN AND THE NIGHTLIFE THERE ARE A FEW PLACES THAT MUST NOT BE MISSED 3YDNEY S BEACHES ARE BEAUTIFUL WITH PER HAPS #OOGEE AND -ANLY WINNING OVER THE SLIGHTLY OVERRATED "ONDI 5P THE COAST 2AINBOW "EACH OFFERS INCOMPARABLY BEAUTIFUL SCENERY AND BEACHES 'O FOR THE SUNSET TOUR TO #ARLOS 3ANDBLOW IF POSSIBLE AND BE PREPARED TO USE UP YOUR CAMERA MEMORY CARD )NVARIABLY WHERE A GOOD NIGHT LIFE IS CONCERNED THE CITIES OFFER THE BIGGEST AND THE BEST NIGHTS OUT 3YDNEY S STUDENT FRIENDLY +INGS #ROSS FOR CLUBBING AND THE 2OCKS RIGHT BY 3YDNEY (ARBOUR FOR A PUB CRAWL ARE BOTH FUN WAYS TO MEET THE LOCALS "RISBANE AL THOUGH AN UGLY CITY IN ITSELF ALSO HAS A GOOD NIGHTLIFE &OR A DEFINI

TIVE !USTRALIAN PARTYING EXPERI ENCE !IRLIE "EACH OFFERS A BAR AND CLUB EXPERIENCE WHERE YOU CAN RELAX OVER A BOTTLE OF !USTRAL IA S FINEST 6ICTO RIA "IT TER BEER OR PARTY INTO THE SMALL HOURS &OR A TRUE BALANCE OF NIGHTLIFE AND SURFING BEACHES

GO TO "YRON "AY /NE OF THE BEST HOSTELS ) STAYED IN ON THE EAST COAST WAS THE !RTS &ACTORY IN "YRON "AY WHERE YOU CAN STAY IN A TEPEE WITH BUNK BEDS INSIDE AND GET PROPERLY IMMERSED IN THE HIPPIE LIFESTYLE #HEEKY -ONKEYS IS ALSO WORTH A VISIT A TRUE DEFINITION OF THE TERM @PARTY BAR WHERE STAGE GAMES WIN YOU AMAZING PRIZES

AND DANCING ON THE TABLES IS A STAPLE ACTIVITY &OR MORE OF AN ADVENTUROUS FLA VOUR OF !USTRALIA THERE IS PLENTY TO EXHILARATE AND ENTICE 4HOSE OF YOU LOOKING TO PLUNGE STRAIGHT INTO THE !USTRALIAN LIFESTYLE SHOULD THINK ABOUT ENROLLING IN A SURF COURSE /Z %XPERIENCE BUS TOURS DO ONE TO #RESCENT (EAD SURF CAMP WHERE EXPERT TUITION FROM SUCH SURFING CHARACTERS AS @"IG $ICK .ICK AND @"IG .ADS !DS IS TEAMED WITH AUTHENTIC !USTRALIAN BARBECUES 4AKING A DIDGERIDOO LESSON OR TWO IS ALSO A GOOD WAY TO HAVE FUN AND IMMERSE YOURSELF IN A DIFFERENT CULTURE &RASER )SLAND A STEPPING STONE AWAY FROM 2AINBOW "EACH IS ONE OF THE MOST AMAZING EXPERIENCES YOU WILL HAVE IN !USTRALIA HERE

IT IS JUST YOU A BUNCH OF RELATIVE STRANGERS A JEEP AND SOME CAMPING EQUIPMENT $RIV ING ACROSS WET SAND IN THE EARLY MORNING DANCING ON TOP OF YOUR JEEP BEACH PARTIES AND BATHING IN CLEAR BLUE LAKES ARE ALL ON THE AGENDA )T IS DEFINITELY WORTH DO ING &RASER )SLAND THIS WAY INSTEAD OF STAYING IN THE CAMPSITES WITH ORGANISED TOURS AND WILL CEMENT YOUR LOVE OF !USTRALIA

VERY IMPORTANT 4HERE ARE MANY BUS SERVICES AROUND !USTRALIA

EITHER THROUGH 'REYHOUND OR FOR MORE MONEY BUT INCREASED FLEX IBILITY AND ATMOSPHERE /Z %XPERIENCE OFFERS MANY ROUTES AND ALSO DROPS YOU OFF AT LESSER KNOWN AREAS 4HE MORE SEASONED TRAVELLER CAN ALWAYS HITCH A LIFT WITH OTHER TRAVELLERS WHO REGULARLY ADVERTISE IN HOSTELS &OR THOSE OF YOU THINKING YOU

$RIVING ACROSS WET SAND IN THE EARLY MORNING DANCING ON TOP OF YOUR JEEP

BEACH PARTIES AND BATHING IN CLEAR BLUE LAKES ARE ALL ON THE AGENDA 3AILING ON THE 7HITSUNDAYS IS ALSO A LOT OF FUN 9OU CAN LOOK FORWARD TO BIG PARTIES MOORED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SEA WITH ISLANDS LOOMING OUT OF THE DARKNESS ALL AROUND -ANY TRAVEL AGENCIES IN !USTRALIA OFFER PACKAGE DEALS FOR BOTH &RASER )SLAND AND THE 7HIT SUNDAY )SLANDS &OR FURTHER BRACING ACTIVITIES

#AIRNS PROVES TO BE THE @ADVENTURE CAPITAL OF !USTRALIA WITH SKYDIV ING BUNGEE JUMPING AND SCUBA DIVING ALL SPREAD OUT FOR YOU TO CHOOSE FROM AND THERE ARE OFTEN GOOD DEALS GOING ON FOR THESE /Z %XPERIENCE ALSO TAKES PEOPLE TO "ARRINGTON ADVENTURE CAMP WHERE FOR A SMALL FEE YOU CAN TRY /LYM PIC STANDARD WHITE WATER RAFTING IN THE DARK $EFINITELY ONE FOR THE FEARLESS )N ORDER TO EXPERIENCE ALL THESE THINGS YOUR MODE OF TRANSPORT IS

MAY NEED A JOB TO FUND YOUR BEER AND SURFING PIGGYBANK THERE ARE LOTS OF OPTIONS OUT THERE "AR WORK IN 3YDNEY IS QUITE POPULAR AL THOUGH YOU MUST COMPLETE AN 23!

AND 2#' COURSE WHILE THERE WHICH ARE EASY TO ENROL FOR (OWEVER

THEY ARE ONLY WORTH GETTING IF YOU ARE STICKING AROUND FOR LONGER THAN A MONTH MOST EMPLOYERS WON T HIRE YOU FOR LESS &OR THE MORE FOOTLOOSE TRAVELLER FRUIT PICKING AND PROMOTIONAL WORK CAN ALSO BE FUN 0ROMOTIONAL WORK IN "RISBANE ALSO OFTEN HAS BONUSES TRAVEL COMPANIES REGULARLY NEED HELP AND WILL PAY YOU BACK IN MONEY OFF TOURS 7ITH ALL OF THESE EXPERIENCES

PAVING YOUR OWN WAY AND CREATING YOUR OWN NICHE IN !USTRALIA IS ALL PART OF THE FUN )MMERSING YOUR SELF PROPERLY IN THE CULTURE THE LIFESTYLE AND THE LOCALS YOU WILL

&OR A LIST OF TELEPHONE CHEATS I E HOW YOU CAN AVOID IRRITATING MUZAK AND GET STRAIGHT THROUGH TO A HUMAN WHEN PHONING AN AIRLINE 4RAVEL 'URU ADVISES YOU VISIT WWW CHEAPmIGHTS CO UK AND CLICK ON @4ELEPHONE #HEAT 3HEET

#/.#2%4% 4UESDAY TH $ECEMBER

"AREBACK .ATION )N THE WAKE OF 3AFE 3EX 7EEK EVIDENCE SHOWS THAT ALTHOUGH SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DIS EASES ARE ON THE RISE MORE OF US ARE CHOOSING NOT TO USE CONDOMS 2OBERT *ACKMAN ASKS WHY CONDOMS HAVE BECOME SO UNCOOL

7

HEN IT CAME TO THE 5NION S 3AFE 3EX WEEK THERE WAS NO TIME FOR SUBTLETY 7ITH SEXUALLY TRANS MITTED DISEASES DUBBED "RITAIN S @SILENT EPIDEMIC NOTHING WAS OFF LIMITS IN THE MISSION TO PROMOTE SAFE SEX &ROM PENIS SHAPED BLIMPS TO THE ,IBERATIONS /FlCER DRESSED AS A GIANT CONDOM n THE MORE AT TENTION GRABBING THE BETTER !ND THE 5NION ISN T ALONE IN LOOKING TO NEW TACTICS TO PUSH THE SAFE SEX MESSAGE ,AST MONTH THE $EPARTMENT OF (EALTH LAUNCHED A NEW INITIATIVE TO MAKE YOUNG PEOPLE THINK OF CONDOMS AS @%S SENTIAL 7EAR .ORTH OF THE BORDER THE 3COTTISH .(3 JOINED WITH ,'"4 GROUPS TO WARN OF THE @#OMEBACK 4OUR OF ()6 -EANWHILE THE CHARITY + 'ENERATION USED TEXT MESSAGING TO ALERT TEENAGERS TO THE DANGERS OF SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS !ND THE CAMPAIGNS ARE NEEDED n EVIDENCE SHOWS 34)S ARE ON THE RISE (EALTH REPORTS BLAME THIS ON @CONDOM FATIGUE 4HEY CRITICISE COMPLACENCY TOWARDS ENCOURAGING SEXUAL HEALTH AND WARN THAT THIS HAS LED TO A CULTURAL DIVORCE FROM THE CONDOM &ROM TRENDY LABELS TO TEXT MESSAGING THE CAMPAIGNS ARE UNITED IN ONE THING n THEIR DESIRE TO REVERSE THIS /F COURSE YOU RE UNLIKELY TO STUMBLE ACROSS THE PHRASE @CON DOM FATIGUE ANYWHERE OTHER THAN HEALTH REPORTS /N THE STREETS AND BETWEEN THE SHEETS THE TERM IS @BAREBACKING /NCE CONlNED TO THE DARKER RECESSES OF GAY PORNOGRAPHY

THE TERM HAS SEEPED INTO MAIN STREAM SEXUAL VERNACULAR &ROM THE THUGGISH BOASTS OF RAP ARTISTS TO LU RID POSTERS ADVERTISING @RAW NIGHTS AT GAY CLUBS THE RISKS OF UNSAFE SAFE SEX ARE PORTRAYED AS A THRILL RATHER THAN A WORRY "UT THEY REMAIN A WORRY TO THE (EALTH 0ROTECTION !GENCY )N .OVEMBER THEY PUBLISHED ALARM ING STATISTICS ON THE STATE OF ()6 IN THE 5+ 4HE STATISTICS REVEALED THAT DIAGNOSES OF ()6 LAST YEAR WERE HIGHER THAN ANY PREVIOUS YEAR ON RECORD %VEN MORE STARTLING WAS THE ESTIMATE THAT ONE THIRD OF THOSE INFECTED ARE UNAWARE THAT THEY HAVE CONTRACTED THE VIRUS 7ITH MASSIVE MEDICAL AD VANCES IN TREATING ()6 THE VIRUS IS NOW SEEN AS A CHRONIC MALADY RATHER THAN A DEATH SENTENCE A

DISCOURAGING MEDICAL CONDITION BUT A MANAGEABLE ONE NONETHE LESS A DISEASE AKIN TO DIABETES ()6 CHARITY THE 4ERRENCE (IGGINS 4RUST FEARS THAT NOW UNSAFE SEX IS NOT AN IMMEDIATE MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH MORE PEOPLE ARE PREPARED TO TAKE THE RISK 4HIS IS THE CALLOUS IRONY OF SEXUAL HEALTH 4HE BETTER THE TREATMENT

THE MORE LIKELY WE ARE TO TAKE THE RISK !MONG PROMISCUOUS CIRCLES

()6 HAS BECOME THE HANGOVER OF THE SEXUAL WORLD n AN UNFORTUNATE CONSEQUENCE OF EXCESS THE DOWN SIDE TO INDULGENCE 9ES THERE LL BE ACHES AND PAINS BUT NOTHING THAT A HANDFUL OF PILLS CAN T SORT OUT %QUALLY UNNERVING ARE THE STATIS TICS ON CHLAMYDIA $IAGNOSES HAVE RISEN EVERY YEAR SINCE RECORDS BEGAN n WITH A RISE SINCE )T IS ESTIMATED THAT IN SEXUALLY ACTIVE PEOPLE UNDER ARE CARRYING THE INFECTION !ND THE .53 FEAR THAT THE SITU ATION WILL GET WORSE n ESPECIALLY WITH THE CONDOM FACING EXTINCTION ON CAMPUS 7HEN THEY CARRIED OUT A SEX SURVEY IN THEY WERE ALARMED TO lND THAT ONLY OF STUDENTS SAID THEY ALWAYS USED A CONDOM AND THAT OF STUDENTS SAID THAT THEY NEVER USED A CONDOM !ND AS FOR THOSE WHO DID USE A CONDOM THE .53 FOUND THAT THE MAIN REASON WAS A FEAR OF PREGNANCY RATHER THAN A CONCERN FOR SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS )N DESPAIR AT THE RISE OF 34)S

THE $EPARTMENT OF (EALTH HAS POURED MILLION POUNDS INTO A NEW SEXUAL HEALTH OPERATION 4HE CAMPAIGN IMPOSES THE NAMES OF 34)S ONTO WELL KNOWN DESIGNER LOGOS #HLAMYDIA IS STITCHED INTO THE WAISTBAND OF A PAIR OF #ALVIN +LEIN BOXER SHORTS WHILE @'ONOR RHEA ADORNS A #HRISTINA !GUILERA STYLE NECKLACE @)F 34)S WERE AS EASY TO SPOT AS DESIGNER LABELS THEN YOU D ALWAYS WEAR A CONDOM THE CAMPAIGN WARNS !DD SOME NEAR NAKED TEENS AND A PUMPING SOUNDTRACK AND THE TELEVISION ADVERT IS COMPLETE "UT HOW CAN THE $EPARTMENT OF (EALTH BE SURE THAT THEIR CAMPAIGN WILL BE NOTICED !FTER ALL NEAR NAKED BODIES ARE EVERYWHERE ON TELEVI SION WHEN IT COMES TO ADVERTISING

8 RATED IS THE ORTHODOX 7HETHER YOU RE SELLING CARS ALCOPOPS OR PERFUME NOTHING WILL HAVE YOUR PRODUCT mYING FROM THE SHELVES LIKE A DOSE OF THE STEAMY AND SUGGES

TIVE "UT WHILE SEX HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE SELLING DEVICE THIS #HRISTMAS IT ALSO BECOMES THE PRODUCT AS THE lRST TELEVISION ADVERT FOR A SEX TOY REACHES OUR SCREENS 4HE ADVERT IN QUESTION IS FOR A VIBRATING COCK RING n THE lRST PRODUCT TO EMERGE FROM $UREX S NEW $UREX 0LAY RANGE "UT WHY DO THE CONDOM MANUFACTURES FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE TELLING VIEW ERS TO WEAR A COCK RING THAN THEY DO TELLING THEM TO WEAR A CONDOM )T S A DISTURBING PARADOX n WHILE SEX HAS CONQUERED OUR SCREENS

SEXUAL HEALTH HAS VANISHED FROM THEM )NDEED TO lND OUT WHETHER $UREX S COCK RING CAN BE WORN WITH ONE OF THEIR CONDOMS ONE HAS TO DELVE INTO THE SMALLPRINT OF THE $UREX 0LAY WEBSITE WHERE WE RE TOLD THAT THEY TOY IS ENTIRELY CONDOM COMPATIBLE "UT THERE S A WIDER QUESTION OF COMPATIBILITY n ARE $UREX 0LAY S CONNOTATIONS OF EXPLORATION AND INDULGENCE COMPATIBLE WITH THE CONDOM

SOMETHING WHICH ADVERTISERS REGARD AS OVERCAUTIOUS AND PRUDISH !FTER ALL WHY HAVE $UREX DECIDED TO LAUNCH SUB BRAND $UREX 0LAY TO UNVEIL THEIR RANGE OF VIBRATORS AND LUBRICANTS 7HAT DOES THIS SAY ABOUT $UREX S OTHER PRODUCTS #AN ONE NOT EXPLORE AND INDULGE WHILST USING A CONDOM 4O PARAPHRASE AN OLD PUBLIC INFORMATION lLM IS IT NOT POSSIBLE TO PLAY SAFE "RITAIN PRIDES ITSELF ON ITS PRO GRESSIVE ATTITUDES TO SEX WE RE SO SURE THAT WE VE MOVED AWAY FROM THE @.O 3EX 0LEASE 7E RE "RITISH STEREOTYPE "UT IN REALITY WE RE STILL EMBARRASSED TO TALK ABOUT IT n THAT S WHY WE LET OTHERS DO IT FOR US "UT UNFORTUNATELY WHEN IT COMES TO THE SEX IN ADVERTS AND MUSIC VIDEO FANTASY OUTWEIGHS REALITY 4IMID TEACHERS AND STUTTERING PARENTS HAVE LEFT A GENERATION UNSURE ABOUT SEX AND LOOKING ELSEWHERE FOR GUIDANCE &ROM TO (OLLYOAKS THEY VE BEEN lLLED IN ON THE FORNICATION BUT WHEN IT COMES TO THE FALLOUT THEY RE STILL IN THE DARK 4HE 5NION AND THE $EPARTMENT OF (EALTH S LAST HOPE WILL BE THAT THEY lND OUT ABOUT IT FROM THEIR CAMPAIGNS n AND NOT FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

&OR MORE INFORMATION ON CONDOMS SEXUAL HEALTH HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM 34)S AND TO lND YOUR NEAREST '5- #LINIC VISIT WWW CONDOMESSENTIAL WEAR CO UK OR CALL THE FREE AND CONlDENTIAL 3EXUAL (EALTH HELPLINE 4EXTPHONE FOR PEOPLE WITH HEARING DIFlCULTIES

#/.#2%4% 4UESDAY TH $ECEMBER

# &%!452%

# &%!452%

#ELEBRATE GOOD TIMES

4UESDAY TH $ECEMBER #/.#2%4%

!

S WE ENTER $ECEMBER MOST OF OUR THOUGHTS HAVE TURNED TO THE FORTHCOMING CELEBRA TIONS OF #HRISTMAS AND THE .EW 9EAR

AND OF COURSE TO THE IMMINENT EXAM INATIONS THAT THE MAJORITY OF US WILL BE TAKING AT THE END OF THE SEMES TER )N THIS TIME OF CELEBRATION AND EXCITEMENT IT IS EASY TO FORGET ABOUT THE ROOTS OF THE FESTIVALS WE CELEBRATE AND THOSE THAT WE PERHAPS MISS OUT ON ALTOGETHER ) RECENTLY CELEBRATED 4HANKSGIVING FOR THE l RST TIME -Y m ATMATES AND ) HELD A PARTY IN HONOUR OF THE TWO !MERICAN STUDENTS WHO LIVE WITH US AND ) FOUND IT INTERESTING HOW MUCH WE ALL INVOLVED OURSELVES WITH THE PREPARATIONS AND CELEBRATION /F COURSE ) KNEW ABOUT 4HANKSGIVING AND ITS TRADITIONS BEFOREHAND THROUGH SCHOOL TELEVISION PROGRAMMES AND l LMS BUT PARTICIPATING l RST HAND WAS A NEW EXPERIENCE )T GOT ME THINKING ABOUT THE OTHER CELEBRATIONS WE MISS OUT ON PURELY THROUGH NOT LIVING IN A CERTAIN PLACE OR SUBSCRIBING TO A PAR TICULAR RELIGION ) THOUGHT THAT ALTHOUGH EVERY RE LIGIOUS OR WORLD FESTIVAL HAS ITS OWN INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS WHICH LINK IT TO A CAUSE OR CELEBRATION FROM THE PAST WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO AS INTEL LECTUALS RELATE TO THESE DIFFERENT RE LIGIOUS FESTIVALS IN THE WAY ) DID WITH 4HANKSGIVING 0ERHAPS ) DIDN T THEN KNOW THE HIS TORY OF HOW THE 0ILGRIMS BEGAN THE ACT OF GIVING THANKS IN THIS WAY BACK IN THE TH CENTURY BUT ) TOOK FROM THE CELEBRATIONS MY OWN EXPERIENCE ) THINK THAT SOME OF THE SITUATIONS WE l ND OURSELVES IN WHETHER IN OUR LIFE AT HOME OR AT 5NIVERSITY CAN BE APPLIED TO RELIGIOUS CELEBRATIONS THAT ARE PREVIOUSLY UNKNOWN TO US )N THIS ARTICLE ) HOPE TO SHOW SOME LINKS BE TWEEN THE COMMONLY KNOWN FESTIVALS WE CELEBRATE AND SOME OF THE LESS WELL KNOWN ONES THAT ARE HAPPENING OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS 4HANKSGIVING IS A FESTIVAL THAT IS LARGELY ONLY CELEBRATED IN !MERICA AND #ANADA AND IN ESSENCE IS THE CEL EBRATION OF THE THINGS WE HAVE THE RELATIONSHIPS WE HOLD AND WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED OVER THE PAST YEAR )T FALLS ON THE FOURTH 4HURSDAY IN .O VEMBER IN THE 5NITED 3TATES AND ON THE SECOND -ONDAY IN /CTOBER IN #ANADA 7HEN OUR m AT SAT DOWN FOR OUR 4HANKSGIVING MEAL WE TOOK IT IN TURNS TO SAY WHAT WE WERE THANKFUL FOR AND IT WAS THEN THAT IT STRUCK ME HOW MANY SIMILARITIES IT SHARES WITH

4HERE ARE CEL EBRATIONS IN "UD DHISM )SLAM

*UDAISM 3IKHISM AND EVEN 3CEIN TOLOGY TO LOOK FORWARD TO OVER THE COMING WEEKS

SOME OF THE CELEBRATIONS WE POPU LARLY SUBSCRIBE TO NAMELY #HRISTMAS AND %ASTER &OOD IS A KEY INGREDIENT OF MANY OF TODAY S RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS AND CELEBRATIONS AS THE ACT OF SITTING DOWN FOR A LARGE MEAL BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER WHETHER FAMILY OR FRIENDS

IN THE KITCHEN OR AT THE DINNER TABLE /F COURSE #HRISTMAS IS THE MOST WELL KNOWN AND WIDELY CELEBRATED FESTIVAL IN THE 5+ OVER THE MONTHS OF $ECEMBER AND *ANUARY BUT IT IS FAR FROM THE ONLY RELIGIOUS EVENT THAT IS COMING UP 4HERE ARE CELEBRATIONS IN "UDDHISM )SLAM *UDAISM 3IKHISM AND EVEN 3CIENTOLOGY TO LOOK FORWARD TO OVER THE COMING WEEKS #HRONOLOGICALLY THE l RST CELEBRA TION IN $ECEMBER IS THE #HRISTIAN FESTIVAL OF !DVENT WHICH COMMENCES ON THE RD THIS YEAR THE FOURTH 3UN

DAY BEFORE #HRISTMAS AND ENDS AT MIDNIGHT ON THE TH )T IS THE BEGIN NING OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL YEAR AND IT INVOLVES THE COUNTING DOWN OF DAYS BEFORE THE TH $URING !DVENT SOME PEOPLE MAKE OR BUY CALENDARS THAT HAVE TWENTY FOUR SEALED LITTLE WIN DOWS ONE FOR EACH DAY IN $ECEMBER LEADING UP TO AND INCLUDING #HRIST MAS %VE EVEN THOUGH !DVENT DOESN T START UNTIL THE RD THIS YEAR 4HE IDEA IS TO OPEN ONE WINDOW A DAY TO REVEAL EITHER A PICTURE OR A MINI CHOCOLATE SHAPE THAT CORRESPONDS TO SOMETHING CONNECTED TO THIS TIME OF YEAR 4HESE CALENDARS HAVE BECOME BIG BUSINESS FOR CONFECTIONARY MANUFACTURERS AND BARELY HAVE ANY AGE LIMITING STIGMA ATTACHED TO THEM ) HAVE ONE AND ) M YEARS OLDx ) THINK IT APPROPRIATE TO MENTION A RELATIVELY NEW CELEBRATION THAT HAP PENS ON $ECEMBER TH ESPECIALLY AS IT IS ALMOST A FAUX PAS NOWADAYS NOT TO KNOW WHO 4OM AND +ATIE ARE 3CI ENTOLOGISTS CELEBRATE &LAG ,AND "ASE $AY ON THIS DAY TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE &LAG ,AND "ASE IN #LEARWATER

&LORIDA IN 4HE BASE IN QUESTION IS THE CONTROVERSIAL hWORLDWIDE SPIR ITUAL HEADQUARTERSv OF THE #HURCH OF 3CIENTOLOGY AND IS ESSENTIALLY 3CI ENTOLOGY S VERSION OF 6ATICAN #ITY ) PROBABLY SHOULDN T GIVE MY POINT OF VIEW ON 3CIENTOLOGY BUT LET S JUST SAY THAT AFTER RESEARCHING THE RELIGION ) HAVE COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT BE ING A MEMBER OF 3TRINGFELLOWS WOULD BE MORE BENEl CIAL FOR THE VAST MA JORITY OF US 4HE NEXT MAIN CELEBRATION THAT HAPPENS IN $ECEMBER IS THE "UDDHIST CELEBRATION OF "ODHI $AY ON THE TH 4HIS DAY CELEBRATES 'AUTAMA "UD DHA S !LSO KNOWN AS @4HE "UDDHA ATTAINMENT OF ENLIGHTENMENT UNDER A BODHI TREE IN "ODHGAYA IN NORTHERN )NDIA !NOTHER NAME FOR THE COM MEMORATION IS 2OHATSU *APANESE FOR THE TH DAY OF THE TH MONTH 4HE *EWISH FESTIVAL OF (ANUKKAH FOLLOWS NEXT FROM $ECEMBER TH TO THE RD (ANUKKAH CELEBRATES THE REDEDICATION OF THE 4EMPLE IN *E RUSALEM AFTER IT WAS RECAPTURED FROM THE 3YRIAN 'REEKS BY THE -ACCABEE "ROTHERS IN "# 4HE IMPORTANCE OF THIS EIGHT DAY HOLIDAY IS THAT IT TELLS OF THEIR STRUGGLE AGAINST OPPRESSION AND THE BATTLE OVER TWO THOUSAND YEARS AGO TO KEEP THE *EWISH FAITH ALIVE /NCE THE 4EMPLE HAD BEEN RE DEDICATED THE VICTORIOUS *EWS COULD ONLY l ND ENOUGH OLIVE OIL TO LIGHT THE MENORAH ! NINE BRANCHED CAN DLE HOLDER ALSO KNOWN AS A #HANUK KIYAH FOR ONE DAY BUT THE CANDLE

BURNED FOR EIGHT STRAIGHT DAYS BEFORE EXTRA SUPPLIES WERE FOUND 4HIS EIGHT DAY PERIOD IS MIRRORED IN THE LENGTH OF (ANUKKAH AND *EWISH FAMILIES LIGHT ONE MORE CANDLE ON THE MENO RAH EACH DAY FOR HALF AN HOUR WHEN THE SUN HAS GONE DOWN /N THE l RST DAY THERE WOULD BE ONE CANDLE LIT ON THE SECOND DAY THERE WOULD BE TWO CANDLES LIT AND SO ON 4HE REASON FOR THE MENORAH HAVING NINE BRANCHES

OR HOLDERS IS TO INCORPORATE AN EX TRA AUXILIARY CANDLE OR SHAMASH TO GUARD AGAINST SECULAR USE OF THE OTHER CANDLES AND ALSO TO LIGHT EACH CANDLE EACH DAY 3UCH THINGS AS (ANUKKAH PARTIES ARE HELD AND FOOD FRIED OR BAKED IN OIL ARE SERVED PREFERABLY COOKED IN OLIVE OIL TO LINK BACK TO THE MIRACLE OF THE CANDLE THAT BURNED FOR LONGER THAN IT SHOULD HAVE 4HE WINTER SOLSTICE IS CHRONOLOGI CALLY NEXT AND IS WHEN THE SUN IS AT ITS FURTHEST POINT AWAY FROM THE EQUATOR

GIVING US OUR SHORTEST DAY OF THE YEAR 4HIS YEAR IT S PRECISE MOMENT IS JUST AFTER MIDNIGHT ON $ECEMBER ND BUT IS USUALLY CELEBRATED ON THE ST !FTER THIS DAY THE SUN RISES EARLIER AND SETS LATER SHOWING THAT SUMMER IS ON ITS WAY $ECEMBER TH IS THE END OF !D VENT AND THE DAY WHEN WE OPEN THE LAST DOOR ON OUR CALENDARS USUALLY THE LARGEST ONE OF THE LOT CONTAINING A -ARS BAR OR SIMILAR DEPENDING ON BRAND OF CALENDAR 4HIS DAY RATHER OBVIOUSLY IS ALSO KNOWN AS #HRIST MAS %VE 4RADITIONALLY THIS WAS THE DAY WHEN HOUSEHOLDS WOULD SET UP THEIR #HRISTMAS TREES AND PUT UP THE BULK OF THEIR DECORATIONS (OWEVER

OVER THE PAST GENERATION OR SO THE LENGTH OF TIME BETWEEN PUTTING UP YOUR TREE AND #HRISTMAS ITSELF HAS GROWN AND GROWN IN SOME HOUSE HOLDS IT MAY EVEN STRETCH TO OVER TWO MONTHS BEFORE 4HERE ARE OFTEN HOUSES COVERED IN LARGE DECORATIONS IN THE AID OF CHARITY THEIR OWNERS BEING SPONSORED BY LOCAL RESIDENTS AND SMALL BUSINESSES TO KEEP THEIR DECORATIONS UP 4HERE ARE DEBATES AS TO WHETHER THESE TYPES OF DECORA TIONS ARE EYESORES OR MERELY OVEREN THUSIASTIC INSTALLATIONS -Y VIEW IS THAT ALTHOUGH THEY CAN BENEl T CHARI TIES PERHAPS A LARGER AMOUNT COULD BE CONTRIBUTED IF WE WERE ASKED TO DONATE TO KEEP THESE DECORATIONS IN THEIR BOXES THIS YEARx #HRISTMAS $AY IS UP NEXT AND NEEDS LITTLE INTRODUCTION AS IT IS ONE OF THE MOST WIDELY CELEBRATED OCCASIONS OF THE YEAR 7E ARE ALL AWARE PERHAPS BEGRUDGINGLY AS STUDENTS WITH BANK ACCOUNTS IN THE RED OF THE TRADITIONAL

EXCHANGING OF GIFTS THAT HAPPENS ON THIS DAY /BVIOUSLY AN EXPENSIVE TIME OF YEAR FOR MOST IT HAS BEEN COMMENTED THAT THIS FESTIVAL HAS LOST ITS ROOTS IN RELIGION AND BECOME IN CREASINGLY COMMERCIALISED #HRISTMAS IS A RELIGIOUS AND SECU LAR HOLIDAY THAT CELEBRATES THE BIRTH OF *ESUS #HRIST )T IS CELEBRATED ON $ECEMBER TH BECAUSE THIS IS THE OBSERVED DATE OF *ESUS BIRTH AS WELL AS THE HISTORIC DATES OF THE 2OMAN FESTIVAL OF 3OL )NVICTUS AND THE WIN TER SOLISTICE A FEW DAYS EARLIER 4HE CELEBRATION INCLUDES THEMES OF FAM ILY GOODWILL GIVING AND COMPASSION AND SHOULD BE ENJOYED BY ALL 4HE NOT SO RECENT HISTORY OF #HRISTMAS HAS AT TIMES BEEN CONFRONTATIONAL

ESPECIALLY DURING THE 2EFORMATION IN THE TH CENTURY WHEN 0ROTESTANTS CONDEMNED #HRISTMAS CELEBRATION AS hTRAPPINGS OF POPERYv AND THE hRAGS OF THE "EASTv 4HE #ATHOLIC #HURCH RESPONDED BY PROMOTING THE FESTI VAL IN A MORE RELIGIOUSLY ORIENTED FORM 7HEN A 0URITAN PARLIAMENT TRIUMPHED OVER THE +ING #HARLES ) OF %NGLAND #HRISTMAS WAS OFl CIALLY BANNED 0RO #HRISTMAS RIOTING BROKE OUT IN SEVERAL CITIES AND THE BAN AFTER LASTING FOR FOURTEEN YEARS ENDED WITH 4HE 2ESTORATION IN ! MORE RECENT AND MORE COMPAS SIONATE EXAMPLE OF #HRISTMAS ABIL ITY TO IMPROVE RELATIONS RATHER THAN STRETCH THEM WAS IN DURING 77 WHEN IN THE MIDST OF l GHTING

THERE WAS A #HRISTMAS TRUCE BETWEEN 'ERMAN AND "RITISH TROOPS IN &RANCE 3OLDIERS ON BOTH SIDES SPONTANEOUS LY BEGAN TO SING #HRISTMAS CAROLS AND STOPPED l GHTING 4HE TRUCE BEGAN ON #HRISTMAS $AY AND CONTINUED FOR SOME TIME AFTERWARD 4HERE WAS EVEN A GAME OF FOOTBALL BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES 5NFORTUNATELY OUR TROOPS LOST THAT GAME PERHAPS A LATE #HRISTMAS PRESENT FROM OUR BOYS TO THE 'ER MANS 4HE TH IS ALSO THE l RST DAY OF #HRISTMAS AND AS THE SONG GOES ) SHOULD BE EXPECTING MY TRUE LOVE TO PRESENT ME WITH A PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE 4HE TWELVE DAYS CONTINUE UNTIL *ANUARY TH

BY WHICH TIME IF WE VE STUCK TO THE SONG WE WILL HAVE ACCU MULATED QUITE A GANG 4HE DAY AFTER #HRISTMAS IS "OXING $AY A TIME TO ENJOY THE COMPANY OF YOUR FAMILY GO ON LONG COUNTRY WALKS OR IN MY CASE A CHANCE TO l N ISH OFF THE LEFTOVERS FROM THE DAY BE FORE 4HERE ARE DIFFERING EXPLANATIONS FOR THE ORIGIN OF THE NAME @"OXING $AY BUT MOST OF THESE CENTRE ON THE THEME OF THE EXCHANGING OF PRESENTS

OR TO BE MORE SPECIl C BOXES CON TAINING GOODIES THAT WERE PASSED BE TWEEN SERVANTS AND THEIR EMPLOYERS CENTURIES AGO .EXT UP ON $ECEMBER TH THE EIGHTH DAY OF THE )SLAMIC MONTH OF $HU AL (IJJAH WHICH ON OUR 'REGO RIAN CALENDER RUNS FROM $ECEMBER ND THIS YEAR TO *ANUARY TH NEXT YEAR THE ANNUAL -USLIM PILGRIMAGE TO -ECCA BEGINS %VERY ABLE BODIED -USLIM WHO HAS THE MEANS TO TRAVEL TO -ECCA IS OBLIGED TO UNDERTAKE THE PILGRIMAGE AT LEAST ONCE IN THEIR LIVES 4HE PILGRIMAGE REQUIRES THE PARTICI PANTS TO LEAVE -ECCA AND TRAVEL TO THE NEARBY TOWN OF -INA WHERE THEY SPEND THE REST OF THE DAY 4HE NEXT MORNING THE PILGRIMS LEAVE -INA FOR -OUNT !RAFAT 4HEY MUST SPEND THE AFTERNOON WITHIN A DEl NED AREA ON THE 0LAIN OF !RAFAT UNTIL AFTER SUNSET 4HERE ARE NO SET RITUALS OR PRAYERS REQUIRED DURING THE STAY AT !RAFAT

ALTHOUGH MANY PILGRIMS SPEND THE TIME PRAYING TALKING TO 'OD AND THINKING ABOUT THE COURSE OF THEIR LIVES !FTER SUNSET THEY LEAVE FOR -UZ DALIFAH AN AREA BETWEEN !RAFAT AND -INA WHERE PEBBLES ARE GATHERED FOR THE STONING OF THE JAMARAT (AVING SPENT THE NIGHT IN -UZ DALIFAH THE PILGRIMS NOW GO BACK TO -INA )T IS NOW THE TH OF THE MONTH OF $HU AL (IJJAH OR $ECEMBER TH

THE DAY OF %ID UL !DHA 4HIS IS THE )SLAMIC COMMEMORATION OF 0ROPHET )BRAHIM S WILLINGNESS TO SACRIl CE HIS SON FOR 'OD 4HE 0ROPHET DIDN T ACTUALLY SACRIl CE HIS SON AS HE WAS ABOUT TO KILL HIM 'OD TOLD )BRAHIM THAT HE COULD IN FACT SACRIl CE A SHEEP IN HIS SON S PLACE !S THE l RST PART OF THE STONING OF THE JAMARAT 3TONING OF THE $EVIL RITUAL PILGRIMS THROW SEVEN PEBBLES AT THE LARGE JAMRAH WALLS BUILT IN PLACE OF THREE OLD PIL LARS IN -INA !FTER THIS AN ANIMAL IS SACRIl CED 4RADITIONALLY THE PILGRIM KILLED THE ANIMAL HIMSELF OR OVER SAW THE KILLING 4ODAY MANY PILGRIMS BUY A SACRIl CE VOUCHER IN -ECCA BE FORE THE GREATER (AJJ BEGINS THIS AL LOWS AN ANIMAL TO BE SLAUGHTERED IN THEIR NAME ON THE TH WITHOUT THE PILGRIM BEING PHYSICALLY PRESENT /N THIS DAY PILGRIMS ARE RELEASED FROM MOST IHRAM RESTRICTIONS THEY HAVE THEIR HEADS SHAVED AND CHANGE OUT OF THE IHRAM GARMENT )HRAM IS A STATE THAT PILGRIMS MUST ENTER INTO BEFORE CROSSING THE PILGRIMAGE BOUNDARY

WITH THE IHRAM GARMENT SIMPLY BE ING THE CLOTHING WORN WHEN IN THIS STATE 4HE HEAD SHAVING IS A SYMBOL OF REBIRTH SIGNIFYING THAT THE PIL GRIM S SINS HAVE BEEN CLEANSED BY

0HOTO BY !NTHONY 2EED

7ITH THE #HRISTMAS PERIOD UPON US AND A HOST OF CELEBRATIONS BEGINNING IT REALLY IS THE SEASON TO BE JOLLY -AX !SKWITH l NDS OUT WHAT S REALLY BEHIND THE EXCITING FESTIVITIES HAP PENENING ALL OVER THE WORLD

COMPLETION OF THE (AJJ /N THIS OR THE FOLLOWING DAY THE PILGRIMS VISIT THE -ASJID AL (ARAM IN -ECCA FOR A TAWAF CALLED THE 4AWAF AZ :IYARAH WHICH IS AN OBLIGATORY PART OF THE (AJJ AND REFERS TO THE RITUAL OF CIR CLING THE +A BAH THE HOLIEST BUILD ING IN -ECCA SEVEN TIMES DURING THE PILGRIMAGE OF (AJJ /N THE AFTERNOON OF THE TH OF $HU AL (IJJAH OR *ANUARY ST PIL GRIMS MUST STONE ALL THREE JAMARAT IN -INA 4HE SAME RITUAL MUST BE PERFORMED ON THE FOLLOWING DAY 0ILGRIMS MUST LEAVE -INA FOR -ECCA BEFORE SUNSET ON THE TH &INALLY

BEFORE LEAVING -ECCA PILGRIMS PER FORM A FAREWELL TAWAF CALLED THE 4A WAF AL 7ADA $ECEMBER TH IS THE 4ENTH OF 4EVET THE TENTH DAY OF THE (EBREW MONTH OF 4EVET AND IS A MINOR FAST DAY IN *UDAISM &ROM DAWN TO DUSK THERE IS NO EATING OR DRINKING TO MOURN FOR THE TIME ANCIENT "ABYLO NIA LAID SIEGE TO ANCIENT *ERUSALEM MARKING THE BEGINNING OF THE END

AND EVENTUAL DESTRUCTION OF 3OLO MON S 4EMPLE THE &IRST 4EMPLE AND OF THE SOUTHERN *EWISH +INGDOM OF *UDAH 4HE FOLLOWING DAY IS .EW 9EAR S %VE A CHANCE TO REMINISCE ABOUT THE YEAR THAT S JUST PASSED DISCUSSING THE GOOD THINGS YOU VE ACHIEVED AND PER HAPS THE BAD THINGS TOO 7E ALL MAKE OUR RESOLUTIONS FOR THE NEXT YEAR AND TRY IN VAIN TO STICK TO THEM AS ) DON T SMOKE OR DRINK (ONEST ) VE HAD TO THINK ABOUT MINE THIS YEAR AND ) VE DECIDED ) NEED TO l ND MORE TIME FOR EATING !S A FRESHER ) HAVE FOUND

MYSELF DISTRACTED BY OTHER THINGS OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS ) GUESS YOU COULD SAY THAT FOOD S BEEN ON THE BACKBURNER 4HE THEME OF FOOD CONTINUES IN THE CELEBRATION OF .EW 9EAR S %VE AS IT IS ANOTHER OCCASION WHERE A LARGE MEAL IS SHARED BETWEEN FAMILY OR FRIENDS /F COURSE ) COULDN T TALK ABOUT THIS CELEBRATION WITHOUT MENTIONING ALCO HOL IN SOME PART WITH SALES UNDOUBT EDLY RISING OVER THE PREVIOUS WEEKS FOR #HRISTMAS AND .EW 9EAR S THIS NIGHT IS A CHANCE TO SHARE AMONGST GUESTS AND PARTY UNTIL THE EARLY HOURS TO SEE IN THE 4HE TALK OF @7HAT ARE YOU DOING FOR .EW 9EAR S HAS BEEN ECHOING AROUND MY m AT OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS ALMOST OVERPOWERING TALK OF HOUSING FOR NEXT YEAR ALMOST )TS CELEBRATION OF STARTING AGAIN AND BEGINNING ANOTHER CHAPTER HAS CRE ATED INSTITUTIONS ALMOST IN THE 5+ OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS &OR EXAMPLE

THE FALL BACK PLAN OF WATCHING *OOLS (OLLAND AND HIS (OOTENNANY WITH A GLASS OF WINE IS IN THE MIND OF A FEW OF US AS WE PLAN OUR CELEBRATIONS FOR THE ST 5P NEXT IS .EW 9EAR S $AY MARK ING THE END OF A PERIOD OF REMEM BRANCE OF THE PASSING YEAR ESPECIALLY ON RADIO TELEVISION AND IN NEWSPA PERS WHICH USUALLY STARTS RIGHT AFTER #HRISTMAS $AY 0UBLICATIONS SUCH AS #ONCRETE OFTEN HAVE YEAR END ARTICLES THAT REVIEW THE CHANGES DURING THE PAST YEAR #OMMON TOPICS INCLUDE POLITICS NATURAL DISASTERS MUSIC AND THE ARTS AND THE LISTING OF SIGNIl CANT INDIVIDUALS WHO DIED DURING THE PAST YEAR /FTEN THERE ARE ALSO ARTICLES ON

PLANNED OR EXPECTED CHANGES IN THE COMING YEAR SUCH AS THE DESCRIPTION OF NEW LAWS THAT MIGHT BE COMING INTO EFFECT IN THE .EW 9EAR !NOTHER COMMON USE OF THE DAY WITHIN THE DEMOGRAPHIC MOST OF US FALL INTO IS AS A DAY OF REST AFTER THE NIGHT BEFORE ) THINK OF IT AS A SIMILAR DAY TO "OXING $AY AS IN MY FAMILY ITS ACTIVITIES OFTEN INCLUDE FAMILY OUT INGS OR LONG DRIVES DOWN TO #ORNWALL TO SEE THE GRANDPARENTS !LL EXCITING PROSPECTS OF COURSE -AHAYANA "UDDHISTS CELEBRATE THEIR NEW YEAR ON *ANUARY RD AS THIS IS THE l RST FULL MOON DAY IN *ANUARY *ANUARY TH IS WHEN 3IKHS CELEBRATE 'URU 'OBIND 3INGH S "IRTHDAY THE LAST OF THE TEN 'URUS 4HE 'URU IN TRODUCED THE l VE +S WHICH ARE l VE ITEMS OF FAITH THAT BAPTISED +HALSA 3IKHS WEAR AT ALL TIMES 4HE ITEMS ARE A +ACHH 3PECIAL DESIGNED UN DERGARMENT A +ARA IRON BANGLE A +IRPAAN STRAPPED SWORD A +ANGHA WOODEN COMB AND A +ESKI SMALL TURBAN /N THE TH OF *ANUARY %PIPHANY IS CELEBRATED )T IS A #HRISTIAN FEAST IN TENDED TO CELEBRATE THE @SHINING FORTH OR REVELATION OF 'OD TO MANKIND IN HUMAN FORM IN THE PERSON OF *ESUS 4HE OBSERVANCE HAD ITS ORIGINS IN THE EASTERN #HRISTIAN CHURCHES AND INCLUDED THE BIRTH OF *ESUS THE VISIT OF THE -AGI OR 7ISE -EN TRADITION ALLY NAMED #ASPAR -ELCHIOR AND "ALTHASAR WHO ARRIVED IN "ETHLEHEM AND ALL OF *ESUS CHILDHOOD EVENTS UP TO HIS BAPTISM IN THE *ORDAN BY *OHN THE "APTIST 4HE FEAST WAS INITIALLY BASED ON AND VIEWED AS A FULl LL

MENT OF THE *EWISH &EAST OF ,IGHTS

OR (ANUKKAH 4O SAY THAT WE SHOULD CELEBRATE EVERY ONE OF THE FESTIVALS MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE IN THE SAME WAY THAT ) EMBRACED 4HANKSGIVING WOULD BE RIDICULOUS "UT THAT S NOT TO SAY THAT WE SHOULDN T TAKE SOMETHING FROM EACH ONE 4HERE ARE COMMON THEMES THAT RUN THROUGH ALL RELIGIONS AND THEIR CELEBRATIONS THOSE OF FAMILY

LOVE AND GOODWILL "UT IF YOU LOOK A LITTLE DEEPER YOU CAN l ND CLOSER TIES 4HERE ARE NOTIONS OF SELF IMPROVE MENT IN THE PILGRIMAGE TO -ECCA THAT ARE MIRRORED IN THINKING UP A .EW 9EAR S RESOLUTION 3IMILARITIES EVEN IN THE *EWISH FAST DAY OF THE 4ENTH OF 4E VET AND OPENING JUST A SINGLE DOOR OF YOUR !DVENT CALENDAR EACH DAY RATHER THAN OPENING ALL OF ITS DOORS AND EAT ING UP THE CONTENTS IN A SHORT SPURT 4HE THEME OF SACRIl CING SOMETHING

ABSTAINING KNOWING YOU CAN HAVE IT NOW BUT INSTEAD WAITING TO TAKE IT AS A MARK OF RESPECT !NOTHER THEME IS ECHOED IN BOTH THE 'REGORIAN .EW 9EAR THE NOTION OF .EW 9EAR S ON OUR CALENDAR AND IN THE -AHAYANA .EW 9EAR ON *ANUARY RD 4HEMES OF A FRESH START A NEW BEGINNING MOVING ON 7HETHER IT HAS BEEN A YEAR TO FOR GET OR THE BEST OF YOUR LIFE ) HOPE YOU HAVE SOMEONE TO CELEBRATE WITH OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS %VEN IF IT IS JUST A CALL TO .IGHTLINE TO SAY -ERRY #HRIST MAS AND A (APPY .EW 9EAR !FTER ALL

HAVING THE CHANCE OF A FRESH START IS SOMETHING WE ALL SHOULD APPRECIATE

42!6%,

4UESDAY TH $ECEMBER #/.#2%4%

"ACKPACKER S 0ARADISE !LWAYS SIX MONTHS AHEAD OF THE GAME #ONCRETE 4RAVEL REPORTS THIS WEEK FROM SUNNY $OWN 5NDER &LORENCE "USWELL EXPLORES THE WONDERS OF BACK PACKING AROUND !USTRALIA S EAST COAST FROM SKYDIVING TO DIDGERIDOO LESSONS

7

HETHER IT S THE BEAUTIFUL LONG HOT DAYS THE STUNNING LAND SCAPE WHICH SCATTERS THE COAST LIKE UNDISCOVERED GEMS THE CHANCE TO EXPERIENCE THE @DIFFERENT THE EXHILARATING OR THE VARIED WILDLIFE AND PEOPLE YOU MEET GAP YEAR TRAVELLERS AND BACKPACKERS ARE NOW PUTTING !USTRALIA ON THE TOP OF THEIR TRAVELLING AGENDAS "UT WITH OVER SIXTEEN THOUSAND MILES OF COASTLAND AROUND ITS PERIMETER

WHAT MAKES THE EAST COAST IRRESIST IBLE ESPECIALLY FOR THE TRAVEL LER WITH LITTLE TIME AND EVEN LESS MONEY 7HERE CAN YOU FIND YOUR OWN UNIQUE EXPERIENCE "ACKPACK ING IN THE AREA FOR THREE MONTHS EARLIER THIS YEAR ) FOUND THAT IT IS ALL A QUESTION OF BALANCE )F YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A CHILLED EXPERIENCE FOLLOWING THE SUN AND THE NIGHTLIFE THERE ARE A FEW PLACES THAT MUST NOT BE MISSED 3YDNEY S BEACHES ARE BEAUTIFUL WITH PER HAPS #OOGEE AND -ANLY WINNING OVER THE SLIGHTLY OVERRATED "ONDI 5P THE COAST 2AINBOW "EACH OFFERS INCOMPARABLY BEAUTIFUL SCENERY AND BEACHES 'O FOR THE SUNSET TOUR TO #ARLOS 3ANDBLOW IF POSSIBLE AND BE PREPARED TO USE UP YOUR CAMERA MEMORY CARD )NVARIABLY WHERE A GOOD NIGHT LIFE IS CONCERNED THE CITIES OFFER THE BIGGEST AND THE BEST NIGHTS OUT 3YDNEY S STUDENT FRIENDLY +INGS #ROSS FOR CLUBBING AND THE 2OCKS RIGHT BY 3YDNEY (ARBOUR FOR A PUB CRAWL ARE BOTH FUN WAYS TO MEET THE LOCALS "RISBANE AL THOUGH AN UGLY CITY IN ITSELF ALSO HAS A GOOD NIGHTLIFE &OR A DEFINI

TIVE !USTRALIAN PARTYING EXPERI ENCE !IRLIE "EACH OFFERS A BAR AND CLUB EXPERIENCE WHERE YOU CAN RELAX OVER A BOTTLE OF !USTRAL IA S FINEST 6ICTO RIA "IT TER BEER OR PARTY INTO THE SMALL HOURS &OR A TRUE BALANCE OF NIGHTLIFE AND SURFING BEACHES

GO TO "YRON "AY /NE OF THE BEST HOSTELS ) STAYED IN ON THE EAST COAST WAS THE !RTS &ACTORY IN "YRON "AY WHERE YOU CAN STAY IN A TEPEE WITH BUNK BEDS INSIDE AND GET PROPERLY IMMERSED IN THE HIPPIE LIFESTYLE #HEEKY -ONKEYS IS ALSO WORTH A VISIT A TRUE DEFINITION OF THE TERM @PARTY BAR WHERE STAGE GAMES WIN YOU AMAZING PRIZES

AND DANCING ON THE TABLES IS A STAPLE ACTIVITY &OR MORE OF AN ADVENTUROUS FLA VOUR OF !USTRALIA THERE IS PLENTY TO EXHILARATE AND ENTICE 4HOSE OF YOU LOOKING TO PLUNGE STRAIGHT INTO THE !USTRALIAN LIFESTYLE SHOULD THINK ABOUT ENROLLING IN A SURF COURSE /Z %XPERIENCE BUS TOURS DO ONE TO #RESCENT (EAD SURF CAMP WHERE EXPERT TUITION FROM SUCH SURFING CHARACTERS AS @"IG $ICK .ICK AND @"IG .ADS !DS IS TEAMED WITH AUTHENTIC !USTRALIAN BARBECUES 4AKING A DIDGERIDOO LESSON OR TWO IS ALSO A GOOD WAY TO HAVE FUN AND IMMERSE YOURSELF IN A DIFFERENT CULTURE &RASER )SLAND A STEPPING STONE AWAY FROM 2AINBOW "EACH IS ONE OF THE MOST AMAZING EXPERIENCES YOU WILL HAVE IN !USTRALIA HERE

IT IS JUST YOU A BUNCH OF RELATIVE STRANGERS A JEEP AND SOME CAMPING EQUIPMENT $RIV ING ACROSS WET SAND IN THE EARLY MORNING DANCING ON TOP OF YOUR JEEP BEACH PARTIES AND BATHING IN CLEAR BLUE LAKES ARE ALL ON THE AGENDA )T IS DEFINITELY WORTH DO ING &RASER )SLAND THIS WAY INSTEAD OF STAYING IN THE CAMPSITES WITH ORGANISED TOURS AND WILL CEMENT YOUR LOVE OF !USTRALIA

VERY IMPORTANT 4HERE ARE MANY BUS SERVICES AROUND !USTRALIA

EITHER THROUGH 'REYHOUND OR FOR MORE MONEY BUT INCREASED FLEX IBILITY AND ATMOSPHERE /Z %XPERIENCE OFFERS MANY ROUTES AND ALSO DROPS YOU OFF AT LESSER KNOWN AREAS 4HE MORE SEASONED TRAVELLER CAN ALWAYS HITCH A LIFT WITH OTHER TRAVELLERS WHO REGULARLY ADVERTISE IN HOSTELS &OR THOSE OF YOU THINKING YOU

$RIVING ACROSS WET SAND IN THE EARLY MORNING DANCING ON TOP OF YOUR JEEP

BEACH PARTIES AND BATHING IN CLEAR BLUE LAKES ARE ALL ON THE AGENDA 3AILING ON THE 7HITSUNDAYS IS ALSO A LOT OF FUN 9OU CAN LOOK FORWARD TO BIG PARTIES MOORED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SEA WITH ISLANDS LOOMING OUT OF THE DARKNESS ALL AROUND -ANY TRAVEL AGENCIES IN !USTRALIA OFFER PACKAGE DEALS FOR BOTH &RASER )SLAND AND THE 7HIT SUNDAY )SLANDS &OR FURTHER BRACING ACTIVITIES

#AIRNS PROVES TO BE THE @ADVENTURE CAPITAL OF !USTRALIA WITH SKYDIV ING BUNGEE JUMPING AND SCUBA DIVING ALL SPREAD OUT FOR YOU TO CHOOSE FROM AND THERE ARE OFTEN GOOD DEALS GOING ON FOR THESE /Z %XPERIENCE ALSO TAKES PEOPLE TO "ARRINGTON ADVENTURE CAMP WHERE FOR A SMALL FEE YOU CAN TRY /LYM PIC STANDARD WHITE WATER RAFTING IN THE DARK $EFINITELY ONE FOR THE FEARLESS )N ORDER TO EXPERIENCE ALL THESE THINGS YOUR MODE OF TRANSPORT IS

MAY NEED A JOB TO FUND YOUR BEER AND SURFING PIGGYBANK THERE ARE LOTS OF OPTIONS OUT THERE "AR WORK IN 3YDNEY IS QUITE POPULAR AL THOUGH YOU MUST COMPLETE AN 23!

AND 2#' COURSE WHILE THERE WHICH ARE EASY TO ENROL FOR (OWEVER

THEY ARE ONLY WORTH GETTING IF YOU ARE STICKING AROUND FOR LONGER THAN A MONTH MOST EMPLOYERS WON T HIRE YOU FOR LESS &OR THE MORE FOOTLOOSE TRAVELLER FRUIT PICKING AND PROMOTIONAL WORK CAN ALSO BE FUN 0ROMOTIONAL WORK IN "RISBANE ALSO OFTEN HAS BONUSES TRAVEL COMPANIES REGULARLY NEED HELP AND WILL PAY YOU BACK IN MONEY OFF TOURS 7ITH ALL OF THESE EXPERIENCES

PAVING YOUR OWN WAY AND CREATING YOUR OWN NICHE IN !USTRALIA IS ALL PART OF THE FUN )MMERSING YOUR SELF PROPERLY IN THE CULTURE THE LIFESTYLE AND THE LOCALS YOU WILL

&OR A LIST OF TELEPHONE CHEATS I E HOW YOU CAN AVOID IRRITATING MUZAK AND GET STRAIGHT THROUGH TO A HUMAN WHEN PHONING AN AIRLINE 4RAVEL 'URU ADVISES YOU VISIT WWW CHEAPmIGHTS CO UK AND CLICK ON @4ELEPHONE #HEAT 3HEET

#/.#2%4% 4UESDAY TH $ECEMBER

$EAR $AISY

#ONCRETE S NEW AGONY AUNT

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7ELCOME TO MY WORLD

DEAR DAISY HOTMAIL CO UK

$EAR $AISY

) M NOT SURE WHAT TO DO AND WONDER IF YOU COULD HELP ME ) HAVE A CRUSH ON A GIRL AND HAVE DONE FOR SOME WHILE BUT THIS HASN T BEEN A PROBLEM BECAUSE ) SEE HER ALMOST EVERY DAY ON MY COURSE (OWEVER THE #HRISTMAS HOLIDAYS ARE COMING AND THE THOUGHT OF NOT SEEING HER FOR A MONTH IS CRUSHING ME 4HIS TIME OF YEAR DOESN T HELP AS EVERYONE SEEMS TO BE FALLING IN LOVE 2ECENTLY ) VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT HER EVEN MORE THAN ) NORMALLY DO ) THINK THIS IS BECAUSE ) KNOW ) WON T SEE HER 7E GET ON WELL BUT ) AM USELESS AT READING THE SIGNS AND WOMEN ARE ALL ALIEN TO ME ) AM A CONlDENT GUY BUT WHEN IT COMES TO HER ) AM MUSH 4HE 0HARMACY BALL IS COMING UP %VERY DAY ) THINK OF ASKING HER AND EVERY DAY ) DON T 3HE WILL PROBABLY ALREADY HAVE A DATE AND THEN ) LL HAVE TO GO AND SEE HER WITH ANOTHER GUY WITH THE SHAME OF BEING TURNED DOWN ) TELL YOU NOW IT IS NOT EASY BEING A GUY SOMETIMES (ELP ME 0HARMACY 3TUDENT

$EAR 0HARMACY 3TUDENT

) UNDERSTAND HOW YOU FEEL #HRISTMAS IS A MISERABLE TIME FOR US SINGLETONS

AND THE THOUGHT OF NOT SEEING A LOVED ONE FOR A MONTH MAKES THE HEART GROW WEAK AND FEEBLE NOT STRONGER (OWEVER ) HAVE A FEW MATCH MAKING SUGGESTIONS UP MY SLEEVE /NE THIS IS THE PERFECT TIME TO GET A SNEAKY KISS UNDER THE MISTLETOE HAVE IT PLACED IN VARIOUS PLACES YOU KNOW YOU WILL BOTH FREQUENT )F YOU HAVE ANY MUTUAL FRIENDS MAYBE GET THEM TO GET SOME INFO FOR YOU UNDERCOVER )F SHE HASN T GOT A DATE FOR THE BALL IT WILL BE THE PERFECT lRST DATE 7ARNING THOUGH SHE MAY LOOK MORE STUNNING THAN SHE NORMALLY DOES AND THERE IS A HIGH RISK THAT YOU WILL FALL EVEN MORE IN LOVE WITH HER ) DON T THINK THERE IS A NEED TO RUSH THINGS ALTHOUGH IT MAY FEEL THAT WAY /VER THE HOLIDAYS WE HAVE THE BEAUTIFUL GIFTS OF MSN

&ACEBOOK AND -Y3PACE 'ETTING TO KNOW SOMEONE THROUGH WRITING IS OFTEN THE LOVELIEST WAY AND IT WILL HELP YOU WITH YOUR CONlDENCE WHEN IT COMES TO TALKING TO HER +EEP YOURSELF BUSY OVER THE HOLIDAYS AND PUT ALL YOUR LOVE INTO THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS THAT YOU WILL BE CATCHING UP WITH 'OOD LUCK (OPE IT GOES WELL WHATEVER YOU DECIDE TO DO ,OVE ALWAYS

$AISY X

(ELPFUL NUMBERS AND E MAIL ADDRESSES #OUNSELLING SERVICE !DVICE #ENTRE 7ELFARE /FlCER SU WELFARE UEA AC UK .IGHTLINE NIGHTLINE UEA AC UK

#HRISTIANITY

7ELL YOU GOTTA HAVE FAITH FAITH FAITH #AROLINE ,AGDEN TELLS US WHY AND HOW IT CAN ENRICH YOUR EXPERINCES AT 5%!

"

EING AT UNIVERSITY IS ALL ABOUT TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE NEW EXPERIENCES THAT ARE OPEN TO YOU AND MAKING THE MOST OF BEING AWAY FROM THE INmUENCES THAT HAVE TO SOME EXTENT DIRECTED YOUR LIFE THUS FAR )T S YOUR CHANCE TO EXPERIMENT TO USE YOUR OWN INITIATIVE AND TO EMBRACE THE FREEDOM OF LIVING AWAY FROM HOME FOR WHAT IS PROBABLY THE lRST TIME #LAIMS LIKE THESE ARE SOME OF THE lRST RESPONSES ) GET WHEN PEOPLE lND OUT THAT ) GO TO CHURCH WHILE AT UNIVERSITY )N FACT ) COMPLETELY AGREE WITH THEM 9OUR YEARS AT UNIVERSITY CHALLENGE YOU TO MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT THE WAY THAT YOU WANT TO LIVE YOUR LIFE AND THE KIND OF PERSON YOU WANT TO BE 3TUDENTS SEEM TO BE SOME OF THE MOST ETHICALLY

SOCIALLY AND POLITICALLY AWARE MEMBERS OF TODAY S SOCIETY AS DEMONSTRATED BY THE NUMBERS OF STUDENTS PASSIONATELY INVOLVED IN CAUSES SUCH AS @-AKE 0OVERTY (ISTORY &OR ME MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT WHAT ) BELIEVED WAS IMPORTANT AND @DOING WHATEVER ) WANT AT UNIVERSITY HAS INCLUDED CHOOSING TO BE AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF A LOCAL CHURCH ) HAVE GONE TO CHURCH WITH MY PARENTS FOR MOST OF MY

LIFE BUT FOR THE MAJORITY OF THAT TIME ) WAS VERY DOUBTFUL

UNABLE TO MAKE ANY DECISION DESPITE THE FACT THAT ) FELT IT WAS IMPORTANT !LTHOUGH WHEN ) ARRIVED AT 5%! ) DID CONSIDER MYSELF A #HRISTIAN

) DIDN T THINK THAT lNDING A CHURCH WOULD BE TOP OF MY PRIORITIES -AKING FRIENDS AND GOING OUT SOUNDED LIKE A MUCH BETTER IDEA ,UCKILY FOR ME THESE ACTIVITIES ENDED UP BEING SYNONYMOUS DURING MY lRST WEEK 4HE 5%! #HRISTIAN 5NION PROVIDED EACH mAT WITH A BOOKLET OF INFORMATION ABOUT FRESHERS EVENTS AND CHURCHES !T THE #HRISTIAN 5NION BARBEQUE ) MET PLENTY OF PEOPLE MANY OF WHOM LIVED IN MY HALLS )N A HAPPY COINCIDENCE OF THE KIND THAT ONLY SEEMS TO OCCUR IN FRESHER S WEEK TWO OF THE GIRLS ) MET AT THE BARBEQUE LIVED WITH ANOTHER GIRL WHO DID MY COURSE 3UFlCE TO SAY ) SPENT MORE TIME IN THE LEGENDARY (OUSE THAN IN MY OWN mAT DURING THE COURSE OF THE lRST YEAR ) WENT ALONG TO +ING S #OMMUNITY #HURCH WITH MY NEW FRIENDS IN 7EEK 4WO $ESPITE BEING NERVOUS ) WAS MADE TO FEEL COMFORTABLE AS SOON AS WE ARRIVED !ND IF THAT WASN T ENOUGH THE WELCOME MEAL AFTER THE SERVICE REALLY WORKED IT S MAGIC &REE FOOD IS ALWAYS A BONUS FOR

A STUDENT BUT A HOT 3UNDAY LUNCH WAS A REAL TREAT THE INCREDIBLE CHOICE OF DESSERTS THAT FOLLOWED EVEN MORE EXCITING 7HAT MADE ME REALLY WANT TO BE A PART OF THIS PARTICULAR CHURCH WAS THAT IT PLACED IMPORTANCE ON OFFERING HELP TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY RATHER THAN BEING AN INSULAR AND EXCLUSIVE INSTITUTION +ING S IS A CHURCH THAT AIMS TO PROVE ITSELF TO BE MODERN AND RELEVANT BY MAKING THE MOST OF ITS LOCATION IN CENTRAL .ORWICH AND USING ITS FACILITIES TO BENElT THE COMMUNITY IN PRACTICAL WAYS ) THINK THAT ONE OF THE REASONS THE #HURCH TODAY HAS SUCH A BAD NAME IS THAT IT FOCUSES ON CURRENT @ISSUES AND CHURCH POLITICS INSTEAD OF USING ITS INmUENCE TO HELP OTHERS AND AFFECT POSITIVE CHANGE IN SOCIETY !CTIVITIES LIKE +ING S #ARE WHICH OFFERS LUNCH SHOWERS WASHING MACHINES AND COMPANY TO THE HOMELESS IN .ORWICH ON A 3UNDAY AFTERNOON HELP THE COMMUNITY MORE THAN ANY AMOUNT OF PREACHING -OST EVENTS ) HAVE BEEN INVOLVED WITH HAVE BEEN STUDENT SOCIALS /VER THE LAST TWO YEARS THESE HAVE INCLUDED )TALIAN AND -EXICAN MEALS

@SUMMER PARTIES COMPLETE WITH ADULT BOUNCY CASTLE A #HRISTMAS #ARNIVAL AND AN

ANNUAL STUDENT 3UMMER "ALL

WHICH THIS YEAR INCLUDED A MEAL LIVE BAND $* AND EIGHT FOOT CHOCOLATE FOUNTAIN ALL FOR a +ING S ALSO OFFERS STUDENTS THE USE OF ITS GYM FOR a A YEAR !NOTHER EVENT AIMED AT STUDENTS IS #ATALYST RUN FORTNIGHTLY IN THE 5NTHANK !RMS %VERY OTHER 3UNDAY NIGHT PEOPLE ARE INVITED TO GET A PINT AND LISTEN TO SOME LIVE MUSIC AND A SHORT TALK ON SOMETHING TOPICAL FOLLOWED

BY A QUESTION TIME 7HILE ) GREATLY APPRECIATE +ING S FOR ALL THAT IT PROVIDES

IT IS THE CARE AND SUPPORT THAT ) HAVE HAD FROM FRIENDS THERE THAT HAVE REALLY HELPED ME DURING MY TIME IN .ORWICH !S A #HRISTIAN ) BELIEVE IT S IMPORTANT TO SPEND TIME WITH OTHERS WHO SHARE MY BELIEFS

NOT ONLY BECAUSE OF THE FAITH THAT WE SHARE BUT ALSO BECAUSE ) lND IT REALLY HELPFUL TO TALK TO THEM ABOUT MY STRUGGLES

QUESTIONS AND DOUBTS !T +ING S ) HAVE A FAMILY AWAY FROM HOME 4HEY LOOK AFTER ME IF ) NEED THEM TO EVEN TO THE POINT OF HELPING WITH $)9 4HE CHURCH PROVIDES A LINK TO .ORWICH THAT WILL STILL BE THERE WHEN ) HAVE GRADUATED AND MY FRIENDS ARE NO LONGER AROUND AND FOR THAT AND THE FRIENDSHIPS ) HAVE MADE THERE ) FEEL VERY FORTUNATE

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4UESDAY TH $ECEMBER #/.#2%4%

4HE 6EGETARIANS 'UIDE TO THE 'ALAXY /K PERHAPS THE WHOLE GALAXY IS A BIT AMBITIOUS ,ET S EAT OUR MARROW IN BITE SIZE PIECES AND START WITH 6IETNAM 6EGGIE TRAVELLERS DO NOT FEAR !NNA 3TEWARD IS HERE TO TAKE YOUR HAND AND GUIDE YOU THROUGH A RANGE OF DISHES

2ESTAURANT 2EVIEW 4RATTORIA 2USTICA

0RINCES 3TREET

4

WO l NGERS CIRCLE OIL ROUND RICE PAPER CIRCULAR MOTIONS MASSAGING DRY TRANSLUCENT SHEETS TO SOFTNESS ) AM CROUCHED ROUND A CHARCOAL BURNER AT MY FRIEND (OUNGgS HOUSE MAKING NEM CHAY (OUNG IS WRAPPING THE SPRING ROLLS LIKE ORIGAMI FOLDING EDGES TUCKING FOLDING

ROLLING THEM UP LIKE MINI PANCAKES AND m ICKING STRAY BEAN SPROUTS OUT 4HEN WITH A SIZZLE OF OIL SPRING ROLLS BOB LIKE CORKS TWISTING ROUND WITH THE NUDGE OF CHOPSTICKS 7E ARE SAT BEHIND A HOUSE ALONG AN ALLY OFF ,ACH 4RAY 3TREET IN (AI 0HONG 7E ARE SAT IN A VEGETARIANS HEAVEN 7E ARE IN 6IETNAM 4HE l RST FEW MONTHS THAT ) SPENT WORKING IN 6IETNAM WERE A VEGETARIAN S PURGATORY ) ATE RICE EGG AND CABBAGE FOR LUNCH ) ATE RICE EGG AND CABBAGE FOR DINNER FOR TWO MONTHS ) DREAMT OF 6EGETABLE +ORMAS (EINZ TOMATO SOUP

,INDA -C#ARTNEY BUT WOKE UP TO BOWLS OF PHO A SPIT LIKE SOUP WHICH REQUIRES THE REMOVAL OF BEEF 4HERE IS NO EQUIVALENT WORD FOR VEGETARIAN IN 6IETNAMESE INSTEAD ) HAD TO USE THE PHRASE @) AM EAT VEGETABLES !ND MANY 6IETNAMESE PEOPLE THINK THAT BEING VEGGIE MEANS YOU JUST WANT LESS MEAT AND THAT YOU SHOULD HAVE A CHICKEN LEG RATHER THAN BREAST !FTER MONTHS OF A MONOTONOUS DIET AND AWKWARD MEALS ) DISCOVERED PARADISE IN TWO

-ANY 6IETNAMESE PEOPLE THINK THAT BEING VEGGIE MEANS YOU JUST WANT LESS MEAT AND THAT YOU SHOULD HAVE A CHICKEN LEG RATHER THAN BREAST

FORMS A CAKE SHOP AND A VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT WHERE A THREE COURSE MEAL COST PENCE !FTER THIS THERE WAS NO TURNING BACK AND ) DISCOVERED THAT ALL "UDDHISTS ARE VEGGIE IN 6IETNAM 4HEREFORE IN EVERY TOWN THERE IS A VEGGIE RESTAURANT OR PAGODA WHERE YOU CAN HAPPILY SIT WITH MONKS AND NUNS EATING YOUR WAY THROUGH A DELICIOUS AFTERNOON !NOTHER GOOD THING ABOUT VEGETARIAN FOOD IN 3OUTH EAST !SIA IS THAT IT DOESN T PRETEND OR AIM TO BE REPLACEMENT MEAT )T IS ITS OWN GOURMET CUISINE IT IS CHEAP AND OF COURSE YOU ARE LESS LIKELY TO GET ILL -ANY TRAVELLERS ACTUALLY CHOOSE TO GIVE UP MEAT WHILST TRAVELLING 4AKE ONE LOOK AROUND YOU IN 6IETNAM AND YOU WILL UNDERSTAND WHY ,ET S JUST SAY THAT THE TREATMENT OF ANIMALS IS MORE CASUAL THAN %NGLAND ,IVE PIGS ARE TIED TO THE BACK OF MOTORBIKES

PUPPIES ARE CRAMMED INTO BASKETS AT MARKETS AND THERE ARE WHOLE STREETS WITH ROASTING DOG MEAT HANGING FROM AWNINGS 6IETNAM MAY HAVE SOME OF THE BEST VEGGIE FOOD

BUT IT IS ALSO NOT FOR THE FAINT HEARTED ANIMAL LOVERS AMONGST US -ANY PEOPLE THINK IT IS HARD TO TRAVEL ABROAD AS A VEGETARIAN AND IN SOME COUNTIES LIKE *APAN FOR INSTANCE OR &RANCE THIS MAY BE TRUE &OR COUNTRIES WHERE VEGGIE FOOD IS NOT SO READILY AVAILABLE THEN THE BEST THING TO DO IS TO DO A VEGGIE COOKING COURSE OR

BEFRIEND SOMEONE AND COOK AT THEIR HOUSE 4HERE IS AN ARRAY OF VEGETARIAN COOKING COURSES THAT CAN TICKLE YOUR TASTE BUDS )F YOU ARE TRAVELLING TO 4HAILAND THEN #HANG -AI HAS A GREAT )NDIAN COOKING COURSE

OR "ANGKOK HAS A NUMBER OF 6EGETARIAN RESTAURANTS THAT ALSO DO COOKING COURSES WHICH COST A MAXIMUM OF a !NOTHER BONUS OF BEING VEGETARIAN IS THAT IT ENCOURAGES YOU TO LEARN THE LANGUAGE OF THE COUNTRY YOU ARE VISITING 4HE l RST THREE THINGS ) LEARN IN ANY COUNTRY ARE ) DON T UNDERSTAND ) AM A VEGETARIAN AND NO MEAT PLEASE /H AND OF COURSE TOO EXPENSIVE A GIRLgS GOT TO BARTER /NE OF THE MOST DELICIOUS DISHES IN 6IETNAM IS "UN (UE (OWEVER BE WARNED THIS DISH IS SO SCRUMPTIOUS THAT YOU MAY TAKE OUT AN EXTRA OVERDRAFT TO PAY FOR YOU TO GO BACK TO 6IETNAM AND EAT IT 4RUST ME IT HAPPENS 7ELL AT LEAST TO ME 4HE PROBLEM WITH FALLING IN LOVE WITH FOREIGN CUISINE IS THAT OFTEN YOU CAN T GET THE INGREDIENTS IN %NGLAND &RUIT TASTES DEPRESSINGLY LESS GOOD HERE COMPARED TO !SIA AND ANY NOODLES ARE DRIED RATHER THAN FRESH FROM THE MARKET /H DEAR ) KNEW THIS FEATURE MIGHT BE A MISTAKE ) AM MISSING THE FOOD TOO MUCH ALREADY ) MAY l NISH NOW

EXTEND MY OVERDRAFT BUY A PLANE TICKET AND SIT AT A DUSTY STREET STALL ONCE MORE SLURPING UP RICE NOODLES WHILE SITTING WITH BROWN CLOAKED MONKS

"READSTICKS 4HESE ARE THE l RST THING YOU CAN EXPECT ON A VISIT TO ONE OF 4OMBLANDS l NEST HIDDEN GEMS 1UITE POSSIBLY THE BEST )TALIAN NOSH IN ALL OF %AST !NGLIA IS THE SECOND .OT ONLY ARE ALL OF THE DISHES FRESHLY PREPARED BUT THEY ARE ALSO VARIED ENOUGH TO PROVIDE SOMETHING TO l LL EVERY BELLY 6EGETARIANS ARE PARTICULARLY WELL CATERED FOR AS ARE LOVERS OF SEAFOOD 4HE DESSERT MENU IS PERHAPS A LITTLE WEAKER BUT WILL PROBABLY PROVIDE SOMETHING UNCONVENTIONALLY SATISFYING FOR THOSE WHO AREN T FULl LLED BY THE GENEROUS PORTIONS 4HE ICE CREAM HOWEVER

DOESN T LIVE UP TO THE STANDARDS SET BY %UROPE S l NEST PRODUCER OF THE STICKY STUFF 4HE ATMOSPHERE IS WELL SUITED TO COUPLES BUT SUITABLE FOR ANY EVENT THAT ISN T A FOOTBALL CLUB SOCIAL &ROM THE AUTHENTIC )TALIAN WAITING STAFF YOU CAN EXPECT A WELCOMING BUT FORMAL SERVICE AGAIN GREAT IF YOU RE JUST THERE TO m IRT UNLESS YOU WANT TO m IRT WITH THE STAFF 4HE CHEF IS ALSO RATHER PROMPT IN PREPARING YOUR FOOD REMARKABLY SO BEFORE EIGHT ! THREE COURSE MEAL WITH WINE WILL SET YOU BACK ABOUT TWENTY QUID 7EIGHING IN AT THE HIGHER END OF THE STUDENT BUDGET BUT STILL PROVIDING GREAT VALUE THIS IS A PERFECT VENUE FOR A SLIGHTLY SPECIAL OCCASION SUCH AS A FAMILY VISIT OR A THIRTEENTH DATE &OR VERY SPECIAL OCCASIONS GO SOMEWHERE ELSE .EVERTHELESS THIS REALLY IS A WORLD APART FROM THE USUAL )TALIAN CHAINS WE ARE ALL USED TO AND IS BOUND TO IMPRESS ANY COMPANY YOU MAY WISH TO KEEP

#OCKTAIL #ORNER -ULLED 7INE )NGREDIENTS BOTTLE RED WINE G OZ $EMERARA SUGAR CINNAMON STICK GRATED NUTMEG ORANGE HALVED DRIED BAY LEAF ML m OZ SLOE OR DAMSON GIN OPTIONAL -ETHOD 0UT THE WINE IN A SAUCEPAN WITH THE ORANGE SUGAR BAY LEAF AND THE SPICES (EAT GENTLY UNTIL THE SUGAR HAS DISSOLVED 4ASTE TO SEE IF YOU WANT THE WINE SWEETER

AND ADD MORE SUGAR TO TASTE /FF THE HEAT STIR IN THE SLOE OR DAMSON GIN IF YOU ARE USING IT

#/.#2%4% 4UESDAY TH $ECEMBER

# 452&

"ANGERS AND -ASH

5%! S lRST FAIR &AIR IS LAUNCHED THIS WEEK

7

ELL IT IS AT THE TIME OF WRITING lVE DAYS UNTIL THE OFlCIAL LAUNCH OF "ANGERS N -ASH ,TD S lRST &AIRTRADE &AIR -ONDAY $ECEMBER TH 7E FOUNDING MEMBERS 2OMY 3TANDER AND $R -ASI #OWPER DO NOT YET KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT AND WHAT THE OVERALL RESULT OF THE FAIR WILL HAVE BEEN )T COULD HAVE BEEN ONE MAJOR DISAP POINTMENT BUT WE ARE CHOOSING TO BE LIEVE THAT IT WILL WORK IN THE WAY THAT IT IS SUPPOSED TO AND WHATEVER OUTCOME IT HAS WE DO NOT FEEL THAT WE WOULD HAVE LOST ANYTHING 7E HAVE MET SO MANY AMAZING PEOPLE ALONG THE WAY AND LEARNT SO MUCH &AILURE IS NOT AN OPTION AND WE BELIEVE THAT "ANGERS N -ASH WILL HAVE MADE ITS MARK 7E HAVE BEEN SITTING HERE THINKING BACK OVER THE TIME IN WHICH THE WHOLE IDEA FORMED AND WE MUST SAY THAT IT HAS BEEN ONE HELL OF A JOURNEY 7E HAVE #RECEDA * ,E -AIRE SITTING OPPO

7RAP UP 'REEN 7RAP UP GREEN THIS #HRISTMAS WITH 4URF

#

HRISTMAS 4HE PERI OD OF EX CESS 4OO M U C H FOOD TOO MUCH AL COHOL AND RATHER LESS NOTICE ABLE ON THE WAIST LINE TOO MUCH PACKAGING !N AVERAGE 5+ #HRISTMAS WILL GENERATE OVER SQUARE KILOMETRES OF WRAPPING PAPER WHICH IS ENOUGH TO COVER AN AREA THE SIZE OF 'UERNSEY 4HIS IS NOT JUST A LOT OF PAPER 7RAPPING PAPER FOR ALL YOU CONSUMERS OUT THERE MUST LOOK PRETTY 9ET LOOKING PRETTY IS THE END RESULT OF HEAVY BLEACHING AND A LOW RECYCLED CONTENT !LL IN ALL A BLEAK OUTLOOK FOR THOSE ALREADY BURSTING LAND lLL SITES )N EVERY ISSUE 4URF WILL MENTION @CLIMATE CHANGE A PHRASE NOW WIDELY ASSOCI ATED WITH THE BEGINNING OF A LONG AND BORING LECTURE 4HE TRUTH IS THAT THIS DILEMMA SEEMS TOO BIG FOR US TO HAN DLE SO WE STICK OUR COLLECTIVE HEAD INTO THE SAND 3OME SCIENTISTS SAY THAT THIS IS THE ONLY USEFUL PLAN AS A FUTURE OF CLIMATE CHAOS SEEMS TO

BE ALMOST CERTAIN ,ET S HOPE THAT THIS IS NOT THE CASE AND START NOW #HRISTMAS SEEMS LIKE THE PERFECT TIME 4HERE ARE MANY ORGANISA TIONS THAT SUPPORT AND PRO MOTE THE IDEA OF @GREEN WRAP PING THE 7OMEN S )NSTITUTE BEING ONE OF THEM "ACK IN *UNE THE GIRLS AT THE 7) STAGED A .ATIONAL $AY OF !CTION IN WHICH WEEKS OF STORED EX CESS PACKAGING WAS RETURNED TO OFFENDING SUPERMARKETS 4HE AIM OF THE INITIATIVE WAS TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF UNNECESSARY AND EXCESSIVE PACKAGING USED ON MANY PRODUCTS 7HAT S MORE

MOST OF IT IS ENTIRELY NON RE CYCLABLE 3O ) SUGGEST THAT WE FOL LOW IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THESE ADMIRABLE LADIES AND DO OUR BIT THIS FESTIVE SEASON 4HE MOST OBVIOUS WAY OF AVOID ING EXCESS WASTE WHEN GIVING PRESENTS IS TO NOT USE WRAP PING PAPER AT ALL "UT LET S FACE IT THAT S JUST NOT FUN 4HE ANSWER THEREFORE IS THE PAPER YOU ARE NOW READING FROM #HEAP RECYCLABLE AND MOST IMPORTANTLY UNIQUE THE QUICKEST AND EASIEST WAY TO WRAP PRESENTS IS WITH A USED

NEWSPAPER /F COURSE THIS DOES THREATEN TO MAKE YOUR GIFT LOOK SUSPICIOUSLY LIKE A PORTION OF CHIPS BUT THE ENVIRONMENT WILL LOVE YOU FOR IT (OWEVER YOU DO HAVE OTHER OPTIONS 5SING OLD CAL ENDARS WALLPAPER OR EVEN KEEPING THIS YEAR S WRAPPING PAPER AND RE USING IT NEXT YEAR WILL ENSURE A SUSTAINABLE #HRISTMAS WITH NO COMPRO MISE ON THE AESTHETICS !ND TO BE PERFECTLY HON EST ) VE NEVER REALLY UNDER STOOD THE ACTUAL POINT IN WRAPPING PRESENTS IN EXPEN SIVE SPARKLY PAPER WHICH NO SOONER HAS IT BEEN TORN FROM A GIFT IT S IN THE BIN !ND GEN ERALLY NOT THE RECYCLING BIN )T ADDS AN EXTRA COUPLE OF QUID TO THE PRICE OF A PRESENT AND VERY RARELY GETS ANY NOTICE 3O IF YOU RE NOT A REGULAR ECO WARRIOR LET THIS BE YOUR CHANCE TO DO YOUR BIT )T REAL LY ISN T HARD AND EVERY GREEN THING YOU DO HAS A POSITIVE IMPACT ON AVOIDING THE SOON TO BE INEVITABLE NO MATTER HOW SMALL OR INSIGNIlCANT IT MAY SEEM .ATASHA "ARNES

SITE US WHO REPRESENTS 2OCK3TAR -AG NIFESTO AND HAS TRAVELLED ALL THE WAY FROM ,! TO MAKE A DOCUMENTARY ABOUT WHAT WE HAVE BEEN UP TO INTERVIEW ING lLMING PHOTOGRAPHING AND JUST EXPERIENCING SOME OF THE ENVIRONMENT THAT HAS SPAWNED THIS EVENT ) lRST MET #RECEDA AT THE %THICAL &ASHION 3HOW IN 0ARIS THIS YEAR JUST BEFORE SHE LEFT TO RETURN TO THE 3TATES ,UCK HAS BEEN ON OUR SIDE EVER SINCE "ANGERS N -ASH AS AN ORGANISA TION AIMS TO INSPIRE YOUNG PEOPLE TO WANT TO SUPPORT LOCAL ETHICAL FAIRTRADE TALENT AND TO ENCOURAGE US TO SHOP IN ALTERNATIVE PLACES OR SIMPLY JUST TO QUESTION HOW WE SPEND OUR MONEY THAT WE ALL WORK SO HARD FOR 7E HAVE GATHERED OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS

DETAILS ON WHO WHAT AND HOW LOCAL PEOPLE ARE MAKING A WAY FOR THEM SELVES THROUGH A MEDIUM THAT THEY BELIEVE IN AND LOVE DOING ON A DAILY BASIS (ENCE WE HAVE BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH TO GATHER TOGETHER A GROUP OF THE MOST TALENTED ORIGINAL AND INNO VATIVE PEOPLE 7E HAVE SCOUTED THESE

INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS FROM CHURCHES

STREET FAIRS AND FOUND THEM VIA WORD OF MOUTH 7E FEEL SO PRIVILEGED TO BE ABLE TO GIVE THEM A PLATFORM FROM WHICH THEY WILL BE ABLE TO SELL MARKET AND ENGAGE WITH AN AUDIENCE THAT WILL HOPEFULLY EMBRACE THEM WITH OPEN EYES AND EARS 7E HAVE #HARLIE 7INSTON WHO GREW UP IN THE +INGS (EAD IN "UNGAY PLAYING AN HOUR LONG SET AND HAS JUST SIGNED A PUBLISHING DEAL WITH 2EAL 7ORLD 2ECORDS OWNED BY 0ETER 'ABRIEL 2UBY 2UMBA FROM "RIDEWELL !LLEY HAS KINDLY LOANED ME A FABULOUS DRESS FOR WHEN ) MEET WITH THE PRESS AND THE EXTREMELY FUNKY RECYCLED MATERIALS SHOE COMPANY 7ORN !GAIN HAS AGREED TO SPONSOR US A PAIR OF THEIR TRAINERS AS A PRIZE DURING THE EVENT 4HE LIST OF THE OPPORTUNITIES AND UNIQUE THINGS THAT ARE JUST UNDER YOUR NOSE IS ENDLESS AS LONG AS YOU ARE WILLING TO MAKE THAT BIT OF EFFORT 2OMY 3TANDER

# 452&

4UESDAY TH $ECEMBER #/.#2%4%

%CO WEB WWW OXFAMUNWRAPPED COM &OR MANY OF US THE ARRIVAL OF $ECEMBER BRINGS A FAMILIAR #HRISTMAS PRESENT BUYING SEQUENCE /NE VAGUELY PLAN A TRIP TO THE SHOPS @SOME TIME AFTER THE END OF TERM 4WO PANIC WHEN YOU REALISE NOTHING IS RIGHT 4HREE RESIGNEDLY BUY EVERYONE ON YOUR LIST A BOTTLE OF PERFUME OR AFTERSHAVE WHICH YOU SECRETLY KNOW WILL END UP DUSTY AND UNLOVED BECAUSE NO ONE CAN GET THROUGH THE SEVEN BOTTLES OF FRAGRANCE THEY RECEIVE EVERY #HRISTMAS IN A YEAR "UT WHAT ELSE DO YOU GET FOR THE PERSON WHO NOT ONLY SEEMS TO HAVE EVERYTHING BUT IS ALSO NOTORIOUSLY FUSSY ABOUT WHAT THEY LIKE

)DENTITY #OMPLEX .INA -OWBRAY EXPLORES GENETIC ENGINEERING IN NATURE h$OES A GENETICALLY ENGINEERED #HRISTMAS TREE HAVE THE SAME IN TRINSIC VALUE AS A NAT URALLY EXISTING #HRIST MAS TREE v

EXISTENCE BEING GENERATED IN A LAB LACKS THE MYSTERY OR ROMANCE OF THE CREATION OF ORGANISMS BY NATURE ITSELF /N THE OTHER HAND BOTH TREES HAVE A @WILL TO LIVE REGARDLESS OF THEIR ORIGINS 4HE INSTINCT OF AN ORGANISM TO SURVIVE AND mOUR ISH IS A FORM OF SELF VALUING AND THE EXIST ENCE OF THE TREES BECOMES AN END IN ITSELF "ASED ON THIS THE GENETICALLY ENGINEERED TREE HAS THE SAME INTRINSIC VALUE AS THE NATU RAL #HRISTMAS TREE SIMPLY SINCE IT REMAINS ALIVE ONCE IT HAS BEEN BROUGHT INTO EXIST ENCE

4HE REASON THIS IS SUCH A DIFlCULT QUES TION TO ANSWER OR MORE IMPORTANTLY TO JUS TIFY A RESPONSE TO IS BECAUSE OF THE TERM @IN TRINSIC VALUE "EFORE ANSWERING THE ABOVE

WE MUST ASK WHAT IS @INTRINSIC VALUE )NTRINSIC VALUE IS THE VALUE OF AN OBJECT IN AND OF ITSELF BELONGING TO THE ESSENTIAL NATURE OR CONSTITUTION OF THAT OBJECT 4HIS IS A GOOD STARTING POINT BUT IT IS DIFlCULT TO IDENTIFY INTRINSIC VALUE 7E MUST IGNORE ANY INSTRUMENTAL VALUE MEANING THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE OBJECT CAN BE OF USE TO US AS HUMANS OR TO ANYTHING ELSE 4HEN WITH MORE DIFlCULTY WE MUST DISREGARD THE VALUE WHICH HUMANS IMPOSE ONTO OTHER OBJECTS AND WHICH IS DETERMINED BY THE HUMAN PER SPECTIVE )N OTHER WORDS ALTHOUGH HUMANS DO THE VALUING THE VALUE BEING GIVEN IS NOT A HUMAN VALUE AND SO MUST BE INDEPEND ENT OF ANY RELATIONSHIP THAT MAY EXIST BE TWEEN HUMANS AND THE OBJECT TO BE VALUED PHEW &OR EXAMPLE A BIRD MAY SEEM PRECIOUS TO US BECAUSE OF ITS ABILITY TO SING OR TO mY

HOWEVER OUR ADMIRATION OF ITS BEAUTY AND THE COMPLEXITY OF EVOLUTION ARE ULTIMATELY A RESULT OF A COMPARISON TO OURSELVES RATHER THAN THE VALUE EXISTING WITHIN THE BIRD IT SELF 3O WHERE DOES THAT LEAVE US 3OME WOULD ARGUE THAT THE INTRINSIC VALUE OF THESE TWO #HRISTMAS TREES LIKE ALL OTHER ORGAN ISMS COMES FROM THEIR BEING ALIVE WHICH MANY WOULD ARGUE TO BE A MIRACLE IN ITSELF /N THIS BASIS PERHAPS THE NATURALLY OCCUR RING #HRISTMAS TREE HAS THE EDGE SINCE ITS EX ISTENCE IS PURELY A MATTER OF CHANCE MIRACLE

FATE OR ANY OTHER MYSTERIOUS CIRCUMSTANCE YOU MAY CHOOSE TO BELIEVE 4HE GENETICALLY ENGINEERED TREE HOWEVER WAS FORCED INTO

@#ONSIDER A GENETI CALLY ENGINEERED VER SION OF YOURSELF COULD YOU CONSIDER THAT PER SON TO BE YOUR ABSO LUTE EQUAL ! POPULAR ARGUMENT TO JUSTIFY THAT THE TWO #HRISTMAS TREES ARE EQUALLY DESERVING OF HAVING THEIR INTRINSIC VALUE RECOGNISED IS THAT IF THEIR ORIGINS WERE UNKNOWN AN OBSERVER COMING ACROSS THE TREES WOULD PERCEIVE THE TREES TO BE EQUAL IN TERMS OF INTRINSIC VALUE 4HE PROBLEM WITH THIS ARGU MENT IS THAT IT IS DEPENDENT ON A PERSPEC TIVE OUTSIDE OF THE TREES THEMSELVES AND AS WE ESTABLISHED EARLIER INTRINSIC VALUE IS FOUND WITHIN THE OBJECT BEING VALUED (AV ING SAID THIS PERHAPS THE INTRINSIC VALUE OF A THING EXISTS IRRESPECTIVE OF THE EVENTS THAT OCCURRED TO BRING THAT THING INTO EXISTENCE

SINCE WITHIN EITHER #HRISTMAS TREE AT ANY MOMENT IN TIME ONLY ITS PRESENT STATUS IS OF IMPORTANCE )F WE WERE TO ACCEPT THAT BOTH THE GE NETICALLY ENGINEERED #HRISTMAS TREE AND THE NATURAL #HRISTMAS TREE HAVE INTRINSIC VALUE

WE MUST THEN SAY THE SAME FOR ALL ORGAN ISMS AND THEIR GENETICALLY ENGINEERED COUN TERPARTS #ONSIDER A GENETICALLY ENGINEERED VERSION OF YOURSELF COULD YOU CONSIDER THAT PERSON TO BE YOUR ABSOLUTE EQUAL 9OUR BE LIEF IN YOURSELF AS THE @ORIGINAL ALONE MUST COME WITH A SELF GIVEN ELEVATED STATUS OVER

YOUR MANUFACTURED COUNTERPART -ORE AWK WARD QUESTIONS CROP UP WHEN REmECTING ON THE ROLE OF CONSERVATION )S IT A WASTE OF TIME AND EFFORT TO BE DESPERATELY CONSERV ING PARTICULAR ORGANISMS AND THEIR HABITATS WHEN IT MAY ONE DAY BECOME POSSIBLE TO MASS PRODUCE IDENTICAL ORGANISMS TO ORDER 7E ARE HESITANT TO ACCEPT THAT A PRODUCED ORGANISM COULD BE OF AN EQUAL STATUS TO ONE THAT HAS NATURALLY COME INTO EXISTENCE BE CAUSE IT UNDERMINES THE YEARS OF EVOLUTION TAKEN TO CREATE OUR SPECIES AND ALL OTHERS AND THREATENS THE COMPLEX INTER AND INTRA SPECIES RELATIONSHIPS WHICH HAVE EVOLVED ACCORDINGLY 4HIS LEADS US ONTO REPLACEMENT VALUE )F THE -ONA ,ISA WERE LOST IN A lRE AN ENDLESS AMOUNT OF MONEY AND RESOURCES COULD BE PUT SPENT ON CREATING AN EXACT REPLICA BUT NO MATTER HOW ACCURATE IT WOULD NEVER BE THE SAME PAINTING THE NEW COPY WOULD NOT HAVE THE SAME HISTORY OR CULTURAL SIG NIlCANCE AS THE ORIGINAL )N THIS SENSE THE -ONA ,ISA IS IRREPLACEABLE AND BEYOND ECO NOMIC VALUING 3IMILARLY IF AN ORGANISM IS KILLED IT CAN NEVER BE REPLACED EVEN IF AN ORGANISM WITH THE SAME $.! WERE CREATED

IT COULD NEVER HAVE THE SAME EVOLUTIONARY OR ANCESTRAL HISTORY 4HIS MAKES ALL ORGAN ISMS IRREPLACEABLE 4HE RESPONSE TO THIS OF COURSE WOULD BE THAT THE FACT THAT THE GENET ICALLY ENGINEERED TREE WAS CREATED ARTIlCIALLY GIVES IT INTRINSIC VALUE SINCE IT EXISTS DESPITE HAVING BY PASSED ALL THE BIOLOGICAL LAWS FOL LOWED BY NATURALLY OCCURRING ORGANISMS

@)F HUMANS DID NOT EXIST COULD ANYTHING BE SAID TO OF ANY VAL UE INTRINSIC OR OTHER WISE (AVING ELUDED ANY REAL ANSWER TO THE ORIGINAL QUESTION HERE IS A lNAL DILEMMA THE SOURCE OF ALL VALUE IS IN THE HUMAN CON SCIOUSNESS SO IF HUMANS DID NOT EXIST COULD ANYTHING BE SAID TO OF ANY VALUE INTRINSIC OR OTHERWISE

!N ALTERNATIVE IS TO GIVE A GIFT TO SOMEONE MORE APPRECIATIVE ON BEHALF OF YOUR LOVED ONE WHICH IS NOT AS MEAN AS IT SOUNDS /XFAM ARE LEADING THE WAY THIS YEAR IN THE CHARITABLE #HRISTMAS GIFTS NICHE /XFAM 5NWRAPPED S CAUSE AND ENTERPRISE ARE SO APPLAUDABLE THAT ) M LOATHE TO SAY ANYTHING BAD ABOUT THEM BUT THIS IS A WEBSITE REVIEW AND THEIR WEBSITE DID BREAK DOWN WHILST ) WAS ATTEMPTING TO WRITE THIS .OT A GOOD START (OWEVER A DAY LATER AND IT S RUNNING SMOOTHLY AGAIN AND WHAT ) HAVE FOUND IS SO HEART WARMING THAT IT S JUST RIGHT FOR THIS #HRISTMAS EDITION OF #ONCRETE 4HE /XFAM 5NWRAPPED SCHEME SELLS A VARIETY OF ITEMS AND SERVICES THAT WILL HELP TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF SOME OF THE WORLD S POOREST PEOPLE 4HE IDEA IS THAT INSTEAD OF OR AS WELL AS BUYING TRADITIONAL PRESENTS FOR YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY YOU BUY SOMETHING FROM /XFAM 5NWRAPPED ON THEIR BEHALF 4HEY THEN RECEIVE A CARD AND A FRIDGE MAGNET TO REPRESENT THEIR GIFT AND GET A WARM FEELING INSIDE KNOWING THAT THEIR #HRISTMAS GIFT HAS REALLY HELPED SOMEONE 4HE GIFTS ON SALE START AT a AND YOU CAN BROWSE FOR GIFTS IN A SET PRICE CATEGORY

CHOOSING FROM ITEMS FOR SCHOOLS

ANIMALS EMPLOYMENT OR HEALTHY LIVING -ANY OF THE GIFTS ARE IN THE FORM OF COURSES FOR EXAMPLE A ()6 AND !)$3 AWARENESS EVENT WHICH COSTS JUST a TO FACILITATE !NOTHER GREAT GIFT IS AN ALPACA A WOOLLY ANIMAL PACKAGE 4HE MONEY YOU GIVE PAYS FOR THE ANIMAL ITS SHELTER AND FENCES SHEARS AND AN ANIMAL HUSBANDRY COURSE FOR ITS OWNER 4HE OWNERS ARE THEN ABLE TO MAKE A LIVING FROM THE WOOL AND CAN USE THE MANURE TO ENRICH THEIR LAND -AKING A HUGE DIFFERENCE TO SOMEONE S LIFE /XFAM 5NWRAPPED SURELY OFFERS THE ULTIMATE #HRISTMAS GIFT

2OSIE "RADLEY "UNN

#/.#2%4% 4UESDAY TH $ECEMBER

#/--%.4 /0).)/.

)T S A "LOODY &ARCE !NDY *ONES ,AST 4UESDAY ) GAVE BLOOD FOR THE lRST TIME ) HAD HEARD HORROR STORIES FROM FRIENDS ABOUT FAINTING AND NEEDLES THE SIZE OF BASE BALL BATS (OWEVER IT WAS THE EASIEST FREE BISCUIT ) HAVE EVER EARNED ) WENT IN READ MY FREE MAGAZINE WAS GIVEN FREE FOOD AND DRINK ANSWERED A FEW QUESTIONS AND lNALLY LAID BACK AND CHATTED TO THE ATTRACTIVE NURSE 4EN MINUTES LATER AND WITH A RUCKSACK FULL OF COM

PLETELY LEGALLY ACQUIRED BIS CUITS ) WAS ON MY WAY )T WAS AS SIMPLE AS THAT AND HOPE FULLY ) HAD HELP SAV A LIFE 4HERE WAS JUST ONE THING THAT LINGERED WITH ME AFTER ) LEFT AND THAT WAS ONE OF THE QUESTIONS THEY ASKED ME /N THE LIFESTYLE QUESTIONNAIRE ) WAS ASKED IF ) HAD EVER HAD SEX WITH ANOTHER MAN ) WAS SHOCKED TO lND OUT THAT IF ) HAD ) WOULD NEVER BE AL LOWED TO DONATE BLOOD 4HIS IS AN ABSOLUTE RULE IF A BI SEXUAL MAN WHO HAD HAD SEX WITH A MAN ONCE FORTY YEARS AGO AND HAD BEEN HAPPILY MARRIED EVER SINCE WANTED TO GIVE BLOOD HE WOULD BE SHOWN THE DOOR 3UFlCE TO SAY ) WAS SOME

WHAT MIFFED 4HIS IS THE SAME .ATIONAL "LOOD 3ERVICE ."3 THAT GETS 3EAN "EAN TO DO VOICEOVERS TELLING US HOW DESPERATELY THEY NEED MY BLOOD 4HIS IS THE SAME ."3 THAT KEEPS A CONSTANT TRACK OF THE NATION S BLOOD SUPPLIES ON ITS WEBSITE WWW BLOOD CO UK WHICH ALWAYS SEEMS PERILOUSLY LOW .ATURALLY ) SOUGHT CLARIlCATION HOWEV ER NONE WAS FORTHCOMING ON THE AFOREMENTIONED WEBSITE ) COULD NOT lND ANY JUSTIlCA TION FROM THE NATIONAL BLOOD SERVICE ON THE INTERNET 4HE REASONS THAT HAVE BEEN SUGGESTED BY OTHER SOURCES INCLUDE THE PREVA LENCE OF ()6 !IDS AMONGST THE GAY COMMUNITY 4HIS IS

BASED UPON OUTDATED PREJU DICE WITH OF NEW INFEC TIONS COMING FROM HETERO SEXUAL SEX !LSO IT MISSES THE POINT THAT ALL BLOOD GIVEN IS CAREFULLY SCREENED FOR 3EXU ALLY 4RANSMITTED $ISEASES 34$S INCLUDING ()6 4HE BLOOD SERVICE POINT OUT THAT THE SCREENING PROCESS IS NOT EFFECTIVE BUT SURELY THIS WOULD MEAN THAT 34$S FROM HETEROSEXUALS ARE JUST AS LIKELY TO SLIP THROUGH /THER UNIVERSITIES SUCH AS "IRMINGHAM AND ,EEDS -ET ARE NO LONGER ALLOW ING DONATIONS BECAUSE OF THE STANCE ON HOMOSEXUAL DONATION ) BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A COMPLETELY IRRESPONSI BLE POSITION 4HE .ATIONAL

"LOOD 3ERVICE S POLICY MAKES THE NEED FOR DONATIONS EVEN MORE PRESSING )T SHOULD SERVE AS A CATALYST FOR THE REST OF US TO GET DOWN TO THE ,#2 AND GIVE ) DO BELIEVE HOWEV ER THAT 5%! SHOULD CENSURE THE BLOOD SERVICE FOR A POLICY THAT IS BASED ON OUTDATED PREJUDICES AND STEREOTYPES 'AY BLOOD IS AS GOOD AS ANY OTHER AND IF ) AM EVER IN AN ACCIDENT OR OPERATION ) D BE MORE THAN GLAD TO HAVE IT 'AY BLOOD SHOULD BE AL LOWED TO BE AMAZING AND SAVE A LIFE TOO

#REDIT 7HERE #REDIT S $UE 2OBERT *ACKMAN

4WO YEARS AGO ) CELEBRATED MY EIGHTEENTH BIRTHDAY ,IKE MANY OTHERS ) WAS DE LIGHTED TO lND A LETTER BOX JAMMED FULL WITH CARDS FROM RELATIVES AND FRIENDS

ALL WISHING ME LUCK AS ) ENTERED ADULTHOOD "UT STRANGELY A LOT OF THE CARDS WERE FROM FRIENDS ) DIDN T EVEN KNOW THAT ) HAD 4HESE MYSTERIOUS MATES SENT GLOSSY ENVELOPES mUSH WITH BEST WISHES AND OFFERS OF EASY TO MANAGE LOANS /NE SAID THAT ) HAD BEEN

LUCKY ENOUGH TO QUALIFY FOR A SPECIAL GOLD CARD &ANTAS TIC ) THOUGHT n THEY CERTAINLY KNEW HOW TO MAKE ME FEEL SPECIAL ON MY SPECIAL DAY ) WAS A LITTLE PERPLEXED (OW SHOULD ) GO ABOUT THANKING THESE LONG LOST FRIENDS )T FELT STRANGE AD DRESSING A THANK YOU LETTER TO &REEDOM &INANCE AND #APITAL /NE !ND SHOULD ) FEEL RUDE ABOUT DECLINING THE GIFTS OFFERED BY /CEAN &I NANCE AND 'OLDlSH n ) MEAN IT S THE THOUGHT THAT COUNTS AND ) D HATE TO OFFEND THEIR FEELINGS 4HIS IS EXACTLY THE SORT OF CONFUSION WHICH HAS FUELLED THE TEENAGE DEBT PROBLEM

AND $AVID #AMERON DESERVES

CREDIT FOR CONFRONTING IT 4ELL ING TEENAGERS WHAT TO DO IS A COLOSSAL TASK n ESPECIALLY FOR A POLITICAL PARTY /NCE WE VE REACHED THE END OF OUR TEEN AGE YEARS WE BECOME ALLERGIC TO ADVICE AND WE VE SPAT OUT THE PHRASE @DON T PATRONISE ME SO MANY TIMES IT S BE COME A CATCHPHRASE 7E SHOULD WELCOME THE @3ORT )T WEBSITE 'OODNESS KNOWS WE COULD DO WITH THE HELP n MENTION @!02 TO MOST TEENAGE BORROWERS AND YOU LL HAVE THEM SCOURING THROUGH THEIR TEXT SPEAK DICTIONAR IES 4HE WEBSITE MAY MAKE TEENAGERS THINK TWICE WHEN THEY RE BOMBARDED WITH OF FERS OF LOANS BUT WHEN IT COMES TO DEBT IT S NOT US

WHO ARE THE @TOSSERS !FTER EIGHTEEN YEARS OF STERN NEGOTIATIONS OVER POCK ET MONEY WE RE SUDDENLY PAMPERED WITH GENEROUS OF FERS FROM SEEMINGLY CHUMMY LENDERS )T S A GESTURE WHICH EXPLOITS OUR WORST CHARACTER ISTICS n OUR OVER CONlDENCE AND OUR SHORT SIGHTEDNESS 7E RE SO SURE THAT WE LL EARN PLENTIFUL MONEY TO PAY IT BACK AND ANYWAY THE PAY MENT DATES SEEM LIKE BLIPS ON THE HORIZON 4HE COMPANIES EXPLOIT TEENAGE INSECURITIES AND AP PEAL TO OUR OBSESSION WITH BEING SEEN AS @INDEPENDENT 4HEY POSE AS SURROGATE PAR ENTS CREATING THE ILLUSION OF AN EASIER WAY TO BORROW

MONEY "UT AS MANY lND OUT

THEY RE MUCH MORE RUTHLESS THAN PARENTS n RATHER THAN A SAFETY NET THE BORROWERS lND THEMSELVES TUMBLING INTO A WEB OF DEBT 3O CREDIT WHERE CREDIT S DUE FOR ADVISING TEENAGERS TO SUPPRESS THEIR INNER SPEND THRIFTS BUT THE WEBSITE WILL lND ITSELF COMPETING AGAINST A TROOP OF COMPANIES AIM ING TO DO THE OPPOSITE n ALL ARMED WITH AN ARSENAL OF TELEVISION ADVERTS JUNK MAIL AND EVEN BIRTHDAY CARDS $AVID IF YOU RE LOOKING FOR A TWELVE STEP DEBT SOLUTION

YOU HAD BEST START WITH THE LENDERS

) AM BETTER THAN HE IS

!NDY *ONES ,AST WEEK A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT WAS SET ON THE PAGES OF #ONCRETE /UR VERY OWN 2OBERT *ACKMAN HAD TWO ARTI CLES PUBLISHED TO MY ONE .OW QUIBBLE ALL YOU WANT WITH THE DE TAILS -AYBE HE HAD BEEN BOTHERED TO WRITE TWO AND ) HADN T 4HAT IS NOT THE POINT 7HAT HAS NOW BEEN DUBBED @TWO ARTICLE GATE BY THE PRESS ME IS A CLEAR

&USTRATED DEPUTY EDITOR LETS HIS STAFF lGHT IT OUT IN PUBLIC

CHALLENGE TO THE POSI TION OF !LPHA -ALE ON THE OPINION PAGE 4HE YOUNG UP START OR 2OBERT AS HE IS SOMETIMES KNOWN

SHOULD JUST REMEMBER A THING OR TWO BEFORE HE COMES MUSCLING IN ON MY PATCH &IRSTLY ) WAS WRITING OPINION AR TICLES WHEN HE WAS STILL A WEE BAIRN LOCAL PRES SURE GROUPS LEARNED TO FEAR MY PEN DURING MY PERIOD AT &ARRAGO THE NEWSPAPER OF 7ILLIAM &ARR #OMPREHENSIVE 3CHOOL 3ECONDLY ) AM SLIGHTLY BIGGER THAN HIM 4HIRDLY HIS HAIR IS

SILLY /N A SERIOUS NOTE DOES *ACKMAN WANT TO BAN EVERYTHING "AN THE ADVERTISING OF DRINKS )F WE DID THAT HOW WOULD ) KNOW WHAT ALL THE COOL KIDS WERE DRINKING %QUALLY HE SEEMS TO BE DECRYING LAD S MAGAZINES ) ASK HIM WHAT WOULD ) HAVE DONE ON HOLIDAY THIS YEAR IN 2OME WITHOUT MY MATE S COPY OF NUTS 7ITH ALL THE PONCY ART EVERYWHERE THE CENTRE FOLD OF A WALRUS WITH AN ERECTION KEPT ME SUIT ABLY GROUNDED

2OBERT *ACKMAN #ONCRETE OPINIONS WRITER !NDY *ONES CONSIDERS HIMSELF A RADICAL n ) M AFRAID ) HAVE TO DISAGREE *ONES IS NOTORIOUS FOR HIS lERY COLUMNS HIS MUSINGS ROMANTI CISE REVOLUTIONS AND ENCOURAGE UPRISINGS "UT DON T BE FOOLED n *ONES IS FAR TOO SOFT FOR THE HARD LEFT )NDEED IF YOU WANT TO lND HIM AMONGST A SCREAMING MOB WAVING RED mAGS

THEN YOU D BEST LOOK TO THE STADIUM OF HIS BELOVED !RSENAL &# 4HOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE ENCOUNTERED !NDY IN THE PUB MAY HAVE BEEN IMPRESSED

BY HIS KNOWLEDGE OF REVOLUTIONS )T S LIKE TOP TRUMPS n NAME THE REVOLUTION AND *ONES WILL TELL HOW MUCH CLARET WAS SPILT AND HOW MANY BUILD INGS WERE TOPPLED !ND ) HEAR HE S WON MANY A DRINK WITH HIS @NAME A YEAR AND ) LL TELL YOU A REVOLUTION CHALLENGE ) HATE TO DISAP

POINT THE MUTINOUS CROWDS BUT IT HAS TO BE SAID n *ONES IS A THINKER NOT A DOER HE S MORE OF A POSER THAN A PROTESTOR )T S TIME TO BREAK THE NEWS TO THE PROLETARIAN MOBS n HE S NOT YOUR MESSIAH HE S A VERY NAUGHTY BOY !NDY

WE LOVE YOUR COLUMNS

BUT YOU HAVE TO FACE IT n REVOLUTIONS ARE NOT A SPECTATOR SPORT

/PITALK BY ,OUIS (OLDING 0ARSONS

$EPUTY %DITOR

3AFE SEX WEEK !NYONE WONDERING THROUGH THE (IVE ON 7EDNESDAY WAS LIKELY TO BE APPROACHED BY SOMEONE OFFERING A FREE CLAMYDIA TEST !LTHOUGH MOST SEEM TO HAVE ACCEPTED THE FREE TEST IT BROUGHT TO MIND A BIGGER ISSUE 3EXUALLY 4RANSMITTED $ISEASES 34$S ARE ON THE INCREASE DESPITE ADVANCES IN MEDI CINE AND AWARENESS -ANY IT SEEMS DO NOT BELIEVE IT CAN HAPPEN TO THEM DESPITE BE ING SEXUALLY ACTIVE AND WILL NEVER TAKE A TEST 4HIS IS SUCH A SHAME WHEN ONE CONSIDERS THE .(3 ATTEMPTS TO PUBLIZICE THE PROBLEM AND DO ALL IT CAN TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE -ANY IN THE #ONCRETE OFlCE WILL HAPPILY BACK UP THE NOTION THAT THIS WRITER IS AN ALPHA MALE

WITH AN EGO WHICH STRUGGLES TO lT INTO MOST ROOMS LET ALONE GET THROUGH THE DOOR 3O ADMITTING TO MYSELF THAT ) MAY HAVE CLAMIDYA WHICH ) DON T BELIEVE ) DO AND UNDERTAKING THE TEST IS A BIG THING BUT THEN THE TRUTH IS ) WOULDN T MIND HAVING SOME LITTLE ,OUIS IN THE FU TURE !ND YES IT S TRUE IF YOU LEAVE 34$S UNTREATED

YOU CAN IN THE LONG RUN BE COME INFERTILE SO CONFRONT ING ANY SUSPICION IS VITAL FOR ANY FUTURE FAMILY ASPIRA TIONS #ONSEQUENTLY ANYONE WHO WANTS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT SHOULD GET IN CONTACT WITH THE 5%! HEALTH CENTRE WHICH OFFERS FREE TESTING AND FREE CONlDENTIAL ADVICE EI THER BY GOING THERE YOURSELF

OR ON

!LPHA MALE S ) WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT

IN WANTING TO BE AS TRANSPAR ENT AS POSSIBLE ABOUT WHAT GOES IN ON THE #ONCRETE OF lCE AND OF COURSE OBEYING STRINGENT HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATION BY DECREING THAT ANY DISAGREEMENT SHOULD BE INTELLECTUAL RATHER THAN PHYSICAL MY STAFF S RIVALRY IS THERE FOR ALL TO SEE TO THE LEFT OF THIS ARTICLE

0LEASE SEND LETTERS TO CONCRETE EDITORIAL

$EAR %DITOR

UEA AC UK

) AM A DISGUSTING MINDLESS PERVERT

4HIS IS A RESPONSE TO 2OBERT *ACKMAN S ARTICLE ENTITLED h-EN SHOULD SUPPORT .53 S ACTION AGAINST LADS MAGSxv DATED ST .OVEMBER ) RESPOND BECAUSE HE IS CLEARLY A MAN BURDENED WITH MIDDLE AGED UBER LIBERALIST DISQUIETUDE WELL BEFORE HIS TIME

AND LOOKS TO BE IN NEED OF A VERBAL KICK UP THE BACKSIDE &OR ONE ) DIDN T QUITE UNDERSTAND THE GIST OF THE ARGUMENT AS NOWHERE WITHIN IT COULD ) l ND ANY SEMBLANCE OF .53 ACTION AGAINST SAID MAGAZINES "UT THAT DOESN T CONCERN ME -Y REAL GRIPE IS THAT SOMEONE HAS CLEARLY BEEN

HANDED THE WRONG END OF THE STICK HERE *ACKMAN CLAIMS THAT THESE @GAUDY GAZETTES STYLISE THEMSELVES AS LIFESTYLE MAGAZINES ENDORSING MISOGYNY

AND HEAVEN FORBID @PLENTIFUL LAUGHTER (E S m AT OUT WRONG ,ADS MAGS SERVE A SIMPLE PURPOSE ESPECIALLY FOR THE 5NIVERSITY CROWD 4HEY RE TRASH LIGHT RELIEF FROM THE TRIALS OF *OHN $ONNE OR %ISENSTEIN !NYONE FEEBLE ENOUGH TO SWALLOW THE IRONY OF THESE PUBLICATIONS AS GOSPEL WOULD PROBABLY NEED IT READ ALOUD TO THEM 4HE GUYS WHO WRITE FOR THESE MAGAZINES ARE INTELLIGENT

AND LITERATE !LLOW ME TO RE ITERATE THEY ARE ./4 3%2)/53 .O ONE HONESTLY THINKS THIS WAY 9OU MIGHT BANTER ABOUT IT WITH SOME @CHUMS DOWN THE @LOCAL x BUT TO THE INTELLIGENTSIA THAT S US IT PROVIDES SOME MUCH NEEDED 2 2 TO THE OL CORTEX /R SOMETHING ) M NOT A BIOLOGIST !S ) SAID ) DON T THINK ) COMPLETELY UNDERSTOOD WHAT HIS POINT WAS SO MY REPLY IS AN EQUALLY NON CENTRED BIASED

PARTISAN PIECE OF PRO PUERILE l LTH PROPAGANDA ,IKE THAT ALLITERATION .ED -ILES

&ASLANE REPLY

&EEDBACK

)N REFERENCE TO A LETTER IN THE LAST ISSUE CONCERNING THE &ASLANE BLOCKADE THERE ARE A NUMBER OF POINTS THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO RAISE 4HE AUTHOR STRONGLY DISAPPROVED OF DIRECT ACTION BUT WHY SHOULD PEOPLE NOT BE ALLOWED TO STAND UP FOR WHAT THEY BELIEVE IN THROUGH PEACEFUL PROTEST 1UITE FRANKLY A FEW EGGS BEING THROWN ALTHOUGH MAY BE NOT VERY HELPFUL ARE HARMLESS IN COMPARISON TO 4RIDENT EQUIVALENT TO (IROSHIMAS )T WAS SUGGESTED THAT BLOCKADING THE BASE WAS NOT A MEANS OF MAKING A POLITICAL POINT ) UNDERSTAND THAT IT DOES MAKE IT AWKWARD FOR WORKERS BUT MATERIAL AND PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS SHOULD NOT OVERRIDE IDEOLOGICAL MOTIVATIONS AS ULTIMATELY THE WORKERS HAVE CHOSEN TO GIVE THEIR SUPPORT TO NUCLEAR WEAPONS WHICH WE ARE PROTESTING AGAINST )N THE PAST PEOPLE HAVE CHANGED GOVERNMENT POLICY WITH DIRECT ACTION $ESTRUCTION OF A HAWK JET PLANNED FOR USE BY )NDONESIA AGAINST %AST 4IMOR BROUGHT THE ISSUE INTO MAINSTREAM MEDIA 4HE NUMBER OF BOATS ON PATROL IS NOT AN IMPORTANT POINT WHAT MATTERS MORE IS THAT BY REPLACING 4RIDENT THE GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTING THE 5+ TO HAVING NUCLEAR WEAPONS FOR THE NEXT l FTY YEARS AND IS BREAKING THE NON PROLIFERATION TREATY WHICH STATES h%ACH NON

) READ YOUR ARTICLE h%DDIE SAYS NOv )SSUE WITH GREAT INTEREST ) UNDERSTAND THAT STUDENTS TRAVELLED DOWN TO ,ONDON TO MARCH COMPLAIN SING ABOUT THE CURRENT STATE OF TOP UP FEES SOME OF WHOM DIDN T EVEN MAKE IT IN TIME FOR THE WHOLE MARCH DUE TO BUS TROUBLE $ID THE OTHER 5%! STUDENTS WHO WERE IN 3COTLAND CAMPAIGNING AGAINST NUCLEAR WEAPONS MAKE IT IN TIME ) JUST THOUGHT THAT IF THEY HAD VOTED FOR THE #ONSERVATIVES AT THE LAST ELECTION IT MIGHT HAVE SAVED THEM THE TROUBLE ) IMAGINE THESE ARE THE SAME INDIVIDUALS WHO ALSO VOTED FOR #OKE TO BE BANNED FROM CAMPUS ALONG WITH .ESTLE DESPITE THE REMAINING PRESENCE OF A NUMBER OF OTHER BRANDS THAT ARE ALSO DEEMED UNETHICAL AS HIGHLIGHTED IN AN ARTICLE IN A PREVIOUS EDITION OF #ONCRETE ) WONDER WHY PEOPLE DON T SET DOWN THEIR MILITANT VIEWS EMBRACE THE NOTION OF AN @ACCEPTING SOCIETY AND ALLOW THE SILENT MAJORITY TO GET ON WITH DOING BUYING WHATEVER THEY FANCY AT THE TIME )F IT MEANS VOTING FOR THE PEOPLE WHO WILL REDUCE THEIR DEBT AT THE END OF A FEW YEARS OF STUDYING SOME OF US DO THIS RATHER THAN MARCHING ON ,ONDON THEN SO BE IT

NUCLEAR WEAPON 3TATE 0ARTY TO THE 4REATY UNDERTAKES NOT TO MANUFACTURE OR OTHERWISE ACQUIRE NUCLEAR WEAPONS OR OTHER NUCLEAR EXPLOSIVE DEVICES v "Y BREAKING THIS TREATY

THE 5+ GOVERNMENT MAKES A MOCKERY OF INTERNATIONAL LAW AND SETS A VERY BAD EXAMPLE TO THE REST OF THE WORLD 7E THEREFORE HAVE NO RIGHT TO TELL OTHER COUNTRIES NOT TO DEVELOP THEIR OWN NUCLEAR CAPABILITIES .UCLEAR WEAPONS DO NOT ACT AS A DETERRENT AS WAS SEEN IN THE 6IETNAM WAR 4HE BIGGEST THREAT TO THE 5+ TODAY IS TERRORISM WHICH THEY CERTAINLY HAVE NO PLACE IN PREVENTING &URTHERMORE A RELEVANT QUESTION TO ASK YOURSELF IS THE FOLLOWING WHAT ELSE COULD OUR GOVERNMENT BE SPENDING IT S OR SHOULD ) SAY OUR MONEY ON 4HE SITUATION OF THE EDUCATION AND HEALTH SECTORS IN THE 5+ IS HARDLY SATISFACTORY 4HEREFORE WE WISH TO QUESTION SOME OF THE GOVERNMENT S DECISIONS AND THIS IS A RIGHT THAT IN A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY WE SHOULD ALL SHARE AND RESPECT 4HIS DOES NOT JUST MAKE US HIPPIES BUT POSITIVE DETERMINED PEOPLE WHO WISH TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE AS HAS BEEN DONE IN HISTORY ) WISH TO l NISH ON THE FOLLOWING QUOTE BY -ILAN +UNDERA h4HE STRUGGLE OF MAN AGAINST POWER IS THE STRUGGLE OF MEMORY AGAINST FORGETTING v %LEANOR 3MITH %LEANOR +ARSLAKE #ARA 7ALKER

(UGH 0OWELL

-ED

4UESDAY TH $ECEMBER #/.#2%4%

! $OTTY !POLOGY #/.#2%4% &URTHER TO A RECENT ARTICLE IN THE #ONCRETE .EWS REGARDING THE SALES APPROACH USED BY $OT -OBILE ) WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO APOLOGISE ON BEHALF OF THE COMPANY FOR ANY INTRUSION CAUSED $OT -OBILE ARE A STUDENT FOCUSED MOBILE PHONE COMPANY AND WISH TO BE SEEN IN THIS WAY RATHER THAN A COMMERCIALISED

PUSHY COMPANY /VER THE PAST FORTNIGHT WE HAVE TAKEN VARIOUS STEPS TO ENSURE THIS IS ACHIEVED $OT -OBILE NOW HAS NEW MANAGEMENT ON SITE WITH A VERY EFFECTIVE AND WELL TRAINED SALES TEAM 4HE TEAM ARE NOW TOTALLY AWARE THAT APPROACHING PEOPLE

WHILST SITTING IN THE (IVE OR ANY OTHER COFFEE SHOP WILL NOT BE PART OF THEIR ROLE !LSO

#USTOMER 3ERVICES ARE BEING DEALT WITH AT A MUCH SPEEDIER PACE WITH HAVING CHANGED COURIERS ETC FOR THE DELIVERIES OF PHONES ON CAMPUS 3O ONCE AGAIN APOLOGIES ARE MADE TO ANYBODY WHO HAS BEEN APPROACHED WHILST IN THE COFFEE SHOP AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO OUR CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR ALL YOUR MOBILE PHONE NEEDS 7E ARE IN THE BOOK SHOP DAILY SO ANY ISSUES OR QUERIES PLEASE COME AND SEE US "ECCY 3HERITEH 3ENIOR 3ALES !DVISOR

%DITOR CONCRETE EDITOR UEA AC UK !NNA 3TEWARD $EPUTY %DITOR CONCRETE EDITORIAL UEA AC UK ,OUIS (OLDING 0ARSONS

#HIEF #OPY %DITOR CONCRETE EDITORIAL UEA AC UK 3ARAH -ABLEY .EWS %DITOR CONCRETE NEWS UEA AC UK *ANE $OUGLAS $EPUTY .EWS %DITOR 2ICHARD 2EYNOLDS 7RITERS 3AM %MANUEL !NDY *ONES .ATALIE ,ASANCE *OHN -UTCH %MMELINE 3AUNDERS $ANIEL -ORLEY &EATURES %DITOR CONCRETE FEATURES UEA AC UK +ATIE 'REEN 7RITERS ,OUISE $UNGATE 2EBECCA 7HITAKER

-AX !SKWITH &OOD AND ,IFESTYLE %DITOR CONCRETE LIFESTYLE UEA AC UK *OANNA ,AMBERT 7RITERS !NNA 3TEWARD #AROLINE ,AGDEN 4RAVEL %DITOR CONCRETE LIFESTYLE UEA AC UK 7ILL 'REAVES 4RAVELLER &LORENCE "USWELL 4URF %DITOR CONCRETE TURF UEA AC UK (ANNAH .EWTON 7RITERS 2OSIE "RADLEY "UNN .INA -OWBRAY

.ATASHA "ARNES 2OMY 3TANDER

!NNA S %DITORIAL ) BARELY KNOW WHERE TO START THIS FORTNIGHT SO MUCH HAS HAPPENED ) GOT INTO A COMPLICATED RELATIONSHIP GOT MARRIED THEN WAS DIVORCED WITHIN TEN MINUTES ) STILL HAVEN T QUITE GOT OVER THE SHOCK HOWEVER ) DID MANAGE TO SLIP STRAIGHT INTO ANOTHER RELATIONSHIP NOT COMPLICATED BEFORE LUNCH TIME THE NEXT DAY &ACEBOOK IS GREAT 7HILE WE ARE ON THE TOPIC OF ROMANCE

MAY ) TAKE A MOMENT TO RECOMMEND TO EVERY SINGLETON OUT THERE THAT THEY HAVE A MATE DATE THIS SEASON ) HAVE HAD A STRING OF THEM OVER THE LAST FORTNIGHT AND IT HAS BEEN WONDERFUL ) HAVE BEEN WINED AND DINED IN )TALIAN 2ESTAURANTS SEEN TWO OPERAS HAD A LUNCH

DATE DOWN AT THE LAKE

SKATED ROUND THE ICE RINK AND BEEN BOUGHT PRESENTS FROM A FAUX "UDDHIST IN THE #ITY "EFORE ) CARRY ON n ) WOULD JUST LIKE TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT IN A CHEESY $* STYLEE TO THE SECOND AND THIRD YEAR 0HARMACY STUDENTS READING THIS AT l VE / CLOCK ON 4UESDAY 4HIS FORTNIGHT HAS SEEN A WHOLE HOST OF EVENTS WE HAVE HAD THE TRIUMPHANT VICTORY ON 5NIVERSITY #HALLENGE

-ISS 5%! COMPETITION AND THE #LUBS AND 3OCIETIES PARTY WENT DOWN A TREAT 4HANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED OUT 4HREAD WILL BE OUT THIS WEEK AND WE ALSO HAVE A NEW SECTION

#AMPUS HOTTIES )T CELEBRATES 5%!

STUDENTSg ACHIEVEMENTS

/PINIONS %DITOR CONCRETE EDITORIAL UEA AC UK ,OUIS (OLDING 0ARSONS 7RITERS !NDY *ONES 2OBERT *ACKMAN 3PORT %DITOR CONCRETE SPORT UEA AC UK -ARCUS *ONES 7RITERS $ANNY 4HOMAS &REDDIE 0OWELL 4UCK

!LEXANDER -ILLER #HRIS *OHNSTON 'LEN 7ATTS #HRIS !RMSTRONG #HARLIE -AY

#ARL (EFFERNAN #ARTOONIST *EN -ARCHANT 0ROOFREADING !NNA 3ANDELL 0OLLY ,OGAN "ANKS

$AN 7RIGHT %LIZABETH "URNS %MMELINE 3AUNDERS 0ICTURE %DITOR 0HIL "ANKS !DVERTISING CONCRETE ADVERTISING UEA AC UK *OANNA ,AMBERT $ISTRIBUTION #ONRAD (AYES 'OD 3END -ARCUS *ONES $ESIGNER 0ARESH 0ATEL

#ONCRETE 0/ "/8 ./27)#( ./2&/,+ .2 4" #ONCRETE IS PUBLISHED BY 55%!3 #ONCRETE 3OCIETY ¥ #ONCRETE )33.

,ETTERS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED FOR THE ATTENTION OF THE %DITOR !NNA 3TEWARD ,ETTERS MUST INCLUDE CONTACT DETAILS

BUT WE WILL CONSIDER ANONYMOUS PUBLICATION 7E RESERVE THE RIGHT TO EDIT FOR LENGTH AND CLARITY AS NECESSARY /PINIONS EXPRESSED ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF THE 0UBLISHER OR %DITOR 5SE OF THE NAME 4HE %VENT IS BY ARRANGEMENT WITH THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS 0LANET :OG ,TD .O PART OF THIS NEWSPAPER MAY BE REPRODUCED THROUGH ANY MEANS WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF THE %DITOR 0RINTED BY !RCHANT

#/.#2%4% 4UESDAY TH $ECEMBER

30/24

4HE /PINION 3OCCER S GROWTH IN !MERICA &REDDIE 0OWELL 4UCK )T DOES NOT TAKE A BRAIN SURGEON TO WORK OUT WHICH TYPE OF FOOTBALL !MERICANS LIKE TO WATCH 4HE 3UPER BOWL IN &EBRUARY BETWEEN THE 0ITTSBURGH 3TEELERS AND THE 3EATTLE 3EAHAWKS HAD GLITZ GLAMOUR JETS mYING OVER BEFORE KICK OFF AND THE 2OLLING 3TONES PERFORM ING AT HALF TIME 4HE -,3 -AJOR ,EAGUE 3OCCER SEASON DECIDER THE 3UPERBOWL EQUIVALENT FOR 5 3 SOCCER BETWEEN THE (OUSTON $YNAMO AND THE .EW %NGLAND 2EVOLUTION WAS PLAYED TWO 3UNDAYS AGO IN FRONT OF A CROWD OF

WITH LESS THAN ONE MILLION WATCHING ON TELEVI SION 4HE WELL KNOWN BAND 5NDER 4HE )NmUENCE PLAYED AT HALF TIME

!MERICA REMAINS ONE OF THE FEW COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD WHERE SOCCER HAS NOT CAUGHT ON !TTEMPTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO TRIGGER AN IN TEREST IN THE SPORT SUCH AS &)&! GIVING THE 7ORLD #UP TO THE 5 3 ! IN BUT TO LITTLE EFFECT 4HE EFFORTS OF THE -,3 TO ATTRACT WIDER PUBLIC ITY AND RECOGNITION OFFERS AN INTERESTING INSIGHT INTO THE PROGRESS OF SOCCER IN !MER ICA 3INCE ITS FOUNDATION IN

THE LEAGUE HAS LOST MORE THAN MILLION 4HE ATTENDANCES HAVE BEEN FOR THE MOST PART DISMAL n THE AVERAGE ATTENDANCE FOR THE RECENTLY COMPLETED SEASON STANDS AT 4ELEVISION WISE EVEN THE STRUGGLING .A TIONAL (OCKEY ,EAGUE FARES BETTER ! PRETTY BLEAK OUTLOOK YOU WOULD HAVE TO AGREE 7ELL NOT QUITE 4HE -,3 EXECUTIVES HAVE PROBABLY

3OMETHING TO SHOUT ABOUT SOCCER IS ON THE UP IN THE 53 NEVER WALKED WITH SUCH A SPRING IN THEIR STEP ! LAND MARK MILLION DOLLAR TELEVI SION DEAL WITH SPORTS GIANT %30. MEANS THAT FOR THE lRST TIME EVERY GAME IN THE SEASON WILL BE TEL EVISED &URTHERMORE TWO OF THE @FRANCHISES , ! 'ALAXY AND &# $ALLAS ARE NOW PROF

ITABLE A lRST FOR THE LEAGUE 4HE LEAGUE IS UNDERGOING GRADUAL BUT SURE FOOTED EX PANSION WITH THE #ANADIAN TEAM 4ORONTO &# JOINING THE RANKS NEXT SEASON BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF TEAMS TO THIRTEEN "Y -,3 OF lCIALS HOPE TO HAVE SIXTEEN TEAMS IN THE LEAGUE

-OST IMPORTANTLY THOUGH IS THE INTRODUCTION OF SOCCER SPECIlC STADIUMS 0REVIOUSLY THE -,3 TEAMS HAD TO HIRE OUT MASSIVE !MERICAN FOOTBALL STADI UMS WHICH WAS EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE AND TERRIBLE FOR ATMOSPHERE (OWEVER BY THE START OF THE SEASON

SIX FRANCHISES WILL BE PLAYING IN NEWLY BUILT SOCCER SPECIlC STADIUMS WITH TWO MORE STADIUMS BEING PLANNED FOR THE SUBSEQUENT YEAR 4HIS IS A MASSIVE STEP AS IT DEMON STRATES TO INVESTORS AND FANS ALIKE THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE YOUNG LEAGUE )N ANOTHER RECENT DE VELOPMENT THE -,3 BOARD APPROVED PLANS TO ALLOW FRANCHISES TO SIGN ONE PLAY ER OUTSIDE THE SALARY CAP A RULING THAT IMMEDIATELY BE CAME DUBBED THE @"ECKHAM 2ULE 4HE RULING PAVES THE WAY FOR AGING SUPERSTARS SUCH

AS "ECKHAM AND 2ONALDO TO SIGN WITH -,3 FRANCHISES A MOVE THAT WILL ALMOST CER TAINLY SPARK INTEREST IN THE LEAGUE NOT JUST IN !MERICA BUT INTERNATIONALLY 7HILST IT IS UNLIKELY THAT SOCCER WILL EVER SURPASS !MERICAN &OOTBALL IN TERMS OF POPULARITY IT IS CLOSING THE GAP ON BASKETBALL AND BASE BALL 4HIS WAS HIGHLIGHTED WHEN THE 7ORLD #UP &INAL BETWEEN )TALY AND &RANCE AT TRACTED MORE !MERICAN VIEW ERS THAN THOSE WATCHING THE ."! lNALS -,3 HAS BEEN TAKING ALL THE RIGHT STEPS IN TRANSLATING THE !MERICAN INTEREST IN THE INTERNATIONAL GAME INTO A STRONG NATIONAL LEAGUE 9OU CAN SCOFF ALL YOU WANT BUT AT THE RATE THE LEAGUE IS PROGRESSING IT MIGHT NOT BE TOO LONG BE FORE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE @'ALÉCTICOS AT 2EAL 3ALT ,AKE

+ORFBALL S lNAL HEARTBREAK $ANNY 4HOMAS 3ATURDAY TH .OVEM BER SAW THE ANNUAL +ORF BALL 5NIVERSITY 3OUTHERN #HAMPIONSHIP TAKE PLACE AT THE .ATIONAL )NDOOR !RENA IN "IRMINGHAM )N A TOURNAMENT 5%!

HAVE DOMINATED IN THE PAST

CLAIMING THE TITLE IN EACH OF THE PAST YEARS THE TEAM WENT INTO THE COMPETITION OPTIMISTIC THAT THEY COULD COMPETE FOR HONOURS ! BRAND NEW FORMAT FOR THE TOURNAMENT DE SIGNED TO ACCOMMODATE A RECORD TEN PARTICIPATING TEAMS SAW TWO GROUPS OF TEAMS THE WINNERS OF WHICH WOULD MEET IN A WINNER TAKES ALL lNAL 5%! WERE DRAWN ALONGSIDE NEWLY FORMED 2EADING

HOST !STON #ARDIFF AND THE TEAM 5%! KNOCKED OUT OF -ARCH S "53! .ATIONALS IN THE 1UARTER &INAL #AM BRIDGE 4HE SCHEDULE WAS KIND ON THE CHAMPIONS HAND ING THEM AN OPENING lX TURE AGAINST 2EADING A TEAM COMPRISING OF PEOPLE INTRODUCED TO THE SPORT ONLY A MATTER OF WEEKS PREVIOUSLY 5%! SET ABOUT OPENING THE DAY WITH A WIN DILIGENTLY AND RUTH LESSLY ROMPING TO A

VICTORY 4HE SECOND GAME PROVED A MUCH STERNER TEST AS 5%!

MATCHED UP AGAINST 7ALES SOLE 5NIVERSITY KORFBALL TEAM

#ARDIFF ! PHYSICAL AND AT TIMES DIRTY ENCOUNTER WHICH SAW CAPTAIN !MI SPILL BLOOD AFTER A SHOULDER TO THE FACE

SAW %AST !NGLIA S lNEST SCRAP TO A VICTORY )N REALITY THE SCORE LINE mATTERED THE HAB ITANTS OF 7ALES CAPITAL WITH TWO OF THEIR GOALS GIFTED TO THEM BY SOME SHOCKING REF EREEING DECISIONS !STON THE TOURNAMENT S HOST WERE THE NEXT OBSTACLE IN 5%! S PATHS THOUGH THEY STRUGGLED TO CONVERT HOME ADVANTAGE INTO A POSITIVE EF FECT AS THEY CAPITULATED TO AN VICTORY 5%! MET #AMBRIDGE IN THE lNAL GROUP STAGE MATCH IN WHICH THE WINNER WOULD REACH THE lNAL WHILE THE LOSER WOULD lNISH A LOWLY THIRD !S IT TURNED OUT THE LATTER WOULD BE THE CASE FOR

#AMBRIDGE WHO WERE UNFOR TUNATE TO CATCH 5%! AT THEIR VERY BEST !N EXCELLENT DIS PLAY OF ATTACKING KORFBALL SAW GOALS mYING IN FROM ALL OVER THE COURT FROM SEVERAL DIFFER ENT PLAYERS 4HE RESULT WAS A MORALE BOOSTING VICTORY AND A PLACE IN THE 3OUTHERN &INAL FOR THE TH YEAR IN SUC CESSION 3ADLY 5%! WERE GUILTY OF PEAKING TOO SOON )N AN IDENTICAL MATCH UP OF LAST YEAR S lNAL 5%! MET /XFORD 0ERHAPS A SENSE OF JUSTICE PREVAILED AS /XFORD SUNK THE WINNING SHOT WITH ONLY A COUPLE OF MINUTES LEFT BEFORE THE lNAL BUZZER ,AST YEAR THE BOOT WAS lRMLY ON THE OTHER FOOT WHEN 5%! SCORED IN THE DYING SECONDS TO SECURE THE TITLE $ESPITE THE DISAPPOINT MENT THE RESULT MEANS 5%!

WILL BE SEEDED FOR THE "53! .ATIONALS IN -ARCH AND HAVE EVERY REASON TO FEEL CONlDENT THEY CAN COMPETE FOR A THIRD SUCCESSIVE .ATIONAL TITLE

30/24

4UESDAY TH $ECEMBER #/.#2%4%

0ANTHERS MAKE #AMBRIDGE "LUE !LEXANDER -ILLER 7HEN THE TOP TWO BASKET BALL TEAMS IN "53! S -ID LANDS $IVISION ! FACED EACH OTHER IT PROMISED TO BE AN EXCITING EVENT 4HE GAME PITTED #AMBRIDGE ST S A TEAM WHO HAD STEAM ROLLER ED EVERY OTHER TEAM TO TOP THE DIVISION AGAINST 5%! S ST S WHO HELD A RECORD AND SECOND PLACE 7ITH lRST PLACE AT STAKE

EVEN BEFORE THE TIP THERE WAS A SENSE OF IMPORTANCE AS THE BIGGEST CROWD OF THE YEAR TURNED OUT AND MADE THEIR PRESENCE FELT 5%!

JUMPED OUT TO A COMMAND ING START SMOTHERING THE DI VISION S HIGHEST SCORING TEAM WITH A TENACIOUS DEFENSIVE EFFORT #AMBRIDGE COULD lND NO ANSWER AT EITHER END OF THE mOOR AS 5%! SCORED AT

5%! ;YELLOW= PREVAILED IN THE CRUCIAL TOP OF THE TABLE CLASH WILL LED BY SMALL FORWARD !LI -ILLER WHO HAD OF HIS TEAM S POINTS IN THE lRST QUARTER 4HOUGH 5%! HELD A POINT LEAD AT THE END OF THE lRST IN THE SECOND QUARTER THE "LUES SET OUT TO PROVE WHY THEY WERE TOP $UE TO

SOME CARELESS TURNOVERS AND -ILLER BEING FORCED TO SIT OUT AFTER THREE EVEN MORE CARE LESS FOULS #AMBRIDGE FOUND THEIR WAY BACK INTO THE GAME $ESPITE A BREAK OUT PERFORM ANCE FROM WINGMAN 7ILL +RICKA POINTS 5%! WENT INTO THE HALF DOWN BY ONE

4HE REST OF THE GAME WOULD REMAIN TIGHT WITH BOTH TEAMS GOING BACK AND FORTH UNABLE TO GAIN A SUB STANTIAL LEAD !FTER SITTING OUT THE ENTIRE SECOND QUARTER

POINT GUARD (ERSCHEL 'RIS

BY WOULD KEEP 5%! UNDER CONTROL $ESPITE NOT SCORING IN THE GAME 'RISBY WOULD CONTROL THE 0ANTHERS TEMPO WHO ALWAYS LOOKED FAR MORE COMFORTABLE WHEN HE WAS ON THE mOOR 7ITH A WHOLE HOST OF ASSISTS AND SOME KEY TIMELY STEALS 'RISBY WOULD GIVE 5%! THE EDGE GOING INTO THE lNAL QUARTER UP 4HE FOURTH QUARTER WOULD BE AN INTENSE AFFAIR AS BOTH TEAMS AGAIN WOULD TAKE SMALL LEADS AND LOSE THEM 5%! WERE KEPT IN THE GAME

BY A GUTSY PERFORMANCE FROM THEIR BIG MEN !LEX 7ILKINS POINTS AND CLUB PRESI DENT 3HERIF 3ALAAM )T WAS 0AUL 4ICKNER POINTS

THOUGH WHO PROVIDED 5%!

WITH SOME BREATHING SPACE WHEN HE NAILED A POINTER TO PUT 5%! UP SIX WITH UN DER lVE MINUTES TO GO #AM BRIDGE WERE UNABLE TO CHIP AWAY AT THE LEAD AND 5%!

HUNG TOUGH TO CLOSE OUT A WIN PUTTING THEM TOP OF $IVISION !

5%! S ABILITY TO WORK AS A TEAM PROVED TO BE THE DIF FERENCE IN THE GAME AS ALL PLAYERS CONTRIBUTED AND KEY MEN STEPPED UP WHEN THEY NEEDED TO h)T WAS A HUGE TEAM PERFORMANCE NO ONE HAD A POOR GAME THE BENCH PLAYED A HUGE PART IN THE WIN TOOv SAID 7ILKINS AFTER THE GAME 5%! NOW FACE A TOUGH CHALLENGE TO REMAIN TOP OF THE DIVISION AS THEY GO AWAY FOR FOUR OF THEIR LAST lVE GAMES WHICH ALL MUST BE WON IF 5%! ARE TO HOLD OFF THE CHALLENGE OF #AMBRIDGE

&OCUS /N ,ACROSSE NOT JUST FOR GIRLS #HRIS *OHNSTON 4ELL MOST PEOPLE YOU PLAY LACROSSE AND THE INSTANT RE SPONSE IS A BEMUSED LOOK FOLLOWED BY THE QUESTION

hWHY DO YOU PLAY A GIRL S SPORT v )T IS TRUE THAT THE GAME IS RECOGNISED AS A MORE FEMININE PURSUIT AT SCHOOL BUT AS YOU GET TO WARDS UNIVERSITY LEVEL IT IS VERY MUCH A MEN S SPORT

TOO WHICH IS EVIDENT SHOULD YOU BE LUCKY ENOUGH TO EN COUNTER THE lNE SPECIMENS WHO PLAY THE GAME ,ACROSSE WAS INVENTED BY .ATIVE !MERICANS IN THE TH CENTURY !LTHOUGH IT WAS THEN A A SIDE GAME PLAYED ON HORSEBACK ON MILE LONG PITCHES )T BECAME POPULAR IN #ANADA WHICH IS STILL THOUGHT TO BE THE HOME OF LACROSSE

WHERE THE lRST EVER LACROSSE CLUB WAS FOUNDED IN -ON TREAL IN 4HE GAME WAS

BROUGHT TO THE 5+ BY TOURING #ANADIANS IN 4ODAY IT IS PLAYED AT SOME UNIVERSITIES AS WELL AS CLUB TEAMS MOSTLY CONCENTRATED AROUND ,ONDON AND THE .ORTH 7EST -EN S LACROSSE IS A A SIDE GAME PLAYED OVER FOUR TWENTY MINUTE QUARTERS 4HE TEAM LINES UP WITH THREE DE FENDERS THREE MIDlELDERS AND THREE ATTACKERS PLUS A GOALIE ,ACROSSE IS A FULL CON TACT SPORT WITH CHECKING AL LOWED ON THE BODY AND ARMS

SO ALL PLAYERS WEAR HELMETS

CHEST SHOULDER AND ELBOW PADS AS WELL AS GLOVES 'OALIES WILL WEAR MORE PADS AS THEY MUST USE THEIR BODY TO STOP A BALL TRAVELLING AT SPEEDS UP TO MPH 4HE OBJECT OF THE GAME IS TO SCORE A GOAL BY THROWING THE SMALL RUBBER BALL INTO THE SIX FOOT SQUARE GOAL 4HIS IS DONE BY EITHER RUNNING WITH THE BALL IN YOUR STICK UNTIL WITHIN SHOOTING DISTANCE OR BY DOING SHORT PASSES BETWEEN PLAYERS UNTIL

ONE HAS THE TIME AND SPACE TO SHOOT AT THE GOAL !S WELL AS MEN S LACROSSE

THERE ARE ALSO A SIDE WOM EN S AND MIXED VERSIONS OF THE GAME THAT ARE NON CON TACT BOTH OF WHICH ARE PLAYED AT 5%!

SO IF ANY GIRLS ARE IN TERESTED THEY ARE MORE THAN WELCOME 4RAINING IS AT PM ON 7EDNESDAY AND AM ON 3ATURDAY 4O lND OUT MORE ABOUT THE SPORT GO TO WWW ENGLISHLACROSSE CO UK

4HE 5%! ATHLETICS CROSS COUNTRY TEAM TRAVELLED TO 'REAT 9ARMOUTH FOR THE SEC OND lXTURE IN THE %AST !N GLIAN ,EAGUE DETERMINED TO CONTINUE THEIR RICH VEIN OF FORM ! RECORD NUMBER OF ATHLETES TURNED UP WITH MEN S AND WOMEN S TEAMS lLLED /N ARRIVAL THEY LEARNT THAT THE VENUE HAD BEEN CHANGED AT THE LAST MINUTE AND 5%! HAD NOT BEEN IN FORMED *OHNNY ,EE S DAD

SAVED THE DAY BY ESCORTING THE TEAM MILES AWAY TO THE CORRECT WOODS JUST IN TIME FOR THE RACE $ESPITE THE RUSHED PRE RACE PREPARATIONS THE TEAM PERFORMED VERY WELL SHOW ING THAT THE HARD TRAINING IS PAYING OFF 4HE NEW ATHLETES ARE lTTING IN WELL WITH THE TEAM HELPING TO SCORE HIGH LY IN THE TEAM EVENT 4HE TEAM ARE LOOKING FOR WARD TO THE NEXT RACE ON TH $ECEMBER AND WITH CONTIN UED TRAINING OVER #HRISTMAS

PREPARATIONS FOR THE "53!

CROSS COUNTRY IN &EBRUARY ARE GOING BETTER THAN EVER

#HRIS !RMSTRONG 3EVEN MATCHES ONE WIN

SIX LOSSES 7ITH THAT RECORD

ANY BETTING MAN WOULD HAVE HIS MONEY ON 5%! MEN S BADMINTON BEING RELEGATED COME *ANUARY (AVING PICKED UP ONLY THREE POINTS IN A HOME TIE AGAINST .OTTINGHAM 4RENT

THE TEAM WILL NOW HAVE TO GO ON A THREE MATCH RUN OF UN PRECEDENTED OVERDRIVE IN OR DER TO AVOID THE DROP ! RAZOR CLOSE HOME DEFEAT AGAINST A TEAM OF ,OUGHBOROUGH PRO

TOTYPES WAS EXTREMELY UN LUCKY WHILE A DEFEAT AT THE HANDS OF .OTTINGHAM WAS CLOSER THAN THE SCORE LINE WOULD SUGGEST !N EXCELLENT PERFORM ANCE FROM *OE 7EBB WAS THE ONLY POSITIVE AT "IRMING HAM WHILE NONE OF THE TEAM HAD MUCH TO OFFER IN DEFEAT AT /XFORD )NCONSISTENCY IN EVERY ASPECT OF THE TEAM S AWAY FORM HAS MEANT THAT THEY NOW HAVE TO WIN UP COMING HOME TIES AGAINST /XFORD AND "IRMINGHAM TO STAND ANY CHANCE OF SURVIV ING 7ITH THE EXCEPTION OF AN CRUSHING AT THE INES

'ENEROSITY !S IT IS THE SEASON FOR GOOD WILL TO ALL MEN ) HAVE CON SENTED TO GIVING SOME SPACE IN MY lNAL COLUMN OF TO .EXUS AND MORE PRECISELY

THAT SPLENDID PROGRAMME @"ALLS 4HEY ARE HAVING A SPEC TACULAR #HRISTMAS EVENT ON THE 7EDNESDAY OF WEEK

WHERE ALL SPORTS CLUBS ARE IN VITED TO COME AND PIT THEIR RESPECTIVE BALL SKILLS AGAINST ONE ANOTHER 4HE WINNER WILL RECEIVE AN EXTENDED SPOT ON @"ALLS IN THE NEW YEAR &OR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW NEXUSUTV CO UK

!NDY 2OBINSON )T WAS RATHER LIKE WAITING FOR 'ODOT AT TIMES BUT !NDY 2OBINSON AND THE %NGLAND RUGBY TEAM HAVE lNALLY PART ED WAYS ! SEEMINGLY LIKEABLE MAN

WHO UNDOUBTEDLY HARBOURS A lERCE PRIDE FOR HIS COUNTRY

HE ULTIMATELY LACKED THE LEAD ERSHIP ABILITIES TO UNITE CLUBS AND COUNTRY OFF THE lELD AND HIS PLAYERS UPON IT #ONSE QUENTLY %NGLAND SLIPPED TO SEVENTH IN THE WORLD RANK INGS AFTER A RUN OF EIGHT DE FEATS IN NINE INTERNATIONALS

WHICH WAS UNACCEPTABLE FOR A TEAM THAT CONQUERED THE WORLD THREE YEARS AGO ) WILL CERTAINLY NOT BE BACKING US TO RETAIN THAT CROWN IN TEN MONTHS TIME

%MPTINESS

#ROSS COUNTRY "ADMINTON UPDATE 'LEN 7ATTS

3PORT %DITOR S COLUMN

CAPABLE FORTRESS OF VICTORY ,OUGHBOROUGH 5%! HAVE NEVER BEEN OVERWHELMED 4HEY ARE WELL AWARE THAT THEY BELONG IN THE TOP DIVI SION BUT DESPERATELY NEED TO START TURNING TIGHT LOSSES INTO WINS IF THEY ARE TO ELUDE ETERNAL DAMNATION IN $IVI SION 4WO 3HOULD THE TEAM NOT SUCCEED IN DOING SO THEY CAN BE PLEASED WITH THE EF FORT PUT FORTH IN A GENUINELY DIFlCULT LEAGUE 4HEY CAN ALSO BE THANKFUL THAT ,OUGH BOROUGH DECIDED NOT TO KILL ANYONE WITH THEIR LASER EYES

A WONDERFUL DISPLAY OF HU MANITY

4HAT HOLLOW EMPTY FEELING IN THE PIT OF YOUR STOMACH IS THE TWANG OF FEAR AS YOU REALISE THAT IT WILL BE OVER A MONTH UNTIL YOU NEXT READ THESE PAGES ) AM WORRIED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS IN BOTH MYSELF AND YOU READERS SO ) SPENT A LITTLE TIME CONSIDERING SOME THINGS THAT MAY PROVIDE TEM PORARY RELIEF &IRSTLY THE !SHES ROLL ON THROUGHOUT THE PRODUCTION INTERMISSION AND THEN THERE ARE THE OUTRAGEOUS NUMBER OF FOOTBALL MATCHES ON OVER THE FESTIVE SEASON ) DO REALISE THAT THEY ARE BOTH QUITE SPE CIlC EVENTS SO PERHAPS MORE WIDESPREAD RELIEF MAY BE PRO VIDED BY THE 3PORTS 0ERSONAL ITY OF THE 9EAR SHOW 4UCKING INTO THAT IS ALMOST AS SATISFY ING AS MY #HRISTMAS TURKEY

#/.#2%4% 4UESDAY TH $ECEMBER

"ALLS AND FALLS FOR 5%! AT THE "5$3 #HARLIE -AY 5%! HAS A SKIING TEAM 4HIS MAY COME AS SOMETHING OF A SURPRISE TO MANY OF YOU

BUT IT IS TRUE 3OME OF THE SMARTER AMONGST YOU MAY NOW BE WONDERING WHAT A TEAM LIKE OURS DOES WITH THE LACK OF BOTH SNOW AND SLOPES TO BE FOUND NOT JUST IN .ORWICH BUT ACROSS THE COUNTRY (OWEVER DRY SLOPES THOUGH NOT AS GOOD AS THE REAL THING AT LEAST PROVIDE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR TEAM TO COMPETE AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR 3O IT WAS THAT 4HURSDAY THE TH /CTOBER SAW THE 5%! SKI RACE TEAM HEAD UP TO %DINBURGH FOR THE "RITISH 5NIVERSITY $RY 3LOPE #HAM PIONSHIP "5$3 !S ELEVEN OF US WERE RACING SEVEN MORE THAN LAST YEAR WE WERE EX TREMELY DETERMINED TO MAKE AN IMPACT #OME &RIDAY MORNING THE DRY SLOPE WAS ABSOLUTELY HEAVING WITH STUDENTS 5NI VERSITIES HAD TRAVELLED FROM AS FAR AWAY AS 0LYMOUTH AND %XETER WHICH SHOWS JUST HOW IMPORTANT AND POPULAR THE EVENT IS 7ITH OVER GIRLS AND BOYS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY TAKING PART THE COM PETITION FOR TOP PLACES WAS EXTREMELY HIGH

! VERY WET SLOPE MADE IT EXTREMELY FAST AND THEREFORE VERY HARD FOR ALL THE SKIERS TO CARVE AROUND THE GATES WITH OUT SLIDING 4HIS RESULTED IN A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF COMPETI TORS BEING DISQUALIlED 4HE lVE 5%! GIRLS WENT DOWN lRST WITH 2ACHEL 6ER ITY AND ,IZZY !MES SUCCESS FULLY COMPLETING THE COURSE .EXT UP WAS "ECKY (ART AND OUR FABULOUS SKIPPER *USTINE -C)NTYRE WHO BOTH UNFORTU NATELY SLID OUT &INALLY IT WAS THE BIG SHOT *ENNY 0LANK

WHO MANAGED A TIME OF SECONDS WHICH RESULTED IN HER COMING TH PLACE OVER ALL 4HEN IT WAS THE BOYS TURN AND A SOLID PERFORMANCE FROM &ORBES (ENLEY %DWIN &USCO AND #HRIS (UFFEN WAS THEN FOLLOWED BY *OHN 'ETTINGS (IS ARMADILLO LIKE TECHNIQUE DID NOT HELP HIS SPEED CAUS ING THE COMMENTATOR TO AN NOUNCE h*OHN 'ETTINGS YOU ARE A LOSER v (IS SERIES OF STU PID ACTS MADE HIM A LEGEND AMONGST THE TEAM AND THE TRIP WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN THE SAME WITHOUT HIM (IS ON SLOPE ANTICS MEANT THAT 4OM ,LOYD (UGHES FAILED TO COMPLETE THE COURSE AFTER HIM AS HE WAS PARALYSED WITH LAUGHTER 5NFORTUNATELY 0RESIDENT 0AUL 3ELBY AND (ANNAH 7OLSEY WERE UNABLE TO COMPETE

3ILVERWARE FOR 3HI +ON

! HEAVY SESSION THAT NIGHT MEANT WE FAILED TO GET TO THE SLOPE ON TIME TO COM PETE FOR THE 'IANT 3LALOM THE NEXT DAY (OWEVER THE MOST FUN EVENT THE DUAL SLALOM TOOK PLACE THAT AFTERNOON

INVOLVING TEAMS OF lVE RACING AGAINST OTHER TEAMS SIMULTA NEOUSLY ACCOMPANIED BY EXTREME BANTER /UR ST TEAM INVOLVED THE TWO PROS *USTINE AND *EN NY AT THE BEGINNING AND END

WITH "ECKY 2ACHEL AND #HAR LIE -AY IN THE MIDDLE 4HE NDS CONSISTED OF &ORBES AND 4OM EITHER END WITH ,IZZE

%DWIN AND #HRIS "OTH TEAMS SUCCESSFULLY WENT THROUGH THE OPENING ROUNDS AND REACHED THE QUARTER lNALS WHERE THE STS LOST TO -ANCHESTER AND THE NDS NARROWLY LOST TO "IR MINGHAM 4HE "5$3 "ALL TOOK PLACE IN -URREYlELD 2UGBY 3TADIUM WHERE INTENSE PAR TYING OCCURRED "ACK IN THE YOUTH HOSTELS DRINKING WENT THOUGH TO THE NEXT MORN ING WHEN WE HAD TO START PACKING FOR THE PLANE BACK !

FANTASTIC TIME WAS HAD BY ALL ON BOTH THE SKIING AND SOCIAL SIDE AND WE ENCOURAGE ALL OF YOU SKIERS OUT THERE TO GET INVOLVED ! SPECIAL THANKS TO *USTINE WHO MADE IT ALL POS SIBLE

*USTINE -C)NTYRE ;TOP= COMPETES IN THE DUAL SLALOM 4HE TEAM ON A NIGHT OUT ;BOTTOM=

#ROSS AT LACROSSE "53! RESULTS

&OR WEEK COMMENCING TH .OVEMBER

#ARL (EFFERNAN /N 3UNDAY TH .OVEMBER

5%! S @3HI +ON KARATE TEAM SENT TWO BUDDING lGHTERS TO )PSWICH TO COMPETE IN THE "4 %XACT #HAMPIONSHIPS 4HESE REGIONAL CHAMPION SHIPS ARE THE ONLY OPPOR TUNITY FOR PRACTICE BEFORE "53! COMPETITION BEGINS IN &EBRUARY "OTH !DAM (UTCHISON YELLOW BELT AND 3AEED -A LIK BROWN BELT ENTERED +U MITE lGHTING BUT DESPITE PERFORMING WELL SADLY LOST IN THE EARLY ROUNDS !LL WAS NOT LOST AS 3AEED HAD CLEVERLY ENTERED THE HIGH GRADE +ATA +ATA BEING A SEQUENCE OF MOVEMENTS THINK KARATE KID (ERE HE PERFORMED "ASSAI $AI WHICH ROUGHLY TRANSLATES TO hPEN ETRATING FORTRESSv OR hDESTROY ING THE FORTRESSv 7HATEVER

THE MEANING THE FORTRESS IS DOOMED 3AEED S PERFORMANCE WAS AMAZING AND HE BEAT OFF STIFF COMPETITION WINNING THE +ATA COMPETITION IN HIS GRADE BRINGING HOME SOME SILVERWARE FOR 5%! @3HI +ON WELL HIS HOME AS HE WON IT 7ITH THE LAST OF THE RE GIONAL COMPETITIONS OUT OF THE WAY BEFORE "53!

THIS SERVES AS A GOOD OMEN FOR THE UPCOMING TOURNAMENT .OW THE TEAM HAVE TIME TO IMPROVE lGHTING STANDARDS SO THAT IN THE FUTURE 3AEED IS NOT THE ONLY ONE COMING BACK WITH HIS HANDS FULLx ROLL ON "53! )F ANYONE IS STILL INTER ESTED IN DOING KARATE FEEL FREE TO TURN UP TO ONE OF OUR TRAINING SESSIONS ON EI THER 4HURSDAY AT PM OR 3UNDAY AT PM AT THE 3PORT SPARK OR ALTERNATIVELY EMAIL UEAKARATE GOOGLEMAIL COM

-ARCUS *ONES ,AST WEEK #ONCRETE REPORTED ON THE RUGBY CLUB S PRECARI OUS POSITION AS THEY mIRTED WITH EVICTION FROM "53!

COMPETITION BY NOT FULlLL ING ONE OF THEIR lRST TEAM lXTURES ! LETTER OF APOLOGY RECTI lED THE PROBLEM AND THIS WEEK IT WAS THE ,ACROSSE CLUB WHO WERE MOVING QUICKLY TO REBUILD SOME BRIDGES AS WHAT 0RESIDENT !NDY #OOK TERMED A hBREAKDOWN OF COMMUNI CATIONv LED TO THEM BECOM ING LESS THAN POPULAR WITH THE #OLNEY ,ANE GROUND STAFF !LL SPORTS CLUBS THAT USE THE #OLNEY ,ANE FACILI TIES MUST ENSURE THAT 2ACHEL 4OMES !SSISTANT 3PORTS $I RECTOR AT THE 3PORTSPARK IS INFORMED WELL IN ADVANCE OF BOTH BOOKINGS AND CANCELLA TIONS SO THAT THE GROUND STAFF

CAN MAKE THE NECESSARY PREP ARATIONS 5NFORTUNATELY THE LACROSSE CLUB FAILED ON BOTH THESE COUNTS AS THE GROUNDS MEN WERE UNAWARE THAT A FRIENDLY MATCH WAS TAKING PLACE ON 3ATURDAY TH .O VEMBER AND THAT A MIXED LACROSSE GAME HAD BEEN CAN CELLED FOR THE FOLLOWING DAY #ONSEQUENTLY THE LA CROSSE CLUB WERE SUSPENDED FROM PRACTICE AND MATCHES FOR ONE WEEK STARTING FROM LAST 7EDNESDAY 4HE CLUB HAVE ACCEPTED THE PUNISH MENT AND 0RESIDENT #OOK CONlRMED THAT hWE HAVE CLEARED THE AIR WITH 2ACHEL 4OMES AND WILL BE APOLOGIS ING TO THE GROUND STAFF AT THE lRST OPPORTUNITY v ,ACROSSE IS ONLY ON A SABBATICAL AND IF YOU ARE IN TERESTED IN JOINING THE CLUB WHEN PLAYING RECOMMENCES

THEN TURN TO THE @&OCUS /N LACROSSE ARTICLE ON PAGE

-EN S BADMINTON ST

.OTTINGHAM 4RENT ST

-EN S BASKETBALL ST .OTTINGHAM 4RENT ST -EN S FENCING ST

7ARWICK ST

-EN S FOOTBALL ST

/XFORD ST

-EN S FOOTBALL ND

$E -ONTFORT "EDFORD RD

7OMEN S FOOTBALL ST

.OTTINGHAM 4RENT ST

'OLF

-EN S HOCKEY ST

"IRMINGHAM RD

,EICESTER ND

7OMEN S HOCKEY ST .ETBALL ST

#AMBRIDGE ND

.ORTHAMPTON ST

-EN S RUGBY ST

-EN S RUGBY ND

,INCOLN ND

-EN S TENNIS ST

$ERBY ST

/XFORD "ROOKES ND

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