The Christmas Special RESULTS OF THE CONCRETE DRUGS SURVEY RESULTS ON PAGE 14
ISSUE 236
TUESDAY 1st DECEMBER 2009
Food festively helps you stuff a bird. Lifestyle provides low cost present ideas. Opinions questions the inclusivity of Christmas. Features examines the make or break state of the high street.
www.concrete-online.co.uk
UEA’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER
FREE
STOLEN DATA PROVOKES GLOBAL ATTENTION UEA to launch an independent inquiry into the theft and implications of stolen climate data. Theft provokes fierce debate on credibility of world renowned research of Climatic Research Unit.
David Churchill UEA is to launch an independent review into the
CONTINUES ON PAGE 3
UEA STUDENTS PROTEST AGAINST A QUARTER OF WOMEN EXPERIENCING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. TURN TO PAGE 4 FOR FULL ARTICLE
UNION REFERENDUM FAILS TO REACH MINIMUM QUORATE VOTES Gareth Coventry These which took place on the 24th
The
‘You
proposals
included
Daily Mail
Count was the proposal to stock
2 NEWS
concrete.news@uea.ac.uk TUESDAY 1st DECEMBER 2009
DELAYS IN LOANS INCREASE EMERGENCY PAYMENTS
contents
UEA sees an increased demand for emergency payments: Only 20% of applicants for Disabled Student allowance cleared. within the SLC. More than 12,000 disabled students have
Nick Church
our students are made to
NEWS
1-6
TURF
8
OPINIONS
10 - 11
FEATURES
12 - 14
EDITORIAL
15
Linda Shepherd, who gave
loans to arrive. On average,
Ms. Shepherd also alluded to ensure that this does not
INTERNATIONAL
16
TRAVEL
17
FOOD
18 - 19
FOCSOC
20
LIFESTYLE
21
SPORT
22 - 24
emerged that bosses at the were paid £2m in bonuses and expenses. Natasha
Barnes, pressure on the government
bonuses whilst students are
BURKINO FASO IN COPENHAGEN
Greg Mann
students are struggling to
SCHOOL OF DEVELOPMENT AWARDED QUEEN’S PRIZE Andrea Stromskag
Nick Church
pleased and sees it as a
A UEA student is to join the
is awarded
Burkino Faso at the United Copenhagen next month. Melissa Ilboudo,
helpers.
the
involved
in
over
100
Queen’s
Ougadougou. He invited Ms. Ilboudo to out a strong message about
a that we do and the issues we
will join Burkino Faso’s President, Prime Minister and environmental minister th -18th
through
environmental
th
November
this
higher
term. It is also under threat
the European Union. Aid’s partners, who supported Ms. Ilboudo’s appeal, she met Bobodo Blaise Sawadogo,
Laura Smith
Wave’.
to demonstrate outstanding
NEWS 3
concrete.news@uea.ac.uk TUESDAY 1st DECEMBER 2009
CRU DATA SCANDAL “SHOULD VIDEO REFEREEING BE CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE INTRODUCED IN FOOTBALL?”asks Grace Simpson
Advocates
have
also
the university has dealt with
rules state that what is decided referees could act as a deterrent can not only change the course that they will get away with it and an extra linesman should university issued no statement
consistently it would certainly cut out all
and
harshly
for coming out and saying that they could understand why
CLIMATE OF UNCERTAINTY
Nick Church examines the back-history to the current climate debate and the various calls for a rigorous independent inquiry.
Some would say they saw it coming; what the now infamous emails reveal is the evidence Email Two [possibly referring to Steve CRU work] of these agreements were lost as well as the
Email Three Can you delete any emails [some say these
Concrete “there is a lot of noise at the moment
you may have Can you also email Gene and get him to do the
over a month ago most of the issues now under THE EMAILS
Email Four [referring to a paper prepared by “MM”, possibly Steve McIntyre and Ross McKitrick]
Email One
4 NEWS CARNAGE URINATOR
concrete.news@uea.ac.uk TUESDAY 1st DECEMBER 2009
THE GREEN FUTURE OF NORWICH SOUTH and that their concerns aren’t overlooked”. On the issue of
Chris King voice at Westminster” as well Party
Adrian
Ramsay
has
City Hall.” Since
Adrian
on
environmental
and
“As a Green MP I would resist University ward to the Green Party’s electoral chances,
Ramsay
to do community service.
with students on a wide of Green Party Councillors has increased each year. The Green
Daily Mail
in the City Council early will result.”
Ramsay, who will remain a City Councillor, is set to go on the City Council. Ramsay is community service.
and former Home Secretary
District Judge Anthony Browne said, “I have never seen anyone more contrite
MP. said “the reason I’m standing
one who regrets more the hurt and distress he has caused. take all this drink, or forced it
“But all this is set against a said, of a culture of drinking far too much. In my view done to change this culture.” student said he had no
Party is doing so well!” adding; “we have a strong chance to
and if we win in next year and make other likely gains we will Green Council in the country”.
the Green Party’s chances, Ramsay said “as a former UEA student, I think it’s vital that
CONCRETE DRUGS SURVEY SHOWS DECLINE IN DRUGS USE AT UEA Heather Crowley Around 80% of students at UEA have taken illegal drugs and 63% of those have done so whilst at UEA, according to Concrete’s 2009 drugs survey. The survey, which was last conducted in 2005, asked over a hundred students a range legal drugs, including alcohol.
70% of students agree to some extent that a drinking culture that encourages students to drink too much exists at UEA
survey’s results, UEA has seen in this year’s survey, nearly
have also seen a decline in use amongst students. However,
Only 27% of students would
Annie Grant from the Dean of Students said, “I am...very
at around 10%, have remained consistent. drugs whilst in a seminar, 35% have had sex whilst on drugs and nearly 20% have recorded
residences. I would encourage all students not to risk selling drugs.” and over a quarter of students
LATTITUDE GLOBAL VOLUNTEERING
the chagrin of seminar leaders.
Concerning alcohol, over are
looking
for
nearly 20% who took the survey have sold drugs and
Student Alcohol Policy.
graduate
UEA STUDENTS AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
in China. For over
Nick Church
fact that one in four women
Students across UEA showed
during their life.
women, 35
Wednesday
environmental,
existent, so what exactly will a men’s society do?” To suggest that men need
25th standards of what it means to
violence
against
Americas and Oceania.
events
discussed.
“The issue [of violence against
ludicrous, when everywhere
women. in four shows.
organised
women. the recent trend of some male
years, The day calls for the
caring,
not alone.” Kate Hinksman, a second
These are
across
Women, the day has also they are mothers, friends and sisters.
to the current masculinity.”
state
of
against the recent advances
to ensure men take more as “ludicrous” according to the the level of violence against
not equal.”
6 NEWS MEANING OF LIFE
concrete.news@uea.ac.uk TUESDAY 1st DECEMBER 2009
EXECUTIVE CONFIDENCE QUESTIONED INTERNATIONAL INCOME THREATENED
Gordon Malloy
Davina Kesby
£100 RESEARCH PRIZE
Colleges are challenging government plans to
HE PANEL DEBATE
UEA BAR REVENUES CIRCUMVENT NATIONAL TREND Nick Church
UEA CHRISTMAS CONCERT
UNION BAR STEADY
NORFOLK NURSING AWARD Nursing
Times
NEWS 7
concrete.news@uea.ac.uk TUESDAY 1st DECEMBER 2009
CAMBRIDGE TOWN TAKEOVER Heather Crowley
MEDIA DIGEST: ARE WE IN DENIAL? David Churchill shares his opinions on the proliferation of climate change denial.
Global Warming and Other Bollocks
8 TURF
concrete.turf@uea.ac.uk TUESDAY 1st DECEMBER 2009
Copenhagen critical for developing countries climate change reside in the developing world, yet the 50 least developed countries emit less then 1% of pollutants, as recorded in the Human Impact Report by the Global Humanitarian Forum. As governments in the West donate aid targeted at helping developing countries, the emissions their industries the issues they are supposed to be tackling. Although these emissions drive economic growth, they are forcing millions into poverty. Higher temperatures in Peru have lead
envoy, has been arguing in the media that developed countries
Turf advent calendar
allowances for developing countries. He has been reported as saying “developed countries should also earnestly ask themselves: ‘In solving this problem that I have created, am I keeping my promises and honouring my commitments?’” Developing countries are calling to keep the framework of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, which doesn’t require any binding commitments from developing countries but will ensure that
Climate change causes erosion of coast lines, rivers to dry and loss of species: biodiversity lost forever. For many of the developing countries of the world beauty is a commodity they have to
owner and his workers who rely on the income it generates, or a family of subsistence farmers living hand-to-mouth where they have of survival. Stronger
Coach tickets available from UEA box office £12.
10th Human rights day
Reuse old cds to make environmentally friendly tree decorations
this
December
that they are willing to agree to emissions cuts. Nevertheless, they will be seeking a level of commitment from developing countries such as China and
Climate Change, has argued that the summit needs to focus on four main issues: how much the industrialized countries are willing to reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases; how much major developing countries such as China and India are willing to do to limit the growth of their emissions;
climate change; and how this money will be managed. Thomas Hague
Be sure to check www.recyclenow.com to find out where you can recycle all your cards
Try wrapping your presents in recycled paper, or be creative and see what you can re-use yourself.
1st December: UEA Climate teach-in Teach-In timetable Information
university’ for a day, organising a campaigners encouraged students and lecturers to do ‘teach-ins’ on the current threat of runaway global warming.
is
developing countries. Yu Quingtai, China’s top climate
6th - 18th Copenhagen Summit
country to reject Kyoto in 1997; however, Barack Obama’s
developing countries to engage in reducing their emissions summit
See www.ueastudent.com/ teachin
5th ‘The Wave’
greenhouse gas emissions.
seen throughout the world, but nowhere as badly as the places
1st UEA Teach-in
10.00-16.00 Green biotechnology, a poster display Dr Margaret Wexler. Atrium, BIO. 12.00-13.00 Never Waste a Good Crisis: Health and Wellbeing in a Low Carbon Society.
15:05-16:00 13.00-14.00 Developing community responses to climate change and peak oil.
laincy. 15.00-16.30 Increasing Happiness, Decreasing Consump-
to help Norwich become more resilient in the face of peak oil, climate change and an ongoing
12.00-14.00 Climate informaClimate Change; Amnesty ‘Shell is hell’; Sustainable
happiness and wellbeing, and will include exercises and -
Leejiah Dorward and student me home for Christmas” Student car share scheme; News -
14.00 - 15.00 Climate change and energy security - the hard choices.
terms.
working on energy and carbon
House.
14.00 -15.00 What might climate change mean for a village in Africa? Dr Marisa Goulden (ODG)
16.00 -17.00 Women, men and climate change: why climate change is a gender issue. ate researcher on gender and
15.00-16.00
18.00: Film: Eleventh Hour
Picture by Dan Blumgart
aspects of climate change: 13.00-13.10:
developing countries, and what we can do about it by carbon
fast-track to understanding a complex but important issue
Chaplaincy Christmas carol service will include the theme of environment/ climate amongst its choice of hymns, prayers and speeches.
respond.
13.00-14.00
produced and narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio, on the state of the natural environment.
www.ueastudent.com/teachin Trevor Philips
-
10 COMMENT AND OPINION
concrete.opinion@uea.ac.uk TUESDAY 1st DECEMBER 2009
The Chilcot Inquiry: Iraq uncovered? There have been many reports on the Iraq war already, so why is the Chilcot inquiry any different? Gareth Coventry looks at the inquiry which began hearing evidence last Tuesday and examines whether it can be truly effective and comprehensive. The Chilcot Inquiry formally began
this is the fourth inquiry into the Iraq
“The previous inquiries into Iraq have been dismissed as being a whitewash, so what will prevent Chilcot from meeting a similar fate?� Blair is just a war criminal are likely to see Tony Blair on trial for war crimes
Debate: Is Christmas a time for everyone? For James Dixon
Fact box According to the can put unnecessary strain upon people which is the polar opposite of what
Against the focus on the family is so strong
TUC, one million people work on Christmas day. In 1647, the English
Last Christmas
parliament passed a law that made Christmas illegal. family
unity
surely
cannot
be
The ban was lifted when the Puritans
might also make such people feel subnormal for not joining in the
lost power in 1660. About 35 million to take a share in the Christmas spirit
lost its way in a snowstorm of
Christmas trees are produced each year to cope with holiday demand.
Christmas is seen as an occasion on
concrete.opinion@uea.ac.uk TUESDAY 1st DECEMBER 2009
COMMENT AND OPINION 11
Say NO to Nuclear The ‘Jedward’ phenomenon Jack Brinded
George Hamilton-Jones
contaminate, the Scots know only too
The “Jedward” phenomenon has eluded few in recent weeks. Even the Prime Minister has been quoted on the subject. John and Edward
so plans for any plants in Scotland, which already has two sites, are
X Factor Whatever their shelf life, they
the Dounreay and Chapelcross sites to nuclear power as he prepared to
been at the centre of the annual “is the X Factor karaoke?” debate and
if a Grimes twin victory would have yes, it is. the shark in Happy Days. They have, the fact that there are many sources
and Top of the Pops? There are as many reasons to love as to loathe.
to win it, the X Factor would be forever tainted by mediocrity and My Fair Lady
much could be made from the that will not only mass produce toxins and contaminants, but create fewer performers. However, The X Factor is we (the voters) have any chance to be rid of the farce of a cabinet who currently reside at Westminster. Not that it would make a blind bit
(another year, another album to promote) and call it karaoke, the only act to make a full crossover to the world of mainstream commercial pop, in my opinion, is Girls Aloud.
Gordon and his miserable men, since
Jedward at UEA Summer bash” (339 members on the 27th November) has
Secretary, said that “every one of the measures contained in this statement
any worse than the succession of
co. seem to have worked despite the tunelessness, despite the consistent
X Factor and its spawn
is that we like to watch the stories unfold, the media like to tell the stories and some of us are even believers.
are currently noted as available, and
IF YOU HAVE A COMMENT OR OPINION THAT YOU WANT TO GET OFF Now, these people will undoubtedly tell us nuclear power
how many Chernobyls has renewable
alone. How about in future, rather
YOUR CHEST ON ANY ISSUE, THEN THIS IS THE PLACE FOR YOU. PLEASE
forces, we instead seek to harness them?
CONTACT CONCRETE.OPINION@UEA.AC.UK AND WE’LL GET YOUR VOICE HEARD!
12 FEATURES
concrete.features@uea.ac.uk TUESDAY 1st DECEMBER 2009
Defining the Decade As we march ever onwards towards the new year (less than 5 weeks now, cripes!), it’s time to reflect on an undeniably tumultuous ten years. In the last of Features’ Noughties series, Duncan Vicat-Brown analyses the five events that defined the past decade. September 11th, 2001
Conflict in the Middle East been engaged in Iraq and Afghanistan for amusing trend of moving into smaller countries and pushing people around, back out is going to be one hell of a
aside from exposing America’s inability to learn from prior mistakes, lies in the
Climate in the Spotlight
The Rise of the Internet
In 2006, David Guggenheim directed An Inconvenient Truth, a documentary about former US Vice President Al Gore’s campaign and legendary accompanying sideshow, which carried a simple yet terrifying message; we are destroying the planet we call home, we are doing it far
The internet is hardly a new toy, but than a reference tool. Certain major sites, including Amazon, Yahoo and eBay, were already established by the turn of the century, and commanded a large number of hits. But compared to
future thanks to technology going portable. Although mobile phones were already around by the turn of the century, they didn’t become the
worse every day. Sure, this was hardly
Take Google: it went online in 1998 as a privately held company, and by 2004, was worth 23 billion dollars. Today, it’s worth over 153 billion, and is one of the most powerful companies in the world.
now everyone has one. First they got smaller, then they got colour screens, then cameras, then video cameras, mp3 players, touch screens... now, thanks to Apple’s iPhone, you can
campaign was its urgency. Before, the seemed distant, like something for future
We all know what happened, but let’s But Mr Gore was not the only one context. In September 2001, America was not only riding on the crest of a wave, but also at an uneasy crossroads.
is the emergence of the internet as a regarding the environment. The Kyoto social networking! Even though the
century developing from a large but insular world power into one of the on earth, the United States enjoyed a period of unprecedented economic growth under Clinton’s Democrat government following the end of the Cold War. As far as the average American was concerned, America was untouchable. And, of course, there was a new government in the White House. American passenger planes, which take out two of America’s most prominent landmarks and damage The Pentagon,
nomads the US used to fund. David and Goliath don’t even come close. As far as single days in American history go, only Pearl Harbour can be said to have had a comparable impact. Well, it was the catalyst that set Bush’s to engagement in Afghanistan and, eventually, Iraq. Fundamentalist Islam was suddenly thrust into the public sphere and perceived as an everyday threat. Further incidents followed, such
greenhouse gasses that were released in the early 90s. However, by 2005 original decision to engage. No other
since slipped into redundancy, its successors have literally consumed lives. MySpace has evolved into a onestop shop for up and coming music,
is shrouded in so much mystery and
all fundamentally distrust people who
that Saddam Hussein was developing
But that’s not all; online banking, online shopping, online gambling, online stocks, online games (vast
probably never know, and the suspicious fate of Dr. David Kelly should probably encourage us to stop asking. The reasons for engagement are vague and widely contested. A
A wonderful excuse to take control
many assumed the worst, tarring Bush’s government and, by extension, ours, with the ‘Evil Capitalist’ brush. Our government’s involvement is another sore point. Although presumably intended to promote Blair’s government as crusaders for humanitarian causes, up instead made them look like Bush’s
books... you can put online in front it became clear that climate change wasn’t being taken as seriously as was hoped, so the treaty was enforced in February of that year. You can see the impact of increased interest in environmental concerns all around you. Walk down any high street and you’ll see adverts encouraging you to cut down your emissions, or
literature, as well as in journalism. If the
Drugs Survey Results The Concrete Drugs Survey has
from the largest demographic of people we’ve ever had. 88% of the respondents were undergraduates aged 17-22,
in 2005, the Survey has been resurrected and updated to include legals highs and drugs that have experienced a sharp surge in popularity in recent years like ketamine and MDMA. But now the results are in and they are here for your perusal! The Survey went online
illegal drugs ranged from 11-21 years old but 63% had tried or
that Concrete received results
to look forward to in the new year, we’ll need you again!
by environmental issues, hence the
Illegal Drugs
emblem. And, lest we forget, this is the decade which coined the muchbeleaguered phrase ‘carbon footprint’.
The internet has got plenty more tricks for the future, too. Watch this space and you will see it transform
email hacking scandal has not only put
evidence behind climate change into
television with online soaps. Oh, and now there’s loads more porn.
10.4% 70.8%
Yes No
N/A
18.9%
Legal Highs Have you ever taken a legal
Have you ever taken any
(tapes and CDs are hardly the most
Is the policing of drugs on
Have you ever had your drink
Yes No
49.5% 10.7%
Yes No
Unsure
39.8%
Yes No
49% 46%
N/A
8%
80.4%
Have you had medical problems as a result of drug Yes No
9.4% 72.6%
N/A
17.9%
These included: Paranoia. Depression.
Do you consider legal highs to be less physically dangerous Yes No
22% 63%
N/A
15%
8.5% 91.5%
memory. Indirect factor in a heart
If you’ve taken legal drugs,
No
19.6%
If you have taken drugs,
4.9% 59.1%
Yes
12.5%
No
88.6%
Do you enjoy taking Yes No
61.2% 38.8%
Halls Union Bar
41.7% 7.8%
Party Other
28.2% 21.4%
N/A
40.8%
Friends Home Dealers Colleagues Other
69.3% 4% 34.7% 4% 5%
N/A
25.7%
Yes No
18.8% 81.2%
Yes
37.4%
No
8.4%
Yes 36.8% No 63.2% If yes, can you write what the Tea bagged to the max. One friend had an out of body experience and saw herself waving at her from across the room. We learned French and will never forget. sixteenth of cannabis and
Do you think more should be Worse 20.2% About the same 20.2%
Yes No
29% 51%
Can’t comment
Don’t care
23%
57.3%
None 1-2 3-4 5-6 7-9 10+
3% 6.1% 13.1% 17.2% 12.1% 48.5%
Do you think that taking drugs is socially accepted among
Do you think there is a
Yes 17.2% No 6.1% In most social groups 43.4% In a minority of social groups 37.4%
that encourages students to
How many of your friends
Alcohol How many units of alcohol do you drink on average per
Reasons
Yes, I suppose so 37.4% Maybe 17.2%
None A few Most All Unsure
6.9% 70.3% 18.8% 3% 1%
Do you think the drinking age Do you think the media
N/A
17.8% Daily 9.1% More than once a week 59.6% Weekly 26.3% Monthly 2% Never 3%
Has anything bad happened
of most words and chances are it exists somewhere. It’s also a far more powerful tool now; can you imagine
Yes No
Had sex 36.8% Been to a seminar 21.7% Operated heavy machinery 4.7% Driven a car 15.1%
studying at UEA.
Drugs on Campus
Portable technology has enabled digital entertainment to rule supreme, meaning that the music labels,
Would you say that you’ve ever been addicted to any
and 38% female. The age at
Yes
designer Jonathan Ive has produced for Apple, namely the iPod, iPhone, Macbook and iMac, has massively
blackouts because of drug
Tick any of the following that you have done whilst using a
so it’s ready for when you get home. Seriously, Google it. While we’re on the subject of Apple... if one gadget dominated the decade, it was the ultra portable, ultra stylish iPod. Mp3 players removed the
please! This has inevitably lead to an
Medical Problems
Thank you to everyone who went online for a couple of minutes and took part. With the Concrete website also undergoing a makeover,
The Effects of Drugs
rhetoric has been changed irrevocably, and the impact can also be felt in public has been split into two camps: those who support engagement, and those who oppose. There is no-one on the fence, and the debate rages on.
Portable Technology
FEATURES 13
concrete.features@uea.ac.uk TUESDAY 1st DECEMBER 2009
the size of his head in like under 5 seconds. No joke. Me and two of my other friends took some legal highs, purple ohms and had really bad trips, horrible
Friend lost his clothes and found the street outside
Bad trip - Thinking they might have died Freaked out, man. She threw stones at her best friend because she thought her friend was a pigeon. Someone threw up on my head while I was throwing up in a toilet.
Yes No
6.1% 93.3%
Yes No
16.2% 71.7%
Would you have come to UEA
N/A
12.1%
Yes No
Do you think that, on the
Why do you think people take drugs?
27.3% 72.7%
drugs are presented as ‘cooler’ than those who Yes No
20.2% 75.8%
N/A
4%
Have you ever bought or been
Yes No
24.8% 75.2%
14 FEATURES
concrete.features@uea.ac.uk TUESDAY 1st DECEMBER 2009
Consumer Crisis Have your say in the
Concrete Sexiest Lecturer Poll Concrete needs you to log on to nominate the three most attractive (or generally nice) lecturers from your school. Head over to our new website today:
www.ueastudent.com/ sexiestlecturer Do you know this girl?
Concrete Apology
50% of the High Street’s profits are made over the festive period. This means that it’s make-or-break time for many of our much-loved brand names. David Biggins explores the natural selection theory of consumerism.
LETTERS AND EDITORIAL 15
concrete.editor@uea.ac.uk TUESDAY 1st DECEMBER 2009
EDITORIAL
RETRACTION
EDITOR
The UFO is a convenience store not a supermarket.
“Where to grab your groceries” - Concrete 17.11.09
concrete.editor@uea.ac.uk Hannah Livingston
DEPUTY EDITOR concrete.editorial@uea.ac.uk Alice Violett
TRAVEL EDITOR concrete.travel@uea.ac.uk Rachel Conquer
Writers
CHIEF COPY EDITOR concrete.editorial@uea.ac.uk Denise Bartlett
Proofreaders Katy Quigley, Alice Brunt, Atephanie Artley, Mia Wecker, Ayesa Bailey
NEWS EDITOR concrete.news@uea.ac.uk Nicolas Church
Reporters David Churchill, Gareth Coventry, Andrea Stromskag, Grace Simpson, Chris King, Heather Crowley, Davina Kesby, Gordon Malloy
Poppy Jones, Sarah Morgan, Ruth Gaukrodger
FOOD EDITOR concrete.food09@gmail.com Edward Leftwich
Writers Danie Hadley, Grace Simpson and the Concrete Cocktail Collective (CCC)
FOCSOC EDITOR concrete.editorial@uea.ac.uk Alice Violett
Writers Sian Hamer, Martin Lippiatt
TURF EDITOR concrete.turf@uea.ac.uk Rebecca Wiles
Writers Thomas Hague, Trevor Philips
LIFESTYLE EDITOR concrete.lifestyle@uea.ac.uk Samantha Lewis
Writers Isabel Skrine, Vicki Wheatland, Jessica L. Ball
OPINIONS EDITOR concrete.opinion@uea.ac.uk Davina Kesby
Writers Gareth Coventry, James Dixon, Alice Violett, Jack Brinded, George Hamilton-Jones
FEATURES EDITOR concrete.features@uea.ac.uk Melissa York
Writers Duncan Vicat-Brown, David Biggins
SPORT EDITOR concrete.sport@uea.ac.uk Danny Collins
Writers Ian Hobbs, Trevor Aslan, Tilly Burrows, Henry Croft, Georgina Wade, Lois Nethersell, Kirsty Maclean
NON-EDITORIAL CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER Greg Mann
INTERNATIONAL EDITORS
Photographers Laura Smith
CARTOONISTS
concrete.international@uea.ac.uk Qingning Wang & Filipa Mendes
Hector Lowe and Dan Blumgart
Writers
DISTRIBUTION
Georgina Duncan, Julia Sherman, Nisha Murthi
Martin Lippiatt
SOMETHING YOU WANT TO WRITE ABOUT? There are many ways to get in contact: - Come to the Concrete office upstairs in Union House. - Email a section you’re interested in writing for. - Email Hannah at concrete. editor@uea.ac.uk.
CONCRETE PO BOX 410, NORWICH, NORFOLK, NR4 7TJ 01603 593466
Concrete is published by UUEAS Concrete Society ©2009 Concrete. ISSN 1351-2773 Letters should be addressed for the attention of the Editor, Hannah Livingston. Letters must include contact details, but we will consider anonymous publication. We reserve the right to edit for length and clarity as necessary. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Publisher or Editor. Use of the name The Event is by arrangement with the copyright holders, Planet Zog Ltd. No part of this newspaper may be reproduced through any means without the express permission of the Editor, Hannah Livingston. Printed by Archant.
16 INTERNATIONAL
concrete.international@uea.ac.uk TUESDAY 1st DECEMBER 2009
Round the World at Christmas Santa in the Southern Hemisphere Georgina Duncan Bucko & Champs’ “Aussie Jingle Bells”
The festival before Christmas
My Christmas Wish
Julia Sherman
Nisha Murthi
The Norwich Ice Sculpture Trail Sunday 20 December, 9.30am to 5pm
TRAVEL 17
concrete.travel@uea.ac.uk TUESDAY 1st DECEMBER 2009
The Atlas Mountains Poppy Jones reflects on her time spent in the little village of Asni, located in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, which she visited last summer. The Atlas Mountains of Morocco are as yet little exploited by the tourist industry, and this greatly adds to the excitement of visiting and exploring them. Last summer I spent a week in the village of Asni, located in the Atlas Mountains, as part of my school’s community service programme. The village and its small community offered the chance to escape from everyday life, and it was fascinating to immerse ourselves in a culture so different to our own. After a ferry ride to Tangiers and then a ten hour coach journey through Morocco during the heat of the day, we finally reached our destination – only to find that our first challenge was to climb to the top of the hill in the dark, carrying our luggage! The point of our trip was to experience another culture and learn to understand a way of life so different to our own. One barrier which became apparent very quickly was language. The people generally spoke little English, and we also soon discovered that French is only learnt as a second language in Morocco, where most people speak Arabic. Nevertheless, somehow we managed to communicate, and interacted through gestures, smiles, songs and games. We stayed in a building recently constructed in the village, which consisted of just a few rooms, and we greatly appreciated the fact that they had thought to install a toilet
Majorcan Summer Sarah Morgan
for us – we had been expecting the traditional hole in the ground! Moroccan cuisine is definitely worth exploring, and with our meals being prepared for us daily by the local women, we tried a variety of new and different dishes. Perhaps the most famous Moroccan dish is the ‘tagine’, a slow-cooked stew cooked in a distinctive pot, which consists of a variety of different
“We delighted in activities that elsewhere may have been outside Health and Safety regulations.” fruits and vegetables combined with either lamb or chicken. Also not to be missed on a visit to Morocco is the mint tea, which is delicious. Tea was served in both the mornings and the evenings, and we would eagerly await the sight of the ornate silver teapot heading towards us. Travelling to Asni or to the Atlas Mountains is a trip which requires a different approach from the kind of sight-seeing weekend spent in somewhere like Paris or Rome. We went with only a vague itinerary, and just ideas of how we might spend the time. We enjoyed each day as it came, and just being in a new place provided a variety of ways to spend our days. We helped the community, taking part in the farming activities of planting, watering and digging.
We also levelled an area so that the children could have somewhere to play games like football. We played with the children and exchanged songs, games and gifts. We also delighted in activities that elsewhere may have been outside the Health and Safety regulations – a highlight was travelling to a nearby lake to swim; we all stood in the back of an open truck as we hurtled round the winding mountain roads. Another morning was spent in the local market, which had stalls selling everything from clothes and jewellery to live rabbits and donkeys, furniture and haircuts. We decided not to follow the man who passed by with a half-butchered cow’s carcass across his back – no doubt heading for the meat market. Another day was spent trekking in the surrounding area, which boasted some spectacular views. Despite being so close to the Sahara Desert, Asni is located next to a river, which gives rise to a lush, green valley in the midst of the dark red hills. The people of Asni were just as curious about us as we were about them, and we thoroughly enjoyed getting to know one another. Every day ended with traditional Moroccan music and lessons in dancing to it, standing in one huge circle and slowly shuffling round whilst clapping and singing choruses. As the week came to an end we were all very sorry to leave, and I think we all returned home altered in some way by our experiences and by what we had seen. As we parted with the little community, we were left deeply affected by the realisation that whatever our culture, language and customs, as human beings, we have more similarities than differences.
Last July my friends and I ventured out to the island of Majorca in search of sun, sand and cocktails, and it didn’t disappoint. The white, sandy beach of Puerto Alcudia stretches out for miles and the sea is a brilliant mix of turquoise blues. Framed by
the second night which we loyally
needed shade, as a beach lover I was suitably impressed. We spent most days at the beach, hiring out pedalos and surf boards, exploring the side streets on the outskirts of the town, and browsing the market of fresh fruit, brightly coloured fabrics and leather satchels. We tended to stay away from any English-looking bars, preferring to discover where the locals went. Most nights we drank during happy hour at the cocktail bar Venue 21 in the centre of the town, or a place called Goodfellas. Both, despite
we did venture out to Magaluf a
with Spanish locals. We discovered a gorgeously retro karaoke bar on
the music was an expert blend of modern genres and the drinks were cheap.
being to a adult show called Pirates, which undoubtedly was one of the best parts of a brilliant holiday. There wasn’t an awful lot of plot, but
sangria were free. The holiday was a wonderful, drunken blur of sangria and cocktails, sandy feet, salty bronzed skin and many laughs. If you’re looking for a relaxed, fun, and very of England shirts, this place comes highly recommended.
Berliner Kunst Ruth Gaukrodger Berlin is a city weighed down by its own history. The Second World War annihilated the German capital and a
layout, with archaic buildings and monuments peppered throughout. modern layout of Berlin is the wide pavements; it’s a small thing, but not feeling choked with the swarms of people in any capital city is a rare treat, and makes for a much more relaxing holiday. The best examples of both contemporary and classic architecture are found by the river Spree, with the Paul-Löbe and Marie-Elisabeth Lüders government buildings being two of the most striking pieces of modern design there is to see. More centrally, the Sony Centre at Potsdamer Platz is a the No-Man’s-Land that was created
- and destroyed - with the Berlin wall. the city; big, colourful blocks with the
found near the O2 centre of Berlin. untouched by tourism. There are a few shops selling cheap t-shirts and souvenirs, but largely the place and small jewellery shops. On Wednesdays food markets pop up markets occur throughout the year, rusty trinkets and old, discoloured papers. The fact that the city manages to retain a real sense of character, and not be drowned out by other invading cultures or tourism, makes which is why Berlin feels like the bestkept secret of Europe.
18 FOOD
concrete.food09@gmail.com TUESDAY 1st DECEMBER 2009
How to Stuff a Bird this Christmas
Here at Concrete Food we have had a thought: why do people eat turkey at Christmas? Chicken is tastier, cheaper and easier to cook. How many people do you know with a pan big enough to make turkey stock? So forget tradition, find yourself a huge great big free-range chicken, stuff with this Christmas stuffing and tuck in. Method
Ingredients
1. Preheat your oven to 190°C/Gas 5. 2. Put your breadcrumbs into a large bowl. Finely chop the onion, garlic and parsley and add to the breadcrumbs with all the other ingredients. Season this with salt and pepper and then get your hands in there to mix it all together. 3. Make sure the cavity is clear then thoroughly rinse the chicken inside and outside and pat dry with kitchen
1 garlic clove 200g sausagemeat chopped 50g chopped walnuts 1 tsp curry powder 1 egg
Maris Piper or King Edward are the best roasters. Peeled and part
white. Take out the chicken and garlic and put in a warm place. Turn the oven up to 200°c/Gas 6 and crisp up the potatoes
people to help themselves to. Put it all on a plate and serve with some tasty veg and gravy. Magical.
Say goodbye to Ben & Jerry’s Method
able to make that deadline.
allowing it to overhang at the top. Empty the ice cream into a bowl and
insanely delicious. The most ridiculously easy desert to make, an ice cream cake
Crunchies and your Chocolate Chips and such like to the bowl, then mix.
Ingredients
pieces
sauce, these can be shop bought and warmed up at home.
mixture as a cake, take an old ice
those two guys....
into crumbs
sprinkle the remaining bourbon biscuits on top. Serve with warmed
your choice, however we suggest chocolate chips, peanuts, melted chocolate, or high street
FOOD 19
concrete.food09@gmail.com TUESDAY 1st DECEMBER 2009
Your UEA Kitchen
Christmas Cocktail Make time for tea! The Pink Snowglobe
Danie Hadley
Concrete Cocktail Team
“The grill. Surprisingly, some tasty meals can be produced from this piece of viciouslooking kitchen apparatus”
Grace Simpson
20 FOCSOC
concrete.editorial@uea.ac.uk TUESDAY 1st DECEMBER 2009
Deviant Society get ready to rock Concrete: Pick up your pen and get involved!
Sian Hamer
UEA Revelation Rock Gospel Choir hit all the right notes
Merry Christmas from FocSoc!
LIFESTYLE 21
concrete.lifestyle@uea.ac.uk TUESDAY 1st DECEMBER 2009
Credit Crunch Christmas
Confessions of a UEA student Isabel Skrine raves about jam making and cake baking We all expect certain things when we
X Factor
Oh UEA is wonderful... Jessica. L Ball reflects on her first semester at the rabbit-ridden, filthy-kitchened UEA campus.
22 SPORT
concrete.sport@uea.ac.uk TUESDAY 1st DECEMBER 2009
Canary Corner
UEA Triathlon impress at BUCS Trevor Aslan
Ian Hobbs Another busy fortnight for Norwich City began with a thrilling clash against Southampton at St. Mary’s. Just four years previously this had been a Premier League match and the quality of the two teams suggested that they are both eager to climb back up the football league ladder. Adam Lallana gave the Saints an Hoolahan equalised early in the
Middlesbrough reported to be interested in the highly-rated winger.
4-1 victory for the Canaries. Norwich City have brought in two loan signings to bolster the
academic year. Members new and old had an early start with a four hour journey Duathlon’ at Castle Combe Race Circuit. The race consisted of a two-mile run around the perimeter of the race
especially the severe headwind at the
and a chance to catch up on some much needed sleep on the journey
proved their ability with respectable member.
mile track and another two-mile run needed cover at right-back and the signing of Antony McNamee from Swindon should inject some pace into the side.
event and apprehensions about
penalty. A cracking strike from David Connolly restored Southampton’s advantage but the Canaries dug
about our pace over the distances soon set in.
Hughes scored an equaliser from
Women’s Volleyball qualify for student finals
Norwich’s next challenge came in the form of a home game against Gus Poyet’s inconsistent Brighton side at Carrow Road. City captain Grant Holt opened the scoring with an exquisite
Tilly Burrows
Hoolahan made it 2-0. Hoolahan has been one of a number of players who have been on great form in recent games and manager Paul Lambert will do well to hold onto him during
soon blown away for everyone by the
City’s next match came in the form of a second round FA Cup match away to Carlisle. The Canaries fell behind early on and despite a
part. The clubs next event will be the City of Norwich Half Marathon on the The fastest female was Rachel
The Student Cup is the main event in the girls’ volleyball
ending City’s seven game unbeaten
BUCS Results - Wednesday 25th November
pressure on the club to qualify for the event at their home venue. The day started with a match to be the team’s biggest rivals; they
Basketball UEA Panthers - 77 Cambridge Men’s 1st - 62 UEA Women’s Panthers - 40
UEA Women’s 1st - 10 Leicester Women’s 1st - 0
Netball UEA Women’s 1st - 32 Birmingham Women’s 3rd - 33
them 2-0. Next came a match against
UEA Men’s 1st - 2 Loughborough Men’s 4th - 1
UEA Women’s 2nd - 34
pressure and again were defeated 2-0. Oxford 2nds were no match for
UEA Men’s 2nd - 4
Rugby
The Oxford team seemed like a nice team but just weren’t up to the
Football
UEA Men’s 1st - 11 Oxford Brookes Men’s 2nd - 29 UEA Women’s 1st - 6 Warwick Women’s 1st - 0
all played well individually and even 2-0.
UEA Men’s 2nd - 28
The Student Cup Finals will on Saturday and Sunday 13th
Finally came a match against
Hockey UEA Men’s 1st - 2 Lincoln Men’s 1st - 5
UEA Women’s 1st - 15 Oxford Brookes Women’s 1st - 29
atmosphere.
SPORT 23
concrete.sport@uea.ac.uk TUESDAY 1st DECEMBER 2009
The trials and tribulations of a long-distance runner history teacher, hardly a specimen
this incident provided me with the by an overweight Simon Schama was
race in Year 5 and throwing up all banana had provided an added obstacle to an already gruelling
given was a banana, which provided
ambulance seemed an appropriate
having already entered a marathon and with an even more demanding, Michael Johnson might have once
Button engineers switch to ensure British super team Georgina Wade
well, you might think; Mercedes have increased their F1 monopoly and are set to make millions, while
McLaren F1 are poised to replace Heikki Kovalainen with the newly crowned world champion Jenson Sadly, the reality is that Brawn
the McLaren F1 team - but never is that we have operated within our
“Lewis Hamilton has and always will be a McLaren man...”
Hamilton has been and always will be a McLaren man, despite denials that the team and the car are tailored
married couple, all is set to change
calibre to be a true world champion,
the other drivers in the team – a
natural ability to be world class, and Jenson needs to pull up his socks, have a shave and get ready,
recently announced that they will world that he has the substance and
witnessed such raw talent, and
concrete.sport@uea.ac.uk
FORMULA 1
Georgina Wade examines the creation of a British superteam at Mclaren for the forthcoming season
TUESDAY 1st DECEMBER 2009
VOLLEYBALL
Concrete reports on the progression of women’s Volleyball team to the Student Cup Finals
TRIATHLON
An impressive debut for UEA Triathlon in the opening round of the BUCS competition
RUNNING
Henry Croft charts the process of preparing for the Milton Keynes half-marathon
Women’s football put six past woeful Warwick
Lacrosse record impressive win
Lois Nethersell
Kirsty Maclean
This season UEA Women’s Football has been a near-unstoppable force in the Midlands 2B league. The team currently sit joint top with rivals, Leicester and, with a string
Having not had the most promising start to the season, training before Wednesday’s game was intense; full of blood, sweat and tears. the nerves were combated by the
Most recently, on Wednesday 25th November, the girls put six
what we hoped would be a successful game. Playing the team who are currently second in the league, however, caused a slight air of anxiety amongst the team. Once the whistle blew, it could be seen immediately that the extra
foot straight away. Christy Haynes
secured a UEA lead and caused concern amongst the opponents.
Shuaibu’s second goal required
ball into the open goal. In the second half Haynes doubled her total with a surging run from
girls throughout. loss to Leicester in the league the team have consistent form both at Colney and on the road. With an
rewards. New coach Dan Cooper has been invaluable and much praise should
league and cup games this season, and only six conceded, the girls can be proud of their strong defence and
persistence at training sessions.
semester has been successful there
fast pace but by the third quarter UEA
the league,” commented the captain.
goals.
an early ball from the wing, placing it
passing to dominate possession. The team were, as always, marshalled well by captain Bernie McSharry
thumping of Cambridge at Colney on 21st October.
to win the league. “I am proud of the girls this year as every match they have come out
they have already put ten goals past earlier in the season. The crunch game in the league comes in the last game of the season when Leicester travel to Colney on 3rd March in what is bound to be a closely
game only got faster and sharper as UEA dominated. The whistle blew to
Kirsty Maclean, Lena Schulze and Elaine Rogers were amongst the scorers.
decide who will be promoted.
UEA sports roundup
alongside Leicester.
Danny Collins approaching,
Concrete
For BUCS results turn to page 22
season. The women’s Panthers team lie examines
Hockey The UEA men’s 1st XI lie second in
win a game.
Basketball The UEA Panthers are currently Midlands 1A division with two wins from six. However, an encouraging victory over Cambridge 1st gives cause
Football The men’s 1st XI lie third in the Midlands 2B league on seven points, one point behind second-placed Cambridge. out of their six games thus far, and sit at top of the league on 15 points
The women’s 1st XI, who have prevailed in only one match so far league. However, they recorded an on Wednesday. Rugby The men’s 1st XV have won two of
their six encounters and are placed sixth in Midlands 2A. Having only lost once this season, the women’s 1st XV are joint top of the Midlands 2A division alongside Oxford
Tennis The men’s 1st share the lead of the Midlands 2A with Cambridge and Oxford. one win from their four matches, lie 5th in Midlands 2A .
and successful example of women’s lacrosse. The UEA team, compiled aggressive and determined defence, and a goalie with spectacular saves, all contributed to a promising win.