VAMPIRE VACATION Transylvania isn’t just about the living dead. Concrete discovers a country alive with culture.
CELEBRITIES AND THE CHARITY CAUSE What positive impact does celebrity endorsement really have? OPINIONS PAGE 10
ISSUE 237
TRAVEL PAGE 17
TUESDAY 12th JANUARY 2010
www.concrete-online.co.uk
IS STRIPPING WORTH IT? An anonymous writer provides a candid report about the realities of stripping to support your studies. FEATURES PAGE 12
UEA’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER
FREE
STUDENTS TO FUND BUDGET DEFICIT? Alistair Darling, Chancellor of the Exchequer, announces plans to cut millions from university budgets. Politicians will look to tuition fees review to plug the spending gap, says NUS President Wes Streeting. cuts will be distributed had not yet been made, but with the cuts almost certain to
David Churchill The Government has announced that the Treasury
the UK houses only 1% of responsible for producing 8%
university ledgers, it is feared of 12%, a record second only
the UK by a total of £600 million. The details of the
will be transferred onto students in the form of higher being one of these centres of excellence for producing
the Government’s pre-Budget report in December, which also stated that the cuts will become entrenched in public spending policy by 2012-2013. The announcement has prompted widespread
“some vice-chancellors and
about which areas will be
compete on a global scale.
students.
the UK currently lies second in a league of countries which are most important to
Labour’s
Higher
fees” would be “disastrous”. But the proposed cuts have coincided with the ongoing independent review
fees to plug the spending gap”. The proposals have also caused concerns as to whether
funding being conducted by Lord Browne. It is believed that he will now be forced to recommend that the
the UEA is likely to become
stands at £3,225 a year, in order
of
‘real term’ funding levels. The current funding system operates according to a “unit of resource” scheme
the
proposed
cuts.
Students’ Union voiced their concerns over the impact that “such vicious cuts” would have on UEA students
Sheppard, predicts “serious repercussions on the quality
it has been calculated will be reduced by approximately £1,000 per student, per annum, once the cuts have
at UEA, adding that any Lammy, emphasised that decisions about how the
research in the world. Despite the fact that
gap with an increase in student
CONTINUES ON PAGE 2
WINTER SNOW CASTS ITS SPELL OVER UEA STUDENTS FOR PICTURES OF CAMPUS TURN TO PAGE 11 THE EFFECT ON STUDENTS TURN TO PAGE 3
THE BIG SWITCH-OFF: NORWICH STREETS LEFT IN THE DARK Streetlights
Nick Church Norfolk County leaders are to press controversial plans cash and reduce
Council on with to save carbon
around 27,000 streetlights across Norfolk and over 7,000 in Norwich itself. The plans, which would replace lights with
would
be
included numerous streets
used to determine areas of low crime and in trials in other areas, such as Essex, there has been no record of increased crime, according to the County Council report.
streets that have busy night-
member for Community Safety and Cohesion, voiced concerns
we not having a one in three
as well as those with high rates of crime and accidents. Police
the proposal on January 6th and has called the plans
make for a greater saving, but without the risk of robbery,
12am, have been met with strong resistance from City Councillors, including a councillor responsible for community safety and cohesion. It would cost the County Council £274,000 over the
hours of 12am and 5am in
the Council will save £167,000 each year.
low incidents of crime and
solely by cost-savings. “All over the south of the City, in the Golden Triangle, Lakenham, Tuckswood and Eaton, whole streets are to of the University ward will
muggings or worse in our blacked out streets.” of Norwich City Council said: “[There are] concerns that reduced hours of street risks for crime and disorder and road safety and there is
may be. These concerns are CONTINUES ON PAGE 6
2 NEWS
TUESDAY 12th JANUARY 2010
concrete.news@uea.ac.uk
UNIVERSITY CUTS
CLEGG’S FEE PROMISE
CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE
Lauren South
contents NEWS
1-6
TURF
8
OPINIONS
10 - 11
FEATURES
12 - 14
EDITORIAL
15
INTERNATIONAL
16
TRAVEL
17
FOOD
18 - 19
FOCSOC
20
LIFESTYLE
21
SPORT
22 - 23
The leader of the Liberal Democrats, Nick Clegg, the Liberal Democrats as the
than
most
other
Greg Mann
global
them out for the subsequent
WHAT THE CUTS COULD MEAN Linked to the rate of March,
the
student
loan Lib Dem leader, Nick Clegg
fees in light of the economic students access the same
CREDIT CRUNCH CARROTS
assurance that, although the recession has made it ‘more from their salaries at a rate
Antoine Steen
ROCK SALT SHORTAGES HIT UEA CAMPUS Gordon Malloy
Manuel Hung
brought
certain
areas
of
Greg Mann
be debated in the House of
ordered for Norfolk to other
Britain
has
seen
an
NEWS 3
TUESDAY 12th JANUARY 2010
concrete.news@uea.ac.uk
“HOW DID THE SNOW AFFECT YOUR JOURNEY BACK TO NORWICH?”asks Danny Collins
CONSTITUTION CHANGE Nick Church The Union of UEA Students’ &
Engagement;
Sports
pending approval by Union Council on Thursday 14th power to give grants to clubs is being discussed with the University before coming body. result of a Union Council students and create a new Sam, HIS 3
Simon, ENV 2
Lucy, DEV 2
Ellen, NBS 3
“For the last week of the holidays I was up in Scotland in the town of Aviremore. We came back on Saturday and the roads were
“My journey back was a complete nightmare. It took so much longer than it usually does. I live in Essex and so I normally get a train directly
“I was coming back from Bury
to ensure its structures “are
a lorry which was stuck in the snow for about an hour. The snow back in
I’ve been back two days now and I’ve found the snow quite bad, but I think I just about missed the worst of it. The pavements outside my
was the coldest place in Britain during the cold spell, going down to -18 degrees. During the week we had to dig our car out of a mountain road on the way to a ski resort!” I’ve been back for about a day now, and the roads seem to
they’ve turned to ice”
in and all of my lectures were on”
it wasn’t as bad as here. There’s
I got an early train, which was probably a bad idea on my part. It was delayed for about two hours, and I had to wait around in the cold for about an hour and a half on that I couldn’t feel my hands or feet!”
journey wasn’t too bad; it could have been a lot worse. My mum was supposed to drive me back on Sunday, but she couldn’t in the end because of the snow. I managed to get a train, and despite a few delays it wasn’t too bad.”
Norwich has emerged as one of the leading candidates for the being made in the summer. Support from respected celebrity Stephen Fry has only enhanced Norwich’s shortlist, which will be drawn up this month. “Norwich is a city with a long history and a
radical and independent way.” Labour Councillor Steve Morphew added: “We have some real cultural gems in our city…lending their weight to our bid”. Norwich City Council has been working closely with
and the Norwich Arts Centre in bid further, and has received
said, “...it is not a chocolate box town, rather a thriving, living
Norwich
University
College
feedback. Organisers of the bid have now begun extensive work to ensure that Norwich stands an excellent chance of
of
Norwich gained a lot experience from the
European Capital of Culture which was eventually won by Liverpool, and it is believed that this could be the chance
write a book in English, and the
with the city’s modern cultural projects, including The Forum, Norwich’s medieval roots have led many to believe that it has an outstanding chance of Culture. The award itself was designed to highlight Britain’s cultural strengths outside of London and was formed partly in response to the successes that Liverpool experienced as the European Capital of Culture. The DCMS are looking for a culturally strong city or town which would be capable culture events. Should Norwich win the award it could lead to
Greg Mann such as BBC Sports Personality of the Year and The Brits, as city, a contemporary place which has consistently moved
from the likes of Hull, Durham
history which includes luminaries such as Julian of
of the Arts. The widespread support Norwich has recieved stems from its rich cultural
coverage and an economic boost to the city.
drew charitable status from their university or college and did not have to register as a charity. Their parent body –university or college – and now dually regulate students’ unions. Failure to register as a charity could bring
if they wish to retain their charitable status. and force the Union to put with
over
500
students, income from its subsidiary companies (LCR, Waterfront). Union Council will decide whether to send this
include: agreed Aims and and a Trustee Board, which is – all three being needed to
Adam Plom
outlined their bid for the coveted accolade to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in December, and it has been reported that
students’ unions register with
I think I came back at just the
NORWICH BID FOR CITY OF CULTURE
Norwich’s bid is being backed by celebrity Stephen Fry as well as several cultural experts and
of all our members”. It is also changing in accordance to the 2006
well as the ability to remove a Chair of Union Council. Students’ unions were, before the 2006 act, exempt
and regardless of this result Union Council will decide whether or not to give full approval on 28th January.
ARABIC RECONNAISSANCE Heather Crowley A new programme that aims to bring together Arabic writers, English writers and literary translators is being launched in Egypt by the
between the English-speaking and Arabic-speaking worlds, and we are excited to be theatre.” part in intensive workshops throughout a week-long
University of East Anglia. The programme hopes to more contemporary Arabic literature into Western languages, and vice versa. It also seeks to address the shortage of literary translators and support professionals looking to work with translators. development as it is the of Western and Arabic translators in such an intensive format,” said BCLT associate director Valerie to increase cultural exchange
Summer School at UEA. This will take place from January 24th-30th and is being Council and Penguin Arabia. Translators and lecturers will lead the workshops and panel discussions will publishers such as Penguin. The Middle East programme is the second phase of an ongoing project to export the BCLT training model. It follows a highly successful programme for translators from and into Chinese, which began in 2007.
4 NEWS
TUESDAY 12th JANUARY 2010
UEA TEACHING AWARDS
concrete.news@uea.ac.uk
UEA PROFESSORS HONOURED IN QUEEN’S NEW YEAR’S LIST Nick Church with Professor Leinster and
annual Award for Excellence
was awarded for services to
Professor Barrett Professor O’Riordan with
students,
researchers, all the support that I have had
does not fall into the other Marsden Hospital, then at the
Each award winner will
includes the Vice Chancellor
SIR MUIR RUSSELL TO LEAD INQUIRY CLIMATE DATA SCANDAL David Churchill Vice-Chancellor Professor Edward Acton, has appointed Sir Muir Russell to lead an Independent Review which is Muir is to evaluate thousands
deadline for the review – or
Professor Phil Jones, the
ethics in how it acquired,
whether
these
procedures as evidence that the review will
Further
details
are Phil Jones were released into
UNEMPLOYMENT WOES FOR CREDIT CRUNCH GENERATION Gordon Malloy
UEA LONDON
at a reduced rate - which allow
Professor Peter Dolton
Coupled with a downturn
6 NEWS BLACKOUT
CONTINUED
compounded by the very
has
prevented
a
detailed
impact of this proposal at a local level, and there has been no opportunity for any formal engagement of local elected Adrian Gunson, the County
TUESDAY 12th JANUARY 2010
TRAGIC DEATHS OF THREE STUDENTS POORER MED APPLICANTS SUFFER Nick Church
student, died as a result
UEA faced the tragic death of three students in the space of a week last December, two of which were the results accidents. Rainy Xin, a Norwich Business School MSc student, died on December 1st as a in Winchester.
said that lights important for community safety would not “We account
are taking into community safety
feeling is that there are very few people walking about in those areas between midnight and 5am.”
concrete.news@uea.ac.uk
advisor, made the following tribute: “I had the honour and pleasure to know Rainy as her advisor and lecturer who taught her in NBS. “She was such a wonderful girl with great prospects ahead. It is so sad to hear
Norwich city.
only knew Louis for a short while, but found him to be a personable young man who was full of excitement and looking forward to a change studies here at UEA.” Stephen Wenman, a mature LIT masters student, died on December 8th of natural causes. Prof. Lavinia Greenlaw,
Chris King The number students from backgrounds has 1.7% despite
of medical low-income risen by just government
access to the profession. Only around one in seven successful applicants are from such backgrounds, despite the fact that low-income groups make up almost half of the UK Professor
Bhupinder
gave this personal tribute: Stephen, I was struck by his passion for his subject and his sustained delight in all that literature, and poetry in
were successful. The Government has invested £392 million since 2001 in order to widen access to reforms are planned according to the Department of Health. However it appears the cost
“He
a good way for the council to do that.”
any formal comment from the police and only a limited pilot, these plans raise many concerns. It is largely young people, either travelling back from a night out or from working late, that will face to their personal safety. A number of the proposed blackout areas are student areas and are already likely to be targets for crime. “The Union is approaching concerns and will work to ensure students and student areas of the city will not face heightened danger as a Norfolk Police have yet to reveal their thoughts on the plans, with a spokesperson saying only: “We are aware
deepest sympathies to the family.” Louis Quigley Jones, a
had
returned
to
successful professional career, and brought enormous energy and discipline to his work.”
The
UEA
Labour
whilst Professor Sandhu added that many deemed medicine an from low-income backgrounds”, of
complex
problems”
good progress had been made acceptance rates, with 58% of applicants from the highest socio-economic group being 39% from the lowest group
well as showing than 56% of successful applicants to medical schools in the UK in 2008 were women.
schemes in Kingdom.
and complexity of means
members of the society to the panel. The members of the panel included Labour MP for Norwich South, Charles Clarke,
the Guardian which stated that 25% of all students from low income families are unaware of bursary system in the UK is in a poor state. Charles Clarke
and Professor Edward Acton, Vice- Chancellor at UEA.
Research
Unit
controversy
support for public engagement across UEA. Part of the Beacons for
with public audiences about their work. The focus groups – will help provide insight and experiences of the programme so far and on the role of public engagement at UEA.
review, which has played an important role in shaping the programme over the past year. The session will take place Room 0.05 on Tuesday 26th January from 12.30-2.00pm, with sandwiches, tea and If
you
would
like
to
against New Labour, Wes
that the actual size of the loan should be greater in order to cover maintenance and not leave a gap which
January 2010 to book your place. If you are unable to
views via email or telephone. to go to university with the
ten years ago. agenda was on how Higher
that while increasing awareness of bursaries must become a priority, it is also a problem inherently linked to
in Britain. Predictably, there was some disparity between the ideal of a system of free,
He said he was unhappy with the way in which
the reality that nothing in the society we live in is free. In response to one
funding, both Vice Chancellor Ed Acton and MP Charles Clarke reluctantly conceded that “(I am) not sure I would say morally it should, only because there are so many
students should feel about director, Professor Jones, was right to have resigned
how
please contact Lisa McDaid on 01603 773215 or at l1mcdaid@
Society
debate at the end of last term which focused on three
evaluate
session will be used to inform
as
bursaries are handled for a
United
to
the modest overall increase,
topic, the debate moved on to the issue of bursaries the
groups
CUE East seek to encourage students from applying. Dr Vivienne Nathanson, head of science and ethics at the BMA, said that many students from lower-income backgrounds felt that a medical
UEA LABOUR SOCIETY HIGHER EDUCATION DEBATE Lauren South
CUE East (Community University Engagement) are
course, £37,000 on average,
who knew Rainy will miss her CO2 emissions. We are all seeking to save on carbon
CUE EAST FOCUS
MEDIC-TOMEDIC charity Medic-to-Medic is looking for old mobile phones of the term. The charity raises money for trainee health workers
should not be a commodity,
many students would drop
the current economic climate
aims to increase the number of doctors in countries with
considering the report.” Greg Mann
Members of the audience were concerned that students taking Environmental Sciences would feel their degree had become devalued and would be undermined
covered and reassured students about this inevitable
topic yet light-hearted ending to the debate, the controversy
Labour MP for Norwich South, Charles Clarke
the sexiest lecturer at the University was raised and given an overall seal of approval by the panel.
School IT room. If you would like to get more involved with the charity, contact UEA Medicto-Medic at ueamedic2medic@ googlemail.com.
8 TURF
TUESDAY 12th JANUARY 2010
concrete.turf@uea.ac.uk
UEA student diary: Copenhagen Summit
Is the World Trade Organization environmentally sustainable?
Joe McCrohon
Conal Dougan
12th December 2009: were present prepared for
- one of the most powerful
government policies to
purchasing promote escape and die an agonising
the world - prides itself on argued that the ban would “strong
and
prosperous
that has contributed to “unprecedented global
which was the largest and
therefore be given the same
so Europe were forced to back
the US tried to ban the import
European governments were prevented from taking
of course went against free
have to be shown to be unsafe
The WTO can also be
is the equivalent of ‘innocent
with tear gas being used and most people arrested during
15th December 2009:
mission is to “encourage and contribute to sustainable
and
foster
peace
and
decided to go to the Klima
perpetuates
with indigenous and other
was peaceful but once we were within a mile of it we encountered a line of riot
fosters
The WTO seeks to limit
are
14th December 2009:
and
banned
from
ruled against a European proposal to favour small local banana farms in former European colonies in the
occasion European countries tried to ban fur imports from countries which used steel jaw leg-hold traps to catch
from industrial agriculture
European programme was designed to make electronics manufacturers cut down
using
leaving public health and leave and were pointed in
aim was to help push for more equitable treatment of
to the Danish parliament was removed and was taken with
but this restricted trade in which felt somewhat strange given that the police had
decided to deem the science
What should be clear through these limited think our governments have the power to protect the environment and
all round that the talks had
it was clear who was in power
Copenhagen in the public eye: success or failure? Appraisers “The
decisions
Critics taken
forever remembered as a measure of the courage of decisive moment - we must ensure that it is a decisive Dr Fred Boltz, Senior Vice President for Global Strategies & Climate Change.
Zhenhua,
the
Xie head of
disappointment regarding the non-binding nature of
- Jose Manuel Barroso, EU Commission President.
which
UEA rides the Wave in London! Mag Tan
in The Wave in London: the biggest climate change march
avoid dangerous climate change and protect the
of Greenpeace.
Union banner and a cardboard
The results of the climate
but that is no reason to give climate change to be taken
and banners waved messages government to create “One
Copenhagen.
wealth
Toronto Star
with samba bands and various people dressed up in costumes including a polar are no targets for carbon cuts and no agreement on a - John
perpetuates
10 COMMENT & OPINION
TUESDAY 12th JANUARY 2010
concrete.opinion@uea.ac.uk
Charity: it’s not just for Christmas Prince William recently spent a night sleeping rough to highlight the issue of homelessness during the festive period. But does this kind of publicity help or hinder charities and the plight of the homeless? Ailsa Bristow looks at this complex issue. awareness, or somehow insinuate
to get volunteers to run Christmas
“...we can watch the twominute news feature, and then move on”
fortunate than ourselves in order to donate some money or even a
Are new year’s resolutions a waste of time? For
Fact box
Davina Kesby
According to Ask Jeeves, no gym visits to four a week is an
Every year, we are encouraged to with two visits a week, extending this achieve in the year, with many saying
Yes, it is good to have goals and
Fiona Howard
the top resolution is to work and that they aren’t a waste
stop smoking, with “get fit” coming in at
the end of January, if they even make
Against
number two.
actually made it to the gym, given a second thought to what new society
Making resolutions can
So why is it that every year, the
be traced back to as
they don’t require work; we make yet doesn’t mean we should write them we’ve already done most of
early as 153 BC. into making one and then equally Going out for lunch with a friend is detached from the reality of everyday
Many Romans sought
failure and it’s our failures that make
forgiveness from their enemies. Approximately 45% of Americans make resolutions.
a willingness to have a healthier
notoriously high failure rate it would
concrete.opinion@uea.ac.uk
TUESDAY 12th JANUARY 2010
COMMENT & OPINION 11
Snow Days at UEA
Obama drama Jack Brinded
Nuclear Response Andrew Lyle On Tuesday 1st December, I came
I read the argument, but by the end
The Simpsons
tyrant for a manager!
“The last thing we need is to have spineless politicians who quiver in the face of the nuclear issue”
IF YOU HAVE A COMMENT OR OPINION THAT YOU WANT TO GET OFF YOUR CHEST ON ANY ISSUE, THEN THIS IS THE PLACE FOR YOU. PLEASE CONTACT CONCRETE.OPINION@UEA.AC.UK AND WE’LL GET YOUR VOICE HEARD!
12 FEATURES
TUESDAY 12th JANUARY 2010
concrete.features@uea.ac.uk
Sex and the Student In the run up to Valentines Day and the 2010 Concrete Sex Survey, Bethan-Louise Martin discusses our changing attitude to sex at different points in our lives. Sex is not always conducive to good study and vice versa, putting these two university past times in hot and often chaotic contention...
According to Concrete’s 2009 Sex Survey, a whopping 90.6% of you have sex. Going to university changes a lot of things in our lives, including the way we feel about sex, whether we are having it or not. Here at Concrete we have been thinking a lot about sex in the lead up to our 2010 Sex Survey, so we thought we’d share our thoughts with you about various aspects of student sex lives.
Living On Your Own You’ve just moved into your halls of residence, your parents have driven away and you’re on your own in your own room. What’s that we hear you cry? FREEDOM! For many students, they arrive at university, thus, changing the way we approach sex - we can have it more freely. Access to partners’ bedrooms and being able to stay the face it, if we can have sex in the night and in the morning as well, we’re going to do it! Being able to spend longer with your partner will not only increase the amount of sex you’re able to have, it will inevitably encourage Some of you may be so lucky as to have an en suite which proves useful for slippery sexy adventures and the desks on campus can be a perfect height for
TUESDAY 12th JANUARY 2010
concrete.features@uea.ac.uk
Confessions of a Student Stripper
Belle de Jour, the author of the hugely successful The Intimate Adventures of a London Call Girl has recently revealed her true identity as Dr Brooke Magnanti, a research scientist in Bristol. Eva Wright* provides Concrete with an insight into the realities of stripping to support your studies.
stay in, either working on a growing
Living with Other Students Even if you’re not the one having sex, chances are the people you live with are having it. You may approve of their escapades, you may not, but, let’s face it, you don’t need to know what
for porn star you and a house with very thin walls, full of your closest friends is not necessarily the place.
student to secure that ever-elusive job to earn an extra bit of cash. The
acceptable; if you ask at a store desk you’re more than likely going to be met with a belligerent stare, dismissing any hopes you may have had. Emails are more than likely never replied to and phone calls are diverted 20 or 30
you may be thinking, why bother?! get a bit frisky. Nor do the parents of
“long distance relationships are
and it can cause problems; the key in to at least secure an interview, you need a professionally edited with or they don’t trust you then the
all about balance and a willingness to compromise. There are always ways around missing your partner” they come to visit when having your morning session. Yes, you’re having sex and, by the sound of it, enjoying it rather a lot, but quiet sex can be fun too. The idea of having to be silent and the thrill of being caught, well, it’s just
or watch Hollyoaks night every week, however – either a Friday or Saturday – she’ll slip on
and strip for customers in a private
pockets bulging with crisp notes. They might order a drink, or simply sit on the sofa and watch the
self should be picked amongst what they are wearing is never a sign been rejected a grand total of six is not speaking to someone for days on
boring. We all have our lazy days and
all about balance and a willingness to compromise. There are always ways around missing your partner and
being stuck in a sexual rut. Visit some
video phones and so on. Modern technology help to make long distance
in when you’re in the middle of some there are numerous sex aids that can
sutra and work your way through it - within reason, no one needs a sex wake up ten minutes earlier and have a quickie before you go to work or jump in the shower with them. Buying yourself or your partner some new saucy underwear (students get 10%
long, lonely nights. See Ann Summers
partner’s grill and help to cut down on tensions that may arise. Spending a few evenings apart does not mean that you are any less in love and your friends will appreciate being able to see you, not just ‘couple you’.
or even just thinking about having sex, it is important to think about
ear is not only a massive turn on but Store (online and in the St Andrews all about sex, and living with your and to use with your partner when you’re reunited. Remember, absence makes the heart grow fonder so really
used to, especially if you are used to having your own space. Space and
together, whether in the bedroom or not.
Living with Your Partner
to constantly be in the same room as your partner, have all the same friends or want to do the same thing
all, you have a whole new home to having sex in the same place, same
and own interests will not only give you something to talk about but will stop you constantly being up in your
and never heard back are a-changin’ indeed. And it doesn’t look good for university students who have loans to pay, course almost cried when
person you’re having sex with is, you
is widely available on campus and condoms are free from the Medical you want to stop using condoms or dental dams, for example, it is hugely important that you go up to the medical centre and either pick up a home
on a textbook – but according to my housemates, this is already considered a reasonable price to pay for a book to be only lightly skimmed for a couple of weeks and then never to be used Enter my friend Hailey*. She’s a nubile young girl in her second year of university and a regular in spiked heels and mini-dresses on cut-price student nights out in Norwich. She lives in a rented house devoid of proper
female gliding up and down the metal my friend tells me, “they just want someone to talk to just pay me to sit there and listen She was once
wind whistle in through its gaps. During the day she paces the same concrete walkway like the rest of us, down to Elizabeth Fry and to and from the library where most of her work is done. Most weekday nights she’ll
manager of the strip club tells me, see a girl stumbling around the club and send them home. Three warnings rules, doled out at the start to virgin strippers verbally, sound promising – no drugs, no drunken behaviour, and “the security level in here is well thought out. We have security guards
hands under their thighs while she strips down to her birthday suit. Three
isn’t one to trust. Aside from creeping into the changing rooms whilst the
frightening thing is that he does not
“the rules, doled out at the start to virgin strippers verbally, sound promising – no drugs, no drunken behaviour”
merely a case of him warning the girls
All this doesn’t seem like the ideal lifestyle for a struggling student, despite the incredibly good pay and almost non-existent employment
revealed herself to be Dr. Brooke
stages of her PhD at the University
– or what we assumed was the
At a glance, the environment inside the strip club appears to be no more sleazy and dangerous than any other
ago. Nowadays, more and more students are being drawn to the stripping, and turning away from the rigidly structured day jobs that require
cracks.
The Guardian,
employed by a strip club outweigh any other issues raised in a normal the night, my friend goes home and checks her wallet. There are wads and
work in the sex industry are academics dealing with drunken, sleazy clients, strung out co-workers stripping their
To an outsider, it all sounds incredibly simple, once you get past the fact that you’d have to be naked in front of a stranger. “You’re allowed
Belle Uncovered
indulges in speed, crack – whatever he can get. “Never go into the men’s bathroom, even if that means you
sides of the booths in case one of the
for listening to some poor old miser moan about his day job.
‘B’ appointment for full sexual health and as painful as people think; no one will judge you for being there. At the end of the day, no one wants their bits
FEATURES 13
of the world making an educated life drawn to the glow of light, only to be Hailey* informs me that her employer, * Real names not used
As the blog gained popularity, who the author was, and whether the blog was even based on real events. Various professional authors were suspected of penning the blog because of the high quality of prose used.
lecturer at Bristol University who worked as a call girl to supplement her income while studying for a PhD forensic science. Her blog has been adapted into a book and a TV series, starring Billie Piper as Belle.
14 FEATURES ’t Don to et forg r your fo vote mber u n ! one
TUESDAY 12th JANUARY 2010
concrete.features@uea.ac.uk
And the nominations are ...
Voting for your sexiest lecturer isn’t just about choosing the lecturer with the best looks; it’s also a celebration of their wit, personality and outstanding ability in their field. Let Fiona Howard and Kirsten Peter guide you through the top ten sexiest lecturers that you’ve chosen over Christmas.
John Street For many people 2009 was one in 2010?
Tim Daw
withstand any trend.
Kant.
Vasudha Chhotray
has endeared him to many .
Sarah Churchwell transported her into the top 5
on this list.
Nick Anstead Cecile Jackson
Heather Savigny
woman.
and
Go Online to www.surveymonkey. com/s/votefornumberone to vote for David Milne Angela Breitenbach
your favourite of the Top Ten.
TUESDAY 12th JANUARY 2010
concrete.editor@uea.ac.uk
CONCRETE EDITORIAL CONCRETE
EDITOR
concrete.editor@uea.ac.uk Hannah Livingston
DEPUTY EDITOR
TRAVEL EDITOR
CHIEF COPY EDITOR
Writers
concrete.editorial@uea.ac.uk Alice Violett
concrete.editorial@uea.ac.uk Denise Bartlett
Proofreaders Frances Taylor, Kiron Ward, Myles Oldershaw, Ayesha Bailey, Rachel Handforth
NEWS EDITOR concrete.news@uea.ac.uk Nicolas Church
Deputy News Editor
concrete.travel@uea.ac.uk Rachel Conquer
Tom Hunt, Carrie-Anne Elsden
FOOD EDITOR concrete.food09@gmail.com Edward Leftwich
Writers Tom McInnes, Samantha Minny, Duncan VicatBrown
FOCSOC EDITOR
David Churchill
concrete.editorial@uea.ac.uk Alice Violett
Reporters
Writers
David Churchill, Gordon Malloy, Lauren South, Adam Plom, Danny Collins, Chris King
Zoe Gates, Lyndsey Cubitt, Alaa Sayed AbouElhamd
TURF EDITOR
LIFESTYLE EDITOR
Writers
Writers
Joe McCrohon, Conal Dougan, Mag Tan
Adan Fenwick, Selin Kocagoz
OPINIONS EDITOR
SPORT EDITOR
Writers
Writers
Ailsa Bristow, Fiona Howard, Jack Brinded, Andrew Lyle
Ian Hobbs, Harry Low, Georgina Wade, Grace Simpson
concrete.turf@uea.ac.uk Rebecca Wiles
concrete.opinion@uea.ac.uk Davina Kesby
FEATURES EDITOR concrete.features@uea.ac.uk Melissa York
concrete.lifestyle@uea.ac.uk Samantha Lewis
concrete.sport@uea.ac.uk Danny Collins
NON-EDITORIAL
Writers Eve Wright, Bethan-Louise Martin, Kirsten Peter, Fiona Howard
CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER Greg Mann
INTERNATIONAL EDITORS concrete.international@uea.ac.uk Qingning Wang & Filipa Mendes
Writers Hui Zhou, Nisha Murthi
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Concrete is published by UUEAS Concrete Society Š2009 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.
EDITORIAL 15
16 INTERNATIONAL
TUESDAY 12th JANUARY 2010
P.S.: I love you
concrete.international@uea.ac.uk
Chinese government bans BlogBus Qi Wang
What is the real meaning of “I love you”? Nisha Murthi compares its cultural implications in the UK, India and China.
“traditional arranged marriages still form the bulk of relationships especially in India”
Medicinal Relief Hui Zhou
“there are high expectations and standards
More lovely facts...
for doctors to live up to both mentally and physically”
concrete.travel@uea.ac.uk
TUESDAY 12th JANUARY 2010
Vampire Vacation
TRAVEL 17
Devon Delights Carrie-Anne Elsden
It’s not just about vampires and the living dead in Transylvania. Tom Hunt reveals the beauty and history of a much misunderstood country. thought for a unique backpacking break. In fact, many people I’ve spoken to since coming back don’t even seem to know that it is a real
conjuring images of stunning scenery, long sandy beaches, lush countryside and homely pubs. Although this it is nonetheless true. Despite having been a resident of the North Devon to exhaust the vast array of things to do and places to see. First and foremost I have to divulge Devon’s, arguably, crowning feature: our spectacular and awardwinning beaches. The North Devon
allows for a unique landscape with a quirky charm all of its own. Against this backdrop, it is easy to see how spooky stories of vampires and werewolves emerged. Even today the land is covered with wild terrain and is not the most accessible area for the everyday tourist, but Transylvania remains an Eastern European gem. Currently, the train is your best way in, although this requires an overnight trip from Budapest through the dark night and waking up to early morning mist clinging Transylvanian villages huddled among the pine trees may make you feel as if you have stumbled into a fairytale, and is worth the weary eyes from the sleeper train.
Oceanfest is set to take place between
please check out their website. Perhaps contrary to popular belief, the summer sun is not completely a determining factor for a of the city high above without having to get in a plane. Be careful is within easy reach of the outlying towns of Rasnov and Bran. The alleged castle of Dracula himself,
Transylvania lies in the heart of
of stalls and the adrenaline-pumping
the Impaler. The castle can be a bit cramped with tourists, spoiling the atmosphere, but as it’s only a short (albeit bumpy) bus ride down the road for a few Romanian lei, so it’s worth a look. The neighbouring
“...you feel as if you have stumbled into a fairytale...” to be missed, however. It boasts right on top of a steep promontory with expansive views over the plains to one side and the thick forests to the other, with none of the tourist crowds. Here you get the true sense of Transylvania. Brasov remains the heart of the region, though. Clustered around
keeping the place lively amidst the land of the un-living. Towering over this pocket of
background, Brasov set right at its foot. Taking the cable car to ascend its steep slopes is a must: from the top you get a rare bird’s-eye view
though, as they stretch on and on, are home to wolves, snakes and the occasional bear. One of the truths of Transylvania is that you will hear wolves howling in the surrounding forests at night if you listen hard enough, adding to the atmosphere of the place. Residents express a real sense of pride in their home, each and every restaurant umbrella declaring Brasov to be ‘probably the best city in the world.’ Less subtly, they have even erected a giant Hollywood-esque sign on the face of the mountain, around. It can’t be missed. If you are feeling daring, you can even grasp hold of it if you strain hard enough from the lookouts’ edge. For all of its modern accoutrements Transylvania has managed to retain its character. Black Church in Brasov, so called for the blackened exterior it gained
inhabitants taking comfort there from the imagined horrors lingering outside. They can also walk the creaky corridors of Dracula’s home, get a real sense of the looming landscape from the walls of a ruined castle, or listen to wolves howling from far away in the depths of night. All of this and more awaits the intrepid traveller in Transylvania, a land that is certainly not a work of
is a variable assortment of sand and pebbles, but each beach and cove hosts a similarly pleasing quality. Annual summer events such as
Exmoor only a short way away, these natural splendour all year round. In our current bout of economic woe, holidaying at home is becoming an you are considering pinching the pennies this coming year, North
Newton Faulkner last year, as well please everyone.
Frosty Disruption Rachel Conquer chance to discover somewhere new: this is sadly not always the case. Over Christmas the words ‘travel’
weather being the cause of many to a halt. Both trains and planes were delayed, or worse cancelled, meaning that many people did not get to see their family over Christmas. Icy roads caused many serious accidents as well
period. Eurostar was also disrupted over
round. Some members of the public for the winter forecast when they knew about it days in advance, while others were convinced that nothing could be done. The snow did not meet the scale of February last year when many people were snowed into their homes all around the country, but
the cold weather, meaning that many to travel home, whether it was back to the UK or to mainland Europe. It is somehow surprising that this country has not yet found a way to combat even the smallest sprinklings of snow when other
think. greeted by huge snowfalls all year
England and Scotland. Christmas is a historic image that has been imprinted on us from our infancy, and yet when it appears that everybody wishes the snow would just disappear again.
18 FOOD
TUESDAY 12th JANUARY 2010
concrete.food09@gmail.com
Give the Turkey a Break Tom McInnes
turkey. Personally, I’ve always found of anything – animal, vegetable or
over to them, raising your eyebrows,
“I can’t help but for the bird, reared to be smeared in its own melted-down fat, anally of any number of fellow farmyard and sisters prepare this Christmas
feel just a little sorry for the bird, reared
the gammy leg, but for the noble
to be smeared in it’s own melteddown fat” inner-workings. Christmas – how
they ain’t), I got to wondering why human mortality is treated with what the true meaning of Christmas
to gather your loved ones around
the days of the week on them, and
together and be loved, knowing that
rubbing your hands together and
If this is the way we’re going, we should at least give up the façade and go the whole hog - round up a few live
their dead mother/brother/lifelong best friend. Why not prod them a bit
elaborately prepared poultry. It’s about family. It’s about the smell of
The Best Chocolate Foolproof Reviewed: Brownies in the World Scones Pinocchio’s Concrete Baking Fairy
Samantha Minny
Ingredients
Ingredients
Duncan Vicat-Brown
3 large eggs food, but that’s really where the
Method
is,
Method
appropriately,
the
food.
In
reasonable, pizza and pasta dishes,
over a boiling pan of water to melt the bowl from the pan and leave to
without losing any of the air that you whipped into the egg in step four.
with a blunt knife. 2. Add the milk slowly to the dry way above the standard that you
2. Pre-heat your oven to 180 C/ gas mark 4 and line a shallow baking tray with greaseproof paper.
the blunt knife. If you need more has been done you should have
powder into a bowl to get rid of any lumps.
is not too wet.
that? Well, how about something to eat?
There’s also a lot to be said for the
and tasteful, but not oppressive, and and keep separate.
and smooth gently down. Cook in minutes open the oven and shake
doubled in volume. not, then they are done. 9. Take out of the oven and leave
Plus, she/he’ll be serenaded with live 200 C/gas mark 6.
Resident Tutors Do you want to make a positive difference to the experiences of students living in University residences?
20 FOCSOC
TUESDAY 12th JANUARY 2010
KAOS Society: volunteer abroad and improve children’s lives Zoe Gates
concrete.editorial@uea.ac.uk
Islamic Society help UEA Muslims worship, learn and socialise Alaa Sayed Abou-Elhamd
throughout the year, so that
will be more cake sales (as we
Through KAOS, we aim to
watch this space!
UEA LINKS teaches you the A-B-C of first aid
Whilst we are a busy society, courses, it is possible to progress
FocSoc: Not just for societies! Got a society, club, charity or social group you’d like to write about? Email
Reminder:13th January is Socmart
concrete.lifestyle@uea.ac.uk
Confessions of a UEA student Sam Lewis asks: does Christmas bingeing mask the reality of life without all the trappings?
TUESDAY 12th JANUARY 2010
LIFESTYLE 21
New year, new student loan After frivolous spending in the first semester and the excessive cost of Christmas, Adam Fenwick tells us how to begin 2010 without a debt hangover.
the previous semester can be a lot
love so much.
possible to reduce the cost per head. will be packed and this will put the
I love Christmas. Mistletoe kisses, mulled wine, the occasional mince
A full social calendar for all the
spend more on drinks. Check out cheap student
return home to be reunited with old friends and make some new
in certain restaurants,
invested in one and put some aside or transport costs.
as well as the inevitable nap on the
Kick-start the knitting craze Selin Kocagoz: shift the stigma of grannies and gaudy jumpers and get out your knitting needles! we associate with old ladies and
me realise that Christmas fools and, rather, is seen as a social the cost of the food I have consumed has become a lot trendier, with
have to be about oversized jumpers
workshops.
instruments from. I recommend a stall on the market owned comeback. reminds us what life is on a student
22 SPORT
TUESDAY 12th JANUARY 2010
concrete.sport@uea.ac.uk
ENGLAND SAVED BY THE BELL
Canary Corner
Harry Low England played yet another get out of the third Test against South Africa with
Ian Hobbs
Adeyemi for the more experienced
Having established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in League
Norwich
looked
sharper
in
Although this match will draw Centurion, this latest escape is more
st
they travelled to Southend and triumphed convincing 3-0 winners - a brace from Grant Holt
This
victory
clearly
boosted
victory over Millwall - Hoolahan and Holt both registered goals in a 2-0
side has a resolve which was perhaps missing a decade or so ago under
It seemed to do the trick as Morne Morkel as the barmy army
looked to have guided England home managed to keep the Canaries at bay for 77 minutes before Korey Smith
The pitch was also notable as a something for both bat and ball, and if
his promising start in England colours,
captain Smith throughout the second as well as Graham Swann has been in this series, victory would surely
Grant Holt celebrates against Oldham
and a Korey Smith goal being the
was looking so desperate that former South Africa fast bowler and Sky
WOODS’ EXILE SPELLS TROUBLE FOR GOLF
Hoolahan grabbed the other goal as Norwich’s unstoppable home form Norwich’s next opponents were Yeovil Town, a team they had thrashed
Thursday…
and Anthony McNamee making their young striker Oli Johnson has been signed from Stockport County as has
Georgina Wade 2009 proved to be a less than stellar
always, things weren’t as simple as they appeared on paper, with Yeovil
cocktail waitress Jaimee Grubb and back of the net twice more before a last minute Norwich goal from the
alleged text messages and details
Norwich’s next game came against fellow fallen giants Southampton in
number of women stepped forward
in a 2-2 draw, but with neither side
£35,000 Cadillac Escalade into a players could be on their way out
Southampton securing a 6-5 win in This reporter’s money would be on Jamie Cureton, Jon Ostemobor they faced an important league clash who had looked impressive under the guidance of former City assistant
The Canaries’ game against Exeter on Saturday 9th Janauary was one of only two League One games to
as to what caused the crash, some
for the future of the sport? No sooner had this happened than the sports drink brand Gatorade, which was sponsoring the sports
golf, and since his self-imposed break, tournaments have seen a loss in
impact on his brand, and furthermore, they certainly took advantage of the The money men and golf fans alike strugglers Exeter with Holt again on the scoresheet with two goals
TUESDAY 12th JANUARY 2010
concrete.sport@uea.ac.uk
SPORT 23
HOLLIE STORMS TO CROSS-COUNTY GOLD WITH GB Danny Collins UEA runner Hollie Rowland stormed to a gold medal with the GB under-23 women’s team at the European Cross Country Championships in Dublin over the Christmas break. Rowland, who currently trains
The race, which was broadcast live on the BBC, saw Rowland come
a stormer!” The television cameras didn’t
enjoyed the race, and was buzzing
Norwich, ran a storming race as she
a bit apprehensive about being on
The team championships award scores were based on the aggregate
them.”
with several other impressive GB
challenge. Even more impressive was Rowland’s prevalence over the
Twell, already an Olympian,
they are notoriously good runners and were very close to taking the
she will be looking to consolidate a
Rowland will now enter into the
spring and summer.”
London Olympics on the horizon, she will hope to push on to even greater heights.
THOMAS REVELATION OVERCOMES SPORT’S LAST TABOO Grace Simpson
sport has achieved overwhelming as well as the back, pleasing the rights campaigners to do more to encourage gay players to come out.
to date in December when Wales’ most capped Rugby Union player, Gareth Thomas, came out as gay,
allow gay players in his team. only to commit suicide eight years decline in both his personal and
players in the world. Thomas, who captained Wales sold his story to the Daily Mail
gay sportsmen come out, especially certainly deterred other players issues, the media are light years
icons have been instrumental in the sports themselves that inhibit
Gavin Henson and Danny Cipriani
would not have put his career in jeopardy by coming out at the peak enhanced, laden in jewellery and adorned in haute couture.
opinions on the subject – not one replied. Whereas campaigns to Napoli player Jesus Datolo has been