Concrete 308

Issue

10.02.15

308

Concrete online Scan for all the latest news, sports and society blogs

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Uncertainty over postgrad referendum

Elliot Folan & Dan Falvey News editors Postgraduate students have been left uncertain about the future of their representation following a fall out between the Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) and the Union of UEA Students (UUEAS).

Over the past few months the GSA and UUEAS have held discussions on whether the two entities should join together in one body, and if so how this would work. However, the committee of the GSA announced last week that it will be withdrawing from discussions about holding a referendum regarding a merger between the GSA and UUEAS. The GSA has also said that unless its demands are met, it will urge postgraduates to reject the proposed merger come the planned referendum.

The GSA committee claims that their views have not been listened to and that no details have been agreed on what would happen after such a merger. However, UUEAS has rejected these assertions and has pointed out that the referendum is not binding.

Despite the GSA withdrawing from the discussions, UUEAS has announced that the referendum will take place from Monday 16th February to Thursday 19th February. Voting will be online at ueastudent.com, and will be open from 09:00 to 16:00 each day in Union House.

The GSA is a separate organisation to UUEAS. This is because the GSA believes that: “Having a separate organisation to represent [postgraduate] interests and needs ensures that graduate issues do not get overlooked”.

However in spite this, both organisations have worked closely together in the past to ensure the concerns of postgraduates are represented and acted upon.

The proposed merger was championed

by Postgraduate Education Officer, Liam McCafferty, and former GSA President Oliver Steward. Steward, who resigned last month, has since commented that: “on a personal level I felt I could not carry on the role of GSA President due to institutional differences within the GSA”.

Steward’s involvement and support for the merger has been an issue of controversy given that he was elected on the promise to keep the GSA independent. Speaking to Concrete last October on why he went against his election promise, he said: “I have had to change my mind, based on the realities of the situation. The GSA cannot remain an autonomous student representative body as we do not have the funds and resources to do so”.

The referendum process begun in October, when Union Council mandated the student union to hold a referendum on merging the two organisations. As Concrete reports today, postgraduates make up fewer than 10% of Union Council, so the GSA was included in a working group to decide on the details of the referendum. The working group included Postgraduate Education Officer Liam McCafferty, Campaigns & Democracy Officer Chris Jarvis, new GSA President David Hall and Mature Students’ Officer John Taylor.

However, the working group’s discussions have stretched over months, with McCafferty claiming in a Student Officer Committee

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meeting that there was no consensus amongst the members of the working group on whether there should even be a referendum. The working group did produce some initial proposals for referendum rules and timetables, and these were approved by the student officers late last month.

In a statement emailed to all postgraduate students, the GSA committee criticised the “manner in which the referendum process has been handled” by UUEAS. They went on to say: “Our repeated requests for clarity and information about the union’s proposals [...] were considered not to be relevant, and were either brushed aside or only reluctantly discussed.

“To this point we still have no idea, and consequently can’t tell the students we represent, what the future of the GSA will look like if the referendum goes ahead and a vote to become part of the union is recorded [...] If the union decides to go ahead with the referendum anyway, we would urge you to vote not to become part of the union”.

The GSA cited that they had withdrawn from the referendum process “on advice from the Dean of Students”. However, they would be happy to re-engage with the process “providing [they] are treated fairly and are given a genuine say” and asked for UUEAS to agree on a clear proposed structure for how a merged GSA would work before putting it to referendum.

When asked about the Dean of Students’ (DoS) involvement in the decision, a university spokesperson said that DoS “will not be drawn into political disputes”.

McCafferty said: “Following years of under delivery for postgrads and a year of engaging

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Exclusive: Concrete polls Union Council

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LGBT+ History Month celebration

venue does valentine’s

with students about improvements they want, the union’s council approved an exciting new vision for postgrads last term that includes a new programme of postgraduate focussed activities, a sector leading Graduate Centre with Café Bar, Lounge and bookable space, and a new rep council designed to ensure the postgraduate voice is effectively represented.

“As part of that we were mandated to ask postgraduate students, in an indicative referendum, whether they were happy to see the old GSA merge into the union.

“We failed to reach agreement on the precise format of that poll but that won’t stop us running the poll and delivering on the promises we’ve made to Grad Students at UEA”.

The referendum will ask postgraduate students the following question: ‘Should the Graduate Students Association become an autonomous part of the Union of UEA Students?’ Eligible voters will have the option to vote for, against or abstain.

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Editorial

letters editor TO THE

Student mental health at UEA Dear Concrete, I’d like to introduce myself as a new member of UEA staff, working in the Dean of Students’ Office (DOS). My role is ‘Head of Student Wellbeing’ and it’s a brand new one for the University.

I really liked reading the students’ firsthand accounts about their mental health difficulties and successes in the 13th January 2015 issue of Concrete. What I found inspiring about the articles, was how open and real the students were when mentioning their mental health challenges. Of course it was very encouraging to hear about Ellen Musgrove’s experience of DOS on page nine. I know that many other students have also benefitted by coming to seek support from DOS. Indeed, in all the articles printed it seemed students were saying, perhaps in different ways, how helpful it was to pick up the challenge of seeking help and speak to someone.

The Wellbeing Section in DOS, brings together Counselling, Disability and Mental Health provision. I have some great colleagues and all the staff in the Wellbeing Section share a professional interest in student mental health. We welcome all students who have concerns about their own or other people’s mental health to get in touch with us. Usually DOS has the type of support that students need, sometimes something more specific or specialised may be needed and we can signpost students to the appropriate internal and external agencies.

In my 20 or so years working with students in universities I’ve noticed how the stigma associated with mental health difficulties has generally been reducing. This isn’t to say we can afford to stop working to make it easier for people to talk about their mental health, on the contrary there is still lots to be done.

In terms of what we’re doing in the Wellbeing Section of DOS, we…

• Provide counselling, disability advice and mental health advice (last academic year the Mental Health Advisers and Counsellors supported 532 and 841 students respectively and ran workshops and groups for many more); • Run mindfulness taster sessions and groups for developing greater psychological resources and improving mental wellbeing; • Put on workshops to improve sleep and for relaxation; • Facilitate peer support groups for students with mental health-related disabilities; • Bring NHS mental health services onto campus such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Stress Management and other NHS mental health services to university registration events for new students; • Support the Disabled Students’ Allowance application process for new

Complaints If you wish to make a complaint about an article in the paper or on the website, or about a social media post, please email the editor (concrete.editor@uea.

students with mental health difficulties during the registration events and as needed throughout the year; • Provide mental health first aid training to staff across the university; • Deliver the mental health training provided to staff through the university’s Centre for Staff and Educational Development • Give School-specific tailored mental health and self-management support (e.g.

Pharmacy, Psychology and Medicine); • Provide specialised mentoring; • Have regular interaction with NHS services on a case by case basis for mental health conditions such as eating disorders, psychosis, self-harm, suicidal behaviour and personality disorders.

So I welcomed very much the articles in Concrete. I hope the university’s senior management, the mental health service providers (both inside and outside the university), and the students’ union can find mutually supportive and effective ways to continue to provide an excellent environment here for students to preserve, and where necessary regain, good levels of mental wellness.

Stephen Messinger Head of Student Wellbeing (Counselling, Disability and Mental Health) Dean of Students s.messinger@uea.ac.uk

Accurate and fair marking Dear Concrete, One of the things that all students on taught programmes have in common is that they submit coursework which is then marked by academic staff. But how can students have confidence that their work is marked consistently by different marker? I am writing in order to highlight how the university ensures that marks are accurate and fair.

One of the things the university changed in the light of a successful union campaign in 2008-9 was the way that coursework is submitted and now all coursework is submitted anonymously. This ensures that, at the point of marking work, markers judgments are objective, as well as those of moderators and external examiners.

All markers use a set of approved UEA Senate Marking Scales, or to assignmentspecific criteria which should be clearly communicated to students in advance. Having clear and transparent criteria and marking scales also means that students know what is expected of them. Basically, this ensures that students know ‘where the goalposts are and can ‘get the ball in the net’. In large cohorts it is common practice for markers to mark

ac.uk) to explain the precise nature of your complaint and to clearly indicate the relevant article, passage or sentence. We will be pleased to respond as soon as we are able.

a small sample of work and to check with each other to ensure a common approach is taken to marking and a consistent level of feedback is provided by all the markers involved But the marking process doesn’t stop there. Other checks and balances are in place to ensure fairness and consistency.

Where work is not blind double marked, it is subject to internal moderation. This involves additional experienced markers reviewing and scrutinising the marks awarded on each module to ensure the marking criteria is consistently applied.

Once internal moderation has been completed LTS staff carry-out routine ‘spotchecks’ to ensure marks are accurately recorded and reported via e-Vision.

Marking standards and the overall quality of all degree programmes at UEA are scrutinised by experienced examiners from other institutions. Externals are experts in their field. They check and approve draft exam questions before papers are set and they review the marks of a sample of exam candidates.

External examiners look very closely at the design of coursework assessments, the quality of student work, the appropriateness of the marks awarded by UEA staff, and the application of the university’s marking criteria and report their findings on an annual basis.

In a new development in 2013-14 Schools undertook a Review of Assessment & Moderation. The purpose is to reflect upon the assessment strategies used and to identify opportunities for best practice in one course/ degree that can be shared. It also provides an opportunity to consider the processes of double-marking and internal moderation across programmes.

If students are unhappy with a mark, they can request for it to be re-marked by a different marker. They may also submit an academic appeal or an academic complaint if they believe there has been a procedural irregularity of some kind in the marking process.

These checks and balances are in place to help ensure that all parties can have confidence that marks awarded to students are fair and accurate, and that students’ achievement is properly recognised and rewarded. If you have any queries or concerns about the way that marking is conducted in your own School of Study, you can always contact your School’s Director of Teaching and Learning.

You can also get independent advice from the Union’s Advice Service www.ueastudent. com/advice If you want to ask any specific questions Neil Ward (PVC Academic) and Connor Rand UG Education Officer will be in the Hive, Union House on Tuesday 17th February from 12:00 – 14:00.

Dr Adam Longcroft Academic Director for Taught Programmes

Front page box photo credits Survey results & LGBT+ illustrations: Tom Etheridge Venue cover: Henry Boon

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Concrete welcomes all letters and emails, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Letters should be addressed to the editor-in-chief, and include contact details. All emails should be sent to concrete.editor@uea.ac.uk. We will consider anonymous publication, and reserve the right to edit for length and clarity. Anonymous article submissions are permitted. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the newspaper. No part of this newspaper may be reproduced through any means without the express permission of the editor, Geraldine Scott. Published by UUEAS Concrete Society ©2014 Concrete BMc ISSN 1351-2773

N EWS Labour pledge £6,000 fee cap Faith Rider News reporter In an exclusive interview with UEA:TV, local Labour candidate Clive Lewis has confirmed that Labour will cap tuition fees at £6,000 if elected in May 2015.

The party already intend to introduce a ‘graduate tax’ on the earnings of those who attend university, with shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna suggesting the system would be ‘fairer’ than tuition fees.

The National Union of Students has proposed an extra tax of between 0.3% and 2.5% of graduate incomes above £15,000 for a period of 20 years, with the highest earners paying the highest rates.

Labour is currently struggling to work out how to pay for the pledge it has already made to reduce university tuition fees by £3,000. The policy was announced in 2011, in an effort to win over disaffected Liberal Democrat voters angered by Nick Clegg’s reneging a pledge to

scrap fees, and signing up to Coalition plans to triple the maximum university tuition fees.

This new £6,000 cap is expected to be included in Labour’s general election manifesto, but it is not yet clear how the party plans to pay for the reductions. The cut may be financed with a corporate tax increase on banks, or with higher interest rates for betteroff students. Labour may also restrict the cut in fees to certain types of courses such as technical degrees, with other students paying the current £9,000.

Chuka Umunna said introducing a fullscale graduate tax “as soon as possible is my priority”. He believes: “In the medium term, a graduate tax is the way to go. It’s fairer, more progressive, and it’s the way to clear up the unsustainable financial mess that has been created by the current Government under their system”.

The shadow business secretary has also stated “the reason it has taken some time to finalise our policy is because the ground has moved from us on this issue”.

Get your goat, UEA, you’ve polled Amy Rust News reporter The Union of UEA Studenst got creative for National Voter Registration day with a herd of goats taking centre stage in The Square.

The ‘Goats for Votes’ drive encouraged students to register to vote in Norwich South for the upcoming general election. In exchange students were able to pet the goats, receive Goats for Votes merchandise and try some award winning local goat’s cheese.

Union officers and staff were also on hand to help students register online using iPads or

find out more information about their election choices. The goats were courtesy of Sam Stiggles, owner of Fielding Cottage, located just outside Norwich.

Student turnout in the 2010 general election was 64% in Norwich South, however nationally only 44% of those aged 18-24 voted.

The event was highly popular with crowds taking pictures with goats throughout the day.

The drive is seen as particularly important for Norwich South due to the constitunecy being a marginal seat. Fewer than 300 votes would be enough to see the current Norwich South MP, Simon Wright lose his seat to another candidate.

Full results of Concrete’s first ever Union Council survey Page 5

Council plan bus and cycle improvements Susie Smith News reporter Norfolk County Council are to spend £4m on cycle and bus routes between UEA and the city centre as part of on of the government’s “growth deals”. The money awarded to the eastern region is part of wider plans to make Norfolk and Suffolk an “economic powerhouse”.

The plans will create better ‘green’ access to the university and include quicker journeys to the city centre and “a bus interchange at the university site is a possibility” a Norfolk County Council spokesperson said.

Public transport and cycle ways are largely used by students and better access to the city will not only benefit students on campus but possible additional routes could increase access around student housing in the city.

A university spokesperson said: “We welcome the news the government has recognised the need to invest in sustainable travel in Norfolk and in particular the Norwich Research Park. The university meets regularly with Norfolk County Council, public transport operators and others who can deliver sustainable travel solutions, and this forum has already highlighted a number of areas for improvement.

“We intend to continue to work closely with Norfolk County Council to ensure the funding benefits staff, students and visitors to UEA and the wider Research Park”.

Simon Wright, the MP for Norwich South, said he was thrilled at the investment: “I’m delighted to see these plans get the go-ahead.

They represent a huge recognition by the Coalition Government of the high value of Norwich’s future”.

He added “East Anglia is finally getting the recognition it merits as a driver of growth”.

Greens’ election campaign launched Greens hint at scrap Dan Falvey News editor On Thursday 29th January, Norwich South candidate, Lesley Grahame, official launched her general election campaign at the Forum in the city centre.

Grahame is a current Norwich City councillor for the Thorpe Hamlet ward and will be fighting to become the second Green MP to be elected to the House of Commons, following Caroline Lucas’ election victory in Brighton at the last general election.

Speaking at the launch Grahame said: “We live in one fine city with a tale of two visions.

There’s Green and there’s other. Politics as usual is a financial and ecological hole which the big four parties seem determined to dig deeper. The ‘business as usual parties’ have a single issue and that single issue is any kind of growth at any cost to anyone and of course the planet”.

She went on to say: “The alternative is an evidence based, evidence seeking Green

ANALYSIS Megan Baynes analyses the Green’s launch.

W

ith less than 100 days until the UK flocks to the polls, the major parties have been battling it out for much of the last year. Last Thursday, the Green Party joined the fray. This seems

vision… It’s about aspiring to be a better society. Green values are those of caring, equality, internationalism and fairness. Those principles guide everything we do and we have the policies to make them real”.

Leader of the Green Party, Natalie Bennett, also spoke at the launch. Giving the local candidate her full support, Bennett said: “We [are lucky enough to] have the force that is Lesley Grahame who has a real history and a track record. She is a person who people know they can look at and say ‘that is a real person who can represent me’”.

While the event was well attended by members of Norwich Greens and the local press, UEA Young Greens did not make an appearance at the event. UEA Young Greens committee member, Josh Wilson said the absence of the society was down to timing issues: “The UEA Young Greens were of course invited to the campaign launch, like all local party members. However, we did not have a chance to organise to go as a group due to other pressures on the time of the committee such as the visit by Natalie Bennett”.

remarkably late for a party that is competing for one of the UK’s most precarious swing seats. With the seat held in the balance by just 0.7%, and the Greens narrowly winning the most votes in Norwich South during the local elections, it seems almost an afterthought for a party that repeatedly claims they are a force to be reckoned with.

The lack of students present from the

of £9,000 student debt Dan Falvey News editor The Green Party is a prominent supporter of free higher education and when speaking to Concrete last week, the Green Party leader, Natalie Bennett, suggested that they will announce policies which help students currently at university paying up to £9000 tuition fees: “We will be launching our manifesto in late March and it will have full details of this but it would be utterly unreasonable to have a small group who were unlucky enough to be born in the wrong year [pay £9,000 tuition fees] whereas those born in the next year are in a different situation. I think the best answer for now is to say watch this space”.

She insisted that there would be no ‘lost generation’ if her party was in power claiming that it was something she would “not allow to happen”.

UEA Young Greens is also intriguing. It feels suspicious that, in a student-dominated constituency, Norwich Green Party lacks the charisma to inspire their own student representatives into attendance.

Personalities aside, the disorganised, last-minute nature of their campaign doesn’t come across well to voters, and could seriously damage the Greens prospects.

Union news round-up Proposal to rename student union’s Ethnic Minorities Officer At this week’s meeting of the Union of UEA Students (UUEAS) Union Council, on 12th February, incumbent Ethnic Minorities Officer Freddie Redfern will propose a motion to change the name of his position to “Black Students Officer”, in line with the pattern followed by the National Union of Students. The motion, proposed jointly with Campaigns & Democracy Officer Chris Jarvis, argues that “The term ‘Black’ is political, with its origins in the anti-racist and civil rights movements… Anyone considered ‘Black’ is from African, Asian, Arab or Caribbean heritage”.

It adds: “the term, whilst acknowledging the immense diversity of Black communities, recognises the common oppression that seeks to hold back the advancement of people of African, Asian, Arab and Caribbean heritage….The term ‘Black’ should be used to empower our members in society”.

Boycott of Starbucks and Tate & Lyle products proposed Following on from a 2013 policy that prevented the Union from hosting or advertising firms that engage in tax avoidance, PSI 2nd Year rep Sam Jones is proposing a Union Council motion to boycott Starbucks and Tate & Lyle products.

The motion, which will be proposed jointly with Liberal Democrat rep Yan Malinowski at the 12th February meeting of Council, argues that Starbucks and Tate & Lyle Sugar Group avoid tax in the UK, and that: “tax avoidance is immoral as it deprives the state of democratically set revenue that could be used to fund higher education, the National Health Service, emergency services and other public services”.

If the motion is passed, all Starbucks and Tate & Lyle products – including prepackaged Starbucks iced coffee drinks, Tate & Lyle Granulated Sugar, Tate and Lyle Icing Sugar and Tate & Lyle Demerara Sugar – will be removed from the student union shop.

Proposal made to boycott Daily Star as well as The Sun Nightline rep Asia Patel, together with Campaigns & Democracy Officer Chris Jarvis, will urge Union Council at its 12th February meeting to uphold the 2013 boycott of The Sun and add The Daily Star to the boycott as well. Arguing that “the Daily Star is as problematic as the Sun and should be treated the same”, their motion notes that both newspapers publish “daily photos of topless young women” and argue that both “post controversial headlines perpetuating the oppression of mentally ill, disabled, and LGBT+ people, and ethnic minorities”.

They add: “Stocking The Sun and The Daily Star is contrary to UUEAS aims of upholding values of equality for all, and of zero tolerance of sexual harassment and sexual assault in conjunction with the currently occurring campaigns”.

Union Council is the representative body of the UUEAS. It decides policy for the union, elects members of union and university committees, holds union officers to account and raises issues of concern to students.

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Students’ union, Union Council and UEA Vice Geri Scott Editor-in-Chief An exclusive survey conducted by Concrete has found that most union councillors are leftwing, a plurality would back the Green Party at an election and nearly a third disapprove of UEA’s Vice Chancellor.

The survey was completed by 93 union councillors, around the number that usually attend council meetings. It showed that Union Council is dominated by humanities students, undergraduates and home students. On the other hand female students, medical students, postgraduates and international students are substantially under-represented on council compared to their numbers in the wider student population.

Despite women making up an estimated 58% of UEA’s student population according to UEA student statistics, they only make up 48% of Union Council. Postgraduates, meanwhile, make up only 11% of council despite constituting 21% of the student population.

International students are acutely underrepresented, with 9% of councillors coming

from an international student background compared to 21% of UEA students as a whole.

When asked about their political views, 47% of councillors identified as being either far left or centre left, 16% identified as being either far right or centre right, 13% identified as being in the political centre and 10% chose ‘other’ or ‘none of the above’. 14% did not know where to place themselves. However, one councillor felt this was not relevant as “councillors need to put students before politics!”

When it came to the 2015 general election, when don’t knows (23%) and non-voters (7%) were excluded, the Green Party attracted the support of 38% of councillors, Labour 32%, the Conservatives 15%, the Liberal Democrats 9%, Ukip 2% and Others 3%.

These results compare to an SU survey of the wider student population in late 2014, which showed the Greens winning 35% of students’ votes, Labour 28%, the Conservatives 18%, the Lib Dems 7%, Ukip 5% and Others 7%.

Councillors were asked to rate the performance of the Union of UEA Students, David Richardson, UEA’s Vice Chancellor, and

finally Union Council on a scale of one to ten, where one was terrible and ten was excellent.

Councillors have a mainly positive view of the student union, whilst responses to the Vice Chancellor were generally ambivalent.

The majority of union councillors felt that they did not know enough about what the Vice Chancellor does to comment.

Union Council’s performance divided opinions, with 40% of councillors rating council at 7-10, 34% rating at 5-6 and 27% rating at 1-4.

Councillors could also expand on their rating by commenting on why they responded the way they did. A cross-section of comments can be found below, with their ratings afterwards.

At the end of the survey, councillors could add a comment on any topic. One councillor felt that: “Neither council nor the union are generally representative, and there is also a lack of understanding amongst the student body as a whole as to how they operate”.

Another said: “If you want to know what happens in Union Council, and you don’t sit on it, you can find it out but it’s not really obvious”.

“People don’t have enough interest in Union Council and this could be because we spend so long discussing trivial matters that don’t make a real change that anyone can notice. I ask my club for their opinions or how they want me to vote and no one replies because people just aren’t interested”, another said.

However, others were more positive, with another respondent saying that “hopefully the idea that councillors are to have a proper election period will increase the involvement among next years Councillors”.

When approached for comment, UUEAS Campaigns and Democracy Officer, Chris Jarvis, said: “The results of this survey demonstrate that there are still gaps in our democratic and representative functions, but they also show that the steps we’re already taking are the right ones. This year, we have a dedicated member of staff looking at issues for postgraduates and international students for the first time, as well as a separate member of staff working with nursing students. We hope that this will improve the way in which we are able to represent those students as well as increasing engagement in all the union does”.

On UUEAS...

On the Vice Chancellor...

On Union Council...

“It’s all navel gazing, rebranding and pointless catchphrases.” [1]

“He is paid too much!” [1]

“Union Council is powerless, yet still manages to waste everyone’s time.” [1]

“Ukip-gate, poor NUS delegate elections and low council turnouts.” [2]

“Because he gets paid too much of my fucking tuition fees!” [1]

“Controlled by highly opinionated people who do not represent general student body.” [3]

“He hasn’t been responsive to student demands.” [1] “I am very disappointed with the Union this year.” [4] “It no longer seems to be led by students, and students seem to have less say in big decisions.” [4]

“Completely unaware (or am I uninformed?) of how he benefits the university!” [1] “It’s still early days, but we still haven’t divested.” [2]

“We were not consulted on the restructure. Unio is not good.” [5] “Officers need to be more visible to average students.”

[6] “Good at democracy, bad a managing and treating employees well.” [6] “The Union has a lot of good things going on, but it has some problems in terms of organisation and I feel it’s quite distant from the students - not an entity that they would ask for help with confidence.” [7]

“I am yet to hear of anything good happening that he can take credit for, but I’ve heard a fair amount of bad things issuing from his high office.” [2]

“There’s a lack of involvement among the union councillors, which is turn affects the atmosphere.” [4]

“No visible impact.” [3]

“It’s annoying that a lot of people do not show up.” [5]

“He has shown willingness to break away from the structure students are tired of seeing, but lacks support and the power to make the right changes for students.”

[3]

“Too much emphasis on hopeless, brainless left-wing causes such as ‘Free Education’, and voting on the whole takes far longer than it should. But nonetheless what Union Council has done and accomplished, and the ideas it has embraced, have been impressive.” [6]

“It’s a tough job, I wouldn’t fancy it!” [5]

“There are always some issues to smooth out, but overall things haven’t gone too badly.” [7]

“He’s barely been in office, it’s not fair to comment until he’s had some time to actually do something.” [5]

“Improvements have been made in services but not in democracy.” [7]

“I haven’t seen or heard that he’s done anything really, so I have no real opinion on him.” [5]

“For many students at UEA, the work of the Union is still very abstract and not particularly engaging.” [7]

“I don’t feel I have been personally affected by the Vice Chancellor.” [5]

“I feel that on the big things, the Union gets it right, but it can sometimes get carried away.” [7]

“I’m not really aware of what he’s been up to...” [6]

“I believe they are trying hard to make some positive changes.” [8]

“Even though Union Council’s aim is to represent the students, I feel like people’s views are often shot down by union officers. Voting is often pointless as the officers have already made up their minds and deliver such persuasive speeches that any other councillors views are made to sound wrong.” [3]

“He did offer to meet students, but I don’t agree that universities should run for business.” [6]

“Good attempt at representation, but too bureaucratic and makes decisions past its jurisdiction.” [6] “While there are moments of progress, most of what I’ve experienced at union council has been infuriating - in that a lot of what happens is dilly-dallying or baseless, tiresome accusations of misogyny (and other social justice nonsense) and the such, which really halt the democratic process in my opinion.” [6] “We try hard to change things but it is often long and confusing.” [7] “Passed some very good motions such as housing coops and sanitary towels.” [8]

“Still settling in but some early promise.” [7] “They seem to be fulfilling a lot of the propositions voted for in council.” [8] “They’re always doing a lot to support a variety of students/events.” [8]

“He seems to be trying to bring a fresh approach and engage with students.” [8]

“I think the Union does a generally sterling job” [9]

“It’s far too early to say, but I think that he has got the measure of the job, but could do more to tell us what he’s up to.” [8]

“Really impressed that the Union are finally starting to take representing postgraduate student seriously!” [10]

“Like the Queen, not many people care about what they do.” [10]

“There are always things that could go better, but for the most part there hasn’t been trouble.” [8] “I think that, despite its flaws, Union Council does good work and that the decisions it makes are the right ones.”

[8] “Really great to see so many engaged students turn up to discuss key issues.” [8] “Most of the decisions seem to be made without council, eg Unio.” [8]

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Global

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s expected, a non-centre party -– indeed a party that is for all intents and purposes a socialist one – won the recent election in Greece, defeating the incumbent New Democracy Party (equivalent to the Conservatives in the UK). Although Syriza itself is an alliance of varying leftist groups, and even a right-wing group forms part of the coalition government, it is the first time an openly anti-austerity party has won an election in Europe since 2008. Even Hollande’s France maintains a pro-EU stance despite being under the facade of Socialism.

With the economic hardships in Greece it’s no wonder that Syriza won the election.

With anti-austerity as its main policy, the party looks to offer hope to people that have suffered greatly due to the austerity policies imposed, which have reduced the Greek GDP by some $10,000 per capita. With proposals to raise the minimum wage, reinstitute benefits, and provide greater power to the unions, Syriza can seriously be considered a party for the people.

When looking at the European Union, Alexis Tsipras’ stance on anti-austerity has created a stir within the EU. Brussels has warned Greece to stick with the austerity policies. But aren’t these policies the main problem here? The massive debt that Greece has incurred (around £239bn) can’t be cured with cutting public sector jobs and reducing government spending. Once again it’s the constant repeat of bailing out the private sector while the public sector suffers. Its needs something less conservative and stagnant, it needs a change. Syriza has halted the propositions from the EU and the International Monetary Fund to increase privatisation. Surely the answer here is to have more centralised control, privatisation when a country is in enormous debt is the last thing that you want. Job creation should be the main issue here. Whether you are in debt or not shouldn’t the main priority here be what’s best for the people? The more people that are employed, the more income tax is generated, and the more public consumption exists when more people have income. All of this can be taxed, raising the funds necessary to pay Greece’s debts.

The Eurozone, in which 19 countries (including Greece) have adopted the Euro, has been in meltdown for quite a while now, in what is known as the ‘Eurozone Crisis.’

What is important to acknowledge here is that it hasn’t just been in Greece where economic problems have taken place, thanks to austerity policies. Spain is also going through a depression magnified by these policies. Italy, Portugal and Ireland among others have also suffered. One thing is for sure, austerity may reduce a deficit but it does not alleviate the societal consequences of economic damage.

Net neutrality to turn Bright-Line, says FCC chief Albert Paella Global writer The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, the US equivalent of Ofcom, revealed last week his intention to pursue stringent anti-prioritisation rules for Internet Service Providers.

In an article in Wired last Monday, Tom Wheeler outlined plans to introduce so-called ‘Bright-Line’ legislation to the Internet; a concrete set of rules dictating exactly what is meant by an open platform. His proposals, he claims, are designed to protect the Internet from threats to its founding principles for years and decades to come.

Bright-Line laws are by definition clear-

Syriza The left strikes back Cameron Sparkhall

Photo: Flickr, Martin Schulz There needs to be an alternative route when dealing with debt-ridden countries. Greece may go through with the ‘Grexit’ (leaving the Eurozone) and hopefully they do just to show how worthless and painful the austerity cuts have been for many Greek citizens. One of the main advantages of the European Union is the concept of ‘pooled sovereignty’, that members can help each other out and can stick with each other through thick and thin,.

However, the recent forceful austerity policies imposed by Brussels resembles the bullying nature that the EU has shown itself to be.

Moreover, the burden of supporting the weaker Eurozone economies falls on the strong – and in this case the strong is (as ever) Germany, whose economy is continuing to grow. Yet the Germans are growing frustrated with the constant demand for money from the IMF - and should Greece leave the Eurozone, return to the Drachma, and attempt to default on its extensive debts, they could incur the wrath of Germany and the rest of the Eurozone.

When looking at future European elections, the Syriza election could have

cut; once written, their interpretation is unambiguous and the punishment for breaking them severe. Current examples include America’s statutory rape laws, where if one party is a minor and the age difference is large enough, the other party is automatically found guilty if the sexual activity is proven.

There’s no wiggle room at all; if the criteria are met, the punishment is pre-determined.

Bright-Line is designed to send a clear signal to any would-be wrongdoers that their intentions are unjustified to the point where society has rejected any attempt at justification in advance. It’s the legal equivalent of ‘No means NO’; do not pass GO, do not collect £200, do NOT break this law and expect to get away with it, no matter how good your lawyer is.

The prospect of the imposition of such powerful legislation by the FCC is in line with President Barack Obama’s comments in November, when he called upon the Commission to implement the “strongest possible rules” to ensure the continuation of net neutrality for the benefit of the American people, millions of whom had posted on the FCC website to protest against the attack on

positive outcomes. Firstly it could advocate reform to the debt structure and how the EU will respond to it, left-wing economics could therefore take a foothold within a major international organisation. Also it could get rid of the ‘dangerous left-wing’ myth that is so prominent within the media. Mehdi Hasan published an article recently for the New Statesman saying how the media portrays the colossal fear of left-wing by using words such as ‘extreme’ or ‘radical’, he mentioned how the press covered Alexis Tsipras as a “love child of Karl Marx and Che Guevara”.

That fear is, as mentioned in the last issue, representative of a fear of change.

The Greece election result has sparked two opinions from both David Cameron and Ed Milliband. Cameron tweeted after the results that “the Greek election will increase economic uncertainty across Europe”. Economic uncertainty? The Tories are purporting the idea that through their reduction of the defecit the economy is fixed. Yet the ever increasing inequalities and povety within Britain tell a different story entirely, I suppose it’s only “economic uncertainty” when there is a

Photo: pmcvariety net neutrality by Internet Service Provider Verizon this time last year – a court case which saw two of the FCC’s three original Open Internet rules struck down, and left ISPs free to charge users varying amounts for the same data speed.

Tom Wheeler’s statement last week is a clear indication that the FCC isn’t going to let this slide. Under the organisation’s 81-year-old

different approach that benefits the many and disregards the elite’s interests. Meanwhile ‘Red Ed’ tweeted: “It is the responsibility of the British government to work with the elected government of Greece for the good of Britain and Europe and not to play politics”.

With cutting the ties of the unions, Milliband’s approach is weak and once again serves as a reminder of what a let-down the Labour Party really is: a scared party.

The main question here is will Syriza stick by their promises and will we see the emergence of true socialism? Will Syriza be unable to find the money to fund its goals and collapse? Will the Grexit happen, and if so, what will the consequences be?

98 years ago, socialism took over power in Russia. Two years later, the Fascist Party was born in Italy from socialists disgruntled with its failings. The same language is used in the media to describe ‘extreme’ left-wing parties as it is for ‘extreme’ right wing ones - either way, Greece has a real opportunity to become an example for the rest of the EU. An example of taking the risk of drastic change, and reaping the rewards.

Title II powers, it has the right to enact almost any legislation to ensure equal access to the phone lines, up to and including setting tariffs.

While Wheeler and his team are unlikely to go quite that far, the fact that he even made mention of Title II in his article, especially in the same breath as Bright-Line legislation, is a clear signal to ISPs that taking on the FCC head-to-head is a bad idea. Verizon may have won the battle, but a combination of huge public protest, perceived moral obligation and vehement presidential support of net neutrality has left the FCC with no choice but to ditch the gloves for Round Two. Wheeler has shown his full hand, and all of a sudden we’re reminded that it’s a bad idea to argue the rules with the people who make them, especially if your argument is against the spirit of the game.

It’s often claimed that big business holds the real power in the Western world, and in America in particular. But in the case of net neutrality - with the government, the regulators, the people and the legal system working together to fight for equality – it might just have bitten off more than it can chew.

COMMENT Concrete’s Election Countdown Caitlin Doherty

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ust in case you have been living under a rock or have spontaneously lost all television and Internet connection, the General Election is now less than 100 days away, and it seems politicians are straining in any way, shape or form to get their faces on TV and slogans in our heads.

It is believed that May will see one of the closest fought elections in British history; the Telegraph reports that there is less than one percentage point between Labour (33%) and the Conservatives (32%), the slow growth of Ukip and The Green Party has shaken up previous stronghold seats and Westminster Parties are still facing the repercussions of September’s Scottish Referendum. It would be foolish for anybody to try and predict what the House of Commons will look like come 8th May. Therefore, when David Cameron spontaneously announced that he wouldn’t be taking part in televised election debates, it came as a surprise not only to everybody in the House of Commons, but the rest of the country.

Had Cameron given up on a win? Given the uncertainty surrounding polling day, surely it would make sense for the PM to grab any airtime with both hands?

Cameron’s objection was the exclusion of the Green Party, whilst an invite was extended to Nigel Farage and Ukip.

However, proposals released in the last week have won over the PM, not only with the inclusion of Natalie Bennett, but with offers also given to the SNP and Plaid Cymru; Seven politicians in total.

It’s easy to see why the debates could now be considered pointless: Should the 2015 debates follow the same structure as the popular 2010 debates then in the name of equality all participants will be allowed one minute to introduce themselves at the beginning of the broadcast, and one and a half uninterrupted minutes to conclude their arguments at the end of the programme. With almost 20 minutes of a 90-minute broadcast consumed with formality how much policy discussion will we get to hear? Even if there is discussion on important issues such as the economy, welfare and the NHS, its potential merit is doubtful; with seven ego-filled podiums, grown up tantrums and a political shouting match seems inevitable.

Despite the fact that 80% of constituencies are safe seats, the debates will be of great importance in uncertain seats such as UEA’s own Norwich South. Norwich South has never been secure, regularly swinging from Labour to the Conservatives and then back again, before the student vote secured a Liberal Democrat MP in 2010. In May it’s predicted that the seat will either be retained by Labour, or, thanks to their growing popularity amongst students, provide the Green Party with their second MP. Undecided voters in uncertain areas such as this could find that one good speech from a candidate wins their vote and the party a place in Parliament.

Will these debates have any influence whatsoever on the final outcome of the election? Only time will tell.

Sam McKinty on the implications of an antiausterity regime in Greece Page 9

The true value of the Nap Nook Juliet Donaghy explains why the new nap room on campus is a fantastic and long-overdue service. s of Tuesday 3rd February, UEA is the first UK university to have an official nap room: the Nap Nook, upstairs in the union building. Yinbo Yu and Liam McCafferty proposed the project to the students’ union in response to student requests, and the project has been championed by Holly Staynor, our Welfare, Community and Diversity Officer.

Ross Hills (under the direction of Francis Ashcroft) has worked hard on the ground to create a dreamy oasis – painting the walls in soothing blue and purple tones; hanging black-out curtains, drapes and soft fairy lights; and providing comfy bean bags and mats for students to rest on.

The Nap Nook might seem silly at first, but it represents a commitment to positive change and to making our university a more accessible place. It’s great that there’s always something going on at UEA, but in a busy place like this it can be difficult to find somewhere peaceful to take a break. Students living on campus can pop back to their rooms, but for the rest of us it can be more difficult. There is strong evidence that students’ grades and well-being will benefit from the chance to take short, goodquality naps, but for students with mental and physical health conditions the Nap Nook will provide a lifeline. The calm environment is an essential space for students who need to meditate or rest a weary, aching body.

A little way into my time at UEA, I started falling asleep in my lectures. I tried taking in coffee and snacks, but nothing worked – no matter how interested I was, or how much I needed to make decent notes. I then started dropping off and missing my stops on public transport, and feeling lethargic and confused for long periods of time. At one point I was sleeping from 20:00 in the evening (not great for a social life) to midday the next day (unable to get up any earlier). After months of fruitless medical appointments and inconclusive blood tests, I was finally able to get a diagnosis: “chronic fatigue syndrome”, or “ME”. At first I wasn’t best pleased. “They have diagnosed me” I told my parents “with being tired all the time. My constant tiredness… is caused

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by constant tiredness”. However, I did get a referral to a specialist service at Bowthorpe Medical Centre, where I was assessed and advised to meet a physiotherapist for advice.

My physiotherapist was lovely, but I was sceptical about the centre’s advice for managing my condition. How could I fit meditation and nap breaks into my overloaded schedule? Nonetheless I tried to follow their guidance and take a ten-minute break every hour during the winter holidays to rest my mind and body. I was surprised to find that this enabled me to stay focused and work productively for much longer in the day. My fatigue gradually became more manageable and predictable. However, I worried this progress would be lost when I went back to uni.

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his is why I was so delighted to hear that the nap room proposal was going ahead.

I went to try out the Nap Nook the same day it opened. I thought it unlikely I would be able to fall asleep, but I was hoping for a quiet place to do my breathing exercises. It was glorious. The room uses CCTV to help users feel safe and secure, and for some reason it also smells really good. I was a bit worried at first about the white noise system used to cancel out background sound, but the gentle whoosh on the speakers reminded me of waves on a tropical beach. I lay down, did my breathing exercises and fell into sleep. I woke up naturally one minute before my phone alarm rang, feeling fresher and better rested than I had done in a long time.

The Nap Nook is wonderful, but it can’t survive without the support of UEA students.

I hope the project will be expanded in the future to provide more room and more home comforts such as soft blankets and meditation guidance. At present it’s a great resource for anyone who needs a break and a fantastic opportunity for students like me to achieve the best we can during our time at university.

Please try out the room if you think it might be helpful to you, and spread the word far and wide.

Photos: Will Cockram

UEA needs to do more for transgender students Elliot Folan Concrete columnist

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his issue of Concrete is a pertinent one for LGBT+ issues, falling as it does within LGBT+ History Month. So it seems important to draw people’s attention to a part of the LGBT community that is often forgotten and is still badly served on our campus: transgender students.

The term ‘transgender’ is a broad one that is used to refer to anyone whose self-defined gender does not match the gender they were assigned at birth. (In contrast, people whose gender does match their assigned gender are described as ‘cisgender’.) Many trans people are women and men, and use the more wellknown pronouns of ‘she/her’ and ‘he/him’.

Others – like me – are non-binary. This in itself is a broad term and non-binary people can use many different pronouns (indeed some still use he/him and she/her); personally I use ‘they/them/theirs’ pronouns.

Now, given that an estimated 3–4% of UEA students are transgender, you’d think that things would be relatively OK for us at a

university often lauded for being ‘progressive’.

That is not necessarily true, and it’s well past time for us to stop assuming that UEA is OK for everybody, because it isn’t.

Just recently, a trans woman was kept out of the women’s changing facilities in the Sportspark by a staff member who told her there were no single occupancy changing rooms – even though there were – and told her to either use the Men’s changing rooms or not bring a bag to the gym. This in itself highlights the need for university staff to be trained on transgender issues, but it is by no means an isolated example.

University staff frequently misgender me and use the wrong pronouns, as do students.

I have had abuse shouted at me and been laughed at for the simple act of walking while trans. Prejudice and ignorance are still rife, and UEA does not even officially recognise the existence of non-binary students. Most campus buildings lack gender neutral toilets, including Union House, which not only forces non binary students to misgender themselves when peeing, but also denies trans men and trans women a safe space to go to the toilet on days when they don’t feel as confident in

their gender.

So what should be done about this? Well, a start would be having some student union policy on transgender issues, but the Union of UEA Students doesn’t mention transgender students in any of its LGBT policies. This is despite the fact that trans people are significantly disadvantaged in society and that for the last three years the position of LGBT+ Officer has only ever been held by a cisgender student. In the three years I’ve been a student that lack of trans representation in policy has persistently remained.

In fact, the only policy I know of that was in any way targeted at trans students was a gender neutral toilets policy. Introduced in 2012, it is only now being implemented in time for September 2015 thanks to the work of this year’s union officers. But the fact that it has taken so long to implement such a basic requirement is a poor verdict on the student union’s priorities in the last three years.

UEA should be more active on trans rights and trans issues, and the SU should be strongly advocating for a more trans-inclusive campus. It’s time to shout louder about transgender rights.

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Comment

Is Prince Philip the best candidate for the Australian Honours?

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f you look at all the psychological profiling about bombers, they typically will look at porn. They are literally wankers. Severe onanists”: free speech at its finest.

It is reassuring to read these words from our esteemed Mayor of London, Boris Johnson. In an interview with the Sun last week (truly a newspaper of the people) Boris aired his views loud and proud about bombers and terrorists in general. Recall Theresa May’s new anti-terror powers, the mayor’s cracked the case! A quick search of citizens’ browsing history on the look out for any rudey-doody websites and hey presto!

Terrorists apprehended.

Forgive the saturated satirical cynicism, but consistently irresponsible words such as these from Johnson leave me in a state of disbelief. This is a man with great responsibilities in a public office. A man that has been tipped to be next leader of the Conservative party, and so a man that holds a high public profile. Some may view his words as just another amusing outburst from our quirky mayor (‘Boris is at it again!’...’Johnson for Prime Minister!’) but I find his superficially flippant remarks, in fact, rather calculated and damaging.

He has built his knight’s armour from a jester’s wardrobe, cladding himself in mildly-offensive-yet-quirkily-funny actions and words. It is easy to think of him as some harmless fool when chuckling to ourselves at sights of Boris stuck on a zip-wire. Let us not forget that he is a well-educated man who studied at Eton college (where he changed his name from Alex to the more eccentric Boris) and went on to read classics at Balliol College, Oxford. He was and is part of a generation of undergraduates at Oxford that have come to dominate British politics and the media today.

I am impressed by his acting capabilities and ability to navigate this media-centric society so inventively. But we must keep in mind that this is an act and Boris Johnson is playing for the long game.

Our country does not need a new era of outlandish gentrified rulers calling the shots and showering us all in verbal diarrhoea.

It is certainly not constructive to blame this radicalisation of British jihadis on the assumption they are “very badly adjusted in their relations with women”. Rather than playing up to the media exposure and adding to his wacky characterisation, Johnson could be far more productive by interacting and engaging with the wider British Muslim community; instead he is driving a wedge further into the wound, cackling as it festers.

Jodie Snow Travel editor

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Photo: Flickr, BackBoris2012 Campaign

It is dangerous to ignore politicians because they have a comedic character Sam Naylor says that we should beware the charms of the buffoons I would have no problem with his desire to act the clown if it involved dressing up like a fat hippopotamus and dancing to Kate Bush.

It would certainly add a new buzz to Saturday night entertainment on the BBC. But it is comments like this that I feel are Johnson’s method for sparking a reaction, whether it be that of disgust from people like myself or hilarity from others - neither of which are helping to find a solution to the growing recruitment of jihadis from many western countries.

Nor do I think it is simply a case of Muslim communities dealing with this burden alone.

Yes, I agree that Muslim authorities and clerics hold far more sway and influence over young Muslims than western politicians, though we should be encouraging ties between our Muslim communities and the wider population. It is on increased education and unification of cultures that we should be focussing our energies; not trivialising the radicalised or piling the pressures of this widespread issue solely on the shoulders of Muslim authorities.

Perhaps Boris could swap job roles with the Chuckle brothers? At least more would be accomplished and less offence caused.

The Church of England is slowly modernising, says Meg Bradbury he 26th January marked a historic moment for the Church of England, as the Reverend Libby Lane was consecrated as Bishop of Stockport, the first woman to be made a bishop since the denomination’s founding by Henry VIII in 1534. This was following decades of campaigning, which finally resulted in a ruling by the general synod in November 2014, giving the final seal of approval to the legislation on the ordination of female bishops that passed through Parliament earlier in the year. The service, which took place at the York Minster and was attended by more than a thousand people, was led by Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, who said that he had been “praying and working for this day” and that it was “high time we had women bishops”.

The issue of female bishops has been the subject of longstanding debate. Those who oppose the idea have argued that the Bible teaches different roles in worship to men and to women, and requires male headship in the Church; they would deem it unsuitable, for example, for Bishop Lane to have the power herself to ordain other bishops and priests.

Whilst her appointment can be viewed as a triumph for those who have fought for

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gender equality in the Church, the dispute is example, allows only baptised men to be far from over. There was an indication of this ordained in any position of authority. even during her own ordination ceremony Nevertheless, this may signify for many a when the Rev Paul Williamson stepped turning point in Christianity, not just relating forward, claiming the fact that it was “not in to gender equality, but representing a general the Bible” to be the existence of an “absolute trend towards modernisation in the Church as impediment”. a whole. It is clear that the Church of England Archbishop Sentamu responded that is not the only denomination to be taking the consecration of women as bishops was such steps; this is a role which is frequently now lawful in the eyes of the Church and accredited to Pope Francis, who, during of God, and, to the Bishop Lane’s visible his time as pontiff, has been embarking on relief, when he asked a second time there what many are calling a quiet revolution of was no opposition, and the ceremony the Roman Catholic Church. Particularly continued. However, Rev Williamson’s memorable moments of 2014 include his actions demonstrate that there is still presiding over the marriage of 20 couples at serious discord within the Church on the Vatican, including some who had been this issue, and that attitudes aren’t going cohabiting, had been previously married to change overnight. Indeed, it has now or were single parents, and his statement been 21 years since the ordination of about the theories of evolution and the Big the first female priests in 1994, but of Bang being perfectly compatible with a the nearly 8,000 Church of England belief that God created the universe. priests in the country, still only 1,781 Whilst the Church continues to are women. Similarly, there are 101 face the challenges of modernisation, Church of England male bishops, but and is likely to do so for a long time to only 30 female bishops worldwide. come, Libby Lane stands as a symbol Other denominations of Christianity to the world that it is nonetheless are even further behind; the doctrine Photo: moving in the right direction, one of the Roman Catholic Church, for Wikimedia female bishop at a time.

n Australia Day 2015, the Australian Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, awarded his nation’s highest accolade to our very own Prince Phillip. Media outlets worldwide described their shock at such a decision. The most pressing question concerning the whole event is why, in a 21st century world is one of the most powerful nations honouring a man who in 2002 visited Australia and asked a group of indigenous Australians if they “still threw spears at one another?”.

Prince Phillip is famous for his cultural faux pas during his international royal visits.

In 2003 he told the Nigerian Prime Minister at the time, who was wearing his cultural dress, that he looked like he was “ready to go to bed”. Not to mention his notorious 1986 remark to a group of British students at a Chinese university where he told them that they would go “slitty-eyed” if they stayed there any longer.

Bill Shorten, the leader of Abbott’s opposition, correctly stated that it was “anachronistic” to give their “top award to a British royal”. The obvious criticism of Abbott’s actions is that on Australia day he chooses to honour a man that seems to remember a time when the British happily colonised Australia and claimed it as a country for themselves. A more pressing concern should be the cultural impact of awarding Australia’s highest accolade to a man who has time and time again proved that he in incapable of understanding other cultures besides his own.

We appear to often excuse people of the older generation for their soft racism and bigoted remarks as they were ‘raised in a different time’. Yet in excusing them we are expecting that they do not change and continue to disrespect the people that make up our 21st century, multi-cultural society.

It is wholly concerning, therefore, why Abbott has chosen to honour Prince Phillip.

In doing so, he is worryingly perpetuating the belief that people ‘of a certain age’ do not need to learn and understand and appreciate other cultures as they were raised in a ‘different time’. It is exactly this stereotype that is upsetting. We so readily excuse people that are ‘different’ in opinions because of their age even when they target people who are ‘different’ in culture and background.

Shorten was correct when he said that Abbott was being anachronistic. Abbott has taken a huge step back in terms of 21st century racial and cultural understanding by celebrating a man who seemingly stands opposed to the cultural differences that Australia should be celebrating. The only enlightening part of the whole event is the unsurpassed criticism from the world’s media of Abbott. It is refreshing to live in a world that stands up against its political leaders.

Photo: Wikimedia, Steve Punter

Comment

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ou’ll have noticed the electoral shockwaves coming out of Greece in the past couple of weeks, and big shockwaves they are, with the election of the first radical left political party in the history of the EU. Syriza received 36.3% of the votes, causing mass celebrations from supporters all across Greece and, perhaps most gratifyingly, a congratulatory Tweet from Hugh Laurie.

For many Greeks, the changes that Syriza offer are long overdue. Gender equality, LGBT rights and an end to police brutality. Perhaps, though, the changes that will have the greatest effect on the Greek people, and the people of Europe, are Syriza’s rejection of austerity policies imposed by the European Central Bank, the IMF and the European Commission.

Syzira’s electoral win signals the failure of the country’s austerity driven economic strategy, with the party’s young leader, Alexis Tsipras, set to become the first Eurozone leader to reject austerity measures put in place to pay back a staggering £180bn EU bailout loan.

Whilst the effect of the changes for Greece will clearly be significant, it would be naïve to ignore the effect these changes will have on the rest of Europe.

With good reason, the European political forces are concerned by Syriza’s success.

Prime Minister David Cameron took to Twitter to vent: “the Greek election will increase economic uncertainty across Europe. That’s why the UK must stick to our plan, delivering security at home”. Similarly, the chief of the German Central Bank Jens Weidmann noted that “it is clear that Greece will remain dependent on support and it’s also clear that this aid will be provided only when it is in an aid programme”. Essentially, Weidmann is suggesting that Greece is still under the economic control of Europe, regardless of

Photo: Wikipedia, frangiscoDer

Sam McKinty looks into the repercussions of Syriza’s election victory in Greece Syriza’s best wishes.

It’s unlikely though that any of the semantics will affect Tsipras, who ran a campaign and won his mandate on a platform of using the threats made by European leaders in his favour. In the past week, Tsipras sat down in Brussels with all the European heavyweights,

including Cameron and Merkel, to discuss his plans for the future of Greece. With a clear mandate and a fresh victory in his pocket, he should be able to put aside any suggestion of further austerity for Greece.

Contrary to the idea that Tsipras’ calls for an end to austerity are just angry rhetoric filled

with misinformation, Stavros Drakopolous, along with many other economists, suggests that “most economists agree that the level of Greek debt is unsustainable and needs some form of renegotiation... The huge amount of debt hampers and drags on long-term economic growth that will bring a reduction in unemployment and an increase in per capita income. The need to provide debt relief, which is very likely to bring economic relief, is in the interest of the EU too”.

If the suggestion that a reduction in Greece’s debt repayments will be in the EU’s interests, then what effect will Syriza’s victory have on the other struggling european economies of Spain, Italy and Ireland? Pablo Iglesias, leader of the Podemos movement in Spain, joined Tsipras at a Syriza rally in Athens, praising the road to change that Syriza’s victory has forged across Europe.

Politicans in Ireland and Italy have also praised Tsipras’ success. Matt Carthy, an MEP in Ireland, noted that victory for Syriza could improve Ireland’s chance of obtaining a better debt deal from the EU. There can be no doubt, therefore, Alexis Tsipras’ success in leading Syriza to victory in Greece will lead to sweeping social, and economic changes across Greece. The biggest changes, though, will be the way other bailout nations will deal with austerity in the future.

Yes, it may be true to say that if you receive a loan, you should pay it back, but if it’s detrimental to a nation, and arguably the EU, then at least renegotiate the terms, much like the 1953 London Agreement, where German debt from before World War II was written off to stimulate economic growth. Germany are now the largest economy in the EU, so if the strategy clearly works, why not apply it to Greece?

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You may have ‘herd’ about the buzz happening in The Square last Thursday, you may have been there, you may have even touched a goat!

The Goats for Votes events was great! But don’t forget what it was all in aid of! Register to vote in the General Election at www.gov.uk/ register-to-vote

ueastudent.com GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES WEEK

NAPNOOK

The Napnook is now open! This is the first of it’s kind in the UK. You can book a 40 minute slot to have a quick doze and recharge your batteries, which will hopefully make your day more productive. Full details and how to book can be found at ueanapnook.org.uk

POSTGRAD REFERENDUM This week the Students’ Union called an indicative referendum of

postgraduate students on the question: “Should the Graduate Students Association become an autonomous part of the Union of UEA Students?”

The Referendum was called as part of the implementation of Policy 1602: Transforming the Graduate Student Experience at UEA passed by Union Council 30th October 2014.

All postgraduate students are invited to consider the topic and discuss the question at a General Meeting of postgraduate members in the Grad Bar, Union House from 6pm on Wednesday 11th February. This time is also the deadline to submit a nomination to lead the “Yes” or “No” campaign. To nominate yourself please email Tony Moore on anthony.moore@uea.ac.uk.

National Student Money Week

• Look out for a special drop in money advice stand in the Hive on Tuesday lunchtime. There will be loads of useful info on money matters and a Union Advice worker and a Student Financial Adviser from Dean of Students’ office on hand to answer your questions • New information on interns’ rights and the advantages and disadvantages of using companies who bundle your utility bills together • A week long competition in The Shop. Guess the price difference between 2 baskets of shopping (one branded, one own brand/value products) to win a basket of goodies.

• A Carbon Crew clothes swap event on Thursday.

An opportunity for international students and UK/ EU students interested in working overseas to find out about opportunities to work in different countries all over the world, including China, Japan, Malaysia, USA, Australia and Europe. Each day there will be ‘Job hunting in…’ session with link ups to alumni and employers. There will also be a ‘Doing business in...’ and invite SMEs and students to attend and network.

As part of the week Careers Central will also run a virtual Global Careers Fair and host the Careers using Languages fair on campus. For a full programme of events go online.

LIVE! HIGHLIGHTS > TUESDAY Damn Good presents 40s v 50s @LCR > WEDNESDAY Crown the Empire @WF Lewis Murphy @WFS > FRIDAY Propaganda @WF > SATURDAY A List @LCR Meltdown @WF / 36 Crazyfists @WF / Lola Colt @WFS FREE FILMS Tuesday Films of Culture and Liberation: LGBT HISTORY MONTH SPECIAL: Blue is the Warmest Colour starting 7pm, LT3 Sunday Box Set Marathon: Basketball Movies LT2, Starting at 12 noon

FEATURES

Joe Jameson: can just ten songs make him love Taylor Swift? Page 17

The Cumberbatch Controversy

Photo: Wikimedia; Sam Hughes. Below, Wikimedia, Nasa fter Benedict Cumberbatch’s interview on the Travis Smiley Show, the twittersphere erupted. But why? Did he confess to murder?

Shoplifting? Beating up old ladies in his spare time? No. He used the word ‘coloured’ in reference to black people. The media deemed it so controversial, the event acquired it’s own nickname, ‘coloured-gate’.

After extensive backlash, highlighting the word’s out-dated and potentially offensive nature, he made a profuse apology, calling himself an idiot and a complete fool adding: “I can only hope this incident will highlight the need for correct usage of terminology that is accurate and inoffensive”.

But, why the uproar? Well, ‘coloured’ is still considered offensive because it recalls a time when casual racism formed a part of everyday life. “[It] was used to describe anybody who was not white, which may imply that to be white is ‘normal’ or default”, says the charity Show Racism the Red Card. "If we consider it, every human has a skin colour, so technically we are all coloured”.

But those so swift to condemn should take a step back and re-examine what was actually said. Cumberbatch was arguing that black people get a raw deal in acting: “I think as far as coloured actors go it gets really difficult in the UK, and a lot of my friends have had more opportunities here [in the US] than in the UK

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Megan Baynes examines Benedict Cumberbatch’s controversial comments and looks at race in the British film industry.

and that’s something that needs to change”.

So the huge irony here is that he’s being accused of racism for actually defending black actors in an industry that still remains hugely unequal.

What makes this even more unfair is that it was not too long ago that ‘coloured’ was considered a perfectly socially acceptable term. Historically, as the Oxford English Dictionary states: “Coloured was adopted in the United States by emancipated slaves

as a term of racial pride after the end of the American Civil War”. It replaced ‘negro’, and the even more offensive ‘nigger’, terms traditionally associated with slavery.

There is even a worthy American body called the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Would those same critics dare condemn them of using out-dated terminology? In 2008 Carla Sims, communications director for the NAACP in Washington, DC, said “the term ‘coloured’ is not derogatory, [the NAACP] chose the word ‘coloured’ because it was the most positive description commonly used [in 1909, when the association was founded]. It's out-dated and antiquated but not offensive”.

To date, there has not been a movement to change the name of the organisation to use a different term. Terminology changes over time and is adapted based on cultural context and trends. In many countries across the world, the term ‘coloured’ is still considered acceptable. More confusingly, in America, black people are still referred to as ‘people of colour’, as we have heard from American playwright, novelist and critic Bonnie Greer; are we to judge her also?

Selma star, David Oyelowo has defended Cumberbatch, calling the whole affair ridiculous. “When you look at what he was actually saying it's clear that he’s a huge supporter of black performers”, Oyelowo said, speaking at the UK premiere of Selma, in which he stars as 1960s civil rights activist

Martin Luther King, Jr. “To attack him for a term, as opposed to what he was actually saying, I think is very disingenuous and is indicative of the age we live in where people are looking for sound bites as opposed to substance”. Indeed, Cumberbatch’s own apology appears to be written from a standard script, with a slight hint of despair and sarcasm suggesting the ridiculousness of the situation.

Even The Red Card, the UK’s leading anti-racism charity, said that they applauded Cumberbatch’s message to highlight Hollywood’s diversity problem, albeit whilst questioning his use of terminology.

“The lack of representation of people from black and ethnic minority backgrounds within certain industries in the UK is an issue which needs addressing”, said a spokesperson for the charity. Therefore, despite the backlash there has been a positive outcome from ‘colouredgate’, as these anti-racism organisations have been given more media attention, helping to drive support for their cause.

A cause that Cumberbatch was trying to promote in the first place. He tried to defend his black colleagues and friends, and criticise the deep-rooted inequality in the British film industry but instead, Benedict Cumberbatch has been made to grovel, profusely, to the public for forgiveness over a simple misuse of terminology.

Once again, Twitter and the rest of the media has completely missed the point.

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Features

Photo: Flickr, ronpaulrevolt2008. Below: Wikimedia, Eva Rinaldi fter Pitch Perfect actress Rebel Wilson claimed that her size is a benefit to her comedy because it’s not fun to laugh at more slim and attractive women, we have been left wondering whether this is a real and unspoken issue in our society. Wilson not only commented that being bigger is an asset, but that more attractive comedians usually “don’t have great personality anyway,” which highlights another issue of people having to hoard something other than attractiveness to make them interesting.

If we start by taking a look at the basic statistics we can see that women are already a minority in comedy, where the only big names in the UK we can think of are those women with larger frames such as Sarah Millican, Jo Brand, Miranda Hart etc. which is astonishingly fewer than the amount of male names that pop into our heads. It is true that these women all use their size to their advantage when on stage, but does that mean that they would still be funny if they didn’t and if they were socially considered as the right size? According to Rebel Wilson, yes. It seems that women can either be beautiful or funny, but not both. If a woman goes her life not getting attention through her looks, she needs something else to make her interesting which is humour, because attractive people have no need to be funny. I’m not saying the exact same thing doesn’t happen with men too, but why is it that when it’s talked about, women are the main focus? Do women need something extra to make them interesting because they are women and therefore naturally don’t live up to men?

Dawn French spoke of her weight loss after her divorce, saying that all people wanted to know was why she lost weight and how she lost weight, stating “it was as if people thought I couldn’t be funny anymore if I wasn’t fat.” However there are plenty

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Women in comedy Do big girls really do it better?

Abi Constable looks at women in comedy and whether their size really does matter.

of women in comedy who are slim and still considered funny such as Ellen DeGeneres, Aisling Bea and Katherine Ryan. However, celebrities such as Megan Fox have stated that: “Ellen DeGeneres is attractive because of her sense of humour”, so just being slim isn’t enough to qualify for a dull personality, you need to be beautiful too. However this isn’t the case for Aisling and Katherine who seems to combine both and still be found funny.

Since men are still considered the predominant gender in comedy it could be felt that women need to try harder in order to be found as funny as men and self-deprecate in order to do so. People seem to find humour in those who can take a supposed flaw and turn it into something they are proud of, and can laugh at themselves for. Rebel Wilson said “no one thinks, if you’re fat, that you’re going to be an actress and everyone’s going to love you,” suggesting that she took a so-called negative part of herself and turned it into something positive.

Another question is: if it’s funnier to laugh at larger women, then is it also funnier to laugh at larger men? There are plenty of male comedians who use their size as an asset such as Michael McIntyre and Jonah Hill. In fact, through this asset Jonah Hill became such a popular actor that he eventually ended up playing serious roles, such as Michael Finkel in the upcoming thriller True Story.

So are people taken more seriously once they are able to hone what others would see as a flaw? If so, this could either be a positive way to look at larger comedians or highlight a serious issue with perceptions in society.

Features

13 One street One afternoon

Poundlands 2 What’s the difference?

Jodie Snow and Peter Sheehan investigate.

Words by Peter Sheehan

e knew the drill. We’d clamber onto the number 35 bus, hand over half of our student loan for a return ticket to the city, then hold tight until we swung onto St Stephen’s Street.

On arrival, it was straight into QD, a temple of almost-useful products at student-friendly prices. Jam jars? Check. Curtain rails? Check.

Discount sea salt? Check.

And when we had exhausted both floors of what we were ashamed to admit was our favourite shop in the city, we’d totter across the street to Poundland to pick up anything that a 45-minute browse of QD had left us lacking.

That was when I was in first year. Halcyon days – but, alas, longer ago than I now care to discuss in anything but the most intimate company. (Let’s just say that Shake It Off was nearly half a decade away and David Cameron was still a Number Ten newbie.).

How times have changed. We no longer catch the 35 – or even the 25A – but the 26; the bus stop has moved from the top of St Stephen’s Street to just outside Debenhams; and, most arrestingly, QD has become a Poundland. Another one. Britain’s finest city is now the proud owner of two branches of the High Street’s best-known proponent of the one-price-fits-all retail experience.

Now this showers sparks to the mental touch paper of those of us with enquiring minds. How did we end up in this situation?

Is it sustainable? And just what is the difference between what we shall henceforth call the left- and right-side Poundland (facing M&S, obviously)?

Here at Concrete, we are not afraid to ask the difficult questions. And we do not shy away from putting ourselves at the coalface of investigative journalism. So with these Values at the forefront of our minds, and armed with a list of student essentials (pictured right), Jodie and I go undercover as “ordinary students” to discover the truth about the Poundlands of St Stephen’s Street.

We start with the left-side Poundland: the newer of the two and the one that, when I was a first year and Victoria was on the throne, used to be QD. It’s clean, it’s bright, and the stock is neatly laid out. We hunt about for the items on our list.

Shampoo is not hard to find. Jodie remarks that there is a “great variety”, and she’s not wrong. It’s also arranged chromatically, which makes it all look very lovely. This being Poundland, the own-brand range is the same price as your more highend fare.

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Not far off we find hair extensions, one of the more out-there items on our list.

Not necessarily the kind of things that one would consider wearing on a day-to-day basis, but useful perhaps for fancy-dress parties. Jodie’s not impressed, though: “not naturally coloured [they’re lurid pink] and embarrassingly thin” are her only thoughts.

Washing-up liquid is as bountiful as shampoo, but it seems that there is only one brand on offer. It’s a shame, but Poundland markets itself on price, not consumer choice, so I suppose we can let them get away with it.

One aisle across and we chance upon sparkly dustpans and brushes. Seriously, these would give Shirley Bassey a run for her money.

They’re certainly not what we expected to find – I can’t imagine setting out from the house saying “I’m just popping off to fetch me a bedazzlingly bright dustpan” – but they’d be undeniably good for those times when you find yourself tempted to do a little light sweeping during house parties.

Of DVDs, there are more than you can shake a stick at. That said, none of them are what one could reasonably call recent releases. Over to Jodie: “It’s all well and good if straight-to-DVD sequels are your thing.

And if you like watching England win an old World Cup”.

We are quickly realising that Poundland doesn’t give a monkeys for arranging its products thematically. Power tools are opposite scented candles. Bike stuff is next to kitchen stuff. The layout is “eclectic and funky”, notes Jodie, and we agree that it makes for a more spontaneous shopping experience.

There are some intriguing placement choices, though. Condoms are scarcely six inches away from pregnancy tests. Does this boost condom sales, we wonder, or does it reflect poorly on the condoms’ ability to do their job?

Having ticked off a few more products, we stumble across the perfume section. Yes, that’s right. Perfume for £1.00. The men’s is Umbro – not a brand I’d customarily associate with the cologne market but, then again, not something that I won’t try once.

It smells ungodly. This isn’t just bad, this is a level of badness so base and intense and that no self-respecting human person should wear it. Ever. UEA: you have been warned.

Ten minutes or so later, we make it to the food section. And Jodie’s impressed. “You could easily do a decent shop here”, she says as she turns over a packet of cookies with an enquiring hand. They don’t have meat or vegetables – nothing, in short, with a use-by date this side of next weekend – but there’s

pretty much everything else besides.

Before leaving, we discuss our impressions of the left-side Poundland.

We are both much taken with the variety of goods on offer, even if not everything is quite to our taste. Browsing is easy; you find a lot you didn’t know you wanted (nasal hair removal kit, anyone?); and the selection is good. As we queue to pay – I’ve taken the opportunity to buy some much-needed household goods – Jodie provides a neat precis: “A trip to Poundland”, she observes, “is a must for anyone who aspires to be a hygienic, well-equipped, card-giving person”.

And she is delighted by the range of batteries on offer.

We are about to leave for the second Poundland when I am gripped by the spirit of investigative journalism. Chatting away next to the tills is Emma, who seems to work here: I ask her why Norwich has two Poundlands.

“It has four!” she tells me. Wow. This is more than either Jodie or I can handle, and definitely outside the scope of this article.

(That said, if anyone has experience of the other two, please do drop by the media office and we can talk about them over cocktails.)

I ask specifically about the St Stephen’s Street Poundlands. The right-side one, she says, was going to close. “After QD shut this shop was gonna become a 99p store, but that fell through. Then Poundland took it over. The old one was meant to close before Christmas; now they say it’ll close by April.

But who knows?

“They both make loads of money, though.

You wouldn’t have thought it, but they do.

This one has better stock. And better staff.

Tell them that when you go over”. Jodie and I make ready to see for ourselves. he right-side Poundland is not as well kept as its newer, brighter sibling. The floors are grimier and Jodie is convinced that the “air is dirtier”. That said, she says that “this is the seedy under-belly of Norwich – and I like it”. Clearly she’s never been to Mile Cross.

T Photos: Peter Sheehan

Continued on page 15

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Feat

W Peter Sheehan introduces Concrete’s special LGBT+ feature and says that LGBT+ History Month is a time for celebration and instrospection.

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here are a lot of campaigns that have an angle, that examine a specific part of being any and all things L,G,B,T and plus in 21st-century Britain. What is your relationship with your family like? How much better is it now compared to 50 years ago? How can we help people who do not enjoy good mental health? These all have their place. There are wrongs that need to be righted and things that need to be said.

LGBT+ History Month – otherwise known as February – is a time to campaign, but it is also a time to record. And there are as many stories about LGBT+ people as there are LGBT+ people to tell them. So we wanted to try something slightly different. We gave no theme, no stimulus. We did not try to create a targeted message. We asked people to say what they wanted. Uplifting, upsetting, direct or profound: what you read on these two pages are the messages that our writers wanted to share with you. Short though they be, we hope that these four articles prove thought provoking.

For my part, I find LGBT+ History Month to be oddly named. There is a lot of the past that needs to be shared in the present, particularly when it was originally hidden from view. But we are still living in LGBT+ history. It has become almost trite to remark that much still needs to be done to advance rights for LGBT+ people, but that is because it is very true. Gay marriage was a prominent example of immense progress, yet it is often in the smaller things – the often still-hidden things – that we need to affect change. It is within families, on playgrounds, in bars and at office desks that the progressive spirit of much of what is now law must be felt.

The heightened prevalence of depression, substance abuse, self-harm and suicide among LGBT+ people – and particularly among transgender people – speaks of a community that is often ill at ease with itself and of people who do not like who they are. This would not be the case in a world where sexuality and gender were not the divisive issues that they very much can be. LGBT+ history is happening now, and it is still largely hidden. It is what makes this month an eclectic mix of looking forward and looking back, of celebration and introspection.

That said, one should never forget to celebrate. People are increasingly uninterested in the sexuality and gender of others. And in instances where they are, it is in an evermore supportive way. LGBT+ people are visible to an extent that would have been unthinkable even when I was born, and it is fitting that we remember those who have done so much to create the world as it is today.

Events such as pride marches make queerness fun.

Media personalities such as Sandi Toksvig, Tom Ford and Laverne Cox provide inspiration and assurance for people far from metropolitan laissez-faire. And the arrival of Pope Francis at the Vatican has forced cracks, however small, in the age-old and otherwise adamantine conservatism of the Catholic Church.

Change can come slowly or it can come quickly; it doesn’t always come when we expect it. And each LGBT+ History Month, I remind myself that a stonking good knees up can often be the best way to make it happen.

All photos Wikimedia. Sandi Toksvig: stan_was.

Tom Ford: Nicogenin. Laverne Cox: Sachyn Mital

hen Tom Daley came out via a YouTube video in 2013, a lot of the comments I saw on social media were along the lines of: “It’s 2013: why is this news?” This reaction wasn’t unique to Daley. The same question is still asked even two years later, and I can’t help wondering why people view coming out stories as being behind the times.

Before I came out to my family and friends I spent hours on YouTube watching other people sharing their coming out experiences. Seeing people I could relate to, speaking about things I was worried about and feelings I was experiencing was a huge comfort in a time where I really needed the reassurance.

Coming out is often so much more than telling your friends and family about your sexuality or gender. It’s about accepting yourself, and coming to a point where you feel safe and relaxed enough to share a part of your identity with other people whom you may have felt inclined to hide it from before. Coming out can be a very freeing experience, but it can also be incredibly scary. That’s something that shouldn’t be looked at lightly.

So don’t diminish coming out stories. They may seem unnecessary to some people, but they could reach people going through the same thing in an environment that is unsafe or unstable. They offer a huge comfort, a message of “you’re not alone”. It may be 2015, but the world is still a very turbulent place for the LGBT+ community and many people aren’t in environments where they feel safe to fully be themselves. Celebrate coming out stories, support them and keep spreading them. You never know who they’re going to reach. Bronia McGregor

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LGBT+ Hist

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eople act like discovering your sexuality is just a sudden realisation. They act like coming out is a onetime thing. Maybe for some people, that’s the case – but not for me. I realised I was asexual at 15 and realised I definitely still wanted non-sexual romantic relationships not much after that. Two and a half years later, I learned I wasn’t all that picky on the gender of said romantic partner. And I’m still not sure I’m done learning.

My coming out has been similar: constant and on-going.

It’s not a matter of saying it once and it being over with: every time you meet a new person and sexuality comes up, you come out all over again. My best friend found out about my sexual orientation as I did; we’ve always been the type to share every observation. My sister I told, the rest of my family worked it out – slowly, and not entirely.

It’d be easier, I guess, if I had a specific and well-known label I could slap onto myself. If coming out didn’t involve explaining what “asexual” even means, and then muddling through the explanation of my romantic orientation. But if I’m right, if it’s a learning curve, then I’ll get there in the end. Amelia Morris

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s gay people, we go through a lot. All of us have experienced some sort of adversity in our lives. A great deal of us will have been bullied in the past for who we are, and for some, even coming out to those that we love the most will have been a hard thing to go through.

I don’t think people realize just how strong and brave we really are.

Luckily for me, my friends and family couldn’t have been more accepting; but I have been bullied in the past.

I walk with quite a bit of sass as many of my friends will tell you. However, there is always still a part inside of me that worries. It is a part that is constantly aware of who is around me. Are there people who are going to say something? It is hard to always feel like you have to be on guard; yet I still carry on with my head held high, strutting my stuff each day.

I do this because the gay community inspires me to.

It has taught me not to care what other people think.

The immense sense of pride within me gives me the fight to embrace who I am and carry on as the camp, flamboyant and fierce boy that I am. It is something that I have learnt to do as I’ve got older, and it is because of those that are LGBT+. We are a group of people that are strong and resilient. Through hardship, we persevere, and I am truly proud of all of us – and proud to say that I am gay. Daniel Finch Photo: Flickr, See-ming Lee

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tory Month

15 COMMENT Luke Parkes looks at the hunt for the ‘gay gene’ and the implications that it has for LGBT+ rights.

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exual orientation is a widely debated topic throughout all cultures and nationalities around the world. Many people have strong opinions regarding their own views on it. Here in the UK, homosexuality is accepted by most people and is often a celebrated part of society. Most people have friends that are gay or know of people that are gay. However, despite this acceptance I feel that there is a long way to go in terms of gay rights.

So how does this all link in with there being a possible ‘gay gene’? If there is a genetic basis to sexual orientation then it gives us evidence that being gay is biologically determined rather than a lifestyle choice. It erodes the notion that being gay is a conscious choice. I really feel that this would be another huge step forward in tackling discrimination and prejudice against the LGBT+ community. Currently, being homosexual is still criminalised and punishable by death in some countries and some religious groups still believe that it is possible to ‘treat’ gay people and turn them straight. Evidence for a genetic basis to sexuality would help to change these views and hopefully make the world a safer and more inclusive place for LGBT+ people.

So is there actually any research out there that suggests a possible genetic basis for sexual orientation?

One of the first papers that looked into the issue was a study that looked at gay brothers. It was a pioneering study, and it is still used a lot today when looking at the topic of male sexual orientation. This study demonstrated a higher incidence of gay brothers amongst twins in comparison to non-twin brothers.

Concrete goes to Poundland Continued from page 13 We quickly realise that much of the stock is the same. Toothpaste, detergent, condoms.

This Poundland, however, augments the sex selection with a vibrating cock ring. I fear that we spend longer contemplating this item than is strictly necessary. It claims to vibrate for up to 20 minutes, which Jodie finds a little excessive, and purports to be fashioned from the “highest advanced European technology”. Well quite.

And all for £1.00! Jodie notes that this should be the Poundland of choice for friskier students.

More DVDs lurk around the corner. Many are the same as before – Poundland must be the only place in the county that takes Peter Kay’s back catalogue so seriously – but this one has the addition of the Sascha BaronCohen collection which, as Jodie quite rightly points out, is “exciting news for everyone involved”. We also uncover the Pussycat Dolls Workout 2, a welcome find for anyone who thought that their putative first foray into the world of fitness videos wasn’t quite enough.

The food selection, like that of the rest of the shop, is more limited than that over the road, but there are still some stand-out features. The Cadbury corner is a “delight” for Jodie, and she trills that the tinned area is “fab!”

This Poundland also appears to have put more effort into its seasonal offerings.

There is an entire stretch of shelving devoted to Valentine’s Day: a broadside of pink that sits incongrously next to the garden tools and hosepipe accessories. The sex theme continues: so-called love cuffs present to the budget shopper the opportunity to tether their lover to the bedstead with loudly coloured fluff. Jodie notes that, beneath this raunchy offering, was a pair of pink handcuffs: “something for the not so adventurous”, suggests Jodie.

Because twins have exactly the same genes as each other, this study therefore showed that there may be a genetic basis to male sexual orientation.

Another study was also recently carried out which involved taking DNA samples from gay men to try to identify specific ‘gay genes’. This study managed to find a couple of areas on chromosomes that showed possible areas where these genes could be located. What was interesting is that these areas contained genes that are often involved with social-sexual behaviours and for making hormones that are involved in mediating social behaviour. This is interesting because these fit well with the concept of sexual orientation.

Whilst I think it is great that these studies have shown that genetics do seem to play a role in determining sexual orientation, there are possible repercussions. Some people may begin to think of homosexuality as a biological abnormality due to a ‘faulty’ gene. People may even try to think of ways of ‘fixing’ this gene in an attempt to turn people straight.

An even more extreme concept is that people may abort their children if their genes showed that they might be gay. Whilst these are all quite extreme views, it is important to bear them in mind.

At the end of the day it is important to remember that sexual orientation is complex, and that it depends on multiple factors. Even if further studies to go on to find specific genes related to sexual orientation they are likely to only have a small effect on determining sexual orientation by themselves. The causes of sexual orientation are bound to be complex but these studies have allowed us to gain a further insight into sexual orientation and the genes that make us who we are.

Image: Wikimedia, Apers0n

Just in front of the checkouts is what we can only describe as the hen party section. Pink feather boas, a selection of “luxury” wigs – assuming that your idea of luxury is looking like special musical guest Cher circa 1998 – and plastic shot glasses attached to lurid necklaces.

In short, everything that you could possibly need for a memorable night out with the cast of Towie. Reem. he right-side Poundland, we conclude, is for your essentials: hit after hit of the fundamentals.But if you have the time to browse and try out some previously undiscovered products, the newer, flashier, left-side Poundland is for you.

It has been an interesting afternoon.

Norwich, it would appear, is perfectly capable of sustaining four branches of Poundland, two of which sit directly opposite each other and all of which, so it would appear, are profitable. Quite what this tells us about the city we can’t tell. That we leave to greater minds than ours. For now, we retire with our £1.00 purchases, thankful that the gods of discount shopping for the numerically challenged smile so warmly on Norfolk.

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Photos: Peter Sheehan

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Features

Photo: Flickr; jeepersmedia. Below: Wikimedia, Evan-Amos

Sexforbreakfast

Daytime TV gets down and dirty Features editor, Courtney Pochin, discusses the Fifty Shadesinspired television segment that had chins wagging across the nation and investigates why it’s caused so much trouble. iewers of This Morning up and down the country got to see a lot more than they bargained for when they tuned in to ITV to watch the popular daytime television show on Tuesday morning, as they ran a special feature called “Bondage for Beginners” which was intended to tie in with the impending cinematic release of Fifty Shades of Grey.

The segment saw relationship and sex expert Annabelle Knight; give presenters Phillip Schofield and Christine Bleakley a lesson on introducing a little ‘kinky fun’ into the bedroom. Knight proceeded to bring out a range of items, including blindfolds, a collar/leash and a crystal body wand, the uses of which were then demonstrated by two scantily clad models on a bed elsewhere in the studio and reviewed by three random members of the public who have since been affectionately dubbed the “ladies of leather”.

Reports have shown that so far over 70 complaints have been made about the segment (which is the second questionable item aired on the show in the space of a month, following their testing of vagina facials two weeks ago); with the majority claiming that the feature was inappropriate for morning viewing, as it was aired between 10:00 and 11:00.

As you would expect the internet lost its marbles, as members of the public took to Twitter to share their opinions on the raunchy feature. Lucy Hannah (@BartonLucex) posed the important question “how is that legal at 10:00am?” while Adam Brooks (@EssexPR) said “just spat out my tea”.

However not everyone was as unimpressed by the early morning sexcapades; Claire Gresty M (@clairegmccleary) thinks that “kids see hell of a lot more on pop videos, [it] was just a bit of fun” and continued on to suggest that Schofield or resident This Morning chef Gino D’Acampo, should have been the ones to demonstrate the proper use of the products.

An ITV spokesman has since released a statement saying

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that “This Morning is a lifestyle programme that covers a diverse range of human interest topics. The programme has dealt with advice on sexual matters many times in the past, and a suitable announcement was given at the start”.

Similarly, Phillip Schofield took to social media to share his views on the whole debacle, “the show has been doing these sort of items (along with more serious & less frivolous issues) since it started!” He then proceeded to highlight the ridiculousness of the debate by posting an article from the Daily Mail, who claimed to be outraged by the TV segment yet still posted several pictures of the bondage lesson.

The show’s website page which featured clips from this episode also revealed several interesting figures taken from an Ann Summers survey (so obviously a completely, utterly, 100% non-biased source) about Fifty Shades of Grey and relationships, including the finding that 85% of women relate more to the dominant Christian Grey than the submissive protagonist Anastasia Steele and 81% of women are more likely to encourage experimentation within their relationship.

Presumably ITV thought that this information, plus the popularity of Fifty Shades, which has currently pre-sold more than 500,000 movie tickets across the UK, France, Australia and New Zeland, was justification enough to provide viewers with such unusual early morning content.

It can’t be denied that the topic is of great interest across the world at the moment. EL James’ crazily successful Twilight fanfiction has had everyone in a tizzy, but does this mean that it’s ok to shove it in our faces between episodes of Jeremy Kyle and Loose Women? As Knight points out during the show, matters of bondage and BDSM are about trust and thus are very private and personal. Which is the main reason why talking about it on national television was always bound to cause so much trouble. We’re not used to discussing these things so openly, especially not at home at 10:00 in the morning with other people (possibly parents or children)

around us.

After watching the show back, it is clear to see where the real problem with the segment lies, which is with the overly keen looking couple showcasing the sex toys. The pair are cringeworthy at best and put an uncomfortable spin on what starts off as a perfectly reasonable attempt at giving alternative lifestyle advice, which is what it seems the show was aiming to do. Knight’s tips weren’t wholly different from those you might see if you leaf through the pages of a recent issue of Cosmo, or even if you look back at the annual sex issue of Concrete. But these are places where it is deemed acceptable to talk about sexual experimentation, places where you can look at images of couples in their underwear and not feel uncomfortable, because it’s ‘normal’ for them to be there and you expect to see it on their pages.

You don’t expect to see these images on daytime television and you certainly don’t expect to watch Phillip Schofield hanging nipple clamps from his ears gleefully. But if you were watching on Tuesday that’s exactly what you saw. Maybe you were interested, maybe you learnt something, or perhaps you instantly changed the channel, but either way this happened and evidently the people of This Morning regret nothing.

Features he recent announcement that Radio 1’s Big Weekend will be held at Norwich’s Eaton Park this May is, I was informed, big news.

I myself was somewhat bemused by this information, being rather engrossed in my paper when my housemate burst into my room clammering about Taylor Swift being the first confirmed headline act at this gathering.

Upon my arrival at the UEA Media Collective office the same day, I was told by many excited members of Concrete’s editorial team that Ms Swift’s arrival was the best thing since sliced bread. Again, I was somewhat nonplussed, having personally always thought that the best thing since sliced bread was probably my 12th birthday when I was given a Playstation 2.

In order to fend off my colleagues’ overly zealous proclamations of their love for Ms Swift’s music, I simply explained that I hadn’t really heard that much by her, and that hers wasn’t really my kind of music. I was reprimanded for spouting “heresy” and was told to return only when I had acquainted myself with Swift’s material.

So it would appear that I am on a journey to discover just what it is that I’m missing, culturally, emotionally and possibly, spiritually.

In order to understand my position of ambivalence, the only live music event which I have attended – aside from my brief spell as the lead vocalist of a five piece band at college called Playground Fire – was one of Kraftwerk’s Catalogue performances at the Tate Modern back in February 2013, which for many demonstrates my somewhat ‘niche’ music taste.

It wasn’t long before I realised that I would need to talk to an expert. Fortunately, my housemates are committed Swifties and the moment I mentioned the words “playlist” and “Taylor Swift” in the same sentence I knew that I’d come to the right people. I was soon presented with a ten-track playlist so, without further ado, I plugged in my headphones and hit play...

T

17

DISCOVERING

TAYLOR

Joe Jameson: can he learn to love T-Swizzle?

MS

You Belong With Me Fearless 2008

Track four harks back to the country feel of the first album, but insists that this is a pop song; we’re talking about high-school love, here! The story which the song conveys is actually a little sad, but then again, Taylor does seem to be employing somewhat underhand tactics in order to get her crush to leave his girlfriend.

Mine

Speak Now 2010 Track five and we’re already on album number three. Meg explained it’s “more grown up, less teenager-y”, which I really hope is the case – listening to all this teen-pop is beginning to feel a bit weird. However, Meg then said that this and her lastest album are interchangeable, theme and style wise. Great.

Mean

Speak Now 2010

Joe Jameson doesn’t like Taylor Swift. Shocking, we know. But now that the First Lady of pop is coming to Norfolk, he sees whether ten songs are enough to make him love Ms Swift.

Picture To Burn

Sticking with the ‘punchy’ use of single word track names, Mean is next up. Again really strong throw backs to her country roots, which results in a very questionable blend of country and pop.

We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together Red 2012

Ah, now, this is actually the first track on this playlist which I can consciously remember having heard before. Apparently the album is a bit of collection of styles, which I think this song shows. As for what she is trying to say in the song, I’m completely lost.

Taylor Swift 2006

All Too Well

The first track was released on Taylor’s first album when she was only 16, which you have to agree is impressive. However, my in-house ‘expert’ Meg Bradbury said that she wanted to “apologise on behalf of Ms Swift for the first track, which even I agree is ridiculous”. I don’t blame her, it’s certainly not what I was expecting, the banjo in the background was a surprise is all I’ll say.

Red 2012

Staying with Red, track eight again confirms a stylistic change, from Taylor, however it seems that it worked, as Meg states that she performed with Ed Sheeran, and Gary Lightbody, from Snow Patrol. It’s a bit too ballad-y for my liking: John Farnham is the king of ballards – back off Taylor.

I’m Only Me When I’m With You

Out Of The Woods

Taylor Swift 2006

1989 2014

Our next track is again from her first album, which I’m already beginning to understand is somewhat different to what one usually hears on the radio. Without wishing to be rude, I must express my dismay, as I can’t really think of any reason why this track would stand out from the swaths of similar midnoughties pop, however maybe that’s the point. Meg commented that the album did get a “very good critical reception”. Still, it’s no Dark Side of the Moon, is it?

We’ve reached her latest album, and the one which I’ve heard the most of. It is obvious that the transition has been made from country-pop. Personally, I think it suits Taylor more but then I did just say that I preferred You’re the Voice, so who am I to say?

Blank Space 1989 2014

Now, I actually quite like this track. Meg claims that the track is a parody of her portrayal in the media, which is very clever, good on you Taylor! It’s certainly very catchy, and the video is particularly well put together.

Love Story

Fearless 2008 That “very good critical reception” translated into a second album, which is where our next track comes from. According to my handout, this album starts to build on some recurring themes such as “kissing in the rain and stuff about fairy tales”, whilst Meg claims that “Everything in her life appears to happen at 02:00”, I would not recommend this as a stable sleep pattern.

All album covers from Wikimedia Main photo: Wikimedia, Jana Zills

So that’s it, five albums and eight years in ten tracks. I can’t say that my horizons have been broadened, but I have gained a better insight into Taylor Swift, and just why so many people are rather fond of her work.

18

Science&Environment

fat tissue UK economy is paying the price Healthy may help reverse for environmental deterioration type 2 diabetes Elliott Chapman Science&Environment writer

Marta Catalano Science&Environment writer Last January, The Natural Capital Committee (NCC) published a report warning that the UK’s wellbeing and economy is paying the price for a decline in natural environment.

In 2011, the coalition government set up the NCC to investigate the role natural environment plays in the country and what parts of the natural world are used unsustainably, in order to urge the government and corporate organisations to take measures for its protection.

Taking into consideration recent studies, on 27th January, the NCC published a series of reports urging the next government to think seriously about the status of natural capital. According to them, clean air, water, and recreational spaces are all “in long-term decline” and for this, long-term solutions are needed. The situation can only get worse if one takes into consideration the prospect of a growing population, which puts further pressures on the already precarious conditions of the environment.

As a solution, the report calls for a 25-year strategy that aims at protecting and improving the conditions of England’s natural capital and shows how this could benefit the country from an economic perspective too. The report indeed estimates that peatland restoration on around 140,000 hectares in upland areas would contribute net benefits of £570 m over 40 years in carbon value alone, and it can also improve the quality of water, recreation, and wildlife.

Neglecting the natural environment is costing us dearly, in many ways. The report suggests that pollution negatively influences productivity and causes around 40,000 premature deaths every year. High figures like this, and also health costs, could be reduced by cleaning up the air. Floods could be eased by establishing new wetlands, and greener

Photo: Flickr: ukgardenphotos urban areas could improve the quality of peoples’ lives.

The director of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), Martin Harper, spoke in favour of the report: “nature is priceless,” he said “but we agree you can’t make good economic decisions without taking nature into account. Not only does the report demonstrate how habitat restoration will enhance our wellbeing and prosperity, it shows that ambitious plans to restore the UK’s woods, peatlands, forests and coastlines also

make good economic sense”.

The NCC report indicates that there are (and should be) strong economic motivations to include environmental policies in the Government’s plans. Ultimately, both economic and natural capital are inseparable from one another, and they are both fundamental ingredients to the wellbeing of a country. If welfare is “a must” in a Government’s agenda, much more attention should be given to environmental policies, which have to be regarded as fundamental parts of their plan.

Scotland declares indefinite fracking ban Louise Fitzgerald Science&Environment writer Scotland recently declared an indefinite ban on fracking. The moratorium applies to all planning consents for unconventional oil and gas extraction north of the border and includes fracking for shale gas. The announcement by the Scottish National Party came just two days after MPs in the House of Commons overwhelmingly rejected an amendment calling for a suspension on fracking by 308 votes to 52.

Energy Minister, Fergus Ewing, has called for a national debate which will include a public consultation on the extraction of shale gas and an environmental impact assessment.

The moratorium is expected to last until the end of the public consultation period which is likely to begin within the next two months.

Public opposition to fracking in Scotland is strong after the issue gained lots of attention during the referendum campaign.

The number of organised opposition groups

Researchers from Melbourne’s Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, and the RIKEN Institute in Japan have found they are able to “reverse” type 2 diabetes by lowering the inflammatory response that occurs in fat tissue.

The researchers, led by Dr Vasanthakumar, found regulatory T-cells (specialised immune cells also known as Tregs) help in maintaining insulin sensitivity and controlling inflammation in fat tissue. Tregs prevent immune response from getting too high and attacking the body’s tissue. In diseases like diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis the Treg numbers are reduced.

Type 2 diabetes results in decreased insulin sensitivity, meaning cells are less able to take up glucose from the bloodstream because cells no longer respond to the same levels of insulin. This is thought to be caused by low-level inflammation of fat tissue in obese people.

Fat tissue has been found to have its own type of Tregs that are lost when a person becomes obese. Furthermore fat tissue of obese people has a lower number of Tregs that leads to increased inflammation. This increased inflammation leads to insulin resistance and high blood glucose, both of which are symptoms of type 2 diabetes.

The discovery of IL-33, a hormone that boosts Treg populations in fat tissue has led to promise in treating type 2 diabetes. IL-33 returns the Treg levels of fat tissues treated with it to normal levels, reducing inflammation and lowering blood glucose levels. This was found to stop development of type 2 diabetes or even reverse it in preclinical models.

Dr Kallies, one of the lead researchers, highlighted the importance of ‘healthy’ fat tissue in maintaining health. “We can no longer think of fat tissue simply as energy storage...

Fat tissue is increasingly being recognised as a crucial organ that releases hormones and regulates development. Keeping our fat tissue healthy is important for our general wellbeing”.

Three million people have diabetes in the UK with 90% of those thought to be suffering from type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is thought to be connected to a number of risk factors including age, weight and diet.

Currently there is no cure for diabetes, and there can be a number of life threatening complications that come from the long-term effects of the illness. From this research it is hopeful treatments that mimic IL-33 could reduce obesity-related inflammation and type 2 diabetes.

Photo: Flickr: Ric Lander grew significantly within the last six months with many groups forming around the Grangemouth plant where Ineos (who hold Scotland’s only fracking license) are based.

Scotland is not the only country to intervene to stop the unconventional gas industry; similar bans have been implemented in France, Ireland, the Netherlands and New York State.

But what is fracking? Fracking is the process by which a high-pressure water mixture is directed into drilled rock to release the gas inside.

While there are not any significant technological barriers to the development of fracking in Scotland, there are environmental and public health concerns. Fracking uses huge amounts of water and it is thought that potential carcinogens could escape and contaminate groundwater around the fracking site.

Although fracking remains controversial, it could provide great benefits in terms of UK energy security, as shale gas is currently imported from the USA to the Grangemouth plant.

Photo: Flickr: Victor

Science&Environment Probiotics may be the key to curing peanut allergies Francesca Burns Science&Environment writer Researchers in Melbourne, Australia, have conducted ground-breaking research which may result in a cure for peanut allergies.

The research from the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute will be welcomed by the approximately 500,000 UK peanut allergy sufferers for its potentially life-changing effects. Sufferers of the allergy have to be constantly aware of what they are eating and the persistent worry can be arduous for some.

A group of children were given an increasing amount of peanut flour over an 18 month period. As well as peanut flour the subjects were also given a probiotic called Lactobacillus rhamnosus. Probiotics are living

bacteria found in yoghurt-based products which usually stimulate health benefits, especially in the digestive system. Each day, the group collectively took as many probiotics as is found in 20 kg of yoghurt.

The group selected were those who suffered less severe reactions such as vomiting and hives. Around 80% of the test subjects found they were able to tolerate peanuts by the end of the study. Most of the participants are now able to introduce a selection of peanut based products into their diet.

Lead researcher Mimi Tang stated: “We focused on peanut allergy because it is usually

80%

The percentage of test subjects who found they could tolerate peanuts by the end of the study

life-long and it is the most common cause of death from food anaphylaxis”.

Further research is still needed to confirm the longevity of the findings. Researchers are hoping to test the children in the future to ascertain whether there are any long term effects. Hopefully this is a significant step forward in the search for allergy cures.

19 What’s new in science?

New research suggests that an existing drug could dramatically reduce the impact of strokes.

Scientists have found a protein in the naked mole rat that may help explain its unique ability to ward off cancer.

Plant biologists have found that drought tolerance in plants can be improved by using an agrochemical already in use.

A new study shows that pigeons show similar mechanisms of learning to children.

Planetary scientists have calculated that there are hundreds of billions of Earth-like planets in our galaxy which might support life.

Researchers have developed a low-cost smartphone accessory that can simultaneously detect HIV and syphilis biomarkers in 15 minutes.

Scientists working on the Planck satellite say the first stars arose more than 100 million years later than previously believed.

Researchers have discovered a new structural variation of carbon called “pentagraphene”.

MPs have voted in favour of three-parent babies with DNA from two women and one man – allowing avoidance of mitochondrial disease.

Obama hopes to increase Nasa funding by $519m.

Scientists have found that listening to icebergs could help to assess glacier melt.

Photo: Flickr, US Dept of Agriculture

Tiny biodegradable microstructures have been developed to target heart tissue damaged by heart attacks, which may aid repair and prevent heart failure.

Photos: top: Wikimedia, Andreas Trepte; bottom: Wikimedia, Brocken Inaglor

20

Travel

Photo: Doug8888. Below: Wikimedia, Nico Kaiser

Experiencing ‘slum-tourism’ first hand S

lum tourism – there’s something about those two words put together that feels wrong. Tourism inevitably makes money, obviously, but is it wrong to make money out of areas that are themselves impoverished? Perhaps the most important question is where that money is going – does it benefit the slum, or does it simply put money back in to a system that helped to create the slums in the first place? I asked myself all of these questions last summer, when I was working in Rio de Janeiro as an English teacher. It was a completely different experience for me, and because I was living with two locals I was lucky enough to be able to gain a lot of insight from them. Rio is notorious for it’s hillside slums, that go by the name of favelas, but it never occurred to me that there was such a focus on making money out of favela tours until I arrived in Rio. The city gained a lot of recognition during the last summer because of the World Cup. It was hard to digest the fact that a city with such high levels of poverty could host an event that would see such extortionate amounts of money being spent. I was aware of all this during my stay in Brazil, and spoke to many people who had completely varying viewpoints. Some thought it was great for the city, to get coverage on a sport that it is world famous for, and for the benefits of the tourism

Dahalia Al-Abdullah describes her visit to the favelas of Rio De Janeiro.

on the economy. Others were angry, and saw it as a completely uneven value of priorities for the city. How could the government even consider putting anything before helping to improve the slums themselves?

My hosts in Rio mentioned that some favelas were using tourism as a beneficial way of bringing money in to the favela. They took me with them to visit one of the famous samba schools of Rio called Manguiera, one that used all its funds to help build new homes and schools for the favela of the same name. All the workers in the samba school were from the surrounding favela, the tourism that the samba school had brought was beneficial because it gave them their jobs and provided them with money. It seemed of even greater worth that the samba school was drawing people’s attention to the favela, not because of the levels of poverty there, but for their talented samba band and dancers.

It gave them a positive focus, one that did not focus on the negative sides of life in their neighbourhood.

While looking through tours on the Rio websites, almost every single website I found did not clarify where the money was going, who was giving the tour, or what the experience would entail. Eventually I found a favela tour that clarified it’s goal and purpose, which had it’s own blog written by

the tour guides themselves. It was for the favela of Santa Marta, the first one to have been pacified and was proud to be used as a model for the other favelas. The pacification meant that the police force patrolled the neighbourhood to clear it of drug dealers and any other acts that could insight crime.

The blog site featured a video where the tour guide mentioned his pride at being able to show tourists their homes, and the place where Michael Jackson filmed his music videos. The tours were given by inhabitants of the favela themselves, and artists from the favela were given an opportunity to sell their work to us. They describes their tours as ‘responsible tourism’ and it was clear to see the joy that the people in the favela had when they were inviting us in to their homes for caipirinha cocktails!

I think the most important thing to consider when contemplating taking a slum tour is whom you are benefitting with your money, and how. The tour guides of Santa Marta lived there, and used the money for projects that were clarified in the blog; many of the previous projects shown. It felt like an exchange, like we were being welcomed in to a big family experience, not as gawking tourists with lots of money to spend and no help to give. That made all the difference, to us and, most importantly, to them.

Travel

21

Photo: Jan Fidler

W

ith its incredible views and rich culture it is easy to understand why so many people love Prague, especially during the spring. With the Easter holidays not too far off, flights as little as £30 one way and a city small enough to see in a few days, it can be an ideal spot for a weekend away.

Flying out on a Thursday evening and arriving at your hotel via the efficient and cheap transport system, you can be at your hotel in under an hour if you are staying in the city centre. After a good nights sleep you can wake up on Friday refreshed and ready to explore. Start walking up along the east side of the river towards Charles Bridge. This iconic landmark is a must-see due to the history and views it provides. Cross the bridge where the smell of trdelink, a local pastry, is heavenly and the little shops make you feel as though you are in a fairy tale. Walk up towards the castle passing plenty of pubs and restaurants, perfect if you fancy a quick drink or a bite to eat. With a pint of local beer costing as little as 80p it is worth trying if you drink.

Once you reach the castle you will have the best view of the city. The grounds of the castle are wonderful and if you fancy a little workout then walking the 296 steps up to the top of St Vitus tower will give you an even better view. When you’ve finished, hop on the metro to Namesti Muri where you can see the church, surrounded by market stalls at this time of year. This is also a good area to find

Middle Class Moments on tour

M

y plane departed from a little known airport in England called Gatwick to the cultural hub of Florida. My journey began in this humble airport. After looking around the stores a little, I eventually stumbled across a small restaurant. I was told before I began travelling to always go to the food place that has the biggest queue, as then you know the food is not only tasty but in local demand.

That is just what this restaurant had.

As I entered, I walked below a pair of golden arches and began inspecting the menu. I finally decided on my order, and was served by a lovely, friendly man who probably lived in the near-by local community. The food I had ordered was an experience that awakened taste-buds I did not realise I had. The locals call it a “bigmac”, which loosely translates as “large meat sandwich” to those who have not had the enlightening experience of travelling to lesser-known British airports and tasting local cuisines.

Prague uncovered Charlotte Hales takes a look at the Czech city of Prague.

My plane journey was a harrowing experience as I felt the rare feeling known as ‘turbulence’ at least twice in the flight.

Eventually I arrived in the exotic, arid city of Orlando where my shuttle bus was due to take me to something of a less conventional national reserve, called Walt Disney World.

Instead of going straight to my accommodation, I decided to explore some of the local sites. By taking a wrong turn, I came across the historically-ambiguous castle of the ‘Magic Kingdom’. According to local legend, the castle is a monument dedicated to the legendary royal, Cinderella.

As I explored the streets surrounding the castle, I came across a local store and decided to purchase a cultural item that will remind me of this life-changing day. I was told before travelling to haggle with local street vendors to get the best price, which I did. In the end I traded in ‘$20’ for a unique head-wear item that has circular mouselike ears on the top, in remembrance of this mystical mouse they call ‘Mickey’.

As I donned my new head-gear, I appeared to blend seamlessly with the crowds that jostled about in the area. I heard from a local that one of the best places to visit in ‘Disney’ is the rocky landscape that exists right on the outskirts of the park.

Someone informed me that the biggest mountain there was a natural hybrid between a water-fall and a mountain, and instructed me to wear a waterproof coat if I wished to explore it further.

I was prepared for whatever physical and mental challenges the adventure of climbing this mountain would bring. As I ventured up and reached its peak, I stared down at the waterfall that lies hidden inside it.

I found a log and fashioned it into some form of boat-device, so as to truly experience every facet of this natural phenomenon.

I had a near-death

something to eat with plenty of traditional Czech restaurants as well as other cuisines.

The shopping in Prague is brilliant and often overlooked. Start at Palladium for a browse before heading our towards Wenceslas Square. Here you will find more shops along the road with the museum at the top. Once your shopping is complete, head up there to see the student memorial. If you want a dose of culture then sign up for a walking tour around the city. Reasonably priced, these tours will give you plenty of historical information about the city, culminating in Old Town Square in the evening. Old Town is spectacular especially the astronomical clock tower lit up in the evening.

Old Town is spectacular at night but on Sunday be sure to head back during the day.

Be careful about eating and drinking in this area as like with any city it is more expensive in the centre but a quick crêpe in the Square is a great pick me up. There are also plenty of spots for last minute gifts before heading back to the airport.

With a strong exchange rate, plenty of sights and lovely weather, this spring is a great time to visit Prague. Be sure to buy your transport tickets before you travel and to stamp them in the yellow machines on trams and in the metro stations and you are bound to have a wonderful trip with no problems at all.

Make sure you pack your camera to capture it all and enjoy your weekend in this little cit, worthy of its reputation.

experience as my log jolted over the top of the waterfall; gravity took over, and I came crashing down into the lake below. Luckily, a passerby captured my neardeath experience on camera, and I am now the proud owner of a wonderful photo of me conquering the ‘Splash Mountain’.

I will upload it to all of my social media outlets at my earliest convenience.

After a tiring day of soulsearching I eventually laid my head down to rest in one of the many accommodation blocks that they have in ‘Walt Disney World’. My head was spinning from everything I had seen that day. I had placed my ‘mouse-hat’ on a table in the room, and as I fall asleep now and collect my thoughts, it gently reminds me of an unknown book I had the pleasure of reading once written by Steinbeck that explores the similarities between ‘mice’ and ‘men’.

As revealed to Jodie Snow Illustration: Asia Patel

LIFESTYLE

Make the perfect breakfast: turn to page 24

Could the 5:2 diet work for you?

Alice Short Lifestyle writer

Photo: Flickr, Off Beat Mum Photo: Flickr, Jeanette Goodrich

Have you heard about it? Have you tried it yet? Does it really work?

The 5:2 diet. What is this diet that has captured the interest of so many people and has them dashing out to buy the self-help books, the special recipes and the general merchandise surrounding it? As the simplicity of its name indicates, it involves eating normally for five days of the week and then for the other two days, cutting down your calorie intake (500 for women, 600 for men).

Scientists claim that you will lose weight easily as your body will be ‘tricked’ into using up your fat reserves for energy on the days that you are fasting.

Whilst traditional diets involve days of extreme calorie counting and deprivation

“It involves eating normally for five days of the week and then for the other two days, cutting down your calorie intake” followed by inevitable binging, the 5:2 seems easy in comparison and this goes some way to explaining its popularity.

5:2ers say that they can cope with the days of fasting because they know it isn’t forever and on the other five days of the week they

Photo: Flickr, Lew (tomswift) Holzman can eat whatever they please. However, does this not lead to the five days of freedom becoming a binge? Will dieters not pile up the food on the plates knowing that the days of fasting are coming? Is it possible that they will end up eating more on those five days than they would normally?

Ultimately, is this a suitable diet for us students at UEA? A typical student would have to make sure that the two days of fasting were days in their timetable when they didn’t have a lot on. No lectures or seminars or deadlines or extra-curricular commitments. It would be extremely difficult to study or concentrate on the two fasting days as a lack of food not only causes a rumbling tummy but a general bad

temper and stops your brain working properly.

Even if you organised your two fasting days for the weekend, further problems are posed as a night out in the LCR inevitably involves some alcohol and unfortunately, vodka shots are not on the agenda for the two fasting days.

Nor are the leftover slices of pizza for the 03:00 post-night-out snack!

The bottom line is that the 5:2 fast diet might be of use to older people who can fit it into their lives easily but it just isn’t suitable for students. The ideal diet for a student is a well-balanced one with lots of fruit and vegetables. We need energy for work and play. We need to eat properly to boost immunity and general health. Faddy diets are

not for life and it is more important to lead a healthy lifestyle. Anything that is ‘bad’ for you is alright in moderation, so you don’t need to exclude anything completely from your diet to be happy and healthy.

Of course, exercise is important for students too, but this is easy to fit into our timetables. Heading to the gym after a lecture is simple- even just walking to and from our lectures is a step in the right direction. Indeed, with a wide variety of sports on offer at UEA such as football, rowing and karate, exercising can be fun!

This solution might not be very interesting but it is ultimately more effective than the demanding 5:2 diet for students.

T

he society we live in is caught up in a world of presentation. It is inbuilt in us to think about how we are presenting ourselves, whether that’s in person or on Facebook. Obviously, it is practically essential to be a ‘better version of yourself’ for job interviews and such – we all want to look as great as we can for opportunities that don’t turn up every day! However, too many times I have felt that social networks can mask how we are actually feeling about ourselves on the inside.

The idea that we need to present our lives in the best light possible can seep into real life. It becomes easier to paint a picture of our life through rose-tinted glasses to friends but much harder to have an honest discussion with people when you’re feeling

“If you couldn’t tell a soul you were travelling, would you still be full of joy and excitement for the adventure?” low. It gets unhealthy, because when you’re concentrating so much on your outer image, the inner self is shut off without a voice.

Consequently, when you begin to do things for other people, you can start to feel less satisfied in yourself because your focus is not on building yourself up, but on building an image. Image can be problematic, because often we can feel like we either don’t live up to that image, or that we feel supressed by it.

But, what does ‘the inner self’ even mean? For me, it means all the things that bring you true, genuine fulfilment. I always think one of the best examples is travel; if you couldn’t tell a soul you were travelling, would you still be full of joy and excitement for the adventure?

So many times it feels we do things because

Photo: Flickr, Sheila Scarborough

Photo: Flickr, Peter Kirkeskov Rasmussen

Want to work on your inner self?

Dahlia Al-Abdullah examines how self-reliance can make for a positive self-image part of us really does want to, but also because the other half thinks it’s great that we can talk about it to other people in order to impress them.

How much more fulfilled would we feel if

we started impressing ourselves by pursuing real desires and challenges? This is not an attack on social networks, or anyone who uses them, it’s just a thought on how we can bring a little more honesty, and satisfaction, in

to our everyday lives. Perhaps before sharing on social media, we could think about why we want to share it. You could be sharing a cause that you’re passionate about, a beautiful photo that brings you joy, a quote that inspires you, a video that makes you laugh - there are a million different things we can share with our friends! The difference is that when you begin to focus on yourself, and share the things that you genuinely care about; 0 likes or 50 likes – it does not matter. The important part shifts from being people’s perceptions of you, to your own perception of yourself, and your personal growth.

Life can be so much more fulfilling when you don’t feel that others validate you, but instead that you have the power to do so just by listening to yourself and recognising that a lot of times, that is enough to feel truly satisfied.

24

The walk of fire Rebecca Bemment Lifestyle editor

Feeling brave? Then here’s your chance to get involved with Norfolk’s Big C fundraising event for Cancer research!

This February, Big C are raising funds for this incredibly vital cause. The charity will be providing 70 people with the chance to walk across fire. Each person must pledge to make £200 alongside a £25 deposit. The rest can be raised through fundraising or by giving a larger deposit with a smaller fundraising commitment!

The concept of firewalking has long been around, but it has resurfaced in the UK over the last few years. This event is calling all those brave enough to conquer their fears and anxieties by walking across burning coals. To make sure you’re fully prepared, training will be given prior to the event. This training will prepare you to channel any fears you have about the activity in a positive way. This is a

really good experience to help with other anxieties that you may have in other aspects of life!

Anyone 14 and over can take part in this Big C event, providing that you are able to walk unaided. Furthermore, you’ll need to be available from 17:00 on the 21st February for the training. All you need to do to get involved is set up a JustGiving or Virgin Money fundraising page (unless you already have one) so that you can collect your sponsorships.

Big C will also send you a paper version once you are registered.

You can book the event by going to www. big-c.co.uk/firewalk or by emailing rachel. francis@big-c.co.uk. Similarly, you can call 01603 619900.

The Big C is an independent charity so all the funding and services are for the people of Norfolk. The money raised is used to support those battling cancer in the local community by funding life-saving machines for example.

Furthermore, Big C funds ground-breaking cancer research at UEA.

Lifestyle Lasting New Year’s resolutions Linnea Hawking Lifestyle writer We have had the crescendo of Christmas and new year, summer seems a long way off and the only countdown now is towards coursework deadlines and looming exams.

Don’t despair yet! There’s something you can look forward to after all, a happier you. No, this is not quite the ‘new year, new me’ spiel.

Rather it is a reminder that every day is the opportunity to enjoy life, doing the things that make you happy, regardless of what others think you ought to be focussing on.

For the majority, the time has come where the new year’s resolutions are out of the window, having either become a good joke or another thing getting us down, making us feel as though we ‘failed’. Ultimately, any New Year’s resolution is about this relationship we as a society have with perfectionism.

The question is whose idea of perfect are we trying to create? If your resolution was to go to the gym, the important aspect to focus on is, why? Was this prompted by a desire to promote your own health and wellbeing or seen as a solution to negative body image and feeling pressure that it is something you ought to do?

I like to believe that imperfection is the real perfection, the desire to be continuously improving. The world changes constantly and so should we. Many students are constantly changing themselves, yet the issue is that these changes are often to gain approval

Photo: Flickr, Lamazone

Photo: Flickr, Marwa Morgan

Aubergine melts

Granola

Dahlia Al-Abdullah Lifestyle writer

Ingredients: 1 aubergine 2 garlic cloves 3 tbsps tomato purée A handful of spinach A sprinkle of cheese Rapeseed oil Salt

Lay the spinach out over the top, and then sprinkle over the cheese. Aubergine has a very distinctive taste that is quite prominent by itself, but if you fancy – add any other toppings you want, just as you would a pizza!

4. After keeping that in the oven for another five minutes, take it out and enjoy your aubergine melt. We think it tastes great with some brown rice on the side as a healthy, filling meal!

Method: 1. Preheat the oven to 200°C, and prepare the aubergines by chopping the stem and base off. Slicing it lengthways down the middle, lay the halves out so that the flesh is exposed and cover with a sprinkling of salt. Aubergines are naturally quite bitter, but by salting them you draw a lot of the bitterness out.

Ingredients: 6 cups of oats 2 cups of nuts/seeds 2 cups of dried fruit 1/2 cup of desiccated coconut 5 tbsps honey 3 tbsps raw maple syrup 2 tbsps coconut/rapeseed oil 1 tbsp cinnamon 1 tbsp nutmeg Method: 1. Preheat the oven to 200°C, and line a baking tray with foil. Spread the oil over the top, making sure that every part of the tray is covered. This will help to keep your granola from sticking to the foil, and also form little crunchy clusters!

2. After around 20 minutes, wash the salt off and dry the aubergine thoroughly.

Covering a baking tray with some foil, lie the aubergines skin side down and drizzle the rapeseed oil over the flesh. Cook in the oven for 25 minutes 3. Once cooked till soft, cover the surface with the tomato puree and chopped garlic.

Dahlia Al-Abdullah Lifestyle writer

2. In a big bowl mix your oats, nuts, seeds, coconut, and spices. It is super important not to put your dried fruit in at this stage, as in the heat of the oven it will just burn and no-one wants burnt granola!

Photo: Dahlia Al-Abdullah

from others rather than truly changing for themselves.

Do you remember when we were kids and we would be asked what we wanted to be when we grew up… what if the answer wasn’t about an ideal occupation but an ideal state of mind? Happiness is an under-valued new year’s resolution. Furthermore, the journey to happiness can start at any time, not just the 1st of January.

So you meant to go to the gym and now your home ordering Dominos instead. Don’t beat yourself up, evaluate what you really wanted out of the resolution and how that goal can still be achieved in a reasonable balance with the other things that are important in your life. OK, so you want to get fit? If it turns out you hate the gym, gather some friends for some games in the park. If the dreary weather is putting you off don’t underestimate the intensity of a competitive game of twister!

Along with exercising, cuddling has also been proven to improve mental wellbeing, decrease stress levels and overall levels of happiness.

With 5th February being Time to Change day, there is no better time to focus on our individual wellbeing. Whether you struggle with mental health issues or not, it is important to schedule some ‘me’ time into our lives.

Doing so enables us to be the happiest version of ourselves, making the most of every day.

Valentine’s Day is a tricky one, yet whether you embrace it or disdain it, it’s a reminder to show that you care. This Valentine’s Day, don’t forget to show yourself that you care about YOU!

3. Making sure it’s all well combined in the bowl, drizzle in your raw maple syrup and give it a big mix again.

4. Spread it all out evenly across the baking tray, and drizzle the honey over the top. At this stage you can use your hands to roll some little oat balls, so that you’ll have even more crispy clusters to crunch on.

5. Stick the mixture in the oven for around ten minutes, until it’s slightly more golden. Once that’s over, take the mixture out and give it another stir in the baking tray so that it all gets browned evenly. Return to the oven for another five to ten minutes, until it’s a deep golden brown.

7. Once that’s done, take it out, mix in the dried fruit (figs, dates, raisins, and mango all taste great!) and wait for it to cool – and that’s that! A deliciously filling breakfast, that isn’t too heavy for those mornings where you want something healthy but you’re in a rush. We love it on top of some Greek yoghurt with fresh fruit, yum!

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tuesday 17th february

12-2pm

26

Sport

England’s cricketers struggle in Tri-series Glenn Wheeler Sport writer

James Newbold Sport editor

F

airy stories don’t come along all that often in sport. The law of averages state that 99 times out of every 100, it’s the big boys who come out on top. The underdog is so-called for a reason, after all.

But every so often, in flagrant defiance of conventional logic, a ‘Steven Bradbury moment’ comes along out of the blue.

These moments are the stuff of dreams that we, the general public, can identify with and aspire to. And sometimes, like the proverbial buses, two can come at once.

Indeed, amid the clamour surrounding humble League One outfit Bradford City’s shock FA Cup win over Jose Mourinho’s big-spending Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, it would have been easy to overlook the news that stalwart privateer Jenny Tinmouth had been signed by the factory Honda Racing Team to campaign a full season in the British Superbike (BSB) championship.

It goes without saying that the 36-year old’s appointment is an enormous step forward for women in motorsport and by her own admission, the news came as

”Tinmouth broke her own record” something of a shock, although perhaps it shouldn’t have been, given her reputation as a trailblazer in motorcycle racing. In 2010, Tinmouth broke her own record as the fastest female ever to lap the fearsome Isle of Man TT at an average speed of 119.945 mph and became the first woman to score a BSB point at Snetterton in 2013.

She is not one to be content with merely making up the numbers.

As anyone who has seen the epic final lap battle between Tommy Hill and John Hopkins at Brands Hatch to decide the 2011 title will tell you, BSB is a hidden gem of British sport where risk truly does equal reward.

Tinmouth knows all about that; the first, and so far only, female competitor in the series, having run her own bike since 2011, Tinmouth embodies the endearing underdog spirit and richly deserves her opportunity in the 2013 championshipwinning outfit, which returns after a year away with Jason O’Halloran and Dan Linfoot also on its roster.

Having always had to ride within herself, knowing that any accident could prove enormously costly, Tinmouth has been rewarded for her efforts with a seat at the top table and the weight of a fullyfledged manufacturer behind her.

Ahead of the biggest opportunity of her career, which she described to the BBC as ‘the ultimate dream come true’, Tinmouth faces a steep learning curve.

With the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade still unproven in a race environment and Tinmouth not slated to test until March, it is far too early to make any predictions as to where she will end up.

But in a sport where men and women can and do compete together on track, the underdog now has the chance to show what she’s truly capable of.

Godspeed Jenny.

The Cricket World Cup is almost upon us and England remain consistently inconsistent in the limited-overs format of the game. The tournament commences on 13th February, by which time the Three Lions will have been in Australia for over a month.

England have already played a number of tour matches, as well as competing in an International Triangular Series alongside India and Australia. Although this aforementioned series helped to establish that England are, without doubt, a stronger side than India in Australian conditions, it has also displayed that the team cannot be considered a favourite to win the upcoming competition.

Following their one-day series defeat to Sri Lanka earlier in the winter, England were charged with a lack of aggression in all departments. Experts and fans alike noted that the side’s batsmen did not possess the capability to post or chase-down imposing scores of 300-plus, and this was viewed as a critical weakness. In a changing game where international teams aim to make 350 from 50 overs, it appeared that England could not hope to compete in the World Cup. These concerns forced the ECB to make a significant change, as the under-fire Alistair Cook was removed from the position of oneday captain after a barage of criticism. Eoin Morgan was named as his successor with the hope of galvanising the flailing Three Lions.

This alteration appeared to have an immediate effect as England amassed a total of 391-6 as they defeated the Prime Minister’s XI by 60 runs, with Ian Bell smashing 187 from 145 balls.

In the opening match of the tri-series, however, the Three Lions were comfortably beaten by Australia. England were only saved from major embarrassment by Morgan, who made 121. The rest of his team could only add a shocking 93 runs between them.

An emphatic nine-wicket victory over

Photo: Flickr, Naparazzi India followed as Steven Finn took a career best of 5-33, but in England’s third ODI, Australia once again emerged victorious.

Undoubtedly, there were positives to be taken from the performance of England’s batsmen though, as Bell scored yet another ton as he steered the side to 303-8.

A wonderful partnership of 125 between James Taylor (82) and Jos Buttler (67) rescued England during their second match against India, and the resulting victory ensured that the Three Lions set up a final against the Aussies in Perth.

Once again though, the Australians proved their dominance and blew England away. After allowing their opponents to post a total of 278-8 after recovering from 60-4, Morgan’s side crumbled as Mitchell Johnson and Glenn Maxwell ripped through England’s batting order to condemn the tourists to a 112-run defeat.

Despite England’s inconsistency during the tri-series, there are encouraging signs in some areas. Steven Finn appears to be bowling with aggression again, which will

be crucial when he bowls on the flat, pacey Australian wickets during the World Cup, and Bell is enjoying a rich vein of form. Bell, on his day, is one of the classiest batsmen in the world, and the tri-series has helped to prove that when he scores big, a competitive total is often posted.

The contribution of Buttler and the emergence of Taylor must also be emphasised.

These two players certainly have what it takes to perform at the top-level, and while Buttler has established himself in the England side, Taylor had failed to do so before the start of this tour. He appears to have made that number three spot his own now though.

Unfortunately for England fans, however, the nation will not win the World Cup. It is obvious that Morgan’s side still lack the consistency and the ultra-aggressive mentality that will be necessary to compete with Australia, South Africa and, potentially, New Zealand. This fact is all but proven by the exclusion of Ben Stokes from the squad, who smashed 151 off 86 balls for the England Lions last week, but continues to be overlooked.

UEA Athletics show potential Sophie East Sport writer Last weekend saw UEA’s Athletics Club partake in two very different events – Bucs Cross Country and the London Indoor Games – as 2015 got underway.

13 distance athletes travelled down to Brighton last week to compete at the Bucs XC Championships, hosted by the University of Sussex at Stanmer Park. The men’s A race was a gruelling 12 km with plenty of hill, plenty of wind, and a hell of a lot of mud.

Nevertheless, the UEA men’s A team performed admirably in the conditions, with James Berehowskyj leading the home in 46:23 and a very solid 143rd place. Athletics team captain Jack Keywood followed a way behind, narrowly beating one of his Tonbridge AC clubmates in 49:00 and 204th place. Not far behind him was Andy Holliman in 49:40 and 220th place. Recreational Running Coordinator, Alfie Bentley, finished next in 50:46 and 235th place, with Chihaya Hirai finishing strongly in 54:44 and 277th place.

Next up was the women’s race (6.4 km), in which our female athletes performed very well following warm up runs in the EACCL. Sarah Imbush led the team with another fantastic run and our only sub-100th place run of the championships in 27:04 and 84th place.

Next up was Sophie Morris, already very well transitioned from sprints to distance with a 28.29 in 144th place. Kate Robinson was UEA’s next runner who, despite falling on the first corner, still finished in a very respectable 30:12 and 211th place. Unfortunately, Immy Turner had to drop out of the women’s race due to injury; though not too serious, the move was a wise pre-emptive measure to prevent any further damage.

The men’s B race (8 km) was the last race of the day and featured two returning performances from Jamie Short and Dennis Cross, who have both been recovering from injury for the duration of the season. Short put in a blistering performance to lead the men’s B team home in 30:59 and 126th place, with Cross finishing with a 32:34 in 184th place.

Rowan Braham was UEA’s next runner home, and despite falling on the last corner still persevered with a sprint to finish strongly in 33:57 and 232nd place, ahead of James Biondi who managed 34:30, coming in 250th place.

Meanwhile, the sprinters took a trip to Lee Valley Athletics Centre in London to test their speed ahead of the Bucs indoor competition in Sheffield from the 21st – 23rd February.

On day one, Danielle Hamilton ran a massive personal best (PB) of 28.59 in the 200m, beating her original best by 1.74 seconds, with Victoria Onyeka also running well in the same heat with a time of 28.43. Club

president, Sophie East, ran an excellent heat to place second with a time of 27.68, ahead of a returning Emily Rogers, also in the same heat, who ran a comfortable race following an absence from indoor competitions. German Cepeda Lestrade also ran well to a time of 27.5 seconds, but his focus will now turn to the 60 m, which is his preferred event. Sara Henderson was disappointed with a jump of 4.04 m in the long jump, but she has already identified where the improvements are needed ahead of the upcoming Bucs tournament.

On day two, Jake Matthew and Beau Berney secured two 60 m PBs of 7.39 and 7.31 in successive races, while Adam Vaughan equalled his PB in round one with 7.40 and found even more time to finish with a 7.35 in round two.

Real Iddy completed the succession of PBs with a time of 7.52. In the women’s heats, Danielle Hamilton continued her impressive running on day two, with two 60m PBs of 8.57 and 8.50, beating her previous best by 0.32 seconds, while Cerys Currie maintained her good form with a 8.53 in round one and 8.54 in round two. To finish off a great weekend, Alex Joseph jumped 6.18 m in the long jump, showing some great potential in time for Bucs.

For regular updates, make sure to follow @ueaathletics on Twitter.

Sport

27

A

fter a completely uninspiring FA Cup third round, the final death knell appeared to have sounded on the once ‘romantic’ and ‘giant-killing’ competition.

There appeared nothing left to cling onto after Blyth Spartans gallant 3-2 loss at Birmingham and the likes of Dover and Gateshead were thrashed by Premier League opposition. Yet, critics should have known better than to doubt the bounce-back-ability of the world’s oldest surviving football tournament. Cue the most surprising of all the FA Cup’s so-called ‘revivals’.

Cambridge United and Manchester United set the tone for the weekend with a surprisingly pulstating 0-0 draw on a questionable Abbey Stadium pitch. The hosts had the best chance of the first half when Josh Coulson somehow managed to block a goal-bound effort from his side and then headed over after penalty box pinball. Louis Van Gaal’s megastars ramped up the pressure after the break, with out of sorts Radamel Falcao missing chances, before Robin Van Persie failed to convert a hooked volley, clearly perturbed by the pitch. Cambridge fans went wild at the sound of the final whistle, in the knowledge that they had secured a replay at the Theatre of Dreams.

However, nothing could have prepared the viewing public for the madness of Saturday 24th January 2015, a day that will go down in history. The shocks began at Ewood Park, where Championship side Blackburn Rovers knocked out Premier League Swansea City.

An uncharacteristic lack of discipline led to Swansea’s exit, losing 3-1 as both Kyle Bartley and midfield maestro Gylfi Sigurdsson saw red. Fittingly, it would be the 15:00 kick offs where the really big shocks would occur.

Chelsea raced into a routine 2-0 lead at home to Bradford, only for the Bantams to come back to strike an unbelievable four goals at Stamford Bridge. The unlikelihood of Bradford’s 4-2 victory led viewers of the BBC’s Match of The Day to proclaim the result the greatest shock in FA Cup history. Fans of Hereford and Wrexham may question that notion, as may fans of Middlesbrough, who

Photo: Flickr, Philip Currie

FA Cup re-discovers its magic Nathan Packham on a fourth round of shocks as the path to Wembley opens up for Manchester United, Arsenal, and Liverpool saw their side comfortably knock Manchester City out with a 2-0 away victory. ‘Boro Goals from on-loan Chelsea striker Patrick Bamford and Kike meant that both favourites for the competition had been knocked out in the same afternoon.

Other notable shocks saw Leicester knock out Tottenham, Fulham secure a replay away at Sunderland and Bolton earn a return tie against Liverpool after Adam Bogdan’s stunning goalkeeping display at Anfield.

Southampton and Crystal Palace also played out an FA Cup classic in which the Eagles eventually won 3-2 with former Arsenal duo Marouane Chamakh and Yaya Sanogo both getting on the scoresheet.

Bradford may have stolen the limelight, but the weekend of shocks was not over as

lower league sides continued to give Premier League muscle a run for their money. West Ham squeezed past an enthusiastic Bristol City side who had dominated the first half and were only denied an opener by a combination of Andy Carroll’s hand and head on the line.

Diafra Sakho eventually settled the tie with ten minutes to go.

Aston Villa stunned fans by scoring not one, but two goals in their 2-1 win over Bournemouth. Carlos Gil had been signed by Villa to turn around their fortunes in front of goal, and the Spaniard certainly did that with a stunning long-range opener.

In the later kick-off, Brighton pushed an unrelenting Arsenal side to the final whistle after the Gunners’ fast start. The game eventually finished 3-2 as the Gunners’

Crystal Palace Palace were the busiest Premier League club, bringing in Pape Souare, Shola Ameobi, Jordan Mutch and Yaya Sanogo. Deadline day saw Bolton winger Lee Chung-Young join, and a permanent deal agreed for forward Wilfried Zaha to end his nightmare spell at Manchester United.

Manchester City City made the most expensive signing in the window with £28m striker Wilfried Bony joining from Swansea. He scored more league goals in 2014 than any other player, and City will be hoping that form can fire them to the title.

continue their quest for a second consecutive cup. In the Monday fixture, Stoke brushed aside Rochdale with a 4-1 win.

Sadly, there was to be no FA Cup romance in the replays with Cambridge, Fulham and Bolton all dumped out by their respective Premier League opponents.

The best of the action came at the Macron, where ten-man Bolton narrowly lost out 2-1 to Liverpool after taking the lead from the spot.

Veteran striker Eidur Gudjohnsen’s penalty looked to have done enough with five minutes to go, before fine strikes from Raheem Sterling and Philippe Coutinho kept Steven Gerrard’s trophy dreams alive. Fulham and Cambridge were comprehensively beaten by Sunderland and Manchester United respectively, while Preston dumped out League Cup semifinalists Sheffield United.

A foreseeable consequence of the upsets is that there are few stand-out ties in the fifth round draw, though Liverpool have the chance to gain revenge against Crystal Palace for scuppering their title chances last season.

Manchester United and Arsenal are now favourites to get to Wembley, but with the magic of the FA Cup alive and kicking, there could be plenty more shocks along the way.

January transfers: winners and losers James Chesson Sport writer

Transfer deadline day passed without the intense drama and overpriced deals we have become accustomed to, but many significant transfers were made by Premier League clubs in the past month.

Arsenal The Gunners bolstered their defence with the signing of Brazilian defender Gabriel Paulista.

The loan departures of Lukas Podolski, Yaya Sanogo and Joel Campbell will give young striker Chuba Akpom a chance.

Aston Villa Villa brought in wingers Carles Gil and Scott Sinclair to aid an attack that has scored just 11 league goals so far, the lowest in the division.

If they are unable to end the drought in the league, Villa will be in trouble.

Everton Everton borrowed winger Aaron Lennon from Spurs and sold striker Samuel Eto’o to Sampdoria after just half a season. It has been a disappointing season so far, but Roberto Martinez saw fit to make very few changes.

Hull Hull snapped up striker Dame N’Doye on deadline day. He is a quick and powerful forward who should ensure goals in their fight for survival.

Burnley Burnley signed young Man U. defender Michael Keane, though the big story for their survival chances was successfully fending off the interest in their top-scorer, Danny Ings.

Liverpool Liverpool remained quiet, but with Daniel Sturridge finally back from injury, Liverpool’s goal problem should be solved. Simon Mignolet’s improved form means Brendan Rodgers’ goalkeeper search will be delayed until summer.

Chelsea Chelsea sold the hard-working Andre Schurrle to Wolfsburg for £22m and replaced him with pacy winger Juan Cuadrado for £23m. The barely-utilised Mohamed Salah joined Fiorentina as part of the deal.

Leicester Leiscester signed veteran keeper Mark Schwarzer from Chelsea and broke their transfer record for striker Andrej Kramaric.

They also moved for Stoke centre-back Robert Huth to help shore up the defence.

Manchester United United failed to strengthen their defence as anticipated. The free transfer of goalkeeper Victor Valdes provides strength-in-depth, but raises questions over David De Gea’s future.

Off-loading Anderson should be considered an achievement.

Newcastle Newcastle signed no one, but lost their manager. The team has performed adequately so far, but another season of mediocrity looms.

QPR QPR loaned West Ham forward Mauro Zarate, though remained otherwise quiet, a rumoured reason for Harry Redknapp’s departure.

Crucially, they kept hold of top scorer Charlie Austin.

Southampton Southampton added attacking midfielders Eljero Elia and Filip Djuricic to their ranks.

Ryan Bertrand made his loan move permanent just before the deadline.

Stoke Stoke replaced Huth with defender Phillip

Wollscheid. Few changes were needed, though Bojan’s knee injury may affect their form in the run-in.

Sunderland Sunderland provided 32-year old Jermaine Defoe with a Premier League return, with misfit Jozy Altidore heading the other way.

Swansea Swansea signed midfielder Jack Cork and fullback Kyle Naughton, but lost the focal point of their attack, Bony. Whether on loan Benfica forward Nelson Oliveira can fill his boots remains to be seen.

Tottenham Spurs won the race for highly-rated MK Dons midfielder Dele Alli, and he will be loaned back to the League One club until the summer.

One for the future.

West Brom West Brom acquired Wigan’s Callum McManaman, but most importantly managed to keep hold of Saido Berahino. Darren Fletcher arrived from Manchester United at the death, and will be a key player for Tony Pulis’ side.

West Ham West Ham conducted very little business after failing in their bid to take Emmanuel Adebayor on loan from Spurs. Winston Reid will remain until his contract expires in the summer, when Tottenham are expected to make their move.

C

SPORT

SPORT

Issue 308 10th February 2015

concrete-online.co.uk @Concrete_UEA ConcreteNewspaper

Photo: Dennis Cross

Seahawks quarter-back Russell Wilson spurned the chance to win Seattle’s second consecutive Superbowl Flickr: WEBN-TV

Pats triumph at Superbowl XLIX Kat Lucas Sport editor New England Patriots claimed their first Superbowl victory in ten years as they came from behind to beat Seattle Seahawks 28-24 at the University of Phoenix Stadium.

While far from an emphatic victory, it will serve as important closure for the Pats, who took an significant step towards regaining their credibility after enduring a scandal over their attempts to deflate the ball in several NFL matches this season.

Patriots’ quarter-back Tom Brady, who was awarded Most Valuable Player, was instrumental in the win. No doubt he will realise the importance of restoring his own personal integrity with more performances like this on the field. Former Dallas Cowboys linebacker Charles Haley has been among the high-profile voices to question Brady’s record, insisting his four Superbowl rings have been tainted by ‘deflate gate’.

However, commentators hailed Brady as the greatest quarter-back of all time after he threw for four touchdowns, amid comparisons with the likes of Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw. Brady surpassed Montana’s record for the most career touchdown passes, but naturally, it is difficult to compare the two condidering the way the game has changed since Montana’s days.

As for the Seattle Seahawks, they were left to rue what might have been, and perhaps deservingly so after one of the poorest past choices ever seen in the dying seconds.

Pete Carroll’s men looked set to hold on to win back-to-back Superbowls, but after taking

control in the third quarter, complacency appeared to slip in, summed up perfectly by Richard Sherman’s gloating.

Seahawks’ Russell Wilson could have been an NFL hero as the final play fell into his hands, but rather than pass to an expectant, ever-powerful Marshawn Lynch, he made completely the wrong call and saw his pass to Ricardo Lockette from the 1-yard line intercepted by Pats’ Malcolm Butler.

Lynch was characteristically unstoppable.

He appeared before the game in a meeting with the assembled media, whom he told he was speaking to “so he didn’t get fined”. Lynch may not be one for embracing his place in the

“It was vital that the NFL grabbed headlines for the right reasons” spotlight, but it was difficult for him to avoid the limelight with a spectacular touchdown.

He was also the game’s top rusher, covering 102 yards.

The bitterness over the final play is still tangible in the Seahawks camp. Quarterback Russell Wilson has refused to take responsibility, blaming Lockette for not being stronger on the ball, while coach Carroll has also acknowledged his failings and is refusing to blame offensive co-ordinator Darrell Bevell.

Wilson should take the brunt of the disapproval disseminating from Seahawks fans, especially after getting off to a slow start.

Brady demonstrated why it is he, and not Wilson, who is really the quarter-back for the big games, leading the first scoring drive of

the second quarter. Wilson, on the other hand, began shyly, and it was clear that Seahawks did not know where to begin until he arrived in the game. The 26-year-old was virtually invisible for the first 20 minutes, though his throw to Chris Matthews was certainly something to behold.

Matthews’ performance is the main positive to take away for Seattle. Only hardline Seahawks fans would have heard of the practice-squad incumbent prior to kick-off, but he transformed from a relative unknown into an NFL hero.

New England may not have been popular winners, but for the NFL as a whole, it was vital that the match grabbed headlines for the right reasons. Quite apart from a frankly bizarre half-time show where Katy Perry, Missy Elliott and Lenny Kravitz were upstaged by an inflatable shark, the Superbowl was a success in terms of entertainment, regardless of a slow first quarter.

A sour ending threatened to overshadow the thrill of the final play as both sides squared up, and the fall-out is yet to cease over a week on. Seattle receiver Doug Baldwin has since been fined $11,025 for unsporting conduct in the light of his controversial celebration in the end-zone. Baldwin has noticeably only been fined the minimum amount for that penalty, which suggests the NFL are simply going through the motions.

Finally, spare a thought for cornerback Jeremy Lane, who broke his wrist after falling awkwardly intercepting one of Brady’s passes.

Lane would probably not have changed the result, but will be devastated to have missed out on half the turbulence of one of the most talked-about games in history.

Athletics Latest Page 22

Flickr: cfcunofficial

FA Cup upsets Page 23

Wikimedia: Ailura

January Transfer Wrap Page 23