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11 WHY DON'T YOU
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BLUR Girls and boys: Damon and company at UEA
What to do between now and graduation
FEATURES INSIDE: • CAMPUS AND LOCAL NEWS • FEATURES • ENTERTAINMENT • SPORT • LETTERS •
CLASSIFIEDS
• LISTINGS •
INCORPORAn~~"~~~
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can•t stoP.. the building work for the benefit of students' sar Regist~ officials
[JRoH Harrls' third leg went down a storm at the LCR last Saturday... as he launched Into his 'Jake The Peg' routine. The wizard from Oz also painted, and performed a number of his other hits to the enthusiastic crowd.
THE STUDENT Union Is locked In a battle with Registry officials to win compensation running Into tens of thousands for students In Constable Terrace. Many residents in the top-spec accomodation claim they became unable to work due to excessive building noise in recent weeks. And although Registry bosses have already thrashed out a scheme with contractors WillmotDixon and the Union to lessen noise disruption, many of the affected students are still unhappy. Said Welfare Officer Shelley Weight, "We intend to fight the University vigorously for compensation on their behalf. ''The situation should never been allowed to escalate in the first place. ''The students are angry and frustrated at the noise levels and disturbances they are forced to suffer.'' But a Registry spokesperson stated that it was not feasible to curtail construction work until the assessment
r----By Nick Amles & Nlall Hampton period and finals had finished. And she said the University had already devised a 6 point plan aimed at alleviating stress and discomfort experienced by the students concerned. Tabled behind closed doors two weeks ago, it includes the following measures: ecEASING all work and deliveries prior to 9am and after 6pm, •SHIELDING equipment to limit noise pollution, •PROVIDING alternative quiet study rooms and areas, •oFFERING alternative accomodation at no extra cost for students wishing to transfer rooms, •TELLING site workers to keep noise levels down, •INFORMING, residents of any work that is anticipated to be particularly noisy. The plan was deemed necessary after
a breach of the Noise Abatement Order was served on the contractors by angry students. This restricted noisy construction work between 7.30 am and 6 pm on Mondays to Fridays, after 1 pm on Saturdays, with no work able to take place on Sundays and Bank Holidays. But the measures will not deter residents from seeking reimbursement for the inconvenience and disruption to their academic work. "This is drivintpeople out", said one licensee, ''They say the.re is study room in the Arts building and the library but it's so crowded you can't concentrate. "Anyway, these Constable Terrace room are 'study bedrooms' after all, that's why we took them. No one told us of any plans to build when we applied for them. We pay about the same price as those in Nelson Court and we want compensation." Site contractors, Willmot Dixon, refused to comment when contacted by Concrete.
UEA's Independent Student Newspaper - This is our last issue of the year - see you again on September 21
2 Concrete, Wednesday, June 8, 1994
UNION TO FIGHT RENT LEVELS HIKE The Union are to challenge University rent levels for 1994-5 in a top level Registry committee this week, writes Mark Austin. In reaction to the University' s decision to introduce 38 week li· cences for all universi ty residences, a paper will be put before rentdeciding body, the General Purposes Committee, on June 10. It proposes that students not using their rooms over the eight week Christmas and Easter breaks should be reimbursed the equivalent amount of money for thi s time. And it notes that, "The large scale move to 38 week licences has serious implications for students in a year when student financial support, already signilicantly eroded, will be reduced by a further 10.%." For a secret document obtai ned by Concrete refers to Registry bosses adopting a trend towards requiring an annual rent increase of 3.5% over the next few years. And increases in licence lengths are aimed at decreasing the projected 1993/94 accommodation deficit of £207,000 in 1994/95. But the Union's paper concludes, 'The proposed Residence Estimates will lead to higher licence fees , lack of licence length choice, reduction in cleaning services, the removal of linen and laundry services and the loss of jobs." And if it fails before the General Purposes Committee nex t week, Union Welfare Officer Shelley Wright will take it before Student Forum on June 15.
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£30KAVAILABLE FOR LCR REFURBISHMENT
Uiiion Ents Assistant, Paul lngleby, outside the LCR THURSDAY night discos and UGMs may never be the same again if a £30,000 refurbishment of the LCR goes ahead in coming months writes Carol/ne Ad/em. For the university has given the
Union funds to provide a new paint job, carpets and curtains. But Union Welfare Officer Shelley Wright told how the Union did have "great plans" for the LCR adding that they are now having to reconsider whether they have suffi-
cient fu nds available. The money comes from the University's work budget, and the Union are free to decide whether they just want to "smarten the LCR up a bit" or embark on a bigger scheme.
Shelley added that the Union must decide whether the money may be better spent on other things, such as the provision of new welfare staff. Work could start in September, but may not take place until next Easter.
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More than 50,000 lesbians, gay men and their families and friends are expected to join the annual march on June 18 which this year starts from Hyde Park at noon. UEA' s LGB Soc has established itself throughout the year to become one of the biggest and most successful in the country. Its members have attended many conferences and rallies over the past twel ve months and the society has received much support from famous names which have included Stephen Fry and Paul Gambaccini. LGB Awareness Week in March also proved to be a resounding sucSaid LGB Officer Ph i! Clegg, "Pride will be the perfect end to a wonderful year for our society and we are hoping for even better next year."
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Members of UEA's LGB Soc are to take part in London's Pride '94 celebrations later th is month which look set to be the best ever, writes Jo Stubbington.
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Travel Scand.-ily clad with
The organisers of the Science Olympiad for local schools have laid down the foundations for this year's competition- only to find that they don't have the necessary building blocks.
50% off SCANDINAVIAN Seaways are offering students savings of up to 50 per cent this summer, writes Carol/ne Ad/em. And students planning a summer visit to Northern Europe and Scandinavia will be able to claim their discounts on production of a student ID card. The offer will allow students to travel for Harwich or Newcastle to Hamburg for £47 return In the mid-season or £59 In high season. Counties ofthe former Eastern Bloc can be reached by rail and road from Hamburg. Alternatively, students could travel to Esbjerg In Denmark from £67 (mid-season, from May 29 to June 30) to £87 (high season, between August 22 to September 25). Gothenburg In Sweden will cost from £n (mid) to £92 (high). Peak season fares will apply from July 1 to August21. The fares Include berth In a four-person couchette. Tickets must be booked at least In advance for travel to Thursdays. • contact ABTA travel agents or Scandlnavlan Seaways on (0255) 240240.
The Science Olympiad, which is run by the Centre for Science Education in Chemistry, is constructed around two days in June, and build up to a grand final on Wedne day evening. Here the finalists have to solve and complete various tasks; and this year,oneofthesejncludesMeccano. Unfortunately, as one of the organisers, Angela Ferguson, has found out, trying to get hold of the right amount of plastic Meccano has proved to be a somewhat difficult task. "I've contacted most toy shops," she explained, "and I can get small packs ofMeccano, but in a large set youonlygetoneortwoofthepieces we need; which means we would end up spending around £300." Consequently, Angela is now appealing for people to hunt through their attics and raid their children's toy cupboards for sets of plastic Meccano pieces. "We need as much as we can lay our hands on, and we need it as soon as possible," she says. • Anyone who has any kits to spare can contact Angel a in the First Year Chemistry Teaching Lab, or by telephoning extension 2027. All the pieces will be returned.
PHOTO: Keith Whitmore
Flashback to last December's occupation of the Registry
UEA FALLS SHORT ON STUDENT PROTESTS By----. Mark Austin UEASTUDENTSseemto be bucking national protest trends - despite figures which show the alarming Increase In take-up rates for the Government's loan scheme. And in the light of successful sit-ins at Luton and Derby universities, UEA's position as an apathetic institution where students have little political concern has surely been raised. For at the two colleges, university chiefs have
backed down on proposed course cuts following student occupations of administrative areas. But just two weeks ago, an EGM called to discuss opposition to the hikes in campus rents announced by Registry bosses was abandoned after being woefully inquorate. Yet any notion of student apathy at UEA was vigorously denied by Union Communications Officer Jacqui Mackay. "To accuse students of being apathetic because they don 't occupy buildings is ridiculous", she said, citing the sit-in protests at Fifers Lane and the Registry in the last six months.
And a spokesperson for the Socialist Workers Students Society (SWSS), one of the more active political groups at UEA said, ''There is undoubtedly a political feeling here, but there is no less a will to fight than at other colleges. Although little action has taken place at UEA as part of the national trend sweeping campuses in a demand for lower rents and an end to course cuts, both SWSS and Jacqui Mackay agree that direct action will only take place when students feel the effect of cuts personally. This was seen recently when LSE students pelted Treasury Minister Michael Portillo's (bullet-proof) car
with eggs at London's Royalty Theatre. SaidJacqui, "Wecanonlytake direct action when there is a buildup of feeling among students. Occupying is a means not an end, and we have to choose the most effective means to achieve that end." But the recent protests would appear to provide heartening evidence as to the effectiveness of direct action - a sentiment endorsedbySWSS. "We wholly support students taking action to protest against the Tories stealing our education", said their spokesperson.
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Concrete, Wednesday, June 8, 1994
QUEEN OPENS NEW BUILDING
.G raduate Stude-.ds .Association
BAR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED As from now, many of our volunteers cannot continue working in the Bar. We need postgrads to help:
1) 2) 3)
THE GSC IS RUN BY POSTGRADS, FOR POSTGRADS
Above: Th e Queen arrives at UEA Right: HRH meets the VC, Derek Burke
Photos by Brendon Banner DTHE QUEEN visited UEA along with the Duke of Edinburgh to open the new School of Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy. is the first facility purpose-built to house both ines within any British university, and has been and equipped by the Regional
WORK BEHIND THE BAR ON THE DOOR AS OCCASIONAL HELPERS- ie. to fill in when necessary
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Concrete, Wednesday, June 8, 1994
BE IN-SURE-ED AGAINST THEFT INSURANCE Broker Alan Broad is offering advice to students living out next year on household and contents insurance, writes Caroline Ad/em. For as crime at on-andoff campus student premises continues to rise, so does the confusion for those trying to find the best value insurance. Premiums can vary greatly from one policy to the next and students in identical circumstances have been required to pay as much as £90 or as little as £30. So to help students cope with the problem, Alan Broad has produced a leaflet.
A gang of criminals stole six walkie-talkies from Edinburgh University. They were caught when an official listened in on a remaining set, and found out where they were hiding.
'Watch Out' explains the need for independent advice based upon the area and value of items to be insured. The leaflet suggests that it is safest to choose a special student policy with the best cover for expensive items such as computers and bikes. lt also advises students to shop around in order to find the best insurance deal, and to have independent advice. •Copies of the leaflet are available by sending four first-class stamps and an SAE to Student Cover 1994, PO Box 172, Headington, Oxford, OX3 OAL.
~000 Newnham Language Centre in Cambridge has put compulsory cycling lessons for foreign students on its timetable after a student died in a cycling accident last year.
---By--NickAmies PROTESTERS from the Lloyds and Midland Boycott (LAMB) were involved in a high-profile demonstration in London two weeks ago. For members of the group, opposing the third world debt repayment programme of the two companies, took to the platform at the AGMoftheHongKongandShanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC)Midland Bank's parent company. But they were ejected by security guards shortly afterwards. The planned disruption was part of the campaign against what LAMB sees as the failure of the banks to follow environmental guidelines in lending to the Third World. And in the latest round of protests here at UEA, staged during the Union's Environment Week, campaigners locked themselves inside Lloyds' campus branch. Said one protester, "These countries who are being exploited are having to degrade their environment through deforestation and cash crop agriculture. The money just goes straight to the banks."
UEA 's own LAMB boycott in The Street Yet one student who gained access said, "Most people have got other things to worry about like coursework. I've got a massive overdraft and I need to pay this cheque in otherwise I'm stuffed." LAMB campaigners believe that Lloyds and Midland are responsible for charging massive interest and repayment rates to some ofthe world's poorest countries. They claim that the banks should support countries such as Brazil, Argentina and Chile rather than exploit their unstable economic positions, and want outstanding debts to be written off. But when contacted about the LAMB campaign, a Midland spokesperson said that they were always
Designers work for Tibetan freedom A NEW range of designer clothes and accessories has been launched to highlight the struggle for free.. dom In Tibet, wrltu Nick Amles. Established designers English Eccentrics and Komodo have joined forces with up and eomlng Yaklak and Catweasle Recycled Clothing to donate designs to help promote the Tibet Support Group. The collection Includes unbleached cotton T-$hlrts featuring original Tibetan Buddhist th•mes, rucksac:i<s, hats, purses • all handmade In natural fibres by craft wort<ers In Nepal. The designers Involved have chosen to support this cause due to their commitment to environmental and human tights IS$U&S. Funds raised from the collection will go to the Tibet Support Group's environmental and educational programmes. eTo obtain details of the range send a S.A.E to: Tibet Support Group, 9 Islington Green, London, N1 2XH.
ready to hear what students had to say on the subject of Third World debt. He added, "Midland are successful in securing the financial futures of a number of South American countries." When asked if the LAMB campaign was taking effect, he explained that although Midland takes the protesters seriously, 6 campus branches occupied out of23 did not necessitate immediate reaction. And a source at Lloyds said that LAMB activists are mis-directing their protests as Lloyds have no debts linked with Third World debt and only deal with middle income Latin American countries. He added, "Lloyds Bank is pleased
to talk to LAMB around a table in an adult way rather than having activists chain themselves to railings and occupying busy branches." But, said the Society for Environmental Action's Dave Alien: "This is a constructive way of protesting as it brings the issue to attention of the ers." A sideoftbel> U! ueano e4l Pie debt." ·,{JIJ04ln'tf 4. •oru•(\•The Jock-in wa-s Implemented when Lloyds refused to show the protesters a document which the bank claimed showed the LAMB campaign had not hit their business, but had in fact done the opposite.
NEXUS UTV TO LAUNCH NEW CAMPUS PROGRAMMES IN 94-5
Nexus impresarios Morgan Davies (left) and Stuart Campbell
NEXUS UTV president-elect, Stuart Campbell, has announced development plans for the campus broadcaster in the wake of his appointment, writes Nia/1 Hampton. He revealed a scheme to expand activities next year, with the introducti on of regular news and weather bulletins in The Hive at lunchtimes. And outgoing incumbent, Morgan Davies, praised the initiative which should earn the TV station a bigger role at UEA. "1 consider Stuart an admirable candidate to perpetuate the consistently promising endeavours in the field of TV established by Nexus during the last year", he said. A proposed move to a new production suite will allow Nexus to
increasetheiroutputofstudio-based material,possiblyincludingaUEA chat show. And they also hope to expand 'Home from Home', UEA's own Jiving soap - filming in mixed studenthouseholdsasoriginallyenvisaged. Said Stuart, "Obviously I' m overjoyed to have landed the position. Moreover, I feel I have now the opportunity to continue and push Nexus forward into a position of major importance within the University. And with the aid of a new style of programming, we aim to fill the screens with more quality TV." He added, "Asalways,ourdoor's always open in an open kind of way for people interested in getting involved."
Concrete, Wednesday, June 8, 1994
TAKING A LOOK BACK ATJ993-4 Yes, lt's that time of year again. Exams are drawing to a (welcome) close, the first semesterlsed year at UEA Is breathing Its last and, In typical British fashion, the sun seems to have given up on us. Ronaldo's flogging ice cream in The Square, the library's becoming increasingly irrelevant as each day passes, and the Union' s bars are positively coining it in with students in celebratory mood. Sounds like a good time to have a look back at the last year - to reminisce on what a good old crack it's really been at UEA. SEPTEMBER: Returning students and the new intake (first years, let's be honest- did you really want to let yourself in for this?) were greeted by the Registry's unique version of aesthetic enhancements. Firstly, there was the aluminium toast rack behind Suffolk Terrace, and a giant concrete saw in the old bus turnaround. But never mind, because if your kitchen roof leaks or your block is collapsing due to subsidence, it's so nice to know that UEA have got their priorities right. And the above ' improvements' were made to improve UEA's image. we' re at a university? Sounds a hotel mate. OCTOBER:Forrnercampusaccommodation supremo, Roger Lloyd, said at a meeting with the Union that he was under no obligation to provide security. But he left shortly afterwards to pursue a career in pantomime. Meanwhile, US students got shirty with Registry bods over being put in double rooms. But this was probably a measure introduced by housing chiefs to help them accommodate their vast collections of souvenirs amassed on their European travels. NOVEMBER: The Union decided to ban Nestle products as part
THAT•s YOUR LOT FOLKS • SEE YOU NEXT YEAR ...
of a boycott motion passed ·at a (rarely quorate) UGM. While this meant that most students probably started drinking Maxwell House and idolising Gareth Hunt, Yorkie or Kit Kat fixes- for hardened junkies - could still be scored at UEA-run Breakers and The Bowl. And the Government finally announced their proposals to reform student unions, prompting a wave .of abject despondency from UEA students in response. DECEMBER: Shortly after the Union reopened city venue The Waterfront, UEA students briefly forgot the meaning of apathy when
they responded to nasty Kenneth Clarke'sNovemberbudgetgrantcuts. A four day Registry occupation ensued, followed by an ingenious traffic disruption exercise in St Stephen's Street. And back on campus, an enterprising student registered his disapproval to the prospect of yet more debt by managing to occupy his toilet for thirty six minutes. "lfthatdoesn'tmake Ken Clarke change his mind, I don't know what will", he said. Meanwhile, EAS students got the hump with having to do more than six hours work a week when they faced all their CCS assessment be-
£a.oo adv
fore Christmas- one even labelling it "absurd" and "ludicrous". But academic chiefs were not very sympathetic to their case. All together now, aaaaaaaaahhhh .... JANUARY: 80 students returning to 0 and P blocks at Fifers Lane from the Xmas vacation were told by UEA to move out because of budget bodges by the accommodation bosses. But they refused and another occupation ensued, ending when the protesters realised that they could live a little nearer the Horsham Bar in ABC block. "I was getting well ****ed off with that trek every night'', said a
former 0 block resident. And students were staggered by the news that the Union had landed the top prize as the best college venue in the country, a fact confirmed subsequently when Ents bosses carried on the good work by booking talented acts such as the Saw Doctors, Kenny Thomas and the much-loved Tony Hadley for live shows. FEBRUARY:The NUS proved their command of student issues by calling a grant-cut protest demo in the Easter holidays, stating "We're aiming for the biggest-ever student demo." ~ Butitwassoonrescheduledwhen they realised the follyoftheirways, and in a shrewd piece of organisation, rearranged it for the run-up to the yearly exam period. Othernews included 442 students signing apetition against the demands of the CCS, citing the effects of an increased workload. It's amazing they actually had time to organise it if they were so busy. MARCH: UEA catering bosses announced plans to open a campus chip shop, claiming that research suggested that the good old English meal was the fastest growing trend in food consumption. But they effectively cod-sed it up with the news that the dreaded Breakers, Diner and The Bowl weren't to be made any batter than usual. And Cannabis Awareness Society members got more than they bargained for when snidey undercover reporters from the Daily Star masqueraded
EVERfiHING BUT THE GIRL Ties 21 June f SH PI ITUAL Z D B g. TOOL
Tickets from Our Price, Andys. Soundclash, HMV, City Ticket Shop, UEA Union. Credit Card Bookings: 0603 505401
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as students and joined them - in more ways than one - on their 'trip' to Amsterdam. The subsequent report criticised the "waccy baccy students" in the papers for "wasting taxpayers' money". Don't knock it though boys you're just jealous. APRIL: Students returning after the Easter break were shocked to hear of St Etienne' s saucy antics after the band stayed overnight at Constable Terrace and wreaked havoc in the kitchens by daubing tomato ketchup over the walls, and wait for it, STREWING spaghetti on the floor. Perhaps they were trying to recreate some of the marvellous artwork they saw in a visit to an exhibition at the Sainsbury Centre ... Or maybe they were just annoyed because their gig was at The Waterfront and not at the LCR. Talking about The Waterfront, the Union took it on for another 6 months even though no-one voted at an EGM for it to stay open anyway. The Registry issued the 1995-6 university prospectus, but applicationsaresuretobedown 'eo potential students took one look at its shiny silver cover and grilled their bacon on it instead of reading it. MAY: The Law Soc' s aptly-entitled (funny that) Law Ball got the go-ahead from the council, despite locals complaining that a load of drunken and tarted-upstudents would be keeping them awake until all hours with their loud singing and raucous behaviour. But as the Rugby Club won ' t be playing another fixture until September, thereshouldn'tbeanything to worry about. Finally, City Hall chiefs claimed they wanted to ban students and staff from bringing cars onto campus altogether, in an attempt to encourage them to 'park and ride'. But what good is a university if it doesn't even allow anyone anywhere near it? Lectures and seminars could take on a new meaning, but then not turning up to something wouldn't exactly be a new experience for EAS and DEV students ... JUNE: Due to the effects ofCCS exams, most people are going home, so not a lot's happening right now ...
The latest news from your Student Union. Issue Thirteen, Semester Two, 1994
Waterfront Re-Opens
Waterfront customers enjoy a club night
• A quorate EGM in October led to the U nion reopening the Waterfront in December. Running a music & arts venue off campus is a huge task but the project has gone from strength to strength. Over 100 national & local bands and 60 national & local DJs have played.Live music and club nights have been programmed at least 4 times a week. The aim now is to continue providing a safe
and po itive environme nt ,affordable e ntrance prices, promoting local talent and creating a community art venue with an expanded programme supported by grant aid. • Ents on campus featured fas hion shows, ftlms Live in the Hive , LCRs and over 40 bands winning us best " college venue of the year from LIVE ! magazine.
Union Threatens UEA over Noise
Constable Terrace: Exam term 1wise complaints from building behind the residences
• The Housing Pack was launched at a housing Fair, foll owed by weekly housing surgeries for students moving into the private sector. •Students in residences have suffered a number of problems this year:
The University closed Oand P Blocks at Fifers Lane creating enormou upset and difficulties for students who organised an occupation of those blocks for a number of days in protest. Building work behind Con table
Terrace has severely disrupted students this semester ; the U nio n threatened the University with legal action before negotiating conditions under which the b uilding work co uld continue. Compensation
for the students affected will still be sough t through the courts. *The Union had a pape r passed at SAC (a committee on wh ich faculty,management and the union· sit)opposing rent increase ,job losses,service cuts and forced increases in licence lengths with alternative proposal to raise revenue and reduce costs in other ways.This will go to General Purposes Committee later this month where a decision will be made- Forum will be meeting soon to discuss how we progress on this issue.
Campaigning Successfully._ This year your Union ha prioriti ed two campaigns: STUDENT UNION
REFORM and GRANT CUTS. • MPs were lobbied at the Commons and by letter following a massive publicity drive and with NUS we succeeded in changing the Bill so that student union funding will continue for ALL Union activities not just tho e Patten decrees are 'worthwhile." A working party has been estab-
lished between the Union and Uni to look at our future relationship. in light of the revised Bill. • We organised a local rally and demo(with an emphasis on gaining local community support), a day of action, lobbying, participated in 2 national demos and are conducting a debt survey to provide local statistics on student deh.t This campaign will eo •. tinue next year to fi ght against further attacks on student fmancial support.
COMMERCIAL SERVICES • The commercial serv- Galliano (a booking ices of the Union have system) was introduced continued to develop in the Travel Shop to this year creating rev- provide better cusenue that supports all of tomer service. The Post the services the Union Office developed the offers. Business Centre with • The Papershop and computer hire, FAX, Supermarket were re- photo co pying and vamped this year to im- binding services. prove customer and ac- •The outlets continued cess and layout. Direct to implement policy debit is now available & Nestle goods wer e "
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banned and Fair Trade & En vironm en tal goods sold at reduced prices. An Ethical Consumer Guide to Norwich and Campus was produced at the sta rt of the year. • All outlets offered products at Grant Stretcher prices - beer prices were frozen in the Hive and Pub.
'Cement' is written and compiled entirely by the Students Onion. lt appears here by commercial arrangement with Concrete . . '
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review of t:he year
New Welfare And Advice Unit Open l In Union House ...
Semester problems eased by new Researcher post
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DSS are ta)cjng this to the Court of Appeal but in the meantime we are advising NUS and students nationwide on this issue. • The biggest ever undergraduation this year with receptions for women,overseas and mature students; free entertainments; welcome talks; user guides; soc and sports mart.
Snooker Room, improved space for the Advice Unit and a quiet student resource area. • Half term playschemes have been run this year and a revised mature students handbook produced. •The Union won 2 ea e for intercalating tudents to receive benefits (setting a precedent as this was not previously possible)- the
• Drugs Awareness, Safe Sex, AIDs, Shelter and VAT on books have been campaigned upon. Nightline held a successful awareness week to promote their work. This was the first event to be held in the new Welfare Advice Unit the Steve Biko Room and other areas were refurbished to create new staff rooms, new
• The Education Unit was created this year with the appointment of a full time Education Researcher .The Unit has moved to the old Welfare offices and has been dealing with the many problems the se-
mester system and modularisation has created with students . • School Board elections were given their biggest push ever to improve student representation in school decision ma]cjng. • Hard work has paid off
and the University will finally be introducing an academic appeal system next year. e well over 1,000 people turned out in the Sabbatical elections and 500 in the nonsabb elections.
POLICY AND UGMs
LIBERATION AND AWARENESS
Students voting at a UGM
• seven UGMs and six & service cuts, 0 & P EGMs - a RECO RD! Blocks, Affiliation to the The majority were ANL, Voting rights for quorate too! Policy has ex-officio officers, Libeen created to cam- - brary services, Running paign on the following: the Waterfront, Electoral IDV Awareness, Age of Registration, Wednesday Consent, Rent increases pms, Recycling Action,
against Grant Cuts, free coaches to national demos, and the most controversial of all-the NESTLE boycott. ALL of this issues have been worked upon hard and most with some success.
Livewire Wins Award And Media Expands
The LAMB campaign
• The Race Awareness Campaign was given a great start with a very successful Awareness Week in October, the highlight was a debate on institutionalised racism with Garth Crooks and the TGWU. eThe LGB Soc now has the biggest membership of any such group in the country and campaigned hard on the Age of Consent this year. Their Awareness Week was fab with speakers including Paul Gambaccini
• Livewire won the NUS /Guardian Award for best radio station this year. Nexus continues to grow in strength. Video screens were
matters for a final decision.) • The first year of the Environment Officer post has been productive with Environment Week held this term speakers,direct action, awareness and info, culminating in an EGM that passed a motion to push for recycling on campus - the Union are lobbying the University as we peak. The LAMB Campaign has continued this year and the banks are starting to take notice.
and Peter Tatchell. • The Womens Action Committee was relaunched and campaigned on birth control and safety, again a good & useful awareness week. •Following a UGM motion a paper was taken to SAC (University Committee)last month and approved - to give these three ex -officio posts voting rights on Exec. This now has to go to Senate (governing body on non-academic
used to publicise events in Union House. • The Womens Issue- a newspaper written by women for women was produced and highly
praised. • Tons of local press coverage on union activities and lots of students on TV- notably Children in Need and The Word.
GOODBYE
That's your lot, folks!
' •
lt has been a great year for the Union- we hope that you have found Union services and activities useful and enjoyable this year.Thankyou for all your support and involvement this year. The current Executive retire soon minus their sanity! Enjoy the summ~~ Good luck to all of you graduating (enjoy tfle Grad Ball.)
'Cement' is written and compiled entirely by the Students Union. lt appears here by commP.rr.ial arrangP.ment with Conr.retP. '
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Concrete, Wednesday, June
8, 1994
Features
Britain 'vs' Egypt Sammy Lotfy Salama, Egyptian Students' Representative at UEA, makes some personal comparisons between Egyptian and British culture
BRITAIN
EGYPT
BEHAVIOUR AND SOCIAL CONTACT I) 'No' means · o'. 'Yes' means 'Yes'., This is my answer and I don't wish to discuss it further' 2) Physical embrace such as kissing and hugging bct\\een men and women can be a symbol of lovL and friendship only, as well as an expression of commitment. 3) In Britain, men walking arm in arm is oficn taken as a sign of a homosexual relationship. 4) Respect for seniority is not so evident. For example, the way some students sit in lectures with their feet up on the chair in front. 5) ratty jeans and long hair sometimes \\ith different colours or strange hair cuts among the young seems to be acceptable.
I) These words are not so definate but are used to persuade someone about another point of view. 2) In Egypt physical contact between men and women is only acceptable inside marriage. 3) In Egypt it is s aign of friendship between hetrosexual
men to walk arm in arm. 4) There is a deep respect for seniority, in terms of age, experience and knowledge which must be shown in the way we behave. 5) Clothing of young people, especially university students, is well cared for and hair always tidy and short.
LANGUAGE
I) To say "hurry up" to someone is seen as a criticism of the way they arc doing somet hing. 2) To say "I want to have a good time with you" appears to mean "I want to have intercourse with you." 3) To say "thank you" for example when recieving a cup of tea means that "I want to drink the tea." 4) Comments about people's appearance are not acceptable. 5) A person's title is not often used. It is more usual to use the first name whether a doctor or proffessor.
I) Using words " hurry up " to someone is seen as a way of encouraging them. 2) Using the words "to have a good time" simply to want to enjoy that person's company and nothing else. 3) Using the words "thank you" really means"! don't want it". 4) It is courtesy and a politeness to praise someone's appearance aand features. 5) In Egypt it is polite to address professional people by their titles.
MISCELLANEOUS I) The "V" sign is now taken as a way of swearing at someone. 2) It is fasionable for men and women to have tatoo's on their bodies. Although not everybody has them. 3) Young men and women are legally allowed to drink alcohol (beer, wine, whiskey) provided they arc over 18 years old.
I) In Egypt the "V" sign means only "Victory". 2) Only criminals and thieves have tattoo's to distin-
guish them. 3) In Egypt it is forbidden to drink at all. Exept for foriegn visitors/tourists.
After a year at UEA, Sammy concludeJ: "We have much to learn about each other so that we do not misunderstand one another but can come to an appreciation of another person~ culture. The observations that I have made are my attempt to widen my understandint: of Britain and not to criticiJe but to present my culture's point of view."
Be vigilant... SECURITYChiefMauriceMorson has warned staff and students to be vigilant in the Arts Building in the wake of recent thefts. For so far this year, seven incidents have occurred in which money, purses and handbags have been stolen from various rooms. Suspicious persorl&should belmmediatery reported to the Porters Lodge.
feeling dazed. Facts and figures are still whirling around your head as you collect your friends and walk down to The Hive for a desperately needed pint. Then, quite suddenly, a wave of euphoria hits you. That was
Yes! No more will you have to struggle with that vitally important 5,000 word essay on molecular biology/the use of rhetoric in Shakespeareffhird World development, after a heavy night at the LCR. No longer will your brain turn into that of a lobotomized goldfish as you attempt to understand the course catalogues. And you need never attempt to find your
No more will you have to struggle with that vitally important 5,000 word essay on molecular biology/ the use of rhetoric in Shakespeare/ Third World development, after a heavy night at the LCR your last exam, your last ever piece of work for UEA. You're free at last! Free, free, FREE!!!
adviser again, after he/she proved to be more elusive than the Scarlet Pimpernel.
Finally, after all those years, you only have a few weeks left at UEA, in which you can do almost anything you want. Like ... what? You could spend your time consuming vast amounts of alcohol in campus outlets and favourite pubs, but if you do actually want to leave with a few memories of those last happy weeks, that 's not really much of an option .... not for every spare minute, anyway! If you do decide on that though, may I be the first to wish you a good time, and point out that the rest of this feature doesn't apply to you. Go read the sport instead. No, this feature is for those people who are looking for something different to do to mark their passing from sity. You've partied ac mint, raved at Ritzy, drunk every pub in the Golden Triangle dry, and eaten every pizza on Pizza One's menu. So where
BANKS COIN 1994-5 STUDENT BONANZA
Get on the right track EUROTRAIN, the leading rail operator for the under 26's, has launched its 1994-5 brochure. Included arc special return fares to Paris and Amsterdam for £49 and Brussels for £55 as well as specials to all destinations in France, Spain, Portugal and Morocco. Eurotrain Explorer tickets offer a return fare from London (inclusive of ferry crossing to the continent) to a choice of destinations throughout Europe. The ticket offers the unique flex ibility of allowing travel out along one route to a set destination and back via another, stopping off anywhere along the way. It is valid for two months travel. Explorer tickets are also cheaper than most rai I passes, with prices ranging from £75 to £240 return. Eurotrain also offer their own individual country rail passes for students of any age and anyone under 26. •Tickets may be purchased at Student Travel Offices, Campus Travel, and appointed travel agents.
Y
ou emerge from the Sports Hall at last, blinking in the harsh sunlight and
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8 Michiole Ju Randt
Some of the Beerfest's organisers
GET THE BEERS 1Nl I THE UEA Rag Beerfest will be rearing its drunken head again this year from June 13-15, during which the LCR will be transformed into an earthly paradise of booze and entertainment. The Beerfest boasts a daunting selection of 85 different types of beer, alongside a traditional cider bar, a selection of lagers, and both a schnapps and spirits bar. Two pounds will provide you with an all-day pass to the festival , and the beer is well priced. Drinks will be able to be bought in exchange for tokens, 20 tokens costing £5. Concealed amongst this merriment and revelry is a noble cause as all proceeds will be going to charities, these being the Norfolk Hospice and the Macmillan Nurses. Highlights of the three days will include from noon, Monday, the Grand Opening by the Lord Mayor of'Notwii:h, 'from llam WJtillpm all beer will be u~aer tt.
8 Toby J.akey
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There will be no lack of entertainment as there will be sideshows and all-day "Ball Pool Jousting". Morris dancers, the fundamental ingredient for any beer festival, will also be making an appearance on both Monday and Wednesday. The day will end with a Ceilidh night, with music from the "Pressgang Ceilidh Band" . Tuesday offers a Beerfest disco preceded by a speetacularperformance of the lambada. Ten hours oflive music is the climax to the festival, with music from six student bands and a special appearance from the "Avon Ladies". Wednesdaywilldrawtoanendwith a "Beerbelly of the UEA" competition, and will thus complete the "Grand finale of the academic year"; 3 days of unequalled liquid pleasure. Rag will 'kindly give us a year to recover.
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THE big four high-street banks have just launched the annual student bank bonanza - with the usual goodies up for grabs. But significantly, overdraft facilities are to be improved - the trend being increasing the amount available in the final year of study by as much as a whopping 75 per cent. Such a move seems designed to accommodate the needs of students facing ever-mounting financial pressures. For Barclays Bank has put forward proposals for its 1994/5 student account package which will most notably increase the interestfree overdraft limit for final-year students from £400 to £700. Other changes from the previous year's package include a £15 cash gift replacing the£ I Oreeord voucher and, as an incentive to take advantage of a Barclaycard account, an additional £15 is credited. Midland Bank is following suit, already confirming that its student account for 1994/5 will include an identical £300 increase in its interest-free overdraft for students in their final year. Lloyds Bank claims that its new package, also due out later this month, will be equally competitive and should "match if not better" the overdraft limits offered by other
banks. But NatWest refused to confirm its proposals for next year. Due to increasing demand, banks are gearing up for a head-on battle to attract students, 47 per cent of which they expect to retain as customers after graduation, according to a recent survey by Barclays and the NUS. And many banks have extended the preferential terms of their student a,ccqupts f<U' ru> long as a year after graduation, in an e ffort to
ensnare graduates. For loans with competitive interest rates and favourable repayment periods set at around three years are the main attraction of graduate accounts, easing the financial pressure placed on college leavers panicking about high borrowing charges. •Graduate packages are currently offered by Barclays, National Westminster, Midland, Royal Bank of Scotland and' Bank of Scotland.
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Concrete , Wednesday, June 8, 1994
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Features
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They• re finished! After weeks of 'hard work', your finals are done, completed, finito ... So what do you do in the weeks leading up to graduation. Caroline Jenkinson suggests some pursuits that get you out of the bar ... do you go now? Well, fear not, for Concrete is here to offer you some sound advice on where to go for some alternative days and nights out. If you've got a car, or don't mind taking the train, then why not start by venturing further afield from Norwich? Seeing as it's now summer, you might consider getting a group of friends together and go to the coast for the day. A word of warning though. DON'T go unless you're absolutely guaranteed good weather. Take it from someone who's born and bred, when the 's bad on the coast, it's really bad; and there's nothing worse than taking one step onto the sea front and then being blown thirty miles inland by a strong wind off the North Sea. Once you've got the right weather, you can then decide where to go. Most people, when in search of the seaside experience, go to Great Yarmouth. There's no reason why you shouldn't do this too, as long as you don't expect some form of cultural enlightenment. To say Yarmouth is tacky is an understatement; it's full of garishly lit amusement arcades, hot dog/ice cream stands and grim little soushops. you can have hours of fun here, especially if you go to the Pleasure Beach and play this fun little game: 1. Eat as many bags of chips, greasy doughnuts and ice cream sundaes as you can manage. 2. Go on as many vomit-induc· ing rides as you can afford. 3. First one to throw up is the loser, and he/she then has to spend the rest of their tokens visiting Fairyland on the kids Snail Ride. Of course, if you don' t want to waste your time in such puerile pursuits (snob!) then there are plenty of other easide resorts that you can vi it. Cromer, Hunstanton and Hemsby are slightly more toned down than Yarmouth, whilst places such as Horsey, Winterton and WellsNext-The-Sea are nicely unspoilt, bar the odd tea shop. If you' re not a sand lover, then you could always head inland and spend a day in Thetford
Great Yarmouth's Pleasure Beach ... just one of the many places you could visit long walks through the home of various feathered and furred creatures, and there are many picnic sites scattered amongst the trees. Ardent lovers might be tempted to romp passionately amongst the trees, or nestled within the long grasses. This is fine, so long as you're prepared to spend the next day romantically picking bloodsucking sheep-ticks off each other's bottoms.
And, of course, there are always the Broads. You can hire small pleasure craft for a day cruising around them, or, if you prefer the greener (and cheaper) option, you can hire rowing boats from places such as Filby Broad for a few pounds a day. Another good way to see the wildlife, and an easy way to get round to some of the local pubs, like the bizarrely named 'Eel's Foot'. Worth going to for the stupid name alone, although the
cellent pizzas and pa ta dishes. They are willing to deal with Graduation parties - menus for such evenings are available on request. Contact them on 613318. Finally, there's Bagley's Barn, which can be found on Pottergate. Lovers of pop trivia will be fascinated to know that thi re taurant is owned by Cathy Dennis's dad. Food lover might be more interested in the fact that it serves nice pancakes. So don't treat graduation as a mere excuse to get drunk all the time; use it as an excuse to indulge yourself in all sorts of other hedonistic pleasures. Just make sure you get to the Congregation ceremony in one piece!
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beer's alright too. But what if you can't get out to all these exciting places? What if you're trapped in that cultural cesspit that is Norwich?
Do not fret, for there are many places that are just waiting for your custom, some of which you may well have not tried before. Firstly, try taking a trip down St Benedicts Street, home of Norwich Arts Centre. Here you'll find St Benedicts Grill (not surprisingly) and Pinnochio's, both of which serve fine food that just cries out to be stufffed into ravenous faces. St Benedicts Grill is noted in all the major guides, and they use only the best local produce. It is open from Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner, and bookings can be made on 765377. Pinnochio's is a lively Mediterranean style brasserie, which serves up ex-
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Concrete , Wednesday, June 8, 1994
Features
. ...·\
End of an era
They've been saying it will close for years, but now it really is goodbye to Fifers Lane. In the second part of Concrete's look at the residences, Michele du Randt talks to an exHorshamite, and waves a fond farewell to Mr Whippy!
T
h ose ex pressi n g their reactions to the closing of Horsham have seen its demise as " th e end of an era." Porters, cleaners and students alike have all stated their sadness at its closure, with one porter commenting, "When thi s place finally closes, it wi ll be as though UEA's lost a limb." Cleaners are not always appreciated knocking on your door at 8am asking to clean your room, especially the morning after a heavy LCR. Yet they have always provided an excellent service and have had to deal with a lot of messy stu dents ; the state of the kitchens on a Sunday evening are a perfect example of that. But not to be forgotten are those behind the spotlight who provide a different kind of service to Fifers residents. For example, Ken's newsagents -a quick climb over the ever-padlocked gate behind P-block - and of course AI an ' Mr Whippy', who
with his van has served studen ts li ving at Fifers valuably over the past seven years, his business expanding from that of simple icecream man to post-office, tobacconist, grocer and burger takeaway all rolled into one. And for anyone who can' t be bothered to hike to Londis and risk being attacked by gangs of kids on BMXs, or trek the lonely roads to the Mile Cross estate for a pint of milk or a loaf on a Sunday morning, Alan is always there, ready to oblige. But the question is whether Mr Whippy is prepared to move his emporium to the new residences at University Village. "As long as the studen ts sti ll need me, I' ll stay", he says, " It's ni ce to know there's still a demand for me, even after all these years," he says. The timely closure of Horsham has e\ '1ked a sense of nostalgia in many of its former residents. Indeed, in the 29 years of the Fifers Lane experience, thousands of studen ts have lived through it with-
The students' lifeline: Mr Whippy out a bad word to say about it. For any reservations about living five miles off-camp us and three miles from the centre of Nor-
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wich were quickly dispelled upon experiencing the unique sense of communi ty offered by Fifers. And many former Horshamites have only fond memories of their time spent at the former RAF base of Horsham St Faiths. John Cockings, a UEA stude nt in the late 1960s and a Fifers Lane resident for three years remembers it as having an atmosphere all of its own, "quite unlike that of the Plain." "lt felt as though we had a home to come home to at the end of the day", he said, " Because for us students living there, Horsham really was a fami ly community." And it seems that this spirit has remained to thi s day, as the residents of 0 and P blocks proved in their defiance a t having their 'homes' taken away from them, when University officials decided to close the blocks back in February. Nostalgic memories of the legendary ' Fifers Breakfast ' and the Horsham Bar are not so different from a couple of years ago, al though current residents are unlikely to fully appreciate the disappearance of the morning hike across the foo tball field to ABC block a t 8 am, or th e not -sofriendl y breakfast ladies and the ever-confusing multiple combination menus. Those icy-cold mornings spent endlessly waiting at the bus-stop haven' t changed either, although 25 years ago the only complaints about the bus service (or lack of it) would have been made to the University, who ran it at the time, rather than to Eastern Counties. But something which has defi nitely improved in the last couple of decades both at Fifers and the Plai n is the entertainments programme provided by the Student Union. For example, in I 968, an LCR
It's goodbye to Fifers' cleaners and porters disco was only staged every fortnight, or even less often, depending on the mood of the organisers. It would have cost I shilling, the eq uivalent of arou nd SOp nowadays, although it would have lasted only from 8 pm until I I pm, with something from The Beatles or the Rolling Stones no doubt signalling the end rather than 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' or 'Cou ld It Be Magic'. And K Block discos, if they still exist, have thankfully replaced the likes of ' Poetry Readings' and ' Dancing in the Blue Dining Room' that John Cockings remembers as a weekend's entertainment for Horsham residents. "Dancing would consist of the girls standing' on one side of the room, and boys on the other", he
PHOTO: Paul Denny
says "and we didn' t even have any alcohol to liven things up a bit either." Perhaps the all-important last ever K-Block party at the end of term organised by the AMS will make people realise the importance of Fifers' spirit. And when Fifers Lane doe s eventually close its doors to students in several weeks' time, those living there now will leave behind them a history which is just as much a part of Norwich as it is for UEA. Said John Cockings, " It 's the end of an era with the loss of such a special brand of community spirit. Anyone who's ever li ved there should be proud and glad of being part of such a 'unique experience."
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Concrete, Wednesday, June 8, 1994
'Get orf moi laaa·nd!' T Nick Amies joins the caravan of love to investigate stories of sex, drugs, rock 'n' roll and police brutality in the light of the Criminal Justice Bill. 'Can I see your M.O.T, sir?'
his month, Parliament will vote on Home Secretary Mlchael Howard 's 27 point plan for criminal justice reform, tabled In a bill which will make the lives of Britain's travelling community unbearable•.• and Illegal. The legislation has been labelled ' Draconian' and accus ed of taking the first steps towards ethnic cleansIng In this country' by those opposed to ll...
Speaking to members of the travelling community, you begin to feel your views and opinions of them change. To bear them speak of the proposed Criminal Justice Bill is like listening to a condemned race considering their future. The travelling community's to homelessness and abuse. view on the Bill and the powers Said Jenny Smythe, Travellers that wiJI enforce it is that they Officer for Shelter, "We have rethemselves are too often the pas- search showing that 40 per cent of sive party - victims of gung-bo riot women and 60 per cent of men on ...... - "'lice, of well monied Parliamen- the road are there due to homelessy lobbies or simply outlawed by ness. '"They are not from any particutbe public's fear of marginal groups. lar social group. They are exFor the Criminal Justice Bill teachers, ex-soldiers, and many are will give Police new powers to people with mental problems." And Cbarlie Smith, spokesperforcibly remove anybody suspected of organising or attending son for the New Gypsy Council, an outdoor rave even with the per- told of the wave of concern spreading through the travelling commumission of the landowner. It also means that anyone at- nity due to the proposed bill. tending an event deemed to be "Basically we will all be breakcausing serious distress will be ing the law and because we will removed whether or not they are be breaking the law, they could trespassing. take our kids away. "They will also start saying Vehicles and sound systems will be im.pounded as well. 'There is nothing we can do with The Bill will give the Police these people, we will have to extra arbitrary stop and search eliminate them' -just what was powers under extended Prevention happening in Germany in the of Terroris m Act legislation, 1920s and 1930s. " It may sound like whereby anyone can be detained .tin five miles of a so called il- scaremongering but if you said to legal gathering, if suspected of at- the Jews and gypsies in 1930s Germany that the Government tending. And under the proposed new were building gas chambers for laws, local authorities will be re- them, they would not have believed of their duty to establish lieved you." In the same month that the Bill sites for travellers and Gypsies. The Government believes that travellers should be responsible for ·-~~~ buying their own sites. But those who have bought or been offered land are often refused planning permission. Similarly, New Age travellers are refused access to traditional Gipsy sites. The fact is that there is Jand available. It seems strange that authorities such as the Wiltshire Police choose to spend £5 million a year on redirecting convoys when a fraction of that price could be used to house these people. And the media-induced paranoia which has fuelled public concern about the travellers has recently come under fire in a report by the Childrens Society. It dispels the myths about
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travellers will make their way to Stonehenge for the Summer Solstice, and if history is repeated, confrontation will ensue. The most infamous of these clashes with the Police took place in June 1985 when 800 riot police from the Wiltshire Constabulary set upon a Stonehenge- bound convoy after redirecting them into a beanfield off the A303 near Cbolderton. The travellers claim that the Police covered their badges so they could safely go berserk and that they had orders to arrest people 'irrespective of whether or not they had done anything wrong beyond being there at the time.' Chris, a traveller for 9 years, was present at the ' Battle of the Beanfield'. 'The travellers are the fust targets for ethnic cleansing in Britain and the authorities will get away with it right under everybody's noses. "If we don't stand up and fight back, it wilJ be your front door they kick in next." Concrete contacted Michael Spicer MP, Tory member for South Worcestershire, to take issue with the Conservative Party's official statement on the proposed Bill.
His constituency includes Castlemorton Common, the scene of pitched battles between the Police and party goers at a rave on the May Day bank holiday weekend in 1992. " When 20,000 people get together for music, plus the large scale buying and selling of drugs, as was certainly the case at Castlemorton, the combination can be quite terrifying for the local residents", he said. "When things get out of control like that, there is very little you can do about it peacefully. It would not take an army but THE Army to sort it out." If the Bill is passed, it could effect all of us. For the legislation is elliptic enough to be used against football crowds, rock audiences, demonstrations, picket lines and Romany Gypsies. You may hate rave music. You may have little sympathy with the traveller lifestyle. But given the present Government's track record of destroying working class communities with legislation and police violence, are you really sure that these laws won't eventually be used against YOU?
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Concrete, Wednesda y, June 8, 1994
Concrete, Wednesda y, June 8 , 1994
15
Features
Features management of the Student Union. The Waterfront has now been up and running again for six months. The original agreement with Norwich City Council was that the Union would run the venue for a six month trial period, after which the situation would then be assessed once again. With the six months now up. the question of how successfully the Union are running the venue is a pertinent one, especially in the light of the fact that the reason The Waterfront originally folded was due, among other things, to bad management The question essentially is this. Can a Student's Union with a broad ranging spectrum of responsibilities put in the time and expertise needed to run a city venue such as 'The Waterfront effectively? The answer need no longer be a hypothetical one, as the Union can no~ be jY,dged on its1rac~rcJ,. Before; ~essmg~llf ~is ~r haPs~~sary t~ ~t the l_.t moo 1n;!he co e ottire his~e!club as a whole, and tory the phi osophy with which it was originally set up. The Waterfront staned life with the fonnation of "The Norwich Venue Campaign" in 1985. The people behind it consisted variously of local band members, gjg goers and assoned other local people who were concerned at the lack of facilities for young people in the fields of music and drama. After much fund raising and
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? ---campaigning, Norwich City Council eventually provided a venue in 1987 in the guise of a disused brewery building next to the river Wensum. Close to a million pounds was spent in the next three years no transformin_g_the bui~ ing into what is noi7rec0gniied as ~e WaterfrOnt ~ It fi~ e~ed to the 'Public in-<OcU>oer t990and~y rruide a ~9.V~~an exciting new tenu~hlch although it experienced difficulties from the start, nevertheless stayed true to the spirit in which it was set up. Charlie Robinson, singer with local band Republic, one of the original members ·o f the venue campaign back in 1985 and later one of the directors of the club, is clear about what the aim of The Waterfront was. 'The idea was to provide a place where national touring bands could play in Norwich and where we could then give an outlet too
One of The Waterfront's bar staff at work on a club night
for local talent and put local bands on as supports to the bigger names." True to its aim, the opeajng of The Waterfront created a music see~ iD Norwich whe"- before there ~d been v~ little to Ulk abQUt. The suJ'~ of DJ John Pee botli tn the campaig~ to open the venue and once it WiS established played a significatt role in this also. When the venue closed in 1993 with debts of £360,000, the commercial and musical base established over the previous three years disappeared virtually overnight. Yet it is surely a testament to the original directors of what they achieve<! in those three years that almost immediately following the closure, plans were being drawn up as to whether the venue could be reopened, and who would run it if it was. The Student Union were chosen by Norwich City Counc1l from a host of bidders due to them having 15 years of experience in running entertainments in Norwich. The crunch question was whether the Union could extrapolate their experience in putting on entertainments for students to running a city venue that is a facility for the city as a whole. Union Communicatiors Officer Jacqui Mackay, for whom the overseeing of The Waterfront has now become an integral part of her portfolio, admits that it wasn't easy from the stan. 'The venue had been closed for nearly a year when we took it over and we had Jost a lot of the custo mer base that The Waterfront had bad. We underestimated how much that had actually gone. We
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an already large and heavy responsibility. The Waterfront is by no means the most important work that we do." In fact, many of the views of the Union and their critics largely correlate, it being the net effect of them that varies. The Waterfront Marketing Assistant Dominic Russell-Price admits: "One of the problem is the staffing. There are not enough staff to put in all the hours that are needed. It is underresourced. 1fyou pay peanuts, you get monkeys." One of the principal accusations JeveUed at the Union has been that through controlling the Waterfront, it has led to a ~onopoly of entertainments in Norwich, whereby most radically, the venue is seen as an extension of the LCR. Charlie Robinson sees it as "limiting choices", while last year's Finance Officer Chris Hollingworth takes a broadly similar line, claiming that, "It's in danger of losing its personality. The Union are scared of doing the same thing as the previous operators, which is wrong. Mistakes were made, but they ended up with a very good club and there are lessons which can be learnt from
The Waterfront's Cafe-Bar thought that people were waiting around for The Waterfront to open again and actually that wasn't the case." The Union also had to face up to the fact that the venue had a bad business reputation which meant that they were starting from a
negative position from the outset. They agreed with the Council that they would stage two club nights and two live events each week. The aim was to take some of the old ideas of what The Waterfront was supposed to be and mix them with the Student Union's
aims, which were quoted la•• n ... , cember, when it opered, .' positive image, a good mix of customers and a good mix of mu~ic." Six months down the line and naturally people are divided as to the success of the operation. Although he says be is happy that it
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open again, Charlie Robinson ys he is in two minds about the whole thing. / "I don't think they've got the knowledge of the music scene that they need to run it successfully." · He cites long hours as being essential in the management. of a
the money that does come in is made. The aim of the two club
nights on a Friday and Saturday is part of this, as Jacqui admits, ''We want to have nights that brin' in a big income in order to suptX>rt the nights that don't bring in much money. Unless we do this, then The Waterfront shuts." 1\is is something that no-one wants to see happen, whatever their view of the last six months, so perhaps we should accept the logic of the policy. Chris Hollingworth is not so sure. ''They're being too over cautious. It's .being turned into just another of the clubs in Norwich wbe11 it shouldn't be. It's often just a mini-LCR at the moment which isn't right." It is a subject which anyone who has been to The Waterfront in the last six months will have a view about, but ultimately the question has 10 be whether it could be done any better, given the situation. As the figures reproduced here show, The Waterfront has been steadily increasing its profit since February, which seeing as it made a loss of £10,400 in December '93
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renewed mandate to run The Waterfront. Whatever your view, this will be when you should make it fell
Memories ofjust two ofthe nights held"at The Waterfront over the last six months. Top: D:Clubbers at the Sabresonic night, dancing to the tunes from DJ Andrew Weatherall Above: Looking back to December 1st's Megadbg - The PHOTOS: Peter Hart Waterfront's opening event
16 Concrete, Wednesday, June 8, 1994
REVIEW
QUEA band, Fur, play their last Norwich gig at The Wllde day June 13, before the group move to Brighton. OSoon to release a new EP, and having just signed a three album deal with Che Records, things are looking good for Fur. Not only that, they're also lined up to do a short, but countrywlde, tour. OSald lead vocalist and guitarist, Jamle Putnam, " We're really pleased to have signed the deal with Che, and would like to thank everyone for their support over the last few years." OTlckets for the Wllde Club gig are £2.50 advance. Support comes from the Pltklns.
ATaste ol Ochre
QA new UEA band, called 'A Taste of Ochre' play number of dates at the Unl· verslty before the end of term, Including the Rag Beerfest on June 15, the Chaplaincy Ball on June17, and The CMS Finale on June18. Playing poplrock with undertones of folk, A Taste Of Ochre Is fronted by EUR student, Rebekah Haddock. Their demo, recorded recently at Great Yarmouth's Purple Rain studios, Is great, particularly the title track, 'Forever'.
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Galliano's date at UEA proved to be one to remember. Firstly, it was an exposition of Galliano at their best. Secondly it came the night after their debut appearance on Top of the Pops, and thirdly, it was lead singer Valerie Etienne's birthday. Galliano are not a band who believe in detachment from their audience. From the moment they hit the stage, the emphasis is on crowd involvement and a happy communal vibe. After a couple of songs, Rob introduces each member of the band personally, culminating in the appearance of Snafe, replete with stick and a miners light on his head.
T he music may have changed a little since the last album, but the message is still the same. Galliano live is Galliano as they really are - it's what makes them tick. There's no sense of ego or pretentiousness about themit's just everyone out to have a good time,including the band. The set combines both old and new material in such a positive way that you leave the gig knowing exactly where Galliano are headed. They recognise that times change and their music reflects how they have evolved as a result. Coming back on stage for two encores. they play the old favourites 'Prince of Peace' and 'Stoned Again', with Rob calling out for those with Rizlas to raise their hands.
They haven't forgotten where they're coming in from the midst of their sense of progression. The most touching point of the night comes when audience and band join in a rendition of Happy Birthday for singer Valerie. She won't reveal how old she is and it would be rude to ask. The difference to the Galliano of the last tour is that there is more of an aura of class about them. They are constantly taking on board ideas. They know what they're doing is right and the aim is to convey that to everyone in the audience. The beauty of the night is that they succeed. Galliano are leading the way to the future. The plot thickens.
Msrlc Austin
(World) Party on!
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World Party · PREVIEW Kar1 Wallinger has a musical CV which spans twenty years and each experience has added to the rich variety of moods and sounds which go to make up World Party. Ftom the 60's when he discovered The Beatles and then Motown, through the 70's when his first steps into the music business meant fiddling with a tape recorder and a practice amp, into the 80's where he discovered Joy Division and Echo and the Bunnymen and broke through
into mainstream music with The Waterboys, Wallinger has built up a wealth of musical styles and ideas that culminated in World Party's birth in 1985. The first album 'Private Revolution' was practically recorded single handedly by the multi instrumentalist Wallinger and at that time World Party was just a working title for a group of session musicians who toured with Karl during the late Eighties. Fascinated by studio possibilities, Wallinger threw himself into the making of the follow up album, 'Goodbye Jumbo', and locked himself in a room
and came up with what was described as the classic al- .bum of 1990, universally acclaimed by critics and listeners alike. Environmentally anxious, yet musically sparkling, this was Kar1's 60's tribute. 'Bang', the latest World Party album sees Wallinger venturing into computer technology and enjoying mastering the complexities of recording. Now with a permanent line up of musicians at his disposal, Kar1 Wallinger takes World Party out on the road and visits UEA LCR on June 22.
NlckAmles
D "Everythlng But The Girl" are playing at the Waterfront on Monday, June 20. Tracey and Ben bring their own unique blend of folk and rock to Norwich as their new album "Amplified Heart" Is about to hit the shops, almost ten years since "Eden" took the nation by storm. The band will be signing records during the day at HMV. Tickets are priced at £8 and doors open at 7:30pm. D "Fish", no longer merely 'that bloke from Marillion' but one of rock's most charlsma!ic and truly talented Individuals Is performing In Norwich on Tuesday, June 21. Now with four stud1o albums and six live recordings under his belt to date, Fish Is a man who plays mature rock for a discerning public. Catch him signing his new album between 1pm and 2pm at HMV, or watch him perform live at the Waterfront; tickets are £8.50, doors open 7:30pm. a=ormerly of the band 'Spaceman 3', Jason Pierce brings "Spiritual/zed" back to Norwich to warm them up for Glastonbury. This t ime the venue Is the Waterfront, not UEA LCR, with tickets coat ing £5.
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Concrete, Wednesday, June 8, 1994
17
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Blur
+ steeper REVIEW
The problem when supporting a band like Blur is that nobody really wants to listen to you. They just want to see Damon. But that's not the case with Sleeper. For they've built up quite a name for themselves in the short time that they've been around. Well received when last in Norwich to support the Blue Aeroplanes, Louise and eo. are also going down well tonight. And so we're treated to the songs which we already know so well:. there's 'Delicious', first single 'Aiice In Vain', and 'Swallow', each one already sounding like a classic. The end of the set comes, and then everyone who's been dancing remembers who they're really here for.... the fonnerly sad-indielosers-tumed -great-pop-stars who are BLUR! Damon lumbers on, and seats himself at the Hammond organ. You know, the kind that the old chap used to play in the corner of bingo club that your gran went to. What cheeky Cockney chappies this lot are! For Damon hasn't begun with something up beat, a little introduction to get the already sweaty audience dripping that little bit more, but is calmly playing the opening bars to Lot 105, the final track from their recently released third album, Parklife, which manages to sound exactly like the kind of tune that the old man in the corner used to play. Well, thars until it goes into a mad frenzy, and Damon leaps to the front of the stage, framed at each side by two HUGE lamp standards and red tasselled shades, ready to launch into the next number. Call them unpredictable! Unpredictable they may be, but they know how to belt out a cracking good tune. Early into the set what seems like a remark-
ably brief version of their recent stonner, 'Girls and Boys', followed by the irresistible 'Tracy Jacks', and numerous other tracks from the simply brilliant 'Parklife'. Halfway through the 70 minute set, we're treated to the new single 'To The End'. a wonderful combination of strings, guitars and that organ, with a mindnumbing chorus that consists of Damon wailing, in
a spookily Suede-esque manner, "You and VCollapsed in love/ And it looks like we might of made it..• This is pure heaven. But it has to end, and just before Blur leave the stage, Damon belts out'Chemical World', and everyone sings along about eating chocolate to induce sleep. Two encores later, and Blur have also treated us to the song with
which they originally surprised and endeared us, 'There's No Other Way', and the brilliant 'Parklife', with its Cockneysingalong-around-the-piano chorus. Then the lights go up, and we're left to go back to our modern lives. But after this gig it's guaranteed that they're nowhere near half as rubbish. Review & photo by Peter Hart
Big Country PREVIEW According to the press release from their recording company, Big Country are right up there with the elite of British rock. And now they've released an album of their greatest hits. This will bring back vivid memories of getting drunk before a school disco, and the mad flailing of arms and legs as such classics as 'Harvest Home', 'In a Big Country', 'Wonderland', 'Look Away' spiralled with you into unconsciousness. This is mid-eighties pomposity and today it unfortunately seems a bit dated. What Big Country really need to do is adapt to the current musical climate: how about Aphex Twin doing the 'Hoots Mon' remix of 'Steeltown'? •Big Country visit the LCR on Friday June ~.7 . •••• •• • w •
NlckAmles
Mark Austin's got his ear to the ground ... Having supported the likes of Mudhoney, New Model Anny, The Fall, Ride, The Buzzcocks and in late 1992 also playing a session for the Mark Goodier Show on Radio 1, local band Republic are perhaps overdue on their piece of the action. Hailing from Norwich and originally fanned in 1988, the current line-up has been together since 1991, comprising frontman Charlie (vocals), Simon (guitar), Darren (bass) and Nigel (drums). If perseverance is the key to success then they are set to be huge. The next couple of months are set to be the busiest in their difficult history, with two CD releases before the end of '94. Inclusion on the new 'Backwater Two' compilation has already brought a play on the Radio 1 Evening 6easibn-. • · •' . • • • • Planned for release on clllne 27'.
Republic and three other bands involved will play a launch gig at the Norwich Arts Centre on that day. Their live show, described as 'frighteningly intense' was last on display when they played the Waterfront in March, supported by Waddle. 'Fluid' is the current line-up's debut release and the EP will hit the streets in August. Cited as 'an exploration of the darker side' of their music, it contains four new songs and reflects very much the band's sense of difference and insularity. The music is dark and heavy ·· but not-morbidly a<>, show"Caslng • theif O'Nn unJque soUnd • J • 1 ..
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With eclectic influences ranging from the Smashing Pumpkins and Sonic Youth through to Faith No More and The Pixies, the band manage to take elements from many sources while creating a style that is similar to none. Currently studying for a degree at UEA, lead singer Charlie was a director of the Waterfront before it closed last year and looks forward to the next two months as marking an up-tum in the band's fortunes. 'I'm hoping we'll be able to get another session on the radio and hopefully everything will come together,' he said. 'If you believe in just r!w~rds, jus watch ou for Republic. •
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Concrete, Wednesday, June
8, 1994
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The summer Sheng lrom Family DB TECHNO impresarios Family DB have scooped the services of none other than Andrew Weatherall for their big summer knees-up at the Waterfront. And the techno legend, fresh from working on other Sheng ventures and the Sabres of Paradise , will be the main draw at the event on June 17. Family DB have confirmed the following line-up for the show. Downstairs sees Reload (aka Global Communications) plus Andrew Weatherall and Pash from the DB posse. Upstairs sees a shootout between Fishtank, featuring Jezzaroona and Jon 0 , and Eden , Hedgehog, Fade and Billie Blunt. Shengheads can also expect lots of drapes, a proper club PA, and a lightshow with intellar beams. Freebies include fanzine , icepops, and a raffle for ticket holders - with prizes being Reload and Sabres goodies with more to be confirmed, although The Event understands that copies of Beaumont Hannat's album could be a possibility. Said Jo Elkington from Family DB, "I'd like to stress that this event is really good value for money. "We've got some highly respected techno people coming on the night and we're using the same PA that Sabresonic used a few weeks ago. ''There's loads of freebies, balloons etc etc to give away. We want it to be a really special event." _ And she added, "We're also pleased about Fishtank and Eden doing Pure Sheng with us. it's about time the three of us got together." Family DB have just done a benefit for Dream FM and over the summer hope to build on their success, having provided over two years of ouality techno nights in York, where they hail from. Although skilled and dedicated amateurs, they have worked with Alex Knight, had mentions in national club media, been praised by the legendary John Peel, and in their biggest scoop yet, have secured the services of Andrew Weatherall. Their most recent appearances in Norwich were staged at The Waterfront , dates following their successful Norfolk debut at Fifers Lane KBiock in November. And in the coming months they've got together with Soundclash from Leeds for a night of dub and hip-hop at Brighton's Escape Club on July 6, using the !ration sound system . DJs include Mark Iration , Beaumont Hannant and Justin Robertson plus a special guest. Plans are also afoot for a VibeTribe in June or July at Bretton Hall with DJs Lagowski, Beaumont Hannant and DB Sonic Scientists. Family DB member Davey P is also touring with Co Melt and Corridor Records, and there are also plans for a collaboration with Soundclash from Leeds at The Waterfront in June, date TBC. Pure Sheng takes place at The Waterfront on June 17. Tickets £6 NUS/ £6.50. Family DB have got together with The Event to offer the following competition, with two tickets for the night up for grabs. To enter, simply answer the following two questions. 1 From where does the phrase 'Pure Sheng' originate? 2 What is the name of Evolution's record label? Entries should be on a postcard, along with your name and school , and they should be received by June 14. Normal Concrete rules apply and the Editor's decision is final etc .. . Nia/1 Hampton
Dlf it's a reggae bonanza you're after, then get down to Dubwiswer at The Loft on Rose Lane on Friday June 10. Formerly held at Bedfords, the Dubwiser team have relocated to The Loft as they needed somewhere where the windows wouldn't rattle to the sound of roots and dub! The event ru ns from 9.30pm to 2am, and tickets are £3. Enjoy!
Nia/1 Hampton takes a look at the latest from ban ds
including Primal Scream, Billy Rain and Bang Bang Machine PRIMAL SCREAM Jailbirdn" Despite an intra which sounds like the beginning of the BBC's snooker theme tune , 'Jailbird' follows on neatly from previous release 'Rocks'. Again , it's firmly rooted in the Jagger/Richards tribute vein which Bobby and the boys seem to have adopted as their own, something which prompted the following response from Blur's Damon Albarn , "Bobby should quit while he's ahead and open a Rolling Stones museum in Brighton." Absolutely. But despite its dubious origins, 'Jailbird' is a quality cut with a chorus that'll be popping up in MTV trailers for years to come.
GALLIANO The Plot Thiclcens/LP The third album from the excellent Galliano, 'The Plot Thickens' is measuring up to being their most successful yet. For it's already spawned the band their first Top 30 single, 'Long Time Gone', and the rest of the material is by no means inferior. But don 't expect a repeat of 'A Joyful Noise .. .', for wh ile remaining faithful to the elements that have characterised their sound, Galliano have made an attempt to assimilate a few other influences. And there's lsley Brothers guitar cropping up on the politically-aware 'Twyford Down', more of a hip-hop vocal flavour on 'Believe', with a dub groove underpinning Travels The Road'. In retrospect , it's probably the most complete album that the band have made, and judging by the response to the new cuts last week when Galliano played the LCR , it could well be their biggest yet . But increased fame shouldn't make that much difference to them, for they've got their feet firmly on the ground. And as vocalist Valerie Etienne told me after the show, the change in style is what they're all about, "We're moving on , but it's still definitely Galliano."
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BILLY RAIN On Top Of The Worldn" The above named played support to Lena Fiagbe at The Waterfront a fortnight ago, and their set complemented proceedings nicely. Stylistically, 'On Top of the World', to be released in late June , is reminiscent of The Sundays with a little less jangle and inflections of Kale Bush present in the vocals. Billy Rain claim origins from all over the UK and pride themselves on not sounding like anything else . And their considerate melodies and crafted arrangements make this an extremely promising debut, a trend continued in 'Oh My God' and 'Grown Up', the two songs that accompany the title track.
SUNNY DAY REAL ESTATE Diary/LP 'Diary' is the first album release from Seattle outfit Sunny Day Real Estate. According to sources at SORE's label, Sub Pop, it's an LP that subtly reveals influences such as Fugazi, Pearl Jam and Faith No More . They add that the band are being touted as "emo-core arena rock" , where 'emo' stan ds for emotional. Despite this seemingly inane description, the album itself seems to owe more to Smashing
Pumpkins in a slightly slower gear. it's thoughtful, well constructed songwriting, as seen on 'In Circles' 'Song About an Angel' and 'Round', tracks which all feature jangly guitars ceding to power chord angst, held together by solider than solid drumming. Lyrically, there seems to be a preoccupation with a sense of self-doubt and melancholy, but then again this fits the musical scheme of things quite neatly. Of other particular note are songs 'The Blankets Were The Stairs' (brooding), 'Pheurton Skeurto' (much the same with a piano backing), '48' (angry) and 'Sometimes' (slow and haunting) . All in all, a good album , although a bit more variety musically and optimism lyrically wouldn't go amiss.
BANG BANG MACHINE Give You Anvthingn" Released at the end of last month , 'Give You Anything' is in many ways the preview to BBM's new album, 'Eternal Happiness'. Musically, it's like a manic Siouxsie and the Banshees meets Wendy James on speed, although thankfully it's a bit more ingenious and less contrived than the aforementioned latter. Other tracks on the CD, 'Say it Ag ain Joe' and 'Justine', are crafted from the same ingredi ents, whilst the club mix of 'Give You Anything' is well worth a
listen. Oh, and John Peel likes Bang Bang Machine too. 'Nuff said.
8 STOREY WINDOW 8 Storey Window/LP Another debut LP to arrive in our offices this week, '8 Storey Window' is a collection of songs from the band of the same name, expected to deliver much for Ultimate Records, themselves revelling in the wake of Senser's success. Produced by Levitation frontman Terry Bickers, (who also plays guitar) the album betrays a certain raw confidence, i,s 9 songs belying considerable musical quality. Opening cut, 'I Will' with its powerchord progressions, suggests that subsequent material is to follow in the same mould, which by and large , it does. 'Screaming Waterfalls' reveals not a total dissimilarity to bands such as Smashing Pumpkins, and in this sense, there's a common ground between this album and that of SORE (see review above) , although '8 Storey Window' is definitely more of a British enterprise. This is qualified by other tracks 'Next to Nothing' and 'Al ready Gone' , more restrained and melodic efforts, and 'Flower Hill', which contrasts nicely with the rest of the LP. Like SORE, a good debut, but with a little more variety.
MY LIFE STORY You Don't Sparlden" 'You Don't Sparkle' is a neatly arranged song , with big string sounds holding up the quirky vocals, a sort of 1990s interpretation of Teardrop Explodes. it's a thinking person's summer song really, and who knows, could well be a hit with enough exposure.
SPELLBOUND ·-~~ The Dark Davs/EP =·r~ This offering from Spellbound is a four-track EP featuring songs 'Shine', 'On High', 'Persuasion ' and 'Miss Holly Golightly'. it's all rather brooding on the first two tracks: chorused and acoustic guitars swirling in the background with a ghostly vocal in front - all extremely remi niscent of The Sundays . In fact, is vocalist Lydia actu ally Harriet Wheeler's double? Information received tells me that Spellbound are from Suffolk and cite Hitchcock's fi lm of the same name as a major inspiration. Final cut, 'Miss Holly Golightly' is dedicated to Audrey Hepburn, and makes for the best song on the EP. it's got a definite drum track with fuzzy guitar and those ever-present haunting vocals. Quite a good collection of tracks, but<lefinitelymusic•to contemplate to. " • ··' ·- ' • • • ·
Concrete, Wednesday , June 8 , 1994
When Angle (Geena Davls, centre) unexpectedly becomes pregnant with her boyfriend's baby, for all the wrong reasons she decides to have the baby and not marry the father
Angie PREVIEW Geena Davis once again takes to the road in a journey of discovery in her latest movie, Angie. Creating a character very similar to her role in 'Thelma and Louise',she takes the title role in the comedy/drama and once again does wonders for the image of modern, independent women creating their own lives destinies. Angie has a settled life. She lives in the tight-knit community of Bensonhurst, Brooklyn with her hardened, narrow minded family and has to cope with the lack of support she gets from her friends and her long time lover, Vinnie
(James Gandolfini). One thing she does get from Vinnie is a baby.But at the time of her pregnancy, Angie decides to make changes in her life and follows her own dreams and ambitions which are so different from those of her friends.One way in which she takes control of her life is to start an affair with Noel (Stephen Rea), a cultured and successful Manhattan lawyer. Everyone of her friends and family are aghast at her actions and even more so when she declares that she will not marry Vinnie.She ends the affair with Noel and decides to have the baby on her own. Her whole world changes direction when the baby is born and
This fortnight at Cinema City PREVIEW Concrete's final look at what's on show at Cinema City (for this academic year) starts off with 'In The Name Of The Father' (15), Jim Sheridan's powerful screen version of the story of the Guildford Four. Daniel Day-Lewis plays Gerry Conlon, a man who finds himself caught up in a nightmarish sequence of events after the Guildford pub bombings. Emma Thompson and Peter Postelthwaite also star. The film finishes its run on June 11 . Next up is 'King of the Hill' (12), the latest film. ftom Steven Soderbergh, tne-di-,•- ,. ,
rector of 'Sex, Lies and Videotape'. This is an unexpectedly gentle tale about growing up in St Louis during the Great Depression of the Thirties. Stranded in a dingy hotel whilst his father is working away as a salesman, and his mother is admitted to hospital, the young hero begins to make friends with some of the hotel's more eccentric residents. 'King of the Hill' is showing from Monday June 13 to Thursday June 16. Gerard Depardieu stars in 'Germinal' (15), the epic retelling of Emile ~s olassio cweJ. nineteel}th oen
Angie sees this as her escape.Embarking on a journey of self discovery, Angie sets out to find the answers to life's toughest questions.She faces her family's darkest secrets and learns to take responsibility for herself and her baby. Adapted from Avra Wing's novel, 'Angie, I says', the film concentrates on the birth and the developing relationship between Angie and her new baby as well as showing the strength required to follow your own dreams without the help of others, either through choice or not. Powerful, emotional and funny, Geena Davis may soon become a cult movie figure for a generation of developing women.
. MEJABER~
NlckAmles The film focuses on one poverty stricken family who live in a mining village in Northern France. This film will run for almost two weeks, beginning on Friday June 17, and ending on Thursday June 30. Sunday afternoons are devoted to British films that have in some way influenced modern design. The first of these is 'Or Zhivago' (PG) on June 12, to be followed by the late Derek Jarman's classic 'Caravaggio' (18) on June 19. The Friday late-night showings are 'Body Snatchers' (18), which will be shown as a double bill with Darren Fisher's 'Kindergarden' (U), on June 10, and 'Full Contact' (18), the Hong Kong gangster m~vie, on June.17 •
taro11ne Jenklnson
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J Police Academy: Mission to Moscow PREVIEW Something is very wrong somewhere.ls it t he movie moguls' lack of imagination, could it be a case of making easy money frorn a tried and tested formula, or is it because they actually think that we, the public, are so retarded that we will squeal with joy at the prospect of yet another Police Academy film and go and see it in droves? At the time of release, Police Academy was regarded as a classic comic formula, then there was Police Academy 2 which saw the natural progression from raw recruits to bungling beat cops.But then it all went terribly wrong, the next few were churned out at such an alarming rate it left our heads spinning. Consequently no one could be bothered to
catch up with the back catalog ue and t he series itself became a joke. Now the team, wea kened by the departures of Steve Guttenberg (Mahoney), Bobcat Goldthwait (Zed) and Bubba Smith (Hig htower), are sent to Moscow to take down the Russian mafia Godfather, Konstantine Konali (Ron Perlman). The remaining members of the team, Commandant Lussard (George Gaynes), Jonesy (Michael Winslow), Tackleberry (David Graf), Callahan (Leslie Easterbrook) and Captain Harris (G.W Bailey), all earn valuable paycheques but risk slipping into typecast land, a place of no escape. Movie icon Christopher Lee as Rakov, the Moscow chief of Police, may go some way to giving the film some credibility, but it's unlikel~.
Something as successful as the Police Academy series cannot really be knocked for it's crowd pulling power, so the film will probably be a hit, of sorts, but the lack of imagination coming out of Hollywood could be the shot in the arm the British film industry needs to get off it's collective backside and make some quality motion pictures. Right on! Nick Amies
The Crow PREVIEW The last movie made by the late Bran don Lee , 'The Crow' is a cross between classic film noir and high-style action, and is based on a popular com ic book series of the same name. The film begins on Devi l's Night in the inner city; a night when decadence and debauchery come to the fore. Working-class rocker Eri c Draven (Lee) and his fiancee are brutally murdered by a violent gang led by the sadistic crime lord Top Dollar. Exactly one year later, Eric is resurrected by forces he cannot explain , and returns to the ci ty of his demise to exact his revenge.
He has been endowed with preternatural strength and vision, and watched over by a hypnotic black crow - the spirit guide between the world of the living and the realm of the dead - he takes down the city's master crim inal and his urban thugs . Lee actually died before the film wa s completed , but his mother, Linda Lee Cadwell, and his fiancee , El iza Hutton, asked that 'The Crow' should be finis hed to stand as a testament to his talent. Lee's fi lming had almost been completed anyway, but nevertheless, the filmm akers decided to suspend production for two month s whilst they made the
difficult decisions about how to finish the film. Eventually, after some sensitive rewrites and some additional dialog ue to clarify key plot points, production re su med in North Carolina. lt would have been easy to abandon the film , but the powerful perfo rmance that Lee had given meant that everybody felt they had to return to it. "Everyone stuck with 'The Crow' because of the work Brandon had done", says executive producer Robert Rosen. "There was no question in our minds that this was a complete performance of remarkable intensity. We fe lt th at, as diff icult as it was to go back, we kn ew we had an immensely powerful film." Caroline Jenkinson
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Caroline Jenkinson takes a look at the other fi lms on in Norwich
Sob! The last 'Also Showing ' column of the year ! However, despite the bitter sadness, I shall carry on regardless ... As ever, we start at the Cannon , where 'Intersection ' (15) tops the programme. Richard Gere sta rs as a man torn between his famil y and his mistress, who f inds that fate is maki ng t he decisions for him. Sharon Stone stars as his wife, who surprisingly- keeps her knickers firmly on. Frank Drebin, the world's most inept policeman, comes out of retirement for 'Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult' (12). lt's still the same bog standard spoof movie as the other two, but, let's face it, you're bound to laugh anyway. 'Grumpy Old Men ' ( 1Z) ls the cinematic equivalent of drinking liquidized Creme Eggs; it might seem a little sickly later, but my goodness, didn't you enjoy all that sweetness at the time! Waiter Mattau and Jack Lemmon star. Everybody should know my opinion of 'Schindler's List' (15) by now, so all I need to say is that it's still running if you haven't - shame on you!-seenityet. 'Shadowlands' (U) , the major weepie starring Anthony Hopkins and Debra Winger, is also carrying on its run. Over at the Odeon, there's 'Fou r Weddings and a Funeral' (15), starring the lovely Hugh Grant and Andie MacDowell. Light, fu n and ultimately satisfying on all counts. Stretching an already thin plot even thinner is 'Look Who's Talking Now' (12), where the dogs follow the kids and start talking to each other. Expect 'Look, The Gerbil 's Got Verbal Diarrhoea ' to be out sometime next year. Disney's latest offering, 'The Adventures of Huck Finn ' (PG) brings up the rear. As with all Disney adaptations, don 't expect it to be entirely faithful to the original. Nevertheless, it's good classic stuff to entertain the children. Well that's your lot. Happy summer .v iewing!
The
event TV IN BRIEF
Michele du Randt previews three of the best films released on video this summer
HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE FORTNIGHT AHEAD Comedian Jo Brand takes a
wry, personal look at the clips which will be forever remembered in history in the new 10minute series, "Bad Sports• starting on BBC1 on Thursday, June 9 at 8:50pm. Jo trawls through the archives to remind viewers of those great commentary gaffes which had them chuckling for weeks. "Beavis And Butthead". those animated ambassadors of antihero anarchy gurgle their way through another dose of heavy rock and rigorously radical wrong-doing as another set of musicians are treated to the 'sucks huh huh' treatment in their show on Channel4 on Friday, June 10 at 11 :20pm. Performances from New Zealand's Crowded House, and the return of Britain's foremost reggae band, Aswad, haedline the bill of BBC2's eclectic mix of musical talent, otherwise known as "Later With Jools Holland", on Saturday, June 11 at10:25pm.
Above: Addams Family Values/ Below: A Perfect World/ Bottom: Robin Hood
The tear-jerking "Karen Carpenter Story" is the TV film on . Anglia on Sunday, June 12 at 3:45pm, and portrays the life of the singer who died of bulimia at the peak of her career. The film charts her rise to fame with her brother Richard, early recording deals, her rollercoaster lovelife and her downward spiral into anorexia and bulimia as her weight became the only thing in her life which she could control.
Addams Family Values O"Addam's Family Values" (PG) released on June 6 Is the sequel to the hit of 1991, 'The Addams Family'. The film Is basically the portrayal of the standard struggle between good and evil. All the favourite characters are there aswell as some new ones too. Gomez and Mortlcla are thrilled by the arrival of Baby Pubert who has an extremely attractive moustache. Uncle Fester has a new love In his life In Debbie Jelllnsky, the new nanny. The contrasts of the morality of family values with the weirdness of the the Addams family works well as entertainment for all ages.
A Perfect World "A Perfect World" (15) Is an action thriller starring Clint Eastwood as Texas Ranger Red Garnett In hot pursuit of Butch Haynes, a hardened who kidnaps Phlllp Perry, a young Jehovah's witness. Basically a road movie the film combines the elements of a tense thriller with tender sensitivity and the final scenes will bring a tear to almost any eye. Out on June 20.
Robin H~od: Men In Tights DOn a lighter note there Is Mel Brooks' comedy spoof, "Robin Hood: Men In Tights" (PG) out on release on June 27. lt tells of the Loxley family's faithful blind servant Bllnkln and several other typical Brooks' like characters Including Will Scarlet O'Hara and Rabbi Tuckman who all wear..•yes you've guessed lt...tlghts singing "We're men (manly menl)-men In tights/we roam around the forest looking for fights ••. " Definitely well worth watching, and at least Bryan Adams Isn't singing.
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Michael J Fox stars as a country boy determined to make it big in the city in the film-comedy, "The Secret Of My Success" on BBC1 on Tuesday, June 14 at 9:30pm. Arriving in New York from Kansas, Brantley Foster finds employment in the mail room of his Uncle Howard's multi-national
• • • •
FILII CHOICE corporation, but soon establishes a new identity for himself as whizz-kid executive Cartton Whitfield, a double life which has interesting consequences ...
"Days Of Thunder", that high-speed drama of racing and romance starring Tom Cruise, Robert Duvalland Nlcole Kldman, Is being shown on BBC1 on Saturday, June 18 at 8:50pm. Revved up to take the stock car circuit by storm, cocky race driver Cole Trickle (Cruise) Is recruited to a new team under Tim Dalai'MI (Randy Quald) and Is forced to work with veteran carbuilder Harry Hogge (Duvall). All three have a lot to learn, as their ego clashes are almost as violent as the on-track crashes. Then an accident Introduces Cole to Or Clalre Lewlckl (Kidman)she puts him on the road to recovery, but he may never be the same again••.
•There are some spooky goings on as Radio 1 FM's Nicky Campbell talks to a real ~fe ghosthunter, Peter Underwood, who shares his ghouly experiences with listeners in Nicky's show on Wednesday, June 8 at 4:00pm. •How will the National Lottery affect sport? Michael Parkinson's investigative team endeavour to find out in "Parkinson On Sport: and Route 1 USA" on Radio 5 on Friday, June 10 at7:3spn1.
Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the livingroom, Terry Christian, Dani Behr, Mark L.amarr and Huffty return to Channel4 to present a new series of the best of the worst of "The Word", starting at 6:30pm on Thursday, June 16. In this, the first of the series, there's Jean-Ciaude Van Damme, Hammer, a very young Jason Orange and, for the Hopefuls, a bathful of tarantulas. An excellent weekend for all sports fans starts on BBC1 on Thursday, June 14 at 1:50pm with live coverage from the opening day of racing's social and fashion highlight of the year,"Royal Ascor. This is followed with action from the first day's play in Oakland, Pennsylvania, in "The US Open Golf Championship" at 11:50pm (highlights) and live coverage from Lord's of the first day's play in the Comhill Insurance Test in "Cricket Test Match: Englandv New Zealand' at 10:55am on Thursday, June 16. And finally, the sports event to beat them all, the 1994 Wor1d Cup from the USA has its opening ceremony and first match between Germany and Bolivia covered live on BBC1 on Friday, June 17 at 7:00pm.
Concrete , Wednesday, June 8 , 1994
Mark Lamarr REVIEW •Norwich Arts Centre, Friday May 27 Seeing Mark Lamarr sitting In the bar before the show it was easy to justify the comment from The Daily Express that his talent Is a slick as his hairdo. His hairdo wasn't going to move, that was for sure, and as for his talent ... we'd have to see about that. lt was hard to believe though that the man who had just strolled into the bar to buy a pint was going to be the star of the show. First, though, Sean Locke In his characterIstic pin striped suit got the Norwich audience warmed up. He told us about what a shame it would be If Shakin' Stevens got Parkinsons Disease ... because no-one would ever know, and lamented that his wife was so spotty she looked like a currant bun ... b&cause he loses her in cake shops!
Surprisingly, for a support act, he was actually funny, and this boded well for Mark Lamarr who was poised to entertain, and to deal with any hecklers that he might encounter along the way... and Indeed he did! "How much did you pay to get In then?" asked Mark. "Four quid" came the reply, but Mark didn't quite hear right. "F***wlt?l Well that's nice lnnlt?" he replied. The heckler tried again, and eventually Mark heard him correctly, when the joke was on him, and the audience errupted. Other jokes Included references to the Nile, and how an explorer got lost while walking the length of it ("How do you lose a river?!"), and a sarcastic comment on Norfolk's own Wells-Next-The-Sea ("Where's the sea?"), but I guess you to be there for those! Anyway, the verdict? Much too good for 'The Word'. Jo Stubblngton
Left: All the best people read 'Concrete', including top comedians/ Above: Mark signs autographs after the show
'Tattooed Women' take a trip through time
The Heidi Chronicles PREVIEW Either you shave your legs or you don't.' This is just one of the many profound conclusions that is made in Drama Soc's headline show for the semester, 'The Heidi Chronicles.' Written by American playwright Wendy Wasserstein,'The Heidi Chronicles' is a two hour concoction of rock 'n' roll , poEtics, embarrassing costumes from the past, pregnant women, revolutions and art history. Art History? What's that got to do with drama you may well ask. Well, the play revolves around an art historian called Heidi, who spends the best part of the
60's, 70's and 80's trying to become an individual. Directed by Julie Noelle Chase, who starts her PhD in Drama next year, 'The Heidi Chronicles' is a very verbal comedy about women growing up in America. The play begins in 1960's America, and sees Heidi going drinking with Paul Newman, being ignored on a TV chatshow, protesting on a political rally, enduring humiliation at a dance, and attending John Lennon's memorial service. Heidi is played by An ita Frank, a second ~ar EAS student who has directed two plays of her own at UEA, as well as acting in 'The lmpor-
tance of Being Ernes!', 'All's Well That Ends Well' and 'The Grand Inquisitor.' A radical shepherdess called Susan accompanies Heidi through time and by the end of the play metamorphoses into a 1980's yuppie. And for topical content, there's a wedding but thankfully no funeral. The play also features a 'skinny southern bride' who along with a 'liberal paediatrician' help to make up the cast of ten. After winning the 1989 Pullitzer Prize for Drama and a Tony Award, the play has enjoyed a successful run on Broadway. But it has never been performed in England before, let alone on the Norwich Theatre circuit. it's apt that the English pre-
miere of the play should be presented by 'Tattooed Women' a group which has been formed especially for the occasion. Although the play is firmly rooted in American culture, its director assumes that you don't have to be American to get all the jokes. Julie says, "lt's about an everyday person who wasn't a hippy, who wasn't a middleclass, who wasn't a radical. "She's probably more like one of our parents who were caught up in a big cultural change." The main message to come out of the play is a universal one says Julie, and shows that "you're going through revolutions even when you're forty." 'The Heidi Chronicles' may have been written by a woman about women, but it only hints at feminism . Julie says,"What
feminism is about in the play is just about being a woman. lt has taught me that women aren't always held up with their peers. Heidi wants to be treated as an equal but there are lots of barriers blocking her path." Julie stresses that 'The Heidi Chronicles' is fundamentally 'a play about people.' lt shows them conflicting with each other against a background of fastly delivered wit and a sea of political and cultural allusions. So is it a bit testing? Julie says "No!" "lt's just that intellectually lazy people shouldn't come and see it." But that still leaves plenty more to take themselves along to the English premiere of a play by UEA's newest drama posse in the nearly new studio! I'
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Don't expect to see a bunch of heavily tattooed women being dramatic though. The only one with a tattoo is Miss Chase, who'll be keeping hers firmly under wraps in the lighting box. Well, whether you're an American or not, or have a tattoo for that matter, Drama Soc's biggest show for the summer promises to be a quantum leap through time, culture, fashion and just about everything really.' •Performances are on June 15,16 and 17 at 7.30 pm. The performance on June 16 also has a 2pm matinee). Tickets are £5 with concessions at £3, and they're on sale in Union House and from the Drama Clerk. They're also available from the UEA studio itself, and Keeley Smith on the door.
Concrete , Wednesday, June 8 , 1994
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Hapgood PREVIEW The Norwich Players will be getting into the world of espionage when they take on Tom Stoppard's play 'Hapgood' next week. Hapgood is the brilliant and super-efficient head of a Secret Service Department. She is also a single parent. Her son's absent father is a spy, a Russian scientist doing vital work on the strategic weapons research. But who is leaking this information to the men's high dive champion at the Russian Embassy? Why is the Downing Street hot-line being used to trace the key to a hamster hutch? And what has Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle got to do with any of this? Stoppard's witty and dazzling play combines a Le Carrestyle espionage story with a beginner's guide to particle physics. The play has been revised since its West End run of 5 years ago, and by special permission, this production by the Norwich Players will be first to use this amended runs from June 17 25. Tickets cost <.>v·Lu . ;:~v, and performances are nightly at 7.30pm. .a..,)o4vvu
Carollne Jenklnson
Jack Dee •Theatre Royal, May 29 &June6
Caroline Jenkinson stops her cat from coughing up fur balls and laughs •til she aches with the man who•s not bitter
This was Jack Dee's fifth visit to Norwich in the past couple of years, and the fifth time that his show has sold out. Consequently, the Theatre Royal was filled to capacity with people eager to see the selfproclaimed 'midget with the widget'. First on though, was Richard Norton, the warm-
up comedian. For one awful moment at the beginning, lt looked as though he would get no response from the audience at all, but as he got Into his stride, playing on his Geordie roots, he got the goodhumoured heckles that he had been asking for. Sometimes his material wore a little bit thin, but
REVIEW
otherwise, he provided a good start to the evening. Then it was time for Jack Dee himself. He certainly lived up to everybody's expectations, providing around one and a half hours of non-stop cynical entertainment. The 'cat coughing up hairballs' and the 'cake in the video' routines were probably the
Norwich-based Scapegoat Theatre Company (pictured) are about to embark on a forty date tour of the country with their lively production of Shakespeare's 'Twelfth Night.' Following last summer's hugely successfui'A Midsummer Night's Dream', and a year spent producing varied and stimulating indoor theatre, Scapegoat promise a bonanza of fun and colour in their version of one of Shakespeare's most popular comedies. The exciting young company will draw on their esteemed store of acrobatic, vocal and movement talents to create a dynamic, innovative theatrical event, perfect for all the family. Catch the first performance at Norwich's Whiffler Theatre on June 10 at 7.30pm . •For further details of other performance times and dates, call Scapegoat on 762462.
best moments in the show; I have never ached so much from laughing In all my life. Jack asked the audience to give him an encore, and, not surprisingly, he got it. If he decides to come to Norwich again, do go and see him, but remember to book early, because the show is bound to sell out again.
DMonopoly addicts and Trivial Pursuit lovers are In for a treat over the next few weeks, when the Sainsbury Centre will be home to 'Go!', and exhibition of board games. This will also be the first exhibition curated by students on the new Museology MA at UEA. 'Go!' draws together different types of boardgames from around the world. These games have been played for over 4,500 years, and have been used not only to entertain, but also to tell fortunes and provide moral instruction. Alongside the many exhibits will be games set up for people to play. •The exhibition is in the Lower Gallery of the Sainsbury Centre, and runs from June 7 to July 10. CJ
To celebrate the end of term or your graduation, why not try....
St. Benedicts Grill St Benedicts Grill is a warm and inviting restaurant offering an interesting menu cooked by ex Roux brother chef Nigel Raffles and his wife J ayne using local produce where ever possible. Dishes range from Thai style crab cakes • to slow cooked crispy duck with creamy mash and orange and green peppercorn sauce. Also available is our private dinning room for up to 24 people, graduation menus available on request. Please call J ayne for any enquiries or bookings 0603 765377. Open M on-Sat lunch and Dinner. St.Benedicts Grill has had articles in the Independent, Times and Telegraph as well as being listed in all the major guides. 9 St. Benedicts Street Norwich 765377
A lively Mediterranean style Brasserie. Ideally suited for an informal graduation celebration with live jazz on Monday and Thursday evenings. An extensive pasta menu with prices from £3.95. In addition a full a la carte, with daily specials. Graduation party menus available on request. Do not forget our pasta hour from 6.30pm7 .30pm, a glass of wine, main course pasta and green salad for £6.95 per person. For further information or bookings please call Jason on 0603 613318. Open Mon-Sat lunch and dinner. Sunday brunch 12-3pm 11 St. Benedicts Street Norwich Tel 613318
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THURSDAY JUNE 9 Cannon See Wednesday. Odeon See Wednesday. Ci ne m a City See Wednesday. Also 2.30pm.
Compiled by Caroline Jenkinson
Theatre Royal See Wednesday. Also 6pm . Norwic h Arts Centre Clann McPeake - the first family of traditional music, with a newly formed band, and an exciting sound . £6/£4 cone, 8pm.
WEDNESDAY JUNE 8
UEA Drama: La Cantatrice Chauve,
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SUNDAY JUNE 12 by Eugene lonesco. Performed in French, and featu ring , amongst other things, a maid who thinks she's Sherlock Holmes .... £5/£3 cone, 7.30pm . Oval Punk Nile - with GBH and The Belly Swallox Band. Boswells Horizon. 9pm to midnight. Hy's Club night. Admission £2, 9pm2am . Happy Hour - midnight to 1am.
Theatre Royal Images of Dance - the acclaimed cosmopolitan company return to Norwich with an imaginative programme of popular classical ballet. £2-£9, 7.30pm .
Cannon See Friday. Odeon See Friday. Cinema City Dr Zhivago (PG) - Omar Sharif and Julie Christie star in the epic tale of a Muscovite doctor who becomes caught up in the Russian Revolution . 7.30pm.
Oval Last Orders (Ska Special) . B o swells Nostalgia- 12 noon to 3pm .
MONDAY JUNE 13
Peppermint Park Admission £1 for ladies and £2 for gents.
FRIDAY JUNE 10
Cannon The Crow opens - the last film from Brandon Lee before his tragic death, plus some or all of the films from Wednesday - ring for details. Odeon Some or all of the films from Wednesday - ring for details. Cannon Screen 1: Intersection (15) Stars Richard Gere and Sharon Stone , 1.30pm , 3.45pm , 6pm , 8.30pm Screen 2: Naked Gun 331 /3 (12)- Hilarious sequel with Leslie Nielsen. 2pm, 4.15pm, 6.30pm , 8.45pm . Screen 3: Grumpy Old Men (12) - Comedy starri ng Waiter Matthau and Jack Lemmon. 4pm , 8.40pm . Also Shadowlands (U) with Anthony Hopkins at 1.30pm , 6.15pm. Screen 4: Schindler's List (15)Speilberg's award-winning epic about the Holocaust is still showing!. 2.30pm , 7.45pm .
Norwich Arts Centre Amok - Mime presented by Hoi Polloi. £5/£3 cone, 8pm. UEA Spring Festival of Writers William Gaddis, author of 'The Recognitions' on a rare visit to the UK. £3/£2 cone, 7pm. Boswells 4D Jones. 9pm to midnight. Hy's Club night. Admission £1 , 9pm2am. Happy Hour - midnight to 1am.
Odeon Screen 1: Four Weddings and a Funeral (15) - British film , looking at marriage, death and Peppermint Park relationships. 2pm , 5.15pm, Happy Wednesday. Pints £1 , 7.45pm. all other drinks £1 .50. Screen 2: Look Who's Talking Now (12) -John Travolta stars 1n this sequel. 1.40pm, 3.40pm , 5.40pm , 8.30pm . Jg~ Screen 3: No Escape ( 15) Ray Liotta and Kevin Dillon star in this story ~ , about a barbaric prison ~ dergarden island from which there is no escape! 3 C\\V
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Theatre Royal The Rocky Horror Show - the most fun you can have in sus-
Oval Rock Special with FM .
Cinema City See Wednesday. Also Bodysnatchers (18) and Kindergarden (U) - sci-fi double bill , including the short made by UEA student Darren Fisher. 11pm.
B o swells Chris Simmons Band . 9pm to midnight.
Theatre Royal See Wednesday. Also 6pm.
Ritzy Fast Trax. Admi ssion £2 before 10.30pm , £3 after, 9pm-2am.
Norwich Arts Centre The John Otway Duo - a crazy live show from the eccentric cult-rocker. £6/£4 cone, 8pm .
Cannon See Friday. Odeon See Friday.
O'Brien . 2.30pm.
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Hy's Club night. Admission £4 all night.
Cannon See Friday.
No rwich Arts Centre Wilde Club: Fur and Pitkins. £2 .50 adv/£3 door.
Odeon See Friday.
Boswells Jonathan Dodd. 7pm to 11pm.
Cinema City King of the Hill (12) - a gentle tale of growing up in St Louis during the Depression , from the director of 'Sex, Lies and Videotape'. 5.45pm, 8.15pm.
Ritzy Nth Degree. Entry free with an NUS card before 11pm, £2 after. 9pm-2am . Peppermint Park 50p pints all night.
TUESDAY JUNE 14
Peppermint Park Cl ub night. £3 admission all night.
SATURDAY JUNE 11
Cinema City See Wednesday. Also The Secret Garden (U) - the original Hollywood version of the children's story, starring Margaret
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Cinema City In The Name Of The Father- Daniel DayLewis stars in this powerful drama about the Guildford Four. 5.30pm, 8.15pm.
Waterfront Club night- Milky Lunch : with John Digweed from Renaissance. £6
penders! £3-£14.50, 8pm .
Ritzy Go. £1 .50 admission before 11 pm , £2.50 after, 9pm to 2am .
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UEA Drama : See Thursday.
Theatre Royal See Wednesday. Also 6pm . Norwich Arts Ce ntre St Benedicts Street
Party- the NAG's annual bash . Live bands, puppets, juggling and much, much ~ more! Free from 5pm9pm . Street Party Grand Finale The Last Straw, plus support Norwich 's premier folk/rock band. Plus The Caravan Club.
£2, 9pm-midnight. UEA Drama: See Thursday. Waterfront Club night - Meltdown and 70s night. £3.50 Oval Cry of Love. Boswells Beyond the Blues. 9pm to midnight. Hy 's Club night. Admission £3 before 10pm, £4 before 11 pm and £5 after. Ritzy Furious Fun. £3 admission before 10.30pm , £5 after. 9pm2am . Pepperm int Park Club night. £3 admission before 11 pm, £4 after. ...
Cannon See Friday. Ode on See Friday.
UEA Live In 'fhe Hive: A Disco - it's
spectacular and cheap!
Cinema City See Monday. Also 2.30pm. Norwich Arts Centre Whose Afraid of Virginia Wool!? - Edward Ablee's classic drama about a couple with a stormy love/hate relationship . Pre;
Boswells Jazz 'n' Blues Jam. 9pm to midnight. Hy's Club night. Admission £1 , 10pm-2am.
Cannon Cinema, Prince of Wales Road. Tel623312 Odeon Cinema, Anglia Square. Tel 0426 932450 Cinema City, St Andrews Street. Tel 622047 Theatre Royal , Theatre Street. Tel 630000 Norwich Arts Centre, St Benedicts Street. Tel 660352 Maddermarket Theatre, Maddermarket . Tel 620917 Manhattan Nightclub, Dove Street. Tel629060 The Oval Rock House, Dereham Road. Tel 748244 Peppermint Park, Rose Lane. Tei764192 Ritzy Nightclub, Tombland. Tel621541 Boswells/Hy's, Tombland. Tel 626099 The Waterfront, King Street. Tel 632717
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Concrete, Wednesday, June 8, 1994
WEDNESDAY JUNE 15
SATURDAY JUNE 18
Cannon
Oval
Cannon
UEA
See Friday.
Rock Special with Gun.
See Friday, June 10.
Drama: See Thursday.
Odeon
Boswells
Odeon
Waterfront
See Friday.
Lee Vasey Band. 9pm to midnight.
See Friday, June 10.
Club - Meltdown & Mr Bumpman -£3.50
Cinema City
14
Cinema City
See Monday.
Hy's
Theatre Royal
Club night. For prices and times, see last Wednesday.
Noddy - Toytown's most famous resident joins friends Big Ears and Mr Plod in their latest adventure. Kids will love it! £2£7.50, 2pm, 6pm.
25
Boswells
Theatre Royal
Lena Black Big Band. 9pm to midnight.
Ritzy Go. 9pm to 2am.
Oval
Germinal- 5.30pm, 8.15pm . The Thief of Bagdad (U) - an Arabian Nights-style fantasy. 2.30pm.
In A Big Way and Intension.
Compiled by Csroline Jenklnson
TUESDAY JUNE 21
Noddy- 11am, 2.30pm, 6pm.
Hy's
Peppermint Park Norwich Arts Centre
Happy Wednesday.
Norwich Arts Centre
Bearcat Cajun Playboys - gutsy, rootsy Cajun music. £6/£4 cone, 8pm.
See Tuesday.
THURSDAY JUNE 16
Club night. For prices and times, see last Saturday.
Ritzy Furious Fun. 9pm to 2am.
Maddermarket Theatre Cannon
UEA
See Friday.
See Friday.
Drama: Bent, by Martin Sherman. A tale of the triumph of the human spirit over Nazism. £5/£3 cone, 7.30pm.
Cinema City
Oval
See Monday. Also 2.30pm.
Blynd Justice - rock.
Odeon
See Friday.
Peppermint Park Club night. For prices and times, see last Saturday.
SUNDAY JUNE 19
Theatre Royal
Boswells
See Wednesday.
Dalling Brothers. 9pm to midnight.
See Friday, June 10.
Glenn Miller. £3-£11 .50 , Spm, 8pm .
Odeon
Maddermarket Theatre
See Friday, June 10.
See Friday.
Cannon
Norwich Arts Centre Benefit Concert for NAG's redevelopment project. Featuring the internationally acclaimed pianist Stephen Hough, and the world class cellist, Steven £15/£10 cone, 8pm.
Hy's Club night. For prices and times, see last Thursday.
Peppermint Park £1 admission for ladies, £2 for gents.
Oval
Caravaggio {18) Derek Jarman's biopic of the Italian Renaissance artist. 7 .30pm .
The Australian Pink Floyd another tribute band, and probably well worth a look.
Theatre Royal
Broadside Swingtet. 9pm to midnight.
Boswells
FRIDAY JUNE 17
UEA
See Friday, June 10.
Live In The Hive: End of Year Party! Your last chance to party for free!
Odeon See Friday, June 10.
Oval Cinema City
Cinema City
In The Mood A tribute to the music of
Cannon
Punk Night with Sham 69.
See Monday. Also 2.30pm.
Boswells Theatre Royal Lady Windermere's Fan - Oscar Wilde's classic play. Stars Francesca Annis. £3-£17.50, 7.30pm.
Jazz 'n' Blues Jam. 9pm to midnight.
Hy's Club night. For prices and times, see last Tuesday.
Maddermarket Theatre See Friday.
MONDAY JUNE 20 HIWICH
Cannon See Friday, June 10.
Odeon See Friday, June 10.
'J
Cinema City
[
Germinal - 5.30pm, 8.15pm.
starring Jonathon Morris
Norwich Arts Centre Tiny Monroe, plus Flyover. £3 adv.
Cannon
and a beginner's guide to particle physics. £6.50-£2.50, 7.30pm.
UEA Odeon Angie opens today, also see Friday, June 10.
Drama: See Thursday. Gig: Big Country - £9 adv.
Waterfront Cinema City Germinal {15) - French adaptation of Emile Zola's novel, starring Gerard Depardieu. 5.30pm , 8.15pm. Also Full Contact {18) - a cult Hong Kong gangster movie. 11 pm.
Club - Pure Sheng - see p18.
Oval Fyrebyrds and support.
Maddermarket Theatre See Friday.
Waterfront Everything But The Girl - £8 adv.
Boswells Jonathan Dodd. 7pm-11 pm.
Ritzy Fast Trax. 9pm to 2am.
Peppermint Park SOp pints all night.
Boswells Acme Blues Co. 9pm to midnight.
Theatre Royal Noddy, 10.30pm , 6pm.
Norwich Arts Centre Espiritu Flamenco, plus dance workshop led by Espiritu Flamenco, to be held at Norfolk and Norwich Community Dance, Orford Yard Studio, Red Uon Street. Tickets (performance and workshop) £11 .50/ £7.50 cone, (performance only) £6.50/£4.50 cone. 8pm.
Hy's Club night. Admission £4all night.
Ritzy Fast
Trax. 9pmto 2am .
Maddermarket Theatre
Peppermint Park
Hapgood- by Tom Stoppard. A witty and dazzling play, combining a Le Carre-style spy story
Club night. Admission £3 all night.
GET YOUR SUSPENDERS N AND CALL THE BOX OFFICE! 603) 3 00 00 0
•
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Concrete, Wednesda y, June 8, 199 4
Letters & C/ossifieds
concrete 0603 250558 University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ Publisher: Stephen Howard Editor: Peter Hart Deputy Editor: Niall Hampton Assistant Editor: Joanna Stubbington Sports Editor: Stephen Hawkes Film & Listings Editor: Caroline Jenkinson T\1, Video & Radio Editor: Michele du Randt Picture Editor: Keith Whitmore Advertising Manager: Simon Mann Chief Photographer: Mark Turner Photographer: Paul Denny Editorial Contributors: Mark Austin, Caroline Adlem, Nick Amies, Toby Blakey, Keeley Smith, Sammy Lotfy Salama, Eleanor Perkins, Chris Sally Proof Readers/ Typists: Tony Lansdowne, Alastair Cushion, Olivia Simmons Technical Advisor: Neil Bamden Special thanks to: UH Stewards & Mogwai
Copyright (C) 1994 Planet Zog Ltd
Concrete is published Independently at UEA. Opinions expressed are those of the Contributor and not necessarily those of the Publisher or Editor. Printed by Eastern Counties Newspapers, Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich Concrete is printed on recycled paper using biodegradable Inks
FEEL LIKE YOU DON'T FIT IN?
PHONE 503504 '8PM-8AM EVERY NIGHT CONFIDENTIAL, NON-J UDGEM ENTAL, STUDENT SUPPORT & INFORMATION SERVICE Norfolk Terrace C03-12 Ground Floor, Private Entrance From Road
Concrete welcomes your letters on any subject. Whether it is something we've written about and you want to take issue with, or you simply want to make a point, we want to hear from you. So why not drop us a line? The address is simply 'Concrete', UEA, Norwich. Anonymity will be respected but you must include your name and address in the first instance.
MIDSUMMER DANCE IS I ABOMINA-BALL!' ouldn't ....... . in a brewery is the phrase that springs to mind. I'm sure I'm not the only one to be enraged at the petty bickering over "our" wonderful Law Ball . Isn' t it about time Alex Radford and Annabel Kent got their fingers
C
Let's sort out Rwanda
E
m sure I speak for the vast maority of people in Norfolk, in egistering my disgust at the situation in Rwanda. It seems all too familiar, the way that suffering is soon forgotten. While preaching against racism at home, see how easily the evacuation of only the foreigners was a concern, while the native population is left to suffer. This is a great human tragedy and it is our responsibility as citizens to stop these massacres. Let's have the same resolve to ensure a ceasfire and an effective relief operation as we have seen in Bosnia. Only then can we stand up and be counted as charitable.
out and organised something for themselves (and preferably with their gobs shut), instead of relying on the Union to do things for them ? The front page of the last Concrete (issue 34) was full of sobbing whinges from the Law Soc about how the na ughty, naughty Union had not helped them to get a bar licence! Oh dear.. . what a shame! What enraged me even more was the accusation of profiteering and the comment that "the Union just want to make money." This may be true, but I think it's a bit rich coming from someone who has helped organised UEA's most expensive ball, where the entry qua lification is to have more money than sense. Why should the Union act on behalf of the relative few who have the money (and some say stupidity) to go to events like this? It seems to me that the Union have got their priorities exactly right (for a change) - putting the welfare of the majority of students before the spoilt brats on the Law Soc committee. Maybe Annabel Kent should look at her priorities a bit closer, for with comments like "When it
comes down to something important they [the Union] are not there", I begin to wonder if she has any sense of priority at all. Since when has the poxy bar licence for a jumped up load of p**s artists been more important than the other work of the Union (such as attempting to minimise student poverty and to fight for our rights the emphasis being on "attempting" )? Since when has it been impor-
tant at all? May I suggest that they keep their little tantrums to themselves and get on with organising their ball, instead of filling the pages of everything except the CCS catalogue (full of enough s**t already) with petty publicity stunts. Perhaps if they j ust got on with it, people wouldn ' t be so reluctant to give them a hand?!
feel I must write to complain about the irresponsibility and thoughtlessness of some members of the Student Union. Over the course of today, I have seen a group of students set up a stal l at the top of The Square steps, allow their leaflets, plastic cups and other rubb ish to blow around all over the place, and to cap it all,
they abandoned the table and chairs, leaving it up to the stewards to clear up after the m. Who were these social hoo ligans? Not the Crawl Club, not RAG, not SWSS . No, it was the Union 's ow n campaign-agai nst-s tudent-debtposse, and I have to say that they
certainly wun't be getting my support. I don't believe that any organisation or group who behaves so mindlessly and selfishly, has any type of credibility- whatever their professed aims, it is clear that they are no more than self-i nterested, anti-social nobodies.
Nic Hayllar SOCI
UEA Oxfam
Cults on
campus
C
onceming your article on Cults (Concrete 33), I just thought I'd fill you in on a couple of things to do with 'The Temp le of Psyc h ic You th ' (TOPY). Firstly, it's probably incorrect to describe them as a cult (certainly not a 'rival cult' to anything like the 'Church of Christ'). TOPY affi liation involves no real group activ ity, the individual is emphasised as part of a larger (worldwide) network. TOPY would certainly never press people into joining them. Hangers-on are actively d iscouraged, though the TOPY do provide an informa tion service, which is the main role of the organi sati on. Through mai l orde r they sell books, tapes, mags, films etc, of what they call "occultural" interest. Nobody involved with TOPY needs to do anything unless they are dedicated enough (to them selves, not TOPY) to do so. I hope this will be of some use to your readers.
Mark Pilkington EAS2
I
J Simmons ENV2
OVER 50: NO-GO FOR LOAN As everyone is aware student grants are being reduced. So , being a mature student I wrote to the Secretary of State for Education explaining that my living costs had increased and also that, as I am over fifty I am not eligible for a loan from the Student Loans Company. I received a reply, not
from the man himself, but from the Awards and Loans Group of the Student Affairs explaining why the grant is to be reduced ie. so that public funds should not be spent unnecessarily, and pointing out that as mature students over 50 do not have the same expectations of future earnings as younger people. ,
But I was also assured that they have access to other sources of finance, such as accumulated savings or commercial loans. With such low expectations of employment who would be prepared to grant me such a loan without prospects of being able to repay it? terry Ad kin. WA M 1.
,
Cycle Club's race debut
WEATHER reports for the weekend beginning May 28 suggested fine weather, but as the UEA minibus drove Into Cambridge at Bam,ltwas cold and damp- hardly Ideal condiUons In which to hold an outdoor volleyball tournament.
UEA Cycle Club's first team entry Into a mountain bike race took place two weeks ago. Two club members raced in the Sports Class in the first round of the Pro-Circuit MTB Summer Series at Thetford Forest. Other riders were unable to compete as they could not afford the high entry fees or because their bikes were broken. The race took: place over three laps of a seven mile course consisting of single track: and wider fire roads in equal proportion. The course was essentially flat with a bumpy section halfway round and four 'bombholes' - large pits about 30 metres across with steep and difficult entrances and exits. Despite its flatness the course was reported as being hard due to its bumpiness and sandy nature putting high physical demands on the rider. A field of about 55 riders was entered for the Sports Class and UEA' s racers faced some stiff competition. Keith Yeldharn, in his first mountain bike race, made a good start but unf rtunately punctured within half ofthestartwhileinamidfield
Second rider, Pat Crew, was not on top fonn and this COI'bined with a slight foot injury sustained during the race, resulted in him finishing way down the rank:ings. The UEA Cycle Club is due to compete in other rounds of this four race series, hopefully with more members racing and with some greater measure of success. •The club does not just concentrate on competitive events but organises regular rides for cyclists of all abilities. •They are also organising a charity treasure hunt on June 19- open to all cyclists at UEA. •Further infonnation is available from the Cycle Club's pigeonhole in th, Sports Cen~
Fortunately, as UEA were soon to discover, the typically dreary British weather was soon to give way to warm and sunny conditions. For the duration of Saturday UEA' s mixed squad had four other teams in their Division Two pool against whom they were to compete. UEA's fiCSt match against the Northampton side was the fiCSt of their wins. But it hardly looked so promising at the start of their second match, where UEA lost the fiCSt set to the Malton Maidens, the game eventually interrupted for a one hour lunch break:. At 1pm the six -a-side teams took: a break: to allow the first rounds of the 'beach tournament' to take place. UEA had four pairs, entered three men's teams and one women's side, all of whom lacked experience in this two-a-side game. As the rain started again so did the fiCSt of the 'beach' games. With wet grass to contend with the outcome was amusing to watch, as the players found themselves without a secure foothold. They ended up slipping all over the court and found it extremely
I
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difficult to take control of the game. Despite the fun had trying to play, none of the UEA sides were strong enough to win all their matches and none of them went through to the knock-out round on Sunday. After Saturday's dose of 'beach' volleyball was completed, it was time once again for the six-a-side teams to resume their matches, many of which, like UEA's, had been stopped half way through. UEA weren't going to complain about this because a break: was, it seemed, exactly what they had needed as they went on to win their match against the Malton Maidens 2-1. At this point, the summery weather had finally arrived and UEA had a further two matches to complete before they could relax. Although UEA did manage to win their match against the Harrogate seconds squad they were unable to beat overall pool winners, the 'Scooby Doo Fan Club' . But UEA had no reason to be disappointed for at the end of this first day they were positioned second in their division, meaning qualification into a new pool on Sunday. Sunday brought sunshine, warmth and four new tough adversaries. UEA's first match was a win
STUOENTSJooldngto have a Ing Invited to enter the Womens' Rugby Sevens Tournament on June 19. Each team can contain a maxi-
H1HP1ite •ltiiSJIII BRITAIN'S leadingmotorsport
venue. Donnlngton Park, is to offer half price admission to students at all its forthcoming car and motorcycle events.
And from June 12 to October 30. NUS card holden will be able to claim a SO per cent discount at the entrance gates of. any Donnington Park meeting, Further information is available on (0332) 810048.
jury; rules are very simple and can
mum of four rugby club members, so all teams will be fairly evenly matched with regard to ability. Entry is £1 per person, and the game will be based on touch tackling only, minimising risk of in-
Those interested can enrol as a team (or as an individual to be placed in a team) by leaving a message ASAP in the WRFC's pigeonhole at the Sports Centre's office. Whether you have played rugby before, or are a complete novice, there is still the opportunity to win.
promotion. UEA travelled to Dereham in their last match and faced much improved opposition. The game began with the home side taking the lead as UEA struggled to find their rhythm. The second half was, however, a different story as UEA surged forward. The deserved equalizer came from Craig Edwards in his last game for UEA, the visitors continuing to pressurize the Dereham defence, getting their reward with the last shot of the game. Captain Paul Hopk:inson struck: the ball sweetly from just inside the area to clinch victory, third place, and promotion. This hard fought win typified the spirit throughout the 2nd XI, and brought the season to a very Satis-· '
KFC NOW OPEN IN THE HEART OF THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE
(55
57 ,D ereharTl Road)
factory close. Mentions must go to Chris Simmons, Andy Buglass, Craig Edwards and Chris Sally - all in their final year at UEA - to skipper Paul Hopldnson, his successor Matt Donaldson and top scorer Rupert Snelling for their contributions on and off the field.
CtJ!VCRATI/fAT/tJ!VS/ Concrete would like to congratulate UEA 's sports clubs and societies for their achievements and successes over the past academic year. Here 's hoping that next year will be as memorable as 1993-4!
OPEN 7 DAYS A 11VEEK 11AM to 11.30PM AMPLE CAR PARKING
Tel 7&4058 . ''
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27
against the Solent Specials but it seemed that this was to be the only match they were going to win. Against Aztecs, Jugglers '94and the Harrogate 1st's, UEA fought hard and took: sets off the opposition, but unfortunately never the whole game. This did nothing however to dampen their spirits or stop them from enjoying their games and the weekend in general, as none of these matches were a thrashing for the UEAteam. As the tournament finally ended, it was found that the UEA side had come 9th out of the twenty-five teams in the Division two mixed competition, a satisfying result for the squad who played hard all weekend in their last formal tournament together.
fun, sporty afternoon are be- be explained on the day.
PROMOTION BOOSTER .~ The league came to an exciting climax shortly before Easter with three teams in the promotion frame. Second placed UEA seconds entertained Pelicans in the penultimate encounter of the season and were shocked early on as the league leaders went ahead. In a physical game UEA camped in the Pelican's half, the pressure paying off as Rupert Snelling snatched an equalizer from a Duncan Evans cross. But a breakaway in the dying minutes led to Pelicans snatching the winner and effectively the title, leaving UEA needing a win in their last game to have any chance. of
By-----. Eleanor Perkins
r----
FREE FOR ALL WRFC SEVENS
•s SEASON ENDS IN
ALTHOUGH the hockey season finished many weeks ago, the promotion picture has only recently been completed.
Concrete, Wednesday, June 8, 1994
no' pe used In conjunction with any other offer
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28 Concrete, Wednesda y, June 8, 1994
FIVE STAR TAXIS NORWICH
concrete sport
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sssss·~=-
ND EXTRA CHARGE AFTER MIDNIGHT
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Defeat bY.. Bedford College means elimination from to~?_ comP._etition I ~porter I UEA 104 all out Bedford 164 all out
UEA'S cricket seconds bowed out of the UAUs last week, In an Impressive display against quality opposition from Bedford College of Physical Education.
Having won their group convincingly, the seconds entertained Bedford in the second knockout round of the tournament. Bedford, runners-up in Loughborough's group, won the toss and elected to bat, a decision they may have regretted early on as they were reduced to 18-3 by a fine opening burst by James Grigg and James Colvin. UEA slowly frittered away their advantage, until Mark Thompson and Richard Parkin broke the fourth wicket partnership, and at lunch Bedford were 104-6.
UEA'S cricket firsts breezed Into the third round of the Commercial Union UAUs, sweeping away an average Roehampton side. I
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Electing to bat flfSt, the visitors managed a paltry 99 as UEA's bowlers slowly turned the screw. Trill and Richards had an impressive opening spell but could only manage one wicket between them although it should have been four or fi ve. Captain Green and Bottoms then turned 'screwdrivers' as they turned Roehampton's67-2 into99 all out, Bottoms taking 5-26 and Green 4-3 1. UEA's reply started ste<.dily but it was a partnership of 40 in four overs between Evans (33) and Green (36) that put the result beyond doubt. And not quite so newl y-engaged skipper Green finished the game with a six that even had the opposition applauding.
Sports
Some slack bowling from UEA after the lunch interval allowed Bedford to improve their position, but once again Richard Parkin struck and Bedford were dismissed for 164. Parkin ended with bowling figures of 6-23, and club president James Grigg, bowling hero at Essex, heaped praise on Parkin for producing the best bowling figures of the year so far. UEA's fielding was extremely sharp with Colvin taking three impressive catches, including an outstanding one-handed effort at deep backward square leg. UEA began their pursuit of 164 in positive fashion as Jess Alderson dispatched the ball to the boundary with ease.
All this after 'Pad' Harris had his teeth rearr anged by Roehampton's opening bowler.
Skipper, Cameron Green Said the victorious Green afterwards, "Although they were only average opponents we still had to produce the goO.s, and we can now look forward to a hard game against Kent."
But he was dismissed for 18, this loss heralding a batting collapse as the accurate Bedford bowlers benefitted from loose strokeplay. It was only staunch resistance from Paul Howard and Dave Betterson, who scored 23 and 20 respectively, which made the total of 104 respectable. The Bedford captain was generous in his praise for UEA, stating that being a sports college he had expected to only use his top five batsmen. He added that he was also surprised at the strength of the home side. UEA skipper, Chris Bally, was more than happy with the fielding and bowling of his side, but expressed disappointment that they could not go on and reach what was a modest target.
And he added, ."All in all, another fine performance from the boys - we'll certainly be getting the beers in after this one." • Things look to be going well for UEA's first cricket team, with this latest progression into the final stages of the competition, writes our Sports Editor, Stephen Hawkes. For last October, in an exclusive interview in Concrete, Cameron told of his hopes for the team, "I think that we can be very upset if we don't get to the quarter-finals of the UAUs. "I don't know what's going to happen in the summer term, because we've got lots of games in eight weeks, and it could prove difficult. It's possible that problems could occur." But it would appear that ti me constraints and academic pressures have not had a negative impact on the ~am. j udging by their success this year. ·
PHOTO: Keith Whitmore
UEA 's second cricket team
THE,STUDENTS' .LANDLORD Five bed-room house for rent for academic-year 1994- 95.Easy city centre location near stata Call for details now! Summer vacation rooms £20 a week( including gas bill) in all areas of the city, ring for details. ~~'Msz ....
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