CELEBRITIES AND THE CHARITY CAUSE What positive impact· does celebrity endorsement really have?
ISSUE 237
e
VAMPIRE VACATION Transylvania isn't just • about the living dead. Concrete discovers a country alive with culture.
TUESDAY 12th JANUARY 2010
e
www.concrete-online.co.uk
e
IS STRIPPING WORTH IT? An anonymous writer provides a candid report about the realities of stripping to support your studies.
UEA'S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER
e
FREE
STUDENTS TO FUND BUDGET DEFICIT? Alistair Darling, Chancellor of the Exchequer, announces plans to cut millions from university budgets. Politicians will look to tuition fees review to plug the spending gap, says NUS President Wes Streeting.
David Churchill The Government has announced that the Treasury is to significantly reduce its funding of universities across the UK by a total of£600million. The details of the reduction were outlined in the Government's pre-Budget report in December, which also stated th.at the cuts will become entrenched in public spending policy by 2012-2013. The announcement has prompted widespread speculation from leading figures across the sector about which areas will be most affected, and the specific implications the reductions will have for universities and students. Labour's Higher Education Minister, MP David Lam my,· emphasised that decisions about how the
cuts will be distributed had not yet been made, but with the cuts almost certain to create a vast fiscal deficit on university ledgers, it is feared that the financial burden will be transferred onto students in the form of higher tuition fees. NUS President, Wes Streeting, warned that "some vice-chancellors and politicians will now look to the current review of tuition fees to plug the spending gap". The proposals have also caused concerns as to whether the quality of scientific research from UK universities will be able to continue to compete on a global scale. According to Universities UK, the UK currently lies second in a league of countries which are most important to the production of scientific research in the world . Despite the fact that
the UK houses only 1% of the global population, it is responsible for producing 8% of the world's leading scientific papers, with a citation share of 12%, a record second only to the US. With the UEA's Climatic Research Unit (CRU) being one of these centres of excellence for producing leading scientific research, the UEA is likely to become one of the biggest casualties of the proposed cuts. Representatives of UEA's Students' Union voiced their concerns over the impact that "such vicious cuts" would have on UEA students and its research reputation . The Academic Officer, David Sheppard, predicts "serious repercussions on the quality of education and research" at UEA, adding that any "attempts to plug the funding gap with an increase in student
fees" would be "disastrous". But the proposed cuts have coincided with the ongoing independent review into fees and higher education funding being conducted by Lord Browne. lt is believed that he will now be forced to recommend that the Government lift the cap on tu ition fees, which currently stands at £3,225 a year, in order for universities to maintain 'real term' funding levels. The current funding system operates according to a "unit of resource" scheme - a "unit" representing a fixed sum that universities receive per student - which it has been calculated will be reduced by approximately £1,000 per student, per annum, once the cuts have been implemented. Raising tuition fees is understood
WINTER SNOW CASTS ITS SPELL OVER UEA STUDENTS
THE BIG SWITCH-OFF: NORWICH STREETS LEFT IN THE DARK Nick Church County Council Norfolk leaders are to press on with controversial plans to save cash and reduce carbon emissions by switching off around 27,000 streetlights across Norfolk and over 7,000 in Norwich itself. The plans, which would replace lights with
more efficient models and cells that switch off after 12am, have been met with strong resistance from City Councillors, including a councillor responsible for community safety and cohesion . lt would cost the County Council £274,000 over the next three years, after which the Council will save £167,000 each year.
Streetlights would be switched off between the hours of 12am and Sam in quiet residential areas with low incidents of crime and traffic accidents these included numerous streets with high student populations. There would be exemptions for streets that have busy nighttime economies and footfalls, as well as those with high rates of crime and accidents. Police
crime statistics have been used to determine areas of low crime and in trials in other areas, such as Essex, there has been no record of increased crime, according to the County Council report. Bert Bremner, executive member for Community Safety and Cohesion, voiced concerns at the scrutiny panel debating the proposal on January 6th and has called the plans
dangerous and motivated solely by cost-savings. "All over the south of the City, in the Golden Triangle, Lakenham, Tuckswood and Eaton, whole streets are to suffer a total switch off. Most of the University ward will be left in darkness ... Why are we not having a one in three lights off... That would actually make for a greater saving, but without the risk of robbery,
muggings or worse in our blacked out streets." Stephen Morphew, Leader of Norwich City Council said: "(There are] concerns that reduced hours of street lighting will pose increased risks for crime and disorder and road safety and there is little evidence from elsewhere to show what these effects may be. These concerns are
2 NEWS
concrete.news@uea.ac.uk
TUESDAY 12th JANUARY 2010
CLEGG'S FEE PROMISE
UNIVERSITY CUTS
lauren South The
the deficit and maintain the
Democrats,
high standards. The
has
Government
'the best, most progressive package for students of any
to- offer the best solution for universities looking to recoup
has
leader of confirmed
commitment
been heavily criticised for its decision, particularly as the UK commits a lower percentage
the
Nick his
to
Liberal
mainstream
Clegg,
next
party's
scrapping
politics.
prog ressive way. Under the plans, the first phase will scrap fees for all
However, the policy has been widely criticised for fai ling to specify where the
final year students in 20102011, whi le gradually phasing
funding for such huge plans wou ld come from. it is be lieved t hat t he overa ll cost of the po li cy for
the UK invested 1.3% of it GDP in higher education, compared
government aims to halve the nationa I deficit over the next
with 2.9% for the US, 2.7% for Canada, and 1.6% for
four years.
them out for the subsequent
Sources have suggested t hat of th e £600 m ill io n
year grou ps.
FEATURES
caused many to ring fence the Liberal Democrats as the
gradually abolish the fee s in a
TURF
As an area of gove rnmen t spending w hich is n't ring-
the has
change
of its GDP to higher education than most other global research competitors. In 2006
Aus tralia.
by
election,
tuition fees , by outlining a "s ix year plan " which would
NEWS OPINIONS
party '
general
party offering most radical within
mainstream
t he six yea r per iod wou ld
univers ities budget cuts tha t
be
has promised to relea se full
fenced, t he-universities budget
have been out lined, most can be 'found from the student-
is likely to take a big hit as the
support budget '.
£7.5
bil lion.
The
party
costing estimates nea rer the election, but funding would
EDITORIAL
WHAT THE CUTS COULD MEAN
come in part from scrappi ng or scaling back existing government schemes.
INTERNATIONAL
As a proportion of government funding for higher education,
Linked to the rate of inflation and reassessed every
Concerns have also arisen over the feasibility of
student support -
March, the student loan interest rate currently lies at
such drastic changes in this
including
bursaries - currently accounts for 25% - one of the highest
TRAVEL
rates in the world.
FOOD
The Confederation of British Industry- the UK's top
FOCSOC
business lobby organization has recommended that savings 'be made by providing tuition
LIFESTYLE
fee loans at the government cost of capital and removing the interest rate subsidy on all loans; and by refocusing
SPORT
student support mai ntenance grants'.
t hrough
time of economic reces sion , questioning whether a future
0% APR. it is highly possible that as fiscal pressure increases on government the interest rate will be increased to match the governments cost of borrowing, as recommended by the CBI. Students would still have repayments deducted from their salaries at a rate of 9% of any income over £15,000, however, students wou ld be indebted for longer.
Antoine Steen
government can afford to cut The proposals are also aimed at helping part time
fees in light of the economic crisis.
student s access the same loans as full time student s, and to have phased out
But Clegg has given hi s assurance that, although the rece ss ion has made it 'more
tuition fee s for all seco nd year students by 2013. 2015 would mark the beginning of free university
diffi cult to find the money to fund our priorities', adapting the sc rapp ing of tuition fees t o a long term plan of six years is
education for all. Clegg's pledge
affordab le and economica lly creditab le.
to
have
ROCK SALT SHORTAGES HIT UEA CAMPUS CREDIT CRUNCH CARROTS Manuel Hung New government proposa ls, which would give freshers a bag of carrots when th ey enrol at university, are due to be debated in the Hou se of Commons later this week. The latest idea, which has been drawn up by Labour ministers, would particularly benefit UEA students, who would be able to feed th e many rabbits that currently reside on campus . President of the fox hunting society at the University of Oxford, Elliot Fudd was outraged by this suggestion. Mr E. Fudd sa id, "We need to be shooti ng the rabbits not feed ing t hem. "Thi s w ill on ly encourage a
growth in numbers which is the last thing we want."
Gordon Malloy
snowfall across counties in the pa st weeks, which has
as East Anglia's East Coast rail service, frequently adjusting
are still urging all students to make all reasonable effort to
UEA has been directly affected by government rationing
brought
timetables. Numerou s stud en ts have had to delay their return to UEA.
return.
the couQtry to a complete stand still. Travel problems persist with train services, such
Despite the problems, UEA
Thi s initiative is expected
of rock salt in attempts to
to provide a welcome boost
nationally conserve stocks after a month of un expected
for ca rrot growers across the country as they continue to fight the effect s of the recession. Chris P. Carrot, who runs a farm which grows a variety of vegetables, but specialises in carrots in particular sa id, "Th is is great news for us." " With UEA being on our doorstep we could increase sa les threefold!" suggestions Other forwarded to encourage enro lment included a fu ll body massage or a lottery system with the w inne r gai ning entry to a rabb it sanctuary of t heir cho ice.
weather conditions across the country. An order placed three weeks ago by UEA for delivery of rock sa lt was cancelled on Tuesday 5th January with no notice. This comes as a decision of the government's 'Salt Cell' - a crisis group of transport agencies- to redirect and send dai ly supp lies preordered for Norfolk to other parts of the country more in need. Councils across Britai n have also agreed to cut sa lt use by 25% in the com ing weeks. Britain has seen an unprecedented level of
certain
areas
of
If unable to return
to their studie s th ey should contact their Faculty Teaching Office.
concrete.news@uea.ac.uk
"HOW DID THE SNOW AFFECT YOUR JOURNEY BACK TO NORWICH?"asksoannycomns
"My journey back was pretty horrific. I got caught behind a lorry which was stuck in the snow for about an hour. The snow back in Cambridge was pretty bad, but it wa sn't as bad as here. There's a lot of ice on the floor." I've been back two days now and I've found the snow quite bad, but I think I just about missed the worst of it. The pavements outside my house are pretty dangerous as they've turned to ice"
"For the last week of the holidays I was up in Scotland in the town of Aviremore. We came back on Saturday and the roads were fine, even though that area was the coldest place in Britain during the cold spell, going down to -18 degrees. During the week we had to dig our car out of a mountain road on the way to a ski resort! " I've been back for about a day now, and the roads seem to be doing fine. I was able to cycle in and all of my lectures were on"
" My journey back was a complete nightmare. lt took so much longer than it usually does. I live in Essex and so I normally get a train directly from Shenfield to Norwich . I got an early tra in, which was probably a bad idea on my part. lt was delayed for about two hours, and I had to wait around in the cold for about an 路hour and a half on the platform . lt was so cold that I couldn' t feel my hands or feet! "
" I was coming back from Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk. The journey wasn' t too bad; it could have been a lot worse. My mum was supposed to drive me back on Sunday, but she couldn't in the end because of the snow. I managed to get a train, and despite a few delays it wasn't too bad ." By the time I got back the snow was starting to melt so I think I came back at just the right time ."
NORWICH BID FOR CITY OF CULTURE AdamPiom Norwich has emerged as one of the leading candidates for the first UK City of Culture award . Norwich's bid is being backed by celebrity Stephen Fry as well as several cultural experts and organisations. The 22 shortlisted cities outlined their bid for the coveted accolade to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in December, and it has been reported that Norwich received positive feedback. Organisers of the bid have now begun extensive work to ensure that Norwich stands an excellent chance of hosting a 'major programme of cultural activity' in 2013 . Norwich gained a lot of experience from the application to become European Capital of Culture which was eventually won by Liverpool, and it is believed that this could be the chance for Norwich to gain national recognition. However, it will have to fight off keen interest from the likes of Hull, Durham
NEWS 3
TUESDAY 12th JANUARY 2010
and Suffolk rivals Ipswich. The chosen cities then have until May 28th to submit their final application with a verdict being made in the summer. Support from respected celebrity Stephen Fry has only enhanced Norwich's chances of being in the final shortlist, which will be drawn up this month. " Norwich is a city with a long history and a distinguished one at that", he said, "... it is not a chocolate box town, rather a thriving, living
radical and independent way." Labour Councillor Steve Morphew added : " We have some real cultural gems in our city ...lending their weight to our bid". Norwich City Council has been working closely with cultural organisations such as the Norfolk & Norwich Festival and the Norwich Arts Centre in an attempt to strengthen the bid further, and has received letters of support from the Norwich University College
city, a contemporary place which has consistently moved ahead in its own distinctive,
of the Arts. The widespread support Norwich has recieved stems from its rich cultural
history which includes luminaries such as Julian of Norwich, the first woman to write a book in English, and the country's first female journalist, Harriet Martineau. lnterlinked with the city's modern cultural projects, including The Forum, Norwich's medieval roots have led many to bel ieve that it has an outstanding chance of becoming the first UK City of Culture. The award itself was designed to highlight Britain's cultural strengths outside of London and was formed partly in response to the successes that Liverpool experienced as the European Capital of Culture. The DCMS are looking for a culturally strong city or town which would be capable of hosting a range of national culture events. Should Norwich win the award it could lead to the city hosting famous events such as BBC Sports Personality of the Year and The Brits, as well as providing national coverage and an economic boost to the city.
CONSTITUTION C HANGE Nick Church The Union of UEA Students' constitution is set to change pending approval by Union Council on Thursday 14th January. A draft constitution is being discussed with the University before coming under scrutiny by the student body. The draft comes as the result of a Union Council motion to consult UEA students and create a new constitution for the Union to ensure its structures " are meeting the changing needs of all our members". lt is also changing in accordance to the 2006 Charities Act, which demands students' unions register with the Ct.larities Commission if they wish to retain their charitable status. Claiming a consultation with over 500 students, the new constitution has been written by the Finance Officer through an open-door method . Major alterations include : agreed Aims and Objects; a dissolution clause; and a Trustee Board, which is separated from the Executive - all three being needed to
register for the Charities Commission - five full -time officers, including Democracy & Engagement; Sports and Societies Committee Committee, who take on the power to give grants to clubs and societies; lower threshold to remove Student Officers, as well as the ability to remove a Chair of Union Council. Students' unions were, before the 2006 act, exempt educational charities . They drew charitable status from their university or college and did not have to register as a charity. Their parent body -university or college - and the Charities Commission now dually regulate students' union $. Failure to reg ister as a charity could bring reput<11tional damage, missed opportunities fund raising and force the Union to put Corporation Tax on the income from its subsidiary companies (LCR, Waterfront) . Council will Union decide whet her to send this constitution to policy ballot and regardless of this result Uniol'l Council will decide whether or not to give full approval on 28th January.
ARABIC RECONNAISSANCE Heather Crowley A new programme that aims to bring together Arabic writers, English writers and literary translators is being launched in Egypt by the British Centre for Literary Translation (BCLT) at the University of East Anglia. The programme hopes to encourage the translation of more contemporary Arabic literature into Western languages, and vice versa . lt also seeks to address the shortage of literary translators and support professionals looking to work with translators . " This is a really exciting development as it is the first ever coming together of Western and Arabic translators in such an intensive format," said BCLT associate director Valerie Henitiuk, "The main goal is to increase cultural exchange
between the Engl ish-speaking and Arabic-speaking worlds, and we are excited to be working with both fiction and theatre." take Participants will part in intensive workshops throughout a week-long residential course, based on the internationally-renowned BCLT Literary Translation Summer School at UEA. This will take place from January 24'h-30'" and is being supported by the British Council and Penguin Arabia . Translators and lecturers will lead the workshops and panel discussions will feat ure representatives from publishers such as Penguin . The Middle East programme is the second phase of an ongoing project to export the BCLT training model. lt follows a highly su ccessful programme for translators from and into Chinese, which began in 2007 .
4 NEWS UEA TEACHING AWARDS Nom inations
for
UEA's
annual Award for Excellence in Teaching, w hich seeks to recognise outstanding teachers amongst staff across UEA faculties, are now open. The five awards were introduced to recogn ise in novative and superlative teach ing, for which students and col leagues nominate specific teachers. Each faculty is des ignated a specific awa rd relating to its staff and a fihh award is availab le to a nominee who is teaching st udents but does not fall into the other categories.
TUESDAY 12th JANUARY 2010
UEA PROFESSORS HONOURED IN QUEEN'S NEW YEAR'S LIST Nick Church
policy and practice and has led two international research projects looking at the
col leagues over the 31 years I was in the School." "During one extraordinary
oncology at Glasgow's Beatson Oncology Centre, the second largest cancer centre in the UK.
Two UEA professors have been awa rded an OBE in the
transition to sustainability in the European Union.
week in April, 1972," he continued, "I was offered four
She has bee n Registrar and Vice President of the Royal College
retir ing fro m UEA
positions, in Canada, t he US,
of
Radiologist s,
in 2005 he has become an active member of Sustainable Development Commissio n. Professor O'Riordan
New Zealand and at UEA.I chose UEA because I could see that
of for
the European Society Therapeutic Radiation
the Sc hool of Environmental Sciences ... would become the powerhouse of this exciting new integrated discipline."
Oncology and a t rustee of th e Big C cancer charity. She came to UEA to he lp
New Yea r's
honours .
Tim
O'Riordan, emeritus Professor of Envi ronmenta l Sciences, was awarded fo r services to sustainable development and Ann Barrett, Professor of Oncology and Deputy Head of
Professor O'Riordon Fo r the past 40 yea rs at UEA, Tim O'Riordan and his active
w ith students, researchers, support staff (vital) and faculty
MED, for services to healthcare.
involvement in environmental politics has proved hard to ignore. His arguments on
unde rgraduate or postgraduate teaching or postgraduate researc h supervision . it is also possible for joint nominations to be made, for example where
He has edited numerous books on global environmental
be put work in
a course has joint di recto rs. Each award winner will receive a certificate plus a ÂŁ1,000 prize . The award panel includes the Vice Chancellor and t he Academic
St udent s' Officer,
Union David
Professor Barren While at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London, Ann Barrett produced the first technique for whole body irradiation in bone marrow transplantation. Professor Barrett also worked on the use of CT scanning in cancer and rad iotherapy treatment during the infancy of
Preside nt
set up the new medical sc hool, developing a new curriculum for the students. Professor Barrett said: "I am obviously delighted with this
department in the new Norfo lk and Norwich Hospital. Working with Professor Leinster and othe rs in the team, we had an
exciting
and
stimulating
time setting up the course and seeing the first co horts graduate. " it was very rewarding to be able to t hink in new ways about how doctors should be taught, and I was also fortu nate in being able to see during my work in the hospital how we ll the students were received by staff and patients."
award, which I think reflects all the support that I have had from my colleagues throughout
these techniques. She has since been the lead clinician for oncology at the Norfolk and Norwich University
my career, firstly at the Royal Marsden Hospital, then at the University of Glasgow, and more recently, in Norwich. "There is no doubt that some of my happiest working experiences have come from my time in the medical school
Hospital aher a post as chair of
in Norwich, and the oncology
SIR MUIR RUSSELL TO LEAD INQUIRY CLIMATE DATA SCANDAL David Churchill
the public sphere. The review's remit wil l be to investigate four key
requests. Upon his inauguration Sir Muir said: "I agreed very
for it to remain impartial and authoritative. However, aher a month
Norfolk Police were unable to confirm whether the source
Vice -Chancellor
allegations, which includes examining whether the leaked e-mail exchanges, and any other relevant information held at CRU, demonstrates
willingly to Professor Acton's request to undertake this Independent Review. Given the nature of the allegations it is
of investigation , many details about the logistics of the review remain unclear. it remains unknown how Sir
of the breach had yet been discovered, but did confirm that officers are continuing to work "in liaison with the Office of the
right that someone who has no links to either the University or
Muir is to eva luate thousands of emails and data graphs
Information Commissioner and with officers from the National
the Climate Science community looks at the evidence". Sir Muir's independence from the scientific community has been
effectively by spring 2010- the deadline for the review - or who forms the "additional
Domestic Extremism Team".
Professor
Sheppard. If a teacher has impressed you with their knowledge, enthusiasm or personal support and you would like to nominate them for an award,
Edward Acton, has appo inted Sir Muir Russell to lead an Independent Review which is to investigate allegations made against the UEA's globally
no mi nation forms can be collected from the Reception Desks in Union House, the
renowned Cli matic Research Unit (CRU). Allegations of col lusion in
Registry or the Library. Nominations must be rece ived no later than 12pm on February 19th 2010.
manipulating scientific data arose in November, when the CRU's servers were hacked and hoards of data and email
Further details are avai lab le from Paul Vazquez (p.vazquez@uea.ac.uk) or
exchanges involving Professor Phi I Jones were re leased into
Jackie Wright (j .wright@ uea.ac.uk) in the Registry's Learning, Teaching and Quality
Since
said: "The award of t he OBE, mysterious and delightful as to how it came about, is therefore a refl ection of th e many friendships shared
transpo rt, po llution and plann ing have garnered more strength as the environment has been moved to the forefront of many governments' political agendas.
Nominees can forward for their
concrete. news@uea.ac. uk
manipulation or suppression of data. The review will also examine the CRU's code of ethics in how it acquired, assembled and disseminated its research findings, and whether these procedures were in compliance with the highest scientific practices and Freedom of Information
welcomed by the spectrum of interested parties, who have agreed that this lends the review the degree of objectivity required in order
expertise" which he intends to drah into the process. Sceptics have pointed to this as evidence that the review wi ll be held behind closed doors and could potentially become a
"whitewash".
Professor Phil Jones, the figure at the centre of the controversy, announced that he will be "stepping aside from the Director's role" until the review has reached its final conclusions.
UNEMPLOYMENT WOES FOR CREDIT CRUNCH GENERATION
Office.
Gordon Malloy
UEA LONDON UEA London is set to open with just 200 students on January 18th. The course range will be "almost identical" to the INTO bui lding on the Norwich campus, according to the Project Director, Richard Harvey. This is set to increase to 600 students in September this year.
Unemployment figures are rising fastest among 1824 year olds with degrees, figures show. Data released by the Liberal Democrats reveals that from September to December 2009, one in five unemployed 18-24 year old s had a degree, compared with one in six t hree years ago. Coupled with a downturn in graduate recruitment, the
news
has
prompted
fears
of a 'generation crunch' in which thousands of indebted graduates face the toughest battle for jobs in decades. In a proposal to remedy the rising rates of unemployment among 18-24, Prime Minister Gordon Brown has pledged ÂŁ140 million to increase the number of public and private apprentices by 35,000. This aims to alleviate problems arising from extended unemployment
by providing graduates internship schemes - working at a reduced rate - which allow students to obtain valuable work experience. The internship scheme would involve major employers, such as Barclays
Unemployment rate for 18-23 year olds has increased by over 10% since the start of the economic downturn. The proportion of this who were graduates rose 3.5 % to 20.3 % in the past year, while the proportion of who had no
and Microsoft, and include public sector and charitie s
qualifications fell. Professor Peter
as well. The government is considering subsidising the internships to encourage more busine sses to join the scheme.
of Royal Holloway suggests graduates with non vocational degrees and those from 'less prestigious' universities will be the worst
Dolton
---\
UNEMPlOYMENT
off. "When you have rising graduate unemployment, the effects are felt worst by graduates of non -vocational subjects and graduates from less prestigious universities. That's going to get even worse in recession," he said.
u ffice Cocktail Bar
INI<S ALL NIGHT* 99p Drinks* ALL NIGHT- 2-4-1 Cocktails Standard terms and conditions apply, available upon request 路=selected drinks and times may vary _
3 cocktail shooters for 拢5.50 Our speciality -=------.--.-----.,_______..,.
ila_gerliomli$!
6 NEWS BLACKOUT compounded by th e very limited time provided for consultation which ha s prevented a detailed assessment of the potential impact of thi s proposal at a local leve l, and th ere ha s bee n no opportunity for any formal engagement of loca l elected represe ntatives." Adrian Gunson, the County Council's cab in et member for planning and transportation said that lights important for community safety would not be switched off. "We are taking into account community sa fety and that 's why we are looking at quiet, residential areas . My feeling is that there are very few people walking about in tho se areas between midnight and 5am." "And it 's not just about money. it's about reducing C02 emissions. We are all seeking to save on carbon emissions and we think that 's a good way for the council to do that." Tom Sutton, UUEAS' Welfare Officer, said: "Without any formal com ment from the police and only a limited pilot, these plan s raise many con ce rn s. lt is largely young people, either travelling back from a night out or from working late, that will fac e the increased potential threat to th eir perso nal sa fety. A number of the proposed blackout areas are student areas and are already likely to be targets for crime. " Th e Union is approaching local politician s with its con cern s and will work to ensure students and stud ent areas of th e city will not face heightened danger as a con sequence of the se pl ans." Norfolk Police have yet to revea l their thoughts on the plan s, with a spokesperson saying only: "We are aware of the proposal and are still considering the report."
J,
f j·.··:
l j.
G"gMoo: .,...
.•-
~, :!:., .- .--. ~ : ........ ' Recreation Road listed in lans
TUESDAY 12th JANUARY 2010
concrete.news@uea.ac.uk
TRAGIC DEATHS OF THREE STUDENTS
POORER MED APPLICANTS SUFFER
Nick Church
Chris King
UEA faced the tragic death of three stud ents in the space of a week last December, two of which were th e res ults of unrelated road traffic accidents. Rai ny Xin, a Norwich Bu si ness School MSc stud ent, died on December 1st as a res ult of a road traffic collision in Winche ster. Dr. Xiaojun Wang, Rainy's advisor, made the following tribute: "I had the honour and plea sure to know Rainy as her adv isor and lecturer who taught her in NBS. " She wa s such a wonderful girl with great prospects ahead. lt is so sad to hear such tragic news. I' m sure that the sta ff and students who knew Rainy will mi ss her and we wou ld like to offer our deepest sympathies to the family." Louis Quigl ey Jones, a first year Foundation Science
student, died as a result of a road traffic col li sio n in Norwich city. Loui s' personal adviser, Or Martin Loftu s, sa id : " I only knew Louis for a short while, but found him to be a perso nabl e young man wh o was full of exc itement and looking forward to a change in direction as a re sult of hi s studies here at UEA." Stephen Wen man , a mature LIT masters student, died on Dece mber 8th of natural causes. Prof. Lavinia Greenlaw, Stephen's PhD supervisor, gave thi s personal tribute: " From my first meeting with Stephen, I was st ru ck by hi s pa ss ion for hi s subject and hi s sustain ed delight in all that literature, and poetry in particular, had to offer. " He had returned to education aft er a long and successful profess ion al career, and brought enormou s energy and di sci plin e to hi s work."
The number of medical students from low- income background s has risen by ju st 1.7% despite government initiatives designed to widen access to the profession. Only around one in seven successful app licants are from such backgrounds, des pite th e fact that low-income groups make up almost half of th e UK population. Professo r Bhupinder Sandhu, chair of th e British Medical Association 's equality oppo rtunity committee, sa id " medical schools are still not recruiting enough students from low-income background s", identifying a "co mbination of complex problems" as the rea so n. Statisti cs show a significant disc repancy in acce ptance rates, with 58% of applicants from th e highest socio-economic group being afforded places, whilst only 39% from th e lowest group
were successful. The Government has invested £392 million si nce 2001 in order to widen access to high er ed ucation, and further reform s are plann ed according to the Departm ent of Health. Howeve r it appea rs th e cost of a five-yea r medical degree course, £37,000 on average, is deterring many potential students from applying. Or Vivienne Nathan so n, head of science and eth ics at the BMA, said that many students from lower-income backgrounds fe lt that a medical ca reer wa sn' t a possible option, whil st Professor Sandhu added that many deemed medicine an " unattainable" career. Despite the modest overall increase, the BMA's report stated that good progress had been made in attracting more applicants from eth nic minorities, as well as showing th an 56% of successful app licants to medical sc hools in th e UK in 2008 were wom en.
UEA LABOUR SOCIETY HIGHER EDUCATION DEBATE Lauren South The UEA Labour Society held a Higher Education debate at the end of la st term which focused on three main question s posed by the members of the society to th e panel. The mem bers of the panel includ ed Labour MP for Norwich South , Charle s Clarke, NUS Pre sident Wes Streeting, and Profe sso r Edward Acton , Vice- Chancellor at UEA. The first question co ncerned the Climatic Research Unit controversy at UEA. Specifically, how stude nts shou ld fe el abo ut the saga and whether CRU's director, Professo r Jones, was rig ht to have resigned following pending enquiries into the affair. Members of the audience were co ncern ed that stud ents taking Environmental Sciences wou ld feel their degree had become devalued and would be undermined as a consequence of the accusations and en quiry. Hav ing adequately covered and rea ss ured stu dents about this inevitable
topi c, the debate moved on to the issue of bursaries and ot her education welfare sc hemes in the United Kingdom. The question referenced an artic le from the Guardian which stated that 25% of all students from low income families are unaware of bursaries, suggesting the bursa ry system in the UK is in a poor state. Charle s Clarke was able to offer a new sta nce on this problem, suggesting that while increa sing awarene ss of bursa ri es mu st become a priority, it is also a problem inherently linked to the sig nificant socia l divisions that still exist in society. He said he was unh appy with th e way in which
bursaries are handl ed for a number of reason s: inefficient targeting, difficulty of access, and complexity of mean s testing . He also co mmented that th e actual size of th e loan shou ld be greater in order to cover ma intenance and not leave a gap which st udents must fill themselves. Neverthel ess, th e si tuation was admittedly better than ten years ago. Th e third question on the agenda was on how Higher Education should be funded in Britain . Predi cta bly, th ere was so me di sparity between the ideal of a system of free, state -fund ed education and the reality that nothing in the soc iety w e live in is free. In re sponse to one
acc usation s member's against New Labour, Wes Streeti ng re sponded that the introduction of student support was essentially made in th e interests of alleviation of soc ial inequality and to ultimately help more peop le to go to university with the ad diti on of a st ud en t loan. When questioned if th ere was a moral imperative to inc re ase higher educatio n funding, both Vic e Chancellor Ed Acto n and MP Charles Clarke reluctantly conceded that "{ I am) not sure I would say morally it sho uld , only becau se there are so many other moral causes I don't think it 's absolute." Ultimately, it was agreed that although education should not be a commodity, an alternative to tuition fee s at thi s point in time, given the current economic climate would be difficult to find. Last ly, and offering an off topic yet light-h ea rted ending to the debate, the controversy for over a competition the sex ie st lecturer at the University was raised and given an overall sea l of app rov al by th e panel.
CUE EAST FOCUS CUE East (Community University Engagement) are conducting a series of focu s groups to eva lu ate how effective they have been in improving recognition and support for public engagement across UEA. Part of the Beacons for Public Engagement initiative, CUE East seek to encourage staff and students to engage with public audiences about their work. The focus groups -open to all staff and students - will help provide insight and experiences of the programme so far and on the role of public engagement at UEA. The findings from the session will be used to inform th e CUE East annual evaluation review, which has played an important role in shaping the programme over the pa st year. The session will take place in the Elizabeth Fry Building, Room 0.05 on Tuesday 26'h Janu ary from 12.30-2.00pm, with sandwiches, tea and coffee available from 12.00pm. If you would like to participate in thi s focus group, please contact Lisa McDaid on 01603 773215 or at llmcdai d@ ccn .ac. uk by Friday 22nd Janu ary 2010 to book your place. If you are unabl e to attend the focu s group you ca n still get in contact with your views via em ail or telephone . Places will be on a first come first served basis.
MEDIC-TOMEDIC UEA's branch of th e nationa l charity Medic-to-Medic is looking for old mobile phones in their first fundraising eve nt of the term. The charity raises money to provide financial su pport for trainee health workers in Africa after it was noted many students would drop out due to financi al pressures. Supporting these students aims to increase the number of doctors in countries with critical shortages. Collection points are in the Hive reception and the Medical School IT room . If you would like to get more involved with the charity, contact UEA Medicto-M edic at ueamedic2medic@ googlemail.com.
FREE ENTRY .All NIGHT
SELECTED SHOTStrom
8 TURF
concrete.turf@uea .a c. u k
TUESDAY 12th JANUARY 2010
UEA student diary: Copenhagen Summit
Is the World Trade Organization environmentally sustainable?
Joe McCrohon
ConaiDougan
12th December 2009: I got to Copenhagen on o ne of five coaches organised by th e Camp For Climate actio n which took roughly 20 hours
police
The World Trad e Orga ni sa tion
gove rnm en t
were present prepared for
- o ne of the mo st powerful
any potential atta ck on the Dani sh parli ament bui lding.
mu ltilateral instituti ons in the wor ld - prides it se lf on
policies to promote env ironm entally friend ly or
as
heavily-c lad
riot
I late r went to a party in
promoting,
Chri sti ania, wh ich is a former ar my barracks which ha s been squatted si nce th e 70s.
of its Director-Genera l, a "strong and prosperous internation al trading syst em"
in
the
word s
I was shocke d that the police raid ed th e party at th e end wit h tear gas being used and
social ly
beneficial
purchas in g
products
or indu st ri es. Prod ucts, eve n in cred ibly environm entall y
so mu ch pain th at they ca n mutilate themselves tryin g to esca pe and di e an agon ising dea th. But Ru ss ia, Canada and the US succe ssfully argued th at the ban would
damaging ones, must therefore be given th e sa me
unfairly hit fore ign imports, so Europe were forced to ba ck
th at has co ntributed to "u npreced ented globa l eco nom ic gro w th ':. It s
market freedom. In th e 1990s, the US tried to ban the import of M ex ican tun a as it was not
dow n: democratically electe d Europ ea n governments were prevented from taking
arrests made.
mission is to "e nco urage and
dolphin -friend ly.
env ironm en t al action by the
"reduce
15th December 2009:
under WTO legislation they were not all owed t o, as it
WTO.
th ey had littl e access to water and other amenities for a
sust ain ab le co ntribute to develop ment, raise people's
late 1990s, for in stance, it rul ed agai nst a European
we lfare,
Cff cou rse went aga in st free
have to be show n t o be unsafe
proposa l
few hours. Th e next day I
Th e next day was spent in preparation for th e rec laim
and foster peace and sta bilit y". Howeve r, what li es
market principles. Th e WTO ca n also
local banan a far ms in former
be
in order to be rest ri cted. This is th e equiva lent of 'inn oce nt
power march. Th e ai m was
behind this glossy ext erior
held to account by practically
until proven guilty', but is th e
peop les about th e injustices of the cli mate talk s. The Klim a
to enter the Sel la centre and hold a peop le's assemb ly. On th e day the large part of the
is an organ isa ti on which perpetuates and fo ste rs env ironmen t al degradation to
no -one, und erminin g the democratic insti tuti o n. On one occasion Europe an countries
wrong way when it comes to env iron menta l protection -
forum was an altern ative to th e Copenhagen co nference
march up to th e Se ll a centre was pe ace ful but o nce we
a stagge rin g degree . Th e WTO seeks to limit
tried to ban fur impo rts from cou ntri es which used stee l
es pec ially as th e WTO has no inclin ation or req uirement to cons ult expe rt s in
with indigenou s and other
were within a mil e of it we
th e fi eld .
a
Impoveri shed co untri es also
encou ntered a li ne of riot po li ce who promptly used
th e capacity of its members to contro l the market.
j aw leg- hold traps to ca tch
activists talking about need for climate ju sti ce .
bears. These traps tear the bea r's leg, face, abdomen
European prog ramm e was des igned to m ake electronics
or t ai l, leav ing the bea r in
manufacturers cut down on toxic waste and remove
have less mon ey, expe rti se and influence t o defend th emse lves agai nst the WTO,
to get to Copenhagen from London . Sadly we were t oo late to atte nd th e first march, w hich was the largest and saw 1,000 arrests . Although most people arrested during the week weren't charged,
dec id ed to go to th e Klima forum, wh ich had so me very interesting t alks by indigeno us
the
14th December 2009:
baton s and pepper spray to sto p us from adva ncing.
For are
reduce
in st ance , bann ed
poverty,
members from
using
Howeve r,
metro station by th e poli ce, wh ich felt somew hat strange given that the poli ce had been be ating us ju st minutes ear li er. Wh en w e w ere go ing
to the Danish parliament was removed and wa s taken w ith the demon strators. However
back, disappointm ent was fe lt all round that th e talks had fail ed to ac hi eve ve ry much.
chem icals mercury
dec isions
ensu re that it is a decisive success ." - Dr Fred Boltz, Senior Vice President for Global Strategies & Climate Change . " Th e meeting has had a shou ld
res ult, be
Zhenhua, China's
eve ryone
happy," - Xie head of delegation to the
Copenhagen.
as lead, cad mium ,
chem ica ls unrel iab le. Und er great pressure from indu st ry
European
to
In
favour
co loni es
the
sma ll in
th e
Caribbean. Thi s, of co urse, would rest ri ct f ree trade. As a resu lt, small farms have collapsed against competition from indu stri al giants Chiqu ita
agriculture and Dole.
leav ing pub lic hea lt h and th e env ironment ex tremely vu ln erabl e. What should be clear through th ese limited exa mpl es is that w hile we think our gove rnment s have the power to protect the environm ent and promot e global equa lity, in rea lity they are co nst rain ed
and the US, the European prog ramm e was great ly
quite
diluted.
overarching,
lt is also hi ghly qu estionab le whe th er th e Qrga ni sa tion rea lly aims to
and undemocratic in stitution which perp etuat es wea lth
" raise peop le's welfare" and
co nsid erab ly
by
an
unaccountable
accumu lation, poverty and environmenta l degeneration .
Critics take n
in Cope nh agen wi ll be foreve r rememb ered as a mea sure of the cou rage of our gene ratio n. This is a dec isive mom ent - we must
positive
such and
decided to de em the scie nce beh in d the toxicity of these
!Copenhagen in the public eye: , success or failure? "The
examp le,
but thi s restricted trade in heavy meta ls, and the WTO
it was clear who was in power
Appraisers
For
dangerous and contam inating
Gradua lly, peopl e started to leave and were pointed in the direction of the nearest
I headed dow n t o the no borders march, where the aim was to help push for more equitab le treatment of clim ate refug ees. Th e march was uneventfu l until th e end when an inflatable glo be next
Und er WTO law, practi ces
poverty".
"I
wi ll
not
hid e
my
disappointment rega rding the non -binding nature of
UEA rides the Wave in London!
th e ag ree ment here. In that
MagTan
re spect, the doc um ent fal ls far short of our expectations ." - Jose Manuel Barro so, EU Commission President. " The city of Copen hagen is
On Sat urd ay 5th Dece mber 2009, UEA student s t ook part in Th e Wave in Lond on: the biggest clim at e change march in th e world eve r. Begin ning
a crim e sce ne toni ght, with th e gui lty men and women fleeing to the airport. There are no t arget s for carbon
at Gro sve nor Squa re, more th an 50,000 peo pl e dre sse d in blue wa lked to Parliam ent demanding urgent action o n
cuts an d no ag reement on a lega lly bindin g treaty." - John
clim ate change to be taken by th e Government. United in
Sauven, Executive Director
th eir belief for a better world , they ca ll ed for a clim ate dea l
of Greenpeace .
in Cope nhagen that would avoid dangerou s cl imate change and protec t the wo rld 's poorest. Th e mood was jubil ant, wit h samba band s and various peo pl e dressed up in costumes including a pol ar bear. Thou sa nd s of posters and bann ers waved messages to "Quit Dirty Coa l" and for the government t o create "One Million Clim at e Jobs Now! "
in the wake of t he recession. UEA stud ents carri ed a blue Union banner and a cardboa rd Loc h Ness Mon ster cry ing ou t aga in st sa lin e int ru sion. Th e res ult s of the climate dea l in Copen hagen have disappointed many peop le but th at is no reaso n to give up hop e for a better future. As demonstrated in The Wave, people still want to give it a go and if not now, w hen?
GO DEN TRIANGLE Propenv Services
.-
We have a wide range of I to I 0 bedroom properties available from Summer 20 I 0 all with easy access to both the university and city centre
- Professional service - Friendly, young team -Advice on looking for houses -All properties adhere to current legal requirements - Find us on the 35 bus route from UEA & city centre - Come in and talk to us about any aspect of renting
.. -
â&#x20AC;˘ _i"â&#x20AC;˘
----
I - -~
I
.
Golden Triangle Properties 57 Earlham Road Norwich NR2 3AD office@goldentriangleproperties.co.uk 01603 632711 www.goldentrianglepropertie.s .co.uk
10 COMMENT & OPINION
TUESDAY 12th JANUARY 2010
concrete.opinion@uea.ac.uk
Charity: it's not just for Christmas Prince William recently spent a night sleeping rough to highlight the issue of homelessness during the festive period. But does this kind of publicity help or hinder charities and the plight of the homeless? Ailsa Bristow looks at this complex issue. Somewhere between the manic Christmas shopping and the ritual stuffing of food that is Christmas dinner, the festi ve season is supposedly meant to be a time for faith , peace and charity. it wa s therefore hardly surprising to see in the run -up to Chri stma s the news story that Prince William, in his capacity as patron of youth homelessness charity 路 Centrepoint, had spent a night sleeping rough in order to raise awareness. Homeless ness is an issue that seem s to briefly re-enter the spot light and pub lic con sc iou sness every Christmas: at a time of year when many of us are preparing to spend time with our loved ones, the idea of people sleeping rough take s on a peculiar poignancy. Many charities recognise thi s fact
- Centrepoint ran a "countdown to Christmas" fundrai sing drive, and Cri sis ran a high-profile campaign to get vo lunteers to run Christmas centres. But, despite the laudable intent of Prince William 's night \\
... we c an
watc h the twominute news fea ture, and the n move on " sleeping on the streets, was it really anything more than a publicity stunt? The point of asking thi s kind of question is not to undermine the good work done by public figures li ke Prince Wil liam in trying to raise
feature, and then move on. But the fact of the matter is w e have come no closer to a real appreciation of what it is like to be home less; al l we have gained is a hugely skewed snapshot
awareness, or somehow insinuate that he was insincere in his actions, but rather to consider whether attention -grabbing tactics like these are real ly the way to combat se rious and complex problems such as homelessness. Furthermore, do we really need to "walk in the shoes" of people less fortunate than ourselves in order to feel the kind of compassion and empathy for their situation that will ultimately motivate us to address the root causes of homelessness? And it isn't really the collective " us" who are performing this empathetic act: as a society we sit back and watch, as if the recreation of the homeless experience by one totemi c figure is enough to exculpate us all from any guilt we might collectively feel. We can watch t he two -minute news
by watching the spectacle of a prince decked out in a hoodie and trainers. This kind of reporting ignores the complex reality of homelessness, in which sleeping rough is only the tip of the iceberg: many more are in
temporary accommodation, staying with friends, or in shelters. The news story ends and Prince Wi lliam goes back to his more convivial royal duties and viewers at home are distracted by the next festive news story. But homele ss ness isn't just a seasonal problem and whilst this story provided the media with the perfect news clip, and perhaps prompted a few viewers to donate some money or even a few hours of their time, it seems debatable that it will affect any long term shift in attitudes. And this is an endemic fai ling of our 24-hour news society: we're constantly seeking the next story, the next cause. Long-term commitment is long, often boring, and rarely makes an exciting story. But it is surely the kind of attention these problems demand .
Are new year's resolutions a waste of time? Against
Fact box Davina Kesby Every year, we are encouraged to make " New Year's Resolutions". The se assertions are what we hope to achieve in the year, with many saying that they will make lifestyle changes. In my opinion, such resolves are pointless, as they rarely last beyond the end of January, if they even make it that far. So why is it that every year, the change in date prompts us to make promises to ourselves that we are un likely to keep? The answer is simple: our sense of realism, or lack thereof. The resolutions are made at a time of optimism and hope, so are detached from the reality of everyday life. In fact, the 17th January is sa id to be the most depressing day of the year, and it is by this time that most resolutions will have been broken. Take, for example, one of the most common resolution s. " I will go to the gym four times a week" or "I will lose x amount of we ight". Whi le a willingness to have a healthier
lifestyle is no bad thing, going from no gym vi si ts to four a week is an unlike ly ambitio n. A more realistic pledge would be to ease yourself in, with two visits a week, extending this to three and so on. Yet still we insist on making unreali stic stateme nts about our self-discipline. Yes, it is good to have goals and yes, some people will manage to achieve them. However, the nature of the pressure surrounding both the formation of such resolution s and the implementation of them makes them a wa ste of time . We are cajo led into making one and then equally pressurised into breaking them. Going out for lunch with a friend is infinitely more appealing than going to the gym. Wit h all this, am I sti ll going to make a resolution myself? Well, I'm giving up alcohol and chocolate in 2010. So you'll probably find me at the next LCR, snakebite in hand, hastily shoving a pourid coin into the vending machine. After all, one night won't hurt... wi ll it?
According to Ask Jeeves , Fiona Howard the top resolution is to stop smoking, with "get fit" coming in at number two. Making resolutions can be traced back to as early as 153 BC . Many Romans sought forgiveness from their enemies. Approximately 45% of Americans make resolutions. -------
---
I
_j
We're in the second week of t he New Year: this week is supposed ly meant to be one of the most depressing of the year. By now, few of us have actually made it to the gym, given a seco nd thought to what new society we' re going to join, or given up smoking. Just because we've not done anything about our resolution s yet doesn't mean we should write them off as a waste of time . New Year's resolutions remind us about the importance of not succeeding. Scarily, life is based on failure and it's our failures that make us re silie nt and give us great jokes to tell at parties. We fear failure and tend to forget the benefits of it. Failure reinstalls that old adage of "if at first you don't succeed ... " that we tend to forget . We need to keep making resolutions becau se eventually we will succeed. Then we can relish in our success because we will have worked for it. Despite the possibility of failure,
-
" I like Computer Scie nces because it makes me feel cool er tha n I actual ly am."- Ano n, CMP3
----------------
we need New Year's re solutions. New Year's resolution s and what makes them work is our belief that they will work and that they aren't a wa ste of time. The joy of them is that it's the perfect moment for turning over a new leaf. We may not notice a big difference in the New Year itself, but it's the perfect excuse. Nevertheless, we make resolution s thinking that they don't require work; we make them thinking that just by making them we've already done most of the work and are su rpri sed when we fail. We need to think of our New Year's reso lution s as that essay we've been putting off; we will have to do it eventually, but do it in little bits and it should eventually work out. Our New Year's resolution is our way of making a sma ll difference whettier personal ly or globally. Change is good! With resolution s having a notoriously high failure rate it would be too easy to argue wltat the po int is, but why be cynical about it? Maybe that should be our resolution, to think more positive ly!
I concrete.oplnion@uea.ac.uk
TUESDAY 12th JANUARY 2010
COMMENT & OPINION 11
Obama drama ~Nuclear Response~ Jack Brlnded As US President Barack Obama's first year in office draws to a close, many people will be thinking it's a good time to see what change he has brought to America. I might have been inclined to agree, if anything had actually changed. In order to get this point across I could discuss · the continuation of Guantanamo Bay, or the President's continuing but healthcare warmongering, reform being the travesty it is, it seems fitting to use it as the case study here. Back during his campaign, the apparent messiah that was Senator Obama looked set to radically change the landscape of American politics, or at least this is ·what I, along with millions of others worldwide, somewhat naively believed. At the forefront of the change promised was t he decrepit insurance system which failed 54 million US citizens. Obama promised a change before the year was out. However, the b,ill that wormed its way through the senate on Christmas Eve contained no public option, leaving the failed private sector unchallenged. lt is set to leave 23 million people still without insurance, whilst intro~ucing a mandate that they must buy private insurance and face a $95 fine if they fail to bank-roll corporate insurers.
This makes as much sense as mandating people to own homes to solve homelessness, as the President himself once pointed out. Effectively this reform serves to punish those who have nothing for failing to feec;l · a market which has excluded them in the first place. Ineffective and poorly thought out, this 'historic' bill cha~nges nothing, serving oQiy to prop up an inefficient and uncaring system. Private insurance has failed
..... h-·-.
CHANGE Wl ~AN 111-lt[\'1 llli
millions .of Americans and will continue to do so, thanks to the support of a man the world was relying far too heavily upon to shake things up. A year into Obama's first term, change is still to come to A'merica. lt will only arrive when the millions who remain alienated by the system start to ask questions for themselves. After all, as a certain presidential candidate once said, "change does not happen from the top down, it happens.from the bottom up".
Andrew lyle On Tuesday 1st December, I came across an article by one Jack Brinded entitled 'Say NO to Nuclear'. Curious, I read the argument, but by the end of the first paragraph, I was at a loss for words. lt seemed the author believed that the sole purpose of nuclear power plants is to poison the planet. Now of course, this position is by no means without its supporters, but it appears that the people who hold it have the notion that nudear power plants are similar to those in The Simpsons, with incompetent employees patching holes in the reactor with masking tape and an evil tyrant for a manager! I for one agree with Ed Miliband, the Climate and Energy Secretary, as well as the Shadow Energy Secretary, Greg Clark, in their support for nuclear energy. If the UK is to meet its target of cutting its carbon dioxide levels by a massive 80% by 2050, we can't afford to ignore nuclear power, and both main parties know it. Were it not for t he political cowardice of the Labour government, who have been
putting off real commitment to the UK's nuclear programme for the past ten years, the looming energy crisis would not be half as threatening. The last thing we need is to have spineless politicians who quiver in the fac.e of the nuclear issue, terrified that if they support the programme it may upset voters. When searching for a viable alternative to dwindling oil supplies, those who say we should switch to renewable power simply can't
"The last thing we need is to have spineless politicians w ho quiver in the face of the nuclear issue" appreciate how big a gap green power has to fill. lt is unreasonable to assume that ren ewable alternatives can solely produce enough power for the UK, let alone big contributors to climate change such as the United States and China.
The scaremongering the antinuclear lobby stir up seems almost entirely based on ignorance. All you have to do is say words like reaction, plutonium and fission to these people and they start showing up in droves in their petrol-guzzling cars and minibuses, waving either poorly spelt placards or sporting irritating slogans like: . "You can't hug your children with Nuclear Arms!". it's time these people woke up and learned a thing or two about nuclear energy rather than assuming they know everything about it after reading half an article on Chernobyl the previous night. So, despite what these misinformed people may say, the country will not blow up if we build more nuclear power plants, the waste can be disposed o~ safely and we won't see a sudden rise in the number of three-eyed fish in
our ponds and rivers. If the nation is going to advance properly into the 21st century, we need a form of reliable, safe and efficient energy production to replace fossil fue4s and only nuclear energy is big enough to shoulder the burden, not windmills and solar panels!
IF YOU HAVE A COMMENT OR OPINION THAT YOU WANT TO GET OFF YOUR CHEST ON ANY ISSUE, THEN THIS IS THE PLACE FOR YOU. PLEASE CON.TACT CONCRETE.OPINION@UEA.AC.UK AND WE'LL GET YOUR VOICE HEARD!
•
I 12 FEATURES
TUESDAY 12th JANUARY 2010
concrete.features@uea.ac.uk
Sex and the Student In the run up to Valentines Day and the 2010 Concrete Sex Survey, Bethan-Louise Martin discusses our changing attitude to sex at different points in our lives. Sex . is not always conducive to good study and vice versa, puning·-these two university past times in hot and often chaotic contention ... .
concrete.features@uea.ac.uk
TUESDAY 12th JANUARY.2010
FEATURES 13
Confessions of Belle de Jour, the author of the a Student hugely successful has recently revealed her true identity as Dr Brooke Magnanti, a research in Bristol. provides Concrete Stripper scientist with an insight into the ·realities of stripping to
The Intimate Adventures of a London Call Girl Eva Wright*
suppon your studies. According to Concrete's 2009 Sex Survey, a whopping 90.6% of you have sex. Going to university <>hanges a lot of things in our lives, including the way we feel about sex, whether we are having it or not. Here at Concrete we have been thinking a lot about sex in the lead up to our 2010 Sex Survey, so we thought we'd share our thoughts with you about various aspects of student sex lives.
Living with Other Students Even if you're not the one having sex, chances are the people you live with are having it. You may approve of their escapades, you may not, but, let's face it, you don't need to know what position your flatmate is in/how close they are to orgasm/that their boyfriend is a grunter, every time they want to get a bit frisky. Nor do the parents of your flatmates need to know this when
"long distance Living On Your Own You've just moved into your halls of residence, your parents have driven away and you're on your own in your own room, What's that we hear you cry? FREEDOM! For many students, their first real taste of freedom is when they arrive at university, thus, changing the way we approach sex • we can have it more freely. Access to partners' bedrooms and being able to stay the night all equals more sexy time. Let's face it, if we can have sex in the night and in the morning as well, we're going to do it! Being able to spend longer with your partner will not on ly increase the amount of sex you're able to have, it will inevitably encourage more intimate and adventurous sex. Some of you may be so lucky as to have an en suite which proves useful for slippery sexy adventures and the desks on campus can be a perfect height for certain activities. So I have heard..:
relationships are a ll about balance and a willingness to compromise. There are always ways around missing your partner" they come to visit when having your morning session. Yes, you're having sex and, by the sound of it, enjoying it rather a lot, but quiet sex can be fun too. The idea of having to be silent and the thrill of being caught, well, it's just naughty! A little moaning in someone's ear is not only a massive turn on but is more intimate and less scary, porn
star-style. There is a time and a pl ~ce for porn star you and a house with very thin walls, full of your closest friends is not necessarily the place. Awkward times over the breakfast table anyone .• ?
long Distance Relationships Long distance relationships: many of you may be thinking, why bother?! But they can work and work well. lt is difficult bei1g without your partner and it can cause problems; the key in a long distance relationship is trust. If you don't trust the person you're with or t hey don't trust you then the relationship will, inevitably, fail. Calling your partner 40 times a day to see what they are doing/who they are with or what they are' wearing is never a sign of a good healthy. relationship but nor is not speaking to someone for days on end. Long distance relationships are all about balance and a willingness to compromise. There are always ways around missing your partner and missing sex like webcams/phones/ video phones . and so on. Modern technology help to make long distance relationships easier. Just make sure that one of your flatmates doesn' t walk in when you're in the middle of some explicit activities... and, of course, there are numerous sex aids that can help keep you satisfied during those long, lonely n ghts. See Ann Summers (online or in Chapelfield), Sin Sins Love Store "(online and in the St Andrews area of the ' city) or www.lovehoney. co.uk for some inspiration for yourself and to use with your partner when you're reunited. Remember, absence makes the heart grow fonder so really take advantage of the time you spend together, whether in the bedroom o r not.
Living with Your Partner Living with ')Our partner does not necessarily mean that sex stops. After all, you have a whole new home to 'christen'. Getting into a routine of having sex in the same place, same time and same position is just plain
boring. We all have our lazy days and favourite positions but there's no fun in being stuck in a sexual rut. Visit some of the previously mentioned sex stores for exciting new toys or pick up a karma sutra and work your way through it • within reason, no one needs a sex injury. 'If you always have sex at night, wake up te·n minutes earlier and have a quickie before you go to work or jump in the shower with them. Buying yourself or your partner some new saucy underwear (students get 10% discount in La Senza) is another way of spicing up your evenings. Sometimes taking the initiative can make all the difference in a relationship. Of course, relationships. are not all about sex, and living with your partner for the first time is a big step and can take some work and getting used t'o, especially if you are used to havi.ng your own space. Space and maintaining your own identity is something that people often forget about in relationships. You don't have to const antly be in the same room as your partner, have all the same friends or want to do the same thing all the time. Having your own space and own interests will not only give you something to talk about but will stop you constantly being up in your
In this time of economic recession, stay in, either working on a growing it's especially difficult for a university mountain of presentations or essays, student to secure that ever-elusive or watch Hollyoaks. On a particular job to earn an extra bit of cash. The night every week, however - either conventional route of enquiring about a Friday or Saturday - she'll slip on employment possibilities is no longer opaque Perspex six-inch platforms, acceptable; if you ask at a store desk lace up in a tight leopard print corset, you're more than likely going to be met and strip for customers in a private with a belligerent stare, dismissing nightclub. The men filter in through the any hopes you may have had. Emails small confines of the club, open from 9pm till2am, their are more than likely never replied to and phone calls are diverted 20 or 30 pockets bulging times on a line to nowhere. In order with crisp notes. They might order to at least secure an interview, a drink, or simply you need a professionally edit ed CV and a covering letter subtly sit on the sofa and watch the explaining how your multi-talented entertainment: a self should be picked amongst lithe, flesh-baring hundreds of other applicants - I female gliding up should know. In the past term, I've and down the metal been rejected a grand total of six pole. times, not counting the 20 or "Sometimes," partner's grill and help to cut down on tensions that may arise. Spending 30 applications I sent out my friend tells rrie, a few evenings apart does not mean and never heard back "they just want t hat you are any less in love and your from. The times they someone to talk to friends will appreciate being able to are a-changin' indeed. - sometimes they And it doesn' t look see you, not just 'couple you'. just pay me good for university to sit there it doesn't matter if you're in a long students an·d listen who term relationship, playing the fie ld have loans to to them." or even just thinking about having pay, course She was once offered £20 just sex, it is important to think about books to buy (I contraception. The same can be said almost cried when for listening to some poor wh~tever your ·sexual orientation • I had to drop £29 old miser moan about his day job. - it doesn't matter what gender the on a textbook - but according to my But most of the time, she' ll take them person you're having sex with is, you house mates, this is already considered round the back in a small sectionedcan still catch an STD, even if you can't · a reasonable price to pay for a book area, where they'll sit with their become pregnant. Contraception to be only lightly skimmed for a couple hands under their thighs while she and information about sexual health weeks and then never to be used strips down to her birthday suit. Three minutes for £20 - that's the cost of is widely available on campus and again), and fridges to stock. condoms are free from the Medical Enter my friend Hailey~ . She's a a strip dance/lap dance. Roughly the Centre. If you make the decision that nubile.young girl in her second year of length of a song. Inebriated and often you want to stop using condoms or univers1ty and a regular in spiked heels bursting (literally) with gratitude, the dental dams, for example, it is hugely and mini-dresses on cut-price student - men sometimes tip heavily, handing important that you go up to the medical nights out in Norwich. She lives in their dancers £30-40. At the end of centre and either pick up a home a rented house devoid of proper the night, my friend goes home and Chlamydia testing kit or book a nurse's heating and equipped with a rattling checks her wallet. There are wads· and 'B' appointment for ful l sexual health back door that lets the biting Norfolk wads of notes: on a good night, she'll screening. lt is not as embarrassing wind whistle in through its gaps. earn up to £300. · To an outsider, it all sounds and as painful as people think; no one During the day she paces the same will judge you for being there. At the concrete walkway like the rest of us, incredibly simple, once you get past end of the day, no one want s their bits down to Elizabeth Fry and to and from the fact that you'd have to be naked the library where most of her work in front of a stranger. "You're allowed to turn green and fall off! is done. Most weekday nights she' ll to drink" the seemingly direct, honest
off
of
I
manager of the strip club tells me, "But I don't accept drunkenness. If I see a girl stumbling around the club high or drunk, I give th~m a warning and send them home. Three warnings means you're out of a job." The rules, doled out at the start to virgin strippers verbally, sound promising - no drugs, no drunken behaviour, and "the security level in here is well thought out. We have security guards at the door, and alarm buttons by the sides of the booths in case one of the
\\the rules, doled out at the start to virgin strippers verbally, sound promising -no drugs, no drunken behaviour'' girls is experiencing some problems." At a glance, the environment inside the strip club appears to be no more sleazy .and dangerous than any other night club in Norwich. Look a little closer, however, and you' ll notice the cracks. The negative aspects of being employed by a strip club outweigh any other issues raised in a normal day job. Unsatisfactory hours? Unfair treatment by supervising staff? Try dealing with drunken, sleazy clients, strung out eo-workers stripping their way to their next fix, and a boss who, ultimately, is never going to be fully reliable. After seven monthson the job, Hailey* informs me that her employer, the one whom I spoke to about the
rules and regulations of a strip club, isn't one to trust. Aside from creeping into the changing rooms whilst the girls are getting undressed, he also indulges in speed, crack - whatever he can get. "Never go into the men's bathroom, even if that means you have to wait for the ladies," he says at the end of our meeting, giving me a tour of the tiny, hidden club, "you may not get out of there for a long time. If you know what I mean." The most frightening thing is that he does not seem at all concerned by this fact. lt is merely a case of him warning the girls once, and after that what happens is purely the fault of the victim. All this doesn't seem like the ideal lifestyle for a struggling student, despite the incredibly good pay and almost non-existent employment process. The highly prolific prostitute Belle Du Jour, who only recently revealed herself to be Dr. Brooke Magnanti · (right), explained her reasons· for entering the indust ry: to fund her studies in the final st ages of her PhD at the University of Sheffield. Respectably intelligent, naturally beautiful and well-spoken, Dr. Magnanti seems to be the exact antithesis of a stereotypical prostitute - or what we assumed was the ster.eotype for a prostitute a decade ago. No""!adays, more and more stud.ents are being drawn to the appeal of prostitution, lap dandng and stripping, and _tur ning away from the rigidly structured day jobs that require maximum effort with minimum pay. In an interview with The Guardian, Catherine Stephens, an activist for the International Union of Sex Workers revealed that, "Loads of people who work in the sex industry are academics - education is a very expensive habit." The question is, are the students who enter this seedy, undisclosed section of the world making an educated life choice, or are they simply like flies drawn to the glow of light, only to be inevitably burnt by its fire? ·
Belle Uncovered
Dr Brooke Magnanti wrote about her time as a London call girl under the pseudonym 'Belle De Jour' on her blog site 'Belle de Jour: Diary of a London Call Girl.' As the blog gained popularity, there was much speculation as to who the author was, and whether the blog was even based on real events. Various professional authors were suspected of penning the blog because of the high quality of prose used. In November 2009 it was revealed that Belle De Jour was in fact Dr Brooke Magnanti, a nowlecturer at Bristol University who worked as a call girl to supplement her income while studying for a PhD in informatics, epidemiology and forensic science. Her blog has been adapted into a book and a TV series, starring Billie Piper as Belle.
* Real names not used
•
•
•
•
-
14 FEAT.URES
concrete.features@uea.ac.uk
TUESDAY 12th JANUARY 2010
And the nominations are
'
••• I
Voting fQr your sexiest lecturer isn't just about choosing the lecturer with the best looks; ifs also a celebration of their wit, personality and outstanding ability in their field. Let Fiona Howard and Kirsten Peter guide you through the top ten sexiest lecturers that you've chosen ove~ Christmas.
John Street For many people 2009 was the year that politics got sexy, with the election of Obama bringing sexy 'Barack' into the arena. But long before his name was on the lips of the political hoi-polloi, John Street was setting hearts alight in UEA's own halls of power. Silver fox Street, here long before political ambitions were in the minds of many of today's undergraduates, gets extra coo! points for publishing such titles as: Politics and Technology_ Rebel Rock: The Politics of Popular Music and being the co-editor of the Cambridge Companion to Pop and Rock.
Street has been nominated in previous years, but has he got what it takes to be number one in 2010?
Tim Daw Concrete polls say DEV is the place to be if you're looking for some serious eye candy and the man of the moment in DEV is one handsome Scotsman. There has been many a Scotsman in the public eye, from Sean Connery to David Tennant, but there is a new man closer to home to add to this list - DEV's very own Tim Daw. He's been making DEV students' hearts flutter since 2007 when he first made fish sexy. With looks like his, your
interest in his lectures is sure not to flounder. But there's more to it than his rogue scottish nature; with his sweet nature and genuine interest Daw has endeared himself to DEV students of both sexes. Daw's sex appeal could be on the rise due to the geek chic trend of the moment but his devilishly good looks could wit hstand any trend.
cascading curls is a looker in the traditional sense, which is only enhanced by her intelligence. it's easy to get lost in her wide blue eyes if all the philosophy is confusing you. She may have only joined UEA in 2009 but she has already struck a chord in the hearts of philosophy students _ with her expert knowledge of Kant.
Thomas Otte A mystery history student describes Dr. .Otte as an 'intellectual Hugh Grant taken to extremes'. His sweet foppish nature is what has endeared him to many students of all schools and is one of our only nominees with his own Face book tribute group, currentty standing at 22 adoring members. We should praise his skills here before he goes off and become a body double for his doppelganger. His work is mainly in diplomatic history but can you negotiate a win for him?
Vasudha Chhotray The exotic good looks of goddess Vasudha Chhotray, combined with her indepth knowledge of critical interrogation of governance theory and practice, politics of the state and NGOs in development certainly attract her many fans. Oecribed by a OEV student as 'nice but strict', these are obviously appealing qualities that have transported her into the top 5 female lecturers. Overall, she is another face for the ever sexier school of OEV to be proud of.
Cecile Jackson There is nothing sexier than a smart, beautiful and confident woman. Cecile Jackson is all this Cecile, known and more. as Sam, has been charming young men and ladies alike, with her interesting lectures, drive, and undeniable X factor. it may be due to some Oedipal complex we all are hot for teacher, but that's a little wrong. it's more likely that if she is ~o authoritative in the lecture theatre it's hard not to imagine what she would be like out of it. Angela Breitenbach Angela, with her blonde
Nick Anstead it's surprising that anybody in the politics department manages to get any work done at all, what with all t he blushing, sighing and fluttering hearts filling up floor 03 of Arts 1. New boy on the block, Or Nick An stead, only completed his Phd in the last year and has been quick to make his mark in a department that clearly has high sexiness in general. His cheeky smile has propelled him into the top five; follow him on Twitter (NickAnstead) if you are an ultimate fan. David Milne Foxy Milne was Fox International Fellow at Yale
University in 2003 and as of 2008 every girl's dream man, lecturing in American Politics at a time when we thought it couldn't get sexier. Another Scotsman, talk of his appeal surrounds any lecture theatre he teaches in. With his slightly bumbling delivery, he's the sort of lecturer you would like to take home to meet your Mum, and she'd probably fancy him too. We can be pretty sure as long as Or Milne is at UEA, he will be a feature • on this list.
Heather Savigny Repeat nominee and blonde bombshell Heather Savigny is drawing iri the votes from her students. Sf:le's sexy because she's so nice, you know she'd treat you well. Her appeal may be partially down to her very interesting and entertaining lectures in her areas of expertise: politics, media and
popular cult.ure. She has in the past worked with fellow nominee John Street in an investigation into the role of music and musicians in public action. Rock stars, John Street and Heather Savigny; could it get hotter?
Sarah Churchwell In their latest marketing campaign, the marketing brains at UEA have harnessed the raw intellectual power of American studies Lecturer Sarah Churchwell to sell the course to potential new students. Or Churchwell has appeared on numerous editions of Newsnight and Radio 4 and is published regularly on a wide range of topics in major newspapers, proving her combination of beauty and brains has an appeal far beyond these concrete walls.
Go Online to www.surveymonkey. com/s/votefornumberone to vote for your favourite of the Top Ten.
concrete.editor@uea.ac.uk
EDITORIAL 15
TUESDAY 12th JANUARY 2010
CONCRETE EDITORIAL CONCRETE concrete.editor@uea.ac.uk
PO BOX 410, NORWICH, NORFOLK,
Hannah Livingston
NR4 7TJ 01603 593466 concrete.editoria I@ uea .a c. u k Alice Violett
Concrete is published by
concrete .travel@uea.ac.uk Rachel Conquer
ITOR
UUEAS Concrete Society ©2009 Concrete. ISSN 1351-2773 Letters should be addressed
Tom Hunt, Carrie-Anne Elsden
for the attention of the Editor, Hannah Livingston. Letters must
concrete. editoria I@ uea .a c. u k
include contact details, but we will consider anonymous publication. We reserve the right
Denise Bartlett concrete.food09@gmail.com Frances Taylor, Kiron Ward, Myles Oldershaw,
Edward leftwich
Ayesha Bailey, Rachel Handforth Tom Mclnnes, Samantha Minny, Duncan Vicat-
to edit for length and clarity as necessary. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Publisher or Editor.
THE FORTUNE 86 Colman Road • Noi"Mch • NR4 7EH Telephone Orders Welcome
Brown concrete. news@ uea .a c. u k Nicolas Church
R s Editor
concrete.editorial@uea.ac.uk
Use of the name The Event is by
01603 501188
arrangement with the copyright holders, Planet Zog Ltd. No part of this newspaper may be
OPENING HOURS Tuesday to Sunday : 5.00 pm 11 .00 pm
Alice Violett
reproduced through any means
OPEN 6 DAYS A WEEK
Closed on Monday • Except Bank Hohday Moridays
David Churchill, Gordon Malloy, Lauren South, Adam Plom, Danny Collins, Chris King
Zoe Gates, Lyndsey Cubitt, Alaa Sayed Abou -
without the express permission of the Editor, Hannah Livingston. Printed by Archant.
concrete.turf@uea.ac.uk
concrete.lifestyle@uea.ac.uk
Rebecca Wiles
Samantha lewis
Joe McCrohon, Canal Dougan, Mag Tan
Adan Fenwick, Selin Kocagoz
David Churchill
Eihamd
OR
TOR
R
concrete.opinion@uea.ac.uk Davina Kesby
concrete.sport@uea .ac.uk Danny Collins
Ailsa Bristow, Fiona Howard, Jack Brinded, Andrew Lyle
lan Hobbs, Harry Low, Georgina Wade, Grace Simpson
.~····
.; ~n!2!'
A
he)me
run
Don't Panic! Don't rush into making a decision on housing Home Run is the Housing Bureau run by the Union ofUEA Students. We compile a free listing of rooms, flats and houses. Home Run is recommended by UEA and our landlords comply with agreed Minimum Standards and charge no fees to students.
Release of the Home Run Ust
lOam I 9th February I at ueastudentcom/homerun
The full Home Run list of properties for students looking for housing in 2010/11 will be released on the Union's Website.
OR concrete.features@uea.ac.uk Melissa York
NON-ED·ITORIAL ·Home Run Housing Fair 10am-4pm I 9th February I The LCR
Eve Wright, Bethan-Louise Martin, Kirsten Peter, Fiona Howard
HOlOGRAPH ER Greg Mann
INTERNATIONAL
rs Nicolas Church
concrete. i nternationa I@ uea .ac.u k Qingning Wang & Filipa Mendes
ION Martin lippiatt
Hui Zhou, Nisha Murthi
Helpful advice and support for house hunters will be available in tht LCR from a number of agencies with information on a wide range of topics to help you.
HQusing Socials
5.30-7pm I 2nd February and 11th February I The Hive
If you're a group of students that need an extra housemate or someone that needs people to share with, come along to one of two social events aimed at getting students together.
16 INTERNATIONAL
TUESDAY 12th JANUARY 2010
P.S.: I love you
concrete.international@uea .a c.uk
Chinese government bans BlogBus QiWang
What is the real meaning of "I love you"? Nisha Murthi compares its cultural implications in the UK, India and China. it is interesting that the stages · move by saying " I love you " of a male-female relationship and the other accepts by differ across the globe. In sa ying "\ love you too." The re lationship is thus officiated the UK, when a man meets a woman, a physical and and there is the mutual this understanding · that chemical attraction is formed. interaction is going to lead to Providing this attraction is mutual, sex seems to form the next phase for many. This may lead on to the development of a unique intimacy and if all goes well when deeper feelings develop the magical phrase " \love you" is unveiled between each other. Across the continent in India and China, however, the phrase " I love you " forms the beginning of a relationship instead of the later stage as one might expect. As ide from the traditional arranged marriages which still form the bulk of relationships especially in India, malemarriage without premarital female inte ractions occu r sex. slightly differently. Here, Conversely, at the present the initial "dating " period is the moment, alongside limited . Once the chemistry is event of modernisation and formed between two people, western influences, China typically one party makes the is slow ly moving away from
"traditional arranged marriages still form the bulk of relationships especially in India "
this trend. Although the initial " I love you " still sets off the relationship, there is no commitment to marriage and premarital sex is becoming more of an option. This striking difference in the understanding of such a simple phrase across the world is likely to stem from cu lture and traditions. In the we stern world , it ha s become the way of life that actions follow a natural course of human emotions and desires, whereas in the east, traditions form the principle that guides actions. it is, however, interesting that the lines between these stages are becoming grey all over the world as individuals become more inquisitive. Information for this article was contributed by UEA students Tracy Wilson from the UK, Krishna Ya lamanch ill i from •India and Duan Hao from China .
More lovely facts ... , In China, many families sti ll rely on the services of a matchmaker who determines whether the prospective bride and groom are compatible astro logica lly. The majority of people do not start dating until they reach their twenties. The tradition for taking the husband's name when married in English speaking countries is far from the norm. In the Netherlands, Belgium and France, amongst others, women keep their name. In Germany, the man often takes t he women 's name once married. In Australia girls often ask boys out, and pay for everything too.
Use rs of BlogBus, one of the biggest blog service providers in China , have been unable to log in to their blogs since 5th January, following a complete crash of the site on the same day. The rea so n for this inaccessibility, as BlogBus lately stated, was becau se the lP address of ·its server has been blocked by the Chinese Communication Admission, which claims that harmful and unsuitable information has been discovered on BlogBus blogs. The re-access time remains unknown. BlogBus is not the only that faces this website situation; since last December, the Chinese government has sta rted to examine and censor website s in mainland China and a large number of sites have been put onto blacklist, including MSN China, Google, and Tianya (the largest bulletin board system in China). However, officials claim that the actions mainly target
erotic or violent information and illegal w ebsites. The government's stance has been condemned by many Chinese internet users. it seems so-ca lled erotic, violent information and illegal websites are not the on ly ones to have been removed, with other sites and information also disabled . Such actions have caused obstacles for normal internet usage and some suggest that, through such actions, the government is imposi ng their ethical rule s on people by restricting what can and cannot be viewed . it may be essential to protect ch il dren from some internet content, just as censoring films is; but for adults, it seems quite unnecessary. Chinese Although the government has always been critici sed for its strict control over the internet, the problem of regulating the online world is a un ive rsal one. Different other media, the from
internet can be openly edited, and accessed. distributed it is quick and anonymous, which enab les people to communicate more free ly. But
with the advantages are many drawbacks for governments: because of the anonymity afforded to users, people can be decepti ve more easily and can speak irresponsibly. Although debate about establishing new ethics and norm s on the internet is one of the most discussed issues in the academic field and at a governmental level, complete and effective regulations have not been achieved . The Chinese government seems to be sticking with the old and stiff method of total control in this case, and the date of its resolution is as unclear as the recovery time of the BlogBus.
Medicinal Relief HuiZhou Suppose a British tourist catches a co ld whi le they are travelling in China : the first person they wou ld see is the doctor. The process would be the following : take a registration card at reception, and then wait in a queue to see a respiratory interna l doctor. After being examined by the doctor, following their prescription, the tourist either goes to see a nurse for a procedure if necessary (e.g. an injection), or they simply go to the pharmacy for their prescriptions. With this route of care in place in the Chi nese med ica l system, t he re sults are high expectations and standards for doctors to live up to both mentally and physically, as they have to deal with complex cases and the workload of seeing a large amount of patients every single day.
Reflecting on my own personal experience in UK university medical centres, aim ing to see a nurse for a skin irritation problem, booking on the day by calling early in the
"there a re high expec tations and stand ards fo r doctors to live up to b oth mentally and physically" morning are key concepts that facilitate the way patients are hand led . Checking in at the reception for an appointment (or using t he touch-screen) and then being seated until
the electronic board calls you through seems like a more straightforward and simple way to conduct services. Also, usually a large proportion of people may not need to see a doctor as they only have minor problems. In this case, here in the UK, nurse appointments are readily availab le, which means that compared to nurses in China, these professionals 'play doctors' and attain a much richer background by dealing with patients . it is always interesting to compare different cultural and social aspects of life in other countries, especially when it comes to healthcare, which is an ever-significa nt topic. Thus, reviewing the existing system in China from a number of perspectives and values to then explore possibilities for is especia lly improvement important.
concrete.travel@uea.ac.uk
TUESDAY 12th JANUARY 2010
Vampire Vacation
TRAVEL 17
Devon Delights Carrie-Anne Elsden
Ifs not just about vampires and the living dead in Transylvania. Tom Hunt reveals the beauty and history of a much misunderstood country. Transylvania may not be the first thought for a unique backpacking break . In fact, many people I' ve spoken to since coming back don't even seem to know that it is a real place . it's time to get the facts straight regarding this 'fictional' land, which has far more to offer t han blood -sucking fiends ... Transylvania lies in the heart of Romania, a beautiful region of dense pine forests, rustic rural villages and jagged escarpments, dotted with brooding castles. This combination allows for a unique landscape with a quirky charm all of its own . Against th is backdrop, it is easy to see how spooky stories of vampires and werewolves emerged . Even today the land is covered with wild terrain and is not the most accessible area for the everyday tourist, but Transylvania remains an Eastern European gem . Currently, the train is your best way in, although this requires an overnight trip from Budapest or Bucha rest . Rattling your way through the dark night and waking up to early morning mist clinging to the ramshackle rooftops of tiny Transylvanian villages huddled among the pine trees may make you feel as if you have stumbled into a fairytale, and is worth the weary eyes from the sleeper train. Brasov should be your first
.,
destination on arrival; it provides the best array of tourist facilities and is within easy reach of the outlying towns of Rasnov and Bran . The latter is a tourist hotspot for the alleged castle of Dracula himself, due to its connections with Vlad the lmpaler. The castle can be a bit cramped with tourists, spoiling the atmosphere, but as it 's only a short (albeit bumpy) bus ride down the road for a few Romanian lei, so it's worth a look. The neighbouring village of Rasnov is defin itely not
" ... you feel as if you ha ve stumbled into a fa iryta le ... " to be missed, however. lt boasts a more traditional castle perched right on top of a steep promontory with expansive views over the plains to one side and the thick forests to the other, with none of the tourist crowds . Here you get the true sense of Transylvania. Brasov remains the heart of the region, though. Clustered around a clean and tidy main square, the little city feels authentic, the locals getting on with everyday business, keeping the place lively amidst the land of the un-living. Towering over this pocket of civilisation is Tampa Mountain, its looming presence dominating the background, Brasov set right at its foot. Taking the cable car to ascend its steep slopes is a must : from the top you get a rare bird's-eye view
of the city high above without having to get in a plane . Be careful not to wander off into the woods though, as they stretch on and on, undulating into the distance and are home to wolves, snakes and the occasional bear. One of the truths of Transylvania is that you will hear wolves howling in the surrounding forests at night if you listen hard enough, adding to the atmosphere of the place . Residents express a real sense of pride in their home, each and every restaurant umbrella declaring Brasov to be 'probably the best city in the world.' Less subtly, they have even erected a giant Hollywood -esque sign on the face of the mountain, projecting the Brasov name for miles around . lt can't be missed . If you are feeling daring, you can even grasp hold of it if you strain hard enough from the lookouts' t:dge. For all of its modern accoutrements Transylvania has managed to retain its character. Visitors can huddle in the gothic Black Church in Brasov, so called for the blackened exterior it gained from the smoke of a great fire in 1689; it is easy to picture medieval inhabitants taking comfort there from the imagined horrors lingering outside . They can also walk the creaky corridors of Dracula's home, get a real sense of the looming landscape from the walls of a ruined castle, or listen to wolves howling from far away in the depths of night. All of this and more awaits the intrepid traveller in Transylvania, a land that is certainly not a work of fiction and is far more inviting than its reputation might lead you to think .
Devon : a pleasantly evocative word, conjuring images of stunning scenery, long sandy beaches, lush countryside and homely pubs. Although this might not be a dictionary definition, it is nonetheless true . Despite having been a resident o~the North Devon area for nearly 12 years, I am still yet to exhaust the vast array of things to do and places to see. First and foremost I have to divulge Devon's, arguably, crowning feature : our spectacular and awardwinning beaches . The North Devon coastl ine is unquestionably one of the best in the country and offers a multitude of things to do, with activities like hiking along the coastal paths and surfing always being among the prime attractions. The coast here is a variable assortment of sand and pebbles, but each beach and cove hosts a similarly pleasing quality. Annual summer events such as Woolacombe's sandcastle-bu ilding competition and Croyde's GoldCoast Oceanfest surfing and music festival are fanta stic events, the latter of which featured Jason Mraz and Newton Faulkner last year, as well as sporting a massive tented bar,
BMX and skateboard trials, legions of stalls and the adrenaline-pumping surf competition . The 12th Gold Coast Oceanfest is set to take place between June 18th and 20th of this year; for ticket and additional information please check out their website. Perhaps contrary to popular belief, the summer sun is not completely a determining factor for a great trip to North Devon. With the â&#x20AC;˘ beautiful and iconic Dartmoor and Exmoor only a short way away, these sites offer scenes of incomparable natura l splendour all year round . In our current bout of economic woe, holidaying at home is becoming an increasingly popular option, and if you are considering pinching the pennies this coming year, North Devon definitely has something to please everyone .
Frosty Disruption RacheiConquer Often, travel is thought of as an exciting experience, offering you the chance to discover somewhere new: this is sadly not always the case. Over Christmas the words 'travel' and 'disruption' were seen together too many times to count. With the weather being the cause of many delays and cancellations, travel ground to a halt. Both trains and planes were delayed, or worse cancelled, meaning that many people did not get to see their family over Christmas. Icy roads caused many serious accidents as well as some that were fatal : devastating at any time of year, let alone the festive period . Eurostar was also disrupted over the festive period, with the cause being identified by the company as the cold weather, meaning that many people were left stranded and unable to travel home, whether it was back to the UK or to mainland Europe. lt is somehow surprising that this country has not yet found a way to combat even the smallest sprinklings of snow when other countries such as Russia are often greeted by huge snowfalls all year
round . Some members of the public blamed authorities for not preparing for the winter forecast when they knew about it days in advance, while others vvere convinced that nothing could be done. The snow did not meet the scale of February last year when many people were snowed into their homes all around the country, but it stil l had a profound impact. Some parts of the UK officially had a white Christmas after sprinklings of snow, most noticeably in northern parts of England and Scotland. What is sad is that having a white Christmas is a historic image that has been imprinted on us from our infancy, and yet when it appears that this dream could finally be realised, everybody wishes the snow wou ld j ust disappear aga in.
â&#x20AC;˘
â&#x20AC;˘
18 FOOD
TUESDAY 12th JANUARY 2010
concrete.food09@gmall.com
Give the Turkey a Break Tom Mclnnes Oh, the indign ity of the domestic turkey. Personally, I've always found anyo ne protesting for the rights of anything - animal, vegetab le or mineral - to be about as punchable as a sleeping Nick Griffin. However, I can't help but feel just a little so rry for the bird, reared to be smeared in its own melted-down fat, anally breached by th e mashed-up corpses of any number of fellow farmyard animals. Having watched my mother and sisters prepare thi s Christmas roa st lunch (it's not that my family 's particularly patriarcha l - my father and I just prefer to stick to our strengths, and food preparation they ain 't), I got to wondering why human mortality is treated with such reverence, while th e body of the turkey (man's best friend, if I recall} is doomed to be desecrated in increasingly more degenerate ways. If thi s is the way we're going, we should at least give up the far,:ade and go the whole hog - round up a few live
turkeys, fence them into your kitchen and force them to watch th e whole sick procedure, occasionally looking over to them, raising your eyebrows,
"I can't help but feel just a little sorry for the bird, reared to be smea red in it's own melteddown fat" smi rking, maybe even pointing at the dead thing and then back at th em and nodding, licking your lips, rubbing your hands together and cackling like a James Bond villain. You cou ld even force th em to eat a little bit of raw meat from the ca rcass of their dead mother/brother/lifelong best friend. Why not prod them a bit
with the fork as you ' re doing it ? You people are sick. "This roast is delicious, Brenda! Wh at's your secret?" " The secret ingredient, Deirdre, is agony." Chri stmas may be a jolly o l' time for you and fat Aunty Joan with the gammy leg, but for the noble turkey, it's the seventh circle of Hell. Christmas- an international tradition of cruelty. Christmas - a celebration of the depths to whi ch humanity ha s sunk in its insatiable desire to stuff itself far beyond the reaches of what nature inten ded for its biological inner-workings. Christmas - how could you? We should rem ember at this time what the tru e meaning of Christmas is. it's not the acquisition of DVDs or games co nso les or socks with the days of the week on them, and it's definitely not about ever-more elaborately prepared poultry. it's about family. it 's about the sme ll of
pulled crackers and fallen tree pines, the hum of fluorescent lights, bad jokes, paper hats, racist remarks from aged relatives and the jovial and slightly fuzzy haze one can only achieve from drinking with 'troubled' uncle Joe. So next year, I implore you
to gather your loved ones around a beautifully laid spread of cheese sandwic hes an d just be happy to be together and be loved, knowing that some where a family of domestic turkeys are doing th e same (eating cheese sandwiches}.
The Best Chocolate Foolproof Reviewed: Brownies in the World Scones Pinocchio's Concr t
S m nth
Baking f airy
Ingredients 185g unsalted butter 185g dark chocolate 85g plain flour 40g cocoa powder 50g white choco late
Minny
Dune n Vie t-Brown
Ingredients 50g milk chocolate 3 large eggs 275g caster sugar
Method
Method
1. Break the dark chocolate into smal l pieces and add the butter in
small cubes to a bow l. Put this bowl over a boi li ng pan of water to r1elt them, stir to mix proper ly. Remove the bowl from the pan and leave to cool. 2. Pre -hea t your oven to 180째C/ gas mark 4 and line a shallow baking tray w ith greaseproof paper. 3. Now sieve the flour and cocoa powde r into a bow l to get rid of any lumps. 4. Break up the mil k and white chocolate into little square lumps and keep sepa rate. 5. Break the eggs into a bow l and add the sugar. Whi sk (for a very long time} unti l the mixtu re has rough ly doubled in vol um e. 6. Pour the melted chocol ate mixture on top of the egg and sugar mixture. Then gently fold the two mixtures together; thi s mean s slow ly and carefully lifting the
80g butter or margar ine 225g self raisi ng flour 1 Y, tablespoons caster suga r 1 cup milk Pinch salt
bottom of the mixture to the top in order to combine th e two mixtures without losing any of th e air t hat you whipped into the egg in step four. 7. Sieve the flour and cocoa powder into thi s mixture very slo wly and fold into the mixture. Once thi s ha s bee n done you should have a ve ry gooey an d sticky m ixtu re. Final ly fold in the chunks of milk and white choco late. 8. Pour this mixture into the tin and smooth gently down. Cook in the oven for 25 minutes. After 25 minutes open the oven and shake th e ti n. If the midd le wobbles then it wi ll need a further five minutes, if not, then they are don e. 9. Take out of the oven and leave to go cold before removing from the tin. Cut into squa res and enjoy.
1. Put the margarine and sifted flour into a bowl. Rub the butter into the flour with the tip s of your fingers until it looks like breadcrumbs. Add the caster suga r and sa lt then mix in
with a blunt knife . 2. Add the milk slowly to the dry ingredients and mix together with the blunt knife. If you need more than one cup of milk then feel free to use more, but make sure the mixture is not too wet. 3. Put some flour on the counter and rol l the dough into a ba ll, flatten it out to about an inch and a half. Take a glass or cookie cutter and cut out the scones from the mixture and place them onto greaseproof paper on a baking tray. You can brush the scones with milk if you want them to go golden quicker. 4. Bake for 12-15 minutes at 200째C/gas mark 6. 5. Enjoy with strawberry jam and whipped or clotted cream.
By thi s point you've either been a Norwi ch resident for a few months or absolutely ages, so you have no excuse to have not visited St Ben ed ict's Street. Not only will you find a host of groovy little boutiques sell ing everything from quality vinyl, vintage clothing, musical instruments and seco nd-ha nd video games, but there's also Norwich's nicest gig venu e, Th e Art s Centre, a Cash Converters (do NOT underestimate the importance of Cash Converters} an d Top Hat, which will so rt you out for costume items that you cant find in Primark. Norwich's coolest stre et indeed. So what to do after you 're done with all that? Well, how about so mething to eat? Of all the eateries available, St Benedicts' most overlooked gem is Pinocchio's, situated, rather unfortunately, directly next to Pizza
Express. lt draws comparison to that chain as both serve mainly Italian food , but that 's really where th e similarities end . The best thing about Pinocchio's is, appropriately, the food. In add ition to so me delicious, and very rea sona ble, pizza and pasta dishes, which are available in both main and sta rter-sized portions and are very reasona bly priced, there are also some spectacular main courses available. If you feel like sp lashing th e extra cash, the roast duck and the pork loin are way above the standard that you would find for the same price at any other Norwich restaurant. There's also a lot to be sa id for the atmosphere too: the staff are friendly and attentive, the decor is pleasant and tasteful, but not opp ress ive, and on many nights th ere's live music from talented acoustic duos. All in all, Pinocchio's is a worthy contender for Norwich 's best restaurant. Try it for your next big date; the food will impress and the bil l won 't quite break your bank! Plus, she/he' ll be se renaded with live mu sic! Admitted ly, that will probably work better on a lady, but still, the food!
· ··· ········································································· · ·· · ······· · ·· · · · ········· · ··· · · ·· ··· ·· ···································· · ········ ·· •• ~t ••· · ················· · ····
-
dent serv~ces
""
'\,A,AJ..,:
-·-
Resident Tutors
student servu s ;
...
~Do you want to make a positive difference to the experiences of students living in University residences?
.
; We are looking for highly motivated and enthusiastic full-time students with suitable experience to appoint as ResidentTutors for the academic year 2010-11. Applications from postgraduate ; ; students are particularly encouraged. Students spending next year abroad should also apply now for appointment in September 2011. ; ; Resi dent Tut ors welco me stud ent s when they first move into residences, provide information and sup port to help ; them manage the transition to university life and, throughout the year, are available to deal with issues that prevent ; students from having a positive experience of living in residences . By using their mediation and problem-solving skills, Resident Tuto rs help maintain a balance between the interests of individuals and the community in residences . If you have exce ll ent all-round people skills, are non-judgmental, able to empathise with the aca demic problems ; comm on ly expe rie nced by st udents, have good w ritten and spoken English, good ti me management skil ls, the ability ; to follow clearly defined procedures, flexibility and a willingness to work unsocial hours, we would like to hear from ; you . Experience of working with vulnerable people will be an advantage. ; This appointment will be subject to a criminal record check from the Criminal Records Bureau. ; App lication packs are availa ble from the Dean of Students' Office Reception or from intranet.uea.ac.uk/services/ ; students/Accomm/RT/news
The final closing date for applications is Friday 29 January 2010 (applicants will be invited for interview or informed that their
.
application is unsuccessful by 19 March 2010). : .. . . ....................................................................................................................................................................•...........................
•
20 FOCSOC
TUESDAY 12th JANUARY 2010
KAOS Society: volunteer abroad and improve children's lives Zoe Gates KAOS (Kids Action Overseas) organises student-led projects around the world which help ch il dre n. In previous years KAOS ... members have co ncentrated solely on Zambia, but this year we have extended our project locations to Kenya, Malawi, Thailand, and Romania as well. The project activities range from he lping in schoo ls and orphanages to planting gardens and building homes for loca l people, w ith the
concrete.editorlal@uea.ac.uk
Islamic Society help UEA Muslims worship, learn and socialise Alaa Sayed Abou-Eihamd
Fundraising events take place throughout the year, so that during the summer (or whenever
The UEA Islamic society plays a vital role in fu lfilling the spiritual and social needs
the project takes place) volunteers can buy the equipment they feel is most needed for their particular
of Muslim students during their study at the University of East Anglia. Not only UEA Muslim students benefit from this,
project; this ensures that money does not get lost in any corrupt system or get spent on admin. lt also means that money is being put back into the local communities where these projects are taking place, benefiting the community
KAOS is not all about charity, it is also about community. it is a unique chance to meet new people and make friends for life. In the coming months there will be more cake sales (as we
chance to trave l and see beautiful
as well the children.
make exceedingly good cakes),
the daily prayers (five times a day) and the weekly Friday prayer, running weekly
countries during time off and at the en d of a proj ect. Through KAOS, we aim to
Since September, KAOS has been busy: there have been cake sales in the Hive, the annual
a great social for members, hopefully involving good food
sport activities and holding study circles for male and female Muslim students to
give individuals the opportunity to get invo lved in vo lunteering abroad. Just as importantly, we give peop le the chance to donate to good causes abroad - knowing exactly what their money is being
African pa rty, runners entered into the half marathon, and a Christmas shoebox appeal where over 50 shoeboxes (with the kind help of
and good drink, and of course not forgetting our annual Fashion Show in the first week of March watch this space! You can join KAOS at anytime.
teach the main principles of Islam for better understanding of its core belief. We also run collective lftar (break of daily fast) during the month of Ramadan ,
spent on.
Romania.
Orbital Freight Itd., Norwich) were sent to a small community in rural
For more information email ueakaos@googlemail.com or search for our Facebook page.
UEA LINKS teaches you the A-B-C of first aid
but also all UEA Muslim staff as well as local Muslims in Norwich and Norfolk. The UEA IS committee members endeavour to achieve this main goal through a number of activities: organising
organise the feast parties, welcome local and regional school visits to the U EA Islamic Centre, during which students
Muslims and non -Muslims. Additionally, the UEA Islamic Society participates in other crucial activities in conjunction with a local Muslim registered charity called Norwich and Norfolk Muslim Association (NNMA) to fulfil the needs of the wider Muslim community in Norwich. This includes
at different ages learn more about Islam, and invite in well -known external
dialogues and discussion with people from other faiths and to offer marriage and funeral services. For more information please visit our
speakers to give talks about general issues and conflicts that concern both
web sites: http://www.norwichmuslims. org or http:/ /ueaisoc.com.
Reminder: 13th January is Socmart
Lyndsey Cubitt UEA LI NKS is the first aid socie ty of the Students' Union but we are also a student wing of St John Ambulance and believe t hat no one
past the first aid room in the Hive and not even rea lised it was there. However, we're present at every gig and LCR club night, usually as a
should suffer a lack of trained first aiders.
team of three, which keeps us busy and provi des amp le opportunity for everyone to gain experience.
We trai n our membe rs in first aid and offer them t he opportunity to use these skil ls by providing first aid in the Union, within Norfo lk and
..
I
Through a combination of informal training sessions and formal training courses, we teach
With all of these duties, weekly training sessions and training courses, LINKS is one of the biggest and busiest societies at UEA. Other opport unities ex ist within UEA LINKS as well as learning first aid. Througnout Norfolk there are St John Ambulance youth groups
also an annua l conference run by St John that LINKS members can attend to share ideas on training and duties, and to meet LINKS
everything that you need to know in order to become an active member of UEA LI NKS, from the
of various ages which members are we lcome to become involved with, be it through lending a he lping
members from other universities, which has always been great fun. Anyone can join LINKS and we
basics to more advanced skills. Even if you've never done anything
hand, or creating and delivering training sessions on all sorts of
welcome everyone who either wants to learn a bit of first aid
like this before, you can still come along and give it a go. By gaining experience and attending tra ining courses, it is possib le to progress from learning the basics of first aid, such as CPR, to eventual ly crewing an ambulance at large events.
topics. Whilst we are a busy society, we stil l make time for socialis ing. After weekly training we head to the bar, and we have several socials a year including a co lours social, Halloween LCR and a Christmas
or become more involved and volunteer with us. If you are interested in LINKS or have any questions, just email us on uea@ links.sja.org.uk or visit the website
Most people wil l have wa lked
outing. There are plans for our first
across the country at various local and nationa l eve nts.
socia l of 2010 to be a cake night, to be held ea rly this year. There is
at http://www.socweb.org.uk/ uealinks.
..... .............................. .................................................................... .....
I ~~~~~~~ =,h~~,~,o~i~g~~p ~~d~ik~t~w~~:o~~?~~,;, ~ .. 1
~
Alice Vio lett on concrete.editoria l@uea.ac.uk.
it's never too late to squeeze a few more drops of fun, skil ls and new friends from the Union by joining another society. All year round, the clubs, societies and peer support groups of the Union stand with open arms to new members, but each September and January t hey make it a little easier for you by arranging SocMart in the LCR, for you to peruse your new opportunities at leisure. If your New Year 's resolution was
..
'_IJ;..~~---â&#x20AC;˘iliiii Uit.:
...................................................................................................... ... .
to get fit, there are more clubs than you can shake a lacrosse stick at. Equally, if it was to be more dramatic, drink more cocktails, let out your journalistic impulses or even to practice for your future career as an assassin, there's something at Socmart to sort you out. Keep in m ind the CV boosting opportunities, too . Meanwhile, your subs will be used to directly benefit your society and the Union. Nothing has ever been so win -win.
lJex.t Wo~s ~op At The Gara2e, Norwich, Norfolk
See webs1te mr complete. ~etails of schedule and reg1strat1on. Starts ~e6rua..n.r 2.0tk
•
concrete.lifestyle@uea.ac.uk
Confessions of a VCE}l
student Sam Lewis asks: does Christmas bingeing mask the reality of life without all the trappings?
I love Christmas. M ist letoe kisses, mu lled wine, t he occasional mince pie, frantic shopping, last minute wrapping, and the opportunity to return home to be reunited with family and friends. When the big day arrives we do it to ourse lves every year, piling the dinner high on our plate. Turkey tummy is a definite and no amount of Rennie indigestion tablets are going to shift that ache for hours. After the Queen's speech you know a mammoth of shocking soap story lines and harmless comedies, as well as the inevitable nap on the sofa, lie ahead . Out come the tin of Roses and probably a tube of Pringles to finish you off. The adverts for the Debenhams January sale come flooding in and you are quickly faced with the delights of Boxing Day bubble and squeak. We then move on to planning our New Year celebrations and before you know it the dong of Big Ben is sounding and the champagne is flowing. This all sounds lovely but it made me realise that Christmas fools students by reminding us of all the luxuries university life lacks. I am sure the cost of the food I have consumed over the Christmas break totals my entire semester budget. Returning to a house stripped of heating and back to the rations of cheese on toast, it really hit home that I am going to have to wait almost 365 days until I can experience such indulgence again. If Christmas doesn't make us consumer crazy, then it turns us into gluttonous gorgers and January reminds us what life is really like on a student budget.
LIFESTYLE 21
TUESDAY 12th JANUARY 2010
New year, new student loan After frivolous spending in the first semester and the excessive cost of Christmas, Ad am Fenwick tells us how to begin 201 0 without a debt hangover. Whether you're a fresher or a UEA veteran, you'll come to realise that it's a long wait between loans : the next one can't come soon enough . But learning f rom the mistakes of the previous semester can be a lot harder than it first see!lls, thanks to the temptation of student nights, added to the high cost of supporting yourself and your studies. However, you can ollow these simple rules and tips to make the most of your newly acquired dosh! The first few weeks of the new semester will be the most costly. A full social calendar for all the societies and sports clubs will mean forking out lots of money for booze alone . Don' t let this put you off though ; the socials will· be a great chance for you to catch up with old friends and make some new ones . Save some money for a sports insurance card if you haven't already invested in one and put some aside for the possibility of new equipment or transport costs. After the spending spree of ' re-
freshers' week', week two is an ideal time to plan your budget. Assess your bank balance and divide it into the nine remaining weeks of this part of the split semester, working out a weekly limit. After paying your rent, whatever is left over can be used to finance the recreational activities we love so much . Setting a weekly food budget is also a great idea . You can easily live off £15 per week when shopping at supermarkets and picking up essentials throughout the week at the UFO (support your Union!!). Remember budget brands are your best friends . You' re a student so enjoy purchasing all ofyourfavourite foods at a fraction of the price (Ad sa SmartPrice chocolate digestives at a mere 33p always feature on this writer's shopping list) . Another essential tip is to not shop whilst you're hungry and create a list on MySupe~market . co . uk before you go and stick to it. Also, try 'Martin Lewis' Downshift Challenge' - slash your food bill even further by going
down one brand level (e.g. Kellogg's to SmartPrice cereal) . For those without a bus pass, transport can be difficult. Eliminate all costs by using a bike (getting fit and healthy and saving money at the same time!) and on nights out get a taxi with as many of your friends as possible to reduce the cost per head . As a student, your social life will be packed and this will put the biggest strain on your budget. Try going out on student nights where pubs, clubs and bars usually sell popular drinks for under £1 .50. Beware of clubs with free entry until a specific time, though ; they want you to get in earlier to spend more on drinks. Check
Wednesd ays . One last tip; your overdraft is a last resort option . There's nothing more depressing than being £1000 in t he red whilst your mates are sinking down the last few pints of the semester in t he SU bar. Follow these suggestio ns to save as much money as possible this semester. However, the occasional unplanned night out won' t break the bank, and besides, the ' Bank of Mum & Dad' w ill hopefully provide an emergency withdrawal during desperate times.
---
out cheap student ~~~;'i deals such as 2 for 1 in certa in restaurants, money off in your favourite high street stores (always ask at the checkout if they offer student discount - you'd be surprised how many do! - and take advantage of Orange
Kick-start the knitting craze Selin Kocagoz: shift the stigma of grannies and gaudy jumpers and get out your knitting needles! Knitting has always been a hobby we associate with old lad ies and grandmas. At some point in our lives we have all received a lovingly knitted jumper as a gift, and whilst they are usually too large and not particularly stylish, they are very good at keeping us warm on those cold winter days. But knitting doesn' t have to be about oversized jumpers or grannies and knitting may even be considered a very cool activity. With celebrities like Lily Cole and Madonna having admitted to picking up the needles, knitting is making a comeback . I first started knitting a few years ago wh en I made a scarf and discovered how relaxing it was . My grandma taught me when I was little and I haven' t lost the knack. This year I decided that it was time to pick up the needles again and made
a scarf for myself. After getting some good reactions I started receiving requests from my friends and I must admit it's very satisfying to see someone wearing something that you have created (chocolate rewards are always a bonus!).
lovely lady who will give you all the advice you need. UEA also has their own knitting society where people meet up and get creative together (those of you who are nutty about knitting may want to join this at SocMart 2 this week) . As always, the internet is another good place to find helpful tips and knitting patterns. Arts and crafts are the way to go during a recession; not only will you save a few quid but you'll have something unique that you can ' t find on the high street . However, don't be fool ed into thinking that your garment will miraculously appear in front of you ; knitting can be a highly time-consuming process . So, if you are looking to take up a new hobby this yea r that doesn't involve delving too deep into your pockets, then knitting is for you!
Previously, feminists such as Germaine Greer rebelled against the likes of kn itting, but it's no longer linked to such domesticity and, rather, is seen as a social and therapeutic activity. Knitting has become a lot trendier, with boutiques across London selling fancy yarn s and establishing knitting workshops. There are many places in Norwich you can get wool and knitting instruments from. I recommend a stall on the market owned
A
.. •
.. â&#x20AC;˘
22 SPORT
TUESDAY 12th JANUARY 2010
Canary Corner
concrete.sporf@uea.ac.uk
ENGLAND SAVED BY THE BELL Harry Low
lan Hobbs ..,. Having established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in League One, Norwich con tinu ed December in fine form. On December 1" they travelled to Southend and triumphed convincing 3-0 winners- a brace from Grant Holt
and a Korey Smith goal being the difference between the sides. Holt also scored the first in a 2-0 home win over Oldham. We s Hoolahan grabbed the other goal as Norwich's unstoppable home form continued. Norwich's next opponents were Yeovil Town, a team they had thrashed 4-1 in Bryan Gunn's last game in charge back in August. However, as always, thing s weren't as simp le as they appeared on paper, with Yeovil ~ 1-0 up at half-tim e thanks to a goal from ex-lpsw ich Town player Dean Bowditch . Norwi ch came back to take a 2-1 lead thanks to goa ls from Chris Martin and Gary Doherty, but Yeovil hit the back of the net twice more before a last minute Norwich goal from th e eve r improving Dare l Russell clinch ed a 3-3 draw for the Canaries. Norwich's next game came agqinst fellow fallen giants So uth am pton in the less-than -prestigious Football League Trophy. ._ Doherty and Martin both sco red in a 2-2 draw, but with neither side able to sea l the win in extra time, the game went to penalties, with Southampton securing a 6-5 win in the shootout. With Norwich's cup dream over, they faced an important leag ue clash against fellow high-fliers Huddersfield , who had looked impressive under the guidance of former City assistant manager Lee Clark. Hudd ersfie ld looked the better side in the first half with the Canaries very much on th e back foot. However, City looked a different side after the break, largely thanks to
the substitution of young ster Tom Adeyemi for the more experienced Ste ph en Hughes. Norwich looked sharper in attack as the half went on and were rewarded when Hoolahan slotted home after a so lo run. Chris Martin then added another before Doherty smashed in a third for City. Thi s victory clearly boosted confidence around Carrow Road and this was followed up by a Boxing Day victory over Millwall - Hool ahan and Holt both registered goals in a 2-0 victory. City then travelled to Wycombe for their first game of 2010. Wycombe managed to keep the Canaries at bay for 77 minutes before Korey Smith finally broke the deadlock - a vital goal which sa w Norwich win 1-0 and climb into the automatic promotion places. With manager Pau l Lambert stating no desire to leave despite interest from Burnley, the Canaries look set to co ntinue flying. Exciting new signings have also been made, with both Russell Martin and Anthony McN amee making their loan deals permanent. Promising young striker Oli Johnson has been signed from Stockport County as has highly rated defender Zak Whitbread
from Millwall. With Lambert's squad looking very healthy for the automatic promotion push, a number of fringe players cou ld be on their way out during the January transfer window. Thi s reporter's money would be on Jamie Cureton, Jon Ostemobor and Michael Th eoko liti s to be shown the door soo ner rather than later. The Canaries' game against Exeter on Saturday 9th Janauary was one of only two League One games to survive the wintry conditions. And they certainly took advantage of the oppo rtunity, winning 3-1 against strugglers Exeter with Holt again on the scoresheet with two goals
England played yet another get out of jail free card as they walked away from the third Te st against South Africa with a 1-0 series lead ahead of the final Test in Joh an nesbu rg next week . Although thi s match will draw comparisons with the first Test in Centurion, thi s latest esca pe is more reminiscent of the draw in Cardiff at the start of the Ashes last summer. Worrying as it is that Eng land one again were required to cling on by their fingertips, it does show that the side has a re solve which was perhaps missing a decade or so ago under David Lloyd. lan Bell and Paul Collingwood looked to have guide~ England home after nightwatchman James Anderso n and Jonathan Trott, who continued his promising start in England colours, departed in the morning session. With around 13 overs to go it was looking so desperate that former South Africa fast bowler and Sky Sports commentator Shaun Pollock
tried to tempt fate by predicting that England had already sa ved th e game. lt seemed to do the trick as a mini collapse ensued with Paul Collingwood edging to slip before Matt Prior was caught at short-leg, both from the bowling of part-time spinner JP Duminy, who wa s underused by capta in Smith throughout th e second innings. When Stuart Broad departed with 20 balls left the alarm bells began ringing and when lan Bell edged to first slip it looked as if England's luck
may well run out. Number 11 Graham Onions, was, agai n, required to see out the final over from a di sa ppointing Morne Morkel as the barmy army rejoiced. The pitch was also notable as a superb Test match wicket offering something for both bat and ball , and if South Africa's Paul Harris had bowled as well as Graham Swann has been in thi s series, victory would surely have been South Africa's. Roll on this Thursday ...
WOODS' EXILE SPELLS TROUBLE FOR GOLF Georgina Wade 2009 proved to be a less than stellar year for golfing star Tiger Wood s, and it may be th e case that 2010 will be no better. Woods, who recently turned 35, is alleged to have been having multiple affairs, including one with former cockt ail waitress Jaimee Grubb and nightclub heiress Rachel Uchitel. These accusations emerged after alleged text messages and details of secret meetings with a number of different women surfaced and a number of women stepped forward claiming to have had sexua l relations with Woods. In late December, the drama esca lated when Woods drove his ÂŁ35,000 Cadillac Escalade into a fire hydrant and a tree outside his Florida home in the ea rly hours of the morning. There has been much speculation as to what caused the crash, some suggestions being th at the go lfer was under the influence of painkillers at the time, others that the crash occurred after his wife, ex-model Elin Nordegren attacked him with a golf club after a confrontation regarding hi s alleged infidelities. Suspicion was heightened after Woods fa iled to attend a po lice meeting to check his medical records
on four consecutive occasions. No sooner had this happened than the sports drink brand Gatorade, which wa s sponsoring the sports star, decided to drop its 'Tiger Focus' campaign, whilst international shaving brand Gillette decided to jump th e sinking ship that is now Tiger Wood s. With sponsorship dwindling and Woods no longer taking part in the PGA World Tour, what will thi s mean
for the future of the sport? Woods is the very basis of modern golf, and since his self-imposed break, tournaments have seen a loss in adve rti sing revenue as viewers switch off. Woods' infidelity has a far-reaching impact on his brand, and furthermore , the brand of go lf itself. The money men and go lf fans alike will be hoping for the biggest sporting comeback of the decade this year.
concrete.sport@uea.ac.uk
SPORT 23
TUESDAY 12th JANUARY 2010
HOLLIE STORMS TO CROSS-COUNTY GOLD WITH GB Danny Collins UEA runner Hollie Rowland stormed to a gold medal with the GB under-23 women's team at the European Cross Country Championships in Dublin over the Christmas break. Rowland, who currently trains with UEA Athletics and the City of Norwich, ran a storming race as she finished an impressive fifth place out of sixty competitors. The team championships award scores were based on the aggregate positions of each nation's runners, and Rowland's fifth position, allied with several other impressive GB performanGes, saw GB take the gold medal from a strong Russian challenge. Even more impressive was Rowland's prevalence over the girl often hailed as the next Paula Radcliffe: Steph Twell. Twell, already an Olympian, finished a creditable eleventh. However, Rowland's fine run saw her defeat her illustrious teammate, as well as finishing within 15 seconds of the overall winner, Turkish runner, Sultan Haydar.
The race, which was broadcast live on the BBC, saw Rowland come in for praise from former Olympic gold medallist Steve Cram who exclaimed: "Hollie Rowland is having a stormer!" The television cameras didn't affect her performance, however, as Rowland explains, "I really enjoyed the race, and was buzzing the whole way round. At first I was a bit apprehensive about being on camera, but was concentrating so hard during the race I didn't notice them." She was understandably happy with her performance, and tells Concrete that, "I've been lucky that I've had the opportunity to take part in some really competitive road races competing against top German runners like lrena Mikitenko, Sabrina Mockenhaupt and Kenyan runners. "But in these races I never had any chance of actually beating them. it was great to beat the Russians as they are notoriously good runners and were very close to taking the team gold from us." Rowland will now enter into the BUCS athletics season with renewed optimism. As the lO,OOOm bronze medalist,
she will be looking to consolidate a great start to the year with further strong performances. Rowland said; "I'll be racing at the BUCS Cross Country and the Outdoor Athletics Championships later this year. I've no doubt I'll be
2009 proved to be the year that Rowland established her position as one of UEA's genuinely national standard athletes; in 2010, with the London Olympics on the horizon, she will hope to push on to even greater heights.
doing the lO,OOOm again, and hope to better my time if not my position this year. But I've got a long crosscountry season to go before that which will hopefully make me stronger for the track and road in the spring and summer."
THOMAS REVELATION OVERCOMES SPORT'S LAST TABOO Grace Simpson One of the last taboos of the sporting world faced its biggest challenge to date in December when Wales' most capped Rugby Union player, Gareth Thomas, came out as gay, making him one of the only openly homosexual professional sports players in the world. Thomas, who captained Wales to their 2005 Grand Slam victory, sold his story to the Daily Mail last month, making him the first professional rugby player to expose his homosexuality. The 35-yearold utility back still plays for Cardiff Blues, making his revelation all the more significant. Despite homosexuality being accepted in other professions in the public eye such as politics and entertainment, sport (particularly team sports) often remain resolutely hostile towards homosexuality. Thomas himse lf admits that he would not have put his career in jeopardy by coming out at the peak of his playing days. Attitudes towards homosexuality
in rugby and football have changed very little in the 20 years that have passed since football's last and only openly gay player, Justin Fashanu. After years of torturous scrutiny over the first Elm-rated black footballer's sexuality, Fashanu came out in 1990, only to commit suicide eight years later, the outcome of a catastrophic decline in both his personal and professional life. â&#x20AC;˘ Fashanu's tragic plight had an adverse effect on gay tolerance in football; his treatment by the media, the fans, his managers and his fellow professionals almost certainly deterred other players from cultivating anything other than a macho, heterosexual image. However, football and rugby icons have been instrumental in the rise of "metrosexuality", a 21st century phenomenon of male vanity and effeminate styling. David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, Gavin Henson and Danny Cipriani have been trailblazers of the trend, with the players, all internationally popular and a the top of their game, frequen seen cosmetically enhanced, laden in jewellery and adorned in haute couture.
Whilst fake tan and sarongs keep footballers on the front pages as well as the back, pleasing the companies that spend millions of pounds for the exposure that these stars can award them, all four players mentioned are equally famous for their heterosexuality, therefore
negating any perceived promotion of homosexuality. Players are well aware that there are certain limitations to their flirtation with homoerotic posturing. Napoli player Jesus Datolo has been
threatened with punishment from the club president for posing in his underwear in an Argentinian gay magazine and former Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari was criticised for allegedly claiming he would not allow gay players in his team. In an attempt to tackle
homophobia in football in 2005, the FA asked all 20 Premiership managers at the time to voice their opinions on the subject - not one replied. Whereas campaigns to eradicate racism and the stigmas
â&#x20AC;˘
attached to male depression in sport has achieved overwhelming success, sporting associations have stalled under pressure fo r gay rights campaigners to do more to encourage gay players to come out. PR guru Max Clifford claims to know of at least two Premiership footballers who are concealing their sexuality due to pressure from their clubs, who fear the financial implications of such a revelation. it is likely to be a very long time before one of the estimated 10% of gay sportsmen come out, especially at the peak of their playing careers. In contrast to other equality issues, the media are light years ahead of the sports world in terms of homosexual tolerance and it appears to be prejudice from within the sports themselves that inhibit any progress in this field. The positive reaction to Gareth Thomas' confession shows that public attitudes have changed, yet players like Thomas will be forced to suffer in silence until their professions award them the support needed to make being a homosexual and a top sportsman a realistic possibility in the next decade.
-
4
"
-
..