8 October 2019 Issue 367 The official student newspaper of the University of East Anglia | concrete-online.co.uk Established 1992
Uncertainty over Brexit Interview: Ben Street leaves UK universities Wild Paths: Norwich's in the balance newest festival Bryan Mfhaladi and Jake Walker-Charles News Editor and News Reporter
As the deadline for Brexit draws closer, uncertainty remains high among many UK industries, and it appears even the education sector is not exempt from the on-going confusion. Predictions about whether the UK will leave the EU with or without a deal are changing almost daily, and universities are being left in the balance. According to an in-depth survey on the sector’s preparedness carried out by Universities UK (UUK) on their members, which includes more than 130 higher education
institutions, over 80% indicated they are either “very” or “extremely” worried about how a no-deal Brexit may affect them. UUK has not been shy in voicing its disapproval of a no-deal scenario, with the organisation saying “a Brexit no-deal scenario is highly undesirable”, adding they hope universities receive fair consideration as political decisions are made in relation to Brexit. The study shows that 52%
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Editorial Survive and thrive Jess Barrett Deputy Editor
Photo: Roo Pitt
Snakebites, socialists, and getting over Freshers flu Chris Matthews Editor-in-Chief
So, Freshers Week and its slightly shabbier sibling ‘Welcome Week 2’ are finished. Some people are battling Freshers flu, others are recovering from it, and I’m sure some are using it as an excuse to miss their 9ams. I’m afraid I won’t be revealing which category I fall into... From the Societies’ Fayre to Big Meets and first socials of the semester, the last few weeks have been chock-a-block with events aimed at guiding students towards new communities. Thankfully, with a new year and a new set of budding writers and journalists, I’m pleased to say this issue is flooded with new faces. We’re all looking forward to what we can achieve in the weeks and months to come! Yet as Deputy Editor Jess Barrett reminds us in her column though, we must remember to “give ourselves an emotional break”. The first few weeks of any new experience – whether that be coming to university, starting a new job, or learning a new skill – are always stressful. It makes me a lot happier to know many in UEA’s community understand this: the Wellbeing Interest Network, Take Five and Nightline are just a few groups hoping to offer support and discussion around mental health issues at UEA. I’m glad they’re around. It means a lot to know there’s always someone to talk to, whether you have a big problem or a small one. I’m also pleased to see the Concrete Mental Health campaign is making fantastic progress, and is
still gathering support. The anti-Brexit activist Gina Miller has pledged her name to the cause, calling it “a very important campaign”. Stephen Fry has also shown his support by retweeting our announcement of the campaign. Since his retweet I’m delighted to say our tweet has been seen almost 250,000 times, a number close to double the population of Norwich! (See page 5 for the full story.) However it’s not just mental health at UEA that’s made the news. In this issue of Concrete Jake Goddard has been reporting in the Global section on the invention of a new ‘scorecard’ to assess the extent of mental health crises across the world. As Jake writes: “The Global Countdown Mental Health 2030 Project will seek to provide better data on illnesses such as depression and anxiety, whilst at the same time providing a much-needed comparative indicator of mental health support between different countries.” (See more on page 9.) But this issue doesn’t only focus on mental health. In a break from all things political, Music Editor Lewis Oxley has interviewed the founder and director of Wild Paths festival Ben Street. Lewis and I met Ben a few weeks ago in Gonzo’s Tea Room to see if we could get some press passes to the festival (and we did, so keep an eye out for our Wild Paths coverage!) In that meeting it became increasingly clear Lewis and Ben had hit it off tremendously, and suddenly we went from organising press passes to setting up a one-on-one with Street. I must admit I originally thought we were meeting a typical press
officer. To be greeted by the golden flowing locks of Ben Street was quite a surprise. Speaking of surprises, why have the prices of snakebites increased? And the cup deposits are a pound now? Thankfully Deputy Editor Jess Barrett has provided us with a full analysis on page number 10. Ah, Number 10. The place Corbyn wants to be. Personally I’m not sure if he’ll ever make it, and putting private schools in his sights probably isn’t the best place to start. It seems the Corbynista logic is that by bulldozing the very idea of private schools, poorly performing state schools will magically get better. Of course, I’m sure many of us can agree they’ll likely stay the same and the only thing the Corbynator will have achieved is the destruction of many a good and well performing school. (Leia Butler has the full and much less opinionated version on page 4.) And on that note I’ll let you be. Have a read of this issue. It’s even better than the last one, and I can affirm it’s a cracking read overall. Scan this code with your camera to join Concrete today
Concrete’s mental health campaign is now in full swing, and it’s enabled me to become increasingly aware of my own anxiety and mental health. Something I’ve realised in the last week is that I’m guilty of putting too much pressure on myself. I believe that people rely on me to be perfect and get things done, when in reality this is an expectation I have placed upon myself. I’ve realised it’s okay to say no and push back – the world’s not going to end if you do. I don’t think that this is a problem that only affects me. Since I’ve noticed this habit within myself, I’ve noticed that other students are worked up and anxious too. Perhaps it is just a stressful time of year - we are susceptible to stress, freshers’ flu and piling seminar preparation. We need to give ourselves an emotional break. We are at a university, and that in itself is something to be proud of. We need to see our university experience as something to not only survive through, but something to thrive at. Recently, I’ve thought about the concept of millennial burnout a lot, and I’m so glad that there is a term we can use to describe how we are feeling. Especially since I’m now in my third year, I am constantly having to balance extra curriculars, academic life and social life, in addition to applying for grad schemes and building up my CV. Almost every one of my peers is in the same position, but we all seem to suffer in silence. Since Chris and I have been running Concrete’s mental health crisis campaign, I’m ever conscious to dissolve the stigma surrounding talking about mental health and I want to open up the conversation. I’m so please our campaign is gaining recognition (we even got retweeted by Stephen Fry!). So yes, take every opportunity and seek new challenges – but equally, it’s okay if you have taken on too much and need to let some things slide. You come first. There is no shame in feeling things and being honest about it. In fact, being honest about your mental health and how you feel is commendable.
concrete-online.co.uk ConcreteUEA ConcreteUEA Front page photo: Roo Pitt
The University of East Anglia’s Official Student Newspaper since 1992 Tuesday 8th October 2019 Issue 367 Union House University of East Anglia Norwich NR4 7TJ 01603 593466 www.concrete-online.co.uk
Editor-in-Chief Chris Matthews concrete.editor@uea.ac.uk Deputy Editor Jess Barrett concrete.deputy@uea.ac.uk Online Editors Alec Banister and Jack Oxford concrete.online@uea.ac.uk News News Editor: Bryan Mfhaladi News Senior Reporter: Samuel Woolford concrete.news@uea.ac.uk Global Global Editor: William Warnes Senior Writer: Piriyanga Thirunimalan concrete.global@uea.ac.uk Features Features Editors: Paige Allen and Leelou Lewis Senior Writer: Jake WalkerCharles concrete.features@uea.ac.uk Comment Matt Branston concrete.comment@uea.ac.uk Science Science Editor: Laura Taylor concrete.scienv@uea.ac.uk Travel Sam Hewitson concrete.travel@uea.ac.uk Sport Sport Editor: Jamie Hose concrete.sport@uea.ac.uk Chief Copy-Editors Nerisse Appleby Reeve Langston concrete.copy@uea.ac.uk Social Media Amelia Groves Editorial Enquiries, Complaints & Corrections concrete.editor@uea.ac.uk
No part of this newspaper may be reproduced by any means without the permission of the Editor-in-Chief, Chris Matthews. Published by the Union of UEA Students on behalf of Concrete. Concrete is a UUEAS society, but retains editorial independence as regards to any content. Opinions expressed herein are those of individual writers, not of Concrete or its editorial team.
News
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8th October 2019
concrete-online.co.uk/category/news/ | @ConcreteUEA
Uncertainty over Brexit leaves UK universities in the balance Bryan Mfhaladi and Jake Walker-Charles
News Editor and News Reporter
Continued from front page of the universities said they are “fully” or “very” prepared compared to 48% that said they are “slightly” prepared. Almost all the universities that responded said they have suggested that their students and staff from the EU should consider securing presettled and settled status. Prof Julia Buckingham, president of UUK and Brunel University’s vice-chancellor, said: “While the news that universities feel prepared for no-deal in some capacity is reassuring it is clear that the implications of exit under these circumstances remain largely unknown. “It is in the government’s power to alleviate many of these concerns. “Despite working tirelessly to offset the potential implications of no-deal, such an outcome could leave an indelible footprint on the higher education landscape for years to come.” UUK also stated: “50% of institutions have experienced a change in demand from EU students, more than 55% have experienced a change in the level of collaboration with overseas partners and almost 60% have lost existing or potential staff members
to overseas institutions.” With some worst-case scenario predictions of a no-deal Brexit suggesting there may be shortages of food and supplies, the survey indicates many universities have started to consider stockpiling essentials. Many universities have said they are also worried about the longterm effects of Brexit, especially on student recruitment and research funding. Jeremy Tanner, director of estates at Birkbeck, University of London said: “I think there is quite a lot of disruption in the sector at the moment and in terms of decision-making behaviour, I suspect many universities now are looking to make decisions beyond the short to medium term on major investments.” Mr Tanner’s comments come as numerous institutions are looking at their estate programmes for the coming decade. Leaving the EU is forecasted to have a damaging effect on research partnership deals with universities within the EU. Some believe owing to this there will be fewer UK universities ranked within the global top 200 universities league table in years to come. Currently UEA is one of the 28 UK universities that appear in the global top 200 according to the Times Higher Education 2020 rankings. However Brexit pans out, EU
students coming to UK universities in 2020 will remain eligible for domestic tuition fees and student loans for the duration of their studies. During a meeting of ministers
Wellbeing group aims to tackle
mental health on campus Jess Barrett Deputy Editor
Mental Health Crisis The UEA Wellbeing Interest Network (WIN) organises an event to address the possibilities of creating a healthier culture at UEA. WIN has organised this discussion following the document called ‘We Will Be Heard’ which the UEA’s Student Union published last academic year. WIN also encourages everyone studying and working at UEA to engage with their discussion and to help make a difference. The UEA WIN organisers believe that issues and concerns raised in We Will Be Heard published by the Student Union echoes sentiments felt across campus among professional services staff, academics, and UEA students. This community discussion event will take place on Wednesday, October 9th from 2-3.30 pm in
the Drama Studio opposite Union House. The event will be chaired by Alison Donnell (Professor of Modern Literatures in English) and hosted by Nick Walsh (Lecturer
"[WIN] believe the discussion will aid awareness of the issues the UEA community experiences" in Developmental Psychology), Dana Unger (Senior Lecturer in Organisational Behaviour) and Felix Naughton (Senior Lecturer in Health Psychology). The event has been organised in the hopes that it will create a public sphere or a citizen’s assembly,
where the wellbeing issues affecting UEA will be discussed. WIN has also acknowledged that they don’t hold the answers to the complex issues UEA is continuing to face with each academic year but believe the discussion will aid awareness of the multifaceted and complicated issues the UEA community experiences. Following the event, a list of topics will be sent to relevant individuals and working groups at UEA who have the power to effect change and will request for suggestions of follow-up events and actions. The initiative has also set out to increase understanding and enhance social connection surrounding wellbeing at UEA. In addition to the discussion, WIN created a Spotify playlist to help promote creativity. The playlist is entitled ‘Making UEA a better place’ and WIN invites others to add their own feel-good tracks to it.
Photo: Wellbeing Network
Interest
in Brussels in May, Universities minister Chris Skidmore said: “We know that students will be considering their university options for next year already, which is why we are confirming now that eligible
Photo: Concrete/ Roo Pitt
EU nationals will continue to benefit from home fee status and can access financial support for the 2020-21 academic year, so they have the certainty they need to make their choice.”
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8th October 2019
News
UEA unveils Institute of Productivity plans Bryan Mfhaladi News Editor
News in brief: Genius concurs all Ellie Robson News Reporter
Photo: Concrete / Roo Pitt
Bryan Mfhaladi News Editor
UEA has announced a new Institute of Productivity. The Institute will aid in educating the next generation of ‘digitally aware engineers’. The new hub will allow UEA to create a School of Engineering by 2021, something many have anticipated for a long time. The Institute is expected to have dedicated workshops to advanced robotics. It will also have a 3D printing studio, a digital design lab and shared studio space, to name a few.
A grant of £4.5 million has already been agreed by the New
Some key facts about the Institute of Productivity:
"At the heart of
-1,500 people will be trained in the first five years from engineering and related sectors
the Institute of Productivity are the engineers of the future " Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership for Norfolk and Suffolk.
-Enrolling a total of 1,268 new engineering learners within the first five years -16 new academic roles, 13 research posts and eight skilled staff jobs -Open to further education students in Norfolk and Suffolk -Create new research partnerships
This sum will be matched by UEA. Fiona Lettice, the Pro-ViceChancellor for Research and Innovation at UEA, said: “At the heart of the Institute are the engineers of the future. "The institute will support businesses in our region by enabling them to work alongside world-class researchers and students to discover practical solutions to current and future challenges. "Students and businesses will be able to explore new ideas, prototype designs and create innovative products and services." Photo: Concrete/ Roo Pitt
Exams are notoriously getting harder every year. This year was no different for the 580,000 who sat for their GCSEs this summer. Yet one student who did exceptionally well was Janey Little, who sat her exams at Clevedon School in North Somerset and achieved 13 Grade 9s. It has been made clear by the government that under the new grade system, a Grade 9 is not equivalent to the old A* and is harder to achieve than the previous top grade. Janey Little became the first student to be awarded 13 Grade 9s and in the process rose over just 10 other students across the UK who acheived 12 Grade 9s to become the best performing student in the UK. Janey achieved her grades in subjects ranging from Chemistry and Computer Science to Latin and Music, with a remark of her Business Studies exam taking her up to Grade 9s across the board. About to begin her A-Level studies, Janey wishes to study Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at university, with the goal of becoming a politician. On top of her studies, Janey has written four novels and is currently working on her fifth.
Photo: Flickr
Eton mess: Labour eyes up private schools Leia Butler News Reporter
There has been an outcry after Labour announced plans to abolish private schools. This is part of an aim by Labour to abolish ‘hierarchy elitism and selection in education’. In turn, they plan to integrate all private schools into the state sector. Chairwoman of the Headmasters and Headmistresses Conference (HMC), Fiona Boulton, expressed the view that shutting down private schools was based on ignorance and the desire to damage. This proposed change will come after plans to limit Ofsted inspection and to have an environmental zero carbon emission scheme by 2030. In response to this announcement by The Labour Party, Simon Henderson, headmaster of Eton College, said, “I don’t think
that by abolishing some of the best schools in the world, by confiscating and redistributing their assets, that we are going to improve the life chances of young people who have been left behind by the education system.”
"Integrate all private schools into the state sector" Figures show independent schools have an annual contribution to the UK GDP of about £11.6million with saving for taxpayers adding up to £3billion, enough to build 20,000 affordable houses.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
8th October 2019
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News
Ports vamped up in Brexit anticipation Samuel Woolford Senior News Reporter
The Government has announced that the East Anglian ports of Harwich and Felixstowe are to receive £1.24 million in lieu of the new trade arrangements and proceedings that may occur due to the nature of Brexit. The fund comes from a government contract worth £10million in which Felixstowe and Harwich were successful bidders. Other successful bidders include Southampton, Portsmouth International, Hull, Liverpool and Dover. This money, in turn, comes from a government policy pledging £30million to bolster ports in the event of an economic fallout from Brexit. As part of the £30 million pledge, the Department for Transport has allocated £5million to four Local resilience forums with key ports in their areas. A further £15 million to the development of long term projects to increase rail links to ports and
ensure imported stock reaches suppliers. This news comes as the Government's leaked Operation Yellowhammer document was released last month. In the document it outlines delays of 1.5-2.5 days that HGVs may have to face in the result of a no-deal Brexit. HGVs could block French ports and disrupt the short Channel straits for up to 3 months. That would be before improvement to a level less than that of a pre-Brexit scenario. Hutchinson ports outline the various 'Brexit infrastructure' projects going to be implemented in response to Brexit. These include in Felixstowe a new border and customs checkpoint, excellent road connections. It also includes additional space for HGVs to prevent ports becoming immovable with them. As the 31st of October deadline approaches many businesses will look to the government's guides on how to prepare if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Stephen Fry and Gina Miller show support for
Concrete Mental Health Crisis campaign
Chris Matthews Editor-in-Chief
Mental Health Crisis Stephen Fry and Gina Miller are the two latest prominent figures to publicly support the Concrete Mental Health Crisis campaign. Fry retweeted Concrete’s announcement of the campaign to his 12.7 million followers on Twitter at the end of last month. Subsequently that tweet has been viewed almost 250,000 times, a figure close to double the population
of Norwich. Fry has long been outspoken on the topic of mental health and is the current president of mental health charity Mind.
"This is a very important campaign as... suicide is alarmingly high" Anti-Brexit activist Gina Miller has also joined Fry in supporting Concrete’s campaign.
Speaking about the campaign she said: “This is a very important campaign as the rise of mental health issues, including suicide is alarmingly high compared to 10 years ago. Students are a particularly vulnerable group since mental health problems often start in late adolescence or early adulthood, can be as a result of isolation, loneliness, academic demands and being away from home for the first time. It is vital to have coordinated, harmonised support such as suggested by this campaign, as well as resource commitments.” Fry and Miller join the likes of MPs Clive Lewis and Steve Brine,
Norwich City Chief Executive Laura McGillivray and UEA ViceChancellor Prof. David Richardson in supporting Concrete’s campaign. Another supporter of the campaign is Beverley Bishop, mother of Jess Fairweather, a student who took his life on campus last year. Concrete’s campaign will last throughout the 2019/20 academic year. The paper hopes to open up the conversation around mental health at UEA as well as achieve a number of aims, including asking the university to inform parents or guardians about their child’s mental health issues unless students specifically opt out.
Photo: Twitter
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8th October 2019
News News in brief:
Body of missing man discovered in Wymondham Bryan Mfhaladi News Editor
Norwich Constabulary have confirmed a body of a man was found in a woodland in Wymondham. The body was discovered after police were summoned to an area near Ketts Park at around 3.30pm on Friday, 20 September 2019. While formal identification is still in progress, the man is believed to be Tom Gray, who was reported missing the day before the body’s discovery. The inquest opening hearing was held Tuesday, 1 October, with the inquest scheduled to take place Friday, January 10, 2020.
NUA tops retention league table Ellie Robson News Reporter
Norwich University of the Arts (NUA) has been awarded the top spot in The Times and The Sunday Times University of the Year 2019 guide rankings for student retention. This list judges universities based on their efforts in ensuring that students make the full journey from enrolment to graduation. NUA’s student drop-out rate is 5.6%, half the rate expected from an institution with the same variety of students and courses. NUA credit their success to having contact with new students long before Freshers Week. They hold portfolio-based interviews with their applicants before they sign
Photo: Geograph
Supreme Court: suspending Parliament was unlawful Lauren Sant News Reporter
The Supreme Court has ruled UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s suspension of Parliament was unlawful.
"[The UK government] will abide by the court's ruling"
"Many universities are not looking to make decisions"
News in brief:
up for the course, which deepens students' understanding of the course and what they are signing up for. This also gives students the opportunity to get to know academic staff early on and introduces them to the creative community at NUA. NUA is sitting at joint 62nd place in overall The Times 2019 Guide, with the top spot going to Cambridge University. UEA dropped from 15th in 2018 to 23rd.
Photo: Geograph
Following this decision the government stated they will "abide by the court’s ruling." Boris Johnson had attempted to go ahead with a no-deal through proroguing Parliament. It has been suggested the reasoning behind Boris Johnson’s proroguing of Parliament was an attempt to go ahead with a no-deal. Johnson said he has not ruled out the option of proroguing Parliament a second time despite the ruling going against him.
Two students die during Belfast Freshers Week Bryan Mfhaladi News Editor
Mental Health Crisis Two students of Ulster University in Belfast have died four days apart from each other during Freshers Week. Niall Laverty died on Thursday, 19th September, while Eimear Quinn died on Monday, 23th September. The body of Niall Laverty was discovered at his student accommodation in Palestine Street. His death comes days after he moved to Belfast to join a sports studies course. Since the two students' deaths, elected representatives have called for university authorities to do better on issues of mental health. Sinn Féin South Belfast MLA, Máirtín Ó Muilleoir, said the latest passings “should spur all those with a duty of care to our student population to look again at how they are fulfilling their responsibilities.” Queen’s and Ulster University have since pledged to enhance their mental health awareness to students.
Photo: Flickr
Heathfield Norwich
A Welcoming Diverse Community of 44 Students Your university experience is shaped by the people you meet and the friendships you make.
Here at Heathfield we welcome both home and international students, studying at NUA, UEA and other institutions. We offer affordable accommodation designed to foster lasting and enriching friendships among our student residents. The 6 flats have 6, 7 or 8 bedrooms (one is a women-only flat), and each flat has: ç 2 showers ç 2 toilets ç a large well-equipped kitchen and lounge There are 39 standard rooms, 4 large rooms and one studio (with its own bathroom). Each bedroom has a bed, desk, chair, noticeboard, bookshelf, chest of drawers, large wardrobe and washbasin.
Shared and communal facilities include: ç secure bike sheds and private parking ç a library room with access to the sunny enclosed garden ç the Heathfield Centre, a common room which offers space for meetings, seminars, conferences, exhibitions, parties or other events, and equipped with two pianos, a table tennis table and a home cinema ç a studio where you can do messy work without harming your deposit ç a token-operated on-site laundry
Heathfield stands in 1.4 acres of private grounds.
For more details, FAQs, a gallery, and to apply for a room, see our website.
www.heathfieldnorwich.co.uk 01603 622171 live@heathfieldnorwich.co.uk HeathfieldNorwich
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Global
8th October 2019
President Trump to face potential impeachment Aleatha Farline Global Writer
A whistle-blower has accused President Donald Trump of withholding military aid to the Ukrainian government in exchange for information on his democratic political opponent, Joe Biden. These charges originate from a call between President Trump and the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the 25th July. The US government withheld $400 million in military aid to Ukraine. The accusation states that
“The US government withheld $400 million in military aid to Ukraine ” Trump did this in an attempt to coerce the President to investigate
Joe Biden’s son, Hunter, who sat on the board of a privately owned gas company. Joe Biden reportedly had Ukrainian prosecutor, Vicktor Shokin, fired for investigating his son, whilst sat on the board. The President is quoted as stating, “I heard you had a prosecutor who was very good and he was shut down, and that’s really unfair” during the phone call on the 25th. It is argued that this would be a move to forward his political career in the upcoming 2020 presidential election, whilst outing his opposing candidate, Joe Biden. If this is true, it means the President can be impeached under the pretenses that he used bribery for his own political gain. The US providing military aid to Ukraine is a result of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. In 2013, there were protests in Ukraine to overthrow the pro-Russian government and to install a proEuropean one in its place. As a result, Russia invaded Ukraine in 2014 to annex the area of Crimea, a largely Russian speaking area. Western leaders, including the US, were outraged by this. Shortly after the invasion of
Ukraine, Putin began to support pro-separatist rebels and provide them with military aid, which they used to shoot down flight Malaysia MH17. The Ukraine government then re-took eastern cities from Russian rebels; this prompted Putin to further invade the eastern European state. The President of Ukraine at the time of this conflict, Petro Poroshenko, refers to the conflict as Ukraine’s “patriotic war
of 2014”; however, the conflict continues today. According to the U.S. constitution, the President of the United States can be impeached if it is suspected that they are guilty of “treason, bribery or other high crimes and misdemeanors”. If 51% of representatives support impeachment, the trial begins in the senate, presided over by the chief of the Supreme Court. To impeach, at least two-thirds of the senate need to support the charges. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Kashmir remains in lockdown as crisis escalates Piriyanga Thirunimalan Senior Global Writer
For decades Kashmir and Jammu have been disputed and fought over by both India and Pakistan. The region has been subjected to political aggression and rivalry since August 1947, when both countries gained independence. However, the conflict has severely escalated in recent months. The territory has endured three major wars since independence and remains victim to a constant power struggle between the two nations. Divided into the ‘Indianadministered areas’ and the ‘Pakistani-administered areas’, Kashmir was granted special autonomy within the Indian constitution; a status that Kashmir has held since 1956. Bill Clinton claimed that “Kashmir was the most dangerous place in the world” almost two
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
decades ago and now the fears are exacerbating as the crisis inches closer to war, and both nations
“The crisis inches closer to war, and both nations exhibit their nuclear capabilities” Photo: Flickr
exhibit their nuclear capabilities. In February 2019, airstrikes were launched by India onto the Pakistaniadministered territory in response to the suicide attack carried out in Kashmir by a Pakistani extremist group. On the 5th August 2019, Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, declared Article 370, which granted Kashmir’s own constitution, would be revoked and stripped of its autonomy. Modi used a presidential decree to overrule the article and both Kashmir and Jammu have been under lockdown ever since. The region has experienced a complete communications and media clampdown and its citizens have been robbed of their basic human rights. All actions and alleged abuses that have taken place in the Indianadministered region have been concealed by the government in its attempt to judicially gain complete control over the disputed region.
Modi has defended the motion, explaining that it is to “rid the state of terrorism,” and has denied any allegations of human rights abuses. While India are using claims of terrorism to impose executive control onto Kashmir, Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Imran Khan, has been campaigning for the Kashmiri’s right to self-determination and autonomy. The two leaders have been waging a political debate, with Kashmiri citizens caught in the crossfire. Khan has warned that India’s actions will lead to a bloodbath once the security restrictions are lifted. Khan took the Kashmiri issue to the UN General Assembly which took place on the 27th September, and urged the international community to rise and fight injustice, whilst Modi made no mention of the Kashmir crisis
in his speech. Following Khan’s speech, condemning the human rights violations and unjust arrests, thousands of Kashmiris flooded the streets chanting slogans of independence. The impacts of the conflict have been most brutal on the Kashmiri civilians who have allegedly been victim to torture and abuse, as well as enduring shortages and blockages on both food and medical supplies. As a sign of retaliation to the draconian measures inflicted by the Indian government, the Kashmiri citizens have left their lucrative apples, a central part of their local economy, to rot. As the situation looks today, Kashmir has been under a security and communications lockdown for almost two months now, and Pakistan has pledged to wage war if India doesn’t grant Kashmir its autonomy.
Brexit Box William Warnes Global Editor
Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s suspension of parliament has been ruled illegal by the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom. Parliament resumed normal operations during a week that saw the Prime Minister face calls to resign. The ruling by the Supreme Court is a huge loss to Mr Johnson, who has declared that the UK will leave the EU on 31st October, no matter what. After announcing his decision to prorogue parliament, many within the Conservative party rebelled against the Prime Minister. Mr Johnson chose to suspend parliament for an unusually long five weeks, until 14 October. Chaos ensued amongst MPs who claimed this was a violation of their democratic rights and restricted the amount of time that Members of Parliament had to debate Brexit. After legal challenges, a court in England ruled the decision lawful, yet another in Scotland ruled that Johnson was attempting to restrict Parliament holding his government to account. This is how the case arrived at the Supreme Court. The ruling allowed MPs to return to Parliament as usual. An ‘emergency interim Prime Minister’ is becoming increasingly possible as SNP MP, Stewart Hosie, announced that a vote of no confidence in Johnson could occur next week. In a bid to prevent a nodeal Brexit at all costs, opposition leaders are in talks. Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, claimed that talks had been “productive” and that an emergency government was becoming “more likely every day”. SNP leader, Nicola Sturgeon, hinted that she could back Mr Corbyn as a “caretaker” Prime Minister, but the Liberal Democrats have claimed he is a much too divisive figure. As the second largest party, Labour’s Jeremy Corbyn appears to be the front runner. However, Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson has argued that MPs from all parties would “not be able to unite around Mr Corbyn as a temporary leader”. Despite this, Mr Corbyn said he is “absolutely” ready to be an interim Prime Minister. “It’s getting more likely every single day because this government is collapsing”. The aim of a vote of no confidence would be to install a temporary Prime Minister until a short Brexit delay is achieved, followed by a general election. Speaking to the Today programme, Stewart Hosie said, “we have to do that because there is now no confidence that the Prime Minister will obey the law and seek the extension that Parliament voted for only a few weeks ago… we are serious about the extension. That is the only game in town”.
Read the rest on concrete-online.co.uk
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8th October 2019
concrete-online.co.uk/category/global/ | @ConcreteUEA
New Global ‘Scorecard’ to assess extent of mental health crisis Jake Goddard Global Writer
Mental Health Crisis A new global scorecard has been launched to reveal the extent of the mental health crisis worldwide. The Global Countdown Mental Health 2030 Project will seek to provide better data on illnesses such as depression and anxiety, whilst at the same time providing a muchneeded comparative indicator of mental health support between different countries. The mental health scorecard’s physical health counterpart has existed since 1990 – the Global Burden of Disease. Dévora Kestel, the WHO (World Health Organisation) Director of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, has said that this filling in of knowledge gaps will help to provide a ‘more real mapping of the situation’.
The scorecard will assess countries by successes and failures in mental health recovery, with the broader aim of being able to identify more effective treatments. The scorecard will be produced once every two years. ‘There will be comparisons across countries and across time’ says Professor Shekhar Saxena, one of the leaders of the project. ‘We need to measure how much progress we
“It could create international competition... to improve mental health services” have made, and establish how we allocate resources’. The project leaders hope that this new scorecard will encourage states and donors to invest in effective areas of mental health
support, as well as getting countries to acknowledge the reality of mental health problems in their own populations. Indeed, the scorecard could create international competition between state actors to improve mental health services against best practices. It could also make countries more accountable to the international community. There is also a possibility that the scorecard could hold states to account by their own citizens. However, in countries where online content is heavily censored or access to the internet is uncommon, this effect is questionable to say least. Scorecard results will also have to heavily depend upon government reporting of mental health conditions in their own countries, particularly where access is limited. This could be problematic if the information provided is skewed, or the outcomes of certain procedures are exaggerated to appear successful. However, if the project is able
to verify data recorded through credible sources, the scorecard would have positive impacts for how mental health illnesses are supported more effectively. The scorecard will also have a
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Abortion legalised across Australia Hannah Cottrell Global Writer
“This is a massive step forward for women in this state,” said Labor MP Penny Sharpe. New South Wales, the last state in Australia to reform its’ abortion laws, made positive progression last week by overturning the state’s 119-year old law and introducing a new bill. Now known as the ‘Abortion Law Reform Bill’, abortion has been removed as a criminal act and termination has been made possible up to 22 weeks into a woman’s
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
pregnancy. This can be made even later if two doctors agree. Previously, abortions in NSW were only authorised if there was a serious risk to women’s health. The reformed bill also includes many important amendments. For example, doctors performing abortions after 22 weeks can seek advice from a multidisciplinary team or a hospital advisory committee to ensure the procedure is carried out safely. In addition, medical practitioners who have a conscientious objection to the termination can refer a patient back to ‘NSW Health,’ an
organisation providing support for women seeking an abortion. Doctors must also provide appropriate care to babies born alive after a termination. After 40 hours of discussion, the state’s upper house passed the bill 26 votes to 14 on the 26th of September. Last-minute amendments to the bill persuaded some conservative MPs and ultimately the bill gained support from other parties, resulting in success for those in favour of the reform. Tensions reached a climax in the Liberal Party however after more than half of its’ lower house MPs voted against the bill. The Premier of New South Wales, Gladys Berejiklian, is facing a “long healing process” within her party after deep divisions were exposed over the issue of abortion. The leadership of Ms Berejiklian has also been threatened throughout this process of reform. To add to this, there are also individuals and groups in the state that disagree on the revision made to the law. Some activists have protested the new bill due to personal beliefs and many have expressed concerns about late-term abortions. However, Labor MP Jo Haylen, who co-sponsored the bill, described the vote as “a historic day.” “This is about making sure women can make choices and that they can get a procedure which is health care,” she told reporters on Thursday. This opinion has resonated throughout New South Wales after the bill finally cleared its’ last hurdle.
future impact upon how mental health can be discussed by states, both globally and domestically. Hopefully, this will be a huge step foward in reducing the stigma that still haunts mental health.
Photo: Concrete/Jess Barrett
Protests at UEA as Hong Kong unrest continues William Warnes Global Editor
Protests occurred on UEA’s campus as 17 students took to the university’s courtyard to protest against the events taking place currently within Hong Kong. Protests began peacefully in June as the Chinese government passed a bill that would have allowed accused individuals to be extradited to mainland China to face trial. Since then, violence has erupted between police and protesters. The political unrest has been ocuurring for the last four months. The events over the last week have seen a huge increase in police
brutality with one protester being shot in the chest. Student protestors declared
“Violence has erupted between police and protestors” “Hong Kong is not China” as they stood in solidarity with those who remain in Hong Kong and are facing increasing brutality and violence. At the time of writing, there appears to be no end in sight.
Features
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Snakebites are biting students back Jess Barrett Deputy Editor
Snakebites, more commonly referred to as ‘snakey b’s’, are a favourite tipple amongst the UEA student population. Whether you order a snake bite to sip on in the square or to down in the LCR, they are a student staple. It may seem dramatic, but campus consensus is that the mix between beer and cider with a splash of blackcurrant takes the form of an elixir on the tongue. Will the new price act as a deterrent for student drinking culture? Probably not. But one thing is for certain, students are frustrated. Drinks in the SU bar have increased in price. Snakebites now set you back £2.70 and you can no longer get two drinks for a fiver. Although the majority of students might not mind that it now costs them more to buy a snakebite, for many that extra 20p will add up. For comparison, it is four pages of printing in the library. The amount of student finance several students have received has decreased this academic year. Every penny counts. Snakebites are famed for being an affordable and delicious beverage option for the student community. Yes, they are still comparatively cheaper than most options at the bar, but snakebites are widely
considered to be the old reliable drink option, the change in price might lead to students shaking up their tipple of choice to see if they might get more for their buck elsewhere. The chosen cider to go into a snakebite has changed from
“One thing is for certain, students are fustrated“
Somersby to Magners and students are not happy. Student Lee Casey stated “for me it’s completely changed the taste of a snakebite and prices for other drinks have increased so now I don’t think I’ll buy as many drinks at the bar.” Third year student Ellie Robson commented on the rise in bar prices, she remarked “the rise in prices at the SU bar was unexpected. It took me back. I was looking forward to returning to uni but this has put a dampener on my university experience. Honestly I’m quite shocked that the raise in prices wasn’t widely advertised.” Drinking at the student bar
has become more expensive with the increase in the drink’s price, in addition to the raised deposit for the reusable cups. Even if we get a refund for our disposable cup, the process of paying £1 per cup makes a deep dent in our wallets. The increase in cup deposit might not seem to be significant, however many intoxicated LCR visitors often throw their cups on the floor as they do not want to hold onto them the whole night. In this case, every drink will cost them one pound extra. Student culture is often associated with casual and regular
“This has put a dampener on my university experience” drinking. The increased expense for this student pass time might act as a deterrent for casual drinking, or perhaps encourage students to buy alcohol from the shop on campus instead when they want to sit in the square on a sunny afternoon. Snakebites are an element of UEA’s student culture, and now they are biting students back.
UEA charts in top 200
Photo: Jess Barrett
Editor-in-Chief Chris Matthews investigates the Civil Service Fast Stream
Photo: Pixababy
Jake Walker-Charles Senior Features Writer
Since 2010, UEA has consistently ranked within the global top 200 universities (Times Higher Education Rankings). The highest position UEA achieved in this decade was 145 in the 2012 edition of the chart. The 2020 chart places UEA at 192. This makes UEA one of six UK non-Russell group universities to be in the global top 200. UEA is among the 28 UK universities to be included in the top 200 this year; Oxford topping the chart. The UK has however seen a
decline in the number of universities within the top 200 from 34 in 2016 to this year’s 28, with many of the remaining universities seeing a decline in chart performance – UEA falling two places from last year’s ranking of 190. UEA student Estella Brown, reacting to the university’s chart placement, stated that it is “assuring to know that the university is well ranked”. She also said, however, her decision to choose UEA was centered more around the “the attributes of her individual course (American Literature with Creative Writing)” rather than league tables. Another UEA student, Lucy Pilgrim, said her decision to study at UEA was somewhat based on the
Photo: Flickr
fact her course (American Literature and English Literature) “comes up quite highly” in the coursespecific league tables but that the global ranking “was definitely something [she] considered”. The league tables do generate an added level of visibility to the featured universities. However, the numbers can fluctuate significantly year by year. According to BBC News, there are now fears Brexit could cause UK universities to fall further in future rankings if they lose access to EU research partnerships after leaving the European Union. Meanwhile, Germany has massively increased its presence within the top 200 from three to 23 universities at present.
In an interview with Concrete, civil servant Rachel Prior has revealed what it’s like to work in the Civil Service and take part in the Civil Service Fast Stream, the “awardwinning leadership development
“A unique development journey towards leadership” programme” according to Prior. Each of the 15 Fast Stream schemes differs in length, but most last between two to four years, and most include stints in different governmental departments. Prior says it is designed to be “a unique development journey towards leadership.” She adds: “The kind of roles you may end up doing vary
and could be leading a team on a particular policy area or working in a Minister’s Private Office. Or, if you’re a specialist, then you’d become a senior leader specialising in your chosen profession.” Something that potential applicants should be aware of is the need for Civil Servants to remain impartial. This means removing your own personal opinions from the equation. “You may not always personally agree with whatever policy is being proposed,” Prior says. “However, you can’t bring your personal feelings into it; in policy making you have to make evidenceled decisions, it’s not about your own personal preferences.” Prior says: “Working for the Civil Service is a really good way of having a job where you’re not just out to maximise the profit for a private company” Prior tells me. “If you want the work you do to lead to something a bit bigger than yourself then the Civil Service is a good way to do that.”
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Features Co-Editor Paige Allen:
climate activist Greta Thunberg is facing a ‘backlash of criticism’ The 16-year-old, Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has criticised world leaders for failing to properly address climate change, speaking at the UN Climate Action Summit on September 23rd. Greta Thunberg condemned past generations of stealing her “dreams and childhood”. The summit was days after millions of people worldwide took part in a global climate strike led by youth activists. Thunberg has spread awareness concerning the increasing “climate emergency”, engaging not only individuals but also institutes. There is even a petition online prompting UEA and Vice Chancellor Prof David Richardson to declare a climate emergency and to “commit to carbon neutrality by 2025” with
“You have stolen my dreams and my childhood” actions that are evidence based. However, it is not clear whether the summit will deliver new plans for the radical cuts in greenhouse gas emissions needed to avoid catastrophic climate breakdown. Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor, set out the end of coal mining in her country. Yet she only set this in action for 2038 at the latest. The summit was also dominated by the absence of the United States. Despite Thunberg’s activism on climate change, she receives
a backlash of criticism. It seems a young woman laying out the unpleasant truth and demanding that officials take action to save the planet is triggering for the older, white men, on the right. Thunberg is young, passionate and is backed by science. The backlash against her seems as oldfashioned as climate denial. The bulk of Thunberg’s attackers are right-wing media personalities, climate skeptics and elected officials. They have each used different approaches, some more acceptable than others. Michael Knowles, writer for The Daily Wire on Fox News, used Thunberg’s Asperger’s diagnosis to discredit her message. Additionally, Fox News host Laura Ingraham described young protesters as cult members. Of course, Donald Trump sarcastically tweeted that Thunberg ‘seems like a very happy girl looking forward to a bright and wonderful future’. The most recent and more bizarre criticism comes from Jeremy Clarkson, who, having been fired from the BBC for punching a producer in the face over the lack of hot food provided at a hotel, has branded Thunberg as a “spoilt brat”. Clarkson’s own daughter, Emily Clarkson, has had the last word, retweeting his post with “a woman doesn’t need to be polite to make a point”. Thunberg said in her speech “young people are starting to understand your betrayal”, and, as Deputy Editor Jess Barrett, explains: Thunberg “is one of the only women who the media presents in a nonsexualised way, and many don’t know how to deal with that. For me, Thunberg symbolises a strong youth where our voices can cause permanent change, but only if we are given the respect we deserve.” Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Better recycling: plastic bottles Laura Taylor Features Writer
While many people in the UK believe we are doing our fair share of recycling, there is much more that could be done. In over 20 countries worldwide there are deposit schemes for the recycling of plastic bottles and cans; something that should be considered here too. These nations have deposit machines in supermarkets which give you ‘money back’ from recycled products. This, however, comes at a cost, with a ‘rent’ being added to the price of these products, which is earned back when they are deposited. Currently in the UK, around 13 billion plastic drinks bottles are consumed per year and more than three billion of these are not recycled. Incentivising recycling
could be key to increasing recycling rates among the public. This has proven successful in Norway, where the recycling rate for PET plastic bottles is now 94%. A key issue to consider, however, is where the funds for planning and installing these systems will come from. In Germany the system cost approximately £600m to set up and costs £700m in maintenance annually. Who forks out for these costs varies between nations, with some making the investment the responsibility of plastic producers, others drinks companies and some governments spending the money. Plastic bottle producers only contribute 10% to the cost of recycling them, something widely criticised by environmental campaigners, while smaller manufacturers are worried about how these increased costs will affect developing businesses. Where the
unclaimed money will be used is another issue, with some nations allowing the retailers to keep the excess while others ensure that it is donated to charitable causes such as environmental organisations. The British Plastics Federation estimates it could cost £1b to implement in the UK. There is another unlikely benefit to this scheme. In Germany, people give their empty plastic bottles to homeless people as a method of helping them to get an income. This has anecdotally helped a number of these people to save sufficient funds for both food and shelter and has been a contributing factor to helping them get off the streets. Searching for plastic bottles to recycle acts as a job and can help give people a sense of purpose they may otherwise have been lacking, helping them to improve their quality of life.
Photo: Unsplash
The great rise of ‘studytube’ Ellie Robson Features Writer
The back to uni rush is coming to an end, marking the start of a new academic year and the most popular time of year for the new YouTube phenomenon which has been dubbed ‘StudyTube’. In the same way that there are online communities for fans of makeup, games, and books, a community has sprung up around something that every young adult has to go through – education. StudyTubers are people who document their academic experiences, with the areas of most interest being A-Level study and university life. But what kind of content do these online creatives actually produce? The most common type of video is a “Study With Me” – a daily vlog of sorts where the user takes their audience through their day, with a focus on the academic goals they have for the day. Other videos include advice videos about the qualifications which the StudyTuber has already completed, and results reveal videos. At the beginning of the academic year, the popularity
of the community shoots up, with younger students fascinated to see university hauls and move-in vlogs. This is understandable, as students who are anxious about going to university in the future want to get as close as possible to the real thing. As businesses have realised that there is a huge audience amongst the student body, many of these StudyTubers have become personalities and shot to small but rapidly growing levels of fame as they share their variety of experiences. Eve Bennett, who has been making videos for years, boasts 207k subscribers and a place at Oxford University, an experience she wants to normalise by sharing it with her audience, by showing that people from differing backgrounds can make it into the prestigious institute. In contrast, Eve Cornwell, who completed her undergrad at Bristol University, has moved to London and shows her viewers what it’s like working towards becoming a lawyer once you’ve graduated. Yet another differing experience comes from user UnJadedJade, who sits at 379k subscribers, and has just this month begun her journey in
an innovative new institute entitled Minerva, which educates students in seven different countries over a four year course, something her viewers are fascinated by. Interestingly, the genre is pioneered by female students, as shown by the aforementioned personalities. This is incredibly motivating to see, and I’m excited that the younger generation have these hardworking women to look up to. Many viewers have shared that they feel they have a big sister guiding them, or someone who feels like a friend to study with in the isolating environment that academia can cultivate. The only downfall of StudyTube is that it can lead to what feels like productive procrastination. “Study With Me” videos can be motivating and a welcome break from studying that keeps you in a focused mindset, but it’s easy to fall into a YouTube hole where the productivity of others feels rewarding. Despite this, the StudyTube community has had an incredibly positive effect on young students, and has helped them feel like they’re not alone in what can be some difficult and challenging years in education.
Interview
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Leading the way: Norwich’s newest Lewis When I finally find my way through the maze that is the former shoe factory in St Mary’s Plain, I realise there are many more plain places to conduct an interview. The former shoe factory turned social club is a grand reminder of Norwich’s industrial past as one of England’s shoe-making capitals. While its fine industrial qualities remain on the outside, the interior is very bare. There are plasterboards, low lighting and a couple of chairs. You can sense a regeneration is in motion, and the dense space of the warehouse amplifies the sound of drilling and sawing. Industrial conversions like this one are in fashion on the music scene. Norwich lad Ben Street was the drummer for Bristol-based poppunk act Coasts, a band with two studio albums to their name and a dedicated listenership on Spotify. Since he called time on the band in 2018, he has relocated to Norwich. The Wild Paths festival is a multi-venue, inner-city festival that spreads over the weekend of the 18th to 20th October. It features a range of different artists, f r o m J o s e Gonzalez to
Oxley Black Honey and Anna Meredith. The festival covers a whopping 18 venues across the city. These venues include Norwich Arts Centre, Epic Studios, and the very building we were sitting in, the Shoe Factory Social Club as they plan to call it. What I want to know is the reason behind Wild Paths. Why has Street founded it? And why has he designed it as an innercity, multi-venue festival? Street explains, “it was a chance for some new exposure, a pulling point to attract people to what the city already has, rather than doing
“A chance for new exposure, a pulling point to attract people to what [Norwich] already has” it on an out of town green field site”. “With it being an inner-city festival it was to show how many venues Norwich has, I think some people are under the misapprehension Norwich suffers from a lack of
chats
to
Wild
Paths
venues, when it doesn’t,” he adds. Street also mentions other cities that have a similar set up. “You’ve got Brighton with Great Escape, the Tramlines in Sheffield and [they] have been really successful with it.” Street hopes Wild Paths will mimic their success in Norwich. Street explains Norwich had something similar to this before when the city hosted the Sound and Vision festival. He admits it was “a success” but with Wild Paths he wants to make it more “extensive and eclectic” in the coverage of music. For that to happen, organisation is a priority. There are venues to refurbish, staff to hire, acts to book. For Street the organisation process was very much a “24/7 thing getting to book with venues and acts”. Street believes “it has similarities in terms of the touring aspect with Coasts, being on the road, but it has still been a 24/7 7 days a week thing”. At the heart of this journey and festival Street tells me is “collaboration”. One of the ways he’s achieving this with the festival is by nurturing relationships between the various venues in Norwich and local businesses, trying to reflect an aspect of
Photo: Concrete/ Molly Bernardin community”, as Street points out. He admits despite the LCR and Waterfront being in collaboration with the same event booker, Uea(su), “there has been a lack of collaboration between Norwich’s other venues, particularly OPEN and Epic Studios”. In the past, Street says there was “some bad blood”, but he hopes the festival can foster a more collaborative approach. On the subject of collaboration, I ask him about the festival sponsorship and about spreading the word of Wild Paths beyond the realms of Norwich. In an excited voice, Street tells me, “in terms of sponsors a n d
collaborations, we’ve got Carhartt doing the official festival wristbands, which is huge, we’re in collaboration with Strangers providing the official coffee and we’ve launched a Wild Paths IPA.” But music, coffee and beer are not the only features of the festival. Alongside the music Street tells me there will be live “graffiti Wild Paths: a preview by Venue In a weekend celebrating the best of what Norwich has to offer as a musical city, Wild Paths festival is the first of its kind. It is an inner-city, multi-venue festival that wants to put Norwich on the music map. The festival features appearances from the likes of Jose Gonzalez, Franc Moody, Black Honey and Anna Meredith to name a few. Running alongside the music there will be a conference of experts
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festival to be ‘eclectic and extensive’ festival founder and director Ben Street Magic Gang for fans of twangy guitar indie. “While at Epic [Studios] we’ve got Franc Moody headlining, who are funk and soul, [and] Black Honey who are gloomy rock with Americana, so it’s about exposure to all these different genres”. I turn my attention to local acts that are performing at the festival, and the state of Norwich as a music city. The Wild Paths founder and director hopes the festival will bring “a focus to Norwich and attracts people in.” He adds, “With the festival line up I want to keep a fine balance between local and national acts, keeping it more 60/40 in favour of the global acts”. The state of Norwich’s music circuit excites the Wild Paths founder. “There is a lot of hype, just like in Bristol when I was with Coasts, it’s really exciting, especially with a lot of the UEA bands… Wreck, Bag of Cans and Gladboy, who are all promising”. Street has the younger audience at the heart of this festival and as he speaks of their “cultural and social awareness” he tells me “we are not going to be using any bottles at the festival and instead serve all drinks in cans and not plastic”. He tells me, “the problem with green field sites is the installations, here in the Shoe Factory, as well as our various panel conferences giving expertise”. These conferences feature well known names across the industry, including the veteran music journalist and author Jon Robb as well as Radio 1 DJ Phil Taggart. Street tells me “the purpose of these conferences [is] to offer an Music Editor Lewis Oxley offering their thoughts and input to the state of Norwich’s music scene, and how to break through as a music journalist. The experts include Radio 1 DJ Phil Taggart, veteran music journalist and author John Robb and head of music syncing at Sky Peter Bradbury. With over 200 acts across 18 inner-city venues, Wild Paths promises to be a great gathering for all music fans.
expert view on the Norwich music and creative scene and get it some exposure”. Street adds, “we’ve had a fair bit of news coverage in order to spread the word of the festival, EDP [Eastern Daily Press] have featured us” and “the guys at Future Radio have been very supportive”. Yet to Street’s disappointment he says “BBC Introducing have kept quiet about it.” This festival has a peculiar style of admission for festival goers. There are a variety of passes people can buy, from the main weekend pass to one dedicated to all of the fringe acts, as well as those that cover venues alone. “Again,” Street tells me, “this was to highlight the eclectic side of the music festival, people can go to a venue they wouldn’t have known of before and see an eclectic range of music. “For example, here [at the Shoe Factory] on Saturday we’ve got the
rubbish issue afterwards and the issue of single-use plastic – the recent mess left at Latitude wasn’t pretty and so we hope to avoid that”. For Ben Street, Wild Paths is his own creation, but he fully understands that “people are a part of the festival”. He hopes “at least one of the acts can make you feel a part of it”.
Wild Paths festival will take place in venues across Norwich from 18th to 20th October. Tickets remain on sale at wildpaths.co.uk
“People can go to a venue they wouldn’t have known of before and see an eclectic range of music” Pictured: Ben Sreet (left) and Lewis Oxley Photos: Concrete/ Molly Bernardin
From the Transcript: Ben Street: What made us want to organise the festival was the space in the city, using what space you have rather than doing it on a green field site... I think some people are under the misapprehension Norwich suffers from a lack of venues, when it doesn’t. You’ve got Brighton with Great Escape, Tramlines in Sheffield. Lewis Oxley: Yeah, also you’ve got the Dot to Dot festival in three cities: Manchester, Bristol and Nottingham that does it over a bank-holiday weekend. Ben Street: Exactly! There had been something before, the Sound and Vision, and it was a success, but I think it lacked interest.
8th October 2019
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HOME OF THE WONDERFUL Photo: Concrete/Jess Barrett
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Which do you prefer in your snakebite?
Magners 33% Somersby 67%
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Comment
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8th October 2019
Hong Kong is dying and Britain is letting it happen Matt Branston Comment Editor
The rise of China has been talked about a lot during the last few decades, but while they used to seem a bit shrouded in secrecy, more and more we now see the totalitarianism of their regime has led to even greater death and destruction. Tiananmen Square happened 30 years ago and China suffered no backlash for it. Now, we see Hong Kong having protests on a mass scale, supposedly the largest ever in terms of population percentage. The images and videos convey the absolute heroic natures of the people protesting against Hong Kong moving further under the control of a tyrannical regime. The protests were initially about an extradition law that would essentially give the Chinese government the ability to extradite anyone who breaks Chinese law, setting a dangerous precedent for how Hong Kong exists as a Chinese territory. As this has all developed though, the protests have become more and more about the awful brutality of the police and the Hong Kong government, to the point where the government has been getting
pro-Beijing gangs to come in and violently beat people in an attempt to suppress the protestors, which has been utterly savage and cruel. A horrific video came out in
“An entire city rallies agains the dying light of its democracy” early October showing Hong Kong police breaking rank and running into a group of protestors, pistols raised high, firing point blank at a teenager. It’s the most despicable thing I’ve seen in my lifetime as an entire city rallies against the dying light of its democracy. It’s actually strange how this is all happening now, one of the biggest protests in history,
thousands injured, thousands arrested, eight people dead, and it’s barely being reported, it’s barely being talked about. I think it’s an interesting discussion that could be had about what Britain’s role in all this is, as our nation was meant to have some level of a custodial role with Hong Kong after the 1997 handover, with part of the agreement being that the UK would help to ensure that Hong Kong operates in a way that is beneficial for their citizens. Instead, the UK has sat back as China steamrolls Hong Kong’s citizens and tries to take away their rights and privileges. China has been helping to put figurehead leaders into power and forcing laws beneficial to the Chinese government to be
legislated. In modern China, it’s essentially a system where the Government has universal control; there are no free courts, there is no free speech, and now they’re trying to do the same thing to Hong Kong. This is despite promising that it would remain separate with the ‘one country, two systems’ ideal under which the handover happened. The awful history of Britain can’t be understated. Even going far into the 20th century, Britain treated subjects of the empire disgustingly while trying to maintain power. However, now that we have the chance to actually make up slightly for it and try to push China to act in a way which
protects the rights of people living in Hong Kong, we’re not doing anything. There’s a lot of reasons to be unhappy with the British government, not so much that we go out into the streets to protest a tyrannical government, but there’s a lot to be unhappy about. But in the future, possibly very soon, I think the most glaring will be that we left Hong Kong in the wilderness for China to just come in and tear apart, and we did absolutely nothing about it. Absolutely nothing.
Photo: Upsplash
Give our youth a say in their future Jess Barrett Deputy Editor
In Scotland, people who were 16 and older were able to vote in the Independence Referendum in 2014. Subsequently, it was thought that the expansion of the electorate to include teenagers swung the result of the referendum so that Scotland did not become an independent country. As someone who was two weeks too young to vote in the United Kingdom European Union membership referendum, I am a large supporter of the electorate being expanded. Several political parties are also in favour of 16-year olds being able to vote, including Labour, Liberal Democrats, and the SNP. I believe that if 16-year olds are legally able to give sexual consent, can work, can pay taxes, join a trade union, and even leave home without parent or guardian consent, then they should be able to vote too. On the Conservative party website, it states, “There is no upper or lower age limit on membership, although children under the age of 15 cannot be enrolled as full voting members.” This inclusion of all ages in the Conservative Party membership leads to the subsequent question, why can’t those 16 and above have the right to vote?
Alternatively, the Labour party have certain qualifications to become a member of their party, one of which is you have to be over 18 years old and a member of the electorate register. Surely, these qualifications contradict their support of 16-year olds becoming members of the electorate? On the flip side, many argue that 16 or 17-year olds are apathetic and not concerned with politics or government. Another argument against 16-year olds being added to the electorate is that they aren’t politically aware or conscious enough to make an informed decision.
education and can take courses such as History, Philosophy and Politics that further educate them about free speech and the political climate. If anything, they are highly educated on political matters; most have grown up surrounded by the increased use of referendums and dynamic debates and regular changes in Prime Ministers.
Another argument against apathy is that students have the means to go out and get information surrounding political debates as they are more familiar with technology, further enabling them to research political manifestos, MP voting history, and legislation. Perhaps most importantly, the political decisions that are made
have the most long-standing effect on those who are younger. Using Brexit as an example, teenagers are going to have to live with the consequences of the referendum for a lot longer than older generations. Teenagers should no longer be denied the opportunity to be part of the electorate.
“I am a large supporter of the electorate being expanded” However, surely this is the case for the elderly too? At least teenagers are more conscious of the risks of believing political propaganda and fake news compared to baby boomers. Most 16-year olds pursue higher
Photo: Unsplash
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The Monarchy - outdated, hypocritical,classist Not Photo: Wikimedia Commons
everyone should have to go to Uni Ellie Robson Comment Writer
Claire Bilsborough Comment Writer
With Brexit looming at the end of the month, British politics seems to be growing increasingly problematic. Of course, I am referring to Boris Johnson’s attempt to prorogue parliament, forcing the Queen into politics. This caused a severe backlash with several Tory MPs voting against the party and losing the whip. The Queen received criticism for not refusing Boris Johnson. However, as dictated by tradition, she is meant to act purely on the advice of the Prime Minister. This begs the question: how much does the United Kingdom still need a monarchy? The sovereign is expected to play a purely
symbolic role, without any political interference. The Queen’s role as a figurehead is consequently outdated, and although she is far from being powerless, she regularly has no say in matters of genuine importance. On the one hand, the monarchy is considered to be extremely beneficial for international relations and maintaining links with Commonwealth countries. However, the royal family represent a colonial past which many would prefer to distance the UK from. Every year, the royal family receives a sovereign grant funded by tax-payers, a sum which has increased every year by several million pounds. This grant is used for official duties, such as “opening buildings, chairing charities, hosting garden
parties, travelling the country and abroad”. Their annual grant has increased from £76.1m to £82.2m in the past year. Many royalists argue that the monarchy does not actually cost much per year, although when compared to other government funded institutions, such as schools or the NHS – both of which are currently underfunded – it seems like an enormous waste of money. According to The Royal, the Queen represents “national identity, unity and pride”. How can she possibly represent unity or national identity when the royal family is receiving enormous benefits for extravagant parties and private jets, and yet more than four million people are currently living in poverty in the UK?
The monarchy is an outdated political tradition, which represents colonisation and oppression. To even have a sovereign in a democratic state seems hypocritical and unnatural, not to mention classist. The only reason to maintain a monarchy in this century is for the hope and community which the tradition of it can bring, and during the uncertainty of Brexit, a bit of hope is always appreciated. Without the monarchy, I believe that politics would become a more straight-forward, democratic system. It would rely more on the people and would make cause for a constitution, or something similar, to prevent any more deceitful behaviour from politicians like Mr Johnson.
Supreme Court ruling: democracy has won Roo Pitt
Comment Writer
Everyone will recall by now that the decision taken by the Supreme Court ruling the prorogation of Parliament by the Prime Minister was, in fact, unlawful. Boris Johnson’s response, simply that he had done no different to his predecessors, was hardly surprising, however it doesn’t justify his actions; all this proves is that there was no reason to challenge his predecessors. There have been calls from some that this is anti-democratic and a destruction of the very democracy Parliament represents, or that this is a kind of constitutional coup. This could not be further from the truth. Parliament, made up of elected MPs in the House of Commons and the appointed Peers within the House of Lords, debate, consider and make the laws before submitting them to the Queen for Royal Assent.
This remains the democratic process within the UK. The Supreme Court’s role in this process is simply to uphold the laws as laid down by parliament and ensure they are both interpreted and utilised correctly. In this case, the Supreme Court avoided questioning the motives of Mr Johnson directly and simply looked at the prorogation in isolation and determined that this was null and void, thus upholding the constitutional laws as parroted by Parliament.
I think, for the most part, Conservatives have demonstrated of late that they care little for what people think. Theresa May didn’t resign after suffering the largest Commons defeat recorded for some time so I see little reason why Johnson would either. It’s clear that this is, at the very least, humiliating for the Prime Minister. Mr Johnson’s thinly-veiled threats towards
the Justices appear to be just that. Mr Johnson’s latest rhetoric regarding Jo Cox however, was nothing short of terrible and frankly unacceptable for any politician to make, especially within an office such as that of the Prime Minister.
“This is, at the very least, humiliating for the Prime Minister” Now the question of whether or not Mr Johnson should step down as a result of the Supreme Court’s ruling is an interesting one.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
University is not for everyone. As a society we seem to be putting pressure on numbers, trying to increase the percentage of young people that transition into higher education, which encourages universities to set ridiculous intake targets year on year. Learning in an intense academic institution isn’t something that everyone can do, or wants to do, and those who don’t want to participate should be offered alternative and equally successful routes into employment. Jobs have different requirements, and skills which need to be cultured in different environments. The more people that undergo a university education, the less valuable these skills become in an oversaturated job market. For some careers, the practical skills of an apprenticeship or lower level job may be more beneficial than a formal education, and noone should be shamed for taking advantage of these opportunities over university. A university education should be accessible to every young person, if they want it and feel that it would equip them with the tools that they need. However, this isn’t financially realistic for many people, with advantaged students being 2.4 times more likely to go into higher education than disadvantaged students. Money shouldn’t be a barrier for anyone who wants to attend university, whether this means lowering tuition fees so that students aren’t put off by future debts or increasing or standardising maintenance loans, so that everyone receives the same amount. No student should be in the position where their maintenance loan doesn’t cover their rent. The assumption that families should top up the maintenance loans of their children is unreasonable, and not viable in many cases. It is unlikely that student finance will make these changes, but we can be hopeful that the pressure to go to university regardless of your goals will soon cease.
Science
8th October 2019
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Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Snapshots Norwich Science Festival
Norwich Science Festival returns Laura Taylor Science Editor
On the 18th October, Norwich Science Festival will be coming back for almost two weeks full of sciencefilled fun. While only in its fourth year, the popularity of the festival has boomed over these years. The festival boasts nine days jam packed with talks, seminars and interactive stands and workshops around the city. Headlining the festival is infamous primate scientist Jane Goodall, in conversation with UEA’s Professor Ben Garrod at Norwich Cathedral and the Horrible Science Show with Nick Arnold, events that are already sold out. Other key events include Adam Kay Live at the Playhouse with This
is Going to Hurt as well as talks from many UEA professors. As well as Prof Garrod’s talk with Jane Goodall, Prof Cock Van Oosterhout from the School of Environmental Sciences will be at the Pint of Science talk at the Forum, Dr Rupert Read from the School of Philosophy will be at the Norwich Science Cafe, Dr Brian Reid will be at Soil Salvation and many more. Look out for your lecturers around at the events! There will also be interactive pop-up activities around UEA at the science schools, something to look out for in between lectures, and local school groups and families will be visiting the campus ready to be inspired to study science later on. The event is well known for working to bridge the gap between
the arts and the sciences, something that is key to expanding the reach of science communications.
“Bridge the gap between arts and sciences”
Creativity is the focus of many of the workshops around the city with the beauty of science and nature being highlighted across the events. Students and the general
public from all backgrounds are encouraged to pop along to the events, whether that be to learn something new or to find inspiration for new creative pursuits. The festival is run mostly by volunteers each year, a large portion of whom will be UEA students. This gives students valuable work experience opportunities in science communication, event planning, public engagement and the media. Vacancies for the next festival open in July 2020 and UEA students are encouraged to apply, with no experience needed. So, make sure to pop along to the festival, whether to the headlining shows or to many of the free talks taking place over the nine days, there’s something for everyone!
Weighing up organic food choices Leia Butler Science Writer
There is so much to think about when it comes to food consumption in 2019. Is it good for the environment? Is it better for my body? How natural is it? There has been a huge shift in recent years in favour of organic food due to its potential to give positive answers to those very questions. But does organic food actually live up to the hype? Organic foods are often praised due to the lack of pesticides they use. Pesticides and toxins in nonorganic foods have been found to contain harmful chemicals, some of which have been attributed with cancer and other harmful diseases. Eating organically can also help you get more sources of victim C, protein, and important minerals. Another reason organic foods are so popular in today’s society is because they are supposed to be better for the environment because of the way they are cultivated. Traditional agricultural farming can destroy topsoil, pollute water and negatively affect the atmosphere. Furthermore, organic foods
avoid the use of genetically modified organisms and thus have a certain popularity due to their grounding in natural resources. The Soil Association’s Organic Market Report has evidence which shows independent retailers benefited from a 6.2% growth in organic sales during 2018. Organic food is becoming much more popular with young people due to its claims of health and environmental benefits and thus is also becoming more profitable. Everyday, companies such as ‘HelloFresh’ and ‘MindfulChef’ are popping up with organic boxes that can be delivered to your home, and the organic way of eating is quickly becoming a very popular lifestyle choice. YouTubers promote the healthy eating boxes and share coupon codes for money off, but it is worth doing some more research. There is a huge community who would argue that organic food is no better for your health than any nonorganic food choices. Those who say organic food is better because it avoids using genetically modified organisms can be shut down due to the fact that GMOs aren’t actually bad for you. Genetic modification and cross
breeding has enabled scientists to make some great leaps in food such as seedless fruit, and there is no actual evidence in scientific studies that shows a difference in health benefits when eating organic versus non-organic food. Eating organic may not always be a good food choice as sadly some organic animals such as pigs and poultry have an increased number of parasites due to uncontrolled open areas. Furthermore, there have been regulations which have prevented bee colonies that are low on pollen from being fed with artificial pollen, and thus this has reduced the amount of bee welfare. Even with ‘health benefits’ due to supposed lack of pesticides in the food, organic foods do still use ‘natural’ pesticides, and these have also resulted in liver diseases in some areas such as France. There is research that suggests growing organically is not as beneficial for the environment as first thought. A report from the telegraph concluded that organic farms use 84% more land than non-organic farms. Recent research into organic farms in Sweden shows that if
they take more land and grow the same amount of organic food, this will actually increase the rate of deforestation and further cause detriment to the atmosphere. Organic peas farmed in Sweden had close to a 50% higher negative impact on the environment than non-organically farmed peas. I think it is about weighing up each side. Organic food is fresher due to the lack of preservatives and chemicals in the produce, however it means more land is needed for cultivation and this can be damaging to the environment. Organic farming is better for the actual land in terms of protecting the soil, conserving water, and using less energy, but organic doesn’t always mean pesticide free, and there is a high price tag put on items that still contain certain negative elements. It is important to conduct research into both sides and decide on the type of difference you are trying to make in the world. Organic food does have a huge appeal in today’s society and the future of science can only hope to solve some of the more difficult issues behind organic farming and make it an even better choice, both for our bodies, and the environment.
The annual festival returns between the 18th and 26th of October. Organised by the Forum in Norwich, nine days of talks and activities are planned around the city. Highlights include talks by Dr Jane Goodall and Prof Robert Winston. More information and tickets can be found at www.norwichsciencefestival. co.uk. Mali Hitchcock Brown
Plant Based Diet UEA is taking part in a Wellcome Trust initiative to aid understanding of a plant-based diet and to study diet-related illness. Directing the project is Prof Ian Clark from the School of Biological Science. The hope is that this study will help reduce the gap in nutritional expertise in the UK. Mali Hitchcock Brown
Dizziness monitor device passes first trial Researchers from UEA and the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) have conducted a trial collecting the largest amount of data of continuous rapid eye movements, aiming to speed up the diagnosis of causes of dizziness. This has lead to the development of a device to be used as a diagnostic tool. Laura Taylor
Tracking bees Research at UEA and the Earlham Institute has contributed to the development of a rapid analysis method called ‘Reverse Metagenomics’ which tracks where bees are choosing to pollinate, contributing to data which can help with their protection as they face the risk of further significant decline. Laura Taylor
Photo: Unsplash
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Lab-Grown Meat Exploration Monique Santoso Science Writer
Annually, 74 billion animals are slaughtered worldwide. Livestock makes up 80% of the Earth’s farmlands. The meat industry is responsible for 18% of the humancaused greenhouse gas emissions globally. To produce one kilogram of steak, 15 thousand litres of water is used. Besides the environmental setbacks of meat production, there is also a postulated 33% increase in the Earth’s population by 2030. This will a l s o
increase the global demand for meat. Can we keep up our meat production and be environmentally conscious? Lab-grown meat may have the answer. In 2013, Maastricht University Professor Mark Post exposed the public to the world’s first lab-made burger at a news conference in London. The dish earned promising reviews for its consistency and flavour. Made from bovine stem cells, its growth needed to be preserved in a sterile environment. While growing, the cells are provided with nutrients that
allow for their quick cell division, producing high-density meat before the addition of proteins. Then, the separation of muscle and fat cells take place before the slices are reassembled in correct proportions. The total cost of this process: £220,000 per slice. This discovery caught the eye of scientists and investors alike. Since 2013, the number of labs that began culturing meat has been on the rise. Billionaires Bill Gates and Richard Branson became minority stakeholders of Memphis Meats. Other labs include Aleph Farms, Integriculture and Mosa Meats, a company made by Professor Post. Perhaps what is most intriguing is how Aleph Farms, an Israeli foodtech incubator, managed to create “high-quality sustainable cellgrown meat,” in one month and cut costs to £40 per slice. The company promises the “same experience and same taste” to all their consumers without the guilt of animal slaughter. Despite t h e s e
costs, researchers who compare the production of cultured and conventional meat have found that production of one thousand
“Potential to protect endangered species” kilograms of cultured meat can lead to a 96% decrease in greenhouse emissions and water use and a 45% decrease in energy use. In this vein, lab-grown meat also has the potential to protect endangered species, minimize global trade for meat and increase meat quality by closely controlling the composition of fat and protein. The controlled conditions that they are manufactured in will ensure the absence of animalborne disease and pathogens like Salmonella and E.Coli. It would furthermore reduce
Photo: Unsplash
the use of pesticides in farming. However, the case for cultured meat does not end in only successes. More recent studies have found that despite the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) approval on the decrease in overall greenhouse emissions with the production of lab-grown meat, individual greenhouse gas concentrations, methane and carbon dioxide, is expected to increase due to the means of power generation that will be used to make this product in factories. Ethical questions have also risen from individuals who believe that animal stem cell extraction, like human stem cell extraction, does not alleviate animal suffering. To extract these cells, animals face an invasive technique as only the correct muscle tissue will do. Individuals from varying religious and dietary backgrounds have thus questioned the ethics behind labgrown meat. The current existence of soy, wheat gluten, and other plant-based meats, which sell at a lower cost in comparison to lab-grown meat, also means that the latter could have low consumer acceptability in addition to high competition. Ultimately, it will be up to you to decide if you choose to support this food trend, but until more research has been done and this meat meets the market, your burgers will be produced from farms, not labs.
Truths of the UK recycling industry Jess Scragg Science Writer
We are constantly being told of the importance of recycling and its environmental benefits, and the vast majority of us are worried about the overwhelming growth in use of plastics and do what we can to reduce, reuse and recycle. What actually happens to our rubbish when we throw it in the blue bin instead of the black one? Here are some common myths about
the UK’s recycling system, and the truths behind them: More energy gets used on recycling than making new products. Manufacturing products using recycled materials uses significantly less energy because the materials have already been refined and processed once, so the process is far less energy intensive the second time around. However, the amount of energy saved depends on the material, approximately a 95% saving for aluminium, 60% for paper, and
30% for plastics and glass. Products made of more than one material can’t be recycled. Though this may have once been the case, technologies have advanced and a wider range of products can be recycled than ever before. For example, when processing paper, magnets can be used to strip away staples and heating elements melt away adhesives. All recycling is good, even if it’s dirty. If recycling isn’t cleaned properly, it cannot be processed in a
recycling facility and can potentially contaminate an entire load, meaning more rubbish which could have been recycled is sent to landfill. Contaminants include greasy pizza boxes and used paper towels. Once used, the fibres can no longer be separated from the oils during the pulping process. If it’s dirty, put it in the general rubbish. By putting it in the blue bin you could do more harm than good! All paper is recyclable. Paper is always recyclable, but paper products are not. For
example, paper plates have different types of wax coatings and you need to check the labelling to see if they are compostable. There has also been growth in the popularity of recyclable paper cups lately, but for these to be recycled, facilities need to separate the cups’ thin petroleum plastic lining, which is what makes them waterproof, from the paper. This is often considered more trouble than it is worth, and gets scrapped with the rest of the rubbish. Photo: Unsplash
Travel
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How to manage your wanderlust Sam Hewitson Travel Editor
Most travellers have bucket lists, and if other travellers’ bucket lists are anything like mine, they are infinitely long. I have come to find that my bucket list has changed in nature over my years of wanting to explore, and in turn have realised there is an art to it. For reasons which I do not understand, I was stuck in the mentality of ticking countries off of my ‘list’ to then never need to return to them. It doesn’t make
“My bucket list has changed in nature over my years” any sense, does it? Eight of my family holidays since I was six have been to
the same destination, so my wanderlust meant that I felt the need to play catch up. Based on this preposterous theory of mine, because I went on a school trip to Lake Garda and Venice in Italy when I was nine, Italy was done with. Subsequently, I didn’t care about Rome, Pompeii, Florence or any of the other amazing places in Italy because I had already been to the country. Luckily, however, I have grown out of this ridiculous mindset. I have three scratch maps in my room; a world map, a cities checklist and a landmark and sights checklist, and as superficial as it is, these maps made me see the light. The cities map details 100 places worth visiting, and funnily enough, there are some countries that are repeated, because there are multiple places in each country worth visiting. Who knew? So, that leads to the question at hand. What is the best type of bucket list to keep? The definition of ‘best’, of course, is arbitrary, but in my opinion, any list that prevents a broad box-ticking mentality from
emerging can be considered effective. Basically, a deconstructed bucket list which transcends countries or regions. Categorise it instead by landmarks, cities, activities or
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
“My wanderlust meant that I felt the need to play catch up”
types of travel, or alternatively, a mix of all of the above, like mine? The things that are at the top of my bucket lists are to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, spend time in Rio de Janeiro, complete a European road trip and see Machu Picchu. I would rather have a longer and more specific bucket list that details all the exciting things I would be doing around the world, over simply listing the countries.
My bucket list above is much more interesting than ‘Tanzania, Brazil, Europe, Peru’ and so on. As an avid traveller, my bucket list is quite lengthy, and I am always adding to it. Breaking it down even further means it is longer and more
stacked with exciting potential trips, which I am certainly not complaining about. If you haven’t got a bucket list, use my advice and start one! Sorry in advance for any crippling wanderlust you may experience as a result.
Where does the 'bucket list' come from? Monique Santoso Travel Writer
What makes you get up in the morning when you know the end is near? This very question looms over Rob Reiner’s 2007 film The Bucket List. Set in the present-day United States, Carter Chambers (Morgan Freeman) and Edward Cole (Jack Nicholson) are two men diagnosed with terminal lung cancer who meet in the hospital ward. For fun, Chambers writes a 'bucket list,' a list of activities he wishes to do before he dies. The two then take a road trip, in hopes to cross out this list. Perhaps what is most intriguing about the term 'bucket list' is despite being popularized through the film, the credit goes to screenwriter Justin Zackham who had created his own list almost a decade prior, in 1999, and called it, 'Justin’s List of Things to Do Before I Kick the Bucket,' he later shortened it to 'Justin’s Bucket List.' There are claims that the phrase was coined prior to the film, but the Oxford English Dictionary found no evidence
supporting this theory. The undertones of death are in part because the phrase originated from the idiom “to kick the bucket.”
Photo: Pixabay Dating back to the Middle Ages, executions were performed by tying a noose around the prisoner’s neck, while they stood on an overturned bucket. The bucket was later kicked after the prisoner was hanged. Not quite the bucket list that Chambers and Cole pictured. The film’s success brought the
phrase into common parlance.
“My bucket list pushes my boundaries” Its natural and idiomatic sounds have entrenched the phrase into many travellers’ consciousness. Some imagine it as a wish list that fills up the bucket, giving the phrase a new metaphorical meaning. The idea behind the bucket list – places one wants to see, experiences one wishes to have, and successes one desires to accomplish before dying – has permeated into the mind of every adventure-seeker. So much so that there are now books that spur new desires and ambitions. From Victoria Ward’s The Bucket List: Places to Find Peace and Quiet to Richard Madden’s The Great British Bucket List, there exist numerous tools for filling one’s bucket list by examining the contents of another’s.
iPhone’s iWish app allows you to compile your list of life goals with a swipe of a finger their suggestions range from “Go White-Water Rafting” to “Staying in an Underwater Hotel.” Why do so many travellers keep a bucket list? To reflect on their hopes, the person they aspire to be, and the legacy they wish to leave. Doing so with an understanding that life is unpredictable, and that death is proximally inevitable can be a
sober reckoning for anyone. Nonetheless, making a bucket list gives me excitement and motivation. It helps me visualize my travel goals before starting them. My bucket list pushes my boundaries and inspires me to live outside my comfort zone by focusing on things that are important to me. Undoubtedly, compiling a bucket list and venturing out to do what is on them has the power to induce wonder for all those willing to see.
Photo: Pixabay
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'The Concrete Bucket List' One of the places at the top of my list to visit while I am on exchange in England for a year is Amsterdam. The one event that happens every year which I am dying to see is the light festival that takes place every year from the end of November till mid-December. You can take a boat down the canal and see all the beautiful light designs displayed along the river. I would love the chance to see the thousands of lighting designs that are carefully picked each year to thrill both locals and tourists alike.
Sophie Martin
Ever since I was a child, seeing the Northern Lights has been at the top of my bucket list. There is just something about the crackling noise and the vivid colours dancing across the night sky that promises magic and mystery in our otherwise mundane world. Since I hate being cold, what better place to hope for a glimpse of this spectacular natural phenomenon than from the comforts of a glass igloo in Northern Finland? Just you, a cosy blanket, and a cup of tea, while the Aurora Borealis performs right above you.
Linnea Kalnins
Japanese culture has always enamoured me and after a devastating trip a few years ago, my top bucket list item is to revisit the country for a month after university to visit all the sites I missed and more. Japan’s society is technological advanced, different and ultramodern yet one so intertwined in its tradition and heritage. I want to explore both of these dynamics from the deer park in Nara and geiko culture to real-life Mario Kart racing on the streets of Tokyo, sleeping in hotels ran completely by robots, and anime…can’t forget anime.
Persia Humphreys
Note graphics: Pixabay
Photo: Pixabay
The top of my travel bucket list is one of the most absurdly beautiful places in the world, with glorious rolling hills, rivers out of 18th century paintings, and mountains like from an overly priced water bottle advert. Lauterbrunnen feels like the last vestige of a time gone by, without all the bluster of modern life, but instead just a place where one can hike up to a beautiful cliff, observe the world as best as one can observe it and finally feel at peace. It is serenity in landscape form.
Matthew Branston
The destination currently at the top of my list is Bruges in Belgium, not just because one of my favourite films is set there, nor am I just swayed by the fact it is relatively close and therefore cheaper than my other dream destinations (student loans won’t cover a week in Borneo!). No, Bruges is ideal because it satisfies the old woman in me that loves history and all things old. With beautiful canals and stunning medieval architecture, I can’t think of a better place to spend a long weekend than stuffing my face with chocolate and drinking beer in a 15th century pub.
Martha Griffiths
The only time I have been to Croatia so far is on Tour with Netball at uni. It’s fair to say that I didn’t have a lot of time to see the sights and appreciate the culture, and I’m itching to go back. The city of Split is at the top of my list as the next place for me to visit. I can just imagine myself swimming in the Krka waterfalls and exploring Diocletian’s Palace and hopefully I'll have a cocktail in my hand for the majority of my stay too.
Jess Barrett
Photo: Roo Pitt
Completing the Abbott World Marathon Major series is my ultimate travel dream, not just because of the achievement of completing no less than six marathons and collecting a cool shiny medal, but because of the amazing destinations I get to travel to complete them. Having ticked off the famous sights of London before my first World Series marathon came to an end along The Mall. It’ll be onto Berlin next, then Chicago, Boston and New York. Finally, I plan to finish this journey off by taking in the breathtaking sights of Tokyo!
Roo Pitt
Sport
8th October 2019
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The UEA swim team is ready for action Jamie Hose Sport Editor
I’ve been swimming competitively as part of a club for almost 12 years now. I’m the longest-running member of my club back home, and I decided to continue my involvement in the sport by joining the UEA team last year. I’m a massive fan of the sport. Like athletics, swimming is more of an individual sport, which allows you to work by setting yourself goals and working towards them. As your personal best times come down, it helps motivate you to work even harder. Truly, it is a sport where your main adversary is yourself! As well as that, in my opinion, there is no sport quite like swimming. It combines strength and fitness with an emphasis on technique. I’ve been involved with swimming as a sport, not just from the perspective of a competing swimmer, but also as a coach and a teacher. The insight it has given me into the importance of good technique is invaluable, and has broad applications in everything from playing a musical instrument to using good grammar. (You’ll probably check through my work to hold me to account on that now!) Starting back at university after a summer of training back home, I’m once again ready for what the
Photo: UEA Swim Team team has in store this semester. Last year was the most successful year for UEA swimming on record. We had some amazing performances at BUCS, and it was the first time we made the finals at the BUCS teams meet. If that wasn’t good enough, every single one of our relay teams made it into the finals. It truly was a special year for the
UEA swim team. Hopefully, the new team, bolstered by a healthy intake of freshers, will be able to continue, and possibly even advance upon, the achievements we made last year. New year, new coach. This year, we’re delighted to have Lewis Smith, who has previously worked with the City of Norwich Swimming Club, and is looking forward to working
with the team to get the best out of all our swimmers. Swimming doesn’t have the same number of competitions every year as, say, football or hockey, but the ones we do have are biggies. Coming up this semester we’ve got the first round of BUCS from the 15th-17th November. It’s a three-day weekend away to Ponds Forge in Sheffield, and often
includes at least one official team meal together, as well as a quick trip to Spoons after the racing is all done. It’s only 45 days away now, so we’re getting the new swimmers settled into their squads and getting ready to start working hard and getting ourselves back in shape for the season ahead.
Seasonal excitement for UEA Hockey Bronwen Brown Sport Senior Writer
With the start of a new semester comes the start of a brand new season for the UEA Hockey Club, and what an exciting season it is going to be! Whether you have been playing since you were two years old or have never seen a hockey stick before, UEA HC is more than happy to welcome you with open arms. Over Freshers’ week there have
“I have a great squad and some brilliant new players” been so many opportunities to get involved and the turnout was
incredible. The two welcome sessions saw so many new players come in, of all abilities and all ages. UEA HC is one of the biggest sport clubs on campus, and with over 120 members, five women’s teams and four men’s teams, there is plenty of opportunity to play for all of our members. After such a wonderful turnout of freshers, the club continues to grow! However, it is not all about training and playing matches. There are socials every week for both the men’s and women’s teams to get involved with. Last year, there were team socials, mixed socials and full club socials meaning everyone can get to know each other whilst having a good old boogie in the LCR. This year, we have a whole new committee including brand new captains for all the teams. Phoebe Sowerby, the Ladies’ 3s captain, commented, “I’m really excited to be the ladies 3xi captain this year as I have a great squad and some brilliant new players coming in!”
She went on to say, “Being captain in a club like UEA HC is fantastic because the support from both team mates and others in the club is always there and there is never a dull moment. UEA HC is a great club to join as
“It feels like you are part of a family”
it feels like you are part of a family!” We are always looking for new members to join this incredible club. If you like the sound of it, please come along to our training sessions: The women’s teams train from 6-7pm on Mondays, and 5-6:30pm on Fridays. The men’s team also train on a Monday, but a bit later, from 8-10pm, as well as on a Tuesday from 5-7pm. Here’s to a wonderful new year of hockey!
Photo: UEA Hockey Team
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UEA Polo - stop horsing around! Sophie Varawalla Sport Writer
Hockey on horses; that’s the best way to explain what polo is. With two sets of reins in one hand, and a stick or mallet in the other, teams of three or four gallop around enclosed arenas or ten-acre outdoor pitches in an attempt to score goals. Polo is a contact, mixed gender team sport where one gets to ride highly trained, incredibly skilled polo ‘ponies’ in fast paced sevenminute chukkas (which, for anyone who doesn’t know, are smaller parts of matches, kind of like quarters in a game of American Football). UEA polo is a team of people passionate about this unique sport. Some of us were experienced riders before we started playing, whilst some of us had never even sat on a horse before. I know polo is stereotypically a “gentleman’s” or “rich person’s” sport but we hope to make it obvious that this is far from the case. We all come from different walks of life, but all of us share a love for the amazing community we are now a part of. Most people who join have
never tried this sport before, but from our tasters in September and October up to February, we are all playing at national level when we take part in winter SUPA (Schools and Universities Polo Association).
Winter SUPA is the biggest polo competition in the world, where universities all over the UK take part in competitive arena polo. Last year was our best year yet, coming 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th in the
four categories we took part in. Our team is incredibly lucky to train at MHF polo school in the winter and Silverleys polo club in the summer, where we are trained by professional polo players.
Photo: takethatphoto
first year? feeling lost? we’re here for you join the buddy scheme at uea.su/buddysu
Lessons are filled with determination and excitement as we learn to master the many shots and tactics of the sport. Hitting a perfect full backhand is always satisfying! Learning how to work as a team and to put a lot of trust in the ponies is the key to getting the full enjoyment out of this historic game. Unlike many sports at university level, our training schedule is extremely flexible. Anyone can train as much or as little as they like, depending on their schedule or desire to play. We also train alongside Kent and Essex University, allowing us to form combined teams, and even more friendships. Though we all enjoy the thrill of a chukka, we also love to just be part of this little family. You’ll often see us on a sports night belting out Country Roads, playing laser tag, or just grabbing a bite to eat and a drink (or two) in the SU bar - or somewhere fancier. With our Christmas ball (combined with the Equestrian team), a trip to the races, and a wine & cheese night coming up in this semester already, you’ll always be having fun with UEA polo. University is the perfect place to take the opportunity to play this brilliant sport.
24
8th October 2019
Sport
If you can’t enjoy sports without injecting politics, you need to chill out Jamie Hose Sport Editor
The debate surrounding political signage at sports events was thrust into the public eye at the end of last month after Major League Soccer decided to include the Iron Front in a list of banners prohibited on the grounds of representing a political third party. Banners, here, is the important word. MLS has said that political insignia in general is usually accepted on items of personal clothing, but not on banners or flags. The sports institution has similarly justified the displaying of pride flags, as well as the stars and stripes, because they do not represent a specific political movement. For those who are unaware, the Iron Front is a symbol which was originally used by anti-fascist protest groups in Nazi Germany, and was banned in 1933. These days, it has become almost synonymous with the group
Antifa, which is often linked to outbreaks of violence at protests and counter-protests with an antifascist objective. The decision was originally
“You need to... chill out and learn to just enjoy the game” made after the flag was flown at a Portland Timbers game, resulting in the club telling fans the decision to display the flag would no longer be allowed. This has since sparked outrage from some fans, as well as launching the social media movement #AUnitedFront. Even though we watch these events unfolding on the other side of the pond, as it were, it raises the question of whether sports events are an appropriate place of political
campaigning, which is a debate that can be applied right down to university level. My gut reaction tells me that if you are going to a sporting event in order to conduct a political campaign, you might be wasting your time. The majority of people at the game are there to watch the match and support their team. It is an opportunity to switch off from external issues, including politics. I can also see a practical application of a ban on political messages. If certain rival groups both attend matches flying their own flags, the likelihood of hostilities, and possible physical escalation is increased. At the same time, the argument still stands that it counts as censorship. My personal verdict on the Iron Front is that it was an appropriate decision for MLS to ban that particular sign. In early August, the management team for the Seattle Sounders listed Antifa alongside American far-right
groups, Patriot Prayer and the Proud Boys, and the Timbers released an official statement explaining that the insignia is often connected with “violence at protests or counter protests.” If a particular group associates itself with frequent scuffles and trouble-making, then I think it is only fair that flags or insignia associated with that movement should be banned.
“It should have been banned for different reasons” It’s known as consequences. To address the broader question of whether politics in general has a place at sporting events, I feel that in a free democracy, people should have the right to express their opinions anywhere, including in the context of sports matches.
I personally don’t see the need for it, but obviously some people do. I understand the position of MLS, and I don’t think their decision was motivated by any agenda beyond trying to reduce hostility at soccer matches, which are already a place where tempers can easily get out of hand. The compromise they found, by admitting political insignia on items of clothing, just not on flags or banners, is also reasonably moderate, in my opinion. Even so, I do believe that politics, even though it doesn’t really have a place in sport, should not be excluded from sporting events, so even though I think the Iron Front is probably not appropriate at a soccer match, I would have argued it should be banned for different reasons than those given by MLS. That is, for being a group that is known for causing trouble. I believe that if you can only enjoy a game of sports whilst flashing your political affiliations for everyone to see, you need to take some time to chill out and learn to just enjoy the game.
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