Concrete 365

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7 May 2019 Issue 365

The official student newspaper of the University of East Anglia | concrete-online.co.uk

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News:

Bursaries for new students cut by up to £500

of £3,000 to £2,500 and £1,800 to £1,300 respectively. Students with household incomes between £16,000 and £20,000 will News Editor see their expected amount reduced from £1,000 to £800.

A number of students currently receiving bursaries have Bursaries will be reduced by as much as £500 for next year’s expressed their disappointment at the decision. cohort, despite the continuing rise in student living costs such as accomodation and food.

Continued on Care leavers and students with household incomes of less than £16,000 will be hit the hardest, with £500 reductions

Shannon McDonagh

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Features:

Concrete interview Clive Lewis "Do I still think I can think things through in a racist, sexist way? Yes I do. It's a constant struggle."

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Comment:

‘Extinction Rebellion is flawed’ Climate change is a national emergency that needs solving.

But what’s protesting outside an empty parliament over Easter going to do?

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7th May 2019

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Editorial Photo: Sophie Bunce

Why you should do student journalism Matt Nixon Deputy Editor

Time to hand over the screaming baby Sophie Bunce Editor-in-Chief

If we’ve spoken in the last month you’ll have heard me say the phrase; ‘It’s time to hand over the screaming baby.’ While I am not a mother (thank god) Concrete has felt like my child. A difficult child who refuses to put on their wellies when it’s raining and makes me miss friends’ birthdays. But when kids start to smile, mothers forget why they were ever annoyed - and lately Concrete has been beaming.

In the last month, Concrete was shortlisted for eight national SPA awards, won Highly Commended for Best Design, and featured on the BBC Today Programme.

Congratulations to Jess Barrett, Matthew Nixon, Chloe Howcroft, and Roo Pitt for their SPA nominations - I am deliriously proud. We were asked by Justin Webb, host of the BBC Radio 4 show (I’ll stop humble bragging now), why we do what we do? This is a question I have often asked myself - particularly during weeks that I’ve spent more time in the media office than my own home.

I’ve sometimes struggled to recall why I signed up for this job - feeling far from the bright-eyed first year who pinned her first byline onto her cork board in Norfolk Terrace even though her name was spelt wrong.

Shout out to Sophie Bruce. But the

truth is, journalism, and yes even student journalism, matters. It holds the university, the SU, and everyone else to account, sharing the voices of those who would otherwise go unheard.

This year our work has made a tangible change on campus.

Thanks to my team, we have found a vulnerable student a home.

Broken exclusives on The Executive Team claiming ‘luxury’ expenses.

Developed the discussion of mental health on campus. Challenged exam cheats. Informed everyone that the ‘suspicious package’ on the number 25 bus was just a deep fat fryer. It doesn't all have to be big news for it to have an impact.

While I love everyone patting me on the back, I do not, and could not do Concrete alone. My name is on the metaphorical masthead (for now) but every issue is the work of vibrant, selfless volunteers. Our final issue is no different. Our front page

by News Editor Shannon discusses bursaries, announcing they ‘will be reduced by as much as £500 for next year’s cohort of students, despite student living costs such as accomodation and food continuing to rise.’ Her reporting this year has brought the issues that students care about to the forefront of the university agenda. I hope this article does the same and the university listens to the words of students in the article.

Also in this issue, find an interview with Clive Lewis by

That’s it! The final issue of Concrete for this year and for our current editorial team is done. Layed-up, printed, and now in your hands, I have no choice but to let it go from mine.

I remember in February of first year having thought to myself ‘damn, I should probably write something for the student newspaper while at uni,’ and then getting hooked. Never would I have imagined the changes this paper would see or the impact it would go on to make - or even that I would get so excited by getting bylines that I would eventually become deputy editor.

I’ve just finished reading Sophie’s editorial and it’s safe to say I’m feeling emotional as I remember all that this paper has done.

The last three years here at Concrete have defined a huge part of my experience at UEA, and massive thanks must go out to everyone who makes this possible.

Thanks to the entire Concrete team, who this year have made the paper better than it has ever been, and who I’m sure will go on to do wonderful things whether that’s still in this paper or in the next stage of their lives.

I’m sad to leave my position, but I’m excited to see what incredible directions Concrete will go in over the next few years. I’ve no doubt that we’re leaving the paper in excellent hands.

As a final note to anyone who might be wondering why they should get involved with student journalism: at Concrete I’ve made some of the most brilliant friends, gained from some of the most amazing opportunities, and covered the most important stories on campus to expose truths and hold people to account.

Whether you know exactly what you’re doing after graduation or not, I hope your time at UEA has been as rewarding and fulfilling as mine has been thanks to Concrete.

Deputy Editor Matthew Nixon and Comment Editor Chris Matthews on page 10. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Clive (I’d like to think we’re on a first name basis) a couple of times now. Once through Concrete and the other when he was door knocking for Labour and happened to knock on my front door. He talked to my housemate about her love life for about ten minutes, the poor guy, and seemed far from the MP I feared he had become last year when footage emerged of him saying ‘get on your knees bitch’. My favourite pull quote from the interview is ‘Do I still think that I can think things through in a sexist, racist way? Yes I do.’ Read the interview to hear why.

A lot has happened in the two years I’ve run Concrete - my biggest achievement is getting rid of the blue in the logo. Sorry, ex-editors, I really hate navy. But the essence of the paper is the same as it has concrete-online.co.uk been for the past 28 years. We work as a community. Go to post pub pub on a Tuesday at 7pm in red bar (see you there this week) and Concrete_UEA celebrate our wins as a team - some of us at the York SPAs celebrated themselves into quite the hangover.

Whether motivated by vanity, the concreteuea truth, selfishness, or the good of the student community, Concrete is not an easy job. I would like to thank every writer and editor, I have been lucky to have you all. Thank you concrete_UEA for sharing your stories, giving me your time. I hope you got what you wanted from it. I certainly did.

Front page: Matt Nixon

The University of East Anglia’s Official Student newspaper since 1992 Tuesday 7th May 2019 Issue 365 Union House University of East Anglia Norwich NR4 7TJ 01603 593466 www.concrete-online.co.uk

Editor-in-Chief Sophie Bunce concrete.editor@uea.ac.uk Deputy Editor Matt Nixon concrete.deputy@uea.ac.uk Online Beth Bacon concrete.online@uea.ac.uk News Shannon McDonagh Senior Writer: Jake Morris concrete.news@uea.ac.uk Global Global Editor: George Goldberg Senior Writer: Jake Morris concrete.global@uea.ac.uk Features Features Editors: Chloe Howcroft and Mia Shah Senior Writer: Jess Barrett concrete.features@uea.ac.uk Comment C. E. Matthews concrete.comment@uea.ac.uk Science Science Editor: Anna Jose Senior Reporter: Hannah Brown concrete.scienv@uea.ac.uk Travel Amy Newbery concrete.travel@uea.ac.uk Sport Spot Editor: Tony Allen Senior Writer: Meyzi Adoni concrete.sport@uea.ac.uk Chief Copy-Editors Holly Purdham Izzy Voice concrete.copy@uea.ac.uk Social Media Beth Bennett

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, Sophie Bunce. 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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7th May 2019

concrete-online.co.uk/category/news/ | @Concrete_UEA

Bursaries for new students cut by up to £500 Shannon McDonagh News Editor

Continued from front page One student, who wished to remain anonymous, said ‘I was granted a means based bursary which renews every year according to student finance. I am eligible for this because my mother doesn’t work due to her disability. On top of this I cannot ask her for money because she has filed for bankruptcy.

"Knowing I had the bursary was really comforting - I could use it for emergencies" ‘I often have to pay her bills and food for her, until she can pay me back. The money that I get from the bursary pays for just under half of my rent (which doesn’t not include bills, food or extras).

'In previous years I have always chosen to have this paid into my bank account so that if something goes wrong I can use this money for emergencies and work out rent later.’

They continued: ‘The university cutting £500 from bursaries will mean students are not getting vital help they need to pay their rent, bills, travel costs or any other expenses they may have. This money is something that students rely on to tackle the stress of having to work multiple jobs just to get by’.

Research by student housing charity Unipol and the National Union of Students (NUS) in December 2018 found the average price of student accommodation in the UK jumped by nearly a third in the last six years.

A representative for UEA said: ‘UEA’s overall spending on widening participation has increased but less of it is being spent directly on bursaries because there is little evidence bursaries have any demonstrable effect.’

However another student described the bursary as a ‘financial safety blanket’ they rely on.

‘I know student bank accounts get overdrafts but I was always worried about going into mine, so knowing I had the bursary was really comforting - I could use it for emergencies if I needed to,’ they said.

‘I'd be a lot more stressed and worried if I didn't have that money to fall back on, as I couldn't ask my parents for any extra money because they barely have any themselves.’

In March 2018 the University’s Widening Participation Committee (WPC), including the UEASU sabbatical officers, approved the Access and Participation Plan to focus on activities that have a measurable impact on supporting under-represented groups get to university and succeed.

"The money that I get from the bursary pays for just under half of my rent."

The committee agreed the revised eligibility criteria and amounts for bursaries for 2019/20 entry at that meeting.

One student said she feared the decision would affect the academic participation of new students, especially for ‘academic studies like going on field trips and for society memberships thar allow for socializing.

Photo: Matt Nixon ‘Bursaries can help with everything from the weekly food shop to lowering accommodation or even course fees. I think this shows how universities are becoming more business like’.

According to the University, evidence suggests that nationally, bursaries have little impact on supporting underrepresented students in accessing higher education or successfully completing their studies.

'The Office for Students was clear universities should only continue to offer bursaries where they could

prove impact on widening access or participation.'

The university spokesperson went on to say ‘the University’s WPC did agree to maintain bursaries being part of our Access and Participation Plan investment but to target this even further at the most in-need students and reallocate remaining budget towards more active support for underrepresented students.

‘That budget has been used to bring in dedicated members of staff based in Faculties, Study Abroad Office, Student Support Services

and Careers, support for SU Buddy Scheme, and other transition activities, and development of peer support mental health schemes.’

The spokesperson confirmed the changes to bursaries only apply to new entrants at UEA, and will not affect any current students who (as long as eligible) will continue on the previous bursary scheme.

‘If any student faces unexpected financial pressures, they should contact Student Support Services for information about The Access to Learning Fund (ALF) or UEA Hardship Fund’.

Comment Box: "Why do students need to wrestle for the same stale pot of money?"

Kasper Norén Comment Writer

When the university announced increased funding for mental health support, students and staff rejoiced.

Some, however, worried about where the extra money would be found, and now the bursary page has quietly listed reduced amounts and revised eligibility criteria for students starting in September.

The irony is that workingclass students are more likely to experience mental health problems than their wealthier peers, so we end up paying for our own support directly – and it’s costing us each £500 a year.

As a student from a low-income background, I know that it feels

overwhelming to be surrounded by people who have had a better start in life – to whom your own experiences are alien. It’s easy to feel inadequate due to your financial situation and to feel like maybe, just maybe, you shouldn’t be here after all. Lower expectations of you held by society start to eat away at your self-esteem and sometimes you start to let it affect how you perform. My kind of people don’t go to university, you think. My kind of people can’t do well, you think.

Working-class students are often deterred from applying to university due to stereotypes and expectations. And for those of us who make it, we face the daunting prospect of supporting ourselves: we find ourselves spending a disproportionate amount of time

thinking about how to get by; planning meals on revision cards; spending more hours working jobs than in classes; dividing our budgets by the week; cancelling plans which involve paying for buses, and by the time we know we can manage it’s time to go to sleep.

The budgets of working-class students work against them, hindering their chances in education and in life, and so many are also juggling university work with exhausting and demanding jobs, supporting dependants, mental and physical health issues and even the threat of homelessness.

The bursary has been a lifeline for many of us, but for others it isn’t enough. I have met far too many students who budget relentlessly and still end up buried deep in their

overdraft. When it reaches that stage, living comfortably seems hopeless, and many students find themselves forced to drop out.

"Those who hold the power are not interested in investing in our futures" The university’s response to the bursary changes stating that ‘there is little evidence bursaries have any demonstrable effect’ is a shamefully pathetic excuse for a cruel attack on

the most disadvantaged students.

We see the evidence surrounding us, and it’s the difference between our friends thriving academically and sleeping through classes to avoid needing food. It’s seeing them return happy after the occasional trip home instead of knowing they’re locked behind their bedroom doors. It’s a full kitchen cupboard versus an empty one.

This is a systematic reminder that those who hold the power are not interested in investing in our futures, and it is a disgusting reflection of the classist society in which we live. UEA needs to do more for us all, and different vulnerable groups shouldn’t have to wrestle for the same stale pot of money.

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7th May 2019

News

UEA falls out of top 20 in national rankings

Photo: John Lord

Jake Morris News Reporter

UEA has lost its place as a top 20 UK university in the recently published 2020 Complete University Guide.

Coming in at 21st place, UEA has fallen by seven positions from

it’s previous ranking of 14th in the 2019 Guide.

This is the first time since the 2013 Guide that UEA has failed to reach the top 20.

The Complete University Guide rankings are based on an overall score calculated from factors including student satisfaction and

research quality, with UEA scoring lower on entry requirements and graduate prospects compared to similarly ranked competitors.

This 2020 guide sees Cambridge University maintain pole position, with Oxford University in second place.

Both Glasgow and Edinburgh

Universities have seen a significant jump up the rankings placing them both within the top 20 universities in the UK. The Guide still places UEA ahead of leading Russell Group Universities including York, Newcastle and King’s College London.

News in brief:

Future of PMB remains uncertain In a statement released with just two weeks notice prior to the event, UEA SU confirmed that Pimp My Barrow 2019 has been cancelled. The event attracts over 2000 students, raising in excess of £10,000 for The Big C each year, a cancer charity based in Norfolk.

UEA SU cited safety reasons for cancelling PMB, stating that ‘the event has grown to a size … that has become unsafe’.

The SU went on to reassure students that ‘in reality [this] is a break from PMB whilst we spend some time working … to reimagine the event and get it right again’.

They added, ‘We hope to be able to bring PMB back in 2020’.

Within an hour of the announcement, students set up an alternative Facebook event ‘PMB 2.0’, which was later diffused following police involvement with its organisers. Over 3000 marked themselves interested or going, with plans for the event to take place in Earlham Park.

The organisers of the event said they were ’in contact with the Students Union, in attempt to work alongside to create an alternative event. Due to the response this has gotten we feel there could be some hope, for something to work.’

UEA SU have been contacted for comment on their plans to coordinate an alternative event to raise money for The Big C and their reasons for giving students limited notice on it’s cancellation.

However, at the time of publication are yet to respond.

Roo Pitt

Extinction Rebellion action continues throughout the city Laura Taylor News Reporter

Climate change protest group Extinction Rebellion (XR) have continued with actions to change climate policy in Norwich following the premature conclusion of their London protests.

In the London protests, around 1 0 0

members of Norwich XR were in the Parliament square group, including former Norfolk County Councillor Andrew Boswell.

Boswell said the idea of t h e

action is that ‘if people are arrested others step in and take their place’ in an attempt to ‘keep the action going for as long as possible’, which ended up being ten days.

However, Norwich Green

Party candidate Jamie Osborn contradicted this, saying ‘being arrested is not an ideal situation…

It’s not what we’re setting out to do’.

Concrete reported at the time of the event that in total there were six Norwich activists among the total of 1100 arrests.

Norfolk Constabulary also sent forces to London to assist with policing duties whilst the Metropolitan Police were handling protest related incidents.

Shortly after leaving the London protests, activists resumed work in Norwich, staging a ‘die-in’ outside the Forum on the 27 April. This was designed to symbolise the ‘sixth mass extinction’.

XR Norwich spokesperson James Harvey said ‘The catastrophic impacts of the climate and ecocide emergency will be felt within our lifetimes. We need government and business to act now. The clock is ticking. This is an emergency.’

XR members in Kings Lynn have set out to educate children about the dangers of climate change on Earth Day. Members dressed up as animals to invite questions from local

children, which they used to spread awareness among the younger generation.

"We are an endangered group of organisms, because of habitat change and cimate change" Dr Edwin Salter, a former scientist dressed as a penguin said ‘We are an endangered group of organisms, because of habitat change and climate change.

All the way from the Galapagos to the Antarctic we're in trouble’.

A departure from XR’s normal action, the day involved movie screenings, activities and workshops.

XR also staged a ‘critical mass’ bike ride around Norwich, aiming to highlight how cyclists have a right

to use the roads.

This was in an effort to promote sustainable transport and travel, and make a statement about what should be done. XR Norwich plan to make these bike rides a regular event in order to raise the profile of the group in the city.

XR have repeatedly called for Norwich City Council to declare a climate emergency; however, they have fallen short of this, acknowledging a climate emergency but not declaring one, as North Norfolk District Council officially did on the 23 April.

We are also nearing closer to the trial date of Robert Possnett , who was charged with a public order offence following the 12 February protests at County Hall, on the 12 and 13 of June.

Possnett’s charging was accompanied by protesters who applauded him from the public viewing gallery before posing for photographs.

To get involved with XR’s action in Norwich, join the XR Norwich or XR UEA Facebook page.

You can also head along to one of their meetings, on a Tuesday at UEA or a Thursday in the city for more information.

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7th May 2019

News

Norwich City Football Club Mock GE results reveal UEA's promoted to Premier League voting intention News in brief:

Kate Hicks, representative of UEA Labour Students, has won the UEA Mock General Election 2019 with a substantial majority of 54.7 percent.

After two days of polling before the Easter break, the organisers of the Mock Election announced via their Facebook page that UEA’s Labour Student representative had received the majority of the 225 votes cast.

The UEA Conservative Association candidate Thomas Sheppard came second with 27.6 percent of the vote, and UEA Liberal Democrat representative Samuel Bruce received 16.00 percent.

Bryan Theo Mfladhi News Reporter

After a three season absence from the Premier League, Norwich City Football Club gained promotion back into the Premier League after a narrow 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers in front of their home fans at Carrow Road.

"Most fans have labelled this one of the best

"It was a brilliant

seasons ever" This was the first time since 1960 that the club celebrated promotion in front of their home fans. Promotion was secured after goals from Mario Vrancic and Marco Stiepermann guaranteed their return to the top flight.

The Canaries, as they are called by their fans, came into the game after four draws on the trot and many fans were anxious that they may stumble right at the finishing line. Their successful campaign this year comes after a shaky 14th place

experience

Photos: (BG) Martin Thirkettle.

(FG) Zak Nelson, Wikimedia Commons. finish from last year.

This year though, with a game remaining at print, the local club was placed first with one game remaining, and at least a draw or anything but a win for Sheffield United in position 2 enough for them to clinch the title.

The club has been lead from the

Photos: Ben Little

push for change front by their Finnish Striker, Teemu Pukki, whom they signed as a free agent and now leads the goal scorers charts with 28 goals and 9 assists, an unprecedented performance. Most fans have labelled this season as one of Norwich’s best, with the team prospering as their loathed East Anglian adversaries, Ipswich Town,

have been relegated to League One serving as a double victory for the Canaries. The winning side will parade through the city centre on Bank Holiday Monday, 6 May, starting from the City Hall at 9am and ending close to the Wig and Pen pub while moving via Red Lion Street and Castle Meadow.

Late term scans key to reducing caesareans, joint UEA and Cambridge research reveals Jess Barrett News Reporter

UEA and the University of Cambridge have conducted research that shows that the numbers of caesareans sections could be reduced by thousands every year by scanning later in pregnancy.

"Routine scanning could prevent 15,000 undiagnosed

for the baby’s position to change before going into labour, making the pregnancy safer. This procedure is called an external cephalic version, where the obstetrician places pressure on the abdomen and pushes the baby out of the breech position. The research team performed ultrasounds on 3,879 women in England having their first child at 36 weeks into their pregnancy.

T h e system currently in place is a

physical check, the midwife feels the bump to establish the position of the foetus. Hospitals currently offer two ultrasound scans during

pregnancy in the first and second trimesters. Depending of the health of the baby more ultrasounds may be offered. The new research supporting scans during the final trimester conducted by UEA and the University of Cambridge could save the NHS money as well as reducing the amount of complications.

Dr Ed Wilson from UEA’s health economics group stated, ‘We estimate that UK-wide routine scanning could prevent 15,000 undiagnosed breech positions, more than 4000 emergency caesarean sections and between seven and eight baby deaths per year.’

breech positions" Research suggests that having a routine ultrasound at 36 weeks could reduce the number of caesarean sections performed by helping to detect babies in the breech position, further reducing complications during labour. Diagnosing the breech positions at 36 weeks into the pregnancy allows enough time

allowing us to

Photo: Tim Bish, Unsplash

at UEA" The Mock Election was run by the three political societies in collaboration with the School of Politics, Philosophy and Language with the aim of increasing student engagement in politics.

The candidates’ manifestos were specific to student-based policies.

The election results were in stark contrast to the UK’s 2017 General Election, which saw the Conservatives and Labour receive 42.4 and 40.0 percent respectively, with the Lib Dems polling at 7.4 percent.

54% 27% 19% Hicks, a third year history student, will now have the opportunity to present her student policy based mandate to local politicians. She said, ‘it was a brilliant experience allowing us to push for change at UEA. I am currently utilising the mandate from students to help change the culture and support structures for those with mental health problems and make the university act radically on climate change.’

Organisers of the Mock Election said, ‘we were delighted with the turnout and would like to thank all students who took part in this democratic exercise.’

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7th May 2019

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News Plans to refurbish science lecture theatres submitted Matthew Nixon Deputy Editor

The university has submitted plans to Norwich City Council hoping to refurbish two science lecture theatres within the teaching wall.

Plans say that the university are intending to ‘refresh’ the lecture theatres within the science block of the Grade II listed teaching wall building.

Listed buildings are considered nationally important and therefore have extra legal protection within the planning system, meaning plans to alter or develop the building can be difficult to obtain.

However, if the Council approve the plans,

the building will see work to replace its existing walls, seating and carpets.

According to the Eastern Daily Press, it is understood that some teaching would be moved into ‘temporary accommodation’ as the building project takes place.

The developments of the science lecture theatres come as part of a £250m investment by the university into campus.

The investment will be made over the next 15 years and hopes to ensure campus’ teaching facilities are fit for the 21st century.

Other investments include a £31m teaching and learning building, refurbishment of the main walkways and the third phase of Earlham Hall’s refurbishment.

Photo: N Chadwick, Geograph

Union announces nominees for Teaching Excellence Awards Jake Morris News Reporter

The SU has announced the nominations for the Transforming Education Awards 2019 with the winners set to be announced in an event on 13 May. The annual awards are an opportunity for students to nominate both academic and support staff who have made a significant positive impact on the university experience of a student or UEA as a whole. The winners will be decided by a student panel selected by the SU. Last year saw a record number of nominees, with over 450 staff members recognised in categories including Advisor of the Year, Most Inspiring Teaching Award and Support Staff Member of the Year. The SU said , ‘this year we want to thank even more of the UEA community than last year on your behalf!’

Whilst the awards typically recognise staff, some categories, such as Course Representative of the Year, focus on the commitment

of students to improve their peers’ academic experience.

A total of 16 awards will be given, with an additional four awards added including Academic Society Partnership Award to recognise the best collaboration between academic school and student society, and a School of the Year Award with the Schools of Economics, Environmental Science and Biological Sciences nominated.

The 2018 ceremony saw the introduction of the Vice Chancellor's

Award recognising the ‘best of the best of the winners at the event.’

Last year’s recipient, Juliet Harrison (HSC), said ‘I really believe in my students and that they can be fantastic so I set quite high goals as a teacher and I expect them to get there.’

The full list of nominations was announced on the SU website. They said, ‘we’d like to thank you for submitting such wonderful words about staff that have impacted you at UEA!’

recognising the incredible students and groups at uea you’re invited to celebrate success on thursday 16th may 18.30 - 23.30 get your ticket at uea.su/stars

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CONGRATULATIONS TO UEA FOR 7 IN A ROW! Thank you to sports teams, staff, volunteers and the media collective for another fantastic year.

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Global

7th May 2019

Sri Lanka Easter attacks leave 253 dead Bryan Theo Mfhaladi Global Writer

On Easter Sunday, 21 April 2019, a group of nine men bombed churches and hotels, killing 253 and injuring some 500 people in Sri Lanka. Most of the victims were Sri Lankans but at least 38 foreigners are among the dead including B r i t i s h , Danish, Indian a n d

US citizens. The attacks are Sri Lanka’s deadliest act of violence since the end of the 26-year civil war in 2009.

At around 9 am, six blasts took place within a short period of time around the country. Three were at churches - in the Kochchikade district of the capital, Colombo; toward the north in Negombo and in Batticaloa in the East. The other three were at the Shangri-La, Cinnamon Grand and Kingsbury hotels in Colombo. Two more explosions happened later at Dehiwala in southern Colombo and another one in Dematagoda during a police raid. On Monday, another blast happened near a church in the capital as police were trying to

Photo: Wikipedia Commons

defuse it in a vehicle of the attackers.

“The Foreign Commonwealth Office has advised against all but essential travel to Sri Lanka” All but one of the men can be seen with their faces covered, with some holding knives. Two of the bombers were the sons of spice trader Mohammad Yusuf Ibrahim from Colombo. Their father has been arrested and is now in custody.

His daughter-in-law detonated explosives during a police raid at the family’s villa on Sunday to avoid arrest.

Several children and police officers were reportedly

killed during that blast. One of the attackers, Abdul Latif Jamil Mohammed visited south-east England in 2006 to study. The suspected ringleader is Zahran Hashim, who founded but was later expelled, the National Thowheed Jamath.

He blew himself up at a hotel in Colombo. The Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility for the bombings, also releasing a video where Hashim, who was one of the suicide bombers, swore allegiance to IS. IS also said ‘members of the US-led coalition and Christians in Sri Lanka’ had been targeted.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has advised against all but essential travel to Sri Lanka due to the current evolving security situation following the attacks.

Photo: Wikipedia Commons

Murder of journalist Lyra McKee during Derry rioting Katie Tsappas Global Writer

On 18 April, Lyra McKee was fatally shot during rioting in the Creggan area of Derry. McKee was a journalist from Northern Ireland who frequently wrote about The Troubles. McKee had attended the scene to research the dangers of frontline journalism and was due to speak at an Amnesty International event the following month about reporting on the conflict.

“The Irish News published an article claiming that the “New IRA“ had admitted responsibility for the killing” The 29-year-old journalist was well known for her 2014 publication ‘Letter to my 14-year-old self’ where she described the challenges of growing up gay in Belfast and was turned into a critically acclaimed short film. McKee’s notable articles about The Troubles included ‘Suicide of the Ceasefire Babies’, which detailed teenage suicides linked to the conflict.

McKee was shot while observing

rioting in the Creggan area of Derry, Northern Ireland. Ahead of the Easter Rising commemorative parades, violence broke out after police raids on people they believed to be carrying weapons. People threw petrol bombs and burnt two vehicles, and police said that a gunman then fired up to twelve shots at police officers. McKee, who was standing next to a police vehicle, was wounded in the head and later died in hospital.

McKee’s funeral took place at St Anne’s Cathedral in Belfast.

It was attended by Theresa May, Irish President Michael D Higgins, DUP leader Arlene Foster, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, and Jeremy Corbyn, among many others. Members of the National Union of Journalists formed a guard of honour. McKee’s death was condemned by many religious leaders and politicians, and her death was described as ‘an attack on all the people of this community, an attack on the peace and democratic processes.’

On 23 April, The Irish News published an article claiming that the ‘New IRA’ had admitted responsibility for the killing, although they stated that McKee wasn’t the intended target and offered their apologies to her family and partner.

McKee’s forthcoming book, The Lost Boys, focuses on young children that were abducted from the streets and murdered, while their killers have never been caught.

A reward of up to £10,000 has been offered for information on McKee’s killer.

In brief Russian spy whale defects A whale suspected of spying for Russia has been spotted by villagers in Tufjord, Norway. It was spotted approaching boats with a camera harness made in St Petersburg. The friendly beluga is claimed to have now defected, refusing to leave the harbour and looking for food from locals.

Russia is known to have trained whales to spy in the past but has denied the accusation, whilst admitting it could have been an escapee. Andrew Ferris Notre Dame fire Fire ravaged one of France’s most famous buildings on April 15. The exact cause is still unclear, but is thought to be related to ongoing rebuilding works. Most of the building retained integrity however the spire and roof were both destroyed. Important artefacts, such as the crown of thorns, were saved but others suffered extensive damage.

Viewed as a disaster by many, millions of euros have been raised for repairs, angering those who believe the money is better spent elsewhere. Andrew Ferris Akihito’s unprecedented abdication Emperor Akihito, ruler of Japan since 1989, has abdicated and handed rule to his son, Naruhito. It is the first time a Japanese emperor has taken this action and did so because of old age. He succeeded his father Hirohito, emperor during World War 2, and has been a committed pacifist but it has been an age of economic stagnation and tragedy for many Japanese. However, his visits to emergency shelters after the 2011 earthquake enamoured him to much of the population, though it enraged conservative politicians. Andrew Ferris

Photo: Wikipedia Commons

Williamson sacked in Huawei scandal Gavin Williamson, the Defence Secretary, has been sacked by Theresa May and replaced by Penny Mordaunt.

He is accused of having leaked information from the National Security Council, concerning Huawei’s potential involvement in a future 5G network. It was discovered he had talked to a Telegraph editor after the meeting but adamantly denied involvement in the leak. Some MPs, especially from opposition parties, have called for a criminal investigation under the Official Secrets Act however the PM has announced this won’t happen.

Andrew Ferris

9

7th May 2019

concrete-online.co.uk/category/global/ | @Concrete_UEA

TV comedian elected as Ukrainian President Bryan Theo Mfhaladi Global Writer

Volodymyr Zelenskiy, an actor and comedian, won with a landslide margin in Ukraine’s presidential election, with over 70 percent of the vote.

“Mr Zelenskiy has pledged to keep Ukraine in its pro-Western course” He defeated his closest rival, former president, Petro Poroshenko on 31 March and 21 April in a tworound system.

Zelenskiy had zero political experience prior to the election except for playing the role of president in a TV series Servant of

the People.

Zelenskiy and former president Poroshenko advanced to the second round as they were the only two standouts, with Zelenskiy eventually toppling Poroshenko.

Zelenskiy has pledged to keep Ukraine in its pro-Western course and said that Russian-language television should remain available to meet the interests of Ukraine’s Russian speakers.

He used an unorthodox campaign strategy by going on social media and his television show to connect with millions of voters.

With a voter turnout of about 63 percent, mostly because of the war happening in eastern Ukraine, about 18.9 million people voted on 31 March.

The pressure is now on for Zelenskiy to prove that he isn’t just a joke and move the country forward.

He has about a week before inauguration, in which he will come into power and inherits the

problem facing Ukraine, including the simmering war with Russianbacked rebels in the east.

His archnemesis,

Poroshenko, said after the election that the result, ‘leaves us w i t h

Photos: Wikipedia Commons

uncertainty’ and he plans on staying in politics despite his latest humbling win after being president since 2014.

The international community seems rather welcoming to Zelenskiy.

French president Emmanuel M a c r o n congratulated him over a phone call, with Poland’s president also doing the same.

The UK’s F o r e i g n Secretary Jeremy Hunt stated that he would truly be the ‘Servant of the People’. The US and the EU both also sent their best wishes to the recently elected president.

Generals stand down amid Sudan protests Cyprus’ first serial killer Sam Hewitson Global Writer

Photo: Wikipedia Commons

Katie Tsappas Global Writer

Three military generals in Sudan have agreed to resign from their positions, conceding to protesters, as part of what has been an ongoing crisis since December 2018.

In what started as a protest against deteriorating living standards, a large-scale crisis since erupted and calls for the president, Omar al-Bashir, to resign were made by the people.

The response to this was brutal suppression by the military, involving many arrests, beatings, with some casualties being recorded by rights groups.

In February, al-Bashir declared a national state of emergency and removed government and state officials, but this was not enough to prevent the protests from continuing.

The president has since been removed and has been accused of organising war crimes and crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court, referring to the situation in Darfur since 2003.

The protests have therefore evolved into an appeal for accountability, as millions have gathered in Khartoum, the capital, to support the cause. ‘Blood for blood, we will not accept blood money’ is among the chants that have spread among the protesters, showing that there is no potential for a compromise to be reached.

While all sections of society have turned out for the protests, the dominant demographic have been women.

Accounting for up to 70 percent of the protesters, they are also

vocalising their hatred of the sexist attitudes in Sudan, which are a result of the continued practice of Sharia law.

The stepping down of the generals was the result of talks between protest leaders and the Transnational Military Council, as demands for civilian rule continue.

Underlying the desire for retribution for al-Bashir’s actions

is the push for democratic reform, with the hope that the establishment of democracy will, in turn, boost living standards given the new influence that the people should have.

The protests, however, are still continuing with no signs of slowing down despite the governmental changes that have already been made.

A 35-year-old army officer, named as Nikos Metals, has confessed to the murder of five migrant women and two girls over a three year period and is being recognised as Cyprus’ first serial killer.

The victims include Mary Rose Tiburcio and her six-year-old daughter, Arian Palanas Lozano and Maricar Valtez Arquiola, who were all domestic workers from the Philippines, Livia Bunea and her young daughter Elena from Romania, as well as a woman of Indian or Nepalese descent.

The suspect was arrested after police traced Ms T i b u r c i o ’s o n l i n e messages.

Protesters have accused police and officials of not properly investigating the missing migrant women due to their nationality.

Cyprus’ justice minister, Ionas Nicolaou, has resigned and called for Cyprus’ police complaints commission to hold an independent inquiry into the lack of investigation over the missing women.

Several of the women were reported missing after they first disappeared, but the murders were only discovered once two bodies were found in the last few

weeks when a tourist had been photographing a disused mine near Nicosia, when heavy rain flooded and brought one of the bodies to the surface.

Police then searched a nearby lake and discovered more bodies in suitcases.

The treatment of migrant domestic workers in Cyprus has been described as modern slavery, and that migrant women are the least represented in society.

Many migrant women travel to Cyprus, which is part of the European Union, to work as housemaids in private houses and hotels, as well as carers.

These workers are usually paid less than the legal minimum of €400 a month.

Doros Polkarpou, the executive director of Lisa, an NGO supporting migrants in Cyprus, states that law in 1991 was introduced to fill any gaps in employment, which has led to between 70,000 and 80,000 migrants entering the country.

Polykarpou describes the hostility aimed at migrants by Greek Cypriots stems from the Turkish occupation of the island, which has been present since 1974, and that Greek Cypriots practice xenophobia against ethnic migrants to preserve their own ethnic identity.

Features

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7th May 2019

Chris Matthews and Matthew Nixon interview Clive Lewis on anti-Semitism, mental health and climate change Waiting in the cupboard of Clive Lewis’ office at OPEN Norwich, we wonder whether Lewis wants to be Labour leader after his pal (most of the time) Jeremy Corbyn.

He’s got all the right qualities.

We can hear him laughing next door: charming. Tick. He was in the army. Toured Afghanistan. Tick.

He’s weathered some scandals.

Tick. Sounds like a pretty good résumé. He’s made it as part of the establishment. He was an officer in the army, a BBC reporter, and now he’s a politician. Few people have done that by the age of 47.

When he’s done chuckling next door, the Norwich South MP invites us in, and we begin our interview.

Anti-Semitism in Labour: Some say Corbyn’s inability to deal with accusations of antiSemitism in Labour is a key reason he isn’t leading Theresa May in the polls, even with her management (some say mismanagement) of Brexit.

‘If we had dealt with [antiSemitism] more effectively and quickly and robustly than we had, it would have then made the political space for us to be able to say ‘OK we’ve dealt with it quickly, robustly.

It’s happened.’’

Mr Lewis remains proud of Labour’s progressive history, and tells us Labour ‘brought in the first equality legislation, the first anti-racist legislation, the first race discrimination legislation. We have done that in the face of Tory opposition throughout the post-war period.’

However, ‘just because you’re left wing doesn’t mean you’re immune to sexism or racism or any of the other isms.’

Lewis has struggled with scandals himself.

Not of anti-Semitism, but sexism. He was cleared of

sexual harassment charges in 2017, though later footage emerged of him saying ‘get on your knees bitch’ at a Labour conference. He explains: ‘I’ve grown up in an environment where calling, in private normally, male colleagues, I have used the term bitch.’

‘Do I still think that I can think things through in a sexist, racist way? Yes I do. It’s a constant struggle. It’s not something you achieve Zen enlightenment on where you’re suddenly no longer sexist, no longer racist. It’s a constant struggle because you live in a society which is imbued with it.’

‘What people do and say behind closed doors is their business,’ he says. But language is important.

He explains only recently he scolded himself for making a unfair assumption about a black person he saw.

“Do I still think that I can think things through in a sexist, racist way? Yes I do.”

‘I made assumptions about how they were going to be and how they were going to interact with me.

I was so far off of the mark. And I felt bad as a result. I’m black myself, and yet I can still think like that. MPs are not immune to those forces.’

‘But we’re constantly trying, I’m constantly questioning,’ Lewis says.

‘We’ve been a racist society for 400 years. We’ve been a sexist society for even longer. You can’t be living in a sexist, racist society without it in some way affecting you.’

To deal with antiSemitism, Lewis thinks Labour needs ‘a program where those people are either suspended or reeducated. And there’s provision for both. Reeducation sounds very PolPot-ian.

But I mean educated in the fact that t h a t isn’t a n

acceptable view to hold in the Labour Party.’

Some may not see Lewis as a role model. Indeed the Norwich South MP isn’t sure any MP can be ‘a positive role model, especially with the hash we’re making of Brexit and politics generally.’

Mr Lewis admits: ‘You can accept yourself being a role model.

And that is tough because you put role models on a pedestal. I don’t like being on a pedestal because the thing with pedestals is you usually fall off them.’

‘I’ve watched Ed Miliband.

I’ve watched Gordon Brown. I’ve watched Tony Blair. I’ve watched Jeremy. [Being Prime Minister] is a very unforgiving job. I mean if you look at Tony Blair now he’s a marmite figure.’

According to Lewis, ‘If you going to do anything in politics you going to make enemies. If you’re going to do anything worthwhile.

I can’t think of any political leader in my lifetime who has left office unscathed.’

Though he will ‘never say never’ to Labour leadership, at the moment Mr Lewis says ‘it’s not really appealing.’

‘But at the same time if you felt you’re in a position where you could make a fundamental difference and do some good - why would you be in politics and not want that to happen?’

But he won’t move against Corbyn. ‘That will never be me,’ Lewis says.

Mental Health: This year UEA has invested an extra £250,000 in student support services after four student deaths in ten months. Additionally, over 8,800 students have signed a petition demanding direct action to what they call a ‘mental health crisis.’

Lewis tells us, ‘We’ve got a failing mental health service. I’m one of a handful of MPs that have said mental health services should be put into special measures i.e. taken direct control of by the

Department for Health.’ We ask him whether UEA is doing enough for young people with mental health problems. He says, ‘No is the answer.’

“I think we’ve lost our way over the last 40 years. We can find it again.”

The Norwich South MP adds he feels young adults are disproportionately affected by mental health issues owing to developing brain chemistry and a generational divide linked to wealth, employment, and job security. ‘That all adds to the stress and the strain,’ he says.

‘So do I think enough is being done? No, quite clearly not. It’s been a failure for young people across the city and across the county. I think you only have to open the Evening News to see that’s the case. It’s not rocket science for me to be able to tell you that it’s not good enough.’

According to government statistics at least 95 UK university students took their lives between 2016-17, and suicide remains the leading cause of death in young people. For Lewis, a properly funded mental health service and NHS is key to the solution.

‘You need to tackle the fundamental issues which are going on, which is austerity.’

‘We wonder why mental health issues are at an all time high, because there’s such anxiety, and that’s before we even get onto climate change and the existential threat of biodiversity collapse which i s

going to affect your generation more than mine.’

Climate Change: A key reason Clive Lewis did not join Change UK (previously named The Independent Group) is climate change.

Lewis says Change UK’s founders all voted to expand Heathrow airport, but ‘this is incompatible and inconceivable to vote for if you understand the climate crisis coming upon us’.

He tells us, ‘The existential threat of biodiversity collapse is going to affect your generation more than mine because you’ve got longer to go.’

‘Science tells us we have ten years to half the amount of greenhouse gases that we put into the atmosphere globally. Half again in the next ten years, and half that again in the decade after that if we’re going to have any chance of keeping temperature under a rise of 1.5°C. If you miss any one of those ten year markers, you’ve blown it.’

For Lewis only a radical shift from neoliberal economics and centrist politics will ensure humanity reaches these markers.

Lewis says it’s ‘not about people knitting muesli’, but ‘moving to an economy which is sustainable and understands the intrinsic value of what it is to be a human being.’

‘I think we’ve lost our way over the last 40 years. We can find it again. But it means having different notions of what growth are, or what is economic success. I don’t think destroying the planet is economic success.’

Lewis thinks a radical government can find a better way for society to live. ‘It sounds like pie in the sky, but the alternative is ecological destruction and the end of global civilisation. So let’s give it a go.’

Pictured: Norwich South MP Clive Lewis and Comment Editor Chris Matthews. Photo: Matthew Nixon

From the Transcript: Clive Lewis: I think [Labour] still is a broad church.

Chris Matthews: Even with the anti-Semitism scandal going on? What do you think about anti-Semitism in Labour?

Clive Lewis: So your choice of words is interesting there: “antiSemitism scandal”.

Chris Matthews: It is a scandal.

Clive Lewis MP: But you’re meant to be the impartial journalist.

Chris Matthews: I’m asking a question.

Clive Lewis MP: Okay you’re asking a question so I’m basically saying there is an anti-Semitism issue within the Labour Party. We could call it a scandal, let’s say.

11

7th May 2019

concrete-online.co.uk/category/features/ | @Concrete_UEA

UEA rewards students for hard work in annual award ceremony Sophie Clayton, Lois Acari and Sandra Tse Writers Lois Arcari, Sophie Clayton and Sandra Tse are UEA Award Ambassadors for LDC. Clayton cohosted the Award Ceremony, Tse was in the decorations and meet and greet team, and Arcari also worked on meet and greet as well as presenting a speech about her experiences of the award.

At the close of the spring term, the UEA Award team hosted their fourth annual UEA Award Ceremony.

On Wednesday 20 March, a team of UEA Award Ambassadors and Champions transformed the LCR into a cabaret-style venue for one magical night. Gleaming balloons for each color of the Award levels - Bronze, Silver and Gold - floated over the tables as students gathered for drinks.

Posters designed by Award Ambassadors decorated the walls.

Co-created and co-produced by students, the ceremony celebrated the wealth of vibrant activities that awarded students undertake to make themselves and their degrees

stand out from the crowd.

A total of 54 certificates were presented to students across Bronze, Silver and Gold levels.

This year’s Award ceremony was by far the most ambitious The Award certifies the experience and skills students had gained during their time at university across activities such as campus and personal, work related, academic and career management activities, gaining skills such as commercial awareness and professionalism.

Prizes were also presented for the best submissions in categories such as outstanding achievement in work or volunteering and best reflective write up, making the night a true showcase of UEA students’ talent.

Current students and alumni spoke about their Award

experiences, alongside keynote speeches from Professor Sarah Barrow, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Arts and Humanities, and James Kearns, Chief Executive of BUILD Charity, who highlighted the Award’s relationship with staff and employers.

Students and staff alike were encouraged to take advantage of the wealth of talent in the room with a networking buffet after the ceremony, accompanied by professional photography and a comical photo booth.

As student-selected music played in the background, guests enjoyed food ranging from rice dishes to chocolate brownies, sharing their experiences of the Award. It was an inspiring night that gathered guests from a variety of industries and students at different levels in their award journey.

Richard Bowater, Associate Dean of Employability for Science, said: ‘It was a terrific event, and it was particularly good to see the energy and enthusiasm that the Student Ambassadors brought to its organisation and delivery.

The breadth of topics highlighted by the Award winners

was very impressive. Within their activities they picked up a wide range of skills and expertise that will be valuable in their future endeavours and careers.’

‘It’s lovely to be recognised for trying your best’ Alexandros Efstratiou, Senior Award Ambassador, helped to organise the music and lighting for the night as well as co-hosting the event. He said: ‘This year’s Award ceremony was by far the most ambitious and large-scale ceremony we have ever done.

I remember walking into the venue on the day and just being taken aback by how wonderfully the decorations team set up the whole place, it really made it feel like a student celebration!

Hearing all of these unbelievable student achievements and stories was just something else. I kept thinking to myself that the room

was full of people who would go on to stand out, people who would go on to do amazing things, and having the privilege of helping to recognise their achievements was truly fulfilling.

For me personally, co-hosting the ceremony was the culmination of my Award journey. I came to university not knowing how to articulate my skills or even being confident enough to do so.

Joining the Award completely changed that, and, using what I learned through it, I was successful in securing a paid position as an Award Ambassador shortly after.

Opportunities begun flowing in following that, and I developed skills from public speaking to event management owing to the incredible trust that the Award team showed in me - so much so, that I was granted the title of Senior Ambassador in my second year of working with the team.

Being called to co-host the ceremony meant the world to me. I could see myself in every single person waiting to get their certificate, and every single student who was there to be recognised for all their hard work.’

Features

12

7th May 2019

Freedom Society and the House of Commons

Photo: Tabitha Clarke-Scholes

Climate change: let’s get political

ra Taylor

Jess Barrett

Senior Features Writer

Over the past few months, our attitudes to climate change and protecting the environment have shifted and become a lot more political.

A lot of different companies such as McDonald’s and Iceland have succumbed to the public demands that we use less plastic packaging, get rid of plastic straws and reduce the amount of palm oil they use in their products.

However, it is clear that we need to do more. This strive for immediate change has led to a shift in the climate change movement becoming a political one.

Extinction Rebellion has been at the forefront of climate change protesting recently.

Describing her involvement protesting in London and Norwich with Extinction Rebellion, which initiated on the 15 March, first year student Tabitha Clarke-Scholes shared that ‘It felt great to advocate [for] change and be part of such a peaceful community but most of the news that day was focused on the graffiti (which may not be permanent as they used temporary ones that wash off in rain on the bridge) and broken glass at the shell office. This was not in line with the peaceful nature of the people I had seen.’

I also asked third year English Literature student, Rebecca Allen, if she thought that rallies such as Extinction Rebellion’s can create influential change. Allen replied, ‘Extinction Rebellion has been successful in hitting mainstream media so consistently that there will be repercussions.’ Allen also explained that while political movements have always existed, climate change protesting has ‘moved from the side-lines onto centre stage now.’

“It is also really important to recognise how involved students and younger generations are in protesting.”

Maya Coom, who is currently in her second year studying English Literature, also shares similar sentiments regarding protesting bringing about influential change.

She stated that this was ‘due to the power behind the movement and their resilience in the face of the police...The impact they have had already in bringing attention to their rebellion has been amazing to see…

I can’t imagine the government being able to ignore the issues they

are raising any longer.’

Indeed, it is also really important to recognise how involved students and younger generations are in protesting. For instance, ClarkeScholes also mentioned the likes of Greta Thunberg, a 16-year-old girl from Sweden who is known for having initiated her school’s youth strikes for climate change in late 2018. ‘Thunberg also attended the rebellion on Sunday and I watched her speech online. She is incredibly brave and strong.’

Many students across the country have travelled far to be involved in the protesting, demonstrating that climate change protesting is arguably going to be an uphill struggle on the journey to enforcing lasting change.With seminaked climate change protesters disrupting a Brexit debate in the House of Commons on the 1 April, protesting has definitely become more radical recently. The activists spent 20 minutes against the glass about the chamber. MPs attempted to continue the debate, but remarks were made about the protest in politicians’ speeches. Clearly the public want our government to be more proactive in protecting the environment and have changed the nature of protesting so it’s more political to achieve change. In light of government declaring a climate emergency, political protesting has proven to make an influential impact and will hopefully continue to invoke change.

Alex Gillingham Features Writer

The Freedom Society has been set up at UEA, but recently it has become clear that many people do not know who the Freedom Charity are and what they do.

Freedom Charity is an organisation officially founded by Aneeta Prem in 2009, with the aim to end Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), modern day slavery, forced marriage and breast ironing, through raising awareness and support for those affected and those at risk.

The problem faced by Freedom is that many people do not realise how this issue affects them, believing this only happens in third world countries.

However, out of the 2 million sufferers worldwide 137,000 of these victims of FGM were in England and Wales, according to a report published by City University London in 2015. It appears this issue is closer to home than we may think.

Consequently, Ethan Johnson and Katie Steele created Freedom Society here at UEA. We feel students can play a vital role in raising awareness and the prevention of these issues. In the past seven years 94 percent of Higher education institutes reported an increase in demand for student support services with 61 percent of the institutes reporting an increase of demand by over 25 percent.

With this rise of mental health

137000 FGM victims from England and Wales

issues and strain on higher education resources charity work offers benefits such as boosting confidence, giving a sense of purpose and making new friends.

This uniting cause can help not only victims and potential victims of FGM but can help students themselves.

This is an issue in which members of the Freedom Society’s committee, along with Georgina Sosa, a lecturer in Midwifery in the school of Health Sciences, travelled to the House of Commons to discuss with MPs, including Former head of education MP Nicky Morgan.

In this meeting we heard speeches from Norwich school, Skinners Academy and Kings College, as well as haunting tales of FGM that have happened here in the UK. We also discussed the role that MPs can take in helping our cause and raising awareness for the charity by sporting Freedom’s red triangle badge.

As a result of this meeting, we witnessed an MP wearing the red triangle badge on the televised Prime Minister’s Question Time on International Women’s day.

After the successes of this meeting we hope to achieve so much more here at UEA both for the rest of this academic year and years yet to come.

If you decide you want to join the cause then there a few things which you can do: buy Freedom’s red triangle badge for only £2, join our society for £3 or you could purchase one of Aneeta Prem’s books It’s Not Fair and Cut Flowers.

Photo: Alex Gillingham If you want to learn more then visit Freedom’s website at www. freedomcharity.org.uk.

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7th May 2019

concrete-online.co.uk/category/features/ | @Concrete_UEA

What feminism do you stand for?

Photos: Laura Taylor

Laura Taylor Features Writer

I am a feminist. This is something I’ve said for years, but only recently have I realised the ambiguity of this statement, and had called to question what I actually stand for.

I identify as an intersectional feminist, and was aware of the other branches of feminism, but am shocked at the degree of polarity between their views. The particular branch of feminism I uncovered was gender critical feminism.

This branch is also known as trans exclusionary radical feminism (TERF); however, the term gender critical is increasingly popular. In essence, gender critical feminists see gender as a social class system in which women are oppressed due to their biology, rather than innate femininity; therefore excluding transwomen from being seen as female, and thus excluding them from the equality demanded by feminism.

I may have only realised this issue recently, but many LGBTQ+ people have been victims of invalidation, or worse hate, from people identifying with these views, leading me to question whether feminism as an umbrella term is inherently good, or if we should be fighting for something more.

Megan Wynn, a third year Culture, Literature and Politics student and member of UEA Pride, told me that when she tried to engage in conversation with gender

critical feminists on one platform, she suffered ‘horrible online abuse’ which has led to her avoiding such platforms all together.

Wynn reports users saying they thought ‘trans people would prey on their children’ and ‘gender neutral bathrooms are an excuse for paedophilia.’

Both the American Academy of Psychiatry and UCLA have found that there is no sufficient evidence of sexual predators taking advantage of transgender identity, with UCLA’s study also highlighting that there is no link between crime occurring in bathrooms and transgender bathroom access.

“kicked out of bathrooms and assaulted in them for merely being there” Nevertheless, Jim Read, Vice President of UEA Pride (trans and non binary position), has said that he had ‘been kicked out of bathrooms and assaulted in them for merely being there’, highlighting the stigma surrounding bathroom use despite legal action progressing towards equal access.

In an open letter published in the Guardian, identity politics academic Dr Victoria Cann and other UEA academics stated that this debate ‘seems to be based in

the scaremongering and moral panics experienced by other minority groups in the past’, similar to the discrimination of black people in the 70s and gay men in the 80s. It is worth noting that in the 70s and 80s, claims made against these groups were justified with scientific ‘evidence’, which was later disputed.

This is an uncanny parallel to the debate today, one which I’m quite frankly shocked the academics supporting transphobic groups haven’t seen themselves.

Transgender and gender non-conforming individuals also experience judgement socially.

UEA student Jamie Firman reports having experienced gender critical views ‘within friendship and academic circles’ as well as online, which adds a layer to this already difficult issue.

Firman says that he is no longer a feminist, on account of men being disliked and treated in terms of their ‘nature’ or ‘upbringing’, which excludes transmen from the debate.

For Firman this has lead to only two options: ‘to be hated for the way that I identify’, or to be ‘invalidated and seen as female’, neither of which accept Firman’s identity and allow him to live his life without objection.

While I’d like to emphasise that this is not the view of all branches of, or all individual feminists, Read highlights a further element to this; gender critical feminism believes in only two biological sexes existing, leading to people who identify as non-binary, genderqueer, or on a

gender spectrum to have their ‘gender identity’s legitimacy questioned.’

Identifying as a radical feminist is common among individuals expressing gender critical views, and has become a front for individuals to avoid the criticism that comes with the terms gender critical and TERF, and individuals who state they are ‘a feminist’ and ‘a trans ally’ often hold gender critical views. Radical feminism is defined as feminism which calls for ‘radical reordering of society in which male supremacy is eliminated in all social and economic contexts.’

“The future lies with intersectional feminism” This is not inherently transexclusionary; however, it’s adaptation by gender-critical groups has made it so. The argument is that

transwomen have been socialised as men and so ‘have male supremacy’ despite their desire to identify otherwise, which radical feminism seeks to eliminate.

However, I strongly believe this inflexible view undermines the fundamentals of supporting an oppressed group.

As Dr Cann wrote in her letter, ‘the recognition and support of a minority group should never be thought of as threatening rights for all’.

The future of feminism? I’d love to say it would be intersectional, this is the feminism I passionately believe in and am speaking from when I say ‘I am a feminist’, but the reality I’m not so sure about. As Wynn pointed out, ‘it’s important that we have more than one ‘feminism’ and are tolerant of differences within feminism’, as this serves to highlight flaws and allow healthy debate.

However, Read has said even within the LGBTQ+ community, ‘it has in a sense divided [us] , as some cisgender members still uphold these beliefs.’ Firman worries that it has and will continue to ‘spread closed-mindedness and refusal for change.’

As an optimist, or maybe in avoidance of imagining any other future for the LGBTQ+ community, I agree with Read and UEA Pride’s view that ‘the future lies within intersectional feminism.’

Hey UEA

14

#UEA

@uealdc

7th May 2019

@ueaangelsstunt

@ueapf

Media Collective News ‘Are you planning to move home after uni?’

59% 31%

It’s a bittersweet time for all involved with Concrete here in the Media Office.

With this being our current editors’ last issue, we’re remembering the work we have done over the last few years. But things must go on - and applications for the new editorial team are now open!

If you fancy yourself as Editor-in-Chief or Deputy Editor, you have until midnight tonight to apply. More information is available at concrete-online.co.uk/getinvolved (Section editor positions will open later in the semester)

“Over the last three years I’ve fallen in love with Norwich and made a load of friends who are planning to stay after they graduate - how can I not stay?”

Want to feature in our roundup?

Find us at @Concrete_UEA or use the hashtag #HeyUEA

Scan the code to become a Concrete member

7th May 2019

The archive:

For the final archive of the year we’ve selected our front page from our final issue of the last academic year, published on May 1 2018.

Our front page showed the lacrosse team celebrating UEA’s sixth consecutive Derby Day win, Yet again, we’ve been celebrating in the media office with a seventh win over Essex. Concrete spent Derby Day liveblogging all the wins, losses, and dramas of the day, and in this issue we’ve included another of our annual derby day supplements. Do pull it out and find out exactly how UEA was able to win.

Our other front page story by reporter Beth Papworth focused on disappointment with Norwich South MP Clive Lewis, who had submitted character statements in support of Marc Wadsworth, who was later expelled from Labour for anti-Semitic remarks.

In this issue’s features section, Chris Matthews and Matthew Nixon caught up with Clive to see how his thoughts have developed since then. Let us know your thoughts on twitter with #HeyUEA.

The round up:

15

Comment

16

7th May 2019

‘Extinction Rebellion is flawed’ Laura Taylor Comment Writer

Climate change is a national emergency that needs solving. But what’s protesting outside an empty parliament over Easter going to do? Extinction Rebellion (XR) have pretty impressive scientific backing, and rightly so. But is being a public nuisance in the name of climate change really the image we want to put across?

More than 1000 people were arrested over 10 days of protests, but to what end? This is enough to put a vast majority of people off activism, especially those with ambitious career goals, or families to care for.

While I understand the necessity to shout the message from the rooftops, why shout at the police?

Riot squads have absolutely no political aims other than to keep the streets safe for citizens, nor do they have an agenda against protesters, climate related or otherwise. By making their jobs more difficult,

we are taking vital services away from an already underfunded police force that has no control over climate policy, and bigger issues to face than civil disruption.

It takes a particular kind of person to be able to take action in the manner of XR. The work is tireless, and this is simply not accessible for everyone. It requires countless hours of preparation, and physical and mental energy that is just not abundant for people suffering with disabilities for example.

A common trope is that all XR activists are young, rich and white. In a way, I can’t help but to agree. Students holding down jobs alongside their studies often don’t have the time to engage with activities that often take up whole weekends, and nor do parents or people with demanding jobs.

Protesting is also more risky for people of colour. Despite equality advances in the police force, BAME people are 8 times more likely to be stopped and searched. XR’s protests feel almost exclusionary.

Considering alternative routes to

Photo: Unsplash increase diversity would help XR increase its numbers.

As a young activist, I prefer to align myself with the work of UK Youth Climate Coalition (UKYCC) and #youthstrike4climate. While the message is identical to XR’s, UKYCC ensures its action is appropriate for the children who founded

the organisation. Some may say action appropriate for children is appropriate in the eyes of the law, and considerate of individual needs. It’s also what XR is lacking.

While I don’t doubt the need for occasional marches – a clear statement used for generations to convey the views of society –

leading economic powerhouse on the world stage. Yet the number of accusations as well as the close links between Huawei and the Chinese government make me certain something is going on.

In 2018 French newspaper Le Monde Afrique reported data had been stolen from the African Union headquarters in Ethiopia every night for 5 years. Most of the telecoms equipment in the facility was provided by Huawei.

In 2014 a Huawei employee was caught trying to steal a robotic arm used in the testing of smartphone products by American companies so he could allegedly give it to his co-workers in China. Although the case was settled, recent discoveries of emails linking the theft with Huawei management have led to the company being charged with the attempted theft of trade secrets.

Not only are there several cases like these coming out now, but also there are strong links between Huawei and the Chinese

government.

Huawei is largely a privately held business, which would lead you to believe it should be reasonably separate from the government. But many of its owners have links to the Chinese Communist Party, and now the picture changes drastically.

The company has a Chinese Communist Party committee, and events held by the Communist Party are often used as an opportunity for business leaders to network.

There are also reports the former chairwoman Sun Yafang worked in the Ministry of State Security.

Equally Huawei has a contract with China’s armed forces, which Ren Zhengfei served in.

Not only

lobbying MPs and businesses is far more useful.

Extinction Rebellion is flawed, but I stand by their intentions.

Activism throughout history has always been seen as problematic in retrospect, no matter how great an improvement it kindled. I doubt this will be different.

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Smartphone?

Jamie Hose Comment Writer

Forget James Bond with his cars and gadgets, it’s not him you should be worried about. The tech giant Huawei has become an infamous storm of media controversy, faced with accusations of hacking and spying for the Chinese Government.

Huawei says this is simply a smear campaign by the US government, and the Chinese Communist Party has rigidly defended the company.

Things have been heating up ever since Meng Wanzhou, the daughter of Huawei’s

founder Ren Zhengfei, was arrested in Canada last year. She’s also the company’s deputy chairwoman and Chief Financial Officer.

The question remains, is Huawei a tool of the Chinese government, or is the West oppressing it in an attempt to stunt China’s economic growth?

To be honest, Western nations probably want to hold down companies like Huawei. The company has been growing at an immense rate, overtaking Apple in the number of smartphones it’s producing, and owing to companies like it many people predict the Chinese economy will outstrip the US by 2030.

So there’s a power play going on behind the scenes here. The West is obviously interested in keeping the US as a

this, but Danielle Cave of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute has pointed out concerns regarding laws compelling all Chinese businesses to aid the Communist Party in gathering intelligence if requested to do so. Some may call it state sponsored espionage.

In this digital age it’s only natural governments will use these sorts of organisations to spy on potential competitors. I’d bet the Americans are doing it too, and probably plenty of other nations.

Is the West, including our media, targeting Huawei? I wouldn’t be surprised, and for the same reason: competition.

But that doesn’t mean the allegations are false. No, I think they’re probably quite accurate.

Everyone has a finger in this pie, so I don’t find any of it particularly shocking, and neither should you.

Photo: Flickr

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7th May 2019

concrete-online.co.uk/category/comment/ | @Concrete_UEA

‘I felt like a complete failure, I felt intense shame’ Andrew Stronach Head of Corporate Communications at UEA.

At the age of 49, I’ve come to the conclusion the most dangerous words begin with the letter ‘s’. I’m thinking of words such as shame, stigma and suicide. Words that come loaded with some seriously heavy-duty emotional baggage.

These are words I’ve given a lot of thought to.

Back in 2011, I tried to take my own life.

I had a good job in the NHS, three great children, a loving family and friends but I still found myself in a place where a combination of factors, both work and personal life, left me feeling the only answer to my problems was to end it all.

I had a plan. I don’t think colleagues or family had any idea. I certainly didn’t tell anyone. I didn’t go and see my doctor.

I didn’t say anything to anyone at work and didn’t talk to friends. I had made up my mind. I felt like a complete failure, I felt intense shame at not being able

to ‘fix’ my problems.

Thankfully, I wasn’t successful.

Only at that point did I realise I needed help.

I rang the occupational health team at work and they quickly

arranged for me to speak to a counsellor by phone. I went on to have a series of telephone

not an enduring state.

As a result of opening up and asking for help, I changed my life for the better and haven’t felt suicidal since.

Men, in particular, are really bad at talking about how they feel or asking for help.

But it’s healthy to talk about how we feel and it can be a real lifesaver.

In this country men are three times more likely than women to die by suicide and, personally, I think men need to be more open and not bottle up problems.

There is good news too. Nationally, the suicide rate for men is at its lowest for 30 years (15.5 death per 100,000 people).

Having studied at university is also a protective factor against suicide with a rate of 4.7 per 100,000 compared to 10.1 per 100,000 in the population as a whole.

As a society, if we can have open and honest conversations about suicide we can all help prevent Photo: Unsplash needless deaths.

If you need help, temporal. Typically, it’s a particular contact Student Support on 2761, set of problems at a particular time your GP or the Samaritans on 116 in someone’s life that causes it. It’s 123. counselling sessions.

I told my friends and family and my intense sense of shame evaporated. No one was judging me.

One of the things I have since discovered about suicide is that it’s

UEA(su) have ruined PMB Joe Williams Comment Writer

What a complete and utter shambles. After much speculation, uea(su) have released a statement confirming the cancellation of Pimp My Barrow (PMB). The announcement was made with a complete lack of transparency, no student consultation, and no apology.

Pimp My Barrow has been an annual institution at UEA since students Thomas Tapper and Paul Wheeler founded it in 2006. That’s an important point: PMB was never uea(su)’s idea, they simply assumed management after Tapper and Wheeler graduated. According to pimpmybarrow.org, the event raises ‘over £10,000’ every year for the Big C, Norfolk’s cancer charity. It’s an absolute disgrace that this will not happen in 2019.

Uea(su)’s decision has zero

accountability whatsoever. They haven’t named the ‘external events consultant’ and nobody outside the SU office knows who made the decision or why.

“A complete lack of transparency, no student consultation, and no apology” A vague reference to ‘safety’ without a proper explanation just isn’t enough. If safety or alcohol licensing is the issue, then why did the almost identical Derby Day event in the Square still go ahead?

This decision will cost a local charity over £10,000 in lost donations.

It’s should’ve been thoroughly scrutinised before and after it was

made.

Uea(su) is obsessed with making money from students. If PMB made £10,000 a year for uea(su), there’s no way they would have cancelled it.

But because the biggest social event of the year is BYOB with profits going to charity, it’s not in uea(su)’s financial interests to put it on.

This is just the latest in a raft of disappointments, another being the new A-List ticket pricing structure, which introduces a £5 punishment fee for anyone getting to the LCR after midnight, no matter how long they’ve been queuing. The website says this ‘is NOT a money making exercise’. Coincidentally, though, it does make them money.

I asked if the fee could instead be a mandatory donation to a local charity, so at least some good comes of it. The SU replied that they have legal charitable status so, according to them, any money they earn is a donation to charity. Clearly they’ve forgotten that most private schools

have the same charitable status, including Eton College.

Uea(su)’s priority is squeezing as much money as possible out of students, always citing safety and licence laws rather than profit.

Right now, uea(su) is not a union of students, it’s a struggling business that lets greed cloud its judgment.

“Uea(su)’s priority is squeezing as much money as possible out of students” But enough of the whingeing.

The real shame is the lost £10,000 in donations to the Big C. They are a fantastic charity so please, and if you can, I’d encourage you to donate at https://fundraise.big-c.co.uk/ donate/.

Who else is sick of student unions?

Matt Branston Comment Writer

Do you feel represented? I don’t.

Zamzam Ibrahim is the president elect of the National Union of Students (NUS).

Her job is to represent all UK students in higher and further education.

But she’s come under fire for stating she wanted to ‘oppress white people’ and ‘have an Islamic takeover’, comments she made when she was 16.

Admittedly it’s unfair to judge someone on statements they made seven years ago. In an article for The Independent Ibrahim said as much: ‘I was just 16 years old. I was struggling with my view of the world and my place in it.

I was grappling with the deep injustices I could see around me and trying to figure out how I could make the world a better place.’

If this was all there was, I’d be happy for her to represent me as a student. If this was all there was, I’d trust her to act fairly and treat everyone equally.

Then I had a look at her Twitter.

During the 2018 World Cup, she implied anyone who sang ‘It’s Coming Home’ was racist. Now I don’t think she meant it, but it’s easy to put your foot in your mouth when you’re unnecessarily commenting on something.

Furthermore, just like many previous NUS presidents she has supported a boycott of Israel. After her election the Union of Jewish Students said they hoped she would continue the NUS’ work of supporting the fight against antiSemitism.

The NUS is in a tricky position.

It has struggled with allegations of anti-Semitism, bullying, and plagiarism in the last three years.

At the moment Ibrahim’s election doesn’t seem like a step in the right direction.

Student politics in general is becoming problematic. Students have criticised uea(su) for poor mental health support, increasing ticket prices, and of course for cancelling Pimp My Barrow.

I’m not sure student politics is even worthwhile anymore. Yes, the concept of having representation to protect students’ interests makes sense.

I’m happy to see we have it, but at the same time, if they’re not going to protect our interests, and instead just perpetuate nothingness or call us racists, what’s the point of them?

We might as well not even bother.

Photo: Kathy Childs

Science

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7th May 2019

Diabetes screening could Social identity improve early diagnosis and water usage Evlyn ForsythMuris

Laura Taylor

Science Writer

Approximately 3.5m people are currently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, but it is estimated that a further 549,000 remain undiagnosed.

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic illness where the pancreas produces insufficient insulin to meet the body’s needs.

This causes high blood sugar levels which damage the body and lead to complications such as vascular damage, vision loss and kidney disease, costing the NHS over £8.8bn each year.

Screening for diabetes can result in cases being identified on average 3.3 years earlier. Early detection gives both patients and staff an advantage in preventing complications.

A recent study by UEA and Boots UK looked at the cost effectiveness of using community pharmacists to screen members of the public for Type 2 diabetes.

Participants first completed a questionnaire to assess their risk of developing the disease, and then those with moderate to high risk went on to receive a blood test called Hba1c.

This test looks at average blood sugar levels over the last three months. Those with high results were asked to visit their GP for formal diagnosis.

The study found that the cost of the tests and referrals to GP were similar to that of testing and diagnosis solely through GP practice.

However the study concluded that better cost-effectiveness is possible if the service takes place in areas of greater need and rates of self-referral to GP practice after a positive test result are improved.

Furthermore this study used a very focused view on costs and did not have the capacity to consider a wider costs approach, considering

Science Writer

A study by UEA’s school of Environmental Sciences has shown that use of behavioural ‘nudges’ can encourage people to conserve water.

Water scarcity is a global issue closely linked with climate change and is one of the UK government’s top environmental priorities. According to Environment Agency predictions, within the next 25 years there will be widespread water scarcity.

Lead researcher, Ellin Lede, carried out this study as part of her PhD research and her findings were published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology. Lede’s research showed that proenvironmental behaviours are closely tied to ‘ingroups’, for example our neighbours, coworkers and peers. Both conscious and unconscious behaviours were examined, with the research finding that our attitudes, behaviours and emotions can change without our conscious knowledge according to people sharing a social identity with us.

Image: Pixabay, TesaPhotography potential savings elsewhere.

For example a recent audit undertaken by two UEA medical students, Sukontee Pringsulaka and Jacob Smith, found that in a Norfolk GP practice just 37 percent of patients with a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes received the appropriate monitoring tests as per the NICE guidelines.

Whilst this is likely due to a number of factors it could be due to overworked and under resourced GPs. By reducing the responsibility of GPs to screen it would allow them more time to focus on their already diagnosed patients, resulting in cost

savings down the line due to improved disease management.

Access to community screening could also improve patient uptake as suggested by Cara-Megan who was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes aged 19. ‘I think more people would get diagnosed if a pharmacist could do it, it would be more accessible as getting a doctor’s appointment is a pain!’

This study by UEA could present the beginning of screening services for type two diabetes moving almost entirely to the community, allowing for a more accessible and efficient service.

“Behaviours and emotions can change without our conscious knowledge” The study was carried out using four sample groups from across Norfolk, two of which were UEA students that live on and off campus. Water

saving messages in the form of stickers were introduced to students’ bathrooms. Whilst the message about reducing water use stayed the same, one focused on the fact that other students are also reducing their water use. In the community ingroup messaging was used in marketing to persuade homeowners to invest in water saving devices, which showed to increase sign-ups by a significant amount compared to the control group.

Commenting on the importance of this study, Lede said: ‘Ensuring a sustainable water supply requires a multifaceted approach, and this will become increasingly important as demand for water continues to rise and climate change alters water availability.’ This study has clearly demonstrated how the ‘ingroup norm appeal’ technique can be applied to social issues across sectors, and how marketing messages can be tailored for maximum effect. As pointed out by Anglian Water: ‘Something as simple as changing the form of messaging, and in a way that doesn’t cost any more, can make messaging more effective and lead to a change in behaviour.’

Image: Pixabay, OpenClipart-Vectors

Could coffee waste replace palm oil?

Laura Taylor Science Writer

Revive Eco, a Scottish company set up by entrepreneurs Fergus Moore and Scott Kennedy, claims that recycled waste coffee grounds could be a worthy opponent for palm oil.

The co-founders of the company developed their idea while working in coffee shops to support themselves during their time as business students at Strathclyde University.

“Around 60 percent of a cafe’s waste is coffee grounds” According to Revive Eco, around 60 percent of a cafe’s waste is coffee grounds. The duo set about

kickstarting a circular economy within the coffee industry and developing processes allowing cafes to reduce their waste.

The brand currently produces a range of sustainable products and aims to expand this by producing their new palm oil alternative.

Despite the well known devastation the palm oil industry has on the environment, it is still a common ingredient in food and drink, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and many other products. The extraction of

palm oil is said to be wiping out rainforests in Asia, as well as having detrimental impacts on the communities surrounding them.

Revive Eco have now secured a £235,000 grant from Zero Waste Scotland and hope for future funding opportunities to make this great initiative a reality.

Moore and Kennedy’s long term aim is to be able to replicate their business model in coffee-drinking cities around the world, allowing the much loved beverage to join the

movement towards a sustainable future.

In the last decade, the orangutan population has decreased by 50 percent due to palm plantations.

The current rate of deforestation could see the rainforest completely disappear within a century.

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7th May 2019

concrete-online.co.uk/category/science/ | @Concrete_UEA

UEA leads pioneering dementia research Jake WalkerCharles

Science Writer

It is well known that there is a link between sleep disturbance and dementia. Good sleep is essential to maintain cognitive activity such as memory recall - a task people with dementia often struggle with as the disease progresses. However, scientists are still trying to underpin the nature of this relationship: whether sleep disturbances are caused by dementia, or if they is a potential way of highlighting people who could be prone to developing the disease.

This is the question which researchers at UEA’s School of Health Sciences want to answer. The hope is that dealing with the sleep disturbances at an earlier stage could help slow down the progression of the dementia. This would be a groundbreaking development, particularly important with respect to the aging population in the UK. Researchers will use the brand-new sleep and brain research unit located on the UEA campus to investigate their question. The unit’s first study will investigate whether healthy people who have an increased genetic risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease

could be more vulnerable to sleep loss, and will observe how their body clock is affected by this. The study will observe volunteers who will stay in modern hotel-style accommodation. Their movements will be observed by a group of sleep specialists and they will be connected to sensors measuring brain activity whilst taking part in thinking, memory, balance, coordination, and attention tests throughout their stay.

The volunteers will undergo a threenight lab session, including one night of complete sleep deprivation, or taking multiple short naps. Lead Researcher Dr. Alpar Lazar, from UEA’s School of Health Sciences, stated: ‘It may sound gruelling, but [these tests] will help design future studies investigating specific sleep related interventions that could potentially slow down the progression of the disease.’

Dr. Lazar has been awarded the Seed Award by the Wellcome Trust which facilitates the development of new model ideas. The project has also been endowed with gifts-inkind to help furnish the research unit from multiple local businesses including Dovetail Furnishings, Hughes Electrical, Mattressman and Warings Lifestore.

Measles vaccine uptake hits new low Hannah Brown

Senior Science Writer

In the UK, the number of children unvaccinated against Measles is rising, adding to the 170 million cases globally.

Around 95 percent of the population needs to be vaccinated for herd immunity to take effect – this is when people who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons are naturally protected by others who have been vaccinated.

Some populations may be protected at 92 percent coverage; however, many societies currently sit way below this figure.

‘As soon as the virus is introduced in a population, it spreads like wildfire and 90 percent of kids are going to get sick,’ said Dr Robin Nandy, Unicef’s Chief of Immunisation.

In 2000, measles was declared eliminated from the US, and the ‘anti-vax’ movement may have helped bring this life-threatening disease

Image: Vecteezy

say thank you to those that transform your education

back from the brink.

The movement spreads misinformation that persuades many parents to not vaccinate their children, claiming that the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine can cause autism.

Measles is a preventable disease, but it has no cure. It’s also highly infectious and spreads through droplets released in coughs and sneezes.

The virus can also survive for several hours outside the body, so can spread to many people in this time.

People who get the disease are covered in tiny red bumps, and often develop other illnesses such as pneumonia which may kill them.

Measles can also have long-term side effects, such as brain swelling.

It is estimated that every 1-3 in 1000 people who catch measles will die.

Despite the World Health Organisation (WHO) declaring that the UK eliminated measles in 2016, there were still more than 500 cases, mostly in young people attending festivals where the disease spread rapidly. There are also many measles outbreaks currently in Europe.

Low-and-middle income countries are at the greatest risks of a measles epidemic, especially because the vital second injection if often missed, leaving populations at higher risks.

‘I’m extremely worried and everybody should be worried,’ said Dr Nandy. ‘I’d be very disappointed if we were not worried about it. We have had a vaccine for a number of decades now. It is inexpensive, efficacious, safe and widely available. Despite this we are seeing outbreaks all over the world.’

Adam Finn, Professor of Paediatrics at the University of Bristol, said, ‘Having your child fully immunised against measles and other childhood infections should be as automatic and straightforward as teaching them how to feed themselves and sending them to school.

It should be a no-brainer.’

If you have missed your vaccinations, you can be vaccinated at any age against measles. Contact your GP for an appointment.

Image: Vecteezy

Travel

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7th May 2019

Travelling after graduation

So long, farewell Amelia Rentell

Rachel Glaves Travel Editor

As I approach the end of my fourth year of university, a break from the stress is much needed.

Whilst everyone around me are applying for a permanent job, my intention is to travel - to see the world before I reluctantly find a job and start paying off my student debt!

Having finished my undergraduate in Summer 2018, I know several people who have travelled abroad.

Everyday my Facebook feed is covered in images of people on their world travels around the UAE, Asia, Australia, Europe - they’re everywhere! But where would you go?

Personally, I think I’ve seen enough of Western Europe for now, so I would start further east in the Balkans and work my way out towards Turkey and Asia.

Other people may want to explore Western and Northern Europe which can be easily done if you buy an Interrail ticket, or Busabout. Busabout isn’t as wellknown as Interrail, but someone I met on my travels did this and it was a lot cheaper and more than just Europe - they can be found in Asia, North Africa and the USA too! Great if you’re working on a tight budget.

It’s entirely your choice on where to go, but so many places are student friendly. I, like many others, am excited to see what adventures lay outside of Europe.

Thailand is a destination a lot of

young people visit. It’s warm, it’s cheap and has so many activities from mountain climbing to spending your time on a beach.

From there you can move into Cambodia and Vietnam, or take a plane and visit China.

An American road trip is also something so many people fancy doing. After all, it’s about the freedom and adventures.

Budgeting is key though.

There’s no point travelling if you’re going to spend all your money in the first few weeks.

Saving up is a must, as is considering how expensive a place is and how long you will stay there is also a good way of saving money.

As is hostelling: not everyone’s dream place to stay,

but by far the cheapest. That is if you don’t want to carry a tent with you and camp!

There are also options to work your way through your travels. I know it sounds boring but stay with me here! With options like Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) and WWOOFing, you can earn as you go!

Plus, if teaching is what you have in mind after travelling, TEFL would be a great experience! Another option to help budgeting is to get a tourist working visa so you can travel and earn using skills you have (such as bar work).

What should you take though? It depends on how much you want with you. Of course, if you’re travelling for an extensive

period of time you are going to want more clothes and home comforts such as electronics. But perhaps ask yourself if these will be entirely necessary. Would you rather make space in your bag for camera to capture your trip of a lifetime?

What you pack ultimately depends on where you go. If you head to Africa, perhaps a mosquito net would be a wise thing to pack. So, make sure you plan for places such as this. The most important thing for a year out travelling is to enjoy yourself.

Don’t make it too stressful for yourself. It’s a time to relax, have an adventure, meet new (and often amazing) people and think about what you are going to do next. It’s a time for you.

Staying safe from scams Amy Newbery Travel Writer

My mum always use to tell me when I was younger to watch out for pickpockets and scammers whenever we went on vacation.

Unfortunately, I have been pickpocketed before but it’s made me more aware and cautious of my surroundings. Here’s some advice and tips that can be put to good use by experienced and non-experienced travellers.

Have a secure bag A pickpocket is more likely to target people that seem more vulnerable. If you have a secure bag, you have a better chance of being bypassed. If you’re using a backpack, carry it on your front.

If you have a handbag, keep your arm on it at all times. Make sure you’re not carrying a bag that’s open. I always make sure the

zip is in the front rather than the back so no one can open my bag from behind.

Be aware of who’s around you I’m always weary when I step into a crowded area such as a train compartment or a marketplace.

I was pick-pocketed in a night market and didn’t take any notice of being slightly pushed by the people behind me (which allowed them to take my iPod out of my backpack). If you’re in a crowded place, be aware of not only your bag but also what’s in your pockets. It’s also good to be aware that people might be working together but seem like they don’t know each other.

Watch out for scams This is also common in tourist hotspots. During my trip in Berlin, there were teenage girls asking tourists to sign a petition and donate some money for a

‘good cause’. However, this is a common tactic; while you’re busy with the talker, it’s possible there are others pick-pocketing you. Often these teenagers will have minders around who are watching out for the police.

Before you enter a busy spot, look at the scene from a distance to see if you can catch people working together.

Don’t act like a tourist The more confused and lost you act, the better target you make for pickpockets and scammers. Although there are lovely and helpful people, do be aware that some might not have good intentions. Of course it’s inevitable to look like a tourist when you have a map in your hand but try to look confident.

If you really need help, find a tourist office or go inside a shop to ask for help.

Keep your valuables

separated Lastly, never keep all your valuables on your person, and in the same place. If you are carrying money, keep them in separate places so if you are pick-pocketed in one area, you’ll have backup money. Most hotels provide safes so I always leave the majority of my values back in the hotel.

I have been studying in Oklahoma for nearly eight months. I’ve watched the seasons change from sweltering heat to ice storms to what I like to call ‘fake spring’. You know what I mean, it’s when it tries to be warm and then cold air smacks you round the face again.

Oklahoma isn’t a blooming state, I have seen no daffodils or whatever their equivalent is. I go back to the image of red dirt, which is everywhere and runs brown in the rain. Try to imagine the gothic archways on campus, embroidered with slogans such as “For the benefit of the Citizen, and the State”. Such irony when the campus was built on stolen Native land.

I don’t love Oklahoma and that’s okay. I’m not ashamed (I am a little) to admit that I chose to study here after a google search revealed there was a prevalent population of cowboys.

I really wanted to marry a cowboy… and then I met my boyfriend nine months before I left and he ruined the entire fantasy. Then I was stuck in cowboy land, or as my mum called it when she did her own research, “bible belted, capital punishment hotspot and reddest state in America - sounds lovely, darling.” Oklahoma incarcerates more women than anywhere else in the world, and it is ranked the 44th worst state for the quality of life for women. But it makes a great steak, and in the eyes of some, that makes up for it.

As I think about my last month and a bit here, I do feel a sense of accomplishment.

Not only have I exceeded my expectations of myself academically, but also personally.

I have been successfully living in a different country and not been deported yet, that has to count for something? It’s been fun, but it’s time to get back to UEA and finish what I started nearly four years ago. Good luck to you, wherever you may be going another year, a graduation, a job, it’s all so exciting. I raise a homemade snakebite to you!

Photo: Vecteezy

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7th May 2019

concrete-online.co.uk/category/travel/ | @Concrete_UEA

Here's our hotel help Sam Hewitson Travel Writer

A huge part of travel is accommodation, and the service it claims to provide.

A bad place to stay can be incredibly detrimental to the enjoyment of a trip, but what makes a place good?

With sites like AirBnB, sometimes part of the fun of it is taking a gamble, because the absolutely perfect accommodation that suits every one of your needs probably doesn’t exist, and the likelihood is that if it does exist, someone else wants it too.

I have used AirBnB once for a trip with my friend to Athens, and we went with the cheapest and most central place, which paid off tremendously.

In what we coined ‘the cardboard box’, due to it only having a single, tiny porthole window, we had a very clean, functional apartment with a very nice and helpful owner.

There was a view of the Acropolis about fifty metres away and the area was stunning.

On our first day he invited us to his flat which was on the top floor of the same building, for cake and a view from the rooftop terrace of the whole city, and it was amazing.

He gave recommendations

for what to do, places to eat and areas to steer clear of. But obviously, experiences like this are often rare.

My priority when looking at accommodation is the location.

Ideally, somewhere close to the things I want to do and see is what I go for, which also comes with more benefits.

If it is in a desirable location, the chances are that the accommodation is popular, and therefore needs more maintenance.

Popular places need to be kept in great working order because of the numbers that will stay there in a short space of time, and if it is popular with stellar reviews, that will be for a reason! This goes for all sorts of types of residence, AirBnB, hostels, hotels and more.

Hotels, especially chain hotels, are the usually best guarantor of exquisite service because they have a reputation to maintain.

Independent places do not have this reputation, and therefore may not regard it as highly.

Of course, opting to stay in a hotel comes with a steeper price, but in theory, you get what you pay for.

Hostels are on the other end of the spectrum. The often

worryingly cheap pricing is a reflection of the lesser standard of hospitality, because they work off the premise that most who stay there will not be there for long, and potentially be less concerned about luxury.

Furthermore, staying with strangers, sharing bedrooms and bathrooms is the epitome of a lack of luxury, and the

numbers that come through the doors of hostels somewhat justifies the possibly lower standard of service.

They are catering for the masses, after all.

For the best chance of a

good service I recommend AirBnB or an apartment stay. They offer an opportunity to find a great spot, with a cheap price and a perfect location.

Most importantly, because the owners want the income, the effort should be put in to ensure all guests have a good stay worthy of a recommendation, in theory.

Photo: Vecteezy

How to fight the fear of flying Johanne Elster Hanson Travel Writer

Reportedly, one in ten are afraid of flying, which means that right now thousands of people are gripping the armrests of their plane-seats in prolonged, midair panic.

As someone who has suffered from aviophobia for years, I bring you eight tips on how to cope with your fear of flying: 1. Take your time: The airport only reminds me of the terrible things that are to come, so I prefer to spend as little time there as possible. However, to some the thought of missing a flight is a major source of stress, and giving yourself a lot of time to get to the airport, check in and mentally prepare for the flight is critical if you want your journey to be as comfortable as possible.

2. Breathe: I always viewed breathingexercises and mindfulness as a

bit la-di-da, but breathing is in fact something of a miracle-cure for stress and anxiety. Practice breathing exercises in advance or have an audio guide on your ear so that you can slip into it without too much preamble, and after a while your body will begin to relax.

3. Read up on statistics: Statistically it’s safer to fly than drive, but fear of flying is about control, and you usually feel far more in control behind the wheel of your car than on an airplane. So here is another statistic for you to consider as the plane rattles over to its designated runway: 4.3 billion people travelled by plane in 2018 – very few of them ended up dead. While you may feel that the reaper has his eyes on you as the Boeing 737 takes off, statistically you are more likely to win the lottery or get killed by a falling coconut.

4. Break up the trip: This is to avoid losing your head mid-air. Break the trip into half-hours, each with a

designated activity to distract you. You can start off with listening to radio and move on to reading etc. (If you are lucky you may doze off and sleep through some of the half-hour slots.)

5. Talk to someone: If you are flying alone, relying on the kindness of strangers can sometimes bring great comfort.

Make your fears known to the people around you, either your neighbour or a member of the cabin crew, and your worry might become less pressing.

6. Move around: Relaxing your muscles and moving about not only forces you to think of something else, but also improves your circulation and stops you from tensing up.

Take a stroll up and down the aisle and see how relaxed everyone looks. (In the case of prolonged turbulence you might have to resort to a solid combination of tip number 2 and 5.)

7. Educate yourself: I used to think the ‘ding!’ preceding a cabin-address was the sign of double engine-failure

and the imminent destruction of everyone on-board. Instead, cabin-addresses usually advertise bad-tasting sandwiches and cheap perfume. It is worth taking the time to consider how the sound of the engines, wheels and wings adjusting themselves, all serve a normal, perfectly safe function.

8. Prescription drugs: This should be a last resort, but if you realistically cannot travel due to aviophobia, it could be worth asking your GP for help.

It is difficult to focus on how flying is nothing to be afraid of when you suffer intense physical reactions every time you enter the cabin or even glimpse the control tower in the distance.

The knowledge of how you will be able to sit through a flight without that well-known feeling of dread might make your next trip seem less insurmountable.

After a while, pharmaceutical assistance will no longer be necessary.

Safe flight!

Sport

7th May 2019

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Looking back on 2018-19 for UEA Sport...

This year has been the most successful in the history of UEA Sport with triumphs in BUCS, local leagues, tournaments and, of course, Derby Day. So Concrete is going back to the noticeboard as our UEA sportspeople share their favourite moments from a season to remember.

Of course, we’re a club of two halves. From the women’s side a highlight was seeing how much they improved over the course of the season and in particular their amazing cup run, where they got to the semi-finals of the BUCS Midlands Conference Cup. For the men’s team it was undoubtedly Derby Day when we won for the first ever time, the scenes at the end of the crowd running onto the pitch will be something I remember for a very long time.

Without doubt, my favourite moment of the season was watching the boys reclaim the Derby Day trophy at Colney Lane. After last year’s bitter disappointment, the club couldn’t have hoped for more drama or a better performance.

Fraser Harrop, UEA Rugby President

Seb Grant, UEA Lacrosse President

My highlight of the year was in Lacrosse, when our men’s team stayed up in the league they were promoted into last year thanks to an extraordinary 4-3 win over Nottingham Trent at Colney Lane. UEA were 3-1 down with five minutes to go and staring relegation in the face. Our captain Trav Payne scored twice which completely changed the mood, before Jhan Tibudan got the winner with seconds left. The sideline erupted with celebrations. Earlier that day the women reached the semi-final of the Midlands Conference Cup for the first time in their history, so Colney Lane was rocking.

I also particularly enjoyed the men’s football 1s’ win over Kings Lynn in the Norfolk Senior Cup at the FDC in Bowthorpe. It really put UEA Football on the map in terms of the local game, it didn’t matter that it was a scrappy goal from our defensive colossus Richard Black that won it for us. It’s been a superb season for them under the new Head of Football Paul Neary, but they’re losing a lot of players who like myself are graduating.

I’ll still be an interested spectator at Colney Lane next season to see if they can adapt to the higher leagues they’ve been promoted to.

My personal highlight of the squash season was the UEA Ladies away match against Loughborough.

It was the deciding match to see who would win the BUCS League.

Despite the crowd cheering for the Loughborough ladies team, we won 3-1 and came top of our league! I was so proud to see all of my teammates playing at such a high standard and supporting each other, even when it felt as if the odds were stacked against us going in to our match. The UEA Ladies team won the league in their BUCS debut and I am proud to be a part of that.

Our season was defined away to Bungay, where we drew 2-2. Bungay could have won the league at the time. We were chasing Mundford and they came to watch. We were 2-1 down and with about 28 minutes to go we threw caution to the wind, went 4-2-4 and just went for it. We got an equaliser, and that equaliser was the catalyst for us to win everything.

Ally Artuch, Secretary

UEA

Squash

Paul Neary, UEA Head of Football

Tony Allen, Concrete Sport Editor

Alex Blinston’s goal away to Cambridge was absolutely outstanding. We were in the second quarter, one of our boys came running round from X behind goal and passed it to Alex quite wide out on the right. In one smooth, fluid motion he caught the ball, wound up, and it was in the back of the net. The whole team ran on the pitch. It was something you see some professionals can’t even do. For him to do it out of the blue was so unexpected, because everyone thought he’d receive it, turn and pass it off, but the execution of it was outstanding. That was one of the best goals I’ve seen this season, it was stunning, especially from a Lacrosse fresher.

My personal highlight was watching fresher Theo Martin step up and convert a long penalty to take it to 4-3 against Anglia Ruskin in the Midlands Conference Cup quarter-final with 40 seconds left of extra time. After we missed chance after chance, it just felt like it wasn’t going to go our way. He showed outrageous guts to just take responsibility for the kick, in front of a very decent crowd!

Matt Ladd, UEA Futsal men’s seconds Captain

Ethan Brickwood, UEA Lacrosse SEMLA Captain Trampolining has doubled their medal intake this year, and everyone has improved so much! Our highlight of the year has to be BUCS, where we had 6 finalists and 3 medalists.

Dancesport has had an amazing year; not only was UEA Strictly a huge success for everyone involved, we’ve also exceeded ourselves in competitions. Our highlights of the year were winning Team Match at Nottingham competition and Hannah and Sam winning Rock ‘n’ Roll at Blackpool!

Claire Bilsborough, UEA Trampolining Social Secretary and UEA Dancesport Media Representative

All photos by Tony Allen. With thanks to Katie Stuart and all of the sportspeople for their time.

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7th May 2019

concrete-online.co.uk/category/sport/ | @Concrete_UEA

Neary: we proved what a good side we are Continued from back page missed Young sliding in, before Scowcroft fired just wide. Desperate Long Stratton penalty calls were waved away, and UEA broke. Swift deservedly scored UEA’s fourth after good interplay with Young around the almost static opposition defence.

And with that, the curtain fell on a season that defied expectations for UEA men’s Football 1s.

It’s fitting really that it was a goal from Swift assisted by Young that ended the final game this incarnation of the UEA team will play together – the pair have netted dozens of goals and assists this season, developing a telepathic understanding that UEA will be hard pressed to replace next year.

UEA Head of Football Paul Neary reflected: ‘We were the better side, created more chances, played with more heart, played with more desire to win. We were first to the ball, you wouldn’t think that [Long Stratton] were in a higher division on that performance.

‘That said, Long Stratton were very well organised. Potentially they underestimated us, but we played our own game, we didn’t get

overawed by the occasion and we proved what a good side we are.’

On Bolter’s recent introduction, he added: ‘Frankie came in, he took his opportunity. He gives 100 percent. He works hard, he works

for the team and when you do things like that, you deserve to keep your shirt.’

Asked about the previous day’s 1-0 Derby Day loss, Neary explained: ‘I don’t think we got out of third

gear, we had an eye on tonight and didn’t want to get injured. When that happens it’s hard to get that mindset of playing at 100 percent.’

On reflection, Neary is satisfied with his first season in the UEA

hotseat. The players had a long team huddle after the trophy presentation, which Neary reflected on: ‘It was all about celebrating success, and we’ve got a lot to celebrate this season. On and off the pitch we’ve been very, very good, very motivated and out there to win.

And we’ve definitely done that this year.

‘I’m disappointed we didn’t win the BUCS cup, it’s great winning stuff but the disappointment comes with not winning that. We were eight minutes away. But on balance, if someone told me we’d have two leagues, one cup, one reserve cup and another reserve cup final still to play, plus the women’s 2s promoted, I’d have taken that.’

UEA: Tom Smith; Alfred Sylmeta, Henry Clark, Ben George (c), Richard Black, Frankie Bolter; Marcus Legg, Tomasz Siemienczuk, Mohammed Hassan; Ryan Swift, Luke Young. Subs: Will Oxbrow, Jody Scowcroft, Callum Mooney.

Attendance 318.

There was more silverware for UEA FC last week, as the reserves also won a local league cup in extratime at the FDC. Luke Johnson’s side beat Belton 6-2 to lift the CS Morley Cup, netting four in the additional period as the Yarmouth-based opposition tired.

The truth about tour...

Anonymous Sport Writer

Dance round-up: UEA enjoy best season yet Amie Dutton Sport Writer

Before Easter, UEA Ballet, UEA Dance Squad and UEA Tap had their most successful competition season yet, competing at the University of Surrey, the University of Manchester and the University of Northampton.

Across all three clubs, and all three competitions, we won a combined total of 20 trophies (six 1st places, four 2nd places, five 3rd places), including special awards such as Best Team Spirit, Best Overall Club, Judges’ Choice, and our Advanced Ballet Choreographer, Mion Yu,

won Best Female Dancer twice. All teams competed incredibly well

“our Advanced Ballet Choreographer, Mion Yu, won Best Female Dancer twice” and to such a high standard, which was evidenced not only through

the many trophies that we received, but also through the positive and encouraging comments we received from many of the professional dancer judges at each competition.

We all really loved getting the opportunity to finally perform our routines on stage after months of hard work, and we had so much fun visiting other parts of the country all together representing UEA. LATE NEWS: UEA Ballet had an even better end to their season as they won club of the year at UEA’s Sports Awards ceremony on Friday evening.

Last year, Concrete ran a front page story looking at tour (‘What happens on tour stays on tour...’, Concrete 351.) Alas, it did until Concrete published a list of ‘rules’ supposedly given to Netball tour freshers. The article could easily have given the impression to the - pardon the pun - uninitiated that Tour was something to be avoided.

I want to write about tour 2019 and explain how it really is...

This year UEA went to Fazana in Croatia with SportsVest. The nearly 30-hour coach journey is certainly character building, and you learn more about your teammates than you could do in a season of matches! Once you arrive, the accommodation is good, as are the reps. The local supermarket is the place to stock up on food and beverages, a short walk from the resort. Croatian currency has great exchange rates with the pound right now so everything is really cheap there.

The tour operators put on a variety of different activities during the day. There’s a boat party, a pool party and 3G pitches where you can play your sport or try other people’s.

Tour is by far the best way to make friends in your club, you find yourself talking to people you barely knew before and come back best mates - you might even end up making friends with people from other far-flung universities.

From the perspective of my UEA sport club, there is absolutely no obligation for freshers to go on tour.

You don’t have to do anything you really don’t want to do, and the old boys and girls all want you to have a good time - why wouldn’t they?

Of course, I don’t know if this is the same with other clubs, however the impression that tour is a repressive hell given by some articles is simply not true. We met Netball on tour and they were all having a great time.

So, how to sum up tour… sure, it makes you grow up. But if you’ve chosen the right club it also gives you the most fun few days of the year. My advice for tour? Bring suncream, an umbrella and make sure you have Swiss Francs in case you make a rogue stop there on the way.

UEA’s week on tour was great and I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone. Just a pity the grey skies followed us all the way across Europe…

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7th May 2019

Sport

UEA FC win Mummery Cup

Tony Allen Sport Editor

UEA Football Club men’s first team capped an impressive season by lifting the Mummery Cup under the floodlights at the FDC in Bowthorpe. Drawing 2-2 against Long Stratton at full time thanks to a Luke Young penalty and a headed own goal, UEA went on to win 4-2 in extra time with Mo Hassan and Ryan Swift sealing the victory.

It caps a successful season in which UEA have won both the Anglian Combination Division 1 and BUCS Midlands 2A titles, reached the final of the BUCS Midlands Conference Cup and the quarterfinals of the Norfolk Senior Cup. Long Stratton came into the game on the back of a good season, having finished third in the Anglian Combination Premier Division, the league into which UEA have been promoted for next term.

A relatively quiet first half saw UEA creating the best chances from midfield. Hassan was a real livewire for UEA, with man of the match Marcus Legg an assured presence using his experience to anchor the

midfield. Wing-back Henry Clark was also looking dangerous down the left with some superb movement.

Swift was a calming presence as UEA eased into the game, keeping the pressure on Long Stratton by retaining possession around their area in the cagey opening minutes.

The action really got underway five minutes from half-time when Young was fouled on the edge of the area, keeping his cool to drive the resulting penalty into the bottomright corner and put UEA 1-0 up.

However, soon after, Long Stratton netted an equaliser against the run of play through Solomon Pope to go into the break at one apiece.

UEA continued to assert their dominance in the second period, spraying the ball around midfield and creating good supply lines to the forward duo of Young and Swift.

Two good early chances came for Hassan, the second after good hold up play from Swift. UEA goalkeeper Tom Smith was then on guard to catch a header from a Long Stratton corner.

Despite UEA’s relative comfort, Long Stratton then took the lead.

A looping header at the back post

from Anglian Combination Premier Division top scorer James Bemrose evaded UEA keeper Tom Smith to put his side ahead.

It is to UEA’s credit that they continued to stick to their game plan and press forward. Hassan put a free-kick straight into goalkeeper

“It is to UEA’s credit that they continued to stick to their game plan and press forward” Ross Bilham’s hands, but soon after UEA’s Lebanese midfielder had an assist on the board. A cross in from Hassan was deflected in by Long Stratton defender Pope, the own goal cancelling out his previous effort to see the teams level again.

UEA continued to pile on the pressure. Tomasz Siemienczuk had an effort ruled out for offside, Swift saw a shot parried for a corner with

Young’s delivery finding towering centre-back Richard Black in the box before a great run and cross from Young set up Hassan who fired wide.

There was a nervy moment for UEA when a Long Stratton bicycle kick and resulting shot had to be dealt with by skipper Ben George, recently back from England Universities duty. The resulting corner was headed off the line by the solid and organised UEA defence.

Creative forward Young was coming into the game more during the second period as UEA piled on the pressure in search of the winner, with the students well on top. After good work from Swift, a deflected Young shot was punched away by Bilham, the last action of normal time in which Long Stratton had done well to hold on to the draw.

UEA sealed the trophy in two ten-minute periods of added time.

UEA kept up the momentum in the first period and both sides had a series of half-chances, including some superb hold-up play from Swift on the edge of the area which found him shooting space, his parried effort put wide by Clark.

Smith also had to be alert to pounce

on the ball and snuff out a dangerous Long Stratton attack. Bilham then did well to hold a Black header from a corner, with Frankie Bolter rushing in and ready to capitalise on any mishandling from the stopper.

UEA continued apace in the second period of added time. Young exhibited more superb skill, a tame shot from an unmarked Hassan was saved by Bilham and substitute Callum Mooney had an attempt blocked that on another day could easily have been an assist.

However, Hassan finally put his side ahead, hitting his shot with much more power and conviction than his previous attempt, followed by rapturous celebrations with UEA’s fans.

Club President Jody Scowcroft replaced Hassan and Will Oxbrow came on for hard-working midfielder Siemienczuk to add fresh legs to UEA’s midfield as Long Stratton grew increasingly tired and frustrated. Bemrose was reduced to a shot wide from range.

UEA smelt blood and continued to push forward. A Swift cross just

Continued on Page 23