Employability Week
UEA’s independent student newspaper since 1992
www.concrete-online.co.uk
17th-21st October
For further details visit concrete-online.co.uk @Concrete_UEA /ConcreteNewspaper Issue No. 258 Tuesday 11th October 2011
INTERESTED IN DISTRIBUTING CONCRETE ON CAMPUS AND IN THE CITY ONCE A FORTNIGHT? >> Email concrete.editor@uea.ac.uk for further details on hours and salary >> Pick up an application form and job description from the Concrete Office
Campus safe room closed Anna Tomson News Reporter Following increased pressure on university accommodation this year, UEA’s “safe room” on campus has been closed. The room, located secretly on University grounds, was designed to accommodate any student who felt unable to return to their own home. In the past, the room had been used by victims of abuse, violence and rape and was often utilised as a short term place to stay before students felt they could move on to a more permanent location. Up until the beginning of
News, p4
this semester, the room had been available to any student in need and was monitored by both Nightline and the Advice Centre of the Student Union. However, following heavy demand for campus housing for the 2011-12 academic year, the Dean of Students Office (DoS) made the decision to close the room in favour of opening it up as accommodation. The DoS has pledged to provide an alternative to the room, but so far it is unclear what form this will take. UEA Nightline’s internal coordinator told Concrete: “It’s a shame UEA feels it doesn’t have the resources to keep the room open.
“Having a women’s room or a safe area demonstrates the University’s commitment to the safety of students.” Nightline reported that in previous years the safe room had been used by up to 8 people a year but that more recently it had been under-utilised, potentially due to a lack of awareness of the facility among students. However, Nightline’s spokesperson added: “Irrespective of its usage, UEA should have the room. It’s not only about providing the resource, it’s also about the safety that this resource represents.” A recent NUS study found that one in seven women aged 18-25 have experienced serious
physical or sexual assault. More than one in ten have been a victim of serious physical violence. 12% of respondents reported being subject to stalking. UEA student Alice Johnson said: “It seems rather ironic that it has been closed just as the Feminist Society has been formed. Shutting the room clearly demonstrates a failure to accommodate the needs of students both on and off campus.” Whilst it is unclear what form this support service may take in the future, the shocking details of the NUS study make it painfully clear that there are students who may be in need of such a facility.
Richard Joslin analyses the future for student occupations
Features, p16
Charles Crisp reacts to the death of Apple pioneer Steve Jobs
Turf, p23
UEA enters top 150 Josh Resoun News Reporter The Times Higher Educational supplement released its World University Rankings for 20112012 this month, and the University of East Anglia has been placed at 145th, up from 174th in the previous year.
Achieving an overall score of 47.3, the survey shows that UEA is consistently improving year-on-year. The survey ranked 75 US universities in the top 200, compared to the UK’s 32. University Minister David Willetts said that relative to its size, the list demonstrated that the UK’s university system was the “world’s best performing.”
Turf’s Joey Innes-Hopkins analyses the recent bizarre weather patterns
Sport, p28
inside venue this fortnight: • Hannah Britt and Susanna Wood interview Spencer from Made in Chelsea
>> p12
• Music review Emmy the Great’s recent gig at the Arts Centre
>> p4
• Equus, recently at the Playhouse, is put under the spotlight in Arts
>> p15
Concrete Sport take a look at Sebastian Vettel’s second F1 World Championship
2
Editors:Editors: James James Dixon and Dixon Susanna and Susanna Wood Wood Email: concrete.news@uea.ac.uk Email: concrete.news@uea.ac.uk
Editorial
news comment travel features lifestyle
international
p2-7
p22
p8-10
Contributors >>
Editor | Chris King Deputy Editor | Hannah Britt News Editors | James Dixon and Susanna Wood
p2-7
p12-13
p14-16
p17-21
NEWS
Anna Tomson, Josh Resoun, Richard Joslin, Philip Thomas, Freya Barry, Chris King, Francis Mckeown, Andrew Leighfield, David Murphy, Amelia Edwards, Catherine Hardy, Bianca Hutchinson
COMMENT
p8-10
Chris King, Judith Chriqui, Norah Munyagwa, Ciara Jack, Beth Wyatt, Jess Collett, Philip Thomas, Sebastian Crawford, Oliver Sanham
Travel Editor | Greg Lewry
p12-13
Kimberley Sparkes, Laura Holroyd, Greg Lewry, Richard Bennett
Features Editor | Lauren Razavi
p14-16
Lifestyle Editors | Hasina Allen and Rianne Ison
p17-19
Comment Editor | Josh Resoun
International Editor | Rachael Lum
p20
Turf Editor | Becky Hazlewood Competitions Editor | Sam Tomkinson Sport Editors | Matt Scrafton and Chris Teale
p22 p11&24 p25-28
Chief Copy Editors | Amy Adams and Harry Slater Chief Photographer | Laura Smith Deputy Chief Photographer | Harriet Jones
news
TRAVEL
FEATURES
Lauren Razavi, Charles Crisp, Lauren Cope
LIFESTYLE
Hasina Allen, Rianne Ison, Jessica Ball, Ally Kayler, Imogen Steinberg
INTERNATIONAL
Isabelle Carty, Qingning Wang, Robert Norris
TURF
Neil Jennings, Joey Innes-Hopkins
SPORT
Matt Scrafton, Michael Marren, Joey Innes-Hopkins, Joe Levell, Richard Brookman, Tom Shaw, Chris Teale, Billy Sexton, Kris Nelson
COPY EDITORS
Amy Adams, Harry Slater, Beth Wyatt, Matt Mulcahy, Alex Hodson, Frances Mckeown, Nikki Cox, Harriet Smith, Norah Munyangwa, Gemma Morris, Kirsten Haywood
A word from the Editor
What a fortnight it’s been for Concrete. From taking over campus on arrivals weekend, to our jazzy Socmart t-shirts, nervous stage debuts in the LCR and drunken shenanigans on the social, we’ve certainly been loving life. Best of all, however, is the fact that almost 500 of you have signed up, and the paper seems to have flown off the metaphorical shelves. Remember, Concrete is your newspaper and we are your voice on campus. If you don’t like what we’re doing, want to see a new section or you’ve got an article idea, let us know. Finally, Concrete would like to retract the statement provided by James McAvoy in the previous issue, Number 257.
CONTACT DETAILS Email concrete.editor@uea.ac.uk concrete.advertising@uea.ac.uk Contact 01603 593 466 (editorial) 01603 593 466 (advertising)
4
www.concrete-online.co.uk Tuesday 11th October 2011 - Issue 258
facebook.com/ConcreteNewspaper @Concrete_UEA
concrete.news@uea.ac.uk
news
Future looks bleak for student occupations Richard Joslin News Reporter Government plans to crack down on squatting will also outlaw student protests on grounds of trespass, student leaders and lawyers have claimed. Bowing to recent pressure from the right to toughen laws on squatters, a recent justice ministry consultation paper contains proposals to make trespass a criminal offence, rather than a civil offence as it is classified now. Lawyers fear the
proposed legislation will also create a legal grey area over the subject of what constitutes a valid form of protest, which will be exploited to prosecute students who participate in sitin and occupation style protests - effectively setting a precedent outlawing peaceful sit-in and occupation protests. Such sit-ins and occupation protests have been seen at UEA over the last few years, with the entire top floor of the Arts Building being taken over for an extended period of time by protestors in the 2008-2009 academic year. During last
year’s intense wave of protests against the tuition fee debate and subsequent rise, dozens of campuses were occupied by student political protestors. The University of East Anglia acknowledged the right of students to peacefully protest, but stopped short of fully condemning the government plans in a press release issued to Concrete. “The University understands that many students will have strong views about a variety of issues and acknowledges their right to peaceful protest, as long as it does not disrupt the
Norfolk academics express anger over HE reforms Philip Thomas News Reporter Seven academics from the University of East Anglia have signed an open letter to politicians condemning the coalition government’s policy on further and higher education. They are among a total of twelve signatories all of whom are from Norfolk. The letter expresses a particular concern for the implications of cuts to education in Norfolk, citing that the county’s university admissions are already low by national standards. The letter accuses the government of failing to encourage a culture which values education and “life-long learning” as “a public good in today’s society,” whilst also highlighting the detrimental effects of increasing the cap on university tuition fees, which the letter states is likely to deter applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds. Additionally the letter criticised the scrapping of the Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA), which it argued benefitted those poorer students in further education. It suggested that Norfolk in particular has been a “long term educational under-achiever,” and that proposed changes will harm the prospects of learners of all ages in the county. The academics’ leader and Visiting Professor at Kingston Business School, Martyn Sloman, said
“What we have got here in Norfolk is the perfect storm.” A statistical study indicated that among Norfolk students studying between 2005/06 and 2008/09, only 26% progressed into higher education, whilst only 9% of those on free school meals enrolled. This is notable when compared to 33% and 17% respectively at a national level (Source: Department for Business and Innovation Skills).
Emeritus Professor John Elliot from the School of Education on why he chose to participate in the letter: “What is at stake nationally is ‘equality of opportunity’. The cuts are ideologically motivated because they appear to be biased against the value the majority of us place on reducing inequalities in the distribution of social goods in our society, rather than finding ways of dealing with the crisis the banks plunged us into that preserves much of what we value as citizens.” Within broader contexts the letter implies that the national budget deficit has prompted an ideologically driven attack by the Conservative Party against the public sector, whilst moreover it conveys a sense of dismay at the county’s Liberal Democrat
MPs’ support of these proposals. The academics issue the stern warning that the coalition government’s policies could risk ultimately causing “damaging long-term consequences for economic growth and social cohesion,” furthermore jeopardising the UK’s position as a leading global centre for higher education. Meanwhile in response to the letter, two Norfolk MPs have challenged the claims made by the academics. Richard Bacon (Con), MP for Norfolk South remarked that the letter was “not helpful” in light of the burgeoning deficit and overspending of the previous government. Simon Wright (Lib), MP for Norwich South, said: “I’m disappointed by this one-sided critique of the government’s approach to education which fails to recognise a wide range of new initiatives that will help many young people.” Mr Wright notably voted against the rise in tuition fees following a lobbying campaign implemented by the Union of UEA Students. Signatory John Elliot added: “If one believes that equality of opportunity throughout the whole society is at stake then our argument is not very one-sided at all, unless Simon Wright thinks that a pro-equality bias is too onesided for him. Are some of these initiatives little more than a sop to the conscience of the liberal democratic party leadership as it reneged on its promises to the electorate?”
rights of others who wish to get on with their studies and work. We will await the outcome of the consultation with interest,” a UEA spokesperson said last week. The National Union of Students (NUS) vowed to mount a vigorous campaign against the proposals, with executive member Michael Chessum claiming the NUS would make it “politically impossible.” “It will be a fundamental affront to the right of students to protest if occupation was criminalised,” Chessum said. The Ministry of Justice has
denied that the proposals target “legitimate” protestors, with a spokesperson stating: “These proposals are not targeting legitimate forms of protest but those people who enter and occupy homes or business properties without permission.” However, it would be “difficult” to distinguish between squatter and political-activist, housing solicitor Giles Peaker believes. “Is it necessarily for the Ministry of Justice to be the ones proscribing what constitutes a valid form of protest and what doesn’t? The potential for legal grey areas is huge.”
Sex symbol scrutinised in new lecture series
Freya Barry News Reporter Brigitte Bardot, the iconic French actress who starred in Jean Luc Godard’s cult 1963 film Contempt, will be celebrated and explored through a series of public lectures at UEA entitled: ‘French star, international icon: why Brigitte Bardot still matters today.’ Bardot starred in 47 films, worked as a model, singer and an animal rights activist and achieved the always difficult task for any European actor by gaining
success in America. However, as the professor of film studies at King’s College London - Ginette Vincendeau - will discuss in the lecture series, Bardot’s influence went beyond just Hollywood. The lecture will discuss how Bardot’s impact can be related to the development of new cultural habits and social types, especially as they affect women. The series, organised by the School of Language and Communication Studies, begins on October the 13th and ends on December 8th, taking place in Lecture Theatre 3 from 10-2pm.
news
concrete.news@uea.ac.uk
facebook.com/ConcreteNewspaper @Concrete_UEA
Your priority, not ours Chris King Editor The Union of UEA Students’ (UUEAS) Priority Campaigns Poll winners have been announced, in a vote plagued by low turnout and minimal interest. Just 114 people voted in favour of the ‘Stop the cuts’ and ‘Hungry for feedback’ options, which were both jointly chosen as the UUEAS priority campaigns for the academic year. Communications Officer of the UUEAS, Matt Myles, spoke of his disappointment at the low turnout: “We wanted to run the campaign at the start of the year to set out an agenda as early as possible. “I don’t feel it was a worthwhile endeavour,” Myles continued. “In my opinion an
electronic vote is the best way of doing it, but this will have to be reviewed.” With a projected target of 1000 students voting in the poll, and just over a tenth of this number actually doing so, compared to more than 800 last year, questions may well be raised as to the legitimacy of placing extra funds towards, and additional emphasis on, campaigns which may not represent a majority of students. Myles continued: “It’s actually useful that this has gone so wrong, because it has taught us that you won’t learn the information you need from an anonymous vote. “Doing it in the second week was too soon, as you need greater build-up from a marketing perspective, and students are already inundated with information; it’s too much
to take in.” In terms of the finances that will be made available to fulfill the increased focus on the two campaigns, details are yet to be finalised by the student officer committee, and possibly raised at Union Council. In identifying the reasons for the disappointing result of the Priority Campaigns Poll, Myles had the following to say: “The idea that the Union preaches to people and doesn’t listen is a fairly embedded concept, and it can be quite an alienating concept for a lot of students. “We need more direct engagement and interaction to discover students’ views.” Myles continued: “There wasn’t enough of a build-up, the vote should really have taken place in the third week, and it wasn’t marketed as effectively as it could have been.”
www.concrete-online.co.uk Tuesday 11th October 2011 - Issue 258
5
PhD Student wins story award Frances Mckeown News Reporter A postgraduate student has won this year’s National Short Story Award. Dave Wilson, who is now undertaking a PhD in Creative and Critical Writing, won the award for his short story “The Dead Roads,” which is part of a collection of stories written during his MA year. The story follows two old school friends who set off on a road trip. For winning the competition he will receive a £15,000 prize.
The competition is managed in partnership with Booktrust, and aims to expand opportunities for British writers, readers and publishers alike. Last year’s winner was the British poet and translator David Constantine. Wilson’s work appears frequently in literary journals and he has won several awards, including UEA’s Booker Foundation Scholarship. As described by his PhD supervisor Dr Stephen Benson, Wilson is “a writer, no doubt about that, and he has a voice. Dave is definitely one to watch”.
Lecturers yet to be convinced by new academic hubs Andrew Leighfield News Reporter The changes implemented by the newly established faculty hubs may have been largely overlooked by the student population of UEA, but some academics warn that we may soon start to notice the disruption. Their main concern is whether the hubs can handle the volume of coursework submitted around deadline days; the hub located in the Elizabeth Fry building alone caters for a total of thirteen different schools. To counter this academics have been asked by the hubs to stagger their module deadlines, causing some dissatisfaction among teaching staff who feel it is unfair that they should shoulder this extra work. The place where students could really feel the sting, however, is in coursework feedback. The added bureaucracy of the hubs may eat into UEA’s twenty day coursework turnaround period, meaning some students may face having coursework returned to them later than expected. One academic told Concrete: “We have sought reassurance, and not received it, that this won’t impinge
on feedback and essay marking”. When questioned about some of these concerns Jon Sharp, the Head of Learning & Teaching Services, told Concrete that “We are realistic, there will be things that we haven’t thought about which we will have to fix”. According to Sharp the hubs are designed to integrate, not lose, the services previously provided by the teaching offices. He assures that “people should not experience a shortfall in services; it will just be different.” This may not be enough to alleviate the Union of UEA Students’ concerns, however, who uphold that “it is vital that the impact...on students is minimal.” One of the more interesting concepts behind this administrative refurbishment is viewing students more and more as “customers.” It all comes back to cuts in university funding, which have caused many universities, including UEA, to charge the maximum amount in tuition fees to incoming students. With this increased price tag on a university education it is imperative that students are given the best possible service during their time studying, which is what the hubs are aiming to do.
Harriet Jones Whether they will succeed or not remains to be seen. Hopefully in
the coming months we will see every effort being made, by both
staff and students, to make this new system work.
news
concrete.news@uea.ac.uk
facebook.com/ConcreteNewspaper @Concrete_UEA
www.concrete-online.co.uk Tuesday 11th October 2011 - Issue 258
7
SocWeb issues provoke student anger David Murphy News Reporter The Union of UEA Students (UUEAS) has released the latest version of SocWeb to mixed reviews from club presidents. The new version of SocWeb, which students use to join societies and sports clubs, as well as buy Sports Association Membership, has been criticised for not delivering what was promised at the end of last year after the UUEAS advertised that they worked with students to make a better SocWeb. Committees who have spoken to Concrete have listed many areas where they feel the system falls short. One president, who asked not to be named, said: “There is no facility to email all members of our society, which we needed to do as soon after SocMart as possible. And we have no way of telling apart fully paid members
from those who still need to pay their subs.” The student also said they felt more guidance was needed from the UUEAS to new committees before the start of term.
The offending website
Rianne Ison, from UEA Drama Society, told Concrete that she felt this year’s system would be harder to use for new committees because they had not yet had training on how to use it. “Last year, we had meetings with Rob Bloomer to explain the way the system worked, as well as to convey what we wanted from the new SocWeb.” The training sessions for new committees did not take place until the 10th October, well after most students had joined clubs and societies. When asked about problems
with SocWeb, Rob Bloomer, Finance Officer of the UUEAS, told Concrete: “The reason things aren’t working yet is because it ended up being about six weeks late from the web designer and these are all the problems that we would’ve expected to encounter. I know that doesn’t make up for it to a student, but there’s nothing else I can say to justify it.” When asked about the contract in place, Mr. Bloomer said that while a deadline was agreed in principle it could not be put in writing due to the designer’s contract with UEA. He also could not tell Concrete the name of the company who developed the website, however he did confirm they are involved in maintaining it and addressing all technical problems that arise. When told about the problems with releasing SocWeb on time, the anonymous president thought it was “unfair on students that the Union didn’t put a deadline on the project.”
Beetle science: Students’ cost of all you need is love living soars Amelia Edwards News Reporter University scientists have discovered that promiscuous female red flour beetles are more likely to mate successfully in inbred communities. When red beetle populations become inbred, the probability that mating is successful is reduced by 50%, compared to beetle reproduction in places with a varied gene pool. However, when females mate with five members of their family rather than just one – and yes, beetles will do that – the possibility of producing offspring is increased to normal. The UEA team believes this is because the females possess mechanisms which allow them to filter out sperm which is genetically unsuitable for their egg – and thus choosing the best possible combination of genes for their offspring. Following their findings, the scientists (L Michalczyk, A Millard, O Martin, A Lumley, B Emerson, T Chapman and M Gage) went on to
deliberately inbreed red beetles to discover how this interesting fact would alter the beetles’ behaviour. According to their research, the female beetles started to become more promiscuous after fifteen generations of inbreeding, being quicker to mate with new males and doing so more often. Currently, the team does not know exactly how the female beetles are selecting genetically appropriate sperm for their eggs. The suggestions are that the females are choosing the males least related to them and possibly storing their sperm, that the fact that the promiscuous females are mating more frequently is simply giving them access to the sperm which will impregnate them (thus leading to more successful mating) or that it is due to a sperm: egg recognition system which scientists have not yet explored. Whatever the reason for the success of promiscuity, it is bound to importantly affect breeding programs for endangered species. Thanks to the UEA team, we might soon be hearing tales of promiscuous pandas.
Catherine Hardy News Reporter As the cost of living soars, students are set to begin university facing £8,000 student finance shortfalls, according to recent surveys. New analysis by the National Union of Students (NUS) has revealed that for the average student living outside London the gap between Government provided support and the cost of being a student is £8,037 for the 2011/12 academic year. This rise of 10% since 2010/11 highlights the need for the Government to increase the amount of support available to students while they study. With the average cost of being a student currently £16,279, the typical income from Governmentfunded loans and grants (£8,242) is no longer enough to cover basic living costs. Commenting on the shortfall, NUS President Liam Burns said: “Not enough of the student support in the higher education system is getting into the pockets
of students and there is a real danger that the situation is getting worse.” Annie Odgen, Head of UEA Communications, told Concrete: “Any student experiencing financial difficulties is encouraged to see one of the finance advisers in the Dean of Students’ Office. They offer advice and may be able to provide additional financial support through a range of hardship funds. “ The NUS are now launching a new Student Financial Support Commission to perform an in-depth analysis of the costs faced by students and the support measures on offer, to see if people are getting the help they need. Mr Burns added: “It is important that we get a full picture of where the failings are. Tuition fees are a disincentive for many students but it is the support funds available at university that define its affordability.” The commission of eight serving student officers and five other student finance experts convenes for the first time on October 17.
Jazz orchestra to premiere
UEA’s “Duke Ellington” and “Symphony” orchestras have teamed up to create “From the New world to Jazz” - the orchestral progeny which promises to be the jazz soiree of the semester. Audiences can expect pieces across a musical scale from the archives of Ellington, “America’s most prolific composer” as titled by co-ordinator Vic Hobson. From a stripped back arrangement of “Black and Tan Fantasy”, to experimental explorations of the compositional process, there will be something for the avid fan as well as the inevitable convert. The show opens at St Andrew’s Hall on the eleventh of November. Bianca Hutchinson
8
news
comment
features lifestyle
p2-7
p8-10
p14-16
p17-21
international
p22
comment
Editor: Joshua Resoun Email: concrete.comment@uea.ac.uk
An emoticon speaks a thousand words Why language matters Chris King laments the true nature of communication on social networking site Facebook Facebook is a horrible invention. A stalker’s paradise, the triumph of impersonality and insincerity over genuine communication, and a way to publicise your life to others, it’s a miracle real social interaction still exists in the world. I see it as nothing more than an advert, a means by which we can all stand beaming in the thousands of identical photos that have been tagged, ‘like’ each other’s pearls of wisdom (otherwise known as status updates) and talk about how interesting and exciting our lives are to everybody and nobody all at the same time. Now I don’t claim to be innocent in this; I, like many
people, am an avid user of Facebook and deeply ashamed to say I look at it every day a number of times. I would delete it, but I’d feel somehow disconnected, like I were missing something, even though nothing really occurs in a virtual universe, and no pleasure can be derived from reading about the lives of others at the expense of your own. As if the social networking giant which could, in a postapocalyptic vision of our future, constitute the world’s first ‘global database’ with which our lives might be controlled even more, wants to dictate to its ‘users’ even more, we now
have the deeply unsettling side bar. In this no activity undertaken on Facebook goes unnoticed, it seems, so stalking or at the very least obsessively observing what other people are doing becomes as easy as nodding and speaking when you’re instructed to. The most terrifying prospect of all, however, is that Facebook’s power and hold over our lives will only augment, as will the amount of data they hold on each of us. If this doesn’t bother you, then just make sure you don’t reduce your interactions purely to this, the social network. Otherwise in reality, you just won’t be saying anything at all.
Boycott stupidity, not Israel With calls to boycott Israeli goods gaining momentum, Judith Chriqui defends the production and exportation of Israeli products When I walked into SocMart two weeks ago, I was startled and appalled to see a sign that read: “End the Siege of Gaza, Boycott Israeli Goods.” Those words screamed at me, sounding even more cacophonous than the general amplified clamor lent by the poor acoustics of the room. For an Israeli such as myself, I was angry, but I had to ask myself, why? Let me begin though by saying that the pro-Israeli/proPalestine binary is foolish, as it forces people to take sides and submit themselves to whatever fashionable banter is thrown their way. It is easy to do that because it requires very little thought or effort, and even less of an understanding to the situation which exists on the ground. It is for that reason that the sign which was on show at SocMart angered me so. For those on the far left of the political spectrum, statements such as this only add to the current polarization of the Israeli/Palestinian discourse, and do not reflect the real life nuanced experiences of Israel and Palestine. I am an Israeli citizen, and I stand against the occupation of Palestinian territory, yet I firmly believe that Israel has the right to exist – and therefore the right to engage in free exchange of goods and services.
To some, that may be a contradiction; yet was Ralph Waldo Emerson not spot on when he wrote that “a foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.” Should I be consistent only for the sake of consistency? I do not believe that boycotting consumer goods, or the boycotting tactic in general, is going to be an effective way in ending the occupation, and if that is our ultimate goal, we should use smarter techniques, such as informing people of the situation at hand. Or perhaps we could try and pressure our governments (whether they be Palestinian, Israeli, British or American) to take part in the diplomatic processes, rather than boycotting privately consumed goods. Please do not boycott. For one thing, you are hurting the economic livelihood of innocent Israeli citizens, most of whom
represent the political fallout of the boycott campaigns and are just trying to make an honest living. Do you think that US boycotts of Cuba, or Iran, or even North Korea, have had any effect on those countries and changing their course of development? In short, no, they have not. None of the aforementioned countries have altered their ideological convictions because of the tactic of boycotting. That is why boycotting goods proves an unproductive, ineffective, and inconsequential tactic. If anything, it merely fans the flames even more, and has the unforeseen result of pushing average Israeli citizens further to the right. As an Israeli citizen, I can say one thing with certainty: this is a futile attempt to get people to give a shit.
With the announcement of language courses for five year old pupils, Norah Munyagwa argues why language is so important For many, language is a symbol of patriotism and power, without which we would become lost in a deep cloud of obscurity, uncertain of one another’s intentions and unable to express our joys and our sorrows. Being trilingual myself, fellow multilinguals will understand that having another language builds a bridge of opportunities both professionally and socially. The possibility of being connected to another culture in this way is both exhilarating and overwhelming. Don’t get me wrong: English is a rich and sensuous language thanks to classic writers such as Defoe and Shakespeare as well as several historical invasions! With the emergence of large and fruitful economies from the East, the world is now ready to move on from us and embrace a new path. It is this linguistic revolution which makes England’s resistance to languages such an embarrassment. Ironically, for a country whose language is a pastiche of
most of continental and Northern European tongues, many Britons do say that learning another language is difficult, especially when socially, there is no need or use for it. It therefore comes as a positive disadvantage to have ones language as one of the most widely spoken across the world. In contrast, in countries such as Belgium or Uganda, there is a domestic need to have more languages in order to be understood. Again, there is a deep social expectation, a consistent obsession to be understood, which fuels our need for languages. It embodies our cultural outlooks and forms our social identity and its presence is vital in bonding us all together.
Flaws of the smartphone If the bandwagon of the iPhone and Blackberry is well on the way, Ciara Jack refuses to jump on it Chances are that you, reading this article, have just slid an iPhone or a Blackberry back into your pocket or bag. Make room on the bandwagon, because the iPhone and Blackberry have become more ubiquitous than ever. Apple are notorious for producing oblong, touchy and pleasingly sleek gadgets, and the iPhone promises this all within one fantastically fragile device that cracks if there’s a sudden change in temperature, or if you’ve hurt its feelings. Maybe the iPhone’s screen needs to be treated more tenderness than one’s house keys or wallet. It has also recently developed the technology to unlock by face recognition. I can’t cope with machines judging me now too. Perhaps soon it willl open with its feelings on your appearance:
“You’ve let yourself go again, haven’t you :( ?” Blackberries are certainly the more robust of the two contenders, and it is less easy to accidentally hang up on someone by pressing too hard with your cheek. But I suppose my main issue with Blackberry is this: how did a smartphone, pitched for businesses, end up in the hands of teenagers? Is ‘lol made out wiv Gavin wuz well funni’ really worthy of a business meeting schedule? In all honesty, the iPhone is a lovely little gadget and so is the Blackberry, but they are used as status phones. Plus, if you look very, very closely, they both float delicately on a thin airbed of smugness. Of course, other brands of smartphone are available for those who wish to avoid the bandwagon.
comment
for Beth Wyatt
Simply put: yes, they should have been evicted. After a decade of wrangling between Basildon Council and the travellers, at a huge cost to the taxpayer, the dispute has finally come to an end. The illegal residents on the site should certainly have been removed. What is the point of having a legal system if some people do not adhere to it? However, Basildon Council must accept part of the blame. In 2001, when many families were moving in and planning breaches were discovered, they sat back and did nothing. This meant that the situation was allowed to fester, and now we have reached a point when it is proving difficult to bring the saga to a close.
“The illegal residents on the site should certainly have been removed. What is the point of having a legal system if some people do not adhere to it?” Adding to these frustrations are the High Courts and the UN. The eviction of the travellers was voted for by Basildon Council in March, yet the ongoing legal battles have delayed a conclusion. I do not see the point in delaying the inevitable; it is going to happen, and frankly I think you should just get it over with and move out. The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination has also interfered, calling the planned eviction immoral, and suggesting that the eviction would severely alter the travellers’ lives for the worse. Professor Yves Cabannes, previously a UN advisor on eviction, said that Basildon Council was ‘abusing the law’. Please do not get me wrong. I believe the UN was set up with good intentions, but it has no right to lay down the law to Britain to command a halt to an eviction such as this. It is simply
concrete.comment@uea.ac.uk
facebook.com/ConcreteNewspaper @Concrete_UEA
www.concrete-online.co.uk Tuesday 11th October 2011 - Issue 258
9
THE BIG DEBATE After ten years of legal battles, a decision has been made at Dale Farm. Concrete asks: Did Basildon Council have the legal and moral right to the remove the travellers?
none of its business. Meanwhile, there are ordinary citizens whose lives are being made hell: the residents at Cray’s Hill being one group. In a recent video on the BBC website, the outraged citizens from Cray’s Hill were able to put their view across, portraying their anger and frustration. The residents at Cray’s Hill are fully aware that the travelling community has always been victimised, but they are saying that enough is enough and the situation must be resolved. I say, this is the spirit that Basildon Council needs to employ within its ranks. The law has to be upheld; it’s as simple as that. You cannot have one rule for one group, and another rule for the rest of us. They have offered the travellers alternative accommodation, which has been refused, so now is the time to march in and force the eviction if necessary. For the residents of Cray’s Hill, the illegal residents at Dale Farm must be removed. The decade long saga, which has come to an end with the law being upheld, will finally give the local community a chance to not only return to normality, but also to rebuild their lives.
THE FACT BOX >> Created in the 1970s by Basildon Council >> It houses 1,000 residents with an Irish background >> Some residents have planning permission for homes, some do not >> In 2001 planning breaches were discovered >> Between 2000 and 2001, English travellers moved out, and Irish travellers moved in >> In 2002, Billy Williams was shot dead over a land dispute >> In July 2011, the Court of Appeal ruled that Basildon Council was acting lawfully when refusing planning permission for the disputed tracts of land Basildon Council offered alternative locations for the evicted residents >> October, 2011, and the High Court gives Basildon Council permission to evict 49 of the 54 families living at Dale Farm illegally
The legal status of travellers within the UK has always been fairly contentious, often provoking emotive arguments on both sides, and the Dale Farm case is no exception. The facts are these: Dale Farm is part of a site in Essex, which is used as a travellers halting site and is currently the largest such site in the UK, with around 1000 residents. The entire site is owned by the residents of the site, who are distinguished into two groups: residents whose homes have planning permission, and those who were refused planning permission.
“Basildon Council are abusing the law and discrminating against the travelling community” The disputed section is a mere seven acres of land which the council claim has been established without planning permission since the early 1960s, first as a scrap yard and now as a concreted area. The High Courts have had to actively step over the years to stop the council’s proposed use of force to physically remove travellers from the site, and both Amnesty International the UN
Jess Collett
oppose the eviction, claiming that Basildon council are abusing the law and discriminating against the travelling community. Interestingly, the press has continually insinuated that the entire community is living on the site illegally, using the fears that the middle classes hold of squatters and shirkers to prevent the travellers from attracting sympathy. What the matter is truly about is this: as a culture, we fear those who we believe live outside of the norms of our own society. Look at the actions of France in recent years. Neither the actions of the French governments, or our own, are excuses for discrimination and the institutional hostility against the travelling community. Indeed, complaints were not made against the residents of Dale Farm until 2001, when the English travellers moved out, and a group of Irish travellers moved in. If this is true, then it is an act of an age-old prejudice against the Irish, and not just the travelling community at large: a prejudice which absolutely disgusts me. I
don’t want to live in a society that thinks like that, and for that reason the residents of Dale Farm should be allowed to stay. We should not let mainstream prejudices hurt a community which have done no wrong. As a final note, 90% of planning applications filed by travellers are rejected, compared to the 20% national average. The residents at Dale Farm never stood a chance.
10
www.concrete-online.co.uk Tuesday 11th October 2011 - Issue 258
facebook.com/ConcreteNewspaper @Concrete_UEA
concrete.comment@uea.ac.uk
Prospects for the future With this year marking the tenth anniversary of the conflict in Afghanistan, Philip Thomas examines what could be in store for one of the world’s most unstable countries On October 7th 2001, UK and US armed forces embarked upon ‘Operation Enduring Freedom’. Ten years on it seems that ‘Operation Enduring Freedom’ has proved sadly ironic. What the future holds for Afghanistan remains enshrouded in doubt and uncertainty, whilst international policy continues to be questioned. The devastation of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Centre prompted then US president George Bush to launch a fullscale ‘war on terror’ and today this conflict continues to cost lives. The death of marine David Fairbrother in Helmand last
month brought British military fatalities in Afghanistan to a total of 382, whilst nearly ten thousand Afghan civilians have died between 2007 and 2010. Often in the shadow of these statistics are the long term effects of the debilitating casualties suffered by foreign servicemen and the local population, which undoubtedly will remain as bitter legacies of the conflict. The domestic authorities claim that significant social and economic progress has been made towards a better future for Afghanistan, with primary school enrolment increasing significantly
from only 1 million under the Taliban regime in 2001, to 6.5 million in 2009, among whom a far greater proportion are girls. GDP per capita has increased from a mere $171 in 2001 to $515 in 2011, however 36% of the population continue live below the poverty line, raising questions about long term economic development. In 2004 Afghans voted for the first time since 1988 in democratic elections, nevertheless the 2009 the presidential election was marred in controversy and allegations of corruption. Paradoxically a viable democracy in Afghanistan is necessary
With Britain having placed last in a uSwitch survey on happiness, Sebastian Crawford argues that every cloud has a silver lining pesky neighbourhood dog who just will not stop barking. It is, however, a bit of a British tradition to whinge and white, just as it is a British tradition to talk about the weather during conversation. Both of these things though are minor British institutions, just as the Queen’s speech on Christmas Day is, or the county cricket matches, or the bawdy nature of the Houses of Parliament. If anything, we should be proud to be British. Our
be a persistent struggle, but nonetheless its people must ultimately learn to embrace the ideals of free democracy and remain bravely resolute against extremists who threaten to disrupt the reconstruction process. Perhaps the kites that have long come to symbolise freedom in Afghanistan, may continue to represent the hopes of future
Down it, Fresher!
Always look on the bright side of life In recent weeks Britain has been voted the least happy country in Europe by uSwitch. This conclusion seems at best a generalisation, at worst a direct insult. As I see it, Britain is the richest amalgamation of political, cultural and artistic diversity existing in the world today. Our political system, which of late has come under immense pressure, ensures that every citizen over the age of eighteen receives an opportunity to vote for their government. Our multiculturalism may be seen as a threat by certain individuals, but that same diversity has allowed Britain to become a melting pot of dozens of different cultures. Where would we be without the local Chinese takeaway? The delight of French bread? The refreshing taste of German beer? Some of the greatest artistic minds have also originated from Britain, both from the past and from the present. Turner, Hirst, Blake, Shakespeare, Orwell and Rowling are a mere drop of water in the vast ocean which is the great flux of influential Britons. To be honest though, Britons love nothing more than standing in a nice orderly queue, and having a little rant about that
to prevent the discontent and political instability that hampers social and economic development, which subsequently is the stable basis for a successful democratic system. If reconstruction is to succeed, then it is essential that stability is established in Afghanistan. Personally I believe that long term peace in Afghanistan will
comment
history stretches back over a millennia. Without becoming too Imperialistic, our Empire covered a quarter of the world for the best part of a century. The bottom line is we live in a country with a free, national health service, an unparalleled education system and the ability to make our voice heard, whenever we want. Cecil Rhodes once said, “To be born English is to win first prize in the lottery of life.” And that, my friends, is why we should all look on the bright side of life.
Oliver Sanham is swallowing a new kind of living, and finding it tastes better When I tell people that I am a first year, I usually get one of three reactions. First, a kind of resigned jealously from those older students who have fond memories of their first year, of nights out, morning lay-ins and cheap takeaways. Or, I encounter another first year and I’m met with a shared, knowing look which describes the strange and unfamiliar situation we’ve found ourselves in. Lastly, though admittedly the least frequent, is a slight hostility that is summarised as ‘fresher-bashing’, who some older students believe is an inevitable rite of passage. For the latter, it’s sad that even in these young adult years there is still a playground mentality. Even now Freshers’ week has drawn to a close, there should be no more late night fire alarms, or food happening to ‘disappear’ in our kitchens (on this, if anyone knows where my ham is, could they please get in touch).
Life on campus is beginning to reveal itself as strange and spontaneous. It is seldom easy to guess what a day will bring, and though lectures are regular the moments in between are anything but. We are told often that this is our first taste of independence, finally having full responsibility for our own learning, our own lives, but is this first year really that similar to life in the ‘real world’? This new kind of life we’ve found ourselves with, in which so many moments are social ones, is surely an improvement on the sheltered living that we experience before university. Those ‘on the outside’ shift from work to home to work to home on a regular, and frankly, uninspiring basis. Maybe I’m jaded, knowing how satisfying life is at university, but it seems that those on the outside could learn something from the way that we live in our first year, and to that, I shall raise my glass.
Your Comment. Your Paper. >> Disagree with something said? >> Got an opinion you want heard? >> Want to voice a complaint? | Email concrete.comment@uea.ac.uk to get involved |
competitions1
www.concrete-online.co.uk
Editor: Sam Tomkinson Email: concrete.competitions@uea.ac.uk
Tuesday 11th October 2011 - Issue 258
11
1 2
3
4
5
6
7 8
9
10
11
12 13 14 15 16
17 18
19 21
20 22
23
24
25 26
ACROSS
DOWN
3. Flying tool with a curved shape 4. Fear of Heights 5. 2005 Libyan Presidential candidate 7. 2011 Johnstone Paint Trophy finalists 10. Notorious Italian American gangster 12. The capital of Georgia 15. Author of “Paradise and Beyond” 18. The centre of an atom 19. The longest river in Europe 21. The winner of the 1987 Rugby World Cup 22. The Greek Goddess of love 23. Creator of ‘Downton Abbey’ 25. Former French Emperor 26. The author of ‘Dracula’
1. Lead in the film “Limitless” 2. Female voice in the Shrek tetralogy 6. Type of artillery piece 8. Men’s Tennis World Number 6 9. Alleged anti-Semitic designer 10. One of the 3 Musketeers 11. The writer of Equus 13. The founder of Sinn Fein 14. Probiotic drinking yoghurt 16. A leading brand of vacuum cleaner 17. To put an end to 20. A highly alcholic beverage 24. A country involved in the Arab Spring
12
Editor: Greg Lewry Email: concrete.travel@uea.ac.uk
news
comment
travel
features
lifestyle international turf
sport
p2-7
p8-10
p12-13
p14-16
p17-21
p25-28
p22
p23
travel
Spend next summer working Stateside Ever wanted to spend a summer in the USA? Get planning, as Concrete Travel takes you through some of your options for Summer 2012 Summer may feel like it has just ended, but that’s no reason to not start thinking about summer 2012 and what you options you have to make it better than this summer. Opportunities to work abroad over the summer months are very popular, offering students the chance to explore some of the world’s most exciting destinations whilst funding your travels through paid employment. BUNAC’s Work America programme is only available to university students and is a fascinating way to experience the USA. BUNAC have been offering UK university students the chance to find casual employment in America for fifty years now and they assist with every step of the journey, from visa applications to group flights and full support in finding jobs in the States including an exclusive jobs database. Jobs can be found on the database or alternatively you can go job hunting yourself. Many students end up with interesting and exciting placements, some of which have ranged from being part of the hospitality team at a posh country club in New York to working for a film company in
LA. With BUNAC’s Work America programme, you are able to get pretty much any job you want for the four months you are there so the sky is the limit! BUNAC have a resource centre in the middle of Manhattan where you can get CV advice, look at the jobs and accomodation listings and meet fellow travellers to explore the States with. For those who are interested in working with children and have experience in teaching sports and other activities, BUNAC’s Summer Camp USA programme is the best way to spend a summer. Working in beautiful surroundings, you will be teaching your activity throughout the day and looking after a section of kids at night. Commonly referred to as “the hardest job you’ll ever love”, working at a summer camp is a challenging yet incredibly fulfilling experience and for many people one summer at camp is never enough. Summer Camp USA’s benefits include flights, accomodation and food, plus you get a guaranteed salary of around $1000 for the summer; enough money to tour around some of America’s great
cities or go on a road trip across the country! Popular destinations include the beaches of Miami and the glamour of Los Angeles. With 30 days at the end of camp to explore it’s possible to see many of the great places that this country has to offer. BUNAC also offer’s a third option for travelling America which involves making a difference to some of the iconic national parks in the southwest of the country. Volunteer USA is a conservation project operating in Arizona, Utah and Nevada, helping to conserve national treasures such as the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley. The physical work includes constructing fences, helping with trail maintenance and working to protect local endangered species. Although it is tough physical work, it offers a fantastic opportunity to help make a difference to America’s stunning national parks.
BUNAC’s ‘Summer in the States’ presentation is being held on Thursday 20th October, 5-6pm, in Arts 2.03
Sunny delight in Southwold Kimberley Sparkes heads to the Suffolk coast to sample the charms of Southwold It is October and summer is eking out its last few days of sunshine before the cold of winter sets in. What better place to soak up the last of the summer rays than sunny Southwold on the north Suffolk coast? So it isn’t exactly an exotic paradise getaway but it does have a working lighthouse, cute little beach huts, an awardwinning pier, a busy harbour, cliff top cannons and, of course, the beach.
DO Southwold Pier is very popular with the locals and is always packed out in the summer. It opened in 2001 and has a few shops, a cafe, vintage amusements (which you have to see to believe) and a normal amusement park. The Pier clock is also definitely different, especially when it comes to life
on the hour. There is also much more to see, including a boating lake; a small mini golf course nearby and of course the Adnams brewery tour where you can sample the famous Adnams ales and see how they are made!
EAT You can buy traditional fish and chips or an ice cream on the Pier but it is quite expensive. Your best bet is to have a stroll around the town, walking right down the promenade from the Pier, then turning into the town to find a quiet little Suffolk pub for a home-cooked meal at a reasonable price.
STAY Southwold is close enough to Norwich to just go for a day visit,
but if you fancy getting away from the city for a weekend break at the seaside there are plenty of hotels and B&Bs to choose from. Just check out http://www.southwold.ws/ for more details.
HOW Get a bus from Norwich bus station to Southwold on the number 588 Anglian bus to Halesworth (runs every day) and then the 520 to Southwold (runs Monday to Saturday). The fee is approximately £12 return but it is well worth it if you want to get out of the city and see a bit of the Suffolk countryside and coastline. Check out www. angliancoaches.co.uk/ for the bus timetables. Even if it isn’t nice weather by the time you read this it is still a nice trip in the winter.
“Wish you were here?” This photo is of Sydney’s beautiful harbour, facing away from the twin Australian icons of the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. It was actually taken from the terrace of our hotel, the Sebel Pier One, which is set in a magnificent location right next to the bridge. Waiting for friends to arrive, I watched
as the glowing sun descended slowly into the water, the sky painted a deep orange colour. It was one of many Australian sunsets that I saw whilst travelling around the country, but this is my favourite, simply for the shimmering water of the harbour as the boat passes by.
travel
concrete.travel@uea.ac.uk
Il y a beaucoup de monde ici: Visiting the French Riviera Laura Holroyd Travel Writer Located on the French Riviera, between Nice and Cannes, Antibes Juan-les-Pins is a historic town which has inspired countless artists and writers, most notably Pablo Picasso and F. Scott Fitzgerald. Unfortunately, during the summer months it becomes unbearably busy as thousands of tourists descend upon this little seaside town, forcing up prices and crowding the narrow streets and even narrower beaches. An excellent way to escape the hectic atmosphere of the town centre and to truly appreciate the beauty and charm of Antibes Juan-les-Pins is to walk the coastal road that runs along the old fortress walls. The outstanding view is captivating, with its vivid colours and historic scenery. The bars are overcrowded and overpriced, yet nothing beats drinking a cocktail in the “vielle ville” whilst listening to the street musician, who night after night plays the same five songs on his acoustic guitar. The Brazilian
acrobats are never far away from the centre of town during the evening; usually they are desperately trying to control the crowd so that they can perform in the bustling streets. If street performances do not appeal, then Antibes Juan-lesPins has an exciting and varied music scene with its numerous clubs and bars. Additionally, it is home to the world famous international Jazz festival Jazz à Juan. Every year, the best of the Jazz world graces its stage from Ella Fitzgerald and Ray Charles to Jamie Cullum and Norah Jones, this is truly a place for outstanding performers. Best of all, the tourist office attempts to make the festival accessible to all by selling half price student tickets and holding free concerts in the streets.
Top 5 things to do in Sydney Greg Lewry Travel Editor 1. Tour the Opera House. Like no other building in the world, the iconic white sails of the Sydney Opera House are the global symbol of Australia, and there is no better way to discover its fascinating history than to take a tour around. Tickets for performances are expensive and sell out quickly, so this could be your best chance to get inside. 2. Visit Manly Beach. Bondi maybe the closest and most popular beach in the city, but Manly Beach is considered by many to be the most beautiful. 30 minutes from the Opera House by ferry, Manly allows you to get away from the crowded city and relax amongst the palm trees. 3. Eat at the top of the tower. Sydney Tower Eye, as it is now known, has two revolving restaurants. Head 300 metres
into the Sydney sky to enjoy a wide-ranging buffet which includes Australian delicacies such as kangaroo and crocodile. Take your camera to snap some panoramic views of the city whilst you enjoy your meal. 4. Take a boat to Taronga Zoo. One of the largest of its kind in the world, Taronga (the Aboriginal word for “beautiful view”) sits upon the shore of Sydney Harbour and houses a huge selection of Australia’s unique wildlife. There is a dedicated ferry from Circular Quay that takes visitors straight to the zoo. 5. Cruise the harbour. Sydney’s harbour is what makes it a great city and its two main attractions, the bridge and the Opera House, are best seen from the water. Join the commuters going to work in the morning, take a dinner cruise at sunset with Captain Cook Cruises or venture out to watch humpback whales appear along the coastline.
facebook.com/ConcreteNewspaper @Concrete_UEA
www.concrete-online.co.uk Tuesday 11th October 2011 - Issue 258
13
Paradise found in Fiji Concrete Travel talks to Richard Bennett, who volunteered in the Pacific Islands of Fiji What did you do in your time volunteering? For much of my stay I was teaching a class of 21 children in their primary school. It was very rewarding, but occasionally frustrating. Building the community hall was also exhausting. Applying the strapping on the roof was a combination of fun workmanship, experiencing painful blisters from hammering, and climbing around the skeleton of the building like a lunatic! Many times I dropped my hammer and felt relieved that noone was walking underneath. Early learning in kindergarten was also incredibly challenging, not just because of the language barrier, but their attention span was about two seconds! It was a great feeling to help many of the children begin their education. Where did you stay? I stayed with a Fijian family whose hospitality was incredible. For eight weeks in Uluibau village, they made me feel really welcome. Living in their house, I experienced such simple pleasures. Half way through a cold bucket shower, it would start to rain, and going to the toilet was difficult in fierce winds, but how many people have a toilet which has a sea view of the morning sunrise? What are your favourite memories of your time volunteering? I introduced “What’s the time Mr Wolf?” to them and taught them a Fijian Meke dance, which they performed at the Kindergarten Graduation Ceremony! During sports sessions, they loved paying kwik cricket. We threw full tosses
to make it easier for them over crab-hole infested ground, but the main aim in coaching a new sport was to make sure they enjoyed it. I also directed Joseph the Musical. I will never forget the first rehearsal, where you could have heard the children singing for miles around! What did you learn about Fiji’s culture? Fiji is rich in culture. The Fijian narcotic drink, Kava, like wine, is drunk in accordance with a set etiquette and in different environments. I also attended a funeral which was surreal, as a whale’s tooth was passed around the funeral party to signal when it was each person’s turn to speak about the death. The kava became sacred. I often went fishing or went to the plantations with our father, Savve. He showed us how to use a spear to kill fish, caught us clams and balloon fish, and took us crab catching. To kill crabs, you pierce a stick into the side of it’s brain! Eating with my hands on the floor at meal times was also fantastic. How did you celebrate your birthday in Fiji? My birthday was a once in a lifetime experience. I wore a bark dress and I said a speech in Fijian and everyone sang “Happy Long life” before the band gathered around for kava and dancing! The next day we had a rugby match and I had the time of my life with everyone singing “Happy Birthday” while I was playing. At the end of the game everyone sang a hymn together: another example of how happy and how close the community is to each other.
Essential Fiji Capital: Suva Population: 849,000 Demonym: Fijian Currency: Fijian Dollar (FJD) How do I get there? Getting to the islands from the UK takes over 24 hours and requires a stopover in Los Angeles. Qantas and Air New Zealand are the main carriers that serve Nadi, the largest of Fiji’s two international airports. Getting around It is cheap to get around the islands with “sharetaxis” and public buses are a reliable option. South Sea Cruises offer cheap inter-island transport which can get busy during holiday periods, but are known for having a good safety record. When should I go? Fiji’s weather has minimal change and is split into warm (November - April) and cool (May - October) seasons. Temperatures in the cool season still average 22oC however, so Fiji attracts visitors year round. Top tip Fiji’s islands are known as the “soft coral capital of the world” and they offer some of the best scuba diving in the Pacific. There are plenty of scuba diving companies that offer competitive prices to tourists as well as other experiences such as waterskiing and snorkelling.
14
Editor: Lauren Razavi Email: concrete.features@uea.ac.uk
news
comment
travel
p2-7
p8-10
p12-13
features
lifestyle international turf sport
p17-21
p22
p23
p25-28
The rising cost of education Lauren Razavi explores the ongoing debate surrounding university tuition fees and the cost of education The tuition fees debate is one that has caused much controversy in the UK over the past twelve months. The government’s decision to raise the cap on university tuition fees from £3,290 per year, to £9,000 per year was a shock to students past, present and future, and has certainly been one of the most debated topics on the UEA campus since its announcement. The rising cost of the modern degree is a stark contrast to the situation of 14 years ago, when tuition fees were fully subsidised by the government and students therefore did not pay tuition fees towards the cost of their university education. For the 2012 student intake, a three-year degree course will cost a shocking £27,000 before even considering the cost of essentials, like accommodation, food and transport. It is important to note, of course, that the additional £5,710 cost to each student is not actually providing any additional finance towards their education. Rather than upping tuition fees to provide a better service to students, universities are being forced to raise their tuition fees as a result of government cuts in the education sector, the money that used to be spent on subsidising a student’s degree and providing a university with more finance is now being placed elsewhere. The cost of a degree now goes
directly to the individual student, which some cite as a positive notion given that tax payers who did not attend university will no longer be providing funding for university-goers. Whatever the justification, questions of whether universities are providing value for money have been raised within the government, the media and among students themselves given the enormously increased cost to students beginning next year. A first year student on an Arts degree course at UEA receives an average of just nine contact hours per week for approximately 24 weeks of the year – that’s a total of just 214 contact hours every year. Under the new fees scheme, the alarming price per head for each one of those contact hours will be £41.66; this academic year, the same student would pay a comparable £15.37 per hour. Does this seem like value for money, given the hundreds of students you are sharing those hours of contact time with? £42 per hour is the same price charged by the UEA’s Language Centre for one-to-one tuition, and a personal, one-to-one education is clearly not what students at UEA or most of the UK’s universities are lucky enough to receive. Like many governmentfunded or government-subsidised areas, the university sector seems to have been suffering from a unique complacency over the past
“UEA may be known as a leading university in student satisfaction, but paying triple the previous year’s tuition fees will lead to much higher expectations for the individual in terms of student experience, and it will be interesting to see the consequences of this in the coming years”
decade or so, and this is playing a key factor in light of the budget cuts universities are now facing. Budgetary improvements that are being considered and actioned now could have been addressed years ago, but during fruitful economic times, the university sector is happy to haemorrhage money, in the same vein as the NHS and other public services. On the UEA campus, the travel shop and box office have finally been combined to create a new ticket office, something that clearly could have and should have been actioned years ago. Perhaps if universities were better prepared to examine their budgets and actively attempt to turn a profit, there would be greater scope to provide better services for students despite these arguably unavoidable government cuts. The only real consolation for students is that the availability of student loans will be increasing to match the new amount being paid by students – though it will now cost you £27,000 for tuition on a three-year course, money is readily available from the government to cover both tuition fees and student living expenses. Students will also have to be earning more to begin paying back their student loans when they graduate, with this threshold rising from £15,000 to £21,000. No matter what finance is available and no matter what the justification is for the rising cost of education, many students will feel they are losing out under the new scheme, and justifiably, they will be more critical of their university and their government as a result of this. From now on, universities will come under much greater scrutiny for all aspects of the services it provides, from teaching to resources to events. UEA may be known as a leading university in student satisfaction, but paying triple the previous year’s tuition fees will lead to much higher expectations for the individual in terms of student experience, and it will be interesting to see the consequences of this in the coming years.
www.concrete-online.co.uk Tuesday 11th October 2011 - Issue 258
15
16
www.concrete-online.co.uk Tuesday 11th October 2011 - Issue 258
facebook.com/ConcreteNewspaper @Concrete_UEA
features
concrete.features@uea.ac.uk
The social legacy of Steve Jobs Charles Crisp talks about the impact of the late Steve Jobs, and details the ways in which the Apple innovator will be remembered The death of Steve Jobs, cofounder and technological innovator of Apple, sent shockwaves through the world and promoted a torrent of grief this week, illustrating his overwhelming influence. A college-dropout at the tender age of 20, he conceived his modest vision of Apple in his parent’s garage, later transforming it into an international economic power, albeit with a chequered history. The introduction of the Apple II, the first commercially successful personal computer, was the first step towards the wider dream he envisioned. After two years as an interim CEO at Apple, he officially assumed the helm, which marked the beginning of a technological revolution. In 2001, the launch of the iPod revolutionised the MP3 player market, as well as the music industry with the introduction of the software platform iTunes. Since then, Apple has progressed further with the addition of products like the iPhone and the iPad to its
wide portfolio and has achieved remarkable sales. Steve Jobs taught us it was okay to fail, and okay to have faith in your instincts - true entrepreneurial spirit. The controversy surrounding his stance as a self-proclaimed dictator who adhered to an intuitive leadership style was largely offset by the continuing success of Apple. This faith ensured that his next dream could become reality, and as a result he has influenced our way of thinking about not only technology, but the way we live our lives. Despite health complications, his insistence on presenting key product launches demonstrated his commitment to his personal vision. This example is one of many selfless endeavours that have affirmed Steve Jobs as a figure devoted to utilising his boundless energy and creative genius to change the world, over and over again. His captivating speeches inspired a generation to push the boundaries and find creative solutions to refine
existing products. In this way, he did not just revolutionise the technological market, he refined our way of approaching
technology within the modern world. Love or hate Apple, Steve Jobs’ influence, passion and
commitment are irrefutable, and his pioneering designs will likely shape our technological future for a long time to come.
Help us save our concrete jungle Lauren Cope explores the various ways in which to become an more environmentally friendly and aware student at UEA Many are sceptical about the concept of global warming and are frustrated at the constant lectures about turning TVs off standby and turning taps off when brushing their teeth, but it is undeniable that climate change is an issue in today’s society. Student life contributes and it is hardly surprising with millions of university students countrywide going through innumerable bottles, masses of electricity and ¬piles of paper every week. The threat may be unsure, but there are some practical tips that students can adhere to that can reduce the carbon footprint as well as saving some muchneeded money. To those who live near or in Norwich and still drive to campus – why? Parking rates aren’t cheap and taking public transport can help the environment massively.
Bus routes around Norwich are frequent and direct, the 25 and 35 bus routes being especially convenient for students. Bikes are also invaluable, and one of the cheapest options available. If it is difficult to avoid driving, UEA offers a car share scheme to reduce petrol costs while also aiming to cut down on congestion and pollution from the roads. It also guarantees a reserved parking space on campus! Deforestation is responsible for 20% of the world’s carbon emissions. Wood-based products, such as textbooks, store carbon dioxide for up to ten years, preventing it being released into the atmosphere and guarding against global warming. When books are sentenced to the landfill, they decompose which prevents them from providing this safeguard.
Selling or passing on books avoids this and also provides some extra cash. With textbooks costing up to £50 each it seems the best option, both financially and environmentally, to pass them on.
“Bikes are also invaluable, and one of the cheapest options available. If it’s difficult to avoid driving, UEA offers a car share scheme” The university itself is, of course, always looking for greener ways of doing things, and the new UEA Keep Cup scheme is an interesting example of this; buy a Keep Cup for £5.00 and receive a 15p discount on every hot drink purchased at a UEA food outlet. This is sure
to cut down on wastage, and if you’re a big coffee or tea drinker, it’s an investment that will soon pay for itself. Despite the government initiatives and campus-wide schemes, the ‘back to basics’ advice is what really can’t be ignored. So turn off that light,
switch that appliance off of standby and separate your rubbish. Interested in becoming a more environmentally friendly student? See this issue’s Lifestyle section for inventive ways to recycle your copy of Concrete and start a new green path now!
lifestyle
101 tips The dos and don’ts of University life Hasina Allen & Rianne Ison Lifestyle Editors
news
comment
travel features
lifestyle international turf
sport
p2-7
p8-10
p12-13
p17-21
p25-28
p14-16
p22
p23
Editors: Hasina Allen and Rianne Ison Email: concrete.lifestyle@uea.ac.uk
17
Concrete Takeover Were you spotted reading Concrete on Campus during Freshers?
1
For the freshers amongst you: always be prepared for a fire alarm, have your shoes and dressing gown ready!
2
Always have Pasta in the cupboard; a quick and easy meal.
3
Embrace University life; get involved with as many societies and sports clubs as you can.
4
Don’t miss your lectures, when it comes to exams you’ll regret it!
5
Check for online codes before you purchase something online- save those pennies.
6
Take advantage of the cheap rates at UEA’s Sportspark, you’ll never get such fantastic facilities at such a reasonable price.
7
If you don’t have a TV licence, get yourself on to BBC I-Player and ITV player; don’t miss out on the television you love!
8
If you want a job in Norwich, visit UEA’s Employability website for job opportunities on campus and in the city.
9
Make sure you get every issue of Concrete, every other Tuesday. Otherwise you’re missing out! If you have a tip you would like to share tweet us @Concrete_ Lifesty (#101Tips)
Have you read Concrete this fortnight? Send in photos of yourselves with a copy of Concrete to concrete.lifestyle@uea.ac.uk
Recycle with Lifestyle: Wrap it up in Concrete Hasina Allen Lifestyle Editor There is evidence of UEA’s drive to become ever more environmentally friendly all over campus. From the Keep Cups on sale in all the catering outlets to the ZICER building
which features some of the most environmentally friendly building design in the world, going green is a growing trend and Lifestyle are jumping on the bandwagon. Every week we are going to show you a new way of reusing your Concrete. This week, why not try reusing your Concrete as
wrapping paper? A single sheet is the perfect size for wrapping books and DVDs, or tape a few sheets together for larger gifts. The print and stylish logo make it a fashionable way to jazz up any gift, and it’s free. Get in touch if you have any re-use ideas. Tweet us (@Concrete_Lifesty) or send an email to concrete.lifestyle@uea. ac.uk and your idea could be featured in an upcoming edition of Recycle with Lifestyle. Get out there and get creative with Concrete!
18
www.concrete-online.co.uk Tuesday 11th October 2011 - Issue 258
facebook.com/ConcreteNewspaper @Concrete_UEA
concrete.lifestyle@uea.ac.uk
lifestyle
The off-campus experience: not quite as raw as Fresh Meat
Jessica Ball Lifestyle Writer First year has flown by and in between stumbling home from the LCR, waiting in the cold for the fire alarm to turn off and making
elaborate fancy dress costumes, you’ve managed to scrape a 40% pass and found yourself in your own student house. The new Channel 4 drama, “Fresh Meat”, takes a look at the grimier side of off campus student accommodation. Now
I’ve never seen any Norwich house quite so squalid but take a wander into any area of the city and it is pretty easy to identify a student abode It’s distinguishable from its neighbours by the green recycling box that overflows with cans and bottles. Fliers, traffic
cones and beer-soaked playing cards cover the house with the curtains not tending to open before midday. It can be easy to miss the carefree days in halls with the responsibilities of second and third year, but they can be the
years of house parties, mass predrinks, cosy meals in and trying to entice the neighbourhood cats to come live in your house. There are still the trials of living with other people, noone wants to clean, washing up can linger for weeks and you will never be able to find a clean fork. But you no longer have to sprint to your room to avoid that flatmate or hide your groceries from the ever bothersome food thief. While we do miss having our bins emptied every morning and someone mopping the floor rather than occasionally wiping it, it’s nice not to see a judgemental cleaner’s face as you empty your bedroom of filthy shot glasses or turf a straggler out of your flat at two in the afternoon. We miss the free electricity, especially when it starts to make sense to constantly wear a duvet in the house rather than turn the heating on or when black mould begins to snake its way up the bathroom wall. But the freedom of a student house is wonderful: living with friends is great and you get to see a bit more of Norwich. You can’t roll out of bed and into lectures in your PJs anymore, and post LCR buses are a pain, but more than anything else, having a sofa makes up for it.
The Landlord Complex: New Tenants Know Your Rights Along with the increased responsibilities that are associated with moving out of halls, comes perhaps an even greater test. Dealing with landlords and letting agents. From the fantastic
her letting agent for a working hoover: “I always thought that keeping the house I was paying to live in clean was part of an unspoken agreement, but we weren’t supplied with the tools and when we tried to get them we were fobbed off repeatedly and treated with disdain.” The over-friendly landlord can
to the fiendish, the personality of the landlord you end up dealing with can often seem like potluck. One student, who would prefer to remain anonymous, describes a yearlong battle with
be an equally gruelling plight. A third year tenant recalls a series of intrusive visits and phone calls from his landlady, who seemed to be trying to take on the role of his mother.
Hasina Allen & Rianne Ison Lifestyle Editors
Your Rights >> The right to ‘quiet enjoyment’. Landlords cannot enter the property unless they have given 24 hours notice. >> The right to remain in the property until an eviction order is served. >> The right to receive a copy of a current Gas Safety Certificate from the landlord within 28 days of requesting one. >> The right to be given the name and address of the landlord within 21 days of making a written request to the acting agent. >> The right to know which approved tenancy deposit scheme your deposit is registered with within 14 days of signing a tenancy agreement and paying your deposit.
lifestyle
concrete.lifestyle@uea.ac.uk
facebook.com/ConcreteNewspaper @Concrete_UEA
www.concrete-online.co.uk Tuesday 11th October 2011 - Issue 258
19
Comfort foods: not just for home!
Granola Bars A tasty Autumn treat Ally Kayler Lifestyle Writer For students, September is really when the New Year begins. People generally associate January with the start of a New Year – a time of reflections and resolutions. To me, it only means a new calendar year. September has always been the most significant time for change in my life. It’s when a new school year begins, when jobs are starting or ending, when friends are coming or going – it really is quite the transitional period.
I believe these chewy granola bars are the perfect end of summer/back to school treat. They are deliciously wonderful as they are all together sweet, salty and most definitely satisfying. They’ll cure any sadness you have for returning back to school or work. They have become a staple in my family.The only guaranteed constant is that they’ll never be anything short of marvellous. You need this recipe. Trust me. The challenge will be to eat just one! So long sweet summer, bring on the fall time sweets.
Tip: Vary the flavours every time depending on what ingredients you have
Society Spotlight: Baking Imogen Steinberg Lifestyle Writer Do you like baking, cooking or eating? Then you will love this. The aims of UEA Baking Society are to cook, chat and, most importantly, eat baked goods together. Excitingly, our first workshop will be on Cake Decorating from 3-4 and 4-5pm on Monday 17th October in Union House, Room 1.33. Bring your own cake(s) and we will provide icing sugar! We will be bringing some piping bags, food colouring, books for
inspiration etc. but if you have your own or other decorating implements please bring them along so there are enough for everyone. You are welcome to stay for the two hours, to have another go or eat what you have produced! If you are a fresher then give cupcakes a practice in your convection oven. It is possible, or you could have a go at a five minute chocolate mug cake (Google it). Alternatively, you could just buy a cake. It is just three pounds to join and that goes towards buying things for everyone, so you can
Ingredients: 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar 2/3 cup chunky peanut butter ½ cup maple syrup ½ cup margarine, melted 2 tsp vanilla 2 tbsp cinnamon Add in: 3 cups quick cooking oats ½ cup sunflower seeds 1 cup chocolate chips (I used Reese’s Pieces in the bars photographed) 1. Heat oven to 350 degrees 2. Blend all ingredients well 3. Grease a 9x13” pan 4. Bake for 15-20 minutes 5. Cool to room temperature and cut into 24 squares 6. Watch them disappear!
use communal ingredients and equipment. At our “bring and share” social I brought almond and cherry cookies because they’re super easy to make (even in a convection oven). They don’t require any specialist equipment or skills and taste great. The basic cookie mixture is easy to make and you can change the topping to whatever you like. Chocolate chips, raisins and crystallised ginger all work really well. If you are intersted in becoming a member of Baking Soc email them at ueabaking@ hotmail.co.uk, or search for ‘UEA Baking Society’ on Facebook.
Real Italian Carbonara Perfect for sharing Rianne Ison Lifestyle Editor If you love Italian food and want to master this classic dish then this is the recipe for you! It is quick, easy and affordable and your flat mates will absolutely love it! So, you won’t have to go to Rome or Venice to get real Italian cuisine, it’s right here in your kitchen. Tip: For extra flavour add some chopped mushrooms!
Ingredients: 500g spaghetti 4 egg yolks 3 handfuls pancetta, diced 100g salted butter Hand ful of grated parmesan cheese Salt and pepper to taste 1. Boil pasta in salted boiling water 2. In a saucepan, slowly fry the pancetta in the butter until very crispy 3. Drain the pasta and add to the cooked pancetta. Immediately add the egg yolks and season with salt. 4. Stir thoroughly until you have a creamy texture 5. Add the parmesan cheese and serve immediately.
Cherry and Almond cookies:
A sneaky peek at what Baking Soc does best!
Ingredients: 100g Unsalted butter 50g Caster sugar A few drops of vanilla extract 150g Self-raising flour 15 Dried almonds 15 Glace cherries
1. Pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees. Grease several baking trays. 2. Melt the butter. Add the sugar, vanilla extract and the flour and mix to form a firm dough. 3. Shape into 15 small balls (about a teaspoon of mixture each) and top each with an almond and a cherry. Leave plenty of space between them on the baking tray as they will spread. 4. Bake in the oven for 10-15 or until golden.
20
Editor: Rachael Lum Email: concrete.international@uea.ac.uk
features lifestyle
p14-16
p17-21
international
turf
sport
p22
p23
p25-28
international
The mono-lingual state of America Concrete International writer Isabelle Carty explores America’s age-old linguistic issue - its overdependence on a single language In America, monolingualism has gradually turned into an epidemic. America has become a place where languages are first deconstructed and then discarded in favour of English. At first this statement may seem counterintuitive since America is undoubtedly the land of immigration and immigration is indeed what keeps languages flourishing and alive in the country. However, several generations later these languages have all but died out. English is so dominant in the US that non-English speakers find themselves at a huge disadvantage. Immigrants have understood this more keenly than anyone else and have thus adjusted accordingly. Recent census figures showed that even though 1 in 7 US residents now speaks a language other than English at home, a century ago
the proportion of non-English speakers was nearly five times as large. As the US population grows in diversity, newcomers seem to be acquiring the
national language more rapidly than ever. Political ideology has also shaped the minds of modern-day Americans with an
Interested in learning a different language outside university studies? You can choose to join a society to meet, communicate and learn from native speakers. Several UEA societies have their own language courses, for example, the Japanese society gives lessons on a weekly basis. Set in informal atmospheres, such classes require no extra preparations and give no pressure on how much one needs to learn through each class. Joining a society is a
political attacks from those concerned about immigration policy and cultural change.
“English is so dominant in the US that non-English speakers find themselves at a huge disadvantage. Immigrants understand this more keenly than anyone else and have adjusted accordingly.” Yet it must not be forgotten that America was born from lingual diversity with early immigrants speaking Dutch, German, French, English and Italian, among many others. Therefore, as a way of integrating more fully into the global community, Americans should now strive to move forward to a state where bilingualism is both maintained and appreciated.
Try Mandarin lessons at UEA Qingning Wang International Writer
“English Only” movement that came to prominence in the 1980s. The campaign’s ideological effects have made bilingual schooling a lightning rod for
good choice for those who are interested in both the language and the culture, and will be especially helpful in developing speaking skills. Individuals and groups of international students are organizing different types of language courses themselves. UEA Mandarin is one of them. Arranged by a group of mainland Chinese and Taiwanese postgraduate students, UEA Mandarin aims to provide Mandarin classes and also hopes to introduce Chinese culture to their students. David Liu, the creator of the group, explains that there
is a large Mandarin speaking population in UEA but no formal teaching group on campus. He and other members believe that this absence is a pity and they decided to rectify this. The classes are still in small sizes and therefore more people are welcome to attend their meetings from 6 to 8.30pm on Wednesdays at the first floor of the INTO centre. The learning starts with pronunciation, followed by the drilling of everyday communication. It would be a good choice for those who prefer one-to-one learning in a relaxed environment.
A new global language? Robert Norris discusses the likelihood of English being replaced by Mandarin Chinese As China’s booming economy continues to grow, interest in the country has increased massively. The number of students studying Mandarin outside of China currently exceeds 40 million worldwide. In 2010, India’s Education Minister even proposed adding Mandarin to the state curriculum. Children can learn Mandarin by watching “Ni Hao, KaiLan,” an animation which promotes the learning of Chinese. Parents who work in the financial sector have also begun taking their children to Mandarin classes in order to give them a ‘head start’ in the world of international business. The Chinese government is primarily behind this push to introduce the Mandarin language worldwide. Over the last six years the UK has seen a rise in the number of ‘Confucius Institutes’ set up by the Chinese government to promote the learning of Mandarin. The demand to learn Mandarin on this side of the world, however, comes equally
matched in China, where there is an incredible demand for native English teachers. There are an estimated 30,000 organisations and companies offering English classes in China. Between 2005 to 2010, this market has nearly doubled in size and is roughly worth US $3.1 billion.
“Over the last six years the UK has seen a rise in the number of ‘Confucius Institutes’ set up by the Chinese government to promote the learning of Mandarin” So will Chinese become the new global language? Most analysts agree that this seems unlikely due to a number of factors such as how China has adapted to western ways of business and the ever increasing demand for its population to learn English. For the foreseeable future, the world of business and economics will continue to use English as its main language.
22
Editors: Rebecca Hazlewood Email: concrete.turf@uea.ac.uk
travel
features lifestyle
p12-13
p15-16
p17-21
international
turf
sport
p22
p23
p25-28
turf
Students turned on by switching off 15,860 Tonnes of carbon dioxide, 17,074 Flights from London to Manchester or 88 million cups of tea: However you look at it, a little effort can reap great rewards. Neil Jennings from Student Switch Off reports If you have listened to enough cheesy 90s medleys, you may have caught an earful of the 1998 almost chart topping (no.4) hit single from BoyBand sensation 5ive, “When the Lights Go Out.” The refrain, for the hazier amongst us, begins “Baby when the lights go out,” and continues to expound the virtues of a “turning off unnecessary lights” policy. We couldn’t agree more. Welcome to the Student Switch Off! Although disappointingly few of the remaining lyrics so concisely relay our energy saving aspirations, hopefully you’ve got the picture! The Student Switch Off is an energy-saving campaign running in halls of residence – and we’re asking everyone to get down with some energy-savvy actions. The hall that saves the most energy by the end of the year will get a free film screening at Odeon Riverside to celebrate. “A film
screening?” you say. Read verse two, line six - “I can see I’m getting through babe”). Congratulations Nelson Court for stealing the show last year! Even better, there will be loads of great prizes for energy-
saving actions every few weeks throughout the year, including Ben and Jerry’s ice cream, Odeon and LCR tickets, NUS Extra cards and much more! Make sure you like the Facebook page UEA Student Switch Off and join the
email list to find out when we’re dishing them out. The energy-saving actions we’re talking about are just small and super easy. Switch lights and appliances off when not in use, put a lid on the pan when cooking, don’t overfill the kettle and put on an extra layer of clothing rather than the heating. Collectively, this makes a big difference. Last year students across UEA halls helped to reduce electricity usage by over 11% compared to the baseline and saved enough energy to make 4.7 million cups of tea – that’s a lot of tea! For more information and to ‘show you what it’s all about’ please visit the website www. studentswitchoff.org. You don’t have to be a 90s pop enthusiast to take part (the fewer the better probably!), but it would be great if you could turn the lights off (and all the rest of it) when you’re going out.
Facts on the Student Switch Off >> Student Switch off is a not-for-profit campaign run through a Community Interest Company >> Winners of the 2011 People and Environment Achievement Awards for the Best Energy Saving Idea >> Finalist in the 2011 Climate Week Awards for the Best Campaign category >> The campaign will be running at 43 UK universities this academic year
Climate chaos or climate change? An Indian summer, icy winter and rowing to the North Pole, Joey Innes-Hopkins reports on the record breaking temperatures Once again the weather in the British Isles has been unpredictable to say the least and suspicions of global warming are resurfacing. We were blessed with pre-season sun and warmth in April and a mediocre summer of dry days but nothing to report home about. Last week we were getting excited about an Indian summer style heat wave only to be plunged straight back into what seems to be the beginning of winter, complete with the first snowfall on the Scottish Highlands. It must be non-stop at the Met Office just to keep up with it all. Last week was a week of sizzling record breakers. The highest ever 29th September temperature of 28.8C was at Kew Gardens last Thursday, surpassing the 1985 mark of 27.8C at York. Cambridge set a new record temperature for 30th September on Friday reaching 29.2C, beating the previous high set at Maidenhead, Berkshire, in
1908. And the heat was turned up again on the first day of October with a high of 30C at RAF Finningley, Yorkshire, a 0.6C increase on the previous record in 1985 at March, Cambridgeshire. A national record was even broken in Wales with an almost tropical 28.2C in Hawarden, Flintshire, compared to the 26.4C high set on 1 October 1985 in Ruthin, Denbighshire. Here in Norwich, temperatures on 1 and 2 of October reached a respectable 28C. The topsy turvy weather has confused sheep at a farm in Devon, and you can hardly blame them. Five ‘spring’ lambs have been born in the last week at Riddlecombe, because the uncharacteristic heat in April caused the flock to think summer had arrived and they mated five months early. To raise awareness of melting ice in the Arctic and ongoing climate change, a crew of six, led by Scotsman Jock Wishart,
set themselves the challenge to ‘Row to the Pole’. They were met by surprising amounts of open water due to the disintegration of the ice sheets and finished their 450 mile journey to the 1996 Magnetic North Pole in just 33 days, arriving on 31 August. Timothy Osbourne, Lecturer in Climate Change in ENV, expects that “the key factor in causing this heatwave was the atmospheric circulation, with high pressure to our east and strong air flow from the south bringing very warm air from lower latitudes.” There were probably some more intricate details influencing the particular magnitude of this warm spell, but a meteorologist would be needed to identify these. Will climate change provide us with future years of unseasonal basking in the square? At present, Tim says there is nothing to indicate whether or not similar patterns of atmospheric circulation will become more or less frequent
with climate change. However interestingly enough, it appears that global warming did indeed make some contribution to the particular warmth we experienced during this weather event. Based on findings from past research, Professor Osbourne believes that if we had experienced the same atmospheric circulation pattern one hundred years ago, “It would have still been a heatwave, but it probably would have been about 1 degree Celcius cooler. So still a heatwave, but perhaps not a record-breaking heatwave”
Wherever we point the finger of suspicion, the outcome is the same; it is clear that the global climate is changing and patterns and trends here in the UK are being replaced by extremes and freak weather events. The Met Office has already warned of another bitter winter ahead, but at least this year we’ll be prepared for it. While most of us were making the most of the unseasonal sunshine, Norfolk County Council was restocking its grit supplies with 20,000 tonnes of salt. Jack Frost, we’re ready for you.
24
www.concrete-online.co.uk Tuesday 11th October 2011 - Issue 258
Sudoku Easy 7 1
2
2 3 5
Challenging
Intermediate
9
3 7
6 4 3 9 7 6
5 2 3 1
8 5
4 1
1
competitions2
Editor: Sam Tomkinson Email: concrete.competitions@uea.ac.uk
6 2 4 3 2 5
8
4 7
1
3
2
3 9 7 2
2 5 9 1
8 6
8 6
2 7
5 9 6
6
8
4
3
7 8
3
6 2 5
5 3
7
2
6 7 5
9
Word Wheel The rules are simple, make as many words as you can from the grid:
E
I A
E
S
L T
• • • •
Each word must use the central letter Only use each letter once No plurals allowed Words must be a minimum of three letters
L T
Mazes It couldn’t be easier. Find your way from the left to the middle on the first maze, and left to right on the second.
sport Editors’ Column
Despite England being knocked out of the Rugby World Cup by the French, their tournament will be remembered for a series of misdemeanours. The ill-mannered behaviour from the England squad includes an alcohol-fuelled visit to a “dwarf-throwing” bar, crude taunting of a young barmaid as well as a fine for wearing a “sponsored mouth guard”, and on-field suspension for dangerous tackling. On the subject of on-field issues; England never really looked like world-beaters, despite winning all four group games. As our international footballers can testify, a lacklustre approach at a major international tournament will make such controversial stories as mentioned above seem far less defensible than had they swept their opponents away with consummate ease. Unfortunately, it seems the “what happens on tour, stays on tour” attitude - which is deemed acceptable for club rugby players - has been adopted by the national side despite them being in full glare of the country’s media. Before getting carried away with moral righteousness, it should be pointed out that the sensationalist tone emanating from our national newspapers has certainly over-exaggerated the stories, and it’s not just the tabloids who are to blame. Perhaps the players should have been more restrained in their conduct? Nevertheless, the media have certainly examined their actions far too closely under the microscope. Naturally, their actions will be compared to those of our multi-millionaire footballers, who can be similarly inclined to behave in such a manner. Unfortunately for the rugby guys, there’s only one winner in that contest. Matt Scrafton
features lifestyle international turf sport
p14-16
p17-21
p22
p23
p25-28
So You Think You Know Capoeira?
Michael Marren Sports Correspondent Chances are you probably don’t know capoeira. Unless you have ever practiced it yourself, capoeira is likely to be something of a mystery to you. Some may have come across it in a movie (anyone who’s seen “Ocean’s
Twelve” should be familiar), or perhaps in the “Tekken” series of video games. To the uninitiated, capoeira is a game that incorporates elements of martial arts, dance and music. However, this is a simplistic description of an art form that has hundreds of years of history behind it. Originating in Brazil, capoeira was pioneered by the descendants
Editors: Matt Scrafton and Chris Teale Email: concrete.sport@uea.ac.uk
of African slaves in the late sixteenth-century. Working in inhumane and humiliating conditions, the slaves developed capoeira in order to learn how to defend themselves. In addition to teaching them how to fight, capoeira gave them a sense of identity and purpose in what would have been an unfamiliar and hostile environment. Nowadays, capoeira has acquired global popularity, and it isn’t hard to see why this is. The dance-like movements, as well as the lively music that accompanies the roda (the circle in which people play capoeira), are an instant attraction to many people. Moreover, capoeira is played with a strictly no contact rule. Techniques are always delivered with maximum control; the intention is to demonstrate one’s ability to defend against an attacking opponent without actually having to physically strike them. Training in capoeira typically involves conditioning to develop strength and flexibility, as well as more complex yoga-like positions and handstands. Music also plays a prominent role in any class, helping to generate energy
25
through rhythmic drumbeats and stirring vocal chants. Those who train in capoeira can expect to acquire excellent upper-body strength, agility and fast reaction times, as well as knowledge of a fascinating and exotic culture which is steeped in history. Ultimately, capoeira is difficult to understand unless you have practiced it yourself. What is more, each individual’s interpretation of capoeira is different. Some have chosen to develop capoeira as a fighting system, crossing it with other martial arts to create hybrid forms. Others are more interested in the traditional side of capoeira, with its strong emphasis on music and the roda. For those interested, there is a lively capoeira scene in Norwich in the form of Cordao de Ouro, which teaches traditional capoeira in a relaxed and informal manner. UEA also has its own group, which continually attracts new members with its mixture of quality training and a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Anyone interested in learning an unusual, but very beautiful, martial art would do well to investigate capoeira further.
Rowing look to stick their oar in Sports Correspondent Joey Innes-Hopkins assesses past results and upcoming events and competitions Riding on a success-induced high, the UEA Rowing Club has been hard at training since the start of September for what promises to be another exciting year. Beyond the final issue of Concrete last year, squad members of UEARC were still gearing up for the most highly contested events of the season: Henley Women’s and Henley Royal Regatta. Both the men’s and women’s eights made it through the qualifying time trial and the women’s squad missed out on a spot in the Academic VIII Final by losing narrowly to Newcastle University. At the BUCS Regatta in Nottingham earlier in the season, two UEA boats earned their
been the only changes. 6th July saw the official opening of the new boathouse in its phase one completion. The new Whitlingham build will house Norwich Canoe Club, Norwich Rowing Club and UEA Rowing Club. The upstairs of
the complex, intended to house changing rooms and a gym, currently remains a shell as fundraising efforts continue to enable work to restart. Expansion is vital to a thriving and competitive club, and UEARC has recently welcomed many new faces onto the Learn to Row course following an unexpectedly sunny (perfect for barbecuing) taster weekend at the beginning of October. The newcomers will be given a four week introduction to the sport before becoming fullyfledged club members, ready to race in anger. For your chance to try rowing, look out for posters regarding the upcoming BUCS Indoor Rowing Competition on 26th November.
Murray defeats Nadal in Japan
the third set was some of the best I’ve played against him.” BBC Sport correspondent Jonathan Overend described the final set, in which Nadal won just four points, as devastating from Murray. It’s hard to disagree.
Andy Murray came back from a set down to defeat world number one Rafael Nadal in the Japan Open final. The result comes off the back of the Scot’s
place in a semi-final. And the club took three wins at Bedford Regatta, to be matched only by three more at Peterborough, bringing home shiny pots galore. The improvements in the Rowing Club’s results haven’t
victory in the Thailand Open, and continues a rich vein of form for the top-ranked British player. Murray hit six aces and and broke the Spaniard twice, and
having lost the first set, went on to claim the second and third to steal victory (3-6, 6-2, 6-0). Afterwards Murray said: “I played some great tennis, and
Chris King
26
www.concrete-online.co.uk Tuesday 11th October 2011 - Issue 258
facebook.com/concretesportuea @concretesport
Canary Corner by Joe Levell Having celebrated their first league win of the season away at Bolton Wanderers, Norwich looked to continue their run of form with a home match against Sunderland. Captain Grant Holt again started on the bench as City maintained a successful 4-5-1 formation which utilized the pace of the wide players and allowed the creativity of Wes Hoolahan to shine through. The game was never in doubt. Sunderland looked nervy and rarely strung together a coherent team move. First goals of the season from Leon Barnett and Steve Morison ensured a comfortable victory, despite a late consolation from Kieran Richardson. However, a sterner test was to come when the high flying Canaries faced leagueleaders Manchester United at Old Trafford. Despite a side composed of players with minimal experience facing the likes of Nani, Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez; the Canaries had more than enough chances to win the game.
An outstanding performance from the entire defence alongside a disciplined midfield meant that Norwich made life extremely uncomfortable for United when they attempted to attack. The result of this was the effective use of the counter attack led by Elliott Bennett and Anthony Pilkington,
“The 2-0 score line did
nothing but flatter Alex Ferguson’s men and showed that a similarly strong performance against Chelsea was no fluke” who should have given Norwich the lead in the 64th minute when he capitalised on an error by Antonio Valenica, only to see his shot squirm the wrong side of the post. The 2-0 score line did nothing but flatter Alex Ferguson’s men and showed that a similarly strong performance against Chelsea was no fluke. Next up at Carrow Road are Swansea and if the Norfolk team continue this fine run of form, a home win must surely be awaiting them.
concrete.sport@uea.ac.uk
sport
The puck drops for an exciting new sport at UEA Sports Correspondent Richard Brookman asseses the future for UEA’s ice hockey club Described as the fastest, most physical sport in the world, UEA has finally adopted Canada’s favourite pastime by having an ice hockey team for the first time. The aptly named UEA Avalanche was formed in the summer by three keen British born players; Rob Gale, James White and Richard Brookman. Unfortunately, the team was not able to enter the British Universities Ice Hockey Association for the upcoming year so the committee has opted to use the time to train up their new members in both skating and stick handling, with the aim ultimately to help their new players gain experience. The British Universities Ice Hockey Association was founded in 2003, and its first season in 2003/04 was a great success as its then 13 members battled for the right to be called national champions.Now, there are 25 member teams in the BUIHA in three divisions, in addition to BUIHA Cup fixtures. The Sports’ Fair proved to be a very successful day with 25 students signing up to play ice hockey; some for the first time, others because they play in their
hometowns across Britain and the world. A sport steeped in history, ice hockey has been played in Canada for the last 150 years, starting on frozen ponds in Ontario and slowly evolving to be played all across Canada and the U.S.A. The National Hockey League (NHL) in the U.S.A is the world’s most prominent ice hockey league, and was founded in 1917 and began with just 6 teams, known as the Original Six. Now the league boasts 30 teams and the sport’s popularity is on the rise in the UK.
Joining the UEA Avalanche promises to be a great, costeffective way of participating in a fantastic sport, learning new skills and making new friends in the process. They hold an afternoon skate on Wednesdays, meeting in the Hive at 15:30, which is a chance to hone skating skills. Training will be on Monday nights between 9:30 10:30, leaving Campus at 9, and membership costs £5. If you are reading this and are interested in finding out more, search for the UEA Avalanche group on Facebook.
England qualify for Euro 2012 despite Rooney’s petulance Sports Correspondent Tom Shaw analyses England’s draw in Montenegro as Fabio Capello’s men march on to Ukraine and Poland Wayne Rooney’s red card overshadowed England’s 2-2 draw with Montenegro in Podgorica, as Fabio Capello’s side assured a place at Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine. The striker unnecessarily kicked out at defender Miodrag Dzudovic after losing the ball, and earned himself a straight
red which will now see him suspended for at least the first game of the finals. After the match, Capello defended his decision to start Rooney after his father was arrested on Thursday in a probe on betting irregularities. The match seemed to be heading for a standard away
Rooney is shown the red card after a frustrating night in Podgorica
victory for England early on, as Ashley Young scored within ten minutes from a close range header after good work from Theo Walcott down the right wing. And once Darren Bent made it 2-0 with only half an hour played and the away side in control, it was hard to see how even England could let things slip. However, on the stroke of half time, Montenegro brought themselves back into the game after the England defence had a lapse in concentration and allowed Elsad Zverotic to score via a deflected volley. Montenegro started the second half in bright fashion and impressive debutant Phil Jones survived a penalty appeal early on after Stevan Jovetic went down under his robust challenge. The second half belonged to Montenegro as they showed the
Darren Bent gives England a 2-0 lead in the first half of their final qualifier
quality they have in their squad and after Rooney’s sending off, an equaliser seemed inevitable. It eventually came in the 90th minute when Andrija Delibasic was able to head in from close range after a cross from Manchester City defender Stefan Savic. Montenegro fully deserved
their draw for an excellent second half display that revealed glaring weaknesses in the England side and left Capello with question marks regarding his next team selection. Despite England’s qualification, they now face the prospect of missing their star man for the beginning of Euro 2012.
sport
concrete.sport@uea.ac.uk
facebook.com/concretesportuea @concretesport
www.concrete-online.co.uk Tuesday 11th October 2011 - Issue 258
INTERVIEW: Chris Sutton
Sport editors Chris Teale and Matt Scrafton talk to former Premier League and Canaries striker Chris Sutton
The former Premier League footballer had an illustrious career in both England and Scotland having started his career as a trainee at Norwich City in the early 1990s. He gained
fame for his famous ‘SAS’ strike partnership with Alan Shearer at Blackburn Rovers, but also courted controversy when he refused former England manager Glenn Hoddle’s selection of him for an England B game before the 1998 World Cup.
“The England thing is something I deeply regret now. Though at the time I felt I was justified in what I did, it was a hot-headed decision and was something I certainly shouldn’t have done.” Now, he is back in Norwich promoting his new book “Paradise and Beyond,” and while he was unsurprisingly happy to talk about the successes in his career, he was also very candid about his regrets, in particular his refusal to play for Hoddle’s England B side. Sutton spoke first about the highlight of his career, and mentioned winning the Premier League in the 1994-95 season, in which he scored 15 league goals, but was also keen to give credit to Martin O’Neill for his time at Celtic, where he formed a deadly partnership with Henrik Larsson. Sutton said: “I think winning the Premiership with Blackburn
would be a highlight in terms of what I won, but I also enjoyed playing at a lot of the clubs. I didn’t finish my career at Celtic, but the five years I had up there under Martin O’Neill, after a
pretty indifferent year to say the least at Chelsea were great. I knew the game better then, and I really enjoyed my football up there.” Having said this, the Canaries academy product was then also surprisingly open to talk about his big career regret: refusing to play for England B under Glenn Hoddle in the late-1990s. “The England thing is something I deeply regret now. Though at the time I felt I was justified in what I did, it was a hot-headed decision and was something I certainly shouldn’t have done.” It was very refreshing to hear a former player talk so openly about the mistakes they made during their career. Sutton spoke of his anger at not being selected for the full England side, but how this anger lessened with reflection. Sutton began his career in 1991 at Norwich City having come through their apprenticeship scheme, and reserved a large amount of praise both for the then-manager of the Canaries, Dave Stringer, and their current manager, former Celtic teammate Paul Lambert. Sutton said: “I’m always grateful for the start Norwich gave me. I talk about the enjoyment I had at Celtic, but I was young and free [at Norwich]. I came through the youth team and a two-year apprenticeship, and I was very
lucky to go into the team and play with so many good, experienced players, and I felt being brought up at Norwich with the type of football they played, and some of the players I played with, was
really crucial to the development of my career. “I think Paul Lambert has done an incredible job. I’ve said many times I don’t think Norwich are a Division One club, far from it. But the way the financial markets are in the game, getting out of the Championship in one year and coming into the Premiership, they’ve done incredibly well. He’s recruited players in who have got real freedom about themselves and don’t have bad experience of the Premiership, which is a good thing.” Having finished his playing career, Sutton first tried his hand at management in the 200910 season at Lincoln City, and despite an impressive run in the FA Cup and keeping the Imps in the Football League, he resigned, citing personal reasons. However,
it is clear that he is still keen to have a career in management, but only if the right position is available. He said: “I’m doing my ProLicence now, but I’m not in a mad rush to get back in. If something came up that I fancied I would consider it. I’ve got a young family at the moment, so that’s something I have to consider. But if the right opportunity came up I’d take it.” Sutton finished his interview with more reflections on his career, in particular the strike partner he most enjoyed playing alongside throughout his time in football. Despite having played with such illustrious names as Alan Shearer, George Weah and Gianfranco Zola, Sutton was unequivocal in his response of Henrik Larsson. Sutton added: “I was very fortunate at different times, but I just felt Larsson could do everything. He could score goals, hold the ball up, if he dropped deep he had pace and he was phenomenal in the air. His international record was incredible, and playing at Celtic alongside him was a really great experience for me.” With this, the interview was concluded, and Sutton seemed like a man comfortable with the media attention. His willingness to talk about the regrets he has from his long playing career was particularly refreshing. Sutton rightly takes his place as one of the best English strikers in the modern era after such an impressive goalscoring record throughout his career. It is clear from this interview that while he has achieved great things, he will always remember where he began at Norwich City.
27
Phenomenal France knock flailing England out of World Cup Billy Sexton Sports Correspondent An inspired French performance and basic errors from England meant that Martin Johnson’s men crashed out of the World Cup, 1912 the final result in Auckland. Going into the quarter-finals, England hadn’t had the best set of results in the group stages, while France hadn’t had the easiest time in the pools either. They suffered at the hands of the All Blacks and, embarrassingly, Tonga, in the upset of the tournament so far.
Despite England starting strongly, France put the first points on the scoreboard with a penalty from Dmitri Yachvili, as they began to take control. A sloppy English side were struggling against a strong French team who looked completely different to the side that were humiliated just a week earlier. A lineout steal allowed Vincent Clerc to score the first try of the game, giving his team an 11-point advantage just 20 minutes into the match. Maxime Memard added a further five points as a shambolic English defence struggled to cope. Moments of incentive came, but hesitation inside the French 22m meant England were unable to get on the score sheet until the 55th minute when a converted try from Ben Foden provided a glimmer of hope. Despite threatening a comeback in the final 20 minutes (with a Mark Cueto try in the 76th), England had clearly left it too late; a solid defensive display from France and a Trinh-Duc drop goal meant that they took a deserved victory to reach their sixth semi-final in seven tournaments. France will now face Wales for a place in the final after they beat Ireland 22-10 at Wellington.
s
concretesport
issue258 11october2011
www.concrete-online.co.uk twitter.com/ConcreteSport
UEAsport
>> Ice Hockey club preview | p26 >> So You Think You Know Capoeira? | p25 >> In focus: Rowing club | p25
Inside concretesport this fortnight:
• Joe Levell assesses a fruitful fortnight for Norwich City, which culminated in a respectable narrow defeat away at Old Trafford • Disappointing results for England’s rugby and football teams are put under the spotlight by Billy Sexton and Tom Shaw
Chris Sutton talks to Concrete Sport Former Norwich City and Chelsea striker Chris Sutton speaks openly to Concrete Sport about his long career >> turn to page 27
Vettel secures second World Championship Kris Nelson Sports Correspondent Mclaren’s Jensen Button finished first in the Japenese grand prix in a race in which Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel’s third place finish was enough for the 24 year old German to claim the Drivers’ Championship. The race at the Japanese Suzuka circuit was a
monumental event, as Vettel not only won the 2011 championship, but wrote his name into history by becoming the youngest double world champion at a mere 24 years and 98 days. A second title has looked inevitable most of the season thanks largely to Vettel’s blistering start, which saw 6 wins and 2 second place finishes in the first eight races. However, this victory
will still be a cause for celebration in the Red Bull camp, as they have well and truly lain down the gauntlet to the likes of Mclaren and Ferrari and demonstrated exactly how a professional racing outfit should be run. For regular F1 spectators, Vettel and Red Bull’s dominance this season will come as no surprise. A combination of two of the best drivers in motor-
racing (Vettel and Australian Mark Webber), a superb general manager in Christian Horner, and the strongest car has provided the platform for Vettel to dictate this seasons Drivers’ Championship and turn it into a mere procession with four races of the season still remaining. The German has won 9 of a possible 15 races so far and has taken 12 pole positions. Dominance
of this type has been relatively unheard of since another famous German commanded the sport for Ferrari during the 2002 and 2004 seasons. While Vettel cannot be considered Michael Schumacher’s equal just yet, the signs suggest that it will take a massive effort for anybody to topple the Austrian-owned Red Bull team next season. Few would bet against the German claiming a third Drivers’ Championship this time next year.