Concrete 328

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>> Venue takes a first look at Theatre Royal’s Beauty and the Beast

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>> UEA loses Cloud Dog

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>> Interview with Olympic medalist, Bryony Page 11th October 2016 Issue 328

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

UEA rent strike threat Union to propose controversial strike policies

Megan Baynes

Editor-in-Chief

UEA SU will submit a proposal to the first union council of the year threatening to encourage rent strikes amongst students living in UEA campus accommodation.

The proposal states that the union will coordinate rent strikes within the next three years, should the university fail to meet their, currently undisclosed, demands.

An anonymous union source has confirmed the existence of the policy and that it will be formally

announced next Monday, before being put forward to union council the following Thursday, 20th October.

The current terms and conditions for accommodation on the UEA campus state that all students must pay accommodation fees within 28 days of being invoiced. The licence may then be terminated “by not less than 28 days’ notice (“the Notice Period”) in writing to the Licensee on the non-payment of the Licence fee (whether formally demanded or not).” Therefore, this proposal to be put forward by the union may put students at risk of eviction, within a

280 148

Council to have final say next week

pounds per week: the cost of UCL’s most expensive accomodation (Arthur Tattersall House) pounds per week: the cost of UEA’s most expensive accomodation (Hickling House)

matter of weeks, should they opt to go on rent strike.

This comes less than three weeks after NUS President, Malia Bouattia published a blog in the Huffington Post, where she advocated rent strikes across the UK, writing: “In halls, the choice is increasingly between roughly affordable, but often squalid housing on the one hand, and outrageously priced “luxury” housing on the other.”

“All over the country, a key aspect of the marketisation of higher education has been the rapid growth of extremely expensive residences geared up for the benefit of big

business, not the students who live there.”

Commenting on the motion, an SU spokesperson said, “Proposals to the SU Council can be submitted by students with a variety of different views but are not the policy until debated, amended and agreed — so it wouldn’t be appropriate to comment on this particular proposal ahead of the meeting.”

Rent Strike action began at University College London (UCL) in February. After three months the first strike, of 150 students at

Continued on Page 4

Pokemon Go-Away: Norwich man enters stranger’s property Caitlin Doherty Deputy Editor A man walked into a stranger’s house hunting for virtual monsters whilst playing Pokemon Go, Norfolk Constabulary have revealed.

The unnamed man entered the Norwich property whilst playing the game over the summer, and when questioned by police officers told them that he did so because he was using the augmented-reality app.

This incident was among 19 Pokemon Go – related reports made to the Norfolk police force during July and August.

These included assaults, thefts, driving offences as well as noise nuisance complaints from across the county area. Complaints were made in King’s Lynn, Norwich, Thetford, Gorleston and Hoveton.

These figures were released to the BBC in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act, and included information on the more

than 290 incidents concerning the game recorded by police forces in England and Wales over the summer months.

The news from Norfolk follows the charging of two suspects in relation to an apparent Pokemon Go murder in Kent last week. 20-yearold Carl Gregory was found fatally injured in a Thanet car park on 4th October. Gregory died in the arms of his girlfriend, Chloe Lemare.

According to The Telegraph, the pair were in the area hunting Pokemon

when the attack occurred.

Responding to the information Supt Dave Buckley of Norfolk Constabulary said: “If any offences are committed whilst playing the game, they will be investigated fully and offenders will be dealt with appropriately”.

Since its release in July,

Pokemon Go has been installed over 100 million times, making it one of the most popular apps ever created.

11th October 2016

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Editorial Week Three autumn blues Caitlin Doherty & Jessica Frank Keyes Deputy Editors

Dougie Dodds

A week of bad ideas

The higher education proposals that have divided opinion: from the Home Secretary, Amber Rudd, to our own union Megan Baynes Editor-in-Chief It’s week three and most students have settled into a routine of LCRs, Unio coffee and 9am seminars.

With most living on campus, myself included, firmly established in their rooms (of course the fairy lights came out for a fourth year running), it is disappointing that an upcoming SU proposal would put students in danger of eviction and even pose a risk to their course places.

While you can’t discount the success of the UCL rent strikes, UEA accommodation simply isn’t affected by the same pressing problems that warranted such extreme action.

Student rents across the country have risen, so it’s understandable that each year sees a rise in price for living on campus. Yet what sets UEA apart from UCL is that it has consistently won awards, not only for services provided, but for price.

Just last year it was named the sixth best in the country for value for money. As lovely as it would be to not pay rent, there doesn’t seem to be any legitimate reason for such a hard-line proposal. The need for a rent strike seems much less immediate at UEA than it was at UCL, and you wonder how many students were consulted before the decision was put to paper.

The proposal will be formally announced next Monday, before the final decision is made at union council next week. You can find all the latest news from union council on our Twitter page (@Concrete_UEA) where our union representative, Deputy Editor Jessica Frank-Keyes, will be live tweeting the meeting

next Thursday.

It appears it’s been a week of bad ideas, particularly for Amber Rudd, the Home Secretary, whose higher education and immigration law proposals have been roundly condemned by the university sector

“The need for a rent strike seems much less immediate at UEA than it was at UCL, and you wonder how many students were consulted before the idea was put to paper.” (p.3). With the media likening her speech to sections of ‘Mein Kampf’, she seems to be deliberately creating an atmosphere of fear and distrust. We spoke to UEA ViceChancellor, David Richardson, who emphasized the contribution our international students bring, both financial and cultural. Quite simply, UEA would not be the same without the vibrantly diverse international community that calls this university home, and it’s good to see David Richardson showing his support for students who might be worried about what this could mean for them. UEA will remain United, despite Brexit, and despite politicians who seem determined to prove otherwise.

But despite remaining a united front, what makes our university special is that it is a place of debate and an open forum for students to express their views, whether or not we agree with them. The Concrete comment section has always been

a platform for students to express their opinions and engage in a lively debate about controversial topics.

This week UEA Catholic Chaplain, Andrew Eburne wrote a rebuttal to ‘Playing Devil’s Advocate’, which scrutinized the canonisation of Mother Theresa (p.16). Let us know where you fall in the argument either online, or on Twitter.

From the Rosetta space probe (p.18) to our beloved Cloud Dog (p.5) it’s been a week of farewells.

But, as the leaves change to a new colour, and as a new baby cloud dog gets ready to grace our campus it’s important to stay motivated and upbeat. If you’re already looking for vacation ideas, our Travel section (p.20-21) has some great ideas on how to escape the Norfolk grey and chase some blue skies. Our features team also have some great tips to keep you motivated as the nights get longer and darker, including an interview with Olympic silver medallist, Becky Page. If you thought balancing the LCR and studying was bad enough, find out how she managed to do it all alongside her training.

This issue was put together thanks to our great new team of writers: over 100 new members were recruited during Freshers’ week, and with over 120 of you coming along to our Big Meet, the entire editorial team are excited to see what this year brings.

If you didn’t quite manage to find us during the madness of SocMart, make sure to find our Concrete members page on Facebook: there are still plenty of ways to get involved, and plenty more issues to write for.

See you in a fortnight!

Term has set in, October has arrived, and Freshers’ Week has left a sizeable dent in our student loans. It can only mean one thing: autumn. While for many of us, the season of falling leaves, bonfire night and pumpkin spice lattes – which, despite our American Election induced aversion to all things orange, we at Concrete are impatiently awaiting Unio’s adoption of – is our favourite time of year, it’s also a time to recognise that winter is on its way.

The freezing wastelands of East Anglia (seriously, what is up with that biting Norfolk wind?) are not always the easiest place to be happy in the cold. The yearly realisation that the reading lists are only getting longer while the daylight hours are fading earlier by the day is often enough to put a dampener on the first weeks of term. New flatmates, homesickness, break-up woes, course anxiety, or simply an LCR hangover will always feel worse when combined with weather induced misery. You may feel that little can be done to remedy this seasonal affliction, but should your blues prove resistant to a peppermint hot chocolate or two, it might be time to look elsewhere for support. In time for World Mental Health Day (10th October), Concrete spoke to the SU’s Chris Ball, on page 19 about the Mental Health Matters campaign and all the help and advice that is so readily available to you, should you need it. Don’t suffer in silence.

We must also note, as Veteran UEA-ers will surely have spotted, the recent absence from campus of our beloved “Floof.” Beau, or ‘Cloud Dog,’ was responsible for putting a smile on the faces of so many, and you can read on page 5 about her role as an unofficial ‘pet therapy’ dog to those who knew her. We will miss her big goofy grin and fluffy face, and hope she is happily chasing sticks in peace.

concrete-online.co.uk ConcreteUEA concreteuea concrete_UEA Cover: Hickling and Barton House: Megan Baynes Pokemon: Flilckr: iphonedigital

The University of East Anglia’s Independent Student newspaper since 1992 11th October 2016 Issue 328 Union House University of East Anglia Norwich NR4 7TJ 01603 593466 www.concrete-online.co.uk Editor-in-Chief Megan Baynes concrete.editor@uea.ac.uk Deputy Editors Jessica Frank-Keyes Caitlin Doherty concrete.deputy@uea.ac.uk Online Editor James Chesson concrete.online@uea.ac.uk News Emily Hawkins Senior Reporter: Amanda Ng concrete.news@uea.ac.uk Global Ollie Watts Senior Reporter: Milly Godfrey concrete.global@uea.ac.uk Features Lillie Coles Lydia Lockyer concrete.features@uea.ac.uk Comment Charlie Dwyer concrete.comment@uea.ac.uk Science Sophie Christian concrete.science@uea.ac.uk Travel Jennifer Redfern concrete.travel@uea.ac.uk Sport Richard Ewart Nick Murphy concrete.sport@uea.ac.uk Copy-Editor Molly Burgess concrete.copy@uea.ac.uk Copy-Editor Emma Slaughter concrete.copy@uea.ac.uk Marketing Director Katie Gleeson Email TBC Social Media Coordinator Charlotte Spencer Email TBC Events Manager Sam Naylor Email TBC Editorial Enquiries concrete.editor@uea.ac.uk concrete.venue@uea.ac.uk Complaints & Corrections concrete.editor@uea.ac.uk

No part of this newspaper may be reproduced by any means without the permission of the Editor-in-Chief, Megan Baynes. Published by the Union of UEA Students on behalf of Concrete.

Concrete is a UUEAS society, but retains editorial independence as regards to any content. Opinions expressed herein are those of individual writers, not of Concrete or its editorial team.

News

11th October 2016

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Amber Rudd’s immigration proposals condemned by Higher Education sector Jessica Frank-Keyes Deputy Editor

Universities and unions have condemned Amber Rudd’s proposals for increased restrictions on international students at UK universities. The Home Secretary announced her plans in a speech at the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham last week. The proposals include the introduction of ‘two-tier’ visa rules, which would link immigration regulations to the quality of the institution and course.

The minister’s speech prompted a damning response from the higher education sector.

Labour MP Paul Blomfield, cochair of the all-party parliamentary group on international students, described the proposals as “spectacularly ill-informed,” and called Rudd’s speech “an act of madness.” The Sheffield Central MP called the higher education sector “one of (Britain’s) most successful export industries. The only people cheering today’s announcement will be our competitors.”

Sally Hunt, general secretary of the University and College

Union (UCU) criticised Rudd’s plans to reduce migration, saying that “limiting overseas students to particular universities and courses equates to pulling up the drawbridge.” Speaking on behalf of UCU, the organisation which represents university staff, she added that “ministers need to take a very different approach and

“UEA has a long and proud history of students and researchers from across the globe coming to study, undertake research and work in Norwich” support universities by removing international students from the net migration target altogether.”

Mostafa Rajaai, NUS international students’ officer, added: “The government’s hostile attitude towards international students has already caused irreversible damage to the reputation of the UK higher and

further education sectors overseas.

The new proposals assume the vast majority of international students studying across the country are immigration threats and will lead to further discrimination. International students, like all migrants, should be treated with respect and dignity.

He confirmed that “the NUS will be opposing these proposals every step of the way.”

Sorana Vieru, NUS Higher Education Vice-President, said: “International students definitely should not be incorporated into immigration targets.” She added that it was wrong for the government to treat these students as “a political football.”

University of East Anglia Vice-Chancellor Professor David Richardson responded to the Home Secretary’s plans, saying: “UEA has a long and proud history of students and researchers from across the globe coming to study, undertake research and work in Norwich.”

“Our international students and staff bring significant cultural and economic benefits to the city, county and region and they become real ambassadors for UEA, Norwich and Norfolk when they return home.”

He added: “International students make a £7 billion contribution to the UK economy and generate almost 137,000 jobs across the UK.” UEA SU International Student’s Officer, Malaika Jaovisidha, has responded to the proposals in a statement on the Union website, in which she claimed the proposals “can only be seen as an attempt to further restrict the lawful rights of current and potential international students.”

She described the Home Secretary’s plan as an “outrageous, xenophobic proposal preventing those at a disadvantage from receiving the quality education they may desire.” Jaovisidha also stated that: “the National Union of Students have publicly announced their concerns and disagreements with this proposal, and as Photo: Flickr, Department for Energy and Climate Change

an affiliate we will support and work alongside them to fight against it.”

Speaking to Concrete, the International Students Officer commented on “the enormous contribution” UEA’s international students make “educationally, to our economy and to our local community.” She added that the Union would “like to see international students treated as part of the community rather than a commodity by the government,” and insisted that international students should not be treated as part of the UK’s net migration figures.

Jaovisidha confirmed that “the NUS is currently consulting on a range of campaigning tactics that will include direct action,” and stated that UEA SU will be discussing their response over the coming weeks.

Government announces further UEA|SU introduces plans for higher education reform free printing to help

student living costs Emily Hawkins News Editor

Pixbay: Greymatters Alice Spencer News Writer The government announced more plans for higher education reform, notably that fees could rise to £9,500 per year and that a new ranking system will be introduced to judge which universities are good enough to charge higher fees.

It was announced earlier this year that students starting in autumn 2017 could pay up to £9,250 per year in tuition fees. The Houses of Parliament are yet to approve any lift on the £9,000 cap, which was raised in 2012 when fees were allowed to be trebled.

The government has stated the 2018 fees will be linked to teaching quality, with the changes to be accompanied by the implementation of a new three-tier ranking system of gold, silver and bronze.

A spokesperson for the Department of Education said universities would be assessed on

criteria such as student satisfaction, drop-out rates and graduate employment prospects.

Crucially, however, the plans include a statement that all courses beginning in autumn 2018 “will receive the full inflationary uplift”.

The ranking criteria specifies that a bronze-ranking university would be of “satisfactory quality” but “significantly below the benchmark in one or more areas”.

Under the current timeline, a university in this category would be allowed to charge the same fees as those awarded the higher quality silver and gold rankings. With the BBC forecasting inflation in 2018 to be 3.2 per cent, this would mean all students starting in 2018 would be paying fees above £9,500.

The “teaching “excellence framework” is due to be set up next year and will decide which quality range a university falls into.

Currently estimated to only be in its second trial year in 2018, from

2019 onwards tuition fees could be determined based on these rankings.

Although not yet approved in Parliament, the plans to lift the £9,000 cap from 2017 faced immediate backlash as some universities began advertising fees of £9,250 before this had even been announced by the government.

Already, Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron has called the continuing rise in fees “unacceptable”.

Minister of State for Universities and Science Jo Johnson, said of the plans: “The framework will give students clear, understandable information about where the best teaching is on offer and for the first time place teaching quality on a par with research at our universities”.

The Department of Education also commented that higher fees will ensure “students get value for money”, being designed to “put teaching quality and job prospects at the heart of higher education”.

UEA’s Student Union introduced a free printing machine, as part of a series of new projects to help students with the cost of living at university.

The printer, which is located in union house, provides free printing on paper which has an advertising banner.

“It’s all part of a wider SU commitment this year to tacking the costs of being a student and we’re happy to take ideas on other ways to get costs down.”

Theodore Antoniou-Phillips, Undergraduate Officer, said that despite Student Union research showing students’ are under “real pressure” financially, the University does not give students a basic allowance of printer credits.

Currently, some UEA schools offer students a number of pages of free printing a month.

Antoniou-Phillips said the Union sees this as “ridiculous” and hopes the introduction of the Union

House printing machine while “not perfect” should help students with university resources. He said: “It’s all part of a wider SU commitment this year to tacking the costs of being a student and we’re happy to take ideas on other ways to get costs down.”

Other cost-saving introductions at Student Union selling places include a Value Range, with the launch of economical products marked by gold stars and allowing students to eat their own food in Union cafes.

Antoniou-Phillips has called on the University to do more to help students with the cost of living, saying that whilst officers are “doing what we can within the SU” University services need to do more.

He said that the Student Union this year will be pushing for “joined up thinking” regarding student living costs.

He is asking that all services from academic departments to the catering department “see students not as cash cows, but as learners who want to succeed at UEA without the burden of additional debt.”

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11th October 2016

News

New student accomodation in the city given green light Sophie Christian News Writer

The site where the new accommodation is to be built Photo: N. Chadwick

Continued from Page 1 UCL had expanded to incorporate hundreds more students at three other institutions. The Cut the Rent campaign at Goldsmiths called this “the largest rent strike action in British history.” In July, UCL students declared victory after five months of strike action. Since then, the National Union of Students (NUS) has pledged to lend its support to nationwide student strikes as the debate over costly university accommodation continues. At the beginning of September, thousands of students were expected to go on rent strikes in protest, and the NUS has confirmed it will be rallying students to take action.

While accommodation at UCL ranges from approximately £102 to £280 fee per week, UEA charges from £84 (a shared room in the ziggurats) to £148 (Barton and Hickling house). In 2011 UEA accommodation was voted number one in the UK by What Uni Student Choice awards, and given a fivestar rating by students in the Virgin Guide to British Universities in 2012.

In 2015, Money Supermarket research named UEA accommodation as the sixth best in the country for value for money. For this, they analysed the country’s top 20 universities.

Commenting on the wider issues of campus rents, which union council has already debated, SU Campaigns and Democracy Officer Amy Rust said: “We’ve always been in favour of the University building and renting out its own accommodation — but when the stock is used to whack already cash strapped students with massive above inflation rent increases, enough is enough. We’re calling on the university to end what amounts to a back door fee increase for first years — asking them to look again at above inflation increases to make sure students can afford to study and live.”

A 13-storey accommodation block for students has been approved by the Norwich City Council, to be built by 2018.

The accommodation will be constructed on the former Mecca Bingo site, opposite John Lewis, located on All Saints Green. Alumno Developments, the London-based company behind this operation, have now secured their second development in Norwich with this approval, which will be called “the Quad”. Their first project was adjacent to Norwich Bus Station, and became available to Norwich University of the Arts students in September.

It is thought that the block of 244-bedrooms will be open to students in 2018 and will be split into five to eight en-suite flats with a communal kitchen.

However, it has not been confirmed which university will own these five set of blocks yet.

Designers have commented that the accommodation would play “a modest role in the city skyline acting as a lantern in the wider urban landscape.”

Opposition to this development has been clearly stated by Edward Jinks, an employee of the nearby store Aviva, who commented that the height of the accommodation is “excessive” and should be 11 storeys instead.

There has been reassurance that the project will be successful, Councillor Keith Driver said: “For someone who was born in Norwich and can remember the Norwich Union offices, which were larger than anything in the area, I can’t see a problem with this.”

David Campbell, the managing director of Alumno Developments, explained the necessity to continue investing in the city: “Norwich is a welcoming and dynamic city in which a strong education sector plays an important role. We would like to support this through another significant investment in the city

Academics criticise Prevent Benedict Gadsden News Writer 140 academics have signed a letter voicing their dismay at the “lack of proper scientific scrutiny or public critique” given to the science behind the government’s counter terrorism strategy Prevent.

The policy requires people with duties of care or positions of authority over young people to spot the warning signs of extremism. Controversially, it also legally obligates caregivers, such as teachers, to report suspected signs to the “Channel” programme to deal with immediately. “Channel” referrals can come from teachers, social workers, healthcare workers and the police. In 2015, almost 4,000 people were referred to them for assessment. This caused controversy when it was revealed children under the age of nine have been refered under the policy.

The letter’s signatories claim that the radicalisation warning signs included in Prevent, known as Extremist Risk Guidance 22+ (ERG22+) have not faced adequate public scrutinity and that there has been a lack of transparency by the government.

The Home Office has so far refused to release the guidelines, which are based on a psychological study of 20 prisoners, on the grounds that a release would undermine the strategy.

The letter joins the Royal College of Psychiatrists in calling for the publication of the ERG22+.

Signatories stated that “children have been directly affected, through the courts, based on assessments using the tool. The impact is significant and cannot be emphasised enough.”

Yasmin Qureshi, MP, has been a critic of Prevent Photo: University of Salford Press Office

Those opposing Prevent argue places like classrooms should instead encourage open debates in which it can be shown why such extremist views are erroneous.

Critics believe that Prevent has resulted in the false accusation of many young people, particularly Muslims. It has been said that the policy creates a fearful atmosphere.

Those opposing Prevent argue places like classrooms should instead encourage open debates in which it can be shown why such extremist views are erroneous.

Critics have also argued that alienation and isolation are dangerous ingredients when it comes to radicalisation, and have thus called Prevent counterproductive.

In 2015, however, the government

stated in its counter terrorism report that the Prevent scheme “should be informed by a risk assessment and should be proportionate to the threat.” Following on from this, supporters of Prevent argue that rogue reporters within the scheme, and not the government guidelines themselves are to blame for excesses.

Yasmin Qureshi, an MP and critic of the Prevent strategy, had the following to say in a statement to the Guardian last month: “[Prevent] stigmatises, criminalises, and more specifically, I don’t think it allows for debate to take place.”

11th October 2016

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Cloud dog death: baby Bo on campus by Christmas Jessica Frank-Keyes Deputy Editor UEA’s beloved canine companion, eight-year-old Bo, has passed away this week after a short illness.

The Siberian Samoyed, named after East Anglian queen Boudicca was described as “relatively young for her breed,” which can live for upwards of 12 years, and a “very happy and docile dog,” who loved “wandering around the lake.”

Bo belonged to Pam Ward, who is in her eighties and lives near campus. She was often seen walking around the square or the lake with Pam or her grandson, Jordan Read, 22, a UEA third year student.

Pam spoke to Concrete about her much-loved family pet. Bo’s death came as a shock as she had only gone to the vets on 26th September. She was kept in overnight before passing away due to a heart attack on the 27th.

She was “gone within minutes.”

The cause of death remains unknown, but Pam suspects drinking from puddles of dirty water could have been to blame.

She warned other animal lovers:

“dogs shouldn’t drink near parked cars in the winter… the anti-freeze can be poisonous,” and also mentioned the dangers of dirty lake water or rat poison.

However, Concrete can reveal that Pam will soon be walking a new, smaller cloud dog on campus

by Christmas. The new puppy is currently only five weeks old, but of the same breed.

Patrick Berryman, a former UEA student who ran the UEA Cloud Dog Facebook Page, told Concrete: “ She [Bou]was actually amazing for a couple of us when we had issues with depression and so on. Pet therapy is the best, and it also helps when you are at uni and don’t have a pet but you are used to having pets around at home.”

The sad news was broken in a post from Jennifer Willis,

Pam’s daughter, on the UEA Cloud Dog page. Willis wrote: “Sad to say Cloud Dog has moved on to the great dog park in heaven.”

She added: “Although the end was quite sudden, she didn’t suffer and was surrounded by friends.”

Bo, also known to UEA students as “Floof” was recently diagnosed with arthritis. On the 20th September it was reported on the Cloud Dog page that a visit to the vets had resulted in medication for the condition, and that Bo was “doing a lot better.”

Sadly, despite Bo’s many admirers wishing her a swift recovery, the “upsetting news” was confirmed on 9th October, that “just over a week ago Cloud Dog very sadly passed away.”

The post on the Cloud Dog page also stated that: “considering the difficulties she was going through, we know she is in a better place.” Bo’s family had asked for “a bit of breathing time” before the news was shared.

News NUS accuses Bouattia of anti-semitism Amanda Ng Senior Reporter Student leaders, including three NUS vice presidents, have signed an open letter criticising the union for “anti-Semitic rhetoric.” Signatories also said the union needs to do more to “address its attitude towards Jewish students.”

44 student leaders signed the letter, which claims that “Jewish students have not felt safe participating in our national movement.” The letter accuses NUS’ leadership of “rightly” having been placed under “increased scrutiny” for their actions and rhetoric regarding Jewish students.

Richard Brooks, one of the vice presidents who signed the letter, spoke on BBC Radio 4’s The World At One to explain his decision. He said he wanted new Jewish students starting university to feel that the union was a “place for them”.

When questioned on how such alleged anti-Semitism had manifested in the student movement, Brooks said: “It is obviously a very challenging and nuanced argument, but when a number of Jewish students over a consistent period of time say they do not feel safe participating in student politics and in the student movement, I think we have to take that really seriously and listen.”The

letter does not mention current President Malia Bouattia by name but alludes to previous incidents where she has been criticised for “anti-Semitic” remarks.

Notably, the President described her alumus the University of Birmingham as “something of a Zionist outpost in British Higher Education” in a 2011 blog comment.

Bouattia however, insists that her previous statement was a political argument rather than an attack of religion, and has refused calls to apologise for it.

Following the open letter Bouattia has said that she supports her colleagues in the NUS in “calling for assurances that Jewish students will be safe on campus” Bouattia continued to say that “I will do everything in my power” to ensure Jewish students feel safe both on campus and to particpate in the student movement.

She said: “I look forward to working with my officers and NEC colleagues to continue to listen to Jewish students and support them in being part of NUS.” Bouattia made history last April by being the first black Muslim woman to be elected president of the National Union of Students.

However her appointment was not without controversy, and triggered students from several universities to attempt to disaffiliate from the NUS.

Photo: UEA Cloud Dog Facebook

Village Shop reopened following arson attack After attack locals raised over £30,000

Daughter now studying masters at UEA

Megan Baynes Editor-in-Chief The Village Shop has reopened with help from the community following the post-Brexit arson attack.

Andreea Abraham, daughter of the owner, is now studying for her masters degree at UEA. Andreea Abraham, daughter of the owner (pictured) reopened the shop on 14th August with cakes to thank the community that had rallied around in support after the attack.

“What I really want to mention is that the love and the support that everyone has sent us exceeded by far the emotional and material damage that was caused by the person who decided to set our shop on fire” Andreea has since started at UEA, studying for a Master’s degree in Intercultural Communication and Language Studies. She studied for her undergraduate at Christ Church Canterbury, where she was International Students’ Officer.

Shortly after the attack, Andreea wrote online, “What I really want to mention is that the love and the

Photo: Katy Jon Went

support that everyone has sent us exceeded by far the emotional and material damage that was caused by the person who decided to set our shop on fire.”

The attack took place in the early hours of June 24th. A brick was thrown through the window, shortly followed by a firebomb. Whilst the motive behind the attack remains unclear, many link the attack to the referendum result. The shop is on Magdalen Street, the most diverse street in Norfolk.

The community response in the aftermath of the attack made headlines across the country. Over £30,000 was raised, and hundreds of love hearts with messages of support were stuck to the boarded up windows of the store. On July 12 hundreds held a rally outside Norwich City Hall to show solidarity with migrants.

At the beginning of September, Norfolk police said the case concerning the shop has been closed pending further information coming to light. Speaking to the EDP, a spokesperson said they had not identified a suspect and “all lines of enquiry have been exhausted” but added that officers would “follow up any new lines of enquiry should they come to light.”

The two weeks after Brexit saw an 83 percent rise in hate crime in Norwich.

11th October 2016

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News

UEA Enterprise Centre voted UK’s Best Workplace James Chesson News Writer UEA’s The Enterprise Centre has been named the best workplace in the UK at the National Awards of the British Council for Offices (BCO).

The building was also awarded Best Corporate Workplace, in addition to claiming the overall accolade. Judges praised The Enterprise Centre for its “wide range of highly flexible accommodation with incubation and collaborative spaces for new and developing businesses in a building equipped to deliver for the 21st century” and for being an example of “sustainable design at its best.“ The BCO National Awards recognise excellence in office design throughout the UK. Construction of The Enterprise Centre, which cost over £11m to build, was completed in June 2015. The building is known for its distinctive exterior which is made up of large thatched panels in a wooden frame.

Emma Crawford, the chair of the BCO National Awards, said: “The Enterprise Centre stands tall as both a dynamic and collaborative work and event space, and as a benchmark in sustainable design.”

Richard Kauntze, the BCO’s chief executive, said: “This year’s awards nominees have impressed across the board with their commitment to innovative, sustainable design – and none more so than The Enterprise Centre, our Best of the Best award winner.”

Photo: Susan Gunn

Rise in Irish students Union abandons election for EU at English universities Students’ International officer Charlotte Gaines News Writer UCAS has recorded an almost 20 percent rise in the number of students from Northern Ireland studying at English universities.

This has come despite predictions that Brexit would trigger an increase in students choosing to

17

percent increase in the number of Northern Irish students accepted into English, Scottish and Welsh universities since 2013-2014.

study at Irish universities.

In 2016-17 a total of 4,060 Northern Irish students were accepted into English universities, compared with 3,430 in 201314. Overall, 5,380 Northern Irish

students were accepted into universities elsewhere in the UK this year, a rise of 17 per cent since 2013-14.

Figures released by the Department for the Economy for 2014/5 show that only 31.5 per cent of those who graduated elsewhere in the UK return to Northern Ireland to work.

As a result of the cap on student numbers at Northern Irish universities, there has been increased competition to attract students to England, where the cap was lifted in 2015.

This has led to a yearly increase in the number of young people across the UK being accepted into university.

Tuition fees in Northern Irish universities are £3,925 per year whereas English students pay £9,000 a year - a figure soon to rise.

Meanwhile, the number of UK students applying to study at university in the Republic of Ireland has risen by 28 per cent, from 1,923 last year to 2,455 this year.

These students are expected to pay just £1,810 a year as qualifying EU citizens.

Jessica Frank-Keyes Deputy Editor Union sources have confirmed that the election for an EU Students’ International officer will not take place due to a lack of interest.

Concrete understands the sole applicant for the elected role dropped out ahead of the manifesto launch date, scheduled 6th October.

The role was created by UEA SU over the summer to ensure that EU students at UEA are effectively represented by the SU, following Brexit. Sources have confirmed that,

“The message to EU students to stand for election was lost in a sea of wristbands and VKs.” despite the delay, the position will remain an elected one.

UEA SU International Students’ Officer Malaika Jaovisidha discussed the issue, stating: “it’s clear to me that the SU Returning

Flickr: Glen Wood Officer’s decision to open and close nominations for such an important election during the Welcome period was ineffective - and rather than signalling apathy, it’s more likely to mean that the message to EU students to stand for election was lost in a sea of wristbands and VKs.” She continued: “Given the SU’s record election turnout last spring I’m confident that if the

position is advertised properly in the coming weeks we’ll see plenty of interest from EU students, and I’ll be supporting them to tackle the massive issues facing this group in the wake of Brexit.”

“In the meantime, I will continue to follow through with my role as International Officer and represent the whole international student body as always been done.”

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Global

11th October 2016

Obama pays tribute to Shimon Peres

Hurricane Matthew hits Haiti Caitlin Doherty Deputy Editor

Key Figures of the Oslo Peace Accords reieved Nobel Peace Prize (L:R: Yassar Arafat, Shimon Peres, Yitzhak Rabin) Photo: Wikimedia, Saar Yacov Peres also played a pivotal role then Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin of Peres in which he expressed his Beverly Devakishen in the peace efforts with Palestine, and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. sorrow.

Global Writer particularly in the nineties. Peres Despite of this breakthrough, Rabin However Hamas, the Islamist was part of the Israeli delegation would be assassinated by an Israeli group which dominates the Gaza A chapter in the history of Israel has that participated in the Oslo extremist who did not agree with Strip, publically celebrated the come to a close as Shimon Peres, Peace Accords of 1993. As a the terms in the Oslo agreements death of the former prime minister one of the last remaining founding result of the Oslo Peace Accords, and shortly after, the deal broke as they cited him as “one of the last fathers of the country, has died at down.

Israeli leaders of the Palestinian “he served our people the age of 93. Peres, who served Peres never abandoned his occupation.” twice as prime minister and once stance that a two state solution was Present at Peres’ funeral, in before we even had a as president, suffered a stroke and, possible where both nations could Jerusalem, included a long list of country of our own. He live in harmony side-by-side. despite initially recovering, died two foreign dignitaries among them: worked tirelessly for weeks later at a hospital in Tel Aviv.

Peres’ son Chemi spoke of his U.S. President Barack Obama, Throughout his political career Peres Israel from the very first father, saying, “he served our people Prince Charles, PA leader Mahmoud held a variety of significant offices before we even had a country of our Abbas, as well as representatives day of the state to the and was involved at a high level in own. He worked tirelessly for Israel from both Egypt and Jordan, the state decisions; his career highlights from the very first day of the state to only two of the surrounding Arab last.” include being in command of the the last.” states to have signed peace treaties Haganah – the precursor to the Israel recognised the Palestinian Current Prime Minister Benjamin with Israel.

Israeli Defence Forces, overseeing Liberation Organisation (PLO) as Netanyahu described Peres as a While closing the eulogies the establishment of the country’s the representative of the Palestinian “man of peace” who devoted himself Obama spoke of ‘unfinished secret nuclear capabilities.

As people and the PLO officially toward reconciling with Palestinians business’ pertaining to the peace defence minister, he masterminded acknowledged the state of Israel in order to promote a better future negotiations and comparing him to the safe return of over one-hundred for the first time. The peace deal for the children on both sides of the some of the other ‘giants’ of the 20th hostages in 1976 when a group that arose from the talks led to wall.

Century such as Queen Elizabeth II of Palestinian hijackers diverted key figures being awarded the Mahmoud Abbas, the leader of and Nelson Mandela, whilst former a plane en route from Israel to Nobel Peace prize, an achievement the Palestinian Authority (PA) sent a U.S. president Bill Clinton described Uganda.

Shimon Peres would share with letter of condolence to the relatives him as Israel’s ‘biggest dreamer’.

Filipino President compares war on drugs to the Holocaust Beverly Devakishen Global Writer Rodrigo Duterte, the newly elected President of the Philippines, is an unconventional leader, to say the least.

Known as ‘The Punisher’, due to his merciless stance on crime, he has been particularly aggressive in dealing with the drug problem in the Philippines, killing any alleged drug dealer or user in the country.

Latest figures show that since Duterte has come into power, 2400 accused criminals have been killed in police operations.

Recently, he expressed aspirations to kill as many drug addicts as Hitler did jews. This was a comparison that has drawn wide-spread criticism from the international community, particularly from the Israeli Knesset.

His actions, arguably unethical,

have caused alarm among the international community.

The extrajudicial killings associated with Duterte have prompted President Obama to raise concerns about Duterte’s violation of human rights. Duterte responded to these criticisms rather crudely, calling President Obama a ‘son of a b*tch’, subsequently stating that the US president could ‘go to hell’.

The European Union has also received its fair share of insults after expressing similar concerns; Duterte said that the organisation had ‘better choose purgatory, hell [is] filled up’.

He seems to verbally attack anyone who criticised his controversial war on drugs, including the United Nations, which he described as ‘very stupid’.

Duterte has also lashed out at China, explicitly asserting that it is the country where the most illegal drugs in the Philippines originated

from.

Strangely, however, China did not have the same disapproving response to him as the Western countries did. Instead, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang commended the Filipino president on his anti-drug war, further suggesting that China would work with Duterte to contribute to the campaign.

China’s support for his war against drugs, coupled with the criticism of the US, one of Philippines’ oldest allies, caused a shift in Duterte’s foreign policy.

He recently stated that he would ‘break up with America eventually’, and instead forge alliances with China and Russia.

The reckless leader could be bringing more tension into international politics. This is on top of the thousands of deaths he has already caused in his own country.

Is this war against drugs really worth the widespread and deeply felt consequences?

Wikimedia, Presidential Communications Office

More than 900 people in Haiti are believed to have died after the country was devastated

by Hurricane Matthew on 4th October.

The official death toll still stands at 336, however, many more have been reported dead or missing, or are out of reach by aid services according to local civil protection officials.

Matthew made landfall at the South Western peninsular of the island nation, with winds of over 125mph and torrential rains that destroyed roads, flattened homes and hospitals, flooded entire towns and destroyed crops and livestock.

Whilst the death toll is still rising, Haiti’s greatest concern right now is the development of cholera.

A water-borne disease, cholera thrives in

900

people killed

500,000

Children affected

unsanitary environments and can spread quickly through damaged water supplies. 13 people have reportedly died from the disease since the storm struck and another 62 are sick, according to the Haitian health ministry. Although infections remain relatively scarce for the moment, officials will be concerned about this reappearance of the disease that killed more than 10,000 people after the earthquake in 2010.

After Haiti, Matthew progressed northwards into the Southern United States, however, the damage was far less extensive, and many were somewhat relieved to have avoided the worst of the storm.

2.2 million southern households have been left without electricity or other supplies, and flooding has been reported in several major cities, including Charleston, South Carolina, since the storm arrived in Florida on Saturday morning. The storm landed at a Category One, rather than a hurricane, with winds having dropped to around 75mph.

However, there have still been 17 deaths in the US reported as a consequence of the storm, according to ABC News.

9

11th October 2016

Lost Van Gogh recovered in Italy

US election update The first presidential debate, held on September 26, summarized in almost half an hour each runner’s ideas about their opponents and proposals for the future of their country.

The economy was a core topic, especially with regard to taxes. Whereas one of Trump’s main arguments was a huge tax-cut to encourage investment and employment opportunities, Clinton accused the Republican of looking after the profits he could made at the White House, arguing that he does not pay taxes – a point Trump did not deny, even claiming that it made him smart not to do so - while Clinton pledged to raise taxes for the richer and provide opportunities for the middle class. Trump also defended the return of American business to home soil. Throughout the night, criticisms towards each other did not miss, with Clinton being accused of supporting ISIS while she served at the State Department, and also due to the scandal surrounding e-mails.

Since the debate aired, Donald Trump has faced calls to resign his candidacy, after recordings from 2005 were released that show him bragging about assulting women.

He has since lost the support of many high profile Republicans, including Senator John McCain.

Angel Loera

Two Van Gogh paintings have been recovered near Naples after being stolen in 2002.

The paintings were found by Italian law enforcement 14 years after the theft from the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam. Whilst attempting to tackle the cocaine trade off the coast of the country, a tip off allowed authorities to secure the paintings

from a house in Castellammare di Stabia. This was believed to be owned by Camorra’s AmatoPagano clan who are one of the most prominent gangs in the area. It was only after the seizure of their assets that the paintings were eventually found. This marks a significant step towards ending organised crime in the area as the clan was known for using paintings as a method of currency. The paintings View of the Sea at Scheveningen (1882) and Congregation Leaving

the Reformed Church in Nuenen (1884) are believed to be in good condition, apart from removed frames and minor damage to the seascape. They are expected to be returned to the Van Gogh museum following their use in the coming trial.

Sophie Bruce

ROUNDUP

360

Photos: Donald Trump, Wikimedia, Michael Vardon View of the Sea at Scheveningen, Vincent Van Gogh

Miracle doctor saves a life mid-flight A doctor used toothpicks, a spoon and a towel to save a man who had suffered an epileptic seizure at 30,000 feet.

Dr Tian Yu, aged 38, was onboard Air China Flight 1478 from Kashgar to Urumqi in the Chinese province of Xinjiang when a flight announcement called for a doctor. The patient appeared ‘dazed and was foaming at the mouth’, Dr Tian Yu told Shanghai Daily.

Diagnosed as suffering an epileptic seizure, a spoon and towel were requested. The doctor removed vomit from the man’s mouth with his fingers, and wrapped the spoon in a towel to stop him biting his tongue.

Seizures of his kind can be triggered by the fluctuating pressure and oxygen levels in aircraft cabins.

The doctor then stimulated acupuncture points, a traditional Chinese treatment, with toothpicks to ‘activate the brain’ as opposed to needles, as is traditional, as needles were not present due to plane restrictions. The man regained consciousness, and was taken for further treatment when the flight landed.

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Features

11th October 2016

11

Does your degree define you?

Does your degree come with stereotypes?

Are we judged by our course choices?

Emily Paterson Features Writer Most days, The Big Bang Theory dominates our TV screens, and a group of university scientists are mocked for being ‘nerds’: unable to socialise or flirt, fitting every aspect of the scientist stereotype. Arts students, on the other hand, are often portrayed as the noncommittal type, leading a life in constant search of a ‘real job’, whose degrees cower under science. But, are we really defined by our degrees? Do we fit into stereotypes, destined to follow the ‘conventional’ path in our field after we graduate (if there is such a thing)? Or are we merely on a stepping stone to pursuing individual ambition upon graduation?

Heading to university is an exciting time for many. Yet for 18-year-old, UEA student, Apolline Hue, the judgement she received as she was about to undertake her nursing degree before coming to Norwich made her experience slightly different.

“I was often questioned about taking nursing as a degree as it was looked down upon compared to degrees like medicine,” she said.

Apolline started her nursing degree in September and although she was indecisive about whether to do a medicine course instead, she believed that her caring nature was why she stuck with her instincts. “It is a profession I feel so passionate about. I enjoy the contact I would

Photo: Flickr, NASA Blueshift get being a nurse and I care about people so much.”

“It never really swayed my opinion,” she adds, “I knew I wanted to further my studies and nursing seemed to be the right move.

People’s judgement doesn’t affect me. There is more about a person than just a degree.”

Higher Education Statistics show that over five percent of students drop out of their courses within the first year of study. The majority are those that are in underrepresented groups posing the question as to whether judgement is the catalyst of this problem.

Over 50 percent of students at UEA said that most people hadn’t heard of their degree. Phil

Mason, 30, studying an Operating Department Practitioner degree knows this feeling all too well.

“Five percent of students drop out of their courses in the first year” “Whenever anyone asks about what I do and I respond, they nod and just say that’s nice. Not many people really understand what I do.”

Phil is a mature student and lives amongst other students ten years younger than him. He believed this was going to cause judgement over his decision to go to university later

than the others.

“I expected to be judged because of my age but surprisingly I wasn’t.

I think it is because it’s health care and I am a similar age to most people on my course.”

“In my field specifically, we don’t get actual marks. It’s just a pass or fail so if I get a pass it might not look as good on paper. I think certain names carry more gravity.”

According to the BBC, over 4,000 business, political and media leaders still dominating the high ranking jobs from educational institutes like Oxbridge, it is no wonder students are feeling influenced to make judgements.

Geography and International Studies student from UEA, Luis,

believes that you naturally judge a person by their degree in a positive but also negative way.

“If I was talking to someone who did a medicine degree, I’d try and match them. I’d be in awe of their intelligence but it happens both ways. If I was talking to someone with an art degree, I’d humour them but the whole time I’d think I’m better than you.”

Dan Bloomfield, Engineering Graduate from the University of Nottingham explains how he was stereotyped because of what he studied.

“The main stereotype was that I was a nerd and didn’t have hobbies.

Apparently I was into super hero movies and video games but actually none of this was true. People take civil engineering because they are good at maths and physics. It was a career choice through my strengths.

It wasn’t really a passion.” Dan continues: “I suppose I’m a bit nerdy, a bit self-conscious but I don’t think I have the nerdy hobbies.. I think my hobbies are pretty cool. I don’t fit the stereotype but I do think I fit what an engineer is.”The 23-yearold is now in full time work as an engineer but says it still upsets him how people view civil engineering because it plays such a major part in our society. Even after graduating he feels that society will continue to define people by their degrees.

“It’s one of the first things asked, what do you do? And everyone chooses to say their occupation because it’s all about money. What about saying what you...studied?”

Arts or Sciences?

Lydia Lockyer, third year History of Art student What judgements do you get for the course you are taking?

People often think I do Fine Art - when I explain, the usual assumptions are that I spend my days looking at paintings and want to work in a gallery.

Are these judgements accurate?

Not quite. Of course working in a gallery is definitely an option, but it would be nice if there was more recognition in the importance of the arts. There are so many other options for Art History students from art law, archiving, curation and conservation.

What do you wish people knew about your course?

History of Art is such a rounded degree. Although our contact hours are less than many courses, it requires a lot of reading, time management and self motivation. It’s far more than painting.

Is your future career going to be in the field of your course?

I know a lot of people who are hoping to go directly into the arts sector, whether in galleries and museums or other areas. I’ve always been interested in writing and further study and I feel like my degree is a great

Rachel Flinn, second year Medicine student.

What judgements do you get for the course you are taking?

That I must be really clever because I do a difficult course.

Are these judgements accurate?

Studying medicine isn’t just a case of being clever, because the best doctors aren’t necessarily the smartest. The best doctors are the ones who spend that extra five minutes reassuring a patient, not the ones who bury their heads in textbooks.

What do you wish people knew about your course?

It’s really difficult - but I’m not just talking about exams. You never really know what’s going to happen in a consultation. So when you go into a room to talk to a patient about their arthritis but leave almost in tears because they talked about how lonely they are now since their spouse passed away, that’s when it hits home. It goes beyond the academia.

Is your future career going to be in the field of your course?

I’d like to think it will, but with the new junior doctor contract and the threat of being fined if I move abroad to work makes me uncertain about the future.

11th October 2016

12

Features

Defying gravity with Bryony Page Olympic trampolinist silver medallist, and Sheffield graduate, tells us about what keeps her motivated and competition Lydia Lockyer Features Editor Over the Summer, Team GB triumphed once again at the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio. Bringing home a record number of medals from an overseas Olympic Games, the drive and spirit motivating the athletes was extremely clear to see.

I was lucky enough to speak to Bryony Page, the first British trampoline gymnast to win an Olympic Medal, about her Olympic experience and what motivates her during her training. Having just missed out in the London Olympics in 2012 due to injury, Bryony flawlessly bounced into the Rio final, going on to win a silver medal.

Hoowever, Bryony is more than just an athlete. Already holding numerous British, European and World Championship titles she has maintained her athletic career alongside a degree, graduating from Sheffield University in 2015. So what is it that drives such an athlete to success and how does she find it balancing other commitments with her soaring success?

When I congratulated Bryony and asked her how she felt about her Olympic success, she replied, “it feels pretty surreal to be honest!

It’s something I have dreamed of achieving for a long time now, but really didn’t expect it to actually happen, even though I believed it could be possible. It’s an amazing feeling to have won an Olympic Medal and to be the first British trampoline gymnast to do so makes it very special.”

In the run up to the olympics

Bryony was training at least twice a day, Monday to Saturday, with rest and recovery on Thursday afternoons and Sunday – that’s a pretty intense routine and it’s not just on the trampoline. As you can imagine, like many athletes, there’s a number of different elements to her training.

“I spend hours in the gym every day conditioning my body for the impacts of trampolining training sessions,” she explains. “I speak with a sports psychologist and read psychology books to mentally prepare for training and competing.

“We have a sports analysis that videos every go on the trampoline and records our scores and ‘Time of Flight’ measurements (how high we jump) for every skill, and we have

“I just want to be the best I can be... that’s what keeps me motivated.” sessions to go through our training in detail so we know where we have been improving and where we still need to work.”

According to Bryony her training is like a full time job and her lifestyle revolves around it. “Every decision I make is based on how it will effect my training – from the food I eat, to what time I sleep, to the books I read.

“For me,” she continued, “leading up to the Olympics, from the moment I woke up, to the moment I fell asleep – I would be training – preparing my body and my mind for the biggest competition of my life.”

Her motivation is pretty

apparent. “I just want to be the best I can be. I am extremely passionate about my sport. I love being in the air, flying around doing twists and somersaults. This is what keeps me motivated. Knowing I have this opportunity to challenge and improve myself on the trampoline, and a limited time to do so, keeps everything exciting!”

For several years Bryony balanced her training with her university studies, graduating in biology from the University of Sheffield in 2015. I wondered what her university life had been like, as I’d imagined she’d have had a lot to balance. “I did find it difficult to balance my studies and something career at first. Luckily, Sheffield University were (and continue to be) really supportive and helped me to balance both.”

And what about the social side – something a lot of students struggle juggling with other commitments?

“There were decisions I had to make I had to make growing up whether I would miss a training session go to that party or night out, or cancel a holiday to go to a competition.

I always decided to chose the trampolining world, and I’ve never considered my social life to suffer because of sport. I make sure I find time to visit, Skype and catch up with my friends and family as much as possible.”

It was obvious that Bryony has an extremely positive character, and is passionate about her sport and the opportunities it has provided for her. When I asked her if she felt she ever had to sacrificed anything in her commitment to trampolining she replied, “I have never never considered any decision I have

made I favour of training to be a “sacrifice”. If anything, I would say not eating ice cream is the biggest sacrifice I make whilst training towards major competitions!’ – I certainly feel her pain there.

Like anyone in any profession, the silver medalist does experience the odd moment of doubt. But her down to earth, positive mindset obviously pulls her through – “over the years, I have improved in the

“I have never, never considered any decision I have made in favour of training to be a sacrifice.” ways that I deal with my self-doubt, but there were even moments during the Olympic Games that I doubted myself - when I was younger I always thought Olympians would be so confident and have everything sorted out, but that really isn’t the case, well at least for me it wasn’t.”

She added, “I just had to remind myself that my self-doubt doesn’t actually change what I can do on that trampoline!

I don’t suddenly b e c o m e rubbish j u s t because I think I might be”

An Olympic Medalist: In Profile Name: Bryony Kate Frances Page Born: 10th December 1990, Crewe, Northern England Height: 1.73m Education: University of Sheffield, Page graduated in 2015 with a First Class degree in biology. Her final year dissertation was written on dinosaurs and the noises that they make.

Trampoline Club: ATFC Sheffield World ranking: 13th Career highlights: Page was diagnosed with yips early on in her career, a condition found in many athletes that

affects fine motor skills, resulting in twitches and jitters. She overcame this in 2010 with the help of a confidence coach.

She was crowned the British female champion in 2013, 2014 and 2015, and contributed to British team golds at the World Championships in 2013, and the European Championships in 2014 and 2016. Individually, Page finished 5th in the world in 2015.

Page and her teammate Kat Driscoll were the first ever British competitors to reach an Olympic trampolining final.

Page was leading with a score of 56.040, until she fell into silver medal after a score of 56.465 from defending Olympic Champion, Canadian Rosie Maclennan. Kat Driscoll finished in sixth.

Photo: Simon Wright

- something we all could learn from.

When it comes to motivation, it really is about drive, ambition and passion for her sport. “I think the best thing is to find out what you are passionate about. I want to feelPhoto: awesome feelSquare awesome Flickr,to Blue Thingin the air, and I want to be the best I can be. That is what motivates me, but for others it can be wanting to win medals, break records, or even achieve fame.

“Whatever it is that makes you passionate about training, is what will keep you focused through the tough times and when your motivation levels are at their most vulnerable.”

And what about for us university students? “Stay as organised as possible,” she said. “Know your timetable and continue to improve time-management skills! Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help, or discuss your studies with your coach, or your extra curricular activities with you teachers.”

If you’re already missing the Olympic spirit, keep your eyes peeled for the Team GB Victory Parade in London and Manchester later this month!

11th October 2016

13

Features

UEA, Suffolk Terrace: Flickr, Blue

Defying the odds: let’s get motivated!

How you can attain your university goals and find the perfect work/life balance

Becca Hemmings Features Writer Starting university can be one of the most exciting, enjoyable and opportunistic moments in your life. Though sometimes keeping that morale high can be a bit of a struggle, especially if you’re trying to muster up the courage to go to a 9am after a night at the LCR (we’ve all been there!).

Luckily, there are always experienced students to lend a helping hand in how to force yourself to throw away the duvet and get stuck into University life. Whether it be writing essays, attending lectures, or just maintaining a social life it can be a bit of a balancing act.

Make life easier and throw yourself into a range of activities outside of your degree - just make sure you don’t take on more than you can handle! I learnt the hard way that joining 5 societies, 2 sports teams and trying to get a part time job was virtually impossible on top of lectures and essays, and that’s okay.

Of course join societies and sports clubs that interest you - in fact I’d say this is one of the best

things you can do to keep yourself motivated, because we all need time to let off some steam and have fun.

“Rather than getting downhearted that I wasn’t the next Einstein, I was actively achieving my goals and fullfilling myself with a sense of pride” However keep that list of societies and sports to a select few... and stick with them! It’s a great way to expand your social circles as well as giving you some well-deserved down time.

As well as taking a break to get involved in social activities, set some goals to strive towards. I found the jump from A Levels to university

quite daunting when I first arrived, and needless to say I was slightly underwhelmed when I got my first graded essay back.

The realisation hit me that nobody is going to walk into University and get firsts right off the bat, it takes a lot of hard work but it’s definitely achievable if you’re willing to put the work in! I decided to set myself realistic goals throughout the year targeted at gradual improvement and progression.

Rather than getting downhearted that I wasn’t the next Einstein, I was actively achieving my goals and fulfilling myself with a sense of pride in my achievements which motivated me to keep bettering myself and achieving that next goal.

Setting these goals also helped me focus on the bigger picture and why I decided to go to university in the first place. If you find yourself in a bit of a motivational slump, consider the reasons that you jumped for joy when you opened UCAS track and saw your acceptance letter.

Think about your future career, and how everything you will do in the next three years will be helping you get there.

Even if you don’t quite know yet what you want to do for a job, everything you’re learning and experiencing at university is valuable to your future and development- not to mention it’s also really fun and doesn’t last forever, so make the most of it!

“consider the reasons that you jumped for joy when you opened UCAS track and saw your acceptance letter” One of the best ways to make the most of your Uni life is to stay positive. Taking a pessimistic outlook can leave you feeling a little deflated. I often found myself demotivated when I compared my achievements to the others around me.

So rather than looking at your

friend’s grades or the fact that your flatmate made the football team, focus on what you want to achieve and try new things. If you didn’t quite get the grade you want, focus on the ways you can develop it next time and take feedback into consideration to better yourself. Set yourself goals and take small steps to reach them, do it at your own pace and to your own ability. The key to self-motivation is focussing on you!

As much as maintaining a positive mental attitude towards your degree is important, one of the most essential things to keeping motivated and focussed is having a great group of friends to help you through. Keep yourself surrounded with motivated people that you can turn to when things get a bit too much and have fun with.

Having a strong support network has been one of my main motivators at UEA, simply because my friends are there to give me a bit of positive reinforcement when I need it. Grab a few friends, go to a new sport or have a group study session in the library, there’s a whole new life at university waiting for you, go and explore it!

11th October 2016

14

Features

The Freshers’ 15 - Gaining pounds and losing pennies Hattie Griffiths Features Writer For some bizarre reason, when the words ‘student’ and ‘food’ are mentioned in one sentence, a certain judgement tends to prevail: students can’t cook for toffee. If we do, it’s bound to be some sort of unholy creation composed of ketchup sachets and toast with the mould enthusiastically scraped off.

Yet somehow the myth of the ‘Fresher’s Fifteen’ is growing, with origins ranging from the US with the ‘Freshman 15’ to Australia’s ‘Fresher Spread’. Is the latter term derived from a delicious butter substitute? If only.

So what is the ‘Freshers’ Fifteen’? Well, according to the myth, by the time first year has ended, it is almost compulsory for a fresher to have gained an extra 15 pounds (6kg) due to the high

alcohol and calorie intake that most students encounter during the academic year. And I can see why some believe this; I know a student who survived freshers’ week on Guinness and brown bread – and regretted it. Most of us have just left home for the first time, and realised that the daunting prospect of both attending 9 am lectures on a Friday and making Bolognese exactly the way you enjoyed it throughout childhood are too overwhelming to master simultaneously. For those of us who drink, alcohol is also a calorific minefield. According to Drinkaware, a pint of lager can contain 197 calories, and a Jagerbomb would be roughly 1 8 3 .

Could this

explain why we apparently gain weight, but still seem to be poorly nourished? Statistics from Medical Daily USA show that up to 59% of college students may suffer from malnutrition – can it really be so different across the pond?

You might wonder how we are supposed to eat a balanced, nutritious diet on an extremely restrictive budget? Is it even possible to buy sustainable, fresh food when we’re trying to keep things cheap? The good news is that UEA is in a great location for viable choices. The campus’ sustainable food policy, which you can find in the ‘About Us’ section of the University

Missing mum’s cooking?

Lillie Coles Features Editor

As the days get shorter and the windy, wet weather arrives, nothing beats a roast dinner. However, the task of making one from scratch is sometimes not the most appealing thought, despite simple recipes like ours! In this situation, a restaurant roast is the way to go, and Norwich has no shortage of delicious roast options.

The Marsh Harrier

This one’s a little out of the way, but with a huge menu and lots of offers, it would be an ideal place to go to if you know anyone with a car or if your parents come to visit. The homely atmosphere and excellent service makes for an all-round family-feel roast. They also serve a

ot

o:

roast dinner platter for two, costing £23.50, which i n c l u d e s beef, turkey, lamb with all the delicious trimmings.

If you’re a vegetarian, they have a ricotta and red pepper tartlet and many other options on their extensive main menu. With a country pub feel close to Norwich city centre, the Marsh Harrier is a favourite.

The Reindeer

For those of you living near Dereham road, you may be familiar with The Reindeer pub, which sits on the 22, 23 and 24 bus route.

Known for its selection of ales and craft beers, with a selection of 22 to choose from, The Reindeer is also home to a delicious roast dinner.

They have options for everyone, with beef, turkey, pork and butternut squash for the veggies.

They also serve a fab sticky toffee pudding to round off the perfect roast dinner.

Urban Munch

Photo: Geograph.org.uk, Ian S

the food is quick, easy and great for a speedy lunch while you’re out shopping.

Firstly, in UEA halls, it must be noted that the combination ovens make a roast a longer process than at home. However, this should not hold you back on your quest for fine cuisine.

You can add herbs like rosemary to the chicken, or squeeze over a wedge of lemon and some garlic.

Then, place the chicken in a roasting dish and cover with foil, and roast in a 190 degree oven. You can work out the time it will take to cook, by checking the weight of the meat. It will take approximately 20 minutes per pound of meat, plus an extra 20 minutes at the end. For this final twenty minutes, remove the foil to get a lovely crispy skin.

You can buy cheap and tasty stuffing at any local supermarket, and generally takes 30 minutes to make by following the packet instructions. This can be baked in its own tin, which is easier than attempting to stuff the chicken.

For roast potatoes, peel and partially boil them (15 minutes), and as you drain them in a colander, shake them about to rough up their surfaces. Sprinkle with flour and drizzle with oil for a crispy coating.

Roast them in the oven until they look golden and crisp. This can take up to an hour, so start them as soon as the chicken is in the oven.

A honey glaze is a delicious addition to your carrots and parsnips. Whisk a glug of olive oil with honey, and pour over the carrots and parsnips. Finally place on the pre-heated tray and bake for half-an-hour.

The Yorkshire puddings are a crucial component, and can be bought cheaply at any local supermarket. Follow the packet instructions and fill with piping hot gravy to serve. There is no shame in using gravy granules, but adding fried onions can give extra flavour.

To carve the chicken, cut along either side of the backbone and pull away the chicken breasts, and slice into pieces. Then, carve off the legs and pull the meat from the bones with a fork. If you’re feeling fancy, enjoy your roast with a glass of white wine, and treat yourself to your favourite dessert.

Cinema City is not only the best place in Norwich to see a film, but its sister restaurant, The Dining Rooms, is also a great spot to enjoy a roast dinner. For £12, you can enjoy pork, beef or chicken with lots of added extras, like pigs in blankets, duck fat potatoes, cauliflower cheese and traditional gravy.

ar m a Sh ul Ra h ia , W ik

im ed

The Lamb Inn

A city centre pub with a cute, cosy feel (not to mention it has its own resident cat!) which serves a delightful Sunday lunch menu. Most roast dinner options cost around £10. It’s no frills, but comfy and close-by, and you definitely get your money’s worth.

So, if you’re craving a delicious roast on a budget, look no further.

understand that sometimes that can be hard to afford – why not bulk it out? Add cheaper ingredients such as lentils or other pulses, or perhaps mix in some extra veg.

Of course, everyone has their dark days when concerning food.

Takeaways are faster and hugely tempting when there’s nothing but a leftover jacket potato in the fridge and all the supermarkets have closed. But buying healthy isn’t as difficult, or even expensive, or as expensive as it might seem.

Together we can all return home at the end of term with a healthy glow resulting from our faultless diet choices. Well, perhaps that’s an exaggeration. But spread the word - eating healthily is dead easy, and cheap too - you just need to know where to look. Freshers’ Fifteen? What Freshers’ Fifteen?

The Dining Rooms

Ph

Visit our 5 roast dinner hotspots in and around Norwich city.

website, ensures, among other practices, that all meat and fish served and sold is sourced in the UK. The city of Norwich also plays its part. There’s a thriving market that opens seven days a week, selling multitudes of fruit and veg at affordable prices – there’s a few butchers and fishmongers in there too, who’ll definitely be a lot friendlier than a self-checkout at the supermarket. This can also work out cheaper, as you’re freer to buy exactly what you need.

An alternative way to save and stay healthy? Cook like you’re going to be serving a hungry rugby team. Make a few portions at one time, and freeze in portions for a later date.

I

On the go? Roasts don’t always have to be on Sundays, and Urban Munch proves this perfectly. In fact, you don’t even have to sit down to have one, and if you’re in a hurry, Urban Munch offers something a little different – a roast you can take away. With freshly roasted meats, potatoes and the most amazing gravy, this tiny little place may not look like much from the outside, but

Have a go at making your own roast dinner at home or in Halls.

Rob Klim Features Writer

Living in halls does not have to mean that you must live on frozen pizzas, garlic bread and pot noodles for the entire year. By following these steps, you can make a delicious and cost effective roast dinner for one, or you and your flatmates can club together and make a meal of it. Roasts are an eternal symbol of British culture, and you can enjoy them as a student too.

You will need: • 1 chicken, or two thighs if you are making a meal for one.

• A selection of vegetables - we like broccoli: cheap and easy to prepare!

• Carrots and parsnips • Honey • Olive Oil • Ready-made Yorkshire puds • Potatoes • Shop bought stuffing • Gravy granules

Advert

news statement on the amber rudd announcement

amber rudd announcment

words provided by your students’ union officers

malaika jaovisidha international students officer >>

Home Secretary, Amber Rudd, and her recent proposals concerning imposing stricter immigration laws on international students can only be seen as an attempt to further discriminate and restrict the lawful rights of current and potential international students entering the country.

Her proposals would restrict students coming from abroad, specifically those from non-EU countries, to limited course options and university choices. Hence, a deliberate attempt from her to “reduce the flow of overseas students from outside Europe” (The Guardian, 2016).

Rudd proposes a multi-tiered student visa system “tailored to the quality of the course and quality of the educational institution”.

Thereby, a system that would effectively turn non-EU students, without high financial status, away from even considering education in the UK. This system, she announces, would “[look] at tougher [immigration] rules for students on lower quality courses”.

An outrageous, xenophobic proposal preventing those at a disadvantage from receiving the quality education they may desire.

Alongside, she plans to tighten the resident labour market test (a test that companies must go through

to hire overseas employers) as an attempt to reduce net migration... to a “sustainable level”.

In 2015, massive bans and restrictions had been implemented on further-education international students (Tier-4) disallowing them from working part-time during study as well as restricting their ability to apply for an extension on their Tier-4 to continue their studies into high-education, from within the UK. In 2012, HE students across the UK looking to continue to work in the country must have “an offer of a skilled job... and be paid at least £20,000...”. This is more than the average living-wage in London.

International student applications to study at FE institutions had fallen by a staggering 16% in March 2016, Financial Times reports (Financial Times, 2016). Whereas for HE institutions, this year would be the second successive year of falling overseas new enrolments (Times Higher Education, 2016).

The National Union of Students have publicly announced their concerns and disagreements with this proposal, and as an affiliate we will support and work alongside them to fight against these proposals that will only further discrimination.

news we’re recruiting new course reps

recruiting new course reps

words provided by your students’ union officers

theo antoniou-phillips undergraduate education officer

>>

A Course Representative (Rep) is, simply, a student who represents the students on their course. Course Reps are engaged with their degree, and regularly meet with academic staff to feed back on what is working well about the course, and also suggest ways it could work better. They will also liaise with the Union, and work with myself and Maddie (the Postgrad Education Officer) to direct our education campaigns.

Through the year, Course Reps will play a vital role in ensuring that student voice is being heard,

and that we’re placing students’ academic interests at the centre of our campaigns. In the past, Course Reps have had real impact on the way their degree is run. They have fought for more diverse authors to be included on reading lists, for more support to be given to students on placements, and for better feedback on assignments.

This year we want to do even more.If you decide to be a Course Rep, the Union will provide you with continual support in the form of training sessions, Education

Forums, and by encouraging mentorships between Course Reps on different courses. You’ll gain experience in public speaking, representation, and working with students and staff to improve the academic experience at UEA. You’ll engage with your academic work on a whole new level – not only ensuring the high standard of learning at UEA is maintained, but working to make it even better.

In my 3rd year as an undergraduate, I acted as a Course Rep for English and American Literature. For me,

it was an incredibly rewarding experience; I got so much more from the course than I would have done otherwise, and I got to work with lecturers to tackle issues within the school. It was the start of my engagement with academic representation, and what eventually led to me run for Undergraduate Education Officer.

To apply to be a Course Rep, you should contact the Student Partnership Officer in your school.

You can find a list of them at uea. su.

Comment

11th October 2016

16

“To be love and compassion”: Who was Mother Teresa?

UEA Catholic Chaplain, Andrew Eburn, responds to Concrete’s article ‘Playing Devil’s Advocate’, Issue 327

Rev. Andrew Eburn UEA Catholic Chaplain An American professor of law once described the prejudice she faced as a Catholic. People assume, she said, that ‘the Catholic part of you has disabled the thinking part of you.’ So if you’re a Catholic, you’re somehow less capable of thinking straight, or even recognising truth.

In fact, the converse is more often the case: it’s the prejudiced ones who don’t think straight.

There’s a good example of this is in the arguments advanced in the article, ‘Playing Devil’s Advocate’ in the Fresher’s edition of Concrete, an article which positively brims over with anti-Catholic prejudice. The target is not just St Teresa herself, but the entire Catholic Church. The real casualty – as with any form of prejudice – is truth, and straight thinking.

We’re told for example that the Church only canonised saints like Mother Teresa because of its existential crisis in the late twentieth century; a time period in which the numbers of Catholics globally actually increased by half a billion.

If that’s a crisis, then the Church could do with more of them. The real point is that the global growth of the Church is a truth which is deeply inconvenient for that secular minority - usually Western and affluent - who potentially neither understand nor respect the majority - usually non-Western and poor - of the world’s population who choose a life of faith.

Another reason the writer put forth for this canonisation is the Church’s ‘association with some of the vilest dictatorships that this century produced’. Well try telling that to the millions of Polish Catholics killed by Hitler – or the 94% of all the clergy in Hitler’s death camps who were, yes, Catholic.

Of course people will have views as to whether or not a particular person should be declared a saint; but let’s agree that those views should be expressed with a basic regard for truth and proper evidence. Concrete’s writer has a personal opinion to share with us – “I for one would not describe [Mother Teresa’s] missionary work as particularly charitable” – but doesn’t seem to have personally encountered this missionary work –

Photo: Nigel Chadwick, Geograph.org except at second-hand. We’re also told, for example, that “anybody who believes it was [Mother Teresa’s] goal to eradicate hardship is badly mistaken”.

Quite so. St Teresa’s mission was never to “eradicate hardship”, but to do something both simpler and much harder: to be love and compassion – to be God’s love and compassion – to the poor. As one of her volunteers observed, “people

are dying without anything and anyone; forgotten by the world; rejected; unwanted; unloved.” That is the context for her work. In that respect accusations of “subpar” and “dangerously haphazard” medical care from St Teresa ignore a basic truth. The Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata were not founded to provide primary medical care (there are many Catholic orders that do precisely this, and very well), but

simply to provide solace to many thousands of poor patients who would otherwise die alone in the gutter. A few weeks’ ago marked the anniversary of Thomas Tunstall, who was hung drawn and quartered in Norwich in the summer of 1616 simply for being a Catholic priest.

Four hundred years later it is tragic to find anti-Catholic prejudice alive and well in Norwich; and - of all places - at a university.

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17

The views and opinions expressed in the Comment section belong entirely to their respective authors and are not reflective of the views of the wider Editorial Team, nor Concrete as a whole.

Equality, Division and Opportunity in the Education System Molly Blazer Comment Writer Theresa May has only been Prime Minister of the United Kingdom since July, yet she has already managed to anger many with her plans to relax the long-standing ban on new grammar schools.

Nowadays a large percentage of state-educated students attend a comprehensive school over a grammar, yet still very few grow to become influential members of society.

Whilst it may be argued that the grammar school system offers a greater education for the society as a whole, it must be noted that a large proportion of those in

attendance are from middle-class backgrounds. To pass the eleven plus many students need tutoring to be able to follow both the verbal and non-verbal reasoning aspect that is not taught on the national curriculum. This therefore gives an unfair advantage for those who come from wealth because many

“With the increase of grammar schools comes an increase in mental health issues” cannot afford the high cost that comes with just passing the eleven plus.

With the increase of grammar schools comes an increase of mental

health issues. For students today the pressures of the education systems have driven the rise of health issues such as bulimia and other forms of self-harm. Nonetheless, the pressure at grammar schools is increased with the constant strive to be part of the elite. Students are left feeling degraded unless they achieve top grades at both GCSE and A Level; with there being a greater number of subjects taken within a grammar school compared to a comprehensive.

Yet, without grammar schools, many young students are faced with no better choices in education.

In deprived and poorer areas, local comprehensive schools are most likely to be graded poor or inadequate by Ofsted. Many from

affluent backgrounds are able to relocate to better areas to ensure better quality education; and so for many from less financially stable

“Many from affluent backgrounds are able to relocate to better areas to ensure better quality education” homes are only left with the option of grammar school in order to have a decent education. The increase of grammar schools will mean that many underprivileged students who are bright enough will be able to afford the travel costs to school.

However, entry to grammar school will still pose as a blocker

for many who cannot afford the tuition to gain access to the ‘better education.’ So many comprehensive schools are lacking funding to improve the quality of education for their students whilst grammar schools are able to fund so much more in comparison. Should we really make children feel inadequate for not giving them options to face if they are not academically gifted?

The money spent on creating and improving grammar schools is redirected from the schools who need it most; to help children with learning difficulties or to help inspire a young child to attend Oxbridge equivalent universitieswhose parents were just unable to afford to tutor their child through the eleven plus.

The stagnation of progressive politics in Britain Rob Klim Comment Writer

In the words of MP Brian Wilson, “A Labour Party with no realistic prospect of forming a government is of no use to anyone”. Such a quote summarises the fundamental, and existential crisis gripping the Labour party. To Wilson, and the many members of both the public and the party like him, instigating change requires a party to be electable. To them, the future cannot lie in the hands of Corbyn, a dinosaur clinging stubbornly to the MO of Old Labour.

The 21st century is an entirely different atmosphere, spurred on by economic and socio-cultural change, which has altered the

“The future cannot lie in the hands of Corbyn, a dinosaur clinging stubbornly to the MO of Old Labour” demographic Labour now needs to appeal to. Labour has shifted from the position of governing majority to a party of a secondary influence in the decision-making of the country.

On top of this, the turn out at the general election was notably small, however in this point lies the potential support for Corbyn.

People felt disenfranchised by a two party system that only pushes for austerity, or austerity light. People want change from this, and they want it now. The Labour leader’s support is maintained at an illusory high via the first-past the post system. This system can be seen to act like a life-support machine and exaggerates the level of support for it.

Most worryingly for Labour’s future is that the system that solidifies his authority prohibits the growth and development

of a new left challenge. Corbyn is an embodiment of Labour’s ideological stagnation, induced by a naïve following of the 1953 text “The Future of Socialism”. This text makes a uselessly esoteric distinction between the “means” of implementing policy, which vary under contemporary circumstances, and “ends” which are eternally set in concrete. This latter claim

by Labour political philosopher Anthony Crosland set the tone for social-democratic ideological stagnation. In the words of David Milliband, we need to be post-New Labour, and not stuck with Corbyn’s pre-New Labour.

Ideological stagnation is worrying in an age where the digital has left analogue politics behind.

The New Left is not the left that the Labour party of today can appeal to. The New Left are the young overburdened by debts too large for

them, and the old with pensions just too small to sustain them. The young today socialise on Facebook, and do not meet up in factories. To them, a never-ending journey towards the eternal “ends” is not enough; they demand change now.

As Labour’s demographic basis shrinks, it looks backwards, but cannot provide sufficient answers.

Of course NHS spending is of serious importance. I myself have multiple relatives working for the service. However by trying to return to the past, ‘lost icons’ as David Miliband calls them, to find new solutions in a new world will not be sufficient to build the future.

Alternatively, taking full advantage of new technology, would allow the instigation of real change.

The state can be utilised to invest into cleaner energy for example, and create new good-quality jobs.

Labour needs to readjust its base

of support and appeal to both the working and middle classes. This is especially salient as 75% of jobs now are in the private sector. Labour needs a rebirth of its commitment to universal entitlement. Issues from retirement, to health and social care, to education, need to be seriously confronted.

However, Labour would

“Ideological stagnation is worrying in an age where the digital has left analogue politics behind” still need to get elected to put such change into action. This is why Shadow Cabinet Minister Clive Lewis’ proposal to form a “progressive alliance” is so

Photo: Peter Damian, Wikimedia appealing as a solution. Along with the Green Party, Liberal Democrats and the Scottish Nationalists, this “is the way we will make better decisions and take more of the country with us.” Given that a July ICM poll revealed that only an alliance between the Lib Dems, Green party, Labour and the SNP added together would draw level with the Conservative vote, he may be right.

Lewis may be a supporter of Corbyn, but at least his proposed scheme for getting into power has the potential to put Labour in the position to implement real change.

Furthermore, considering the views of other parties of the Left could give Labour the crucial credibility it currently lacks. Credibility from a truly progressive perspective is a block to radicalism. Credibility, not being a militant Corbynite, is the future.

18

11th October 2016

Science

Government warns students on the risks of taking ‘smart drugs ’ Pete Bye Science Writer Tempted to take the easy route through university and invest in smart drugs to boost those grades? Well think again, because a statement was released last month by the government-body Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), which warns new and old university students against the use of ‘smart drugs’ without a prescription to boost their academic performance.

The MHRA, which recently announced their campaign looking at the issues of buying medication online called FakeMeds, cites the potential side effects of the medications, including heart problems, psychosis, and addiction as well as reminding students that purchasing prescription drugs without a valid prescription is illegal in the UK. ‘Smart drugs’, or ‘cognitive enhancers’, including Modafinil and Ritalin, are used to treat a range of medical conditions. Modafinil already has an established role in the treatment of narcolepsy, a

condition characterized by excessive sleepiness and sleep-attacks.

Ritalin is most commonly used in the treatment of Attention-Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD).

Patients are able to receive the appropriate medications at the

“Modafinil is licensed for specific medical conditions not for use as a ‘boost’ during exams. Don’t put yourself at risk by self-medication - it could have serious side-effects” appropriate doses via a prescription from a trained doctor. However, the drugs are used by approximately 14% of students hoping to improve their grades, with purchases often done over the internet and with uncontrolled doses.

But do they work? While there are many research papers attempting to answer this question by measuring factors such as

memory, cognition, attention and learning the results have been varied. A recent systematic review, which looked at 24 papers considering the effect of Modafinil in healthy individuals, discovered amongst a range of brain functions there were moderate benefit against placebo-controls.

The small trials and unreliable methods undertaken in this study meant the researchers concluded that this evidence was “weaker” than they first thought. Importantly, very few of the research papers reviewed recorded side effects that participants experienced during trials, so one of the primary questions raised by the MHRA in their statement remains unanswered.

Senior Policy Manager Lynda

S c a m m e l l commented that: “Modafinil is licensed for specific medical conditions - not for use as a ‘boost’ during exams.

“Don’t put your health at risk by self-medication - it could have serious side-effects.”

Until an accurate trial is carried out, or papers are put under the gold-standard scrutiny of a metaanalysis, the jury is still out as to whether there are any benefits to taking a risk with these “smartdrugs”, both to our health, criminal records – or our pockets.

Photo: Flickr Global Panorama

World’s first baby is born with the DNA of three people Francesca Minter and Sarah Nichols Science Writers On the 27th September a revolution hit the science scene when the world’s first ‘Three Person Baby’ was born. The child inherited 99.9 percent of its DNA from his parents with the remaining DNA coming from a donor’s mitochondria, which was necessary as the mother was a carrier of Leigh disease. This is an inherited neurometabolic disease affecting the central nervous system and was inherited by the mother’s children, causing her to suffer a succession of miscarriages.

Mitochondria are vital organelles within cells that carry out respiration - the conversion of glucose from the food we eat into chemical energy in the form of Adenosine Tri-Phosphate (ATP).

Without functioning mitochondria, energy would be inaccessible and the body would be unable to function.

Mitochondria contain their own DNA separate to that in the nucleus, and like any other source of DNA this can be mutated to cause disease.

The organelles are inherited from the mother which means that any disease she carries is also inherited by her children.

The technique used to transfer

the mitochondria involves removing the nuclear DNA from the donor egg (keeping the mitochondria), implanting the nuclear DNA from the mother and father and carrying out in vitro fertilisation before placing the embryo back into the mother.

The embryo will have nuclear DNA from the mother and father but mitochondrial DNA from the donor. Mitochondrial DNA has no influence for traits such as eye or hair colour, but by using healthy mitochondria diseases can be

“To save lives is the most ethical thing to do” avoided in offspring.

The decision to attempt this procedure was taken by John Zhang, from the New Hope Fertility Centre located in New York, who was optimistic that it would provide the couple with a healthy baby.

As with most modern genetic experimentation, there have been ethical issues raised. Complications are inevitable - such as donors wanting parentage and the everthreatening ‘slippery slope’ of messing with human genes.

Defending this procedure, Zhang said that he travelled to

Mexico where there are no rules and strongly believes it was the correct decision to make. “To save lives is the ethical thing to do,” he finished.

Having such advanced social and cultural structure means that humans are not as vulnerable to natural selection as we once were.

This is supported by the UK, which legalised mitochondrial transfer in 2015, but no other countries are yet to follow this decision.

There are alternatives to this procedure, as not all of the mother’s eggs will carry the diseased gene, making it possible to conceive a healthy child. The less complex methods include, screening the mother’s eggs for the defective genes and carrying out an in vitro fertilisation using only the parent’s DNA. But, just like much of 21st century science, this procedure has to be allowed to happen for the benefit of the child and family. It needs to be possible to eliminate diseases and for people to move with the times and accept these procedures are things to be excited by.

Alison Murdoch, a fertility doctor at Newcastle University summarised the argument well by stating: “The translation of mitochondrial donation to a clinical procedure is not a race but a goal to be achieved with caution to ensure both safety and reproducibility.”

1973:

The first successful human IVF pregnancy was achieved by a team from Monash University, Australia. The pregnancy miscarriaged after a few days, however.

1978:

The first IVF baby is born in Oldham General Hospital, Greater Manchester.

The conception and birth of Louise Brown was overseen by scientists Patrick Steptoe and Robert Edwards, and she followed several unsuccessful IVF treatments in the US and UK.

2006:

IVF babies account for more than 1 percent of births in the United States. IVF accounted for 41,343 births and 54,656 infants in one year.

2010:

Carl Wood wins the Nobel Prize for Medicine and Physiology for his work in IVF science. His work developing the use of frozen embryos earned him the affectionate title ‘the Father of IVF’.

The Internet knows more than we think James Chesson Science Writer A Google Chrome extension has revealed the enormous scale of Facebook’s data collection from its users. It is reported that the social media giant can track an individual’s activity in order to deliver targeted advertising. This is done by recording as wide an array of information about the user as possible, including their location, page likes, shared articles and even relationship status updates.

The extension was created

by ProPublica, a non-profit news company, and reveals information that is already accessible if a Facebook user knows where to find it.

Developers admitted that “this is the same information that Facebook itself offers users — buried deep in its site.”

The extension takes the user to the “AdPreferences” page, where the site lists all the categories it uses to decide which ads to deliver to them. The categories are most commonly derived from page likes and which adverts the user has clicked on before. Once on the preferences page, users can choose to remove any of the interests that they don’t think apply to them any longer.

Not all the information Facebook gathers is from site usage, as it can be sourced from other web activity, such as products that the user has looked at on shopping websites earlier in their browsing session appearing next to their Facebook feed.

More troubling is the claim by ProPublica that Facebook “buys data about its users’ mortgages, car ownership and shopping habits from some of the biggest commercial data brokers.” The data gathered can be incredibly specific, with the developers of the extension saying: “we found Facebook offers advertisers more than 1,300 categories for ad targeting.”

With over 1.7 billion users, the value of efficiently using targeted advertising is clearly very high. With such a hugely diverse and global user base, the ability to send adverts to those most likely to receive them positively is something that advertisers are willing to pay huge amounts of money for.

Facebook’s advertising algorithms are a crucial part of its sustained success. Between April and June this year, the company made £1.5bn, a 186 percent increase on the same period the previous year.

Despite the rise of adblockers, with 22 percent of internet users admitting to using one, Facebook saw its revenue from advertising rise by 63 percent in the past year.

19

11th October 2016

World Mental Health Day at UEA Deputy Editor Jessica Frank Keyes spoke to Non-Portfolio Officer Chris Ball ahead of World Mental Health Day. Ahead of World Mental Health Day 2016 on 10th October, Concrete chatted to Chris Ball, non-portfolio officer at UEA SU, about why mental health matters, the support available to students and why his big plans for the day include dogs and a ball pit…

Why does mental health matter at UEA?

Photo: Sprayablesleep.com

Credit: ESA–C. Carreau/ATG medialab

Earth bids Rosetta a final farewell Daniel Box Science Writer Twelve years ago, the European Space Agency launched one of its most monumental missions to date: Rosetta. Alongside her lander Philae, Rosetta was deployed with the goal of unpicking the nightshrouded mysteries surrounding comet topography, structure and behaviour.

However, on the 30th September, the comet came to a spectacular finish as it crash landed on the comt Churyumov-Gerasimenko.

Rosetta, never designed to land, was likely badly damamged on impact, despite coming in at a speed of just one metre per second. Its last signal, transmitted at the moment of landing, reached Earth at 12:19 BST. Rosetta will never be heard from again.

The mission team hugged and cried as Rosetta’s final moments were confirmed. Mission manager, Patrick Martin said, “I can announce full success of this historic descent towards 67P. Farewell Rosetta, you’ve done the job. That was space science at its best”.

“It was a bittersweet feeling,” said Matt Taylor, a project scientist with the European Space Agency.

He continued, “We know that we’ve achieved something fantastic. But you’ve also lost something. This

project, you were on it 24/7, there was always something going on, and now that’s gone.

“It’s like losing a member of the family.”

Taylor worked as a key intermediary between the missions engineers and scientists. He said, “I have to try and make all of the scientists behave sensibly and walk in one direction which is not really an easy task.

“It’s like herding cats.”

“Rosetta crash landed at 12:19 BST on the 30th September. It will never be heard from again” The probe began her investigation in the August of 2014, after a long 31 months of deepspace travel and hibernation, as well as a further seven months of travel to reach her target of Comet 67P. However, after surviving in the desolate and destructive comet environment for 786 days, in addition to an 8 billion kilometre journey and three Earth flybys, the ESA took the solemn decision to permanently deactivate the probe.

The reason behind this is that Comet 67P, otherwise known as Churyumov-Gerasimenko, has a current trajectory which will take it past the orbit of Jupiter; a distance

too far from the Sun for Rosetta’s solar panels to function properly and generate enough electricity to power the probe.

At 21:50 BST, on the 29th September 2016, Rosetta received her final command from the ESA Control Centre in Darmstadt, Germany, and began her descent to the comet surface, impacting the surface on the following day.

The Rosetta mission has been “on the drawing board even before ESA’s first deep-space mission”, says Johann-Dietrich Worner (ESA’s General Director), marking a culmination of decades of work by many scientists, engineers and technicians across Europe.

The probe yielded many surprising and pivotal revelations, such as the discovery of molecular oxygen, the detection of water which is a different flavour than that found in Earth’s oceans, and the unearthing of traces of a key component in DNA. Such discoveries, alongside the technological success of Rosetta, has led Worner, to describe the mission as “one that has surpassed all our dreams and expectations, and one that continues ESA’s legacy of ‘firsts’ at comets”.

This mission certainly serves as an example to us all of the great lengths of exploration and endeavour that the ESA, and humanity as a whole, is capable of achieving.

and your identity. All of this has the potential for students to struggle.

Where can students find peer support groups at UEA?

At UEA we have a number of student run support groups. These are UEA Pride (LGBT+), Chronic (students with disabilities), Norwich Nightline (student run listening service) and UEA Minds (a mental health support service, previously known as Student Minds).

Often there’s this idea that, while mental health issues can affect a lot of people, the mental health crisis is an issue for a few, not an issue for everyone. A recent statistic suggests that 80% of students have had issues with their mental health, with a third citing suicidal thoughts.

Everyone at some point deals with stress and deals with anxiety on Wikipedia, European Space Agency different levels. It’s a campus wide issue and it’s a world issue.

Peer support groups are societies – student run peer support groups, run by peers. The union offers Advice SU, a service for students which deals with issues from mental health to housing, and this is the first port of call for many.

Taking it a step further, you have Student Support Services, run by the university. This encompasses I’ve been working to organise holistic support, and this year will this fayre on World Mental Health offer more than just counselling, Day, which ties into the union’s broadening into academic support, priority campaign Mental Health preventative strategies and working Matters. We’re trying to look at with the students’ union. mental health through a lot of different angles. Something I’ll be doing throughout the year is working with peer support groups.

There’s a severe lack of support for these groups which is why many are struggling.

What support is available to students through UEA SU?

What are UEA doing specifically to improve student mental health?

Where do you think students face specific mental health challenges?

The environment that we’re in - it can be such a big change for people who have been living with family to move out and live alone. The increase in workload and reading, and the pressure put on you from the university, as well as opportunities for so many extracurricular activities can be overwhelming in terms of a busy schedule. You also have the chance to discover yourself

What will the Mental Health Matters Fayre offer students?

We’ve got a range of volunteer organisations coming in – as well as UEA societies – and we also have stress and anxiety combatting activities for students to take part in. These will include some visiting dogs, a ball pit and an open mic session to give students the chance to talk about their experiences.

World Mental Health Day takes place every year on 10th October. This year’s theme is ‘psychological first aid.’ You can find out more about UEA’s peer support groups by dropping into the Advice SU centre or visiting Student Support Services.

Travel

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11th October 2016

Croatia: Sun, Sea, and Stairs Photo: Dubrovnik Old Port, Dennis Jarvis, Flickr Abii Steer Travel Writer This summer I was lucky enough to spend a week in Dubrovnik with a group of friends before we went our separate ways for university.

This was without a doubt one of the best decisions we have ever made, however, there was one aspect that I wish we had investigated before arriving: Dubrovnik is on the side of a mountain.

While this may not be such a problem for tourists who rent cars or the seasoned traveller - well adept at hefting their luggage for miles at a time - for 8 teenagers fresh out of college this was a nightmare!

Any time we wanted to leave the house, even to reach the local shop, we were faced with the seemingly endless trek down the mountain

using the very hot, very uneven stone steps that littered the city.

That being said the views were astounding. I would suggest that anyone who does not have a trip to Dubrovnik on their bucket list adds it immediately. Although our specific location was not the most family friendly destination with all those steps, they add to the charm and traditional image created by the old walled city, as well as filling in for all those ‘leg days’ you missed in your summer workout routine. I would urge you to take the time to walk the city walls; they offer some of the best views of the old town and the ocean, although I would recommend going either early in the morning or later in the afternoon.

It’s cooler and the lighting is much brighter, all the better for those all important Instagrams. Sunset

boat trips also offer great photo opportunities.

Taking a cable car to the top of the mountain is also advisable with visibility clear for miles, enabling you to see all over the city including a vast number of the nearby islands (excursions to which are incredibly cheap). The mountain is also home to a museum, gift shop, restaurant, and if you’re feeling ambitious you can even follow a trail all the way down to the bottom. Unfortunately for us, the heavens opened not long after we disembarked, leaving us stranded for some time as the car couldn't run during lightening. On the plus side we were given free cocktails to make up for the weather, which is always a bonus!

Croatia is also known for being one of the most used filming locations for the popular HBO TV

are available for as low as £30 when booked in advance.

Older than Paris and London, this 750 year old city boasts medieval market streets, countless cafes, and the largest indoor aquarium on the continent. Getting bored here is a challenge. Staying in the centre of Alfama, Lisbon’s oldest district, I had the chance to lose myself in winding alleys and explore the ruins of Sao Jorge Castle. Offering views of red tiled roofs, the winding Tagus River, and the famous Tower of Belem, I spent hours gazing from this monumental hilltop. The city is situated on numerous hills so be sure to pack a good pair of walking shoes, something I had not done.

Staying at a guesthouse run by a local offered me the experience to live like a resident of Lisbon.

My welcoming host offered to show me the local shop, where he introduced me to the custard tart, or pastel de natás as they are locally called. Produced in the city since the 18th century, they are a national delicacy. It was love at first bite. This coastal capital is also known for its seafood, but if you are vegetarian, don't panic. Every menu I saw had at least two veggie options. I recommend visiting Canto da Villa

Bistro on Largo do Limoeiro for dinner or tapas. Dining on freshly made pasta with a glass of wine on a warm summer evening, while the quintessential Lisbon trams hurtle past, is something I urge everyone to experience.

Lisbon, being a transport hub, offers easy access to various different waterfronts. A straightforward train route from central Lisbon will take you west to the resort town of Cascais; along the way there are a number of scattered beaches, the largest in Carcavelos.

Situated off a commuter train line, it will be bustling with people even on a weekday morning. If you want a quieter beach, head south of Lisbon; the journey will take around an hour and will require a ferry trip. Troia is a relaxed resort village located in Portugal’s Setubal region and it's a lovely place where local Portuguese own holiday homes.

The beaches here offer white sand and clearer waters than the ones closer to Lisbon and you may even see the elusive Atlantic dolphins nearby at the Sado River estuary.

For those who hoping to get the most out of their gap year, but don't have a fortune to spend, Lisbon is the ideal place.

series Game of Thrones and a wide range of tours are available by boat, car, and foot.

I, not wanting any spoilers, persuaded my friends (many of whom are big fans) to explore many of the locations without a guide which proved just as exciting. Not only were we free to roam as we liked, we found a number of hidden sights that we would have missed otherwise. Finding the Iron Throne was particularly entertaining, if a little uncomfortable to sit on… the photos were a lot of fun though, with most of us competing to strike the most regal pose.

Unfortunately for many people, the beaches could be considered a little disappointing.

Most are man-made out of pebbles which apparently makes them 'uncomfortable' or 'boring'. I

personally cannot fathom as to why anyone would prefer sand beaches to stones. Maybe it is slightly softer, but that does not make up for the pure inconvenience that sand causes. Take gritty sandwiches, for example. Or even the uncomfortable and itchy journey home afterwards. Is that bit of extra softness really worth finding sand over the house for days afterwards?

The pebble beaches of Croatia are definitely a plus in my book.

Altogether I’d say that Croatia was definitely a great destination for student travel. It’s cheap in virtually every way, pretty to look at, and has loads of opportunities for extra travel, both to offshore islands or inland Montenegro. Dubrovnik has a great deal of history and the attractions can be enjoyed both by individuals or large groups.

Lisbon on a gap year budget Sebastian Bekas Travel Writer Like many cash strapped students, I dreamt about the possibility of gap year travels. When you see your friends touring far flung destinations like India or Thailand, it is easy to become envious. My gap year intentions were to amass loads of money to spend while at university. Instead of sailing towards the Orient, I chose to discover Europe, on a budget, starting with Lisbon.

If the reference to Vasco de Gama’s voyage to India doesn't put you in holiday mode, then arriving in sunny Lisbon will. Tucked away in the Southwest corner of Europe and bordering Spain, Portugal’s mediterranean climate offers sunshine all-year-round.

It is important to note that the further north and inland you travel, the cooler it gets, so for an ideal summer holiday stay in the South.

Temperatures in summer average around 27C and this region is one of the driest in Europe, so forget packing an umbrella. Getting there could not be easier, with low-cost airlines departing almost daily from major UK airports; return tickets

Photo: Lisbon houses, Kevin Poh, Flickr

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11th October 2016

Photo: Connor Gani

Still think our NHS is bad?

Rose Mee Travel Writer

Whilst you may have spent your summer perpetually intoxicated in Ibiza or spamming your Instagram with the many wonders of Europe, I was having recurrent mental breakdowns 5000 miles away in Bangladesh.

Over the course of ten weeks I worked with Y Care International and ICS in a bid to promote support for education and civic participation in poor communities. Rest assured this was no typical ‘gap yah’ experience. Buckets full of sweat (literally, it just oozed out of us) and tears (yep, those too) went into each and every project we worked on.

During the initial week of our placement we conducted various focus groups throughout the community to address the priority issues for our attention. Findings revealed continuing trends of ignorance towards mental health and disability, traditional views of gender inequalities, and the reality of early marriage. It was disconcerting

Photo: Rose Mee, taken in Bangladesh

to be informed that my host mother herself had married at the age of just 13, and gave birth to her first child a year later.

Further observations affirmed that in almost every family the mother defined herself as a housewife, responsible for cleaning, cooking and taking care of the children, whilst fathers worked as either fishermen or farmers. After recognising just how restrictive both gender roles were, we organised a gender equality workshop in an attempt to empower the people and emphasise that stereotypes can, and should, be defied.

Alongside workshops, we taught at both primary and secondary schools. It quickly became evident that teaching methods were oldfashioned and dull, consisting of lectures and rote-learning. Our aim was to bring in fun and engaging techniques that are often used in the UK, with hopes that the teachers would adopt these strategies upon our departure.

We primarily taught the students English, but I also wanted

to incorporate valuable life lessons such as understanding emotions and bullying. From the very beginning of teaching it was abundantly clear that bullying amongst students was a cause for concern. The memory of a student entangled in skipping ropes and being forcefully dragged across the playground will forever be ingrained in my mind.

As a psychology student with a particular interest in mental health, it was profoundly distressing to witness the blatant apathy towards the mentally ill.

Although the UK has definitely advanced in its recognition and treatment of mental illness, unfortunately it still remains a taboo in non-western cultures. I remember there being multiple occasions where I would witness somebody who conveyed the impression of being mentally challenged and I would ask the locals if they knew what was wrong. Every reply I received was that they were ‘mad’ or ‘crazy’, accompanied by a disgusted facial expression. Never did I hear an actual diagnosis or even the

slightest hint of sympathy. I thought it sad that mental illness didn’t really ‘exist’ there, not that I went with the preconception that it would.

Yet of course mental illness existed. Too often I witnessed the lack of confidence in women because they were ‘too black’ and didn’t look like the ‘white’ Asians they saw on the soap operas they were so obsessed with. Regularly I saw the pressure of my host siblings to perform well academically, and I would see them be punished should they not.

Considering all of our alarming observations, we took the initiative to organise a youth mentoring scheme, whereby we recruited and trained young volunteers so that they could distinguish between the most common types of mental illness.

These volunteers were also trained on how to give one to one advice with the other youths regarding the contributing causes of depression and anxiety, such as academic stress and family issues.

My fellow volunteers

encountered all sorts of health problems during our time overseas, and although I too experienced some of their symptoms, I was exceedingly reluctant to take a visit to the doctor myself. Perhaps I wouldn’t have minded, but horror stories had been relayed to me of overflowing piles of used syringes obstructing the already abominable toilet facilities. Not only that, but almost every single one of the other volunteers had been diagnosed with UTI, despite each manifesting very different symptoms. With such an unreliable and hazardous health service, is there any wonder that mental illness is totally disregarded?

After ten weeks of service admittedly I didn’t see the immediate change that I had hoped for, and I realise now that it was naïve of me to think otherwise. ICS is all about creating sustainable change by changing attitudes, and even though there is still a great way to go, I genuinely believe we helped build the foundations for something truly amazing.

Sport

11th October 2016

22

Team USA cruise to Ryder Cup victory Sam Whitelaw Sports Writer

The Ryder Cup, in case you are not aware, is more than just a golf tournament. It is also more than a challenge between Europe and the USA. At the heart of it, the Ryder Cup is a competition between the different styles and etiquettes of golf. Team Europe represents the longstanding, gentlemanly behaviour associated with the sport with polite claps for a good shot and a patter of murmurs for a poor one. Team USA on the other hand represent the sport aspect of golf, with loud shouts of ‘get in the hole’ for every putt, heckling the opponents and uproarious cheers for their team. The clash of culture had begun even before the first tee off, with English golfer Danny Willett supposedly missing the first morning due to controversial comments about Team USA from his brother. With the rivalry set up, the media turned to Hazeltine, Minnesota and the competition kicked off. For both teams this competition would mean a little more than a standard win, with the USA looking to win the event for the first time since 2008, and Europe looking to clinch victory despite being labelled as underdogs.

The first morning foursomes resulted in a clean sweep for the USA, the first in 41 years. This was

overshadowed by USA fan David Johnson, who had been challenged to sink a putt for $100 after heckling Henrick Stenson for missing the same shot. Johnson of course sunk the putt, much to the delight of the fans and the media. The afternoon produced a better story for Team Europe, winning three of the four matches. This helped to close the gap to only two for the opening day, leaving many to recall the exact same situation at Medinah in 2012.

Saturday started positively for Team Europe, with Rory McIlroy and Thomas Pieters, having won the last match the previous day, winning the first clash of the morning. By the end of the morning, however, this initial win was looking to be a moot point, with the USA looking likely to clinch the fourth point, thus tying the morning session and leaving Europe in the same position from which they had started the day. This turned out not to be how the game played out though, with the Spanish pairing of Sergio García and Rafael Cabrera-Bello winning four of the last six holes to tie the game.

The afternoon did not go as well for the Europeans. The one point gap they had fought hard to get was pushed back by the USA, with the score at the end of Saturday showing a three points lead to Team USA. Once again hopeful fans turned to the miracle of Medinah; if Europe could come back from four down

USA Celebrate on their way to a comprehensive victory over Europe in Ryder Cup Photo: Twitter, @GolfDigest then, surely it was possible to claw for the favourites, not only winning points (four) out of both teams in the back a win on the final day here? but also extending their lead each three days. As Sunday evening came The answer was sadly no. The day. around, the USA team celebrated USA cruised to victory, taking 7.5 Europe, could not keep up with a long overdue and well-deserved points from the available 12 to end the Americans at any point during victory whilst Europe attempted the competition: Europe- 11, USA- the event, with the exception of to keep their heads high after a 17. It was a straightforward victory Thomas Pieters who won the most devastating defeat.

Murray claims Scottish Sportsperson award Callum Pinner Sports Writer Britain’s greatest tennis player, Andy Murray, has been awarded the title of Scottish Sportsperson of the Year for 2016 at the Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards, in Edinburgh. This is the third time he has picked up the accolade in his distinguished career. His first in 2012, awarded as a joint prize with Sir Chris Hoy, came as a result of his Olympic victory in London, and his second in 2013, the year Murray claimed his first Wimbledon title.

This season has seen Murray claim both those titles once more, so perhaps inevitably he was honoured as Scotland’s most treasured athlete once again this year. Looking forward, Murray also looks in good shape to retain the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award he won last year, even with strong Olympic competition following the Rio Games this summer.

Murray has been in sterling form this year and in July won his second Wimbledon title, securing the final in straight sets against Canada’s Milos Raonic. The Scot himself would admit that Wimbledon is the greatest prize. The tournament is

something that both he and British fans take most satisfaction in him winning. Not only did Murray triumph at Wimbledon, he did so convincingly, only dropping two sets throughout the fortnight, both against Jo-Wilfred Tsonga in the quarter-final.

Murray followed up the Wimbledon victory with gold in the Rio Olympics in August. In a thrilling final match against Argentina’s Juan Martin Del Potro, Murray succeeded against the will of the crowd and cemented his place in tennis history.

T h e Olympic gold in tennis is becoming more prestigious among the elites of the game, and is perhaps soon to be regarded as highly as a grand-slam victory.

By the time of the next Olympics in 2020 it will have been 12 years since someone other than Murray stood on the podium to pick up the men’s singles gold medal. Just as in 2012, Murray rode the crest of the Olympic wave, benefitting from and adding to Team GB’s wider success.

Disappointment this term came in the form of Davis Cup defeat with Great Britain against Argentina in the semi-final, but that was only after Murray led Team GB to their

first tournament victory since 1936 in November 2015. He also added another Australian Open runners-up medal to his collection.

Additionally, Murray became the first Briton since 1937 to reach the French Open final at Roland Garros, going on to lose t o Novak Djokovic. All these successes point to an increased consistency in Murray’s game. He still maintains the ferocity which fuels his always good return of serve, but also leads to evident frustration when things don’t go his way. His serving has become much more of a weapon however, resulting in his frequent presence in major finals.

Not only has Murray’s tennis improved but his reputation and image in the public has also risen.

The Scot has been seen as divisive at times in the past, but Murray now finds himself one of the most decorated and popular Britons throughout sport. Although Murray is much celebrated throughout Britain, his carrying of the Union

Jack at the Olympic ceremony was a highlight in his career, he remains particularly appreciated in Scotland.

He has made no secret that he wants to be know as Scottish first and British second throughout his playing days and time in front of the media, and the gracious acceptance of such an award only serves to heighten his popularity in his home country.

Career Stats

3

Number of Grand Slam Tournaments Andy Murray has won

39

Career titles that Andy Murray has won since turning Pro in 2005

P h o t o : Francisco Diez, Flickr

2 2mil

Number of times Andy Murray has been Olympic Champion.

The first man to defend the tennis title.

Prize money Murray took home for winning Wimbledon 2016

11th October 2016

23

Canaries lose out to Newcastle in seven goal thriller Freddie Carty Sports Writer Norwich City’s recent round of fixtures have brought about a mixed set of results. The Canaries travelled to Newcastle two weeks ago knowing that they would be facing their toughest opponent so far this season.

With the game in its opening stages, former Crystal Palace striker Dwight Gayle was guilty of missing two good chances inside the first 16 minutes, before finding himself once again unmarked to divert a Matt Ritchie cross into the bottom left hand corner of the goal for a 1-0 Newcastle lead.

City continued to struggle against the long ball throughout the half, but with the first half drawing to a close, against the run of play Graham Dorrans netted from the spot following a foul on Robbie Brady. After the break Norwich upped the tempo and Cameron Jerome’s well placed curling effort past Mats Sels, coupled with Jacob Murphy’s deflected strike, put the Canaries in the driving seat at St James Park.

However, the visitors proved once again unable to deal with the long ball, and Gayle ghosted past Sebastien Bassong to halve the deficit with 20 minutes to play.

With the game deep into injury time Yoan Gouffran levelled with a header under no pressure on the edge of the six yard box, and

Gayle took advantage of more poor defending to seal his hat-trick and give Newcastle the three points in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

That late double left the Canaries, and particularly manager Alex Neil, wondering in disbelief at how they let a two goal lead slip away from home when in such a comfortable position. Three days later morale was slightly improved following an away victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers, but defensive frailties were still wholly evident in the City backline.

Before the away trip to Molineux manager Alex Neil stated that the Canaries “didn’t defend their box well enough”, against Newcastle, and a much tighter defensive display was expected in the Midlands. Timm Klose was brought in to replace Sebastien Bassong who found the match at St James’ Park quite tough, and Wes Hoolahan replaced Jonny Howson, but otherwise the remaining nine players were ready to bounce back from Wednesday’s defeat.

Norwich started brightly, with Jerome converting from Hoolahan’s cross after just two minutes.

Both teams then spurned good opportunities, with Hélder Costa curling wide for the hosts after shrugging Martin Olsson off the ball, and Jacob Murphy having a shot saved from ten yards out.

In the second half it seemed that the visitors hadn’t learned their lesson from their trip to Newcastle, with defensive mayhem gifting

João Teixeira a shot on goal, and subsequently offering Nouha Dicko a glut of space before he missed a golden opportunity to pull Wolves level. Dicko, who was returning after 13 months out due to injury, mis-controlled the ball when well placed in the box and followed up with a tame shot that was easily saved by Michael McGovern.

McGovern’s save proved to be a turning point and with ten minutes left Brady unleashed a superb curling effort from 25 yards out to the delight of the travelling fans.

Although the Norwich defence once again gifted a free header to David Edwards who subsequently pulled a goal back for the home side, a seventh league win of the season was confirmed at the full time whistle.

Looking ahead to Norwich’s next fixture which is the visit of Rotherham on 15th October to Carrow Road, they are second only to Brighton in terms of points gained in the last five games. The Millers, meanwhile, are rooted to the bottom of the Championship and hold the league’s worst defensive record. Despite the pace of Danny Ward allowing the striker to bag five league goals so far, the rest of the team are struggling to put the ball in the back of the net.

Although Rotherham played well in their loss to Newcastle before the international break, City fans will no doubt expect a similarly convincing performance from their side against a team battling relegation.

Jacob Murphy, who scored in the 4-3 loss Photo: Twitter, @BasTraining2015

Rosberg takes advantage of Hamilton misfire Andrew Mackenzie Sports Writer With five races still to go in the Formula One World Championship, Mercedes arrived in Malaysia poised to claim their third consecutive Constructors title. This was an important weekend for the rest of the paddock too, with provisional rule changes for the 2017 season also being confirmed.

On the track, Mercedes did everything right in practice and in qualifying with Lewis Hamilton taking pole position for his 100th front row start in emphatic style, setting the fastest ever qualifying lap around the Sepang circuit.

Teammate Nico Rosberg joined him on the front row of the grid, followed by both Red Bulls, the two Ferraris and the Force India cars. The stage appeared to be set, then, for Mercedes to take the win and with it the Constructors Championship.

However, Mercedes’ dreams of a third successive title were put on hold at the first corner. After a precariously long wait on the grid for the lights to go out it was Hamilton who got off to the better start. As the pack approached

Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes, who remains second in the overall standings after crashing Photo: wikipedia.en.org the first corner, a fast starting Sebastian Vettel crashed into Rosberg, spinning the Mercedes and breaking his own suspension, meaning after lap one Hamilton led from Daniel Ricciardo then Sergio Perez, with Rosberg down to 17th.

On lap nine the Haas of Romain Grosjean suffered a rear brake failure leaving him beached in the

gravel. Max Verstappen pitted soon after, affecting the planned undercut of Hamilton. At the back, Nico Rosberg continued to make steady progress, moving into the points on lap 12. With the leaders in the pits Verstappen was briefly promoted to the lead, but with Hamilton and Ricciardo both stopping only once, the young Dutchman’s tenure at the

front would only last until lap 28.

With the race at just over half distance, Rosberg overtook Kimi Raikkonen at turn two, making slight contact for which he was later penalised. Attention then turned to the Red Bull’s who were side by side through turns five and six, before Hamilton’s usually infallible Mercedes power unit

failed in dramatic fashion along the pit straight. The Brit forced to retire from the race, making it advantage Rosberg once again.

Hamilton’s retirement left Ricciardo and Verstappen as the front two and that’s how it remained until the finish, as the pair secured a first one-two for Red Bull since Abu Dhabi 2013.

Rosberg finished third despite his penalty, opening up his lead on Hamilton in the World Championship to 23 points. Further down the grid, Kimi Raikkonen finished fourth, followed by Valtteri Bottas, then Perez who has confirmed his continuation at Force India for 2017. Fernando Alonso was seventh, Nico Hulkenberg eighth, Jenson Button ninth in his 300th race, and Jolyon Palmer tenth to secure his first ever F1 points finish.

The World Championship is not over yet with 100 points still to play for following the culmination of Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix, but with Hamilton facing a 23 point deficit, it could be too much for the reigning champion to overcome.

With the season building to a thrilling conclusion, this is just what the sport could need ahead of a new era in F1.

24

11th October 2016

26 S port Allardyce leaves England job after corruption scandal US take Ryder Cup victory

Stephen Cole Sports Writer When Sam Allardyce was appointed as the new England manager in August this year, he was widely wellreceived. A manager with a great deal of Premier League experience and as a straight-talking man with huge respect within the game.

However, a mere 67 days later, the honeymoon period following England’s last gasp winner in Slovakia in the opening World Cup Qualifier group game has been emphatically ended.

English football has found itself in a deep crisis following an undercover investigation from the Telegraph which has revealed widespread corruption in the game surrounding bungs and third-party ownership. Allardyce has found himself right in the middle of it.

The revelations left Allardyce’s position as England manager untenable, and on 27th September, the FA announced that Allardyce had left his role as England manager by mutual consent. It was thought that English embarrassment in world football could not get any worse following the humiliating defeat to Iceland in the last-16 of Euro 2016, yet it has hit a further low - English football and the FA resembling more of a soap opera than an integral, credible sporting organisation.

Yet it is not just Allardyce and the FA that have been caught up in this scandal. The Telegraph have

also revealed three senior members of Championship clubs were also involved in receiving payments for illegal activity surrounding bungs and third-party ownership. Perhaps most surprisingly, Jimmy FloydHasselbaink, the manager of QPR and ex-Leeds, Chelsea and Charlton player, was allegedly filmed asking for £55,000 to take part in a thirdparty ownership scheme. Tommy Wright, the assistant manager of Barnsley, was also allegedly filmed taking £5,000 of cash as part of the scheme. Unlike Hasselbaink who continues to remain as manager of QPR, Wright was swiftly dismissed

by Barnsley. Massimo Cellino, the erratic owner of Leeds United, was also caught up in the scam, further damaging his already controversial reputation. It is expected that more big names are to be unveiled in due course.

For now, the future of the English national team is uncertain.

Gareth Southgate, a long-standing part of the U21 set up has been placed in temporary charge of the senior team, though this does not seem to be the long-term solution.

As always, the usual argument has come to the fore: “should the England manager be English?”

However, the answer is not straight forward. In an ideal world, of course the England manager should be English. But what if there is not an ideal English candidate?

Eddie Howe, Alan Pardew, and Steve Bruce have been regularly touted as potential England bosses having been linked in the summer,

and once again following Allardyce’s departure. All have huge question marks to their names. Howe, who albeit has remarkably turned AFC Bournemouth from relegation candidates in League Two to Premier League survivors, still lacks top level experience. He is widely tipped to go far in club management, and so may wait for an opportunity to arise later in his career. Pardew, on the other hand, has plenty of Premier League experience through his managerial career. However, having just parted company with Allardyce for non-footballing reasons, it could be deemed a risk appointing a man who divides opinion as much as Pardew does. His touchline behaviour includes an x-rated rant at Manuel Pellegrini as well as an infamous head-butt towards David Meyler, formerly of Hull City. Steve Bruce, despite having played at the highest level, has never achieved huge amounts in his managerial career. It is highly possible, therefore, that the FA may now look overseas for the next manager.

German Ralf Ragnick, the current Sporting Director at RB Leipzig, is reported to have been spoken to already by the FA. The whole saga is undoubtedly a low point in English football, at both the domestic and national team level.

The domestic game needs to stamp out any abuse of the system to make it a fair playing field. Meanwhile, the FA needs to find its new manager as soon as possible to give England its strongest chance of a successful World Cup qualifying campaign.

Sam Allardyce who left his England role Photo: Wikimedia, CFCUnofficial

Durham relegated from Division One bailout will allow the club to keep paying the wages of their players and settle a substantial debt. The sanctions Durham face represent a huge fall for one of cricket’s strongest counties in recent years. The club won the County Championship as recently as 2013 and were runners up in this year’s edition of the T20 Blast.

The north-east county has produced several successful England cricketers in the last few years, including current players Ben Stokes and Mark Wood.

However, they now face a struggle to keep their key players. Top-order batsmen Scott Borthwick and Mark

Action shot at relegated Durham County Cricket Club’s Chester-le-Street ground Photo: Mount Pleasant Granary Richard Ewart Sports Editor Durham County Cricket Club have been relegated from Division One of the County Championship due to

ongoing financial difficulties.

The club accepted a £3.8 million bailout package from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and have been sanctioned with relegation, a points deduction in all three competitions for 2017 and

the removal of the club’s eligibility to stage test cricket. Hampshire, who finished last in Division One, have been reinstated at Durham’s expense.

Durham’s finances have been struggling for some time, and the

“The north-east county has produced several successful England cricketers in the last few years”

Stoneman have already left for Surrey and a salary cap set by the

ECB could mean the club cannot meet their best players’ wage demands.

Furthermore, Durham can now

“Durham can no longer bid to stage test match cricket... no longer bid to stage test match cricket.

This will be a blow to the club as its ground in Chester-le-Street was redeveloped in the 1990s in order to make it capable of hosting internationals. This may not as big a financial loss at it seems for the county, however, as the test match between England and Sri Lanka in 2016 actually ended up as a loss for the club due to poor attendances.

Speaking after the relegation, David Harker, DCCC Chief Group Executive said: “We are clearly disappointed at the position we are in and the sanctions we have accepted, particularly for the players and staff who have worked so hard”.