Courier 1358 by The Courier Online

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Monday 13 November 2017 Issue 1358 Free

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Fashion Bridie Lonsdale tears into faux fur as a musthave fashion trend Page 14

Gaming 2017's biggest political statement in gaming is reviewed Page 27

The independent voice of Newcastle students

Comment Fighting to save democracy for a better society Page 9 Est 1948

Racial Equality Officer elected in last NUSU Autumn election Kemi Adediran elected Racial Equality Officer Only 34 votes were cast in the student election Council motion passed to scrap Autumn elections James Sproston Editor Kemi Adediran has been elected as Newcastle University Students’ Union’s Racial Equality Officer for the 2017/18 academic year during the last Autumn elections period. Adediran follows Safiya Robinson as NUSU’s elected officer to represent BAME students on campus, stating: “I am ecstatic to become the NUSU Racial Equality Officer, this position holds much importance to me personally and I hope while in this position my passion will show through in my work at NUSU.” A spokesperson from the Union said “Congratulations to Stage 1 Media, Communication & Cultural Studies student Kemi Adediran, who has been elected as the NUSU Racial Equality Officer for 2017/18. With Kemi now elected to the role, we are delighted to announce that NUSU now has a full officer team for the academic year, who are all working hard to represent your

interests.” Kemi was elected with 33 votes, with the Re-open Nominations (R.O.N.) option having 1 vote. The low voting figures could be considered typical of the Autumn elections, as voting figures are consistently lower than those in March. Last year, the Disabilities Officer, Scrutiny Officer and Students with Faith or Belief Officer positions, all contested, respectively received 196, 166 and 202 votes, although the Freshers’ Week Organiser roles often receive more votes, receiving 482 and 343 votes in 2015 and 2016 respectively. The March 2017 elections saw all but one of the eight Part-time Officer (PTO) positions achieve over 1000 votes, and the majority of those positions were uncontested. However, the year before when Sabbatical and Part-time Officer elections were separate, none of the candidates received more than 500 votes.

dent Ronnie Reid presented Motion 303 to tackle the issues with the Autumn eections. According to the NUSU website “The Election of a vacant PTO position’ passed meaning that if the March elections fail to elect a PTO position, NUSU can now hold an less formal election before the end of summer term to fill vacant positions. This gives us the flexibility to ensure a full team of Part Time Officers at the start of the year.”

votes for Kemi Adediran for the Racial Equality Officer position

Nevertheless, in the May 2016 PTO elections, Safiya Robinson was elected as Racial Equality Officer with 451 votes, which is still a considerable difference to this year’s Autumn’s elections. In the first Student Council of the 2017/18 academic year, NUSU Presi-

Speaking about the election turnout and the motion, NUSU Representation and Democracy Manager George Watkins stated: “A great deal of effort was put into promoting the vacant Racial Equality position during the nomination period. Once we were able to confirm that there was only one eligible candidate and this was the last Autumn elections, following the passing of The Election of a vacant PTO position motion at October’s Student Council, during the voting period we were happy to leave the majority of the elections promotion to the candidate. However, Watkins denied that the election wasn’t promoted enough by NUSU. “The voting period was supported with a NUSU website presence and social media posts. We now look forward to and will start planning the Spring elections where we will look to elect a new officer team for 2018/19."

This year’s first winners of the Society of the Month, chosen by Activities Officer Rebecca Bainbridge, is the Fashion Society following an exceptional month of activities and campaigns over the course of October. The society began their hard work early on in the year, giving out popcorn and getting themselves noticed at the clubs and societies fair before term had even began, leading to a significant

increase in membership. Entertaining campus, they later organised a flash catwalk to pop up outside the Students’ Union to show off their members’ superb confidence and style. Not only have the society been showing off their ability to pull off stunning and engaging fashion shows with consummate ease, but they have also been hard at work teaching their members fun and practical skills through highly attended illustration and sewing classes. The weekly classes have only gone to further prove how welcoming and innovative the society has been this month.

While the Fashion Society have shown off their organisational, warm and inventive side to earn the award, they have also had some exceptional collaborations throughout October. The society teamed up with Give It A Go to run sessions for students through NUSU, while they have also been setting up a Go Volunteer project to benefit both students and the general population outside of the society. The society has gone from strength to strength, and this is reflected in a membership which has increased fivefold since September.

“There was only one eligible candidate and this was the last Autumn elections” George Watkins, NUSU Rep and Dem

Fashion Society snap up Society of the Month Alex Hendley Deputy Editor

You're hired: The Apprentice's Joanna Jarjue exclusively speaks to The Courier p22 Inside today >>>

Faith space policy updated

Cosmetic chemicals

Spotlight on NSR

Nothing but mammals

Poetry at the badminton

Newcastle University has altered their faith space policy amidst protests from the Muslim student community News, page 3

Science Editor Jack Coles runs us through what's in our favourite beauty products and what it does to our skin Beauty page 17

Our Music section give you all the information you need to get the best out of our student radio Music, page 20

Al Ridley gets to the meat and potatoes of what animals do when they're on the Discovery Channel Science, page 31

In the most unconventional report that The Courier has seen in years, Newcastle's 2s beat Liverpool 2s Sport, page 38

the courier

thecourier The Courier is a weekly newspaper produced by students, for students. It’s never too late to get involved in the paper, whether you’re a writer, illustrator or photographer. Just visit thecourieronline.co.uk/about for more information. Editor James Sproston Deputy Editor Alex Hendley Online Editor Jared Moore Copy Editor Laura Staniforth Current Affairs Editor Sunil Nambiar News Editors Valentina Egorova, Hanson Jones, Louise Hall, Laura Higgins and Isabel Sykes Comment Editors Jamie Cameron, Caitlin Disken and Alexandra Sadler Life & Style Editor Izzi Watkins Lifestyle Editors Sophie Henderson, Jaymelouise Hudspith, Lauren Sneath and Victoria Young Fashion Editors Chloe Bland, Sophie Schneider and Zofia Zwieglinska Beauty Editors Laura Greatrex, Lois Johnston and Susanne Norris Travel Editors Charlotte Hill and Talia Gillin Culture Editors Zoë Godden and Errol Kerr Arts Editors Scarlett Rowland and Carys Thomas Music Editors Toby Bryant, Charlie Isaacs and Ally Wilson TV Editors Jacob Clarke, Joel Leaver and Alex Moore Film Editors Helena Buchanan, Daniel Haygarth and Christopher Wilkinson Gaming Editors Gerry Hart, Georgina Howlett and Richard Liddle Science Editors Jack Coles, Christopher Little and Ciara Ritson-Courtney Sports Editors Tom Shrimplin, Courtney Strait and Mark Sleightholm The Courier NUSU King’s Walk Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8QB Tel: 0191 239 3940 The Courier is printed by: Print and Digital Associates, Fernleigh House, 10 Uttoxeter Road, Derby, Derbyshire, United Kingdom, DE3 0DA. Established in 1948, the Courier is the fully independent student newspaper of the Students’ Union at Newcastle University. The Courier is published weekly during term time, and is free of charge. The design, text, photographs and graphics are copyright of the Courier and its individual contributors. No parts of this newspaper may be reproduced without the prior permission of the Editor. Any views expressed in this newspaper’s opinion pieces are those of the individual writing, and not of the Courier, the Students’ Union or Newcastle University.

From the archives 13 YEARS AGO

Extreme fishing in Armstrong Building Campus played host to “housewife heartthrob” Robson Green’s midnoughties TV show Wire in the Blood, as the actor filmed scenes within the Armstrong Building. Members of the NUTS society worked as extras, while members of the Courier took the chance to speak to the man himself. They “found him to be a bloody nice bloke,” but spelt his name wrong in the paper and could only manage an outof-focus image in the days before selfies were commonplace. Green shot to fame as the star of Solider, Soldier, before embarking on a varied career consisting of singing, acting and extreme fishing. In Wire in the Blood Green played a police detective in the fictional Yorkshire town of Bradfield, but many of the locations used in the series were in Green’s native Northumberland.

Clean sheet clean sweep

52 YEARS AGO

Editor Dunn in after rugby trip to Harrogate

The Courier was forced to “plunge editorless towards the printing press” back in 1965, after editor Ivan Dunn was attacked, in Harrogate, of all places. As well as editing the Courier, Dunn was a keen rugby player, and travelled to Harrogate to play in Newcastle’s 5-0 drubbing. “Ivan was alone when viciously attacked by a local bunch of thugs,” the Courier recounted in its characteristically neutral tone. “He was found unconscious in the roadway by some of his team-mates,” whose “efforts to administer revenge” were thwarted by the police. Dunn was taken to hospital, sent a very-1965 get-well-soon telegram from the Students’ Union and was back in charge of the paper the following week. Mark Sleightholm

CROSS-CAMPUS NEWS

Fun forbidden at Cambridge

A Cambridge University professor has sparked outrage by telling his students to avoid having a social life. In an email to all first year physical science students, Professor Eugene Terentjev warned students that “Physical Sciences is a VERY hard subject, which will require ALL of your attention.” In the email Professor Terentjev told his students: “Remember you are NOT at any other uni, where students do drink a lot and do have what they regard as “a good time”.’ The email has been criticised for encouraging students to sacrifice their wellbeing to focus exclusively on academic work in light of the growing mental health crisis in universities. Terentjev went on to say that the course required students’ “FULL brain capacity,” before adding: “and for a large fraction of you, even that will not be quite enough”.

Another student president down

42 YEARS AGO

Newcastle’s footballers exerted their dominance over their York rivals, with the first team winning 2-0 and the thirds swooping to a 5-0 victory. Andy Jobling, third team goalie, was barely troubled by the visitors. Jim Grant opened the scoring for Newcastle, followed by two goals from Bernie Williams, another by Grant, and a mystery fifth goal which the Courier report declined to attribute to anybody in particular. A similar story saw the first team make light work of the York team, eventually winning 2-0. According to the report in the Courier Newcastle racked up 23 shots on goal, compared to a whopping zero efforts by York. A goal from Roge was disallowed for Newcastle, but they regained their composure and scored at the thirty-minute mark after Hudson “blasted (an understatement)” a pass from Surrage. “The second half,” reported the Courier, “was much the same except for the fact that Newcastle increased their lead two minutes after the interval.”

Monday 13 November 2017

A “sadly out of focus picture” of Robson “Greene” with Newcastle students Image: The Courier

Just a week after UCD’s president was voted out by students, the president of Southampton Solent University has announced her resignation. Although the reasons for the resignation have not been explained, Megan Maddex will be standing down as president from 1 January 2018. Unlike Newcastle, but in line with many other universities, the president at Solent has overall authority over the sabbatical team, and sabbatical officers can stand for re-election, which Maddex did in March 2017 having already served a full year as president. In a statement Maddex assured students that her duties will be fulfilled by the students’ union after her departure.

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the courier Monday 13 November 2017

@TheCourier_News courier.news@ncl.ac.uk thecourieronline.co.uk/news Current Affairs Editor Sunil Nambiar News Editors Valentina Egorova, Hanson Jones, Louise Hall, Laura Higgins & Isabel Sykes

University revises faith space policy Hanson Jones News Editor Last week, Newcastle University released a revised version of its policy on faith spaces, following a string of issues that arose over the summer holiday and the start of the semester surrounding the Muslim prayer space in King George VI Building. The University has stated that the policy was update primarily to accommodate the appointment of the Faith and Spirituality Facilities Manager. The prayer space was closed over the summer period after asbestos was discovered in the ducts beneath the room during surveyance of the building for the incoming School of Pharmacy, which is planned to move into King George VI Building. At the time, the Newcastle University Press Office commented that “We have chosen the summer holidays to do this work as many of our staff and students are away, there are no undergraduate lectures and we were also keen to avoid key religious dates.” The University later concluded that the space would reopen this semester as a multi-faith space, a move which angered many Muslim students. A representative from the Newcastle University Islamic Society (commonly referred to as ISOC), stated that “it barely fulfils the need of the Muslim students as it

is, so it requires more support/space, not less”, a point consolidated by the fact that the University’s Chaplaincy on Windsor Terrace already acts as a multi-faith space. With the closest mosque over half an hour’s walk from campus, the need for a prayer space exclusively intended for the Muslim community on campus was emphasised.

One of the main changes is the times which have been restricted at weekends The original policy, created in 2009, was updated in 2016 due to concerns about the inability of the committee to provide adequate assurance that they were able to manage the space effectively. One of the greatest issues surrounding the management of the prayer space is that members of the public have been using the space, despite it being intended for University students and staff only. Some of these people are thought to be former students who have no alternatives in the city centre for worship, and instead must use the space on campus. In order to confront this problem, the space has been restricted to smart card access, and only students, staff and their

immediate relatives may use the room, with a sign-in available for those not enrolled at Newcastle University. One of the main changes to the 2017 policy is the times at which the King George VI Prayer Room, currently dedicated uniquely to Muslim prayer, have been restricted at weekends. Previously open from 7am until 11pm every day, it is now restricted to 8am to 1pm on Saturdays and is closed all day Sunday. This will prove to be a significant problem for Muslim students and staff who want to fulfil their obligation to pray five times a day, and wish for a dedicated space where they can do so in peace and privacy. These changes have raised further questions concerning the University’s approach to faith spaces. Two motions have been submitted for the next Student Council meeting which will take place on Thursday 16th November: one submitted by NUSU President Ronnie Reid on a purposely developed or built faith centre to be a priority for the Newcastle University Estates strategy, and one submitted by Ghadah Ali on the restoration of adequate faith space provision for Muslim Students. These will be debated and voted on at Council this week. The University’s full revised faith space policy is now available on the website of the Chaplaincy.

ISOC Protest outside KGVI Building Image: Valentina Egorova

Government backs freedom of speech

Hanson Jones News Editor Universities across the UK have recently been told by the Government that they must uphold the values of free speech as higher education institutions and take a strict approach to student unions that decide to ban certain speakers because of their political persuasions. The Universities minister, Jo Johnson, has outlined plans to confront the culture of ‘no-platforming’ in higher education, which may come into force from next April. The newly created Office for Students (OfS) is expected to receive legal powers to fine, suspend or register universities that fail to uphold freedom of speech on university campuses. The move comes after a number of high-profile cases of student unions banning certain speakers who have come into conflict with student representatives over their opinions, most notably the case of Germaine Greer who

Jo Johnson, Universities minister Image: Wikimedia Commons

was at the centre of a significant debate about no-platforming, when the wellknown feminist was almost banned for her views which were denounced as “transphobic”. Such policies preventing the broadcasting of potentially offensive content have been enthusiastically supported by the National Union of Students, from which Newcastle students voted to disaffiliate in 2016. In opposition to this, ministers have supported the new proposals from Johnson, in order to “encourage a culture of openness and debate and ensure that those with different backgrounds or perspectives can flourish in a higher education environment.” The chair of the newly founded OfS, Sir Michael Barber, stated: “Ensuring freedom of speech and learning how to disagree with diverse opinions and differing views of the world is a fundamental aspect of learning at university. The OfS will promote it vigorously.”

Rory Cameron Whilst we a fortunate enough to live in a country where freedom of speech is a fundamental human right, a pertinent question has been brought forward in recent years. How free should freedom of speech remain? Many controversial speakers have faced bans or been ‘no-platformed’ from sharing their views for fear of offending others, such as feminist writers Germaine Greer and Julie Bindel, and foreign secretary Boris Johnson.

How do we tread this line between protecting varied debate at university, whilst making sure that the Robinson Library doesn’t get plastered with six hundred different shades of crap? Universities minister Jo Johnson has proposed this new legislature to fine universities who do not uphold free speech, stating that “No-platforming and safe spaces shouldn’t be used to shut down legitimate free speech.” Why should this right, which many continue to fight and die for across the world, be limited by the sensibilities of others, simply because they may be offended? This debate has become somewhat of

a partisan issue in the US, where violent reaction to alt-right speakers such as Milo Yiannopoulos saw him evacuated from Berkeley University earlier in the year, after leftist crowds rioted and smashed buildings on campus before he was due to give a speech. Whether you agree with his views or not, such a reaction will only give credence to his narrative that “the Left is absolutely terrified of free speech and will do literally anything to shut it down.” Section 1.4 of the University Code of Practice for Freedom of Speech states that it will “exclude those promoting extremist views or views that are conducive to terrorism, while having particular regard to the duty to secure freedom of speech.” Admittedly, it is necessary to ensure that this right is not manipulated to incite hate, however it is also necessary to ensure that we do not confuse the potential to incite hate with the potential to offend. This deviation to cater to the sensitivities of others is producing a swathe of entitled individuals who believe in the fallacy that they have the right to silence others because they don’t like what they say. To quote George R. R. Martin, “When you tear out a man’s tongue, you are not proving him a liar, you’re only telling the world that you fear what he might say.” Our generation has been both blessed, and arguably cursed, with one of the greatest inventions the world has ever seen: the Internet. A simultaneous beauty and ugliness within it is that everyone has their own platform to say what they want, whilst also being able to hide behind a screen as they do so. We have all seen how quickly online disputes descend into something more akin to

apes flinging excrement at each other than coherent debate, so how do we tread this line between protecting varied debate at university, whilst making sure that the Robinson Library doesn’t get plastered with six hundred different shades of crap? Whilst it would not be drawn to answer the more direct questions over actions that would be taken, the University Press Office referred to the vagaries of the code of conduct, where article 2.1 states that the University would “take such steps as are reasonably practicable to ensure that freedom of speech within the law (even if such speech is controversial) is secured.”

It is also necessary to ensure that we do not confuse the potential to incite hate with the potential to offend. It is the wealth of different skills, backgrounds, interests and opinions which make university such a rich environment, and we would do well to ensure that we are constantly surrounded by other views which may not necessarily align with our own. Views that challenge us, and make us consider our own standpoint, views we can learn from. Maybe you think I’m wrong. Maybe you think I’m a misguided and arrogant. Rightly or wrongly, the important thing is that you have the liberty to say that. Instead of fighting each other, we should fight for the freedom of expression for all our peers.

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Monday November 13 2017

Newcastle Student Radio returns to the SU Toby Bryant

After a hiatus from being broadcast in Newcastle University Students’ Union, Newcastle Student Radio (NSR) is set to return to the Student Union’s speakers. The motion to re-instigate the playing of NSR points out the Union’s June 2012 promise to “provide greater support over the coming years” for the radio. The change should see NSR broadcasted in the Union’s commercial areas during term time, aside from exam periods. We spoke to Station Manager, Meg Long, who is delighted to be back on the Union’s airwaves:

“NSR is one of the great institutions of student media at Newcastle University” Ronnie Reid, NUSU President

Newcastle Student Radio Image: Newcastle University

“NSR really believe not only that we should be played in the union but that we provide radio shows that embody what Newcastle students want to hear. Our playlist is curated by students, our news updates include campus news and we have more variety than any other station. A former station manager pointed back to the 2011-12 academic year, when NSR was taken off the air in the Union after receiving complaints over uncensored songs. They went on to talk about the station receiving permission to be played again in 2012-13 however Dave Bendall, manager at the time, came to the decision that NSR was not

yet ready to be played in the Students’ Union. The former manager also discussed having meetings with the Union in 2013-14 and being told that the station’s sound quality was not of a high enough standard to resume broadcasting within the building. Despite investing money and time into improving these aspects, NSR was then hit with another setback as they were informed by the Union that there was an IT issue preventing the airplay. The following year, NSR’s station manager identified the issue but was able to make little headroom until the station’s head of marketing in 2015-16, James Vesty, set up a petition to get NSR switched on again. This received support from a host of previous radio members who voiced their concerns about the Union’s policy towards NSR which they found to be damaging. However, Editor of the Courier at the time, Victoria Armstrong, was opposed to the petition on the grounds that they had misunderstood the Union’s policy, and Vesty lost his position on the committee. The student radio station turns 20 this year and has enjoyed one of their most successful recruitment phases to date as well as improving working relations with The Courier and NUTV. NUSU President Ronnie Reid had the following to say about the change: “NSR is one of the great institutions of student media at Newcastle University, and any way in which we can increase our number of listeners is something that we should consider.” Despite the motion not mentioning Luther’s, Reid did also point towards having NSR played in the Union bar: “By having NSR played in Luther’s, we’re increasing the listener base of a station run by talented and committed volunteers.”

Life Sciences and Computer Science make global top 100 Isabel Sykes News Editor The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2018 has ranked Newcastle University in the top 100 for Life Sciences and Computer Science. This is currently the world’s biggest international league table and has a globally acknowledged prestigious reputation. Their global university performance table uses 13 indicators to asses the world’s research-intensive universities on their core aims: teaching, research, transfer of knowledge and international outlook. The table includes 400 institutions and a variety of subjects. Newcastle University has been ranked 92nd in the world for Life Sciences and 98th for Computer Science. It also places within the top 125 global institutions for clinical, pre-clinical and health subjects.

“I am delighted that Newcastle University’s strengths in the life sciences have been recognised in this way” Professor Robert Edwards, Head of Natural and Environmental Sciences

The Life Sciences sector includes medical subjects such as genetics, immunology and toxicology. Professor David Burn, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Medical Sciences, commented on the achievement: “This top 100 position not only acknowledges our considerable strengths in many important areas, but also sends a powerful message out to prospective

students globally, who will increasingly be attracted to our University by our reputation in Life Sciences.”

Newcastle’s School of Computing has relocated to the newly constructed Science Central Other subjects in the Life Sciences category include fisheries, forestry and biochemistry. Head of the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Professor Robert Edwards, said: “AsHead of the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, with its specialist degree programmes in agriculture, marine and terrestrial biology, I am delighted that Newcastle University’s strengths in the life sciences have been recognized in this way.” Newcastle’s School of Computing has relocated to the newly constructed Science Central, a sustainable urban development in the city centre. Costing £58 million, the initiative aims to create a collaborative environment for science and technology organisations, businesses, and citizens. On Computer Science’s top 100 ranking, Professor John Fitzgerald, head of the School of Computing, comments: “The School of Computing at Newcastle University is one of the longest established in the UK.” “Our placing in the world’s top 100 reflects the importance we place on developing people’s skills and undertaking research that has a positive impact on the quality of our lives, businesses and society.”

The Core, Science Central Image: Geograph

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Monday November 13 2017

Park View Student Village halfway to completion Grace Dean The two-year Park View Student Village development is now halfway through with the final building module having arrived last week. The development has been a rapid process, with Galliford Try, the principal contractor, first beginning the design and construction process with Newcastle University in late 2015, and demolition beginning in summer 2016. The first residents will move in in September 2018. The £75m project, which is being made from almost 800 pre-fabricated modules produced in China, will replace the former Richardson Road accommodation.

1,300 new en-suite rooms will result from the new accommodation project

£129.79 is the projected weekly cost of rent including utility bills

Park View Student Village will even dwarf Castle Leazes Halls, becoming Newcastle University’s largest accommodation site, with six buildings consisting of almost 1,300 en-suite

bedrooms spread between 4, 6, 7 and 8-bedroom flats.

The University successfully donated 6,500 of the 10,000 items of furniture from the former Richardson Road accommodation to charities. Newcastle University has endeavoured to ensure that the reconstruction project be as sustainable as possible. The University successfully donated 6,500 of the 10,000 items of furniture from the former Richardson Road accommodation to charities. In addition, to protect the large bat population of the site, two new bat houses with solar panels were built. Despite this, the new development has raised concerns and a fierce debate about the affordability of student accommodation in Newcastle. Molly Clark, a third-year English student, said “I had a look at the new accommodation and it looks lovely but also pretty expensive, which is a shame for students who can’t afford that sort of thing, being in Ricky meant I had plenty of money left over because it was so cheap!” Emily Land, a third-year archaeology student remarked, “Recently I overheard some girls on the bus talking about how because Ricky was so old and

broken it forced you to look on the positive side and make friendships; the fact that it was run down made it feel communal. I’m actually angry that it’s been demolished to make more expensive accommodation. I was relieved that I was assigned to Ricky Road as it was affordable. There’s only St Mary’s now as an affordable accommodation for freshers. There should be more affordable student housing.”

She added, “I don’t think en-suite rooms and luxury flats are necessary; in fact I think they deny people that opportunity that the girls on the bus were talking about, that slight (very slight) hardship brings people closer together.” However, not all students have had a negative outlook on the project. Iona Hamilton, third year Modern Languages & Business student, shared: “Initially I wasn’t keen on staying at Richardson

Road as it wasn’t one of my top choices, however looking back I’m so glad I got to live there for my first year. It always felt like Richardson Road was the party halls of Newcastle and there was always a buzz about the place, which made up for the lack of luxury. However I definitely think it was the right time for new accommodation to be built in its place and so far the new redevelopment looks amazing.”

Park View Student Village Image: Newcastle University

New campaign takes ‘root’ across Tyne and Wear Louise Hall News Editor This week a new grass roots campaign, in which Newcastle University is one of the five founding partners, was unveiled in Tyne and Wear. The campaign aims to improve the lives of ordinary people in the North East.

“Tyne and Wear Citizens is what we need in the North East. By launching Tyne and Wear Citizens we are reaffirming our commitment to speeding up the coming of social justice for everyone.” Professor Todd, Deputy Director of NISR

Tyne and Wear Citizens has been defined as an alliance of organisations committed to working together to improve the wellbeing of people and local communities. At a discussion of the campaign at the Tyne and Wear Theatre, around 1000 people from a variety of different backgrounds gathered to listen to the range of issues outlined, and discuss how the Tyne and Wear Citizens project aims to tackle them. The project aims to focus on three main themes – poverty, safer cities and mental health. The themes were agreed through

an extensive listening and selection process, considering more than 1,000 conversations about the everyday issues facing members of communities in Durham, Newcastle and Sunderland. So far in support of the project, Newcastle University have provided funding from the HaSS Faculty and the Institute of Social Renewel (NISR) Professor Todd, the Deputy Director of NISR and member of the groups leadership panel commented: “Tyne and Wear Citizens is what we need in the North East. By launching Tyne and Wear Citizens we are reaffirming our commitment to speeding up the coming of social justice for everyone. Martin Luther King was trained in the methods that Citizens use and our support for Citizens and the actions that will be achieved in the future will be part of the legacy of the Dr King’s 50th anniversary celebrations.” A number of other Newcastle University academics have also given their time to the project, helping to establish the new organisation. The new group is also affiliated with Citizens UK, a fast growing non-political organisation, led by a North-Shields born senior social work professional Neil Jameson. Mr Jameson said: “The North East has a radical past led by unions, Chartists, Suffragettes and others – a tradition we want to build on by creating a powerful, diverse and permanent alliance of civil society working together for the common good.” Citizens UK is also an active participant in the campaign against excessive interest rates demanded by pay lenders and the campaign for ‘living wage’ as businesses in the north east have been slow to sign up to a living wage set at £8.45 outside London.

The Angel of the North Image: Wikimedia Commons

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Monday November 13 2017

Student Question Time with the Politics Society Steven Ross On the 7th of November Newcastle University’s Politics Society hosted Student Question Time. The event took place on Tuesday evening in the Herschel building between 6:30 and 8pm. Representatives from each political party society met to discuss important issues raised by students about life at the university and the world at large. Speaking to the representatives before the event began, they expressed their views on what they hoped to gain from the debate and why it would be an important experience.

Friction began over questions about welfare cuts and whether the Queen should be defunded by government

Student Question Time Image: Newcastle Politics Society

Henry Holborn (Labour) said that he was “looking forward to engaging with students in a relaxed environment”. Andrew Stark (Greens) expressed the importance of hearing the ideas of other parties and creating a dialogue, concurred by Jason Carr (Conservatives) who was excited to “further the political debate”. Alex Hunt (Liberal Democrats) was

hoping to understand with which issues students were most concerned. Moderator, Adam Warner kicked off the evening with a question on how to bring the youth into politics. All representatives were in agreement that a focus on social media rather than more traditional channels was important. Both Holborn and Stark favoured lowering the voting age to 16, believing that if a citizen can fight for their country at 16, they should be able to vote too. A question on reform of the House of Lords caught most representatives offguard, but Carr, who had researched the issue, explained the current reform plan and expressed his support to do something about an “insanely large legislative chamber”. The other representatives agreed that reform was certainly needed. Next, the representatives were asked if they believed that their leaders were competent. The representatives praised their party leaders. Holborn suggested that Corbyn’s success on the campaign trail was indicative of his ability, while Hunt was enthusiastic about Cable’s proven experience in politics. Carr called May a “stabilising” figure, and Stark suggested that other parties adopt a power sharing leadership like his own. Friction began over questions about welfare cuts and whether the Queen should be defunded by government. Labour, Green and Lib Dem were aligned against the Conservatives on these issues. Carr came unstuck when discussing

the success of current drug policy, to disapproval from the audience, and assured us the statistics proved it was working, but neglected to quote any. A question on getting women into politics further divided the all-male panel. Hunt suggested that more needed to be done to ensure women felt welcome in the political environment, but that the situation was improving.

The final question: “Should the government close tax loopholes?” was the most damaging Stark and Holborn supported positive discrimination, clashing with Carr who suggested that it was patronising to women. The final question: “should the government close tax loopholes?”, was most damaging for Stark, who, when asked by Carr if he thought a nation should have its sovereign will overruled, said “I don’t know, yes, I guess”. But Stark also provided the soundbite of the night. When discussing where his party lay on the political spectrum, he said, “It’s not as black and white as left or right”. Ultimately, this underscored the whole event for the evening, as each representative representing each party’s student group made an important contribution to the debate.

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Monday November 13 2017

‘Unreached, unheard, unreported’: Civic Journalism Katherine Elizabeth Ingram BBC Newcastle held the second Civic Journalism Lab in their series on Wednesday, titled “Unreached, Unheard, Unreported”. The one-hour talk included a panellist of experts representing Huck Magazine, BBC North, video contributions from The Tab and Vice UK, as well as time for the audi-

Many readers are beginning to mistrust the press, which is seen clearly by the scrutiny of site traffic, clickbait, advertising and audience inclusion ence to ask questions on issues raised. Gone are the days where one would rely solely on newspapers, radio and television broadcasts to tell us the news. The Internet has taken over and our newsfeeds are blasted with images, videos and news of all shapes and sizes. How does this affect young writers wanting to kick-start their careers in the field of journalism? There is an increase in the consumption of media on platforms like Snapchat, Facebook and YouTube, especially by young audiences. Writers must adapt and often shorten their stories for each medium rather than rely on one form. Michael Segalov, news editor for Huck Magazine, mentioned how traditional hard news may not engage the audiences it used to in this digital age. Informative headlines spread news quickly across Internet platforms, and social media

allows constant update. However, there must be a transition from conventional reports to new and engaging ways to attract younger readers. Segalov continued by noting how the internet gives news a personality, sharing experiences, opinions and analyses rather than purely announcing information. So, what are the dilemmas that media outlets are facing? Many readers are beginning to mistrust the press, which is seen clearly by the scrutiny of site traffic, clickbait, advertising and audience inclusion. Concerns are that media coverage focusses on using clickbait to generate site traffic, rather than producing meaningful content. But sadly, funds do not stretch as far as they used to. News platforms often have smaller teams and lack the resources for investigative journalism. This means that writers pick sides, whether it’s interaction or corporate interest, with the driving content in the roots of organisation. Free media is also an issue, due to it being unsustainable to run in the long-term. The BBC however, with its reputation of being an informative business representing in the public’s best interest, has a lot to catch up on according to BBC North’s representative Helen Amess. Due to the security blanket of the TV license fee, the BBC has a laid-back attitude on producing shortened online content and in her opinion, needs to care more about engaging younger audiences. She also commented on how the BBC regards ‘young readers’ as anyone under the age of 50. How can we solve these issues? Suggestions involved journalists building long-term relationships with their audience rather than relying on short-term gains from viral coverage. The production of powerful stories may pay off in the long run without the need for click-

bait, rather than the one-day popularity viral pieces receive. Another option is a balance of sponsored and influential media, gathering large funds by advertising products to a wide audience, whilst using the revenue to fund investigative journalism. Despite this being a good solution one major factor, which affects many new writers has been excluded. Journalists are being trained to some of the highest standards than ever before, especially on different forms of media con-

Although the production of news coverage is high, the ability to engage audiences still needs to be cultivated tent. Although the production of news coverage is high, the ability to engage audiences still needs to be cultivated. This means that well-written journalistic pieces often go unnoticed or cannot reach the desired demographics. With all this, various questions arise as to how the future will look for young writers and content coverage. There is an obvious need for a solution to the problem of funding investigative journalism and creating sustainable jobs for future journalists. Young people need to be trained to identify the current media platforms and their changes, as well as be able to engage audiences to interact with their pieces. Lastly, there is an essential need for the BBC to encourage young writers and offer support, as well as change their strategies when it comes to new media content.

UK Newspapers Image: Wikimedia Commons

Student teaching initiative in funding competition Laura Higgins News Editor North East Solidarity and Teaching is a student-run volunteer project which provides refugees and asylum seekers in the region with free English lessons. Based in Newcastle University Students’ Union, they build strong relationships with students who help them to improve their verbal and written communication skills. These skills enable them to gain language qualifications which are fundamental to work in the United Kingdom. The project provides these people with a community where they can feel welcome in their new home. The project aims to promote key values, such as integration and solidarity, which enable them to settle into life in the UK after arriving in Newcastle and the rest of the North East. Equally, student volunteers gain essential skills such as leadership, discipline and timemanagement, as well as valuable experi-

They work persistently hard each week to support refugees in the region

N.E.S.T volunteering event Image: Go Volunteer: N.E.S.T

ence in teaching English. This week N.E.S.T, as one of GoVolunteer’s projects, has been entered into the Aviva Community Fund for a chance to win up to £10,000 to help them to improve their projects. If N.E.S.T wins this prize, volunteers can reach even more refugees and asylum seekers in order to help them improve their communication skills in hope of

passing their IELTS exams (International English Language Testing System), organise more workshops to take learners around Newcastle and arrange more STEM workshops to help children with core subjects at school. The prize money would also fund N.E.S.T Outreach which involves students travelling to local community centres to teach and get to know refugees who are not able to travel to Newcastle University campus

If the project won the Aviva Community Award, they could continue to target more refugees in the region each week. The project is organised and led by students from Newcastle University. They work persistently hard each week to support refugees and asylum seekers in the region who struggle to find employment with minimal communication skills in the English Library. Their commitment to passing their IELTS examinations, together with the university’s committed volunteers, illuminates the importance of N.E.S.T as a tool to promote integration of newly arrived people in the North East. If the project wins the Aviva Community Award, they could continue to target more refugees in the region. You can vote for N.E.S.T to win the prize which would help many people around Newcastle. You can vote online quickly and easily, by visiting www.avivacommunityfund.co.uk.

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the courier

Monday 13 November 2017

@CourierComment courier.comment@ncl.ac.uk thecourieronline.co.uk/comment Comment Editors Jamie Cameron, Caitlin Disken & Alexandra Sadler

Blood, revolution, and tears

It’s been 100 years since the Russian Revolution, when lives ended in the name of freedom. Can violent revolution be justified? Gerry Hart

ew events have had as great an impact on world history as the 1917 Russian revolution. This seminal event established the ideological fault lines of the 20th century and still sparks heated debate a century on. But could a violent revolution such as Russia’s ever be morally justified? Perhaps the most important point to consider in this debate is that every revolution that can truly claim to be such has been violent. For example, many cite the revolutions that swept central and eastern Europe as examples of non-violent revolution despite the fact the collapse of these despotic regimes were often precipitated by riots and, in the case of Romania, violent armed conflict. Nor do violent revolutions occur for no reason, as the Haitian revolution of 1791-1804 demonstrates. The Haitian slaves violently revolted because violence was their only recourse against a system that viewed them as disposable beasts of burden, and in turn they were met with brutal, racialized violence.

An image from the previous, quelled Russian Revolution of 1905, taken at Sormovo, Nizhny Novgorod. Men line up at the barricades. The Czar granted limited reforms, but this was not enough to prevent his overthrow in the subsequent Revolution of 1917.

It is unfair to equate the violence of the Haitian slaves to that of their oppressors. Similarly, the Russian revolution did not occur in a vacuum. By the 20th century, the Tsarist regime had become inept and inflexible. It met opposition from the impoverished working class with violence and any attempts at reform were half-hearted and piecemeal. Even in spite of the Soviet Union’s later atrocities, the Tsarist regime’s demise was not only all but inevitable but practically necessary.

It is unfair to equate the violence of slaves to that of their oppressors Vladimir Lenin famously described revolutions as “festivals of the oppressed and exploited”. However one might view the man himself, there is a kernel of truth in his words. Such events never emerge from nowhere and indeed, many of our modern democratic rights were won through the violence of the English Civil War. Violent revolutions are contentious for good reason but it is foolish to believe they are never justifiable.

Joseph Rafferty

hould revolution occur through the use of non-violent means? John F. Kennedy famously said that “those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable”. While this may be true in the majority of cases, I disagree with the idea that violence is necessary to overthrowing an archaic or tyrannical form of governance. On the one hand, violence has been a component of several successful revolutions, two of the best examples being the American and French Revolutions. However, if you look at Gandhi’s non-violent resistance movement against the British, or the 1989 revolutions across the Eastern Bloc countries (with the exception of Romania) following the collapse of the Soviet Union, you’ll see that it can be argued that violence isn’t always the best approach to bringing about change.

While violence may be necessary it is easy to be consumed by it

Therefore, I want to ask this question: does the use of violence improve your chances of creating a more developed and secure society than the old one you want to change? For example, while the use of violence was crucial during the French Revolution in the removal of the monarchy, it led to the rise of Maximilien Robespierre and the ‘reign of terror’ with a purpose to purge any ‘counterrevolutionaries’. The Bolsheviks targeted former members of the Tsarist regime during the early stages of the Russian Civil War, and continued this repression during the Great Purge of the 1930s.

Question: Does the use of violence create a more developed and secure society than the old? The author Graham Greene said in reference to Fidel Castro’s regime in Cuba, “all successful revolutions, however idealistic, probably betray themselves in time.” While violence may be necessary in the beginning, it is easy to become consumed by it. Eventually, you have to ask to what extent you are truly implementing change, or just continuing an endless cycle of violence, tyranny, and oppression.

Image: Wikimedia Commons

The show’s over, but Clinton clings on Why can’t Democrats and the media leave Hillary Clinton behind? Joe Holloran argues there must be space for her successor

ver since her dramatic defeat one-year ago, Democratic Party presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has remained a feature of the news media, mainly in the US, but also here across the pond. The question is why? Why is a defeated Presidential candidate still so sought after by newspapers and talk show hosts? The answer is that she has become the focal point of sympathy since her defeat. To many in the mainstream press she is a victim, not just of the rise of Trump, but of the victory of misogyny and regressive politics. Clinton herself perpetuates this narrative whenever she can. She is currently on an international book tour promoting her new book What Happened, a text in which she lays blame everywhere but onto herself. The main target of her (and her fanatics) ire is laid at the feet of her progressive Democratic nominee rival Bernie Sanders, whom she blames for whipping up an atmosphere of anti-Clintonism and therefore assisting Trump. This, to be blunt, is utter nonsense. On paper Clinton was clearly the superior candidate. She had previous experience in public office and her centrist social politics is in

line with the majority of Americans. But what the DNC and others in the press don’t understand is that outside the coastal bubbles of New York and California, she was and is, hated.

Clinton is in the media so much because they are part of the same paradigm, the same elite She is so disliked for a number of reasons, the two main ones however are both prevalent yet unrelated. Firstly, she is a woman. A woman who speaks her mind, is intelligent and who is combative. These traits awaken within a certain demographic (we know which) a feeling of volcanic misogyny. With this deplorable group, she was always doomed to fail. They however are not the majority. The majority of Americans are right now living under hard economic times, worried about job losses, tuition debt and healthcare costs. Clinton mostly

ignored these concerns and on the rare occasion she mentioned them it was to accuse Sanders of utopianism. This is why she lost. To many she was and is a symbol not of empathy, but of elitism. So strong was this feeling that the American people chose instead to place their misguided trust in an aged scrotum dipped in Cheeto dust.

To many she was and is a symbol not of empathy, but of elitism Clinton is in the media so much because the media and herself are part of the same paradigm, the same elite as it were. This elite, or at least the perception of it, was the number one reason why she and the Democrats lost the last election and amazingly both seem to disregard this completely. Clinton was an inexorable insider politician in what was blatantly an outsider year. Trump, despite being a billionaire, was able to connect with the people in a way Clinton couldn’t, which ultimately

was the difference between the White House and failure.

Liberals in America need to stop feeling sorry for themselves and listen to their populist wing If Clinton truly wants the Democratic Party to rise up and oust the Republican majority, then she needs to leave the spotlight. It is time for the liberals in America to stop feeling sorry for themselves and listen to the new populist wing of the Party, which needs to gain control and provide a clear alternative to the divisiveness of Trumpism.This vital transition cannot take place so long as Clinton and the Democratic old guard continue to fill the airways. It’s time for the Democrats to wave goodbye to the Clinton dream and allow a new figure to step in and truly challenge Trump.

the courier

comment

Monday 13 November 2017

Standing up, or out? The Commons is infested with sexual harrassment. Must the victims do something to fight it? Katharine Lovell

rom Harvey Weinstein to the Defence Secretary Michael Fallon, to Luton North MP Kelvin Hopkins, a plethora of harassment scandals in our headlines in recent weeks has left many wondering how we can tackle harassment in the workplace. Do victims have a duty to out their harassers? Doing so helps to avoid endangering other potential victims and ensure that nobody can get away with such behaviour. However, the problem in parliament is that everyone is on a team. These teams invariably have an ultimate goal in mind, increasing the risk of outing harassers, since victims often consider it less important than the bigger picture. For example, according to the New Statesman, one aide to a Labour MP kept quiet about his harassing her for fear of jeopardising the party’s chance to win the seat in the 2015 elections.

The problem in parliament is that everyone is on a team So how can we resolve this struggle between justice and the greater good? The best and most obvious solution is for MPs and senior staff to stop harassing colleagues. They should regularly ask themselves if they are abusing their position to manipulate people. Sadly though,

we must still deal with those individuals who refuse to conduct themselves professionally. Thus, structural reform is vital. While Labour has made a start by creating a panel from its ruling National Executive Committee that can investigate complaints, this does not go far enough. Being comprised of politicians, the panel is still likely to be influenced by party agenda. Therefore, an independent confidential complaints system must be created; one that all women and men in parliament can fully trust with reports of all forms of harassment. It must be free from party control to avoid the political risk of speaking up. There should also be a complaints system in place within each party, so that people feel they have somewhere to go within their own group where they will be supported. Let’s begin with these reforms and give these victims support they deserve.

Louis Vanderlande

his may be a little controversial, but my belief is that you owe it to no one to come forward about your own experience. To some this might initially sound selfish but bear with me. There are different degrees of harassment in my mind, from the casual touching of a knee at an inappropriate time to fullblown sexual indecency. Let me make it clear, all

harassment is despicable but no matter the severity of the harassment, it comes down to the individual who’s been harassed, how they deal with it, how they cope with it and what it affects it has on them. This differs from person to person, so how can you expect someone to publicly talk about it before they have dealt with it themselves?

How can you expect someone to publicly talk about it before they have dealt with it themselves? Parliament is like no other workplace but the laws that govern it are no different. Thus it will always ultimately come down to the individual to confront what has happened to themselves and then to confront the harasser. Public figure or not, a person in any position of power should respect the boundaries of those beneath them. But we, as the public, should respect those who wish to remain silent, for I’m sure there are many hidden cases yet still to come forward, some potentially worse than what we’ve already learned. Let’s be careful and avoid a witch hunt for those who have been harassed as well as those who harass.

Jamie Cameron: Fight for a society that makes us better people, with lifelong learning for all

Education at all walks of life free at the point of use The economic argument for expanding the provision of education is completely compelling, if a bit dull. Only right-wing idealogues now reject the value of investing in human and material capital, and idiots too, but I repeat myself. All levels

ALREET PET?

of education provision provide enormous returns on investment. It is education that supplies us with honourable and wise politicans and public servants, fantastic scientists, and the artists that fill our lives with joy. If we don’t provide good education, you get terrible productivity (like we have), and you cease to be at all competetive in an increasingly high-tech global economy. All very straightforward, important, and utterly boring. In politics we have a tendency to overlook what is beautiful, what is right, and what is joyful. Education either is, or directly leads to finding, all of these things. Classical philosophy is a different story - personal virtue comes from knowledge, training, and rigour. To the Ancient Greeks, virtuous character was the stone that built cities. Plato’s Republic sets out a vision of a Virtue Republic where anyone is free to be anyone with merit and effort and where education is the fundamental resource. Wrongly, Plato uses this to set out a meritocratic but elitist and classist society, efficient and cold. Plato lacked faith in knowledge, and its power to inspire more than a chosen few. No, education is the right of all and is to the benefit of all. What we need is a Virtue Democracy: A society in which various forms of education are provided at all walks of life entirely free at the point of use; where ideas can rule with a minimum of force, where rational consensus is the name of the game; a devolved and vibrant democratic country where the leaders are those that command ideas, not armies and money. The production of the country’s

Megan McManus

he importance of asking ‘are you alright?’ or ‘how are you?’ is I think sometimes lost in how mundane/ commonplace these questions have become. The fact they are such common questions is no bad thing, however I believe the original meaning does need to be again acknowledged and considered. With me, as with many others I know, asking ‘are you alright?’ has become habit. I don’t really think about it a lot of the time when I ask it, it’s almost automatic. Upon reflection however, it becomes clear just how important it is as a question, and how important it is that we ask it with real concern. In a climate of social and political unrest, with a rising epidemic of mental illness to contend with, this phrase becomes more vital to human wellbeing than ever in opening healthy conversation and support networks. The impact one small question may have on someone’s day or indeed their life is something to be taken seriously.

Building Virtue Democracy I

COMMENT’S HOME OF WEEKLY RANTS

CONFIDENCE IS KING

Those Houses of Parliament. Credit: Wikimedia Commons

f you haven’t heard of Labour’s plan for a lifelong education service, you’re living in a cave. More accurately, Plato’s Cave. Yet this plan must only be the beginning. Let us build a society in which we are constantly formed, molded, and born anew as wiser, stronger, and kinder people. When the Labour movement finally pushes the philosophobes currently squatting in government into a shallow grave, Corbyn’s policy should go a little like this: “Under a National Education Service, colleges should work in partnership with employers to mutually accredit apprenticeships and courses that offer high quality transferable skills. Councils and government agencies should also use public procurement contracts to guarantee good apprenticeships.” That was Corbyn writing for Labourlist. His prose admittedly butters few parsnips in the style department, but as I’ll explain this is exactly the kind of forward-facing vision we need, only with the volume turned up to 11.

SOAPBOX

minds and factories should be up for debate, within reason, routinely. Policy, foreign and domestic, could and should be the realm of regular engaged people educated in matters of their society, not hashed out by aristocrats in a smoke-filled room between sips of the customary orphan blood on the rocks.

We can all be the best version of ourselves I mean education in all its forms. Arts, philosophy, science, practical skills, sports, self-defence, interpersonal training, rhetoric. It should centre around the premise of being a good, but effective and confident person, aware of their freedom, and aware of the responsibility of freedom. Teaching should be elevated to the status it so deeply deserves, and should be part of a constant exhange of knowledge, skills, and ideas. What makes much of this possible is our accelaeration into an increasingly automated society, and the existing economic potential trapped by the absurd levels of inequality the UK and the world experiences today. We can all be the best version of ourselves, but it requires a culture and society that wants us to be too. Let us be a beacon to the world. Another future is not possible, it’s inevitable. Let’s make it the right one.

Jamie Cameron

t’s the best thing you’ll ever have, everyone wants it, everyone loves to see it in others. Not cash, stupid, it’s confidence. Sounds great, but how the hell do you get it? Well it’s simple, just keep reading the Courier. That was a joke, but you don’t have to laugh if you don’t want to. Yet like the Courier, confidence is entirely free. No amount of hard work, money, or attractive people attracted to you will hand it to you. Now it might make it easier, but you’ll never have confidence until you choose to, and anyone can have it, if they choose to. There is no basis for it. It’s merely an approach to looking at yourself you can entirely invent. You don’t deserve it, but then again nobody does. It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy, made truth by your will to have power over yourself. There are so many assholes who don’t have a problem feeling great about themselves, but if you’re reading this you’re probably a good egg. A good looking egg too. Take a step. Accept yourself - it’s all you’ll ever be.

WALK THIS WAY

Caitlin Disken

t’s 8:58am. You’re running late, again. Your lecture is in a well-hidden building, like Barbara Strang or Herschel. You’re pacing it up the steps, past the SU, to try and get there on time. You don’t want to arrive when everyone’s seated, and you have to try not to slip up the stairs as you desperately scan the rows to find your friends. If the way was clear, you’d get there in a minute. But gaggles of students, meandering along without a care in the world, block your way. What is it about slow walkers and them appearing, seemingly out of nowhere, when you need to get somewhere? It’s as though as soon as you’re in a rush they appear, wandering along, zig-zagging so you can’t overtake them, and generally being an annoyance to everyone around them. Do they not realise that they need to get a shift on? Or are they too busy in their oblivious, slow-walking world to notice? So, if you’re a slow walker, take one for the team and move out of the way, so the rest of us can speed past you.

student voice

the courier

editor.union@ncl.ac.uk Student Voice Editor: Alex Hendley

Chat: Sneha Vincent

Alex Hendley chats to the International Students’ Officer about her work on campus helping new students settle in

Hi Sneha! Just a bit of background, what do you do at university and how long have you been the International Students’ Officer? Hi Alex, I’m currently in my third year studying law here at Newcastle and I took the role as International Students’ Officer last year, so I’ve been in the position for a while now and I’m really enjoying it. I want to be a social activist in the future so it’s perfect for me! I’m hoping to continue working on some of the things we did last year.

I’d mainly like to raise awareness of my role, as I am a student who can point international incomers in the right direction if they’re in need of advice Great, so after a year have you achieved everything you set out to? Not yet! I found it quite difficult last year to get round to doing everything because of my degree, but I’m still working hard at it. I’ve always wanted to create events to help international students settle in here and feel safe and welcomed on campus.

It’s One World Week this week, are you involved in that? I’m not directly involved in it, no, but it does sound interesting and I’ll have to go down and find out more about it this week. I think it’s a great idea to try and help people learn new languages while also discovering new cultures and people. What events have you got planned then? Well we’re hoping to have a recurring film night where we show movies with subtitles, which should be great. I had tried to organise a fun run in aid of refugees last year but that didn’t really work out because of the weather! Really, I’m just hoping to promote some lesser-known celebrations that are coming up in the diary, such as Solidarity with the Palestinian People on 29 November. What are your main goals for the year ahead and how are you helping to make campus a better place for international students? I’d mainly just like to raise awareness of my role, as I am a student who can point international incomers in the right direction if they’re need of advice in any way. I don’t think it’s very well known that there is someone, on a student level, whom new students can come to. There’s also a great app, iStreetWatch, for reporting racism and xenophobia that I really advise students who encounter trouble to use, in order to keep campus and Newcastle a safer place!

Chat: Emily Sherwood

The Marginalised Genders Officer speaks to Alex Hendley about Trans Awareness Week’s events in the coming days

Hi Emily, thanks for coming in for a chat! So when did you take the role, have you just come into it? Yeah, I’ve just started. I got the role in September, I wasn’t originally planning on going for it due to lack of confidence, but then I realised representing other trans people was really important to me. A few people encouraged me to do it. Great, what were your main policies when you took over and how are you getting on with them? Well mainly I talked about gender neutral toilets and ways the structure of the university could be changed. I talked to people at the business school and they want to make it way more inclusive, so I’ve spoken to them about how they can adapt and do that effectively. My focus recently though has been planning Trans Awareness Week, because there’s lots going on for that. What are the main events you’d like to make people aware of during Trans Awareness Week? There’s going to be a little bakesale at the union where all the money raised will be going to disadvantaged trans people, such as for the healthcare they may need. On Tuesday, there’ll be a film screening which should be great and on Wednesday there’s a trans discussion which will hopefully be very informative for people who might need a bit of help with the correct vocabulary and other things. Then on Thursday we’ll be having a casual non-drinking social, with pink wafers and pink lemonade, loads of cute crafts. Friday there’ll be an intersectional trans-feminism panel, with lots of voices talking about what it’s like to be trans and a feminist or how to deal with transphobic feminists, as there’s been a bit of backlash over that recently. Then finally on Sunday there’s a vigil for all those who have suffered or died due to transphobia, followed by a self-care session exclusively for trans people so we can unwind as the afternoon will have been a bit heavy! Hope that all goes well. Are there plans for the year ahead after that? Well Last year Saffron did loads of amazing work

with Beyond the Binary, so as soon as I can and as soon as I have enough time I’ll be working towards that. Hopefully we can get an external speaker and make it really interesting. Last year was so good we’re hoping to live up to it and recreate it. Fantastic! More generally, what areas of the university are you trying to improve and how are you making a difference on campus? There’s so much, it’s difficult to say! There’s so much that could be better, the university isn’t necessarily separate from normal society so there is still evidence of sexism and racism, so I’m just trying to improve campus where possible. I’m working on things such as just empowering people to be able to challenge abuse, even if it’s just letting them know I’m here as someone who can talk to them and find them help. I’m definitely someone that anyone can come to, but there’s also a lot of students who have any idea there’s anything in NUSU other than the shop, so it’s important to raise awareness of myself and everyone else who can help students based here. I’ve been trying to go to different societies and pushing myself and Trans Week. I think often these awareness weeks can end up being the same people every year turning up and taking part, so I’m really keen on getting new faces involved and making sure they know that even if you’re not in the LGBT Society or whatever, you can take part. So other than getting it in the Courier, how will you be spreading the word? And once this year’s over, do you see yourself carrying on for another term? I’ll be handing out lots of flyers and getting it advertised so hopefully it all goes to plan. And yes, I could carry on for another year after this but the best bit about the role on being a year long is that it’s constantly being refreshed. I’d prefer it to go onto someone else as they often have new ideas and a different voice, as well as different ideas about how the Officer can help students. I’ll still be involved in all the events and societies, though! I’m also on the committee for the Feminist Society, and obviously take part in Council, so I think I’ve got enough to get on with!

Monday 13 November 2017

Wind power to the people - an internship case study Ryan (Chemical Engineering) and Fedor (Marine Technology with Offshore Engineering) undertook their respective internships during a period of great change at Siemens Gamesa, the merger between Siemens Wind Power and Gamesa Corporación Tecnológica having taken place just a month or two before the internships began. Sourced through the Careers Service internships team, the two roles advertised were 10 week full time summer positions, ‘Wind Power Project Coordinator’ and ‘High Standards Project Delivery Intern’. Both attracted a combined total of 56 applications from students eager to add invaluable, degree-level work experience to their CVs. Both successful candidates were required to submit an online application and attend a panel interview with the employers. They fought off significant competition to be selected, Ryan to the ‘Wind Power Project Coordinator’ position and Fedor, the ‘High Standards Project Delivery Intern’. How have the internships benefitted them? Both Ryan and Fedor highlighted how their interpersonal skills in particular developed hugely over the course of their internships. Ryan described how he is now ‘more confident when dealing with customers either face-to-face or over the phone’ and it has given him ‘a different perspective on the kind of skills required in the workplace – on the course you learn technical skills but doing this internship has developed transferable skills which are hugely valued by employers’. Similarly, Fedor explained that the work ‘whilst relevant, was not directly related to the course and required many more transferable skills, in particular when delivering workshops to groups of employees’. He highlights in particular the importance of building positive relationships with people very quickly during these sessions. Both students received a bursary from the university and are in contact with their line managers from the company who have offered them further support throughout this academic year. What are Ryan and Fedor doing now? Both students are now focusing upon their final year of study but the impact of the internship with Siemens Gamesa is tangible. Ryan has already

stated his intention to apply for one of the graduate schemes at Siemens Gamesa, a move he puts down firmly to having undertaken this internship. ‘Siemens Gamesa was never really on my radar before, but now I know the company and what they do more in-depth, I’d love to get the chance to work with them when I graduate’. Fedor has already gained employment opportunities as a result of this internship, working on a casual basis at Siemens Gamesa’s office in his native Russia. He too would like to continue working for the company upon graduation.

RYAN COLEMAN

Coleman, 22, earned his place at Siemens through years of lab reports and nights in front of the laptop. He’s an inspiration to all Chemical Engineers.

What advice do they give to students considering applying for an internship? Ryan said simply, ‘just go for it – what have you got to lose!?’ He also advised that students look for something a little different to their studies. ‘I come from a chemical engineering background and was looking for something that involved project management. Not only did I get that experience, it was in a field quite different from my studies so it was great to learn about the sector of renewable energy in more detail’. Fedor emphasised the importance of choosing an internship where you can develop your transferable skills. ‘Whilst elements of my course in Marine Engineering were relevant to the project, it was mainly a case of using more transferable skills rather than any specific technical knowledge’. He stressed that ‘other candidates applying for the same roles will have the same degree as you, so it is the transferable skills that really set you apart.’ The Careers Service is here to help you at all stages, whether you want support in finding an internship or with a specific application or interview. Please visit www.ncl.ac.uk/careers for more information.

the courier Monday 13 November 2017

life & style

@CourierLifestyle c2.lifestyle@ncl.ac.uk thecourieronline.co.uk/lifestyle Life & Style Editor Izzi Watkins Lifestyle Editors Sophie Henderson, Jaymelouise Hudspith, Lauren Sneath & Victoria Young

Blind Date Rebecca on

Rebecca Jones, 1st Year Sociology student meets Charlie Steadman, 2nd Year Business and French

Charlie on Rebecca

Charlie

How was the date? The date was pretty chill but enjoyable, the conversation flowed easily and we had a lot to talk about. We also played pool.

How do you think the date went? Really good, we got on really well. Where did you go and why there? We went to the botanist for a drink then went to play pool to see if she could beat me, I won 4-2. Then we went back to her flat for a few more drinks.

What was your first impression of Charlie? That he was dressed well but he had a funny foetus moustache going on for Movember.

What was your first impression of her and was she your usual type? She’s not my usual type but on first impression I thought she was a very pretty girl. I usually go for short, tanned and dark hair.

Was he your type? If not what is? Yeah, I’d say he fit ‘my type’ pretty well, good height, brown hair, gorgeous tattoo.

Did you two have much in common? She went to boarding school near where I live, she’s a gin lover and we have the same music taste which is important.

Do you think you were his type? I think so haha he said I was pretty and that he had a thing for mixed girls so. Where did you go / what did you have? We had a drink at The Botanist, I had the Forest Gin and he had a beer. Then we went to a pool bar and had some gin tonics and curly fries and played a few games there. We then carried on drinking at my flat where my flatmates were preing for a nigh out. It was a pretty boozy night haha.

We’re there any awkward moments? None. If she were a drink what would she be? A gin and tonic, she drank them on the date and joked she was like one since you either love or hate it. Have you spoken since the date? Not yet.

Do you think you two will see each other again? I hope so, that’s the plan, we’ll see if he actually follows through.

Do you think you’ll see each other again? I aim to.

If he were a cocktail, which would he be? He’d be a Long Island ice tea: chilled out but super alcoholic haha.

If she were a food which would she be? Pho because she is Vietnamese and we ended up talking about Pho on the date.

Rate out of ten Solid 7

Fancy a date? We’ll set you up.

Find us on our 2017/ 2018 Facebook page or

drop us an email at c2.lifestyle@newcastle.ac.uk

Rate the date out of ten? 8

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life & style lifestyle Monday 13 November 2017 Recipe of the Week with Rowena Tylden-Pattenson explores several genres to give you the best podcast scoops Hope Coke The surprising one - S-Town

Podcasts to procrastinate with

Spiced Sweet Potato & Lentil Salad

listen to a lot of podcasts, whether it’s to while away the hours of a train journey, fill the quiet walk to the supermarket, or to procrastinate work for a while. If you’ve not listened to any podcasts before, here are a few of the best to get you started.

John B. McLemore lives in Alabama, and has a lot to say about his town. A clockmaker with a maze in his back yard, S-Town is character exploration like I’ve never seen before. Be ready to lose 7 hours of your life once you get started, because there’s no turning back when you’re an episode or two into this one.

The one about psychology - Invisibilia

‘Invisibilia is a glimpse into the world you can’t see’; this podcast provides a gentle journey into psychology, looking at thoughts, fears, and the development of identity and emotions. It’s has some funny parts, some sad parts, and is just incredibly interesting the whole way through. With three seasons to listen to, there’s plenty to fill your time.

Invisibilla is a glimpse into the world you can’t see Image: Hope Coke

his is a recipe that I make in some form at least once a week, sometimes doubling the quantities so I’ve got enough for a couple of packed lunches too. It’s so straightforward and can be adapted to make use of your favourite vegetables or whatever you need to use up; I sometimes add in butternut squash, beetroot or aubergine. It’s the perfect autumn comfort food with heartiness from the lentils, the warmth of gentle spices and mellow sweetness from the roasted vegetables. I tend to dress it with either lemon juice and parsley or lime juice and coriander, which gives a slightly Mexican flavour, but I’ve included the option of both so you can pick which you prefer. Eat as a side dish or bulk it up with some crumbled feta and serve over baby salad leaves, maybe with pitta breads or similar alongside.

Ingredients:

1 large or 2 medium sweet potatoes 1 red or yellow pepper 1 red onion 1 tsp cumin 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp turmeric 2tbsp olive oil 125g puy lentils, or other brown/ green lentils a big handful cherry tomatoes a handful parsley or coriander 1 lemon or lime salt and pepper, to taste Optional, to serve: Baby leaf salad, pitta bread or wraps, feta cheese Directions: Preheat the oven to 200 degrees C. Slice your sweet potato in half lengthways, then cut into roughly 3cm chunks. Core and deseed the pepper and cut into similar sized pieces, then peel and half the red onion and cut each half into 6 chunks. Toss all the chopped veg together with the olive oil and spices, sprinkle with a little salt and pepper, then tip onto a baking tray and transfer to the oven to roast for 20-30 minutes, or until all the veg is tender and starting to brown in places. While the vegetables are roasting, boil your lentils in a saucepan on the hob, according to packet instructions. I use puy lentils, which are fairly quick cooking and take about 20 minutes, but make sure to check your packet cooking time as different types may take longer. Once they’re just tender, drain, rinse and set aside. Chop your cherry tomatoes in half, then roughly chop the parsley or coriander. Remove the vegetables from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before tossing together in a dish with the cooked lentils, tomatoes and herbs. Squeeze over the juice of the lemon or lime then taste and season with a little more salt and pepper if necessary. And you’re ready to eat! It’s delicious still a little warm but also works great cold, so any leftovers can be packed up into an airtight container and should keep well for a few days. It makes a great filling for wraps for a packed lunch or a good standby a speedy weeknight dinner.

The one that’s not as gory as it sounds - Criminal

A true crime podcast, this does not just focus on violent crimes. Yes, there are a few episodes about murder cases and the like, but they’re far outweighed by episodes that investigate more unusual crimes. Including the stealing of rare petrified wood, the riots in Ferguson, Missouri, and the conflict between humans and wildlife in keeping a tiger at a Floridian pit stop. With episodes around 20 minutes long, these are great for study breaks.

Image: pixaby

The creepy one - Limetown

Limetown is the podcast that made my 2015. Likened to Serial and Welcome to Night Vale, I was a little sceptical of how Limetown would match up to the great podcasts that it had been compared to. That was, until I hit play on episode 1. Reporter Lia Haddock covers the disappearance of over three hundred residents of the fictional town Limetown, with the story developing over 7 episodes. It’s beautifully told, with sound effects creating the most terrifying audio experience I’ve ever heard. Season 2 returns in 2018, so catch up in time for the new epidosed.

Image: commons.wiki

The new one - Blood on the Rocks

New to October 2017, there are only a couple of episodes of Blood on the Rocks currently out. This one’s a bit more gruesome, with spooky and supernatural themes- so a bit of an opposite to Criminal, if that’s not to your tastes.

This will see you through a year of walking from Jesmond to the Robbo The surreal one - Welcome to Night Vale

Welcome to Night Vale is perhaps the most well-known podcast on this list. It’s strange. Very strange. It is not for everyone, but if you’re looking for something light-hearted, this might be a good bet. There’s a delightful humour to be found in Cecil Baldwin’s dulcet tones. Producing a fortnightly episode since 2012, this podcast will see you through a year of walking from Jesmond to the Robbo every day with over 110 episodes to listen to.

Cash saver: cut out the coffee Elvira Carolina Jusuf explores cost cutting techniques to save money on your coffee habit

or most of us, buying a coffee is a part of the daily routine. I admit that I cannot live without coffee - caffeine is my number one best friend at uni. I do try not to buy it often, yet my spending is still huge. Imagine going on a coffee run everyday? Here’s why reducing your caffeine consumption may save you from draining your wallet: Before or after class, stopping by Starbucks in the Students’ Union has become a habit for many. It can actually feel weird if you skip one day without caffeine. A friend mentioned, ‘when I buy a cup of coffee, I tend to buy the extras also.’ You think you’re only going to spend £3, but without realising, it costs you a lot more. Skip those extra snacks and your wallet will thank you. I agree, consuming coffee helps a lot if you want to stay up late, it also helps to wake you up. But drinking coffee everyday can increase health risks. You don’t need to stop it at once, but reducing the

amount of cups is the right way forward. Instead of buying a venti caramel macchiato, opt for a smaller size, or a cheaper coffee! It can save you up to 30 percent of your usual spending. The cost probably still damages your budget but then, we all know that university is stressful and you need your energy booster. So if you’re not ready to let your coffee go, this method can help you stay under your daily budget.

Another common alternative is to make your own coffee at home Bringing your own tumbler is always an option. Many coffee shops, including Starbucks, offer

discounts to customers who bring their own tumbler. Who doesn’t like a discount? Its also a huge help to the environment. Another common alternative is to make your own coffee at home. You may think that it is expensive, but if you invest in coffee making equipment, you’ll find that you’ve saved in the long run. What’s better is that you can customise it according to your taste. BuzzFeed Food can be your guide on re-creating your favourite coffee on a budget.

If your favourite coffee shop offers loyalty cards, you better take and use them Many people are willing to spend £3-£5 just for a cup of coffee. In addition, they tend to buy it in the same place over and over again. In my case, I usually buy my coffee from Luther’s Bar, so here’s a tip for you: if your favourite coffee shop offers loyalty cards, you better take and use them. They could just be your money saviour. But… if you feel like saving more money, it might be more effective to stop your coffee consumption. You will save both money and time… and time is money, anyway. Image: @MaxPixel

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lifestyle life & style Rant of the Week Lifestyle Editor Jaymelouise Hudspith shares her thoughts on the French Brassiere Côte Pumpkin Spice Lattes C Monday 13 November 2017

Restaurant review: Côte hain restaurants can often be a let down; often have great intentions to bring their customers consistent and reliable quality at a sensible price. However, more often than not the quality begins to slip and their reputation is the only reason for their success. Thankfully the new French brassiere Côte was a welcome exception. Côte is a large chain of French bistro restaurants located across the United Kingdom, its newest branch is situated on Newcastle’s Grainger Street, formerly Barclays Bank. The restaurant launched the 23rd October and I was lucky enough to be invited to their opening event, and to be one of the first to sample their exquisite French cuisine. The building has seen a complete renewal to accommodate its Parisian style, its décor sports floor to ceiling windows, a minimalist colour scheme, and décor that transports you straight to Paris. Not to mention a quaint outdoor terrace for those romantic enough to brace the Newcastle cold for a dinner under the stars.

Image: License free @Pexels

ctober and November are wonderful months - let’s face it, it’s Autumn, there’s dark cosy nights, the trees are yellow and things are starting to look festive... What’s not to like?! - Pumpkin Spice Lattes, that’s what! Now, you may be wondering why I think a drink is such a disappointing big deal. Well, i’m going to focus on two of many reasons why I dislike the traditional hot beverage.

ON THE MENU Starters: Calamari in lemon and parsley with a side of garlic mayonnaise, jambon de savoie, smoked duck breast, duck rillettes with baby gem salad, chargrilled pain de champagna, crab mayonnaise Main: Roast duck breast served pink with a side of gratin potatoes and griottine cherry sauce Dessert: Classic dark chocolate mousse

Côte Brassiere offers a week day lunch and early evening set menu, £11.50 for two courses or £13.50 for three courses, even weekend breakfast deal. The ultimate romantic spot for date night or a welcome addition to the scene for any foodie. For their launch event, I was lucky enough to sample a variety of starters. This included classics such as calamari in lemon and parsley with a side of garlic mayonnaise to Charcuterie board, Jambon de Savoie, smoked duck breast, duck rillettes with baby gem salad and chargrilled pain de campagna. However, my personal favourite had to be their Crab Mayonnaise, mixed crab meat mixed with avocado, cucumber, capers and tarragon on toasted sourdough – this dish surpassed my expectations. When it came to my main I had to ask for the chef ’s recommendations, as sadly I haven’t had much experience bar a Beef Bourguignon

Over advertisement & “The White Girl” stigma: Image: Jaymelouise Hudspith sampling French cuisine. I settled on the Roast Duck Breast served pink with a side of Gratin Potatoes and a Griottine Cherry Sauce. The duck breast was cooked divinely; it was perfectly seared and moist. The only improvement that could be recommended it the cherry sauce lacked in flavour and should have been more prominent. After my sampling of starters and devouring my main the thought of dessert was all most too much for me. With this in mind I opted for their classic dark chocolate mousse, a light, fluffy and traditional dessert choice. Although the dessert itself was pleasant to taste, it lacked in presentation. There is an old saying that you eat with your eyes first, this is true in many ways – presentation is key and my chocolate mousse would have benefitted massively from something as simple as a mint leaf or some icing sugar. As exquisite as the food was, one of the biggest

motivations for me to return is this establishment was the staff. They were a credit to the restaurant. When I first entered I was welcomed immediately by a friendly waitress who showed me to my table and brought over complimentary drinks. Unfortunately, she managed to stumble with the tray soaking her in champagne, this did not dim her positive attitude or her smile despite being wet and no doubt cold. All staff members were quick to clear empty plates, refill drinks and resolve any issues. Despite small critics, my first of no doubt many future experiences with Côte was overwhelmingly positive and comes highly recommended.

Is a year abroad right for you?

Deborah Akun gives us the pros and cons of doing that optional year away from home

hether taking a year abroad as part of your degree programme would be a good idea or not is a complicated question mark to deal with. Many doubts and fears make it difficult to decide. ‘Will I be able to communicate with people?’, ‘Will I make new friends?’.

A foreign country gives you great opportunity to integrate into foreign culture Language barriers, loneliness and insecurities block many students from ‘taking the risk’. Others, on the other hand, feel excited about the idea of spending 12 months away from home in a foreign country, encouraged by friends or relatives who have already experienced living abroad. In most cases, a year abroad is compulsory for students who are doing an international degree or for those who are learning a foreign language as part of their programme. Taking a year abroad clearly has benefits and drawbacks, and there are different points of views regarding this scary but amazing experience. Spending a period of 10 to 12 months in a Foreign country gives you a great opportunity to integrate into a foreign culture. While studying or working abroad you can improve your language skills and gain more confidence in writing and speaking at a

native level. Students who have never studied the language of their ‘host’ country have their chance to learn it in a more stimulating way by interacting with native speakers, rather than having to deal with grammar books and online dictionaries. There is no better or faster way to learn a language. Some time away from your day-to-day routine is hard at the very beginning but you will soon realise how beneficial it is for you. Spending this time on your own, out of your comfort zone will bring a personal development, you will feel more mature, confident, independent and open minded. Furthermore, it will broaden your academic horizons. Studying in a foreign language might be scary and you might feel sceptical about how you are going to manage to pass your exams and get good grades whiles studying in a different language. You could discover that different academic and assessment systems are worth the try. The network of friends that you will be able to make is one of the most precious things you will take with you forever. However, you will miss your personal relationships. Family, friends or your other half being miles away from your new “home”

Image: Pixabay

will make you feel lonely and home-sick. That’s why it’s important to form new relationships; but don’t go too far. Student parties and activities could easily distract you from your course work if you don’t plan and manage your time wisely. Also, taking exams and writing essays in a non-native language can be a challenge and this might affect your academic results.

You will find yourself missing the life where ‘fiestas or croissants’ was the only problem you had to deal with You will experience a ‘cultural shock’ once you go back home. You will find yourself missing your independent and happy life where ‘fiestas’ or ‘croissants’ for breakfast were the only problems you had to deal with. You might not want to go back to real life There are always pros and cons for everything but the benefits you can get from taking a year abroad are priceless. You will get the precious chance to travel around, visit beautiful cities and totally embrace a new culture. Having a year abroad as part of your university experience is also a plus for a future employment. Hiring managers appreciate individuals who can face new adventures and can speak a foreign language.

Every Autumn, coffee companies and cafes jump on the bandwagon to roll in as much money as possible. By toying with the idea that it’s getting cold, it’s getting festive, and you subconsciously love consumerism and tradition in your whitewashed capitalist society, these companies persuade you that this drink is what you NEED to satisfy your Autumn.

Why has the Pumpkin Spice Latte seemingly become so exclusive? I’ve seen posters at bus stops and posters on bill boards, in magazines, and even on loyalty cards. Starbucks kicked off the tradition, now even McDonald’s is falling into the trap of making festive frothy coffees, and it’s become so cliche for the “typical white girl” that even the Internet is full of memes and the promotion of this “not even that nice” drink. I mean, why is it such a “white girl” drink? Why has the Pumpkin Spice Latte seemingly become so exclusive?

There’s no even any pumpkin in the thing! While “the white girls” and coffee companies rave over the idea of a festive pumpkin coffee, those who are more wised up may be aware that... there’s not even any pumpkin in the thing! The original Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte contains the following: -2 doses of Caramel Colour Level 4 -Mosanto Milk -Sugar (50g of sugar in a ‘grande’) -Artificial flavouring -Preservatives and Sulphites -coffee beans And... Absolutely no pumpkin at all! The pumpkin flavouring most often comes from added spice such as nutmeg, clove and cinnamon, but there is no trace of any pumpkin in the drink. I suppose what bothers me so much about the pumpkin latte lovers is that they don’t even delight in proper coffee. Coffee should be an art, and this is just a consumerist disaster. When we look at festive drinks we should pause and ask ourselves “what am I paying for?” “why am I buying this?” and “what am I putting into my body?” Next time you’re tempted to get a Pumpkin Spice Latte or paste your “white girl” standards of coffee in an Instagram post, think again, it’s not quality, you’ve simply been swept up by the commercial fad. Victoria Young

@Courier_life @courier_lifestyle

life & style fashion Make your sweater eco-friendly

c2.fashion@ncl.ac.uk Fashion Editors Chloe Bland, Sophie Schneider and Zofia Zwieglinska

the courier Monday 13 November 2017

Winter boots: splurge or save?

Charlotte Cooper talks us through the best of this year’s high street styles for winter footwear

inter is fast approaching and especially in Newcastle the temperatures are bound to drop from cold to freezing. This means those of us who are unfortunate enough to have a cold brisk walk to our 9ams… we need to be prepared. For this very reason, I have gathered some of the very best save and splurge winter boot options for you which means your feet will be warm and comfy but still able to make a statement on campus.

Zara’s black flat ankle Boots with buckle

Instagram: @liisa_soolepp

ven if you aren’t ready to admit that Christmas is on the doorstep, there’s no denying that the cold of winter has already crept in and the time has come to get cosy in layers of soft, soft jumper. However, purchasing the perfect sweater can be a mine-field. Not only do you have to factor in the colour, style and shape of your new skin, but also how it will wash, and arguably most importantly- which material will you choose. One of the most popular choices for winter warmers is wool. However, in recent years, the ethical credentials of wool have been placed under the microscope, as footage emerged from PETA of US and Australian sheep being abused in a shearing shed. As well as mishandling the animals and the general fact that the sheep are being exploited for profit, another issue associated with the industry is selective breeding, where only the fluffiest sheep are kept. Moreover, in countries such as Australia and New Zealand, where most Merino wool is farmed, although animal welfare standards are relatively advanced, the practice of ‘mulesing’ is still legal. This is a process, where the rear of the sheep is essentially cut off, to prevent flies from laying eggs in the sheep’s fleece. What makes it particularly difficult to identify eco wool, is that there are no laws or requirements for the labelling of wool, so the manufacturer has the choice whether to specify ethical or not, and they are therefore basically free to pull the wool over your eyes. As a material though, it’s natural production and biodegradable qualities make it a potentially sustainable fibre, when it is ethically sourced. But how do we ensure that our wool has come from an ethical source?

With Christmas looming and the student loans dropping to the ra last few pounds, these e: Za Imag real leather boots can be yours f o r only £29.99. Ankle boots are a wardrobe essential due to their sophisticated style and with these affordable winter boots your toes will definitely be kept toasty. If you’re brave enough to handle the cold wear them with a skirt and big knitted jumper for an autumnal preppy look. For those of you who need something a little warmer, try these gorgeous boots with a pair of jeans, a stripe tee and a biker jacket, effortless.

New Look’s black velvet embellished heel boots Velvet is all the rage when it comes to fashion this season, and I can totally see why. These fab black heeled boots are perfect for all occasions. Whether its rocking up to a lecture or going out for dinner, these boots are perfect to help you make a statement. For only £39.99, they are a bargain buy and with the simple, yet elegant touch

of glam to the heels what is stopping you from ordering them now! For more of a dressed down day look, team these boots with a pair of black jeans, a simple black jumper and undoubtable glam statement necklace.

Imag e: Ne

ook Topshop Madison round toe ankle boots

Topshop’s stylish yet versatile boots are every girl’s winter dream. At the cost of £59.99 these ankle boots come in both tan and black so take your pick. Without breaking the bank too much these are perfect for everyday use with a heel to keep you looking chic. With a rounded toe to soften the look and made with authentic leather material, I would recommend wearing them with a floral skirt or dress and a brown suede jacket to match. For a more smart-casual look, jeans and a white blouse would look Image: Topshop perfect paired with these gorgeous boots.

The stunning ruby red is a perfect autumn-winter colour. They are a take on the timeless classic kneehigh boots, which I’m sure aren’t going out o f fashion any time soon. Team them up with a black dress and a leather jacket for an edgy rocker look, or for the colder, more wintery days’ pair them with blue jeans and a black jumper matched with a maroon scarf. An investment in these stunning boots will be one you won’t regret. er Island Image: Riv

Kurt Geiger White ‘Dome’ Boots

River Island dark red knee-high riding boots

OK so these are the most expensive of the bunch, but I had to point them out, event though for most of us they will remain as only a pipe dream. These white, leather, silver studded boots would be great either paired with jeans Instagram : @kurtge and a jumper iger for the cold weather, or equally to jazz uo an outfit, maybe paried with a black denim skirt and crop top. Without trying to scare you off, they are priced at £129, however they could be a great item to either save up for, blow your student loan on, or maybe just add it to your Christmas list.

Although a bit more expensive at £65.00, these boots are without a doubt a fashion investment.

These are my top picks so get out there and invest in the winter boots of the season!

Nothing fake about faux fur

However, Bridie Lonsdale brings out one of the most hated trends in fashion as this season’s must-have purchasing the he clocks have turned back and as the The Seventies Called dark nights draw in, our attentions turn It’s time to channel Margot Tenenbaum’s perfect sweater can towards the seasonal changes: plummeting effortless composure and individuality: try reviving temperatures, cosy log fires, and getting all be a mine-field some classic 70s pairing. Flares are back in a big wrapped up. Fur needs no longer strike up

controversy, with so many faux alternatives available, you can enjoy the warmth of a big bear hug - without committing a fashion faux-pas.

Depop: @styleletsgetit £33.99

Depop: @feralcatwoman, £10

£45.00

Instagram:@rufflesfashion

way and I am a firm believer that it is impossible to be unhappy in them. Given the season, could we have been blessed with a more dreamy combo? Fashion buyer at Zalando, Monika Young styled her corduroy flared trousers with this gorgeous fluffy number from BikBok - effervescing rich shades of cool. Some of the best places to find striking faux fur items are from independent retailers on ASOS Faux Fur Coat in Leopard Print £75 Depop. Not only will you find quirky one off ’s, but you’ll be helping reduce the number of garments decomposing in landfills. Winner, winner!

Stitch & Pieces Faux Fur Patchwork Scarf £25

Urban Code Faux Fur Patchwork Coat £160

Statement Staple It goes without saying that faux fur is a staple piece for any wardrobe, especially looking to the chilly months ahead. Leopard print coats, in particular, are perfect for building texture into your everyday go-to look. Try pairing with a mom fit or skinny jean, long sleeved black bodysuit, and a heeled boot to inject instant energy into your outfit. It’s true what they say, ‘less is more’, so let your fur do all the work. Opt for a patterned piece, and keep your basics basic. Not only does it demonstrate sophistication, it’s a great way to save money by going for simple items along side. The same is applicable for accessories where colour blocking will be your best friend. Why not head over to River Island to pick up a fur tote bag for uni? Or, UO for a furry backpack? Beneficial for your wardrobe, and your purse!

Depop: @happydais £55

Topshop: Faux Fur Mid-heel Sandals, £29

Instagram: @monikayoung_

In Autumn We Wear Pink Pink is most definitely the new orange this Autumn. Faux fur has been flying off the rails, in the form of coats and bags; jewellery and shoes. While ‘millennial pink’ is said to have reached its peak, there’s little sign of that on the high street this season. Stepping into Topshop, you’ll be embraced by a spectrum of soft peach, marshmallow, and Barbie, dyed into garments of the fluffy variety. The beauty of this trend is its flexibility and universal nature. Whether you want to add a pop of colour in the form of pom-pom earrings, or stop traffic in a Penelope Pitstop-esque get up, as with all fashion, there are no hard or fast rules!

ASOS Chubby Vintage Faux Fur Coat

When a company is ethical, they often use this as a selling point to make it easier for us to tell who to trust. In addition to this, a quick read of the animal welfare policy of the company often makes it clear, which side of the fence the brand is on. For example, in the H&M Animal Welfare Policy it states that no wool from mulesed sheep is used by the brand and they only use fibres from living animals, which have not been kept in cages. They also use recycled wool in their products, which is the most eco-friendly, as it prevents waste and slows down the process of landfill sites filling up. Another sustainable company that specialises in recycled cashmere is ‘Turtle Doves’. They have been turning pre-loved cashmere jumpers into cute accessories since December 2009. Moreover, each of their products is hand-made in Britain, which minimises the environmental impacts from air-miles and transportation. Charity, second-hand shops or even eBay are also good places to find woollen items, as these are not directly contributing to the wool industry and the exploitation of sheep. Buying second hand is also a great way to slow down the waste production of our fast-fashion culture and reduce your carbon footprint. Miranda Stoner

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@CourierFashion c2.fashion@ncl.ac.uk

Monday 13 November 2017

Stranger Things fashion

Jagoda Waszkowiak brings us some serious style inspirations from the eagerly awaited show

OUTFIT 1 – Classic 80s child The look that you will be going Image: Reebok for with this one is a little girl in her dad’s clothes, the 80s equivalent of “boyfriend’s” style. If you want to be authentic, go for everything a little oversized. You can probably put together this outfit with what you have already in your wardrobe. Yes, die hard Stranger Things fans will probably drag me for my shoe choice, because we all know that L usually wears white Converse. But I’ve seen Reeboks Classics this season on Joyce, Winona Rider’s character, and I think they fit a little better in the retro general vibe.

Blue denim overalls – ASOS - £42.00 (remember to roll up the bottoms!) Oversized grey sweatshirt – H&M – £24.99 Reebok Classics CLUB C 85 VINTAGE sneakers – Reebok - £69.95 Oversized flannel in warm tones – UO – £39.00 OUTFIT 2 – Bitchin’ Image: ASOS This season we’ve got to see another Eleven’s fashion makeover. I think it’s one of the Duffer Brother’s rules. Joyce’s house gets wrecked, Nancy shifts love interests and finally L gets a makeover with a reveal and hype along with it. From a girl in her “dad’s” flannel from a cabin, to a true punk rock rebel gal. Again, if you want to be exact you will probably need some black eyeshadow and copious amounts of hair gel for the perfect sleek hair look. Oversized black coat/jacket – Monki - £75 Acid wash mom jeans – Miss Selfridge - £28.80 Oversized cropped sweatshirt – ASOS - £14 Black bandana – Ebay Image: Monki £1.95 White converse – Surfdome – £31.49

OUTFIT 3 – Ball queen Maybe you haven’t remembered the iconic look L served at the Snow Ball. The final outfit we get to see Jane in is a lovely greyish-blueish dress with big pink polka dots on it, complete with a massive, pink leather belt. The whole assembly gives out not only incredible retro vibe but also looks like something a dad like Hopper, would dress his daughter in. And the kiss! Finally! This one is not that easy to recreate. Here are some options: Winter version: Knitted skater dress – Dorothy Perkins - £32 Adult version: Elegant midi dress – Shein - £15 The closest you can get: Grey A-line midi dress – Lanti - £42 Add the widest belt you can find, or just a pink one like this: Etsy – £15 Images: Dorothy Perkins, Etsy

t the beginning of the first season, Eleven, from Stranger Things, would not be the first on my list for TV show fashion icons. The majority of the time, she was decked head to toe in a hospital gown, complete only with a nose-bleed or two for accessories. There was the iconic look of her blue jacket, a pink dress, and her blond wig, but it’s definitely channels more Halloween vibes than an actual fashion inspiration. The program itself, however, was a positive paradise for 80s throwback fashion fans. Season Two, however, (spoiler alert) showcases the metamorphic style change from Eleven, I will take you through each step to create Eleven's new style.

Overall, we can definitely say that this season Eleven’s fashion was much more vibrant and diverse than last year. But if you are loving her character and looking for some more fashion inspiration, I would look into the real-life L – Millie Bobby Brown’s looks, which are incredible every single time she appears on the screen.

Erdem x H&M: groundbreaking winter florals

Charlotte Brook delves into the high street and designer collaboration of the year

fashion life & style

Christopher Bailey leaves Burberry after 17 years

Instagram: @burberry, @adelespain

hristopher Bailey, the chief creative designer and former CEO of Burberry has resigned from his role with the worldfamous brand after 17 years of partnership. British Fashion House announced last week that Bailey will remain as creative designer until March 2018, and will completely cut ties with the fashion brand by the end of next year. Until then, Christopher Bailey will be sharing responsibilities with luxury goods veteran Marco Gobetti, who has been the CEO of Burberry since Bailey’s resignation as president earlier in July. Christopher Bailey was recognised as the innovator for the brand after he became the design director of the fashion-forward company in 2001. Under his leadership, business decisions have been made to improve the opportunity for instant-order online clothing, bags and accessories from the new collections, right after the fashion catwalk show. Burberry was at the forefront of changing this just last year, and for the first time ever in the industry, collections were shown and sold within the same season. With every other major international fashion label’s customers having to wait four months before they’re able to get their mitts on the clothes they see on the catwalk, Burberry were miles ahead. Once a limited UK company famous for its rainwear collections, Bailey transformed Burberry into a global luxury brand. Now we know Burberry for its elegant, flattering shapes and stylish trench coats with the iconic tartan pattern, which reflect modern British style. As Bailey said: “Burberry encapsulates so much of what is great about Britain. As an organisation, it is creative, innovative and outward looking.” In recent collections the designer has modernised chiffon dresses and been the creative force behind the innovative stylish trench coats in daring materials and patchwork wool sweaters that have graced the catwalk in the last few years.

Bailey transformed Burberry into a global luxury brand Instagram: @kristinagromovaite Instagram: @cloudy_z

Instagram:@susannewuest

fter the highly anticipated collaboration was announced in July leaving the fashion world on the edge of its seat, H&M have finally launched their newest designer collection with London based label ERDEM. As seen on the red carpet by the likes of icons such as Emma Stone, Keira Knightly and Nicole Kidman, Erdem Moralioglu’s designs are more high-end than previously seen with the high street store. His own brand, launched in 2005, has grown to become one of London’s most successful, being a particular favourite at this year’s London Fashion Week and winning himself multiple awards. So, what does the collection entail? The collection features a full wardrobe of his signature, classic femininity womenswear, an accessories line and it also marks Erdem’s first foray into menswear. Sticking to his personal style and quality, the collection is a bit more pricey than previous collaborations, but Erdem wanted to stay true to himself and what he stands for with his brand. The price tag matches the high-end quality of the clothes, defeating the fast-fashion issues often associated with brands like H&M to produce something that will last.

Erdem Moralioglu designs are instantly recognisable from signature features that have been there since the very beginning, with his fashion often aiming to connect a narrative through time. He loves to create pieces that are totally modern yet at the same time give the impression that they have existed forever, saying that he is “fascinated with things that you can’t tell if they’re 50 years old or 100 years old or completely new”. Timeless fashion.

Erdem wanted to stay true to himself and what he stands for with his brand The collaboration with H&M launched on 2nd November and is no exception to the usual standard and exquisite tastes seen in Erdem. The women’s collection combines classic florals, as seen in every single one of Erdem’s collections, and

Instagram: @erdem

lace detailing while the menswear, something new to Erdem, has a “sense of reality”. Ranging from floor length sleeveless gowns in floral jacquard and classic elegant blouses to wool blend patterned jumpers and checked suit jackets, the collection has something for everyone. The collection manages to incorporate the style of Erdem’s previous collections that they have revisited and reworked to create that old yet new vibe. My personal faves from the collection are the pyjama-esque floral shirts from the menswear (just as fashionably worn by women) and the maxi floral slip dress, perfect over a staple high-neck jumper for the winter months. Erdem is following in the footsteps of many other high-end labels that have previously collaborated with H&M; Karl Lagerfeld, Versace, Kenzo and Isabel Marant to name a few. And it is collaborations like these which allows fans to own a piece from their favourite house at only a fraction of the price. So while they may still be on the little more expensive side, it’s definitely something worth saving for. Take whatever excuse to treat yourself and shop the collection in selected stores and online from November 2nd.

Decades after its first production, the Burberry trench coat is, as Chanel’s black dress used to be, the ‘must-have’ item for all women and a kind of ‘second-home brand’ for many celebrities, such as Emma Watson, Sienna Miller, Kate Moss, the Dutchess of Cambridge, Claire Dates, and Dakota Johnson. Furthermore, Burberry’s collections are printed in British, US, Italian, Russian and many others editions of Vogue magazine, showing the timeless nature of the brands identity. Burberry’s old collections fill up outlets all over the world and it is one of the most well-known copied trademarks along with Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Dior: and isn’t imitation the best form of flattery? Thanks to Bailey, we can now feast our eyes upon Burberry’s new collections on the catwalks, as well as in the shopping windows in luxury shops in the UK such as Harrods, when we are walking down Regent, New Bond or King Street in London, and at every luxury department at an airport. Even with the loss of such an iconic part of the re-invigoration of the brand, we do not need to be sad by Bailey’s departure, and instead recognize it as a sign that time has come for Burberry to thrill us with a new designer bringing new styles for future collections. As fashion always craves change, let’s see Bailey leaving as an opportunity to see the new face of Burberry and a step into the unknown. Natalya Baranovskaya

life & style beauty

Feeling Spectacular

s a glasses wearer, the challenge presented by make-up is even greater. Will this eyeshadow match my glasses? Will this mascara smudge on the lenses? Do my glasses simply dominate my face? Contact lenses are becoming increasingly popular and accessible. But the extra five minutes they require in the morning, and the hole they burn in your Student Finance payments, means that glasses are still prevailing. Through celebrity partnerships such as Kylie Minogue and Specsavers, glasses are maintaining their status as fashionable and uttermost chic. Despite this, they still present many make-up dilemmas. These tips will help you overcome the most common glasses-wearer predicaments. Mascara & Lashes: To stop your lashes from hitting your glasses lenses, use an eyelash curler focusing on the roots. Afterwards apply mascara generously to the roots of your lashes, however not the tips; when heavy they fall forwards and hit the glass, straightening your lashes as well as leaving marks on the lenses. Mascara fallout on your glasses can be a major problem for glasseswearers. Prioritise hydrating mascaras that nourish your lashes, and remember that good-quality waterproof mascara is much less likely to transfer onto your lenses. Flaky mascara is often simply old; watch out for the expiry dates. Eyeliner: Dark liners can look too heavy on glasses wearers. Instead of black, opt for browns, navy or burgundy to counter the heaviness of your frames. To ensure your glasses don’t take the focus away from your eyes, the thickness of your eyeliner should directly correlate to that of your glasses. Girls wearing thick-rimmed frames should opt for thick liner and vice-versa. Adding a white or beige eyeliner to your lower waterline can enlarge your eyes, especially for short-sighted glasses-wearers whose eyes are belittled by their prescriptions.

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courier.beauty@ncl.ac.uk Beauty Editors Laura Greatrex, Lois Johnston & Susanne Norris

Monday 13 November 2017

Celebrity make-up ranges

Following Chloe Ferry and Kady McDermot’s recent Twitter row, Laura Bolden gives us her opinion on how every reality star seems to have created their own collection of beauty products

t is safe to say the make-up industry has undergone major changes in the last few years. An industry that was once controlled by specific beauty brands is now a more vibrant scene filled with influence from other areas of the entertainment industry. Following the groundbreaking launch of Kylie Cosmetics, a brand owned by Keeping Up with the Kardashians star Kylie Jenner, a demand was created for products from popular television stars and internet influencers. Chloe Ferry, Kady McDermot, Chloe Lewis and Megan McKenna are all British reality stars with their own make-up ranges. Ranging from £29.95 for a lip-kit from Megan Mckenna’s ‘Mouthy’ range to £12.99 for a matte lipstick from Chloe Lewis’ beauty range, you do pay a premium for what can be a basic product.

An industry that was once controlled by specific beauty brands is now a more vibrant scene I must admit I jumped onto the Kylie Cosmetics bandwagon, it was hard to resist with such strong advertising and promotion across all my social networking platforms. I was so excited when I bagged myself a Leo lip kit from her first birthday edition. I’m born the day after Kylie and my starsign is Leo so if there was ever a right time to delve into the world of celebrity beauty, it was then. There is no denying that I love my lipstick, but I often question if the excessive price tag and ridiculous shipping and customs charge are worth the quality I received. We pay for the name, not the product. Kylie could sell her lipsticks for £50

a piece and I don’t doubt that fans across the globe will buy them.

Image: @kyliecosmetics

So, when I see celebrity brands appearing now I am skeptical. You can’t blame them for releasing products when the market demand is so strong, but are their products any different from those we can grab from Superdrug for almost half the price? Probably not. The world of reality beauty has been interesting to view, last week a twitter row erupted between Kady McDermot, an ex-Love Island star, and Chloe Ferry who is a cast member of Geordie Shore. Chloe publicly accused Kady of copying her products and even branding. Kady replied saying that she was not threatened by the competing brand and even accused Chloe’s management of trying to source the same products. In fairness, the two brands share so many similarities, including a price tag, they have almost merged into one in the minds of many consumers. The question is

2022

the year in which Kylie Cosmetics is expected to have earnt a whopping $1 billion

whether these brands are necessary to the beauty scene. They are a form of self-promotion for the stars of the shows, often their television careers do not pay as well as we would imagine so creating businesses and other forms of income is important for them. To me though, they do not bring anything new and exciting to the industry. Kylie created the lip-kit and started the trend that many other companies have adapted. Additionally, Fenty beauty was ground-breaking in terms of beauty equality, but other ranges simply adapt already popular products such as highlighting sticks or liquid lipsticks. It isn’t that I don’t like the stars, I am openly a reality television addict and am even writing my dissertation on the subject, it is just that I don’t agree with paying a premium that seems Image: @bykady_

Image: @bychloeferry

undeserved just because they were once on television. The advertising rarely promotes the product, it promotes the name. Chloe Ferry uses herself rather than models in all her promotional pictures on her website which further stresses that people want this product because Chloe made it, not because it is well reviewed or ground-breaking. Maybe if I try the brands I may change my mind, but for now I am a firm no in the celebrity makeup debate.

Intrigued about Inglot

After visiting Inglot’s new store in Eldon Square, Nimra Rafique shares with us her experience of this gorgeous brand as well as her top picks of the products you should be checking out Image: @shaaaxo

Eyeshadow: Keeping eyeshadow subtle and neutral helps balance out your glasses, making your overall face look fresh and light. Less is more – an elegant dusting of a rose gold colour is all you need to look refined. Dark shades can dominate your face and draw out dark undertones around eyes, so should therefore be avoided. For the best look possible, use shadows that complement the colour of either your glasses or your eyes. Face/Base: Concealer is essential, as glasses cause shadows which emphasise dark under-eye circles, making you look gaunt and sunken. A brightening concealer set with powder ensures you stay looking youthful and healthy. Even if you’re not wearing foundation, use primer on the bridge of your nose to prevent your glasses from slipping down. Focus concealer and foundation on the bridge of your nose that your glasses rest against. Should you be planning on changing to contacts in the evenings, this ensures you won’t have mysterious red glasses-marks on your face. Blot any excess foundation, eyeshadow and powder, especially on areas which have direct contact with your glasses such the bridge of your nose and cheeks. Doing so prevents fallout during the day. Use minimal foundation and powder-formula makeup to minimise fallout. Brows: You may worry that your glasses dominate your face, but ultimately it’s your brows that frame your specs. Ensure you keep your brows on fleek and pluck away any flyaways, as these can often be magnified by glasses. Grace Dean

t’s always great when a big beauty brand opens a store or beauty counter in your city. On my trip to Abu Dhabi this past summer I remember visiting an Inglot store and instantly fell in love with many of their products. So, when finding out that an Inglot store was opening in Newcastle’s Eldon Square I was very excited to have quick and easy access to all their great products. Inglot was founded in 1983 by Wojciech Inglot and has since become a global success. There are Inglot stores in ‘six continents in nearly 700 locations from London’s Oxford Street, Piazza del Duomo in Milan, Times Square in New York to Grand Canal Shoppes in Las Vegas’, as stated on the brands official website.

Inglot’s Freedom System Mix eyeshadows, powders, blushes, lipsticks, concealers, eyebrow products and cream perfumes to create a customised make-up palette perfect for you

Image: @inglot_cosmetics

The new Inglot store opened on the 21st October in Eldon Square, opposite the Vodafone store (where Krispy Kreme used to be). The store, with its classic black and white aesthetic captured in all Inglot stores, has all their products on display for customers to try. In addition, the store has great lighting, perfect to clearly see what products look like and determine which ones are right for you, because there is nothing worse than spending lots of money on make-up products only to go home and find out they’re not what they looked like in store. When I first visited the Inglot store here in

Newcastle I spent so much time walking around and admiring everything! By the end of my time there my hand was covered in so many colours and glitter from swatching all of the products, including their creamy eyeshadows, dazzling pigments and lovely blushes. The staff at Inglot were also very helpful, they help you try on the products, so you can see exactly how it will look on your skin and provide you with good advice and tips.

By the end of my time there my hand was covered in so many colours and glitter from swatching all of the products When I visited the store I eventually opted for the Freedom System Flexi Palette, which just means I can add different products into one palette and create a custom palette perfect for me, instead of having separate palettes for eyeshadows, blushes and contour shades. It’s a much more efficient option in my opinion. There are so many Inglot products I love, so I thought I would share some of them with you. Hopefully, this will help you when visiting the store and give you a starting point to work from! Freedom Shadows: You can’t have an Inglot palette without some of their amazing, highly pigmented single eyeshadows. There are so many colours and finishes (matte, shimmer etc.) to choose from, you’re spoilt for choice.

AMC Pure Pigment Eyeshadow: This product is like fairy dust in a bottle. I swatched so many colours of this, until my hand was covered. As stated on the product description on the website this product is a “highly concentrated loose coloured powder that ranges from subtle to ultraintense effects depending on application”. Freedom System Blush: There are so many blush shades to choose from, so you’re bound to find the right one for you. The “rich formula allows smooth application” to give you a lovely flush of colour. These are just a few of the many great products they have to offer. I would recommend visiting the new Inglot store and trying out some of their make-up products. My personal favourites are their eye products, I would definitely recommend their eyeshadows for their pigment and colour variety.

Image: @inglot_cosmetics

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@CourierBeauty thecourieronline.co.uk/beauty

Monday 13 November 2017

Winter skin saviours

As the temperature drops and Christmas excitement kicks in, Jaymelouise Hudspith talks us through her top tips for keeping our delicate complexions protected against the cold

he days are getting shorter, it’s getting colder and the air is getting drier. While this is the best season for oversized sweatshirts, hot chocolate and movie nights in bed, this is the worst season for your skin. Although it gives your skin a much-needed break to repair any damage caused by summer, you may have already noticed your skin seems to have lost its glow, and is looking dry or dull.

Image: @zoella

This is when the importance of a good, regular skin care routine becomes more important than ever. A face wipe and a day cream may have done the job over summer but getting your skin to stay hydrated will be more of a challenge as the temperatures continue to plummet. Thankfully, brands recognise your skin care regime needs to change with the seasons, and there are specially designed products to keep you glowing and fresh

all winter long. When your skin feels dry your first instinct may be to exfoliate but this can actually lead to dehydrated skin. Harsh exfoliation strips your skin of its natural oils which causes dry skin and even breakouts. So, cut back to once a week with a softer more sensitive product. My recommendation is The Body Shop’s Aloe Gentle Exfoliator for sensitive skin. Aoe is a winter saviour, not only does it rejuvenate while gently removing impurities, it doubles as a calming agent for delicate skin. Switch to a hydrating cleanser, not only will this improve your dry skin but it will prevent the development of skin conditions such as eczema. Avoid foaming cleansers and instead opt for thicker lotions and oils to help your skin keep the nutrients it needs. Liz Earle Cleans & Polish is available for around £16, its formula enriched with cocoa butter, rosemary, chamomile and eucalyptus will leave your skin comfortable and renewed.

Avoid foaming cleansers and instead opt for thicker lotions and oils to help your skin keep the nutrients it needs

Creams with barrier-repairing ceramides and fatty acids are good at preventing water loss. There are benefits of having a separate day and night cream. Your day cream should prepare your skin for the harsh weather in the day ahead, while your night cream should focus on repairing any damage to your skin. My latest love is Botanics The Power of Plants 81% Organic Hydrating Day cream, a little goes a long way and it’s available for less than £10. My top tip for avoiding dry skin is that bedtime is the best time to lather up on your moisturiser and thoroughly hydrate your skin. You may think facemasks will be the solution to your problems, right? However, they can actually be harmful. Avoid any foam or any harsh ingredients such as charcoal, which may leave your skin vulnerable, and instead use a gentle repairing peel with a mild exfoliation. Chapped lips are a pain none of us need. While products such as Carmex and Vaseline will do the job, investing in the right balm is key. Your lips don’t have the same protective layers as your skin and therefore they are more sensitive to moisture loss. Burts Bees is a personal favourite of mine, they use 100% natural ingredients, and selective balms are included in their ‘bring back the bees’ campaign.

Face serums are one product we should all invest in this season, used at the stage between your cleanser and your moisturiser, the serum creates an extra barrier of skin loving goodness to protect against the cold. These are available to all skin types from as little as £5 from Boots and Superdrug. Invest in a thick and creamy hydrating moisturiser that is rich in nutrients and vitamins.

Image: @burtsbees

You know you’re a beauty addict when... Miranda Stoner, a self-confessed lover of make-up, tells us all about her beauty obsessions and explains how cosmetics and other beauty products help boost her confidence and happiness

ex, drugs, alcohol, make-up - choose your poison. They say that everyone has an Achilles heel, something they can’t live without and are completely dependent on. The time has come for me to confess. My name is Miranda Rose Stoner, I’m 20 years old and I am addicted to beauty products. In every girl’s life, there comes a point where you make the decision - whether conscious or not - if you’re going to be the kind of person who rarely wears make-up, or if you’re the kind who only takes it off in order to get their precious beauty sleep (those skin cells need time to regenerate). Even then, you’re night-time-moisturised face rests on floral scented satin pillowcases, because you read somewhere that they protect your hair from frizz, and the alarm rings half an hour early so there’s enough time to put your face on. You may have already guessed but beauty addicts fall into the second category.

Image: @nyxcosmetics

For a beauty addict the obsession is more than skin-deep - beauty reflects who we are. Wearing make-up is a chance to show the world our artistic skills and personality. Different colours and techniques mean we can be creative with our faces, even if our experiments don’t always work out. Beauty addicts have a very personal connection to their make-up. The excitement of a new favourite product, flourishes into friendship, which develops into total devotion and ends in heartbreak when we hit pan and realise it’s no longer available. After signing six petitions to bring it back, writing a letter to the company, we can finally breathe a sigh of relief when we find it in ‘good condition’ on eBay or we spend hours trawling the internet for a dupe.

For a beauty addict the obsession is more than skin-deep - beauty reflects who we are Beauty addicts, however, are optimistic people, we know that the perfect products are out there and when we find them we aren’t afraid to tell any and everyone who will listen. Nothing compares to the excitement a beauty addict experiences over new product releases. Whilst some may only realise what they’re missing once it’s sold out, a true beauty addict is guaranteed to have seen the product swatched and reviewed on at least four beauty bloggers and will have decided whether to pop their name on the waiting list, all before the product has gone on sale. Of course, as with anything there are some downsides to being a beauty addict. The addiction takes a hold of your free time. A quick look at the browsing history of a beauty addict will reveal

hours spent on pages of reviews, swatches, videos, and of course online shopping outlets. This covers everything from Morphe’s latest palette to the best washing up liquid for sensitive skin.

Image: @nyxcosmetics

As a beauty addict you can also wave goodbye to space on your dressing room table. Old dance trophies are replaced with perfume bottles, a vast array of lipsticks can now be found where your soft toys stood and those library books had to be taken back because you had a stressful day and bought a new moisturiser set and now there’s no space on your desk.

2016

last year cosmetic sales in the UK exceeded a staggering £4 billion

There’s also the financial implications of being a beauty addict. Some weeks we eat spaghetti hoops seven days running for dinner, because we didn’t have enough warning to budget in the Superdrug triple points day. However, overall, I guess I’m proud to say I am a beauty addict. We may be slightly obsessed, but when beauty products can bring so much fun and confidence into your life, why not. You’re worth it.

beauty life & style

What is your make-up made of?

e can all be sceptical when it comes to the ingredients in our beauty products. What is it that can make our skin stay young, and can beauty products really help us keep healthy? Here I will explain a few key ingredients you should be looking for in all your cosmetic products. Omega-3: Up until a few months ago, I had no idea what Omega-3 actually was. Obviously I’d heard of it, it gets marketed up the arse as some kind of wonder chemical that cures heart disease, reverses aging, and brings back 10p Freddos. Moisturisers in particular seemed to tout its restorative properties. I was very sceptical of these claims, so here’s what I’ve dug up on this stuff. First of all, Omega-3 is a catch-all term for a group of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Its name comes from an old biological rule where the first carbon from the end is denoted ω (omega), and the first double bond begins at carbon 3. There’s about ten common Omega-3 molecules, which are found in oily fish and various plant oils. Vegans, and other people avoiding animal products, watch where your Omega-3 comes from. Linseed oil and walnuts are used as sources, but so are fish and chicken products. Not that it really matters. Omega-3 doesn’t really do that much for your skin anyway. Moisturisers use Omega-3 as an anti-aging compound, particularly for preventing the appearance of wrinkles. Slight problem with this; wrinkles are mostly due to protein synthesis, and Omega-3 doesn’t really affect protein synthesis at all. It has some anti-oxidant properties, but then again, most moisturisers have an antioxidant or six in them anyway. It is used by cells to make membranes, but so are hyaluronic acid and glycerol, and these aren’t marketed as wonder fats. Omega-3 does no harm, but if they’re charging you extra for it, then don’t bother.

Moisturisers use Omega-3 as an antiaging compound, particularly for preventing the appearance of wrinkles Antioxidants: OK, I’m not going to bother with the suspense here; antioxidants are pretty useful, in moderation. Too much and you risk hampering your immune system, but you need to consume quite a few for this to be a problem. For the same reason, don’t rub them into an open wound. Antioxidants work by deactivating “reactive oxygen species” (ROS), which are small molecules generated by UV light, the immune system, and (to some extent) most other cells in your body. ROS cause all sorts of damage, especially to DNA and collagen. This is what causes “aging”. At this stage you might be phoning up Welch’s to get a bathtub of antioxidant-full grape juice, so you can wallow in it and stay young forever. Put that phone down. Bathing in the stuff isn’t going to do much more than a surface application. If you get the wrong antioxidant, it might not even do anything at all. Most antioxidants in beauty products do, however, work. Vitamins A, C, and E, as well as epigallocatechin gallate (green tea extract) and anthocyanins (grape extract) are great. Buy them, rub them into your skin, add them to your list of “chemicals I like to hear about”. Some products will advertise superoxide dismutase as an antioxidant; while technically correct, it’s practically useless. Antioxidants do their best work inside a cell, but superoxide dismutase is a big protein that’s just too large to get into your skin cells. If it ends in “-ase”, just stay away. Jack Coles

@CourierBeauty @courier_beauty

@Courier_Travel

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thecourieronline.co.uk/travel Monday 13 November 2017 life & style travel courier.travel@ncl.ac.uk Travel Editors Charlotte Hill & Talia Gillin An ultimate No more funky music speak French guide to This week, Bridie Lonsdale writes about the importance of learning a second language backpacking L

Image-Pixabay

uring my time interrailing this summer, I found there were a few things in my bag that became invaluable. If you’re going travelling, these are the things you do not want to forget!

If you’re hostelling, I’d recommend your own towel- I’ve not heard great things about hiring them from some places. I found a microfibre towel was the best to travel with: unlike a chunky beach towel, it’s ultra light, small, and dries really quickly, so it’s not going to soak everything else in your bag! Check out Amazon for a selection ranging in colour, size and price.

Before heading off on my travels, I got a tip-off to take a shampoo bar, rather than bottles. This turned out to be one of the best pieces of advice I was given! Not only are they better for the environment, they save you a good amount of weight and space .By the time it came to flying home, I had none of mine left. Get one from Lush, Eldon Square- I recommend ‘Jason and the Argon Oil’.

Travelling on your own means there’s inevitably some down time at the end of the day where you have nothing to do. I filled this time by writing in my travel journal. It’s a great way of taking something home from everywhere you visit, without adding loads of extra weight or spending too much money! Collect a few leaflets or postcards and you’ll have memories of everything you did without too much effort.

anguages are a consistent paradox of the common and the discrete. Their ability to open up worldly intricacies, while also isolating them entirely is perhaps what gives them their intimacy and allure. As a French student, like many other bilingual students, I often find myself reaching to the French language for an synonym-whether it be in a thought, a dream, or quite often whilst writing articles. The fluidity and sound of French words allow them to roll off the tongue so gracefully that it seems a gross injustice not to be able to use them. Is it that the French language belongs to a French school of thought that possesses a greater grace in nature? After all, they have set aside words for some of the most intimate aspects of the world around us - for example, la douleur exquisite expresses the heart wrenching pain of unrequited love, whilst flâner means to roam around the streets of Paris rather aimlessly and carefree. It is universally acknowledged that as human beings, we thrive upon understanding and a sense of belonging, whether it be to another person or a community. To attain and express this sense of belonging, many take to artistic expressionwhether it be in physical forms like dance, or in audible outputs such as music. Surely then, language, too, is an art form of the mind that combines both the physical (articulation) and the audible (hearing) to create

a place where we can exist with belonging. We can never be lost for words, because somewhere among the many languages that exist is a phrase or sound that can bring us comfort and reassurance. All our fears stem from ignorance, from a fear of the unknown. The United Kingdom is gifted with a rich variety of culture and diversity, including diversity of language, which takes our communities and injects them with character.

Learning a language is one of the greatest signs of respect you can pay to someone However, this also brings us to an arguably darker side of language- that being its ability to isolate us from one another. In a world that often seems full of suspicion and mistrust, there’s an element of fear created from not being unable to understand what someone else is saying. This misunderstanding becomes a vicious circle that can create prejudice, hate, and that often results in racial discrimination. Our languages shape who we are, but surely sharing our identity and gaining another in return is one of the greatest gifts anyone can give. Alexa Chung’s humourous AG campaign at the

beginning of the year played upon the typical, struggling ‘Brit abroad’, nervously grappling with the language barrier. He portrays an endearing, bumbling and broken French that you can’t help but smile at. Chung’s dry sense of humour played upon the stereotype. It begs the question why many holidaying Brits continue to put us to shame with their ignorance and assumption that everyone speaks, and will speak, English. With a vast array of language learning services available (many of them free) surely there could be no better time to discover a new culture and create a new side to yourself with a foreign language. Besides, let’s not forget the sex appeal that is intrinsically connected to the mystique of foreign languages. Let’s take Love Actually: If Jamie had merely rocked up at the restaurant and proclaimed to Aurelia in English, we wouldn’t have swooned half as much as we did when he confessed his love in broken Portuguese. If that’s not a reason to get on the ol’ Babbel I don’t know what is. By no means is anyone expecting beautiful fluency. Simple phrases are how everyone starts. In its simplest sense, learning a language is one of the greatest signs of respect you can pay to someone; it is a way of showing awareness, consideration, and commitment. It is a means of sharing your identity with someone and gaining many identities in return.

Leslie Deng’s top Tibetan highlights

I kept myself organised with drybags to separate my things. Having a few of these means that you’ll never lose anything in the depths of your bag, as everything can all be split up and made easy to find. It also means that when you’re out in the pouring rain, your stuff is safe- no wet pyjamas at the end of the day after you’ve been trekking through a storm for hours!

A padlock may not set your heart alight with excitiment, but for as little as £2 it can gurantee your belongings are safe and sound when you’re out exploring. As well as locking away your belongings at your hostel, it can also be used to secure your bag to the train or bus while you catch 40 winks. Go for a combination lock so there is no chance of you loosing the key.

Equally, as much as you’d like to imagine you’ll be the first out and last in to the hostel room every night, in all liklihood, after a few weeks on the move you’ll be craving some solid sleep. Pack earplugs and an eyemask to defend yourself from noisy neighbours and allow yourself to catch up on some kip while on rowdy buses and trains.

And finally, that age old freshers essential- a pack of cards. Whilst being small and compact they offer a sure fire way to make friends with fellow travellers- be that over a classic game of snap, or, more likely, ring of fire. Equally you can banish solo boredom via solitaire and learning tricks that will no doubt win you drinks at the bar Rowena Tylden-Pattenson

Words of the Week Czech: Čeština Hello: Ahoj Thank you: Děkuji Please: Prosím Goodbye: Ahoj

Cheap and cheerful: the best of public transport

Amanda Jane Yap proves you don’t need a license to explore new places all over the globe

s much as we hate being wedged against a stranger’s body while taking public transport, sometimes it’s our only choice. And as a tourist, it’s often the most efficient way to travel and save money in a foreign country. Above all, the opportunity to observe your surroundings and immerse yourself in the locals’ way of life is more valuable and a hundred times more interesting than sitting in an overpriced Uber. Here is a list of some efficient and easy transport systems from around the world that are guaranteed not to break your travel budget.

Dubai

covers the whole country, consisting of 5 main coloured lines and 3 sub-lines. If taking the train is not your thing, hop onto one of the buses that would take you on an exploratory journey to the heartlands of Singapore. Don’t worry if you happen to get lost in an unrecognisable part of the heartlands, just take a bus to the nearest MRT station and take the train back to familiar territory!

Prague

As the capital city of the Czech Republic, you would expect the transport system in Prague to be

a convoluted, confusing mess. But surprisingly, a glance at its metro map proved me wrong. There are only 3 metro lines that serve the city: Line A (or the Green Line) runs through the heart of the city, followed by Line B and C which serve the rest of the city centre. Besides the metro, there are trams, trains, the railway and city buses if you intend to travel further to the outskirts. For tourists, there are long-term and short-term tourist passes available. You can choose between a 24-hour or 3 day short-term pass, which can be used on any type of public transportation.

The Dubai Metro operates two lines (Green and Red) which runs underground in the city centre. It is fully automated and the cars on each train are split into classes: gold VIP, gilver and women and children. Dubai also has an extensive network of buses, trams and boats. Recently, the tram service was connected to two stations on the Red Line, increasing the overall efficiency of travel around Dubai.

Singapore

Being geographically compact, it is very easy to get around Singapore. Did you know that it only takes 2 hours to get from the East to the West side of the country? The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT)

Fabio Achilli - Flickr

culture What’s on 19

the courier Monday 13 November 2017

student voice

editor.union@ncl.ac.uk thecourieronline.co.uk Culture Editors Zoë Godden and Errol Kerr Student Voice Editor: Alex Hendley

NSR SHOW OF THE WEEK Errol Kerr’s Rockin’ Chair Saturdays 4pm-5pm

Every Saturday at 4pm Newcastle University Student Council Chair, Errol Kerr, makes his way to his Rockin’ Chair and works his way through a series of news items from around the world, the north-east but most importantly our very own University. Through his unique perspective as an elected part-time officer Errol dissects and discusses the latest news from your student union becoming the only location for a complete rundown on council meetings. He does all this alongside a unique mix of his very own favourite rock and slightly heavier metal tunes. The show forms part of Newcastle Student Radio Saturday afternoon schedule of political talk, discussion and debate.

STU BREW BEER OF THE WEEK A Fresher IPA

Available now, selling fast! A Fresher IPA is a fresh look at an old staple. Just like the new Freshers arrived at Newcastle University, this beer turned up in September, ready to be discovered. We’ve seen what can be brought to the table with a pale ale – citrusy flavours, bright bold colours and hoppy bitter taste with a juicy body. This particular brew is a special collaboration with Grid Brewing and as such goes a little bit above and beyond what you might expect from any other Stu Brew IPA. Instead of being based at 4 or 5% ABV, this heavy-hitter comes in at 7.2%! But this doesn’t make the beer too strong, rather the higher alcohol content makes it taste almost velvety smooth and, when coupled with the insane levels of hoppiness thanks to the Simcoe, Citra, and Mosaic, this beer hits your mouth with the power of a freight train wrapped in candyfloss. The process of dry-hopping after the main brew means that even more tropical flavours are crammed in to every keg. A Fresher IPA is big, bold unsubtle and totally unapologetic about what it offers – but sometimes that’s no bad thing. However, with all the noise this beer is making, it’s selling fast and in limited supply. Catch it while you can in Luther’s. If you are interested in joining or working with Stu Brew; you can reach them at contact@stubrew.com. Being a member of Stu Brew means that you can have a go at brewing any one of the beers mentioned so far, or even try out your own recipes. Join on the NUSU Societies page.

Dan Jordan

POETRY IN ACTION POEM OF THE WEEK We don’t want them because they are black; But we’ll take them because they are black. We don’t want them because they are poor; But we’ll take them because they are poor.” Seemingly Positive discrimination ostracises all Feelings; It’s a perpetuation Of an elitism that is institutionalised, And it will remain that way until society has Opened its’ eyes.

Union University Campaign Society Monday 13 November

10.30am-4pm Trans Awareness: Bake Sale Location: Outside NUSU 11am-3pm S.H.A.G Week: STI Testing Cube Location: Outside NUSU 12pm-1pm, 1pm-2pm Language Taster Sessions Location: Language Resource Centre, OLB

Tuesday 14 November

10am-2pm S.H.A.G Week: Bake Sale Location: Outside NUSU 11am-3pm S.H.A.G Week: STI Testing Cube Location: Outside NUSU 11am-3pm S.H.A.G Week: Advice Stall Location: Outside NUSU 12pm-1pm, 1pm-2pm Language Taster Sessions Location: Language Resource Centre, OLB 5.30pm-7.30pm Language Tandem Night Location: Language Resource Centre, OLB 7.30pm-9pm Trans Awareness: Film Screening ‘Screaming Queens’ Location: History Room, NUSU

Wednesday 15 November

11am-3pm S.H.A.G Week: STI Testing Cube Location: Outside NUSU 12pm-1pm, 1pm-2pm Language Taster Sessions Location: Language Resource Centre, OLB 2.30pm-4.30pm Trans Awareness: Trans 101 Dis-

cussion Location: Etal Room, NUSU 2.45pm-3.45pm S.H.A.G Week: Open Discussion with ‘Relate’ Location: Banburgh Room, NUSU 5pm-7pm Trans Awareness: Trans and Non-Binary Meetup Location: Coffee Trader

ONE WORLD WEEK Monday 13 - Friday 17 November Notice an unusual amount of language based activities in this week’s list? It’s One World Week! Broaden your linguistic and cultural horizons this November

Thursday 16 November

10am-2pm S.H.A.G Week: Uni Boob Team Bake Sale Location: Outside NUSU 11am-3pm S.H.A.G Week: STI Testing Cube Location: Outside NUSU 12pm-1pm, 1pm-2pm Language Taster Sessions Location: Language Resource Centre, OLB 12pm-2pm International Work & Study Event Location: Lindisfarne Room, Hadrian Building 5.30pm Trans Awareness: Guys, Gals and Non-

Binary Pals 6.30pm-9.30pm: Durham Lumiere Meet: Outside Hatton Gallery 8pm-10pm Language Quiz Night Location: Luther’s, NUSU

Friday 17 November

11am-3pm S.H.A.G Week: STI Testing Cube Location: Outside NUSU 12pm-1pm, 1pm-2pm Language Taster Sessions Location: Language Resource Centre, OLB 7.30pm S.H.A.G Week: Night of Controversy Location: Venue, NUSU

Saturday 18 November

8am-9pm GIAG: Edinburgh Christmas Markets Meet: Outside Hatton Gallery 12.30pm-3pm GIAG: Explore Victoria Tunnels Meet: Outside NUSU

Sunday 19 November

1pm Trans Awareness: Trans Day of Rememberance Vigil Location: Outside NUSU 1.30pm-3pm GIAG: Hot Pod Yoga Meet: West Jesmond Metro (Sainbury’s) 1.30pm-4pm Trans Awareness: Self-care Sesh Location: Etal Room, NUSU

Student spotlight S.H.A.G WEEK TRANS AWARENESS WEEK

Events: Monday 13 - Friday 17 November

Events: Monday 13 - Sunday 19 November

NUSU’s Sexual Health and Guidance week was voted as the number one most effective campaign, and it’s back! The week includes STI testing (the club or society with the highest percentage of members tested wins £200!), society takeovers and our finale event ‘Night of Controversy - Reveal your inner animal’. There will be bake sales from Obs and Gynae on Tuesday, and from CoppaFeel!’s Newcastle Uni Boob Team on Thursday. It Happens Here will be hosting a stall offering information on sexual consent and support from 11am on Tuesday. The following day, Relate will be offering an open discussion on consent and boundaries within healthy relationships and sexual activity. The whole week builds up to our final night of quizzes, auctions and fun activities! Dress code: strip down and release your inner animal!

Trans Awareness Week is coming to campus as NUSU puts on a week of money raisers, discussions and studenthelp sessions. A bake sale in aid of Action for Trans Health kicks off the week, raising money for disadvantaged trans people, before we invite you to Tuesday night’s film screening of ‘Screaming Queens’.

Wednesday afternoon begins with a Trans 101 discussion, led by James, Trans rep for the LGBT+ society. Leading on from this chat, we have a Trans and NonBinary meetup at Coffee Trader. Thursday evening features Guys, Gals and Non-Binary pals - a relaxed, nondrinking social with the LGBT+ and Feminist Societies. The week ends with a vigil to remember trans people who have lost their lives, and a self-care sesh in the union.

culture music

c2.music@ncl.ac.uk Music Editors Toby Bryant, Charlie Isaac & Ally Wilson

the courier

Monday 13 November 2017

The Country Music Show with Harry Parsons

When?: Fridays, 12-1 pm Presenter: Harry Parsons What is the show?: Country music is a genre that is colossal in the United States but is barely even mentioned here in the UK. Over the course of an hour hear me play some of the freshest songs in the genre as well as some true classics. Who would enjoy the show?: Every single person who says they are a fan of music. If you’ve spent your time listening to new music this week I can guarantee there is a country song that you’d actually (maybe secretly) enjoy. The vast array of country artists today means there are so many different types and forms of country music that no matter who you are, there’s a country music artist somewhere that you’ll love. My job is to find that one for you. Likely to hear: Sam Hunt - ‘House Party’, Dylan Scott - ‘My Girl’, Kelssi Ballerini - ‘XO’.

Lost In Liberty When?: Mondays, 7-8 pm

DeLorean Discs

When?: Tuesdays, from 6-7pm Presenter: Liv Cowle What is the show?: An hour of 80s music, often with a theme (genre etc). Hear me talk through the artists and influences on the tracks. Who would enjoy the show?: Anyone that likes 80s music or who has knowledge of the era would enjoy. I’ve heard it’s particularly popular with parents! Likely to hear: The Police, Genesis, Whitney Houston, Simple Minds, Queen.

Presenter: La Do What is the show?: A specialist evening show with mixes and words from the Lost In Liberty deejays and highly acclaimed guests. Who would enjoy the show?: The music is picked from a wide palette so has the capability to draw in punks, goths, hippies, ghouls. All subcultures that even go a fraction deeper than the surface have something to relate to

in Lost In Liberty. Likely to hear: Expect records ranging from gritty techno to wailing dub to hidden jazz.

Newcastle Student Radio

Keep in touch with NSR: nsrlive.co.uk/listenin @NSRlive The Breakdown

Jazz & Co.

When?: Fridays, 6-7pm Presenters: Toby Bryant and Harriet Cotton What is the show?: Each week we talk through a different ‘mainstream’ album in detail. The idea is to show that not all pop music is awful and soulless in discussing the artist, producers, playing interview snippets and breaking each track down so it is more than just a song you hear on the radio. So far this year we’ve ‘broken-down’ the likes of Kesha’s Rainbow, Sam Smith’s The Thrill of It All and Bleachers’ Gone Now. Who would enjoy the show?: Absolutely everyone. If you love the music you hear on the radio everyday this is a chance to really find out about the work behind it. If you hate it, hopefully we can open your eyes to the good, honest, music that is in the charts today. Likely to hear: Melodrama - Lorde, This Unruly Mess I’ve Made - Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, Opposites - Biffy Clyro.

When?: Sundays, 6-7pm Presenter: Charlie Gordon What is the show?: Jazz & Co. is all kinds of jazz music ranging from New Orleans dixieland to modern electronic jazz sampled tunes and everything inbetween. This includes genres such as bossa-nova, Motown, soul, gypsy jazz and funk to name a few. Who would enjoy the show?: The show is for those jazz lovers who want to find and enjoy new songs and styles but also for people who just want to switch off and take it easy on a Sunday evening. Tune in on a Sunday evening and enjoy a relaxing and different sound to the ones you might have been listening to the other 6 days of the week! Likely to hear: Chet Baker, Stan Getz, Oscar Peterson and Louis Armstrong. Motown classics from the likes of Al Green and Otis and some more obscure songs from some less well known musicians.

Music Variety Show

When?: Saturdays, 7-8pm Presenter: Joey Abels What is the show?: It’s a real variety of music, all sorts of genres from around the world. Some songs written in this year and some written centuries ago. I take requests; any song that people mention throughout the week on social media I will listen to and pick my favourites. The basic structure is a certain type of song at different times, i.e. the second song is always a story, the third song is always upbeat and the last song always has a moral point. Who would enjoy the show?: Best suited for someone who is open to something a bit different. Also a good listen for people who like lyrics or want to write lyrics because I play a lot of great songwriters. Likely to hear: ‘Everlasting Shining Peace of Mind’ by The Gutter Brothers (a skiffle song by an early 90’s pub band), ‘Star of the County Down’ (a late 19th century traditional Irish folk ballad), or ‘Redbone’ by Childish Gambino (released 2016 by Troy from Community).

the courier

Monday 13 November 2017

Screaming Above New Sounds Stereophonics

ith a career spanning two decades and nine studio albums, it would be easy for Welsh veteran indie rockers Stereophonics to stick to the same formula that produced classics such as ‘Dakota’, ‘Local Boy In The Photograph’, ‘Maybe Tomorrow’ and ‘A Thousand Trees’, to name just a few. However, in a bold and innovative move, their latest album Scream Above The Sounds is a conscious effort to move away from familiarity and venture into a more diverse sound. Such a move must be commended at this stage in the band’s career, and the result is an album that proves that Stereophonics still have something in the tank. ‘All In One Night’ was picked as the first single off the album, presumably as a way to gently ease the ears of existing fans into the new sound. The use of electronic instrumentation, both through the introduction of a drum pad and synthesiser, creates an intriguing atmospheric layer that compliments the free verse construction and haunting vocals of the song effectively. Here, lead singer Kelly Jones demonstrates a tremendous grasp on the craft of songwriting, straying

When I Was Young

MØ

To... Gothic Americana

from the standard methods of pop construction yet still creating a catchy and free flowing melody; this becomes even more apparent when listening to the acoustic version of the track on the deluxe edition of the album. What the first single lacked in commercial viability (a characteristic vital to the success of the arena rock four piece), the albums second single ‘Caught by the Wind’ more than makes up for. Though lyrically generic and musically unambitious, the album opener features what Stereophonics do best; sing along choruses and baiting melodic hooks. This is shadowed in the following track, ‘Taken A Tumble’ which, despite boasting an ear-raising crunch guitar rhythm, doesn’t quite manage to salvage the lyrical shallowness of the chorus, where we find Jones exclaiming, “I’ve fallen / I’ve taken a tumble / I’m falling head over heels for you”. The album becomes more experimental at the third track, ‘What’s All The Fuss About?’, with the layering of electronic synthesiser and solo trumpet creating an interesting mix that will no doubt prove to be immensely indulging in a live environm e nt . Though this sound is new to Stere ophonics, they are hardly breaking new ground;

Island @ Editor’s Picks E Thinktank

ach week, The Courier’s Music Editors are working with Newcastle Student Radio to bring you the best new tracks from the week before...

While the nostalgic sense of “When I Was Young’ matches the lyrical solemnity of ‘Roots’, the rhythm and her voice resound in the same bouncy way it did in her collaboration with Major Lazer. The catchy and excited thrust of her song reminds us why MØ holds a respected position in the world of pop music. Equally ‘Bb’ boasts the same fun and synthesised harmony that makes MØ’s music enjoyable. The EP concludes with ‘Run Away’, a smooth, cool song in nature and though not particularly affecting, it is nevertheless a satisfying end. When I Was Young is not overtly ground-breaking, neither is it entirely memorable but it is, at the very least, an enjoyable listen that promises good things to come from future releases. Rory Ellis

They walk on stage to a short instrumental teaser track from their new album which gets released in April next year. Without a hello, they kick-start into a jam and the crowd begins to energetically sway. Lead singer and front man, Rollo Doherty, starts to introduce the band. James Wolfe, is on bass, with some hefty head-banging. Jack Raeder, is on lead guitar, and whilst he is being introduced breaks into an almighty riff to showcase his talent. And lastly, Toby Richards on drums, who throughout the set often uses multiple percussion which thickens the sound. Throughout the set, the band played popular favourites such as the gentle and airy ‘Come With Me’ and slightly dramatic ‘Girl’, to which some of the crowd earnestly sing along to the lyrics in pure admiration. Personal favourite, ‘Dreaming Of ’ was emotional and nostalgic with its high-pitched lead guitar similar to The XX, but with the indie-rock twist guaranteed to bring you right back to being 15. Although at the beginning of their career, Island has already gained a following and have even sold out venues this early on. There’s a lot of promise for this band, as they provide both easy listening and more lairy numbers. Despite the issue that indie’s hey-dey might arguably been and gone, Island have found a small, comfortable Phoebe Griffiths spot for themselves in 2017.

ondon based band, Island, make Newcastle their second stop on their first ever headline tour. Reminding us all that four-piece indie bands might still have a place in 2017.

by Jess Weisser

o you want to lose yourself in tales of debauchery and murder, backed by lamenting fiddles and sung by the rawest of voices? Gothic Americana might be the genre for you.

Jones’ falsetto and vocal melody has been ripped almost straight from a Muse song. Nonetheless, they continue to experiment with this sound throughout the record with some success. The stand out track on the album is undoubtedly ‘Before Anyone Knew Our Name’. The song - a heart wrenching tribute to recently deceased former drummer Stuart Cable - features Kelly Jones’ piercing vocals accompanied only by piano. It is music in its purest form; breath-taking talent and raw emotion. Though this ambitious walk down a new avenue isn’t a failure, Stereophonics may have to consult their map to return to their full capability. Whilst the commercial arena rock melodies nicely juxtapose the more ambitious numbers, the album misses that big crowd pleaser Stereophonics have proven themselves to be capable of. Scream Above The Sounds is certainly a musically exciting album, and one that serves to remind us that the four piece aren’t done yet, however it falls just short of the mark of what had the potential to be a forceful addition to an extensively good repertoire. Danny Aspinall Image: Black Arts PR

The boundaries of her music are varied and far-reaching

music culture

A Love Letter

Ø’s EP; a six song treat in the in the form of Scandipop. Levelling with the same mature sound of No Mythologies to follow, MØ’s new EP leaves us with a similar taste of the playful but icy synth that characterised her debut album. The opening song ‘Roots’ is exactly that, a distant sounding track that combines pop with elements of her Punk background. Despite more recent hits like ‘Lean On’ and ‘Final Song’ showing a more generic aspect of her work in pop, the sombre and hymn-like nature of this opening song reminds us that the boundaries of her music are varied and far reaching. ‘Roots’ and ‘Turn my Heart to Stone’ may not be the stars of this EP, but the darker undertones that come with the intermittent use of an organ and a weighty saxophone are essential.

@CourierMusic thecourieronline.co.uk/music

‘Dirty Sexy Money’ David Guetta feat. Charlie XCX & French Montana I have a lot of love for Charli XCX and her feature on David Guetta’s new track is so, so sweet. This couldn’t be more mainstream club sounding but you’d be lying if you said it didn’t want to make you go out. Toby Bryant, The Courier ‘Cruel’ Kelly Clarkson It would appear Kelly Clarkson has abandoned the pop rock anthems of her previous albums and has now gone for a classier 50s soul vibe in her song-writing. With a voice like hers, she can make anything sound amazing. Ally Wilson, The Courier ‘Neighbourhood Watch’ Ho99o9 Experimental hip-hop with a punk attitude à la Death Grips, duo Ho99o9 dropped this hard-hitting track, exploring the all-too-real urban horrors of racial tension and gang violence in the US. Charlie Isaac, The Courier ‘So Damn Good’ Aleem After getting the absolute privilege to interview Aleem and hear an acoustic set of this song on its release day, I instantly fell in love! The song perfectly depicts those relationships that you know are so toxic, but you can’t help yourself from running back. Meg Smith, NSR ‘Push Button Age’ Sugarmen When I saw the Sugarmen live at SoundCity 2016, I was instantly a fan of their music and was excited to see what they were going to do next. ‘Push Button Age’ puts a modern twist on the post punk sound of the 70s. Amy Woods, NSR Hear the Editors’ Picks first, as well as all the latest music news, reviews and gossip on NSR’s Music Show, Wednesdays at 4pm.

Image: Wikimedia Commons

Typical artists blend alternative country with such genres as post-punk, dark cabaret and alternative rock, and their brews of traditional instrumentation and doomy new composition are a dismal delight. Some of the most obvious influencers of the genre are Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Tom Waits, and Ennio Morricone, and while all three are pretty much impossible to surpass, there are some gems of artists who’ve gotten pretty close. 16 Horsepower is one particularly outstanding example; their riffs are dissonant and nihilistic (reminiscent of the aforementioned Cave, or Siouxsie and the Banshees), while their instrumentation leans more towards conventions of American roots. They’re critically acclaimed for a reason, and are regularly considered one of the driving forces in the genre’s growth.

Brimming with the violence of a spaghetti western Reverend Glasseye is another to check out; his patchy, disordered vocals make a perfect foreground to the thrum of percussion and cabaret violins. Ghoultown is one of the cheesier acts in the Gothic Americana canon, but their album Bury Them Deep is a gothabilly nightmare, their music brimming with the violence of the spaghetti western. Alternatively, there’s Murder By Death, who provide a slightly more understated, indie-rock infused edition of the same fare.

A good entry point for anyone who thinks they hate country A more recent contributor to the genre is the theatrical American Murder Song, the new project of Terrance Zdunich (also known as the man behind the divisive Repo! The Genetic Opera). Their folksy murder ballads are chilling – if as campy as Zdunich’s musicals – and their revolving door of vocalists a welcome change in a genre that can sometimes put too much stake in the authenticity of the singer and their pain. As well as providing a fabulous atmosphere, Gothic Americana is a good entry point for anyone who thinks they hate country -- as it was for me personally. The ‘country’ part of the genre is rooted more in classic country; meanwhile the comparative accessibility of gothic rock is a superb foundation for a new listener.

Newcastle Student Radio: nsrlive.co.uk @NSRlive

culture TV

the courier

c2.tv@ncl.ac.uk TV Editors Jacob Clarke, Joel Leaver & Alex Moore

Monday 13 November 2017

The Apprentice: Interview with Ncl’s Joanna

Laura Bolden caught up with candidate Joanna Jarjue, who graduated from our own Newcastle University way back in 2015

Im ag

e: @

an n

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he 13th series of The Apprentice kicked off last month with a new cast of egocentric, strong minded candidates all hoping to become business partners with Lord Sugar. From event planning to retail pitches, this year’s series has been filled with unforgettable moments such as Mathematician Jeff ’s business break-dance to Harrison’s rendition of Frank Sinatra’s ‘My Way’. One of the candidates fighting for Lord Sugars investment is Joanne Jarjue, a Newcastle University Alumni who graduated with a politics degree in 2015. The twenty-three-year-old is the youngest contestant this series and in a recent episode led her team to victory following a fast-paced purchasing and negotiation challenge. We caught up with Joanne to discuss everything from her time at university to the pressures and nerves of the infamous boardroom: How do you think studying at Newcastle University prepared you for the real world once you had graduated? I think as a student it was my first time moving away from home so it was obviously being thrown into the deep end and my first big reallife challenge. But I think Newcastle University is quite good at preparing students; I do think there is a good kind of community spirit within the uni and with me studying politics as well the school is quite small so I think that there is a community there as well. I think it is more the atmosphere and the aura that you get when you go into the uni, with so many kind of historical aspects to it it’s just a bit more of a homely uni I think compared to others which is one of the reasons I picked it after doing the tour there. You studied Politics at University, what inspired your move into the business sector? I think it was more just because of my own personality, so politics you know I

was interested in because of different aspects of my personality and different things I was interested in in terms of international relations, but in terms of when I started thinking about a day to day job I kind of saw myself more in a corporate environment.

If you focus too much on the present you end up letting your own thoughts overpower everything The business idea that I actually brought forward to pitch to Lord Sugar actually came to me in the middle of second year and at that point I knew I was going to do it eventually but obviously because I was so young I kind of thought maybe I will do it when I am about 25. I remember going to some events in the King’s Gate building about setting up a business and I went to Innovation Elevator, an entrepreneur hub kind of thing. I went there and I was considering doing that because I know the uni has got some spaces somewhere upstairs in the building where you have little booths to work from so I considered all of that. I also even looked into a Dragon’s Den style competition in the business school, like a mini one, so I was really kind of heavily considering it while I was at uni. I was considering all the things that Newcastle uni had on the table to support people like me who want to start a business as well but I just thought I would leave it a couple of years to kind of work first and then do it.

You’re the youngest candidate in this series, do you believe that worked to your advantage? I wouldn’t say that being the youngest candidate worked to my advantage at all. I think particularly in the first couple weeks I really had to kind of battle to get my point across or even be heard. I think from the get-go when you come and have only been a graduate for two years and you haven’t run a business before, I think it takes a while kind of somehow find your place within the process and I guess gain that respect so it definitely did not help me in that sense, but I always tried to stay resilient. Obviously, you can’t say much but how was your overall experience on the show? It was tough, I had some good points and I had some bad points, personally on tasks as well as in the house because it is one of those things where you’re never gonna really enjoy it fully and all the way through because you are thrust into a little bubble away from everything and it is so pressurized. But overall I probably would say that I enjoyed it, yeah.

FROM BEAUTY TO BUSINESSS As well as her achievements in Newcastle and on The Apprentice, Joanna is also qualified in Bristish Sign Language levels one and two and was runner-up Miss Leeds 2012.

Image: @joanna_jarjue

What advice do you have for any students just starting Newcastle university? I would say, particularly if you don’t know what you want to do, just thrust yourself into little things. One thing that I realized more once I graduated is the importance of going to events and networking. If you don’t know what you want to do but you’re interested in certain industries, just jump on Eventbrite; there might be something where someone might be doing a talk on it which

is just one hour of your life. Your friends might be willing to do that with you, even if you set yourself ‘OK once a month I’m going to try and go to an event’ you don’t know when you’re going to meet your next mentor or when you’re going to hear someone speak or find out more about a different industry and actually kind of fall in love with it.

The business idea actually came to me in the middle of second year I think it is best to slowly get yourself into it and find out what you want to do because I was really panicked when I first came out of uni and like most people I thought ‘oh if I don’t get a graduate scheme I don’t know what I am going to do’ so start looking at different things in your own time but maybe make it fun and attend some events and some talks. How do you think it is best to deal with nerves, whether it’s in the boardroom or in an exam? I think the best way for me has been to just remember either the reason that you started in the first place or what the end goal is. I think if you focus too much on the present you end up kind of sucked into that situation then you end up letting your own thoughts overpower everything. If you focus on whatever is important to you, whether it was the courage to get started in the first place or to even go to uni, or whether it is that end goal in terms of your job, I think whatever that is spurs you on and reminds you of your intentions. Focus on that and I think it kind of helps to relieve the pressure. Visit www.joannajarjue.com for more details on Joanna’s time on the show, her fashion looks and detailed personal accounts of each episode.

The worst TV characters ever? Gone but still not forgotten

Beth Chrisp slates her least favourite characters in television Ross Geller (Friends) Come on, guys. We all know that Ross is kind of an ass-hat right? He’s uptight, rude and jealous. Rachel deserved better than that, I still can’t believe she got off the plane for him – but it has been like, 20 years…The episode that sticks most in my mind however is the one where Ross’s son Ben turns up with a Barbie (his new favourite toy) and Ross flips out. Mate, it’s a Barbie, calm yourself! (The amount of gay fear jokes have really prematurely aged the show.) He’s not funny, he’s unlikable and he’s kind of a stalker. Case Closed.

Image: Peter Pham (flickr)

Nancy (Peep Show) Urgh. Nancy. I’ll start by saying that Peep Show is one of my all-time favourite shows and I understand the point of Peep Show is that the characters are unlikable but Nancy is a bridge too far. Jez and Mark are hopelessly, endearingly flawed but I can’t fathom Jez’s obsession with Nancy at all. She’s so awful that I actively skip the series she appears in when I rewatch and that makes me a little bit sad.

Gay fear jokes have really prematurely aged the show Andrea (The Walking Dead) Oh, she’s just the worst. She makes terrible decisions, she’s preachy and has truly awful taste in men. (Hello, Shane and Governor). Add to this the fact that she treats Dale pretty abominably and he’s

Lucy Lillystone proposes �ive shows that deserve a comeback

the only one that seems to have any time for her. When Michonne laments that she misses Andrea, I remember simply thinking … why? Dull, dull, dull. Marnie Michaels (Girls) I wrestled with this choice because Allison Williams does a great job with the odious task of portraying Marnie and the character rings true … for the first series or so. Marnie doesn’t grow or evolve at all. Even Hannah becomes less self-involved by the end. If anything, Marnie gets worse. By the end of the series she is a selfish, uptight robot. She shows little empathy for anyone and her motivations are baffling. What’s even more baffling is why anyone would be friends with her in the first place. The softer and more vulnerable side of Marnie completely disappears by Season Two and any believability with it.

Image: HBO

James Hurley (Twin Peaks) This was a hard one. I worship Twin Peaks. But this guy, am I right? He is the dullest of the dull. What was Laura Palmer thinking?! The sheer effort that is placed into portraying James as cool and brooding is tedious and ineffective. Don’t even get me started on the song… I thought it couldn’t get any worse than those yawn-heavy angst filled episodes that focus almost solely on James after he leaves town, but it did. *Spoilers ahead for the latest series*. Not only does he appear in the new series but he sings THE SONG! Get on your bike and leave, James. Just go. Please.

he feeling of nostalgia is one of prevalence when it comes to television recently, especially with the revival of shows like X-Files. At times like these, it makes me question: what shows would I bring back if I had the power? Here’s my top 5: Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997-2003) If you haven’t watch this, then what are you even doing with your life? Buffy the Vampire Slayer was one of the best shows on TV, presenting its audience with a mix of drama, romance, comedy and action. It depicted plots that we could NOT stop watching. “One more episode and then I’ll go to bed?” Yeah, not with Buffy. I genuinely cared about these characters with my entire being and if I got the chance to see them on screen again, it would be a dream come true. Agent Carter (2015-2016) Although it hasn’t been off our screens for long, Marvel’s Agent Peggy Carter has made a huge impression on viewers that we just cannot forget her. While the Marvel Cinematic Universe still has to wait until 2019 till we get our first female solo film, Agent Carter was out there already providing us with a hell of a lot of good content with a badass woman throwing some moves. It was a show that got you pumped and with it ending on a cliff hanger, it more than deserves a comeback. In The Flesh (2013-2014) A drama based on tasteful zombies with LGBT+ representation, In The Flesh got cancelled to the mass disappointment of the entire fanbase who

Image: Anna (flickr)

are still tweeting #saveintheflesh years later. With action packed scenes, characters and plot lines that will probably make you cry, this show is the definition of addicting. Similarly to Agent Carter, In The Flesh ended on a cliffhanger that had all fans just WANTING more and with Dominic Mitchell having a new season ready to go, there really is no reason to not bring this show back. Sense8 (2015-2017) A more recent addition to television, Sense8 is full of diversity, heart-wrenching characters that you cannot help but invest your time into and good plotlines. This show was the talk of social media when it first came out. In fact, it probably still is and when Netflix cancelled it, Twitter literally went into uproar (I’m pretty sure there were even multiple petitions!). This show meant a lot to viewers with what it depicted and because of that, it deserves another season, in fact another 10 seasons. Skins (2007-2013) How do I describe Skins? A show encapsulated by its comedy, sexual themes and teenage drama, it was the talk of every viewer during its time on air. With each new generation, we got new plotlines, new characters that we couldn’t help but fall in love with. Don’t pretend you didn’t cry at least once. We all did and because of that, Skins deserves the biggest comeback.

@thecouriertv @Courier_TV

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Monday 13 November 2017

Let’s be Frank: Kevin Spacey has got to go

Harriet Middlewood weighs in on Spacey’s behaviour and its implications for House of Cards

here was bad news for House of Cards fans last Monday when Netflix announced it was going to cancel the political thriller at the end of season 6, which was due in 2018. Production has currently been suspended, and it seems unclear as to when it will resume. This came as a response to an allegation that the show’s lead actor Kevin Spacey (Frank Underwood) sexually assaulted a 14-year-old boy, Antony Rapp in 1986, although Netflix says that the decision was taken before the news emerged. On their Twitter account Netflix posted “Production on the final season of House of Cards is suspended until further notice. This will give us time to review the current situation with our producing partners. Execs are on set this week discussing with our cast and crew. More details to come”.

news site CNN reported that 8 people who worked on the show told them that the presence of Spacey made for a ‘toxic’ work environment, as he behaved in a “predatory manner” on set. This implies that season filming will eventually continue and it will air as planned, although as of yet they have not announced when.

Spacey made for a ‘toxic’ work environment However, on Friday (3rd November), Netflix further announced that it “will not be involved with any further production of House of Cards that includes Kevin Spacey”, thereby dropping him from the show. This follows further accusations from some House of Cards employees. The American

Image: Marcos Gasparutti (flickr)

Frank was last seen at the end of season 5 resigning from his presidency, so it seems like a natural step to carry on without him and have his char-

Review

Stranger Things: Season II

acter written out. Furthermore, in the book which inspired the series the character of Frank dies. If he was written out in this way it would certainly make the series more faithful to its source material, although it may not tie up any loose ends about Frank that were left at the end of Season 5. The announcement raises questions as to who could replace him as the shows lead. Social media seemed to suggest that Claire (Frank’s wife) becoming the main protagonist is a popular option amongst fans. This seems to be a good idea, given her rise to the president’s office at the end of season 5. Whoever replaces him, at least fans will be able to say a proper goodbye to the show which was one of Netflix’s first original dramas. This news follows the recent Harvey Weinstein scandal which engulfed Hollywood last month after he was accused of sexually assaulting over 70 women during his career. This has encouraged more women to come forward and share their stories of sexual assault and harassment involving some of Hollywood’s high-profile stars. Netflix are surely taking the right step in halting production and removing Spacey from the series, showing that this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated in the industry. Hopefully this sets the precedent for other shows which may be affected by actors who have behaved unacceptably.

Throwback: The League of Gentlemen

BITTER

ABC’s Once Upon a Time seems to be the kind of show where once you’re invested, you can’t get out, regardless of how poor the writing gets at times. Which it does. The directors have a serial problem of breezing through interesting storylines all too quickly, meaning that you never get satisfying character or story development. And on a similar note, they will frequently disregard their own plots and character growth with unrealistic resolutions and undying characters. When writers continually kill off characters only to bring them back two episodes later, their deaths have no meaning in terms of suspense or audience involvement. Oh look at that, Captain Hook is dead again. Doesn’t matter though does it, he’ll be back this time next week. Why do I bother. The writers also fall into the trap of having interesting side characters that get little screen time, in favour of showing Snow White and Prince Charming’s bland vanilla relationship over and over again. Frankly their sickly sweet oversaturated screen time is enough to make me understand why the Evil Queen curses them in the first place. From a production point of view, the special effects (particularly in the earlier seasons) are awkward at best, and cringey at worst. The downside to filming the series on a budget is that apparently the writers seem to think that castle’s don’t exist, and instead create entire rooms of green screen that look about as fake as Henry Mills’ acting.

While True Love can be platonic or romantic, the romantic elements of the show are a dominant factor

A Image: YouTube

tranger Things, when it debuted on Netflix last year, became an instant classic. It’s easy to see why – the first season was quirky, nostalgic, well-acted, and, quite frankly, scary. There are some visuals that are difficult to forget – including the iconic scene which spawned the hashtag #JusticeForBarb (lest we forget). When a first season is so iconic, it can be difficult for its successor to match its standards. However, Stranger Things II more than measures up – it’s bigger, darker, scarier, and just as funny; all the while, it develops its central characters beautifully, alongside introducing new ones. After an ostensibly normal opening, it’s not long before the incredibly intricate plot unfolds and Hawkins, Indiana, is launched back into its microcosm of hell. The Upside Down is once again leaking into the regular world – the visions that Will experiences, which are initially put down to PTSD, are shown to be far more nefarious than that; and an initially ‘cute’ (if it can be called that) creature that Dustin finds quickly grows into a monstrous being.

15.8m

The number of viewers who tuned in to the season two premiere.

Like Dustin’s pet, things spiral out of control – Will is physically there, but is mentally split between this world and the other; and the Hawkins lab, at once seemingly in control of the Upside Down, seems to maintain a tenuous grasp on keeping the two worlds separate. A Doomsdaytype scenario looms on the horizon, and it’s up to the previous reluctant heroes to save the world. There are so many merits to the show. The

throwbacks to the 80s are perfect – there’s the notso-casual ‘Ghostbusters’ reference, as well as many references to Stephen King’s work. The direction remains as sleek as ever, showing the stark difference between the light and comforting human world, and the cold and oppressive Upside Down. Everything about the Upside Down is designed to be threatening, and the visual effects portray this perfectly. Furthermore, the pacing is perfect – it never bombards the audience with too much of anything, and thus is never a victim to its own eccentricity. It manages to balance juxtaposing emotions without lessening any intended impact – scenes are often both heartwrenching and jocular. It’s easy to see, therefore, that underneath all of the stunning visual effects and the lure of insanely popular genre-conventions lies the true heart of the show, what makes it truly great – the exploration of the resilience of the human spirit. This season explores trauma in far more depth than it did previously; although a lot of the focus is on the emotional strain that the Byers family is under, no character is exempt from the events they all experienced the previous year. Even newcomers Max and Billy have their own burdens, which are explored as they are introduced into the central story. Eleven, a fan-favourite from last year, explores a range of emotion, from rage, to longing, to hope. The performances from the cast are all truly superb, with the young actors carrying the emotional weight between them effectively. Essentially, Stranger Things II is a must-watch. It carries on from its predecessor so brilliantly – and the premise of a third series is also exciting to ponder. It’s unfortunate that we have to wait a year for it… Emma Brady

Image: norbet1 (flickr)

I was introduced to the dark world of L.O.G at about ten years old. The music starts and we follow a hiker into The Local Shop, Steve Pemberton peers from behind the door made up as a hideous, humpback crone. Within minutes this opening scene descends into kidnapping, a terrorising tirade and pitch-black-joke after joke. The tone of the entire show was set. It was grotesque, funny and genuinely scary. I loved it.

It is a truly faithful - if over the top - tribute to all things weird and Northern It is a unique, perverse slice of comedy gold. Tailored to a very specific sensibility. If you love your humour dark and your horror unsettling, this is the show for you. So, why don’t you get the train to the end of the line, disembark at Royston Vasey, jump in Bab’s cab and book in at The Windermere. Grab some special stuff from Hilary Briss and swing by the pub for three bluebirds with Geoff, Mike and Brian. A word of warning to all tourists however, you might want to give infamous tour guide Herr Lipp a wide berth and maybe avoid The Local Shop, too. Have fun, but remember once you’re there, you’ll never leave.

TV culture

Amy Gildert’s Bitter/Sweet: Once Upon a Time

With three anniversary episodes in the works, Beth Chrisp revists this classic

s we await the new series of League of Gentlemen with baited breath there’s no better time to revisit the twisted world of Royston Vasey. It is a truly faithful - if over the top - tribute to all things weird and Northern. I grew up in a small mining village in Northumberland and I had never seen anything resembling my world on the television that wasn’t a ‘Kitchen Sink’ drama until I first set foot on the foreboding moors above Royston Vasey.

SWEET

As a confused, twenty something millennial, I am always looking for ways to hang on to my childhood, and Once Upon a Time serves as a perfect way to do that once a week. Based on the classic Disney stories, Once Upon a Time reimagines the characters we know so well in a modern world. This really is an interesting concept that puts a completely different spin on fairytales whilst still maintaining the comforting feeling that is reminiscent of watching your favourite Disney movie. Regina/The Evil Queen’s character development is really an outstanding aspect of the show, and progresses in a natural and enjoyable way. The writers develop her character from a stone cold queen to one of the most interesting and complex ‘good’ characters in the entire show. Like any good fairytale, the concept of True Love plays a big part of Once Upon A Time. There is something comforting about the idea of unconditional love that can save you from even the most dire of situations. Regardless of whether this is realistic or not, this concept remains the core of the show, and in my opinion, is one of its best features. While True Love can be platonic or romantic, the romantic elements of the show are a dominant factor. I’m a sucker for a mutual pining trope, and the slow burn between Emma Swan and Captain Hook is perfectly executed. If you’re looking for some romance in a television show, Once Upon a Time could be the perfect choice.

VERDICT

Ultimately, Once Upon a Time isn’t for everyone. It’s flawed and sometimes outright cringey, but when it gets its storytelling right, it does a fantastic job of bringing Disney to life in a modern way.

Image: YouTube

culture film

c2.film@ncl.ac.uk Film Editors Helena Buchanan, Dan Haygarth & Christopher Wilkinson

Golden Oldies Night of the Hunter (1955)

ould you like me to tell you the story of the right hand and the left? The story of good and evil? With one hand inscribed hate, the other love, Reverend Harry Powell stood to become one of the most iconic villains in cinematic history - but it was only years after the initial release of Night of the Hunter that Robert Mitchum’s diabolical killer truly imprinted on the history of cinema. The story of Charles Laughton’s noir masterpiece is the definition of golden both on and off the screen. Directed by an actor and based on a book which itself was inspired by the murders of two widows and three children in West Virginia, Night of the Hunter was bathed in controversy from its point of inception. Robert Mitchum pushed hard for the part of the killer preacher but only got the role when Gary Cooper passed on the lead citing the film as being ‘dangerous’ to his career. The film would merge Southern Gothic with German Expressionism to create a haunting portrait of life in the dustbowl. Beyond the visual poetry and gritty story is a heart of darkness which inspired filmmakers, if not audiences, from the moment it was released.

A merge of Southern Gothic and German Expressionism A success only in retrospect, Night of the Hunter flopped upon initial release both commercially and critically. Telling the story of killer Harry Powell who pursues two children along the Ohio River, the film’s gothic stylings and dark storytelling found no connection with audiences of the time. Whilst the careers of stars Bob Mitchum and Shelley Winters would survive, Director Charles Laughton would never step behind the camera again. The film was lost to the wilderness until a resurrection by Martin Scorsese who mined it heavily for his remake of Cape Fear in 1991. Night of the Hunter was selected for preservation by the United States Library of Congress National Film Register a year later, and is now considered a masterpiece in the history of American cinema. In 2008, Cahiers du cinéma placed the film second only to Citizen Kane in a list of the greatest films of all time. A brilliant piece of cinema, Night of the Hunter has grown from an overlooked masterpiece to an institution of filmmaking, with an influence that can be seen in the work of a who’s who of contemporary masters. Truly a golden oldie.

the courier Monday 13 November 2017

No space for Spacey: more sexual allegations

Chris Wilkinson looks at the allegations made against Kevin Spacey in the past week. Is there anyone in Hollywood who has been neither victim nor perpetrator of sexual harrassment?

ithin the past week, British police have opened investigation into the sexual misconduct of Kevin Spacey. Once deemed one of the most respectable and composed of contemporary actors, the star of House of Cards, The Usual Suspects, American Beauty and L.A Confidential has plummeted, and in the same far-reaching repercussions of the Harvey Weinstein case has been severed from Hollywood. It is interesting, I think, that these allegations have arisen in the first place, related as they are to the perverse idea that Hollywood is an all-powerful behemoth which cannot be contested.

Hollywood is an allpowerful behemoth which cannot be contested But what is more interesting is the way that Kevin Spacey dealt with it, and that is the reason why he has himself eclipsed Harvey Weinstein in the news. His excuse was that he was gay. Well, not explicitly so. But by bringing up his homosexuality even in the slightest response to the allegations, he has conflated the two topics to the point of no return, and has completely destroyed himself in doing so. Along with a lot of people I asked myself why? Why would that be your go-to response? Of course it has been used to deflect from the abhorrent abuse he has inflicted on others, but why such a deflection? It would be hard to peer into the mind of Kevin Spacey, and in light of this recent news I don’t

think I would like to, but I have a feeling that it is somehow linked to the reception of Actors coming out as gay in the past. For example, when Jodie Foster came out in 2013 she was met with cheers all-round, but she was met with applause because it was a long personal struggle as she was already in her 50s with kids and she didn’t sexually assault a 14 year old boy. But as I mentioned earlier, this whole issue I feel has something to do with the essence of Hollywood itself. The same people accusing Spacey have also said that Hollywood is ‘not a safe environment’, that sexual abuse of young men is ‘rampant’ and

‘pervasive’ among the older, inveterate, male elite.

If it was Kevin Spacey now, who next? The Weinstein allegations don’t seem to be plateauing, and with new allegations come old suggestions – of videos emerging from as early as the 90s of celebrities proving that the whole thing was already an open secret. This is what happens when the dreams of the young are held in the hands of men who are motivated solely by profit. With profit comes power, and with power comes greed and gratification, so when an industry so influential and powerful as Hollywood reveals itself to be led by people such as this we shouldn’t be surprised. In exactly the same way as the BBC did with Jimmy Saville, Hollywood has protected Weinstein in order to prevent its own self-destruction. But now that these kingpins have been undone, I expect in the near future we will hear of many more cases; if it is Kevin Spacey now, who next?

Something like the in-crowd: ensemble casts

Joe Holloran looks at using ensemble casts; is it just another money-grabbing Hollywood ploy?

his month saw the release of a new adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Murder on The Orient Express. With a star-studded cast, including actor-director Kenneth Branagh, Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz and Daisy Ridley, it is a textbook example of an ‘ensemble’ film. But, is having film roles filled by exclusively wellestablished actors always a good thing? There has been a plethora of great ensemble films to hit screens in the last few years, achieving critical, if not commercial, success. 2015’s Spotlight, a film about the investigation into abuses in the Catholic Church, starred many award-winning actors, such as Mark Ruffalo, Stanley Tucci and Rachel McAdams. The casting choices here may have several reasons behind them. It may just be that all these actors wanted a part in the film because they liked the script. Or perhaps the actors and executives knew that as more recognizable faces got behind the project, the more likely it was that the audience would want to go see it and take in the films message.

If that was the case, then Spotlight is a rare example of a Hollywood film using its stars for reasons other than the box-office.

Some are mediocre and forgettable Perhaps, the thinking behind the casting in Murder on the Orient Express was along a similar line. In this case the director and star Kenneth Branagh knew that the story alone may not be enticing enough to draw in a wide audience, the solution being to make sure the marketing focuses heavily on the cast, rather than the plot. Many other great ensemble films have been produced over the decades; Three Kings, The Magnificent Seven, Boogie Nights, Terrance Malik’s excellent The Thin Red Line and the classic 12 Angry Men to name but a few. However, not all ensemble films work out.

Some are mediocre and forgettable, like Spy Kids3 and Battleship. Most however are of a pretty poor quality, whether its placing individual screen time over plot; Movie 43, Zoolander 2 or making the famous interact in a way that feel goofy or forced; Wild Wild West. The worst example of an ensemble film I personally can remember seeing is the catastrophically bad Indiana Jones & The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Here, we have a studio (and a director) who must have realised that the story was poor to begin with, so they thought let’s just throw as many recognizable faces in there as possible to make up for it. Ultimately, ensemble films are judged by the same metrics as any other form of narrative cinema - the quality of the script and the vision of the director. Murder on the Orient Express seems to have both nailed down. A well loved and respected story, and a proven director in Kenneth Branagh. So, if you’re unsure about whether to give it a go just think ‘How often am I going to see Johnny Depp, Josh Gad and Olivia Coleman on screen together?

Callum Costello

Image: Wikimedia Commons

Image: YouTube

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Monday 13 November 2017

Murder on the Orient Express (12A)

mostly unchanged, and indeed some lines from the original novel survive. Those that are added are mostly sharp: “you tell your lies and there are two people who will know: your God, and Hercule Poirot”, so proclaims our protagonist. His attempts (and failures) to master English slang during the film also provide some welcome humorous relief. Johnny Depp and his chiselled jaw makes a menacing Ratchett, while Daisy Ridley slips into the role of ‘The Governess’ with consummate ease. The rest of the cast is packed with well-known names and recognisable faces: Judi Dench stars as Princess Dragojmiroff with the accomplished Olivia Coleman as her

Happy Death Day (15)

A Bad Moms Christmas (15)

Image: YouTube

ostmodern horror parodies are ten-apenny post-Scream, and range from gushing adoration of the genre (Tucker & Dale vs. Evil) to the witless taking of the piss (Dead Snow 2). Happy Death Day, this Halloween season’s entry into the canon of selfaware splat, lies somewhere in between. Happy Death Day follows student Tree (Jessica Rothe), who wakes up in a stranger’s bed with a crippling hangover on her birthday. She gets up, lives out her day (which consists of her being horrible to everyone on campus) and then gets murdered by a baby-masked killer. Then she wakes up. Again. In the same bed. With the same hangover. On the same day, only to get offed by the same killer. She’s stuck in a murderous timeloop, which begs the question… who is repeatedly killing her, and why? Naff title aside, there is plenty lot of fun to be had in Happy Death Day. The amalgam of Happy Birthday to Me and Groundhog Day works pretty well to engage the audience, even if you’re eager for a resolution a few loops before the end. Both the shocks and jokes find their target more often than they miss, even it isn’t as funny as the average comedy or tense as the average horror. It even bridges on the uplifting; Jessica Rothe does a great job of leading us to admire Tree, an outwardly hateable sorority type who comes to treat people with kindness and respect. By the end we genuinely want her to pull through, a U-turn you wouldn’t think impossible in the first 30 minutes. All-in-all, Happy Death Day is an enjoyable slasher outing with a surprisingly golden heart. It sits comfortably next to Cabin in the Woods and The Loved Ones as effective slasher trope subversion, even if it isn’t quite as clever, intense or gruesome as either of them.

lue Christmas plays in the background of a clichéd ‘bet you’re wondering how I got here’ narration, while the camera slowly pans over a series of broken Christmas decorations. This song was the perfect music choice to open A Bad Moms Christmas as anyone who watches this will start the Christmas season with an abysmally average movie. Christmas is a time of stress and togetherness that brings out the best and worst in families, and A Bad Moms Christmas is a movie that captures this, albeit in a bizarre, tinselly way. All the characters are flawed, from the Grandma who wears jumpers with her daughter’s face on them, to the one who redecorates the house in a ridiculous way, and it’s commendable that the film attempts to portray realistic characters.

Finbar Oliver

Julia McGee-Russell

Booze-soaked, slow motion embarrassment Good messages about the importance of motherdaughter relationships are hidden amongst booze-soaked, slow-motion embarrassments, and it’s unfortunate that these instants of heartfelt connection are often overshadowed by cheap jokes. Though the movie’s heart is in the right place, showing how you don’t have to be perfect to be a good mother, the delivery is often too cheesy to be completely engaging. A Bad Moms Christmas is a generic Christmasthemed bit of tat, to make you feel vaguely Christmassy and rather embarrassed. Like a gag gift you buy for a relative, it’s a bit stupid, and definitely a one-time use - another mediocre Christmas movie to add to the unending list. Despite all that, it is still a little bit of short-term fun.

Addams Family Values (1993)

his is the easiest argument I’ve ever had to make. It’s obvious isn’t it? This is the film in which Christina Ricci becomes a heroine for all 90s weird girls, only to be rivalled by Lydia Deetz. I have fond memories of this film, I remember asking to stay up late so we could tape (yes, VHS, those clunky boxes of dreams) The Addams Family Values after the news at ten.

I still have the VHS with a snippet of the weather forecast

Six Days (15)

Image: YouTube

assistant; Derek Jacobi, Willem Dafoe, Penelope Cruz and Michelle Pfeiffer are among the other suspects. Finally, Leslie Odom Jr. is particularly intriguing as Dr. Arbuthnot, who, due to being black in this Prohibition era, is subject to racial prejudice from his fellow passengers. Sadly, while they all look the part and suit their roles well, we rarely witness any of the actors with their wings fully spread. This is partly due to the convention of the genre, with its almost episodic view of each character’s alibi. But with so many stars vying for the limelight, we’re left with none of them shining quite like we know they can. That said, in Kenneth Branagh’s attempt to breathe new life into this cherished story he does more right than wrong.

film culture

Column 2 Electric Boogaloo

Sebastian Ward reviews the icy-fresh remake of the Christie Classic - is it full steam ahead? gatha Christie’s whodunnit classic is spiritedly brought back to the big screen by Kenneth Branagh in this stylish remake, but it lacks the bite you might expect from such a stellar ensemble cast. Branagh himself is front and centre, playing the ‘greatest detective in the world’ Hercule Poirot, a character who is as attentive to the cooking of his breakfast as he is to the details of a murder case. He also has a ridiculously large moustache, and it’s no surprise the Movember charity are using him as a poster boy. When one passenger aboard the long haul locomotive is killed in the night, it is down to Poirot and assistant Bouc (Tom Bateman) to find the culprit. This all takes place after the train derails amid an avalanche and is left stationary on a snowy viaduct. The BBC’s recent remakes of And Then There Were None and The Witness for the Prosecution have proved Agatha Christie is fashionable again — if indeed she ever wasn’t — and that’s what this film achieves most. It’s a lavish life of luxury; of fine-dining; of schmoozing; of slick suits and of stylish hairstyles, on board the Orient Express. If the passengers weren’t all murder suspects, you’d probably want to be there, in the warmly lit dining car, sharing a glass of red wine or two. The camera work is just as polished, glinting and reflecting off the mirrored cabin glass and is abundant with lens flares. Kenneth Branagh and producer Ridley Scott do well to balance the close-quarters claustrophobia with snowy mountainous landscapes reminiscent of The Lord of the Rings. Branagh chooses to keep the story

Days, the latest ‘original’ film from streaming giants Neflix, dramatizes the 1980 Iranian Embassy siege, in which armed gunmen stormed the building in Princes Gate, London and took all twenty-six people inside hostage. Director Toa Fraser takes a very conventional approach with the film, which offers very little that has not been seen or done before. The five days of negotiation are almost entirely devoid of tension and mind-numbingly dull. As Police negotiator and leader of the terrorists respectively, Mark Strong and Emum Elliot do their best with the many telephone conversations between the two sides, but are let down by a very weak script. When it finally arrives, the SAS rescue operation is immersive and well shot. However, the historical significance of the siege extinguishes much of the sequence’s suspense. As is frequently the problem with real-life thrillers, audience knowledge of the resolution defeats much of the purpose and excitement of the genre. In a markedly strong performance, Mark Strong leaves a strong mark on the film. Similarly, as the leader of the SAS team, Jamie Bell proves himself as a competent leading man in a very different role to his usual fare. Unfortunately, Australian actress Abbie Cornish is hopelessly miscast as BBC journalist Kate Adie. Struggling with Adie’s accent and lacking screen time, Cornish is the weak link in an otherwise impressive cast. Missing the continued tension of Munich or the panache of Argo, 6 Days is a painfully generic hostage thriller which doesn’t take advantage of its story’s dramatic potential. Despite the best efforts of its actors, this is one to miss – you may as well just continue the Stranger Things binge.

Dan Haygarth

I still have this VHS with a snippet of the weather forecast and the old BBC One ident with the hot air balloon, remember? I don’t even have a Video Player anymore but I can’t part with the tape. And then the film begins, Uncle Fester howls from the top of that beautiful, creepy house silhouetted against a full moon. I would like to state that I adore the first film (“Are they made from real girl scouts?”) but there is no denying that Values is the superior film. Let’s investigate: Firstly, as if the Addams couldn’t get any weirder or sexier they throw a smokin’ hot batshit crazy Joan Cusack into the mix. Yes, please and thank you.

As if the Addams’ couldn’t get any weirder or sexier It’s also worth noting that it is only in the sequel that they light Morticia’s eyes independently of everything else. It’s a tiny, gorgeous detail as well as, arguably, the most enduring image of the entire film. Apparently, they also taped her eyes so they appeared more slanted giving Anjelica Huston daily headaches, now that’s dedication, people! Secondly, sending the two Addams children to Summer Camp is a stroke of undeniable genius, to have Wednesday and Pugsley in their gothic garb thrown into the gaudy world of middle class, suburban America. I can’t stress enough that the performance of every single actor in this film is pitch perfect, from Joan Cusack’s maniacal black widow to Gary and Becky’s saccharine and sinister camp leaders to the adorkable Joel Glicker, not to mention Carol Kane’s introduction as the gloriously unhinged Granny. (“Just a curse. Have a nice day!”) I could wax lyrical about this film forever. It’s the best, and if you don’t agree then all of your old noses will grow back! Beth Chrisp

Image: Wikipedia

the courier

culture gaming courier.gaming@ncl.ac.uk Monday 13 November 2017 Gaming Editors Gerry Hart, Georgina Howlett & Richard Liddle Is 2017 the year of the 3D Platformer Renaissance? George Boatfield dives into Mario’s madcap adventure (and possesses some sentient onions)

Super Mario Odyssey review

Image: Flickr.com

D platformers will forever be relevant, I don’t think anyone can deny that, but what about the forgotten stepchild of platformers, the ones played in the third dimension? Now that’s a different kettle of fish all together. I couldn’t think of a better time to talk about this genre of games because it’s fair to say that 2017 has been the year of the 3D platformer, seeing a multitude of releases like Nintendo’s blockbuster Super Mario Odyssey to Kickstarter games like A Hat in Time and Yooka Laylee. It appears that there is a surge in popularity of gaming’s forgotten genre, whose drought until now has been a real shame for me as most of my youngest memories of playing games were from games like Spyro the Dragon and Super Mario 64.

t’s safe to say that the most recent Mario games haven’t held my attention too well. Maybe that was because of the hardware they were running on, or perhaps it was just that I was finding them too samey. The ‘New’ Super Mario Bros. formula hasn’t been ‘new’ in a while, and the 3D Land and 3D World games felt like extensions of these. So now, after putting a focus on continuing the sandbox style of design not seen since Super Mario Sunshine, has Nintendo successfully reinvented the formula with Super Mario Odyssey? This reinvention begins by forgoing the hub area approach that 64 and Sunshine both used and instead integrates this open-map concept into a range of themed kingdoms to explore, complete objectives and discover hidden Power Moons (Odyssey’s version of Stars). These are placed throughout the open areas of each kingdom, but also in more focussed sub-areas that feel like throwbacks to Super Mario Galaxy’s excellent linear challenges. This results in a refreshing level of player choice that still maintains a solid structure.

The Power Moons collected in each kingdom are required to increase the range of Mario’s new hat-shaped ship, the Odyssey, though so many are offered that it isn’t normally difficult to progress. Indeed, there are over 800 Power Moons available across the game, though only about a quarter of these are required to reach the final boss. It’s safe to say that the post-game content should keep those

What I’m Playing: Super Mario World

With Odyssey in the spotlight, Sachin Saggar looks back at one of Mario’s earlier masterpieces would otherwise result in a dead plumber. Despite being an early ‘90s game, even the final battle still maintains that scary atmosphere with the lightning flashes and thunder rumbling.

Certainly a reason why the game is still relevant today is that it rewards exploration

As soon as the FPS genre picked up steam, developers were always going to shift to producing them What’s in store for the future? I’d personally like to see more 3D platformers getting released, especially after some of the games I’ve played this year, including Snake Pass, which is the most unique take on one yet. It would definitely be nice to see more platformers arrive on the market. I’m not going to build my hopes up though; 90% of being a gamer these days seems to me to be the constant disappointment and agony inflicted by major corporations on us chumps who fund them, with only 10% consisting of good experiences... Sam Blackburn

Image: IGDB.com

its structure that is tied to the abilities of a particular enemy. Take one example of an onion-like creature that can grow taller at will. A simple concept on the surface is expanded into multiple platforming challenges focussed around reaching high up areas. It then turns to using this onion-headed monstrosity to break hard-to-reach treasure chests and eventually attack giant hovering spaceships! Why not? Odyssey’s steady stream of new and surprising mechanics represents a clear design philosophy Nintendo is employing when bringing their longstanding franchises to Switch - reinvent everything. This began with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild earlier this year and the always-evolving Mario shows that this hasn’t changed just yet. And like with Breath of the Wild, it has resulted in one of the most refreshing masterpieces Nintendo has ever produced. Hats off to them. Image: IGDB.com

The possession mechanic allows Mario access to the ability set of whatever he takes under his control

There is a surge in popularity in gaming’s forgotten genre Despite the recent renaissance of platforming games this year, the past fifteen years or so haven’t been kind to platformers, but why is this? Back in the early 2000s you couldn’t get enough platformers; who remembers characters like Vexx, Blinx the Cat and Ty the Tazmanian Tiger? There couldn’t have been a better time to be collecting pointless objects in interesting worlds than the early 2000s, but what went wrong? I think there’s a multitude of reasons why in all honesty. Firstly, I feel there was a massive oversaturation in the genre. For every Jak and Daxter there were at least four games starring an uninspired character doing the exact same thing as Jak, just not very well. Another big factor to why they died out was the rise of the first-person shooter genre. As soon as the FPS genre picked up steam and sales in the console markets began rolling in, developers were always going to shift to producing those types of games because they were selling well, unlike platforming games were at that point.

looking to 100% the game busy for quite some time. Perhaps the defining characteristic of Odyssey comes from something that may initially sound fairly straightforward - Mario can now throw his hat. Lesser developers might think of a single set of mechanics for this and leave it at that, but in Odyssey, Mario’s hat is a perfect symbol for the breadth of content on offer and what may be the single most significant expansion to Mario’s move-set out of any game in the series. The range of uses of this mechanic goes from the hat acting as an extra platform to jump on, to a method of smashing multiple blocks in quick succession, to possessing just about any living thing that isn’t wearing a hat of its own. Yes, possess… The possession mechanic allows Mario access to the ability set of whatever he takes under his control. As a result, each kingdom has an aspect of

uper Mario is one of the hottest topics right now, especially with Super Mario Odyssey having recently released. With everyone’s attention on Odyssey I decided to step back a little and play Super Mario World on my 3DS. Now the reason I went back to this game was not just to get me ready for Super Mario Odyssey, but because it holds a very special place in my heart. Let me take you back to Christmas 2002, when I was only five years old. I’d just unwrapped a present, and I was greeted with a box with the words “Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2” along with a shiny new black Game Boy Advance. The moment I put the cartridge in for the first time was a moment that I look back on fondly, because it wasn’t just the first time I turned on the GBA, but the first time I would touch gaming, something that still rides with me now. I remember not being able to get past the Forest of Illusion for a couple of years, a rather confusing world where paths go back around on each other and you have to discover a secret exit in one of the levels in order to complete this world. I’m currently up to there

Image: IGDB.com right now. Even after over 25 years since the game first released, it still holds up pretty nicely, and it’s safe to say that this is one of the greatest Mario games made. Each level also has something different to it, whether it’s introducing a new obstacle or reusing old obstacles in different ways, so the gameplay does not get boring.

Even after over 25 years since the game first released, it still holds up pretty nicely Notably, this was the game that introduced the world to Mario’s loyal dinosaur sidekick, Yoshi. The first time you mount him and the game soundtrack adds bongo drums, you know you’re in for something good as he can eat enemies for coins, as well as let you cross dangerous terrain that

One of the best things, and certainly a reason why the game is still relevant today, is that the game also rewards exploration. Instead of push-scrolling you towards a goal, Super Mario World requires you to scour every nook and cranny of levels in order to discover secrets. Even now, the feeling of reuniting a key with its keyhole to unlock new levels feels very satisfying, giving different ways to progress across the world map. No two playthroughs of Super Mario World are the same, and I discover different ways to play it whenever I dust off the cart and make a new save file. Overall, Super Mario World is a really awesome game that has this nostalgic charm to it, and I strongly recommend you play it if you haven’t done so already. Trust me - you’ll enjoy it! Image: Igdb.com

the courier

@Courier_Gaming thecourieronline.co.uk/gaming/

Monday 13 November 2017

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus review Gerry Hart indulges in some “constructive dialogue” in the latest Nazi-brutalising adventure

t’s weird to think in this day and age we need reminding what evil, cancerous ideologies Nazism and Fascism are. You would’ve thought the most destructive war in human history, a litany of atrocities to their name and the fundamental loathsomeness of their core principles would suffice. Thankfully, Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus is here to remind us how best to engage with Nazi beliefs. The New Colossus picks up right where its predecessor The New Order left off both mechanically and narratively. The game takes place in an alternate future in which the Nazis won the Second World War and follows series protagonist William “BJ” Blazkowicz and his fellow ragtag resistance fighters in their attempt to spark a revolution in the United States as the first step of overthrowing the Nazi regime there. Like its predecessor, The New Colossus strikes an impressive balance between humour, bombast and deadly seriousness. For example, the game starts with a deeply unpleasant flashback of BJ’s childhood yet somehow follows this up seamlessly by having you gunning down Nazis in a wheelchair. This is to say nothing of the smaller, more intimate moments in the resistance HQ and the brilliant cast of characters.

As a game, Wolfenstein II is a deliberate political statement, but I admire it all the more

stealth before going in guns blazing, though the choice is ultimately yours. There are of course a number of criticisms one could make of The New Colossus, most of which pertain to the difficulty. Compared to its predecessor, the levels in The New Colossus are much larger and open ended, which makes trying to kill t h e Nazi commanders before they sound the alarm and call in reinforcements much harder. For the first half of the game, BJ’s health is halved for narrative reasons, meaning you’ll often be dead faster before you can say “All you Fascists bound to lose”. Still, I didn’t find this to be a deal breaker. The New Order was seldom any easier and I personally didn’t find the difficulty so offputting as to devalue the overall game. For all its merits and shortcomings however, The New Colossus’ biggest talking points are its politics. Despite repeated statements that The New Colossus isn’t a deliberate commentary on the

Similarly, The New Colossus’ mechanics have changed little from its predecessor. As with The New Order,, the game provides you with a large array of weaponry and various ways of approaching objectives. More often than not, its prudent to thin enemy numbers through

current political climate, there is no denying that The New Colossus is still a highly-politicised game emerging into a charged political environment. For all the fantastical aspects of The New Colossus’ world, you are still fighting Nazis, who still operate under the same sick principles as they did in reality. Nor in its story of liberating America from Nazism does it seek to absolve America of those elements within it that support Nazism.

The New Colossus strikes an impressive balance between humour, bombast and deadly seriousness As a game, Wolfenstein II is a deliberate political statement, and its about as subtle as a boot to the face, but I admire it all the more for it. It doesn’t seek to skirt around sensitive issues and it wears its distain for Nazism on its sleeve. But beyond this, The New Colossus as a single player, narrative-based FPS represents something we don’t see anywhere nearly enough of these days. And my God they pull it off expertly. Between the incredibly powerful story, the brilliant characters and the myriad of machines you kill fascists with, Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus has cemented itself as one of my favourite games of this year.

Image: Bethesda Softworks

Memory Card - Dragon Age: Origins Has Dragon Age burnt out over the years? Laura Staniforth certainly doesn’t think so...

hen preparing to write this article, I attempted to find out just how many times I’d completed Dragon Age: Origins. I’m pretty sure it’s about five, with my sixth play through in progress. But that’s the beauty of the Bioware classic, released in 2009. With multiple origin stories and play styles, the choices you make have far reaching consequences on every game in the series. The fantasy tactical RPG sees you as one of the last Grey Wardens, facing trials such as a murdered king, a devastating betrayal, and a horde of enemies threatening to overthrow all of the land of Thedas. As well as your player character, you control up to three others in combat mechanics that are intricate yet interesting. You can pause combat, tactically manoeuvre your heroes and micromanage their every last move if you so wish, making harder difficulty runs all the more challenging. While I love this style of combat – which is so different to the games I usually play – it is truly the storyline and characterisations of this game that I adore so much. There is so much lore, and the game delights in sharing it with you. While you

Image: IGDB.com

could have a perfectly acceptable time skimming through the game, never reading the codices (many do), the completionists and world builders like me can spend hours and hours learning about the beautifully rich backstory to this world. It helps solve the problems of ‘the bad guys are just bad because they are’; everything happened for a reason, every action has a reaction. Very rarely is someone wholly correct. Templars lock mages up in fancy prisons? Bad. Unsupervised mages may be possessed and turned into demonic abominations? Not good either. The characters are maybe the strongest aspects of the game. As you get closer (or more antagonistic) with your party they will open up or even turn against you. The act of building trust really invested me in my group and thus the game, meaning I’d often play far longer than I intended to just so I could complete their personal questlines and make them happy. Bioware also does an excellent job attaching you to your player character; the legend of them is carried on to subsequent games where you can find little titbits on their heroic misdeeds. When

the third instalment, Dragon Age: Inquisition, told me my original Warden had gone missing and was presumed dead I actually had a little bit of a cry.

The act of building trust really invested me in my group and thus the game, meaning I’d play far longer Even with the emotional turmoil this game puts me through I just keep coming back. There’s something comforting drifting through the old environments, listening to the familiar stories from much loved faces. And with multiple endings and a score of ways to get to them, every attempt can be something new. The Complete Edition of Dragon Age: Origins is available on Steam. I truly recommend you get it for a story-rich fantasy romp that you won’t regret.

gaming culture

The Cheapest Game I Have Ever Purchased: Remaining in a dream

Image: IGDB.com

ust 16p. The cheapest game I ever bought was something called Remaining in a dream, using one of those 80% off vouchers Steam sometimes gives you without warning. What few reviews it had were “mostly negative”, but I didn’t care. It was 16p. (I guess you could make a point that free games are even cheaper, but I didn’t actually buy those, so shut up.) I would like to say that I embarked on some kind of Odyssey into an underappreciated genius’ outlook on life; however, that would be utter bollocks. Instead, do you remember Spore? EA game about raising life from a single-celled organism to a space-faring race so inept that it needs you to propagate and finance its entire existence? Well, that game had an expansion called Galactic Adventures, where you could beam down onto a planet and go through some playerdesigned levels.

Remaining in a dream suffers from poor level design, an ascence of narrative and no music. Seriously. No music. The point of that excessively long tangent is that people have paid 79p (or perhaps 16p, as in my case) for Remaining in a dream when they could have bought Spore and its expansions and then download a theoretically infinite number of shitty levels, as well as a handful of actually good ones. Like many Spore: Galactic Adventures levels, Remaining in a dream suffers from poor level design, an absence of narrative, and no music. Seriously. No music. There is a sodding music volume option, and it affects jack shit! Remaining in a dream looks like Borderlands if the latter were released in 2001. I put the graphics onto highest (my Nvidia GTX 960 hasn’t had much of a challenge since Doom), whereupon all the grass turned fluorescent green and gave me a headache. I tried to take a screenshot, and that caused the game to bleach its appearance like a Hollywood film about non-Caucasians. I’m just glad I didn’t play this game at release, as stories of bugs abound in the reviews.

Too many poorly designed games clog the market like a guinea pig in a hoover Oh, and another thing? There isn’t a difficulty curve. It just flatlines. Enemies get progressively faster through the five or so different levels, but it doesn’t matter because I can just stand still and pick them off with five headshots. The weapon you get is a ray gun, which just screams how low-effort this is when all the other assets are medieval structures. The weapon has no projectile and no impact; the only time you know you’ve hit an enemy is when they die. Even just an on-screen indication would have been nice, but I guess that was too much to ask for. This game is emblematic of why Steam Greenlight was stamped on by Valve. Too many poorlydesigned games clog the market like a guinea pig in a hoover. And while a one-man/woman dev team can pave the way for some unique stuff (such as Papers, Please and Thomas Was Alone), it more often than not ends up in some utter dross being forced out like a constipated turd. I myself have tried to develop games before, but I can neither code nor draw for shit, so my best bet is to go into management. Jack Coles

the courier

c2.arts@ncl.ac.uk Monday 13 November 2017 Arts Editors Scarlett Rowland and Carys Thomas

@CourierArts thecourieronline.co.uk/arts

What is Loving Vincent?

Dorota Kobiela reimagines Vincent’s life through a new kaleidoscopic lens Afterwards this material was combined with computer animation for other elements such as birds, and then combined with the Design Paintings to create reference material. The painting animators used this reference material to animate each brushstroke, creating movement in their recreation of each frame in Van Gogh’s style. There are 65,000 frames in the film, and 898 shots, which led to over 1,345 discarded paintings. Using letters, interviews and other source material, artist and director Dorota Kobiela re-imagines Vincent’s life through a new kaleidoscopic lens, blending the paintings that were so entrenched in

What’s On: Paul Nash Curator Talk @ Laing Gallery 14 Nov, 12:30 - 1:15pm

his life with the representation of it. Almost all of the film is painted entirely in his style - excluding flashbacks of Vincent’s life that he never painted, which are painted in a black and white style to emulate photographs of the time.

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Featuring a line up comprised chiefly of female comics, the night has grown from a fledgling idea into a joyful, ridiculous monthly fixture with a fighting spirit.

@TheCourierArts @thecourierarts

CARYS ROSE THOMAS

The total number of paintings Vincent van Gogh is believed to have created during his lifetime

In an era in which animated films are moving towards CGI and away from traditional hand-drawn animation, this film takes us back in a way that is so lovingly and carefully crafted, that it becomes art itself. The artists had to flawlessly paint each brushstroke, in addition to seamlessly blending the transition on screen between Vincent’s different painting styles. It seems to have been a gargantuan task, translating Vincent’s paintings into the medium of film, and mixing them with the expressions of the actors, but on the part of Kobiela, it was a labour of love. She decided to make the film after a personal response to studying his work and letters in a time of crisis, and originally planned to paint it entirely herself, although she eventually directed over 100 painters who laboriously represented Vincent’s life in the style of his paintings. With this time and care taken to express Vincent van Gogh’s life in the medium of his painting, this will be a film to watch if only to gaze in astonishment at the detail and artistry that went into its making. A one of a kind trailblazer, this is a film that will be more beautiful and visually pleasing than then most soft-focus cinematography.

The following 4four years truly tested my adoration of art The process you are forced through when studying art at school is a completely unnatural one. I used to have an abundance of ideas, countless creations just waiting to materialize, but before I made each one I was forced to do a line drawing, a painting, a colour pencil drawing, and about 15 other works that I wasn’t interested in, wasn’t passionate about and frankly, usually wasn’t good at. I found a great irony in the way I was forced into following the standard supposedly ‘natural process’ of creation of art. It was unnatural and unnecessary and I thoroughly hope exam boards wake up & change the syllabus soon.

Review: Pink Sari Revolution

PHOTOBOX

Elena Trayanova reviews Pink Sari Revolution, a play revolving around rape culture and women’s rights at Northern Stage

Canale Grande, Trieste

ROWENA TYLDEN-PATTENSON

Just A Few Words @ Alphabetti Theatre 14-16 Nov, 7:30pm

A Sixth Comedy NightThat Passes The Bechdel Test @ Alphabetti Theatre

Art GCSE/A-level

liked school. I was one of those bizarre, nottoo-quiet, not-too-loud students. Loved my teachers, loved my courses – well, most of them. I remember the excitement of starting GCSEs, feeling far more grown up than I was and thinking ‘‘finally, I can focus on the subjects I like’. Thus ensued the following four years that truly tested my adoration of art. The teaching of fine art in schools is, to put it lightly, absolutely appalling. In no way are teachers to blame for this. They merely do their jobs, teach what they are given as well as they can, but even the most talented miracle worker would struggle to turn the bag of molding dog poo was my school’s A level/GCSE course into a chest of golden treasures contented students.

Join Dr. Emma Chambers, Curator of Modern British Art at Tate, who curated the Paul Nash exhibition to hear more about the exhibition.

A man with a astammer just wants to say how he feels, as a broken record player and a pile of thoughts keep interrupting him.

arts culture

SALTY COLUMN

Julia McGee-Russell comments on the recent film about Vincent van Gogh’s life incent van Gogh is one of the most famous painters in the world, a paragon of the tortured artist. Many have wondered what drove him to his death, and although the mystery has never been uncovered, ‘Loving Vincent’ explores it through portraying his life in the world’s first fully painted feature film. It is ‘fully painted’ and extraordinary in that every single frame has been hand painted by painters who are experts in Van Gogh’s style. This took six years of creative development, including four years to develop the technique and two further years to complete the film. This process is slow and incredibly detailed. Firstly, the Painting Design team spent a year recreating Vincent’s paintings in the animation of film. Following this, the actors - performing roles based on people in Vincent’s life and paintings - worked on sets constructed to look like the paintings themselves, or performed against green screens with design paintings composited in whilst filming.

ink Sari Revolution in Northern Stage on Thursday was easily one of the best productions I have seen this year. The staging, the performance and the play itself felt highly professional as well as deeply engaging. The play began with the brutal images of a girl hanging from a tree and a policewoman pouring a bucket of blood down the drain which set the tone of the play quite nicely and it prepared the audience for what was to come. The play intensely focused on the violence that women experience in India and how the matter is often neglected. A scene from the play showed the perspective of a mother-in-law who tells her daughter that women like her are the reason male turn to rape, implying

The play showed the brutal reality of things by not sugar-coating the truth

Image: Pamela Raith that sex is something her son has a right to. The whole idea of the play is to challenge that way of thinking through Sampat Pal’s Gang and their ideology which fights for justice and equality with their pink saris and their sticks. The storyline revolves around a girl who has been raped by a man standing high in society. Because of the authorities’ negligence Sampat Pal takes it into her own hands to free the girl and protect her honour. The play showed the brutal reality of things by not sugar-coating the truth. The balance between the very serious scenes which talk about violence and rape and the comedic ones create certain stability and makes it a bit less intense. The clever setting also allowed for swift transitions which made the play a lot easier to follow. Despite it being very powerful and insightful the play seemed slightly incomplete. On various occasions in the play the phrase “Pink is the colour of the sky before a storm” was used. It felt like the audience was waiting for this outburst of a storm which never actually came.

his is Trieste’s Canale Grande, Italy. Trieste is a fascinating city; it only became part of Italy in 1954, previously part of Austria-Hungary. As such, the architecture is quite different to the rest of Italy, and gives a very different photo opportunity to classical architecture found elsewhere. Although originally the Grand Canal was for practical means, unloading goods to canal-side warehouses, now it is a hub of culture and beauty. Certainly I like to think I’ve captured the latter with this photo. This was taken at sunset, looking towards the sea; I love how the water draws they eye down the centre of this photo. The blues of the sky and the water reflecting it contrast with the bright yellow of the boats and the lamp-posts, so this one really pops off the page in contrast to some of the other photos I took that evening. Happy memories!

science & technology

Are you Tech-ing the piss? Ultrasound vs Parkinson’s

arkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that occurs almost exclusively in older patients. People with Parkinson’s have problems with walking (and movement in general), as well as tremors and dementia. The cause of the disease is unknown, but genetics, smoking, and exposure to pesticides are thought to be the main risk factors involved. There is no known cure for Parkinson’s disease so far. Common treatments often focus on increasing the levels of dopamine in the brain, either by supplying extra dopamine precursor molecules, or by preventing the degradation of dopamine by enzymes between neurones. A more expensive treatment is surgery, to just cut out problematic parts of the brain. A less expensive (but more time consuming) treatment is on-going physiotherapy sessions. There’s also deep brain stimulation, which is like having a pacemaker installed into your brain (and nobody’s sure why it works). A new method involves focusing over a thousand ultrasonic beams at a single focal point in the brain. There has already been a success with the ultrasound; Selwyn Lucas, a 52-year- old man from Cornwall who had tremors in his right hand. Although not a Parkinson’s disease patient, he suffered from essential tremor, which has a similar pathophysiology to Parkinson’s disease, but can occur in younger people. Around 4% of 40-yearolds have this condition, and the percentage only increases the older your sample. After spending a single day in treatment, Selwyn came out of the machine with a hand that was steady enough for him to continue his job as a decorator. Clinical trials for this sort of treatment are well underway and showing promising results. Just over 30 patients have been treated with this procedure, and most of them have showed a temporary, if not permanent improvement to their motor control. Furthermore, the procedure was non-invasive and only took five hours; traditional brain surgery usually takes over a day to complete and usually destroys non-target tissue. The ultrasound surgery also avoids some of the adverse effects that pharmaceutical treatment can create, such as erratic moods and heart problems. The new procedure doesn’t seem to produce as many neurological issues as deep brain stimulation and doesn’t require any drilling, just a shaved head. There are some issues, of course. For one thing, the procedure is pretty much permanent. You can adjust drug dosage or wiggle a deep brain stimulator around a bit, but you can’t undo the damage y o u’v e c au s e d

to the brain. S ometimes the effects are only temporary, and there are no long-term studies on what any chronic adverse effects may be. Also, neurosurgeons haven’t entirely agreed on which part of the brain to destroy to prevent tremors. Some perform surgery on the subthalamic nucleus, others ablate the globus pallidus, and some burn the pallidothalamic tract between the first two. All of them show similar results, but a lack of standardised testing means that the finer points are lost during comparisons. This also is somewhat terrifying when you consider that they are blasting away bits of the brain when we’re not entirely sure what exactly these bits do. Overall, though, this is an encouraging step for treatment of Parkinson’s and other tremors. At the very least, this is a massive upgrade from traditional brain surgery, to the extent that traditional methods may eventually be phased out over time. Science Editor Jack Coles

courier.science@ncl.ac.uk Science Editors Jack Coles, Christopher Little & Ciara Ritson-Courtney

the courier Monday 13 November 2017

You can’t deny the facts Grace Dean explains why climate change is a real threat to the wellbeing of the human race

limate change is increasingly recognised as an imminent and arguably now inevitable threat to our planet. While many are aware of the danger it presents to the flora and fauna in our ecosystems, there is less widespread awareness of the threat it poses to humanity itself. Through its impacts on the environmental determinants of health, such as air quality, temperature regulation and water and food supplies, climate change is endangering our health. Research has shown that increased temperatures combined with higher humidity could lead to an increase in fatalities from cardiovascular and respiratory disease, such as erythromelalgia, particularly among the elderly. Higher heats combined with higher carbon dioxide concentrations also exacerbate the effects of hay fever, pollen and other aeroallergens including ragweed, increasing the number of asthma suffers (currently around 300 million people). Combined with smog, this will lead to worsening air quality; household air pollution currently causes 4.3 million deaths annually, whilst ambient air pollution brings a further 3 million. Furthermore, the increasing frequency and magnitude of natural disasters endangers human lives, currently resulting in over 60,000 deaths annually. Over half the global population live within 60km of coastline; increased risk of tsunamis, storm surges and coastal flooding threatens these communities. Flooding contaminates drinking water supplies, and combined with warmer ocean temperatures can increase the incidents of water-borne disease, such as cholera.

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An annual temperature increase of 1oC could decrease grain and crop yields by 10%, which will present increasing food scarcity problems

Freshwater supply is additionally endangered by fluctuating rainfall levels. In periods of extreme drought, populations turn to parasitic water supplies which they often share with livestock. This increases the risk of non-tuberculosis mycobacteria and diarrhoeal disease, which kills over 500,000 children under five per year. Many of these deaths could be prevented by simply boiling the water,

however for families struck by extreme poverty the release of steam is seen as a waste of water. Droughts, which currently threaten 35-50% of the world’s crops, additionally lead to famine and malnutrition, which cause 3.1 million deaths per year. Merely an annual temperature increase of 1oC could decrease grain and crop yields by 10%, which will present increasing food scarcity problems; to meet the population’s predicted exponential growth, food production will need to increase by 50% by 2050.

Te m p e r a ture and climatic variations will also increase the geographic distribution and transmission season of vectorborne diseases, such as the predicted spread of the Chinese snail-borne schistosomiasis and tickborne Lyme diseases. Of major concern is the predicted rise in cases of mosquito-borne diseases, including malaria, elephantiasis, and the Rift Valley, yellow and dengue fevers. With even small increases in precipitation and humidity, mosquitos can thrive in higher latitudes for longer time periods, as they breed most rapidly in wet, hot climates, such as those cultivated by flooding. Malaria currently causes over 400,000 deaths annually, with

nearly half the world’s population already at risk. Africa and South America are becoming increasingly threatened by this, with the slightest temperature endangering whole communities.

The WHO predicts that climate change will cause an additional 250,000 deaths annually between 2030 and 2050 A poignant case study that shows how none of us are safe from the threat of climate change is the 2003 European heatwave. Many people don’t associate Europe with extreme weather (“But it’s always raining in England!”, I hear you cry), yet above-average death rates were reported Europe-wide, with around 43,000 people dying from heat-related causes. The heatwave, which was the hottest in at least 500 years, brought temperatures of 7oC above average, at points exceeding 40oC. Worst affected was the Netherlands, which saw 1200 fatalities from heat-related causes that summer, including around 450 just during a two-week period in August. Smog and air pollution are also major problems that exacerbate the effects of above-average heat; this is estimated to have caused around one-quarter of the deaths in the Netherlands. Should emissions rates continue to increase, such heatwaves could potentially happen every other year as we advance into the 22nd century. Ultimately, whether you’re old or young, rich or poor, prepared to fight for our planet or not, climate change will come to bite you. The World Health Organisation currently predicts that climate change will cause an additional 250,000 deaths annually between 2030 and 2050, but if Donald Trump finally comes to some sense and realises that climate change does indeed pose a real threat, maybe humanity can work together and prove these scientists wrong.

Baby don’t hurt me, don’t hurt me, no more Science Editor Christopher Little illuminates us on this revolutionary new surgical method A pioneering new form of surgery has been developed that allows doctors to operate on a foetus whilst still in its mother’s womb. The experimental technique is designed to reverse the effects of spina bifida and was recently carried out on a 24-week- old foetus at the Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston. It is hoped this revolutionary procedure could one day help improve the lives of the thousands of babies born with this birth defect every year. Spina bifida is a condition where the backbone and spinal cord do not develop properly in the womb. Though scientists are not entirely sure what causes these neural tube defects (birth defects of the brain, spine or spinal cord) to occur, they do know the conditions develop during the very early stages of pregnancy, often before the mother is even aware they are pregnant.

Proportion of abnormalityrelated abortions in the UK due to Spina bifida

As well as leading to complications during the pregnancy, such as traumatic birth, spina bifida can severely affect the quality of life for those born with the condition. Symptoms are varied, but can include nerve damage, issues with bladder control and paralysis of the legs. Some will also develop excess fluid on the brain, which can lead to lifelong learning difficulties. Typically, surgeons have to operate on the child within 48 hours of birth. However, doctors can only repair the defect and cannot reverse any damage to the nervous system or brain. Only around 20% of patients who have this type of operation will be able to walk independently. The male foetus that was operated on at the Tex-

as Children’s Hospital had a severe case of spina bifida. The defect was causing the brain s t e m to be

pulled down the spinal column in such a way that when born the child would never be able to walk, and in all likelihood, would be reliant on breathing and feeding tubes throughout their entire life.

The new technique is less invasive, and involves removing the uterus while still attached to the patient Performing surgical correction before the birth, however, can significantly improve survival rates and reduce life-time disability. Prenatal surgery for spina bifida was initially developed in the nineties, though it was only first carried out on the NHS in

2011. The original procedure has to cut open the women’s uterus to reach the foetus, but this can place both patients at increased risks. The new technique, however, is less invasive, and involves removing the uterus – whilst it is still attached internally – from the patient. Doctors then make two small four-millimetre slits to insert surgical equipment. The amniotic fluid is drained from the uterus and carbon dioxide pumped in to keep it expanded. Surgeons use a small telescope – called a ‘fetoscope’ – fitted with a camera, light and grasping tool to operate on the foetus within. Once the corrective surgery is complete, doctors replace the amniotic fluid with saline and return the uterus to the patient’s body. At this point I urge you to search for an image of the operation. There is a truly remarkable photograph of the surgeons holding the uterus as the fetoscope illuminates it from within. The glowing red orb looks almost magical, yet even more impressive, is what’s going on inside. In that delicate sphere there is a foetus weighing no more than two pounds, but complete with tiny little fingers and toes, having surgery that could change his life before he is even born. The operation went well – like the other 28 experimental procedures that were reported on in the Obstetrics and Gynaecology journal in August – but only time will tell how successful it really is. The due date for this little guy is 14 January. Hopefully when he comes into the world, he’ll have a full life ahead of him.

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@CourierScience thecourieronline.co.uk/science

Monday 13 November 2017

science & technology

What in fornication?!

Al Ridley gives us too much information on what some animals get up to behind closed doors

ex has never been simple. Ever since the first primitive organisms decided to abandon binary fission and direct cloning for the advantages that sexual reproduction brings, getting another animal to drop its guard enough to let the awkward process if reproduction actually happen presents a myriad of challenges. Nature’s a savage place, after all, and the standard mating behaviours that we humans are familiar with – Sinners, society socials, Tinder – are far beyond the ken of your average insect or worm. As a result, animals have evolved some interesting methods of ensuring that they can meet safely, bring children to term and support them in the meantime. Some of them are downright grotesque. When you saw the headline, of course, you were probably reminded of one of the most infamously violent courtships in nature: the female praying mantis, renowned for decapitating and then eating her mate during sex itself. The female usually strikes after the male has mounted her and begun doing his thing, leaving the headless body to finish the process on its own before collapsing lifelessly to the ground.

Only about a quarter of mantids are killed by their lovers – and a perverse method of nourishing the eggs For a while, it was assumed that this nightmarish nuptial was a common thing to Mantis religiosa, but scientific observation has shown that it’s actually both somewhat rare – only about a quarter of mantids are killed by their lovers – and a perverse method of nourishing the eggs. The State University of New York in Fredonia performed research on mantid mating by tagging certain amino acids in the male’s body, then following them through their mate’s digestive system. It turns out that the male’s body is barely digested at all by the mother: instead, about 90% of the tagged amino acids went

directly to the fertilised eggs. In environments where nutrition is limited, male mantises allow themselves to die to ensure their children get a good first meal.

When two flatworms begin to mate, they perform a ritual known as ‘penis fencing’ Flatworms are no stranger to traumatic courtship either, but their mating takes a much more macabre form. As many flatworms are hermaphrodites, they are capable of acting as both father and mother, with an internal structure that supports nurturing eggs and a pair of sharp, knife-like penises that are deadly enough they can use them to hunt prey. But how they determine which worm takes which role has to be seen to be believed. When two flatworms encounter each other and begin to mate, they begin to perform a ritual known as – and I swear I’m not making this up – ‘penis fencing’. They writhe, strike and parry to try and ensure they stab the other flatworm with their own twin penises before they get stabbed in turn. The winner breaks the loser’s skin and injects a massive amount of sperm to fertilise them, leaving them to carry the baby flatworms. If that wasn’t weird enough, snails play an even more deadly game. As they’re also hermaphroditic, they fire tiny bone-like daggers called ‘love darts’ at the other snail’s genitals, which are located behind their eyes if this wasn’t weird enough. The dart isn’t directly involved with reproduction either, but it’s coated with hormonal mucus that stimulates the male gamete to produce more hardy sperm: as a result, the first one hit is usually the father.

What’s that going around that star? Is it a monster (planet)? Georgina Howlett reports on NGTS-1b

n the 31st of October it was announced that an international team of astronomers had made the astonishing discovery of the ‘monster’ planet NGTS-1b, a gas giant the size of Jupiter situated six hundred light years away from us and orbiting a star only half the size of our Sun. NGTS-1b – a planet whose existence had been considered to be extremely unlikely given the formation theory currently accepted by astronomers around the world, which states that a planet of this size should not be formed by such a small star – is officially the largest planet compared to the size of its companion star “ever discovered in the universe” to date. It was discovered through the use of the state-ofthe-art Next-Generation Transit Survey observation facility, a compact ensemble of telescopes situated in the European Southern Observatory’s Paranal Observatory in Chile, and is run by the Universities of Warwick, Leicester and Cambridge, the Queen’s University Belfast, the Observatoire de Genève, DLR Berlin and the Universidad de Chile. The University of Warwick’s Astronomy and Astrophysics Group, led by Dr. Daniel Bayliss and Professor Peter Wheatley, played a central role in the detection of NGTS-1b. Their researchers were able to identify the existence of the planet by monitoring patches of the night sky over many months, detecting red light from the star with innovative red-sensitive cameras, and in doing so noticed that the light emitted from the early M-

dwarf host (Teff= 3916 + 71/63 K) dipped every 2.6 days, implying that a planet was orbiting it and periodically blocking its starlight from view. Using the data they collected, they tracked NGTS-1b’s orbit around its star, and calculated its size, position and mass by measuring the radial velocity of its star (how much the star ‘wobbled’ during orbit due to the gravitational pull of the planet, which changes depending on a planet’s size). Thus, NGTS-1b – a hot Jupiter with 20% less mass than our native Jupiter and a confirmed orbit of 2.6 days (meaning a year on the planet is only two-and-a-half days long for us on Earth) – was discovered. Dr. Daniel Bayliss, as the lead author of the research, commented that “the discovery of NGTS-1b was a complete surprise to us”, and that the team’s next objective would be to “find out how common these types of planets are in the Galaxy”, by the continued use of the NGTS facility. Professor Peter Wheatley, leader of the NGTS programme, similarly said that “having worked for almost a decade to develop the NGTS telescope array, it is thrilling to see it picking out new and unexpected types of planets”, and that he was “looking forward to seeing what other kinds of exciting new planets we can turn up.” The full research report, titled ‘NGTS-1b: a hot Jupiter transiting an M-dwarf ’, has been published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, and can be found via the University of Warwick’s website.

Snails are lousy shots, too, so even though they fire these things by contact there’s a high chance for the love dart to miss and cause some internal damage. All of these mating habits, of course, require another mate, which all of the above animals have their own ways to do. But finding another of your species in the depths of the lightless ocean, where the only light that’s cast is bioluminescence, is difficult. Anglerfish have optimised their chances of meeting another anglerfish of the opposite gender through a macabre process that ensures they’ll never have trouble hooking up again. Male anglerfish are pretty wretched creatures. They’re much smaller than the females, weak, and are born without digestive systems. They remedy this by flopping towards the females and biting their sides, everting a massive number of enzymes that breaks their blood vessels open. The male then bonds with the female, its organs atrophying until it’s little more than an eyeless lump that’s fused to the female’s. Most of its systems are reduced to nothing, except – you guessed it! – their reproductive systems. They effectively become nothing more than a glorified penis attached to the angler’s side. With a nervous impulse, the female can stimulate the male’s ejaculation without the bother of courtship. There are countless more unusual and confusing methods of bringing more young into the world that I don’t have the space to go into: snake orgy balls, ant eugenics programs, and that really gross thing giraffes do. Reproduction is a different kettle of fish for every genetic code, after all, and it’s been solved in countless strange and invariably brutal ways.

Word of the Week:

Apoptosis

or various reasons, cells in your body are going to die. Most of them just get old and run out of steam (undamaged DNA for further mitosis), and others become damaged by other bodily processes. This is the part of the cell life cycle you mumma didn’t tell you about. It’s actually not a dramatic event and the orderly destruction of cells happens billions of times a day. The point is that once cells become useless they need to be broken up in small pieces so that phagocytes (the garbage trucks of the imm u n e system) can easily pick them up a n d break them dow n f u rt h e r and get them out of the body or reused. The reason the body does this is, is so we don’t have a bunch of junk cells floating around our body like the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Sadly, one of the ways cancer works is that when some of your cells fail to respond to your body’s apoptosis signals. This means your cells continue to replicate when they have damaged DNA and so you get big growths of useless cells building up in your body. One way to alleviate this problem is to destroy the junk cells by radiation or surgery, which are basically clumsy man-made versions of the body’s apoptosis function. Dom Sutcliffe

Mythbusters:

Do we need 2 litres of water per day?

ver wonder why many Asians are seen carrying a bottle of water with them when they outside? While I do not have the exact answer to the question, it is believed that Asians tend to keep a bottle of water handy in case they need a quick sip because of hot Asian climates, and because Asian people do not normally drink straight from the tap water. During early 1970s, the first food pyramid was introduced to promote healthy living through balanced diets and has been revised couple of times since then. While many people are practicing healthy eat by adhering to the food pyramid guidance, one thing that people tend to overlook is the amount of daily water consumption. Admittedly, I tend to forget to drink water, sometimes for a good couple of hours, when I am occupied with tasks. And normally, it is until when my throat is screaming for water from dehydration that I remember that I need to replenish my body with water. People often wonder whether they should be drinking a certain amount of water per day or it is okay to drink water only when they feel thirsty. A quick search on the Internet reveals that the recommended daily water intake, while differs between countries, is around six to eight glasses of water, or 2 litres of water. For UK climates, it is suggested that around 1.2 litres of water shall be sufficient to keep us hydrated, though the amount might again differ slightly for everyone according to gender, physical activity level, and fitness of the individual.

Before you start taking out your glass and gulp down eight glasses of water, it is important to bear in mind that drinking plain water is not the only way to keep your body hydrated (and reach the suggested daily water intake). In fact, it is estimated that around 20-30% of our daily water intake comes from the food we consumed. If you think about it, everyday we consume a variety of foods and beverages such as milk, coffee, tea, juice, smoothies, soft drinks, lager, fruits, soups… All these water-containing foods and beverages are indirectly contributing to our daily water intake. Besides, a study previously carried out by Professor Maughan and his team has revealed that milk, be it full-fat or skimmed, are in fact more effective than water in keeping our body hydrated. Consumption of huge amount of water at one go will trigger your body into a homeostatic reflex to get rid of the excess liquid in the form of urine. However, people with existing health problems such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease or weakened kidney function might have difficulty balancing the fluid levels in the body. This will result in an increase in blood volume and subsequently hypertension. Besides, excessive water consumption (or over-hydration) might lead to water intoxication or water poisoning. This is because the extreme amount of liquid intake causes hyponatremia (a condition whereby the level of salt in the blood is abnormally low). While water intoxication is rare, it is potentially a fatal condition. So, how can we tell if we are drinking enough amount of water? Supposedly, if we consume enough water, we will rarely feel thirsty. Besides, colourless or pale-yellow colour urine without a strong smell can also be a good indicator of adequate water intake (except if you eat foods or medications that will make your urine change colour or smell differently). Starting now, let us try to live a healthier living, not just through healthy diet and physical exercise, but also through drinking adequate amount of water. Cheers! Ng Yi Min

c o

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snap feature

Monday 13 November 2017

Fenwick’s Christmas Window 2017 As it’s that time of year when passers by get serenaded in Northumberland Street, The Courier gives its own take on what’s really going on in the Fenwick’s window >>> Paddington quickly adjusted to the hygiene standards expected of a household bear in the UK

> > >

Paddington was unable to send his jar of marmalade because it would’ve cost him £450

“JUST LOOK AT HIS FACE” - Barry Davies

> > >

<<< Paddington reaches for Greggs across the road

Paddington became familiar with the British upper classes, growing fond of a Crêpe Suzette

> > >

vvv Paddington Bear was so named because he was seized for breaching the Dangerous Wild Animals Act of 1976 in Paddington Station by these two undercover DEFRA agents. Times have changed since 1958

Photography: Zoë Godden

puzzles

Monday 13 November 2017

Puzzles Editor Joey Barton Deputy Puzzles Editor Alex Hendley 1

4 5

8 2

9 10 11

12 13

9 5

1 3 6

6 3 8 7 2 8 3 1

2 7

16 17

Can you use the clues given to discover the name of a Newcastle University campus building? 1

4 2

Across

1 Finland’s northernmost region (7) 7 Lead singer of Slade (5,6) 8 Vine-like plant, can be poisonous (3) 9 Spiral (5) 10 Belgium, France, UK, USA were founder members of this world organisation (4) 11 Must be paid when getting on a bus (4) 13 Surname of the British Prime Minister during the Suez Crisis (4) 14 Users of the force, opposers of the dark side (4) 16 Nationality of those who live east of Chad, west of Eritrea (8) 19 Fictional sailor of Middle Eastern origin (6) 20 Shoe; Oxfords not _______ (7)

Down

13 11

1 Measurement of how far east or west somewhere is (9) 2 Irish name; Ashdown, McGuinness, Power (5) 3 Not one specific place (8) 4 A Roman Emperor’s guards (10) 5 Diagon Alley’s wandmaker (10) 6 Order of mammal; humans (7) 12 King of England, 1272-1307 (6) 15 Large eared elephant (5) 17 Chemical element ‘Sn’ (3) 16 French for ‘fire’ (3)

Find six differences

Difficulty: HARD

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Clues... 1 Sirius _____, Harry Potter character 2 Rather warm, comfortably so 3 A slight break 4 Cheese farmer Alex James’ band 5 ___ Bruce, radio presenter 6 Your loan probably doesn’t give you enough 7 Essential ingredient of bread and cakes

Last Week’s

Solutions... Issue 1357 quiz solutions: James Sproston business cards: 15 Word pyramid: Her, Here, Three, Heater, Teacher

8 Surname of Animal Crossing’s notorious shop owner 9 Gives her name to a tea room in Harrogate 10 Nickname for London Underground 11 Liberty 12 Island nation of Indonesia 13 Bald, tentacle-bearded Doctor Who species 14 One half of ‘How Clean is Your House?’ duo 15 Sea between Greece and Turkey

F A I T H 10 14 P E R I L

P S H O S O P 11 H O A R U E S

K I N E E E L 12 N A 16 A U M I 25 G N E W O

3 S G T O R E E S S S G E R 17 D 18 E 22 T A R D

4 N A D S H

E E D Y G A L E R

S T E W A R T 20 C L I O

5 T I R E L E R D U O N G H E O E N S

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sport

Monday 13 November 2017

Strength in numbers Tom Hardwick and Sport Editor Mark Sleightholm talk about three occasions when football fans grouped together for the love of their sport

FC UNITED OF MANCHESTER Perhaps one of the most impressive showings of fan power is when a set of Manchester United fans, disgruntled at the Glazer takeover of their club, decided to act. What began as an idea generated around pub tables soon evolved into a football club that now sits in the Conference North, the sixth division of the English football pyramid. From its formation in 2005 to 2008, FC United of Manchester achieved three successive promotions, rising from the North West Counties Football League to the Northern Premier League. There were four failed playoff campaigns to follow before the club was finally promoted to the Conference North in 2015,

going up as champions of their division. Since then the side has established itself in this league, but perhaps even more impressive than the on-field success is the building of a £6.3 million stadium, opened in 2015 with a friendly against Portuguese giants Benfica. Although the stadium development was delayed and significantly over budget, it has ultimately provided a home for fans who had been travelling to Bury’s Gigg Lane for home matches from the club’s conception. The club is lauded for its fan culture, with a vocal and passionate support and the third-highest average attendance in their division this season which proves

the potential successes of a fan owned football club. Each member of the club pays for one share, and has one vote on any club matters, such as who is elected onto the board of directors. Although there has been controversy surrounding the perceived commercialisation and politicisation of the club in recent years, including the raising of programme prices for the Benfica friendly and lack of transparency regarding finances, a new board of directors was soon established, and the power of the fans certainly has not diminished at this football club. Tom Hardwick

FCUM have a vocal support, home and away Image: Wikimedia Commons

GALLOWGATE FLAGS Fans can display their power in several ways, but acting as the twelfth man may well be the easiest way to do so. Newcastle United are famed for their vociferous home support, even when the team has been unable to use this backing as inspiration for on field success. In recent seasons this support has become much more organised, somewhat resembling the ultras groups more commonly associated with European football. Wor Hyem 1892 is a supporters group promising to “bring back the noise” according to their twitter, and their emergence in November 2016 has coincided with considerable success for the club. Relegation from the Premier League is hard to take, but even harder is wag-

ing the battle for promotion from the Championship. Many clubs recently relegated have struggled to reclaim their place at the top table of English football, but not Newcastle. After their relegation in 2015-16, they had a brilliant season that culminated in a dramatic final day, on which they clinched the Championship title courtesy of a lastminute equaliser for Aston Villa against Brighton. It would be over-idealistic to suggest that the introduction of this supporters’ group was the sole factor behind this success, but initiatives such as establishing a singing section in the upper tier of Gallowgate and Corteo’s, a procession of fans involving chants, flags and flares, have certainly contributed to the kind

of atmosphere both inside a football ground and around a football club that can only help to breed achievement. In addition, Wor Flags are a similar group devoted to adding to the matchday experience with flags and tifos. This has given Gallowgate an appearance reminiscent of any of the great stands in football, with Liverpool’s Kop being one such example. With Newcastle now attempting to consolidate their position in the Premier League and dispel the negativity of Mike Ashley’s reign with new ownership, the fan power of Wor Hyem and Wor Flags may finally be channeled into the success a club of Newcastle’s stature undoubtedly deserves. Tom Hardwick

AFC WIMBLEDON Sport’s contribution to Wimbledon life is more than a world class annual tennis competition; from 1889 to 2002 Wimbledon FC represented the town in the footballing world. The Dons won the FA Cup in 1988 and were a founding member of the Premier League, but relegation in 2000 and serious financial troubles saw the club announce a move to Milton Keynes, some 56 miles away. Fans were horrified to see their club taken away from them, and in May 2002 a group of loyal supporters decided to set up their own version. Just a few weeks later trials were held and a team was cobbled together. AFC Wimbledon entered the Combined Counties League, finishing third in their opening season, and quickly rose through the football pyramid to reach the Football League in 2011. Wimbledon FC’s 1990s financial woes were heavily linked to a need to find a new ground, and when AFC Wimbledon started up the club needed to share nearby Kingsmeadow in Kingston upon Thames. The Dons later took over ownership

Sports scholarship

Volleyball player Nathan Fullerton spoke to Sports Editor AFC Wimbledon are now in League One Image: Geograph of Kingsmeadow and plans are underway to relocate the club back to its traditional Plough Lane home, or at least a newly-constructed stadium on a site nearby its predecessor. The club is owned by the Dons Trust, placing control firmly in the hands of its supporters. For just £25 a year anyone can join the trust and get an equal say in major decisions affecting the club, which currently plays in League One. Aside from a few full-time members

of staff, most of the running of the club is done by volunteers. Running a football club on a shoestring budget obviously has its challenges, but in its first 15 years of existence AFC Wimbledon has been going only in one direction, suggesting that maybe footballing success isn’t as linked to massive financial investments as we often assume. Mark Sleightholm

What drew you to play volleyball? Mainly through inspiration from my parents, both were very competitive volleyballers with my dad competing over 90 times for England. As my sisters and I were growing up our parents would take us to watch games and train at our local club my dad runs – Willesden Volleyball Club. I tried out most other sports because of my height and physique, but none of them interested me as much as volleyball. Why did you choose Newcastle University? I needed a university to offer a high standard of volleyball and academics,

so I’d have the flexibility of choosing to go further in my sport after university while having a degree from a highly ranked institution. Newcastle offers the best of both worlds with the added bonus of a great city and links to national league clubs. What’s your favourite part of playing volleyball? The energy and emotion, volleyball’s a fast-paced sport heavily reliant on teamwork. Throughout all the teams I’ve played with everyone’s pumped up and motivated, whether it’s making big hits or diving to save a point all have that desire. A great example of this is an intense volleyball rally

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sport

Monday 13 November 2017

Home disadvantage for England squad Matt Proctor argues that national success will only come if English players start playing abroad

As long as England continually have managers that are of similar calibre to Gareth Southgate in charge of the national team, we will never reach the success we all so desperately crave. When Jake Livermore is repeatedly selected – you know you’re in trouble. Our problems though, lie far deeper than our shoddy squads. For as long as our players at all levels refuse to go abroad, we will be continually disappointed every two years. Rather alarmingly, unless Scott Sinclair scores 900 goals for Celtic this season, when we arrive in Russia next summer we will be the only nation to select 23 players from one league. Iceland will be the only nation that picks 23 players that have rhyming surnames, but that’s not as concerning. This worrying truth certainly isn’t the fault of the manager.

At no point in living memory can I remember there being such a negative atmosphere around the national team There is simply no one to pick from outside of England, or even Britain. If Jay Bothroyd gets a call up for scoring goals in the Japanese League, I will stand corrected. At no point in my living memory can I remember there being such a negative atmosphere surrounding the national team, which means that it’s as bad as it was during the reign of the ‘walley with the brolley’. Attendances at Wembley are dwindling, and for those watching at home, we all leave the couch after an England game declaring confidently that we have wasted another ninety minutes of our lives.

David Beckham

Nathan Fullerton jumping high in a match against Northumbria Image: Newcastle Volleyball Club

p recognises volleyball star

An icon in British culture, David Beckham was one of few footballers to play away from England, starring for Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, PSG and AC Milan

It is not even a question of our best players not going abroad, it’s a problem at all levels. Too many English players are content

to stay on the bench in the Premier League rather than test themselves in another top division in Europe. As fans we agree that there are too few English players starting regularly in the league, but the refusal of our players to go elsewhere is arguably more damaging on the national team. The biggest issue with a lack of English players in the Premier League stems from the fact that there is too much money and status attached to our league.

Only 5 English footballers are plying their trade abroad

This is a trend that that will only get worse and the best foreign players will continue to flood the league. To combat that, though, our players just need to go the other way. Whether its laziness or simply technical inferiority, it’s hard to know the exact reason for our footballers’ xenophobia, but even at its height there have been few English exports. Yet David Beckham, Gary Lineker, Paul Gascoigne and the pundit we all know and hate, Glenn Hoddle, have all shown the benefits that time abroad provides. A new culture, a new language and a new style of football are invaluable, beneficial challenges that English players refuse to get their teeth into. A comparison with our rivals shows we simply don’t compete with our international counterparts in this department.

This is a trend that will only get worse and the best foreign players will continue to flood the league There are 95 French players playing outside of France in Europe’s other top 5 leagues (England, Spain, Portugal, Germany and Italy). Comparatively, there are 22 Italians, 25 Germans, 39 Portuguese, and 63 Spanish players plying their trade outside of their home nation. A mere 5 English players are currently outside of Blighty. I therefore challenge the likes of James WardProwse, Jesse Lingard and countless other serial benchwarmers to take a year or two away from fish and chips – and our international form may just improve.

Courtney Strait about receiving a sports scholarship from Newcastle University Where have you seen improvement in your game since you began your time at Newcastle? When I first started out at Newcastle I was weak in defence and serve receive, our coaches spent a lot of time changing and refining my technique in those areas. Now I’m much more confident and relaxed in ball control, and I’ve learnt to challenge any of my weaknesses rather than avoid addressing them. I’ve noticed a significant improvement on the physical side thanks to the S&C (strength and conditioning) team, since arriving I’ve been pushed hard breaking my PB’s in the gym, it’s had a direct

impact within volleyball as I can jump higher, move faster and hit harder. A factor that’s not been as easy to measure has been learning to step-up as a player and taking on board more responsibility, in my first year I was quite a shy player coming into the team. Over the years I’ve built confidence in high-pressured situations and started pushing the team in games and training, this soon led to me becoming captain for the first time and a coach for the social team. You have just been awarded a prestigious scholarship for your achievements. What does this mean to you? How will it help you?

I’m very grateful for the scholarship and it’s encouraging that the time and effort that I put into the sport is recognised. The award also acts as a motivator for myself, wanting to give something back to the university, TASS and Sir Robert Mcalpine by becoming the best athlete I can become and getting the results in games. The scholarship helps cover the costs associated with training camps and any competitions, which becomes expensive doing both indoor and beach volleyball year-round. More time can therefore be spent committed to the sport.

The furthest England have reached in recent tournaments has been the Euro 2012 quarter-finals Image: Wikimedia Commons

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sport

Monday 13 November 2017

Poetry in motion in badminton cup MEN’S BADMINTON

Newcastle 2nds Liverpool 2nds

7 1

Jeremy Revell at the Sports Centre

NUFOC run up Ouseburn hills ORIENTEERING

Alice Rea at Ouseburn On Sunday NUFOC headed down to Ouseburn for their first urban orienteering event of the year. As the Metro was cancelled the first challenge of the day was to actually make it to the event on time. With most people choosing to run or walk there instead, their navigational skills were put to the test before they’d even started. By the time they’d all actually made it to the registration the sun, which had been keeping them warm up till that point went in and it became bitterly cold. Despite wearing every layer they owned they were keen to get running just to warm up. Most of them braved it in short sleeves and after a quick warm up they made the walk to the start. For some this was only their first or second event so the start line had a mix of nerves and excitement. All NUFOC members taking part were running the men or women’s open which meant they were all directly competing against each other. They were all

set off in two minute intervals, so the pressure was on to make the best, snap decision route choices and stay ahead of, or overtake each other. All of the routes crisscrossed back and forth so they were constantly passing each other and it was hard to tell who was in front of who. The courses lead them down and back up hills, in and out of housing estates, up steps and muddy banks and along the canal towards the Quayside. The final few checkpoints were placed either sides of a running track and lead to competitors racing to reach them first and be the first to reach the finish. Everyone did really well and all finished closely together, however because they were set off at different times they didn’t know who had been fastest until they’d received their times. After they’d all finished and downloaded they had their customary team photo and compared times and route choices. Later that evening the results came and NUFOC had some fantastic results, including taking second, third and fourth place in the women’s and 14th and 16th in the men’s open.

Ouseburn Urban Race NUFOC placings

Hear ye, hear ye. Gather ye ‘round. A tale of Wednesday’s Badminton, I must expound. Look around! What’s that sound? It wasn’t Liverpool, for half an hour they could not be found. Instead it was first pairing and best friends, Yap Yixuan and Jeremy Liew. They were bored, knocking up a shuttle for a moment or two. Next came James Ashcroft, and Ganzy Gan too - while Pratyush Pradeep was doing his hair in the loo. When Liverpool finally arrived, their captain said: “I’m sorry! We got lost, and our bus driver is dead”. I replied, “Never mind my friends, you are here now. We’ll take care of you - let the games go ahead”. We all shook hands, and the games

began. Yap and Jeremy Liew played as hard as they can. They beat Liverpool’s second pairing 21-10, next 2116 with big smashes - again and again. Meanwhile in singles James played like a machine, winning his first end 21-15. Likewise Pratyush, and his hair most pristine, won his first end to a solid 17. However, previously complaining his legs were tender, Pratyush then found himself fighting a tough three-ender. He lost his next games to 12 and 14, while James wrapped up his last game 21-13. Against Liverpool’s first pair were Ganzy and captain Jeremy Revell. We quickly showed them they just weren’t up to our level. Winning our games to just 10 and 11, we swept up their dreams of Badminton cup heaven. Back on came Yap and Jeremy Liew, cooperating like ATLAS and P-body from Portal 2. They won to 16, but how close could it be? They brought home the second game 25-23!

James now faced Liverpool’s number one singles, whose choice of slimline tracksuit gave us fashion crime tingles. James finished him off, 14 and 18, just as well - the tracksuit would no longer be seen. Ganzy and Jeremy R wasting no time, stepped up once again, defeating Liverpool’s second pair 21-9. In the next game Ganzy missed a big smash, yelling something obscene (s***), but nevertheless we won 2113. Last up was Pratyush, hair now more awol, looking to finish the match once and for all. Inspired by the team, he won to 16, sealing the match 21-18. A 7-1 victory for Newcastle seconds sees them through the cup, for now but alas, what drama lies yonder? A win next round will see the team into the quarter finals, a chance the seconds won’t squander. But who could we face, but Newcastle firsts! On that note we’ll ponder…

29 October 2017 Time

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Time

Men