Issue No.20 2011
FREE to a good home
The Official voice of Northumbria Students’ Union www.mynsu.co.uk
Your Monthly Student Magazine Filled with News and Gossip from around the Northumbria campus.
YOUR SABBATICAL OFFICERS talk about their year so far! The fashion team has been out looking at your style! Plus Advice, Gigs, Fresher’s pics and loads more. Your Union, Your University, Your Magazine.
Your link to the legal profession We offer a full range of courses to prepare you for life as a legal practitioner. GDL/LPC/BPTC/LLM/MSC/MBA Flexible full-time, part-time and distance learning routes available
Come to our Open Event on Friday 25 November at 1pm to ďŹ nd out more. To book your place call 0191 243 7035 or visit NorthumbriaLawSchool.co.uk
contents NSU NEWS SU:News 4 Oh! What’s Occurring? 5 Sabb Banter 6-7 Stay Safety Savvy 8-9 Your Grad Ball In Style 10 Page Of Praise 11 FEATURES Uni Sick VS Home Sick 12 RAG Week On A Budget 13 Discuss: Traveller Community 14 -15 Volunteer Northumbria 16 Face - Booked 17 Hot Topic: Has Christmas Come Too Early? 18-19 GET INVOLVED Erasmus: At Northumbria 20 Placements - The Way To Get That Fairy Tale Job 21 The Welcome Team 2011! 22-23 LIGHT RELIEF Spotted 24 - 25 Academic Advice 26 The Agony Aunt Team 27 Physiotherapy Students Massage at the Great North Run 2011 28 WriSoc Serial - Part 2 29
editor’s words Hey Everyone! So its been a hectic month at Northumbria but the nu:life writers have been working hard to keep you in the loop. With more writers then ever before this edition is set to be the biggest and best yet! Check out this month’s campus discussion on page 14 about the travelling community, if you have an opinion about it then email me at holly.seabrook@ northumbria.ac.uk and your view might be printed in next month’s opinions page! During welcome week the amazingly mad Welcome Team helped new and returning students on and around campus and just so you can really see the full effect of the team. Turn to page 22 and see just how many of them there really were. And don’t forget if your sad Welcome Week is over, never fear; Spotted can take you on a photographic journey through it all over again. If you got your photo taken and it’s not been printed, never fear they will be on our website www.mynsu.co.uk. I really hope you enjoy this month’s issue, it’s been a blast pulling it together and I couldn’t do it without all the amazing writers, so thank you so much to all of them!
STUDENT CULTURE Campus Style - Your Halloween Survival Guide 30-31 Halloween Flicks 32 Holly x Surviving Halloween Night 34-35 Contributors Halloween Costumes 36 Stay Safety Savvy Gemma Cail, Josie Middleton & Danielle Cross Uni Sick VS Home Sick/Halloween drinks/Halloween Costumes Halloween Cocktails 37 Sarah Fitspatrick Gig Goers 39 Page Of Praise Emma Whiteley Five Free Computer Programs Every Student Needs 41 RAG Week On A Budget/Halloween Mythbusters Kate Taylor TEAM NORTHUMBRIA Carrick Throwing Himself In At The Deep End 42-43 Goodchild Gives It Straight 44 Northumbria’s Groundbreaking Golf Programme 45 Steutel Keen To Make Marc 46 Andy’s Work Starts Now 47
Special thank you to; Steven Chester for Photography, Kim Buffery for Academic Advice & Vikki Myerscough for sorting my dreadful spelling! Editor Holly Seabrook holly.seabrook@northumbria.ac.uk Twitter: NSUCommsOfficer Design www.ellenlonghorn.co.uk
Discuss: Traveller Community Errin Kerr Face - Booked Josh Hood Hot Topic: Has Christmas Come Too Early? Kate Taylor, Suzie Harker & Melissa Hancook Erasmus: At Northumbria Aurelie Cregut Placements The Way To Get That Fairy Tale Job Lauren Vamplew The Welcome Team 2011 Michael Potter & Laura Heaps The Agony Aunt Team Anna Scatchard & Amy Terry Physiotherapy Students Jemma Bell Campus Style Carly Brown, Rachel Sturdy, Catherine Allan & Sophie Spaldin Halloween Flicks Callum Gibson Surviving Halloween Night Jacob Turner & Jamie Dinning Gig Goers Conor McBride Computer Programs Peter Kerr Carrick Throwing Himself In At The Deep End Jamie Durent Goodchild Gives It Straight / Northumbria’s Groundbreaking Golf Programme / Steutel Keen To Make Marc Simon Rushworth Andy’s Work Starts Now Tim Andrews
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NSU News
Welcome to the
NEW Volunteer Database Wouldn’t it be great if you could find every opportunity to get involved with the Students’ Union in one place? Well, now you can with NSU’s NEW Volunteer Database! From RAG raids to Academic Campaigns, projects in the community to student media, you can start volunteering with just a click. Once you’re signed up, every available role at NSU will be displayed for you to look through, and if any take your fancy, you can find out everything you’d want to know without sending any pesky emails. When you’ve made your decision, just hit ‘Sign Up’ and we’ll do the rest!
Whether you’re looking to come along for one day’s volunteering or want to dedicate a year to leading a society, our new Volunteer Database will find something for you.
Once you’ve joined, you’ll also be able to let us know exactly what sort of areas you want to volunteer in, so you can get exactly what you want out of it. Interested in the arts? Give it a tick. Teaching? Tick. Working with disabled people? TV production? The environment? Tick tick tick! Once we know that, you can look forward to targeted emails with the newest and most relevant opportunities for you. You might just be surprised with all that’s available!
So what are you waiting for? Sign up to the Volunteer Database today by visiting mynsu.co.uk/ volunteering!
Of course, the best part of our new database means saying goodbye to any mailing lists and forms you’ve had to use in the past! Everyone hates getting the same email twice (and we know we’ve been a little bit guilty of that!) so by signing up we will ensure you only get the news that’s right for you.
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Oh! What’s Occurring?
NSU News Oh! Whats’s Occurring?
Course Rep Checklist. A quick shout out to all Course Reps! We have created a brand new toolkit for you to utilise this year which includes a new feature; The Course Rep Checklist. The Checklist is a set of stages that you should look to work through during your time as a Rep packed with amazing incentives to help you along the way. Please do make the most of it, not only will it make you a stronger Rep but it’s a great CV booster as well! Any questions please contact kate.bradshaw@northumbria.ac.uk!
WriSoc does Books on Tyne After their triumphant slot at last year’s Books on Tyne festival, NSU Writers’ Society are back with a whole night of short stories, poetry and script. Dubbed The Night Fantastic, it will be an opportunity for members to showcase their work, particularly that focussing on the mad, the magical and the plain fantastic. The festival will be from 23rd November to the 27th all over Newcastle with The Night Fantastic taking place on 26th in Reds bar. Come along to see some great, original writing from Northumbria students! The Writers’ Society is a fast growing, dynamic society. Recently they launched their anthology of members work in Escape during Welcome Week, reporting strong attendance and stronger sales. Don’t worry though: the anthology is still up for grabs in Well Read Bookshop for just £9.99. And with lots of exciting projects planned for the coming year (including a Murder Mystery collaboration with Woolf and Stage Right around Christmas time) there’ll be plenty more coming up. Watch this space.
NUS Conference Elections Coming Soon - Nominations Open on 31st October Ever wanted to speak on behalf of students? On a National Level?? Well now is your chance. Nominations for NUS Conference Elections open on the 31st of October, so pick up your pack and you could representing all of us here at Northumbria in April at NUS National Conference 2012. See what happened at NUS National Conference 2011 at www.nus.org.uk
nu:life Next Issue out : Monday 14th November Remember to pick up your next issue of nu:life, found stranded around campus, looking for a good home! If you want to have an article printed in nu:life just sign up to the Volunteer Database (www. mynsu.co.uk/volunteering) and find out the dates of the next editorial meetings. nu:life 05
NSU News Sabb Banter
SABB BANTER This month we grilled the Sabbatical Officers on what they have been up to so far this year and asked them that gut wrenching question : What will they be dressing up as for Halloween? Remember to check our fortnightly Sabbatical vlogs at: www.mynsu. co.uk/sabbaticals JO RHODES President What is your role? My role is to make sure you get the best out of being here and I convince the University to get YOU what you need! What has been your biggest achievement so far? Getting all the campaigns sorted for this term! Keep your eyes open because they are looking goooood! What makes you most excited about the year ahead? Hello RAG week! It’s what made me think about being a Sabb and I wouldn’t be here today without it! So get involved and have fun! What is your highlight from Welcome Week? How could it be anything other than the last Saturday? Rewarding our volunteers was definitely my favourite part! I also love the move in days and know those friendly faced volunteers make a real difference to new students! What will you be becoming on Halloween this year? I couldn’t possibly ruin the surprise! It may be halloween but I won’t be Scary Sabb so If you do see me - come and say hi! jo.rhodes@northumbria.ac.uk Twitter: NSUPres
And if you have a question for us or just fancy a chat, shoot us an email or just pop up and say hello on the first floor of the Students’ Union, we always fancy a chat.
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HOLLY SEABROOK Vice-President Communications & Involvement What is your role? Student Media is my game! And it’s awesome. NU:TV and nu:life are my pride and joy, as well as mentoring the Lay Student Councillors and overseeing our Mega Student Council! What has been your biggest achievement so far? I won’t lie; having 28 contributors in one magazine is just amazing, I’m so proud to be publishing the work of so many talented students. I’m also really proud of the Lay Student Councillors who have been an absolute asset to the Sabbaticals over these last few weeks so a massive thank you to them! What makes you most excited about the year ahead? The progression that’s being made with the radio station is just amazing, I’m starting to see light at the end of the tunnel, watch this space, and hopefully I’ll be reporting good news soon - possibly of the audio variety. What is your highlight from Welcome Week? The videos the media team pulled together over Welcome Week were simply outstanding, actually incredible, I never in a million years expected that in a year and a bit, the volunteers would have grown and expanded their skills so much, I actually cried with pride ... I know I’m going soft. What will you be becoming on Halloween this year? After much thought I quite fancy being a Dead Spice Girl, maybe I could get the whole Sabb Team to dress as a different spice! holly.seabrook@northumbria.ac.uk Twitter: NSUCommsOfficer
KATE BRADSHAW Vice President Academic Affairs What is your role? My role is to mentor all of our lovely Academic Reps, be your voice on academic issues and campaigns, lead on academic policy and take the lead on Coach Lane related issues. What has been your biggest achievement so far? My biggest achievement so far is probably the work I have been doing alongside the library which aims to improve the feedback you receive on your work and if passed would help highlight how you can improve your marks! What makes you most excited about the year ahead? I am currently most excited about Course Rep Conference and the development package we will be running for them. If you haven’t signed up yet, it’s on the 26th of October so hurry up and get your place. What is your highlight from Welcome Week? The highlight of Welcome Week for me was the Headphone Disco. It should be more embarrassing with headphones on but I think you lose all inhibitions and make an absolute fool out of yourself (well I do!) What will you be becoming on Halloween this year? I still have no idea what I will dress up as this Halloween. I never manage to look very scary (A Princess and Austin Powers being classic examples) so I might try and buck my personal trend and go for the fear factor! kate.bradshaw@northumbria.ac.uk Twitter: NSUAcademics
HANNAH HORNE Vice President Welfare & Equality What is your role? I promote equality and diversity across the University and Students’ Union, along with making sure that nothing outside of the lecture theatre negatively affects your experience here at Northumbria, whether that is accommodation issues, health issues or anything else! What has been your biggest achievement so far? Encouraging and then getting students to put themselves forward for the Rep positions that I look after - whether that be running in the Equality Rep elections, or putting themselves forward to be a Halls or Community Rep. I’m excited to get to know them all and start working on their individual campaigns and projects! What makes you most excited about the year ahead? Along with working with all of my Reps, I am looking forward to delivering some strong welfare campaigns, so keep your eyes peeled! What is your highlight from Welcome Week? I have a few...the Hypnotist Show which was as hilarious as ever, the UV night because Domain just looked incredible, and The Welcome Team party as it was really great to reward all of our volunteers who we couldn’t have done the week without! What will you be becoming on Halloween this year? Jo Rhodes. hannah.horne@northumbria.ac.uk Twitter: NSUWelfare1
ANDREW CHEUNG Vice President Activities & Development What is your role? I oversee our Welcome Team, RAG fundraising, Volunteer Northumbria, personal development of our students, as well as working alongside all our incredible volunteers. What has been your biggest achievement so far? My biggest achievement so far must be to have raised £4000 for charity within the first month of this academic year! Our target this year is £50,000 so we are well on our way! What makes you most excited about the year ahead? Having so many people interested in being part of RAG already, with yearlong events it is going to be a truly amazing year! Not to mention the Edinburgh Trip for RAG in September! What is your highlight from Welcome Week? My highlight personally for me is training and seeing our amazing 250 Welcome Team volunteers working so hard to welcome our new students, without them a lot of things would not have been possible during Welcome Week, so hats off to them. What will you be becoming on Halloween this year? Hmm... tough one, I might dress up as an old Chinese man with a long beard and a stick, and turn out to kickass at martial arts! andrew.cheung@northumbria.ac.uk Twitter: NSUActivites1
For all you Students at Coach Lane, don’t worry about coming to see us over here, we all like to come and visit you at Coach Lane once a week. Monday Afternoons: Holly Seabrook Tuesday Mornings: Andrew Cheung Tuesday Afternoons: Kate Bradshaw Wednesday Afternoons: Hannah Horne Thursday Afternoons: Jo Rhodes Just pop in and see us at the coach lane on your way into the Coach Lane Students’ Union.
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NSU News Stay Safety Savvy
Calling all fresher’s, third years and second years! Now, we all know how Welcome Week (and yes, that isn’t just for fresher’s!) has made us cut loose and get loose (wink wink). However, even though those vodka shots, society meetings and new friends are calling, but please, don’t forget to stay safety savvy. Now, first off (and sorry to scare you), but did you know that students are THREE times more likely to be attacked than any other group? So, here are some helpful tips and words of advice from your fellow students, so you don’t become another crime statistic. Please, we urge you to read this, I mean don’t get us wrong Newcastle is a lovely toon and by far one of the safest. BUT just have a quick skim over your favourite student magazine and keep yourself from harm’s way. Believe us, this is coming from a girl who got her purse recently nicked, it’s not nice. One of the first items handed to you on arrival would have been the key to your accommodation. Use it. Keep your windows and doors locked keep items out of sight. If in privately owned accommodation, make sure your wheelie bin is kept in your yard. Also make sure the gate is shut and bolted. If you do not have a gate, bolt, yard or garden, please contact your landlord/lady and ask them what the best course of action is to take. Also remember you’re a student now, so save yourself a bit of dosh, recycle when possible and put your bins out on the right day. If you’d like to learn more (and we think you certainly do!) visit www. newcastle.gov.uk/students.
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Secondly, and this may not seem as obvious to some, but mark your property. By doing so, this helps the police to return lost or stolen items to you directly and stops some selling your GHD’s as knock-off Christmas presents. If you are unlucky enough to be burgled or become the victim of theft (like I was) then do yourself a favour and get insured before disaster strikes. We know money’s tight and a couple of quid each month is an extra drink or round at the SU, but believe us, if your Blackberry or iPhone 4, ends up in someone else’s pocket you’d cry with relief that you spent those extra pennies. With companies like Endsleigh (www.endsleigh. co.uk) offering students 24hour replacements for smartphones and laptops including £3,000 contents cover for less than a tenner a month, we’re sure it’s a bargain! They cover theft, accidental damage and loss of items you carry with you anywhere in the UK and guarantee a quick replacement. Another concern of ours is money! An Opinion Panel conducted for Sainsbury’s showed that 25% of students had never had to manage their own money before and that 7% had never opened a bank account for themselves. That’s where we come in. After being charged hundreds of pounds by going less than a tenner overdrawn, I know it’s important to find the right bank account. Students who have an arranged interest-free overdraft will have to pay this back quite quickly after graduation and sometimes the perks of a student account aren’t all they’re cracked up to be! So great, get your free railcard and travel insurance but be aware of hidden fees and even how helpful the staff are. Even our Holly Seabrook (editor of nu:life- and a bloody good one!) had to resort to extreme measures to get her Santander bank account closed. Let’s just say if they don’t listen to you on numerous occasions, swarm in with nu:tv and they’d be more than happy to help!
NSU News Stay Safety Savvy
HERE’S NORTHUMBRIA POLICE AND NEWCASTLE CITY COUNCIL’S QUICK LIST OF TOP SAFETY TIPS: Stay safe after nights out; make sure you never walk home alone or wander off from friends. If you do have to walk around at night stick to well lit streets and avoid shortcuts, alleyways and deserted areas... it’s not worth the risk! Always lock your doors and windows before leaving your property… you don’t want to make it easy for burglars and it only takes a minute! For more safety advice visit the website www.safenewcastle.org. uk or www.northumbria.police.uk
Fancy becoming a victim of crime? Didn’t think so. Newcastle is renowned for having an amazing nightlife and everyone wants you to enjoy yourself but know your limits; anti-social behaviour is taken very seriously in the toon and a conviction can seriously affect your chosen career path so make sure you stay in control! Ensure you get insured! After all, it’s better to be safe than sorry! Many insurance companies will not pay out if you have left a window or door open. It’s always handy to keep a list of the make, model and serial number of your electronic items to help the police track them down if they are stolen. See www.immobilise.com for more information. Taxi’s are your lifeline after a night out but make sure you book with a marshalled taxi rank at Central Station, The Bigg Market or The Gate. This way you can ensure you get home quickly, cheaply and more importantly, safely! Your health at Uni is very important whether it’s sexual health or maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle. Make sure you register with your local GP and find out where the local sexual health clinic is as it’s better to be safe than sorry! Visit www.nhs.uk/livewell/ studenthealth for more info! So, there’s our tips and tricks of surviving student hood, visit www. safenewcastle.org.uk or www. northumbria.police.uk if you’d like more advice on issues we haven’t covered.
By Gemma Cail, Josie Middleton & Danielle Cross.
Despite the serious message, a big part of University life is having fun! So remember to stick to these rules and you’ll have an unforgettable experience in Newcastle! Enjoy! nu:life 09
NSU News Your Grad Ball In Style
Your Grad Ball in Style Celebrate in Style event northumbria
Any event or party, large or small, we have the ultimate tailored party package for you!
For more information or consultations please contact Conferencing Manager:
Your event will be hosted in the Students’ Union of the Year 2011, in one of our award winning venues; Habita, Domain or Reds.
Sally Vleugels T: 0191 243 7621 E: sally.vleugels@northumbria.ac.uk
If you are looking for a venue for an upcoming celebration then look no further. Your Students’ Union is available to hire exclusively for your event. We can offer all inclusive packages including; 3 course meal, premium entertainment and decor packages. Alternatively for smaller occasions buffets, drinks packages for : • • • • • •
Graduation Balls Festive Parties Birthday Parties Returners Parties Course Social Events Many more.......
Enjoy first class service in stylish, sophisticated surroundings.
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Events booked before 15th November will receive 10% DISCOUNT on room hire!
Page Of Praise It’s that time of the year again...Welcome Week, 5000 excited Fresher’s experience the best week of their lives! But without the Welcome Week Team, it never would have happened! We even beat our record of packing five thousand bags in four hours to fifty minutes! Well done everyone! you have done your University and Students’ Union proud! And the wnners are...
Media Team Member of the Week Winner: Siobhan Kemp Down to her constant commitment, incredible enthusiasm, and always smiling even when other people around her were stressing out, Siobhan was an absolute asset to the media team and went above and beyond any volunteers duties.
Welcome Team of the Week Winner: Team 19 Although this team may be one of the smallest, they certainly proved that size does not matter, for they were the most active out of the twenty Welcome Week teams, never seen lazing around doing nothing, despite being given a difficult task with the size of halls they were moving in, and with a phenomenal team leader Team 19 are clearly worthy winners!
Welcome Team Member of the Week Winner: Sam Dunn Sam has exceeded what has been asked of him, and has supported the Fresher’s with all their vital needs and helped them have an enjoyable week at Northumbria University. Sam is always seen with a positive attitude and always ready to offer a helping hand to both his team and all other members, even when off duty, and never complains or questions what’s been asked of him.
Welcome Week Team Leader of the Week Winner: Oliver Brunt Oliver Brunt works hard and plays hard, and he is seen as the centre of positivity and has been there for the other team leaders in time of their distress, a worthy winner!
Dave Wright Excellence Award Winner: Chris Birks Our winner, Chris Birks has been the ‘superman’ of Welcome Week, from making sure his team are all ok, to having great banter whenever you see him, always putting a smile upon everyone’s face. As a first time team leader, Chris excels in excellence, Congratulations Chris! By Emma Whiteley Has your friend or group done something amazing this month; some amazing academic work or a fantastic volunteer project? Send me a small paragraph of what they have been up to along with a picture to holly.seabrook@northumbria.ac.uk and we’ll get them in the next mag!
FEATURES Uni Sick VS Home Sick
Uni Sick VS Home Sick Well guys, Welcome Week ’11 is over and we’re all reeling from the week... University Accommodated Students
Stay at Home Students
University accommodated students will be learning that food shopping on budget is not quite as easy as it sounds as well as ‘in flat/house politics’ creeping up over dirty dishes and unsavoury findings on the living room floors. It’s important for you guys to be as patient and diplomatic with your housemates and don’t let things go out of control for worry about upsetting a housemate. I know that a lot of you will be missing home comforts of living with your family; washing done for you, home cooked nice meals and things done just how your family does them. Be honest and fair with housemates and if you do have any issues with your accommodation you feel you can’t sort there are halls reps and the University Accommodation Office that can help!
Unfortunately, as an ex-home student I can appreciate for students living with their families at home this year you guys are maybe feeling a little out of the loop/experience of first year, well don’t you worry. If I could give you one piece of sound advice it would be to volunteer and join societies. From experience, the best people I’ve met during university and regularly contact are from Welcome Week Team and Rag Week Team and various other volunteer projects I’ve taken part in. As you get to know people during your first year it will become easier and easier to go out and keep in the university life style, especially as you’ll get the luxury of sleeping on friends sofas in their flat rather than that large taxi fare back to home. I hope you all had an amazing time and keep up the good Northumbria banter. By Sarah Fitzpatrick
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FEATURES RAG Week On A Budget
RAG Week on a Budget RAG without the riches: how to get through RAG Week without spending your entire student loan. This year RAG is happening in November. For those who don’t already know, RAG is a week where student volunteers descend upon the streets of Newcastle to raise money for various charities. There are themed nights every night and fancy dress for day and night is the norm. Now RAG Week is a lot of fun, no one’s denying that, but with so much dressing up to do, you have the potential to take a big chunk out of your bank balance. Never fear though, after two years on the RAG team your correspondent has got as good at saving money as raising it. The first trick is to buy something brightly coloured and easily recognisable which you’ll use again and can put on easily when you stumble out of bed hung-over and have to go out collecting before lectures. For an example the Penguin from Batman would be drab, difficult (and probably expensive) to pull of and be obscure enough to confuse a lot of people. Supermen (or Super girl for the ladies) on the other hand, are brightly coloured, easy to recognise and available from most costume shops at prices that aren’t too horrendous considering you’ll use it again. But for a really cheap option a superman t-shirt under an open white shirt and a pair of fake glasses is comfortable and cost-effective. It’s also a good idea to get stuff you can use again for something else. Say you go with Clark Kent and the next night’s theme is cartoon characters. Then buy a cheap orange polo neck from Primark and hey presto you’re Velma from Scooby Doo. The Sixties? Well... that would be Velma again. School disco? Nerd. Services? Sexy librarian. That’s just one example: the trick is to plan your outfits around what you already have or can reuse, not around what’ll look good. By Kate Taylor
The first trick is to buy something brightly coloured and easily recognisable which you’ll use again... nu:life 13
FEATURES Discuss: Traveller Community
DISCUSS:
Traveller Community I know that many of us found endless hours of entertainment in channel 4’s ‘My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding’, and some may have followed Paddy’s exploits on Celebrity Big Brother. But when the traveller’s site at Dale Farm hit the headlines this summer, it was made clear that the ‘Gypsy’ way of life wasn’t all fairy princess weddings and happily ever afters. The show on Channel 4 almost always touched (if somewhat briefly) on the darker side of the travelling community and the issues that they face. Issues like social segregation and how they have come to feel that their way of life is threatened in the 21st century. Perhaps this is why the community are notoriously secretive, perhaps this is why travelling men don’t like to talk about money, why children are taken out of school so early in their lives and encouraged to marry from within their own communities. What I wanted to know, was whether these caricatures of the travelling community helped the general public to see them in a new and more positive light, or if it had the opposite effect. I asked some members of our very own University (woop woop!) and the feedback I received was widely varied. Shocking you might think. After all, aren’t all gypsies rowdy, messy and unwanted
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in Britain? Apparently, some think yes, and why not? Many argue that in areas where the travelling community are prevalent, they reek havoc. They take advantage of people, and (quiet now) they don’t pay taxes! Others will argue that they have had positive experiences when faced with a traveller, happy to do odd jobs and generally keep themselves to themselves. These are also mostly the people who argue that Channel 4’s show didn’t portray the travellers in a positive light. So what I can gather from this very reliable research, is that the travelling community are just like any other sub culture or minority group, in the sense that there is good and bad in all communities. Sometimes a small minority can give the whole lot a bad name but we shouldn’t assume that they are all the same. After all, not ALL students sit around watching Jeremy Kyle with a hangover eating beans from a tin.... oh wait.
FEATURES Discuss: Traveller Community
“In Gateshead there is a lot of fighting that goes on within the travelling community so I had a negative opinion of them. But after seeing My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding I thought differently about their culture and some of the good points about how they live.”
...the travelling community are just like any other sub culture or minority group, in the sense that there is good and bad in all communities.
Kayleigh Manley
“Travellers broke into the field next to the school that my mum worked at and when they went they left a mess. I found it unnerving to have them so close to the school and the stables, but Channel 4’s show helped me to understand them better.” Kate Warner
“The show did a great job at highlighting the values of the travelling community, like the importance of the family. But it also portrayed them in a negative way, I think people only watched it for the entertainment factor.” Lindsey Davison. By Errin Kerr
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FEATURES Volunteer Northumbria
Sign up to... Christmas Volunteering Week!
If you’re looking to get on Santa’s good list this Christmas, do it with some festive volunteering! We know, we know, it’s only October, but here at Volunteer Northumbria we’re always thinking ahead and we’re busy recruiting volunteers now for a busy week of Christmas projects at the end of the first semester. From 12th December, you’ll see a different volunteering opportunity available every day, from Christmas parties for older people to carolling in centre of Newcastle. Our aim is simple: to do a bit of good in our community before we’re off home for the holidays. We’re looking for a few Project Leaders to coordinate our projects, as well as plenty of volunteers to get involved in the fun. No Scrooges allowed! Want to be part of the festive fun? Sign up today on the Volunteer Database, or visit mynsu.co.uk/vn to start your own Christmas project.
Dear Santa, This Christmas, I would like: • Carolling • Shoe Box Appeal • Tea Party • Present Wrapping • Food and Clothing Drives The Hospital Arts Project Many of us are lucky enough not to experience long stays in hospital, but for those who do, it can be a quiet, boring and sometimes lonely time. Inspired by their own experiences however, Northumbria students have chosen to stand up and make a difference through Volunteer Northumbria’s brand new Hospital Arts Project. Created by Project Leader Gordon Hamilton, with help from Ambassador for Volunteering with Disabled People, Jools Hope, the Hospital Arts Project allows volunteers to share their art and bring a little happiness into the lives of people stuck in hospital. The project includes reading prose and poetry, performing mini-plays, a spot of drawing and painting as well as music – one thing’s for sure, it’s going to be anything but boring!
So if you’re looking to get creative, want to show off your talents or just want to give something back, get signed up to the Hospital Arts Project today on the Volunteer Database or email gordon.hamilton@northumbria.ac.uk for more information.
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FEATURES Face - Booked
face - booked A famous sketch from The Two Ronnies is called “Four Candles.” Shop-keeper Ronnie Corbett firstly offers four scented candles in response to what he hears as “Four Candles please.” Yet, he is met with frustration. In a lengthy verbal conflict with his customer, it transpires that the cockney shopper is in fact after “fork-‘andles. You know, ‘andles for forks.” Although dated and cheesy, this serves as a good example of how misinterpretation can occur when language is offered informally when it needn’t be. And, in fact, this example has presented itself once again as recently as the riots which rocked England over the summer months. While looting was in its violent maturity in London, three teenagers in Wakefield suggested, on Facebook, that equally destructive riots should be organised in their home town. One such individual collected over 750 people on a page in a failed attempt dedicated to organising the activity. Two of these teenagers are currently on reprimand and face maximum sentences of five years imprisonment for “inciting violent disorder on Facebook.” The defence of such behaviour, it has been suggested, is misinterpretation - they were silly children; “only kidding!” and meant no harm. Yet, their behaviour has been reported by those monitoring material on the site, and in turn punished as illegal.
The details of this particular case are of little significance. It’s example, however, serves to show that the times when we could drunkenly sign up to, or create a page dedicated to hunting down Jedward are almost behind us. We should be more wary of what we post online and leave accessible to many, in an age where our activities and views are increasingly monitored and scrutinised. Particularly as students, in light of this case, posting a provocative status on a whim leaves us with a lot more to lose than some fork ‘andles. By Josh Hood
NO MO RIO RE TS!
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FEATURES Hot Topic: Has Christmas Come Too Early?
Has Christmas come too early? It’s October and before we’ve even got Halloween out of the way the shops are full of Christmas cards and decorations. It seems like you can’t move for reindeer headboppers, oversized stockings and industrial amounts of tinsel: in short things most people would never dream of wearing or even decorating with eleven months out of the year. Then again, perhaps the sudden attack of festive cheer is just what we need to get rid of those winter blues. Love it or loathe it, Christmas is here to stay. But are they a sign of wonder and joy or an ordeal that drains all the enjoyment out of a once beloved childhood holiday? Here’s what two new nu:life writers had to say. By Kate Taylor
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AGAINST Christmas has come Far to Early!
As a kid, Christmas was a massive deal. I’d spend 9 months before hand pouring over the toy section in every catalogue I could get my mitts on, subtly starring all the things I wanted, writing endless lists to Santa Clause and going to bed the night before hand filled with excitement and anticipation at what would be waiting for me the next morning. Even after the illusive Santa Clause figure was proven to be a myth, I still lay awake until 3 and woke up at 7, overwhelmed with excitement. However, now that I’m 19, I see Christmas through different eyes; the eyes of someone who has to scrimp and save in the months before hand to make sure I can buy all the presents I need to. Now don’t get me wrong, I love Christmas. I still get tummy glow when I see giant decorations lining the ceilings in shopping centres. And the sight of giant Christmas trees surrounded by carol singers occasionally brings a tear to my eye. However, when they start appearing in September, December seems like years away, and by the time Christmas
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day comes, I’m sick of the whole thing! I’m just reminded earlier in the year that I’m going to be poor before long. I feel that the run up, which each year seems to get longer and more exaggerated, all for one giant anti-climax. After the present opening and Christmas dinner, there’s not much to it (apart from watching Home Alone, obviously). In fact, I can’t remember the last time I didn’t have a mid-Christmas day nap, worn out by the whole, drawn-out ordeal. Premature Christmas spirit really does wear me down. So decorate your tree with gorgeous lights and sparkly baubles, sing WHAM! and The Pogues at the top of your voice through the street, start making your big Christmas plans. But please, confine them to the month of December. By Melissa Hancook
3 FOR
Christmas has come right on time!
Who doesn’t love Christmas?! Whether it’s in December or October, you can’t deny the thought of the whole thing makes you a little giddy. The lights, the trees… So what if it’s all a little early? I say roll on the Christmas spirit! Soon the lights will be up in Northumberland Street and people of all ages will be stopping by the incredible Fenwicks display with huge smiles on their faces, what could be better?! With the dark nights creeping in and the winter weather coming, it really gives us a reason to be grinning again. I imagine many of you reading this and thinking “What is she thinking? Of course it’s too early, way too early!” but here are some things to think about… If the thought of shopping for presents and writing Christmas cards all seems like so much effort in between going out four nights a week and sleeping for most of the day, I couldn’t agree more! But that’s why the opportunity to shop present by present starting now is such a relaxing thought, rather than involving yourself in the mad Christmas rush on the 23rd December for everything you need!
We all need to fund our nights out and super noodle teas, and the early Christmas hype means earlier Christmas temp jobs, which are a great way to get those extra pennies without feeling held down for the full year with a more permanent job. Those of us who lived in Newcastle last November will remember the 12 inches of snow we had, and freshers, you’ve got it all to look forward to! Sure the first few snowball fights with the flatmates are a giggle, but sliding round Newcastle knee deep in slush, trying to consider Christmas presents when really your main priority is trying not to slip in front of half of Newcastle, isn’t so fun! The option to prepare early means you avoid the bad weather, and trying to shop when our student loans have run out at the end of the term can be tricky, so getting it done early is definitely the way forward. So get out and revel in the joy of Christmas for the next two months. Only ten weeks to go, after all… By Suzie Harker
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GET INVOLVED Erasmus: At Northumbria
Erasmus The whole world is everybody’s homeland There are a lot of reasons why Erasmus students are here: some are here to study, others to learn English, others to party (a lot of us in this case, I know!) But we are mainly to have new experiences! We all come from different countries, speak a different language and see the world in different ways. Adaptation to a whole new culture can be difficult, but it is possible: a lot of people have done it before you, and lots more will do it after you!! I know it can be challenging to socialise with local students or English speaking students (they talk fast and they have an accent we cannot understand) but, truth is, they are willing to help us!! The year abroad (or Erasmus year) is just an amazing opportunity to meet new people, to learn a different language, to make new experiences… The only thing we need to do to succeed is to get out of our rooms and talk to new people. Talk to local students (don’t worry, they don’t bite!!), and not just stay between Erasmus students, who most of the time speak the same language!!... I know it can be difficult at the beginning, but it gets much easier with time!! me!!
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Plus, here, at Northumbria University, all of those things are possible! There are so many things to do, that we won’t have enough time to try everything. Thanks to the Students’ Union and all of the societies, we have the opportunity to meet new people, party with new friends, and have a wonderful time here!! So, go to the Students’ Union, talk to your flat mates, talk to your course mates… And enjoy every minute of your time here; it is not that often that we have this kind of opportunity!! By Aurelie Cregut - Erasmus Student Studying at Northumbria
GET INVOLVED Placements - The way to get that fairy tale job
PLACEMENTS
The way to get that fairy tale job We all want to have that fairytale job- you know, the one you’ve sat exams for all your life, just to get to this point. Getting there can be hard, especially when there is increasing pressure from other graduates- not to mention a shortage of jobs. University placements are on the rise as some feel they look better on your CV and enable you to stand out from the crowd. So would you consider a placement? According to Higher Education Statistics Agency, 21% of summer 2009 graduates who were employed six months later had been offered jobs by employers who they had previously taken out a placement with. So what are the benefits of work placement?
the workplace. Did it help me understand a reporter’s job better? Definitely. I learnt how to interview people depending on their stories- as well as meeting local MP’s and heroes. Every day is something new and you never quite know what news tomorrow brings. Working under pressure to produce a final piece for broadcast was hugely satisfying. It made me realise the importance of time-keeping, team work and sheer determination- not just something you learn in education. Placement has opened my eyes to the world of journalism, what skills I need to survive it and how to get the best out of my course.
So how could this benefit you? Employers are looking for those essential skills that separate you from other potential interviewees. The abilities you gain from taking out a placement can really give you that extra boost and edge. Whether you want to expand in confidence, learn skills or gain a deeper knowledge of your specific field- it could open doors for you. A placement could be valuable to help you get the best out of your course and help push you to the future you always dreamed of. By Lauren Vamplew
Over the summer, I did five weeks work placement at three newspapers and one radio station. As I study journalism- a tough area to succeed in- I felt I could stand a better chance of getting a job when I graduate. A normal day at a radio station would see me straight out in the car to an interview, pacing back through the studio door, quickly putting together a script and scrambling with the headphones to edit my interviewee clips. My newspaper placement was similar in that I used invaluable skills I have learnt throughout university- and developed them further through
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GET INVOLVED The Welcome Team 2011!
The Welcome Team 2011! Welcome Week 2011 has sadly come to an end and although the hangovers have (only just) faded, it’s safe to say, many of us have made lifelong memories. Over 2,900 new students arrived at Northumbria’s Students’ Union to have the best week of their lives! Northumbria’s very own 220 strong Welcome Team of volunteers, donned their red and yellow tshirts to kick off the week with halls move in days! The fantastic line up of nights ahead, meant Welcome Week bands were sold out before the week even began, with events such as Lo Reid hypnotist, Headphone Disco, 007 Ball and rounding the week off with Pendulum! The enthusiasm and excitement from both our newcomers and Welcome Week Team was electrifying. If you didn’t manage to find Where’s Wally at the Welcome Wagon Warm Up there’s something seriously wrong with your eyesight, or you had already had a few too many, as our volunteers were all ‘ravin’ with the freshers’ with their stripy tops and geek specs! The Welcome Team’s fancy dress efforts for the whole week 22 nu:life
was outstanding; throughout the week, we also witnessed them dressed as mimes for the silent disco, superheroes and school staff. Although they were often seen to be having fun, a lot of hard work and effort was put in behind the scenes by our volunteers. The 5000 goody bags that were all handed out within the first day of fresher’s week didn’t pack themselves. You can thank them later for your free tampons, ladies, and your Old Spice, guys! The team saw many early mornings making sure everything was set up and in place for the Welcome Week Fairs that so many of you attended. Hopefully you managed to make it along in order to collect all of your freebies and see what great deals Newcastle has to offer! The Societies & Volunteering fair was also a big hit, giving students opportunities to get involved with a wide variety of activities that our Union has to offer, such as, debating, pole dancing and paintballing. One of the favourite nights from the week was the hypnotist show. Using the power of suggestion, Lo Reid influenced many freshers and Welcome Team to do things that shocked the audience (although Lo insists that it was within their usual moral boundaries) such as forgetting the number 7, demonstrating their favourite sexual position and
GET INVOLVED The Welcome Team 2011!
being convinced that they were on the Jeremy Kyle show. Other highlights included some guys grinding up on the security guards, fully convinced that they were in a world class international lap dancing competition for a 5 million pound prize (an extra million for ear licking). This night of side splitting laughs culminated in sending the hypnotised volunteers into the audience to hug random onlookers, and were convinced that strangers’ shoes were mobile phones that they felt obliged to answer.
Thank you to everyone who took part in Welcome Week this year, making it a fantastic week for everyone, whether you are new to Northumbria or were part of the Welcome Team.
Many other parts of the Union were vital to Welcome Week such as RAG, Northumbria’s Raise and Give scheme. Over the week, volunteers helped to raise £1,958.20 for RAG by selling raffle tickets and holding a Welcome Week fete at Coach Lane campus, where all the proceeds went to charity. A tuck shop was also present in the Union allowing students to enjoy a sugar rush alongside the nightly entertainments. Volunteer Northumbria also played a huge part in Welcome Week with many Give-ItA-Go sessions taking place such as card making and Fast Friends. It is things like this that make NorthumbriaStudents’ Union much more than a bar, and why we deserve the prestigious title of HE Student Union of the Year.
‘’I think the best moment was training all the volunteers, it was a great feeling and sight to see so many people involved and to work with all these people .’’
A massive thank you also has to go to Andy Cheung, our Vice president of Activities and Development for organising such a massive event, and doing such a good job of it. When asked his favourite part of Welcome Week this year, he said;
If you asked anyone involved in the Welcome Team this year, we’re sure they would recommend that you get yourself involved in as many of the volunteering opportunities that Northumbria has to offer throughout the year. They are a fantastic way of meeting new people and making really good friends (4 LYF!) By Laura Heaps & Michael Potter
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Welcome Week this year was truly remarkable with over 2,900 of you buying wristbands is was a week not to be missed. Each month keep an eye out for yourself and if you have the eyes on your picture then you have won a prize! Come and collect a free packet of chewits from my office (Holly Seabrook) on the first floor of the SU! Here are some of the highlights provided by nu:life’s Photographer Steven Chester.
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LIGHT RELIEF Academic Advice
Acdemic Advice ACADEMIC PROBLEMS LARGE OR SMALL, OUR KIM CAN FIX THEM ALL! KIM BUFFERY IS YOUR EDUCATION CASEWORKER, ENSURING YOU ARE ALWAYS WELL REPRESENTED WITHIN ACADEMIC ISSUES.
Hi Kim,
Hi Kim,
I think I’ve picked the wrong course. I applied for it because it looked good in the prospectus but I’m not enjoying it, what can I do?
Our Course Rep has spoken to our Programme Leader time and time again about our feedback not being given back to us on a core module. Whenever she tries to bring it up at in person or at a meeting it’s batted to one side and we never seem to make any progress. We really want to take things further as it just isn’t good enough, we don’t know where we stand!
Worried 1st year Before you make any moves, think about the course you’d rather do. Why this course? Have you researched it? The grass isn’t always greener - make sure you don’t make the same mistake twice. If you’re certain, you’ll need to tell your Guidance Tutor and/or Programme Leader, and ask the administrators for the new programme if it’s possible to change. If the new programme is in the same subject area, this could be done very quickly. You’ll then need to contact Student Finance England (or home equivalent) since your loan entitlement could be affected. From Kim.
If you have an academic problem... you would like to discuss with me just shoot an email to su.advice@northumbria.ac.uk and I will be back in touch with you within 48 hours. Alternatively pop to the base information desk on the ground floor and the staff will arrange a good meeting time for us. If you have a problem you wish to see in these pages just email them to su.problems@northumbria.ac.uk and you could win a packet of Chewits. 26 nu:life
Arielle Hi Arielle, Your Course Rep can only take things so far – good on her for keeping up the pressure. You have sincerely tried to resolve this “informally”, without making an official complaint, so you are within your rights to take things further. If you want to follow up with a Formal Complaint, you would have to initiate Stage 2 of the Student Complaints Procedure. This involves submitting a Student Complaints Pro Forma to the Dean of your School, as an individual – the more of you complaining on the same issue, the more effective this would be. The Dean would then have to investigate why your feedback hasn’t been released and get back to you within a certain timeframe. Please get in touch for advice However, please get advice from us at The Base on this. Making a Formal Complaint is a serious matter – you must be absolutely clear what you’re complaining about and what outcome you’re seeking. From Kim.
LIGHT RELIEF The Agony Aunt Team
The AA Team Amy & Anna To the rescue
Dear Amy and Anna,
Dear Amy and Anna,
I would really appreciate your advice!! Before I came to university I split up with my boyfriend as we didn’t want to try and have a long distance relationship. During fresher’s week I got mortally drunk one night and ended up having unprotected sex with a guy. Since then my ex has come up to see me and we decided to give things a go. I didn’t tell him about the one night stand and we had sex, so now I am very worried that I may have given him an STI!! Please help.
I am really worried about my friend; she has recently started taking drugs more and more frequently. Before she had a really great personality and now she is moody, temperamental and is losing interest in her friends and uni work. I don’t know what to do, I really want to help her see that what she is doing isn’t good for her but I don’t know how to get through to her and make her listen.
Love Rachel x
Dear Craig
Dear Rachel First things first we think it would be a good idea to go and get yourself checked out for any STI’s. Pop into your local drop in centre for an appointment. They will also provide you with free condoms so that you can be sure to be safe in future. As for your boyfriend we think he does need to know as honesty is the best policy but also for his health because if you have contracted any STI’s you may have passed them on to him. I’m sure he will understand if you are just open with him. Amy and Anna x
If you have a problem you wish to see in these pages just email them to su.problems@northumbria. ac.uk and you could win a packet of Chewits.
From Craig
Thank you for writing in to us. We understand that it is frustrating that your friend is changing and that you are worried about her. Perhaps talk to your friend about the reasons why she takes drugs rather than giving her a lecture about how she shouldn’t do it. Suggest that she has slipped into a rut and that she doesn’t need to be taking drugs frequently. Offer her your support and help her avoid situations where she is more likely to take drugs. Try a cinema trip or shopping trip into town. However, if this doesn’t help we recommend that you get in touch with a special drug service such as www.talktofrank.com where professional drug specific advice can be given. Best of luck and remember be a good friend. Love Amy and Anna x
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LIGHT RELIEF Physiotherapy Students Massage at the Great North Run 2011
Physiotherapy Students Massage at the Great North Run 2011 The Great North Run is not only an amazing physical challenge but it is a critical event in fund raising. Every year thousands of pounds are raised for amazing charities, and every penny of that money goes a long way. The NSPCC and Percy Hedley Foundation are two charities which benefit from the event every year, and this is because they have not only an amazing team of runners but fantastic support which goes on behind the scenes. This year Northumbria Physiotherapy students volunteered their skills for both charities. Students from all three year groups got up on that early Sunday morning, packed their massage oil, prepared their plinth and got ready to provide a postrun massage to all the well deserving runners. When the first runners started arriving at the finish around 12 o’clock the students were enthusiastically waiting. Four hours later when the last runners were coming in the students were all still smiling and attentive to the needs of each individual runner. Most of the students massaged for all day with little more than an 10 minute break, appreciative of the fact that no matter how much they were feeling tired the runners must have felt 10 times worse.
Here are a few quotes which summarise feelings on the event: “ Nothing can replace experience of getting hands on, after all Physiotherapy is a practical profession.” Marie Bullock, physiotherapy student “I really enjoyed the whole experience, its great to help out and volunteer for a worthy charity like the NSPCC” Matthew Almond , physiotherapy student “The staff working for the NSPCC were very friendly and helpful making the day much more enjoyable.” Sarah Blakemore “Performing massage for the Percy Hedley Foundation was a brilliant experience” Lucy Maddison “Thank you again for your enthusiasm and organizational skills in getting everyone together, on time and working so hard at the event. We have had so much positive feedback from the runners about you all” Rachel Coombs, Fundraiser - NSPCC teamGO The NSPCC and Percy Hedley Foundation and two very inspiring charities which strive to improve the quality of life for children and families in the UK. If you would like to find out more please use the links below: The NSPCC www.nspcc.org.uk The Percy Hedley Foundation www.percyhedley.org.uk By Jemma Bell
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LIGHT RELIEF WriSoc Serial - Part 2
WriSoc Serial [part 2]
‘I curse thee!’ the lecturer bellowed. ‘Thou shalt leave this place with the knowledge that thou’s death-’ ‘Thine,’ I blurted, before I could stop myself. ‘SILENCE!’ he bellowed. ‘Your death shall be three days hence and may the knowledge stalk you like a carrion bird.’ I felt myself get to my feet and push past the other people on my row, scattering pens and paper to the floor as I did. I saw my hand shaking so badly it took me a few tries to wrench the door open. I heard the shuffle of people packing up as the lecturer dismissed the class. Apart from the tears streaming down my face none of it felt like it was happening to me. I didn’t even realise someone was calling my name until they were right behind me. Probably because they were getting it wrong. ‘Alex?’ I felt someone catch my wrist and turned to see the goth girl. She was holding two bags, one of which was mine. ‘You left this.’ ‘It’s Lexi,’ I said, trying to pretend I hadn’t just been bawling like a little kid. Smooth. ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t-’ ‘I’m Natalie. Let’s do something about your face.’ I let her pull me into the nearest bathroom, which was full of first years. ‘Out,’ Natalie ordered. ‘But-’ The light fitting exploded in a shower of sparks and red hot glass. Everyone screamed and drew back. Everyone except Natalie who stood without flinching. ‘Out,’ she repeated. This time the first year’s left without a word. ‘Aren’t you going to get in trouble for that?’ I asked, looking in the mirror and wishing I hadn’t. I looked exactly like someone who’d got two hours of sleep on a fifteen year old sofa, run halfway across Newcastle without a shower and then started crying. ‘For a technical fault?’ Natalie asked, her kohl rimmed eyes wide with mock innocence. ‘It’s not like I hexed it.’
She reached out a hand, producing a grapefruit sized ball of blue light. ‘That’s better. Hold still.’ I continued staring at the light. ‘It’s beautiful,’ I said. ‘I mean it’s crazy and it can’t exist, but it’s beautiful.’ ‘Thanks.’ Natalie started dabbing at my face with wet tissues. ‘Could anyone do it?’ ‘Not while you’re upset. Anyway, you want to focus on breaking that curse.’ I flinched. ‘Am I really going to die?’ Natalie shrugged. ‘Maybe. Not if I can help it.’ ‘But the lecturer...’ ‘Please,’ Natalie snorted. ‘If you thought his thees and thous were bad you should have heard his Greek. Not to mention his sigils. Give me a year and I’ll be twice the wizard he is.’ ‘I don’t have a year,’ I reminded her. ‘You have me,’ Natalie said, pulling a stick of kohl out of her bag. ‘Now let’s do something about your makeup.’ Fifteen minutes and too much eyeliner later I was hurrying across the breezy campus, trying to keep up with Natalie. That was when they attacked.
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STUDENT CULTURE Campus Style - Your Halloween Survival Guide
CAMPUS STYLE
It’s the start of a new Uni year, student loans are in and Northumbria is bursting at the seams with style savvy students. The fashion team at nu:life Life have scoped out the campus to find some of the best dressed, the quirky characters and those who push the boundaries when it comes to great looks this season. With Judy’s Affordable Vintage Fair packing out Domain, it was easy to see that Northumbria students have an eye for what looks good. With students ranging from Forensic Science to Graphic Design, it just goes to show that every single person has the ability to rock the lecture halls with an effortless charm.
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and English 3rd Year Journalism the quad, David pulls off the look of
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ough o Spotted walking thr ssic Levi jeans, a retr ng in Newcastle. Cla a modern student livi s all contribute to ner trai e blu out nd and sta Adidas shoulder bag time look. his laid back casual day
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EMILY 1st Year Fashion Communication The epitome of the vintage girl, Emily seeks out the quirky and the classic and combines them beautifully. The fashion team are loving her teapot shaped handbag imported from Asia and the colour of her stunning dress found on eBay for a fiver. She manages to pull off this outfit with ease.
ARTEM 1st Year Fashion Communication Fashion student Artem is clearly inspired by the modern trends of today’s fashion world. Wearing a collection of designers including Cos trousers, a Religion snood and jewellery by Vivienne Westwood, Artem brings influences from Moscow fashion to Northumbria.
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STUDENT CULTURE Halloween Flicks
HALLOWEEN FLICKS Dressing up for Halloween has become a weirdly diluted affair. What started out as a straight shot of whisky, where costumes were witches, zombies, mummies, vampires, or (if you were particularly hairy and wanted an excuse to cock a leg against a lamp post) werewolves, have gradually become diluted over the years. Now you have chicks dressed as cats, guys dressed as Edward Cullen, and movies that are more interested in whether or not the tween couple live happily ever after then how many teeny tiny pieces their bodies can be bludgeoned into. It’s a sad state of affairs, I know, but to remedy such PG-13 goings on, here’s a couple of flicks that should instill some seasonally old-school chills. You’re welcome.
The Thing 18, DVD/ Blu-Ray
Back in the eighties things were a whole lot different. Hair was bigger, Arnie still kicked ass, and, most importantly as far as this review goes, John Carpenter was somebody other then the fellow today who would attach his name to a cereal if we asked him to. The Thing, one of his many collaborations with Kurt Russel, is one of the reasons his name carries so much weight to this day. Set on an Arctic base, a group of scientists (cut off from the outside world, of course), are infiltrated by the eponymous Thing. The Thing in question needs warmth to survive, it needs blood, it needs...you. With awesome special effects that hold up fantastically well, and a claustrophobic, damning atmosphere that most of today’s stuff could only dream of, The Thing will chill your very soul until you too feel as though you’re stuck on the base with the doomed McCreedy and his crew. Oh, and keep your eyes open for the up and coming sequel. 32 nu:life
Thirst
18, DVD/Blu-Ray This is how to make a vampire flick. Sexy, scary, and funny in equally gory parts, Park Chan Wook (OldBoy) delivers a real genre piece that shows Hollywood how it’s done. Forget Cullen, Bella and all that crap. You want love, lust, pointy teeth? Go pick this up.
Red State
TBC/30th Sept I already reviewed this a wee while back (the UK release has been dogged with problems) but it’s finally here, a year or so after it was supposed to be. A religious themed horror flick from the creator of Jay & Silent Bob, need I say more? Yes? It’s got John Goodman in, ‘nuff said.
Other things to scare you. The Long Walk (Stephen King). A short story which details, you guessed it, a long walk. Written in the seventies it’s thematically similar to Battle Royale, but even more intense. Dark Souls (PS3/Xbox). By the time you read this this game will have already been out causing misery for a good couple of weeks. Promising to be harder then the original Demon’s Souls, this game will scare you with just how much you want to murder something, anything, after you die for the fourteen thousandth time. Enjoy.
By Callum Gibson
STUDENT CULTURE Halloween Myth Busters
HALL WEEN Myth Busters Last year your correspondent wrote an article on the real roots of Halloween, delving into Pagan mythology and even talking to a modern day witch. This year we’ll be doing the exact opposite and talking about all the things that aren’t true: the superstitions, the misconceptions and the just made up. Last year in the name of research I celebrated Halloween with some real life Pagans, many of whom identify as witches. Was it all five pointed stars painted in blood, sacrificial goats and dread rituals? Was I, the naive sophomore (to borrow a trope from horror films), lured in to be sacrificed, possessed by a demon or imbued with unnatural powers à la The Craft? Was there shaky video footage, sinister twins, perhaps a coven of witches dancing around naked? No, of course not, I found myself patiently explaining to family and friends. You might as well ask people who go to boarding school how Quidditch practice is going or assume all popular people are the devil (intended as a metaphor although, coincidentally, another common plot point in horror films).
logic to other groups. All students are lazy binge drinkers, perhaps? All Southerners are rude? All men are cavemen incapable of love? All women are desperate for marriage and babies and those who aren’t are either rampant feminists or heartless career women? Chance are one of those stereotypes offended you a little. And that’s without even getting into sexual orientation, race, religion, politics... Recently there has been a rash of incidents of paranoia or outright discrimination against those involved with the occult. Small things that don’t show up except as human interest stories, things so insignificant they only affect the victims. Some, at home, are just unfounded accusations. Others, overseas, lead to people being exorcised, arrested or denied their legal rights. In this climate the last thing they need is to be viewed as something out of Hammer Horror by a fortunately small but annoying minority. I’m not saying that cute witch costume you have your eye on isn’t okay, or that you can’t sit down and watch a good horror film. Most pagans like those things just as much as the next person. But leave the horror film assumptions on the screen where they belong. By Kate Taylor
What I did find was a group of people whose religious beliefs were totally separate to the Christian concept of Hell and the Devil and would probably prefer a little more sensitivity. To be cast as the villain in ever other cheap horror is annoying enough. For people to actually go along with the stereotypes is a step beyond. Think about what would happen if you extended that
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STUDENT CULTURE Surviving Halloween Night
Surviving Halloween Night SURVIVING THE NIGHT OUT IN THE COLD
of your way. Never go it alone in fancy dress, you’ll look as mad as a slasher in one of the movies being shown on TV that night.
It’s that time of year again… The costumes are in the high street windows, (between over eager Christmas decorations). Pumpkins are on special offer in the supermarket and scary movies are clogging up the late night telly schedules. So if you’re wanting to go out on the town this Halloween there are certain rules you need to obey if you’re going to survive it!
If you’re thinking of having more than one or two drinks it’s wise that you don’t choose to dress in anything too big and heavy if it’s likely you might need your friends to help hold you up. (However marvellous The Doctor is, he never held a Dalek up!) Pick something that’s fun, scary and practical - Pub landlords hate having to deal with ghosts who’ve injured themselves on their property!
If you’ve made the effort to get all dressed up in an outfit you’ve bought, rented or made you’ll want people around who’ll appreciate your efforts and support you when you stride past the teenagers hanging about the streets who’ll shout abuse without any restraint. You’ll need mates in the same boat as you who you can bounce off when you mingle with the trendy people who’ve let the occasion pass them and have actually come out clubbing in fashionable clothing. (Who do they think they are?!) Remember, a big group equals a quick entrance to a pub or club as punters will move out
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Finally, don’t overdo it. There will be a temptation to drink a large amount in a short space of time. Resist it! Nobody wants to look back the morning after Halloween and have flashbacks of making a fool of themselves under the influence of drinking. Your friends also don’t want the responsibility of minding an out of sorts monster that’s crying for its significant other! Have fun! By Jacob Turner
STUDENT CULTURE Surviving Halloween Night
Will you stay in this Halloween, or head out?
Decide now as two of our Writers discuss the pros and cons of a Halloween spent in the warm or out in the frosty freaky night. ENJOYING THE NIGHT HOME WHERE ITS SAFE!
Scary film night - if you feel you’ve well and truly had enough with parties for the time being, now is the perfect time to sit back, relax and dig out the DVD’s you’ve been too scared to watch alone.
It seems that now we’ve survived fresher’s week, the next big ‘holiday’ is going to be Halloween. We all know that with Halloween comes fancy dress and most possibly a themed night out with your new flat and course mates; who you’ve gotten to know over the last few weeks. That’s great, but for those of you who would rather not leave the comforts of your new flat, here are a couple of ‘staying in’ alternatives:
If you don’t fancy any of those options; why not get yourself down to the library and borrow something from the horror genre. You might not think a book could scare you, but I’m sure you could find something that takes your interest; whether it’s a trick or a treat, that’s for you to decide. By Jamie Dinning
Themed flat party - everyone loves a good party, so why not put those spare bed-sheets Mum & Dad have stuffed somewhere in your room to some good use and go as a fancy dress classic – a traditional Roman. Whack out the good ol’ toffee apple kits, decorate the flat and enjoy some Halloween themed games.
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STUDENT CULTURE Halloween Costumes
Halloween Costumes Between us all at Northumbria SU we have compiled a list of the cheapest and easiest costumes you guys can do this year to save money but still have an awesome time.
Top 5 places to get cheap Halloween stuff from: 1. Poundland - stationery such as pipe cleaners and celotape become a lot handier than you think as well as witches hats etc
• Ghosts - The good ole bed sheet n holes routine, 2. Magic Box - just use this for stuff that you can’t this looks particularly good if your friends do the possibly make. same too . • Rocky Horror Picture Show ...say no more. 3. Primark - to buy t shirts/vests etc that you don’t • Ghostbusters - obviously this one is a favourite mind tearing up or getting painted/stained if you can get four of you together to pull it off. It’s cheap an easy, forensic suits are available from the 4. Charity shops - full of vintage and the weirdest university shop for approximately £4, then just stick clothing you can find, great for walking sticks and a black box on your back. things a little bit out of the ordinary • Witch - ok now this one sounds boring but you can be as over the top as you like with it and just be 5. University shop - for lab coats, goggles, forensic ridiculous, the best costumes are the ones that are suits etc free and funny. • Clowns - now this one is genuinely creepy, you By Sarah Fitzpatrick can pull this costume off by going to local charity shops and getting old tweed jackets, massively oversized pants and then just get some fake flowers and cheap joke shop props. Easy as pie, and If you w sooooooo utterly creepy. skin f ant flake y/pee or a z • Zombies - ok so every year you see some people le grab o yours mbie cost d wearing the WORST and LAZIEST costumes and ume elf s and la om y usually it’s a zombie or a cat... Zombie can be the chang er it up on y e PVA glue e o best costume of the night if enough thought and use s the colour ur skin. T o s of t ome f ou least money goes into it. Again, done in a group h or nor mal pa ndation, fa e glue ce pain int. After makes an epic effect. w t right ards it wil • Crazy doctor/nurse/scientist - basic lab coat and l just off, b gett e improvise ing s careful o peel l f it tuck o fal t t o try n ressing , g n i warn s do of d n really to l han a pray ead t many gir Hallowee l p a air s cheap o .. f h .. o s e c e t t t i r a a e wh lf ap th is mo , cat er to ying urse This e same tr y, sailor ry. =) of bu r get yo can clos d n h a a n t c e u i t o e It’s o ha th int oy b lly and s Ins hair. your hold po i playb olour mpoo and the white dry sham as a be for s c ha t h ld e t s u i . o g y y w h r a o e s r d t styl head airsp your asier to oloured h e c o als is with it than 36 nu:life
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STUDENT CULTURE Halloween Cocktails
Halloween Cocktails Creepy drinks... SHOOTERS (IN A SHOT GLASS) BLOOD BATH: ¾ Sambucca Slowly top up with Blackcurrant Cordial/Cherry Sourz BLOOD OF SATAN 1/3 shot of Baileys 1/3 Jack Daniels/whiskey 1/3 Jagermeister
Why not try and have some fun with these drinks over Halloween? Some of them are yummy and some are purely deadly but all are perfect for those Halloween parties and fancy dress mischief!
COCKTAILS
PITCHERS /JUG
ZOMBIE ¼ Shot Peach Schnapps ¼ Shot White Rum 1 Shot Of Dark Rum 1/3 Glass Orange Juice 1/3 Glass Pineapple Juice And Drizzle 1 Shot Of Blue Curacao Around The Edge Of The Glass
MONSTER MASH 6 Shots Of Jagermeister 6 Shots Peach Schnapps 2 Cans Of Monster Energy Drink 8 Shots Vodka
GREEN GOBLIN 1 Shot Vodka 1 Shot Blue Curacao ½ Glass Of Lemon Fanta BLACK WITCH In A Pint Glass: ¾ Pint Of Dry Cider 4 Shots Of Blackcurrant Cordial 2 Shots Of Dark Rum
DARK & STORMY 8 Shots Dark Rum Top Up With Ginger Beer Squeeze Lime Wedges In For An Extra Kick. Have a good Halloween but remember, drink responsibly and stay safe! By Sarah Fitzpatrick
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STUDENT CULTURE Gig Goers
...TO A STAGE NEAR YOU With the Autumn rolling in and a lot of us suffering from the dreaded “Fresher Flu” or simply the idea of having to go back to our lectures, I have scoured the local scene to bring you the cream of the finest acts that are heading our way in the autumn months in order to fight off those “flu’s and blues” to keep you dancing long into the cold Northern nights. For starters we have Brighton’s cheeky pop-rap duo Rizzle Kicks, having stormed the charts in early 2011 with their single “Down with the trumpets” they are set for big things in late 2011 with the release of their debut album “Stereo Typical” on the 31st of October. Although being confined to the underground urban scene since 2008 this year sees the rise of Jordan and Harley having played Reading and Leeds Festivals this year. They are set to play Newcastle’s newest indie night “Propaganda” hosted at the O2 academy on the 15th of October, Head down to this to experience their sharp wit and melodic hook lines which allow them to make great leaps onto the early 2012 music scene. Download; “Prophet (Better Watch It)” “When I Was A Youngster”.
Moving away from the urban scene now we have the indie-rock overnight success story, The Vaccines, although they only formed in 2010 they have grown in momentum almost daily, coming 3rd in “BBC’s Sound Of 2011” and supporting The Arctic Monkeys this year has seen the garage rock inspired British indie band thrown straight into the limelight. Being one of the only bands ever invited on Later...Live With Jool’s Holland to have not released a single previous to their appearance. Make sure you are one of the crowd when the play the O2 Academy on the 21st of November to bare witness to their clever lyrics and catchy indie twang which will leave you clicking your fingers long after the encore has played out. Download; “Wreckin’ Bar (Ra Ra Ra)” “If You Wanna”. Last but definitely not least comes the female fronted atmospheric indie rock trio, The Joy Formidable, Set to hit Newcastle’s Quayside venue “The Riverside” on the 20th of October for only £11.50!, after releasing the album “The Big Roar” which took the underground Indie circuit by storm. From their recent re-released single “Whirring” it is a refreshing shock to hear such intricate and well worked riffs and drum beats from just three people. Also in their news is their place on the new Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Soundtrack which probably came as a result of their blistering performance on the main stage at this year’s Reading and Leeds Festivals. After a brief YouTube listen they will definitely become your new favourite indie band. Download; “Whirring” “Cradle” and “A Heavy Abacus”. By Conor McBride Also in their news is their place on the new Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Soundtrack
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STUDENT CULTURE Five Free Computer Programs Every Student Needs
Five FREE
computer programs for every student’s needs 1. Avast Anti-virus (at avast.com) You use protection, right? I of course mean of the electronic kind not the prophylactic. There is all sorts of anti-virus software out there, both paid and free but Avast consistently proves itself to be reliable and trust worthy when it comes to detecting various electronic nasties. But no matter what you have on your system you can never be too careful so what is the harm in doubling up?
2. GIMP: The GNU Image Manipulation Program (at gimp.org) GIMP at it’s heart is a free version of Photoshop. You won’t find every feature of Photoshop here or even it doing things in the same way but it does it’s own thing very well. It may take a while to learn various menus if you are used to other programs but this very powerful image manipulation is capable of producing professional and quality work.
3. Open Office (at openoffice.org) We are all used to Word and we are all used to paying for it. Open office addresses this balance somewhat. It is a collection of desktop publishing programs that aim to replicate all the features of it’s paid for cousins. You won’t get the support you would with a paid product but there is generally a legion of volunteers and developers giving their time to help out newbies and add new features when you discover something is missing.
4. Dreamsparks (at dreamspark.com) Dreamsparks is not a singular program but rather a collection of programs that you as a student have access to. It is an initiative ran by Microsoft to help promote programming among students. Whether you are on a programming course already or a writer wanting to learn how to get your games on the Indie Marketplace this is where you start. There are programs such as Visual C++ to the Kinect for Windows SDK to even a copy of Robotics Developer Studio. This repository should be your first port of call if you are interested in add a new digital string to your bow.
5. Evernote (at evernote.com) Evernote’s tag line is ‘Capture anything, Remember Everything’ and it does pretty much what it says on the tin. It is taking notes turned up to 11. Any website or document you are look at, be it a sound clip or flash file or anything in between Evernote will capture it and make a note so you can come back to it at a later date. So imagine you are researching a particular subject and reading around the internet looking for information Evernote is able to save the relevant snippets of data that you stumble across ready for you to revisit it when needed. It is perfect for starting an assignment, trying to remember where to cite that particularly astute insight you just made or simply saving that funny picture of the cat you saw last night. By Peter Michael Kerr
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TN Carrick Throwing Himself In At The Deep End
CARRICK THROWING HIMSELF IN AT THE DEEP END Team Northumbria midfield maestro Graeme Carrick is no stranger to hard work. Carrick works as an FA skills coach, is on a Masters course at the University and plays for TN. So the former West Ham academy graduate is constantly kept busy. “I’ve thrown myself into this degree course so it’s going to be challenge trying to balance everything,” said Carrick. “I enjoy coaching the young lads which is my job with the FA. But there’s a really good team here at TN and I’m enjoying being part of it.” As well as playing for TN, Carrick is also a member of the coaching team under manager Paul Johnson. Being forced to retire from professional football after a succession of injuries, Carrick tried his hand at coaching and became a fully-qualified coach.
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“It’s difficult trying to separate my roles with TN because I’ve got a foot in both camps being a player-coach,” Carrick said. “I’ve had a year with the Northern League team now and it’s been a lot of fun travelling around with the lads. “I think the fact that I have a bit more experience and a range of coaching knowledge helps the team. “A lot of the lads are doing sports or coaching degrees and work part-time as coaches, so it all benefits TN.” Before beginning his TN career in the summer of 2010, Carrick worked as a coach for Newcastle United’s academy before enrolling on the FA school skills scheme. And Carrick admits it was hard to turn down the opportunity to play again. “While I was at West Ham I was constantly trying to build up my fitness but just kept breaking down,” said Carrick. “Although injuries have taken their toll I still feel I can contribute because I still love playing.
“Physically I may not be as able as I used to be but hopefully I can make up for that with a bit of extra knowledge on the pitch. “If Paul wanted me to make a straight choice between playing or coaching I wouldn’t have a problem with either. “I have enjoyed coaching the more I’ve got into it and it’s where I see my long term future.” Carrick is one of many that have been impressed by TN’s start to the Northern League season. “We’ve got results by playing a brand of creative football that Paul has instilled in us. And it’s an important part of TN’s philosophy,” he said. “The North Shields defeat last month was disappointing but teams have blips and no one goes an entire season without dropping a point. “To get my goal against Newton Aycliffe a few days later and complete 90 minutes was great but more importantly the team response from North Shields was excellent. “I hate losing about three times as much as I enjoy winning but we’ve done a lot of planning for this season and we’re confident it’ll end well. “We’ve got a few guys playing a lot of games at the moment and now the University league has started it’s stretching the squad. I’d urge anyone who feels they could contribute to give Paul a call.”
“I have enjoyed coaching the more I’ve got into it and it’s where I see my long term future.” Carrick is one of many that have been impressed by TN’s start to the Northern League season. “Michael rings me all the time and the first thing he asked after his game against Chelsea was how we’d got on the day before,” Carrick said. “We speak a lot about tactics and how to use certain players but we speak a lot in general because we’re very close.” Most of all, Carrick is delighted about the season that lies ahead. “I’m really looking forward to the University league kicking off and it’s an exciting opportunity for me,” said Carrick. “The improved strength in depth of our squad is evident with the lads coming in all making good contributions. “Obviously guys will be disappointed to be left out of games but what we’re building here is going to be keyed by a real team effort.” By Jamie Durent.
The midfielder also discussed how his brother, Manchester United and England star Michael, regularly enquires as to how Team Northumbria get on.
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TN Goodchild Gives It Staright
GOODCHILD
GIVES IT STRAIGHT Upbeat Dave Goodchild is confident Team Northumbria’s Super Eights sides will find their top flight feet after a sobering start to the season. Star-studded Leeds Carnegie did the double over TN’s men and women as national league volleyball made a welcome return to Sport Central.
“But we still managed to cause Leeds some problems especially with our serving game.
But Goodchild blamed unforced errors and poor preparation for the back-to-back losses predicting more positive results to come.
TN’s men came agonisingly close to bagging an opening day win only to fall at the final hurdle.
“The women only came together 24 hours before the start of their game and that showed,” he said. “There are a number of reasons for that but it wasn’t ideal. “Having said that I feel they competed very well for a team still getting to know each other.” Leeds eased to a first set win as they capitalised on TN’s unfamiliarity to take a 25-14 win. But the hosts had a number of chances to clinch the second set before going down 25-20. And Leeds wrapped up the straight sets victory with a 25-16 final set win. TN will hope to welcome star player Magda Ropiak back into the starting six when Ashcombe Dorking visit Sport Central on Sunday. The Team GB hopeful was forced to sit out the Super Eights opener with a minor knock. And Goodchild added: “Madge was missing which was a blow.
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“We started to gel together a lot better as the match went on and I know we will only improve.”
Leeds unveiled their all-star American squad after recruiting heavily during the summer. But after a shaky start TN gave the pre-season favourites an almighty scare. Leeds were comfortable throughout the first set and cruised to a 25-14 win. But TN took the next two to lead 2-1 with two sets to play. The fourth set went to Leeds as the Yorkshire club racked up a 25-20 win. And a fatigued TN surrendered the decider 15-5 - leaving Goodchild to wonder what might have been. “Our serve could have been better,” he added. “We passed well but I know the guys can play better than that and we are only set to improve. “The Leeds team have signed nine new international players so we always knew it was going to be a tough game. “But I’m happy with the fight we put up.” By Simon Rushworth
TN Northumbria’s Groundbreaking Golf Programme
NORTHUMBRIA’S GROUNDBREAKING GOLF PROGRAMME Northumbria’s rivals are green with envy after the University announced exciting plans to revamp its groundbreaking golf program. All things golf will now move to the Lee Westwood-approved Close House course on the outskirts of Newcastle. And Northumbria’s performance students will benefit from one of the best new courses in Europe - as well as expert tuition from Close House professional Jonathan Lipton.
“The course and the staff at Close House are second to none,” she added.
“I’d like to think sixth formers, with a good handicap, and looking at their options for 2012, would consider Northumbria as a serious option. “On and off the course we offer an excellent package and we want to spread the word when it comes to what we can offer!” By Simon Rushworth
“This is great news for golf at the University and represents another step forward for the programme,” said Team Northumbria manager Cathy Rooney. “Jonathan will be our new performance coach and our players will learn a great deal from him. “We have also secured fresh support from the R&A to benefit our most talented golfers. “Added to that we have agreed a key sponsorship deal with Brewin Dolphin, who already back our rugby programme.” Northumbria, led by star student golfer Nicky Maddison, continues to attract many of the region’s best emerging players. But the University is keen to spread its net far wider in a bid to bring the very best talent to the North East. And Rooney has urged all current students with family or friends keen to play golf and study for a degree next year to consider Northumbria’s Close House package.
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TN Steutel Keen To Make Marc
STEUTEL KEEN TO MAKE MARC Marc Steutel has returned from Germany confident a Team Northumbria side in transition can compete for title glory this season.
Marc Steutel has returned from Germany confident a Team Northumbria side in transition can compete for title glory this season. The rookie play caller took charge of an experimental England AASE Under 19 squad as he broadened his coaching experience abroad. But Steutel returned from the continent determined to see his side lay down a marker in the pursuit of the EBL Division Two title. The rookie play caller took charge of an experimental England AASE Under 19 squad as he broadened his coaching experience abroad. But Steutel returned from the continent determined to see his side lay down a marker in the pursuit of the EBL Division Two title. “In general our offence has looked good and the defence has been aggressive,” he said. “But then we have lost a bit of focus at times in certain games. “I spoke to the guys earlier this season about our character and working out what our identity is. “That’s something we’re still looking at.” TN stormed out of the blocks with back-to-back wins at the start of the season last month. But a setback in Southampton against Solent saw Steutel go back to the drawing board.
Since then last season’s MVP Toby Hutton has returned from injury. And big man Nils Steuber has returned from Germany to give TN much-needed experience and a physical presence inside. “Sometimes our defence looks absolutely fantastic but too often we switch off and let teams have an early basket,” added Steutel. “The one thing I was able to say to the guys before I left for Germany was that the Solent result would not affect our league prospects. “It was a Patron’s Cup tie and that competition is secondary right now. “Division Two is our priority and if we can take what we learned from Solent into the league then we’ll be ok.” Steutel handed a debut to former England Under 16 star Sam Craig in Southampton with the point guard expected to figure more prominently in the future. “Sam’s a young lad with a lot of talent who we’re working into our rotation,” added Steutel. “It’s early days yet but I think he’ll be a great addition to our squad. “When everybody’s fit I’ll be working with 16 talented guys and that’s a great number to have at this level.” Check out www.nusportcentral.com for details on all of the TN Men’s Basketball fixtures at Sport Central this season. By Simon Rushworth
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TN Andy’s Work Starts Now
ANDY’S WORK STARTS NOW Rookie Team Northumbria rugby coach Andy Buist is confident his players will recover from shaky start to the season and finally fulfil their huge potential. The former Newcastle Falcon replaced Nick Gandy during the summer and inherited a squad missing several senior stars. Buist’s rebuilding programme began in earnest but a series of high-profile North One East fixtures came too soon for a team in transition. And TN went into October bottom of a league they had set alight with a thrilling rand of attacking rugby just 12 months’ earlier. But with Samoan player-coach Lome Fa’atau finding his feet and a number of new forwards on the TN radar Buist remains upbeat. “We just need a bit more depth in our front five,” he said. “We’re finding size at this level to be a big factor with the other teams. “We’re young, we’re generally a lot lighter and a little bit more inexperienced.
“Or we’d give away stupid penalties. And if we came up against a team with a good kicker he would punish us.”
“In most games, our forwards come off a bit battered and bruised, and they’re not used to it.”
With BUCS competition now underway the extra pressure on Buist’s Saturday side is clear.
After TN lost their first four games Buist admitted a key factor in all four was a 20-minute period when focus was lost and the opposition capitalised.
On the flipside a new injection of rugby talent could provide the ex-England Under 19 international with extra options across the pitch.
“In those first games we did have a 20 minute blip where we let teams score 20-odd points,” he added. “The boys have to understand that if you miss a tackle or someone gives away a penalty then you will concede points.
“The lads are still upbeat,” he added. “It’s tough going out playing for a new team, especially if you’re not winning, but the guys seem to be alright.
“And the mistakes they were making were costing points.
“It’s good that they’re not getting down.”
“When we had possession, we’d either lose the ball in contact, or the opposition would steal it from us because we weren’t looking after it.
By Tim Andrews
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