Epigram issue 364

News Features Film & TV

Epigram discusses feminism, the cost of living and accommo dation with the new Vice-Chan cellor

Bristol on a budget: a Fresher's low-cost living guide

Music

Unmissable live music in Bristol this Autumn

What's on Bristol's Film & TV Schedule this year?

Welcome to Bristol!

Image credit: University of Bristol Flickr/ Bhagesh Sachania

Mark Ross Co-Editor-in-Chief

James Dowden Co-Editor-in-Chief Edi

Hello and a very welcome to our opening fresher’s edition of Epigram!

Whether it’s your first year or you are a returning student, you have something new to discov er in Bristol.

We are super excited for our first print edition of the year in which we aim to give a flavour of what Bristol has to offer and what makes it one of the most vibrant and exciting cities to live in in the UK.

We catch up with the new Vice-Chancellor Evelyn Welch for an exclusive interview to hear what her plans are for the years ahead.

Also, we look at the cultural reach of the city in our Film and TV section. Have a read to find out about the famous series and films set in the city, as well as the upcoming film festivals for which Bristol is so famous.

In our features section, we’ve researched the best ways to cut costs on a student budget – especially use ful in today’s climate.

Throughout the year here at Epigram we will be keeping you updated on all the latest university, and local, news.

Our monthly print editions and our revamped on line and digital presence mean that Epigram will be a major presence on campus as well as online.

Be sure to follow us across our socials and if you are interested in getting involved be sure to get in contact to join an exciting team of writers, editors and crea tives.

Have a great year, and see you next month!

If you want to write, find out about socials and enjoy our new online content, follow our socials below!

Epigram Team List 2022/23

Senior Team

Epigram: Co-Editors-in-Chief - James Dowden and Mark Ross

Deputy Editors - Marine Saint and Alexander Sampson

Social Media Managers - Freya Shaw and Oscar Hunter

The Croft: Co-Editors-in-Chief - Emily Fromant and Nicole Quy

Theano Dimopoulou - Social Media Manager

News: Radhika Gurnani - Editor Lena Stein - Deputy Editor Shreyas Kanna - Sub Editor

Aeliya Bilgrami - Digital Editor

Features Lauren Sanderson - Editor Lily Farrant - Deputy Editor

Aidan Szabo-Hall - Investigations Editor

Opinion: Quinn Clearwater - Editor Nina Micciche - Deputy Editor Katie Sowerby - Columnist Eve Bentley-Hussey - Sub Editor

Music: Oscar Ross - Editor

Jake Paterson - Co-Deputy Editor

Josh Templeman - Co-Deputy Editor Hannah Thompson - Sub Editor Sam Cox - Digital Editor

Film&TV Evelyn Heis - Editor Milo Ryan - Deputy Editor Amelia Jacob - Digital Editor Kelila Smith - Investigations Editor

Sci-Tech Dhristi Rangani - Editor Emily Barrett - Deputy Editor Carla Rosario - Digital Editor

Tiberiu Toca - Investigations Editor

Sport Joe Green - Editor

Jojo Lewis - Deputy Editor

Business Team

Louis Edward - Digital Editor

Eddie McAteer - Investigations Editor

Arts:

Rianna Houghton - Editor

Ella Fraser - Subeditor

Phoebe Caine - Deputy Editor

Melissa Braine - Digital Editor

Milan Perera - Critic Columnist

Creative Team

Charlotte Carpenter - Creative Director

Elsie King - Visual Designer

Managing Director Tim Edwards Deputy Director Joshua Ang Head of Finance Matthew Chang

Head of Marketing Sophie Brassey Head of Ads and Sales Lucas Arthur Head of Alumni Elena Venturelli

‘The University should play a major role in supporting any student facing financial challenges’:

Epigram interviews UoB’s new Vice-Chancellor

• Epigram interviews

‘Bristol is the best! It has a unique combination of being an exceptional university in an exceptional city.

‘Bristol has done remarkable work around public health, in collabora tion with the city, with the local NHS, with GPs, in terms of truly bringing, for example, climate change health, reproductive health and our research together.

work collaboratively with communi ties in East Bristol through offering educational and support services to locals.

Projects such as this underpin Welch’s vision of the university as part of the community, rather than as an isolated institution.

Mark Ross Co-Editor-in-Chief

Lena Stein Deputy News Editor

At the beginning of September, Professor Evelyn Welch began her new role as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bristol. She arrived from King’s College London, where she served as interim president, and brings a wealth of experience from other leadership roles at the Univer sity of Sussex and Queen Mary, Uni versity of London.

Professor Welch hails from the United States where she studied Re naissance History and Literature at Harvard University. She holds a PhD from the Warberg institute and was awarded an MBE for services to high er education and the creative econo

‘That’s just one of 101 examples of how the University and the city have collaborated to take research and education out of the classroom and into the city, back into the communi ty. This is unique…and exciting’

When asked about her top priori ties, Welch continues to focus on the link between the city, university, and students. She prefaces her response by assuring Epigram that she refuses

As for space, Welch discusses the need to invest in our buildings and facilities to create the best ‘physical and digital environment’ for our stu dents.

The VC’s third challenge is money. The University, like the rest of us, is facing financial pressures.

Due to inflation, ‘what bought £9,250 two years ago now only buys around £6,600’.

Epigram follows up by asking, if you want to invest in buildings, and

online and in-person learning can be mutually complimentary.

to ‘parachute in and tell you how to run the place’, and that her first task is ‘to listen and learn from broader community’.

She goes on to list her top chal lenges as ‘people, place, and money’.

look after students, but your finances are increasingly squeezed, will cuts have to be made, potentially harm ing our education?

Welch reaffirms that ‘the quality of your education is absolutely par amount.’

‘I’ve got a famous daughter - I don’t normally talk about her – in the music industry…in that case, learn ing lyrics and song…and sharing and commenting online... creates a com munity, so that when you do come together in person, it’s so exciting…

role’ in supporting any student who is facing financial, social, and emo tional challenges.

She proceeds to explain the meas ures taken by the university to man age the crisis, most notably the ex pansion of the university’s hardship fund. She is also working with the SU to streamline the application process for this resource.

The fund provides ‘financial assis tance to help support students who may need additional funding sup port whilst they study’.

She segues into discussing online learning, and the role that this cost cutting technique can play in univer sities.

‘We’ve got to ask - what is quality? How do we define it? Is it sitting in a lecture theatre with three hundred people or is it watching a lecture in your own time and, for example, not having any commuting costs?

because you know what you are there for. ‘

When Epigram asks if she sees a future where all learning is online, Welch responds resolutely.

‘Bristol is a place. A place where you come to make friends, have din ners in your kitchen…it will always be a place.’

Epigram follows this up by enquir ing about accommodation. We ask whether past troubles, such as stu dents being housed in Newport due to housing shortages, will be avoided this year. Professor Welch’s response will reassure many first years: ‘I can guarantee that freshers will not be housed in Newport’.

my.

Sitting in the new VC’s offices, which she moved from Senate House to be closer to students, Epigram quizzes Professor Welch on her plans for the University. With a CV as deco rated as hers, why did she choose to come to Bristol, when she could have presumably found a job anywhere else?

‘People only have so much time. We are dependent on the staff and students. So, we need to respond to challenges about workload for both’.

‘We are a community…we need to have that collective conversation about how we really support each other’.

Here, Professor Welch uses the ex ample of the Barton Hill Micro-Cam pus. This is a university initiative to

She cites the experience of daugh ter, the eponymous singer of Flor

‘I

The conversation turns to the costof-living crisis and ask how big a role the university should play in helping students in need.

find a way of saying not just that other

do this, but anyone who wants to take a

style which is actually trully in their own voice ‘

ence and the Machine, with the mu sic industry as an example of how

Professor Welch is adamant that the University should play a ‘major

For non-fresher’s accommodation, the VC mentions that those strug gling with accommodation should speak to the SU’s ‘world class’ hous ing service.

With financial and social worries aplenty, how does she plan do im prove mental health and wellbeing services for students?

‘The approach that Bristol has taken is absolutely in line with what has been recommended by experts which is a whole of university ap proach. Where you aren’t coming in at the end of a moment of crisis, [continued overleaf]

Professor Evelyn Welch, the new Vice-Chancellor • VC discusses the cost of living crisis, accommodation and feminism

need to

women can

leadership

‘I can guarantee that Freshers will not be housed in Newport’

‘About 300 staff are employed to look after mental health and wellbeing. That is significantly higher than in other institutions’

[continued] but actually working with students to prevent these crises from ever arising.

'About 300 members of staff em ployed to look after mental health and wellbeing. That is significantly higher than in other institutions.’

After further research, Epigram discovered that the university has indeed invested heavily in wellbeing services. For example, it has created ‘one at a time’ counselling, which has reduced waiting times, and created ‘Wellbeing Access’ as a single clear route to wellbeing support.

To round of an eclectic mix of questions, Epigram enquires about the significance of Professor Welch being the first female VC in the Uni versity of Bristol’s 107 year history.

‘I feel a huge responsibility. I’ve al ways been the lead for gender equal ity in the institution where I’ve served in the past 25 years. And I know how important it is to have role models and to demonstrate the leadership

comes with many voices.

May, who had an amazing sense of

'I need to find a way of saying not just other women can do this, but an yone who wants to take a leadership style which actually is truly in their own voice, instead of a ‘cookie cutter’ of what a Vice Chancellor should look like. So that people think ‘if she can do it, I can do it’

We follow up by asking her about her female role models.

‘Julia Gillard, the first female PM of

humour! We discussed the way that, as a female leader you are held to different standards [than male lead ers]. About how the media made comments about your clothes, your weight, your hair, your voice, things they’d never discuss about a male leader’

And this star-studded anecdote brings our chat with the new Vice Chancellor to an end.

Australia. 10 years ago, she made a speech in parliament in Australia on misogyny. I found her inspiration al. And she introduced me to Hilary Clinton, who I also found very inspi rational!

Then, we had dinner with Theresa

After only handful of days in the role, the death of a monarch and host of crises, Vice Chancellor Welch is a remarkably well informed and organised individual. Epigram looks forward to monitoring her progress and holding her offices to account as we begin her first academic year in office.

Welcome Professor Welch, and good luck!

PETA disrupts university open day

• Animal rights group PETA supporters unveiled a banner along the M32 denouncing the 'forced swim test' and disrupt talks by the university’s neuroscience department.

Lena Stein Deputy News Editor

Supporters of the animal rights group, the People for the Ethtical Treatment of Animals (PETA), contin ue their campaign against the 'forced swim test' (FST), a rodent behavioural test used for the evaluation of antide pressant drugs. In this test, a rodent is placed into a cylinder of water in which it is unable to stand, and forced to swim to avoid drowning. The campaign asserts that the test is

both ineffective and unethical, and the University’s continued practice of FST is therefore unacceptable.

In February 2022, the university released a statement acknowledging these ethical concerns, but defended the University’s use of FST as a 'valid' and 'vital' method of research. The university also pointed to their ethi cal review processes which attempts to reduce harm.

This statement was the university’s

reaction to an open letter opposing FST, penned by a partnership of PETA and University of Bristol students, and the 2021 Bristol Student’s Un ion’s motion condemning the univer sity’s use of FST. Bristol University’s licence to practice FST expired in Au gust 2022.

PETA supporters’ disruption of neuroscience talks, protest along the M32, and distribution of leaflets and badges at the Bristol University open

day demonstrates a continued frus tration with university policy.

Opposition to the university's practises has recently mounted, with Metro Mayor Dan Morris and celebri ties such as Mark Rylance coming out in support of the ban.

A University of Bristol spokesper son said earlier this year: 'As a re search university, we are committed to a culture of care where animals are treated with compassion and re

spect.

'We are in regular conversation with the National Centre for the Re placement, Refinement and Reduc tion and Animals in Research (NC3Rs) and the Home Office, as well scientif ic societies and academic colleagues, so we can keep up to date with the latest thinking on all aspects of re search using animals.'

Peta supporters disrupt neuroscience talks Peta UK/ Christian Coleshaw

‘As a female leader you are held to different standards'

‘The quality of your education is absolutely para mount!'

Businesses in Bristol fear for their future amid costof-living crisis

• Small businesses in Bristol facing an existential threat as cost-of-living crisis worsens

Shreyas Kannan Physics and Philosphy, Third Year

Small businesses in Bristol and across the United Kingdom are facing an existential threat as the cost-of-living crisis worsens.

With inflation reaching above 10 per cent for the first time since the 1980s and the energy crisis greatly intensifying due to the war in Ukraine, small businesses already recuperating after supply chain disruption during the pandemic face further monetary pressure.

Some businesses, such as the Crafty Egg in Fishponds, project a near doubling of energy prices in

Bristol from August to September. Others are projecting increases of nearly 500 per cent.

However, this is not happening to all business. Those still under fixed energy contracts are able to set their energy costs. But, as their tariff ex pires, they too will be faced with the same hike in costs as there is still no energy price cap set by the govern ment for businesses

Regardless, even with temporary fixed energy prices before their contract runs out, these businesses will still see an increase in overhead costs and a loss of revenue.

This will be fuelled by increased inflation and customers generally spending less; ultimately contribut ing to a loss of profit.

This change in customer spending habits, compounded with the ener gy crisis, has greatly impacted small businesses in Bristol’s hospitality sector. Famed restaurants and pubs who greatly rely on Bristol’s already frugal student population must raise

Bristol in Numbers

Mark Ross Co-Editor-in-Chief

Welcome to the first 'Bristol in Numbers' - Epigram's first stab at data journalism.

Using data collected from you, the readers, this weekly update shows you what Bristol students really think.

No longer do you have to write a feature length article to express your opinion. Just respond to our polls (online and, soon, in-person around campus) to make your voice heard.

This week's theme is the 'return to university'. We've asked students

about their priorities, worries and expectations for the upcoming year.

So what do the numbers say this week?

Question 1: What should be the new Vice-Chancellor's top priorities?

Professor Evelyn Welch will begin her role as the new Vice-Chancellor of Bristol University in September, and she will be busy from the off.

With a plethora of issues to deal with (from environmental and cost of living crises, to over-priced lattes in the Source Cafe), Welch will have to decide what problems to fix first.

45 per cent of you believe that

prices out of necessity.

Some even face the prospect of reducing opening times and staff; thereby increasing unemployment amongst the public and students. For some however, the worst is yet to come as winter slowly approaches.

Hospitality sector businesses that heat premises for customers, or plant shops – such as Wild Leaf on Gloucester Road - that need heat for their plants will especially feel the crunch.

Indeed, some businesses have already declared bankruptcy such as award-winning butchers T & P.A Murrays; closing its doors after 28 years due to the crisis.

The government now is in the pro cess of finalising plans for a £150bn scheme to support business’s energy bills. But the exact mechanism of the scheme has not been clarified and government officials are now warn ing business leaders that the scheme may not be ready until November.

The help being offered to busi

nesses has been referred to as an ‘Equivalent support’ to the energy price cap for households.

But with further delays to the sup port package and with little clarity as

to what it offers, businesses in Bristol fear for their future with many saying that they cannot wait days, let alone months, for a package to arrive.

tackling the student housing shortage should be the first item on her agenda. Improving wellbeing services is almost as important, with 39 per cent of readers voting for it to be her top priority instead.

Either way, Professor Welch's inbox will be as overflowing as a student recyling bin. Good luck to her.

Question 2: How should the Uni versity ease the Cost of living crisis for students?

The University should help its students to manage the increasing costs of living. If basic decency isn't a good enough reason for this, then the Uni should remember that supporting students will allow us to study and, thus, to pay our fees. Win Win.

But how should the University help?

16 per cent of respond ents stated that the Uni versity should lobby, or

collaborate with, local government. This could be in order to implement accommodation price controls, or to push for subsidised travel in Bristol. Talking of travel, 51 per cent said that the University should reduce the prices of its services, such as University-run busses. Although stu dents asking for discounts is far from unheard of, small changes like these could cumulatively ease the pressure on students' wallets.

But as universities' domestic-fee incomes are eroded by inflation, the new Vice-Chancellor will have to make cuts in other areas in order to meet these funding demands.

The students have had their say this week. If you'd like to make your voice heard, get involved with our social media polls and let us know what you really think.

See you next week!

T & PA butchers closed after 28 years due to the crisis / Credit: UK Times

Instagram: @epigramfeatures_

The Key Café Project: the café offering placements to Bristol’s forgotten citizens

The Key: Unlock Potential are workingtoprovidetransitional paid employment for exoffenders

Juliette Dudley

Fourth Year Hispanic Studies

When Gloucester Road comes to mind, the first thing we think about probably isn’t HM Prisosn Bristol, which houses around 500 men. But behind the independent shops and quirky cafés, social enterprise The Restore Trust and charity The Key: Unlock Potential are working to pro vide transitional paid employment for ex-offenders.

The idea was born five years ago by CEO Suzanne Thompson, out of the overwhelming fears of ex-offenders regarding returning to life outside of prison and tackling the barriers that face them. Prison leavers face not only stigma when trying to re-enter the workforce, but without adequate references or a CV they are often hindered from reach ing their full potential. Finding stable accommodation in a supportive en vironment also contributes to their fears of ‘not being good enough’, Suzanne told Epigram.

Significant numbers of prison leav ers have the same aspirations as everybody else. They want to have a stable family, a stable job and to be able to provide. But often these opportunities aren’t very forthcoming because of their criminal convictions and because of the fact that for whatever reason, life opportunities haven’t been as good or as kind or as open to them’.

Working with ex-offenders to tack le those initial barriers, The Re store Trust pro vides access to holistic support, such as housing, employment, healthcare, transport and food. These hur dles are the physical embodiment of the stigma towards ex-offenders, but what we don’t always see is how it manifests mentally. When speak ing with Suzanne, she stressed the importance of mental health care provisions, alongside holistic sup port: ‘Because their perceptions in

their minds were that they couldn’t do these things, because of all of these issues, we had to address that first. We had to work with them first to build up their confidence’.

I wanted to challenge my own biases in conversing with Suzanne, knowing that I, like many others, pay lip service to wanting to support exoffenders

Suzanne touched on how early experiences of trauma can impact behavioural patterns, explain ing the necessity of providing well rounded support to prison leavers. For her, this type of transitional work is so important to the rehabilitation process because it allows ex-offend ers a chance to tackle their immedi ate fears and adjust to the working day in a safe and rewarding environ ment. When a bad day doesn’t affect the next, they can regain that sense of self belief and confidence. Hav ing come from a low-income background as the daughter of a Hungarian ref ugee, Suzanne has firsthand experience of the massive impact social work can have—it was a ‘springboard for me to gain some confidence and self-be lief that actually I could do more’.

The Key Charity hopes to raise £150,000 by March 2023 and to open The Key Café in the autumn. The not-for-profit café will act as a

commercial vocational employment experience, offering paid transitional employment to recently released ex-offenders and prisoners released on Temporary Licence as just one part of their rehabilitation. Place ments will ideally last between three and six months, providing ex-offend ers with enough time to gain the skills and competencies needed for the

working world. This project is one of the first of its kind—most opportu nities are voluntary, but by offering paid placements Suzanne hopes that ex-offenders will feel that they, and their work, are valued. Especially as the cost of living surges, remunera tion can have a massive impact.

I wanted to challenge my own biases in conversing with Suzanne, know

ing that I, like many others, pay lip service to wanting to support ex-of fenders. Suzanne pointed out that looking at the figures encourages us to offer quality and effective rehabil itative support: in comparison to the £48,000 chunk of taxpayer money it costs to imprison an inmate for a year, the £150,000 that The Key aims to fundraise to open the café seems like a favourable alternative.

‘Stable accommodation and em ployment are two of the most signifi cant factors to reduce reoffending— why wouldn't we support someone trying to get stable accommodation and employment?’ Suzanne stressed the importance of rehabilitation in reducing reoffending, as repeated reconviction deprives ex-offenders of a second chance. Prison Reform Trust reports that over 44 per cent of adults are reconvicted of another offence within a year of release, yet short prison sentences are less effective than community sentences at reducing reoffending.

Although I was initially apprehen sive at the idea of going into a café and being served by someone who I knew had committed a crime, I now realise that I had been ignoring the prefix ‘ex’ in the term ‘ex-offender’. The café will be at the forefront of creating social change in Bristol, using a huge untapped workforce to encourage members of the public to challenge their own outdated perceptions and stereotypes.

I now realise that I had been ignoring the prefix ‘ex’ in the term ‘ex-offender’

'Reoffending: if we all take responsibility around it, we can have a direct impact in reducting it'

Flickr / Sam Saunders

Courtesy of Suzanne Thompson

Bristol on a budget: a fresher's low-cost living guide

Alice Loughran Third Year Music Student

From making new friends to nav igating the nightlife, moving to a new city is difficult enough without worrying about the cost. As Fresher’s week dawns on us, Epigram has compiled a non-exhaustive list of some of the city’s best spots that won’t break the bank.

Getting the Bristol look

With a recognisable student fashion, charity shopping is a rite of passage for new Bristol students. What could be more trendy than buying affordable pre-loved fashion for a good cause?

You can find plenty of charity shops on Cotham Hill, Gloucester Road and Clift on Village. It is a great way to spend an afternoon with new friends, and sus tainably kit out your wardrobe. Our top five include:

Mind, Cotham Hill, BS6 6LA Cancer Research, Queens Rd, BS8 1QP

Mary’s Living and Giving for Save the Children, Regent St, BS8 4HG

St Peter’s Hospice Shop, Boyce’s Ave, BS8 4AA

Tenovus, Gloucester Rd, BS7 8BG

Feeding the 20,000

There are over 20,000 undergraduate students enrolled at the University of Bristol, so you will be spoilt for choice for student deals and offers. From a quick snack between lectures to a fancy meal with your parents, the city has it all. Some favourite affordable eateries include:

Eat A Pitta, Queens Rd, BS8 1QE; some of the best falafels in Bris tol

Parsons, Saint Michael’s Hill, BS2 8HD; a coffee and cake your li brary study break

HubBox, Whiteladies Rd, BS8 2PB; they do a great veggie burger too!

Sandwich Sandwich, Queens Rd, BS8 1QE; some of the biggest sandwiches in Bristol

Rubicon Too, Cotham Hill, BS6 6LF; the perfect student brunch spot, right in the heart of Red land

Anyone fancy a pint?

The iconic question that will inevitably get asked in your flat group chat. Un fortunately, Bristol is one of the most expensive cities to be a student in the UK, so Freshers’Week events could well lighten your pockets. Instead of declin ing the invite, suggest one of the fol lowing pubs and save your pennies:

The White Harte, Park Row, BS1 5LH; £2 pints on a Monday Channings, Pembroke Rd, BS8 3B; best beer garden for a pint in the sun

The Cat and Wheel, Cheltenham Rd, BS6 5QX; great karaoke on a Thursday

The Den and Terrace, St Paul’s Rd, BS8 1LX; espresso martinis on tap

The Coronation Tap, Sion Place, BS8 4AX; try the infamous house cider, but careful, it’s very strong!

On the wagon

Whether you are alcohol-free or want a break from the Fresher’s week booz ing, there are plenty of things to do in Bristol. Unfortunately, most Freshers’ week events will involve drinking and dancing, especially when the city has such a vibrant nightlife.The never-end ing flyers won’t tell you that our city is blessed with many scenic walk routes in Ashton Court, Leigh Woods and The Downs. Make the most of Bristol’s rich culture and give these places a visit:

Flying Saucers pottery studio, Byron Place, BS8 1JT; get crea tive for the day

The Lanes bowling alley, Nelson St, BS1 2LE; grab your mates and throw a ball for only £6 a game Clifton Observatory viewpoint, Litfield Rd, BS8 3LT; see the icon ic suspension bridge from above

Chance & Counters board game cafe, Christmas Steps, BS1 5BS; spend a wholesome afternoon playing board games over coffee Arnolfini Arts, Narrow Quay, BS1 4QA; lose yourself in some modern art at this contemporary art centre

Look closer to home

As supermarket prices rocket amidst the cost of living crisis, turn your fo cus to local shops. Not only will you be supporting small businesses, you will also be immersing yourself in your new community. In addition, Bristol has a lot to offer all cuisines; from Asian to East ern European food, there is something for everyone. Say goodbye to Sains bury's and try one of these fantastic local grocery stores:

Cotham Hill Fruit & Veg, Co tham Hill, BS6 6LF; fresh season al products for a great price Xin He - The Oriental Food Spe cialist, The Haymarket, BS1 3LN; family run Chinese supermarket providing quality ingredients

· Eastern European Foods, Gloucester Rd, BS7 8TZ; rang ing from meat and dairy to fresh produce and sweet treats Preserve, 208 Gloucester Rd, BS7 8NU; plastic free shopping, complete with their own peanut butter machine

Better Food, Whiteladies Rd, BS8 2QX; organic fruit and vegeta bles and fair trade groceries, as well as ethical household goods and organic beer and wine

You shouldn’t have to compromise fun and sustainability to enjoy your new city. Make yourself at home in Bris tol and, most importantly, stay out of your overdraft.

Standardising content warnings for academic material

Marine Saint Deputy Editor & Features Columnist

There is a consensus among students at Bristol about the importance of standardising content warning use. Third year Eng lish rep Jessica Millson emphasised how many students would feel safer were there a standardised system, especially when it comes to sensitive content.

Third-year History rep Laura Gun bie explained that content warn ings had been discussed in previous meetings with course reps, with stu dents ‘Complaining about the vague ness of the warnings for images in the ‘Picturing the Twentieth Century’ unit, which did not allow students to prepare for specifics’. Similarly to Millson, Gunbie added that ‘The gen eral consensus [in the meeting] was that you can’t warn students about everything, as history is not always PG, but that some warning for espe cially distressing content is certainly appropriate’.

During my studies, I have come across such advisory content from lecturers in the 'Revenge Tragedy' unit, including plays such as Shake speare’s Titus Andronicus. Noting the potentially distressing topics stu dents are engaging with lends itself to an accessible approach to teach ing and learning, but has equally been the source of discontent.

Across all disciplines, there is po tential for exposure to material which challenges but troubles students. Universities like Leeds have received backlash for their English depart ment’s content warnings on reading lists. While a spokesperson for the university commented that ‘Content notes provide a supportive way to

introduce a wide range of texts’, such guidelines have been heavily cri tiqued by politicians.

Speaking to The Times, Prime Min ister Liz Truss asserted that ‘Real life doesn’t come with a content warn ing—we can’t protect people from difficult ideas for their whole lives'. In vestigating the removal of texts from reading lists this summer, The Times found 1,081 examples of warnings for mainstream literature across un dergraduate courses.

As part of this particular article, an Aberdeen University spokesperson explained that their warnings policy ‘Enables staff to explore controversial topics that could otherwise be diffi cult to address in an inclusive and supportive environment.’ Bristol was not directly listed in their article, but the Humanities department have been approached for a comment.

There is clearly an ongoing de bate between universities and gov ernment bodies about the need for warnings, and the potential risks of removing texts for this reason. Aca demics at the University of Notting ham have developed a common lan guage for content warnings to suit intended audiences.

Their study, published in PLOS One this May, analysed the effects of advi sory notes on mental health recovery across all sectors. Project leader Dr Stefan Rennick-Egglestone empha sised the research’s potential to fa cilitate the development of content warning systems for varied groups, such as those who have experienced traumatic stress.

The detailed analysis and this de bate regarding content warnings for teaching materials works intandem with the need to support student mental health. The use of warnings will undoubtedly continue to raise concerns regarding student safety and the conditions of education.

A round-up of Bristol's best low-cost shops, eateries and bars

Flickr / Sam Saunders

Nick Sarebi

Bristol is no longer affordable for students in the costof-living crisis

66 per cent of university students now take on part-time work alongside their full-time education. Student loans don't stretch far enough for students to get by anymore.

Lia Jones

Politics and Sociology, Second Year

Research from Student Beans in 2019 uncovered that more than a third (36 per cent) of university students in the UK had a part-time job alongside their studies, as well as a staggering 21 per cent revealing that they had two jobs dur ing term time.

Compared to 2021, over two years this figure almost doubled, with the Student Money Survey revealing that 66 per cent of the university students surveyed had part-time jobs, which can only be expected to increase this academic year as the cost-of-living crisis reaches new heights.

This phenomenon stands as a critique of the current student loan systems in the UK, and begs the questions of whether they are adequately fulfilling their in tended role.

Using figures from Student Finance England as the focus here, the maximum mainte nance loan, being the loan given to cover students’ living costs, for the 2022/23 academic year (outside of London), stands at £9,706.

Despite this, findings from the Student Money Survey show that the average cost of living for students is more like £9,720 per annum.

On the surface, this doesn’t seem like such a wild discrepancy, how ever, only a very small minority of students whose parents’ household income is below £25,000 are actual ly eligible for the maximum mainte

nance loan.

This means that your parents’ sal aries, dictate how much the govern ment will lend you for your living costs at university, decreasing incre mentally all the way to £3,597, the

their halls of residence and similarly going into private rentals.

Not only are the student loan sys tems failing to compensate students for the increasing cost of living, but they also fail to consider regional cost

The unfortunate reality of the situation for many, is a trade-off between academic performance and making ends meet.

more your parents earn.

Not only does this system ignore the possibility that some may be un willing to fund their child’s further education, but effectively takes the decision out of the hands of prospec tive university students and puts it in the hands of their parents or guard ians.

Furthermore, this system does not account for the vastly differing costs of living in different areas of the UK. Bristol for example, has an extortion ate cost of living, akin to London, and

differences between different areas of study. Therefore, some students like myself who attend university in expensive cities are expected to live on the same amount of money as those who live in places with half the cost of living.

But what does this mean for stu dents?

It goes without saying that adopt ing a part-time job to support an already full-time undergraduate or post-graduate course inevitably does not align with the best academic in terests of students. The unfor tunate reality of the situation for many, is a trade-off be tween academic performance and making ends meet. All of this has a knock on effect on academic performance. 74 per cent of students reported that working alongside their studies had a detrimental im pact on their grades whilst at university, for reasons such as having to reprioritise their work and studies to be able to afford to pay their living ex penses, detracting time from their degrees.

Reflections on freshers week from our columnist

meet your long-life friends is unreal istic – I am not saying it will not hap pen. But during your entire time dur ing university, you will keep meeting people in some of the most random ways.

Iwill begin the first entry of my column by introducing myself.

My name is Katie Sowerby and for the next academic year, I will be the opinions columnist. I am a thirdyear English and History student and this will be my second year as part of Epigram.

Following Epigram tradition, a lot of our first edition is about freshers. However, I wanted to write a differ

I was very lucky that I met some of the most amazing people in my first few weeks but interestingly enough there were some people I had met but did not get to know until around Christmas when the atmosphere had calmed down.

Some advice my dad gave me when moving me into halls was, that people in the first week are going to put up an image, however, they will not be able to keep up with this im age. This was certainly true.

I remember one person upon first

University is often said to be the best time of your life but this expectation though can lead to a lot of pressure.

ent type of piece explaining that Fresher’s week is not always the beall end-all that social expectations have made it out to be and that there is nothing wrong with that.

Looking back at my experience of ‘freshers’ I will acknowledge it was not a typical fresher’s experience. The main reason being due to Covid and so instead of spending that week clubbing we went from hall to hall, with a can of cider trying to meet as many other freshers as well. Full well knowing that there was a heavy chance of going through another lockdown.

meeting them whose first question was, ‘how many drugs have you done?’ the amusing part about this was it quickly became apparent that the majority of the stories he told us about his 'wild times' before univer sity were clearly untrue or heavily edited.

University is often said to be the best time of your life, this expecta tion though can lead to a lot of pres sure. So if you are finding the first few weeks at university to not be living up to your expectations. I would not be worried you are not alone.

has been named the second most expensive city to reside in the UK, which is not taken into account by the student loan system at all.

Last year, my student accommo dation alone cost £8,358 for the year, which meant that I had to take up part-time employment to keep my self afloat.

And the private sector is even less affordable going into my second year, where I will be paying about the same for my rent and utility bills. However, in comparison to my peers in Cardiff University, their rent was literally half the price of mine, pay ing on average £4,000 per annum for

Whilst our generation can be considered privileged compared to our graduate predecessors for having gov ernment loan systems in place to enable our further education, it is evident that maintenance loans sim ply do not stretch far enough.

Therefore, reform in student fi nance systems is imperative to give students from all socio-economic backgrounds the opportunities they deserve to reach their full academic potential.

The ever-inflating cost of living nationwide, as well as regional cost differences, means they should of fer means and location tested loans. This will hopefully work to ensure that all prospective university stu dents are able to attend the univer sity of their choice, without having to compromise their grades.

Nevertheless, even though it did not live up to the expectations that I had made from social media. It was still an enjoyable experience but a unique take on the Fresher's experi ence.

The reason I mention this though is that if you find fresher’s week to not be meeting your expectations then I would not be worried. It is the first week of university and you have the next three to four years to have fun and meet your people.

The expectation that in your first week of university you are going to

University is a chance to broaden your horizons. For many students, this will be their first chance at doing this independently, which can ap pear daunting and exhilarating.

The best advice I can give to any freshers is to be open to every expe rience and to utilise as many universi ty services because at the end of the day you are paying nine grand a year so I suggest making it worth it.

Your time at university is what you make it. And so, I wish all Fresher's and returning students all the best with this academic year!

Fresher's week is not the be all and end all of your university experience

Katie Sowerby Columnist

Courtesy of Save the Student

Courtesy of Caffe Clifton

Prince Andrew should be re -

moved from any positions of power for good

Acedemic potential is just as important as grades

best step forward. This is done after looking carefully at teacher referenc es and their personal statement to see if the student would do well at the university.

Quinn Clearwater Editor

One of the few remaining monarchies, the British royals retain their status by popular consent.

This, if one is thinking cynically, is the purpose of their service to the people. The transactional relation ship is as follows: the people of the British Isles and the Commonwealth bestow upon the royal family their titles, money, and prestige and in return the royal family furthers the interests of the people through di plomacy, charity work and, most im portantly, restraint of their powers in the form of deference to the demo cratically elected Prime Minister, and as such the wishes of the people.

tions could not be true as he in fact could not sweat, ‘sweaty’ being an adjective used to describe Andrew by the alleged victim in her account of events.

This led to Andrew’s royal duties being withdrawn in November 2019. Despite this, as one of the next four royals in the line of succession who are over the age of 21, Andrew has maintained his role as counsellor of state, meaning he could be called upon to undertake royal duties.

of our modern world. In fact, in or der to survive the monarchy must continue to adapt to the changing consensus. No one seems to ask why our Queens and Kings don’t behead people anymore, our society's moral values have simply moved on from that time.

Disregarding any moral or famil ial obligations which may motivate or demotivate the crown to remove Andrew from his counsellor position, the damage that Andrew could do to the crowns reputation should be motivation alone to make moves to wards.

Amman Ali

Philosophy and Politics, First Year

For many years disadvantaged students have had to battle more advantaged students across the country for their place at top universities. With the typical offer for most Russell Group universities requiring multiple A grades, disad vantaged students often couldn’t make the cut, with their more-advan taged counterparts taking a place more easily.

So, are top rated universities right to lower their offers to give these stu dents a chance?

Yes, if done carefully, and in the right way. No one wants to feel cheated out of a place at their cho sen university and no one wants to feel like they haven’t earned their place either. So, when lowering offers for students a multitude of evidence should be used as support, rather than the universities using it to fill di versity and inclusion quotas.

However, there are other ways that disadvantaged students are given opportunities to succeed which en sure other students don’t feel cheat ed while at the same time making sure disadvantaged students don’t feel unworthy of their place.

The University of Bristol has the Access to Bristol scheme and the foundation year for Arts and Social Sciences/Humanities which works to help those who may have not had a typical educational journey to both fulfill their potential and gain a place at Bristol.

I personally have benefitted from being on the Foundation Year for Arts and Social Sciences after having a troubled educational journey and now I am more prepared than ever to start my undergraduate degree.

Many students on the foundation year have low or no A level grades yet still succeed in the supposedly harsh academic environment of the University.

In this, the head of state is in their essence a symbolic figurehead. They retain the ability to dissolve parlia ment or exert influence over the governing of the nation, but to do so would be without a mandate of the people and as such turn the popular consensus against the crown.

In this the monarchy are bound by a need to keep the people onside in order to maintain their way of life and social position.

It is for this reason that it is in the best interest of the crown to with draw Prince Andrew from any sort of responsibility within the royal family.

Prince Andrew has had various ex ploits brought to the attention of the media. The most notorious is his af filiation with sex trafficker Jeffrey Ep stein, and with it the allegations that Andrew has slept with a 17-year-old girl, trafficked by Epstein, on three separate occasions.

Various lawsuits and public out rage ensued, including a Newsnight interview in which Andrew infa mously maintained that the allega

It is simply common sense that an alleged sex offender should not be performing royal duties or have any association with the highest office in our country. To allow him to act in any royal capacity would make a mockery of the crown and the coun try.

With increased visibility of Andrew following the death of his mother, people are once again reminded of his lingering presence, and all that he represents. Most salient in the media was the footage of a protester in Ed inburgh who labelled Andrew ‘a dirty old man’ before being drowned out by chants of ‘God Save the King’ and being dragged away by police.

Universities should correctly factor in that no two schools are the same and many students’ educational jour neys are widely different depending on the family and area they are born in.

It has been reported by teachers of the course that students who com plete the foundation year are more likely to achieve a first-class in their degree than those who go to uni versity through the more traditional channels.

Some commentators have argued that this is simply the way of the suc cession, as it has always been, and should not be altered.

However, tradition has been al tered very recently, with direct affect to the succession. In 2013, the rules of succession were changed so to allow equal right of any first-born female heir born after 2011 to the throne, as opposed to the tradition of the firstborn male child being made heir. In this it is not new for the constitution to change with the changing norms

All in all, a disrespectful act given the context, but a striking reminder that the public have not forgotten. By avoiding action on the matter, it may be construed that Charles III is pro tecting Andrew, and as such is abus ing his power to protect an alleged sex offender. Now is the perfect op portunity for King Charles III to set a precedent Andrew’s behaviour is not acceptable for anyone, even royalty. In doing so he may start his reign off with the public on his side and will see off many of the problems some of the more unpopular members of the family face.

Achieving an A or even B grade at a failing school in a deprived area should be looked at in more detail than someone who achieved the grade in a more affluent area and elite school.

Disadvantaged students oftenface more challegnes than their more af fluent counterparts - surely it is fair to give these students credit for this?

Looking at a student’s potential as well as the grades they achieved in their unique circumstances should be common practice.

It gives disadvantaged students a chance to succeed at top education al institutions, which would not only help them achieve their potential, but would make those universities more diverse in opinion, character, and skillset.

But what is the best way for univer sities to help these students achieve their potential?

For some, lowering grade require ments by one or two grades is the

So, if courses like this prove that disadvantaged students have poten tial and more often than not circum stances can cause people to slip from achieving that top grade, I don’t see any problem with institutions lower ing grade boundaries by a grade or two.

We should also bear in mind that there is only a 2 per cent difference in offers between disadvantaged and advantaged students. Which puts holes into the narrative that these students are taking places over peo ple who deserve them more. It is a good thing when students are given a chance to succeed.

While we can hope that the wor ries that students may not be able to succeed in the harsh educational en vironment of top universities come from kindness and concern for those students, often it seems those most vocal about these changes seem to be trying to preserve the elitism that they think is dwindling from institu tions as they become more attaina ble for others around the country.

Universities should base their entrance criteria on more than whether students went to a good school and got good grades

Courtesy of Ticinonline

Film & Tv

Get to know this year's Film & Tv team through our

favourite films and series...

As the upcoming academic year approaches, get to know the 2022-23 Film & Tv team by reading all about our favourites.

Evelyn Heis, Film & Tv Editor

My name is Evelyn, I’m a thirdyear English student, and I am this year’s Film & Television Editor!

Having been writing for the section since my first year of studies, I’ve become extremely attached to all things Film&Tv, it’s true, and so I am overjoyed to be able to not only run the section and push for content that showcases less-heard voices in the industry, but also work with other enthusiastic and creative individuals to produce an excellent section.

To ask me to condense the ex tensive list of my all-time favour ite films to just one may actually be harder than the degree I’ve been doing for the last three years. As a libra, I simply can’t make decisions, either. Nonetheless, I’m determined to try.

As I sit here with a La La Land (2016) tattoo it would be dishon ourable to not mention how much I adore Damien Chazelle’s filmmaking abilities; his unique cinematogra phy, particularly the overhead drum shots in Whiplash (2014), his vi brant colours, and heart-wrenching plots get me every time. Speaking of heart-wrenching and psychological films, Leon: The Professional (1994), Parasite (2019), Gone Girl (2014) and Black Swan (2010) are also some of my favourites, with each one beau

tifully made, the distinctive charac ters and storylines within these films make them ones I want to watch time and time again.

came out in 2017 and came to my attention not because I knew about the book – in fact, I’d never heard of it – but because of the incredible cast of women at the forefront of the series. Reese Whitherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Laura Dern, Zoë Kravitz, Meryl Effing Streep... Need I say more?

cinema, TV has a way of infiltrat ing the cultural psyche, allowing the time and space for more crea tivity in characterisation. Out of all the TV shows I have watched, there is one I keep returning to year after year: Will Sharpe’s dramedy Flowers

My heart also holds a special place for Ari Aster’s wonderfully wicked mind and Jordan Peele’s original screenplays, but if I were to name a television series that I could not live without, it would have to be Sam Levinson's Euphoria (2019-) or Amy Sherman-Palladino's Gilmore Girls (2000-2007). If my taste hasn’t scared you away yet, make sure to check out "Ev Says": my designated, monthly column where I write about my life in relation to Film&Tv.

Jake Tickle, Deputy Editor

I’m a final year English student, and although I have many favourite films and series, I will have to say my favourite film/tv series has got to be the HBO series Big Little Lies. I say this because out of anything I’ve ever watched, this series truly reso nated and stuck with me because it highlighted so many themes to me and curated some of the best and morally grey characters I’ve ever seen on screen.

Big Little Lies, based on the book of the same title by Liane Moriarty,

This series is perfected and ele vated by its incredible cast. This isn’t to say it is carried by the cast; the plot and source material is stellar. The subject matter of Big Little Lies becomes a little dark in some parts, and yet it is handled (particularly by Nicole Kidman) in such a way that is careful, sensitive, and faithful to the reality that a lot of women face.

Big Little Lies handles mother hood, class, gender, grief, abuse, bul lying, marriage, and so much more in such a way that translates perfect ly on screen. It’s a flawless phyco logical expression of humanity and femininity.

Amelia Jacob, Digital Editor

I’m a second-year English student and (perhaps controversially in this section) vastly prefer television to the silver screen. As much as I love

Despite the light-hearted connota tions of the show’s name, it privileg es the gnarly, thorned relationships that are cultivated in environments soured by troubled family dynam ics. Flowers depicts the eponymous family, headed by Deborah (Olivia Colman) and her husband Maurice (Julian Barratt), as they attempt to wrestle with Maurice’s mental health issues. Their eccentric family in cludes two troublesome adult twins, Shun (Will Sharpe), a Japanese il lustrator for Maurice’s books who Deborah firmly believes is having an affair with him, as well as a range of larger-than-life side characters and elements of magical realism. Sounds complicated? You’d be right, but Flowers cuts right to the core of what it means to be loved, despite it all. ‘We don’t want to be too happy, we’re not mad!’ Deborah announces maniacally. I firmly be lieve it’s a must-watch.

Kalila Smith, Investigations Editor

Picture an extroverted, preferably more female-looking version of Ben Rickert from The Big Short, and you have me. I am a third-year History Student who is just as cynical and distrusting of society as Ben is, but fear not, I do not catastrophise on the same scale as him.

Adam Mckay directed The Big Short, and he is my favourite direc tor because he faithfully approaches films with hard-hitting irony and unapologetic political didacticism. One of my most-loved films, how ever, is quite the opposite. American History X, starring Edward Norton, is gorgeously shot like a Neo-Noir and so, naturally, one of my favourites. It thematically focuses on the ‘Man v the System’ and will reduce you to weeping and partial howling by the end.

Hopefully, Bristol university does

not have the same effect on you, es pecially not Freshers’ Week. Rather, these next few years should be just as chaotic as it is transitionary. I would call it the most ideal time for explo ration. Explore your subject, your self, your ambitions, friendships, and your alcohol limit. Before mortgages and student loan bills start creeping into the picture, get as involved as

Meakins, Sub editor & Film Critic

I’m Claire, I’m a final-year English student and incredibly indecisive, so choosing just one favourite film would be an impossible task for me. The first few films that come to mind as favourites, though, are Amélie (2001), Black Swan (2010), Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019), Howl’s Mov ing Castle (2004), Fight Club (1999) and Parasite (2019), but the list is constantly growing and changing. I am generally more of a film person than a TV person, although there are definitely some series that have wormed their way into my heart, such as Fleabag (2016-2019) and Better Call Saul (2015-2022).

I’m very open-minded when it comes to what I watch, and I love broadening my horizons: whether that be through watching foreign language films, supporting new upand-coming directors or just work ing my way through the classics. I’m also definitely not above watching some very trashy films that don’t de serve to be mentioned in print!

I find myself drawn to complicat ed, morally questionable characters, creative, playful cinematography, writing with a sense of humour, and themes that make me question all of my life choices. I am always looking for new films to watch, and so recommendations are more than welcome!

Editor Deputy Editor Digital Editor

Evelyn Heis Jake Tickle Amelia Jacob

Claire

Did you know that these films and series were set in Bristol?

Bristol's iconic locations have been used in an array of Films and TV series. Here is a short list of series and films to get stuck into as you settle into Bristol life.

Milan Perera, Arts Critic Columnist

The city of Bristol is a beacon of creative arts in the UK. Whether it is Film and Television, Street Art, music or dance, Bristol is a vibrant pastiche of Georgian architectural gems, cob bled streets, engineering marvels of I.K Brunel, markets, cafes and green spaces. It comes as no surprise that Bristol has been one of the most sought-after film and television lo cations.

Here is a short list of movies and TV dramas either set or filmed in Bristol whose locations you might recognise.

Starter For 10 (2006)

A rare gem of a movie featuring the who’s who of British Cinema.

The A-Lister cast includes Benedict Cumberbatch, James McEvoy, Al ice Eve, Dominic Cooper, Catherine Tate, Charles Dance and James Cord en. Based on the debut novel of the Bristol alumni, David Nicholls of the same title, the story revolves around the coming of the age of Brian Jack son from Essex.

Brian wins a place to study Eng lish Literature at the University of Bristol. Surrounded by students from affluent backgrounds, Brian (James McEvoy) tries his best to fit in with his peers with varying degrees of success. It is both funny and sad in equal measure as Brian navigates the pitfalls of studying at a prestigious university such as Bristol.

The movie features various famous Bristol landmarks such as Royal York Crescent, Stoke Park and Bristol Temple Meads station.

SKINS (2007-2013)

One of the most successful teenage drama series of the 2000s, Channel 4’s Skins has undoubtedly impacted British culture for its unfiltered por trayal of teenage lives: from reck less partying, messy relationships, and mundane school life to mental illnesses, excessive drug use and be reavement. Skins is commended for its raw yet melodramatic representa tion of British teen life, especially for those living in Bristol, given that this iconic show is set in the heart of the city.

College Green, Brandon Hill and Trenchard Street Car Park are regular locations for the show, where many memorable scenes, including the opening credits, take place. College Green appears the most frequently, in episodes like ‘Michelle’ (Series 1, Ep.7) and ‘Everyone’ (Series 3, Ep.1), as one of the main ‘hang-out’ spots for teenagers- which is notably still used by many students today.

Not even a ten-minute walk from College Green and a steep hill later sits Brandon Hill: a serene setting full of benches which overlook the city, where Cassie and Sid share an inti mate moment at the end of season one. Other hot spots for the filming of Skins include St. Nicholas Mar ket, the Harbourside and Castle Park, which are central locations that are worth visiting.

Outlaws (2021-) Outlaws marks the homecoming of the Bristol-born comic Stephen Merchant. Although Merchant boasts of an extensive list of credits in film and television, Outlaws happened to be the first Bristol-based television project for the seasoned comic.

Written, directed and starred by Merchant, the cast includes Rianne Baretto, Gamba Cole, Jessica Gunning and the Hollywood royalty, Christo pher Walken. It also features a cam eo by the Bristol-born comic Jayde

What's on Bristol's Film & Tv Schedule this year?

Digital Editor Amelia Jacob takes us on a tour of Bristol's film scene, outlining dates you must fill into your calendar this upcoming academic year.

Amelia Jacob, Digital Editor

Bristol is a city like no other; the wide variety of film events held in this vibrant city throughout the year is a testament to the city’s commitment to creativity. For student cinephiles, look no further, as we have compiled a list of events you won’t want to miss this

academic year, ranging from festi vals to more intimate screenings.

Bristol Film Festival

As part of the festival this year, iconic movies are being screened in well-known locations around the city until December 2022. Highlights include: The Rocky Horror Picture Show at Bristol Improv Theatre and Top Gun at Aerospace Bristol.

Encounters Film Festival

The leading short film, animated and virtual reality film festival in the

UK, Encounters, runs from the 27th September - 2nd October 2022.

Wildscreen Film Festival

Consisting of four subjects: Craft, Industry, Global Voices and Plane tary Crisis, Wildscreen takes place from 10th - 14th October 2022.

Black History Month Screening

This event, organised by the Uni versity of Bristol & The Watershed will take place on 11th October 2022, with the film yet to be announced.

Forbidden Worlds Film Festival: The Big Scream

This festival, celebrating classic and little-known horror flicks, will run from 28th - 30th October 2022 at the former IMAX cinema, Bristol aquarium. FWFF is offering 10% off Weekend/Day passes during Freshers week when you use the code: F0rb!dd3nStud3nt – Tickets are £5 for students as it is.

Afrika Eye Film Festival

The “South West [of] England’s biggest celebration of African cine

Ev Says: Dear Freshers, with love, from Ev

Hey Upper East siders. Gossip girl here. And I have the biggest news ever: Ev Says is back from its summer hiatus, ready to accompany you in the new academic year.

Evelyn Heis, Film & Tv Editor

It’s officially that time of the year again. A dreaded time if you’re like me and are going into your final year, crippled by the thought of having a 10k dissertation, but an equally exciting time if you’re a re turning student, looking forward to being reunited with your friends, to slipping back into your ‘it girl’ rou tine and to be walking within the bustling, spirited streets of Bristol that so many of us have come to

know as home. But for Freshers who are new to the city and are yet to find their footing, you have come to the right place, as I’m here to give you some advice. From a third year to a first-year student, these are some things I knew when I first came to university.

To put things into perspective, University life is not anything like what you’ve seen on Superbad (2007): the odds of you being tak en around in a cop car while your friends are stuck at a drug dealer’s house party are incredibly low. That being said, a table at Spoons and a night at OMG bar or club can also do the trick if you’re after an entertain ing night.

Joining societies is something that everyone should consider. You don’t

actually realise how much free time you have until your parents have left, your flatmates aren’t home, and you’ve just about watched every new release that Netflix has to offer. The key to retaining your sanity at university is to keep yourself busy, and what better way to do that than by joining a sport or society that not only gives you an excuse to leave the flat but also serves as an oppor tunity to meet more people? Two birds, one stone.

Being a member of any society or committee is the perfect oppor tunity to nourish the passions that you had back home, but the meetups and friendships you make certain ly aren’t anything like the sorority house sisterhoods you see in Legally Blonde (2001) and The House Bunny

(2008). Don’t expect the clubs you join to be anything like Pitch Perfect (2012) unless you’re into acapella.

I would define university, based on my humble covid-19 infected expe rience, to be more like The Breakfast Club (1985): where different types of people come together and share their interests, leaving behind the restric tive high-school cliques and Mean Girls (2004) style-petty dramas.

Clichés aside, university really is a time for people to find themselves; the freedom of moving to a new city allows you to experiment, figure out who you are and how that manifests into your sense of style, friendships, and lifestyle choices. Moving away from the environment in which you’ve grown up in, away from the familiarity of what you know and

Adams. The story surrounds seven strangers from various social back grounds who are ordered to com plete Community payback due to petty criminal charges.

The series sent Bristol trending on Twitter for three consecutive years, where Merchant became the unex pected ambassador for Bristol. Film locations include College Green, Park Street, Wills Memorial Building, and many more. Which locations can you recognise?

To see some more films and series set in Bristol, check out the full arti cle on the Epigram Film & Tv web site!

ma and culture” runs from 9th - 17th November 2022.

Slapstick Festival

This festival highlights “silent, visual and classic onscreen comedy” with high-profile guest appearances from 16 - 19th February 2023.

For more info and links to the events, find the full piece on: epigram.org.uk/tag/film-tv/

your life-long support systems, is undeniably a test like no other, but it enables you to grow into the per son you would like to become as you grapple with adulthood.

You can either embody a new persona, reinvent yourself, and start from scratch, as Lady Bird does in Lady Bird (2017), or you can just go with the flow, stay true to your pas sions, and not take yourself too se riously, as Charlie does in The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012).

Films, without a shadow of a doubt, have the power to bring peo ple of all different backgrounds and experiences together.

[To read the full piece, head onto the Epigram website! #EvSays]

Editor Digital Editor Deputy Editor Investigations Editor

Emily Barrett Carla Rosario Dhristi Agarwal Tiberiu Toca Twitter: @EpigramSciTech

Nature and your good nature

Overstimulation is when people are swamped by more experiences, sensations, noise and activity than they can cope with. We all find habits that alleviate some of the stress but as students living in Bristol, we sug gest employing the most abundant resource available to us: nature.

Dhristi Agarwal SciTech Deputy Editor

It might be intimidating to move from the tranquility of home in the pandemic's haze to a whole different setting at university.

Starting university is exciting with a plethora of opportunities one has to explore. You’re also faced with a lengthy list of tasks and responsibil ities most people have never had to manage before.

Freshers’ week involves making a whole new set of core friends, adjust ing to new course structures, man aging food for oneself, forming new social schedules, finding your career paths and shaken up routines with all the socialising. Often, freshers week presents a balance of excitement and overstimulation.

'Bristol's scenery is lush, abundant and gives peace by just being'

With the Bristol City Council work ing relentlessly to add 70 additional green areas in the next 20 years to improve the city's wellness, Bristol's scenery is lush, abundant, and gives peace by just being. Our university's city campus is encircled by green space that extends over yards. One in three university students in the UK, according to Pereira's research from 2020, report experiencing consider able psychological distress and seek ing professional help. In light of this, it's im portant to note that Ba kir-Demir observed in 2021 that children who have greater access to green places have bet ter emotional regular ity and exhibit reduced stress levels throughout time. With this in mind, we list below 5 beautiful green spac es that Bristol has to offer.

1The Downs

It is a favourite with families and students in Clifton. A beautiful parkland where you may practise mindfulness, observe clouds, or have a barbeque with friends and visiting relatives with direct buses and lots of parking.

College Green

2

Between the Wills Memorial and the streets leading up to Cabot Circus, this green space in Bristol City Center acts as a contrast, providing the serenity of nature and a multi tude of flowers. It is directly across from Banky's renowned hanging wall art and acts as a constant reminder to take some time for yourself. Research finds that spending 20-30 minutes in nature during a stressful event pro duces the greatest drop in cortisol levels, the hormone related to stress.

Brandon Hill Park

3

Brandon Hill, one of the old est in Bristol, is situated immediately off Park Street in the West End and offers lovely walks, a nature conser vation area, and of course the Cabot Tower, a landmark of Bristol's skyline.

It's a great alternative to the gym for some physical activity. Studies have shown that students who earn a high 2:1 or 1st class degree are three times more likely to exercise than students with lesser marks, which should fur ther encourage you to go.

4Ashton Court Estate

You might be lucky to find deers sauntering around and a dog-friendly cafe in this enormous 850-acre piece of land on the other side of the Clifton Suspension Bridge. The green space and woodland welcome cyclists, mountain-bikers, horse riders, golfers, families, and walkers (as well as plenty of wheel chair and buggy-friendly paths).

5The Harbourside

If you're happiest near water, the Harbourside, which connects the city's biggest hotspots, is the perfect place to promenade, grab a coffee and a crepe on the way, and remove your headphones to fully immerse yourself in the best body of water the city has to offer.

Overall, after witnessing the dras tically altering pandemic, it is won derful to be present and take care of your mental and emotional well-be ing. Your general health will benefit from being more knowledgeable and from being aware of how to ac cess your green places.

Useful apps for Bristol students

1Getting around

SciTech rounds up the apps that can be helpful for new freshers settling into Bristol.

Emily Barrett SciTech Editor

Whether you love or hate it, our lives are becoming increasingly entwined with technology and as a new univer sity student, chances are you already use apps on a daily basis. Here, Epi gram SciTech rounds up the useful apps that can ease your transition into university life in Bristol.

So, you made it to Bristol –but how about getting around once you’re here? For public transport, the First Buses app has an e-ticket fea ture, allowing tickets to be purchased in advance and then ‘activated’ when boarding the bus. Remember to buy a student ticket for a discount com pared to an adult ticket, and that stu dents living in halls receive a free bus pass for unlimited travel on the U1 service and certain sections of other routes.

Of course, buses aren’t the only way to get around. In the past few years, clusters of electric scooters have sprouted up on seemingly every street corner in Bristol. If you’re tempted to take a ride, the Voi app al

lows users to locate nearby scooters, and to unlock one by scanning a QR code on the handlebar. If you choose this mode of transport, be mindful of road safety precautions such as wearing a helmet!

Studying

Technology can also be help

ful for organising your studies in Bristol. Many of us can only dream of being the type of person whose life is organised by a perfectly colour-cod ed Google calendar, but every stu dent can benefit from using a cal endar app in university. When you receive your Bristol timetable, you can import it into your calendar app of choice and see at a glance where and when your classes are.

If you’re despairing at how your recommended textbooks all seem to be £60 on eBay, look no further than Bristol University’s online library ser vices. While this is a website rather than an app, it grants access to many eBooks which can be read on smart phones, tablets and other devices. For physical books, the service lets you check which library owns a copy

and whether it is available for a loan.

3Food

Many businesses in Bristol use Too good to go, the app that aims to fight food waste by letting restau rants and cafés sell their leftover food at the end of the day at a discount ed price. While the food available may be a lucky dip, it’s hard to beat the feeling that you have saved food from landing in the bin – and saved your wallet from another Deliveroo order.

This is just a selection of the apps that might be useful to new Bristol students, and we hope they help you out in some way!

We show how green spaces can help you cope with feeling overstimulated during freshers' week.

Epigram/Emily Barrett

Source: Flickr

Source: Unsplash

How to balance your energy levels as a student

prior. You can work with it once you become aware of these processes, once you get how dopamine is creat ed and how it modifies our perspec tives and behavior.

Tiberiu Toca SciTech Investigations Editor

Although dopamine is linked to rewards, the concept is primarily about drive and craving. Rats may lever press for food, as shown in a well-known experi ment. It was once believed that food, like many other rewards, triggers the release of dopamine, but in fact an imals with depleted dopamine still enjoy food and other pleasures.

The neurotransmitter dopamine, when released in the brain, causes us to chase, construct, create, and crave new things that we do not already have. This is why it is stated that do pamine is the "common currency."

Dopamine drives motivation and the desire to seek out rewards. How are you doing in the grand scheme of things, like halfway through a de gree or halfway through life? It all de pends on how much dopamine you released in the days, weeks, and years

When you consume or binge the same type of content for a period, like Netflix series or YouTube vide os, they all tend to get monotonous and uninteresting. The answer is to put a stop to doing or practicing that activity for a bit, then wait until they start to interest you again. The buildup to the reward, which has more of an opioid bliss-like property and is not that bad if it's endogenous, re leased from within, is what dopamine is thought to be by the latest neuroscience research.

After a pain stimulus has passed, dopamine is released. The more fric tion and pain you experience, the larger the dopamine reward you will receive later. This amplifies the pro cess of pursuing more dopamine, therefore the keys are to desire re wards while realizing that the pursuit itself is the reward if you want to ex perience consistent success.

“As the day begins, I want dopa mine to start working so I can fo cus, feel happy, be excited about

my goals, and be very clever!” We require a few things in order to be energised and concentrated. The norepinephrine system must function prop erly. It is powered by a substance called corti sol, which is frequently criticized for being harmful, but you want cortisol levels to be high in the morning since that is what wakes you up. First thing in the morning, get some sunlight and movement for ten to fifteen min utes. Choosing a target and a goal is what the dopamine system is all about.

Decide what you want to do in the early morning, before noon, and mentally reward yourself as you pro gress in that direction. Regardless of how well you slept, you must ignore

distractions and remain focused on your goal in order to get the benefits of dopamine release, which will im prove your ability to concentrate on specific objectives.

Flipping through the phone can give you dopamine, but you are not following any particular route.

The dopamine system has to be primed so that you can choose a specific goal and work toward it on a regular basis. Addition ally, moving forward toward a certain objective helps to calm amygdala activity. You often hear about habits like making a plan the night before or waking up with a clear purpose. Because our minds cannot devel op plans while we are asleep, some people wake up with their minds still confused.

Exercise for ten or fifteen minutes to boost the dopamine and epineph rine systems. A person is put on a path by exercise in the morning.

The neurochemical circuits are fragmented and disorganized when staring at a phone and receiving noti fications. There is a reason why every military community has consistent, manageable routines that can be completed first thing in the morning. Managing your control circuits is crit ical.

Your brain contains circuits that help you manage yourself, put blin ders on yourself, and go toward your goals. If you don't ex ercise these circuits or take control of them, the brain will find other ways to re lease dopamine and serotonin in order to develop focus and behavior that is goal-directed. That way, you natural ly find yourself moving forward and focused on particular objectives.

Introducing the SciTech Editors

I'm Emily and I'll be the editor of Sci-Tech this year! I'm going into my 4th year of MSci Physics and I'm inter ested in writing about anything to do with space and the environment.

Emily Barrett SciTech Editor

Hey I'm Carla, the Digital Editor for Sci-Tech! I'm in my 3rd year of Com puter Science, and am particularly interested in technology, analysing both its social applications & conse quences. I want to highlight issues such as the STEM gap, and magnify underrepresented voices.

Carla Rosario SciTech Digital Editor

Hello! I'm Dhristi, a second-year Psychology student and the Deputy Sci-Tech Editor for Epigram 22/23. I’m particularly interested in the AI, psy chological health and financial tech nology aspect of this section!

Dhristi Agarwal SciTech Deputy Editor

Hi, all! I'm Tiberiu, a third-year Com puter Science with Innovation stu dent and the Investigations Editor at Epigram Sci-Tech for the 2022/2023 academic year. My interests are in AI, neuroscience, metaverse and ex tended reality (XR), HCI as well as fu tures studies or futurism.

Tiberiu Toca SciTech Investigations Editor

We are super excited to get started this year and would love to hear from any eager writers! If you'd like to get in contact, or follow our content please follow our Instagram and join our Facebook group, where we will post regular updates and commis sions.

Facebook: Epigram SciTech Writers 2022/23

Instagram: @epigramscitech Email: scienceandtech.epigram@

SciTech explains the link between energy levels and dopamine to help you stay focused and work productively

'Choosing a goal is what the dopamine system is all about'

'The key is to find reward in the pursuit itself'

If you'd like to hear more from SciTech, or find out how to get involved - check out our socials!

Source: Unsplash

Twitter: @EpigramCulture Instagram: @Epigrammusic

Co -Deputy Editor

Co -Deputy Editor Digital Editor

Subeditor

The Best in the Brizness

Oscar Ross rounds up the city's best emerging acts

Editor

With Bristol’s large and diverse nightlife, it can often be difficult to see through the drum and bass and Bed Mondays flyers that circulate the city. However, Bristol is home to some of the most exciting artists in the UK, including Massive Attack, Idles and more recently acts like Pink Pantheress. As such, any artist you see listed on Headfirst or hidden in the small print of a Crofter’s Rights poster could be the next big thing. Epigram Music is here to provide our picks for some of the best emerging acts that are just the tip of Bristol’s music iceberg.

Danny Chaska

Making laid back guitar and sample beats, producer-rapper and multi-instrumentalist Danny Chaska broke into the UK underground rap scene with his debut single ‘Madrid’ together with rapper Hal

HalShallo

Shallo. Having recently moved to Bristol after the release of his first album with Shallo, VICETOWN, Chaska is a promising young artist with the best of his career ahead of him. In interview with The Breakroom magazine Chaska commented on the nature of the UK’s underground rap scene stating that ‘It can be annoying because underground is good vibes, but no one wants to stay underground’. With Chaska eager to get off the ground in the rap scene, his progress in Bristol will be one to watch.

Implicit

Another emerging rapper in Bristol is Implicit, who featured on VICETOWN track 12, ‘Capri’. Implicit spits sharp minded lyrics with twisting rhythmic flows reminiscent of artists such as Verb T. Speaking to Epigram about his upcoming projects, Implicit was sad to relay that: “I was meant to have an EP coming out next month but my laptop with all my work

on it got water damaged”. “Should have backed it up… awful”, Implicit continued, however the rapper remains hopeful for future projects stating that “I’ve got another single coming out with a nice video next month and then something else to follow very soon after”. After his smoothtalking debut single ‘Demeanour’ feat.

Pitch 92 released earlier this year, Implicit is one to watch out for if you’re looking for prime rhymes and flows in Bristol.

FELIX

If rap isn’t quite your style, Bristol has a huge range of singer songwriters ranging from indie rock, soul, folk and everything in between. Emerging act FELIX has recently been making waves in Bristol’s indie scene with stunning vocals, heartfelt originals and driving acoustic guitar. Speaking to Epigram on Bristol’s music scene, FELIX described the “welcoming, and at times forgiving crowds” he has played, ranging from “open mics at Golden Lion to

sweaty gigs at the Louisiana”. FELIX is eager to return to his favourite venue “so far”, The Crofter’s Rights on the 1st of June, supporting another featured artist in this article, Part Time Models (see below), as well as another gig at The Louisiana on the 30th of May. FELIX is one not to miss with his new full band sets bringing his already

her covers, playing her own stripped back versions of ‘Young Hearts Run Free’ and ‘September’, providing the full energy of the songs with just her voice and a guitar.

Bible Club

atmospheric acoustic songs to the next level.

Shannon Flynn

You don’t need to go further to find more amazing artists in Bristol than FELIX’s fellow singer-songwriter, Shannon Flynn. A smooth and soulful singer songwriter, Flynn’s rich voice perfectly complements her own songs, writing about all the twists and turns of growing up and learning how to love. Flynn also puts new spins on old classics with

A wild card in this Bristol mix of rappers and indie rockers, emerging heavy rock band Bible Club spoke to Epigram music about how they are finding the Bristol scene. “It’s really welcoming” commented Bible Club, speaking on the lack of pretention in some of Bristol’s “iconic venues”.

Bible Club are excited about upcoming gig at The Lanes on the 28th of May as well as their second single coming out soon which they are “really looking forward to”, following their Idles-esque atmospheric banger of a debut single ‘Mr Lizard’.

Unmissable Live Music in Bristol this Autumn

Sports Team, 25th September, , Rough Trade

In the back of the record shop’s storefront lies possibly the best small venue in Bris. Sports Teams’ punkinfused indie rock is guaranteed to wipe the floor of your anxieties and to embrace strangers drenched in sweat.

Jockstrap, 5 October, The Fleece Genre-defying group Jockstrap takes techno to folk and harp centred tracks. Sure to be an unforgettable night, this is one to show your new mates how edgy your music taste really is.

Jake Paterson Co-deputy Editor

Coming to Bristol this autumn season are some of the most exciting acts in the music industry today. Whether you're a fan of soul, heavy rock or electro, there is plenty of live music events to get ex cited about.

Durand Jones and The Indications, 20th September, Trinity Centre

Taking indie soul into another dimension, Durand Jones and the Indications are sure to bring groove into the Trinity Centre. Take your mates for a care-free energy boost.

Overmono, 29 September, SWX

Reopening this month after the infamous fire that brought it to the ground, us as editors are keen to return to SWX having never set foot in it before. The techno and trance duo Overmono are a sure-fire way to an alternative to the pop-filled club nights that I’m sure you’ll be sick of by the end of freshers.

Clario, 30 September, O2 Academy

A true A-lister this month, bedroompop icon Clairo brings the hook filled tracks such as ‘Sofia’ alongside her more mellow and folk orientated project ‘Sling’. One not to miss, if you can afford it.

Let’s Eat Grandma, 18th October, Thekla

On the bottom deck of a converted cargo ship will emerge the synergy of this indie-pop duo from Norwich. Having emerged into the scene aged only 16, their catalogue is now expansive and experimental, drafting hyperpop alongside dance and classic indie tunes.

Eva Lazarus, 29th October, High Rise Hub

Following her recent album "Brandy Kisses" and hit single 'Amsterdam" that can be heard echoing through most club nights around Bristol, Eva Lazarus will be coming to the festival tent-like High Rise for a night ranging from jazz-hop, pop to dnb.

Oscar Ross Josh Templeman Jake Paterson Sam Cox Hannah Thompson

Oscar Ross Music

credit: @g_pistol _

and Danny Chaska

credit: @wutangshan

Shannon Flynn

Jake Paterson is here to give the where and when for the best live music Bristol has to offer this Autumn

Clairo pictured by Stian Schløsser Møller at Parkteatret, Oslo in 2019

Five Non-Freshers Events to Acquaint you with Bristol’s Diverse Music Scene

Sam Cox reimagines Freshers' Week with his picks of alternative nights out.

Sam Cox Digital Editor

Did you and your flat miss out on freshers wristbands? Or perhaps you simply fancy peering behind the curtain to glimpse what Bristol’s vast and varied music scene has to offer?

Well, we’ve got you covered with a hand-picked list of the five most exciting gigs and club-nights taking place across the city so you can tailor your own, alternative freshers' week.

1. Drahla, Damefrisør, Ex Agent.

Monday 19th September, Dareshack

Blending dark post-punk and off-the-wall art-rock, Yorkshire’s Drahla will be joined by Bristol acts Damefrisør and Ex Agent; the former a shoegaze-adjacent, swirling force to be reckoned with, the latter combining post-punk with jazz fusion to create something wholly new and exciting, this gig will chew you up and spit you out. In Dareshack’s new and exciting live space on Wine Street, it’s not going to be one you’ll want to miss.

2.

Strange Brew is currently Bristol’s most diverse and cutting-edge music and art space, hosting gigs, clubnights, talks, parties, exhibitions, and even a record shop, as well as their weekly (and free!) Bounce Jam, a great introduction to this unpredictable venue. A night for MCs, singers, instrumentalists, beatmakers, dancers and artists to exhibit their skills; whether you get stuck in

Editors' Picks

Editor's note:

They say a person's playlist can tell you a lot about them. Well, if there is one way to tell if this year's music team can be trusted to find your next favourite album, gig or festival, this is it. Here are our (impossibly difficult to choose) favourite albums of all time:

Swimming

by

Mac Miller

Oscar Ross Music Editor

I don't feel like I have to explain myself here: Just listen to it back to back. Then do it again.

Since I Left You

by The Avalanches

Josh Templeman Co-Deputy Music Editor

An album created almost entirely out of samples, with the Australian duo estimating there could be 3500 samples in total on the album, it’s a miracle that Since I left You ever got cleared for release. Combining everything from jazz samples and horse noises to speeches from old films, this album has to be up there with the most creative albums ever made.

or just want to watch from the sidelines, you’re sure to experience firsthand the organic creativity for which our city is renowned.

3. En Masse 2022: SCALPING, SŌN, K means. Wednesday 21st September, The Loco Klub

As part of Bristol’s cross-venue En Masse festival, programmed by Bristol’s reigning king of techno, Batu, Loco Klub will host a mix of live and DJ sets. Tucked away underneath Temple Meads station, Loco Klub’s

Visions of a Life

by Wolf Alice

Jake Paterson Co-Deputy Music Editor

Emerging from the essential portrait of youth that was My Love is Cool, Visions of a Life pulls back the trigger and aims at the cosmos. Charting feminist punk and widescreen power ballads, Wolf Alice's range took them across the world, with tracks like ‘Don’t Delete the Kisses’ and ‘Heavenward’ lighting a trancelike shoegaze flame.This album is filled with moments of rare, iridescent beauty, revealing itself only through many listens.

cavernous tunnels are the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of Bristol’s high-streets. Between SCALPING’s combination of hardcore rock and industrial techno, K means thumping, footwork-infused DJ set and SŌN’s analogue and digital drum cacophony, this night promises experimental electronic music in its many forms, backed by spellbinding visuals.

4. Public Affair #10: Parris, FYI Robyn, Forever. Friday 23rd September, The Love Inn

Public Affair welcomes renowned producer and DJ, Parris, to The Love Inn on Stokes Croft. His style touches on everything from house to dub, and after a string of infectious singles over the last few months, most notably the wonky ear-worm Skater’s World, as well as collaborations with Call Super, seeing him behind the decks at one of Bristol’s most intimate venues will be nothing short of a delight. In support will be London’s FYI Robyn and Public Affair resident Forever.

"You can tailor your own Freshers' Week."

5. Obongjayar. Saturday 24th September, Thekla

London’s Obongjayar shot to prominence after his feature on Little Simz’ earth-shattering Point And Kill last year, but that doesn’t tell the whole story; his west-African inspired hip-hop and electronica is on proud display on his acclaimed debut album, Some Nights I Dream Of Doors. You’ll inevitably spend many a stormy night aboard the Thekla during your stay in Bristol, so what better place to start than here?

Rain Dogs

Sam Cox Digital Editor

Rain Dogs feels like you got stuck in a booth talking to the strangest guy in the bar. He’s telling you high tales of lost loves, shipwrecks and circus freaks. A lot of it doesn’t ring true, and part of you wants to get as far away from this man as you possibly can, but you’re transfixed and appalled in equal measure. By the end of the night, you realise he’s just an old romantic who’s had a few too many, and perhaps this strange, gravelly-voiced eccentric isn’t so different from you or I.

Little Earthquakes

by Tori Amos Hannah Thompson Subeditor

Tori Amos’ debut, Little Earthquakes is (at least) one of my all-time favourites! Incredibly personal, and at some points chillingly so, the song-cycle candidly yet powerfully portrays her raw experiences in areas such as religion, childhood and relationships. Her unwavering frankness is a constant throughout the album, as she faces her past to find her own resolute voice and strength.

Drug Store Romeos

Bounce: Open Jam. Monday 19th September, Strange Brew

Dareshack main stage / Headfirst

by Tom Waits

Thekla / Headfirst

Editor Digital Editor Deputy Editor Subeditor

Critic

Columnist

Rianna Houghton Melissa Braine Phoebe Caine Ella Fraser Milan Perera

The World Reimagined - Art Trail

Critic Columnist Milan Perera follows trailblazing new art sculptures around Bristol.

Milan Perera Critic Columnist

Elie Wiesel, the acclaimed Jewish writer, who wrote the best-selling memoir Night, once told an audience “When you listen to a witness, you become a witness.”

These powerful words have a newly found relevance in an age ravaged by ignorance and apathy regarding important segments of our history. It is not familiarity that breeds con tempt, but ignorance. The transformative power of art is never to be underestimated; it is capable of bypassing stifling obsta cles such as language and customs and can make a visceral impact that has the power to educate and elucidate.

With the collapse of the Colston statue with a hollow me tallic thud, the decolonisation of education and art has been dominating the public discourse.

As we are at a tentative beginning of an upward journey of education to shed some light on hitherto neglected aspects of our history, the timing of The World Reimagined art trail could not have been more auspicious. It is currently stretching across the city of Bristol, designed to last between 90-120 minutes, with ten stops.

Each stop is installed with a globe that is decorated by a local artist. The main objective of this momentous project is 'to transform how we understand the Transatlantic Trade in Enslaved Africans and its impact on all of us'. What is loosely termed as “Black History” is no longer a fringe element or a footnote to the monolith of British History, but an integral part of its richness and vibrancy.

The fibreglass sculptures measure 1.4m in diameter and 1.7m in height. They were designed by celebrated artist Yinka Shonibare CBE, whose decision to utilise a Globe was made specifically to emphasise the geographic nature, and world-changing impact, of the Trans atlantic Slave Trade. According to the Bristol based historian and broadcaster, David Olusoga, Edward Colston was associated with the Royal African Company between 1680 and 1692 which shipped 84,000 African natives into slavery, including 12,000 children.

Some 19,000 of the enslaved people died during the perilous journey to the Americas and the Caribbean. These victims of Transat lantic Slave Trade have become a mere faceless statistic. To alleviate this gross injustice even by a small measure, each globe is associated with a plaque rekindling the memory of an individual whose pres ence otherwise would have been lost under the sands of time.

whose contribution to cancer research and ground-breaking medical innovations had been overlooked until recently. The aforementioned globe was painted by the local artist Emma Blake Morsi and is called Maize & Grace. It highlights the ‘Mother Africa’ theme and tells the harrowing but courageous untold stories of African environmental heroes and sovereignty guardians. Elaborating on her work, Morsi said 'Each section brings to life reimagined parts of our pre-colonial, traditional and colonial history as well as our present-day reality and future potential. It aims to honour those who bravely fought for justice...'

Organisers intend the works to 'enable the public to experience, discover and be inspired by art as well as present the opportunity to be part of the discourse around racial justice and what it means to be British'

Aside from Bristol, The World Reimagined has trails in Birmingham, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool City Region, London, and Swansea. All of these trails are connected via a digital platform that enables visitors to dive into a unique heritage collection that brings this history to life in an illuminating manner.

The art trail in Bristol kicks off its journey from the Royal Fort Gardens at the University of Bristol and concludes at Cabot Circus, the commercial quarter in Bristol. The trail is dotted with globes at various iconic landmarks such as College Green, the Queen’s Square, Castle Street, and the Old Market.

Each Globe is dedicated to a core theme in the Transatlantic Slave Trade, such as ‘Mother Africa’, ‘The Reality of Being Enslaved, and ‘Still We Rise.’ The artists have used multi-disciplinary medium to convey the message from prose writing to collages, to paintings. Contribut ing local artists are Michele Curtis, Felix FLX Braun, 3Dom, Godfried Donkor, Adam Grose, Bandele Iyapo, Emma Blake Morsi, Oshii, and Jasmine Thompson.

The starting point of the trail in the Royal Fort Gardens at the University of Bristol has an added significance as it stands within a short distance from the newly erected monument of Henrietta Lacks,

As you kickstart the next chapter of your life as an undergraduate at the University of Bristol, it is of paramount importance to explore the city during the Freshers Week! There is no substitute for actually embarking on a tour that would supersede the glossy prospectuses and Lonely Planet city guides. The World Imagined art trail will not only take you to the iconic landmarks of the city centre but will also transform your understanding of a hitherto neglected aspect our proud history.

The Bristol trail began on August 13 and concludes on October 31, the end of Black History Month.

Sep/Oct theatre programme

Bristol Old Vic –

‘It Begins in Darkness’ (27th – 30th Sep) – a dance performance exploring the haunting legacy of slavery ‘A Dead Body in Taos’ (30th Sep – 1st Oct) – artificial intelligence meets grief and bereavement ‘For a Palestinian’ (13th – 15th Oct) – ‘Something rare in theatre’, Whatsonstage on Wolab ‘Hamlet’ (13th Oct – 12th Nov) – rising star Billy Howle takes the lead role ‘The People’s Tour’ (15th Sep – 17th Dec) – a guided tour of the theatre and its rich history

Bristol Hippodrome –

‘Disney’s Beauty and the Beast’ (29th Sep – 12th Nov) – ‘One of the most visually impressive shows I’ve ever seen’, Time Out

The Wardrobe Theatre –‘Story Slam’ (18th Sep – 11th Dec) – audience members share stories on stage ‘Closer Each Day’ (19th Sep – 28th Nov) – a completely unscripted comedy making each show unique ‘Lava Elastic’ (27th Sep) – the UK’s first neurodiverse comedy/poetry performance

The Alma Tavern & Theatre –‘The One and Only’ (27th Sep – 1st Oct) – the story of Music Hall singer Marie Lloyd ‘Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me’ (4th Oct – 8th Oct) – three men attempt to keep their spirits alive whilst being held hostage ‘The Snap Gram of Dorian Gray’ (11th Oct - 15th Oct) – a contemporary social media twist on Oscar Wilde’s masterpiece

'When you listen to a witness, you become a witness'

Epigram / Milan Perera

Epigram / Milan Perera

A Love Letter to Bristol: Places to Visit as you Settle in

Meg Stoneman Second Year, English Literature

To everyone arriving or returning to Bristol this September, I extend a hand to you, to step into the lovely spaces that our city has. What a special position to be in, to see Bristol with fresh eyes! Often with change comes feelings of uneasiness and displacement; I invite you to visit these places when you are seeking comfort and homeliness.

First, we have East Village Café in Clifton Village. This pas tel-coloured haven will hold you in its sugary embrace and make you feel at home in its loveliness.

Try the iced popcorn latte or the strawberry matcha and have a look at their fairy postcards and beautiful glassware.

Opposite East Village we have Primrose Café. Full of serenity, I chose to sit outside here with my sister when moving to Bristol. My greatest recommendations are the orange juice and waffles.

The Clifton suspension bridge is a short walk from here and is a lovely place to find clarity and perspective. Brandon Hill elicits the same grounding effect. If you choose to walk there at dusk, you will be greeted with the most beautiful colours of sunset, and the lights of the city too. A friend of mine told me that being there reminds her of why she chose Bristol - I hope it can do the same for you, as it certainly does for me.

The St. Nicholas outdoor market is held every Saturday and this gem of Bristol shines the brightest for me; it brings me the most supreme happiness to be surrounded by its treasure.

Just around the corner, you can escape the bustle of the mar ket by stepping into Stanford’s bookshop. I find it to be calm and clear, like an oasis.

On the topic of bookshops, and those who may be book fanatics, the £3 bookshop on Park Street offers an affordable abundance of both modern and vintage books and posters. A

few doors down is Mrs Potts Chocolate House, where you can get decadent in your indulgence! At the bottom of Park Street, you will find College Green, a space for peace and to be among the greenness and open air. I like watching the trees there; keep an eye out for how they will change colour within your first term.

for its 169th year in 2022 to showcase a variety of pieces from established and emerging artists.

On Fairfax street - Strange Brew, the place which will hold space for you in your entirety with open arms - dance dance dance! It feels like the beating heart of Bristol’s uniqueness, with its DIY bar, exhibition space and record shop, affirming that there is a place for you here.

For a similar energy, try Mr Wolfs. Enjoy the jazz music and perhaps a photobooth strip with your new flatmates! My favourite place for a drink is the authentic and all accepting The Mother’s Ruin, on St Nicholas street.

The most special place, of course, is your own space.

Your new room - make it safe, make it lovely. Connect with yourself and the new people around you. Remain open to what they have to offer you - it will be beautiful. Be open to things changing, to your feelings towards your experience changing. Find solace in your new space. All the places that I have directed you to say the same thing: step outside of yourself and you will find it all already there waiting for you.

Heading onto Queens Road you’ll find the Royal West of England Academy art gallery, a delightful place to go for some quiet and reverence. Try inviting someone from your course to go with you to explore their annual open exhibition, returning

Books by Bristol alumni

The flower stall outside of Temple Meads Station always makes me smile and feels like an apt entrance to all the bright ness that will bloom for you in Bristol. Arriving or returning, get yourself some flowers! Even if it’s just one - gift yourself some colour.

Books about settling into a new place

Norwegian Wood (1987) – Haruki Murakami

Set in the late sixties and early seventies Tokyo, Haruki Murakami's Norwegian Wood pictures the reminiscence of Toru Watanabe’s days as a university student. Themes of alienation and loneliness run thick through Toru's experiences of love, relationships and a new setting. However, Murakami's encompassing message holds that throughout change and new experience, there must always be the hope and perseverance towards new opportunity and happiness.

The Happiness Project (2009) – Gretchen Rubin

Gretchen Rubin’s The Happiness Project journals a more practical investigation into the everyday habits and rituals that can help us maintain true contentment. From familiarising ourselves with classical philosophers to cleaning routines and morning mantras, Rubin shows us that in any loca tion or change in our lives, we can forge healthy and dependable structures and strategies to keep us sane in times of both adjustment and stagnancy.

Bristol Based Books

These novels explore Bristol as a setting monumental to the narrative, and reveal the important history behind its harbour and streets. Topics such as slavery and mental health are discussed in these novels, so make sure to read any trigger warnings before reading.

The Devil’s Mask (2011) – Christopher Wakling

As a new student in Bristol, it is important to understand Bristol’s history. In The Devil’s Mask, Wak ling crafts the sights and sounds of Bristol surrounding Inigo Bright, a young lawyer working in 19th century Bristol. Marketed as a historical mystery novel, anyone new to Bristol will appreciate Wakling’s uncovering of our harbour’s history that has had an everlasting and prominent effect on Bristol, its population, and communities from all over the world.

The Sense of an Ending (2011) – Julian Barnes Barnes paints a painfully beautiful and emotional picture of Bristol as a city full of growing up, and finding and being true to oneself. The Sense of an Ending follows Tony Webster throughout his time at the University of Bristol studying history, his graduation, and all the friendships and relationships that accompany.

The Bloody Chamber (1979) – Angela Carter

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Angela Carter’s death. During the years she spent at the University of Bristol studying English Literature from 1962-1965, Carter delved deeply into the bur geoning local folk scene and Bristol’s counterculture. In her magnum opus, The Bloody Chamber, Carter revisits the fairy tales of Charles Perrault and Brothers Grimm with a keen feminist perspec tive, drawing out the sexuality latent in the traditional fantasy tales to subvert the dominant male view of sex, power and gratification.

Starter for Ten (2003) – David Nicholls David Nicholls, who graduated from the University of Bristol in 1988 in English and Drama, is the genius behind bestsellers such as One Day, Us and Understudy. His debut novel, Starter for Ten, tells the story of the lovable antihero, Brian Jackson from Essex. Raised by his widowed moth er, Jackson is acutely aware of his working-class roots. After securing a place to study English Literature at a prestigious university, Jackson loathes the fads and performative activism of the privileged students whose families boast of wealth and power. Despite this, Jackson wishes to be accepted and adored by the very people who he shuns.

Epigram / Phoebe Caine

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Bristol Bears targeting success on both fronts

relegation in 2017. After the top spot they had achieved the cam paign prior and the first piece of European silverware won in 2020, the pressure is on for Pat Lam and his men to maintain this winning start and to prove that the last year was nothing more than a blip. Both of the wins have been somewhat nervy for fans and haven’t truly shown the full power of the Bears attacking gameplan, but 9 points in the bag already is a great posi tion to springboard the season.

32-year-old can provide a lot of experience in the fly-half position, giving selectors another option to the youngster Callum Sheedy, with both players favouring an attack ing style that engages the opposi tion defence as much as possible as the Pat Lam game plan demands.

LOUIS EDWARD Digital Editor

For the city of Bristol, the 2022/23 season in Eng lish club rugby is bring ing some new prospects and new challenges. For both the men and women of the Bristol Bears, this new campaign brings great expec tations.

Since gaining promotion to the Premiership and a major rebrand

for the club in 2018, momentum had been quickly rising for the Bears. The men’s squad opened this season’s account with a fiery come back win against the old enemy Bath after a last minute try for Will Capon, followed up by a solid win on the road to Wasps. It is a stark contrast to how the scorecards were looking this time 12 months ago. In the identical fixture in the second week of the season, Wasps thrashed Bristol 44-8, tearing their defence to pieces. A year on and the Bears have flipped that to a 23-8 win in their favour. Bristol finished 10th in the Premiership table last season – their worst finish since

The signing of Ellis Genge to his childhood city has been met with unanimous enthusiasm in the rugby world. The 27-year-old prop became a man possessed in a mon umental Bristol return scoring a brace in the opening game of the season. His powerful physical ag gression and vision for an offload are complemented by the leader ship he now brings after captain ing the Leicester Tigers to their first Premiership title in nine years last season. The Bristol boy has al legedly taken a “massive pay cut” to return to his original club and lining up alongside friend Kyle Sin ckler in the front row is mouth-wa tering for fans.

The Bears have also been able to rectify a big problem in building depth in a crucial half-back spot. US international A.J. MacGinty has signed for the club after sev en seasons with Sale Sharks. The

MacGinty has made appearanc es from the bench in both games this season with the first being vi tal in turning the tide in Bristol’s fierce comeback against Bath. But a week later, Sheedy confirmed his starting spot over the new recruit scoring 18 points in the Bears’ first league win at Wasps in 22 years.

MacGinty may also be a vital player to have available to make sure the Bears stay strong during the Au tumn International window and the Six Nations when Sheedy and half-back partner Harry Randall will be away on Welsh and English national duties respectively.

The men have started well and now have so much to look for ward to. In a one-off game unlike any other, the Bears will line up against a South Africa XV team in November while they tour the northern hemisphere. Under the Thursday night lights, it will be a night to remember for a club that has taken itself very quickly from a second-tier side to a team that can compete for titles with the best in English rugby. The Springboks game shows how big Bristol can

Welcome (back) to Bristol

only a three years ago. The reason being that the SU now have a ‘find a group’ feature on their website, which suggests societies based on your interests.

EDDIE MCATEER Investigations Editor

Bristol as both a city and a university is a vibrant sporting hub with some thing to offer every individual. For freshers, who are potentially feel ing a degree of nervousness about leaving home, moving to a new city and starting a new chapter of their lives, sport can be a wonder ful opportunity to alleviate these concerns. For those returning, my self included, the chance to meet new people and try new things is equally exciting.

So, what exactly does Bristol have to offer new and returning students? First things first, Bristol Students’ Union has around 400 societies and clubs catering to all interests. From the slightly more niche sports such as roundnet, to the nation’s favourite, football, sports clubs make up a significant proportion.

Finding the society that inter ests you is easier now than back in my day which, admittedly, was

Trust me, this is a helpful fea ture because a fresher at freshers’ fair is not too dissimilar from a kid in a candy shop. Not to mention the fact that most societies will of fer some sort of incentive, be that in the form of something edible, wearable, usable, you name it. It’s really easy to be overwhelmed by the opportunities in front of you so having an idea of what interests you is a good plan.

That said, not only does the student community have a strong sporting culture, but Bristol as a city also boasts several profes sional teams. Clubs such as Bristol Bears, Bristol City and Bristol Rovers spring to mind, howev er Gloucestershire Cricket Club, Bristol Flyers and Bristol Jets are all top teams in their respective sports.

Never been to a professional game? Ashton Gate is an impres sive stadium hosting both the Bears and City, as well as recently hosting England women’s rugby team. The Seat Unique Stadium is a classy cricket ground just off

Gloucester Road and the Memorial Stadium (aka the Mem) is where the, shall we say interesting, Joey Barton is plying his trade as a manager.

Going to a professional sports game is not a uniquely Bristo lian experience, however, it does mean that students get out of the Clifton/Stoke Bishop/Redland/ City Centre bubble. This is where you’ll hear actual Bristol accents,

meet the locals who welcome us to their city (mostly) and most of all will create memories in a city that offers something for pretty much everyone.

Away from the professional and student scene, Bristol offers plenty of green spaces for walks and run ning. Ashton Court is a beautiful spot with some stunning views of the city and the deer on its many trails. The downs, ever popular

now show themselves to be. And growth in the club means we are seeing the results outside of the men’s squad as well. Bris tol Bears women enjoyed their best ever season last year, finish ing third in the Premier 15s table and narrowly losing their maiden playoff game to the Exeter Chiefs.

Looking ahead to the World Cup in October, growth in the wom en’s game has seen more and more players getting centralised profes sional contracts and support and coaching getting better and better. Bristol announced that the wom en’s squad will now start training in the same High Performance Centre as the men this season with more resources being prioritised.

The big news that has excited fans is head coach Dave Ward’s new three-year contract extension after an extremely successful first season in the job. He has taken the close alignment in the club from the boardroom to the pitch as the Bears play a signature fast and at tacking-minded style of play that has brought them so much success in the last 12 months. The squad is now rich with international stars of England and Wales especially. Watch closely this year and sup port the team where you can to grow the game even further as this season promises a lot for the Bris tol women.

with sports societies, are ideal for exercising, although, that being said, the classic running route is down at harbourside thanks to its much kinder contours.

No matter what way you slice it, Bristol is a great city for sport and, whilst I am aware this is cliché, broadening your horizons is very much a part of the famous ‘uni experience’. Take the opportuni ties that come your way, you won’t

The Bears' men and women are looking to improve on last season

Epigram / Eddie McAteer

JMP UK

Bristol City Women FC riding the women's football wave

team has undergone a series of re brands and relocations in order to survive the perilous under-funding that lead to competitors moved down divisions or cease to exist.

JOE GREEN Sports Editor

It has been an iconic summer for women’s football with England’s triumph at Euro 2022 finally bringing an end to the nation’s footballing drought. With the success has come an inevitable swelling of interest in the women’s game, and although the next wom en’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand is still ten months away, Bristol City Women’s FC can provide students with their foot balling fix all while staying much closer to home.

As well as spending multiple seasons in the top tier of English football and reaching several cup finals, the story of City represents the unique world of women’s foot ball compared to the men’s game and the obstacles that must be overcome to sustain clubs.

Since its inception in 1998, the

Initially associated with the blue half of Bristol and thus named Bristol Rovers W.F.C, the club had to function without a permanent home for over a decade, playing their home games at a host of local grounds throughout the 2000s.

As Rovers’ men’s side lamented in the fourth division of the foot ball league, funding for W.F.C was withdrawn in 2006. A 12-month bankroll from the Bristol Acade my of Sport helped keep the newly named Bristol Academy FC afloat but risked merely delaying an in evitable collapse. Another funding crisis in 2009 saw manager Gary Green sacked and several key play ers leave the club to cut costs.

Yet amidst this financial strife, the club have defied expectations continuously on the pitch. A spell at the top of the Women’s Super League in 2006 as well as several top-five finishes was followed up by an FA Cup final appearance in

2011 that saw the side lose 2-0 to Arsenal. Despite the loss, as final ists they qualified for the following season’s UEFA Champions League, with Ashton Gate hosting the city’s first European footballing night against Russian side Energiya Vo ronezh.

However, it was a second FA Cup final appearance in 2014 that trig gered the improbable event of Bris tol not only taking on Barcelona Women in the following season’s Champions League but emerging 2-1 winners in the Last 16 tie.

The club’s financial status also began to take a turn for the bet ter after becoming one of eight founding teams of the FA Women’s Super League and moving into the newly built Stoke Glifford Stadium in 2011. A sponsorship agreement with Bristol City in 2013 saw the team take its current form, with the home kit changing from blue to red and an eventual renaming to Bristol City Women’s FC.

Emerging from this unortho dox past is a football team with its sights set on returning to the WSL in the 22/23 season. A five-

year spell in the top division was ended via relegation in 2021, but a 3rd-place finish in the Women’s Championship last season coupled with several off-season arrivals has buoyed confidence achieving pro motion this season.

Former England international Anita Asante has been recruited as first-team coach to assist manag er Lauren Smith, while 21-year-old goalkeeper Fran Bentley has been signed permanently from Man chester United after an impressive loan spell at the club last season.

The retaining of last season’s Player of the Year and City Wom en’s all-time top scorer Abi Har rison, as well as 22-year-old club captain Aimee Palmer, will surely aid the promotion bid while also maintaining the side’s attacking style of play.

The club are also looking to con tinue expanding the interest in the women’s game by hosting a num ber of home games at Ashton Gate, after their April fixture against Liverpool at the stadium set a new attendance record for a Women’s Championship fixture of 5762 fans.

The first of these matches is just around the corner with Southamp ton making the relatively short trip to Ashton Gate to take on City on Sunday 25 September.

It has not all been positive news of late, with manager Smith reveal ing last month that she was the subject of verbal abuse from a fel low spectator when watching Bris tol City’s men play Sunderland on 6 August.

Speaking on Twitter, Smith said: “Supporting Bristol City with the team today, and was told women shouldn’t be at the football but in the kitchen.”

“So a message to that guy, we welcome you anytime at the Rob ins HPC [High Performance Cen tre] to prove you very very wrong!”

Bristol City FC shared Smith’s tweet and added: “We wholly con demn such abuse.”

“This behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated at Ashton Gate.”

A 1-0 win at Coventry and a 2-0 win at home to Blackburn saw City get off to a 100% start and sit 2nd in the Championship table, level

Women's football hopes to use the Euros bounce and Bristol are no exception

Editor Digital Editor Deputy Editor Investigations Editor

Joe Green Jojo Lewis Louis Edward Eddie McAteer

Epigram / Eddie McAteer