EPIGRAM 321

Fortnightly 11th December 2017 Issue 321 Winner of Best Publication and Best Use of Digital Media 2017

University of Bristol’s Independent Student Newspaper

University unveils plans for £80 million library to replace The Hawthorns Noa Leach Co-Editor In Chief As part of their wider plans to remodel its precinct around Tyndall Avenue, the University has revealed plans for a new library that will replace The Hawthorns.

The library development will cost £80 million, and will be designed by a team of architects ‘behind some of Europe’s top education and library projects,’ according to the university.

The Hawthorns was a former hotel and currently houses some student accommodation, catering facilities and various offices.

Over 1,400 staff and students reviewed and voted on five design concepts. Both this open vote and the University’s panel chose a modern design put forward by British architecture studio Hawkins\ Brown, Danish practice Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects and engineers Buro Happold.

Professor Hugh Brady, Vice-Chancellor said that the new ‘state-of-the-art library will be an integral part of the academic experience of so many of our students and staff - especially, but not exclusively, in the humanities and social sciences.’

The flagship building promises to ‘delight and inspire innovation and discovery,’ Brady continued. The news follows the University’s recently announced plans to build a £300 million campus next to Temple Meads.

This investment in physical and technological infrastructure is ‘going hand-in-glove with a significant investment in the University’s curriculum, staff numbers, support systems and wider learning environment,’ according to a University spokesperson.

‘I think more study space is a step in the right direction providing that the loss of accommodation is replaced with something more affordable,’ said third year student Jasmine Gibbins.

‘We need more library space, especially during exams,’ added student Emma Connor, ‘but I also like the old-style Hawthorns building.’

According to Morten Schmidt, Founding Partner of Schmidt/Hammer/Lassen, the library will be ‘sustainable, contemporary, welcoming, and fun place to be - while remaining in harmony with the rich traditions and history of its surroundings.’

It is too early for any CGI images of the concept design, which will be released in Spring with a full public consultation on the more developed design.

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Living

Sport

Emily Hayman’s Bristol top

Felix Rusby

spot: The Downs

strips for RAG Page 18

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Fossil Free - University of Bristol

‘I found a used condom under my bed on movein day’ The results of Epigram’s housing survey: page 3

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Arts

Food Holly Penhale tells how to

A guide to Bristol’s graffiti scene RAG / Bryan Wong

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make a cheap flat Christmas Flickr / Lee Byway

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dinner

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Epigram | 11.12.2017

Editorial

2 Co-Editors in Chief: Alex Boulton and Noa Leach

Online Editor: Georgia Marsh

editor@epigram.org.uk

georgia.marsh@epigram.org.uk

Deputy: Edie Essex Barrett

Online Deputy: Lucy Thompson

Editorial Assistant: Mary Richardson

For advertisements, please contact calli.keane@epigram.org.uk

A note from the Co-Editors...

Epigram now has an app! Download it from the Apple store for free!

From the archives: ‘The Great Debate: Oh, For Fox Sake’ Epigram’s close look at the campus debates surrounding fox hunting The fox hunting ban commenced from the 18th February 2005. With this in mind, Epigram dedicated a front page article to the ban, looking ‘at the issue that has provoked strong reactions from students on both sides of the divide’. The article focuses on the upcoming AGM and the determination of an official Union position on the question of fox-hunting.

The article also mentions Bristol student Harry Meade, now a British eventing rider, who invaded the Labour Party’s conference the year before to protest the ban. Meade and a number of other protesters joined the Labour party in order to enter the conference and disrupt Tony Blair’s speech. Meade and other pro-hunt students started the University of Bristol Hunt Club to organise the university’s hunt supporters For the upcoming AGM, Anti-hunt supporters proposed a motion asserting Bristol’s opposition to hunting, stating that ‘the Union believes hunting is cruel, elitist and unnecessary and that the recently passed law reflects public opinion’.

They believed that ‘given the vocal pro-hunting faction of the University, it is necessary to speak out on the issue’.

The article continues to describe the opposition to the motion from the pro-hunting faction. The Bristol University Hunt Club was set up to represent the pro-hunting argument across campus. Their arguments focused on the belief that hunting is the most humane way of killing the fox population, with one representative saying the ban ‘will do the fox population more damage’ than fox hunting. The same representative asks ‘if hunting is banned who will look after our countryside?’.

The article advertises the next Epigram issue as a ‘hunting special’, set to further investigate student views through interviews, opinion and experiences.

First published in Epigram on the 31st of January 2005

Best of Bristol Media: Reclaim the Night, UBTV In the first of our new series looking at the best student journalism around us, we chose UBTV’s coverage of the Reclaim the Night movement. UBTV made a video for each week of the campaign; ‘Reclaimed our Bodies’, ‘Reclaim our Power’ and ‘Reclaim the Night’.

The campaign gave them the opportunity to bring some serious issues to the attention of students at Bristol. ‘The power of media outlets like ours is so important in tackling these issues,’ according to Co-President Sally Patterson: ‘Moreover, our videos reminded women that they’re not alone, and called on students to stand up and take action.’ Sexual violence has no place at Bristol University, and it’s up to all of us to play our part in making campus safe for all students.

See the full videos on UBTV’s YouTube channel.

YouTube / UBTV

We’ve made it to the end of term! Thank you to our many readers (mainly our families, housemates, and Barry) for reading our editorials every fortnight - we hope they have been as insightful as we intend them to be.

We have had a great term. Over the summer, we began the year by reporting on exclusives such as the release of Bristol’s animal experimentation figures and Waverley House failing Grenfell-style fire tests.

This academic year has seen other big stories such as the University’s investment of £1 million into wellbeing services, the protest at a talk by an Israeli diplomat, a high-profile journalist’s refusal to talk at the university due to Safe Space policies, Thekla being under threat, and even the fire at well-loved takeaway, the Grecian.

Investigations have included the University controversially changing their fee refund policy, the discovery that students from ‘aspiring’ schools at Bristol do just as well as students from other schools, solid evidence that Stoke Bishop halls are home to a significant proportion of private school students, and a look into student house burglaries.

We have also made some changes this term. You may have noticed that our front page, and many other pages in the paper, have started to feature more student photography and illustrations.

We have also had an incredible response from new writers, and every section has benefitted from the increasing involvement of students across all year groups and degrees - which you can see in our decision to include each writers’ year and course in their by-line. If you are interested, please do get involved next year- we would love to have you!

Included in these sections is Wellbeing, who is enjoying three editors, rather than two, and 2-3 pages per issue compared to the one from last year. The editors have a growing relationship with their large base of writers.

The two of us are also adding a new feature to this editorial page - the Best of Bristol Media. Here, we will showcase our favourite piece of journalism by our fellow media societies. Over the past fortnight, we have particularly enjoyed UBTV’s coverage of the Reclaim the Night movement - read more in the blue box!

Perhaps the biggest piece of news this term (for us, anyway) was our win of the Best Publication in the South of England at the Student Publication Association (SPA) regional awards. Members of our team also won Best Impact and Best Journalist. This has only fuelled our motivation to take these changes further and take a shot at nationals.

We really enjoyed putting this issue together. It includes a (close) look at RAG’s new naked calendar, new library and campus plans, Reclaim the Night, a look into punishments for drug offences in Bristol’s halls, and the results of the Faculty of Health’s wellbeing survey.

Over the past couple of weeks, we have been really interested to see what the student body think about issues such as student housing and the Vice-Chancellor’s salary. The results of both surveys are on pages 3 and 4 respectively.

Wellbeing is always on our minds at Bristol and at Epigram.

Make sure you give yourself some time off this Christmas to relax and don’t overdo the preparation for and worrying about January essays and exams. It’s easy to overlook the work that needs to be done on yourself when all you’re thinking about is the work you have to do for your degree - they’re as important as each other (if not weighted the other way around…)

The two of us will also be taking a break this Christmas, but we’ll be back in full swing after exams to deliver you more of your favourite Bristol publication.

2018 is a big year for Epigram as we will be celebrating our 30th anniversary. Keep your eyes out for our features, events and collaborations to mark our journey so far...

Until then, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from everyone at Epigram!

Chief Proofreader Lucy Moor Sub-editors on this issue Jess Cselko, Nadia Hassan, Izi Miller, Jamie Muddimer, Samuel Wong, Dani Salvalaggio, Chloe Moloney, Alice Chancellor, Jess Browne-Swinburne, Samuel Wong, Imogen Benson, Lena Ferriday, Laila Freeman Managing Director Calli Keane Director of Communications Joe Jones Director of Finance Josh Moloney Deputy Finance Jeremy Mei Head of Ads and Sales Aravin Skantha Ads and Sales Assistants Grace Rose, Frances McNab, Cameron Hooley Head of Marketing Lowri Daniels

Alex Boulton and Noa Leach, Co-Editors in Chief Printed by: CN Newsprint Cumbrian Newsprint, Newspaper House, Dalston Road, Carlisle CA2 5UA

Marketing Assistants Kate Nissen, Tara Lidstone Epigram is the independent student newspaper of the University of Bristol. The views expressed in this publication are not those of the University or the Students’ Union.

The design, text and photographs are copyright of Epigram and its individual contributors and may not be reproduced without permission.

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Epigram 11.12.2017

News

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@epigramnews Editor: Nikki Peach news@epigram.org.uk

Deputy Editor: Hannah Wakefield, Lucy Downer

Online Editor: Emma Chittleburgh

Deputy Online Editors: Emily Vernall, Jecca Powell

Epigram survey reveals 92% of students have experienced problems with private accommodation Alex Boulton Co-Editor in Chief A survey conducted by Epigram has revealed that 92% of students have experienced problems with private rented accommodation.

The survey, taken by 137 Bristol students, also showed that 42.7% are dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with the quality of rented student accommodation in Bristol.

Of the 92% of respondents that have experienced problems with private accommodation, 74.4% have experienced mould, 65.9% damp, 40.3% broken or leaking windows, 28.7% a pest and/or vermin infestation and 62% reported that their home was dirty when they moved in. One even revealed that they had found a used condom under their bed when they moved in.

Poor quality of housing was a common theme among comments left by students, with one remarking that ‘students have to take these properties—which they would not otherwise touch with a barge pole—because of the massive demand and relative scarcity of places to live’.

In addition, 70.8% of respondents said they have experienced problems in getting their landlord or letting agent to carry out repairs.

As for finances, 52.6% of students pay more than £450 in rent a month. When securing

their house, 58.4% of respondents had to pay more than £150 in agency fees and 39.4% of students had to pay the equivalent of six weeks rent or more as a deposit. 60% of respondents said having to pay these upfront fees posed financial difficulties.

Many commented on the seemingly bad value for money of Bristol’s student housing stock, considering the number of problems, the time it takes them to be fixed and the prevalence of high fees and rent. One commented: ‘Stop increasing rent year on year for the same damp house,’ and another: ‘I don’t know what we actually pay agency fees for.’

When finding and signing for houses, 38.2% said they signed in November- December, while 47.8% said they signed in January-February and 9.6% in March-April. 55.5% of respondents think they rushed into signing housing contracts. Many identified on the ‘culture of fear’ around finding accommodation.

Despite SU initiatives such as ‘Don’t Rent Yet’ last year, ‘Ready to Rent’ this year, the Just Ask service, housing fairs and the University’s accommodation office, 89.7% of students think there is not enough support for student renters. 93.3% think the University should give more support to students looking for and living in private rented accommodation.

‘Support for students privately renting is terrible,’ one student commented: ‘they only have one person who deals with these issues

in the Accommodation Office who is too busy to ever meet, and in the SU lettings building it may say “come in for a chat” but staff were very curt with me when I visited and weren’t helpful at all.’

Although assessing letting agencies was not the aim of this survey, many students in the comments section noted the failings of individual agencies. Both Digs and 2C Properties were mentioned. One student commented that ‘2CProperties were awful - they removed our front door locks with no warning and didn’t return them for weeks’, while another wrote that ‘Digs are awful, [they] live up to their horror story reputation.’

Epigram contacted both Digs and 2C Properties for a response, but had not received a reply at the time of going to print (one week after).

The survey comes at the same time as questions surrounding the sustainability of student numbers in Bristol and the impact on housing in the city, especially considering plans to build a new campus by Temple Meads and the demolition of The Hawthorns accommodation.

A spokesperson for the University said: ‘We’re very concerned to hear that students are having such negative experiences of private sector renting. We have been working closely with Bristol SU to see how we can best address these issues to ensure our students aren’t faced with unacceptable living conditions and costs.

‘Our Accommodation Office provides substantial advice to students when they look for rented accommodation in the private sector, and we have a Private Sector Adviser on hand to offer help and expertise on everything from tenancy agreements to issues with a landlord.

‘We urge any students experiencing problems to contact our Private Sector Adviser, Tash Burden. We also provide a number of advisory documents on our accommodation web pages for students wanting quick answers and advice.’

Lucky Dube, Student Living Officer at the SU, said in response: ‘we take on board the comments made in this article and we are glad this discussion is taking place. This article backs up evidence we’ve seen from the surveys and campaigns we have run, and we know that housing is a key issue for all students.

‘Since Bristol SU Lettings opened in 2013 we’ve saved Bristol Students nearly half a million in tenant agency fees as well as reinvesting all of our profits back into student activity. Our 2018/19 listings are now live, and we will continue to offer high quality and affordable housing throughout the winter, with new properties being added each week.

‘We look forward to continuing working with the University to support students in regard to housing.’

Read the full results of the survey online.

‘Raising money and eyebrows’: RAG release their charity naked calendar Nikki Peach News Editor The University of Bristol’s Raising and Giving (RAG) society have released their 2018 naked calendar.

It is available for pre-sale online and in the SU shop at £7 each and £12 for two. General sale will begin a week later where they will sell for £8 per calendar and £14 for two.

Bristol RAG is the fundraising arm of Bristol SU, a student-run society raising money for elected causes each year. All profits from their calendar will be distributed between the three partner charities RAG support this academic year, all of which were voted for by students.

The RAG mascot will be on the cover of the calendar.

Each year, RAG receives between 70 and 80 applications to be partner charities, which are narrowed down by the committee and then finally chosen for by students. The charities this year are Trauma Recovery Centre, Jacari Bristol and Meningitis Now. The Trauma Recovery Centre facilitates the creative and purposeful recovery of children and young people facing trauma and crises in Bristol.

Jacari Bristol tackles educational inequality by matching up student volunteers with

society members, usually from the main committee.

When telling Epigram about the process of making the calendar, Jon Pont, Events Officer said, ‘We wanted to show something different.

We have quite a few outdoor pictures - one of the shoots took place in the botanical gardens near Churchill Hall and the women’s rugby team picture was taken outside Coombe Dingle at six in the morning.

He added, ‘It was really weird for the first five minutes, especially when the tennis team were just playing an actual game of tennis naked and they were really good.’

To confirm, there is no more nudity than ‘bums, side boob and men’s nipples’ on display.

There will also be opportunities to physically buy a copy of the calendar at the RAG pub

quiz which they host every Monday. More information about their other fundraising events and challenges can be found on their Facebook page.

The calendar has taken just over a month to organise and put together, with Bryan Wong volunteering as the photographer, providing a range of unedited, natural images.

Bryan told Epigram about why he was so happy to get involved in the initiative.

‘The Naked Calendar shoot has been a great opportunity to combine my passion for photography with the chance to help out for a good cause.

‘It has also been a great opportunity to get to know lots of people from different societies.

It was my pleasure to be part of this calendar.

I’m glad I had the chance to get involved in this pro-bono (or boner) work!’

RAG / Bryan Wong

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‘There was lots of body positivity and it was great to share the experience with others and see people so comfortable in their own skin’

disadvantaged children aged 7-16 who don’t speak English as their first language.

Meningitis Now supports those with meningitis and raises awareness across the country to help students identify the symptoms of meningitis.

The calendar is the first the society has run on its own after the success of last year’s naked calendar, in partnership with Pink Week.

It is one of their flagship fundraising events of the year alongside the Battle of the Bands which takes place during RAG Week in February. The 2017 calendar was a big success, with several hundred copies of the calendar being sold.

The main difference this year is that RAG have tried to include a range of societies such as Gardening Society, Acapella, and Big Band, not just sports teams who are often the main contributors.

Freya Cohen, who organised the calendar shoot for Roots Community Gardening, told Epigram, ‘We were so hyped to be involved in this project. Come on, when are you ever going to have another opportunity to run around the University’s Botanic Garden buttnaked?’

She added, ‘There was lots of body positivity and it was great to share the experience with others and see people so comfortable in their own skin. Apart from one person who took a cactus spine to the nipple, everyone came out of it feeling really liberated!’

The President and Events Officer of RAG got in touch with societies and they were asked to sign up by filling in a form with their ideas. RAG then selected their favourite ideas, opting for the funnier and more interesting entries. The models are made up mostly of

An example page from the RAG calendar

Epigram 11.12.2017

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Decrease in student offences Bristol students vote that VC Hugh relating to illegal drugs in Brady’s salary is not ‘fair and justifiable’ University halls Edie Essex Barrett Deputy Editor

Epigram / Ed Southgate

Drug-related offenses in halls have decreased.

Ed Southgate Comment Editor The number of offences relating to illegal substances in University of Bristol halls of residence has decreased in the past two academic years, Epigram has found.

In 2015/16, there were 120 discipline offences relating to illegal drugs in halls of residence, whereas there were only 90 in the 2016/17 academic year. These figures were obtained from the student residences department, which began recording this information in 2015/16.

Only one student has been served a Notice to Quit (NTQ) in their halls of residence within the past five years, and no students have been expelled from the University of Bristol within the same time frame for incidents relating to illegal substances.

Despite no students being expelled, Epigram did also find that 51 incidents regarding illegal substances were referred to the University Police Officer in the 2016/17 academic year.

Responding to these statistics, James Cleaver, a second-year History student, said, ‘It’s obviously impossible for the university to police everyone’s personal habits, so it is clear that the figures are not a complete representation of drug use at Bristol, which is widely accepted to be quite prevalent.

‘While it is perhaps surprising that nobody has been expelled for incidents relating to drug use, and only one student has received an NTQ from halls, I like to think that the university is taking a mature and sensible approach to the realities of student life while attempting to enforce the law’, James added.

An NTQ is used to remove a student from halls in the event of a Category D Offence, which are of a serious nature. Students are not able to appeal against an NTQ. Lynn Robinson, Deputy Registrar at the University of Bristol, said, ‘It’s encouraging to hear that student offences related to illegal drugs have dropped. We introduced new disciplinary procedures in 2016/17, in response to concerns raised by students, and have also made additional efforts to educate students about the dangers of drugs.

‘We are well aware of the risks of drug use to students’ health and wellbeing and we work hard to ensure that all students are aware of those risks and also that they are made aware of the support available to them’.

A breakdown of each halls of residence was not made available to Epigram, as this information is not centrally collated. To locate, retrieve and extract this information is estimated therefore to exceed the Freedom of Information appropriate limit – £450 or 18 hours – set out in the Freedom of Information Act.

Back in September 2017, Epigram published an article detailing the salary of Bristol’s ViceChancellor, Professor Hugh Brady: £282,472.

Following the recent story that the University of Bath’s Vice-Chancellor, Dame Glynis Breakwell, had resigned after rows over her £468,000 salary, Epigram conducted a survey asking Bristol students whether they thought Bristol’s vice-chancellor was fair and justifiable.

In response, 65.6% of respondents voted ‘no’, his salary was not fair and justifiable, while 32.8% voted yes.

Further comments were made from those who were against the Vice-Chancellor’s salary, such as: ‘It’s a ridiculously excessive amount - quality at a university comes from the teaching staff not the managers, it’s lecturers and other academics who teach us that should be paid more and be given fairer contracts.

It’s also particularly galling to see this rise of executive pay coinciding with rising rent prices, the outsourcing of contracts for support staff, and increasing (though stalled) tuition fees which Vice-Chancellors regularly lobby for.’

‘Although it is a big job with immense responsibility, it’s a shame when I see this figure and then I look at how the University allocates funding to the arts, mental health, etc.’

‘I study an arts subject. I receive 4-5 contact hours per week. The facts and figures on arts students’ access to books are shocking. The amount of money spent on new books per department is insulting. I do not how how we can justify spending this amout of money on a VC, while arts students contribute to receive inadequate contact hours and recourses. I understand that arts subjects are self directed learning - I signed up for that. However, when I am told to ‘pick another essay topic’ because the only copy of the book I requested is on

loan, all of the justifications regarding arts students ‘excellent recourses’ seem utterly invalid. Please, let’s focus on students getting their money’s worth.’

Other students who supported the ViceChancellor’s salary said: ‘Higher Education is currently in global competition for talented leaders. Because of this competition, it is natural that a strong, successful and competent Vice-Chancellor like ours is going to be offered as high a salary as financially possible by institutions in order for the VC to work at that institution. If we want Bristol to continue to be a world-leading university, and if we want it to strengthen its rankings in the UK and globally, then we need a Vice-Chancellor who is capable of doing that. If we want that Vice-Chancellor to improve our university, then we need to be prepared to pay for him.’

‘Being VC is not a particularly easy job, being both a position of high responsibility and time consuming. The Vice-Chancellors throughout the country are some of the best in their fields, and have worked hard to make it to the top of the ladder. I think it is fully justified to pay them this much.’

‘The University of Bristol is a business equivalent in size and revenue to Aston Martin and Manchester United FC. To call the VC’s pay unjustified is to misunderstand modern economics of supply and demand: the demand for competent executive staff has never been greater in a global market, and the VC’s remuneration needs to ref lect this.’

Similar debates have occurred around the UK. In Manchester, students have endorsed the salary of their Vice-Chancellor, Dame Nancy Rothwell, who earns £260,399, on the basis that she is running the largest single site university in the UK. The University have said Professor Hugh Brady’s salary is ‘reviewed annually by the Remuneration Committee of the Board of Trustees.’ And, ‘the Remuneration Committee considers a number of factors taking account of performance, general pay movement for University staff ’, among others.

Results of Faculty of Health wellbeing survey released Noa Leach Co-Editor in Chief An email has been sent to all students in the Faculty of Health outlining the results of a survey taken to ‘better understand the prevalence of common mental illness among Bristol’s Health Science students’.

The survey was commissioned by the 2016/17 Faculty Representative for Health Sciences, John Gilbert, to ‘investigate helpseeking behaviours and identify potential areas for improvement’, according to the email, and was run in association with the Health Sciences Faculty and Bristol Students’ Union.

The Faculty of Health includes the Schools of Medicine, Dentistry, and Veterinary Medicine.

In the report is a quotation from Gilbert, who said that ‘It may not come as a surprise that our future careers have been shown to have higher rates of psychological morbidity, and it is now being suggested that medical, dental and veterinary students are also at greater risk of poor mental health.

“

‘The responses and results from the survey are shocking, but I think that’s exactly what we needed’

‘With no previous data to reliably reflect on, it was decided that a survey would be undertaken to look at the mental health

and wellbeing of all undergraduates in the Faculty.’

A University of Bristol spokesperson said, ‘The welfare of our students and staff continues to be our highest priority. We are committed to providing our students with the best possible support during their studies here.

‘Run in association with the Students’ Union, it has reaffirmed many of the findings from the University’s own in-depth review of student support services which has resulted in us investing an additional £1 million annually to create an enhanced student wellbeing service.’

The key findings from the survey show that: - 1 in 4 students screened positively for moderate to severe depression - 27% of students screened positively for moderate to severe anxiety - 1 in 5 students had thought they might have an eating disorder since starting their course - 16% of students had experienced suicidal thoughts in the fortnight prior to filling in the survey - 10% of students had self-harmed since the beginning of their course.

‘Both anxiety and depression symptoms were elevated among women students, compared to men,’ according to the Faculty.

‘This is consistent with trends in mental ill health among young people.’

According to the Faculty, they are taking the findings ‘incredibly seriously’ so that they can increase support for students.

Attached to each email were course-specific summaries of actions underway and actions

planned in response to the survey, with an option to discuss anything further in face-toface meetings with each School.

Jack McAlinden, Undergraduate Student Representative for the Faculty of Health, told Epigram, ‘The responses and results from the survey are shocking, but I think that’s exactly what we needed. We as students know that there is room for improvement in the Faculty, and the data from this report confirms it.

“

‘Our mental wellbeing is unique and must to be addressed and considered in a different way from that which applies to most faculties’ ‘After the initial shock, I was pleased to hear the Faculty’s response to the report – having been at Faculty Board meetings this year with the programme directors and Dean, I know how much this report has resonated with them, and that they are fully committed to improving support, using the report’s suggestions as a framework.’

McAlinden was elected as Faculty Rep with a manifesto pledge to improve the mental health support in the Faculty.

1,387 students – 59% of the Faculty – responded to the survey, a ‘high response rate’ which the Faculty said is a ‘testament to your willingness to tell us your views on your own mental well-being’.

To this McAlinden responded, ‘The greatest thanks of all must go to the students who put their time and energy into responding. It is thanks to them that we can stand over this

report and say that the data is robust and scientifically valid, something we will need to continue to push through changes in how the Faculty supports its students.’

‘As Health Sciences students,’ McAlinden continues, ‘we have a unique university experience, which brings many challenges and stresses along with it.

‘As a result the support we require for our mental wellbeing is unique and must be addressed and considered in a different way from that which applies to most faculties.

I’m extremely happy to say that the Faculty, schools, Reps and indeed students are working together and effectively to implement these changes.’

The University’s response to Epigram continued, ‘As a research-intensive university committed to the welfare of our students we commend this research and will learn from its findings. The Health Sciences Faculty is actively delivering a mental health and wellbeing action plan in response to the survey which supports the University’s enhanced wellbeing service.

‘Actions include: improved signposting and access to support services; an ongoing review of personal tutor and academic mentor schemes; and a review of attendance policies to further understand the stresses on students and the constraints on access to support.

‘We will also continue to broaden our understanding of student mental health by funding a PhD research studentship, supervised by leading University experts, to further investigate the rich data available from this survey, and to monitor the impact of our ongoing initiatives to support student wellbeing.’

Epigram 11.12.2017

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Emma Chittleburgh Deputy News Editor

Lucy Downer Deputy Online News Editor Hannah Rose, a University of Bristol student, is campaigning over the next two weeks to become president of the Union of Jewish Students (UJS).

UJS is the voice of 8,500 Jewish students, spanning 60 Jewish societies from campuses across the UK and Ireland. They deliver powerful campaigns, fighting prejudice, encouraging inclusion and providing education and action on the issues faced by Jewish

students.

‘I’m running for UJS President because I believe it’s important to stand up for what you believe in,’ Hannah told Epigram.

She is a fourth year student at the University of Bristol, ex-Vice President of her own J-Soc and cofounder of the Bristol Israel-Palestine Discussion Group. In running to become UJS president, she aims to address the difficulties in accessing J-Socs and the level of antisemitism on our campuses.

Speaking about the aims of her campaign, she said, ‘[It’s] not about me or my politics, but about Jewish students and what they need from their Facebook / Hannah Rose

Hannah ia running for UJS President.

national union. I’ve spoken to countless students from every social, religious, political and cultural background across the country, and together we’ve made this campaign to see what we can achieve together.’

Her campaign focuses on three major themes: enhancing the experiences of Jewish students, specifically Jewish issues, and the accessibility of the Union. She wants to find achievable solutions which will directly and positively impact Jewish students’ lives on campus.

Speaking about her reasons for running for UJS President, she stated,‘I’m running for UJS President because I believe it’s important to stand up for what you believe in. I’ve always believed in peerleadership, representation, cross-communalism and Israel engagement, the four core values of UJS. I’ve been involved in UJS since before I even stepped foot on Bristol campus, and over the past four years I’ve attended every UJS event I can, learning from other students and growing as a leader.’

‘Although I am running an election campaign, the movement that we have created together is about so much more than just one election. I hope that the issues we’re raising and the solutions that we’ve created reach far beyond just these two weeks.’

Hannah has written powerful articles on antisemitism and the underrepresentation of women with the Union of Jewish Students, hoping to address this issue if she is elected this December.

She has the backing of high profile figures such as Izzy Lenga, the Vice President for Welfare at the NUS. Anyone registered on the UJS website is eligible for a vote - the site will assign you with a unique access key required to do so. The deadline for voting is 8th December 2017 at 12pm.

Reclaim the Night march returns to the streets of Bristol Hannah Wakefield Deputy News Editor

On the evening of 25th November, the Reclaim the Night campaign once again marched through the streets of Bristol.

The march was organised by Bristol SU’s Women’s Network, and began in Queen’s Square near the Harbourside, making its way up Park Street, around Clifton Triangle, and finishing in the Bristol SU building.

campaigners who had been marching.

Nia Evans, a Liberal Arts student, told Epigram, ‘Every girl I know has experienced groping and harassment, it can really ruin your day or night out, and it leaves women with an unfair responsibility to keep themselves safe, when it should be everyone’s responsibility to ensure that no one feels unsafe. I also think that we should blame those who assault people for the assault, rather than the people who have been assaulted.’ She went on to add on lighter note, ‘Marches are also really fun, and

if you like banners, puns, and shouting you’d definitely enjoy it!’

Chris Jones, a Philosophy and Physics student, also spoke to Epigram about how sexual harassment and assault has become an ‘epidemic’, and that he was marching because he believes ‘everyone should get involved and do something to help out’.

The march marked the culmination of a whole month of Reclaim campaigns, which included ‘Reclaim our Bodies’ and ‘Reclaim our Power’.

women have “an unfair responsibility to keep themselves safe”

The march was well-attended by all ages and genders, and both students and nonstudents, continuing to grow as it progressed.

The campaigners were chanting as they walked, proclaiming ‘No means no!’ and ‘Whose streets?

Our streets!’

Women and people who identify as a marginalised gender were encouraged to walk at the front of the march, while behind there was a slower section for families and those who wanted or needed to walk more slowly.

The march culminated at the Anson Rooms in the SU, where there was live music, speeches, drinks, and information stalls on sexual harassment, assault, and consent.

At the after-event, Epigram spoke to

Flikr / Rockamn of Zymurgy Epigram / Nikki Peach

The University of Bristol have submitted a planning application for a new £300 million campus to be located on a seven-acre site in the city centre, next to Temple Meads railway station.

The application submitted to Bristol City Council in November 2017 outlines plans to entirely overhaul seven-acres of derelict land next to Temple Meads Station to open a new campus in time for the 2021/22 academic year.

Work on the new campus would begin in Summer 2019 should the plans be approved.

The planning application submitted to the council, still in its early stages, discusses the proposed density and scale of the buildings.

More specific design considerations will be submitted at a later stage of the planning application process.

The campus will mainly be for postgraduate students, initially aiming to provide the capacity for 3,500 students. Additionally, the campus will be able to host approximately 800 members of staff. Seven buildings will replace the former Royal Mail sorting office which will provide new teaching facilities, accommodation for up to 1,500 students as well as commercial outlets.

Reacting to the proposal to build a new campus, second year student Alistair Bee said, ‘I think it’s wonderful that the University are planning to expand’.

A £43 million Quantum Technologies Information Centre has been announced which is part of the new campus’ teaching and research strategy which will focus on digital technologies.

Professor Hugh Brady, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Bristol, said, ‘For the University of Bristol, the new campus provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reimagine the civic university. We are committed to creating a campus which both ref lects our status as a world-class University and provides an open and welcoming space for the people and city of Bristol.

‘Not only does the project build on Bristol’s reputation as one of the world’s leading digital cities, but it’s injecting life into a derelict site and creating unprecedented opportunities for our students and the community we’re so proud to be part of.’

Brady’s vision for the new campus includes its integration into the local community. The University aims to create a campus that is ‘welcoming and inclusive’ with facilities that will be opened up to the public. Plans include a training and skills centre which can be used by members of the community.

In addition to connecting with the local community, the new campus plans to engage with business and industrial partners. The University is working with Bristol City Council to build a relationship with the ‘Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone’ project which is expected to be of one the largest urban regeneration projects in the UK. New degree programmes will be developed on the basis of interaction and collaboration with the campus’s partners.

The campus will also aim to be carbon neutral by 2030. Environmental sustainability will be at the fore of the new development; it will be car-free and have dedicated bus routes to connect it with the existing campus. Walking and cycle routes will also be developed to connect the campus with the rest of the city.

A design team, currently being appointed by the University, will launch a public consultation based on detailed plans in Spring 2018 if the initial plans are accepted.

Bristol student in the running to become UJS president

“

Planning application for new £300 million campus submitted

The march making its way around Clifton Triangle.

Epigram

11.12.2017

Features

@epigramfeatures

Editor: Ellen Jones

Deputy Editor: Dani Bass

Online Editor: Olivia Cooke

features@epigram.org.uk

‘The library is the Arts Student’s laboratory’: Meet Philip Kent, the University of Bristol’s new Director of Libraries Ellen Jones finds out about all the upcoming plans for Bristol’s libraries and study spaces Ellen Jones Features Editor On a gloomy Wednesday afternoon, my day was brightened by an interview with the University of Bristol’s new Director of Libraries, Philip Kent. Having previously been ignorant to the important role played by the Director of Libraries, I found my interview with Philip enlightening and, more importantly, refreshing, as Philip detailed his enthusiasm to work at Bristol, and his exciting new plans for Bristol’s university libraries. Having moved from The University of Melbourne in Australia for the job, I asked Philip why he wanted to come to Bristol and what he plans to do for the students here.

Hi Philip! Your move from Melbourne to the UK was quite significant.

Why was Bristol University worth the change?

Tell me a bit more about the plans for the new library on Tyndall Avenue…

Its adding to what we’ve already got. It’s part of the university’s commitment to improve the student experience. Because the university is fragmented around town, it’s a really important project in its aim to provide more study space and energise the Clifton precinct. It will hopefully turn Tyndall Avenue into a student-focussed, community-friendly, pedestrianised space which is warm and welcoming.

Philip made the move from Australia to the UK for this new position at Bristol University student base. We have no plans to lose the ASSL once the new library is built, its use and function could be reconsidered. The new library will be a library for the whole university, not just Arts and Social Sciences students.

Arts and Social Sciences students have often protested fees and reported dissatisfaction with their facilities and the funding of their education. Are these new plans directly in response to that?

We’ve heard student feedback loud and clear.

My own background is History, English and Geography. I’m very understanding of discipline differences; the library is the laboratory for Arts and Social Sciences students. This new library is therefore an opportunity to step up our provision for those students. It is a library for the whole university – we do not want anyone to feel excluded – but we are using this to make up for a deficit in support for Arts and Social Sciences students. What will appeal to them is that we plan to increase cultural collections. There is no real gallery space in the university to showcase important cultural work. We have rich resources: a strong feminist collection, a great rare book collection, a world-class theatre collection and so many other fascinating manuscripts and archival documents which we really want to showcase.

Gallery space will help it to become something that the whole Clifton community will be proud of.

Is this new library part of a longerterm plan to replace the ASSL?

You discuss gallery space in the new library – why is this important to you?

It’s been a long-term dream of the university to upgrade the library. The ASSL is quite old now.

I know some students have affection for it, but when you consider that when it was built, Bristol was a very different university with a smaller

At Melbourne, I was also executive director for cultural collections. I was responsible for acquiring the Germaine Greer archive, which mirrors the fantastic feminist collection at Bristol.

A new gallery space will help to enliven academic

“

experience and exposure, for Arts students in particular. Students at Bristol have access to incredible academic and cultural materials that other universities don’t have. Gallery space, showcasing and celebrating our university’s resources, will help to make the most of it.

University isn’t just about studying, it’s about having a formative and experiential time

Clearly this project aims to be more than just a library! What are your other visions?

University isn’t just about studying, it’s about having a formative and experiential time. We’re looking for it to be community building – first and foremost for the university community – but also for local Clifton residents who can enjoy what the university brings to the city.

We want it to be a formative part of the campus.

We’re keen to have outdoor areas, maybe rooftop terraces, so students can find comfortable places, which are perhaps not traditional, to do their reading and working.

Why should university money go towards this, as opposed to other things?

Ultimately, students are here to be educated, and so the University must invest in their academic achievement. The library is special in that it is, first and foremost, academic. It’s important to be spending our money on quality facilities which

facilitate academic work. Other facilities such as sports and computer science buildings are being revamped, too; but the university must also revamp its educational facilities. With the library, it is putting its money in the right place.

“

“ We’ve heard student feedback loud and clear

University of Melbourne / Philip Kent

Yes! I’ve come a reasonable distance to be here, but I’m very excited. Bristol is a great university: it’s always done well academically, but particularly in research. It has positive aspirations to improve both teaching and student experience, and I’m really looking forward to being part of that positive strategy.

Bristol has a lot of similarities to my previous place of work, the University of Melbourne.

Melbourne consistently comes first in Australian university rankings, and has a lot of similar subject strengths. I felt Bristol was of the right fit for me. What I also found really exciting was the plan for a new £80m library on Tyndall Avenue. I have a lot of experience in library development, but most have been internal refurbishments to upgrade existing libraries. For example, at Victoria University we built a large new extension. But this is the first complete new build for me, which I think is really exciting.

The new library is one of my highest priorities, but I’m also excited to work with the team here, who, under the leadership of Deputy Director of Library Services Stuart Hunt, have done a fantastic job so far this year.

Fantastic! Do you have any other plans or aspirations for the Library?

Yes! The University library will be announcing our new integrated, world class, innovative system very soon. This will replace the current catalogue and search system, but will aim to be much more than just a library programme. This current generation of students spend a lot of time of their smartphones, for example, and we aim to meet students in their preferred digital environment. I’m excited about the digital future, and so one of my dreams is to facilitate a fantastic digital experience for students.

A mix of both library and comfortable study space is really important

At Bristol, the library also has an interesting role in being responsible for all study spaces, including Beacon House, Grace Reeves and Senate House.

It’s possible we might end up with more study spaces, because I think this mix of library and comfortable study space is really important.There are times where you want a nice, warm space to study and that’s why it’s important that we look to develop more than just library spaces around the university.

Epigram

11.12.2017

7

An interview with Aasmah Mir Gabi Spiro talks to the radio journalist and UoB alumnus about Bristol, careers in the media, and the post-uni ‘panic’ Gabi Spiro Film and TV Deputy Editor

“ What stands out is Aasmah’s modesty, honesty, and charisma

‘I decided I wasn’t going to pursue law, so I went back to Glasgow and I didn’t have a job and my mum was like “what the hell is going on? I thought you were going to be a lawyer,” and then I saw a job in the paper as a graduate trainee at STV’. It seems as if everything fell comfortably into place, and Aasmah is aware of this: ‘I was really lucky because things looked a bit ropey for a while and I didn’t know what I was going to do’, she continued.

With the media world and arts sector jobs becoming increasingly saturated, anxieties about employment are commonplace amongst students.

With this in mind, Aasmah relays some practical advice about working within the journalistic world, which interestingly, is applicable to a lot of other career paths. ‘Things have changed so much now, but it’s still about getting one thing on your CV, and having an idea of what you’re

genuinely interested in’, she says: ‘make yourself indispensible’, and ‘try and be an expert on something instead of just trying to be someone who knows a little bit about everything.’

As well as having worked as a newsreader, researcher, presenter, reporter, reviewer and writer, Aasmah has covered numerous live referendum and election results, including the mammoth events of recent politics. In such a varied career, I wonder if a certain moment stands out as particularly ground-breaking or memorable. She mentions that the 2010 coalition was unprecedented, but that it was later dwarfed by the Scottish independence referendum, the

EU referendum, and then the 2017 election and its outcome. ‘I suppose it was the EU referendum [that stands out] because that’s the story that no journalist foretold, so just to be there and to be at account, and to watch it go the other way to what people had expected, I suppose that is a stand out moment because of the massive repercussions we’ll see for years to come’.

What strikes me about Aasmah is her modesty, honesty and charisma, and how reassuring this is.

She partied at university, ignored the designated Law student path, and yet has had an exciting and varied career. Hers is a success story that students need to hear.

Epigram / Gabi Spiro

Aasmah Mir took the time to chat with Epigram, despite having just chaired a ninety minute panel discussion and rushing to collect her belongings before the taxi came in ten minutes. The Sony Gold Award-winning broadcaster was welcoming and amiable, perhaps swept up in the nostalgia of being back, for the first time since graduating, at the Wills Memorial Building.

Aasmah left the University of Bristol in 1993 with an honours Law degree and seems to remember her days here fondly. Earlier in the talk, she joked about being a deviant student, so after the discussion, I ask what her most vivid memories are of being a student in Bristol. She laughs. ‘All of it’.

She reminisces about ‘hanging out with people, living in such a beautiful city, and loving the architecture’. It seems the perks of studying in Bristol are timeless, and her anecdotes could easily match those of a student here today. ‘Some great all-nighters, where we’d end up watching the sun rise over the Clifton Suspension Bridge or Cheddar Gorge’, she remembers, and her worst memories are ‘tramping across The Downs from Badock Hall in the rain, and falling asleep in lectures’, as she suffered through a regular Monday 9am. It is welcomed news that falling asleep in lectures isn’t necessarily an indicator of later professional failure.

After leaving UoB, and aged only twentyone, Mir landed a job as a newsreader at STV in Glasgow. She quickly grew bored of reading autocues, and moved to work for BBC Radio Scotland as a researcher, and then as a producer for BBC

Radio London. She now co-presents Saturday Live on Radio 4, as well as reporting for ITV during elections and for their current affairs programme Tonight. The apparent ease with which she climbed the professional ladder is admirable, especially in a career so unrelated to her degree.

Aasmah Mir talks about career as a journalist and advise for current students

Unisphere Volunteers: the new student volunteering platform Tim Dodd Third Year, Biology

embark on such adventures.

Finally, perhaps what is little known is the value of international experience whilst at university, be that within one’s degree programme or extracurricular voluntary work. A recent report

by Universities UK International found that just one week or longer of outward student mobility (which could be study, work, or volunteering) in the graduate cohort of 2014-15 improved academic and employment outcomes, and that those figures were even more favourable for disadvantaged, black and minority ethnic groups who go abroad during their studies. 3.7% of graduates who were mobile during their degree were unemployed, compared to 4.9% of their

non-mobile peers. 80.1% of graduates who were mobile during their degree earned a first-class or upper second-class degree, compared to 73.6% of their non-mobile peers. Among graduates who were mobile during their degree, those in work were more likely to be in a graduate level job (76.4% compared to 69.9%) and earn 5% more than their non-mobile peers.

My experience with the University has shown me that if you have an idea and you approach the right people with it, they will support you.

If you are interested in the Unisphere Volunteer talks please like us on Facebook (facebook.com/ UnisphereVolunteers/), where all future updates and events will be posted!

Epigram / Tim Dodd

My name is Timothy Dodd. I am a 3rd year biologist who came up with a random idea in about 5 minutes and decided to make it happen.

With the support of the Global Opportunities department, I recently started up Unisphere Volunteers, a student-led volunteering platform, both in person and online, which gives the opportunity for a breadth of student volunteers to share their experiences with those interested, all in one sitting! This is particularly useful for prospective first-time volunteers wanting to know what is out there, or those wanting to volunteer in a new area. At the talks they can hear testimonies from fellow students who have trialled and tested the opportunities, and can talk to them afterwards about them, rather than relying on anonymous reviews online. The experiences shared are as varied as possible and different every session – be it conservation, community or teaching work.

The format is a 1 hour talk, 6 students talking for 10 minutes each, with all speakers available at the end to refer to further information.

Starting small, the 80 spaces for the first event sold out over one weekend of being marketed, and within a week or so I had enough people volunteer to speak at future events to facilitate at least another 2 in the new year. It’s a great opportunity for students not only to tell others about volunteer organisations that they’re passionate about, but also to practice their public speaking to a small seminar audience, invaluable for careers in science or corporations.

I then contacted members of the Russell Group

concerning the potential for upscaling my project to inter-university level. I received a response from the Executive PA to Dr Tim Bradshaw (the Chief Executive of the Russell Group) describing the project as ‘extremely interesting and very worthwhile’, and advising me on how best to proceed with the idea.

So, why did I bother? I felt the following rationale exposed a real gap in the market for the idea.

Many people questioned me about my own experience. “What you did in Brazil looked awesome… how did you find it?” This reflected a few issues to me. Too many students get ripped off, put off by price or by the sheer gravity of opportunities out there. More reasonably priced opportunities with smaller NGOs/charities are harder to find online as they drown in the ocean of expensive volunteer packages, and are also given little air-time by the university. Hence having students who had undertaken more worthwhile, affordable opportunities and who were willing to share them with others seemed a helpful step in preventing international volunteering from being something for only the most affluent of students.

Furthermore, a lot of friends who had volunteered also reported to me: “I did _____ but it wasn’t quite what I thought it would be”; “Absolute chaos … organisational mess”; or “I mean it was good… but I probably didn’t need to spend £3000 on it”.

This reinforced to me the fact that things are not always quite what they portray themselves as online. Having a human link, someone to talk to you who has done the programme themselves, would give confidence to those planning to

Unisphere Volunteers aims to make volunteering opportunities easier to access

Epigram

11.12.2017

8

What you can do to help the homeless this winter Will Simpson, Vice-President of Help the Homeless offers ways to help Homelessness is rising at a disturbing rate across Britain, and we here in Bristol see that more than most. Homelessness in Bristol is twice the national average. With a 128% rise in the last three years, and with one in every 170 Bristol residents homeless, you’d struggle to miss it.

Thankfully, Bristol has a number of fantastic groups who are working together to help people who are homeless, and this winter there are a number of ways you could make a real difference to someone’s life. It doesn’t have to be something big: donating funds, donating warm clothes, volunteering your time, even just stopping to chat for a couple of minutes – all of these make a real difference for somebody sleeping rough this winter.

Volunteering Bristol’s night shelters can’t operate without volunteers. Giving up one night a week, a fortnight, or a month is one of the best ways you can make a difference.

For more information about how to get involved, either contact the charities directly, or you can email our team at Bristol Uni’s Help the Homeless Society and we can help you find where the best opportunity for you might be.

Bristol University Help the Homeless Society: bristolunihelpthehomeless@gmail.com St Mungo’s: 0117 954 2958 - www.mungos.org Julian Trust: 0117 924 4604 - www.juliantrust. org.uk Crisis Centre Ministries: 0117 330 1230 - www. crisis-centre.org.uk Caring in Bristol: 0117 9244 444 - www. caringinbristol.org.uk If you’re still in Bristol for Christmas, and can find a day or two to spare between your festive revision/essays, Caring in Bristol also run the Caring at Christmas project from the 24th of December to 1st January, and are still looking for volunteers for a variety of different roles. If you

think you might be able to help further details can be found here: http://caringinbristol.co.uk/ caring-at-christmas/ Donating Funds If you’re strapped for time, the four charities that provide Bristol’s night shelters to support rough sleepers have come together to set up a single, online crowdfunding appeal: Safer off the Streets (#SOSBristol). #SOSBristol offers you the chance to donate any sum you can to help charitable night shelters. It costs £17 to provide one bed for one night to a homeless person, but anything you can give would make a difference.

The crowdfunding page can be found here: www.fundsurfer.com/project/ bristol-roughsleeping-partnership.

If you think you can get your friends donating too, on Friday the 26th January St Mungo’s are running their Woolly Hat Day. Wear a hat, take a selfie, and make a donation to help change someone’s life by texting ‘WOOL18 £2/£5/£10’ to 70070 to donate £2, £5 or £10 – and don’t forget to Tweet, Gram or Facebook your Woolly Hat Day picture using #WHD18.

“

Will Simpson Third year, Politics and Social Policy

But homelessness isn’t just people sleeping rough – that’s the visible and extreme part of a bigger picture

Donating Clothes Help Bristol’s Homeless distribute clothes to the homeless every Thursday. If you have any warm clothes you can donate, send them their way. Or if you want to be an even greater help, Bristol Uni Help the Homeless Society can help you and a few friends run a clothes collection, and organise for you to head down to distribute your donations directly to the homeless in Bristol.

If this is something you’re interested in, let us know: bristolunihelpthehomeless@gmail.com.

Speaking to rough sleepers People with lived experience of sleeping rough tell us that one of things that they find most difficult is how excluded they feel from the rest of society. One of the easiest things we can all do, at absolutely no cost to us but a few minutes of our time, is to stop and have a chat. It can be something as simple saying ‘Hi, how’re you?’

Maybe sit beside someone and introduce yourself.

If you’ve got a little bit of spare cash you could ask them if there’s anything they’d like, or anything you can do to help. It may seem a little scary, but it really is as simple as talking to someone on a human level and making them feel valued.

If they’re not in touch with any local services or charities you can help them get support.

At streetlink.org.uk you can input: the rough sleeper’s name (if you know it); a physical description; any distinguishing characteristics (e.g. colour of distinctive clothing/possessions/ sleeping bag or accent); the specific location of where the person is sleeping and the time you saw them. This can help our local services reach out to them and help them off the street.

A symptom of a wider problem?

But homelessness isn’t just people sleeping rough – that’s the visible and extreme part of a bigger picture. There are even greater numbers of people who may have a roof over their head, but nowhere they have a legal right to stay.

For example those sleeping on friends’ sofas, squatting, or in temporary accommodation. It also means people who don’t have the sufficient living space, which we all require, to maintain their physical and mental wellbeing.

Homelessness is a complex issue that can be the result of numerous personal and structural issues. While many assume homelessness is purely the result of individual failings, such as substance abuse, the reality is far from it. Between April and June 2017 the top two reasons for people losing their ‘last settled home’, of whom there were 236, were: friends or parents no longer being able or willing to accommodate – 28% – and the end of a

shorthold tenancy – 42%. But it is the interplay between personal and structural factors that make some more vulnerable to becoming homeless than others. Many of the people who become homeless, particularly at the most extreme end of homelessness, have suffered a childhood trauma, can have an institutional background, or have suffered a family breakdown, amongst other issues. And of course our lack of housing supply and the cutbacks of state funded services play an enormous role. While doing everything we can as volunteers and fundraisers, it’s important to remember that homelessness isn’t an isolated issue, but a worrying symptom of wider issues. To tackle it once and for all we have to affect change on every front.

“ The Bristol University Help the Homeless Society was founded to help students fundraise, raise awareness and volunteer their time

Join the Homelessness Society The Bristol University Help the Homeless Society was founded to help students fundraise, raise awareness and volunteer their time in partnership with a number of initiatives across the city.

February 24th to March 3rd 2018 is Homelessness Awareness week, where partners across the city will be raising awareness, funds and volunteering for homelessness initiatives.

You can find information on how to get involved in BUHHS and their preparation for Homelessness Awareness Week on their Student Union page or main Facebook page, or by getting in touch directly at bristolunihelpthehomeless@ gmail.com.

All quotations and facts in article from Emmaus in Bristol, Shelter and Bristol City Council.

Dangers of social media for millennials Alice Oliver discusses the long-lasting impacts of social media

Alice Oliver Third year, French and Portuguese

current views, everything you write online stays out there forever (unless you have the foresight to delete it). It is unlikely that most people have made comments anywhere near as offensive as those of Maynard. However, the tweets made by Zoella hardly stand out as anything that shocking.

How many of us know someone who used terms such as “chav” and “skank” on social media as a teenager?

Although the vast majority of us don’t aspire to careers in the public eye, studies show that online comments can nonetheless be damaging to career prospects. One study conducted by On Device Research surveyed 6,000 16-34 year olds

across six countries and found that 10 per cent of them had lost out on a job due to pictures or comments on their social media accounts. A separate study by Career Builder showed that 43 per cent of employers used social media to research candidates.

So what is the solution? Going through any public profiles with a fine-tooth comb seems like a good place to start. Moreover an easier option for old or inactive accounts might just be to delete them altogether. In sum, the advice recited by Maynard in his apology video seems like a good ethos to stick to: ‘don’t put anything online that you wouldn’t put on a t-shirt’.

Social media can be used as a platform of hate

Epigram / Noa Leach

Epigram / Sally Patterson

On the 21st November Jack Maynard, 23, YouTube personality and brother to the singer Connor Maynard, made a shock exit from I’m A Celebrity after less than 72 hours. He had been forced to leave in order to face various media stories concerning offensive tweets he made as a teenager. Maynard is hardly the first celebrity to come under fire for old comments made on social media, and again and again we have seen the debilitating effect these kinds of comments can have on a career. Given that the majority of us have been using social media since we were pre-teens, is this something we should all be worrying about?

Maynard was forced to make a public apology for homophobic and racist tweets made between 2011 and 2013, when he was aged between 16 and 18. In one tweet in 2012 he referred to a group of friends using the n-word. In another he responded to a tweet about his brother by calling the poster a “retarded fucker”. He also tweeted pictures of people with deformities with captions such as “in his prime” and “so funny”, and made rape jokes: “If you get me to 15000 followers by tomorrow, I will kiss you …. Most likely rape you though”. The tweets have since been deleted.

In a video posted on his YouTube channel, Maynard profusely apologised for his comments,

stating: “My life, my entire life is on social media…I’ve tweeted some bad things, some horrible things. I was young, I was stupid, I was careless, I just wasn’t thinking.”

However, this apology was in many ways too late; he has already lost out on the I’m A Celebrity experience, and reports suggest the tweets could cost him a number of lucrative sponsorship deals.

Maynard is not alone in this experience. The successful and well known YouTuber Zoella also came under fire in November when offensive tweets from 2010-2012 were uncovered. One reads: “I find it funny when gay men spit…it’s like they’re trying to be a bit macho but never works…”. She also used a number of offensive terms such as “skank”, “tramp”, and “chav”, as well as stating that an unnamed woman should have “kept her legs shut”. Zoella has since deleted the tweets and apologised for any offence.

But how does this affect us? Similarly to Maynard, for the majority of millennials, our entire lives, or at least a good proportion of them, are on social media. It is taken for granted that everyone has Facebook and Snapchat, if not Instagram and Twitter. As different websites lose and gain popularity, it is highly unlikely that all of us keep up to date with all of our accounts, and almost certain that we will not remember everything we have ever posted on them. But whether or not you remember posting something, and whether or not the post still reflects your

Comment

Epigram 11.12.2017

@epigramcomment Editor: Ed Southgate

Deputy Editor: Jake Porter

Online Editor: Cameron Scheijde

@ed_southgate comment@epigram.org.uk

@porterjake

@camscheijde

Epigram Comment is the home of the student voice. The opinions expressed here are from individual students with an individual perspective. As an independent newspaper, we do not affiliate or associate ourselves with any one view, but aim to publish all views of the student body as and when they come to us. If you would like to respond with an opposing point of view in a subsequent issue, please contact the Editors.

University ‘families’ are halfbaked Returning to his trademark baking analogies, Will Charley urges for us to redesign the ‘family’ system here at the University of Bristol

What the #editors are saying...

Will Charley First Year, History Four mums, three dads and eighteen siblings. That’s my collective family at Bristol. Clearly this university is progressive on more than just drugs.

In fact, technically I have three families; one family doing my course, a second in my sports club and a third in the BDU. At the university, all freshers are assigned second or third year ‘parents’ who study the same degree as them. First years are also grouped into families that comprise of other freshers on the same course.

The theory is that through being in a family, the ‘children’, will feel welcomed into university with a group of people that they can get to know, as well as parents who they can go to for advice and support.

But does the family system actually work?

Epigram / Mary Richardson

“

If something is half-baked, it needs to go back in the oven

“

One of four Epigram families; but do all society and course families look after their children as well as they do here?

Thanks to having a third year I felt easy talking to, I was informed that the majority of reading lists for first years are an utter waste of time. I honestly cannot thank her enough for saving me from spending hours slaving over the ‘Impact of the British Empire on Grass Types in South America’, and ‘Middle-class Victorian Suburbanisation’, amongst other dreary topics.

How are freshers expected to use parents for support, when they barely even know who they are?

More importantly, the family system - and in particular the parents - allow students to be able to talk about personal issues to someone in confidence, when they may not have found their friends yet.

With the rising mental health crisis - which I was kindly reminded of by some ‘fans’ of my last article - the more support that students can get from non university sources, the better. The family system allows all students to check in with their parents and be supported emotionally, as well as academically.

At least, it should; therein lies the problem with the family system at Bristol University.

Families allow for academic support, for new friends and for a hefty amount of drinking, but they do not sufficiently act as a real, supportive family. Although some parents, such as History student Talia, say that the greatest part of being in the family is advising their kids, this does not happen enough.

For example, first-year History student, Matt, was invited to meet his parents for the first time, only to find them all working on their third-year essay, and effectively ignoring him. Not dissimilarly, another

first-year student, Tom, who studies Philosophy, told me that ‘I’m still waiting for my parents to rearrange our first meet up… I don’t think it’s going to happen’.

Unfortunately for him, I don’t think it will either.

Bristol’s family system is broken because not enough parents actually see their children. Unlike at Oxford, first year students aren’t greeted by their parents when they first arrive at the University, and don’t even hear about them for several weeks.

Moreover, despite having 25 family members in all, I have only attended four out of a possible five family socials. How are freshers expected to use parents for support, when they barely even know who they are?

For families to be effective, students should know their course families from day one, and should see them more frequently, so that they are actually are a genuine source of personal advice.

While the Peer Mentor Scheme does offer this service, a one-on-one relationship can seem a little intense.

Course families should fill this gap, effectively aiding the work of support staff at the University in a noninstitutionalized manner, and helping to fix the mental health problem at Bristol.

“

The first thing that struck me when I asked others this question was that many student don’t care. That Bristol students are apathetic to answering a keen fresher writing for Epigram did not surprise me; however, on the family system itself, many did not care because they had never met their ‘parents’, or because they could barely even remember who their siblings were.

It became apparent that at Bristol, many students have been orphaned by the University. Instead of having parents who offered support in times of need, these students thought of the family system as half-baked, with parents who never connected with them.

So, does this mean that the family system is broken and should instead be just replaced with socials?

Well, using my limited baking knowledge, if something is half-baked, it needs to go back in the oven. It does not mean that the bread should be thrown away altogether. Although some families at Bristol are not as supportive as they should be, the University should not scrap the system altogether.

Fundamentally, for most students, the family system allows them to connect with new people they otherwise would have been unlikely to talk to. The first time I met ‘Sports Dad,’ he was the short, built bloke in the back of Spoons, sinking a pitcher while wearing a full size wooden apple around his neck.

To be brutally honest, people who wear replica fruit around their neck generally come across as a bit odd, regardless of sports club traditions. But this second year turned out to be a truly great guy, and I can only thank the family system for me getting to know him.

Similarly, as well as allowing new students to meet people, the family system means that students can get advice from seniors on academic matters, or on the society they are part of.

I distinctly remember sipping on my pint in Spoons – again -, having just met one of my History mums.

I had two burning questions: what was the lecture reading, and crucially, did I actually have to do it?

The family system should be a source of support

So, while no one denies that some families at Bristol are close, and see each other often, more needs to be done. At a time of rising awareness about mental health, the family system should be a source of support, rather than just excessive drinking.

What the @NUSUK is saying...

Epigram

11.12.2017

10 A response to the round-up...

Political round-up World politics: Donald Trump sparked controversy after he retweeted Jayda Fransen, deputy leader of Britain First UK politics: Phillip Hammond delivered his Autumn Budget, which abolished stamp duty for houses under £300,000

The round-up is accurate from the time of writing; developments in these events may since have occurred

Ollie Smith discusses how the Autumn Budget will impact university students Ollie Smith Bristol Labour Students, Trade Union Liaison Officer

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There had been whisperings that Wednesday’s autumn budget would see a change in tactics from the Conservatives; perhaps something to woo young voters or maybe something to signal a beginning of the end of austerity. There were no such announcements.

I guess it was too much to ask for a few thousand off of our tuition fees

Students have instead been treated to an extension in age for railcards for youth from 26 to 30 which will come into force next year. You’ll also be thrilled to hear there will be no tax rises on beer or cider so at least you won’t be worse off. As for you smokers out there I’m afraid you’ve had no such luck: look forward to a rise in tobacco prices, though on the bright side it might help you quit. Stamp duty will no longer be charged on the first property you buy if it costs less than £300,000, which in theory should help with

A response to the news...

that seemingly impossible task of the dreaded housing ladder, although house prices are still rising pretty fast at 5% a year.

At least there was some commitment to building more homes: the target is to reach 300,000 new homes a year, which is desperately needed. In addition the national minimum and living wages will be rising which is also undeniably a good thing.

Yes, some of these policies sound mildly appealing, but in all honesty Philip Hammond must think we’re stupid if he thinks he can fob us off with this. Austerity failed from the moment George Osborne began it in 2010. According to the Institute for Fiscal Studies, growth forecasts are down; meanwhile, Brexit threatens our

Unsplash / Ben White

Bristol politics: An angry Bristol West constituent who harrassed Labour MP Thangam Debbonaire and a member of her staff has been jailed

No early Christmas presents for students in the Autumn Budget

Does this budget spell doom for our Christmas

prosperity, and yet still the Tories persevere with this failing ideology. Look forward to £12 billion more in welfare cuts.

I guess it was too much to ask for a few thousand off of tuition fees. Some had speculated that the rate of interest on loan repayments would be reduced but I suppose even that seems a little too generous.

We need new sources of income; the NHS can no longer take the strain, schools are suffering and students are burdened for life. I understand that it’s unrealistic to expect a complete end to student fees, a return to maintenance grants and a full wipe of student debt, but isn’t the next generation meant to be better off than the last? Sorry to sound depressing but things aren’t getting any easier: fees are rising, rent prices here in Bristol are rising and the housing ladder seems unreachable. That’s before we even start on Brexit. £3 billion has been allocated for Brexit and the transition which seems like quite a lot until we start to consider the seemingly inevitable giant upcoming divorce bill. At least we’ll get that £350 million a week out of it to fix the NHS. If I remember basic GCSE and A-level economics correctly I seem to recall the textbooks saying you have to grow your way out of economic troubles through investment. Listening to Gordon Brown’s talk last week left me mourning what might have been, if only we could wind the clock back seven years. Alas, austerity remains and we continue to weather its storm.

UoB clearly has a hands-off approach to drugs

Daniel Harris suggests the official figure of student drug offences is not representative of how many students take drugs, and that the Uni could do more It is undeniable that our opinions are informed by our habits. Yet, too often does the drink and drug debate come down to personal anecdotes and uninformed opinions.

Worse still, drug policy is frustratingly lacking in factual evidence to support it. But anyway, since when have drug laws affected drug usage at university?

It is hard to find reliable statistics on drug use at university. Indeed, Epigram’s FOI into discipline offences relating to illegal drugs in halls of residence revealed a mere 90 incidents in 2016/17, a decrease from 120 in the same period a year earlier. Clearly this reflects a tiny minority of drug use at university, but it is most likely that if the University really wanted to clamp down on drug usage, this number would be significantly higher. Nevertheless, according to The Guardian in 2012, the figure of university students who have tried any sort

of illegal substance stands at 85 per cent.

But as drugs are stereotypically common with students, they fit into the wider debate of student culture in general, hence why I will discuss students in relation to drugs and alcohol. Indeed, when it comes to drinking, the NUS reported in 2016 that ‘40 per cent of respondents report drinking alcohol with the deliberate intention of getting drunk at least once per week’. There are only really two reactions upon viewing these statistics: surprise, because either you thought the numbers were higher or lower, or more likely unsurprising acceptance to these habits.

University students drink, smoke and do drugs – not exactly cutting-edge journalism. A brief walk down Woodland Road at five to the hour on any day of the week, and I guarantee you’ll struggle to count the number of people smoking on your fingers. Check out any of the Wetherspoons in Bristol on any day of the week, and it will be crammed full of students.

And ask yourself this – if you really wanted to

Epigram / Ed Southgate

Do the figures of student drug offences accurately reveal how many enjoy the good kush?

get your hands on an illegal substance, how long would it take you? Five minutes, five hours or five days?

So what? Indeed, the rambling nature of this article is evidence for how stagnant the drink and drug debate has become at university. A quick look on the University website reflects this, with the official statement clearly demonstrating not only the duality of this debate but also the problematic position the university holds: they have ‘a duty of care for [their] students and aim to provide a safe and healthy environment for all,’ yet they ‘also [have] a duty to operate within the law’.

Clearly the University is aware of the drug use that occurs in Bristol, but it is hard to recall many times of the University truly attempting to stamp their authority on this issue. Some won’t take issue with this; for the vast majority of students, drinking and drug usage is a relatively safe habit. But for others, just one death, such as Miranda Williams’ last year, is enough to charge the University with the moral obligation to stamp out illegal and legal substance abuse.

The reality is varying for those wishing for dramatic or even slight change. There is no evidence to suggest that drink and drug usage will change in the foreseeable future. On a more positive note, however, ‘current findings suggest that student alcohol consumption declines over their undergraduate studies’, according to a report by the BioMed Central.

It is likely that the same could be said for drug usage, as academic pressure increases in final year. It seems that even the most enthusiastic drinkers and ravers don’t mind turning the dial down once in a while. As for University strategy - and this is only my personal view,

sensible drug policy is the only way forward.

Rehabilitation instead of punishment, speaking candidly about drug usage from the start of university, and proactively offering factually-based advice for those too shy to ask would all be appreciated.

The University appear to be implanting such a policy; as they say in response to Epigram’s investigation, students caught with drugs are usually referred to the University police officer. That there were only 51 cases last year, though, seems to further indicate their preferred hands off approach as this figure seems remarkably low.

“

Daniel Harris Second Year, Spanish and Portuguese

Too often does the drink and drug debate come down to personal anecdotes and uninformed opinions

Perhaps they could go even further. Work with organisations such as The Loop, whose #CrushDabWait campaign ‘cared for thousands of festival goers at music events in 2015’ (The Loop). Work with the nightclubs in and around Bristol to protect students all yearround. For most, university is a time of excess; drinks, drugs, smoking, not much sleep and not much responsibility. It’s up to both us as students and the University to make sure we don’t take it too far.

Read the original news story on page 4

Epigram 11.12.2017

11

We should not ‘sleigh’ Post-Christmas exams

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With the exam period approaching, Phoebe Chase explores whether there are better options Epigram / Nikki Peach

‘Generation Snowflake’: worthy of mockery, or misunderstood?

In defence of ‘Generation Snowflake’ Nikki Peach asserts that students’ ‘snowflake’ brand is not an insult Nikki Peach News Editor Earlier this year my Dad came home from a weekend away with his friends and declared I was an archetypal product of the ‘Snowflake Generation’. This was a golf trip to Cornwall for men in their 60s, but we’ll dissect one stereotype at a time. I rolled my eyes, preparing to be insulted, and asked ‘okay, what’s that?’ to which he responded that my generation are a group of ‘beautiful, unique’ - so far, so good – ‘hypersensitive individuals who care about everything and are offended by anything’, and then added: ‘you’re also meant to be less resilient than any other generation’.

I know he was just trying to ruffle my feathers, but ironically I am still basking in the message I chose to take from his speech; I sort of agree with him. I am offended by a lot of things, ranging from the blatant absence of diversity on campus to people who eat tuna mayo sandwiches on public transport. Although there is still a long way to go before we live in a liberal or remotely equal society, I am proud of how progressive our generation is.

The homogenous life of a snowflake is as follows: a childhood of mollycoddling, being praised for wiping your bum and eating your broccoli, followed by an adolescence posting edited selfies into the internet’s dark abyss, with an aptly timed existential crisis at university where you realise previous generations are to blame for everything!

The product of such an upbringing, per the Spectator journalist, Claire Fox, is a generation ‘genuinely distressed by ideas that run contrary to their worldview’. We have such an entrenched self-importance and awareness of how ‘special’ we are, that the mere concept of someone disagreeing with us is distressing.

This is a myth! My parents never praised me for tying my shoelaces or sharing my Magic Stars with my sisters and when I came last at sports day, they verbally confirmed that the 100m sprint was not something I should pursue. There is also an assumption that we are incapable of taking responsibility for our mistakes, again untrue.

We are entirely responsible for the Kardashian pandemic.

I choose to view the product of our generation

By mid-November it is typical to see the odd Christmas decoration spring up around Bristol; by ‘the odd’, I mean that all streets are heavily laden. The Christmas market thrives, lights twinkle, College Green has a gigantic tree set up bang in the middle of its seating area. Now, by law of commercial capitalism, it is basically Christmas as we edge into December. For many students at this time of year, deadlines are imminently looming, their shadows slightly larger than even that of the tree in College Green. The prospect of the winter holidays is a light at the end of the tunnel to many an exhausted individual. However, this tunnel seems to have experienced a minor cave-in, just a week after New Year: January exams.

The January exam period, as stated by the Bristol University website, is from the 8th - 19th January 2018. These dates are not unique to Bristol University, a roughly similar timeframe of exams seems to be shared by universities throughout the UK. For many students, myself included, this seems like an odd time to choose. It means revision is smack bang in the middle of the Christmas holidays, and I’m sure to not be the only one who’d prefer not to be furiously highlighting a textbook in a corner while the family starts present-opening. Revision aside, the end of exams on the 19th means most students are left with a jarring gap of roughly a week that is filled with absolutely nothing, before the new term begins.

“

I’m sure to not be the only one who’d prefer not to be furiously highlighting a textbook in the corner

Due to this timing, the pressure to revise over the holiday period is high, and could have a negative effect on a student’s performance in exams, as well as on their ability to enjoy time at home. From my experience, the Christmas season is often overwhelming. Especially for those who happen to have large extended families in possession of an unnecessary number of young children. Surrounded by parents and family that one may have rarely seen since starting at university, taking time away to do revision can prove to be a challenge (unless an excuse is needed to escape little Timmy who has just smeared brandy butter

on your face for the third time).

At first I was indignant at the heartlessness of the exams office for making me revise during Christmas, and enjoyed contributing my small share of complaints whenever the subject arose in conversation. Now, however, my stance has changed - so get ready.

Maybe at this point we are merely searching for something to find fault with

Let us look at it this way: exams right after Christmas aren’t a joyous prospect. When I received my exam timetable yesterday I didn’t exactly get up and do a jig. But when this is compared to the other options that could have been available, I realise that we are rather lucky and maybe at this point we are merely searching for something to find fault with.

Here are our options: We could have all exams before the holidays.

This is a truly awful idea. A lot of students have coursework deadlines to meet and exam revision on top of all that is a simply horrifying thought.

Or, we could have all exams after starting back in the new term. Also an awful idea. Most us will be starting new modules at the beginning of next term, so having to do exams on old modules that we’ll probably have completely forgotten about by then (I’m only half joking) is a tad unhelpful.

Alternatively, we could just not have any exams. This is obviously a preferred option, but unfortunately probably not feasible.

After a little evaluation, this coming exam period, though a daunting prospect in any respect, deserves no complaint. This way, Christmas can be enjoyed - accompanied by revision, yes, but we did sign up for this - exams can be done with, and there is even a little extra break afterwards in which one can go home for a week if one wishes, with absolutely no regret.

It appears that the issue is more the idea of sitting exams in general, rather than a problem with the specific dates on which the exams will have to be sat, which would preferably be never.

Ultimately, everyone has to take the January exams at some point, so we may as well all suck it up and get on with it. Tip: to make revision feel more festive, stick revision cards among the tree and tinsel all over your house. Is this a lovely card from grandma? No, it’s a detailed description of post-processual archaeology.

Merry Christmas.

Unsplash / Markus Spiske

“

I am proud of how progressive our generation is

in a different light. We, to generalise, are interested in politics, LGBTQI+ rights, feminism, racial equality and most importantly each other.

In a socio-political climate where the president of the United States said he’d date his daughter if they weren’t related, I don’t think generational political correctness is such a catastrophe. Caring about everything is a great deal better than being apathetic, and having confidence in your own opinions does not mean you are adverse or frightened by those that oppose them.

I recently had a conversation with two people seven years older than me at a wedding. One, who we will call Arnold, proceeded to tell me that gender inequality ‘doesn’t really exist anymore’, that ‘women under 35 earn more than men’ and that ‘reverse racism’ is just as bad as racism against a minority, regardless of history and privilege. While Arnold was kindly educating me, the other girl, who we will call Hilda, was sighing, begging us to stop the debate and saying she didn’t care about what we were saying.

Fair enough Hilda, it was a wedding reception and the free cocktails weren’t going to drink themselves. But the whole ordeal made me quite emotional - maybe that’s because I’m an oversensitive snowflake! I was honestly quite shocked that two people I love think so differently to me; perhaps my Dad was right and I am less resilient than I thought.

However, I am still glad to have had this conversation as it made me more conscious of what divergent experiences and opinions exist not just between generations but within them.

This is also a positive thing as we often need our beliefs challenged in order to solidify them.

Obviously, there is probably a lot ‘snowflakes’ care too much about: where to find the most preowned flares on the market, who viewed our latest Instagram story or which vegan sausages are the least fattening, but for the most part, to care is to consider, to think about and to take interest in. Why would I take that as criticism? It is the snowflakes who are not afraid to say that there is nothing wrong with being sensitive.

In my, perhaps self-righteous opinion, it is not a coincidence that mental health is only recently becoming a vital part of government policy and treated with the respect and significance it deserves. Surely an accommodating, fair and safe society where we can discuss our opinions, feelings and concerns, in the House of Commons or over wedding cake, is the ultimate goal?

Anyway, I tried to find a synonym for sensitive whilst I was writing this and ‘thoughtful’ and ‘perceptive’ came up, sorry Dad. In defence of the ‘Snowflake Generation’, it is important to offend and be offended, it is normal to be sensitive and it never hurts to be called beautiful and unique.

Phoebe Chase First Year, Archaeology & Anthropology

Do the post-Christmas exams spoil our festive spirit?

Epigram

11.12.2017

Science & Tech

@EpigramSciTech Editor: Emma Isle

Deputy Editor: Oliver Cohen

Online Editor: Sadhana Kalidindi

scienceandtech@epigram.org.uk

Thinking about thinking

Oliver Cohen interviews award winning Neuroscientist Dr Stephen Fleming, talking about his work in meta cognition: the process of analysing your own thoughts How did you get into the field?

I studied psychology as an undergraduate, and throughout that degree I was always interested in doing experiments, and that’s really what prompted me to go on to do a PhD, but I realised that to really understand the mind you also need to study the brain. I feel like they go hand in hand, so that’s why I went on to do my PhD in brain imaging. In terms of getting into metacognition that was actually quite late in my PhD, so I went to do my PhD in brain imaging of basic cognition, and then towards the end of my PhD I have always been interested in consciousness. So how does the brain create our conscious experience? Why are there certain things that remain unconscious? That really led me into the idea of maybe we can study these things by investigating the brain processes that are involved in metacognition.

You’ve done a lot of work in

computational neuroscience, do you see this as being where the future of research lies?

Absolutely. So often we now see coming into the neuroscience PhD programme more and more people have a computational background, maybe they have a background in Physics or Maths, and that is absolutely critical to modern neuroscience, because a lot of what we do now is rather than testing qualitative theories, we’re testing quantitative theories, so creating predictions from computational models. A lot of what we do in my lab is creating models in simulation in the computer which will predict different aspects of behaviour and brain function, so you really need to have good programming skills, to have some quantitative background. If you have that then you’re going to be doing really well in those kind of PhD programs.

What would you say the most important issue in your field at the moment is? in

One thing we’re really interested research on metacognition is

whether metacognition is what we call domain general, meaning does it rely on a single system or do you have different metacognitive systems for different processes. Do you have one metacognitive system for reflecting on your memories, another one for your perceptions, and another one for your decisions etc.? Or, is there some kind of unitary system that is involved. The jury’s still out on that so it’s an exciting area of research.

And for general?

neuroscience

in

I think more broadly for neuroscience as a whole, one area that we’re really interested now, that I think is really important, is trying to come up with more quantitative ways for understanding why psychiatric conditions arise. At the moment we have a very symptom based approach to this, so a bit like when you go into the doctor they measure your blood pressure, but they then don’t just treat that as a symptom, they will try to treat the underlying cause of the blood pressure. At the moment in psychiatry

we’re trying to treat symptoms, trying to treat depression, but that is a symptom cluster, and instead we need to get at the underlying mechanisms, and I think that’s a really exciting project for neuroscience, because if we can do that then we can really help psychiatric disorders.

You talked about how metacognition is different across the board of people, so do you think that this is linked to intelligence?

Our research shows that metacognition is likely to be distinct from intelligence.

It’s not just the same as being clever, and in fact what’s interesting is that there is recognition that you need both metacognition and intelligence for success. But like intelligence in that we know that one of the best ways of boosting your IQ is going to school, and going to university,you know,there’s ways of improving your intelligence, and it’s just the same for metacognition, but the research on how to boost metacognition is only just getting going, so we’re trying to explore that at the moment.

Epigram / Oliver Cohen

Oliver Cohen Deputy-Science Editor

We caught up with Stephen at Slaugher and Mays thinking about thinking event at Bristol

Home away from home

Srishti Jain talks about her year in industry, the lessons she’s learned and her knowledge gained from it Srishti Jain Third year Physiology

“ I was way out of my depth navigating the rough waters of industrial work

I was eating stale pizza from the day before when I got a call confirming an interview with Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories and within what was a whirlwind month consisting of innumerable emails and calls, I had an offer! I was going to work for eight months in their biggest facility at Hyderabad, India. Congratulatory messages started pouring in; a large majority of them took the form of ‘Oh my god! You’re going to be living at home for a year!’. Let me just say it for the benefit of everyone, India is the seventh largest country in the world, and the journey from where I am currently working to my hometown is a 3-hour flight. I have been working for three months now and this is my first time living alone in my country.

1. I discovered my potential – I had

Flickr / Siddhesh Dhupe

I found out that I was being considered for a Year in Industry placement in the most extraordinary way. Being a new format of placements in India, I wasn’t expecting much – or anything, rather – from my speculative applications requesting a placement at the top pharmaceutical companies in India. I applied just to revel in the satisfaction of endeavour, and forgot about the emails soon after pressing the send button.

completed two years of my Physiology course before embarking upon my placement. Before I get asked for the umpteenth time – physiology is not psychology (seriously?), physiology is not physiotherapy (seriously?), and don’t ask me the difference between physiology and anatomy (google it, you really should know). But as I found out one week into my placement, physiology wasn’t pharmaceuticals either. I was way out of my depth navigating the rough waters of industrial work. It didn’t help that the scientists made no efforts to minimise the technical jargon while briefing me. It almost felt like they were using complicated words even for seemingly innocent concepts. After two weeks of blank expressions and counting to five in my head between each nod of feigned understanding, I finally sat down and gave myself a pep talk. Things could not continue this way; my first project was already in sight and I was still completely clueless about, well, everything. I got right down to reading up all kinds of literature. Here was something I was good at – accumulating information and building up concepts. Within the first month, I became well versed with the working of the industry, the company, my team and its projects. I discovered that the only thing you need is curiosity.

If you are ready to ask questions and perceive their answers everything is within your reach. Now, I can hold a conversation with my colleagues, and my nods are in co-ordination with my understanding, not their pauses. By the end of eight months, I might even be fluent in the pharmaceutical jargon, but I haven’t got my hopes pinned on that.

2. I discovered my country - It was such a new experience for me navigating through lanes, shops, people and taking

Discovering India was a big positive for Srishti’s year in industry. (Above Hyderabad)

care of all the things that had always been taken care of for me at home. In Bristol, I adjusted quickly to ‘the grownup life’ and admittedly, it took me some time to divorce the India that had always meant family, spoon-feeding and pampering from the India that meant self-reliance, getting lost in the city and finding my own way back to the hostel.

I discovered taxi drivers that drove like maniacs and those that came back to drop off the bag I forgot in their cab. I discovered street peddlers demanding an exorbitant amount of money taking me for a tourist, and the wallet salesman giving me a discount when I told him I was buying a gift for my father from my first salary. I reconnected with old friends in the area, and made a new lifelong friend in my roommate. I realised that the vibrant and diverse country that is India, is wasted when looking through

the window of a home or the lens of a camera. Get on the streets, talk to people – this is the biggest lesson I’ve learnt so far.

3. I discovered myself – The lack of stress that would have come with final year coursework and examinations has given me mental space to make time for pursuits both long forgotten and yet to be explored. I got myself enrolled in weekend art classes. I rediscovered my passion for reading and the unadulterated joy of waking up in a twisted position with a book in my arms not knowing which paragraph I slept midway through, not knowing what my last thought before sleeping was. I started writing again after a long time (I even wrote for Epigram!). I learnt how to manage my monthly salary, and with the money I save, I have some exciting travel plans lined up. As I see it, however

unexpected the changes that life throws at you are, there is always something wonderful and exciting you can find in them, as long as you keep looking.

Epigram 11.12.2017

Smart Drugs: The lowdown

13

An anonymous student explores all there is to know about Smart drugs, which aim to enhance your mental performance. He looks at the science behind them, as well as giving us his personal experience Anonymous

Flickr / Jamie

With arguably a somewhat normalisation of drugs in our culture, with more people advocating for decriminalisation, there is one area of drugs that is often overlooked. If it is not a medicine, when the word drug is thought of, people usually picture recreational use – people in clubs partying. There’s another use which is becoming more common.

Popularised by movies such as Limitless and Lucy, the idea of a mindaltering drug that could make us a better version of ourselves appeals to a lot of people. Smart drugs promise to be the golden bullet to cope with everything, from a busy lifestyle to exam stress, but there are many misconceptions about them.

There are various types of smart drugs, and they fall into categories that often overlap. The drugs are also available legally over the counter with some requiring prescription.

Ritalin, known chemically as methylphenidate, and Adderall, an amphetamine, are central nervous system stimulants. They are used as a prescription medicine to treat ADHD but are also class B drugs. Many people don’t realise that Adderall is clean speed that you can buy on the streets, arguably indistinguishable once in the brain. Both drugs main mechanism is to increase dopamine in the brain. Ritalin does this by blocking a dopamine transporter protein – exactly how cocaine works.

While these drugs are not thought to be addictive when the correct dosage is

taken with a doctor’s prescription, the abuse of them can certainly be not only dangerously addictive but can cause lasting changes to your brain.

Modafinil, one of the most famous smart drugs, is more widely used as it is a lot more accessible. Modafinil is considered a prescription drug in the UK, but can easily be ordered online. Sold as a narcolepsy drug, Modafinil allows students to stay awake overnight to finish that coursework left to the last minute. It is also used as a study aid, as it has been shown to increase alertness, planning, working memory and concentration.

These effects are especially noted in sleep-deprived individuals.

Below the prescription drug level lies a class of drugs less well known.

Nootropics are a class of drugs which do not have the same strong effects of psychotropic drugs. They, by definition, have fewer side effects, are less toxic and are considered safe and healthy. The most commonly used nootropic, whether people realise it or not, is caffeine. From your daily double espresso before a 9 am lecture, to those Pro Plus pills you pop like candy before a deadline, the main ingredient is caffeine.

Piracetam is often considered the original nootropic and has led to the rise of other racetams being used for cognitive enhancement. They are used clinically in preventing cognitive decline and protection from ischemia and cerebral trauma but have also been shown to improve memory recall.

With all this classification, what are they like to take? With most nonprescription/controlled substances, you will not feel that different. Many rave reviews you read online about it being revolutionary are most likely to be stories

Stressed students are increasingly turning to smart drugs to help with work, but at what risk?

of the placebo effect or even “fake news” advertisements by people in the business who have a vested interest in you buying their products. There is no biological free lunch. People often take nootropics expecting a lot and are disappointed, as most cognitive enhancers have subtle effects, or even unnoticeable.

Of course, there are risks. Problems arise when students don’t research what they plan to ingest. They take it off the recommendation of a friend having not looked at the side effects, doses and contraindications – especially if you take other medicines. Some drugs can even cause death in combination with certain foods such as cheese. Those who have other health problems, or even an unhealthy lifestyle, are at a higher risk of side effects and damage.

Once people become accustomed to taking a drug, it can become a normality for them. This can lead to being too liberal with the dose. Unknown to most,

but a higher dose of a drug does not automatically increase the effects of the drug, it can completely alter them and even decrease them. Much like Goldilocks, both too much and too little can mean you don’t get the desired effect. Long-term use can lead to people thinking they’ve become tolerant, when in fact the placebo honeymoon period has ended, so they increase the dose to dangerous levels.

There is limited knowledge on the long-term effects of many drugs in humans. Long-term use leads to permanent changes in your brain. It is not uncommon for people to let taking smart drugs become normal, and they may become dependent on them to work, or even develop drug-seeking behaviours.

Lastly, just because it’s on Amazon, doesn’t mean it is safe. Just because your mate Kevin took “like 20 pills” the night before the exam, it doesn’t mean you

won’t have a bad reaction. Mechanisms of drugs and supplements are complex, often poorly understood and can affect people differently due to genetics.

Something from Holland and Barret can have just as dire consequences as a prescription medicine, especially if misused.

Having been using a wide range of cognitive enhancers and supplements over the past five years, I’ve concluded this: most smart drugs do not make you smarter. Obviously, there aren’t magic pills like NZT-48 and they won’t magically double your IQ. They may help you perform tasks better, concentrate longer, motivate you, or even clear your head for a test; but the only way to get smart is to learn, read and live a healthy lifestyle. Smart drugs might help you do the learning faster, but they’re no substitute for a healthy lifestyle of sleeping well, exercising and putting in the hard work.

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Riya Khan... gets Christmasy with her explanation of Rudolph’s red nose.

Miriam Davies... talks about an exciting, limitlesss source of energy.

Flickr / thellr

Epigram

11.12.2017

Letters

@EpigramLetters

Editor: Ellie Chesshire

letters@epigram.com

Deputy Editor: Lily Hammond

Dear third-years and our impending graduation

“ While the end is scary I think it is best to accept it as inevitable

The most common question I’m facing from friends and family outside of the university bubble at the moment is ‘what are your plans after graduation’.

People inside the bubble are starting to apply for grad schemes and being offered jobs when I don’t even have an idea what career I want to pursue. I’m scared of unemployment, not being able to find a job in this graduate crisis

Epigram / Edie Essex Barrett

It has hit me recently that my time at university is almost at an end. In a couple of weeks, it will be Christmas and after that I have a measly 12 weeks of university teaching left. I have mixed feelings about this. On one hand, I can’t wait for a life without essays, deadlines and seminar reading. On the other, being cast out into the big wide world is terrifying.

One of Bristol’s many charming sunsets.

we always hear about. I don’t want to do a masters as I don’t think I can face another year of essays, assignments and exams, and anyway, I probably couldn’t afford one. This indecisiveness means I have decided to do a gap year, to put off the inevitable for even longer.

This term has seen my last Freshers’ week, last November reading week, last Halloween, last Christmas Ball.

Graduating sees an end to student discount (no more 10% off wine at the

Co-op), it no longer being acceptable to go out on a Tuesday and even the end of more practical things like council tax exemptions. I won’t see my friends nearly as much as we revert back to our respective ends of the country. I will (if I get a good enough job) start paying back my student loan, which I can’t even bring myself to calculate. I feel like it will be less acceptable to leave my dishes until the next morning, leave the house in joggers or eat leftover pizza for

breakfast. I’ll be an actual adult with the responsibilities to match.

While it is nice to go home over the summer or Christmas holidays, I’m not sure how I’m going to cope moving back over my gap year. I’m used to my independence, being able to walk anywhere within 10 minutes and coming and going as I please. It’s going to be sad to not have a base in Bristol, a city that I have fallen in love with during my time here.

“

Alex Boulton Co-Editor in Chief

As well as being terrified, I am excited to start a new chapter. My time at uni has seen so many ups and downs. I’ll have no more essays, no more deadlines or exams. I’m looking forward to the graduation ceremony, to pick out a dress and have my family watch me pick up my degree (which I have worked so hard for). I’m excited to travel, read for pleasure, not think about academia and spend some time with the friends and family my degree has caused me to neglect.

This term has seen my last fresher’s week, last Halloween and last Christmas ball

While the end is scary, I think it’s best to accept it as inevitable and realise I’m probably being over-dramatic in my assessment of graduating. I’m going to make the most out of my time left so I can look back with fond memories, enjoy my gap year, work on my employability and get ready for the big wide world and full-time employment.

Dear the idea of ‘decolonising the curriculum’

“ Let’s keep ideology out of the curriculum

Moreover, the arts faculty devotes extensive resources to providing a range of academic choice. The system is built on the principle that students study what interests them. It causes a thin spread of staff across multiple modules, an overlooked reason why we have such low contact hours. Therefore, to suggest ‘minorities’ should feel ‘alienated’ by a choice of thirteen modules is illogical.

The majority who study history are

To forgo Shakespeare’s 37 plays for the one authored by a contemporary woman is laughable

This reduction of knowledge to identity politics does not, cannot, translate to education. Our education system is founded on Enlightenment thinking. By Noha’s logic, this is oppressive, as it disregards the intricate productions of non-white thinkers: the

Unsplash / Kimberly Farmer

I am going to respond to the issues raised in last week’s ‘Is it time to diversify our curriculum?’ article.

Firstly, it is true that studies of women are mostly limited to optional modules. This is not an arbitrary form of ‘discrimination’. In the past very few women wrote in Britain, less black people, even less gay people. To forgo Shakespeare’s 37 plays for the one authored by a contemporary woman is laughable.

women anyway. The second-year curriculum reflects this, with two units on women’s history.

The case for ‘decolonisation’ takes a sinister turn when referring to race.

The campaign of UCL is founded on racialist principles and motives; a great repeal of the ‘whiteness’ which plagues our academy. Noha El Magd, of NUS fame, gives a ‘simply put’ definition of whiteness: ‘A tool and facilitator to the understanding of social relations, that transcends the exterior and aesthetic appearance of race and endeavours to create power structures and hierarchies that subscribe socio-cultural capital on the basis of moral and intellectual supremacy’.

“

Adam Chambers Third Year, History

Should we keep our curriculum the same?

‘imposition’ of enlightenment ideas of rationalism and empiricism to the colonies espoused a narrative of White academia being the only objective school of thought.

However, if all written knowledge were to become equal, regardless of empirical, measurable value, the only way left to judge it is by the ‘group’ identity of the author. This subjective, racialist approach will inevitably lead to anarchy: how is one race favoured over another? Are some included as ‘token’ gestures? But is ‘non-white’ not a big

social construct anyway, Noha?

Therefore, the idea that learning is ‘ultimately enhanced’ by ethnic/ gender diversity is not founded on any thinking principles; rather, feelings take precedent over thoughts.

The case for ‘diversifying the curriculum’ is part of a wider form of discourse. One which argues that the University is less a place of challenging thought, debate, and argument; rather, a safe, representative, placid, cosy place.

The treatment of Lindsay Shepherd at Laurier University is an example of this

- disciplined for merely showing Jordan Peterson’s view on speech codes.

To maintain our status as a great institution, Bristol’s academics must resist the student-led drive to turn the curriculum upside down. I finish with a question: is the role of studying the humanities a) to discover the ideas that help us make sense of the world, irrespective of an author’s’ colour and creed, or b) to reflect the diversity of today’s society?

Let’s keep the ideology out of the curriculum.

Epigram

11.12.2017

Dear the Christmas holidays and our favourite traditions

whole scenario.

Increasing levels of materialism, consumerism and globalisation in society now mean that Christmas dinner is a tradition able to remind one of their origins and beginnings. For the university student and families that spend much of the year apart due to our world being increasingly globalised, Christmas dinner allows a long overdue reunion with family and friends. One feels thankful for the individuals sat around the table with them and thoughts are given to those absent. It is a tradition that gives us roots and a reason to be appreciative.

Waking up in a cold, dark, damp university room can leave students feeling slightly miserable at this time of year. The frowning faces say it all as the daily commute to the ASS is made.

Sitting watching the daylight hours pass by all too quickly can leave one feeling glum.

“

Epigram / Victoria Dyer

Festive traditions brighten this time of year

Wills Memorial Builidng, one of Bristol University’s iconic buildings.

thank Queen Vic and the 19th century when considering Christmas festivities and traditions as we know them today.

Christmas trees and the smell of pines associated so closely with this time of year were first brought to Britain in the 1830s, Christmas cards were seen for the first time in 1843, as a stunt to popularise the Public Record Office (Post Office), Christmas crackers were also first seen during the 1840s, and Mince Pies, though originally brought back from the Middle East by the

Crusaders, were not made sweet treats until the Victorian era.

For myself, and this will come as no surprise to the people that know me, my favourite festive tradition is Christmas dinner. There is nothing more heart-warming than the sharing of delicious food and wine with family and friends. The university student, generally a poor individual, unable to afford copious amounts of food and largely lacking ability in the cooking department, will sympathise with my

love for this tradition. The succulent turkey, the roasted potatoes cooked to crisp perfection and even the Brussel sprouts, excite me beyond belief.

With a reported 87 per cent of British citizens enjoying a Turkey on Christmas Day, it is a tradition that many Brits, just like myself, would feel lost without. The feeling of overwhelming happiness as a family debate breaks out concerning current affairs is endearing, the sound of The Pouges in the background adding a slightly comical tone to the

“

Victoria Dyer Second Year, History

Yet the walk home tends to lift students spirits at this time of year.

The zigzagging Christmas lights that meander their way down Park Street above the hatted heads of hundreds of red-nosed Bristolian’s gives a rush of excitement and joy. The Christmas decorations filling the windows around chocolate-box Clifton make it seem even more beautiful and thankfully, thoughts slowly travel away from deadlines to a place of Christmas tradition and festivity.

Festive traditions brighten this time of year. Gift buying, card sending, carol singing, hot chocolate drinking - all merriments that make Brits feel a little more united and joyous as temperatures continue to plummet. We really ought to

15

Christmas is only three weeks away

Christmas dinner provokes gratitude for the things we usually tend to take advantage of. The love felt for smaller aspects of life when tucking into a mouth-watering plate of deliciousness on the 25th of December, is unmatched by any other Christmas tradition, which is precisely why it is my favourite.

So, as you sit in the ASS this festive season, watching the daylight hours fade away, face resembling all too closely the very library you sit in, just think, Christmas is three weeks away and you’re one day closer to enjoying your favourite Christmas merriment, whatever that might be.

Dear the boys I live with - the pro’s and con’s of my experience

“ Admittedly my life is a little less exciting than an episode of New Girl

When you first meet me, nothing gives away the fact that I’m foreign.

After a decade of living in the UK, my accent has died away (apart from slightly mispronouncing the word daiquiri) and I thought I was well adjusted enough to be able to handle living with three British guys for a whole

year. The culture shock begun from the day that we moved in at the end of summer. I’m not entirely sure who was shocked more. Me, at the sheer amount of useless and needless things that the guys felt the need to bring with them and pile in a dusty heap under the bed for a year, or them, at how I obsessively left out cookies for the ‘house spirit’ that lived under the stairs. Clearly, they were expecting a little less paganism from a science student.

I’d definitley reccomend any girl to not be afraid to live with guys

What terrified (and still continues to terrify) me most about living with British guys was their attitude to cleaning. While I religiously vacuumed the entire house at least weekly, I have yet to see Tom hoover his room.

No wonder he always keeps his door shut, he’s probably worried I’ll have a heart attack if I see what’s going

Unsplash / Drew Taylor

Despite numerous concerns of my slightly more traditional relatives, this year I have moved in with three guys.

Admittedly, my life is a little less exciting than an episode of New Girl, but for the guys it has proven a challenge to live with not just any girl, but a Russian one.

“

Julia Titova Second Year, History

Living with boys a cup of tea can hang around for days.

on inside. I grew up in a household where everything was always kept in order, where your cup of tea would be mysteriously washed up before you even finished the tea. Somehow, the guys got a little annoyed when I tried to do that here. While on the subject of tea, let’s talk British food culture. After watching the guys live off endless pizza and pasta supplies, I decided to offer them some traditional Russian food.

They were not very impressed with salo - raw salted pig fat. Their loss, I guess.

Until you’ve lived with me, I think it’s very difficult to realise just how seriously I take my superstitions. I still don’t think Greg fully understands why you’re not allowed to take out rubbish after sunset, whistle in the house or, worst of all, leave empty bottles on the table (is it really that hard to put them on the floor, guys?).

While the guys might never clean and take even longer in the shower than me, I do have to give it to them that living with them has been pretty great.

They didn’t make me deal with the rat that got caught in the rat trap, they’ve helped me carry heavy crates of beer home and it’s been pretty helpful to have someone bring a handout straight to my bed when it’s too cold to go to lectures.

I’d definitely recommend any girl to not be afraid to live with guys. They’re not usually too messy (unless they’re hungover) and you’ll have some great memories of their bed hair on the weekends.

࠮ ࠮ ࠮ ࠮

Living Wellbeing Food Style Travel

Epigram / Noa Leach

Merry Christmas from Epigram!

Editor Jordan Barker

18

Online Editor Josie Roberts

Deputy Editor

11.12.2017

Emily Hayman

living@epigram.org.uk

@e2living

Epigram Living Section 2017/18

My favourite spot in Bristol: The Downs Emily Hayman argues why The Downs is more than just a place to go dogging

free, accessible and out in the fresh air, it couldn’t be more more ideal

Epigram / Emily Hayman

”

Epigram / Emily Hayman

The Downs are an area of public open space, situated at the top of Whiteladies road, north of Clifton Village. The area stretches for 441 acres, and has a multifaceted purpose; they are used for leisure, walking, team sports, and sight-seeing. The Downs have been my favourite spot in Bristol ever since my first day of Uni, when my parents drove me across the beautiful green space on route to Churchill Hall and pointed it out to me, saying ‘you’ll be spending a lot of time up here, just you wait and see’. And they weren’t wrong: free, accessible and out in the fresh air - it couldn’t be more ideal for people of all ages.

”

”

Epigram / Emily Hayman

”

Epigram / Emily Hayman

winter on The Downs is arguably the most beautiful of them all

Epigram / Emily Hayman

Epigram / Emily Hayman

Spring time in Bristol sees a flourishing of daisies, daffodils and dandelions across the vast Downs, making for lots of picturesque photos and crisp country walks to be shared with friends. The viewpoint, on the far side of the Downs, offers a splendid view of the Avon Gorge river, and the Suspension Bridge. You can also explore around the Gully, observing the goats on these steeps banks who are helping to restore wildflower-rich grassland by controlling scrub.

In Summer, the glorious sunshine calls for a mass outpour of people, students, families and the elderly alike, to bask in the rays and enjoy the goings-on. There is a designated spot over by the Avon Gorge side of Circular Road, where disposable BBQ’s are allowed for people to have a feast in the fresh air. There is also a yearly Downs festival, where music, food and merriment is abundant.

In Autumn, kites can be seen regularly being flown in the wispy air, along with plenty of active runners and walkers out and about, as the leaves float to the ground and the sky burns fiercely. Autumn also delights in the return of the Circus on The Downs, with acrobats, clowns and gymnasts in plenty, all available to go and see at an affordable price.

As Winter creeps into Bristol, The Downs remains a place of glee and activity: hundreds of people pile out often at the weekend or midweek for sporting activities, including rugby, ultimate frisbee, lacrosse, and even quidditch! There are permanent football pitches which are in constant use, as the cold air and bare trees fail to hinder any hustle and liveliness on The Downs. In fact, as the snow settles over the grass and the snowflakes and icicles rest on the branches, winter on The Downs is arguably the most beautiful time to visit.

Emily Hayman Third Year, English

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas Simona Ivicic gives you her guide to Bristol during the season of good will The season of festive joy and cheer has finally arrived. So, if you’re stuck for ideas this Christmas, here’s a list of things Bristol is packed with to get you into the festive spirit before we all dash on home for the holidays.

Markets and fairs

Want to celebrate Christmas by going to see a show? Take your pick from A Christmas Carol at Berkeley Castle or at The Old Vic; Beauty and the Beast at the Tobacco Factory; Aladdin at the Hippodrome; Love Actually with a full Orchestra at Colston Hall.

The millennium Square are hosting outdoor screening events: The Nightmare Before Christmas on the 11th December and The Muppet Christmas Carol on the 18th. Truly spoiled for choice this year.

Carols have been around since the 15th century and Bristol does not disappoint. With a service on almost every couple of days in the run up to Christmas, here are two of our very own that are not to be missed: Bristol University Chamber Choir: A Ceremony of Carols and University of Bristol A Cappella Society Christmas Concert.

Charity events As it is after all the season of giving and sharing, there are a number of things to get involved with this year. University of Bristol Friends of Palestine Society present the incredible Bristol to Bethlehem II fundraiser. With all proceeds going towards Hoping Foundation, enjoy a night of dancing, music and spoken word with some of Bristol’s very own DJ’s. Or if you’d rather get more active, join the thousands of Santa’s on the streets of Bristol for Santa’s on the Run. It will certainly be a great day for a great cause, with proceeds from the 2km festive fun run going to South West Children’s Hospice.

Flickr/RIchard Sandoval

Flickr / 22860

Kicking off the list, Bristol is literally rammed with markets, fairs and festivals this year. We have the Bristol Christmas Markets in Broadmead, which has over 40 shopping chalets, authentic German food and drink in the jagerbar in the centre. There’s also the Festive Harbourside Market, St Nicholas Christmas Market, and Winter Wonderland at Cribbs Causeway, which features the South West’s largest ice skating rink.

On top of that, start your Christmas shopping with gifts that are all made and sold by the locals at fairs such as Made in Bristol Gift Fair in Colston Hall. What’s more, from the 12th to the 17th December, Bristol’s Women’s Voice is hosting a Christmas pop-up in Beacon house. BWV Christmas Pop-up Shop offers an array of woman-made artwork, such as prints, cards, ceramics and jewellery.

If you’re interested in something more ethical, why not try Bristol Viva! Vegan Festival? It hosts over 90 stalls of food, clothes and gifts, with student entry is only £2.

Carol services

Films and theatre

Simona Ivicic Third Year, English

11.12.2017

19

Confessions from the boudoir One student confesses her (many) embarrassing sexual mishaps I must admit that my variety of sexual partners and experiences (not to brag – I’m no Hugh Hefner) have resulted in some great bonding tales.

I love those sacred moments when you’re at a party after you’ve had a copious amount of gin, and you’re suddenly telling the random girl you met once in first year about the time you had sex on a giant rock (no pun intended) in a forest, and the next day woke up to discover you’d brought home the entire woodland in your underwear.

”

...it was an accident, and the cat survived for years after

had one in my mouth. Not sure if it was successful foreplay, but I remember it with fondness.

Finally, I have experienced accidentally peeing out of nowhere on to my current boyfriend, and although slightly shocked at my bladder letting me down in my young age, asked if we had to stop.

We carried on the session, battling through the slightly rained upon sensual atmosphere, and I made a silent promise to myself that I would practice using my pelvic floor muscles just in case I am on the decline at the age of twenty.

More recently there was a peeing scenario involving some sperm

Flickr / Danielle Elder

Flickr/Sam Wood

”

Sex can be a great time, and often lots of people have an embarrassing story to tell. Those awkward times when, out of nowhere, you have flashbacks during the family Sunday roast and refuse to look at a carrot the same.

The rendezvous in the forest story is accompanied by the time I had just had sex on my best friend’s kitchen floor, and was informed by my partner that he had distributed his love eggs, but couldn’t locate them.

All we knew was that they weren’t anywhere near me. It turned out that the remnants had hidden away in the dark until the best friend’s cat had eaten it. No need to fear, please don’t call the RSPCA – it was an accident, and the cat continued to live for years later, totally oblivious.

There have been other moments when I’ve questioned the sexual situations I’ve put myself in, such as the time when – during The Act – the boy’s mother and sister walked in. It was only then that he decided to inform me it was in fact his sister’s room. The situation would have been better if he hadn’t then forced me to sit in the kitchen and converse with his mother alone (for it was the first time meeting her) while we both stared at his salmon cooking in the oven, trying to pretend she hadn’t just walked in on us doing the dirty deed.

Additional embarrassing moments include vomiting three pints’ worth of cider onto a penis and having to suck it back up, and a time where I attempted to casually chat about Peep Show as I

and a bucket that definitely needed bleaching. Confirmation of the decline.

Sex going down an unplanned, awkward and embarrassing route happens to everyone, and just remember that instead of hating yourself, know that one day the experience could result in you writing in to tell fellow Epigram readers of your adventures, perhaps inspiring them to buy that gin and tell theirs.

Anonymous Third Year

Things to look forward to in 2018 2018 is coming round the corner thick and fast! We asked Bristol students what they’re most looking forward in the months ahead More existential angst in late capitalist society I think we can all agree that the constant feeling of despair we all felt during 2017 can only be healthy to productivity. Students really thrive from feeling like there’s no alternative, that they’re trapped in an endless rat-race that they’ll be forced to endure until they finally die. Bring on 2018!

‘This feeling like nothing’s really going anywhere, that nothing new is happening, that culture is stagnating is a great thing,’ one student told us. ‘Artistically, it means everyone’s off the hook, which is fantastic.’

Post-Britpop Revival Do you remember Britpop? Everyone loved it, especially New Labour, the grooviest government to ever swagger through the doors of parliament. Remember post-Britpop? Bands like Travis and Stereophonics, whose records are still being played in shopping centres all across the land.

2018 is set to be the year of post-Britpop Revival, with bands like ‘The Sad Chaps’ playing a sell-out tours. Their new album, ‘Terry and His Tearful Trout’ is due to be released in February. Some students

aren’t so keen on this revival. One Bristol student described it as ‘the worst thing since the invention of the glockenspiel.’ Others are overjoyed, believing it will revitalise British guitar music. One student described it as ‘the best thing since the invention of the glockenspiel.’

The first android set to be given a place at Bristol University Bobby Brumsworth (formerly known as 3_76/0PHJ) is set to be the first android to attend a British university. If his A-Levels go well, Bobby intends on studying Art History at Bristol University.

Whilst many bio-luddites are unhappy at the prospect of sharing Halls with ‘a f***ing mechanical man’, others have welcomed this step towards greater social equality.

‘I think androids should have the same rights as human beings, and that means a right to an education,’ Dimitri Pantelli, student and justice lover, told Epigram. ‘At the end of the day, we’re not so different from little Bobby. We’re made of the same stuff. Not literally, but if you think about it, is a computer really so different from a brain? Are wires so different from arteries?’

The Slaying of the Giant Maggot 2016 was the year of Pokemon Go. 2017 was the year of Fidget Spinners. 2018? You guessed it! Young people can’t wait for the 23rd March, when five Bristolians will be picked at random to fight in a battle to the death with a Giant Norwegian Maggot named ‘Olaf, Destroyer of Worlds.’ The event will take place in an amphitheatre that’s going to be built on College Green. Contestants will be picked the night before The Slaying.

One Bristol hopeful is Jack Sear, who’s ‘always wanted to fight a giant maggot’ in a battle to the death. ‘It’s been my dream since I was a wee boy. Growing up in Canterbury, there weren’t many giant maggots around, so I always felt dissatisfied with life. But the news that Olaf is coming next year is brilliant, and I hope I can bring honour to my family if I’m chosen to participate.’

Booze n’ ciggies Everyone loves booze and ciggies. Many thought booze and ciggies would go away, but they haven’t, they’re here to stay. Let’s all hear it for booze and ciggies everyone, the only things that make the working week bearable!

Jordan Barker Editor

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11.12.2017

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Missed Connections Love is a cruel, unforgiving mistress. These Bristol students have admired from afar and are desperate to make contact with these distant beauties Flickr / Hans Splinter

‘Last Friday night, I was walking back from the ASS and gazed upon the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. You were puking your guts up outside Spoons (Berkeley), whilst a woman in a red jacket held back your flaxen locks. Fair maiden, if you’re out there, know that I would gladly slay the barman who let you drink your sweet self to oblivion.’

- A Knight of the Realm, Third Year, Classics ‘Saw you at Reclaim the Night march last week. Wanted to get your number, but my mate said it would be inappropriate. I wasn’t going to let passion get in the way of my feminist principles. That being said, I am very interested in pursuing you.’

- Male Feminist, First Year, Sociology ‘You have a face like John Simm, and you’re usually having a fag outside the Chemistry building. I saw you Batista Bomb a man in Mbargo’s for giving you a funny look. I’m sure he deserved it, even though he did have a lazy eye. What a stallion.’

- WWE Enthusiast, Third Year, Medicine ‘Witnessed you making inappropriate gestures at the librarian after he refused to cancel your fine. The moves you were pulling were sensational.’

- Bespectacled Ginger, Second Year, History

‘fieschada (n.) a strong, instantaneous attraction to someone upon first meeting each other; “love at first sight’ Our story was never really one for the screens to be honest. There was no overly dramatic twist of fate involved in how we met. It was just a boy sitting down next to the other in the cafeteria, plain and simple, nothing more, nothing less.

I remember thinking: ‘Who is this guy?’ when you suddenly pulled up a chair beside me while a friend and I were in mid-conversation.

I initially got the impression that you were just another over-

confident jock who has this inexplicable need to be friends with everyone to score popularity points, so honestly, I wasn’t expecting much.

That misconception was quickly shot down when you looked over at me. I could see the timidity shining clear as day through your grey-blue eyes; the way you sat with your back ramrod straight betrayed just how nervous and tense you were; and that smile of yours, that damned smile screaming of pure innocence. I hate myself for admitting this but that smile of yours had me hooked from the first time we met.

The boy who stole my heart the first day we met with just a smile.

Even weeks after you’ve left, the mere memory of how you looked at me that day still has me falling for you over and over again. And with each time, without fail, my heart fragments just a little bit more. Because I never really found out whether you felt the same for me as I did you; whether you fell for me as hard as I fell for you.

I was always too scared to ask.

If I’d known that you would leave me from the get-go, would I still have chosen to let myself fall for you so easily the first time?

Probably.

I don’t know.’

- Anxious Admirer, First Year, English

Your Horoscopes

Dr.Bull Sheti, Bristol’s professor of Occult Studies and Advanced Astrology, has read the stars - and things aren’t looking good...

Leo

Sagittarius

The ‘point of no return’ will acquire a new meaning altogether when, during some afternoon delight with your partner, you’re caught up in the event horizon of a black hole.

Laughter is always the best medicine, but too much can make you vomit, which will probably happen when you go see Lee Evans next week.

Epigram / Jordan Barker

Capricorn You will soon meet someone you care for deeply, someone who perceives everything in the fourth-dimension. You think, in another life, they could’ve been the one. But they’ll always remind you of that lost love whose knowledge of the eighth-dimension astounded you beyond belief.

Aquarius There’s no time like the present. Unfortunately, as things stand, you’re likely to fall into a wormhole, sent back to 16th century Salem and tried be for witchcraft.

Pisces Telepathy is always something you’ve wanted. But when you find out what everyone really thinks of your new haircut, you’ll wish the gods had never bothered.

Aries Christmas is around the corner, but you’ll be dreading it knowing that you’ve been selected to carry the new messiah in your womb.

Best get on StableHunters.

Taurus

Someone you once valued will use the word ‘Zeitgeist’ in casual conversation, and you’ll no longer be able to look them in the eye.

Gemini

You’ll decide to photocopy your arse at the Christmas party, only to discover that your arse is not all it’s cracked up to be.

Cancer

You’ll pick up a hitchhiker on your journey home. Whilst he won’t be an axe-wielding murderer, the stench coming from his armpits will make you wish he was.

Virgo Ever wondered what it’d be like to awake one morning from anxious dreams to find yourself transformed into a verminous insect? Expect it to be A Kafka Kinda Kristmas!

Libra

You’ll be summoned by the Galactic Council as Earth’s representative to help the universe decide whether GIF should be pronounced with a hard or soft ‘G’.

Scorpio A thousand tiny ladybirds will swarm your kitchen floor after your housemate decides buying a box of these critters is the best way to bring holiday cheer.

Dr.Bull Sheti will be hosting an annual summoning of the spirits.Date TBC,pending his release from The Gardens of Torture, (Farnborough).

11.12.2017

Editor Chloe Payne-Cook

@EpigramWB

Deputy- Editor Jasmine Burke

Online Editor Leila Mitwally

Epigram Wellbeing

2021

@epigramwellbeing

Bristol students Reclaim the night

”

Reclaim the night

It is every single one of our responsibilities to step up to the plate and say enough is enough. As a student body we are powerful. When we shout together our voices are too loud to be ignored’

The poems published have been written by two students of Bristol, and they are the winners of the poetry competition the Women’s Network held as part of the Reclaim campaign. They are primarily a way in which the Women’s Network are promoting women to reclaim their power through their voices.

Reclaim poem entries As part of Reclaim the night, Bristol Women’s Network displayed 10 of the best poems, written by Bristol students, on the walls of the event.

We are bringing you the winning poem. written by Emily Sykes. We are also bringing you the runner up poem, written

by Danica Davies.

We think you will agree that both of these poems are exceptionally powerful, and indicate just how important annual events, such as Reclaim the night, are.

Reclaim the Night was on the 25th November, and I marched to reclaim the night that boy touched me, and I marched to reclaim all the nights boys and men and, yes, women too have overstepped the mark. This cause is old and has roots of thousands of years; history has been rife with misogyny, but we won’t stop until we get what our Suffragette ancestors gave up their lives for. Equality.

Bea O’Kelly Events Manager of the Women’s Network

Eating Disorder (not otherwise specified)

Epigram / Bea O’Kelly

When we think of sexual violence and assault, it’s kind of a paradox in itself. Something that is supposed to be centred around love and attraction and romance is tainted and twisted into something repulsive, sickening and quite simply something intolerable. We all want to feel loved and be loved and be involved in flirtation and dates and the excitement of a new fling, but, for me anyway, it’s always been stemming from something a bit darker. A fear that what I want won’t be respected. Especially when going to a club, somehow when everyone’s had a drink, walls and barriers fall down and it becomes much more, yes exciting, but unsafe. Something about the darkness of the night and the blurred vision of the alcohol makes you vulnerable.

Soon after, the anger sunk in. How dare he? What right did he have? I did not give him permission to make me feel inferior, as the great Eleanor Roosevelt once said. Being out at night in that situation had made me feel small, out of place and made my legs feel like they couldn’t hold me, like I needed to be walked home.

Epigram / Bea O’Kelly

Epigram / Bea O’Kelly

‘It is every single one of our responsibilities to step up to the plate and say enough is enough. As a student body we are powerful. When we shout together our voices are too loud to be ignored.’

Sally Patterson, Chair of the Women’s Network

”

The first time someone touched me without my consent was in a club in fresher’s week. Luckily I was surrounded by friends and it wasn’t anything too serious, simply something I could shrug off and I could carry on with my night. But the grip on my arm and the bruise on the side of my hip weren’t so easily brushed off. My body felt stained. Like I was borrowing somebody else’s skin and I had no right to my own, had no say in who touched it. I felt, arguably for the first time, powerless. And in that moment I was simply scared. I was twelve years old again and just wanted to crawl into my bed as my dad tucked me in.

The Winner: Emily Sykes “I used to have an eating disorder,” I say, as if it doesn’t still claw its way into every aspect of my day.

“I used to have an eating disorder,” I repeat, as food makes my hard work obsolete, crying after every meal I eat.

I have an eating disorder; it’s not who I am, it’s a thing and a bitch; a swear and a damn, but five little letters don’t make me what I am.

Ash Tray Runner Up: Danica Davies

I have an eating disorder, and I’m starting to see, that this parasite, this thing, just isn’t me?

I’m battle scarred and weary, hyperventilating and teary, but the truth is the truth and the truth sets you free.

“I used to have an eating disorder.” I insist, laughing as my symptoms persist, denying that I don’t want to exist.

“I used to have an eating disorder.” I stutter, in front of the doctor, who starts to mutter, back to CAMHS, eating plans, “are you a cutter?”

I have an eating disorder, and progression is slow, but over two years I’ve started to grow, both upwards and outwards in more ways than I know.

Epigram / Bea O’Kelly

“You have an eating disorder,”“Samantha” diagnoses, “but together we’re going to fight it,” she proposes, “EDNOS isn’t the end,” she supposes.

My body is not an ash tray for a man to stub out his cigarette My body is a running conversation between the two halves of myself It is boredom’s seed that unbuttons my shirt not the fingers of a lonely boy unwrapping me like a present on Christmas morning Look mama, she’s brand new I am not new I was born a thousand years old I did not crawl from my mother’s womb wearing hunger’s red lipstick with a white daisy between my legs I came plump and screaming with ochre in my bones I will die that way and not by the hand of the man with the cigarette

11.12.2017

Epigram Wellbeing wishes you a happy holiday!

A priest, a scientist, a rabbi and a monk walk into the SU… religion & mental health

the first time when the world has begun to take it seriously. I also think that whether you believe in a higher power or not, religion has existed for such a long time that surely it must have some insight to offer into the human brain and its seemingly inexplicable tantrums.

”

”

So mental health seemed like a good topic to focus on for the week, because depression isn’t racist and anxiety doesn’t discriminate mental health struggles are something that anyone and everyone are susceptible to suffering from. As a representative of the Jewish Society and a Student Leader for the Council of Christians and Jews, I teamed up with Bristol’s Islamic Society, Hindu Society, the Christian Union, Zen Society and Catholic Society to try and put together a panel that was as intersectional as possible.

After listening to each speaker, I decided that I definitely didn’t agree with everything that had been said. Regardless, I was fascinated by the different ways that various religions interact with mental health. I was especially struck by the comparison made between the traditional Catholic catechism and certain methods used in CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), as well as similarities between Buddhist meditation and mindfulness techniques.

People see religion as an outdated institution which can’t possibly comprehend or engage with the inherently modern problem of mental illness ... mental illness has always existed, it’s just that the 21st century is the first time when the world has begun to take it seriously.

”

One overwhelming consensus among the speakers, which I found particularly reassuring, was the importance of working with science alongside religion. Silas Crawley, the speaker for the Christian Union, spoke movingly about his own depressive incidents and repeatedly stressed that his recovery was only possible with the help of medication and CBT. Rabbi Alexander Tsykin also explained the multiple exceptions and leniencies that are available in Jewish law, when a person’s wellbeing is being negatively influenced by religious doctrine.

I left the event feeling reassured that religious institutions do not have to dismiss mental illness as a crisis of faith, or, worse, as some sort of divine punishment. It was a hopeful moment, watching six different spiritual leaders come together to publicly recognise the validity of mental health struggles, and to talk about how to overcome them. I hope that everyone present, religious or not, found it hopeful too.

For me, the simple fact that this group of people had come together to talk about mental illness was a huge step in itself. I think that many people see religion as something archaic - as an outdated institution which can’t possibly comprehend or engage with the inherently modern problem of mental illness. I disagree with this idea on so many levels; mental illness has always existed, it’s just that the 21st century is

This panel on religion and mental health was part of the University’s Interfaith Week 2017, where six of the University’s religious societies banded together to have an inclusive week of celebrating religion.

One of the highlights of the week included speakers coming in from the Abrahamic reunion to talk about peace infront of both the Jewish and the Islamic societies. Many students found this to be particularly inspiring as it sent the message that Bristol students don’t have to be influenced by the politics happening halfway across the world and rather can just focus on relating to one another as people. As well as this, the societies partnered with the Boston Tea Party and were given 60 free refill cups to give out the different faith societies, raising further awareness of Interfaith week.

If you feel like it would be something that you’re interested in, join one of the faith societies through theBristol SU website!

Leila Mitwally Wellbeing Online Editor

Focus on the good Not every Christmas is going to be like the ones you see in adverts or on TV and you’ve got to remember that these are often idealistic. Most Christmas Days do have that lull in the middle of the day, or end with you bored and lethargic with nothing to do. However, this isn’t a bad thing! Don’t end up disheartened because you’re not mirroring the happy-go-lucky TV family that never stop smiling and are just filled with quippy little anecdotes. You’re a real person, and there will be peaks and troughs.

Try not to focus on what your Christmas is not and instead focus on what it is. For me, it’s a day to lounge around with my family and loved ones, give out a few presents and eat more food than my stomach can handle. Will there be parts of the day where I feel like there is nothing to do? Yes, there probably will be, but Christmas is my favourite time of year, so I will not let that detract from the magical feeling.

Jasmine Burke Wellbeing Deputy Editor

It’s called a break for a reason Don’t compare yourself to other people. Of course, many people have an enjoyable festive celebration! But many people do not have such a nice break. Whether this is due to seasonal affective depression, the short days and long nights, stress with uni work or general wellbeing. It doesn’t mean you are weird or alone for not having a John Lewis-style winter-wonderland Christmas (we all know that alcohol + family isn’t always the easiest mix!). Don’t beat yourself up about feeling unwell over the winter holidays, you’re doing so well and there is far too much pressure on having an amazing time over the Christmas period! It’s cool to sleep alot, eat alot, not be productive (unless dressing up your dog in seasonal attire counts as productivity) and just give yourself a bit of TIME OUT. It’s called a break for a reason, so have one.

Epigram / Jasmine Burke

Epigram / Avital Carno

On Tuesday 14th November, the university’s six largest faith societies came together to talk about mental health. The speaker list for the panel discussion sounded like the opening of a bad joke: a Buddhist monk, a rabbi, two priests, a Muslim scientist and the Hindu head of Bristol’s Indian community.

Avital Carno Arts Deputy Online Editor

There’s a lot of pressure on Christmas to be some kind of idealised, carefree period at home surrounded by huge numbers of family members and a perpetual sense of extreme happiness. If you’re going through a difficult time at home, have lost someone close to you or won’t get to see your family over the Christmas period at all, it can instead be an extremely isolating few weeks which seems to intensify all your problems. Sometimes it can be helpful to take a step back from all the festive build-up and anticipation this time of year, and remind ourselves that Christmas day is just another day. The 25th of December will pass by in 24 hours, the same as every other day, and you’re well within your right to treat it as such. Distract yourself with whatever works best for you – take advantage of the seasonal food offers, spend time looking after yourself, or start planning things to do next term – and it’ll be January before you know it. I hope that everyone present, religious or not, found it hopeful too.

Epigram / Jasmine Burke

In light of last year’s horrific and tragic number of student suicides, it’s undeniable that mental health is one of the biggest issues currently faced by Bristol’s student community. To mark national Interfaith Week, which ran from the 12th to the 19th November, I wanted to try and come up with an event that would be accessible and of interest to the whole student community, regardless of their religious beliefs (or agnosticism or atheism).

I’d just like to add a disclaimer: no one organised this discussion to try and convert anyone else. I respect all religious beliefs, and I respect atheist and agnostic arguments too - spiritual beliefs are deeply personal. Rather, the discussion was held to explore the different ways that a diverse group of people, all in positions of trust, advise others on how to deal with mental illness, and to learn how they manage their own mental health.

It’s just another day

Epigram /Jasmine Burke

”

It shouldn’t have to be that way. As someone who defines themselves as religious (I’m a modern-Orthodox Jew), I’m a firm believer in the idea that religion can be interpreted in a way that allows it to stay relevant to modern life. Seemingly impenetrable stories of camels and split seas aside, religious thought and traditions are filled with the wisdom and learning of generations.

Epigram / Avital Carno

In his best-selling book The Prophet, the mystic Lebanese poet Khalil Gibran claims that ‘much of your pain is self-chosen. It is the bitter potion by which the physician within you heals your sick self. Therefore trust the physician, and drink his remedy in silence and tranquillity’.

Depression isn’t racist and anxiety doesn’t discriminate - mental health struggles are something that anyone and everyone are susceptible to suffering from.

Christmas: not all it’s crack(er)ed up to be With the amount of anticipation created in the lead up to Christmas it’s no surprise that people can often feel disheartened when things don’t go quite right on the day. However, despite what every advert and holiday movie seems to show, Christmas is not always the most wonderful time of the year! We tried to set some realistic expectations for the holidays this year...

Avital Carno gives her thoughts on the importance of students putting aside their religious differences to face a universal problem.

These lines are paradigmatic of a good chunk of my own issues with a ‘spiritual’ approach to mental illness. For students struggling with their mental health, when days can slide by in fuzzy insomniac blanks and you can’t swallow your food because you’re so anxious and you keep crying and you can’t stop and you don’t know why, I’m presuming that silence and tranquillity are relatively hard to come by. Trust in a higher power must be even harder, especially if religion can lead you to believe that the way you’re feeling is some sort of a punishment.

Illustrations: Epigram / Mia Burke

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Chloe Payne-Cook Wellbeing Editor

11.12.2017

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WE NEED YOU! Whether you’re a budding journalist or just have an interest in mental health and wellbeing, we want to hear from you! If you are interested in writing about your own personal experiences with mental health, offering advice or writing about current mental health events, join our Facebook Writers’ Group or email us at: wellbeing.epigram@gmail.com

Take care: mental health issues don’t just dissappear at Christmas

Epigram / Leila Mitwally

I have a vivid memory from around the age of ten of compulsively washing my hands every time I touched or came in contact with the colour green. For some reason, in a way I knew was irrational, I connected the colour green to death and the possibility of dying. That particular winter, as I was plagued with those thoughts, I remember my hands drying out to the point of bleeding from washing my hands so much.

Intrusions can literally be anything, more often than not something which the sufferer really fears, making it all the lot harder to deal with.

”

”

Just a year later, age eleven, I began to have sudden compulsions to touch objects, any random objects. I would walk around the supermarket with my Mum and have the odd need to just touch or grab any given item of food, for a reason I didn’t fully understand, though my brain was telling me something bad would happen if I didn’t.

”

In coping with the multitude of concerns that arise out of Christmas, plans, places one always wanted to visit, family, financial concerns - the irreconcilable list goes on and it will continue to do so if one does not firmly put one’s foot down and get down to planning. You

At first I was terrified, ashamed, disgusted at myself. Why me? Why do I have OCD and

It is possible to have the best of both worlds, daunting or seemingly distant a prospect it may seem. Try not to forget that it’s a break too, and set aside some time to catch up with family given the rarity of opportunities, especially for international students. The grass really does seem greener on the other side in this respect.

Try not to forget that it’s a break too, and set aside some time to catch up with family given the rarity of opportunities.

”

So, remember while you are contending with the pre-Christmas stress or grief that these are mere externalities, of which magnitude of impact really hinges upon how much you think of it. This may be a symptom of the larger phenomenon of thinking about thinking, a trait which many driven individuals share but try not to be too affected by it. If you find friends or yourself asking about your well-being, it’s probably indicative that you are, but tell yourself you can and will deal with it.

So, the prospect of Christmas turkey, tantalizing log cake and most importantly, reconciliation with family looms for the great many of us. For those who will be staying behind in Bristol, try to explore the world, plan a solo trip within your means and comfort zone. Volunteer perhaps?

Yet the point is, the morass of concerns coupled with grief can be potentially unnerving and difficult to contend with, but cutting through it, a clear mind and priorities help ease the burden of decision-making. Remember, it is and will be the most wonderful time of the year, if you will it into existence.

Edwin Teong Ying Keat First Year, Law

”

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (more commonly abbreviated to ‘OCD’) is defined as a mental illness which is characterized by ‘recurrent obsessional thoughts or compulsive acts designed to fend off thoughts that interfere significantly with an individual’s functioning’. It falls under the bracket of anxiety disorders as it is rooted in feelings of anxiety. These recurrent thoughts and obsessions that repeatedly enter sufferers’ minds are almost inevitably incredibly distressing. Even though they are involuntary and generally repugnant, most sufferers also recognise a level of irrationality to them. To attempt to resist these thoughts, or try and reassure themselves that they are not true, they will then engage in compulsive behaviours, which can be anything from compulsively washing hands, to, depending on the intrusions, avoiding contact with a child in the fear they will harm them. Most of the time, this behaviour is seen as pointless and unproductive to the sufferer, but the obsessions are so constant and intrusive it is seen as the only way to suppress and ignore them.

Topics of intrusions can again vary greatly and commonly morph or ‘phase’ over time. Common topics may be related to sex, sexuality, contamination, murder, abuse or illness. However, as I mentioned, intrusions can literally be anything, more often than not something which the sufferer really fears, making it all the lot harder to deal with.

The thoughts are often so taboo that people who suffer from these intrusions find it hard to ever talk about (on average, from the point of symptoms arising, it takes seven years for a formal diagnosis).

Age twelve, I had to touch all of my family member’s bedroom doors before I went to sleep every night. Weird? I know. But my head told me that they could die if I didn’t do it.

It is now thought that some three in a hundred people will be affected

by OCD at some point and in some form during their lives. The form, duration and severity of the illness varies greatly from person to person, with some mild cases being easy to live with to the most severe in which people very sadly attempt suicide or need full time care and support.

However, it has been ranked as the tenth most debilitating illness by the WHO (the World Health Organisation).

Yes, I have OCD. No, it does not mean I am a ‘neat freak’. No, OCD is not a cool personality quirk.

It was only age eighteen, after having to eventually leave college in the first term of my last year due to a depressive breakdown, that

I was finally diagnosed with Pure O, which is a form of OCD in which there are no outwardly obvious compulsions and the anxiety induced compulsions manifest in the head only. The intrusions in Pure O tend to, again, latch onto the things the sufferer fears the most. Terrified of being a paedophile? Intrusions will latch onto that. Scared of becoming schizophrenic? Pure O will make sure you feel like you are! Seen something on the news and now become obsessed with the fact you could one day become a mass murderer? Thanks OCD! Scared about death? Don’t worry, OCD will never let you forget about it. The list goes on, and on and on, and on…

Finally, I began to understand the past few years of my life. The weird intrusions, obsessions, compulsions which I had been living with made sense. At first I was terrified, ashamed, disgusted at myself. Why me?

Why do I have OCD and why does nobody else seem to? It took months for me to properly begin to open up about it to anyone at all, even my own boyfriend. I was so scared by the thoughts in my head and the obsessions I was having. On hindsight, I realised that if I had spoken about the way I felt, and hadn’t felt the shame I had, I probably would have saved myself a whole lot of suffering. But I knew nothing about OCD. I’m incredibly lucky that the people around me are so supportive; other people sadly don’t have it so lucky.

”

Never a silent night: living with OCD

Having a trusted friend or confidante to confide in is always great, but for those of us who do not have the luxury of such, or of time to do so, take a walk, allow for some deviation from the charted course, and you might, given space and time, find the grief can be assuaged by a rested mind.

Try to think but not dwell, mull but not fixate.

”

”

A potential method of dealing with grief or any excessive unwarranted negativity is to apply the mindset of a stoic, that ‘the universe is change,

Take a walk, allow for some deviation from the charted course, and you might find given space and time, the grief can be assuaged by a rested mind.

could allocate time for everyone as long as you will it into action by compartmentalising the days spent whilst also leaving enough days for revision given the mid-sessionals in January.

Epigram / Alexia Kirov

”

Dealing with certain disappointments, grievous incidents or even failure in such circumstances can therefore be exceptionally trying. However, we tend to be too harsh on ourselves sometimes or in general, depending on the extent of a perfectionist most of us are. This is not to say that we should go easy on charting our goals but we should know how to manage grief, be it from something as serious as the loss of a loved one or endemic grief such as simply not being able to be there when a loved one at home is involved in an accident. Grief is after all an emotion that should not overrule any attempt to rationalize thoughts.

”

Tell yourself you can and will deal with it.

Flikr / Alice Harold

As we await with bated breath the arrival of the highly craved pit stop and reprieve from the grind that is Christmas, let us acknowledge that the pre-Christmas period is never easy for most of us. Dealing with existing workloads, deadlines for assignments before Christmas and attempting to fulfill unaccomplished goals since Christmas effectively signposts the end of the year, grief and moments of anguish are included in the mix. It’s definitely not the most wonderful time of the year, before it actually is.

our life is what our thoughts make it’ in the words of stoic philosopher, Marcus Aurelius. Undeniably, the vicissitudes of life often threaten to inundate and throw us off our feet with circumstances beyond our control. Yet the mark of many successful or driven individuals has been contending with such incidents by forging past them instead of dwelling on pure emotive sentiments. Case in point: former President of the United States, Barack Obama describes failure as ‘the real test’ as the key thing is to ‘learn from it’ and not let it ‘shame you into inaction’. Analogously, so is grief.

”

‘The most wonderful time of the year’

I have OCD, but I am NOT my OCD.

”

The most common treatments these days for OCD are through the uses of medications such as SSRI’s (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors), more commonly known as antidepressants and therapies such as CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy). Some people may eventually ‘fully’ recover; however for most people, it’s something they’ll have to learn to live with and control for the rest of their lives.

I’ve learnt to accept this. I’ll probably always have OCD. I have OCD, but I am NOT my OCD. I may have days and weeks where it’ll take over my brain and it’ll feel like it takes up every ounce of my being, but I know that’s okay now and I’ll be okay. I’m bigger and better than this disorder and will never let it win.

Gail El-Halaby First Year, Psychology

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11.12.17

Editor

Deputy Editor

Online Editor

Jane Cowie food@epigram.org.uk

Holly Penhale

Sarah Roller

Epigram Food 2017-18

25

@epigramfood

Socialising over Christmas: give yourself a break Matthew Lu discusses the tension between socialising and indulging during the festive period One of the more important questions to ask is whether or not Christmas stimulates an environment that encourages over-indulgence.

I think it would be quite unfair to say that this is not completely the fact as lots of Christmas has to do with is eating to celebrate the festive times. It can be quite a nightmare for some people that have to schedule out seven or eight different Christmas parties each season because you know that there might just be two family dinners but, then you have different work functions, and then there’s also friends to consider.

Social gatherings create a sense of unity and strengthen bonds over food

”

Pixabay / Vivianviv0

”

Unsplash / Taylor Kaiser

The fact is that the majority of these different functions do revolve around eating and this can result in over-indulgence. Due to the immense amount of parties it is quite easy for one’s resolve to crumble at the sight of a favourite dessert or entree that they’ve been telling themselves not to touch the entire evening. I don’t blame them as who can deny a chocolate molten lava cake, just calling your name?

Despite this, I think it is important to look at the intentions behind social gatherings as a whole. The entire concept behind them is to create a sense of unity and strengthen bonds. A classic approach to doing this is over food. I do

not think it is fair that society creates a stigma around the holidays. A stigma of overindulgence is not quite fair to impose on a holiday that is traditionally meant to celebrate the birth of Christ. If it is fair to impose this stigma of over indulgence on Christmas because it essentially stimulates an influx of social gatherings that results in over-indulgence, then the real route of the problems of over-indulgence lies in social gatherings not Christmas. Generally speaking, most holidays spark an inflation of social gatherings so, to simply state that Christmas and over-indulgence is mutually exclusive is factually incorrect. What should be said is that social gatherings are mutually exclusive with over-indulgence.

But, can we say that this is true in itself ? If so, then what is the solution to over-indulgence?

Do we just stop being social? Do we stay holed up in our cozy houses, binge watching Stranger Things on Netflix and never talk to another human being ever again? There’s no way that a physically and mentally healthy person would

be able to stay away from social gatherings on a regular basis. Not to mention how unpractical that solution sounds as well. Flushing this issue out we can see that it actually may not even be social gatherings that is the issue at hand.

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Ho, ho, ho! What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear this infamous jingle?

Is it the dread of having to buy your devil of a brother something that is considered ‘thoughtful’ by your mother, or perhaps you are really not looking forward to explaining why you are still a single Pringle at family dinners?

Well, for some the dread of the holidays treads up the thoughts of pigs in a blanket, Christmas pudding, and mince pies and what does this mean?

Well, the first thing that comes to mind is the fact that the status of being a single Pringle isn’t going to change any time soon. This is because for many people, the word Christmas is synonymous for over-indulgence. But, is this thought thoroughly correct? Are the holidays just a fancy reason created by society to have a full pig out session on whatever food you fancy?

I could get all philosophical Joe on you here discussing Plato and the world of forms but, I would rather take a more practical approach.

Everyone had their own strategies of counteracting overindulgence

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So, then what exactly is the issue? I think in the process of writing this article I quickly came to the conclusion that however cliché it is the issue resides in us humans. The fact that we’re searching for ideals to blame our own personal issues on tells us all that we need to know.

In the end, we cannot pin our own personal problems on other surrounding factors. Overindulgence happens because we allow it. It’s a personal issue that everyone has to learn how to deal with in their own way. There is no single avenue of dealing with the issue that works for everyone. The most important takeaway is that everyone needs to develop their own strategies of countering over-indulgence in their own ways. Whether that be working out an extra hour at the gym or using a calorie counting app. In the end, it’s about adaptation and acceptance of the fact that it’s not an issue of Christmas encouraging over-indulgence but, a personal issue.

Matthew Lu First Year, Law

The perfect Christmas dinner on a student budget Holly Penhale suggests a student- affordable way to whip up your very own Xmas feast

Ingredients: Sainsbury’s British free-range chicken - £5.85 1 pack of smoked streaky bacon - £2.00 Sainsbury’s pork chipolatas, Taste the Difference x12 - £2.50 Sainsbury’s Butcher’s choice sage and onion stuffing balls x12 - £2.00 2.5kg Sainsbury’s White potatoes - £1.50 Aunt Bessie’s Golden Yorkshire pudding x12 - £1.65 Aunt Bessie’s Honey glazed roast parsnips

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the lemon inside the cavity in two halves.

Lay the remaining bacon rashers across the breast of the chicken and make up a litre of chicken stock.

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Epigram / Hollly Penhale

Roast Chicken Dinner with Bacon, Stuffing and Seasonal Vegetables Serves: 6 Cooking time: 2 hours

500g - £1.75 Sainsbury’s 1kg carrots - £0.60 Sainsbury’s Broccoli - £0.50 Sainsbury’s Brussels sprouts 500g - £1.00 Bisto chicken gravy granules - £1.00 Sainsbury’s lemon - £0.35 1 chicken stock cube £0.09 Sainsbury’s cranberry sauce - £0.80 Sainsbury’s chocolate log - £1.75 Sainsbury’s bucks fizz - £2.75 Sainsbury’s Christmas mini luxury crackers - £3.75 TOTAL – £26.90 Per person - £4.48 Epigram / Hollly Penhale

‘Tis the season for indulging once again and what better way to say farewell to your flatmates before dispersing to your respective home towns than a premature Christmas dinner?

Students are often deterred by the anticipated expense and exertion of such a meal but with a few simple substitutions, this guide could have you serving up a cracker of a feast for less than five pounds per head!

On the assumption that most Bristol students are within reach of the lavishly stocked Clifton Down Sainsbury’s or its lesser counterpart on Queen’s road, you won’t have to go far afield to find all the necessary components!

The guide allows for some student-friendly shortcuts but be warned that this is not a oneman job so I do advise that you enlist the help of your elves.

Method: Prep: 1. Preheat the oven to 180C. 2. Peel and chop enough potatoes for 6 people, drizzle in olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

3. Peel and chop the carrots, sprouts and broccoli florets and lay them aside.

4. Wrap each chipolata with a rasher of streaky bacon and place in an oven proof dish.

5. Remove your chicken from the packaging, snip the string around the legs and place

Cooking: Place the chicken in a roasting tray, pour in the stock, cover with foil and place in the oven for 1hr.

2. 30 minutes into cooking place the roast potatoes in the oven.

3. After a further 30 minutes, remove the foil from the chicken and drain the juices into a saucepan.

4. Then place the chicken back in the oven for a final 30 minutes until the skin is golden and the bacon rashers are crispy.

5. Along with the chicken, put the pigs in blankets, honey glazed parsnips and stuffing balls into the oven on separate baking trays.

6. Meanwhile, you can begin simmering the meat juices in a saucepan on a low heat adding Bisto granules until you are satisfied with the taste and consistency of the gravy.

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When your chicken has been cooking for an hour and a half remove it from the oven, place the foil back over the tray and allow it to rest for 15 minutes before carving.

Check on your potatoes, parsnips, pigs in blankets and stuffing balls and reduce the oven temperature to keep them warm if they are done, if not, allow them to continue cooking while the chicken rests.

Steam your carrots, sprouts and broccoli for 10 minutes whilst your chicken is resting.

Serving : I find that the best way to serve a roast is to place all the finished dishes in the middle of the table with serving spoons and let people help themselves.

• Transfer the gravy from the pan into a jug and place the Yorkshire puddings in the oven for five minutes whilst you arrange all the hot dishes on the table and frantically hand out Bucks Fizz and crackers!

• Whilst you tuck in to your bargain Christmas dinner you’ll all concur that chicken is in fact tastier than turkey anyway and the crappy cracker prizes will seem all the more entertaining when you realise that they were the ‘luxury’ version. You probably won’t have room for the yule log but you will certainly have a go, after all, you have contributed a full £4.48 and are determined to get your money’s worth.

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Holly Penhale Deputy Food Editor

11.12.17

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Best roast in Bristol

Food Editor Jane Cowie suggests the top spots for you and your flat to get in the christmas spirit

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Epigram / Jane Cowie

Exuding a comforting atmosphere means the food can be one thing: wholesome

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They have different menus for breakfast, lunch, Sunday lunch and dinner. For a Sunday Lunch, you’ll be looking at £15.50 for one course, £21.50 for two, or £25.50 for three. You can choose between Dry Aged Sirloin, Lamb Saddle, Pork Belly, Confit Boar Pork Belly and many more. If you are vegetarian you have the sole option of a Mixed Nut Roast Wellington, whilst this does sound appetising, does not offer vegetarians a huge variety.

Pros: Proximity - The Cowshed is located slapbang in the middle of Whiteladies Road, so wherever you reside (presumably the student-filled Redland or Clifton), it will not be too far out of your way.

Cons: Price - With prices for a Sunday Lunch starting at £15.50, you’ve got to be prepared to fork out for this one. However, if you are looking at curbing in your finances, you can go for a standard lunch which starts at £9.95 for one course.

hand.

Exuding a comforting atmosphere means the food can only be one thing: wholesome. Their ‘Winter Menu’ offers Sharing platters, ideal for a large group, which includes homemade hummus, Buxton’s sausage roll, pork crackling, mixed olives and bread for £12.50.

The mains are comprised with a variety of British favourite: beer battered fish and chips (£12.95), trio of Cumberland sausages with potatoes and seasonal veg (£10.95), and of course, the classic Steak and Chips (£13.95-22.95, depending on the cut). For their Sunday Lunch, which runs from 12 - 4, you may choose between beef, pork, chicken or nut roast, and opt for any extra roasties, Yorkshire puds, or caulicheese, depending on your heart’s desire. Each plate comes to £14.95.

Pros: Guaranteed quality - the Albion is named the best in Bristol and was shortlisted for a national award.

Cons: Cost - the Albion is aimed at a higher class of customer, which you sense from its location, the décor, and the phenomenal variety on their wine list, which means you will be paying a fair whack.

The Canteen Moving over to Gloucester Road, The Canteen boasts delectable quality and a variety of food that would be perfect for your flat’s Christmas dinner. And hey, since you are there anyway, you could even just take yourselves to The Love Inn or Crofters Rights after you are done.

The Sunday service runs from 12 - 5pm, and dinner runs from 5 - 10pm. Their seasonal menu changes daily, depending on the availability of ingredients

The Albion The Albion is a quaint little pub tucked away in the busy streets of Clifton Village, which is normally heaving with people. The Albion dates to the 17th Century, is a Grade 2 listed building, and is a former coaching inn, styled with artful and traditional décor.

The Albion has a cosy and warming feel - not only does it have the most majestic fireplaces as you enter, but also has outdoor heaters should you feel brave enough to sit outside caressing your mulled wine in

Epigram / Jane Cowie

As part of the Christmas spirit, it is a wellestablished tradition that many students choose to go out for their own Christmas dinner with their flat.

Put aside your passive aggressive frustrations over who forgot to put the bins out, and those who never seem to do their washing up, and just spend the night out with your pals. After all, they are the ones who put up with you at your best and your worst.

At least if you go out for dinner, there is no need to argue over who did the bulk of the cooking, and who is left to scrub the greasy pans clean.

Use this as your chance to exchange your ‘Secret Santa’ gifts, in which you can mask your disappointment of receiving eclectic, pointless gifts bought from Tiger, by snaffling down a gravy-coated Yorkshire pudding just in the nick of time.

I have put together a pick of some of the best places you should get yourselves and your flat down to, so you may celebrate Christmas over the delights of an indulgent and comforting, mouth-wateringly good meal.

The Cowshed The Cowshed is a notorious institution for all meatlovers alike. It opened in 2009 by Adam Denton, on the convenient Whiteladies Road, who wanted to combine ‘An informal setting with an emphasis on quality, local produce’. Their ethos is respectable and inspiring: they want to provide quality, locally sourced food to keep their customers happy. And boy, do they do that. Just next door is their own butcher shop, Ruby and White. All their meat comes from here, and they ensure consistently high quality.

from their local suppliers. Expect a variety of anything from slow cooked pork stew, homemade fresh curries, Cornish fish or Moules Frites. To make things even better, all mains are served with soup and bread.

Pros: Variety for all different types of dietary requirements, at reasonable prices, too (£8-9 for a main).

Cons: If you are looking for a cosy atmosphere, the Canteen has a very different vibe to warming fireplaces and comfortable sofas. But that doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing: just a matter of taste.

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Christmas is coming. The bright days become night at just 4 o’clock. We find it increasingly necessary to heat ourselves with layers upon layers of clothing, and there seems to be a joyous, festive cheer in the air.

Whether that be due to the anticipation of the inordinate amount of comfort food we are soon to consume; the merriment of festivities and glistening fairy lights that seem to light up each street corner with magnificence; or merely because we are all soon to be free from university for a well-deserved break; we all sense that Winter has encroached upon us.

Extra roasties, yorkshire puds, or cauli-cheese, depending on your heart’s desire

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River Cottage Canteen Just up the road from Cowshed, River Cottage Canteen is surely the most famous for their Sunday Roast Dinners. With a similar ethos to Cowshed, wanting to provide good food, using sustainable, local sources, in a comforting and relaxed atmosphere, River Cottage attracts a similarly enormous hoard of customers for their Sunday feasts. They serve freshly prepared seasonal, local, organic food in the 19th Century, Grade 2 listed old church it is located in.

Their meat courses vary between £14.50 and £17.50, and just one glance at the menu is enough to make your knees buckle. If ‘chargrilled saddleback belly & chop, pickled red cabbage, molasses and beans’ doesn’t get you doing, I don’t know what will.

The vegetarian dishes are £12- 12.50, and there is a variety from split pea dhal, bean & parsnip stew, to pumpkin & walnut patties.

Pros: Similar to the Cowshed, but offer cheaper deals! They offer a 2 course lunch from Mon- Fri for just £10.95.

Cons: You have probably been here a few times already when you have dragged your parents out for lunch. Make sure you try something new - there certainly is enough variety.

Jane Cowie Food Editor

Seasonal eating for December

Immy Birkett suggests some delicious seasonal veg to healthify your christmas break interesting flavour that drop by the wayside: celeriac and Jerusalem artichoke, for example, are two of my personal favourites that I think can really make a dish.

The celeriac, with its earthy, nutty taste is a fantastic base for a rich meat dish, whether it be served mashed or roasted in chunks with some garlic and fresh thyme. Or opt for a celeriac remoulade, an unusual but punchy side dish resembling coleslaw.

Also very earthy in flavour, the Jerusalem artichoke has a unique sweetness to it that is brought out beautifully when they are caramelised in butter. For a crowd-pleasing starter for a Christmassy dinner party, roast these and blend them into a thick soup and serve with a dash of cream or a sprinkling of crispy bacon.

And why should apples, pears and cranberries dominate our selection of fruity accompaniments to our festive feasts? I believe the clementine and the pomegranate deserve some recognition when it comes to creating some classy dinner party dishes.

A beautifully fresh starter to an indulgent banquet could be a clementine salad: throw slices of the fruit in with roasted fennel, mozzarella and some candied walnuts. Or, to end the dinner on a high, rustle up some chocolate truffles with a squeeze of clementine juice to add a bit of sharpness to this sweet treat. This citrus fruit accompanies the bursting flavour of the pomegranate excellently. For a lighter dessert after a

heavy main, smother a pavlova with whipped double cream and top with pomegranate seeds and boozy clementine slices.

So why not try something different this year?

I mean not to insist that you alter your traditional Christmas dinner and opt for celeriac and Jerusalem artichokes over parsnips and carrots. I certainly will not be doing so. But if you find yourself gathering family and friends for some festive fun and food, why not mix it up and go for something unconventional that will have your loved ones asking questions. You may just surprise yourself.

Pomegranate Chicken Recipe Serves 4 Ingredients: 1 large red onion, sliced Large knob of butter Tbsp dark brown sugar 4 chicken breasts, cut into strips 100g pomegranate seeds 190ml pomegranate juice, unsweetened 2 tbsp harissa paste ½ chicken stock cube 100g flaked almonds Bunch of fresh mint, chopped 150g couscous/basmati rice

Method: Caramelise the sliced red onion with the butter and sugar on low heat for 15-20 minutes 2. Add some olive oil and turn up the heat to medium. Add the chicken strips and cook until both sides gain some colour.

3. Add the pomegranate juice, harissa paste and crumbled ½ chicken stock cube to the pan and simmer for 10 minutes, or until the liquid starts to thicken.

4. Meanwhile, cook your rice or couscous according to the packet instructions.

5. Add the pomegranate seeds to the chicken pan when the sauce is thick.

6. Stir the almonds and the chopped mint through the couscous/rice.

7. Serve, with a dollop of natural yoghurt.

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Epigram / Jane Cowie

I love how the build up to Christmas comes in very gradual stages. The sweet suspense makes it all the more special when the glorious 25th of December is actually upon us. To start with, we’re hit with the long-awaited John Lewis Christmas advert in midNovember, then an array of Christmassy delights starts to adorn the shop window displays and before we can stop ourselves, we’ve watched Love Actually seven times and eaten half our Advent calendar before December has even arrived. But it’s finally here, and with this season of celebration comes a season of delicious wintery produce that is yearning to be used in our festive cookery.

Of course, we are all well aware of the Christmas dinner fruit and veg regulars that, year upon year, take the starring roles: how could a Christmas dinner plate be complete without a scattering of Brussels sprouts, a pile of crispy roast potatoes, a stack of parsnips and carrots, and a heap of cranberry sauce?

Admittedly, as creatures of tradition, my family and I very rarely veer off our usual course when it comes to what we include in our Christmas day roast, but that is not to say that we should disregard all the other fresh and delicious produce available to us that is so perfectly ripe and ready to use at this time of year. What of the unsung heroes?

Alongside the common root vegetables that we use, there are others with arguably more intense and

Immy Birkett Third Year, English

11.12.17

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Roast chicken 4 ways

Lucy Staite suggests four different ways to make the most of your roast chicken leftovers

Epigram / Jane Cowie

Unsplash / Calum Lewis

Chicken and stuffing sandwich When you’ve got stuff left over from the roast use it up in sandwiches to take to uni, so you can scare your friends with how efficient your being when you get out your smug little Tupperware of goodness. No meal deals here.

• Brown bread • Mayo • Slices of chicken • Stuffing • Roasted carrots

Thai green chicken curry Serves 3 Ingredients: A good handful of chicken meat, best to use any darker meat from the thighs or legs here 1 tbsp vegetable oil 2-3 tbsp of ready-made thai green curry paste 1 onion, chopped 400ml tin coconut milk 2 tbsp of Thai fish sauce 2 mixed colour peppers Green beans (you can buy these frozen) 1 tbsp sugar Salt and pepper Rice (1 mug for 2 people) Method: Chop the onion and peppers.

Heat the oil in a wok over a high heat until smoking. Add the green curry paste and stir fry for 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant.

3. Sweat the onion, then fry the peppers until tender.

4. Add chicken strips and stir until coated in the curry paste and stir-fry for 1-2 minutes.

5. Add the coconut milk, fish sauce and sugar and stir well. Bring the mixture to the boil, then reduce the heat until the mixture is simmering. Continue to simmer for 8-10 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.

6. In this time cook the rice- 1 mug of rice to 2 mugs of boiling water.

7. Add the green beans and continue to simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring regularly, until just tender. Season with salt and pepper.

8. To serve, spoon the rice into four serving bowls, then ladle over the Thai green chicken curry.

9. Sprinkle over the coriander leaves if feeling decadent.

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Epigram / Jane Cowie

One Pan Roast Dinner Serves 1 lonely student / 4 hungry housemates Ingredients: ½ kg chicken 1 lemon, halved 50g softened butter 2 tsp dried mixed herbs, and/or some fresh ones if you’re feeling luxurious 3 garlic cloves 750g potatoes, chopped into roastie size About 7 carrots, about 500g, chopped 2 tbsp olive oil 100g frozen peas 300ml chicken stock 1 tsp Marmite Nice extras: Packet of stuffing Yorkshire puddings

Method: 1. Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7.

2. Snip the string or elastic off the chicken if it’s tied up, then place in a big roasting tin.

Shove the lemon halves into the cavity and fresh herbs.

3. Rub the butter, herbs and seasoning all over the chicken.

4. Chop the garlic into thin slivers. Make slits in the breast meat and poke the garlic into the holes.

5. Put the potatoes and carrots around it, drizzle everything with oil, season and toss together.

6. Roast for 20 mins, then turn the oven down to 200C/180C fan/gas 6 and roast for 50 mins more.

7. In this time make the stuffing following packet instructions - it usually takes 30 minutes to cook.

8. Put the Yorkshires in the oven/ make the Yorkshire pudding batter (if you are making it put some oil in some cupcake tins to heat up in the meantime).

9. After the 50 minutes, stir the peas, stock and Marmite into the veg in the chicken tin, then return to the oven for 10 mins more.

Flickr / Rooey2002

Cold snap getting you down? Wanting Sunday to come just so the week can be over and you can justify a phat roast to eat your own bodyweight, pass out from fullness, and avoid those encroaching deadlines. Look no further.

Sometimes I cook up a chick (slang, I am not cooking up actual chicks, don’t eat me vegans and veggies) for my house.

Sometimes my housemates have witnessed me making a roast for one, complete with Yorkshires, for lack of friends, boyfriend, acquaintances to share it with. Grab a biscuit, because Winter is coming and it is time to phatten up, and I will teach you how - roast dinner style.

This recipe is super easy, takes one tray (great for when everything else is dirty in the sink), and you can make it extravagant with the trimmings.

The aim is to then live cheaply the following week by using up the leftovers, like they used to do back in the day. Also, for those ‘flexitarians’ out there, or those struggling with the guilt of buying meat, this is a good way to justify it - by eating the whole animal you’re being efficient and appreciating the whole thing.

Chicken and pea risotto Serves 4 Ingredients: 2 tbsp mild olive oil 1 onion, cut in half, chopped 2 garlic cloves, grated 250g/9oz arborio risotto rice 1 litre/1¾ pints chicken stock cube, made with 1 stock cube 250g/9oz cooked leftover chicken, skin removed, cut into small pieces 200g/7oz frozen peas 75g/2¾oz Grana Padano or other hard Italianstyle cheese, finely grated 25g/1oz butter Freshly ground black pepper Method: Heat the oil in a large, non-stick saucepan over a medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and fry for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and just beginning to colour.

2. Add the risotto rice to the pan and stir well for 30-40 seconds, until the oil has coated the grains of rice.

3. Pour in half of the wine and allow to bubble for 30-40 seconds, then add all of the stock and bring to the boil, stirring well. Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently, until the rice is almost tender and the risotto is creamy in appearance.

4. Stir in the remaining chicken and the frozen peas, then continue to cook, stirring constantly, for a further 4-5 minutes, or until the chicken and peas are heated through and the rice is tender with a slight bite.

5. Remove the pan from the heat, then stir in the butter and cheese.

6. Season with black pepper.

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Best cocktail bars in Bristol

Lucy Staite Third Year, Geography

Chloe Bidgood offers up a pick of her favourite cocktail bars in Bristol

The Indulgent one: Hausbar 52 Upper Belgrave Rd, Bristol BS8 2XP Another one of those elusive ‘secret’ bars dotted around Bristol, Hausbar is definitely the kind of place you go after the loan has come in/ it’s the end of the year so you may as well spend all of your money anyway.

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The one when you don’t want the night to end: Bar 135 135 Whiteladies Rd, Clifton, Bristol BS8 2PL Conveniently situated on Whiteladies and open until 3am, this place is a great setting for when the pub just is not enough and the weekend must go on. The space is small and intimate, accompanied by consistently good music which I would definitely not shy away dancing along to after too many cocktails on a Friday night.

Boasting an interesting list of cocktails, including the Chilli & Lychee Martini (which is actually surprisingly hot) – Bar 135 offers a unique take on

classic cocktail selections. If you are not already sold, they have a 2 for £10 cocktail deal every day of the week from 7-10pm, perfect for when the library gets a bit too much.

Perfect for when the library gets too much

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Mysteriously located down some steps at the top of Whiteladies, the intimate layout and table service makes you feel like you’re in a trendy exclusive bar somewhere in London, not a basement at the top of Whiteladies.

The guy behind the bar definitely knows what

he’s doing (who lets you in after you ring the doorbell), which is no surprise given they offer an extensive book of cocktails to choose from. Sadly, no deals for this one, but it is well worth a try if you’re feeling spendy.

The cute one: Amoeba 10 King’s Rd, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4AB Tucked away just behind the infamous brunch spots in Clifton, this place offers a sanctuary amongst the hustle and bustle of tourists passing through other Clifton haunts. Blankets, fairy lights, cushions and heaters fill up the halfcovered outside area, providing the perfect spot for unwinding with your pals.

Serving cocktails in cinnamon smoked glasses and using interesting ingredients such as marmalade vodka and egg white, Amoeba offers a unique experience away from the usual drinking spots. Even better, they offer two cocktails for £11 every day of the week until 9pm, so there’s even fewer reasons to miss out on going to Clifton’s best kept secret.

The convenient one: Brace & Browns 43 Whiteladies Rd, Bristol BS8 2LS It is easy to be drawn in to the fairy lights adorning the outside of Brace & Browns, which is pretty much on the way home for a lot of us students. Again, quite intimate, but the heated, fairy-lit outside makes for a laidback casual setting.

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Bristol is not short of good cocktail bars, but they can easily be overlooked when there is a £2 glass of wine waiting for you at Spoons. With so many independent options, it would be a shame to miss out on the unique cocktail and atmosphere coupling that these places offer - and with the festive season almost in full swing, there is even more reason to go for a casual (or not) mid-week cocktail!

Blankets, fairy-lights, cushions and heaters provide the perfect spot for you and your pals

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The cocktails on offer are timeless classics, as well as wines and beers, so there is bound to be something for everyone. As well as this, you can get 2 for 1 cocktails 4-7pm Monday - Thursday, and all night on Tuesdays (who needs Lolas?), perfectly timed after a long day at uni. Major plus: they also do a bottomless prosecco brunch.

Chloe Bidgood Third Year, Geography

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@epigramstyle

@e2style

11.12.2017

Online Editor Hannah Worthington

Deputy Editor Lottie Moore

Editor Nancy Serle style@epigram.org.uk

Epigram Style 2017/18

Ten stocking fillers under £10 Style editor Nancy Serle suggests 10 items that are perfect for a low budget secret Santa gift or to fill up a Christmas stocking Pocket Coco Chanel Wisdom Urban Outfitters £5.99 ‘The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud’.’ For those in need of more inspirational quotes and witty quips, this pocket book of Coco Chanel’s most famous lines is the perfect present

Earrings H&M £5.99 These gorgeous sparkly earrings from H & M are a bargain at only £5.99.

These are perfect for any friend who is already thinking about what to wear for new years!

Pixapet Urban Outfitters £10 Revive your childhood and the noughties with Urban Outfitters’ super cute pixapets, at bang on a tenner it’s a fabulous little stocking filler for housemates missing their pets at uni!

Letter Stocking Paperchase £10

Unicorn Socks Topshop £3.50 It obviously wouldn’t be Christmas without a good old pair of socks. These festive 3D unicorns from Topshop at just £3.50 are great for those cold winter nights.

Mermaid Colouring Book ASOS £4.99 This is one for those prone to procrastination. The Keep Calm & Colour range sold at ASOS also comes in Cats, Cacti and Unicorns!

ZARA Purfume ZARA £9.99 ZARA does a fantastic perfume range that rivals the likes of Chanel and Dior. This 100ml bottle for just under a tenner smells great and is great for a stocking filler or Secret Santa gift!

Shower Queen ASOS £5.50 We all have those days where we just can’t be bothered to wash our hair. Make sure your friends can shower in style by gifting them this sassy shower cap!

Giant Wine Glass MenKind £9.99 Ok, so this gift definitely won’t fit in a stocking but who wouldn’t want a wine glass that fits 852ml?! That’s more than a whole bottle - perfect for new year’s pre drinks!

Apple Candle New Look £6.99 New Look have a great range of candles all reduced in time for Christmas. This particular one has a gorgeous apple spice aroma with a rose gold metallic casing.

Personalised Coaster Not on the Highstreet £9 This gorgeous marble coaster from online retailer Not on the Highstreet is the perfect gift if you want to add a personal touch!

Ho ho how about a new Christmas Jumper?

‘Tis the season to get yourself down to Cabot Circus and purchase a new Christmas jumper. Deputy style editor Lottie Moore shares her favourite picks for the festive season

Primark £14

H&M £17.99

Surprisingly tasteful for Primark- a subtle nod to Christmas

The kids will definitely be convinced you are the real Santa with this one

Snowflake image - microsoft

11.12.2017

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Deck the halls (or student housing) The style team share their views on the best decorations and acessories that are perfect for bringing a Christmas vibe to your student space

Not On The Highstreet £4.95 Nancy: ‘I got one of these as part of a Secret Santa gift this year - I always get personalised items from Not On The Highstreet to give as gifts as it adds such a nice personal touch.’

Urban Outfitters £12 Lottie: ‘A quirky take on Christmas, what is defined as a Christmas decoration is much broader these days!’

Urban Outfitters £14 Nancy: ‘I would not normally pay this much for decorations, but I saw these and couldn’t resist!’

Vinegar Hill £3.99 Lottie: ‘A little too blingy for me...’

Wilko £1.50 Hannah: ‘I love this - good enough to eat?’

John Lewis £8 Hannah: ‘For just £8, this cute gingerbread bunting will look great in my student house.’

Not On The Highstreet £4 Lottie: ‘Personalised gifts are the perfect presents - it looks like you’ve made a bit more effort.’

The Range £5.49 Hannah: ‘A communal house calender. The perfect, communal way to count down to Christmas - much cheaper.’

Primark £7

Monki £20

Pull and Bear £39.99

New Look £15.99

Being a sweatshirt, this jumper is much less itchy than your average Christmas jumper

A festive interpretation of a Fairisle jumper- understated and pretty

Tasteful and cosy, the perfect Christmas jumper that can be worn all year round

A dubious copy of a Bella Freud jumper…

Lottie Moore Deputy Style Editor

Editor Nick Bloom travel@epigram.org.uk

30

@EpigramTravel

Deputy Editor Evy Tang

Online Editor Ellie Caulfield

@epigram_travel

11.12.2017

Epigram Travel Section 2017/8

Christmas around the world!

Multinational Bristol students and international students transport us to every corner of the globe to find out a little bit more about how they celebrate Christmas, if at all...

Northern Ireland Christmas for me is spent in my holiday cottage on the north coast of Ireland by the Giant’s Causeway. A Christmas Eve walk along the coast of the headland, before heading to the local pub with everyone for pints of Guiness. Here we listen to a live folk band that have a tradition of playing all the Christmas classics in Irish. Christmas morning is spent on the beach - there are even those who dare to take on the annual swim - but most are content to walk off a hearty Christmas lunch!

Sophie Dalzell Masters, International Law and IR

Russia

Spain

The 25th of December is an average day for Russians; all because Christmas in our country – as well as in Georgia, Ethiopia and other countries following the Julian Calendar – is celebrated on the 7th of January. A truly religious celebration, nevertheless influenced by the traditions of Russia’s pagan past, Christmas is still being “reborn” nationally after years of an atheist Soviet regime.

A comparable festival in scale and spirit to Western Christmas would be Russian New Year, when families gather at the dinner table – on which you will doubtlessly find a cult ‘olivier’ salad – next to the carefully-decorated Christmas (or New Year, in this case?) tree, under which as a child I used to sneakily, but fruitlessly, wait all night to see Father Frost and his granddaughter bringing my presents. The dinner lasts until midnight, after which festivities start. And if we Russians have not had enough with one New Year, we will have another, ‘Old New Year’two weeks later (yet another confusing tradition based on the differences in calendars – which we, however, happily embrace as another excuse to have a good celebration)!

In Spain, Christmas begins on the 22nd of December with the national lottery called ‘El Gordo’. I remember sitting down with my grandma for hours to see which numbers were chosen - it is a very complicated system which I have yet to fully to grasp the concept of! On the 25th of December, we all go to church with my grandma. It is a very religious day, where only small gifts are exchanged. However, the big day of celebration in my house is the 6th of January when the “Three Kings” arrive. Just before dinner, we all go down to the town square where three men dress up as the Three Kings - Melchior, Balthasar and Gaspar. There, they give a speech to the children about the importance of behaving well.

Once we return home, we search grandma’s house to look for presents, as it was customary in my house for the ‘Three Kings’ to hide their gifts. The worst-behaved member of the family is always given a piece of coal from the ‘Three Kings’. I have to say that I have been the unfortunate recipient on numerous occasions!

Olesya Dovgalyuk Third Year, International Relations and Affairs

Poland Traditional Polish Christmas celebrations are centred around Christmas Eve, where we open presents after food. It’s traditional to eat some sort of fish for the main course, with beetroot soup as a starter.

Marzenka Opalinska Second Year, Law

Iran

India Christmas is certainly a festival that I wait all year round for even though I’m a Hindu. In fact, most kids here in Mumbai are influenced by Hollywood movies and ask for gifts from Santa! It’s not really about religion but the idea and the magnificent ambience that sweeps the whole of Mumbai around midnight. I attend mass with my friends, break bread, sip wine and recall adventures over plum cake. Though there’s no religious motive or binding behind this midnight ebullience, it’s about the long-awaited gatherings beside plastic Christmas trees or terrace-top campfires in the spirit of Christmas - that there’s a messiah born in all of us each year. That’s my perception of Christmas; a hope that there’s someone to save you, always.

Vihang Jumle Information of Technology Engineering, University of Mumbai

In Austria, the main Christmas celebrations take place on Christmas Eve. The Christmas tree is brought in and decorated with candles, sparklers and sweets for the children. Austrian children don’t get presents from Santa Claus; they believe in the so-called ‘Christkind’ which is usually described as a winged baby with golden curls, who represents the newborn Jesus Christ. Some children believe that the ‘Christkind’ also decorates the tree.

Families with children go to the children’s mass at 4pm in the afternoon to collect the Peace Light of Bethlehem and carry it home in a lantern. The Peace Light of Bethlehem is a programme that was founded thirty years ago in Austria to raise funds for handicapped children. Each year, a child from Upper Austria travels to Bethlehem to light a candle from the ‘Eternal Flame’ in the Nativity Grotto where Jesus was born. The light is then flown to Austria from where it is distributed to many countries as a message of peace.

Other families go to the mass at midnight and collect the Peace Light there. If children still believe in the ‘Christkind’ they have to wait outside the room where the Christmas tree is placed so that the parents can light the candles and put the presents under the tree. As soon as they have finished, they will ring a tiny bell to signal that the children are allowed to enter.

Before opening the presents it is common to sing Christmas carols or play instruments. The most popular Christmas carol is ‘Stille Nacht’ (Silent Night), which was written in Austria in the 19th century.

After opening the presents, the Christmas meal is eaten.

There is not one traditional dish that is the same in every family. Usually, it is sausages with Sauerkraut or fried carp but some families also eat raclette, turkey or roast goose. There is also no traditional Christmas pudding like in England. Usually, Austrians eat Christmas cookies after the main dish, washed down with a little champagne.

Miriam Klampferer Teacher, English, German and Philosophy Epigram /

Amin Farjadi Third Year, Mechanical Engineering

Epigram / Evy Tang

Christmas has no religious or cultural significance for me. However, that does not mean that I do not get excited for it. As a nonChristian Iranian, we celebrate our new year, Nowrouz, at the start of the spring (March 20th) – a Zoroastrian tradition kept alive in numerous countries that were in the Persian Empire.

Christmas does not mean getting presents or family gatherings for me, but it is a good excuse to be part of the society’s festivity and, more importantly, holidays! I spend my Christmas travelling, celebrating and, thanks to the January exams, studying.

Austria

Carlos Sadler Third Year, Politics

Japan

Australia Seafood, barbecued meats, salads and pavlova (dessert) are usually on the menu for an Australian summer meal!

Melissa Liberatore Masters, Journalism

Since Japan is a largely Shinto/Buddhist country, Christmas is a depressingly insignificant affair for the Japanese. In fact, Christmas dinner 2015 involved Ramen at a motorway service station, which, on any normal day, would have been the dream, but frankly, all my family wanted was Turkey, cranberry sauce, roast potatoes - the whole (Western) shebang.

In Japan, New Year is the important one. So in keeping with the British and Japanese sides of our family, we’ll be doing both this year. For New Year’s Eve in Japan, one would typically go to the temple to get blessings for the New Year. My family goes to church to do the same thing, and January 1st is Christmas round two!

Marie Williams Fourth Year, French and Theatre

11.12.2017

31

Exclusive Epigram Q&A: Best place you’ve been to this year and why?

”

Online Travel Editor Ellie Caulfield asks the Epigram team to choose their top travel destinations All images in this article: Epigram / Epigram editors

A

B

Mexico has a very special place in my heart

¡Costa Rica!

”

C

Costa Rica is a place rich in both culture and nature. I saw every animal I could dream of, and surfing in the sunset was pretty cool!

Myanmar!

Women and men alike, draped in their patterned longi, shuffle barefoot across the dusty streets towards towering temples and gleaming spires. The Land of the Golden Pagodas is awe-inspiring - don’t miss out!

Noa Leach Co-editor in Chief

D

South Africa!

The sprawling game reserves and metropolitan cities make South Africa one of my favourite places in the world. Not only can you meet people from every walk of life but the stunning scenery and diverse towns make it one of the best places to explore. The people are really lovely and the food is amazing which also helps!

Nick Bloom Travel Editor

One of the best ways to travel whilst at university is to visit friends on their year abroad! I went to Paris for a weekend to do just that last spring.

It’s a great way to see close friends (who can act as tour guides and translators, too) and to explore new cultures. Plus, you save shed-loads on accommodation.

We went up the Eiffel Tower one night - where I received messages relaying SU election results (Get Lucky, Vote Dube), rocked a boat party on the Seine another night, and caught a hundred-minute 6 Nations game, France v Scotland, in between. Magnifique!

Johnny Thalassites Ex-Living Editor

E

Ellie Chesshire Letters Editor

G Budapest!

If you’re looking for a quick getaway to fit the interests of five very different best friends, look no further than the Hungarian paradise Budapest. Historical sites? Check. Beautiful bridges to rival Clifton’s? Check. Delectable cuisine? Check. Flammable shots and rolling home at 5am laughing so much you’re crying and weeing a bit? Big fat check. All this, and it’s cheap as chips.

Georgia Marsh Online Editor

F

”

Paris!

If you’re looking for a quick getaway, look no further than the Hungarian paradise Budapest

Beijing! ¡Mexico!

Mexico - It simply has everything. White-sand beaches, towering Mayan ruins deep in the jungle, world-famous art museums, Aztec pyramids, the wildest fiestas, tequila, and food to die for. Not to mention some of the friendliest, loveliest people I’ve ever met, who made me feel at home even though I had poor Spanish, and was 5000 miles away from everyone I know. Mexico, and Mexicans have a very special place in my heart!

”

I suppose that Beijing is a bit of an odd choice. The restrictions on social media, the constant smog and the perplexing smell that won’t leave your nose for days won’t float everyone’s boat. Nevertheless, Beijing is rich with culture, history and amazing architecture. The food is some of the best (and strangest) I’ve ever tried, and you become pretty nifty at charades with all the practice you get acting out where you want to go to a perplexedlooking Chinese shop owner.

Sarah Roller Online Food Editor

Ellie Caulfield Online Travel Editor

PHOTO COMPETITION! Can you guess where these places are?

Comment your answers onto an epigram_travel Instagram post to be featured in our next edition!

Not all disabilities are visible My name is ZoÍ. I’m President of the SU’s Peace of Mind Society, and Chair of the Disabled Students’ Network.

This year, one of the aims of Bristol SU’s Disabled Students’ Network is to humanise and diversify perceptions of disability. Most of the time, when people think of disability, they think of someone who uses a wheelchair, or someone who’s visually impaired.

The reality is that disabilities come in many different forms, which can affect people in a variety of ways.

Mobility, audio or visual impairments, OHDUQLQJ GLIÀFXOWLHV QHXURDW\SLFDOLWLHV such as autism, and any long-term illness (including mental illness) that lasts longer than a period of twelve PRQWKV DUH DOO GHÀQHG DV GLVDELOLWLHV by the SU – and this is by no means an extensive list.

The Disabled Students’ Network plan to challenge stereotypes of disabilities by issuing a two-part campaign on disability.

7KH Ă€UVW SDUW LV D SRVWHU FDPSDLJQ RQ invisible disabilities. We’ve placed posters around the University with different “mythsâ€? about invisible disabilities. This campaign aims to remind students that they don’t know what their peers might be going through and not to judge a book by its cover, so to speak.

The second part is a “Humans of New York� style photo campaign, with disabled students from across the university taking part. This campaign will take place across Facebook, Twitter, and the Bristol SU website.

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reclaim the night march

Wellbeing over the holidays!

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Epigram

11.12.2017

Film & TV

filmandtv@epigram.org.uk Editor: Charlie Gearon Deputy Editor: Gabi Spiro @GearonCharlie

@GabiSpiro

@epigramfilm

Online: Tim Bustin Deputy Online: AshleyYonga @timbustin1

@ashyonga

The best films of 2017, as voted for by Epigram readers The results of our end of year poll are in, and the Film & TV team write up the best of the best

Watershed / Tommy Curtis

2) Call Me By Your Name

Charlie Gearon & Tim Bustin Film & TV Editors

Flickr / BagoGames

Tommy Curtis / Watershed

Getty Images

Readers can find subjective end of year film lists in essentially any publication which writes about film. It would have been easy for us here at Epigram to cobble together our personal favourites: we’ve seen enough films, and certainly have our opinions.

Rather than contribute to the plethora of such lists, though, we thought we’d take a different approach. We asked you, the Epigram readers, what you thought. We received over 100 votes, and the results are in. So without further ado, here are the 5 best films of the year, as voted by Bristol students.

Call Me By Your Name is a rare kind of film: a film which the entertainment industry should take note of, and learn from. Call Me By Your Name is a gay romance in which homosexuality is not something to be feared, but rather a treasure to be held on to. Following the events of one Italian summer, in which 17-yearold Elio (played superbly by Timothée Chamalet) falls for a slightly older man (Armie Hammer) – a grad-student who has come to work for Elio’s father. The film thrives and succeeds entirely through its use of subtext. Every single interaction, be it a stolen glance, a timid smile, or a bashful aversion of the eyes, betrays an intense passion constantly bubbling beneath the surface. A wonderful and memorable romance.

Christopher Nolan’s retelling of the evacuation of Dunkirk is by no means an archetypal war film. Little attention is given to the emotional impact of the events on individual soldiers and civillians.

Instead, it zooms out from personal tragedy and focuses on the wide-scale disregard for human life which war itself leads to. Nolan opts for an all-out bombardment on the audience. A near-constant barrage of screaming jets, cascading bombs and muted screams punctuate every moment of the film, made all the more tense and impactful by the stellar sound-design and Hans Zimmer’s driving, relentless score. It avoids the sentimentality which many war films fall back on, instead attempting to give an accurate and challenging

4) Baby Driver 70mph down the motorway; your handpicked blues, funk and rock soundtrack blaring. In a Sunday afternoon fantasy, the cops are on your tail; you bang on the steering wheel, rocking out and try to shift gears in union with the beat of the song. We’ve all been there – but now Edgar Wright has perfectly stylised it, cranked it up to 11, and filmed it as a high-octane heist-caper. Baby Driver is utterly pure. The choreography is beautiful down to a T; the innocence of protagonist Baby, trying to do his best in an inescapable crime world, is charming; every shot is filled with style as homage to music and old Hollywood movies and the soundtrack is just joy. It’s his simplest film in terms of plot, but that allows the film room to spread its technical wings to their fullest, and the stereotypes still twist in typical, smart Wright fashion.

5) Get Out

Watershed / Tommy Curtis

3) Dunkirk

Flickr / BagoGames

1)Blade Runner: 2049 Top of the pile is Blade Runner: 2049. Denis Villeneuve’s sequel to Ridley Scott’s original 1982 cult masterpiece is, by all accounts, a work of visual art. A variety of landscapes, from oppressively orange, Mad Max-esque deserts, to the claustrophobic neon metropolis of a fictionalised Los Angeles, as well as Roger Deakin’s sharp and deliberate cinematography, give the film an eerie and transcendent beauty.

But the film’s effectiveness extends far beyond its good looks.

It functions perfectly as a slow-burning yet impeccably paced meditation on what it means to be human. A somewhat lacklustre box-office performance seems to hint at the fact that many viewers were unwilling to invest the 165 minutes required of them. And maybe they were right – this is by no means a traditional blockbuster.

But neither was its predecessor. It is destined for greater things, and will likely be remembered as a science-fiction classic in years to come. It is a worthy successor to the original Blade Runner and a perfect example of a sequel done right.

representation of the sheer chaos and brutality of warfare. At times difficult to watch, but infinitely worth-while, Dunkirk is perhaps the most innovative and original war-film of the 21st Century.

Smartly twisting the tropes of horror for its own purposes, Get Out slaps audiences awake by portraying black culture as the horror victim to positive discrimination. The liberal middle-class is unaware of its own villainy, as they celebrate the attributes and physicality of another’s culture by wearing their skin – literally; a gap to realism that’s only a cinematic step and far scarier than jump-scare ghouls could ever be. Jordan Peele utilises his comedy knowhow, delivering a debut that’s tight, tense and brilliant as a horror genre film in its own right, for its directing, pacing and style.

Never before has the fear of visiting your new girlfriend’s parents been so terrifying.

Epigram 11.12.2017

37

If reality TV be the food of love, let’s eat crap Accompanying the latest series of I’m A Celebrity, Jordan Barker discusses why we love to hate trash TV Jordan Barker Living Editor

Twitter / @imacelebrity

I’m a Celebrity has returned, to the joy of mums and Obedient Citizens of the capitalist regime across the UK. It’s back. Again. For another series. How many has it been now? Like survivors of a nuclear holocaust, ‘I can’t remember a time before…’

I used to set my watch to the television schedule. Since being at uni, I’ve had no idea what the state of television would be like.

I suppose, though, a rotting carcass isn’t going to look any better after another three years of wasting away.

So telly’s landscape hasn’t changed much. The first episode of I’m a Celeb drew in an audience of 12 million, the highest in three years. Woo hoo. Open the champage, Ant. Call in the hookers, Dec. Let’s celebrate, for mediocrity reigns supreme.

What’s perhaps just as bad as reality television are articles from hysterical pricks like me telling you just how terrible it is.

Reality TV shouldn’t be judged on the same terms as so-called ‘intellectually-engaging’ telly, like QI or the Andrew Marr Show. It’s like being angry with a three-legged beagle for not winning the Grand National – you’re not comparing like with like.

“

Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, otherwise known as Ant and Dec, presenters of I’m A Celebrity

Why spend time with your own friends when it’s easier to sit back and watch other, wealthier, more attractive people having a good time?

There’s also a tendency to not only treat this kind of televisual diarrhoea with contempt, but also the people who watch it. Now, I love reality TV as much as the next passive, obedient member of this late capitalist society. I don’t think a bit of self-inflicted numbing is bad, which is what shows like I’m a Celeb are there to do.

It’s concerning how dull most of them are. Like Made in Chelsea, or Keeping Up with the Kardashians. Why spend time with your own

friends when it’s easier to sit back and watch other, wealthier, more attractive people having a good time? Their dramas become our dramas, their heartache is our heartache. And though our own interior lives and the real relationships we have with other people are far more interesting, there’s still a desire for this kind of slop.

And yet these people are treated like idols. When, in fact, they’re just parasites, feeding off people’s insecurities, their loneliness.

These shows take advantage of the isolation and loss of community many people have felt since the beginning of this century. Perhaps it’s time to revamp an old Marxist term – without wanting to be accused of being some kind of social justice fanatic – and admit that reality TV is a product of alienation.

That being said, these shows also play an important role in revealing the true, inner self that celebrities often keep well hidden.

Even better when it’s a politician.

For some reason, Kezia Dugdale thought it’d be a good idea to feature on I’m a Celeb, and I can only imagine she has her

constituency’s best interests at heart. Of course, she’s avoided suspension – and rightly so! Because I think everyone who believes in the Socialist dream knows that what this country really needs – with far-right populism sweeping Europe, the persistence of austerity, the degradation of the working class, etc. – is to see Dugdale munching on a Kangaroo cock. Taxpayers’ money well spent!

Apparently, producers are unhappy with her performance.

Really, I’m delighted. It just goes to show that appearing on I’m a Celeb doesn’t bring her closer to ‘the masses’. It does, I suppose, make her seem more human. But only in the sense that some humans are self-serving egomaniacs who insult their employers (i.e. we, The People) by appearing ‘in the Jungle.’

But what is to be done about reality TV? As things stand, it looks like it’s here to stay. With shows like I’m a Celeb, Keeping Up with the Kardashians and Made in Chelsea more popular than ever, there seems to be little hope of it leaving our lives any time soon.

Editors’ Picks

Ho ho ho... the editors’ favourite Christmas films to jingle your bells Wikipedia commons / WFinch

Flickr / Michaeel Gabriel

Wikipedia commons / Lassos the moon

Charlie Gearon

Gabi Spiro

Ashley Yonga

Editor

Deputy Editor

Deputy Online Editor

It’s a Wonderful Life (1951)

The Snowman (1983)

Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)

Alicia Wakeling There’s a certain expectation which lingers over most (though The image of The Snowman has become an iconic Christmas Second Year, not all) Christmas films. A good Christmas movie should be Film twee, & Television symbol. Initially a Channel 4 television release, and based on the sentimental and heart-warming. It’s A Wonderful Life, Frank Capra’s 1946 masterpiece, can’t quite be labelled thus. True, its ending is perhaps one of the most poignant and uplifting of any film ever released, be it a Christmassy or not, but it makes you work for this final uplifting note. James Stewart’s portrayal of George Bailey, a down-on-his-luck banker whose optimistic outlook fails him one Christmas eve after a string of bad luck leaves him destitute and suicidal, is doubtless one of Hollywood’s all time great performances.

His gradual descent into depression is believable and never once melodramatic, making his eventual salvation all the more cathartic.

It’s A Wonderful Life is essential Christmas watching and remains perhaps the greatest example.

children’s picture book of the same name, The Snowman grounds itself in British cinema history. The short film tells the story of a young boy whose snowman comes to life and takes him on various adventures. It features the iconic scene where the pair fly across the sky to the sound of ‘Walking in the Air’, a song which has since become synonymous with Christmas, and cannot be heard without associating the beautifully simple animation. The Snowman is sensitive and charming in its rendering of child-like excitement. Yet the film is enjoyed by children and adults alike, and at twenty-six minutes long and wordless, reaches the widest possible audience.

The Snowman thus brings people together, young and old and of varying nationalities, in the way that good cinema should.

Meet Me in St. Louis is a 1944 musical which focuses on the Smith family during the year leading up to the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, also known as the World’s Fair. While actually only a third of the film takes place at Christmas, the whimsical, old movie charm makes the entire film feel like a Christmas one. Meet Me in St. Louis has all the perfect ingredients for a cherished Christmas classic: a close-knit family, young love and music. This musical was the debut of the classic ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’, sang by the iconic Judy Gardland. Her work in Meet Me in St. Louis is truly enchanting. She stars as the second eldest Smith daughter Essie, who goes through the year discovering more about love, life and family as she faces challenges which are so specific to a 1903 American teenager but somehow identifiable to a 20-year-old girl in 2017 and isn’t that the definition of a classic?

Epigram

11.12.2017

Arts

@EpigramArts

Editor: Alina Young Deputy Editor: Anna Trafford

Online Editor: Helena Raymond-Hayling Deputy Online Editor: Avital Carno

arts@epigram.org.uk

The Art of Christmas Advertising

Josh Peleg takes a look at what makes a good Christmas ad, why our tears are almost always flowing and the art we can find in our favourite Crimbo shorts Josh Peleg First Year, English

John Lewis’ 2015 ‘Man On The Moon’

Still from Coca Cola’s ‘Christmas Trucks’ (1995)

Coca Cola’s 1995 ‘Christmas Trucks’ A Light in the Dark: In this 1995 spark of genius, Coca Cola takes one of the most fundamental contrasts found in art, light and dark, and re-imagines its delivery trucks as the bringers of light to a world of fur trees and darkness. The trucks are see in their hundreds, clad in luminescent bulbs, racing across snowcovered fields, mountains and bridges. Coca Cola puts itself first, imaging its trucks as the Christmas spirit which comes out of the blue every year without fail, lighting up our own lives.

Instilling the spirit of family within the watcher, the ad focuses on three degrees of society; children, the elderly, and children with their parents. The colour palette is awash with red and subconsciously reminds us of the product itself.

A stamp of Coca Cola’s influence, Santa used to wear green, but through the artistic license of Coke in their annual Christmas ads, he has been changed to red for the foreseeable future.

young girl on earth spying an old man on the moon through her fathers telescope. She tries to communicate with him, repeatedly fails, then succeeds on Christmas Day. The ad takes to heart the problem of the elderly being lonely, and makes a strong case for companionship and family being of the utmost importance during Christmas. The youthful oasis cover in the background has lyrics that deal with the themes of ageing and remaining youthful. The little girl’s perseverance is empowering for all who watch, and reminds us that anyone can show love to another. It does not take years of experience to make someone else feel special.

Sainsbury’s 2014 ‘Christmas Is For Sharing’ The Best of British: In a sullen Christmas spirit, this ad incorporates so much Britishness into its 3:20 run time that it’s hard to ignore it as a contender.Camaraderie,football,Christmas carols, stoicism and a Robin; this ad shows the famous event of WWI in which both sides laid down their arms to play a game of football on Christmas Day. The historical allusions immediately give the ad a weight and sense of purpose, as if it was made to teach us, as well as to sell us something. The green of the uniforms against the backdrop of snowy fields chained to the earth by barbed wires create a contrast of emotions when compared to the smiles and joy of the soldiers. The ad is very minimal on its references to gifts, making the climactic revelation that the German and British boys exchanged sweets all the more special.

Unicef’s 2012 ‘Three Wise Men’

Coca Cola’s Santa Claus

Final Thoughts: Advertisements in general have always interested me. They’re manipulative and distrustful, often exaggerating and fabricating facts to encourage us to favour their product or service over another. However, we buy into their web of lies.

Whether its a dentist in a lab coat showing us the best toothpaste or a sports personality sipping on the newest energy drink; we lap it all up like thirsty puppies. The advertising sector lives off of the competitive nature of capitalism, the healthy rat race of companies competing against one another is what keeps our products and services fresh, modern and new.

So all I ask of the advertising world, especially on Christmas, is that if you’re going to draw us in with your sales pitches masquerading as works of art, at least make them aesthetically pleasing, impassioned and touching. That way I won’t be able to see what I’m buying through my tears.

Merry Christmas from everyone at Epigram Arts!

Have a voice in Bristol’s art scene and get involved as a writer or an illustrator by joining our Facebook groups and coming to our fortnightly Writers’ meetings

For the latest in Arts, make sure to follow:

facebook.com/epigramarts @EpigramArts @epigramarts

Still from Sainsbury’s ‘Christmas is for sharing’ (2014)

The image of Santa Claus that we know and love today was brought into the world in the 1930s by Haddon Sundblom. Coca Cola commissioned the illustrator to create an image of Santa for an ad campaign. Inspired by Clement Clark Moore’s 1822 poem, ‘‘Twas the night before Christmas’, he created a jolly and wholesome figure. Interestingly and contrary to popular belief, Sundblom and Coca-Cola were not the first to dress Santa in red as there are representations of him in a red coat long before Sundblom’s painting.

From 1931 to 1962 Sundblom painted pictures of this same Santa figure for Coca-Cola adverts: delivering presents, stopping to enjoy a Coke, visiting children who stayed up and even raiding the fridge. Coca Cola continue to feature images of Santa based on Sundblom’s original paintings in their Christmas advertising and packaging today.

Sundblom’s paintings are a testament to the power of advertising; his paintings have undoubtedly defined the popular modern perception of Santa’s look and personality.

Coca-Cola / Haddon Sundblom

How artful advertising made Christmas

Still from John Lewis’s ‘Man on the Moon’ (2015)

If you’re interested in getting involved in the New Year, we always welcome new members to our team.

Youtube / Sainsbury’s

Back to its Roots: Boldly coloured costumes against a desert palette with beards and shawls flapping in the wind. This ad takes Christmas back to its roots and shows three wise men walking through a market in Bethlehem in the year 0, they are shopping for a Christmas gift for a young boy. One of the men, overwhelmed by the choice of gifts, confesses, “I’ll just give him some gold and he can buy what he wants”, applying that age old maxim to such a famous conundrum. The ad takes a poke at the wastefulness of pointless gifts and implores the watcher to purchase a medical remedy for someone else instead. This ad lacks an emotional connection but makes up for it in its persuasion for us to do the ‘right thing’. Juxtaposing comedy and tragedy, the ad uses established figures of wisdom to show whilst everyone can make a mistake, only we can make the right choice.

Youtube / John Lewis

Youtube / Forsman Bodenfors Still from Unicef’s advert, ‘Three Wise Men’ (2012)

The One That Really Takes it Out of You: Tears, every single time. This ad shows a

Youtube / Simple Life

Christianity’s prodigal son. Capitalism’s favourite nephew. Chanukah’s step-brother.

Christmas holds a place in everyone’s hearts.

In what is probably the most drawn out event of the year, the flag-bearers of Christmas have entered our media radar. As they do every year, the shower of Christmas ads has engulfed our timelines, prompting a plethora of reactions, emotions and eventual purchases. But is there art in any of this?

The artistic techniques and inspirations that go into these miniature masterpieces are based around the idea that there is a hole in your life and the proprietor of such an advertisement can fill it. Using a combination of sympathy and pathos, and either being set in a relatable space or with accessible characters and relationships; the ad will always try and elevate the status and necessity of Christmas gifts.

In this vein then, I would like to pick four Christmas ads based on their aesthetics, emotionality and effects on today’s society. Listed in no particular order, these ads have taken themselves out of the commercial world and into the artistic one.

Coca-Cola’s Christmas print advertisement (1951)

Epigram

11.12.2017

39

Bristol student life captured Epigram Arts hosted a photography competition asking for photos that represent ‘Bristol Student Life’. These are our favourites: ‘Breakfast’, by Guy Woods About the photographer: Guy Woods, Second Year, English and Theatre Studies Camera: Canon a-1 SLR

Epigram / Guy Woods

Camera: Minolta AFZ 35mm film camera Context: My friend Harry and I were dancing at a party and for a moment he managed to balance a can of San Miguel on his head, I thought this would make a great photograph.

What kind of things do you usually like to photograph?

I enjoy capturing my friends on camera, in a moment, usually un-posed like this shot of Harry.

What kind of things do you usually like to photograph?

Anything I think looks interesting really, my

Anna: For me, breakfast the morning after a heavy night is one of the best moments in student life. Sat with your friends, feeling dazed and a little bit worse for wear. I feel like this photo captures this perfectly.

I want my photography to be a raw, honest and authentic representation of shared experiences with friends.

Instagram: @iemvv Why we chose it: Anna: I like this photo because it seems to capture the mood of the moment. Being a student is often stressful, hectic and tiring but seldom serious. This photo represents the silliness that you can get away with in this weird interlude between your teenage years and actual adulthood.

Alina: I love how playful this photo is: the young man’s expression holding back a laugh, the balanced beer, the glimpses of other party goers. It reminds me of a Victorian silhouette portrait, as if he is posing with sincerity although the subject of the photo is a fleeting moment of fun.

Epigram / Issy Villiers

Why does this capture ‘Bristol Student Life’ for you?

For me this photograph embodies the spirit of being a student in Bristol. As they say, “people make a place” and my friends in Bristol are what defines my experience at University.

Why does this capture Bristol student life?

I don’t really know, I guess there’s some intimacy to the arm across but then quite a dishevelled appearance and fixed stare, it feels kind of honest.

It’s a scene I’d say most students have had at their kitchen table, one time or another.

Alina: This shows life unfiltered in all its bedheaded glory. It captures that familiar morning feeling, as you’re just beginning to shake off grogginess and want those hours of lazing in pyjamas with your friends to never end. I feel the harmony of this photo makes it really beautiful; its soft colours and balanced composition form a sense of ease in this domestic scene.

Flickr/ ptwo

Photographer: Issy Villiers, Third Year, History of Art

Instagram: @prettyguyforawhitefly Why we chose it:

Context: It was in July when we’d just moved into our house, we were having breakfast at midday. My housemate is the girl and the guy is her boyfriend, he was very hungover when I took this photo.

‘Where Did I Put My Beer?’, by Issy Villiers

instagram’s very inconsistent. Generally it’s pictures of people but not necessarily portraits, sort of like people watching.

‘The Hill’, by Ritu Patel

of the people around me.

About the photographer: Ritu Patel, Second Year, Chemistry

Instagram: @ritupatel9

Camera: Nikon FE2

Why we chose it:

Context: My friends and I were enjoying the hot weather on the iconic Stoke Bishop hill. Drinking cans and celebrating the end of exams.

Epigram / Ritu Patel

Why does this represent Bristol student life?

This captures student life as it shows the carefree lifestyle of students. The only time you can spend the whole weekday on a hill drinking with your friends is when you’re a student. It shows Bristol student life in particular as it was taken at place that so many student go to relax.

What kind of things do you usually like to photograph?

I mainly like to photography architecture using my DSLR. However on my film camera, which this photo was taken on, I like to capture candid shots

Alina: Laughing and drinking on a sunny afternoon is such a timeless image of youth. I love how you can feel the sun and hear the music beyond the black and white photograph. Drinking is naturally a staple of student life, but this is my favourite kind – sharing some cans and lying on the grass with zero responsibilities.

Anna: Sitting on the grass with a bunch of friends in the late afternoon sun, tinny in hand - could there be a more idyllic representation of student life? This is the kind of fleeting moment that is remembered for far longer than the countless afternoons spent procrastinating in the library.

Epigram

40

11.12.2017

@EpigramArts

A guide to Bristol’s graffiti Sára Neužilová, Eden Peppercorn, Freddie Fitzgerald and Nora Gunn take us through Bristol’s iconic artform Sára Neužilová Second Year, Theatre and Film The graffiti scene in Bristol owes a lot to the wave of immigration of the 1950s and 1960s.

Eden Peppercorn First Year, English

Noteworthy works

Instagram / emilysproule92 ‘The Duel of Bristol’, by Connor Harrington (2012)

from there too. Filling the space where the end of a taller terrace joins a shorter one, it is a satisfying use of a convenient blank canvas, and a visual representation of any available city space being filled with creativity and art.

Stokes Croft, as one of Bristol’s most vibrant and urban areas, features a staggering amount of art, and a few Banksys of its own, such as ‘Mild, Mild West’. However, the most noticeable piece before even stepping onto the street is a giant stencilled portrait by Stinkfish on the end of a row of terraces, along the bottom of which another artist has painted ‘WE <3 STOKES CROFT’. Not only does it serve as a perfect introduction to this area of the city, it is also a shining example of the collaborative nature of graffiti and street art. In its very nature this genre of art is irreverent, and thus, once created, belongs to the public. The art in Bristol becomes a part of the city itself.

Graffiti and the Council

‘Clothed With the Sun’, by El Mac (2011)

Freddie Fitzgerald First Year, English

Bristol’s famous artists It is no secret that the Bristol graffiti scene has been at the forefront of street art in England, with one artist mostly leading the charge. Almost anyone unfamiliar with street art can still be relied upon to have heard of one man: Banksy. So, with that in mind, I’d like to address the elephant (with a rocket strapped on its back) in the room.

Opinions differ on which Banksy piece is his most iconic or the piece which represents his highly satirical – with a hint of anarchic – rebellious style. Many would attest that his powerfully provocative ‘Flower Thrower’ is the pinnacle of his work, or perhaps ‘Dreams Cancelled’. For me, his ‘Well-Hung Lover’ is his magnum opus. Having the pleasure of walking by the piece on a regular basis has given me a heightened sense of appreciation for the work, but anyone can glance and find in it the bittersweet humour for which he is so acclaimed.

Another name which has to feature is the brilliant Nick Walker. Having not quite reached the dizzying heights of Banksy’s fame, Walker is nonetheless a big name when it comes to Bristol’s street art stage. Most well-known for his tag, the word ‘vandal’, Walker has been compared to his counterpart Banksy for the aspect of satire that appears in a lot of his work. Walker often uses the figure of a man in a bowler hat and pinstripe suit, an image very intimately tied with the first echoes of satire in modern fine art through Magritte’s iconic 1946 surrealist piece ‘The Son of Man.’ Walker has carried on this satirical figure’s narrative, and seeing as Magritte’s work was originally a humble self-portrait, it seems appropriate that the artist survives through Walker’s works and continues to engage in arguably the most cutthroat medium of contemporary art: street art. If Walker is arguing that if Magritte were alive and working today he would be at the forefront of street art, I’d struggle to disagree.

To conclude, I’ll turn to one of the earliest foundational artists in the game. The street artist known as Inkie emerged from the 80s street art renaissance in Bristol and has had a historic impact. Straying away from the grungy impressionist style of Banksy or Walker, and formulating his own unique and bespoke style, Inkie’s works are easily identified by his abstract and stunning representations of female subjects, painted usually in only one or two powerfully emotive colours which set the tone, and always with long flowing hair which bleeds into the rest of the piece. There is undeniably something mythical or enchanting surrounding Inkie’s works, and certainly a sense of mystery. However, there is no mystery as to why his stunning and bespoke style and choice of subject has marked him as a legend within the Bristol street art scene.

Bristol City Council and local street artists have had a turbulent relationship over the years.

A clear-as-mud graffiti policy and various ‘clean street’ initiatives have left artists at odds with the authorities. There have been instances of artists painting murals with the building owner’s permission, only to have their work painted over in the name of ‘keeping Bristol clean’. The confusion between what constitutes art, and what is simply vandalism is hotly debated.

Since Bristol is the home of Banksy, it is no surprise that the street art community here is vibrant. And with festivals like Upfest, the largest Graffiti festival in Europe, drawing in hundreds of artists – not to mention tourists – every year, it is no surprise that there is some confusion when it comes to where and when you can paint.

Recently the council, with help from the artist community, have begun considering alternatives to the previously confusing policies in the form of ‘legal walls’. While this is offered as the solution, the mayor was clear that graffiti like ‘tagging’ is still very much illegal.

It’s no surprise that the council are now keen to protect the street art community. Over the years Bristol has become synonymous with painted streets, and the enigmatic Banksy. Tourists flock every year and head out on Banksy tours, and buildings that house famous pieces have been sold for up to £100,000 more than their un-blemished neighbours. The difficulty comes when you hear that, over the course of a year, the council will spend nearly quarter of a million pounds cleaning up the less desirable pieces of graffiti.

So, where should the line be drawn? It could be argued that as a city we would benefit from the legal walls, in that they would give artists a place to practice and hone their craft. On the flip side, we could see revered pieces of art, like Banksy’s ‘Naked man’ at the bottom of park street, vandalised themselves. The guerrilla nature of street art often means that works are covered up or destroyed, like Banksy’s ‘Gorilla in a pink mask’ which was whitewashed by the building’s owner who didn’t know who the artist was. Could this also be considered vandalism? In both cases the council has had to consider spending money in order to restore art they once considered criminal.

The nature of art, in any forms, is that it is subjective; street art is no different. The difficulty comes in trying to apply a black and white policy to something that is at its core ineffable. Legal walls are certainly a good place to start, and cooperation between the artist community and the authorities will no doubt help as well.

But I can’t help but wondering if the protection of the big names in the Bristol street art scene comes at the cost of artists just starting out in their work. By trying to create art within legal boundaries, are the council really encouraging artistic expression? Or pretty pictures for tourists instead?

Flickr / Lee Byway

It would be nigh-on impossible to discuss famous street art in Bristol without noting the city’s most prolific artist – Banksy himself. Whilst I could probably fill this entire section with his works, that would be largely unfair, so I have limited myself to one.

‘Caught Out’, or ‘Hanging Man’ can be viewed from where Park Street bridges over Frogmore Street. It shows wife and husband looking out of a window, searching for the man who hangs from the ledge beneath them, and this comedy pervades Banksy’s other pieces, despite this being one of the less bleak examples. The central location means it is easily found, as opposed to some of Banksy’s other works which are hidden in remote corners of the city.

Moving east, we come to Conor Harrington’s ‘The Duel of Bristol’, a mural off Broad Street, and a much larger spectacle than Banksy’s stencil work. It was Harrington’s entry for the 2012 ‘See No Evil’ street art festival, which was part of the Cultural Olympiad, and is the source of many of Bristol’s largest and most striking works. These include ‘Clothed With the Sun’, by El Mac, and Nick Walker’s giant bowler hatted man pouring paint, both of which can be seen on Nelson Street.

‘The Duel of Bristol’ gives the striking impression of an oil painting having been blown up and pasted on the side of a building. The figures wear regency era frock coats, and duel with sabres, subverting any notions of street art and graffiti as solely concerning modern subject matter. Harrington questions the perception of graffiti art as an ‘unskilled’ medium, by showing a traditional artistic subject in an equally skilled, and potentially even more engaging manner.

Incwel’s ‘Still Sane’, showing the Queen sporting a Ziggy Stardust lightning bolt, can be found on Upper Maudlin Street, above Workshop 22.

When it originally appeared in 2012, many attributed it to Banksy due to a similarity in style, however Incwel has claimed the work, featuring it on their website, and it can be bought as a print

While ‘See No Evil’ aimed to create permanent pieces, UpFest gives the opportunity for any street artist who wants to exhibit their work to participate in Bristol’s graffiti scene. UpFest is an annual festival in Bedminster that is completely free of charge, both for artists and visitors. The festival had its first run in 2008 with 20 or so artists, but quickly increased in the numbers of participants each year: in 2017 there were over 350 registered artists, including those from around the world who came to spend a summer weekend creating new and exciting pieces. Some of the pieces are created onto actual walls, but a huge number of murals are done on moveable panels.

Visitors can watch the artists work over the weekend, or just take a browse through Bedminster on a nice summer Monday to see all the pieces in their finished form.

It is undeniable that Bristol has a rich and strong street art culture. Although in the past artists have had to fight the City Council in order to create and preserve their art, the feelings of the City Council have changed in recent years and now Bristol is celebrated as one of the European cities with the riches graffiti scenes. There is a fast growing number of local businesses that are trying to get their taps on local street art talent.

Street art has become an integral part of Bristol’s aesthetic, and remains an important part of the city’s body of art.

Instagram / chennshen

The wave of immigration turned Bristol in one of the most racially diverse cities in the UK, bringing many different and new art styles together.

The beginning of the prominent graffiti scene in Bristol is closely connected to the underground music scene of 1990s. At the time when drum and bass was emerging, and music and street art were carrying a political message, Bristol was the hometown of internationally acclaimed artists such as Banksy, Inkie or 3D. In 2011 Inkie organised the ‘See No Evil Art Festival’ that transformed some of the ugly, industrial looking buildings in the beating heart of Bristol into a walk-in gallery of sheer street art talent. International star artists like Mark Lyken, Nychos, Pixel Pancho, M-City or Mark Bode travelled from across the world to Bristol to turn the hometown of Banksy into a piece of art. Sadly, or maybe not, the majority of the original artwork from 2011 has been painted over to make space for new pieces. At the time, ‘See No Evil’ became the biggest open air gallery in Europe, with similar events taking place in London, Melbourne and Montreal. The festival returned for another round in 2012 but could not take place the following year; many houses in the proximity of Nelson Street, which served as the exhibition’s canvas, were under construction. Thankfully, no pieces got lost during construction.

Nora Gunn Second Year, English

History of Bristol’s street art

Mural for Upfest, by My Dog Sighs (2017)

Epigram

11.12.2017

Music

@epigrammusic Editor: Alexia Kirov

Deputy Editor: Kate Hutchison

Online Editor: Joe Samrai

music@epigram.org.uk

Albums of the year 2017

2017: the year that brought us Salt Bae memes, Theresa May’s epic election failure, 280 character tweets... and loads of brilliant albums.

Bicep: Bicep

St. Vincent: Masseduction

Turnover: Good Nature

Thundercat: Drunk

Northern Irish childhood friends Andy Ferguson and Matt McBriar have been releasing much loved electronic music under the name Bicep for seven years, but 2017 finally saw the release of their glorious, eponymous debut LP. Bicep is a masterclass in electronic music production, showcasing the pair’s vast knowledge of obscure Italo Disco, House and Techno. This album has elements of everything from 90s breakbeat on ‘Glue’, glitchy garage on ‘Opal’, and dreamy IDM on ‘Ayaya’.

Songs range from the groovy, to the gloomy to the outright euphoric. With its short song lengths (relatively speaking for dance music), hypnotic melodies and unrelenting danceability this is an album for everyone, not just techno heads. This spectacular album and a sold-out UK tour has made 2017 Bicep’s year. Expect great things from them in the future but until then listen to this masterpiece, hopefully you’ll love it just as much as me.

Daniel Brashaw Third Year, Economics

Annie Clarke, as St. Vincent, has always fiercely resisted being pinned down, and her fifth album, though perhaps a little more accessible than her previous efforts, does nothing to change that.

Masseduction was produced by Jack Antonoff and features contributions from the likes of Kamasi Washington, Jenny Lewis and even ex-girlfriend Cara Delevingne, yet it is an intimate and personal look into Clarke’s life.

In her own words: ‘Strange Mercy was Housewives on Pills. St Vincent was Near-Future Cult Leader. Masseduction is… pretty first-person’.

Her famously intricate riffs come through in waves of jarring feedback, clashing with vocals that sound, at times, paper-thin, and at other times are full-throated and bold.

Standout song ‘Los Ageless’, though undeniably catchy, is poignant too: ‘How could anybody have you and lose you… and not lose their mind too?’, sings Clarke. The album is full of such personal insights into a woman who has for so long gloried in being an enigma. Albeit her most mainstream work yet, Masseduction, like Clarke, is in no way ordinary.

Gruff Kennedy First Year, English

Good Nature epitomises its very title; the band’s sound is shown as something much lighter, summery and breezy than it has been previously.

Yet, this new sound doesn’t compromise on the realised and accomplished sound Turnover are able to employ every time.

The tracks flow into one another effortlessly, and a dreamy sound underpins all the tracks.

Warm waves of atmospheric guitar are interwoven with Austin Getz’s woozy vocals in ‘What Got In The Way’, whilst the likes of ‘Breeze’ and ‘Living Small’ are saturated with smooth and fluid synthy undertones.

If Turnover’s 2015 release Peripheral Vision was the product of something dark and distant, dealing with loss, Good Nature is its natural successor self-reflective and somewhat individualistic. It is a quiet resolution to the problems explored in Turnover’s previous records. For me, the album is an ode to their accomplishment as a band so far and an illustration of some of 2017’s best musical talent.

After a couple of years, Thundercat has returned to the scene with style, sass, and a 23-track record.

Combining the upbeat influences present in 2011’s The Golden Age of Apocalypse alongside the slick, slowed breakbeats of The Beyond / Where The Giants Roam, Thundercat’s latest contribution curates a fine-tuned amalgamation of broad stylistic ability.

Drunk renews Thundercat’s contribution to jazz fusion - erratic, scaling bass melodies and syncopated beats are reminiscent of the traditional, while Bruner’s soulful harmonies and features from the likes of Kendrick push levelling neoteric sounds onto the record. It’s not just the sound itself that signals awareness of contemporary trends; lead track ‘Friendzone’ is a triumphant lyrical snap at manipulation, and empowers any 2017 listener with similar romantic troubles.

Kate Hutchison Deputy Music Editor

Loyle Carner: Yesterday’s Gone

Saint Etienne: Home Counties

LCD Soundsystem: American Dream

SZA: Ctrl

Whether he’s rapping about his favourite rappers (metarap), his ADHD or his mum, Loyle Carner’s flow is a breath of fresh air. The South Londoner released his debut album in January, and fans poured over his lovelorn lyrics and vintage-flared beats, neatly encompassed in a highly intimate project.

Yesterday’s Gone - which features appearances from stars of the future like Tom Misch and Rebel Kleff - is both of the times and utterly timeless. An optimistic and intimate record which seamlessly soundtracks the passing of each season. Warming in Winter, jovial in Summer and truly glorious anytime in between - Carner has UK hip-hop down to a T. Georgia Marsh Online Editor

The OED definition of ‘concept album’ should be Saint Etienne’s Home Counties. The band’s ninth LP charts suburban, Southern English life in what co-founder Bob Stanley calls the ‘doughnut of shires that ring the capital’.

A nineteen-track record peppered with samples from Radio 4 (‘The Reunion’) and a report of non-league football scores (‘Sports Report’) could run the risk of seeming overly contrived, or even worse, twee, but Saint Etienne pull it off brilliantly.

Single ‘Dive’ is the closest nod to the indiedance sound that first brought the band fame, but 2017 Saint Etienne aren’t about rehashing their ‘glory days’ - in fact, Home Counties might just be their most fully-realised album to date.

Beyond ‘Dive’, other highlights include the sultry ‘Heather’ and the wonderful spoken word ‘Sweet Arcadia’, but the album is best enjoyed in full.

On LCD Soundsystem’s 2010 single ‘Drunk Girls’, James Murphy sang ‘love is an astronaut, it comes back but it’s never the same’. So when New York Dance Punk titans, LCD Soundsytem, announced their comeback in 2015 after disbanding 5 years before, many wondered whether they would still be able to reach the outstanding, if not perfect, heights of their previous work. However, James Murphy and Co. certainly did not disappoint.

Rather they crafted what could be possibly be their best work and one of the best albums of 2017, with particular highlights including the emotional album opener, ‘oh baby’, and the urgent call to arms of lead single ‘call the police’. On yet another album highlight entitled ‘change yr mind’, Murphy sings ‘I’m just too old for it now’, however, American Dream marks a band just settling back into their title as one of music’s greatest. A band which have certainly not lost their edge after a small time away from the scene.

Do you remember how you felt when you first began to love music? Your first understanding of music and its meaning - both sonically and lyrically - and what this taught you about the way you understood yourself and the world around you?

SZA’s Ctrl makes me feel the way I did when I was first falling in love with music. Ctrl captures a girl on the cusp of change, of something great, but gets tangled in the muddled anxiety of it all - yet recognises the beauty in uncertainty.

At fifteen I felt like this: I was naive and emotional. In my 20s, nothing much has changed.

In the words of the almighty TDE songstress herself, ‘God bless these 20 somethings’.

Alexia Kirov Music Editor

Francesca Frankis First Year, English

Guy Marcham First Year, History

Georgia Marsh Online Editor

Epigram 11.12.2017

43

Fleet Foxes: Crack-Up 2017’s Crack-Up marked the return of Fleet Foxes after a six-year hiatus in which frontman Robin Pecknold gave up the indie folk life for an English degree. While the album may feature more literary allusions than before, the most noticeable difference has been the change of direction of the band from beard-clad faux historicist folk to a more self-questioning indie-inflected ruminating.

This makes Crack-Up a pressing ‘2017 album’ - if such a thing exists.

While almost claustrophobically intimate songs like ‘Mearcstalpa’, a song about phone-induced alienation named for Beowulf’s Grendel, might smack of hipster pretension to some, the album overcomes such pigeonholing. They maintain a tried and true power to enchant through their mastery of vocal harmony and the ability to create both an engaging yet intriguing sound, particularly highlighted on stand-out tracks ‘Fool’s Errand’ and ‘Third of May/Odaigahara’.

Joe Gorecki Third Year, German and Spanish

Kendrick Lamar: DAMN Kendrick Lamar specifies that he ‘is not a politician’ on DAMN, and in doing so moves away from the political focus of To Pimp a Butterfly. What takes its place is a more personal, introspective attention, as Kung Fu Kenny weighs up his faith, stardom and legacy. ‘FEAR’ serves as the album’s high point, where Lamar sifts through his catalogue of voices to manifest the changing nature of fear throughout his life. The emotion shapeshifts from an authoritative mother into internal anxieties about success and stardom, as Lamar allows for a less guarded exploration of self.

For each of ‘FEAR’’s vulnerable introspections there are bravado-heavy takedowns in ‘HUMBLE’ and ‘ELEMENT’, as Lamar bolsters his claim as one of the world’s greatest rappers. These themes are conflated in ‘DNA’, a self-dissection which sees the rapper credit both his strengths and weaknesses as being fundamental to his success.

It’s credit to Lamar’s continued mastery of spoken word and attentive, brooding production that this personal album feels so important, and anecdotal tracks like ‘DUCKWORTH’ feel more essential than self-indulgent. On this track, Lamar posits that his journey into music was a manifestation of good karma in an otherwise doomed world, and I’m inclined to agree with him. Within the damned world which the album invokes, Kendrick emerges as a pretty convincing and refreshingly imperfect messiah.

Ollie Megson Third Year, English

Laura Marling: Semper Femina

Michael Sheridan-Warburton Second Year, Philosophy

Juxtaposing the crude, uncouth aesthetics of his earlier studio works, Tyler the Creator projected his fourth official LP (Scum Fuck) Flower Boy onto a vibrant scene of sunset, bumble-bees and flora.

The first-released track, ‘Who Dat Boy’ (ft. A$AP Rocky), and ‘I Ain’t Got Time!’, retain much of Tyler’s signature chaotic, chopped-up style, with his monotonous growl flowing seamlessly over eerie synths, yet Flower Boy undisputedly marks an evolution in the artist’s sound.

The record is laced with an eclectic set of highprofile features: from Frank Ocean to Surrey-born, nineteen-year-old Rex Orange County. Kali Uchis lends delicate, angelic vocals countering Tyler’s grit on ‘See You Again’, a sentiment of idealised, unrequited love. Following this, Estelle softly addresses the difficulty of ‘finding the words to say’ on ‘Garden Shed’, a symbolic track title that is interpreted as a metaphor for ‘the closet’, with the artist making reference to his sexuality throughout the LP. Where Tyler’s previous work had frequently adopted an erratic, ‘stream of consciousness’ tone, Flower Boy is a refined, liberating articulation of self-discovery. Elevated by sharp strings, woozy guitar chords, industrial clangs, and dizzying synthscapes, Tyler offers a kaleidoscopic confessional that simply demands acclamation.

Bethany Marris First Year, History

Mount Eerie: A Crow Looked At Me Mount Eerie’s beautiful A Crow Looked at Me is not easy listening, but this is for all the right reasons. The record is a testament to the death of a wife, and the time they and their young daughter spent together shortly beforehand.

The album is a stripped back embodiment of his experiences, with a controlled, half-sang monologue of sentiments about and toward his deceased partner.

Lyrically, the songs reflect a poetic mastery and play a central role on the album. The tender agony of Elverum’s loss soaks the record and leaves the listener enveloped in this tragedy.

Beneath the narratives of his lost lover, soft acoustic melodies, and occasionally muted beats uphold his feeble, off-beat narration. Although extremely simple, the album carries the ability to bring a listener into contemplative silence which I take to be an aim of his production.

Kate Hutchison Deputy Music Editor

An interview with Mount Kimbie

Matilda Haymes chats to Kai - one half of Mount Kimbie - about touring, Archy Marshall and getting things done.

Matilda Haymes Third Year, English Confessing to a to ‘a little bit of time sort of dossing around doing nothing’, the pair have marked the end of their time off with their highly anticipated follow up to 2013’s Cold Spring Fault Less Youth. Although comparisons between their first two albums are ubiquitous, Mount Kimbie rejects the link between the different works. Kai says: ‘As much as possible we try not to think about the other two, not because we dislike them but to feel motivated when writing I have to think about it like the first time. So, I’m trying to not think about it in comparison to the first two really’.

Despite the desired separation between the albums in terms of their composition, Kai reveals that the principle behind making the music is always the same. ‘It’s always the same motivation, which is to like paint some part of your head which you can’t describe in any other way. That’s what it sounds like in my head right now’.

After a few relatively quiet few years for the band, the coming months are set to be a more hectic experience. ‘We’re going to Europe. It’s pretty full on for the five weeks, well it’s pretty full on in general for the next twelve months it’s just broken up a bit’.

Although the constant touring is set to be a very full on period for Mount Kimbie, Kai states it is one of the most interesting parts of the job; ‘Going out and performing these songs is such a different experience to writing and recording it. For some reason, it’s the only time you get to hear it in sort of an objective way. You get to

Flickr / annasples

All of Marling’s albums have been contenders for Album of the Year in their various years of release, but Semper Femina is her best, most complete piece of work to date. Every new project by the London singer-songwriter has pushed boundaries — but on this album, Marling eschews her previous overt attempts to push her musical envelope and instead rests comfortably and proudly on her considerable laurels.

‘Soothing’ is a subtle, tightly-coiled rebuttal of toxic male affection while ‘Wild Fire’ is a beautiful straight-up-and-down folk song, enriched by the particularly lush, Previnesque instrumentation that runs through the whole album. On ‘Nouel’, Marling deftly mocks the male, muse-making gaze she has addressed – and certainly fallen victim to – in the past, celebrating where the original Latin context of her album’s name denigrated the ability of women to change and become at will.

Her accent is as charmingly all over the place as always, with a scouse turn in the airy, languid ‘The Valley’ - a particular highlight. One of the album’s greatest moment comes at its end, as ‘Nothing, Not Nearly’ swells then tapers away to a triumphant, folksy mic drop and soft birdsong.

A joyous, warm-bodied, complete set of ideas — Semper Femina is my album of the year.

Tyler the Creator: Flower Boy

Mount Kimbe playing live

hear it how other people hear it because you’re sharing the atmosphere with it with so many other people. This bit is really, really exciting and interesting. We’re still learning, that’s what’s so exciting about it. We haven’t figured out how to do it to it’s full potential yet and I think you figure that out along the way. Maybe two years in you get to a point where you’re doing it as well as you can do it in the way you’re currently doing it and that’s when it’s time to stop and do something else really…’

Their newest album, Love What Survives, is filled with collaborations with different vocalists, an interesting change from their usual intricate instrumentalism. Although they set out to not to include a lot of vocals on the album. Kai says: ‘We were writing songs that felt like they had that space in them and we were sharing the ideas with these people, all the people that we did vocals with were having a period of writing themselves.

We were sharing ideas and a lot of those ideas ended up working really well’.

The main artist the band has collaborated with on their new album is Archy Marshall (aka King Krule). This is a long-standing relationship, with Marshall having worked with the band on their 2013 track, ‘You Took Your Time’. ‘…Yeah, we worked a lot with Archy’, says Kai. ‘He’s just one of the people, when I have new stuff going on and I’m excited about it, he’s one of the first people that I show it to. And when he’s really excited about it as well, it makes me pumped about it’.

Discussing the nature of music streaming, Kai professes his love of discovering new artists through radio. ‘I like to put the radio on in the morning. I like the freedom of what you’re about to listen to be taken away from you. I think a big problem that we have now is the lack of being exposed to stuff that you wouldn’t have put on anyway. I listen to a lot of radio for that and the experience of not liking something. Sometimes

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11.12.2017

Pub chat with Big Jeff (aka Jeffrey Johns) Epigram / Kate Hutchison

Deputy Music Editor Kate Hutchison invites Big Jeff to The Christmas Steps pub to chat about Bristol’s live scene, mental health and a mutual dislike of HMLTD.

Big Jeff. You’ll know this name if you’re at all acquainted with the Bristol music scene. But even if you’re not familiar, the chances are if you’ve been to a gig in Bristol, you’ve been to a gig in Bristol alongside him, too.

If you’re still unsure, Jeff can be easily spotted.

Most likely musically enthralled at the barriers, erratically jigging his curly locks, or juggling numerous conversations with his community of admirers between sets, Jeff carries a certain celebrity in Bristol’s live scene.

To find out a little more about this infamous and revered gig fanatic, I invited Jeff to the Christmas Steps pub to chat about the scene’s evolution, his history and our mutual dislike for HMLTD. Jeff undoubtedly carries an encyclopaedic knowledge of Bristol’s music scene, having been based here since the early 2000s. First, I ask Jeff about his experience of the scene to date. Jeff is undoubted when tells me that the scene ‘has always been changing’, meaning there lacks a specific sound to which one can characterise it with. He talks with a sincere excitement for the rise of ‘the other side of Bristol music finally peeking its head over the parapet, and actually getting noticed’. Jeff takes this to be the alt-scene, a derivative of bands such as LICE and IDLES, recently gaining national attention, and being undertaken by hefty management companies.

With Bristol being home to Livity Sound and Timedance, collectives responsible for new transgressive techno currently, I ask Jeff his opinion on this genre. He tautologically holds, ‘if it’s good, it’s good. That’s my attitude’ ‘I much prefer acts like Giant Swan and Silver Waves who incorporate techno with a live element.

There are still some very good tech people out there, and I’m not discrediting any of them, but I’ve always been more of a live person’.

“

There are some very good tech people out there, and I’m not discrediting any of them, but I’ve always been more of a live person

‘People do a lot more experimenting with the music in Bristol. You’ve got small labels like Solten Bodies who specialise in psychedelia; there’s stuff like Howling Owl who have been doing shoe-gazey/indie; Breakfast Records who specialise in lo-fi indie sort of stuff. It’s at this point at the moment where it’s really exciting because there are so many new things starting up almost every week. Sometimes it is hard to keep on top of it all’.

Jeff and I spoke a few weeks before the #savethekla campaign flooded the internet, the most notable and recent threat to Bristol’s live

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My door is always open. If someone comes up to me with a creative opportunity - I’m going to take it

Jeff’s knowledge of the scene and music is overwhelmingly substantiated. But I’m interested in Jeff himself; his likes, dislikes, and his history.

We started with his past, and how we came to be this familiar face tied to Bristol’s music scene. Jeff explains how The Louisiana was one of the first venues he became acquainted with; I ask whether he still spends time down there, ‘The Louisiana will always have a soft spot for me. I think partly the fact of it being a familyrun venue. It’s a small, 140 capacity room - [the] sound’s really good. I’ve stumbled across some really good bands through there…When I first moved to Bristol, I wouldn’t really speak to anyone.

I was very mute. I would find myself standing in front of all the posters [outside The Louisiana] obsessing about the bands coming up’.

Jeff’s popular, both on social media and in real life situations. Sometimes I find it difficult to chat with him at gigs, as he’s usually immersed in various discussions. Taking this into account, I ask Jeff for his top-socialising tips. But the response from Jeff was somewhat surprising.

‘I’m terrible at approaching people. I wait for them to approach me. I used to get so nervous about being around people.’

Taking this on board, I enquire as to whether Jeff ever finds it difficult, or tiring, being such a familiar face, revealing a genuinely humble attitude towards this involuntary fame.

‘Sometimes I appreciate it, sometimes it can be quite tiring. There’s definitely been sometimes when it has been a little too overwhelming. But on the back of that, I’ve also been allowed to do some really cool things which I never ever thought I’d ever end up doing - doing stuff like coordinating a day-long event at the Arnolfini’.

In summer, Jeff helped curate a day-long event at the Harbourside’s art gallery - The Arnolfini.

Jeff explained to me the process.

‘Basically, Hannah - who’s the main events manager - got in touch with me and said ‘hey look, would you be interested in meeting up… we’ve potentially got something if you’re interested.’ I sometimes struggle with non-faceto-face communication, believe it or not. So…I met up with her and gave her a sheet; an A4 sheet

Jeff after our interview at The Christmas Steps pub

filled with bands names I really really really liked, and put specific stars by the definitive ‘gets’ if they were available like Thought Forms, Yama Warashi, This is The A; he’s a really good, young hip-hop producer.

‘One of her skills is communication. So, with the help of her, we managed to get together a really strong line up of people. It just was… really emotionally overwhelming. I was overwhelmed by the amount of people who showed up - especially to the free part of it. I was moved to tears’. Again, Jeff’s humility smacks you in the face, having not at all mentioned his own DJ set which happened that day. Jeff agrees he’s fond of DJ-ing and holds he ‘got a few things which I think people won’t have ever heard of before’.

Since our chat, Jeff has been on BBC Radio 6 to discuss new records, DJ’d The Mothers’ Ruin and appeared in a new Bristol zine, The Bristol Germ.

During our conversation, although hinting at further projects, they remained hush-hush.

“

Kate Hutchison Deputy Music Editor

venues. Despite this, Jeff was well acquainted with the topic when we had this discussion.

Despite his excitement for the rich diversity of the scene, Jeff touched on why he believes it is fragmenting, ‘I think that’s partly because of housing prices.

It’s a lot more difficult, sometimes, for creative people to live in a big city like Bristol. Also, that sometimes it’s running out of small DIY spaces.

We’re losing one of my favourite places - Roll for the Soul…I never had a bad night when I went there. It is always such a warm place’.

For me, music has been very therapeutic. I have found some music is basically very good for completely cleansing me

‘Never say never. There’s things in the pipeline, but I can’t really say yet because they haven’t been announced. My door is always open. If someone comes up to me with a creative opportunity - I’m going to take it’.

Even if no one in a crowd is moving, you can expect Jeff to be dancing to whatever music is blaring from the speakers. Jeff’s ability to appreciate an invariable amount of sound is indisputable. Having always heard nothing but positivity surround Jeff and pour from his mouth, I want to listen to some critique. A music fanatic cannot be without their evaluations, and Jeff isn’t an anomaly. I ask him if there’s anyone his support won’t reach, ‘There’s always going to be a few people I don’t like. I think there’s some bands that are overhyped’.

I knowingly enquire as to who this may be, and without hesitation, Jeff responds, almost relieving him of some critique he was somewhat reluctant to make, ‘HMLTD. Their music is vacuous. I’ve seen them a couple of times. The first time, I was like, ok - this is kinda fun, at the old England with LICE. The second time, I met some of them and yeah - just not for me’.

And I’d have to agree. HMLTD are disingenuous.

Their music doesn’t just combine genre and previous sound, it imitates it. Moreover, while their hyperbolic look has been tagged ‘individualistic’, it stands to be parallel to that of 80s romantics.

In light of this, I ask Jeff his opinion on whether music can be manipulated to become based on a look, ‘Very much so. Image sells, doesn’t it? If you think about it, it’s what people sometimes buy into. It isn’t so much the quality of the songwriting, sometimes it’s the image and what it portrays. For instance, some of the punk bands.

Some of it has always been sold on image. But then also, the bands that have always lasted have been the bands who have had the good songs.

And that, for me, it’s having the good songs but also having the emotional side of it - bang on’.

Although Jeff refuses to accuse HMTLD of complete arrogance directly, his following comments reveal something close to it. When I ask Jeff about his thoughts generally on London, but more specifically, Brixton bands, he tells me that politeness is key.

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Talking about things is the only way we’re going to get over the biggest young male epidemic - which is suicide

‘If you’re polite to people and easy to get on with, then more people will actually connect with the music - I will connect. Whereas, if I find someone is a bit standoffish and arrogant I will find a distance between myself and their music. If there is something which makes me feel negative about them personally, then it’s going to make me lose interest in what they’re doing creatively.

I think being polite to people - it doesn’t harm at all. And also, if you’ve got a really positive work ethic - setting up your own gear, for instance - then more people are gonna like them even more’.

The interpersonal relationships Jeff has in and around Bristol, he has claimed previously, has helped him deal with issues regarding mental health, so it’s easy to appreciate why approachability and the ability to appreciate music with people on a broad basis is essential to him. Moreover, Jeff’s eagerness to talk about mental health and problems surrounding it seemed a good topic to discuss in light of recent University funding.

I ask Jeff his opinion on the new funding for mental health services at the University of Bristol, ‘I think it’s a great thing. There’s still a stigma which is very much underlying but its finally being acknowledged that these things exist and that sometimes, they can hold people back. Small steps, really. But it’s small steps in the right direction. It’s still going to take quite a while, I think’.

Turning to his struggles, Jeff tells me about how Bristol and music has helped him overcome stepbacks, ‘For me, music has been very therapeutic.

I have found some music is basically very good for completely cleansing me - completely transformative. Also, it’s sometimes about like, going into small places like The Louisiana. You’ll be in a social environment where you weren’t necessarily forced to speak to talk to people. You can be just be there because there was something taking the centre of attention away. But also, that would be quite a good ice-breaker.

‘What’s happened with me - since getting the official diagnosis of being on the autistic spectrum - something which I knew a long time before anyway - is that people have been talking about it a lot more and that one of the good things about social media is that it has opened people up that way - hashtags: #itaffectsme. It’s gradually destigmatising it all, especially for the male masculinity. It’s quite a difficult subject, sometimes, for men to speak about. Talking about things is the only way we’re going to get over the biggest young male epidemic - which is suicide’.

Follow Jeff on Twitter to keep up with his gig whereabouts, new projects and insightful comments concerning Bristol’s scene, politics, and mental health. @BigJeffJohns.

Epigram

Puzzles

11.12.2017

@EpigramPuzzles

Editor: Joselyn Joanes puzzles@epigram.org.uk

Solutions will be posted online at www.epigram.org.uk and on social media.

The Omnipuzzle The aim of the Onmipuzzle is to find a word. Some clues here can give you a letter, a number or a symbol.

Word Sudoku ladder

Fill the empty squares with numbers 1 to 9, so that each number appears once in each row, column and 3x3 box.

Can you get from top to bottom, changing only one letter from one rung to the next?

If you need any help, contact the editor by email or through social media

Word grid Word links How many words can you find including the middle letter, with at least four letters per word? There is at least one nine-letter word.

Just a phrase

Find the two. three or four letters that can suffix the word on the left or prefix the word on the right, in each case giving a real word.

E.g. HE-AR-MY.

DUG FOR HOME CRISS LIFE

18= Average 24 = Good 30= Excellent

Find the word which can come before each of the three or four words given, in each case giving a common two-word phrase. E.g. LIFE line, LIFE time, LIFE less.

LINE LASTING FRAME WORD DANCING

1. Light, Chair, Ground 2. Stop, Bell, Nail 3. House, Man, Works 4. Stead, Chamber, Warmer 5. Glow, Fall, Clubs

Quick crossword 1

2

3

4

5 6

7 8 9 10 12

13

14

15 16

17 18 19 20

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By Jade ACROSS 1. The border between sea and land (9) 6. The day before (3) 7. Five-sided geometric figure (8) 8. Island famous for its coffee (4) 9. To think about something constantly (6) 10. Bring hands together to make sound (4) 12. Fiercely critical (8) 16. Become mature, as of fruit (5) 17. Repeat back (4) 18. Droops (5) 19. Stop temporarily (5) 20. Keep apart from others (7) DOWN 1. Abundant (7) 2. Memory loss (7) 3. Relating to organisation and coordination (10) 4. Mercenary or covert agent of feudal Japan (5) 5. Irritate and anger (3) 6. Letter casing (8) 11. Universal cure (7) 13. Succulent plant suited to hot, dry climate (6) 14. Small gardening tool, used as a scoop (6) 15. Gains the understanding of (6)

Follow us on Twtter @EpigramPuzzles If you would like to join the Puzzle Team email puzzles@epigram.org.uk

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11.12.2017

UBMHC moustaches smash cash target You may have seen our recent article on the Movember efforts by UBAFC. Another club who are smashing all expectations are the University of Bristol Men’s Hockey Club (UBMHC) who, at the time of writing, have raised a whopping £6135 and are the 2nd best University team in the country.

Part of the effort to get all club members on board was a rather creative poem from Jake Vincent, the vice club captain. He described it as ‘pure procrastination’ but managed to finish the masterpiece in around two hours.

‘Far more enjoyable than reading about the 2008 financial crisis,’ he enthused.

I spoke to Jake about the club’s efforts.

NW: Why did the club decide to get involved?

JV: This has been a club tradition for many years now. I think originally it started because a few of the members wanted to grow moustaches without the social stigma that normally comes with such a fashion statement.

They saw Movember as an excellent opportunity to achieve this and raise money for such a worthy cause; however, this is unconfirmed. What I do know is that the issues that the Movember foundation attempt to deal with are things that have and will impact our members, and so it only seemed right that we help in this fight. Combining the reality of our

delivered to their doors so I think it worked out for us all. In comparison to what a lot of people around the world have done to raise money for the cause I can’t say my effort is particularly standout, some people have made some incredible efforts and sacrificed a huge amount more than I have over the month but hopefully somewhere, sometime my tiny contribution might help to make a difference for someone.

My choice of sporting facial furniture has suffered quite a bit of jokey critique

NW: Last time I checked you were 34th highest fundraisers in the UK! How did you achieve this?

HF: Our position in team leaderboards is still likely to change as the month comes to a close! But I think it’s the realisation that these illnesses just can hit anyone around us and they’re a very real threat. If we’re able to make a difference, however small, we should be pushing to do so.

There’s been some great leadership by example from the likes of Jake and his fellow committee members and the more senior members encouraging the younger members of the club to get involved. A lot of the younger members have put wonderful efforts into raising impressive quantities of money. Overall, it’s a group effort to solve these illnesses and as a club we’ve come together, everyone’s done their bit and it’s come out successfully.

NW: The all-important question, what style of moustache are you aiming for?

HF: Handlebars, they just seemed the most appropriately inappropriate!

Movember Foundation / Lucy Dean

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It’s the realisation that these illnesses can hit anyone around us

situation with the fact that we are a club of 100 members, and therefore have the capacity to raise a significant sum of money for Movember meant our involvement was inevitable.

NW: You’ve already smashed the £2000 target, what’s the aim now?

JV: When I set up our Movember page, I was looking at our previous attempts and it seemed that every year we raised a very respectable £2000 as a club, and so that became my expectation for this year. However, within the first week that seemed to be too modest due to the tremendous efforts of people like Henry Fairey, Ishaan Rajan and Dan Metcalf who combined have [at the time of writing] raised nearly £1500.

I think our current objective is £5000.

One club member with more personal reasons for getting involved has already raised £550 on his own, partly due to the fact he is donating all of his wages from Deliveroo to the cause. I spoke with Henry about his dedication the cause and of course, moustache aims.

NW: Donating all of your wages is very generous, what inspired you to do that?

HF: Over the past year a few of my friends and family have been fighting, and occasionally losing their battles with the illnesses Movember aims to tackle (especially mental health) so I wanted to do something.

I wanted to raise money and awareness for the cause but I really can’t stand asking people for money!

I figured that I would cycle for charity and effectively get Deliveroo to pay me for my efforts, in effect sponsoring me to do the cycling through my usual wages. People could still donate if they wanted to (and a couple of very generous people did) but I didn’t have to annoy people asking for donations, I could get out and do my little bit for charity and people got their dinners

“

Nicky Withers Sports Editor

Hockey player Henry Fairey with his bike and facial furniture

My choice of sporting facial furniture has suffered quite a bit of jokey critique over the month so I can

assure you the look won’t be staying any longer than it has to, but everyone has been very supportive of the cause!

UOBCC bring home more medals after competing at BUCS track championships Henry Edwards Second year, History

Facebook / University of Bristol Sport

The riders in action at the BUCS track championships

Members of the University of Bristol Cycling Club are rarely strangers to success, whether it is to be found in competitions or even their bi-weekly rides in the surrounding area.

At the recent BUCS Cycling Track Championships, however, UOBCC excelled to new heights. In particular, the women’s team riders shone: Beth Rolf and Lottie Mallin Martin both won bronze medals in the women’s team sprint on the day. Amazingly, they recorded a 3rd placed finish in the female overall competition, a tremendously commendable achievement.

Building upon this, Lottie Mallin Martin competed in the points race, in which she won silver, as well as achieving bronze in the 500 metre time trial and a fifth placed finish in the individual pursuit. Lottie and the rest of the UOBCC competitors will surely be needing a larger trophy cabinet fairly soon.

Coming off the UOBCC’s success in the earlier BUCS Hill Climb, this more recent achievement is yet another indication that the club is making great strides in the right direction. It is understood that

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the aim is to obtain performance status for next year, certainly not out of the question if the club’s momentum is kept up.

Beth Rolf and Lottie Mallin Martin both won bronze medals

Considering the incredible standard set at competitions of this nature, the riders of the UOBCC should be immensely proud of their achievements.

Many opposition riders, of course, race professionally in cycling teams in the domestic racing calendar.

Astonishingly, Beth Rolf only took up the sport three years ago; now, she has a place in the racing squad and can boast two medals from BUCS. Evidently, if Beth’s example is anything to go by, we could all find personal accomplishment through the inspiring influence of cycling, and sport more generally.

For further information about the club, including how one should go about signing up, the group’s Facebook page is available to view online.

Epigram

11.12.2017

47

Epigram introducing... Futsal Ben McCall-Myers Online Editor Formed in 2012, the University of Bristol Futsal Club is one of the youngest sport societies on campus.

The sport itself, which originates from Uruguay, is essentially indoor 5a-side football. It’s a fast paced game, ideal for developing your skill and technique, which took off in South America in the mid-20th century.

Many of the world’s best footballing icons, including Pele, Maradonna and more recently Ronaldinho and Neymar, started out playing Futsal.

Its name is an amalgamation of the Spanish words ‘fútbol’ and ‘salón’, literally meaning ‘football’ and ‘living room’. However, Epigram cannot take responsibility for any broken

televisions and recommends using the Bristol Grammar School sports hall if you are interested in getting involved.

Our Online Sport Editor, Ben McCall-Myers caught up with Futsal Club Captain, Nathaniel Harrison, to get an insight into the sport.

BMM: Had you heard of Futsal before University?

NH: I had, but had never played before coming to Bristol.

BMM: Wow. So to have become the captain in only your second year, you must be pretty passionate about this newly discovered sport?

NH: I do love the sport; I was very surprised and humbled to be voted captain at the AGM in March. And I’ll do anything for the club. Anything.

BMM: What inspired you to join the Futsal club?

NH: I’ve always played football and wanted to continue playing at university but wanted a break from 11-a-side. I’d originally thought of joining a 5-a-side league in Bristol but saw they had a University Futsal team so thought I’d trial.

BMM: You mention 11-a-side football there - is there any particular reason you wanted a break? What differentiates Futsal from 11-aside football and do you prefer it?

NH: I have personally always enjoyed 5-a-side; you see more of the ball, there’s less emphasis on the physicality of the game, and it helps improve your technique. Futsal is so much faster and more intense than 11a-side - I wouldn’t say I prefer it but I like both games for different reasons.

BMM: Due to the higher tempo, do you

Twitter / Bristol Uni Futsal

The women’s futsal team after a 4-0 victory against Bath this season

think Futsal breeds technically ‘better players’than other variations of football?

NH: Yeah definitely, you only need to look at players like Falcao and Ricardinho rinsing other players to realise how technically incredible Futsal players are. Perhaps the England Football team wouldn’t be so consistently disappointing if the same money was invested in getting our young players playing Futsal as it is in great footballing nations like Brazil and Spain.

BMM: You mentioned earlier that you would ‘do anything’ for the club.

Why do you love the club so much and what are your best memories with it?

NH: Unreal set of boys and girls, more specifically I’d do anything for them.

My favourite memories include being under the wing of the Major last year, ruining UWE, Becky Mills, and bringing this year’s Freshers into the club. In fact, I’d just like to take this opportunity to give a shoutout to ‘Finesse’ Mills and ‘Zayn’ Lamberti; both have been absolute bins bandits so far this season.

BMM: What are your aims this season?

NH: We want promotion for all four teams, we’ve got a huge pool of talent this year and need to take advantage of that.

So far our Freshers have been brilliant in adapting to the sport, especially as most have come from 11-a-side.

BMM: And what would you say to anyone thinking about starting to play Futsal?

NH: We’ve got open sessions every Saturday at Bristol Grammar School - information about these is on our Facebook page. We’ll also be holding another trial in January so please come down to that if you’re thinking about trying to get involved.

BUCS Results Wednesday 29th Nov Men’s Football Bristol 1s 4-0 Bournemouth 1s Southampton 1s 2-0 Bristol 2s Bath 4s 3-3 Bristol 3s Bristol 4s 0-5 Swansea 3s Women’s Football Southampton 1s 2-2 Bristol 1s Men’s Rugby Exeter 5s 45-10 Bristol 3s Women’s Rugby Gloucestershire Bristol 1s

1s

22-69

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Epidivisie Code: 787477-1079615 Good Luck!

Bronze medals for Bristol duathlon duo Nicky Withers Sports Editor Bronze for Duathlon Duo! Sunday 19th of November saw more medals for UniversityofBristolathletes,withbronzes for both Kate Mactear and Alex Matchett.

The BUCS Duathlon took place at

Castle Combe, a motor racing track that has been the home of this event for years. The duathlon involves a two mile run, ten mile bike ride followed by another two mile run.

I interviewed Kate Mactear, featured in an earlier article after winning gold at a BUCS Hill Climb cycling event.

NW: How did you prepare for the event?

Epigram / Andrew Kirby

Facebook / University of Bristol Sport

Bronze medallists Alex and Kate after the race with their medals

KM: I did lots of short, hard bike sessions followed by a run. In triathlon we call these ‘brick’ sessions. They’re hard work but get you used to running off the bike with tired legs! I also did lots of running intervals to get my legs used to running slightly faster than normal.

NW: After your BUCS Hill Climb success you said you were aiming for top 10, how does it feel to get bronze?

KM: It was amazing to get bronze!

The standard there was very high with lots of GBR athletes and the girl who won is the German national champion, so I was thrilled to get on the podium.

NW: How do you juggle the different sports and your degree?

KM: It is hard work but you need to be organised and plan what sessions you’re going to do in advance.

I try and fit my sessions in first thing in the morning and in the evening so I can leave the day free to do work.

If I’ve got a heavy week at uni I try and ease off on the training so I have enough energy to work properly.

NW: What’s the plan now? Do you get to relax over Christmas?

KM: I think my plan is to have a bit of a rest now! I’m not going to stop training altogether, but maybe mix it up a bit. I love cross-country running and long bike rides so I think I’m going to do a bit more of that and ease off the intervals for now.

Alex Matchett, a Medicine student who will soon be sitting his finals also secured a place on the podium.

NW: How did you get

The women’s podum with Kate on the right

involved with duathlon?

AM: I’ve been competing in triathlon since I was a kid. I started in duathlon as it’s a great way to keep fit and compete over the winter when the sea is a bit too cold to make competing in triathlons much fun!

NW:Howdidyoupreparefortheevent?

AM: I’m currently in Bath on placement so training mainly consisted of running in the evenings

during the week and then long cycles over to Wales on the weekend.

Alex now has to switch his cycling brain for his studying one to tackle his exams, but afterwards is looking to attempt a few Ironman competitions.

I’m studying medicine and sitting my finals in a few weeks time so my main aim is to pass those! After that I’ll decide on events to compete in but I would love to give Ironmans a go!

Epigram

11.12.2017

Sport

@epigramsport Editor: Nicky Withers

Online Editor: Ben McCall-Myers

Deputy Editors: Tim Godfrey Twiss & Felix Rusby

sport@epigram.org.uk

Sport, sun and naked bum: Felix strips for RAG Felix Rusby Deputy Editor BUCS results Weds 29th November Men’s Basketball Swansea 2s 57-62 Bristol 2s Women’s Basketball Swansea 1s 30-53 Bristol 2s Men’s Hockey Bristol 1s 0-6 Exeter 1s Cardiff 2s 1-1 Bristol 2s Women’s Hockey Cardiff 3s 4-1 Bristol 2s Netball Cardiff 2s 42-27 Bristol 3s RAG / Bryan Wong

Promo photo from the RAG calender with Felix looking partulcarly sultry

“ “

my boxers - I don’t think his logic follows through. By his reasoning I might as well join the porn industry, because, you know, it’s basically the same as what I was doing. But anyway, for some reason, I signed up.

Well it always starts as just banter doesn’t it

I can’t really defend myself for the situation I ended up in, butt naked at 7AM in the freezing woods, because I was provided with ample opportunity to pull out - no pun intended. In the end, I was the one who got myself into this position, if with a bit of encouragement. Twelve of us, nine boys and three girls, prepared ourselves for the shoot. It was to take place in Leigh Woods at 7:15AM so the ‘light would be good’ and, perhaps more importantly, to avoid scaring dog walkers. After some difficulty finding the perfect spot, we at last set up at a beautiful location; the sun spilled into a clearing casting a warm golden glow, while in the background the striking image of the suspension bridge, that could be seen from the clearing edge, framed the scene. Despite my apprehension, it was a nice spot.

‘Alright! Let’s get naked!’ The overeager call of one of my fellow budding nudists, brought me crashing back to reality. As lovely as the scene was, that warm golden light would soon be shining on my poor naked body, perhaps not quite so beautiful a scene as the

first that greeted me. Thankfully, strip time hadn’t quite arrived yet.

Before we could drop our pants, we first had to go for a preparatory dress rehearsal - never has the term been so accurately used - where we would get into the positions we were going to take for the final naked shot. One of my friends suggested we should go for a kind of relay handover, where he would hold the baton and I would reach back to receive it. Once again, on the surface this sounds like a perfectly reasonable idea. Until of course, you realise that this baton, was standing in for another slightly smaller - yes that’s right, slightly smaller - baton that couldn’t be shown on camera. The result of this, was that I would be standing nude, grabbing another boy’s baton in eager anticipation, while he smiled at the camera in smug satisfaction.

“

The first time I came across RAG’s naked calendar, I remember a certain mix of surprise, respect and maybe a hint of disgust crossing my mind. It seemed to me that the idea of stripping down full nude, in the presence of others, some naked some - the photographer - more modestly covered, was a terrible idea. There are so many things about a concept like this that could go wrong. First of all, there’s the fact that you’re naked. I mean, full, tits out, dicks out naked. There’s no hiding here. If you’re lacking in any department, or maybe you’ve got a bit too much in places you’d rather keep hidden, then you’d better rethink your nudist plans. This is not a place for the faint hearted or body conscious, you’ve got to be ready to show what you’ve got and maybe even worse, see what others are boasting… or not.

But that’s not the only issue. Not only do you have to strip down bare, but you also have to get into some pretty dodgy positions.

Flicking through the calendar from last year, I remember laughing at the snooker players, strewn out across their snooker tables, waving their cues around as they bashed them against balls and took aim at their holes. With the rugby teams, lineouts, mauls, tackles and scrums all provided the sporty nudists with a plethora of unsightly images, as they got up-close and personal with their team mates’ nether regions - I really felt for one women’s player, gazing up at her teammate as she lifted her legs above her head. Even for Athletics and Cross Country, my own sport, I was slightly terrified by the limber stretching these runners had to perform, contorting their bodies for the camera. I felt especially for the only male who made up what was a mixed sex picture. ‘Boy,’ I thought, ‘that must have taken some balls…balls that no doubt those ‘lucky’ girls got to see.’ So, in short, after seeing all this and drawing a number of conclusions, I came to the sensible assertion that no f ****** way was I ever going to get naked for my sport. Little did I know, what sinister plans fate had in store for me.

It all began as a bit of a joke. I knew that sports societies across Bristol University were getting ready for a new year of naked calendars and sure enough, UBACCC was searching for willing nudists too. ‘Go on,’ said my housemate, ‘I dare you to do it, it’s just banter.’ Just banter. Well, it always starts as banter, doesn’t it?

I mean didn’t Rick say something along those lines before he and Morty ended up burying their own bodies in the back yard? My house mate persisted however, ‘you love getting naked anyway. You might as well take it one step further and do it on camera.’ Despite having a point - I have made a bit of a habit walking around my house in

I would be standing nude, grabbing another boy’s baton in eager anticipation

But it was too late to change my mind now, the moment had come.

We all gathered in a bit of a huddle by our bags, a couple of metres from where the photo would be taken. We looked each other up and down, trying to prepare ourselves for what we were about to do, assessing the competition. It was like a scene out of one of David Attenborough’s nature shows.

‘The pack of males access their

competition, the tension amongst the primates is palpable, who will be the first to make their move.

‘Suddenly, a stray, young male, eager to impress the more modest females, takes a bold move. In an audacious statement the young pup throws off his warm jacket and exposes himself to the arctic cold.’

Dress rehearsal - never has the term been so accurately used

Boy it was cold. Not just a little chilly, but bloody freezing. This of course is enough of an issue at the best of times, but when you’re preparing to strip down naked, it’s a big issue. Especially, for us males. A word of advice, if you want to make a big impression nude, don’t do it at temperatures penguins like to chill at, because a man’s masculinity does not favour the outdoors. I need not add, that I was no exception.

The short walk over to the photo spot reminded me of that scene out of Game of Thrones, when Cersei walks through the streets naked, with the repeated words, ‘Shame.

Shame. Shame’ called after her.

As I got into position, I risked a sneaky glance at the company I was with. All around me were naked athletes. To be fair to everyone we actually looked pretty good, the only problem was, I also got an eyeful of the less beautiful parts of my friends. However nice a good bum may be, it can never make up for the things I saw that day.

Cardiff 4s 25-28 Bristol 4s Keep up to date with what’s happening on Twitter at @epigramsport Interested in writing for Epigram Sport? Head over to the Epigram Sport Writers 2017/18 group on Facebook for more information, or drop us an email!

Despite my position, I was the more fortunate of the group. One lucky lad was instructed to kneel down and gaze across at the camera, so that his head rested at waist level with a couple of lads standing proudly either side of him. The dreams he must have had that night...

At last, the photos were taken. A number of shots took place and we tried a couple of locations. The only problem was, as the morning went on, more people emerged in the woods. I felt a little sorry for one lady as her dog came running up to us, searching for some food amongst our bags. As she approached our nudist gathering some comedian decided to give her dog a warning: ‘Oy, doggy! This sausage is not for you!’. The lady left in a hurry.

By the end of the morning, with photos taken and clothes back on, I had a chance to ref lect on my experience. Despite the slightly less than eager tone of my account, my experience getting naked for a charity calendar was actually great fun. Yes, it was cold and yes, we had to get up very early, but even bearing in mind all these things, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I’m not quite sure what it is, but there’s something terribly satisfying about getting naked in public with a group of friends. So, as a parting word of advice, if you’re ever asked to take part in a naked calendar, say yes.