EPIGRAM 322

Fortnightly 29th January 2018 Issue 322

?

Winner of Best Publication and Best Use of Digital Media 2017

University of Bristol’s Independent Student Newspaper

Bristol staff vote to strike over pensions dispute Cameron Scheijde Online Comment Editor

University may lose millions from revoked legacies due to proposed halls model

Features

Continued on page 5

Continued on page 2

SciTech

Epigram / Rebecca Watkins

Exploring Bristol’s

What was it like to study at

Information and

beer scene in the

Bristol in the 1960s? Alex

advice for summer

name of art

Boulton interviews an alumnus

placements

Page 41

Page 8

www.epigram.org.uk

EpigramPaper

Flickr / Jin-in-uk

Arts

indicated to others their intention to change their wills. We would invite anyone in that position to contact our legacy team to discuss any concerns in confidence.’

A recent petition opposing the changes has gained almost 3,500 signatures, while letters on behalf of the SRs, JCR Committees and Wardens have all been sent to the Vice-Chancellor. An open letter from the Hall Alumni Associations has also panned the proposals, claiming ‘the new model has little or no capacity for community development and support’.

This appears to be the motivation behind the collective £2 million revocation, as former students who appreciated their time in Halls oppose the loss of the communities they once enjoyed and contributed to.

Fossil Free - University of Bristol

Epigram has learned that Bristol University may lose out on millions of pounds as numerous alumni revoke donations in their wills. It’s understood that over £2 million is known to have been revoked, while the true figure may be considerably higher. The reason for this reversal in fortunes is the newly proposed model for Halls, which is proving increasingly unpopular with students, staff and alumni.

The benefactors in question have been ‘outraged by the University’s spokesman, whose comments in both the national and the local press about the current system of pastoral care in the residences appear to denigrate the work of residences’ staff and cast doubts on the value

of my life’s work and that of my colleagues’, according to our source.

According to a University spokesperson, the university is not ‘currently aware of any legacy pledges that have been changed as a result of the proposals for the Residential Life Service model currently being consulted upon.’

The University ‘values the generous philanthropic support of our alumni and friends which helps to ensure our students continue to receive a world class, innovative and inclusive education experience,’ according to their spokesperson. ‘Some alumni choose to pledge their support through gifts in wills and our specialist legacy team works closely with prospective supporters and donors.’

‘However,’ they continue: ‘we have recently been made aware that some alumni, who we understand intend to leave a legacy gift, have

Epigram / Hannah Worthington

Tom Phillips Fourth Year, Physics and Philosophy

The Universities and Colleges Union (UCU) at Bristol has voted to take strike action over changes to pension funding proposed by Universities UK (UUK).

The dispute is over changes to the funding of the pension scheme, the USS (Universities Superannuation Scheme), that may see up to £500m less in the pockets of higher education staff following retirement.

When UCU members in Bristol were asked the question ‘are you prepared to take industrial action consisting of strike action’, 90.5 per cent voted ‘yes’. When asked ‘are you prepared to take industrial action consisting of action short of strike action?’, 94 per cent voted ‘yes’. Action short of strike could see classes disrupted, papers unmarked and staff shortages. Strike action would see prolonged disruption to teaching, marking and the running of the University.

As it stands, the USS protects pensions for higher education staff. Under proposals that came into effect in 2016, USS members currently pay 8 per cent into their pensions.

However, the USS currently has an estimated deficit of £5billion. UUK has proposed changes that would see University employers and USS members pay an extra 6 to 7 per cent more of their salary to pensions. Pension experts in the UCU discovered that a typical lecturer could be as much as £208,000 worse off under these new proposals. This would effect everyone who works for the higher education sector as part of an effort to reduce USS deficit.

Staff at the University may strike in the spring, after the Bristol UCU were given this clear mandate for industrial action. Talks between UCU and UUK broke down on Tuesday 23rd of January, which makes strike action likely.

Sally Hunt, UCU general secretary, said: ‘Staff will feel utterly betrayed by their leaders.

We are disappointed at how talks ended today, particularly after UUK suggested yesterday that it wanted more talks to avoid strikes. Universities must be on notice that unless there are dramatic changes in their negotiators’ position then strike action will be arriving on campus next month.’

Wellbeing

Still don’t have any New Year’s resolutions? Bea O’Kelly gives her recommendations Page 22

Page 12 @EpigramPaper

@epigrampaper_

Download our app!

Epigram | 29.01.2018

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 Noa

We are deeply saddened to announce that Freya Cox, a former Epigram Editor, sadly passed away over Christmas.

Her Thanksgiving Service will be at 4pm on Saturday the 10th of February in Cuddington. Freya’s family have expressed a wish for everyone who knew and loved her to be there. If you would like to attend, please register your interest with Stella Eastwood-Quinn, Deputy Head of Student Wellbeing at stella.eastwood-quinn@bristol.ac.uk.

Chief Proofreader Lucy Moor Sub-editors on this issue Jess Cselko, Dani Salvalaggio, Jess Browne-Swinburne, Max Lewthwaite, Trystan Cullinan, Cecily Donohue-Hall, Willow Smith, Francesca Howell 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 Marketing Assistants Kate Nissen, Tara Lidstone Distribution Manager Thomas Jordan 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.

Printed by: CN Newsprint Cumbrian Newsprint, Newspaper House, Dalston Road, Carlisle CA2 5UA

Noa Leach, Co-Editor in Chief

Epigram / Lucy Downer

Continued from front page: ‘Bristol staff likely to strike over pensions dispute’ Hunt continued: ‘There is much talk of a crisis of leadership in higher education at the moment, especially after the recent ViceChancellor pay and perks scandals. Now is the time for university leaders to recognise the scale of this problem, how angry their staff are and to work with us to avoid widespread disruption in universities.’

Tracy Hooper, head of UCU Bristol, told Epigram that students should expect ‘unprecedented industrial action in the New Year, with major disruption to teaching and assessment.

‘The arrogance and aggression with which these changes are being forced upon staff is insulting and unnecessary.’

Chief Financial Officer at the University Robert Kerse said: ‘The University of Bristol is one of 350 employer members of the USS pension scheme and we’re represented by Universities UK. A decision on its future rests with the USS Trustee Board. We are working hard with USS, Universities UK and the UCU to ensure that our pension offer to staff, given the constraints we are under, is as fair, competitive and secure as it can possibly be.’

When I ask myself what everyone is talking about at the moment, it is hard to not come back to wellbeing. I was reluctant to write a New Year/New Term-style editorial for fear of giving advice I am not qualified to give, but the truth is that I can’t not address the mental health of the student body as we begin this new term.

The current most controversial topic among and between students and staff at the university is that of the Pastoral Review: students have expressed concern over both the removal of wardens and the reduction of senior residents in halls; several bodies like the SU have withdrawn earlier statements on the matter; and 3,412 people (at the time of writing) have signed a petition calling for the university to review their changes. Not only this, but recent developments have shown alumni revoking their legacies to the University in their disagreement with the Pastoral Review, as the front page shows, and meetings being held by the University with students and staff to reach some sort of middle ground. A full summary of the Review, the changes, and the surrounding discussion can be found on page 3.

The changes, whatever shape they end up taking, will be significant to student wellbeing. It is an important time for us then in many ways; we must join the discussion and voice our opinions and questions while ensuring our own wellbeing. Our own Online Wellbeing Editor, Leila Mitwally, was interviewed by BBC Newsnight on the 23rd of January about student health in general and especially its place within the university.

It is hard here to not mention (and hard too to talk about) the recent student suicide at the university. It is the kind of news that, as you would expect, we dread: at once,

we feel the tragic loss of a person from the group we are not only part of but are representatives for - and at the same time we have a ‘duty’ to report on it. Our positions as ‘student journalists’ are here made almost oxymoronic: students are the grieving and vulnerable, and journalists sweep in from all around to pick up the details.

Following our policy with student deaths, we decided to keep out the student’s name and picture from our coverage - especially as the student’s family expressed a desire for privacy. We hope that our coverage helps to raise awareness and connect the right people to the right sources of help.

As I said before, I am not qualified to give advice.

What I can do in this role is help to open up discussion about what is helpful and what is potentially damaging to us as students, and keep reminding students that there is always someone who will listen.

A fire engulfed the historic fry Building on January 6th 2018. Wills Library was evacuated and fire fighters were sent from 8 crews, as well as a helicopter to provide light. The building was undergoing refurbishment at the time so luckily no-one was inside and no injuries have been reported. As the fire occurred just two days before the start of exams, affected students were able to apply for extenuating circumstances. Avon Fire and Rescue confirmed that the fire was accidental and that it was mainly the roof that had been damaged.

From the archives: ‘Playboys and Girls’ When the ex-Women’s Officer poured orange juice over the head of the Conservative Association This ‘From the Archives’ is from way back, more specifically Epigram’s 6th ever issue. Epigram founder James Landale (now Diplomatic Correspondent at BBC News) was editor and Epigram consisted of 7 sections and 20 pages.

It focuses on the eventful and controversial Union Annual General Meeting of the 30th November 1989 and the disruption between the Conservative Association (BUCA), the Women’s Group and the Socialist Workers Society (SWSS).

The article introduces Nick Allsop, the President of the Conservative Association, who tried to raise money by selling Playboy magazine as people walked into the meeting, angering the feminists in attendance. The article also detailed how Allsop formerly tried to join the Pro-Choice group with the alias ‘A Foetus’, promting the NUS National Secretary to identify him as a potential ‘troublemaker’.

BUCA also proposed a motion at the meeting proposing to disaffiliate Gaysoc from the union, which was quickly thrown out without much discussion.

The Women’s Group then proposed an anti-pornography motion, which BUCA proposed an ammendemnt to calling pornography a ‘harmless outlet for the sexual frustrations of unattractive men and women’. Allsop then commented: ‘women who oppose pornography are always ugly’.

The topic of debate moved onto vegetarian food, with one student being asked to leave as he remarked ‘most vegetarians are homosexuals.’

The meeting was then called off as everyone was ‘too drunk’ and the hall fell below 100 people needed.

As everyone was leaving, Judith Carlson, a previous Women’s Officer, threw orange juice over Allsop as she wanted to destroy

the ‘offensive literature he was attempting to pedal’, while she also wanted to force him to ‘launder the South African rugby shirt he insists on wearing at every AGM.’ Allsop then threw a pint of beer over her in retaliation and a ‘general melee’ ensued.

The events of 1989 sure do make our SU meetings look thoroughly boring.

First published in Epigram on the 8th of December 1989.

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

Epigram Paper

@epigrampaper

@epigrampaper_

Epigram

www.epigram.org.uk

Epigram 29.01.2018

Editor: Nikki Peach news@epigram.org.uk

“

News

Deputy Editors: Hannah Wakefield, Lucy Downer

Online Editor: Emma Chittleburgh

3

@epigramnews Deputy Online Editors: Emily Vernall, Jecca Powell

Epigram’s guide to the Residential Life Service Model Alex Boulton Co-Editor in Chief On the 18th of December, a report was released confirming allegations that the University’s Residential and Hospitality Services (RHS) is set to completely change the way pastoral care is provided in halls following an 18-month long review. The Residential Life Service Model sees the replacement of Wardens, Deputy Wardens and Senior Residents as well as the creation of three ‘hubs’, or clusters of residences, from which the new service will run. A consultation period is currently underway and if the model is eventually approved, it will be implemented from September 2018.

The proposed model has faced criticism from students, staff and alumni who argue the changes are motivated by a need to cut costs, will see a reduction of staff on the ground and will sacrifice the community feel in many halls.

The proposed changes are expected to create almost £800,000 in savings, mainly due to a reduction in the amount spent on live-in staff accommodation. The University have yet to confirm whether these savings will translate

into rent reductions.

Residential Life Mentors, replacing Senior Residents (SR), will still be students but will be paid for 10-12 hours a week instead of receiving a rent reduction as current SRs do. The proposed model includes less than half the number of SRs split between three hubs, (reduced from around 140 to 54) which will cut the ratio of SRs to residents from approximately 1:40 to 1:100.

An open meeting was held on the 23rd of January for staff and students to ask questions to Simon Bray (Director of Residential and Hospitality Services), Mark Ames (Director of Student Services), Lynn Robinson (Deputy Registrar) and Judith Squires (Pro ViceChancellor). Throughout the Q&A, the panel labelled the feedback they had so far received as ‘helpful’ and recognised that the initial number of proposed Residential Life Mentors and other support staff may be too low.

Despite a number of audience members doubting whether implementation in September 2018 is feasible considering the amount of opposition and the time it will take to recruit and train the new staff, Robinson argued that the speed at which the review is taking place ‘is very much to do with the feedback that we’ve

According to a University spokesperson, the key features of the model are: A specialised team of frontline support staff, including: -Three full-time Residential Life Managers (to live on-site, lead Residential Life Teams, coordinate student support and help build ‘inclusive communities’) -15 full-time Residential Life Advisers (to provide ‘proactive student engagement’, support and community building) -54 part-time Residential Life Mentors (students who live on-site, provide peer-to-peer support and support for community building, social events and residential activities) -Volunteer Residence Reps (groups of students from each residence who work with Bristol SU to provide a programme of educational and social activities) -Clearly defined work shifts to ensure support is available 24/7 and 365 days a year.

-All staff will receive comprehensive training, including specific mental health training.

-The Service will run from three residential villages,clusters of residences in Clifton, Stoke Bishop and the City Centre (a fourth village planned for the Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus).

-Peer-to-peer support from live-in Residential Life Mentors combined with round-the-clock support from full-time Residential staff in the residential villages will ensure that students always have a visible, accessible and approachable source of help.

-To connect ‘seamlessly’ with the University-wide Student Wellbeing Service (including the wellbeing advisers coming to schools and faculties) and an inclusive programme of social and community building activities offered by other University divisions (e.g. Sport, Exercise and Health) and Bristol SU. -Continued student representation through Junior Common Rooms (JCRs) or similar in the new model, as well as Hall Advisory Committees/groups or similar.

-Any cost savings from delivering a new model will be entirely reinvested into rent reductions or accommodation bursaries for students and Residential Life Mentors.

had from students’. She added: ‘to take what would be more than two years to respond feels not entirely acceptable,’ but added: ‘if we feel we need to take more time we will.’

The University has not yet confirmed whether student rent will be reduced and maintain that ‘this is not a cost-saving exercise’

Many audience members argued that the move from a halls- based system to a hub based one and resultant reduction in livein staff will increase the physical distance between struggling residents and the help they require. In response, Bray replied that ‘while the resource will be operating from a hub’, it will be ‘staffed 24/7 and the wellbeing team will be proactively out and about across the whole portfolio of accommodation.’

A number of current and former JCR committee members were in attendance and expressed concern over the future of community building in the new ‘hubs’, arguing it is currently unclear who is supposed to take on this responsibility. What form JCRs will take in the new model has yet to be decided.

In opposition to the proposed changes, Bristol student Leonardo De Rezende launched an online petition and told Epigram that ‘the University is effectively trying to force these changes down the throats of the Halls. There is scope for reforming pastoral support, but the changes proposed are opposed by many residents, they misunderstand the actual role played by Senior Residents and Wardens.’ At the time of writing, the petition has more than 3,400 signatures.

Students, current and former JCR committee members, Senior Residents and bar staff members set up ‘Keep our Communities’ (KOC) in opposition to the changes. On their Facebook page, it is stated: ‘we firmly believe that the changes proposed by Residential and Hospitality Services (RHS) will destroy hall communities, and will put student lives in danger through an impersonal, much smaller, and less accessible staff.’

In collaboration with ‘Wills Meme-orial

Building’, KOC have organised a march to protest the model on the 3rd February 2018.

They told Epigram: ‘The aim of the protest is to demonstrate the opposition to the changes proposed by RHS. We believe that the seriousness of the likely consequences of this review are not being appreciated by the university.’

Three open letters, from Senior Residents, Hall Associations (alumni) and JCR Committees have been sent to university officials about the changes. All three letters highlight key concerns surrounding the review and urge the university to reconsider the changes.

Despite initially offering their support in December, after speaking to ‘hundreds of students’ Bristol SU released a statement on January 17th 2018 calling on the University ‘to immediately review’ elements of the halls review. Lucky Dube, Student Living Officer at Bristol SU, said in his most recent statement that the SU are ‘supporting the fundamentals of the proposal’ but agree with students that ‘there are reasons to be concerned’, especially surrounding ‘the number of Residential Life Mentors.’

The University spokesperson added: ‘We acknowledge the great work of our current support teams (both staff and students), who are dedicated individuals who work beyond the call of duty to support our students.

‘However, it is vital that support services in our residences can adapt to increasing student numbers, greater diversity in the student body, and more complex student wellbeing issues.

‘Thank you to everyone who has already fed back their thoughts, ideas and concerns about the proposal – we welcome and value your input.

We acknowledge that concerns are being raised about the numbers of staff and peer mentors in the proposal. We take this very seriously and will be reviewing the proposal on this basis.

‘Given the level of engagement, we have decided to extend this phase of consultation from the original date of 1 February to Friday 9 February.

‘Once this phase of the consultation ends, the proposal will be reviewed, and a firmer proposal made by Friday 16 February. Some details will be finalised at that stage, but additional open meetings will be arranged to address any further questions, concerns or feedback.’

Read more about the review and its opposition on Epigram’s website.

Bristol ranked 4th most-targeted university by top 100 employers Emily Vernall Deputy Online News Editor

“

tremendously proud of.’

Second-year Civil Engineering student, Lizzie Parsons, commented that she ‘wasn’t surprised’ by Bristol’s high ranking, as it was the University’s reputation and respectability among employers that encouraged her to study here originally.

This ranking comes at a competitive time for graduate employment.The report concluded by saying that ‘together, the country’s top employers have received 10% more graduate job applications so far, compared with the equivalent period in the 2016-2017 recruitment round.’

‘Bristol produces some of the most employable graduates’

Following this recognition, Stuart Johnson, Director of the Careers Service at the University of Bristol, has responded: ‘Bristol has for a long time been a university heavily targeted by top employers and we are very pleased that this continues to be the case. Bristol attracts some of the best students and produces some of the most employable graduates, something that as an institution and as a careers service we are

UoBris MDTEL / Flickr

Students at the University of Bristol are among the most employer-targeted graduates, according to a major new study.

The report, conducted by High Fliers Research in December, was collated as part of the ‘Graduate Market’ in 2018 study.

Bristol was revealed as the 4th most targeted university in the UK, according to Britain’s top 100 employers. The study used this list of 100 influential and leading companies, which includes PwC, Goldman Sachs, BP, HSBC, RollsRoyce, Unilever, the BBC, Jaguar Land Rover and the NHS. The 4th place ranking stands Bristol ahead of other prominent academic institutions including Oxford and Cambridge. Such a result has put the University at the vanguard of employability, opportunity and graduate prospects.

The report concluded that the top 10 universities most often targeted by Britain’s top graduate employers in 2017 were: Manchester, Birmingham, Warwick, Bristol, UCL, Cambridge, Leeds, Nottingham, Oxford and Durham.

Bristol graduates respected by employers

Epigram 29.01.2018

4

University launches £500k scholarship fund The University of Bristol has announced major new investments in scholarships, in an attempt to encourage the best and brightest international students to apply.

The £500k investment will allow for 52 new scholarships to begin in 2018. The places will be open to all international students, both undergraduate and postgraduate.

The Think Big International Scholarship Programme is part of the university’s wider aim to expand its international outreach.

The Vice-Chancellor and President of the University, Professor Hugh Brady, said, ‘We are proud that Bristol consistently ranks among the top universities worldwide and this is reflected in the calibre of our international scholars whose ambition, intelligence and determination never cease to impress me.

‘Many are drawn to study at Bristol because they have a vision to make the world a better place – whether it be through studying pioneering technology such as robotics or advanced computing; international development or biomedical engineering.

‘Through the Think Big Scholarship Programme

we hope to attract more of the best and brightest minds to the University of Bristol and in doing so, to nurture future international leaders from across the globe.’

If the investment proves successful, the University may increase the fund in future years, allowing for more free University places for international students.

Chinedu Oty from Nigeria, currently studying Advanced Computing at Bristol, welcomed the announcement. He said, ‘Being an international scholar at the University of Bristol means unlimited opportunities for me.

‘I have been able to network extensively with my peers, lecturers and some industry experts on subjects relating to my career prospects.’

Uminda Rozumbetova from Uzbekistan, studying a Masters in Public Policy, said, ‘For me the biggest value in studying at Bristol as an international scholar is the opportunity to have access to one of the best educational systems in the world.

‘Obtaining a Master’s degree from Bristol will provide me with deep knowledge and understanding of the field of public policy, and gaining such practical and issues-oriented knowledge is necessary for me, because I want to continue my career as a policy-maker or analyst in public sector.’

Facebook / Bristol BME

Jecca Powell Deputy Online News Editor

Nominations for the Bristol BME Powerlist are currently open

Launch of Bristol BME Powerlist Nikki Peach News Editor A search for Bristol’s most inspiring Black and Minority Ethnic People is brought to the city by the University of Bristol, Bristol SU and Bristol 24/7.

The list aims to showcase Bristol’s 50-100 most inspiring, successful and influential Black and Minority Ethnic People. Nominations open on January 15th until March. The Powerlist hopes to receive nominations from a wide demographic, representative of students, University staff and the wider Bristol community.

“

‘The social discourse around inclusion and diversity is changing’

Flickr / mia!

Wills Memorial Building

The Powerlist aims to improve links between students and the wider Bristol community, and to provide students with more visible BME role models to inspire them in their own careers and activities in Bristol.

The Bristol SU completed a piece of research around the BME Attainment Gap in 2017. The results revealed that there

is a lack of role models in the University community with many students lacking a feeling of belonging and inclusion.

This is something that Chanté Joseph, University of Bristol student, BME network co-chair and founder of Bristol is the New Black seeks to change.

Chanté said, ‘The social discourse around inclusion and diversity is changing, it has gone beyond the tokenism and moved into a space of structural reform and meaningful actions.

‘This BME Powerlist is a way of creating hypervisibility for some of Bristol’s unsung BME heroes and giving them access to the university. I hope this list will be the start of a greater, mutually beneficial relationship between students and the community and will provide students with a wider support network of inspiring individuals and opportunities.’

The partnership between the University, Bristol SU and Bristol 24/7 will showcase the diverse city of Bristol. Funding for the project has been granted by the University of Bristol and a physical publication will be distributed

by Bristol 24/7 during the spring.

Nominees who are named on the Powerlist will be asked to engage in conversations with students to increase BME engagement in the local communities. This will help to develop their time in Bristol and to create an improved sense of social responsibility within the city.

Nominations are now open and can be completed online at www.bristolsu.org.uk/ bmepowerlist. All you need to do to nominate someone is give their name and a reason why you think they should be on the list.

New York Times names Bristol in top 52 places to visit Luke Unger Multimedia Editor It seems 2018 is Bristol’s year. Named one of the ‘coolest’ cities in the World by National Geographic in 2017, it appears the city’s energy has also caught the eye of the New York Times, times in their recent publication, a ‘starter kit for escaping into the world’ listing the city as one of the 52 selected places.

Ranking 51st on their 52 places to go in 2018, Bristol is described as ‘creative’ and ‘edgy’.

The article features the renovations to the Old Vic and St. George’s Bristol Concert Hall, also mentioning the new Brunel museum, soon to be opened near the S.S. Great Britain.

The article continues, highlighting ‘roomier new trains rolling out throughout 2018 from the Great Western Railway – plus an increase in service to four trains from two an hour in

“

early 2019 – promise a more convenient jaunt from London’.

While this certainly seems like a convenient improvement, GWR may not be at the forefront of a Bristolian’s mind as to why someone should visit.

‘Bristol often ranks as one of the happiest, most creative places to live’

The US paper named New Orleans in first place followed by Colombia, Basilicata in Italy, the Caribbean and Vierwaldstättersee in Switzerland.

When Epigram asked the Mayor of Bristol, Marvin Rees, for his reaction to the news, Rees

commented, ‘Pinpointing what makes Bristol special isn’t easy. It’s a combination of many things from the people to the place itself, but at the heart of it is our cultural diversity and independent spirit. Ninety one different languages are spoken here and we have many strong local communities who play individual roles in defining our identity. But it’s also our aspiration and willingness to take on the challenges of city life.

‘Bristol often ranks as one of the happiest, most creative places to live for its wealth of culture, dynamic food scene, festivals and events, together with its attractiveness, friendliness and accessibility. This is the truth, but not the whole truth. Like all cities we have our challenges. The city’s success does not reach everyone and there are longstanding social and economic inequalities we are working hard to resolve.’

He ended by commenting that ‘Bristol’s

culture is broader than just events or venues.

It is who we are individually and collectively.

And it’s about who and what we want to be, inside our boundaries and to the nation and world.’

Articles from the New York Times and National Geographic may likely inf luence Bristol’s growing tourism industry positively.

However, there have been several concerned students such as 2nd year Samuel Ianson, worried over the possible gentrification of Bristol’s grittier areas such as Stokes Croft and St Pauls. ‘Global attention on Bristol doesn’t necessarily have to be a bad thing, the council just needs to make sure poorer areas in Bristol are not marginalised’.

Despite this worry, the benefits of the article do seem positive overall. Frankly, it’s nice to know you have the backing of the New York Times when attempting to explain what makes Bristol great to your friends from other cities or universities.

Epigram 29.01.2018

55

New uni buses take the road Hannah Wakefiled Deputy News Editor

Tom Phillips Fourth Year, Physics and Philosophy Continued from front page...

One alumnus who has revoked his donation said ‘I am very disappointed by these proposals.

The bequests we intended to make to the Hall Association and JCR will be reversed. I feel sorry for the next generation who will not have the wonderful support that I did. I’m sorry Bristol has chosen to match inferior, cheaper “competitors”.’

Another offered “I’m very concerned by the Pastoral Review proposals...the blatant attempt to save costs and centralise leaves one speechless. If implemented, I believe this will be very harmful to students. I believe it is wrong to give money when you no longer have confidence and trust that it will be spent properly”.

It is understood that the cancelled bequests include part of the value of a property in the Westbury area from which the University could have expected in the region of £350,000, as well as a combined legacy of £1 million from two graduates of the 1980s who were in hall together.

A former Senior Administrator has changed the beneficiary of a £40,000 bequest from Bristol University to their former college while a further property worth in the region of £100,000 has also been revoked. Similar such promises for land and

money have been retracted and some of them redirected to other universities.

Members of staff have expressed concern at the proposals, with meetings of the Senior Tutors and Heads of Department taking place to discuss their impact on student life. One staff member stated that the plans were ‘a triumph of bureaucratisation and micromanagement... flare and individual initiative will be stifled, the residences will become grey and colourless and many of those with personal problems will fail to seek for help’.

The revocation of this sum also calls into question the University’s long-term plan for alumni donations. Historically, the University has greatly benefited from the continuing support of former students. The Ashley Watkins Chair of French and the W.P. Coldrick Chair in Astrophysics (together with the radio telescope on the Physics building) were funded by people whose primary continuing connection with the university was through their residential experience as undergraduates and their hall

association. Another former student, Dr Derek Zutshi, once left the entirety of his £2.2 million estate to the University when he died. Questions may now be raised over the projected income from alumni donations both in the short-term if these proposals are approved, and in the longterm if the effects on the Hall communities are as detrimental as feared.

The University said that they ‘acknowledge the sterling work of our current pastoral teams, who are committed and enthusiastic individuals who work beyond the call of duty to support our students.

‘We welcome feedback and comment on the current proposals and share the same goal of providing the very best services of student wellbeing and support. The University has already made a commitment that alumni hall committees, JCRs and hall advisory committees will continue.

‘The consultation is ongoing and has been extended to Friday, February 9, and there are open meetings being held with students, staff, alumni and friends over the coming weeks.’

Epigram / Cameron Scheijde

In the week beginning 8th January 2018 a new U1 fleet of nine low-emission, doubledecker buses took to the road, as part of a fiveyear partnership between the University and First West of England.

The new buses are in University colours and have twin doors, free WiFi and USB charging ports, as well as on board screens which announce the next stop and provide service information to passengers.

The buses meet the most recent Euro VI emission standards, thus help to improve the air quality across the city. Patrick Finch, Bursar and Director of Estates at the University, has said ‘the University is delighted to be operating its new partnership to deliver bus services with First West of England. The upgraded service provides our students with a range of additional benefits, delivered by a new fleet of vehicles.

‘The new buses are also better for the environment of the City of Bristol, helping the University to meet its sustainability commitments.’

Nearly 6,000 students living in University accommodation have already downloaded passes for the U1 to their smart phones, and other passengers can use a contactless card to pay for the services.

The new agreement also gives University staff and students access to discounted travel on a range of other First buses service in the city.

Continued: University may lose millions from revoked legacies

The proposals have caused people to express ‘deep concern’ over the changes

Ground-breaking national survey on sexual Students mourn the loss of Lizard violence experienced by students released Lounge Lucy Downer Deputy News Editor A new survey aiming to address the extent of sexual violence within UK campuses is underway, with the team behind it asking for students to get involved.

In partnership with The Student Room, Revolt Sexual Assault are producing a brand new national survey, the aim of which is to gain an insight into sexual assault and harassment experienced or witnessed by students at universities across the UK. This is the first survey of its kind for a decade, and it is hoped that it will generate awareness on the prevalence of sexual violence on UK campuses and the corresponding rates of reporting these crimes.

It is also hoped that it will increase awareness of the relevant support services available.

The charity is keen to stress the importance of student participation in surveys of this kind, as

they provide the student voice with an important platform that could drive much-needed reform in higher educational policy relating to sexual violence.

Its founder, Hannah, states, ‘It is heartening to see that higher education institutions are keen to tackle the issue of sexual assault and harassment in the U.K, following the Universities UK ‘Changing the culture’ report.

‘However, no student voices were represented during this study. The information is not currently available regarding how often sexual assault and harassment is happening at UK universities, neither is the necessary first-hand accounts from your students on their experiences of it. Our campaign and survey’s mission is to fill this gap.

‘There are so many ways you can help combat sexual assault and harassment; even by just reading this, spreading the word, listening to the stories we have collated, you help.

‘In a simple phrase, I am done with this behaviour

Revolt Sexual Assault

Revolt Sexual Assault Campaign

being the norm and so should you because #ItsRevolting.’

Revolt Sexual Assault is a charity founded by Bristol alumni, which aims to expose the levels of sexual assault and harassment that is experienced by students in the UK. They use Snapchat to allow students to voice their own experience of sexual violence, protected by filters, facial and voice obscuration in order to conceal their identities.

They believe in harnessing the power of the social phenomenon of Snapchat to address serious issues, stating that it helps to voice and humanise sexual assault and harassment, an issue that is often concealed in a cloak of silence.

A testimonial from one of the brave campaign participants, reveals the importance of this work, ‘If Revolt Sexual Assault makes one person feel less alone or more comfortable talking about sexual assault then it has made a difference. Telling my story anonymously has been so empowering and I’ve felt safe and in control the whole time.

‘When I was raped I felt so alone and unsupported.

I thought bad things like sexual assault didn’t happen to girls like me… I didn’t know how to talk about rape and that made dealing with all my emotions so much more difficult.

‘The police and the university need to change the way they deal with sexual assault cases. I really believe this campaign will make them ask more questions and take a more active approach in reforming their systems. It wasn’t easy to tell my story but I’m extremely proud to be a part of this amazing campaign.’

The ultimate aim of the survey is to drive policy reform and change in higher education institutions, including the introduction of extensive education from a young age on what consent, sexual harassment and sexual assault really mean. They want to provide an environment in which survivors of sexual violence no longer feel digital disguises are necessary, where they feel supported and safe in coming forward and knowing that their voices will be heard.

The survey is open now to current or former students at universities across the UK.

Lucy Downer Deputy News Editor On Tuesday 16th January, 2018, Lizard Lounge announced the re-branding and re-vamping of its Triangle club, which has re-opened as ‘The Lounge’.

A period of shock and mourning by university students has followed the loss of such an iconic identity; the Facebook page ‘Wills Meme-orial Building’ has organised a Facebook event for a memorial service, giving students the chance to remember Lounge the way it used to be.

This event will provide closure to the thousands of students who will surely wish to pay their respects to the sacred ground, whose allure on a night out united the students of Bristol.

Wills Meme-orial Building has posted details of the event, stating that the news comes as ‘a great blow to the university community, many of whom sought shelter in its walls from the rest of the triangle on a cold week day night.

‘Whether you are a sportsman or sportswoman or just a connoisseur of toffee vodka and VKs, please join us on January 31st to remember our dear friend.’

The dress code is black tie, accompanied with as much Lizard Lounge memorabilia as you can find.

Second year Environmental Geoscience student George Ponniah said, ‘It’s gentrification gone mad!’

After re-opening on Thursday 18th January, the club stated that it wishes to welcome back both its old customers and some new to check out the new décor and drinks offers.

The changes are said to have been made due to a new stockholder of the company wanting more business over the summer when students are out of town, hence the re-brand.

The change has left students shocked but not shaken, with the re-brand of other renowned Triangle clubs such as Bunker leaving the community asking when this will end.

Epigram

29.01.2018

Features

@epigramfeatures

Editor: Ellen Jones

Deputy Editor: Dani Bass

features@epigram.org.uk

Looking back at Winston Churchill as UoB Chancellor Ellen Jones reflects on Churchill’s time as Chancellor of Bristol University

“ He is thought to have been a muchloved addition to the university’s identity

Yet it seems as though his pre-eminence as Chancellor of the Exchequer, a role which brought him into contact with Bristol academic administrator Sir William McCormick, was sufficient to earn him the prestigious role.

Although at first seemingly reluctant, Churchill agreed to his appointment in 1929.

He was to become a much-loved addition to the university’s identity. After his initial installation ceremony, Churchill was carried through the streets by students to the Victoria Rooms, which were then used as the Students’ Union. However, as might be expected of a man simultaneously leading Britain during a war, Churchill’s attention seems not to have been too preoccupied with the health of the university.

University of Bristol/ Press Office

As January arrives and Oscar season looms, so the film industry releases the movies expected to be some of the best of the year. In 2018, this includes the new Winston Churchill biopic Darkest Hour, released on 12th January. The film takes us back to Churchill’s first term as Prime Minister in 1940, when he must decide whether to negotiate a peace treaty with Nazi Germany or stand firm to fight for the ideals, liberty and freedom of a nation.

As students - we History nerds, in particular - head to the cinemas to watch the Golden Globe winning film, it’s a good time to question how much we actually know about the long-revered wartime leader. Other than the ‘man who won the war’, who was Winston Churchill and what did he do?

Much of Churchill’s past has been obscured.

Very few people know that he suffered a stroke whilst Prime Minister for the second time in the 1950s or that he spent much of his time ‘in office’ relaxing in Marrakesh. More Bristol students may know, however, that whilst leading the war effort in the 1940s, Churchill was also Chancellor of the University of Bristol. In fact, Churchill stood as the university’s longest standing Chancellor to date, serving from 1929 to 1965.

Then as now, appointments to the university Chancellorship were not without controversy.

Yet although Churchill was criticised for not having attended Bristol University himself, he

to become Chancellor of a university in the first place’. He described himself as an ‘uneducated man’ and is thought to have been wary of intellectuals and academics. Moreover, having been targeted as the victim of a WSPU attack at Temple Meads station in 1909, Churchill hardly had strong nostalgic ties to the city.

University of Bristol/ Press Office

“

Ellen Jones Features Editor

Churchill served as Chancellor from 1929- 1965

Churchill was informed on his appointment by the Vice-Chancellor Thomas Loveday that his responsibilities involved ‘everything and nothing’, as UoB’s Nonesuch magazine notes.

Our preeminent and prestigious university holds enduring ties with equally notorious individuals

An exploration of Churchill’s time at Bristol is therefore enlightening, revealing the university’s seemingly endless association with historically and politically controversial figures. Our preeminent and prestigious university holds enduring ties with equally notorious individuals,

contributing to its culturally complex past, which continues to haunt it in the present.

As neither a subscriber to the ‘Great Man’ theory, nor Churchill’s politics, I am somewhat reluctant to celebrate Bristol’s ‘important’ links with the former Prime Minister. His appointment, to me, appears only to represent the elitism and hierarchy which the university continues to struggle with today. Although perhaps more expected in the early 20th century, it is enlightening that still, today, we continue to pay tribute to figures such as Churchill and Wills, whose role may belong more firmly rooted in the past, than in the everyday architecture of the present.

But these conversations give us the opportunity both to continue to question our institution’s past and help to shape its role in the present. With a new film looking back at an important time in Britain’s history, it’s a good time to educate ourselves about the university’s rich history too.

University of Bristol/ Press Office

Churchill was the university’s longest standing Chancellor was to perform the role with ‘a theatrical flair and consummate panache that were incomparable and inimitable’, says biographer Roy Jenkins.

So, what did Churchill do as Chancellor? And why, having not attended university himself, nor with any apparent links to Bristol, was he to be appointed?

It seems as though, in true Churchillian fashion, there was no particular reason for Churchill to take up the Chancellorship. Dr Sophie Hatchwell of the Department of History of Art suggests that ‘it is a surprise that Churchill should have agreed

Dr Hatchwell considers that the ‘sheer calibre of the honorary degree recipients’ during Churchill’s time as Chancellor, reveal ‘just how politically tactical his was’. These included Australian Prime Minister Robert Menzies, and American Ambassador John Winant in 1941, supposedly to foster international relations. Churchill was himself awarded an honorary degree during the event.

In 2015, the university wrote that Churchill had ‘brought much prestige to the university’.

This was evidently the aim from the outset.

Churchill carried through the streets by students on his initial installation ceremony

Epigram

29.01.2018

7

The Holocaust, 73 years on, why is it still important to remember?

“

Dani Bass discusses why it is vital that we do not forget the atrocities of the Holocaust

The 27th of January is the day we remember the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust, along with millions of other minorities and resistance fighters killed by Nazi persecution.

We remember them along with those killed in subsequent genocides across the globe. The date in January marks the liberation of AuschwitzBirkenau, the largest Nazi death camp.

The power of words is the theme for Holocaust Memorial Day 2018. This theme is more important now than ever. At a time when anti-Semitism is on the rise it is our duty to use our words and not sit in silence.

We like to think that here in Bristol we are free from ignorance and hatred. However, during the Jewish festival Chanukah last month, this security, which for many years has been taken for granted, was violated. As students celebrated at the home of a student Rabbi on campus, their evening was disrupted by anti-Semitic chanting while eggs were thrown at the windows. Luckily, no harm was done to the family or the students.

But unsurprisingly they felt frightened.

The week in which this took place saw a huge rise in anti-Semitic acts. It is probably no coincidence that the world witnessed an influx in anti-Semitism in the week following Donald Trump’s recent announcement that the US will recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Within the following days there were reports of attempts to set a synagogue on fire and an attack on a Jewish cemetery in Malmö, Sweden, as well as smashed windows at a Jewish restaurant in Amsterdam.

Freddy Gellberg, a spokesperson for Malmö’s Jewish community, says that Jews are facing

Anti-Semitic incidents are at a record level and Holocaust denial or distortion is increasing

To question Trump’s decision is by no means anti-Semitic. I believe his actions are in constant need of questioning and criticism. However, when his decisions give people the excuse to take to the streets of London in protest, shouting antiSemitic slogans and holding placards of swastikas, or post letters through the doors of synagogues across Canada calling for death to the Jews, I can’t help thinking that behind this veil of anti-Trump or anti-Zionism is truly anti-Semitic sentiment.

No political statement provides an excuse for antisemitism.

One of the reasons I was prompted to write this article was something I saw on Facebook.

Channel 4 News shared a video of a man named Tibor Baranski, now 96, who risked his life to save the lives of many Hungarian Jews. The comments on this video truly shocked me; both in number and in content. ‘Was it worth while saving these Warmongers?’ read the comment that had received the most likes. This was followed by similar comments implying that the Jews got what they deserved, some even saying that we should ‘Send him to death-row’ for saving the lives of Jewish people.

I was genuinely aghast that people could feel like this and more importantly feel free to express it in such an open forum. How is it allowed on any level to make such comments shows the acceptability of anti-Semitism. Joan Salter is a 77 year old who was separated from her PolishJewish family during the war. ‘[It is] comforting to assume that civilisation is a one-way street, when in fact experience teaches us that it is but a thin

veneer, very easily torn away. Germany yesterday could so easily become Britain tomorrow.’

Uri Jaskiel, the University of Bristol student Rabbi whose house was attacked, responded: ‘People are willing to hate simply due to a lack of knowledge. I would guess that the young man who threw eggs never had a conversation with a Jew. He hates just as a consequence of his lack of exposure. I would like to extend a warm handshake to him and all his friends.’

Holocaust Memorial Day is a time to educate ourselves, not just about the past but about the atrocities that are happening now. We should be questioning ourselves when we link politics on the complex Middle Eastern situation.

It is vital that we do not confuse the atrocities of ISIS with a hatred of Muslims; one is a radical movement, the other a religion. Similarly, people need to take care that feelings and comments around Israeli politics do not translate into antiSemitic comments and behaviour.

Karen Pollock of the Holocaust Educational Trust pointed out that anti-Semitic incidents are at a record level and Holocaust denial or distortion is increasing. This is an alarming fact that should make us all reflect on this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day theme: the power of words. We should make sure we use this power in the most positive way, using our voices to inspire positive attitudes and not to spread hate.

Epigram /Dani Bass

“ Despite any political statement there is no excuse for anti-Semitism

constant discrimination.

‘I was never attacked because of my religion.

What is happening now is another type of antiSemitism, whereby we are being attacked because of the political situation in the Middle East.’

“

Dani Bass Features Deputy Editor

2018 marks 73 years since the liberation of Auschwitz- Birkenau

Roaccutane: Is it worth it for the perfect skin?

Tim Dodd explores the side effects involved in taking acne medication

Tim Dodd Third year, Biology

Flikr /Saluda Programa de Salud

Roaccutane, or isotretinoin as it is also known, is the NHS’ last port of call for acne treatment. We’ve all had the Clearasil, the facial scrubs, the oral antibiotics… but when it just won’t budge, something else is needed. You may have been offered this drug and been apprehensive about the potential side effects, or you may have heard of the somewhat controversial drug in the media.

The apparent links between Roaccutane and suicides, mental illness and other extreme health problems, have been reported. However, much of the scare has been based on the testimonies of individuals, not scientific study, and particularly in the case of mental illness, it’s very difficult to tell whether the depression has been caused by the drug, or by the often-severe acne that the patient has.

Opening the accompanying leaflet will is a sight for sore eyes - in fact, sore eyes is one of the common side effects - thanks to the extensive list of side-effects.

So is pursuing Roaccutane worth it? The purpose of this article is not to debate the safety of the drug, but to give my own experience of the six-month course I had. The scientific evidence suggests that

the drug is safe, and with regular blood tests by your dermatology department - to monitor levels of liver enzymes and so on - any harm should be prevented.

So, what was Roaccutane like for me? Roaccutane is quite harsh on your liver supposedly, and thus alcohol is not advised. However, six months is a long time, and between you and me, or rather, between me and my dermatologist, he advised me that many of his patients drank and were fine, and that any damage would be detected in the liver tests anyway.

Having come back from an alcohol-drowned fresher’s week for my first blood test, the result came back

normal, thus setting a precedent which would allow me to justify normal drinking habits again. Within the first few days of treatment, cold sores - caused by dryness of the skin, not herpes simplex virus - began to appear, which require constant moisturising to keep at bay.

Nevertheless, be prepared to LOOK like you have herpes cold sores for the majority of your treatment.

This drying is usually the whole face, and so regular moisturising of the face is essential. Soon after, my mucous membranes began to dry out, and thus random and often inconvenient nose bleeds began to occur.

Among my awkward highlights were bleeding upon my partner’s face in a romantic episode, and randomly bleeding for five to ten minutes in the once-sterile laboratory of the Life Sciences building.

Again, there is a way of dealing with this. From the pharmacy, you can buy what is essentially artificial snot, in the form of a nose spray which will keep the mucous membranes moist and prevent bleeds.

In all honesty, that’s as bad as it gets (at least for most people), and though arduous at times, the result is absolutely worth it. Previously plagued by painful acne on the face and upper back, I am now

pretty much acne free, with only the occasional spot if I don’t wash my face one night, for example.

Furthermore, it seems that the changes are long lasting.

Getting clear skin did the world of good for both my personal and body-confidence

Most individuals will require one six-month course and will then be more or less free for life. If you have any underlying mental health conditions and are perhaps worried about using this drug, I would advise that you seek treatment for those first before starting Roaccutane, just so that you can have peace of mind in knowing it won’t make things worse for you. Even though my acne was far from severe, getting clear skin did the world of good for both my personal and body-confidence, and having seen the results of those who suffered with debilitating cystic acne, I can say unequivocally that this could be a lifechanging treatment for some people.

29.01.2018

8

“

Epigram

How my bladder is shy but I am not Tim Dodd discusses his experiences with the common bladder control disorder, paruresis Tim Dodd Third year, Biology

“

Paruresis, or ‘shy bladder’ as it is more commonly known, is an anxiety disorder characterised by a physical inability to urinate in the presence of others. The sphincter muscles responsible for allowing the outflow of urine contract and ‘lock’, making it impossible to go, and the more you push, the harder it becomes.

Roughly 7% of the American population, or 21 million people are thought to have it

I wouldn’t be surprised if by this point some readers are raising their eyebrows, thinking ‘oh that’s actually a medical condition?!’. This is because it’s actually a lot more common than people think.

Paruresis is a type of phobia in which the sufferer is unable to urinate in the real or imaginary presence of others.

Roughly 7% of the American population, or 21 million people are thought to have it, and thus some people may have accepted and lived with this condition without ever realising it’s medically recognised. For others however, this can be a really debilitating condition, which causes much anxiety, social isolation and even depression.

A paruresis sufferer’s worst nightmare is walking into a toilet with many urinals and only one cubicle

There is no one cause, with genetics, a predisposition to anxiety, or a traumatic event being possible contributors. I’ve had the condition since I was about 13, roughly around the same time I became sexually mature. I mention this because for me personally as a ginger, it’s totally plausible that the high school teases of ‘ginger pubes’ made me self-conscious of that region, and thus fearful of a situation where it could possibly be on show.

Of all places, I remember having the realisation that this wasn’t an issue specific to me from a

Drake and Josh episode. Drake and Josh pile into a cubicle to hide. But Josh needs to pee… ‘Just go then’, says Drake, but Josh protests ‘I can’t, I get stage fright’.

‘Well you just use a cubicle then, don’t you’, you might be thinking. But it’s not quite as straight forward as that. How does this manifest in one’s social life? From having to know the toilet plan of anywhere you go to holding the urge to go for hours on end - not good for your bladder - this condition really puts a strain on your mobility.

Obviously, the details differ between sufferers, but for someone who hasn’t yet started any treatment for this, it wouldn’t be uncommon to totally miss social events, football tours, or any other situation where you don’t know what the toilet situation will be. This is because a paruresis sufferer’s worst nightmare is walking into a toilet with many urinals and only one cubicle, or perhaps a toilet where the urinals are closest to the entrance, which ramps up the perceived pressure to use them with the rest of your mates, and gets the mind racing with possible excuses for why you always use a cubicle to pee.

To get by at school, I had to use the toilet at inconvenient and quiet times, for example just before lessons started, or during lessons. When this wasn’t possible I just had to hold it, which was extremely painful and probably damaging,

especially when I had to run or swim with my bulging bladder in PE, giving me stomach cramps the following evening.

So where am I at? Well I’ve come quite a long way. It used to be that the toilet had to be totally empty for me to be able to go, but I can now use urinals with barriers – one step from the dream of using normal urinals. How did I achieve this? It’s taken years. Years of practice using public toilets again, at both quiet and busy times of day, to get used to peeing in public - a technique known as graduated exposure therapy.

If you’re reading this as a sufferer who wants to make real progress, I advise you to make a graduated exposure plan, whereby you have a hierarchy of steps going from easiest, eg. peeing in a cubicle with door locked, to hardest, using a non-barriered urinal. Don’t move to the next step until you have completely mastered the step you’re on, otherwise you could hinder your progress.

Unfortunately, there is no quick fix for this condition. Trust me, I really went around the houses for it. Multiple doctors, two hypnotherapists, one psychotherapist, one psychologist, and two CBT therapists later I still had the condition, and I would conclude that it was definitely the physical practice alongside cognitive behavioural therapy which got me to where I am.

What was it like to study at Bristol in the 1960s?

Alex Boulton (BA History 2018) interviews Barry Williamson (BA History 1964)

Alex Boulton Co-Editor in Chief

“ Making a mockery of our £9000 a year, tuition fees were non-existent in the 1960s

The Students’ Union was located in the Victoria Rooms and Barry remembers that he ‘belonged to too many societies’, perhaps one thing that hasn’t changed for students since the sixties. This included the Opera Society and the Settlement, a legacy from the University’s early days.

The Settlement was located in Barton Hill and was part of a wider network of Settlements across the UK designed to bring cultural and educational opportunities to disadvantaged areas. University students could volunteer and Barry ran a youth club and old people’s club, while Sylvia ran a drama club.

University accommodation was also vastly different. Barry spoke of how the university was there in loco parentis, or ‘in place of parents’.

Legally, those under the age of 21 were not considered adults and subsequently the majority of students were unable to vote in the General Election of 1964 which saw Labour’s Harold Wilson win the majority.

As the university had much more responsibility for its students than it does now, there were strict rules in the halls of residence. Sylvia spoke of her time in Clifton Hill House which she describes as ‘strict’ and ‘boarding school like’, with a ‘Victorian lady’ as warden and a porter who would check

boys had not been snuck in. All residents had to obey to a 10.30pm curfew.

Barry lived in Churchill Hall for all three years of his degree and would walk or cycle to the Triangle due to the lack of U1 bus. Stoke Bishop consisted only of Wills Hall and Churchill Hall, with talks of building Hiatt Baker in the pipeline.

Students didn’t go home at all during term time and trunks were sent from home to Temple Meads, which were then forwarded on to the right residence.

There were strict rules surrounding sex.

Sylvia told us about the time she was starring in a production of Mother Courage which was subsequently abandoned as the director was found in bed with a girl. It was reported by his landlady and he was subsequently kicked out of university.

Getting drunk was also ‘unheard of ’, while Freshers’ week consisted of talks, coffee bars and day trips instead of club nights. The new students were taken of a tour of Wills Tobacco factory in Bedminster and Fry’s Chocolate factory in Keynsham. All were given a ‘welcome packet’ of different cigarettes and a box of chocolates. Barry met Sylvia in their first week, meaning they have been together for more than 50 years. They both spoke fondly of the Goldney Ball where curfew was extended and they both describe the grotto as ‘very romantic ‘.

Lastly, the history degree was vastly different.

There were 40 students and 15 academics, compared to now where there are more than 200

students a year and more than 40 academics.

Barry describes his academic education as ‘boring beyond belief ’ due to a curriculum dominated by political and traditional history, or the ‘history of great men, battles, causes and consequences’.

The syllabus consisted mainly of British and European history from the Romans to 1939 with an exclusive focus on secondary literature rather than original sources.

The academics, all male, gave lectures which ‘were an insomniac’s dream because you almost had to fall asleep.’ Barry remembers one lecturer who would ‘read from an old exercise book slowly and paused interminably as he turned over the page.’ Students were expected to memorise the lectures and Barry added that the ‘idea you might be making students into historians was an absolutely crackers idea.’ He remembers very little contact with tutors and describes most as lacklustre, with a few notable exceptions. Exams were all taken at the end of the final year- 10 exams in two weeks. Barry added: ‘the Great Hall is a place of misery for me.’

As a History student, it was fascinating interviewing Barry and comparing our university experiences and seeing how my favourite period in history, the 1960s, was actually lived by normal people. While we might have had wildly different experiences in terms of university culture, social life and academia (how essays and revision were completed without the internet is beyond me), it is clear we both have had experiences in Bristol we will remember for the rest of our lives.

Epigram / Noa Leach

The 1960s conjures images of The Beatles, JFK, bus boycotts, miniskirts, hippies and almostnuclear war. But what was it like to be a university student during this dynamic decade, and how does it compare to the experiences of today’s students?

Epigram interviewed Barry Williamson, a former Bristol History student who graduated in 1964. After university he spent time teaching in India and then moved back to Bristol with his wife Sylvia and worked as a history teacher until his retirement. Both still live in the city and we spoke to him about his experiences.

The University of Bristol was a different place in the 1960s. Your favourite student newspaper did not exist, an elderly Winston Churchill was Chancellor and the Cold War was raging. The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) had an active presence on campus while Barry remembers sitting in Churchill Hall listening to coverage of the Cuban Missile Crisis (1962), talking to his friends about what they would do in the event of nuclear war. He remembers that the common answer was to ‘all go to bed with our loved ones’.

Civil rights were on the agenda and Bristol was no exception. The Bristol Bus boycott, in which Bristol students took an active role, took place in 1963 after a West Indian man was denied an interview by the Bristol Omnibus Company. Antiapartheid was another common cause and Barry remembers that students held a demonstration against an appearance from the Springboks.

Making a mockery of our £9000 a year, tuition fees were non-existent in the 1960s and grants for living costs were awarded dependent on a student’s family income. Only 1 in 20 people went to university in the 1960s, compared to almost half now.

According to Barry, the university was a fraction of its current size, with the History department and library in Wills Memorial Building and English in Berkeley Square as the Woodland Road Arts complex or the ASS did not exist. All students in Barry’s year were able to fit in the Great Hall of

the Wills Memorial Building, indicating the size of the class of 1964 compared to the thousands that make up the class of 2018.

Private school students dominated the university. While this may not mark much of a change between then and now, Barry remembers feeling intimidated as a student from ‘a small, rural state school’. 2/3 of students were male and as you had to be ‘properly dressed’ at university, nearly everyone wore jackets and ties. Jeans were a ‘sensation’ and only one student in the whole cohort wore them. Barry remembers the whole experience as ‘terribly conservative’.

Epigram met Barry Williamson, a former Bristol History student who graduated in 1964

Epigram 29.01.2018

@epigramcomment Editor: Ed Southgate

Deputy Editor: Jake Porter

Online Editor: Cameron Scheijde

@ed_southgate comment@epigram.org.uk

@porterjake

@camscheijde

Comment

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.

Free speech debates are nonsense

A wail from Will...

Jake Porter rejects the notion that students are censorship fanatics,

contending instead that more must done to combat fascism in academia

You might not have heard, but apparently free speech is under threat. Left-wing zealots run amok at our universities, banishing and silencing any who voice dissenting opinions.

Divergence from the Feminazi status quo is not permitted; any who rebel will suffer the consequences. Those brave enough to voice their opinions on the plight of white males, the encroaching threat of migrants or the trespasses of trans people are swiftly silenced.

Students, so goes the narrative, have been reduced to delicate snowflakes unable to cope with ‘divergent’ opinions - such as those of Nazis, racists or transphobes - and the wider world despairs at this snowflake scum’s apparent lack of respect for free speech.

“

Criticism is not censorship. Denying people the ability to express that criticism is.

The real war going on is not between censors and free speech defenders. It is between progression and regression. The old establishment, the world of Trump, Farage and Young is being challenged. It is becoming harder to voice prejudices previously deemed acceptable - such as sexism or racism - without being called out, and this establishment is being made to feel uncomfortable. The traditional power structures and social hierarchy, the supremacy of the white straight male, is being threatened. When the OfS threatens universities with fines for not subscribing to their definition of free speech, they allow farright ideas to stay within public and academic discourse, ultimately ensuring the survival of classic power dynamics. State intervention on academic freedom - through the threat of sanctions - is nothing less than a policing of thought, the very crime that free speech warriors purport to be opposing.

We live in a world that’s the product of allowing fascism a seat at the table

We must not allow these ideas, regressive by their very nature, to hold our academic world to ransom. George Ciccariello-Maher, who recently resigned from his post as a professor at Drexel University after sustained harassment from right-wing white nationalists, put it perfectly: ‘In the face of aggression from the racist Right and impending global catastrophe, we must defend our universities, our students, and ourselves by defending the most vulnerable among us and by making our campuses unsafe spaces for white supremacists.’

Universities: riddled with drugs, disease ... and censorship?

Flickr / Simon Gibbs

The situation has become so dire that Jo ‘Brother Of The More Famous’ Johnson, former higher education minister, intervened late last year with a plan to fine or suspend universities that restrict or no-platform controversial speakers. ‘Young people,’ he argued, ‘should have the resilience and confidence to challenge controversial opinions and take part in open, frank and rigorous discussions.’ He was also responsible for the short-lived appointment of the serially-unqualified Toby Young to a major role in the Office for Students (OfS),the regulatory body that will, among other things, oversee the introduction of the aforementioned sanctions.

In the face of widespread condemnation of his suitability for the role, Young drew attention to his longstanding history as a ‘defender of free speech’, highlighting his recent efforts ‘opposing the assault on free speech in British and American universities’.

Well, that’s nice. Apart from being bollocks.

The free speech debate is a farce. People and movements are not being censored, though all the noise and bile brought up by many in the media makes me wish that perhaps they were made to shut up. Young, Hopkins, Farage, Yiannopoulos; for people that are apparently censored, you sure do hear from them an awful lot.

Public bleating about no-platforming and safe spaces far outweighs real instances of these tactics being used. Johnson used the protests surrounding Germaine Greer’s appearance at Cardiff University as an example of noplatforming, but she wasn’t even denied her speaking role. Even if her platform had been denied, she would not have suffered an attack on her right to free speech; a platform is not a right, but a privilege. The challenging of that platform was also not a free speech issue. It was a valid and righteous expression of those who defy her bigotry, and this protest was much more demonstrative of the value of free speech than Greer’s blithely ignorant opinions that deny trans people their identities. Greer is a

relic of second-wave feminism who has refused to respond to her criticisms or modernise her antiquated views, making it necessary that her presence and perspectives be protested.

Criticism is not censorship. Denying people the ability to express that criticism is. It is right that people should be challenged for holding their hateful views, and it is right that they should be made to feel bad for holding them.

Toby Young has tried deflecting his criticism with a mule-headed refusal to account for his actions, arguing that his opinions are ‘heterodox’, rather than simply abhorrent, and personifying himself as a ‘right-of-centre maverick’, rather than a misogynistic boor.

Semantics aside, it’s both interesting and ironic to see a so-called defender of free speech react so poorly to criticism; he’s either unhappy or ignorant that free speech goes both ways.

Allowing problematic views to go unchallenged is wrong. But opening a dialogue with fascists, even with the hope that with exposure they’ll be seen as wrong, is a mistake.

People both within and outside our universities might argue that all voices must be heard, but this is not the case when their views negate or threaten the existence of other races, classes, sexualities or genders. Insisting that fascism must be debated - rather than opposed - gives it the veneer of legitimacy.

We cannot enter into a realm of thought where fascism can be validated, where the fear and hatred that the far-right espouses is allowed to perpetuate. That is exactly why those who hold fascistic views demand participation within debate; it legitimises their brand and allows them to spread their message under the façade of defending freedom of speech. When Farage was given a platform, we were told by liberal voices that he’d be beaten by fair debate.

Trump, likewise. And where are they now? Where are we? We live in a world that’s the product of allowing fascism a seat at the table.

“

Jake Porter Deputy Comment Editor

Walking into the car dealership, the salesman promptly demanded the full sum of nine grand.

He then selected me a small car, a Citroen C1, that was slowly decaying on the drive outside. I protested. I was paying for a new car, surely, I could choose the model? Apparently not.

This sums up my experiences of the first ever term of an arts degree.

You pay your nine grand for the year, but for much of it have no choice of what you study. I decided to study history, but I will be damned if anyone says I had any more choice in the matter after that.

Let’s take my medieval history unit for an example. Don’t get me wrong, it was well taught with both lecturers and seminars making an era I would never choose to study fascinating. But, fundamentally, never again will I study medieval understandings of monsters, or the ravings of a Pope who acts like a B list celebrity given the highest office in the land.

Obviously, everyone needs to learn the discipline of their degree. I am not arguing that skills units should be abolished, because these are not useless. But what is the benefit of being made to take a unit that does not teach you any specific skills but focuses on information you have no interest in?

I love history, I am one those people who brings their degree up in normal conversations, for better or for worse. But I was seriously wondering if history was not for me last term, and it wasn’t alone.

Fundamentally, if university isn’t free, at least let our choice of what we study be.

What the #editors are saying...

Epigram

29.01.2018

10

Lecturers should not let political views direct their teaching

Access to exam scripts a victory for students

Ed Fernyhough celebrates the announcement that exam scripts will soon be available to all students Ed Fernyhough Deputy Comment Editor 2016-17 Ahah! So the University has at last decided to permit students from every faculty access to their exam scripts, a plan which should have full implementation by May/June 2018. When I was an undergraduate, I did not have this opportunity.

I initially selected the word ‘benefit’ as opposed to ‘opportunity’ to explain this new ability that Bristol’s students will have for critical self-improvement, but quickly made the alteration. I did so having considered that the ability to evaluate the mistakes of one’s own script adjacently to the feedback of professional academics, therefore establishing concrete areas of improvement, ought to be an expectation in the context of an (expensive) university education, not a benefit.

“

It is clearly a positive change for future students at the University

Ed Fernyhough’s results, showing a more consistent upward trend with coursework than exams. Will receiving exam scripts help?

With so many political issues at the forefront of our minds this year, I am sure no one would be much surprised to find that the effects of them are seeping through into our lecture halls. By this, I mean that lecturers sometimes allude to political events in relation to their lecture topics, which naturally means they present their often-left-wing views to students.

In fact, according to an article from The Telegraph published in early March 2017, this has been an apparently growing ‘problem’ since the 1960’s. According to the article, eight out of ten lecturers in British universities are ‘left-wing’ - something I myself had never even thought about until midway through last term, when I heard my professor make several rather scathing comments about those who had voted to leave the EU. Though these comments were clearly made in jest, the underlying connotations are admittedly concerning as they risk alienating a certain group of students and creating a void between them and their tutors. Furthermore, after some enquiries, I found that many of my fellow students have heard something similar.

“

Eight out of ten lecturers in British universities are ‘left-wing’

Of course, there doesn’t seem to be any large amount of stir or widespread complaint on the matter, however it certainly raises the question: does there need to be more political diversity among university staff?

The main concern here seems to be the potential for political bias in our education.

If our lecturers teach with a particularly left-wing attitude, there is a danger that key assumptions could go unquestioned and students may feel uncomfortable in expressing their true opinion if it disagrees with that of their lecturer.

Indeed, if students feel that their views are not welcomed by their superiors, it is discouraging the healthy purpose of university discussion using diverse views and opinions, a technique which I feel enables students to learn more efficiently, as well as develop their own values within themselves. Lecturers should always be encouraging debate,

especially where it is used so frequently in the humanities, social sciences, and the arts - coincidentally where right-wing lecturers are statistically particularly scarce.

There does not seem to be an easy reason as to why there are now so many left-wing lecturers, but it seems that in trying to meet the issue of reaching a certain level of diversity at university (haha), such as gender, racial, and class diversity, there came a point during the past few years in which there was no longer a balance in political stance.

This has apparently only recently come into realisation.

I don’t think that left-wing staff are particularly the problem

Although I myself am not right-wing at all, I enjoy listening to and engaging with the diverse viewpoints of others and participating in debates from which I think both parties can learn. This should be the atmosphere promoted during lectures. In which, regardless of opinion - though please don’t be a Nazi students feel encouraged to put forward their ideas.

Now, call me controversial but I don’t think that left-wing staff are particularly the problem.

This needs to be looked at with a much wider perspective. The issue is not specifically what political stance lecturers have, but that personal opinions are expressed by them too freely and without thought. Whether right or left leaning, a lecturer’s personal views should not pervade the topics which they teach, nor the debates that they may encourage. To let themselves do so would, in my humble opinion, be highly unprofessional.

Not only does this undermine their professionalism, but it encourages an underlying ‘group-think’, where common opinions are favoured and students do not question the ideas that they are presented with. By not looking at a theory from many different angles we see only our own favoured belief, and very easily settle into a comfortable space of unquestioned, but firmly believed, ideologies - something I doubt would be a preferred trait by future potential employers.

Ultimately, it should not matter what political stance your lecturer has. They should, however, be accepting of views that do not match their own. If they are not, that is where the problem - if any - lies.

Epigram / Emma Ward

The expansion of knowledge and the ability to clearly express it must surely be among education’s more constructive objectives. That the University has until this point been unable to distribute annotated exam scripts back to the students that wrote them is a rather alarming fact, given Bristol’s reputation as an international bastion of research-based learning and especially its own desire to market itself as such.

I have quickly illustrated the affect that receiving feedback specific to particular areas of answers and essays may have on grades by a simple contrast between my exam and coursework trends over the three years I spent as an undergraduate at Bristol.

That my exam scripts were not returned, preventing the close evaluation of my errors, in contrast with the specific feedback which is provided with coursework essays, as well as the opportunity to go through answers with tutors pre- and post-submission, paper in hand, explains the noticeable differences between each trend.

That the University has now chosen to enable its students to analyse their own exam mistakes is clearly important for a number of reasons. It should improve written technique, clarity of expression and precision of example, cumulatively contributing to greater overall ability for the students that are prepared to do the work. I am not really qualified to make this further assertion, but I will say it anyway: any

subsequent improvements students notice in the quality of their answers reflected in grade increases may improve wellbeing as well as intellectual persistence, who may otherwise be demoralised by the lack of any discernible academic progress.

The opportunities for academic selfimprovement that the provision of exam scripts would bring to students seem too obvious to have been unintentionally overlooked, so it is a pity that it has taken such a long time to overcome the obstacles that may have been obstructing this course of action. However, it is clearly a positive change for future students at the University, even if too sluggish in implementation to really help a third of those present and all of those past.

Another positive to take from this is the influence that the student body has had on the University in pursuit of this change. Evidently, the perspectives of bygone and current students have not only been heard – they have been respected by their codification in institutional policy. Hopefully the health of the relationship between students, tutors and the governing powers of the University will continue. Students clearly have voices powerful enough to catalyse the institution’s improvement and it is absolutely essential that they are used to good effect for the salubrious longevity of the University.

Phoebe Chase First Year, Archaeology & Anthropology

“

Epigram /Ed Southgate

New access to exam scripts is ‘clearly a positive change for future students’

Phoebe Chase demands lecturers allow for varying political opinions so students can truly benefit from uni

Left-wing lecturers: progressive but neutral educators, or dictators of communist dogma?

Epigram 29.01.2018

11

A response to the round-up...

Political round-up World politics: Theory of evolution dismissed by Indian education minister because no-one ‘ever saw an ape turn into a man’ UK politics: Analysis from the Centre for Policy Studies finds that Jeremy Corbyn’s plans for widespread renationalisation would cost every household £6,500 Student politics: Office for Students warn universities against grade inf lation as three quarters of graduates achieve a 2:1 or First The round-up is accurate from the time of writing; developments in these events may since have occurred

Unis need a new grading system Ed Southgate argues for students attainment to be recorded more accurately Ed Southgate Comment Editor Grade inflation is not a new or recent phenomenon; for several years now the worth of our degrees has become questionable and clouded by increasing student numbers and by students increasingly scoring higher marks.

Indeed, only last year did I find myself in a similar situation to this, writing an article criticising the constant rise in 2:1s and Firsts achieved. Last year, the figure was around 66 per cent, and this year the newly-formed Office for Students (OfS) announced that over three quarters of graduates reach the top two grades.

This is a worrying trend. But isn’t it strange to describe more top grades as ‘worrying’? Surely it is to be celebrated that this generation of students appear to be increasing in intelligence and achievement?

Indeed, a Cambridge don, Graham Virgo, has claimed that the OfS is wrongly concerned about grade inflation, arguing that it is because students are now more motivated to achieve the top grades. This, he claims, is because students are aware that a 2:2 will significantly decrease their chances of getting a job in their industry, and because university fees increased threefold – an interpretation that gives tuition fees a positive position.

Virgo, I suspect, is correct that students are now working harder; however, if a primary reason for this is because a 2:1 is necessary for a career, the increasing swarm of top degree classifications adds to the problem still.

As we all know, 60 per cent represents a different level of attainment than 69 per cent,

but how will employers know which candidate to hire when it appears that everyone is achieving the same?

The OfS, having recognised the problem, are however tackling it in the wrong way. The ‘strong regulatory action’ that universities engaging in foul play will face risks scaring markers into not awarding top grades where top grades are due.

How we should approach this issue is to do with two points that I often return to in my articles about university education; student numbers are way too high, and the grading system needs a complete overhaul.

“

We should focus on how we can identify individual students’ achievements with greater specificity

Sitting alongside the possibility that students are working harder is the fact that 49 per cent of young people attend university, and the growing obsession with uni league tables, it is perhaps unsurprising that more students are achieving top marks. Universities give themselves the pressure of delivering on student satisfaction, which seems to them to correlate with handing out top marks.

With lower student numbers – I’d like to see more apprenticeships encouraged instead of pushing everyone, suited or not, to Higher Education – there would be less pressure on institutions to hand out top grades because the grading structure would have more integrity.

If only the best of the best attend university, then the current grading system could be applied more appropriately to distinguish the best from the worst in that ‘best of the best’ category. Instead, the structure currently separates those who were more suited to university from those who were not – a confusing indicator for employers.

But, more importantly, we should also focus on how we can identify individual students’ achievements with greater specificity than we currently are.

Like him or loathe him, Michael Gove’s reforms of the GCSE grade system is the spirit with which we should approach university grades. With the GCSE grade 8 being roughly equivalent to what was an A*, the higher grade 9 allows those students who truly excel to gain the recognition they deserve following a similarly increasing swarm of students achieving A*.

As I mentioned earlier, 60 per cent is very different to 69 per cent – both marks, however, are a 2:1. It is time that universities reconsider this grading structure to represent student achievements more accurately; rather than having 10 percent between each degree classification, the boundaries should be decreased to 5 per cent.

A 2:1, therefore, would be 65 to 69 per cent, a 2:2 60 to 64 per cent, an Upper-third would be 55 to 59 per cent and a new lower third grade would fall between 50 and 54 per cent. 40 per cent plus would simply be known as a pass.

This would give employers the much-needed clarity as to who really is achieving what, as well as allowing universities to regain the credibility of their grading structure.

Students working harder is of course not a problem in itself, but it is important that we adapt to allow them to get their deserved recognition.

A response to the news...

Do not deprive us of our Wardens and Senior Residents

“

Leonardo de Rezende urges the university to respect and keep the vital role of Wardens and SRs in halls Leonardo de Rezende First Year, Law

Senior Residents play a central role in creating a community within halls

These societies do two very important things; they provide halls with individuality, character, and history – Wills is home to Barney’s debating society, one of the University’s oldest societies.

They also further that sense of community within halls, allowing students from different floors and blocks to meet and befriend each other. Without these, students would lose fantastic opportunities and not benefit from this sense of community which is practically non-existent in the City Centre style of living.

Our Wardens and deputy Wardens are also crucial to the character of individual halls of residence. Each Warden allows the character and individuality of each hall not only to continue, but also to develop and improve. Their role and sheer presence as a form of stability and responsibility

Epigram / Cameron Scheijde

I do not disagree with the university executive that there needs to be reform to the pastoral support offered to students. The mental health issues facing the university is both important and very upsetting. The issue that I take with the proposed change is that they will not solve these issues.

Yes, students do have to be provided with mental health support from professionals and the university does have to allocate more funding to this. However, the complete removal of the current system of Wardens, deputy Wardens and Student Support Administrators, as well as the huge cutback to Senior Residents (SRs) in halls of residence - which span over 80 years of history - will not improve the mental health of students.

Firstly, the Vice-Chancellor has appointed a man who seems to misunderstand, or ignore, the role played by SRs and Wardens and why students apply to live in halls in Stoke Bishop and Clifton. SRs offer an invaluably informal type of support. Students are provided with a great deal of security in the knowledge that they have someone of a similar age, who have had similar experiences, and is willing to listen to them and provide support.

Of course, SRs are not, and should not, be the only people who students can turn to. Some issues can spiral into something so serious that it will need the attention of mental health professionals. But SRs are a vital for informal, ad-hoc, and discreet support. They are people who we know, who we live with, and who we can develop a personal relationship with.

Professionals, with all respect to them, can seem distinct and removed as opposed to our SRs. Indeed, our SRs play a central role in creating a community within Halls. One of the great benefits of living in Stoke Bishop or Clifton is that students can benefit from hall-run societies which range from debating, drama, and music.

The JCRs are important in running these, but the people who really get them going and mobilise students are SRs – without them these societies would be unworkable.

What will Halls look like without Wardens and Senior Residents?

brings halls into order and fosters that treasured individualism of each hall.

Notions that the Warden system is out of date are utter nonsense. Change for the sake of change benefits no one. These men and women have devoted large parts of their lives to ensuring that students experience a holistic and collegiate time in halls. If Wardens are lost so will be the history and character of halls – over 80 years of history and tradition which helps set Bristol apart.

The University seem to have misunderstood why students apply to Bristol and to Halls in Clifton and Stoke Bishop. We choose these halls over ‘Unite style’ accommodation for a feeling of collegiality, to meet people from across hall easily and gregariously, and to live your first year at university – and away from home – in a community. What nobody wants is a kind of B&B, apartment building, or somewhere run like a hospitality business.

If these changes are put into action, Bristol’s competing universities will warmly welcome our prospective students. Those who are looking for

the style of living I have described above will flock to places like Durham – the current halls of residence system is without a doubt one of the biggest attractions of the university. Comparing our residence system to Reading or Sheffield, on the other hand, is wrong – we are not that kind of university and do not want to be. Bristol needs to maintain its individuality.

The University’s executive must, therefore, be open to beginning a real dialogue with students and halls about the change that is necessary and wanted. What was called a consultation was, in reality, a fait accompli. A real consultation that is open, welcomes discourse, and challenges propositions is the only way to resolve the pastoral issues faced by the university. We must not gut the halls of residence of their history, traditions, and character. Rather than benefiting students, this will cause them a great detriment.

It must be opposed and it must be stopped.

Read the original news story on page 3

Epigram

29.01.2018

Science & Tech

@EpigramSciTech Editor: Emma Isle

Deputy Editor: Oliver Cohen scienceandtech@epigram.org.uk

The summer placement issue

Science Editor Emma Isle gives information and advice for summer science placements, including where to find them when to apply and where to get funding

“ Ask your personal tutor for help. Personal tutors are wonderful, and knowledgable!

Ask your personal tutor for help. Personal tutors are wonderful, and knowledgable! Most of them have had many students in the past, so they are very used to helping them seek summer experience. They can point you in the right direction, put you in contact with colleagues that may be accepting summer students and help you with your application. This is a really good resource, as often they know where their students have gone in the past and if they enjoyed the experience.

I would strongly advise that before you apply anywhere, or email anyone, to talk to your personal tutor first, as their advice could be invaluable.

Email as early as possible, as they tend to get a fair few requests

Look at other universities as well as Bristol. If you live in another city it may be easier, or cheaper, to get a summer placement at a university nearby. Some universities, such as

Flickr/ Jin-in-uk

It can seem a bit daunting initially when you start looking for placements, especially ones within your own field. You’ve heard that they are few and far between, and therefore the prospect of finding one can seem overwhelming. Never fear though – we are here with tips for getting the placement of your dreams.

The first place to start is always with knowing your options – unless you know what’s available to you it will be hard to even start thinking about where to go next. Google is a great resource in this instance – if you’re tenacious enough you can probably find a lot of options.

In particular, I would recommend national science society websites – these are really good as a starting place as they often have links to sites where you can find placements. The Royal Society of Biology website is particularly good for this. Websites such as ratemyplacement.co.uk and studentladder.co.uk also have forums where you can find out about placements others have done and get tips on which are the best.

Vary where you look. It’s not only academic institutions that offer placements, but also companies - for example, GSK advertise for everything from research to business operations. They are a good option, as often these placements come with a salary, so you won’t have to look for other funding, and can provide useful links to industry which may help when looking for a job in the future. Be mindful when applying

Don’t be afraid to email people.

Sometimes the simplest routes are the best, and if you know someone who you’d like to work with, either in Bristol or at another university, don’t be afraid to email them about the possibility of working with them.

Some academics can be unreliable at replies, so don’t be surprised if you don’t get an immediate response, but it is wise to email more than one person – some might be more receptive than others.

Top tip: some professors will advertise on their page if they accept summer students and this can be a good indication of if they’d be likely to accept you. This is how I got my placement last year, and I would highly recommend this route, especially if you’ve not got the best grades, as you’re unlikely to get one via the more competitive routes.

Once you’ve secured a placement with someone you can then investigate funding options. If you are going to go down this route, email as early as possible, as they tend to get a fair few requests, and you will have longer to sort out funding.

“

for these as they mostly require an expected 2:1, and you will probably need references, so be aware of the deadlines and make sure you know what is required.

Use the Careers Service. After all they are there to help students with gaining employment, and placements definitely come under this bracket. Not only can they help you with both your CV and cover letters, but they can also help prepare you for interviews. They are also pretty handy when it comes to recommending potential places you can apply, so if you’re struggling to find something go and ask them.

Emma Isle Science Editor

Bristol’s own science faculty offers many summer opportunites for students

Imperial, run schemes like UROP - open to students across all areas of science and engineering - which are open to students from outside the University. You can also email people directly that are at different institutions, as sometimes they are happy to consider you even if you don’t attend their university.

Look for funding options – they may not be in the obvious place.

Most of the large societies will have funding available for summer projects, however these can be quite competitive so make sure you have a solid project idea agreed first. Lists of funding can often be found on

the society websites, as well as with a Google search. Often there are more obscure sources of funding as well, such as charities, that may offer studentships for summer projects, and if you’ve arranged a project with someone they may be able to point you in the direction of some of these.

Start looking now. It is never too early to start thinking about summer placements. The sooner you email people the more likely they will be to have room for you, and when it comes to schemes you could very easily miss the deadlines if you look any later.

Online resources mentioned in this article: GSK Summer Placements

‘

Student Ladder

Imperial QROP

Rate my Placement

Epigram 29.01.2018

Mind-blowing Bristol engineering

13

Emma looks at what’s in store this year for the very best of Bristolian engineering; including earthquake proof schools, tractor beams and volcano monitoring drones!

2018 is the Year of Engineering – the start of a national campaign to inspire the next generation of engineers, aiming to widen the pool of young people that enter the profession. Bristol has been a great home of engineering, from Brunel’s suspension bridge, to mobile phone technology during the ‘70s - and the University is continuing the tradition this year with some ground-breaking new advances from neonatal care to farming advances.

A new company set up by academics at the University of Bristol in collaboration with the University of Sussex has been developing technology that manipulates sound waves in real time, allowing them to be directed, shaped and focused. This could have far-reaching impacts in daily life, as it would allow advertisers to target specific individuals in a crowd, loud neighbours to mute themselves from the surroundings, and people to monitor their health via ultrasound. They recently took their advances on the road to a global show in Las Vegas, where they were showcasing some of their developments such as a window that allows air to enter but not sounds.

The most powerful tractor beam yet has been developed here in Bristol. Two years ago the engineers invented tractor beams that were able to levitate tiny objects using sound waves. They have recently developed a more advanced version of the tech, which is able to levitate objects up to 2cm, using vortexes of sound waves that act like a tornado.

This technology hopes to be applied

to contactless production lines, and in medicine to allow doctors to move objects around within the body.

Civil engineers from the University are working with local teams of engineers in Nepal to design earthquake-proof schools, made from affordable local materials. This could be hugely valuable for the region, as in 2015 an earthquake killed 9000 people and injured 22,000 more, which could be avoided by providing a safe place to shelter. If successful this could be extended to other regions where earthquakes are common.

The SPHERE project, being developed by a team of researchers in Bristol, is a home health sensor system aimed at diagnosing and helping to manage a range of health problems such as stroke, heart disease and depression. The system uses a combination of wireless networks, wearables, video analytics and machine learning to quantify health-related behaviours over long periods, and hopes to aid early diagnosis, lifestyle change, and extending the ability of patients to manage their condition while living at home and maintaining their privacy and independence.

“

Emma Isle Science Editor

A new farming technique that reduces the space and water required to grow food

Bristol graduates Ben Crowther and Charlie Guy have developed a new farming technique that reduces the

Clockwise from top left: Dr Anastasios Sextos visiting a school in Nepal, Asier Marzo using a tractor beam, Dr Lucy Berthoud in the new lab and aeroponics being trialled at Grow Bristol. All images courtesy of University of Bristol.

space and water required to grow food.

The technique, known as aeroponics, uses a vertical growing formation and mist to achieve its results, and is consequently more environmentally friendly than other farming techniques. It is being used at Grow Bristol to grow strawberries, pea shoots and leafy greens.

Engineers from the University of Bristol have teamed up with engineers from Cambridge and Birmingham, as well as local agencies in Guatemala, to monitor the highly eruptive volcano

Volcan de Fuego using drones. They are going to use multi-copters and fixedwing aircraft to collect data and ash from inside the volcanic plumes, as well as taking photos of the summit in the hopes of providing a 3D reconstruction.

A new metamaterial has been created in Bristol and is being adapted to protect premature babies that are being transferred between medical facilities. The material will make a new type of incubator that absorbs vibrations, therefore protecting the 16,000 babies

that are transferred in the UK every year, from the high levels of noise and vibrations that cause damaging stress that they are exposed to in vehicles.

Excitingly, a new satellite lab in the Faculty of Engineering means that this year both researchers and students will be able to talk directly to astronauts on the International Space Station.

If you are interested in the Year of Engineering, you can find out more on their website, or follow the campaign on Twitter.

Under the microscope: sleep dieting, microbeads and hungry dolphins... dy ery ? iet v stu ng ep g l i y d new hat e f sle ter g r o u w A et a r S t Janu key! sted ount ing b s into e e t k m g ly h a a g t an on the ld be as su the nd m ticip ot rs r a g N h s h in ou pa ter. suga n wit ore c ndo creas food her t e be wer o y t i r n L l i m a t li p e ep e t g g s e g a l u n e f r tha i e e s s h l t t p l h r a o e o S t o e Sle g’s C hear ew tion. how t also use f alth! gf Kin ts to atin nutri e on p, bu n exc ur he e m c o a r fro t wan d to dvi aslee eed ith y ou a n to pa n e w e l u s e u y d d ro r tim e yo help i stu t ma regar ne g he t tim ’s to o ge ith g et t u yo es w givin creas o nex er – i S b ic s, n i . o p ch grou roup rates mem d g re o tw this bohy just , did d car nap an in or

Emma Isle.... discusses the possibility of sleeping to shed the pounds...

t jus ally s has ent uct y m str on rod shed u r p i d v n i in en flu ul ned mf be tics more ban an har me e c s n y the o l e c in com ve be stic tial e e a h n e l h s b e p T fi tur ha to of pot d of fac tep beads eads th r u i i s f n h o w a a m at yb as, en ale icro he es tak , as m he tin he se , with T h d t te y T d. ng er t life ges ndl .K. ate nti ent y sea sug m frie he U min preve s nd a b a a t t o h fr in ed con r ban ister oss dra allow sea acr in he ady he he t w t t M e on o s r t l g n n a an en nd tin dow s whe by nm rotec nel xpa d o n e e t r a i ec nv Ch low o p es to s of eff fol eE pt p m lish be . Th rst ste d ho for s t Eng is to an er duc the fi h n , o t a n r o b s io . hp lut is i ste kle suc pol t th tac tic wa o tha lastic s t pla s p thi

a n o big that etitio d t re p m u in me ve ha certa a co at ai e fig that h h T t n e in you ost . y ed tha s. Th ink lm win erg ch da her e i Th ’s a uld r be em ea hig calo It an as es in c wo h h 0 t ? m i 0 i lp ; nd tite lphin study do r 16 t n, 20 orts ea pe ap e do new e of a ove uma n eff urviv . r s s o gly no ah tak to ati s, o .A ttle take fic in lorie e for nserv eeds ordin i bo a r n c in ak p co acc alo 000 ily l int hin ns da the c 33 ily to he dolp latio a d of a gu ate roun ded d data im a fish ng re n is h e i h est ut at c t h m se mu f fis om u sp ow ng o wa e rec s to h i e e n c th hop lan du of dy to de the p u t s d m use infor a

Oliver Cohen..... sheds a light on the humongous appetite of the bottlenose dolphin....

Emma Isle..... talks about the banning of microbeads to help combat enviromental damage.....

Flickr / thellr

Epigram

@EpigramLetters

Deputy Editor: Lily Hammond

Editor: Ellie Chesshire letters@epigram.com

29.01.2018

Letters

Dear 2017, from everyone

2017 has seen a lot of travelling.

However, what these atrocities have shown is the resilience, strength and kindness of the world, the country and our own student body. For every evil action and every disastrous event, the world has seen hundreds of people step up to help. From the emergency services who spent all night at the Manchester bombings to the people who paid for hotel rooms and distributed food after Grenfell Tower, the kindness people have shown this year has been second to none.

Our university in 2017 has geared itself towards making a difference.

From naked calendars to another successful year of LOST, our university has worked tirelessly throughout 2017 to make a difference nationally and internationally. That is certainly something to be proud of.

In November, Bristol STAR got involved with the SolidariTee Campaign,

which began in Cambridge last year, in which t-shirts were sold to raise awareness for the twenty-two million refugees struggling in the world at the moment.

Here’s to 2017: for the beautiful memories, for the friendships old and new, for the life lessons and for proving that its good just to be ‘you’

November also saw the University of Bristol Women’s Network Reclaim which took place throughout the entire month. Events, talks and discussions took place to help Bristol students who identify as female to reclaim their sense of empowerment. The month was a huge success and helped many

Epigram / Lily Hammond 2017 has seen a lot of new friends.

different students.

Back in March Bristol held their annual Jailbreak competition and this year one team made it to Vienna!

A pretty incredible achievement by anyone’s standards! FUZE, in 2017 raised money for Bristol Refugee Rights, raising £10,000 in their first evening.

These are just a few of the achievements the University of Bristol has made in 2017, all in aid of those struggling or less fortunate than ourselves.

The University has also witnessed many other exhilarating events, both good and bad, which have made up our 2017. In January, Jack Whitehall emerged at Lola Los while Jamie Laing and Alex Mitton showed up at Gravity later in the year. Alongside celebrity experiences, there was also an impromptu evacuation in the Chemistry building after a student accidently made an explosive.

In May, Hannah Price began her incredible snapchat campaign fighting sexual assault which she has continued throughout the year. There can be no doubt of the positive impact this has had on so many people’s lives. In June, Bristol was pleased to announce that they had received a silver award by the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)

what makes life so interesting. So thankyou 2017 for the ups and the downs, for the compassion, the kindness, the diversity and the courage that you’ve shown this year. We wouldn’t be here without you.

Looking forward to the new year everyone has their own personal goals and ideas. However, we should all try to remain being kind, remain helping others and doing our bit to improve society. There certainly is a lot to look forward to in 2018: graduations, travelling, new jobs and the Six Nations to say the least! So let’s enter the new year with a smile on our faces, an optimistic attitude and the belief that this year will be even better than the last.

which highlights just how successful the University of Bristol actually is: a place we should be very proud of.

As with any year, 2017 has been filled with ups and downs. We asked students at Bristol to give us a line summing up their 2017 to show the depth and diversity of what has been another beautiful year. This is what they came up with: ‘2017 has been a wild and breathtaking year and I often found myself in the middle of life trying to smile but having no clue what was going on around me. I’m a small fish in a big ocean and I’m trying to do my best…’

Epigram / Ellie Caufield

“

I often found myself in the middle of life tryin to smile, but having no clue what was going on around me. I’m a small fish in a big ocean and I’m doing my best

Epigram / Evy Tang

Dear 2017, What a year it has been. Nationally, we have seen some devastating moments such as Grenfell Tower and the bombings in Manchester last May. Across the globe we have continued to witness one of the worst refugee crises in history, with millions being persecuted and living in poverty.

“

Ellie Chesshire Letters Editor

‘2017 - busy, confidence-building, exasperating (politically), happy and goal-achieving. Bring on 2018!’

‘I’m so exhausted I don’t think I can remember how to function! Bring on 2018!’

‘Here’s to 2017, for the beautiful memories, for the friendships old and new, for the life-lessons and for proving that it’s good to just be you.’

No year can ever be perfect and that is

2017 has seen a lot of studying.

“

2017: you tested us politically, socially and even economically (we are students) but we wouldn’t have had it any other way. Sometimes it’s easy to get so bogged down in the negatives that we forget all the amazing things 2017 has brought us.

Epigram / Victoria Dyer

Epigram / Ellie Chesshire

2017 was bookended with study stress, but there was lots of fun in between

2017 has seen a lot of celebration.

2017 has seen a lot of breathtaking views.

So here’s to another year filled with new challenges, new experiences and new memories and a year that promises to be just as exciting as the last. Here’s to 2018, we can’t wait to meet you!

With love, Everyone

16

29.01.2018

Dear students with and without a reading week

Oliver Smith Second Year, Politics

it mid-term when students need the break to refresh? I had this last year when my second term reading week was right after January exams; it would have been much nicer to have it later as I wasn’t long back from the Christmas holidays.

Epigram

/

Ollie

Smith

Epigram / Amelia Griffiths

“

My own reading week was a bit busier than usual. I took the opportunity to get some work experience and managed to secure some in the Parliamentary Office of the MP Hilary Benn. Given how much I love that part of London this was something of a dream week for me. Not only did I get to free roam round Parliament and experience its history, meet well-known politicians and do some genuinely enjoyable work, but I was also able to explore one of the

Ollie

I need and value my reading week and I think we should all have one. It’s a chance to catch up on the things we put aside for our social lives, a chance to meet loved ones, do something fun with friends or have a deserved week off. Reading week is important to all of us who have it. This isn’t just a case of reading itself but the chance to get on top of things, especially considering how difficult it can sometimes be to manage workload with social life and other interests.

I need and value my reading week and I think that we should all have one

“

Epigram

Ollie made the most of his Reading Week by doing work experience in London.

most vibrant parts of London and go on something of a cultural odyssey.

Between working I would walk the landmarks of Trafalgar and Leicester Square, explore Piccadilly at night, did some soul searching in the National Gallery and saw an amazing production of Wicked (£90 off with my student card!). I was pleasantly surprised to find one of my best friends just happened to be there too so we met up for drinks (or rather just drink with London prices).

I somehow found time to do all my reading as well. I found in the weeks prior I had to put lecture reading aside to concentrate on my essay or had social commitments like drama.

Reading week allowed me time to breathe, catch up on my work, experience some culture and have some fun as well. For the Fresher in their first term University this can be overwhelming; the chance to go home can be a welcome breather.

In my first term I chose to stay to explore the city and socialise. I have friends who went home to rest or visit family, others who did absolutely nothing and never left their rooms and one who fitted in a trip round the country. I messaged a law student friend at the end of my reading week to ask how theirs had been. The response was one of melancholy: the reading week for law comes at the end of term.

This seems odd to me: why not have

All subjects should have a reading week - midway through the term - when they benefit us the most

It is not the case that reading week is a waste of time and money. Yes, students rightly complain about low contact hours, but with the kind of selfdirected learning that Arts subjects in particular push for, where a lot of reading is involved, a week off is necessary to get the most from them.

The usefulness of reading week is not limited to humanities: subjects like Biology have started to bring it in this year after pressure from students.

Reading week is healthy for student life; it relieves work stress and gives you the time you need to catch up, academically and socially. All subjects should have a reading week - midway through term - when they benefit us the most. We need reading week and I am glad to have it.

Dear social media at Christmas

Personally, I’m probably more aware of this as Christmas has always been a bit different for me. Being from a strict Christian family, alcohol doesn’t have much of a presence at Christmas. We’ll have a glass with dinner, but bottles of wine for the festive period are replaced with copious glasses of Shloer.

Being from a low-income family, gifts were never as extravagant as some of my friends when I was growing up. My family is also somewhat dysfunctional.

Social media is not reality, it’s a filtering of reality

Secondly, social media is not reality, it’s a filtering of reality. That is to say, it cares not for what the majority of your friends are actually doing, it’s a

Unspash / William Ivan

“ Spend less time on social media or veto it altogether!

Flickr / LHOON

Day to day, I’d describe myself as a pretty robust,resilient individual.I’m not easily offended, don’t really get ‘FOMO’ (fear of missing out), and don’t seem to get stressed about a lot of things I notice others stressing about. But there’s just something about social media that gets me every time at Christmas. Just one or two apps have the ability to make you question what you’re doing, make you feel discontent with what you have, or perhaps make you feel that you’re not doing Christmas ‘right’.

There are unspoken divides which mean we don’t have large family gatherings at Christmas. Rather, family get-togethers are organised more like drop-in sessions, with smaller groups coming on different days.

Now, as you may have gathered, all of this sounds quite different to the happy, bourgeois, traditional, ‘cheese n wine’ family you may see on snapchat, and I guess I’m just quite aware of this. So, for anyone else who can tend to feel this way during the festive period, what’s the answer?

Firstly, spend less time on social media, or veto it altogether! Focus on your family around you, and learn to be accepting of your Christmas situation regardless of how it might be for others; there is no right or wrong way to do Christmas. It only takes a walk down the high street at this freezing time of year to remind you how lucky we are to be in a warm house for Christmas.

“

Tim Dodd Third Year, Biology

Social media isn’t a reality over Christmas.

subset of your friends: those who are doing something that they want to shout about. Think about it. If you’re at home, not doing anything, or feeling lonely this Christmas, are you going to post about that on Snapchat? The answer is probably not. These feeds are constituted of people who ARE at the club, who ARE (seemingly) having a good time. It’s those who ARE happy about their Christmas spread with

their crystal wine glasses and all the trimmings one could dream of - it’s not everybody.

It does seem, from the attention I’ve paid to apps such as Snapchat, that it’s often used as a ‘look at me I have friends, HONESTLY, LOOK, I HAVE FRIENDS!’ facade, with a general rule of thumb being: the longer the Snapchat story the higher the levels of personal insecurity.

I can think of few other reasons to justify shining a blinding camera light in your friends face in a pitch-black club as they try and live in the present moment.

As with anything, social media must be consumed in moderation, and I believe it’s important to understand what social media really is, how people use it, and how the picture it paints is often a bad representation of reality.

Living Wellbeing Food Style Travel

Epigram / Edie Essex Barrett

Well done on getting through exams!

Online Editor Josie Roberts

Editor Jordan Barker

18

Deputy Editor

29.01.2018

Emily Hayman

living@epigram.org.uk

@e2living

Epigram Living Section 2017/18

The scourge of city centre living Tim Dodd exposes the nightmare of life in Bristol’s rotten nucleus

I return home from University and think, “I’m pretty sure I can smell piss”

”

”

Tales from the boudoir!

So, this one time, my kinky dream came true: I tied down my gal with her old school tie to the top of the bed, whilst wearing my white Eton bowtie and magnificent top hat.

Her face gawped up at me in admiration as I sensually caressed her thigh, before thrusting in the long jimmy, TUDDY HO! Deep in the rhythm, we lost ourselves in each other, forgetting we had decided to shift our naughty pleasures into Mummy and Daddy’s king-size.

As I clasped my hands around her neck in glee, I turned my head to stare right into the eyes of my mother. Frozen in time, I saw right through her skull, into her shock and horror and disappointment, as my todger seized up with me.

”

Last Halloween I thought I’d carve a pumpkin for the first time ever. Coming from a strict Christian household, Halloween wasn’t celebrated, so I proudly made my first heart-eyed emoji pumpkin with some head-hammered nails and ketchup for gory effect.

It lasted a total of 15 minutes before being kicked to smithereens by some idiot. Sometimes such misdemeanours are caught red handed. Late one night some chatting was heard right on our doorstep from the living room. As my housemate opened the door to check out what was going on, a group of people scurried away, kindly leaving us their bag of heroin needles. That was an interesting police visit.

Levities aside, it’s certainly worth considering how where you live will affect your wellbeing. Initially drawn to its amazingly cheap rent and central location, our house at John Street looked like a habitable option if the house was given a little TLC. I can say for definite that living somewhere as central as this has not been good for my mental health at all.

Flickr / Christina Attrah

Dr. Bull Sheti has been unable to write this week’s Horoscope. Taking his place this week is life-long friend and badminton-doubles partner, Cthulhu, everyone’s favourite cosmic monster!

Capricorn Man was birthed unto the world and writhed with contempt for his own miserable existence. For he was but a weasel, caught twixt the clamp of reason and the clamp of desire. Strange events will soon begin to unhinge your mind. Turn to the weasel for guidance in these uncertain times.

Aquarius Almighty God, who punishes wrongdoers also punishes dogooders. He cares not for your generosity, your piety, or your willingness to take the bins out every blummin’ week. This will be the worst week of your life - and God won’t give diddly-squat.

“He who fights monsters should be careful, lest he thereby become one. And if you gaze into the abyss, the abyss will also gaze into you.” Fortunately, the council has erected a fence around the abyss, so no need to worry about falling in anymore, or becoming a servant of evil.

Aries Life is a landslide, so buy yourself a sledge and ride it in style.

Though your life might be falling to pieces, why not go out and buy yourself a nice jumper, or a bag or your favourite crisps?

Taurus Love often sprouts in unusual places. You will soon find companionship with someone who scrunches rather than folds.

Enjoy.

Gemini Your dissertation supervisor is hot. Steamin’ hot. So hot that

you’ve resigned yourself to getting only a Desmond.

Cancer Your lover will begin a character transformation, and believe they’re the reincarnation of The Matrix’s Morpheus. They’ll demand you now refer to them only as The One, or “Dynamo Molasses.”

Don’t.

Leo Your leg will become entrapped in some kind of ungodly manmade machine, and you shall curse the Enlightenment for all the god-damn trouble it’s caused.

Virgo Your doctor will tell you to stop drinking so much Red Bull.

Ignore him. I mean, wasn’t it your Sociology professors who said, “science is a bourgeois myth”? So, yeah, suck on that, Dr. Andrews.

Libra The Reverend in your local Church will suddenly metamorphose into an enormous vampire-baby named “L’il Porkchop”, much to the amusement of your closet-atheist of a grandmother.

Scorpio The brain is a mysterious vital organ. But not one that you can bear dealing with anymore. If it falls out, it falls out. You’re better off without it.

Sagittarius

Flickr/RIchard Sandoval

Anonymous

Tim Dodd Third Year, Biology

Your Horoscopes!

Pisces

Suddenly, she was gone. One moment there, the next not, we were left to process just how entirely ruined we were, and the sheer embarrassment swamped us.

Later that day, as I moped around the house, contemplating quite what I was going to say to my mum when the time came, I peered into the room to discover an entirely made up, perfect king-size with the tie still hanging there, bright as day, for all to see. F***.

Even simple things like having a night in on the weekend are difficult. If you’ve chosen to have a night in - you perhaps are tired, have plans early the next morning or just don’t want to go out then the last thing you want to hear is other people on their nights out! Aside from it making you feel like you’re boring (especially if you’ve purposely excused yourself from going out that night), you can’t have any quiet to relax, or the early night that you wanted.

Without doubt, these insights are not typical of a ‘city centre living’ experience, so don’t avoid looking at city centre accommodation based on these stories. Aside from being so unpleasant that they have comedic value, hopefully these insights will make you aware of the consequences of living just a bit too central in Bristol, and not being familiar with the surrounding area. Happy house hunting!

Epigram/Jasmin Perry

Half an hour later, we are lucky enough to have a rechristening!

This time we weren’t so fortunate, as his holy water seeps under the gap in the door, baptising our now unwelcoming doormat. I’d love to say this was a one off, but there are certainly days when I return home from university and think, ‘I’m pretty sure that’s piss I can smell again.’

Perhaps this is due to the fact that the house does not look inhabited. As a former solicitors, the signage still looms above the previous office front. Equally, it might be that drunken males will literally piss anywhere. Who knows.

This may sound extreme, however it is unsurprising on John Street, a popular cut-through between Corn Street and Broadmead, just seconds away from SWX and The Lanes. With just a single pane

Earplugs are an essential for most nights of the week if I plan to go to bed before midnight

Epigram / Tim Dodd

It’s around 9pm on a Friday night, and me and a few of my housemates are sitting in the living room, listening to the sound of our front door being christened by a very generous man’s urine.

My housemate leaps to the front door and starts attacking it with her fists in an attempt to shock the perpetrator and halt the flow of urine.

from my sash window to protect me, I sometimes feel that I may as well be outside with the singing down-and-outs, screaming about their domestic or drug abuse, or the people sitting at the pub on the end of our road, because I can literally hear it all verbatim. Thus unfortunately, earplugs are an essential for most nights of the week if I plan to go to bed before midnight.

”

Opinions expressed in this article do not represent the Living Section’s views on down-and-outs and/or drunkards. The section did, after all, win Drunkest Team at the Epigram Xmas Awards Ceremony.

Jordan Peterson denied that humans were basically the same as lobsters. Well, that’s what the Leader of the Lobstermen would say, don’t you think? Hmm… Be wary of so-called “experts”.

29.01.2018

19

Chancellor Churchill: 5 of his best and worst moments

Sir Winston ‘James Dean’ Churchill: winner of wars, lover of lager and Porky Pig look-alike.

But what did the former Chancellor of Bristol University actually do?

4. Coined his much-beloved catchphrase, ‘Where’s all m’ducks?!’

You’ve seen the photos of Churchill being carried to the Victoria Rooms - formerly the Bristol SU - during his inauguration ceremony.

But what happened to the brave men who lifted the rotund war hero?

The truth is they were crushed beneath the weight of the former PM. Three went into comas, and two were left paralysed from the neck down. All seven went on to suffer lives of utter misery, haunted by the memory of Churchill’s rump crushing their vital organs.

Never have so few given their lives for a man so big.

As is common knowledge, Churchill was a passionate lover of ducks. In later life, he began claiming that The War was in fact ‘won by the ducks’ - though he never disclosed which war and which ducks in particular. During his time as Chancellor, he housed over 50 mallards in a small office, built for ‘state security and duckrelated matters.’

One night, however, Churchill left the office door unlocked.

Returning the next morning to begin the day’s duties again, he found that the ducks were gone. Henceforth, our country has been blessed with the well-known English phrase: ‘Where’s all m’ducks?!’.

The catch-phrase landed Churchill a role in the 70s sitcom, ‘You’ve Dropped the Chips!’, playing a prudish vicar.

Bristol’s Special Collections

2. Exploded - and lived to tell the tale!

Churchill suffered his entire life from a rare genetic disorder, CBS (Combusting Bone Syndrome), which he inherited from his mother’s side.

Disaster struck when the Chancellor went out for a walk on the Downs one morning with his dog, Binky. Suddenly, without warning, Churchill exploded into a thousand tiny pieces. The hound died instantly, and the Chancellor was presumed dead.

5 philosophical works that will spice up your sex life!

“When woman goest to man, take thy whip!”

1. “The Gynaecologist of Morals” - Friedrich Nietzsche 2. “Discipline and Punish (me daddy)” - Michel Foucault

4. “The Analects: a tour of the back passage” - Confucius 5. “Impotence of the Void” - Slavoj Zizek

3. ‘Jokingly’ called student a ‘******’ On 5th July 1952, Churchill nearly lost his position as Chancellor of the University. Following a dispute over the Allies’ conduct during WWII, Churchill allegedly called Max Gibson, a Politics student at the time, ‘a no-good, sanctimonious, commie-loving ******.’

Churchill defended his use of the word, arguing that it was said with ‘self-awareness’ and ‘meant it ironically’. Jane Pearson, senior lecturer in Sociology at the time, claimed this was just another instance of ‘hipster racism’, arguably the most cringe-inducing form of racism ever conceived by a white person.

After only a matter of months, Churchill forgot he’d been elected Chancellor of UoB. Perhaps all the whiskey and cigars had clouded his mind to the point of total cognitive meltdown. Or maybe being Chancellor involved so much pen-pushing and ribbon cutting, that one day he forgot he was living and quietly snuck off. Who knows?

(It was discovered, following the election of the subsequent Chancellor, that Churchill’s ducks hadn’t gone missing. In fact, they were in his office all along, in amongst thousands of Kit Kat wrappers - Churchill’s favourite chocolate - that lay strewn across the office floor).

Winston, for all your abysmal failures, we salute you!

Disclaimer: these events are in no way factually correct, and grossly exaggerate the ineptitude of Mr. Churchill.

Jordan Barker Third Year, English and Philosophy

Overheard in Bristol What verbal litter has been heard floating on the breeze?

“Do you really think smoking a spliff with your mates is more important than phoning your girlfriend?”

“Honestly, I’d kill half the people in this town for that house.”

“Her accent’s only like that because of the school she went to. It isn’t even that posh.”

“I just hate the Zeitgeist.”

“Can you turn your music down? It’s depressing me and everyone on this bus. Thanks.”

“He got two prostitutes to stand on his dick... and that’s what made him finish.”

Flickr / iDJ Photography

3. “The Myth of Syphilis” - Albert “the bear” Camus

Yet a few hours later, Churchill reappeared several miles from the city, stark-naked in a wheat field. Astonishingly, the atomic structure of Churchill had re-arranged itself in an entirely different part of the county! The Chancellor, cold and exhausted from his journey back to the city, described the experience as ‘far out.’ But how did it happen? A metaphysical miracle? Or, as Churchill put it, was it just ‘good old British resilience’.

5. Forgot he was Chancellor of a University Flickr/Sam Wood

Flickr / Greg Tee

1. Crushed 7 students during his inauguration

29.01.2018

Editor Chloe Payne-Cook

Deputy- Editor Jasmine Burke

@EpigramWB

Online Editor Leila Mitwally

Epigram Wellbeing

2021

@epigramwellbeing

Welcome back, from the Epigram Wellbeing Team!

Blue Monday and the ‘Gollum Hump’

this the ‘Gollum Hump’ is a time where most of our bodies are really feeling the lack of sunshine. This, combined with exam stress, sleep deficiency and post-christmas discombobulation can be a recipe for worsening your mental health.

”

For people who struggle with mental health illnesses - specifically SAD, depression and anxiety - this funky ‘Gollum Hump’ - I’m making this a thing - season can be blue all the way through. I’m not writing this to make you feel more depressed about the ‘Gollum Hump’, I promise. I’m writing this to make people aware of how the post-winter, ‘new year, new me’ bullshit can actually impact your mental health.

Pretty. Damn. Hard. With the long, dark mornings and nights, vitamin D deficiency becomes a big problem. I am not trying to universalise the experiences of people who suffer with depression, and of course for some people, their mental health is the same in all of the seasons! But

”

”

Now, back to Blue Monday… there are a number of reasons behind this hideously gloomy day; financial debt from Christmas, dark mornings, dark nights and - arguably most importantly - December babies - cough cough - have to wait another 12 months until their birthday…week(s). Of course, all of these factors seem miserable. But, Blue Monday is actually just another marketing ploy, cue shock, gasps, and ‘what kinda monster would actually do such a thing!’s.

The incredibly hard day-day challenges that you are going though, might possibly be made harder by the Gollum Hump

”

I promise, as I do to myself every single year, this Gollum Hump is fastly approaching its end. Whilst we are in this weird, funky season, it can feel all-consuming and like we are never going to see sunlight again. But I promise - to some degree, we are in England, I can’t work miracles, come on people - the light is coming soon and in the mean time, please try to look after yourself. Soak up as much of the daylight as you can, create a routine for yourself and eat some delicious warming soup! There are positives to the ‘Gollum Hump’ and you’ve already made it over half way through.

Chloe Payne-Cook Wellbeing Editor

Epigram / Jasmine Burke

It will be called ‘Gollum’ because he is a grey, mean, unrelenting, slimey man-fishcreature and that is exactly what this season is.

I guess, what I’m trying to say amidst my ramblings, is that you are doing great. And the incredibly hard day-day challenges that you are going though, might possibly be made harder by the ‘Gollum Hump’ - seriously, I WANNA SEE THIS TERM TRENDING WORLDWIDE, BABY. Seriously, mental health conditions can be way beyond comprehensibly difficult throughout the year, let alone in a weird manfish-creature-slimey season where your body is dealing with vitamin D deficiency, stress and teeeeeny tiny days. It is worth me pointing out here, that the ASS Library offer ‘SAD’ lamp sessions, which are bookable from the reception area.

These lamps - which I myself have used and adore - provide a strong bluey/white light - cool science cooooool - which consequently trigger your brain to produce vitamin D and boost your mood! Obviously, this is not a quick fix and some people don’t find it useful, but I think it is worth a try and you may find it super helpful.

Epigram / Chloe Payne-Cook

Monday the 15th of January, also referred to as ‘Blue Monday’, is the most miserable day of 2018. The good news is, it’s OVER. Yet, we still find ourselves in this undesirable, dingy limbo season, the ‘Twix of the Celebration tub’ if you will - I would have said Bounty but you can’t deny that sweet treat is tropical, if also hideously disgusting. I’m going to call this little gross, grey time speckle that were in right now ‘the Gollum Hump’ - stay with me, I swear I have a point. It will be called ‘Gollum’, if you don’t get this reference then watch some LOTR please, because he is a grey, mean, unrelenting, slimey man-fish-creature and that is exactly what this season is. ‘Hump’, for obvious reasons, is referring to the hump which we must, and will, get over, to be greeted by an equally damp but brighter spring time; when it becomes acceptable to replace the milk in your cereal with cider treats.

A New Year message from us...

“New year, new me” – it may be an outdated cliché, but it brings with it an innocent message. It’s the start of the new year, and while nothing may have actually changed, it’s your chance to give yourself a clean slate if you want to. Try that new thing you’ve been putting off, make it to your 9am, write for Epigram Wellbeing! (Yes, that was indeed a thinly veiled hint). It’s a new term and the possibilities are yet to be discovered!

However, with all the talk of clean slates and transformations comes the pressure to strive for something greater. It’s almost as if you’re expected to want to change yourself, or do something more than what you’re doing with your life, when in actuality, if you are content then you are allowed to be content. Just because it’s now January, doesn’t mean that your couch potato self will magically transform into a gym bunny, and you shouldn’t feel like you have to. If you want to make a change, then so be it! But never feel that if January hasn’t been filled with sunshine and rainbows then you’re set to have a terrible year.

There is always the opportunity to turn things around and you get to decide when you want to do it. Yes, you may have chosen January as a great starting point for that, but if you haven’t, don’t be too hard on yourself!

Here’s to a great 2018! We may have our down days, but we hope that the up days make up for them!

With the start of the New Year, we at Epigram Wellbeing are introducing a couple of new things that you should look out for…

Spotify Playlists Sometimes the best way to relax/ disassociate from your problems is through the power of music.

Therefore, we now have a Spotify account where you can find playlists to help you wind down from the most stressful of situations! To find the link, head over to our Facebook page or search ‘Epigram Wellbeing’ on Spotify, then enjoy!

Twitter / @spotify

List of wellbeing services It’s so important to know who to reach out to if you need help. Here we’ve listed every service we can find, but we’ll remind you of a different one of these every issue, just in case you forget.

Service: Student Counselling Service What For: Register for assessment and subsequent intervention. Receive Talk and Plan sessions, 1:1 counselling, Psychoeducational Workshops or Group Work depending on your issue.

Contact: 3rd Floor Hampton House BS6 6AU, 01179546655, www. bristol.ac.uk/student-counselling

Service: Big White Wall What For: Anonymously talk about issues with supportive community, find information and advice on specific mental health issues. Trained professionals online 24/7.

Contact: Visit www.bigwhitewall.com and sign up with your Bristol email address

Service: Student Health Service What For: To see GP, set up repeat prescriptions or help for mental health.

Contact: Hampton House St Michaels Hill Cotham Bristol BS6 6AU, 01173302720 or 011773302721 in Emergencies, out of hours contact 111 Service: Nearest A&E What For: Serious danger at anytime Contact: 999, or Upper Maudlin Street Bristol BS2 8HW Service: Nightline What For: Anonymous and confidential listening service for students run by students. Talk to them free of judgement.

Contact: 01179266266 (available 8pm to 8am)

Instagram Stories We’re making good use of our Instagram stories this year, and every Sunday you’ll be able to find one of the editors talking you through our tips on maintaining your wellbeing during different stressful situations.

Follow us on @epigramwellbeing to stay updated and let us know if there’s anything in particular that you want tips on.

Twitter / @epigramwb

Service: Personal Tutor/Senior Tutors What For: Academic issues or extenuating circumstances.

Contact: Find out who yours is on Blackboard, visit www.bristol. ac.uk/students/wellbeing/academic-issues for more details

Service: Just Ask SU Service What For: Contact to be directed to the appropriate support Contact: Email bristolsu-justask@bristol.ac.uk or call 01173318634

Jasmine Burke Deputy Wellbeing Editor

29.01.2018

22

Make this New Year a great one!

Travel outside of Europe

”

Looking after my skin!

I asked for skin care products for Christmas, as middle aged as that sounds, and I am actually using some of the generic bath bombs and moisturisers given from grandparents. I have always

”

This is another personal thing, as although it seems just as generic as all the other resolutions, I cooked my first Christmas dinner in 2017 and couldn’t believe how much I loved it! From someone who has only ever cooked pesto pasta and the occasional curry - from a jar - I really was dreading it… But my mum is an excellent cook and so I called her up, apron on, oven gloves at the ready (not literally, as that would make calling my mum a bit more challenging) and wrote down all my instructions - this would be difficult, too. I just felt so relaxed, listening to music, drinking mulled wine and feeling so Christmassy but also just loving the cooking. I am a massive foodie and always had such appreciation and respect for famous chefs, mainly Jamie Oliver and his ‘Food Tube’, and I really felt in my element.

Learning how to, and putting into practice, budgeting I am an avid spender.

And that really isn’t an exaggeration. As soon as the loan is in I am on Pretty Little Thing, adding all my Wishlist into my basket, and a guaranteed £200 is spent in a day. I no longer let myself go shopping, as I come back having dipped into my overdraft all because I couldn’t resist getting yet another pair of trainers. Or trousers. Or a coat. Or a going out top. Or another coat. So this is a more Epigram / Jasmine Burke

But if you’re not a gym fiend - and I really don’t blame you, it can be an intimidating place - I strongly recommend taking up some form of exercise. Exercise is actually so good for you: again, I am sounding so bluntly obvious, but what they tell you in PE in year six is genuinely true. Who’d have thought it? And it isn’t just a way to burn calories. Exercise improves your mental state; there is a reason you get addicted to going to the gym, you get a high from the endorphins you’re releasing on a regular basis. I can go to the gym in the worst, crabbiest mood, and walk out as if I have been rejuvenated. For me, exercise is about strength rather than weight loss. I go to the gym to feel strong, and to feel in control of how I look.

Learn how to cook. Properly

Whoever came up with the phrase ‘drunk mind, sober thoughts’ obviously never ever ever touched vodka.

No more vodka

”

I don’t know about anyone else, but for some reason vodka does not work well for me. It isn’t a nice state of drunk. Whoever came up with the phrase ‘drunk mind, sober thoughts’ obviously never ever, ever touched vodka. I don’t know how but it just turns me into this overdramatic, emotional, irrational, rude, argumentative mess. I wake up and I just hate myself. Although you might say that it’s just alcohol, not specifically vodka, I beg to differ. Wine, gin, cider; all friendly drinks. But vodka will always pick a fight, and it will always win, so I am taking control and pulling out of the competition. I refuse to wake up any morning and hate myself, and so, 2018 is vodka free. Think of it as no texting your ex, except its vodka and, well, you can’t text it because it doesn’t have a phone, but like your ex, it does not treat you the way you deserve to be treated!

So there you have it, my guide to a healthy, strong 2018. I know they all sound so generic, but these are resolutions I really want to keep, and they are only recommendations that you can personalise to tailor to your wants and needs for the year. Best of luck!

Bea O’Kelly Third Year, History

Find for your mind Here you’ll find a new person or service to follow or check out online which you might find beneficial to your wellbeing. This week’s find is...

@thehealthdiaryinsta

Instagram / @thehealthdiaryinsta

Epigram / Jasmine Burke

Going to the gym a minimum of 3 times a week

Exercise is about strength rather than weight loss. I go to the gym to feel strong, and to feel in control of how I look.

Epigram / Jasmine Burke

So, here are my resolutions. I think they encourage healthier lifestyles, stronger mindsets and are attainable goals to have this year, and they all focus on YOU. Well, me technically, but the point is your resolutions should be all about you. If you have read my recent articles, you’ll know I am a strong believer in the importance of self love and self care. But it really isn’t as easy as just saying ‘okay, I’m going to love myself now’ because really, what does that do? You need to do things that ensure you’re actively increasing your appreciation and respect for yourself and your body. So here we go:

”

”

I am a very keen traveller, and although that is probably the most cliché Bristol student sentence, I actually haven’t done the classic South East Asia gap year, and still want to see so much of the world before I start work. So this is one of my resolutions, doing something completely because I want to do it, not because I’m trying to jazz up my CV for employers, or because I’m putting off getting a job, but because it has been a childhood dream to see an elephant up close, to try completely new foods and experience a new culture, and I want to fund and organise it myself. I am focusing on me, and doing something purely selfishly.

Epigram / Jasmine Burke

Not everyone agrees with making New Year’s resolutions, and yes, I do agree that if you want to change something about the way you live you shouldn’t wait till January 1st, but personally I love the idea of a fresh start. It’s how I go about all tasks really. For instance, if I start a diet it’ll start on a Monday, the beginning of a week, similarly if I want to start gymming again. I feel much more in control starting at the beginning, and although that sounds so bluntly obvious, that is why I am not opposed to New Year’s resolutions.

After the amazing but also quite draining Christmas break, especially if you have January exams, this month is the time to replenish. If you’re anything like me, your bank balance at this time of year is in desperate need of a breather. You can’t remember the last time you ate a piece of fruit - unless mince pies count - and today will possibly be the first day you haven’t had a cheeky drink with your dinner. January is therefore best used as a detox, so you can start the year with a fresher mind.

I feel much more in control starting at the beginning, and although that sounds so bluntly obvious, that is why I am not

practical attempt of focusing on me… I am hoping by doing this I am helping out my future self, so I don’t go bankrupt. Unfortunately I do have the mindset of, ‘I will eat beans on toast for a week, so I can afford this top’. But then I don’t eat beans on toast all week, and I can’t afford that top…

So this year, hopefully, I’ll master the art of budgeting!

Epigram / Jasmine Burke

Bea O’Kelly talks us through how to make resolutions that actually seem attainable

been fairly lucky with my skin, only ever really using make up wipes, but now I’m trying to incorporate face masks, night creams and day moisturisers into my make up bag to use more often. Caring for yourself can be taken as literally as this!

”

Recommendations for resolutions

@thehealthdiaryinsta is an Instagram account accompanying The Health Diary Blog, which you can read more about on the next page.

Bristol Student Molly Gorman aims to redefine what we consider to be ‘healthy’ through the eyes of normal people around Bristol.

The photos are breathtaking and the stories that accompany them are even better. It’s reminiscent of The Humans of New York, but located in Bristol and surrounding mental health and Wellbeing. Go give it a follow!

Jasmine Burke Deputy Editor Wellbeing

29.01.2018

23 20

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

Introducing: The Health Diary Third year History student Molly Gorman is trying to redefine how we think about our health. Having dealt with her own issues with food and body image growing up, now Molly has set up The Health Diary: a project dedicated to exploring all the different and personal definitions of health. I spoke to Molly about the project, what she hopes it will achieve and some of the inspiration behind it.

If I’ve already gone through such a horrible experience then why not make something good out of it?

”

”

Your tagline is ‘it’s time to redefine health’ - so what would be your ideal definition?

Broadly speaking, what is The Health Diary?

The Health Diary is a platform that I wanted to create to allow people to come forward and talk about how they think about health. I feel like there’s a widespread consensus of what ‘health’ is in society - what ‘healthy’ food is and what ‘bad’ food is and what people should be doing to be healthy, whether that’s to do with exercise, or eating ‘raw’ or ‘clean’ foods. I think that it’s really damaging - it encourages people to link feelings of guilt with food.

I would say that balance and moderation are two key words, but I know how hard it is in practice to get those. So if you had to pin me down I would probably say that happiness is key. You have to do what’s going to give you a healthy mind and stimulate you, and that’s personal to everyone - so health is personal to everyone. If you have certain views on health that could be damaging to others - like attributing guilt to food - I don’t think you should inflict them upon others. You have to do what makes you happy.

Instagram / @thehealthdiaryinsta

Exactly! Balance is key, moderation is key - and by picking out normal people like my friends and family and getting their perspective on what they feel for them is healthy, and how they approach food and exercise, I want to redefine what ‘health’ means. I don’t want the platform to just be about food though, but also work and life balance - I know some people at uni who just work themselves into the ground because they don’t know how to take breaks. I hate the narrow perception of ‘health’ in the mainstream media. I’m also not trying to tell people what’s wrong and what’s right, but just to offer up an alternative view or different perspective on things. That’s the basis of the project.

How do you think that the university is dealing with these issues among students at the moment?

”

I will be talking about this on the blog soon as I haven’t before mainly because there’s so much that I could write a book on it! When I was fifteen I had a lot of issues with food and body image, and it got to the point where I needed to see a counsellor - I was afraid of food, I was obsessed with food, and it pretty much took over my life and my family’s life for two years.

I don’t actually know too much about it because I’ve tried to get help with the uni a few times when I felt I was struggling and wasn’t really met with anything - they basically didn’t have the space for me so suggested other platforms. While it is good that they have those other services to suggest, it seems to be the result of a broader funding problem.

”

”

What inspired you to start this project?

I’ve tried to get help with the uni a few times when I felt I was struggling and wasn’t really met with anything – they basically didn’t have the space for me so suggested other platforms.

If you’re doing it for any ethical or environmental reason I think that’s great. But in terms of doing it for your health, I don’t think that the approach of cutting food groups out is a good idea because it can become restrictive and obsessive - it encourages the development of things like orthorexia where it gets to the point where you feel like you physically can’t eat certain things. I believe in an easy-going approach, where we don’t put too much pressure on ourselves to put only good things into our bodies. Life becomes so much easier when you have an open and balanced approach to food. You should always do what’s best for you without being too hard on yourself or punishing yourself.

Exercise works in the same way - I now feel that I can exercise just because it feels good and clears my head, rather than seeing it a way to burn calories.

Life becomes so much easier when you have an open and balanced approach to food. You should always do what’s best for you without being too hard on yourself or punishing yourself.

”

”

Firstly, I want to learn how to relax – because at the moment I don’t think I’m very good at it! I always have to be doing something or I get bored, and I always feel that I could be doing more. I’d like to take more time for myself which I don’t do enough - I actually had a bath over Christmas which I usually hate but I really enjoyed it! I’d also like to try some more yoga as it really helps me sleep.

Instagram / @thehealthdiaryinsta

Instagram / @thehealthdiaryinsta

Instagram / @thehealthdiaryinsta

And the funny thing is, you feel so alone at the time, and so many people go through it. It’s mainly stemmed from that, and for me now I feel as though I’m the happiest and healthiest I’ve ever been in my life, and so it’s a really good time to reflect on it and feel okay talking about it. I’ve written a few articles for different magazines about it before, and

”

Finally, what are your New Year’s Resolutions?

I wouldn’t try again or go through the NHS for counselling because it didn’t get me anywhere. If anyone was reaching out for help I would suggest going to a charity - charities literally saved me. Everyone working there had their own issues with food so they understood, whereas a lot

It’s shocking how many people you talk to who have had similar issues, and yet no one talks about it!

You’ve got a place full of clever students, who are outspoken about current issues - like politics - yet we aren’t speaking about something like mental health

What do you think about all the popular diets like raw, plantbased or zero sugar that people will be taking up for January?

It’s so annoying! People talking about eating a ‘guilty’ piece of chocolate!

By picking out normal people like my friends and family and getting their perspective on what they feel for them is healthy, I want to redefine what ‘health’ means

Do you think that the university environment is good for students’ mental health?

I think it’s a good place for mental health. Everyone at university is going through the same experience and we’re all facing similar issues, and I think we could turn that into something positive. You’ve got a place full of clever students, who are outspoken about current issues - like politics - and yet we aren’t speaking about something like mental health which clearly affects so many of us! We’re obviously all touched by it, and we could create a really strong movement if we just talked about it more. There should be so many places that people can go and feel safe - if people really started addressing these issues I think that the university could be a really positive place for cultivating good mental health.

”

Molly Gorman - the face behind The Health Diaries

of support workers and doctors don’t really understand what they’re dealing with.

”

Instagram / @thehealthdiaryinsta

every time I wrote them I felt all my old feelings starting to come back.

But now I feel so comfortable talking about it, and I just felt like it was a good time for me to do something. Also, I feel that if I’ve already gone through such a horrible experience then why not make something good out of it? Issues with food and body image shouldn’t be taboo, it’s something that we should all be talking about.

You can find and explore The Health Diary for yourself on thehealthdiarycom.wordpress.com.

Leila Mitwally Online Editor Wellbeing

24

Editor

Deputy Editor

Online Editor

Jane Cowie @janecowiefood food@epigram.org.uk

Holly Penhale

Sarah Roller

Epigram Living 2017-18

29.01.18

@epigramfood

Foodie fashions: 2018 edition Josh Francis gives us a taste of the latest food fads to watch out for the in the upcoming year Last year saw a spectacular array of food & drink trailblazers, from cheffy pickling to quirkier crazes like activated charcoal. But as January (or Veganuary, if you like) ticks on, we ask what will be illuminating eating and eateries in 2018, locally and worldwide? Here are just five of the many fashions worth watching out for…

Latin American

Cocktails, reworked

While Mexican grub made waves last year in the UK, prevailing foodie consensus dictates it will continue to grab attention. Indeed, restaurants are sure to experiment with more niche, regional flavours yet to make it over the pond, such as huitlacoche (corn smut).

Root-to-Shoot/ Nose-to-Tail Though far from revolutionary, the idea of using every part of fruit and veg in cookery looks set to be one of the trendiest phenomena this year. With the food industry becoming more environmentally and costconscious, taking a ‘root-to-shoot’ approach helps to cut down on wasted produce.

Flickr / Ray Bouknight

Plus, by cooking stems and peels diners soak up extra nutrients that would otherwise be heading straight for the composter. And it’s a trend not merely confined to the vegi-sphere: with inflating food prices, offal is anticipated to become more popular in UK restaurants, as chefs get more inventive with serving internal animal parts.

”

”

Vegan food truly took off last year and is now gaining momentum, with over 135,000 people making the pledge for Veganuary 2018. With grassroots campaigns and home-cooking chiefly leading the charge, more and more chefs are set to jump aboard this year.

Or how about edible insects - another 2018 prediction in itself - which are popular in states like Oaxaca, including chapulines (grasshoppers) and the infamous agave worms? More widely, Brazilian, Peruvian and Japanese-Mexican (think sushi burritos) flavours are all on the up and will continue to inspire the UK street-food scene. Be sure to check out Wapping Wharf’s Cargo Cantina, Brizzle’s best quest for authentic, contemporary Mexican vibes.

Fine-casual Less of a food trend per-se and more a way of eating, the 2018 restaurant landscape is set to be characterised by increased informality.

With standards rising across the industry, customers are now seeking great-quality dishes - once exclusive to fine-dining establishments - in more relaxed surroundings.

So, a small morsel of trends to whet your appetite for the next 12 months; of course, lavish helpings are most likely coming our way, with everything from food-tech and Hawaiian poke bowls, to West African gastronomy and the reawakening of pasta. But which ones will light up 2018 and which will fade into the proverbial abyss? It’s set to be another spectacular year…

An increasing number of venues are exploring hangover-safe provisions, including the world’s first alcohol-free spirits

”

Epigram / Jane Cowie

Epigram / Jasmine Burke

This shift arguably goes hand-in-hand with the extensive brunch selections offered by eateries across the country, as lines blur between orthodox eating hours and the ‘fourth meal’ - a top-5 Waitrose trend this year - becomes ever-more in-vogue. Envisage more hipster haunts and less luxurious lunchrooms…

”

Bristol has an assortment of vegan/veggie destinations already, such as Earthcake and Flow, while kitchens like Root are upending gastronomic convention, placing veg centre-stage in their dishes. Innovation is stepping up a gear, too, with start-up Impossible Foods creating meatfree but mouth-watering burgers from heme, an ingredient extracted from soy plant roots.

‘Dry’ bars have rocked into London and other UK cities, so it’s likely Bristol will join the bandwagon soon. If you’re not going tee-total just yet, fear not: boozy, extra-intricate concoctions will be abuzz in 2018 (a beeswax-infused Manhattan, anyone?), which is good news for The Alchemist and their much-anticipated Bristol opening in a few months’ time.

Flikcr / Jason Bagley

Vegan +

The 2018 restuarant landscape is set to be characterised by increased informality

With supermarkets reporting that millennials are cutting back on the drink, health-friendly cocktails will receive another boost as we head into 2018. An increasing number of venues are exploring hangover-safe provisions, including the world’s first alcohol-free spirits, from distiller Seedlip, and chic drinks like kombucha, a fermented tea with sweet overtones.

Josh Francis

Fourth year, Geography

Recipe: vegan sweet potato, spinach and chickpea curry Taking part in Veganuary? Holly Penhale has the perfect vegan curry that will help you supress the This month thousands of people are pledging to give up meat and temptation to cheat!

dairy in order to take part in hugely-popular Veganuary. Whether you’ve taken the plunge or, like me, are just looking for ways to reduce consumption, this recipe is a real winner.

The coconut milk mimics the creaminess normally provided by cream or butter in a standard curry and the mass of sweet potato leaves you feeling just as full and satisfied.

Serves: 2-3 Cooking time: 45 mins

Epigram / Holly Penhale

Ingredients: 2 large sweet potatoes 1 aubergine 3 spring onions 2 cloves of garlic 1 can of chopped tomatoes 1 tin of coconut milk 1 handful of fresh coriander 1 large handful of spinach 1 can of chickpeas 2 tsp of medium curry powder 1 pinch of chilli flakes To serve: 100g wild basmati rice

Method: 1. Peel and chop the sweet potatoes into bite size chunks and slice the aubergine into discs.

2. Finely slice the garlic, spring onions and coriander stalks and fry gently in a large saucepan with some olive oil.

3. When softened, pour in the coconut milk and chopped tomatoes and bring to the boil.

4. Reduce to a simmer and tip in the sweet potato and aubergine chunks along with the curry powder and chilli flakes.

5. Leave the curry to simmer for 30 minutes, or until the sweet potato is softened, before stirring in the chickpeas.

6. Meanwhile, boil your basmati rice on a high heat until cooked.

7. Before serving, remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the spinach and most of the coriander leaves.

8. Serve up a hearty portion with a large spoonful of rice and finish by scattering the remaining coriander leaves on top.

Holly Penhale

Deputy Food Editor

29.01.18

25

Food for thought: eating your way through exams Sarah Roller shares her tips on how on how to fuel your body and your mind during the exam season 4.

neural activity), or even a square of dark chocolate (good for preventing memory loss), make it a tasty no-brainer option.

2.

Snacks

Snacking is inevitable. And not necessarily a bad thing: snacks like dried fruit, nuts and seeds are good at boosting energy levels. But, make sure you’re hungry-eating and not bored-eating, and try and stave off the temptation to crack open a family-size bag of Haribo (unless you have a level of will-power I have not yet encountered).

”

Start your day off right

Eat breakfast. To all those people who skip breakfast, you’re wrong. It’s doing you no good. There is nothing better than a big bowl of porridge to start off a long day of work - not least because the wholegrains will keep you feeling fuller for longer: and therefore less likely to start grazing your way through snacks. Toppings such as blueberries (research has shown that eating one cup of blueberries every day can have a significant impact on your ability to learn and your memory), bananas (the potassium stimulates

If you’ve had a tough day, it’s acceptable to chuck in an oven pizza and eat some ice-cream

3.

I find cooking a really good way of unwinding after a long day hunched over a desk

Make your own lunch

”

A quick and easy way to save ££ and keep yourself fuller for longer.

Whether you’re super organised and bring an insulated tub of Thai Fish Curry like my flatmate, or just rustle up a sandwich before leaving the house, you’ll thank yourself for it. If you’re in need of inspiration, check out Epigram’s Food Editor Jane’s blog on janecowie.com.

” Epigram / Jane Cowie

Epigram / Jane Cowie

1.

Enjoy cooking

I find cooking a really good way of unwinding after a long day hunched over a desk. Put some music on, find a recipe, and get cracking: at the very least, it’s some pretty productive procrastination. Cooking takes my mind off whatever aspect of revision I’ve been thinking about all day, and given I’m not spending my money on fun things during the exam period, I may as well spend it on some nicer-than-average food. Oily fish (such as salmon) is really good for boosting brain functions, so you’ve every excuse to splash out.

”

Epigram / Jane Cowie

It’s a cold, grey, gloomy January once more, and the January blues certainly aren’t helped by a post-Christmas slump, and the big, ominous, grey cloud of exams/essays/ coursework hanging over the vast majority of us. Food is a pretty good pick-me-up, and most of us have been known to have some guilty food/revision based habits: whether that be surviving solely off Source café sandwiches for 2 weeks, or binging on the left-over Christmas chocolate. We’re only humans. Exam pressure is stressful, and eating well isn’t necessarily going to make you pass, but it will make you feel better, work better, and be more productive.

5.

Treat yourself

Obviously eating well is important, but equally, if you’ve had a tough day, it’s acceptable to chuck in an oven pizza and eat some ice-cream. We’re only human.

Sarah Roller

Online Food Editor

Starting the New Year with a New Cookery Book Bea O’Kelly shares her favourite new cookery book by the nation’s beloved Jamie Oliver

For Christmas, one of my presents was the latest Jamie Oliver cookbook, 5 Ingredients, and over the course of 2018 I hope to be trying as many of the recipes out as possible!

Garlic Mushroom Pasta Serves 2 Cooking time: 15 mins

altogether) yet extremely tasty.

Ingredients: 150g dried pasta of your choice 2 cloves of garlic (I used 3 as a big lover of strong flavours!)

250g of mixed Mushrooms (I just used closed cup mushrooms) 25g Parmesan Cheese (I actually swapped this for an extra mature cheddar, only because that was the cheese we had in the fridge!)

2 heaped tablespoons of Crème Fraîche Method: Cook the pasta in a pan of boiling water as instructed on the packet.

Drain and reserve a little of the cooking water to avoid the pasta drying out.

2. Meanwhile, peel and slice the garlic finely. Fry in a large non-stick frying pan, in a tablespoon of olive oil, and add the mushrooms after a minute.

3. Season with sea salt and black pepper. (I found this to be really crucial to the overall flavour of the dish, so don’t be shy with the pepper portions!)

1.

4.

It isn’t anything new or exciting, but it is absolutely perfect for the student lifestyle

”

Cook for 8 minutes until golden brown, tossing often. Add the mushrooms and garlic to the drained pasta, with the little water, grate in most of the cheese, stir in the crème fraîche, taste and season. Finish with a final grating of cheese.

After tasting, I would recommend using full fat crème fraîche rather than the half fat I used. It would make the dish more flavoursome.

But overall, I loved this meal, especially because it is low calorie (402

This dish is a fantastic way to warm yourself into cooking again after the luxurious Christmas break

”

This dish is a fantastic way to warm yourself into cooking again after the luxurious Christmas break, which entails lots of eating but not so much cooking if your holiday was anything like mine.

It is very easy to do, the method is fool proof, and also it’s a cheap meal which can be adapted to your tastes!

I thought you could add either some bacon, pesto or maybe even walnuts or cashew nuts to make it just that little bit more exciting and nutritious. Or if you’re feeling like treating yourself, you could use double cream instead of crème fraîche for that extra rich flavour!

Epigram / Bea O’Kelly

The recipe I have chosen is actually quite a normal dish, as in it isn’t anything particularly new or exciting, but I just thought it was absolutely perfect for the student lifestyle.

I have made a point of not going to the shops and using ingredients already in the fridge, so it is ideal for those times you haven’t planned your meal and just want to use up some of those vegetables that are starting to look dubious. This dish is quick, easy and healthy for those who are cutting down after the eating extravaganza that is Christmas.

”

Epigram / Bea O’Kelly

As the name suggests, each recipe has 5 ingredients, so it is absolutely perfect for the student budget. In his classic style, the recipes are easy to follow and full of little tips that will stay with you throughout your cooking life.

It was also very filling, and overall it took me about 15 minutes to do. Although, it’s not the most exciting recipe in the book; Jamie really has been more experimental with some of the other dishes, and one I particularly want to try is the ‘Pear and Gorgonzola Farfalle’, which will hopefully be published later on in the year!

”

As the new year dawns, exams come to an end, bank balances are replenished by the sweet sweet student loan, trying new foods and new recipes becomes ever more appealing, especially after the very traditional food that is central to the Christmas holidays.

Bea O’Kelly

Third year, History

26

29.01.18

An alternative approach to eating during exams

”

Molly Gorman discusses the importance eating for happiness and banishing food guilt from your life Exam season is an incredibly demanding and intense period for students; the days in the library feel almost eternal. I feel that making sure you have enough energy to get yourself through these hard days of revision should be a priority, particularly ensuring that whatever food you get this energy from should be food that you love to eat.

”

Flickr / Kelly Hunter

”

Eating what society deems as ‘healthy’, however, should not be a priority. This is not to assume that you should stop eating your fruit and vegetables, but to simply relax in your attitude to food. Who cares if you eat a load of chocolate every day? If it makes you happy and provides you with some relief, enjoy it. I am highly opposed to the concept of feeling ‘guilty’ as a result of food - guilt should never be attributed to food. It is damaging and detrimental, so the sooner we rid food of these ‘good’ and ‘bad’ labels the better.

If you are bored and feel like eating a snack will either lift your mood or give you more energy, or even if you just want one, then eat it. Listen to what your body wants. This is not a time where we should have additional stresses, blame and guilt imposed on us when we are already under the pressure to do well.

”

Unfortunately, January exams fall at a time where diet culture is dictating mainstream social media with fitness bloggers promoting weight loss and ‘clean eating’. It frequently ignores the significance of balance and moderation. It tends to be ignorant of wellbeing.

People should be able to eat what they want without feeling bad about it, feeling like they should work it off at the gym or even punish themselves by staying an extra hour longer in the library.

Flickr / Kayla Seah

If you are bored and feel like eating a snack will lift your mood or give you more energy, or even if you just want one, then eat it

Society is in desperate need to redefine health and its connotations to food

if it will get you through with a healthy mind. Perhaps we should consider the importance of getting some fresh air once a day, reading a book in the evening or listening to some music as an alternative to thinking about what you’re eating.

Society is in desperate need to redefine ‘health’ and its connotations to food. I think it should be a necessity during both exam season and any time of the year, to appreciate and facilitate wellbeing. If that means eating whatever you like, then so be it.

Molly Gorman

Like I said, exam season is an extremely sensitive time for many and therefore we should encourage people to eat what they want,

Third Year, History

Why High Protein Diets are the way forward

Food Editor Jane Cowie speaks about the importance of protein in our diets, and recommends the best ways to up your intake. these), then perhaps a high protein diet is right for you.

weighing 90kg is bound to consume a lot more calories than I do in an average day. I’ve put together an example ‘day in the life’ of a high protein diet. I eat 2000 calories a day, and the macros I aim to hit are 225g carbs / 125g protein / 67g fat.

Aim to take in protein at regular intervals throughout the day so your body can absorb it

”

”

Nowadays, it seems that everywhere we turn, there is a different piece of ‘expert’ advice on how to control our diets. However, it remains clear that getting a sufficient amount of protein can help you lose fat (because your body’s metabolic rate increases after you consume protein, more so than when you consume carbs or fat), aid muscle growth, keep you feeling fuller for longer, and aid your overall health.

Personally, I am a regular gym goer, and my training involves powerlifting as well as cardio. That means I train approx. 5 times a week, for approx. 1 - 1.5 hours a session. To aid muscle recovery, I am aiming to up my protein intake so that my training and diet work in perfect harmony.

If you are looking to refine your diet in the New Year, without indulging any extreme, crash-course ‘detoxes’ (warning: steer clear of

Epigram / Jane Cowie

How much protein?

The DRI (Dietary Reference Intake) suggests 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. However, if you work out or lead an active lifestyle, you’ll require more than this base minimum.

• There are plenty of online calculators you can go on and find out what your macros goal should be, depending on whether you are seeking weight loss, maintenance or muscle gains.

•

Epigram / Jane Cowie

Protein. A word that is commonly associated with bodybuilding men in the gym, bursting out the seams of their tank tops. However, it’s not just these who need to pay attention to their protein intake. Protein is one the three fundamental macronutrients that make up our diets.

Protein is essential because it provides the building blocks for your body’s organs, hormones, tissues and enzymes.

There are two types of protein; they come from either animal or plant based sources. Animal proteins tend to be ‘complete proteins’ (meaning they contain all the essential amino acids), whilst most plant foods rich in protein are incomplete proteins. This doesn’t mean that vegetarians or vegans cannot obtain all the essential amino acids, however, it does mean they need to carefully think about having a varied diet. For example, you can pair two plant-based protein sources together to create a complete protein, such as pitta and hummus, or rice and beans.

Epigram / Jane Cowie

The basics: There’s no point in eating a whole chicken in one serving. Your body simply cannot absorb that quantity of protein in one sitting.

Aim to take in protein at regular (2-3 hour) intervals throughout the day so your body can absorb it and use it appropriately.

• The quality of protein is also important. You need to get in all your essential amino acids, so there’s no point in just consuming the same type of protein - you need variety.

Where from?

• The leanest forms of animal proteins tend to be: chicken breast, tuna, fish (except fatty fish such as salmon and mackerel), legumes and turkey.

• Just because these are the leanest, however, doesn’t mean they’re the best! Other great sources of protein include meats, all fish, eggs, nuts, seeds, tofu etc.

• Plant proteins are great sources (though tend to contain slightly less protein). Try to add more legumes, pulses, lentils and tofu into your dinners.

• You can take protein supplements, such as protein shakes and bars, if you’re really keen to up your overall count. Remember not to use these as replacements - these are called supplements for a reason.

So, bear in mind I’m a 5ft6 girl, weighing 60kg and working out most days. My diet is tailored to me, and it should be noted that everyone’s diet is different, and our bodies react at different rates. A 6 foot 3 male

• •

Breakfast: 3 large, soft boiled eggs with 2 slices of toast with butter 582 kcal (38g carbs / 34g protein / 32g fat)

• •

Lunch: Chicken, spinach and red pepper pitta bread (with light mayo) 426 kcal (40g carbs / 34g protein / 13g fat)

• •

Snack: Roasted chickpeas 366 kcal (39g carbs / 17g protein / 14g fat)

• •

Dinner: Spaghetti bolognese with cheese 578 kcal (72g carbs / 44g protein / 12g fat)

• •

Snack: Pink Lady apple 72 kcal (19.1g carbs / 0.4g protein / 0.2g fat)

•

Overall: 2024kcal (208g carbs / 129g protein / 71g fat)

•

As I said, everyone’s body works differently, and I am a believer in being able to listen to your body, eat intuitively and look forward to the meals you prepare, rather than solely seeing food as a fuel source. However, since focusing on increasing my protein intake I can honestly say that I feel fuller for much longer, my energy levels have been sky-high, and I’ve put on a lot of muscle. Far from being a ‘fad diet’, this way forward seems to me sustainable, healthy and affordable. What more could you ask for?

Jane Cowie

Food Editor

28

Editor Nancy Serle style@epigram.org.uk

Deputy Editor Lottie Moore

@e2style

@epigramstyle

Online Editor Hannah Worthington

29.01.2018

Epigram Style 2017/18

The invisible corset Style Editor Nancy Serle discusses the oppressive history of the corset and its effect on modern day beauty ideals

“

If someone had answered ‘yes’ to ‘does my bum look big in this?’ in 2007, it would have anded in tears But the corset is not just literally oppressive in its restriction of the rib cage and vital organs, but

“

Scrolling through Instagram’s Explore page, the modern day female body ideal is evident: big boobs, big bum, tiny waist. Almost every influential blogger or celebrity - such as Tammy Hembrow and, of course, the Kardashians - seems to be doing whatever they can to alter their body to fit this type. Gruelling exercise plans, surgery, clever camera angles, photoshop, ‘shape’ enhancing clothes, and waist trainers are a few that spring to mind.

However, whist having big boobs or a big bum seem to bounce in and out of fashion like a yoyo - if someone had answered ‘yes’ to ‘does my bum look big in this?’ in 2007 it would have ended in tears - there is one ideal that remains permanently in style: the svelte and skinny waist.

For centuries, female beauty has centred on the slim waist, revolutionised by the creation of the corset - an apparatus specifically designed to cinch the body inwards at the ribs to accentuate the bust and hips. Many women would desire to shave their waist down to the size of a circle you can make with your hands; the present world record stands at a minuscule fifteen inches in circumference.

it is tightly bound - pun intended - with female oppression in patriarchal society. Throughout history, the corset has been a means for exploitation of female sexuality and the female body. In past centuries, corsets held a mandatory place in the female closet. Corsets were a symbol of literally restricting women to the domestic sphere - with such uncomfortable and immobilising attire it was impossible for women to engage in sports or other activities that were deemed too active for the passive, corseted woman.

The corset has been a means for exploitation of female sexuality and the female body

With female emancipation and changing body ideals came a changing shape to the corset, but it was yet to be eradicated completely from women’s sartorial options. The curved bust of the Victorian era, that was recognised as damaging to female health, was traded for an S-shaped bodice, followed by Dior’s ‘waspie’ style, until the corset finally fell out of fashion.

The 1980s saw the resurgence of the corset, but with new significance. Madonna’s appearances in Jean Paul Gaultier’s high fashion bodices and Vivienne Westwood’s underwear as outerwear designs turned the corset into a symbol of female liberation rather than oppression. Whilst the corset undeniably still connoted female sexuality, its cementing into pop-culture rather than

l-r: flikr/ Heidi De Vries, flikr/ Haabet, flikr/ din_bastet, flikr/ Alyse & Remi

SCOOP the DUPES Online Editor Hannah Worthington finds dupes for the most sought-after makeup palettes on a student friendly budget Urban Decay’s ‘Naked HEAT’ provides a set of cracking burnt oranges, warm hazel browns and plum purples. Yet if just short of forty pound coins is a little too much on a student budget, why not purchase some of Morphe’s singular standard individual eyeshadow discs that retail between £2-£4.50. ES71 in ‘Secretive’ is a perfect dupe for Naked’s ‘En Fuego’, ES47 in ‘Dazzling’ shares just as many sparkles as Naked’s ‘Orange Dirty Talk’, and Morphe’s ES53 in ‘Radiance’ could not be a better comparison to ‘Ashes’, the eleventh chocolate shade. Find all the Morphe singles on Cult Beauty, an online job for when you are bored in the ASS library.

l-r: urbandecay.co.uk, cultbeauty.com, beautybay.com, superdrug.com, charlottetilbury.com, debenhams.com

patriarchal ideology allowed women to claim the corset as their own; rather that it being an obligatory aspect of dress, it became a means to express sexuality by choice and regain control over female objectification.

However, whilst the modern day use of the corset can be seen as both empowering and stylish, often frequenting the runways at fashion week, is the history of the corset too damning to ever be considered truly liberating?

Laced and bound with both oppression and beauty, the corset has undoubtably had a prevalent impact on the beauty ideals we hold today; whilst the corset is no longer mandatory, women still strive to achieve its effect. As evidenced by who we like and follow on Instagram and the extreme lengths people will go to to achieve a slim waist, or the appearance of such, the ideals that were undoubtedly fuelled by the corset have become internalised in our everyday life.

why? Is a slim waist empowering or are we just restricting ourselves, like women before us, to an invisible corset?

“

Is the history of the corset too damning to ever be considered truly liberating?

Do we idolise the slim waist because we think it is personally empowering and attractive, or, have we just been indoctrinated by patriarchal ideals of the female body to think as much? The corset, and what it symbolises, has undoubtably in some way, shape, or form, cast a shadow over the beauty and bodily ideals of today.

It is perfectly fair enough to desire a skinny waist - but the question we must ask ourselves is

Nancy Serle Style Editor

Cased in a cherry coloured velvet sleeve, Modern Renaissance brings a burst of crimsons and oranges to your eyes. As opposed to £43.00, try W7’s Delicious eyeshadow palette in shade ‘natural and berry’. This couldn’t be more of a perfect palette dupe if we tried to source one. Pick this up from TK MAXX in Cribbs Causeway for £4.99 (price subject to change).

Naked 3 might be compact with twelve beautiful rose-hued shades ‘from light shimmering pinks to deep glitters’, but Urban Decay retail this infamous product at £39.50. For shades nearly 10 times cheaper, opt for Makeup Revolution’s Iconic palette (£4) that is stocked in Superdrug, just on the way down to Cabot.

29.01.2018

29

Let’s talk fashion politics Following January’s Golden Globes, which made one of the most prolific political fashion statements in history, Style Writer Jessica Smith rounds up the most culturally charged outfits on the red carpet and catwalks in 2017.

This years Oscars was arguably the most politically charged in history

The rise in the pantsuit, no doubt inspired by those worn by Hilary Clinton during her Presidential Campaign, is a show of female identity outside of the more traditional shapes and styles worn by women. So too are the numerous experiments with silhouettes beyond

MUA and top beauty influencer on Instagram Huda Kattan revealed her gorgeous ‘Desert Dusk’ palette last September. Her makeup line HUDA BEAUTY isn’t cheap, and this shimmering palette with colours that are reminiscent of the Arabian middle east, falls just short of £60. To match some of the favourite staple colours, find OPV Beauty’s pressed glitter pots on Beauty Bay for £8.00. OPV’s ‘Gold Dust’ gives the twinkle of ‘Twilight’, and ‘Charmed’ likens itself to Huda’s ‘Cosmo’. When ordering from Beauty Bay, select Hermes Delivery and try out using the next day delivery option to a Bristol ‘ParcelShop’. The newsagent Lexie’s on Park Street can get your order the following day.

Charlotte Tilbury has a range of subtle eyeshadow palettes, yet this luxury violet and silver quad retails at a fairly steep price of £39.00 for just four shades. Instead, try NYX’s ‘Full Throttle’ eyeshadow palette in the colour bossy. At £30 less, what’s not to love. Find this product in Debenhams, just by the Bearpit.

Hannah Worthington Online Style Editor

Instagram / @nicolekidman

The Golden Globes aptly evidenced how integrated politics and fashion are, notably more now than ever before. Many celebrities have realised that they hold a platform with which they can reach out to millions, and the number of political protests on catwalks and red carpets alike has sky-rocketed.

Awards ceremonies are a chance for actors to play themselves for once and to remind the public of their individual appeal, therefore their fashion choices are of paramount importance to how they wish to appear to their target audience.

At this year’s Oscars, arguably the most politically charged in history, several celebrities such as Karlie Kloss and Lin-Manuel Miranda subtly chose to adorn their couture outfits with a large blue ACLU ribbon, promoting a campaign that gives artists a chance to ‘express their support for

the draped-column gown - Ruth Negga’s dress at the Golden Globes, designed by Louis Vuitton’s Nicolas Ghesquière embodies this exploration and ‘modernising’ of feminine ideals perfectly.

The protest against Trump extended out to the fashion world, notably in New York Fashion Week with brands like Calvin Klein, Raf Simmons choosing to play David Bowie’s ‘This is not America’ as models stormed the catwalk, making subtle statements. The catwalk was positively bursting with slogan t-shirts, with brand Prabal Gurung’s ‘Love is the resistance’, ‘The future is female’, ‘This is what a feminist looks like’, while

Public School opted for the more risqué ‘Make America New York’.

In London also, Liam Hodges rolled out his Dystopia Lives range, channelling a postapocalyptic atmosphere with jackets displaying quotes such as ‘ideology is a myth’ or ‘I’m OK’, and crediting his inspiration Hector Aponysus’s famous line: ‘Looking for a vocation in the decline of civilisation’, which sums up the political outlook eerily well.

Jessica Smith Second Year, English

Style Pick: Pandora Sykes Pandora Sykes is the girl to follow if you love all things stylish with a politically charged twist. A former columnist at The Sunday Times, Pandora has racked up an impressive Instagram following of 183k giving us effortlessly chic-style - think bright statement pieces and tailored gems. Check out her website pandorasykes.com or her pop-culture podcasts ‘The High Low’ for advice on style, fashion and lifetyle.

Instagram/ @pandorasykes

“

The number of political protests on catwalks and red carpets alike has sky-rocketed

the rights and civil liberties guaranteed by the Constitution to everyone in the United States’.

In a bolder statement, Jocelyn Towne showed up at the annual SAG awards with ‘Let Them In’ emblazoned across her chest while husband Simon Helberg held a sign saying, ‘Refugees Welcome’, an unashamedly outspoken display of solidarity with immigrants. Towne said, ‘I knew it would reach a lot of people, so I had to seize the opportunity. What better way to use the red carpet at a time like this?’. It seems that the current American political climate is inspiring a wave of protest amongst those who are lucky enough to inhabit the realm of influencing popular opinion.

I think we can all assume that these protests are a nod to one person in particular - we’re looking at you Mr President - and this year there was a notable rise in outfits that re-define femininity, in a nod to Trump’s questionable handling of women’s issues.

“

All actresses, bar three women who decided to forego the black dress code, donned all black outfit ensembles at the recent Golden Globe awards, as a protest against sexual misconduct in Hollywood. From Nicole Kidman sporting a custom Givenchy Couture lace bodice gown to Kate Hudson who opted for a low-cut sheer lattice front, actresses shaped sexual exploitation into the contours of their clothes.

Editor Nick Bloom travel@epigram.org.uk

30

Deputy Editor Evy Tang

@EpigramTravel

Online Editor Ellie Caulfield

29.01.2018

Epigram Travel Section 2017/8

@epigram_travel

Exclusive Epigram insights: Where to in 2018?

Epigram Travel Editors Ellie Caulfield, Evy Tang and Nick Bloom reveal their #travelgoals this year

1

Spotlight on: Evy

Epigram / Evy Tang

2

During my Erasmus, I became good friends with a girl from Montenegro. Before I met her, I knew next to nothing of this small Balkan country. Many people I have mentioned Montenegro to have assumed that I am referring to somewhere in the south of France. Alas, Monaco and Montenegro are not neighbouring cities; in fact, they are 1,525km apart. The more my friend told me about her home and showed me photos of the stunning mountainous landscapes and Caribbean-esque beaches, the more I wanted to visit. I can’t remember how many times she invited me to visit her and this summer, I want to do just that. Tucked away in the Dinaric Alps are stunningly well-preserved medieval villages with narrow alleyways and cobbled roads. Heading down from the mountains and towards the coast, I can only imagine how beautiful the view of the horizon would be. The beaches themselves have crystal-clear azure waters; if you do your research right you can surely find a cove tucked away from the main tourist hotspots. I confess, I still know very little of this small country that was part of the former Yugoslavia but with its proximity to home and the availability of cheap flights coupled with a low budget makes Montenegro an affordable place to visit! Not to mention it is much cheaper than Western Europe. As a history nerd and Game of Thrones fan (and yes, I know, GoT was filmed in neighbouring Croatia but it is similar!), Montenegro has shot to the top of my list of places that I would love to visit in 2018.

Evy Tang Deputy Travel Editor

The Scottish Highlands and the Isles

3

Evy Tang Deputy Travel Editor

Somewhere on my list to go this year has to be Japan. Having explored lots of Asia, this gem has been left unturned, but hopefully not for too much longer!

Whether it’s a city break in Tokyo, or island-hopping for a longer trip, Japan seems like the place to go if you want to be kept busy. The fusion of traditional and modern means there is plenty to explore, from ancient hot springs to sci-fi skylines! Everyone I’ve spoken to who have been there has mentioned the food within the first sentence of describing their trip and, as a sushi and ramen lover, I can see why - it looks amazing.

That, together with the culture, history and scenery, means that Japan is a no-brainer in 2018!

4

Spotlight on: Ellie

6

Stockholm

Jordan

Jordan has everything. It lies at the crossroads of Asia, Africa and Europe. It is generally safe, compared to its neighbours, and acts as an important mediator in helping to resolve several Middle Eastern crises. In fact, Jordan prides itself as an ‘oasis of stability’ in a turbulent and unpredictable region. Occupied by the Romans and the Ottomans, then protected by the British, then achieving independence, Jordan boasts a rich history which explains the large Palestinian minority living in the country. My plan is to fly out to Amman (Jordan’s political, economic and cultural centre) this summer, take a dip in the Dead Sea, visit Petra (historical city, icon of the Hashemite Kingdom) and eat a lifetime’s supply of hummus, tabbouleh and baba ghanoush!

7 Epigram / Evy Tang

Ellie Caulfield Online Travel Editor

5

Stockholm looks beautiful and has been on my list for a while. It is the home of stunning islands, world-leading universities and thought-provoking museums. I’d love to visit its famous concert halls and palaces which have hosted Nobel Prize ceremonies, and it would be exciting to tour Sweden’s most important government buildings, such as the Rosenbad building, the Riksdag (Swedish parliament) and Sager House (the Prime Minister’s residence). Going in January might be bitterly cold so I’ll have to wait until the summer, when I could make the most of the Stockholm Culture Festival. My Swedish friends have told me Stockholm is wonderfully green – a real beacon for sustainable development – and is perfect for a long weekend. Better start booking flights then!

Edinburgh

As much as jetting off far afield can be fun, sometimes it’s nice to explore just a little closer to home. I really want to see more of the UK this year and I think Edinburgh looks like a good place to start.

Like Bristol, it’s a student city, so there’s plenty of cheap and affordable things to do as well as a decent nightlife. With quirky shops and quaint cafes, it looks like the perfect place to explore for a weekend, and of course there’s a whole lot of history too! The beautiful scenery of cliffs and hills that surround the city makes this city break not your usual one. If I can handle the Bristol weather, I’m sure Edinburgh shouldn’t be too much trouble, so it’s definitely on my list this year!

Spotlight on: Nick

Flickr / Pedro Szekely

Until recently, whenever I thought of potential travel destinations I immediately thought of somewhere abroad, usually sunny, but always a flight away from the British Isles. I turn my attention somewhere closer to home because travelling abroad has made me realise just how little of my home country I have seen. During my Erasmus semester in Germany, the other exchange students and myself had the mentality that on weekends, we should go to other towns and cities in Germany to make the most of our short time there. It was easy to get a group together and visit another city but it made me realise how little of Great Britain I have visited; I have seen more of Germany than I have of Britain even though there is so much to do in the UK! One place that fascinates me is the Highlands and Isles of Scotland. I have a deep interest in the Norse influence on the British Isles and Britain’s indigenous languages. It saddens me that Gaelic has declined dramatically and is an endangered language today. Following the failed Jacobite Rebellion, the English enforced the Dress Act, one of many Acts with the aim of diminishing Highland culture, the power of clans and Gaelic society. This phase, also known as The Clearance, proved detrimental to the Gaelic language.

It’s a shame that the languages spoken on our Islands have either disappeared or are on the verge of extinction.

Cornish, for example, went extinct some centuries ago and the use of Irish, Welsh and Manx have also declined significantly since the 1800s. What makes the Highlands and Isles of Scotland so appealing to me is the ancient histories that are hidden away up there. A vast and beautiful landscape with a rich history and culture. I feel that there is a lack of interest in the indigenous languages of the British Isles which puts the preservation of these cultures in jeopardy. Either way, I enjoy hiking and a challenge and for these reasons, I’d like to visit somewhere closer to home

Japan

Montenegro

Granada

Granada would be perfect for a city break. I’ve heard so many good things about the city - beautiful Moorish architecture, winding cobbled streets, green parks and gardens, and endless glasses of Sangria to quench your thirst under the baking sun.

Having studied the Umayyad conquest of Spain at the beginning of the 8th century and the infamous reconquista, culminating in the fall of Granada in 1492, it would be fascinating to spend time in Western Europe’s former Muslim capital. First on my list would be to visit the Alhambra and, if I had time, I’d hit the road in search of the Mediterrannean coast.

Nick Bloom Travel Editor

29.01.2018

31

Find the craic, and ditch the tack: how to do Dublin on a budget Olivia Rutherford takes us to the vibrant, singing-and-dancing Irish capital With Ryanair flights from Bristol costing as little as £9.99, Dublin can appear like a charming and cheap city break for a student. Arriving however, you realise that sticking to your budget will be harder than you had expected. So here’s some know-how drawn from a trip to Dublin to help you get your bearings and make the most of the city, all without draining away too much of that student loan.

The River Liffey, running through the centre of Dublin, should be your first navigation point. The north side of the river is home to the ‘monument of light’/spire or locally called ‘the huge erection’, a 120-metre, artfully-designed piece of stainless steel stretching into the sky. Costing 4.3 million (a wee bit much for metal, no?) it was also three years late for the Millennium, which it was commissioned for. It does boast a light at the top – a beacon for getting your bearings on drunken walks back, but even at its grand height, this use is also flawed as it frequently dips out of view. So make sure your phone has enough charge for navigating on google maps at the end of the night; you are going to need it, Dublin’s streets still seemed a mystifying network to me after four days.

Dublin on a student budget proved initially more difficult than we had imagined. Lime and soda and supermarket wine became our go-to with the average price of a beer costing nearly seven euros and for a G&T… well let’s just not talk about that. Eating out was a no no, and luckily our hostel Abigails, in a great spot by the Liffey, had a hearty breakfast included (make the most of this and make your lunch from it) and a fab kitchen which meant we could do some pasta cookups and save some money. Day trips and exhibits to famous Cliffs of Moher (45 euros) and entrance to the ancient Book of Kells (10 euros for students) were off our budget, so we investigated other things. The Free walking tour (do give a donation if you can though as the tour guides rely on them) is a great way to see the city when you arrive.

”

”

”

Another night out in Dublin proved more fruitful. It’s a good idea to veer off from Temple Bar to Camden Street instead, a long and bustling street which is arguably more ‘Irish’ than Temple Bar. People bubbled out of its pubs and we headed to Whelans, a bar known for its music venue alongside the river (we were allowed to peek into a Jimmy Barnes gig, apparently he is huge in Australia?).

Epigram / Olivia Rutherford

The north side of the river is home to... ‘the huge erection’, a 120-metre, artfully-designed piece of stainless steel stretching intot the sky

Epigram / Olivia Rutherford

Epigram / Olivia Rutherford

South of the river is home to Temple Bar. This is not one bar, but a hotspot area of bars for tourists who flood to its cobbled streets seeking traditional Irish live music, food (especially potato cakes), clothing and women – there were a lot of strip shows advertised. Bar-hopping one night in search of authentic Irishness, after hearing the Lumineers’ ‘Hey Ho’ for the fifth time and a few too many covers, we gave it the heaveho and retreated back to the hostel.

Speaking to some local guys who looked like they knew the scene, with big guitars strapped to their backs, we headed direction Sin É, a bar known for its live music, not to be confused with Sinead which we thought we had heard to their great amusement. Not reaching Sin É or meeting a Sinead, we were directed to the Globe by a local, who said we were ‘too lovely’ for the local rave bar and refused to disclose its location, to our great disappointment. After the Globe, think classy affair of heels and lippy (she may have misjudged us as I was wearing trainers), we stumbled across a local open jam session in a bar with no name. Upon reflection it just may have been somebody’s house. We huddled into the packed room, with other students definitely more Indie and Irish than us, and joined the jam session swaying side to side like the rest of them.

We huddled into the packed room, with other students definitely more indie and Irish than us, and joined the jam session swaying from side to side like the rest of them

”

Dublin boasts some fantastic museums. Whilst fellow hostellers gravitated to the Guinness, Whiskey and Leprechaun museums, these are expensive so instead go to the Chester Beatty Library. This free library is for the people of Ireland; Lonely Planet described it as one of the best in Europe, probably due to its fabulous collection dating back to 2700 BC. From incredible Qur’ans and Jade Books to traditional Japanese dress, it really is wonderful.

The Kilmainham Gaol, a national monument of Ireland, is also worth a trip. At just four euros for students, including a guided tour and an extensive museum, it gives a great insight into Irish history, in particular the Easter Rising of 1916. A few minutes’ walk away is the Irish Museum of Modern Art, set in the old, rumbling, huge hospital which felt more foreboding than the gaol but for the art lovers amongst us, it holds a great set of exhibitions!

Flickr / Tobias Abel

Dublin can leave you with a tight upper lip and an even tighter pocket as money goes quick on drinks and hefty museum prices. In search of Irish authenticity, you can instead find cover music and tourist tack, but as they would say here ‘no sweat’ as great finds can be found… it’s just a matter of knowing the craic.

Olivia Rutherford Second Year, History

9 things to do this term NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN

the bme powerlist 2018 #SUYESYOU

become a student rep!

EXPLORE ACTIVISM AT BRISTOL

bristolsu.org.uk

lgbt+ history month

9 THINGS TO DO this TERm #SUyesyou BRISTOL SU ELECTIONS

1. Vote in our elections (or stand yourself!)

2. Get involved with Varsity

3. Have a laugh

Our reps work hard behind the scenes to make sure we all get the best from the Uni, our accommodation and much more. Vote for the people who will best represent you. Or stand yourself! #SUYesYou bristolsu.org.uk/elections

Varsity continues this term with some great competitive sport to watch and an opportunity to take part yourself. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have a sporting bone in your body, the colour run is for everyone! varsityseries.com

Comedy Season continues this term and provides a welcome break from studying.

The hottest acts on the comedy circuit for less than ÂŁ5. Bargain.

4. Give it a Go

5. Celebrate LGBT+ History month

It’s never too late to start something new.

Our sports clubs and societies will be inviting non-members along to beginners’ sessions. This is your chance to try before you buy so make it count!

February is National LGBT+ History month.

Our LGBT+ Network and Trans Network are teaming up to run a series of events, from a multi-faith panel to a bonus Richmond Lecture with Stuart Milk. Join us to celebrate our LGBT+ community.

6. Nominate someone for the Bristol BME Powerlist

7. Head to The Balloon Bar

8. Volunteer

9. Come to AMM

Live screenings of the 6 Nations and Winter Olympics, an awesome St Patrick’s Day and some great new food and drinks deals... Give their new Facebook page a like to stay up to date with all the details.

Discover hundreds of volunteering opportunities with over 50 and local national organisations at our Volunteering Fair on 1st February. Work with children, refugees, homeless people, women’s charities and more!

ALL students are invited to attend the Annual Members’ Meeting (AMM), Bristol SU’s largest democratic event with over 300 students attending each year. Great student debate, policy making and pizza to be expected.

The Bristol BME Powerlist aims to showcase %ULVWRO¡V PRVW LQà XHQWLDO VXFFHVVIXO DQG inspiring BME people. Nominations are open now until March. bristolsu.org.uk/bmepowerlist

our photo highlights from 2017!

:HOFRPH :HHN ZDV D JUHDW way to start this academic year

Our University Challenge team got WKURXJK WR WKH TXDUWHU ÀQDOV

The Bristol BME Powerlist is brought to the city by the University of Bristol, Bristol SU and Bristol 24/7. Nominations opened earlier this month and already there have been over 150 nominations made. The list aims to showcase Bristol’s 50-100 most LQVSLULQJ VXFFHVVIXO DQG LQà XHQWLDO %ODFN and Minority Ethnic People.

The motivation behind the list is to improve OLQNV EHWZHHQ VWXGHQWV DQG WKH ZLGHU Bristol community, and to provide students with more visible BME role models to inspire them in their own careers, activities and engagement with the city.

:H HQMR\HG FHOHEUDWLQJ GLIIHUHQW cultures at Explore 2017

7KH %ULVWRO 68 )RRG 0DUNHW ZDV launched in April

The puppy petting day was part of our 0LQG <RXU +HDG :HOOEHLQJ FDPSDLJQ

In 2017 we completed some research around the BME Attainment Gap. The UHVXOWV KLJKOLJKWHG WD ODFN RI UROH PRGHOV LQ WKH 8QLYHUVLW\ FRPPXQLW\ DQG D ODFN RI feelings of belonging and inclusion.

"I hope this list will be the start of a greater, PXWXDOO\ EHQHĂ&#x20AC;FLDO UHODWLRQVKLS EHWZHHQ students and the community and will provide students with a wider support QHWZRUN RI LQVSLULQJ LQGLYLGXDOV DQG opportunities.â&#x20AC;?

Nominations are encouraged from everyone. All you need to do to nominate someone is give their name and a reason ZK\ \RX WKLQN WKH\ VKRXOG EH RQ WKH OLVW Nominations will close on Friday 9th March.

Nominations are now open! bristolsu.org.uk/bmepowerlist

Nominations Open for next yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Student Reps Every year in March we elect the people who lead the SU and represent us. You could be one of those people.

5 Reasons to stand to be a Rep:

You might see yourself as an academic, a sportsperson, a politician or a FKDQJHPDNHU :KDWHYHU \RX¡UH LQWR WKHUH is a role out there that will help you to GHYHORS \RXU LQWHUHVWV DQG VNLOOV

hundreds of students 3. :RUN ZLWK WKH 8QLYHUVLW\ WR PDNH ELJ decisions 4. Meet lots of new people 5. Stand out to future employers

Nominations are open until 1st March, VR \RX KDYH SOHQW\ RI WLPH WR ORRN DW different roles and get your nomination in! :H FHOHEUDWHG RXU KLJKHVW HYHU %8&6 Ă&#x20AC;QLVK RI QLQWK SODFH

ChantĂŠ Joseph, University of Bristol student, %0( QHWZRUN FR FKDLU DQG IRXQGHU RI %ULVWRO LV WKH 1HZ %ODFN VDLG

1. Improve student life at Bristol 2. Have the privilege of representing

Find out more at: bristolsu.org.uk/elections

WHAT'S ON LGBT+ History of Bristol Wednesday 7 February, 5-7pm, Victoria Rooms For LGBT+ history month Historic England and Bristol University Staff and Student LGBT+ networks are working together to create an evening of talk and learning on Bristol's LGBT+ History. We will be using Historic England's Pride of Place interactive map as well as OutStories to talk through Bristol's LGBT+ history and heritage, both intangible and physical. There will be an opportunity to look at both maps as well as some LGBT+ archive material as well as a chance for questions and discussion.

Tickets available online.

Deeds Not Words Lantern Workshop, Monday 29 January, 5:30pm, Pegg Theatre. Free lantern making workshop led by Dee Moxon from the Lamplighters. Lanterns will be made for the Lantern Parade on 6 February to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the signing of the Representation of The People Act, which allowed (some) ZRPHQ WR YRWH LQ WKH 8. IRU WKH ÀUVW WLPH

Natalie Imbruglia, Saturday 3 February, 7pm - 11pm, Anson Rooms.

Following the success of last year’s Acoustic Tour, Australian Superstar Natalie Imbruglia returns to the stage for a string of UK dates. Join her for one night only in the Anson Rooms.

Tickets available at: bristolsu.org.uk/bristol-su-live

Bristol JSoc Holocaust Survivor Talk, Wednesday 31 January, 6pm - 7:30pm.

University of Bristol Jewish Society will be commemorating Holocaust Memorial Day by listening to the testimony of the survivor Joanna Millan. Her testimony will encompass a talk followed by questions and answers. Tickets are limited and available through Eventbrite.

Volunteering Fair, Thursday 1 February, 5:30pm - 7:30pm, Anson Rooms.

Discover hundreds of volunteering opportunities with over 50 and local national organisations. Work with children, refugees, homeless people, ZRPHQ·V FKDULWLHV DQG PRUH )LQG RXW how you can be making a difference.

6 Nations, Saturday 3 February and Sunday 4 February, Balloon Bar. Join the Balloon Bar for live screenings of the following games and special deals throughout the matches: Wales V Scotland, Saturday, 2:15pm France V Ireland, Saturday, 4:45pm Italy V England, Saturday, 3pm

The Big Fat RAG Pub Quiz, Monday 5 February, 8pm-10pm, Balloon Bar Expect obscure facts, near-impossible challenges, general hilarity and cheap beer. By far the best thing to do with \RXU 0RQGD\ HYHQLQJ

South West Model United Nations Conference, Friday 9 - Sunday 11 February, University of Bristol Enjoy politics and diplomacy, or want experience in debating, negotiating and public speaking? This is the event IRU \RX +HOG LQ FROODERUDWLRQ ZLWK WKH universities of Bath, Bristol and Exeter Model United Nations societies.

For more information on all upcoming events see bristolsu.org.uk/events

Epigram

29.01.2018

Film & TV

filmandtv@epigram.org.uk Editor: Charlie Gearon Deputy Editor: Gabi Spiro @GearonCharlie

@GabiSpiro

@epigramfilm

Online: Tim Bustin Deputy Online: AshleyYonga @timbustin1

@ashyonga

A cohesive guide to award season 2018 Film & TV Writer Patrick Sullivan gives an in-depth overview of what to expect in the lead-up to The Oscars

Youtube / Zero Media, Fox Searchlight, Sony Picture Classics, Universal Pictures, A24, Lionsgate Films, STX Entertainment, One Media

Patrick Sullivan

Third Year, Engineering and Design There are two types of success in Hollywood: commercial and critical. To kick off Epigram’s guide to Award Season 2018, it’s worth stating that the reason films like Wonder Woman or Star Wars don’t feature in these heralded ceremonies is because Disney just don’t give a shit.

To succeed at The Golden Globes, The BAFTAs, and The Oscars, a film or its players require a campaign. Campaigns can begin up to a year in advance, and usually with a fat cat in the industry on one of the awards panels attending a festival premiere and saying, ‘Hot damn, I think that’s one hell of an awards-worthy performance right there!’

Disney films, blockbusters, or other commercially-focussed films are not on the festival trail and are completely oblivious to this industry conversation. (Exception this year: Dunkirk, which had a dedicated world premiere and was nominated for Best Picture: Drama at The Golden Globes.)

While diversity is crucial in commercial films, awards campaigns are a launchpad to smaller works and have the potential to be progressional. The first big night of Awards Season 2018 was The Golden Globe Awards on January 7th. Oprah Winfrey was the final speaker as recipient of the Cecil B. DeMille Award, awarded by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for ‘outstanding contributions to the world of entertainment’. Her speech is well worth watching.

She discussed watching Sidney Poitier become the first black actor to win an Oscar in 1964 - Best Actor for his role in Lilies of the Field (1963) - and its impact on her, a young, black girl.

First and foremost, this is the year of women. Finally, a plethora of complex roles this year have been written for and given to a middle generation of outstanding American actresses. Frances McDormand, Sally Hawkins, Meryl Streep, Allison Janney, Laurie Metcalf, and Annette Bening.

Add to that leading roles for the younger talents of Emma Stone, Margot Robbie, Saoirse Ronan, Carey Mulligan and Jessica Chastain, smaller roles for the likewise talented MJ Blige, Michelle Williams, Hong Chau, and Octavia Spencer, and also turns from stalwarts Judie Dench and Helen Mirren, making 2017 a vintage year for female performers.

However, it will most likely boil down to a battle between two pairs for the lead and supporting awards at The Oscars. Janney and Metcalf vie for the supporting gong, both playing similarly quirky

mothers of rebellious daughters. McDormand, victor at The Golden Globes, comes up against Hawkins for the main prize with my money on the quieter - in fact, mute - performance of the latter. The 2018 awards should justifiably be a celebration of the female talent mentioned, convenient for the political narrative of the year.

Unfortunately, there is still a clear male grip on the directorial nominations. Natalie Portman, whose leading performance in the upcoming Annihilation may be the first viewing of the class of 2019 awards, presented the Best Director gong at The Golden Globes, reading out the ‘all-male nominees’ with a forced smile on her face. More embarrassing was the self-aware, middle-aged faces of the chosen five: Guillermo del Toro (The Shape of Water), who deservedly won, Steven Spielberg (The Post), Martin McDonagh (Three Billboards…), Christopher Nolan (Dunkirk), and Ridley Scott (All the Money in the World).

Each had deserving reasons for their inclusion: del Toro’s otherworldly vision, Spielberg’s nine-month production feat, McDonagh’s Three Billboards… won four other Globes on the night, Nolan’s sensual immersion, and Scott’s brave and miraculous six-week reshoot after recasting Kevin Spacey after his shocking involvement in the industry’s sexual assault revelations. However, there were equally deserving female candidates and the awards hierarchy missed a chance to reward talented women in a nonsegregated category here.

“

There exists a compelling pattern against not only female led teams, but also BME and LGBTQ+ films

Two young, female directors stand out and were noted by earlier, less publicly reported awards. They are Dee Rees and Greta Gerwig for Mudbound and Lady Bird respectively. Dee Rees would have also been a victory for the support of black and minority ethnic (BME) women in the industry, who were only gratified at The Globes film section with supporting actress nominations for Chau, Blige, and Spencer. Lady Bird won Best Picture at The New York Film Critics’ Awards at the end of November, both Gerwig and Rees were nominated for Best Director at The LA Film Critics’ Awards

in December, and Gerwig was nominated for her role at the helm again at The Critics’ Choice Awards in January.

Rachel Morrison, Mudbound’s exciting cinematographer, also enjoyed success in New York and her next work is Disney and Marvel’s Black Panther. Rees and Gerwig could have replaced Nolan and Spielberg in the nominations for more original perspectives with the established period drama and romantic comedy genres.

Looking further into the disappearance of early critics’ contenders for The Golden Globes, a compelling pattern against not only female led creative teams, but also BME and LGBTQ+ films can be seen.

Get Out, the surprise film of 2017, won Jordan Peele a screenplay award in New York and three nominations (Best Picture, Best Actor for Daniel Kaluuya, and Original Screenplay) at The Critics’ Choice Awards. Its involvement at The Globes were nominations for the Best Picture and Actor categories, albeit in the throwaway Comedy/ Musical category, and an outrageous snub in the Screenplay category.

The Big Sick, written by Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon, received some of the most favourable critical reviews of the year after its January premiere at Sundance festival, yet its sole inclusion of the season to date is a Best Picture nomination at The Critics’ Choice Awards.

Call Me By Your Name was the biggest winner at all awards prior to The Globes, director Luca Guadagnino and lead actor Timothee Chalamet two stars to be cherished it seemed, yet it received half the nominations as it did at the similarly sized Critics’ Choice Awards, and won none. The darlings of Hollywood (Spielberg, Daniel Day-Lewis, Gary Oldman, et al) can afford to appear only for the Globes, BAFTAs, and Oscars, but will it continue to be at the expense of smaller players who have strived for nearly a year at festival and less prestigious awards for the exposure these three events provide?

What about the male actors, only a minor story in the midst of a feminist wave and long-awaited acknowledgment of female talent?

Well, there is the supposed last performance of Daniel Day-Lewis in the Paul Thomas Anderson 1950s fashion noir, The Phantom Thread.

With three Best Actor wins already for My Left Foot (1989), There Will Be Blood (2007), and Lincoln (2012), a fourth statue would take DayLewis level with the legendary Katharine Hepburn and make him the first male actor to win four leading awards.

His competition included Globes winner and perennially Oscarsnubbed Gary Oldman in a wholehearted portrayal of Winston Churchill in The Darkest Hour, and the aforementioned Chalamet, who plays 17-year-old Elio in Call Me By Your Name. It would be a complete shock if an actor outside of those three wins at this point.

Tom Hanks has awards pedigree, but the magnitude of his performance, secondary in The Post to Streep’s Katharine Graham is not equal to the three favourites. James Franco (The Disaster Artist) is an outside bet for his performance of maniacal filmmaker/meme Tommy Wiseau after being awarded Best Actor Comedy/Musical at the Golden Globes, but he and all others mentioned in the runup cannot be expected to write speeches. While a nod to youth and Timothee Chalamet would be a pleasing result, this is most definitely the year of women.

And to wrap? Best Picture of course. The best film of the can be difficult to predict. The Golden Globes recipient, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri can feel confident after the successes of Moonlight (2017), 12 Years a Slave (2013), Argo (2012), The Artist (2011), and Slumdog Millionaire (2008) have meant half of Globe winners have secured the big scoop in the last ten years.

However, any of the fellow nominees for the Best Drama category at The Globes could win. These Best Drama nominations exclude The Phantom Thread, Get Out, Lady Bird, Mudbound, and forgotten early contender The Florida Project, directed by the brilliant young innovator, Sean Baker.

Any of those could be one of the eight nominees for Best Picture at The Oscars on March 4th, and from there, who knows?

The final award could be the greatest surprise yet, or a complete disappointment (see Spotlight (2016)). Your move, Academy, will you reward industry prestige or young talent?

What film do you think is most likely to pick up best picture at The Oscars? Any other predictions for award season? Let us know on twitter @epigramfilm

Epigram 29.01.2018

37

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri review

Miles Jackson discusses the troubling racial politics of Martin McDonagh’s most recent comedy-drama Miles Jackson

First Year English and Film

“

Three Billboards is a film about racial politics which doesn’t appear to actually care about the voices of black people

This psychological simplicity - often gussied up through clever dialogue - extends itself to the film’s other characters and themes, though in far more pronounced and problematic ways. Harrelson’s Chief Willoughby is perhaps the lynchpin of the film’s drama, a charismatic and genuinely good person in a town that is anything but.

Yet his role often feels two-dimensional, the script never adding any shades of gray to his saintly persona. There’s certainly aspects of his character that are questionable - such as his tolerance of racist policing within his own department - yet the film never challenges him on such behaviour. He is simply the film’s good guy. A major decision Willoughby makes at the film’s midpoint ends up feeling like a cynical ploy by McDonagh to inspire change

Getty Images

Martin McDonagh is a master of dialogue. Whether it be on stage or screen, the writer/director has always possessed a keen knack for deliciously barbed witticisms stated by layered characters often too fiendishly clever for their own good. Yet despite McDonagh’s twinkling eye for the aesthetics of language and character, Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri shows that the fundamentals of effective and credible storytelling continue to elude him.

After the fairly frivolous In Bruges and Seven Psychopaths, McDonagh’s most recent film is a weightier affair, attempting to cut right to the heart of America’s divided political discourse. Frances McDormand plays Mildred Hayes, a bereaved mother whose frustration with the police’s failure to find her daughter’s killer inspires her to erect three eponymous, inflammatory billboards in the fictional town of Ebbing, Missouri. The incendiary billboards turn Mildred into something of a pariah in the town, attracting the ire of lovable police chief Bill Willoughby (Woody Harrelson) and racist officer Jason Dixon (Sam Rockwell).

Mildred herself is a fascinating creation enlivened by a ferocious performance by McDormand. There is something of the Hawksian Woman to Mildred, a character whose grief manifests not in tears but in a powerfully restrained rage, spitting hateful barbs at practically anyone who will listen. McDormand brings a striking and tragic repression to her performance; Mildred seems to be in a constant state of biting her tongue, of swallowing the rage she feels towards a world that has wronged her. It’s such a remarkable performance that it’s all the more frustrating when McDonagh feels the need to reduce Mildred’s psychological depths through a backstory that often feels trite. Aspects of Mildred’s past - such as her last interaction with her daughter or her relationship with her abusive ex-husband - offer pat and simplistic explanations for her psychological motives.

and catharsis within Mildred and Rockwell’s Officer Dixon rather than an emotional moment for Willoughby and his family - who are virtually voiceless.

The most glaring problem with Three Billboards, however, is in the aforementioned character of Dixon. A louche and inept officer with a history of torturing black people, the film suddenly shifts its attention away from Mildred and onto Dixon midway through, attempting to show the character’s earnest desire to change his ways.

Dixon’s arc, however, is pretty much a failure on every level.

Whilst the story of a violent racist who seeks redemption isn’t one that is inherently unworthy of being told in the current political climate, the execution is all over the place, the film being far too forgiving of Dixon’s crimes and diluting screentime from the far more interesting Mildred in the process.

There are myriad reasons Dixon’s arc of atonement simply doesn’t work. For a start, his transition from objectively bad person to potentially good person basically begins and ends within about ten minutes of screentime. There’s no gradual realisation, no process of proving himself to be better; rather the film simply tells the audience Dixon is a changed man, and we are expected to believe it.

There’s also little attempt to contextualise Dixon’s restitution in light of his past. There is a tender encounter between Dixon and a (white) victim of his beatings at one point, yet there’s no mention of any of the black people he tortured. At one point, Dixon punches a woman out cold. The woman is never brought back up in the film,

even after Dixon has supposedly changed his ways.

It seems that this decision was made based on the fact that bringing back the victims of Dixon’s abuse - especially the black or female ones - would complicate the neatness of his redemption arc, which in the end feels less like a reckoning with Dixon’s past misdeeds as a means of placating the audience. Three Billboards offers a feel good ending at the expense of an emotionally honest one.

For many, Three Billboards’ not inconsiderable charms will be enough. It features crackling dialogue, raw performances and is generally well-shot - though for a film that presumes to be about race, it’s frustrating that cinematographer Ben Davis has no idea how to light black skin.

Perhaps that’s indicative of the whole endeavour; a film about racial politics which doesn’t appear to actually care about the voices of black people, all of whom are relegated to the background. The film’s handling of a mother’s grief is admirable, its snappy one liners amusing. Yet pretty much every other aspect of the film’s storytelling fails to deliver.

Have you seen Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri yet? Do you agree that its depiction of race is troubling? If so, Let us know on twitter @epigramfilm

This week in cinema history 29th January, 1964: ‘Gentlemen, you can’t fight in here: this is the war room!’ - Dr. Strangelove is released

Wikimedia Commons

In the early 1960s, the possibility of nuclear annihilation was a genuine, tangible threat. The Cuban missile crisis of 1962 saw tensions between America and the Soviets reach breaking point, coming within inches of an all-out nuclear war.

Dr: Strangelove or: How I learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb was borne out of this tension. Kubrick’s approach to this subject, however, was not to become bogged down in historical accuracies, nor political nuance.

Instead, he opted for an absurdist piece of satire, as funny as it is demoralising. Peter Sellers (of Pink Panther fame) portrays not one, but three of the main characters, including Dr. Strangelove himself. His portrayal of the eponymous doctor is absolutely indelible, undoubtedly one of the most idiosyncratic and memorable comedic performances in the history of cinema.

Dr. Strangelove is concerned primarily with drawing attention

to the lunacy, the egoism and the arrogance of the powers that be, painting the nuclear crisis as little more than the result of a squabble between machismo men with their fingers on the button.

The dialogue is punchy, absurd and ednlessly quotable, while the muted black and white contributes greatly to its thematically darker moments.

In the 21st Century, with global nuclear tensions rising between the United States and North Korea, its subject matter possesses an eerie familiarity and relevancy. As a harbinger of nuclear doom, a biting political satire, or simply a masterful work of comedy, Dr. Strangelove remains essential viewing.

Charlie Gearon

Film and TV Editor

Epigram 29.01.2018

38 30

Hollywood activism and the 2018 Golden Globes Ashley Yonga looks into #Time’sUp, Oprah’s Golden Globe speech and the impact of celebrity activism Ashley Yonga Film and TV Deputy Online Editor

“

Hollywood has always been a platform for change

This was yet another example of Hollywood amplifying the calls to a movement. The women of film and TV took to the red carpet to bring activists with them who could share their work and spread their message. One of these women was Emma Watson, who brought with her Marai Larasi, the executive director of the UK-based feminist organisation, Imkaan. This organisation deals with abuse against women, specifically black and ethnic minority women. Watson spoke about how much she has learned from Marai Larasi and

Twitter / @Zesty_Celebrity

Following the #TimesUp success at The Golden Globes, we reflect on how Hollywood conducts its activism and what this recent campaign means for women in Hollywood and across all industries.

Since the vocalisations of sexual harassment in Hollywood, women and men across the industry have shown their support with campaigns such as #MeToo and the most recent one #TimesUp, which debuted at The Golden Globes, this year’s first award show. The people of the film and TV community took this opportunity to make a stand against the abuse that women have suffered in professional environments and life more widely.

the great work they are doing together. They both stated how important the platform they have is, and the current momentum that the movement has gathered over this past year.

In each acceptance speech, the winners talked about the shift they feel, emphasising that people can no longer accept silence and the abuse that women undergo. They spoke about the support they felt in that room filled with exceptional women who played diverse and three-dimensional roles, directed groundbreaking films and wrote compelling stories.

Of all the speeches, Oprah Winfrey’s acceptance speech for the Cecile B. de Mille award made the greatest impact. She’s the first black woman to win this award and it was so well earned; she got three standing ovations as only Oprah can.

She stated that ‘speaking your truth is the most powerful tool we all have’, and spoke about how actors strive to portray the human condition: they study the human heart and mind, striving to ‘say something’, and at The Golden Globes they said it loudly.

Her speech was also full of hope as she applauded the men and women who stood up and wore black. She told the little girls watching that ‘a new day is on the horizon’ and she championed the people who are working to create that new day. As Marai Larasi said on the red carpet, ‘it’s a special moment in time, it’s not the beginning or the end of the struggle but it is a critical moment.’

Awards season is a great opportunity to reflect on the films and TV series that happened in the past year and there was a legitimate emphasis on the powerful female stories that were told.

From Big Little Lies to The Handmaid’s Tale, from Wonder Woman to Girls Trip to Battle of the Sexes and everything in between, last year was a phenomenal year for women in Hollywood and you could feel that at last night’s Golden Globes.

Oprah Winfrey is the first black woman to win the Cecile B. de Mille award

Oprah spoke for the women who could not be on that stage and tell their own stories and everyone, in the room and around the world, was listening. We live in an era that was created by those before us and this awards season we’re reminded that the work is not done and there are battles still to be fought. The recent BAFTA announcement of the ‘all-male’ nominees for Best Director, mirrors that of The Golden Globes much to the disappointment of Natalie Portman and women everywhere. It goes to show that while progress has indeed been made, the battle for equality and representation continues and will likely do so for decades to come within the film industry and beyond.

Nonetheless, Hollywood has always been a platform for change. From Sidney Poitier being the first black man to win an Academy award and Golden Globe award for Best Actor to the work that celebrities across the arts do with the UN, the

creation of their own initiatives, such as Youtuber Lilly Singh’s #GirlLove, and drawing attention to important issues. It is important to recognise that they are not heard any more because their suffering is any greater and to remember the importance of the stage they have been given. It is encouraging to see them embrace the spotlight that shines on them by shining it onto others.

The fast-paced life of this industry might lead you to think that once a moment is gone, it is forgotten; that Hollywood has a tendency to jump on the latest tragedy, release a song in aid of both themselves and their chosen charity and then swiftly move on to its next rescue mission. Regardless, The Golden Globes proved that Hollywood is making a statement and they’re making it boldly. In this time when the world is consumed with celebrity and fame, it’s beautiful to see that transform into something meaningful.

Editors’ Picks

Our favourite Slapstick films in tandem with Watershed’s Slapstick Festival Twitter / @thesemovies

Twitter / @GoodOldYears

Wikipedia commons

Slapstick / Pam Beddard

Charlie Gearon

Gabi Spiro

Tim Bustin

Ashley Yonga

Editor

Deputy Editor

Online Editor

Deputy Online Editor

Inside Out (2015)

Mon Oncle (1958)

Airplane (1980)

George of the Jungle (1997)

Buster Keaton’s The General remains the gold standard for slapstick. It is a tour de force of physical comedy which remains almost incomprehensibly impressive to this day, nearly a century after its initial release. Following the exploits of failed confederate soldier Jonnie (Keaton) during the American Civil War, it exemplifies how much can be communicated without making a sound. Not only are Keaton’s stunts singularly impressive and nerve-wracking, but his overall body-language is an absolute delight: the way he composes himself; his facial expressions; his blasé attitude, impervious and naïve as chaos unfolds around him, are all achingly funny and entirely unrepeatable. It simply cannot be recommended highly enough.

This beautiful 1958 comedy satirises consumerism, modern technology and mechanical efficiency in post war France. Jacques Tati writes the lives of Monsieur and Madame Arpel, a superficial couple Français who live in the most distinctly unique house in cinema history - Villa Arpel. The villa is a geometric, pastel, concrete wonder of ‘modern’ beauty, complete with a fish fountain statue in the pond and disproportionate stepping stones through the grass and pink gravel. An architect’s dream, the house lacks any sort of personality or comfort, and becomes Tati’s symbol for impractical consumerism. It also becomes the source of the film’s slapstick comedy, as Tati pokes fun at the Arpels, their bourgeois priorities and their struggle navigating the impactical abode. Mon Oncle’s quaint simplicitly and silly humour makes it an unmissable piece of classic French cinema.

‘That, as much as anything else, led to my drinking problem’ says Ted Striker, about to drink a glass of gin… before throwing it straight in his face.

Airplane is as dumb as it is perfect; a ridiculous, slapstick spoof of a forgotten disaster movie, with a deadpan, mild-mannered absurdism that’s as much about romance and plane crashes as it is about horny inflatable autopilots and beautifully terrible wordplay (*before take-off* ‘Nervous?’/ ’Yes…very’/’First time?’/’No, I’ve been nervous lots of times.’). Though authentically b-list in production quality, Airplane still soars above most comedies, where even on re-watch there are a million missed jokes to pick up on, and the same charming brilliance shines through over and over (and Captain Oveur) again. ‘Surely you can’t be serious?’ you say. ‘I’m totally serious…and don’t call me Shirley!’

George of the Jungle is a childhood classic. With a surprisingly star-studded cast, this 90s Disney film is quite underrated considering its childish charm and remarkable heart. George of the Jungle is a love story at its core, about a young heiress (Leslie Mann) who falls for a young man who’s not entirely from her part of high society. This isn’t a plot unexplored by Hollywood but this take differs from the other Disney Jungle classics, through its honesty about the ridiculousness of the situation our characters finds themselves in.

Slapsticks never take themselves too seriously, it is what makes them entertaining to watch.

The great thing about this film is its audience interaction, which keeps the humour and spirit of the film palpable. Needless to say, this isn’t your critic’s film but it’ll have you laughing, feeling nostalgic and pleasantly surprised.

Epigram

39

Arts

@EpigramArts

Online Editor: Helena Raymond-Hayling

Editor: Alina Young Deputy Editor: Anna Trafford

29.01.2018

arts@epigram.org.uk

Deputy Online Editor: Avital Carno

New Year, New Books

One month into the New Year and your resolution already slipping? Epigram Arts provides some literature to reinspire and motivate, whatever your resolution may be Resolution: Declutter your space | The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up - Mari Kondo Tatiana Dowley Second Year, Arch. & Anth.

process of self-organisation. She addresses deeper issues, such as attachment to sentimental objects and the reasons why people accumulate objects, and emphasises that her book is not about storage methods but a way of helping people create the life that they visualise for themselves, by going through a ‘special event’ of one big tidy.

Kondo even claims that after using her methods, some clients have reported weight loss and clearer skin. So, who knows? Perhaps you won’t have to hit the gym this January after all…

Flickr/ Rise

Perhaps a strange route into learning the art of self-discipline, but Marie Kondo swears by the magic of tidying. Her premise is that by decluttering your living space, you will declutter your mind.

The ‘KonMari Method’ explains that to start the process of tidying, you must first learn to discard.

Kondo believes that if an object does not ‘spark joy’ within yourself when you touch it, it should

be discarded. Following this slightly brutal method, she works her way through categories of objects in the home, ruthlessly discarding those which do not bring her joy.

Although useful, Kondo can sometimes come across as a little far-fetched, for example, every day she empties the contents of her handbag on returning home and thanks the objects before putting them away in their place. However, although definitely an eccentric approach to tidying one’s house and mind, the KonMari method offers many valuable tips and tricks that help the

Resolution: Be more open-minded | The Good Immigrant - Nikesh Shukla Emma Hanson First Year, English Instagram / hazelbarkworth

Unless you are Mo Farah or Nadya Hussain immigrants who have transcended British social culture to become a UK household name - the treatment of immigrants in the UK is very different. The Good Immigrant, a collection of essays edited by Nikesh Shukla, aims to alter the perspective of the British public on race and immigration. British black, Asian and minority writers discuss their human experience of what it is to be

‘other’ in a way that makes the reader aware of the personal impact of cultural misunderstandings and insensitivities. Each essay presents a different experience of the treatment of BAME writers, alerting the reader to their ignorance surrounding cultural backgrounds different to the white privileged individual who is paraded over the television and social media.

As a Bristol student, Nikesh Shukla’s essay about the word ‘namaste’ as a ‘bastardised metaphor for spiritualism’ in white British culture made me aware of my personal ignorance surrounding the

Hindu culture from which this word originates, and the impact of this ignorance on Indian immigrants. This is a book that everyone should read. It reassures those who have had racist experiences that they are not alone, and educates others in understanding other people’s cultural experiences and difficulties.

In 2018, I think we should all consider the experiences and perspectives of those different from ourselves. It would hopefully bring more empathy into the British cultural conversation around race, and that can only ever be a good thing.

Resolution: Be a better student | The Study Skills Handbook - Stella Cottrell Ellie Brown First Year, Politics & Sociology

ferent learning styles and lifestyles that students may have. This means that no matter who you are or what subject you’re doing, the book is likely to have some relevance for you.

I first picked it up as a student doing an Access Course (we were told to buy it), terrified about going back into education. Now I am an undergraduate student who is slightly less terrified, but I still go back and read it if I’m feeling stuck about anything. I’ve seen a few copies on the ground floor of the ASS if you’re interested- I hope it helps you as much as it has helped me.

Instagram / tutorstream

If your new year’s resolution is related to studying in any way, then I highly recommend The Study Skills Handbook. First, it is targeted at students in higher education, going through the various problems students may have and outlining their possible causes.

This is helpful for anyone who is struggling to manage student life and studies; it explains why this is so difficult but goes on to show that with

the right strategies, anyone can do well in higher education. So not only is the book inspiring (with the author’s research and experience to back this up), it’s also a great resource to have on hand.

Every imaginable problem a student might face is covered, from specific ways to get better at essay writing and conducting research, to more general tips about time management and staying motivated during independent study.

It’s also targeted at the widest possible audience, so multiple strategies are suggested for resolving these issues which take into account dif-

Resolution: Transform your life | Wild - Cheryl Strayed Anna Trafford Deputy Arts Editor Instagram / ines.mentari

‘Wild’ is the memoir of a young woman who hiked 1100 miles along the Pacific Crest Trail in a bid to change her life. Cheryl Strayed lost her beloved mother at the age of 22, fell away from her family, ruined her marriage with a string of infidelities and spiralled into heroin use. With no money, and newly divorced, Strayed made the decision to strap on her hiking boots and to undertake the monstrous PCT, which ‘would both make

me into the woman I knew I could become and turn me back into the girl I’d once been’.

The route stretches from Mexico to Canada, meandering its way through nine mountain ranges, countless terrains and climatic extremes. The bitter, bloody miles, the frustrations and the aching loneliness shape Strayed’s steep learning curve.

Though her writing is at times brutally candid in its portrayal of her misery and desperation, it is more often humorous and optimistic; she marvels at the ridiculous scale of the challenge and notes the change in herself with each step taken.

It’s hard to come away from Strayed’s story without feeling at least a little invigorated. She shows that it is possible to come back even from your lowest point. Though your New Year resolution may not be quite so hefty as kicking a heroin habit, there is every chance that it hinges on some desire for transformation. You don’t need to hike the west coast of America to change your life but Strayed’s grit and hope provides that little flash of inspiration that might just motivate you to keep your resolution on track.

Resolution: Be more knowledgeable | Great Thinkers - The School of Life Alina Young Arts Editor

a book that is perfect as both a reference in those moments of ‘Hang on, what did he believe again?’ and as an inspiration for your own thought.

The School of Life is an intellectual project whose products aid self-development, and apply greater lessons to everyday life. Great Thinkers not only explains important minds, but teaches us what we can learn from them. Easy to dip into, this book is guaranteed intellectual nutrition. Extracts are even available online for free.

Flickr / aglet

We’ve all heard of the likes of Aristotle, Tolstoy, Confucious and Machiavelli, but what actually were their theories, and how did they contribute to modern thinking? If you’ve ever wanted to truly understand the ideas of humanity’s greatest minds, this finely crafted and wonderfully informative book will tell you everything you need to know.

Great Thinkers covers a huge wealth of areas Philosophy, Political Theory, Eastern Philosophy, Sociology, Art & Architecture, and Literature - and discusses ideas that span millenia. It successfully balances both well-known figures with those that you may not have heard of, but should be familiar with.

Each easily digestible chapter describes the lives of these great men and women and explains their ideas in a way that is simultaneously easy to understand, but intellectually invigorating. This is

Epigram

29.01.2018

40

@EpigramArts

Arts Editors Recommend Get out your diaries and make the most of Bristol’s rich artistic offerings! Here are all the essential artsy highlights for the weeks ahead:

Lecturers on Literature

//FEBRUARY//

//MARCH//

THEATRE:

THEATRE:

THEATRE:

A Passage to India Bristol Old Vic : 30.01.18 - 03.02.18 Simple multi-award winning ensemble.

Transports us to Imperial India in this stage adaptation of Forster’s masterpiece and reimagines it for contemporary Britain.

Things I Know To Be True Bristol Old Vic : 06.02.18 - 10.02.18 This critically acclaimed play tells the story of a family and marriage through the eyes of four grown siblings struggling to define themselves beyond their parents’ love and expectations.

The Cherry Orchard Bristol Old Vic : 01.03.18 - 07.04.18 Translation of Chekhov’s final masterpiece by award-winning playwright Rory Mullarkey.

A portrait of changing times, fill of wild humour and piercing sadness.

Wicked The Hippodrome : 31.01.18 - 03.03.18 The global musical phenomenon is stopping off in Bristol on its UK Tour. An alternative telling of the 1939 film, ‘The Wizard of Oz’, Wicked is told from the perspective of the witches of the Land of Oz. Tickets are cheaper than in the West End so snap some up before they go.

EXHIBITIONS:

Town to Town by Niall McDiarmid Martin Parr Foundation : 31.01.18 - 12.05.18 This photography exhibition shows highlights from McDiarmid’s extensive project of over 2000 portraits from the streets of Britain, from Cornwall to the Scottish Highlands. ‘Through this series, my aim is show Britain as a diverse and multicultural society at a time of huge change,’ McDiarmid explains.

Macbeth Factory Theatre : 22.02.18 - 07.04.18 Adele Thomas’s production of Macbeth exposes the fragility of the human notions of language and destiny. Battling elemental forces and their own blind ambition, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are inspired to commit terrible, unnatural acts.

TALKS: Novel Writers: ‘Arkady’ by Patrick Langley Spike Island : 22.03.18 ‘Novel Writers’ is a regular event at Spike Island. This time, debut novelist Patrick Langley will give an informal talk about his urban coming-of-age story.

Instagram / martinparrfdn

Women with Vision RWA : now - 11.03.18 In a year of national milestones, the RWA marks the impact of female artists on our country’s artistic landscape with four diverse exhibitions of historic and contemporary works. These exhibitions include: ‘Women of the RWA’, ‘Frink-Blow-Lawson’, ‘Cornelia Parker: One Day This Glass Will Break’ and ‘Anne Redpath ARA RWA RSA’

Sexy The Wardrobe Theatre : 13.02.18 - 17.02.18 Sexy uses truthful wit and clever verse to explore our conflicted relationship with our bodies and sexiness. Expect comedy, spoken word, dance, and stripping.

EXHIBITIONS: Iman Issa: Material for 2018 Spike Island : 17.02.18 - 18.04.18 A series of ‘displays’ that question the function of public sculpture and monuments.

The series makes reference to existing public monuments which she strips back to their essential elements and reimagines into other forms, triggering a chain of associations that go beyond the original object and its meanings.

Nothing to spare Centrespace : 23.02.18 - 28.02.18 An experimental exhibition that uses the Gallery at Centrespace like it has never been used before. The exhibition will play host to local art collective Terra Cotta Prints’ latest work.

Niall McDiarmid sequencing ‘Town to Town’

//APRIL// THEATRE: A View from the Bridge Factory Theatre : 18.04.18 - 12.05.18 Arthur Miller’s tragic masterpiece that confronts the American dream, as performed by actors from the Tobacco Factory’s own company.

RTB & Milk: ‘Spotlight’ | Open Mic + Tom Denbigh The Crofters Rights : 14.02.18 12 open mic slots and a feature set from Bristol spoken word favourite TOM DENBIGH. Whether you love or hate Valentine’s day, bring your finest love poems, anti-love poems, or absolutely anything else. Or just come to listen!

Arts Editor Alina Young explains the Publishing phenomenon ‘Fire and Fury’ by Michael Wolff that’s shaking up the Trump presidency Whether it’s a disturbing exposé or just ‘trashy tabloid fiction’, as White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders claimed, Wolff’s ‘Fire and Fury’ has already become the publishing sensation of the year. Selling more than a million copies within its first two weeks, ‘Fire and Fury’ reveals the chaos of Trump’s first year of presidency through Wolff’s account, based on his unprecedented access to the White House and over 200 interviews.

Instagram / rwabristol

Instagram / tobaccofactorytheatres

In other Arts News...

Painting from ‘Women with Vision’ at RWA

The narrative details both messy familial drama, from a distraught Melania to Ivanka’s presidential ambitions, as well as outrageous behinddoors political turmoil. The book’s publication was hurriedly pushed forward ahead of Trump’s attempted legal action, with publisher Henry Holt adamant in its ‘extraordinary contribution to our national discourse’.

Its disturbing revelations about Trump’s mental health have prompted widespread questions about his suitability for office and the dangers of his unstable mind, with Wolff suggesting that even White House officials do not believe Trump is capable of fulfilling presidential duties. Trump’s infamous Twitter backlash the day following publication- ‘my two greatest assets have been mental stability and being, like, really smart,’ and that

A book that inspired me...

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. When I was doing my A Levels I was going to apply for medicine (and did). It was studying literature - and still infuriatingly topical politics of The Handmaid’s Tale - that made me realise that reading needn’t just be a hobby! Thanks for making me change my UCAS application to English, Miss Evans.

A book I discovered as an undergraduate...

The Italian by Ann Radcliffe on a Gothic module in my third year. It’s a big old hefty eighteenthcentury tome, but it’s also clever, painterly, and achingly Gothic. On the same module I was also introduced to and horrified by Bret Easton Ellis’s American Psycho, which is significantly more grotesque than the film!

A book for the beach...

The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee. I’m reading it now, and while the weather is far from beachy, I think it would be just romantic and swashbuckling enough for a holiday read (especially if you’re in any of the novel’s brilliant locations - Versailles, Marseilles, Barcelona, Venice...). The story of an eighteenthcentury gentleman swaggering around on his Grand Tour, getting into trouble, and struggling with his feelings for his best friend Percy. Very silly, very funny, and there’s pirates.

A book that made me laugh...

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams still makes me snort with laughter. I’m currently watching the Netflix adaptation of Adams’ Dirk Gently novels and it’s reminding me how much I love his chaotic, surreal humour.

SPOKEN WORD:

Macbeth at Factory Theatre

Our lecturer this issue is Ms Joan Passey from the Department of English. She shares with us some of her top reads.

Epigram / Lucy Hall

//JANUARY//

he is, in fact, a ‘very stable genius!’- only seemed to fan the flames of the contentious book, and perhaps even help prove its claims.

How much of the contents are to be believed is for the reader to decide, but the overwhelming response to ‘Fire and Fury’ is that it is a compelling and important read - a book that is ‘horrifying, hilarious and hugely readable’ (The Independent), yet ‘ferociously well-written and pitilessly focused...destined to become the primary account of the first nine months of the Trump presidency’ (Evening Standard).

Undoubtedly, this is a book that has had the power to shake-up worldwide news; as the Guardian asks, we are left wondering, ‘Could a book bring down a president?’ We shall have to see what developments 2018 will bring.

A book that made me cry...

I cry at absolutely everything, but this year I made the mistake of teaching Annie Proulx’s Brokeback Mountain and it was a struggle not to sob throughout the entire seminar. A devastating read. Beloved by Toni Morrison still hurts my heart in a thousand different ways too. Both have left a very lasting impression on me, and both are not only sad but deeply, bone-rattlingly disturbing.

A book that changed my mind...

When I was doing my BA we had a mandatory eighteenth-century module that everyone dreaded, myself included. Then I read Evelina by Frances Burney, one of the funniest, most ridiculous, most cuttingly satirical novels ever written. Think Jane Austen but with monkeys in tuxedos. It gave me faith in the module, I fell head over heels in love with the eighteenth century, and ended up doing my masters in literature from 1700-1830.

Want to read your lecturers’ literary recommendations next issue? Get in touch with us and we’ll make it happen

Epigram

29.01.2018

41

The art of beer and brewing Ewan Thomas-Colquhoun explores Bristol’s local beer scene in the name of art

Beer is an art form. Highly creative, evocative and expressive. There is little that speaks so directly to us as human beings like a well-crafted pint.

This creativity is expressed almost exclusively at the brewing stage. Like a painter balancing light and shade, a skilful brewer must understand the play of flavour between the sweet malted barley and bitter hops. The character and personality of a beer is decided here, also. The subtle flavours produced by controlling the temperature, variety and volume of yeast are like a fine brush’s strokes, adding detail and expression to the brewing liquid.

The strength of modern brewing is to use this process to evoke emotion and tell a story. By manipulating taste, the most visceral of senses, brewers can connect us to our deepest emotions and memories. Many artists, for example, have attempted to understand adolescence for centuries; for me, nothing speaks to this time of life more than a lukewarm tin of Fosters. Of course, the techniques used by breweries to evoke emotion are more sophisticated than leaving a can out of the fridge, but the idea is the same: beer connects us with ourselves, more than with just a crippling hangover.

however, was the ‘Fortitude Amber Ale’ a medium bitter, very mellow, malty beer with a slight touch of hopiness which prevented the flavours becoming one-dimensional. Whilst a little plain, ‘Fortitude’ is a good example of brewers utilising their understanding of their craft to balance the light and shade of bitter and sweetness in order to make a beer which is mellow and drinkable for the masses.

This style of beer is a session Ale, a term that has many loose definitions. My best understanding is that this term developed to describe the

balance this powerful story telling ability with interesting flavour.

I therefore decided that, in the pub that captures the drinking culture of our generation, I would sample the beers that most reflect the brewing culture of our generation: the IPAs. Since the craft beer revolution, it seems every brewery has released its own version of this strong, fruity flavoured type of beer. The high percentage of alcohol has meant these beers for many people have become a staple.

The best of the group at the Commercial

It is this ability of beer to connect us to one another that I believe is the true art-form of beer

“

The care and attention in creating this beer is what draws it in my eyes close to the spirit of the Bristol we know today. Brewed sustainably in a local family brewery, the beer is in line with the social conscience of Bristol that made it the UK’s first green city.

More importantly, it is named after a modern Bristolian legend ‘Old Higby’- a man commemorated by the brewers of this beer, the Stone family, as a man who always had a story to tell with a pint in his hand. For me it is this appreciation of the human side to beer that made ‘Old Higby’ the best of the lot. In terms of flavour and values, it speaks to the warmth of human connection and the value of evenings spent talking with one another over a good pint.

It is this ability of beer to connect us to one another that I believe is the true art form of beer.

Brewing techniques and flavour aside, it is the power of a pint to bring friends and strangers together, the power to make us speak and listen to one another, that really should be valued.

After all, what better expression of friendship is there than a shared pint?

Like a painter balancing light and shade, a skilful brewer must understand the play of flavour between the sweet malted barley and bitter hops

Reviewing Bristol’s Beer: A guide to understanding our local brewing art For no reason other than the alphabetical, I began my search at Bristol Beer Factory’s Grain Barge. Far from being beer’s answer to The Apple, this boat’s atmosphere is calm and civilised, somewhere to take your parents, rather than that one mate from home who always gets a bit rowdy after half a cider. With a good variety of beers to choose from which, according to the friendly staff, are rotated often, I sacrifice myself to this noble cause and try them all.

My opinions varied; the best of the collection,

Epigram / Rebecca Watkins

This by extension makes beer the most democratic of art forms. Taste, the most subjective of our senses, allows every individual to connect to beer individually. Everyone forms their own ideas, lingering on different thoughts and emotions based on their individual taste memory.

To understand all this and evolve this rather pretentious pre-amble into something more than empty statements, I decided to embark on a quest.

A quest to find the best pint Bristol has to offer.

The rules I decided upon were simple: every pint had to come from an independent brewery within a 15-mile radius of Bristol, and be available locally as a full pint on draught.

Otherwise, the selection was open. From golden lagers to creamy stouts, every variety of beer was considered judged on the same criteria of being a good pint.

A quick disclaimer: as an art form, there can be no objectively defined ‘perfect pint’. As the landlord of the pub I work in says, ‘if you think it’s a good pint, then it’s a good pint and you should drink it’- a sentiment that should be kept in mind when exploring the myriad of beers Bristol has to offer. Indeed, as an art form, there is no right and wrong (unless you don’t like beer, in which case, you’re wrong.)

The perfect pint, however, needs more. The flavours need the intrigue of ‘Rocketman’, just with a finer balance. More importantly, these flavours need to express a story that relates to both the spirit of the drinkers, as well as the spirit of the town in which it is brewed- Bristol.

It is this spirit and flavour of Bristol that made GWB’s ‘Old Higby’ the best on offer at the Commerical Rooms. The flavour is spectacular, as you’re hit initially with the subtle yet intricate berry flavours of the hops that give a finely balanced bittersweet flavour before subsiding, and leaves you with a rather creamy after-taste of the exquisite malt.

“

Ewan Thomas-Colquhoun Second Year, German and Russian

lower ABV (%) pints of British workers at the turn of the century. Traditionally drunk in two separate ‘sessions’ during the working day, they were weaker than traditional ales and are designed to be refreshing and drinkable so as to keep the workers hydrated and not highly intoxicated around the heavy machinery.

This is the story that ‘Fortitude’ is trying to tell. Brewed in Southville, an area which traditionally housed many of Bristol’s industrial working class, the name and flavour evoke the stoic spirit of this area which was heavily bombed. The session ale was the fuel that kept workers returning to bombed out factories; the fuel that kept the home fires burning. It is this intrinsic narrative of beer that makes it such an art form, as the stories they tell through taste are the stories of us as people.

It was this in mind that I headed to the Commercial Rooms, which, as a Wetherspoons, seemed to me the only place to understand the drinking culture of our current student generation. For me a formula was developing, the perfect pint had to

Rooms was Arbor Ale’s ‘Rocketman’, marrying this generation’s penchant for high-percentage creatively named beer with interesting flavour. At a punchy 6%, ‘Rocketman’ is served cold from a cask rather than a keg, and is so packed full of different flavours it is difficult to keep track. At first comes the bitter yet fruity flavours of the citra hops, which seem quickly to overwhelm the flavour, before dying out to the perhaps even more powerful floral quality to the beer.

At times, for me ‘Rocketman’ felt a little like being assaulted. But to call this a detriment to the beer is to miss the whole point of it. Research shows that we are no longer a generation of casual drinkers; instead, our drink preferences are based on the value of the experience, rather than the drinkability. So it makes sense to understand ‘Rocketman’ as the perfect example of this- a beer which cannot be ignored, for a generation who really want to see value for money when spending our dwindling student loans. Whilst not my favourite type of beer, these beers nevertheless illustrate the art and craft behind what we drink.

Berkeley Wetherspoons Cheat Sheet For those nights when you really can’t afford to go out, I present the top 5 beers in terms of value for money: 1. 3x Uprising Treason West Coast IPA 5.8%, 330ml can (this is only best value when exploited through the 3 for £5 deal) 2. 3x Crafty Dan 13 Guns 5.5%, 330ml can (same as above) 3. Sixpoint Brewery Resin IPA 9.1%, 355ml, £2.99 for 355ml can 4.

Shipyard Pale Ale 4.5%, £2.55 per pint

=5. Abbott Ale 5%, £2.79 per pint =5. Sixpoint Brewery Bengali IPA 6.5%, £2.29 for 355ml can

Want to argue why your passion is an art form?

Join our Writers Group on Facebook and talk to us about your idea

facebook.com/epigramarts @EpigramArts @epigramarts

Epigram

29.01.2018

Music

@epigrammusic Editor: Alexia Kirov

Deputy Editor: Kate Hutchison

Online Editor: Joe Samrai

music@epigram.org.uk

New year, new albums Four weeks in and already forgotten about your New Year’s resolutions? Don’t worry - make it your goal to listen to the best new music of 2018 so far instead.

Hockey Dad: Blend Inn Luke Unger Second Year, English

Nightmares on Wax: Shape the Future Joe Gorecki Third Year, Spanish and German

Don Broco: Technology Matt Alderton First Year, Physics

Breaking into the scene in 2014 with their EP Dreamin’, it’s incredible to see how much Hockey Dad’s style has changed over these past four years with their latest album Blend Inn. The youthful, carefree surfer attitude the music once embodied has given way to a far more developed, introspective album.

Due to be released February the 9th on the Manchester indie label, LAB Records with producer John Goodmanson, there’s a real sense of homesickness within this album. The title ‘Blend Inn’ apparently comes from the band’s feelings when on tour. Blend Inn is the part of your head that you want to go to when you’re overseas and wishing you were back home, it’s within,’ says drummer Fleming in an interview with Consequence of Sound. ‘We’re always just trying to be comfortable and semi blending in, so it’s the name we gave to that place you zone out to.’

Songs like ‘Where I Came From’, ‘Join the Club’

and ‘Danny’ offer a jazzier, more melancholic side to Hockey Dad not seen before. Heavier guitar drenched choruses mixed with cleaner, soulful melodies lead to an undulating experience that dips and spikes from track to track. The album feels less like music to be performed but more of a catharsis, an honest conversation between Stephenson and Fleming, reflecting on the touring realities of the music industry and its demanding requirements.

Whilst, on the whole, the album is stylistically pretty cohesive, tracks such as ‘Disappoint Me’ and ‘Stalker’ offer repetitive, more aggressive choruses. While lyrically, these tracks are refreshingly honest, unfortunately the music comes across in these instances as slightly bland; the album contains absolute gems but, at the same time, songs such as these almost seem to be filler tracks. In a comment to Consequence of Sound, the band describes the album making process as ‘a bit of a haze’, which,

Almost 20 years after the release of seminal Carboot Soul, Nightmares on Wax is one of the few players left in the downtempo genre-blending sound that proved inescapable just prior to the turn of the millennium, what with Moby embroiled in the Trump-Russia allegations and Massive Attack remaining elusive (particularly with the widely spread ‘leak’ by Goldie of Robert ‘3D’ Del Naja moonlighting as Banksy.) On Shape the Future, his eclectic groove has evolved little since the trip-hop heyday and so to compensate the album touches on the topical, with themes of insecurity and duelling optimism-pessimism.

Nightmares on Wax makes use of several diverse collaborators many of whom demonstrate his keen eye for emerging talent: Sadie Walker’s vocals on ‘Deep Shadow’s glisten and Jordan Rakei’s old-school R&B ‘Typical’ makes for an unexpected album highlight. The one potential misfire of these, however, is album opener ‘Back to Nature.’ The title reads as an exhortation, built around a sermon by native American preacher

Kuauhtli Vasquez, which in the context of the album does ring a little hollow (though the Nahuatl language chorus does complement Nightmares’ signature slick Rhodes piano).

One particular criticism of the album is the general lack of tonal cohesion. The genre and style changing isn’t a problem. Instead, it’s how the record seems to want to present themes of duelling optimism-pessimism but ends up reducing both to contradictory messages - the lack of overall unity reinforced by the inclusion of two versions of lead single ‘Citizen Kane.’ It’s a punchy track, but their differences amount to just a rap verse, and so the listener could just choose their preferred version.

However, what Nightmares does well, he does very well here, and the album ably demonstrates sustained appeal with tracks like ‘On It Maestro’; a chilled smooth jazz piece which deftly straddles between the vintage and timelessness.

While Shape the Future doesn’t really push any boundaries, it remains an enjoyable - if not wholly unified - outing by Nightmares on Wax.

After a challenging year in which frontman Rob Damiani claims the band came close to an unexpected end, Don Broco return this February with their third album Technology. Following 2015’s effort, Automatic, this album feels like genre-bending introduction to the band, effortless and energetic in parts, yet perforated with a number of tracks that feel uninspired.

With all five of the opening tracks already released by the band you’d be forgiven for thinking that there wouldn’t be much new, unheard material left in the album. But the Bedford four-piece have sent out a bumper sized record, with Technology clocking in at just under an hour over fourteen tracks - although some much needed revision would have left a more concise album.

The album opens with the titular track’ Technology’, a hard hitting number that’s been around for some time now and in every effort from the band to starting bringing out arenasized rock anthems, Damiani sings woefully of the vanity and self-obsession that comes with living in the digital era. The next few tracks have all been released; the 80s pop-rock number ‘Stay Ignorant’ juxtaposes rolling bass verses against hard rock riffage in the choruses. The next few

numbers ‘T-Shirt Song’, ‘Come Out To LA’ and ‘Pretty’ all fit into the tracklist as solid rock numbers, with ‘T-Shirt Song’ standing out as a stadium sized anthem, certain to get the crowd moving on the upcoming tour.

The first unreleased tracks come in the shape of ‘The Blues’ and ‘Tightrope’, the latter of which is one of the best written tracks on the album, exploring the difficulties of human relationship.

Damiani comments ‘It’s about how easy it is for some people to turn their backs on others when it doesn’t suit them’.

Next up is the sixth track to be released ‘Everybody’, an electrically charged recounting of how the band came close to breaking point, as the lyrics suggest in a less than subtle manner.

‘Greatness’ picks up the album as a refreshing change to the musical landscape. Funk bass drives the verses alongside soft electric keyboards, but the star here is drummer Matt Donnelly’s groove, featuring rock music’s muchloved cowbell sliding in-between some tight guitar riffs far down on the low strings. I for one can’t resist a cheesy cowbell backdrop and this time it fits a lot less sarcastically than Blue Oyster Cult’s ‘Don’t Fear The Reaper’, infamous for it’s comical cowbell line.

when considering the space (both geographical and mental) Hockey dad were in producing the album, makes sense.

Remnants of the older Hockey Dad shine through what could be considered a sadder album with tracks such as ‘Homely Feeling’ and ‘Sweet Release’, the latter sung by the very Australian sounding Billy Flemming. It’s nice to see that the duo seeks to retain the intrinsic Australian identity that offers so much character to this band.

This album needed to be produced.

Regardless of certain tracks that aren’t perhaps necessarily to the previous quality Hockey Dad have produced in the past, the lyrics contained within this album are frighteningly open. Whilst selfishly I would love Hockey Dad to produce tracks reminiscing of their earlier music, this album sets a poignant milestone in their development as a band. Unrelentingly authentic, Hockey Dad are here to stay.

“

The album ably demonstrates sustained appeal with tracks like ‘On It Maestro’; a chilled smooth jazz piece which deftly straddles between the vintage and timelessness

The ‘Superlove’ hit-makers bring the anger on the tenth track ‘Porkies’, an angst-filled retort to the rise of ‘fake news’ and media manipulation.

It’s at this point that the album should have been wrapped up as the record starts to lose its focus around this point. ‘Got To Be You’ is presented as an ‘honest homage to U2’ according to guitarist Simon Delaney, but like many of the Bono’s eclectic creations, this is one that perhaps should have been left in the studio.

The dictionary has possibly been left at home on ‘Good Listener’, as I find myself listening to Damiani talking to his mum about wanting chilli con carne for tea. Like a number of tracks on the latter half of the album, ‘Good Listener’ feels underwhelming for the same band that produced 2013’s ‘You Wanna Know’. The album draws to a close with ‘¥’ and ‘Something To Drink’, the former of which sounds like a directionless rock stab at the pop world with unnecessary vocal effects, although the latter does bring the album up for the close. Some topical writing on the bitterness arising due to differing political views set to anthemic choruses featuring vocal contributions from drummer Donnelly makes for a more engaging closing track, All being said, Technology is a fun record, written with live performance in mind. The first half of the album will shine when then band hit the road this spring, but past the half-way mark the focus dissipates and you’d be forgiven for turning the album off early. Accessible arena rock for the masses and worth a listen, but the energy dwindles towards the end.

Technology is released on February 2nd.

Epigram 29.01.2018

43

Daisy Hall Second Year, Psychology

I love The Wombats. Having seen them several times live including this summer at Truck Festival I was more than excited when I found out that they were releasing a new album entitled Beautiful People Will Ruin Your Life.

Fans have waited three years for the album and it’s pretty good. Actually, it’s more than pretty good, it’s great. In fact, I reckon at least half the album will be making it onto my beloved Spotify playlist.

The opening track ‘Cheetah Tongue’ as well as ‘Lemon to a Knife Fight’ and ‘Turn’ follow a very similar vibe to the band’s earlier albums A Guide to Love, Loss and Desperation and This Modern Glitch. Not that I’m complaining. They are the albums that defined The Wombats and ensured their indie pop tracks were well-loved by legions of fans. The band clearly haven’t lost their lyricwriting skill either with witty lyrics like ‘give me a leg to stand on’ from the track ‘Black Flamingo’.

The first half of the album is catchy, eclectic, just what we expected and completely different to the second half.

From ‘Lethal Combination’ onwards, the album takes on the glam rock sound of the 70s with an electric twist. And quite frankly it’s magic.

Serving as a throwback to the Bowie and T-Rex era, Beautiful People Will Ruin Your Life becomes a testament to great music. Although the lyrics are weird, they are also wonderful. The music is cool and collected but the new sound is likely to divide fans.

The album as a whole transitions from the band’s classic indie pop sounds towards a throwback indie rock sound and I couldn’t love it more. While it is not as cohesive as their previous albums they make it work with random lyrics and catchy choruses ensuring a successful tour ahead.

Flickr / DonkeyHotey

The Wombats: Beautiful People Will Ruin Your Life

New year, new me.

Write for us!

Like music? Like free gigs? Want to spruce up your CV? We’re always looking for new writers, photographers and videographers to join our team. Start TB2 right and get your submissions in.

How do I get involved?

Come to our first meeting of 2018: 30th January @ The Balloon Bar (SU), 6pm.

Join our Facebook writers’ group - Epigram Music Writers 2017/18 - to see our latest commissions.

Email us at music@epigram.org.uk.

An interview with Skinny Lister’s Lorna Thomas Nicola Hamer chats to Skinny Lister vocalist Lorna Thomas about a childhood spent in folk clubs, how Skinny Lister started out, and how their sound has developed. giving that a listen.

So after a few years of gradual punkification, what direction have they taken this new record in? ‘We definitely let ourselves stray further from our folky routes’, Lorna says, before going on to explain that it has a much more global feeling to it. It was written following a world tour with Frank Turner, proud advocate of the wall of hugs in place of the wall of death, and recorded in studios around the world, including a bunker in Hamburg and a garage in Pittsburgh. They’ve have also started writing new material, so the only question that remains is where Skinny Lister can possibly take folk punk next.

Nicola Hamer Second Year, English

“

The transition to heavier, punk influenced material came later, Lorna explains. ‘We started out very folky, without drums, able to play wherever and whenever we wanted.’ The band’s music has always had something profoundly punk about it, though - folk is a music of the people after all, much like punk - and it’s fair to say that Skinny Lister have never struggled to get the party started. Lorna tells me how their sound got heavier during the Vans Warped Tour due

to the influence of tour buddies, Sleeping with Sirens, Four Years Strong and Twin Atlantic. After meeting and supporting Flogging Molly and Dropkick Murphys, the band built up their sound with drums. Skinny Lister’s second album, Down on Deptford Broadway, was actually produced by Ted Hutt, who also works with Dropkick Murphys, ‘so that has a very punk sound’.

Another thing that has always interested me about Skinny Lister is their relentless touring schedule. With this level of grafting, it would be difficult to get further from the ‘go on a TV talent show and get famous’ model of making it in the music industry. ‘I personally love going on stage, but then I’m a show off’, Lorna says. She does highlight the need for ‘a healthy mix’ of time on the road and time in the studio, though; apparently bandmate Dan ‘would spend his

entire life in the studio if he could’, so together the group complement each other well.

I personally love going on stage, but then I’m a show off

This love of the studio as well as the stage is evident in the ‘band chat’ tracks on the newest album, The Devil, The Heart & The Fight, which give the band a chance to talk a bit about the recording process. My personal favourite of these is what Lorna describes as ‘the weird and wonderful story’ of a guy that bootlegged Skinny’s London Show - I strongly recommend

Flickr / Bob Tomlinson

“

Our dad [...] used to take us to folk clubs in the heart of England

Lorna Thomas with brother/bandmate Max Thomas

Flickr / Tony J

Given the chance to chat to Skinny Lister’s Lorna Thomas over email, the first thing I want to know is how she got into folk punk. The genre still kind of seems like an unlikely mixture to the uninitiated, despite a long history stretching back to the 1980s. Folk music has always been part of her life, she explains: ‘Max [Lorna’s brother and bandmate] and I grew up with Party George, our dad, who used to take us to folk clubs in the heart of England so that’s kind of how we got into playing folk music.’ Party George is a regular feature in the audience at Skinny Lister’s gigs, and something of a celebrity amongst the band’s following. Band members Dan Heptinstall and Sam ‘Mule’ Brace also come from a folk background, I’m told, having spent years singing sea shanties at a folk club in Greenwich.

Lorna Thomas performing in 2015

Gadget insurance.

Built for you.

Gadget insurance from £3.00 a month.* We all love our phones, tablets, and our consoles. With our flexible and affordable gadget insurance you can ensure that you protect what is important to you.

With our claims process replacing your gadget within one working day of your claim being approved, even if the worst should happen, you’ll never be long without the things that matter to you most.

Our gadget insurance includes: 9 Cover against theft, loss, accidental and liquid damage 9 New for old replacement 9 24 hour gadget replacement, from your claim being approved Key exclusions: • •

Gadgets must be under three years old from policy start date Policy excesses apply

Build your cover at endsleigh.co.uk/gadgets * Price likely to be achieved by 10% of customers insuring a laptop with a value of £500 or less. Endsleigh Insurance Services Limited acts as a Credit Broker exclusively on behalf of Premium Credit Limited (PCL), who arrange finance for monthly payments. Credit is subject to status and is not guaranteed.

Endsleigh Insurance Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. This can be checked on the Financial Services. Register by visiting their website at https://register.fca.org.uk/ Endsleigh Insurance Services Limited. Company No. 856706 registered in England Shurdington Road, Cheltenham Spa, Gloucestershire GL51 4UE.

369x289_Bristol_Uni.indd 1

RECOMMENDED

09/08/2017 16:38:12

Epigram

Puzzles

29.01.2018

@EpigramPuzzles

Editor: Joselyn Joanes puzzles@epigram.org.uk

Solutions will be posted online at 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 one or more letters, a number or a symbol.

Word ladder

Sudoku 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

Just a phrase

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.

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.

18= Average 24 = Good 30= Excellent

Find the two. three, four 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.

CHILD FORE FOR GIRL NET

Quick crossword

MARK CHAIR LASTING LESS ROOM

1. Time, Body, One 2. Way, Over About 3. Master Light, Land 4. Life, Noon, Shave 5. Pack, Lash, Log

Killer sudoku Sudoku rules apply and all the numbers in a cage must add to the number in the top left corner of the cage.

ACROSS 1. Country (9) 6. Prophet (4) 8. Study of the nervous system (9) 9. Chocolate biscuit (4) 10. Female lunatic (8) 11. Do not listen to (6) 12. City in Florida (7) 15. Planet (6) 19. Fluid in plant (3) 20. Garment (7) 22. Opposite of best (5) 24. A grain (3) 25. The day after today (8) DOWN 1. Bahrainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Capital (6) 2. Past of can (5) 3. Toiletry (10) 4. Clever (9) 5. Unborn offspring (6) 7. Breadth (5) 13. A short account (6) 14. Writer (6) 16. Not Cooked (3) 17. Greek God (6) 18. Another planet (6) 21. Test (4) 23. Gaseous substance (3)

Follow us on Twtter @EpigramPuzzles If you would like to join the Puzzles Team email puzzles@epigram.org.uk

Epigram

46

29.01.2018

Pre-season preparation for UBMHC

Nicky Withers Sports Editor

UBMHC / Todd Dudley

University of Bristol Men’s Hockey Club (UBMHC) did not have much time for respite after New Year’s celebrations, as they embarked on a mid-season training camp in Hampshire from the 2nd to the 4th of January. The team stayed at the Old Thorns Hotel, which boasted an impressive gym, swimming pool and spa. Training facilities were not too far away and were used for sessions twice, alongside two gym sessions. The club would like to thank both George Cairns for organisation of the quality accommodation and Churcher’s College for use of their facilities.

With a very congested fixture

schedule, the first team are fighting for promotion back to the national league and aimed for the camp to give them that extra edge on the field. A tough match on the 13th of January resulted in a 3-1 loss to Cardiff Met, putting the pressure on their promotion chances, although at the time of writing this was being contested.

Even if this result stays the same, they are still in a fight for promotion.

They have a game in hand on the teams above them, which would close the gap if won. Watch this space for what is going to be a very interesting second half to the season.

If you’re interested in getting involved in the action and cheering the lads on, head down to Coombe Dingle on Saturday 20th January for their clash against Cardiff.

The lads in action during their pre-season fixture against Cambridge at the beginning of January

Bristol BUCS battles - the Epigram mid-season summary Ben McCall-Myers Online Editor

“

The women have had an even more impressive start to the season, six points clear at the top

The women have had an even more impressive start to the season, six points clear at the top of the Western 2A. Taking 16 points from a possible 18 - dropping two in a home draw with Marjons - last term saw some serious thrashings with a 17-1 in Swansea, a 9-0 at home to Bath and a 16-0 win in the derby showing UWE that there really is only one university in Bristol. If they can continue this scintillating form, it seems inevitable the women will be celebrating promotion come the end of the season.

Unfortunately, it has not been the same story for the Women’s Rugby Union 1s. Locked in a relegation battle,

they sit second bottom of the Premier South division having managed just two wins from eight. Both wins came against the University of Gloucestershire, the side propping up the table with eight defeats from eight. Oxford are the closest team to Bristol, just eight points ahead, and they edged a tight encounter 10-7 when the two sides met back in October.

Bristol face Hartpury and Exeter in their next two fixtures, the top two in the table respectively, so it looks like it’s going to be a tough start for Bristol Women’s Rugby in 2018.

However, the men have had a much better start to the season. On 37 points from ten games, it is all to play for as they trail South A league leaders Cardiff 1s by just four points. With seven wins and three defeats, Bristol have the same record as third place Hartpury, edging away from them by three bonus points.

These bonus points are the result of a few comprehensive victories last term which include battering Bath 33-0 and UWE 48-0, both away from home, as well as a fantastic 28-7 victory against the leaders

Twitter / UBRFC

As exam season draws to a close, the prospect of 2018’s university sporting fixtures fast approaches. Epigram take a look at how the Bristol University sides fared in the first half of the season, examining the Football, Rugby and Hockey league tables and results, to get a sense of what to expect in 2018.

We start on a positive note, as the Men’s Football 1s teeter on the edge of promotion, sitting second place in the Western 1A league. With five wins and two losses it’s been a very optimistic first half of the season, but the Bristol boys are unfortunate to trail an irresistible Exeter side who have won all their games, racking up an impressive goal difference of +20. Unbeaten at home, on the 31st January Bristol will welcome the league leaders to the Coombe Dingle fortress and will be hoping to get revenge for a 3-0 defeat back in October. This crucial clash at the top of the table is not one to be missed and a Bristol win could give

them the momentum to push on and mount a serious title challenge.

Dedication - Harry Cooke with his dislocated shoulder in a match against Plymouth

Twitter / Bristol SU

Squad (scoring lots of) goals - UBWFC after some incredible wins celebrating Girls Football Week

Cardiff, giving them their only beating of the season so far in some style. The lads will be looking to maintain some consistency in the second half of the season and their next fixture sees them face a sixth place Exeter side who edged the result in their last encounter. Things certainly look promising for Men’s Rugby halfway through the season.

Finally, we turn our attention to the Hockey where both the Men’s and Women’s 1s are languishing in the lower mid-table of the South A League.

The women had a terrible start to the season, taking no points from their first four fixtures. However, after a 5-2 win at bottom side Cambridge, they managed to find some consistency with a 1-1 home draw against second placed Oxford and a 2-2 away draw at fourth place side Cardiff.

These reasonable results would have

propelled them further up the table, had their start to the season not been so sluggish.

In a similar fashion, after a 3-3 draw with Cardiff Met on the opening day, the men went on a three game losing streak, before a 3-1 win at Reading and another draw in the reverse fixture with Cardiff Met. Although they sit fourth in the table, they are just one point ahead of joint bottom sides Reading and Oxford Brookes. By no means are either of the Hockey teams out of the relegation dogfight yet, so we can expect some hard fought games in the term to come.

That completes this year’s mid-season BUCS round-up. Now let’s get behind all the Bristol University teams competing in BUCS fixtures in the coming months, whether they’re battling to avoid relegation or challenging for promotion.

Epigram

29.01.2018

47

Epigram’s new year, new exercise

Bristol 1s vs Exeter 1s Bristol 2s vs Bournemouth 2s Women’s Football Bristol 1s vs Winchester 1s Bristol 2s vs Swansea 2s Men’s Rugby Swansea 1s vs Bristol 1s Women’s Rugby Exeter 1s vs Bristol 1s Bath Spa 1s vs Bristol 2s Men’s Hockey Flickr / Tim Dorr

January is almost over, just like most of our resolutions. Your ‘Dry January’ effort fell short when you submitted that final essay, ‘Veganuary’ disappeared when you were offered a bacon sandwich, and your gym membership still lies dormant, eating away at your bank account. Now exams are out of the way, it’s time to make good on those drunken New Year’s Eve promises, and we have compiled a list of exciting opportunities in Bristol to help you get active and to make sure those upcoming LSTD photos on your Instagram will have you looking tip-top.

1) Run! Days are getting longer, the weather is getting warmer, and whether it’s walking or running, it’s a great time of year to get out and about. Don’t be fooled by the hills. The Downs are flat and offer a large looping route with great views.

Alternatively, running along the river is a popular option. Once your confidence is up, why not try the 5km Park Run held at Ashton Court every Saturday? Entry is free and more information can be found at parkrun.org.uk/ashton-court/.

2.

On your bike: Cycling is hugely popular in Bristol, as both a means of getting from A to B, and as a form of exercise. It also offers a unique opportunity in combining financial gain and exercise through the food-delivery service Deliveroo.

Applications to work for Deliveroo take less than 5 minutes to complete with self-employment offering freedom with your hours. If you want

Men’s Football

to get fit and hold a part-time job, but you feel that there are not enough hours in a week to do both alongside your studies, this is a great idea.

3.

Join a gym: There are loads of gyms to choose from around Bristol, with many offering contract-free monthly payment. The most obvious, and conveniently located, is the university’s gym on Tyndall Avenue near many university buildings, with prices starting at £15.99 monthly for students. Elsewhere, there are 24-hour gyms all over, with the best option being PureGym. There are two branches within walking distance of the university: one on the Harbourside, and the other is in Broadmead. Prices start at £14.99 a month, with a further 20% discount available to students, offering a cheap and convenient service.

4.

Challenge yourself:

“

Paddy Sidwell Second Year, English

Upcoming BUCS fixtures Wednesday 31st January

‘Veganuary’ disappeared when you were offered a bacon sandwich

If you struggle to find motivation to exercise without an end goal, then there are plenty of runs staged in the Bristol area that can help provide that extra drive. This year, the Bristol 10k will be held on Sunday 13th May. Over 10,000 runners take part in this event annually, and is a great idea for those looking for a challenge. If you’re a more seasoned runner, or if the 10k inspires you to do more, the Bristol

Bristol 1s vs Reading 1s Women’s Hockey Bristol 1s vs Cambridge 1s

Small steps are totally fine! You don’t need to run 10k instantly to be healthier

Half Marathon will be held on Sunday, 23rd September this year. Both routes avoid large hills, and both have easy online application processes. Although getting in shape is rewarding, a tshirt and medal can feel even better.

5.

Join a society: It’s never too late to join a society at the university. They are a way to stay in shape, play sport and make friends. University is a great place to try something new, with a wide variety of

sports played at Bristol, from football to quidditch, and cricket to korfball.

You won’t know until you’ve tried!

Also, if your club has stopped playing competitive fixtures, other sports are still on offer. This year, the University of Bristol Cricket Club will have a summer membership option, ideal for those after a few games who had other commitments during the academic year.

Good luck,and see you at the finish line.

Recruitment Event If you’re interested in working in sports consultancy, a University of Bristol alumnus is now working for Two Circles, who are holding a recruitment event on 30th of January at the Careers Service.

Robins hearts broken by injury time goal Ben Henderson Third Year, Ancient History

Twitter / Bristol City FC

Bristol City hearts were broken by a Sergio Aguero goal at the death in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semifinal. The Manchester City forward’s strike denied them what would have been a well-earned draw against the Premier League leaders. The match was played at the Etihad Stadium and the result means that the West Country side will have to defeat their opponents by at least a single goal in the return leg at Ashton Gate to stand any chance of progressing to the final, with the traditional away goals rule only applying in extra time.

Both sides fielded strong teams with the trio of Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane all starting for City. The Championship side’s remarkable cup run, in which they have defeated Premier League sides Watford, Stoke, Crystal Palace and Manchester United clearly meant that Pep Guardiola was not taking his opposition lightly.

The game was fast-paced and exciting throughout. Manchester City posed a constant threat, usually through the imperious Kevin De Bruyne who stung the hands of Bristol City goalkeeper Frank Fielding twice during the opening period. Bristol, however, engineered sporadic chances of their own goal with Joe Bryan’s shot taking a wicked deflection that drew an excellent save from Bravo early on. The game was

by no means a one-sided affair. The initial breakthrough came just before half-time as Manchester City’s centreback Eliaquim Managala was caught in possession by Brownhill who threaded the ball into the penalty box for Reid, who was fouled by a clumsy challenge

by John Stones. Bravo guessed the right way for Reid’s penalty kick but the forward’s shot was too powerful, giving Bristol a shock lead at halftime. Woes such as these are becoming familiar stories for these Manchester City defenders - Mangala rarely seems comfortable on the ball which begs the question as to how suitable he is for Pep Guardiola’s style of playing out from defence. Stones meanwhile has been prone to errors recently, notably his mis-kick allowing Ashley Barnes to score against Burnley, which must be cut out of his game if he is to lead England’s defence effectively in the world cup this summer.

The second period brought no respite for Bristol, as Manchester City attacks arrived more frequently. Sterling was played clear through on goal but, unusually as of late, his finishing let him down as he fired straight at Fielding. However, Bristol’s relief was short-lived as two minutes later, De Bruyne romped upfield from his own half, exchanged a quick one-two with Sterling in the penalty box and, without breaking stride, smashed the pull-back inside Fielding’s near post into the net. Following the equaliser, the game became evenly poised, with Raheem

The Bristol City squad focused before their huge Carabao Cup tie against Manchester City

Sterling’s point blank miss following another excellent De Bruyne cross the closest either side came to scoring until the dying seconds. However, danger took hold of Bristol with three minutes to go as De Bruyne gathered the ball thirty yards from goal and sauntered through the Bristol defence into the box, with his shot deflected just wide.

Cometh the hour, cometh the man city’s record goalscorer, Segio Aguero,

was introduced as a late substitute in the hope of winning the game for Manchester City. In the 91st minute, a hopeful cross was swung in from out wide and, with almost his first touch of the ball, the diminutive Argentine nipped in front of defender and goalkeeper to head into an unguarded net and seal the win for Manchester City.

It was a bitter end to a hard-fought

game for Bristol, which Guardiola appeared to empathise with in his postmatch comments to Bristol head coach Lee Johnson. However, there remains hope for Bristol in the second leg if, assisted by the Ashton Gate crowd, they can maintain the form that has characterised their brilliant cup run.

For Manchester City it was another late show and they remain on course for an unprecedented quadruple of trophies.

Epigram

29.01.2018

Sport

@epigramsport Editor: Nicky Withers

Online Editor: Ben McCall-Myers

Deputy Editors: Tim Godfrey Twiss & Felix Rusby

sport@epigram.org.uk

2018 cross country success for Bristol athletes Felix Rusby Deputy Editor

Celebrations were in order over the Christmas period as the England 2018 touch rugby high performance squads were announced on 20th December.

Epigram / Chloe Rusby

Felix and fellow competitors tackling the cold conditions and undulating course at the South West Cross Country Champs

leading up to the race, the ground wasn’t too boggy meaning that the race would be particularly quick.

By 12:30 it was time for Felix to begin. The 134 athletes lined up across the start line jostling for position. Felix managed to get into a good position near the front of the huddled mass and awaited the start.

One loud gunshot was the signal to go and the race was under way.

“

The 134 athletes lined up across the start line, jostling for position

The race began at break neck speed, and Felix, eager to ensure he was well positioned near the front of the race had to work hard at the beginning. It didn’t take long however for the field to spread out, as the high-end runners, including some international athletes, started to separate themselves from the rest of the field. Felix meanwhile, having set off a little too quickly, was having to work hard to maintain his position.

Two challenging hills that were painfully positioned at the end of each lap, made running difficult, tiring legs and straining lungs.

Despite relatively dry conditions under foot, the blustery wind meant that this was a tiring and not particularly fast course to be running on. Despite this, by the third lap, Felix was still in a relatively strong position, up in the top 30 of the field, but struggling to hold off runners who had paced the race better and were coming past him.

Then came the final two hills. The first was a long, steep incline, that took the energy out of your legs, something Felix certainly felt as he dug deep up the hill. Then, to his frustration a fellow runner from his club and county came past him and began to creep away from him as they ran out off the top of the hill.

There was only a kilometre to go: if Felix wanted to save his position, he had to act then and there.

Felix closed some of the gap through some fast downhill running, before an immediate uphill as the athletes made their way towards the finishing straight. Working hard, Felix was able to further close the gap, bringing his competitor into striking distance. Now at the top of the hill and with perhaps 300 metres to go, Felix made his move, forcing himself to go faster and drew level with his fellow clubman.

Spotting him, the other athlete also upped his speed, forcing Felix to ease down. But then, with about 50 metres to go, Felix put in one last effort. Going all out, he sprinted past his competitor. Despite trying to raise his pace the other athlete didn’t have it in his legs and Felix crossed the line ahead.

With the race completed, Felix was able to rest and get his breath back. Despite the pain, he had finished well, coming 27th overall and 7th for the U20s. Meanwhile, with some strong performances by club and county teammates contributing to their total, Felix was pleased to receive a bronze and silver medal for a club second place and Somerset third. All in all, a successful start to the year.

Natalia had raced the day before.

In a field of over 130 runners, Natalia was going to have to produce a very strong performance to be competitive at the front of the race.

With good conditions underfoot, the race got off to a fast start. Natalia had to navigate some tight early bends in the course and an initial hill but found herself in the lead pack. A good training routine in the lead up to the race meant she was able to stay relaxed and soon began to open up a lead with three other runners, leaving behind the rest of the field.

In competitions like this, running a strong and even pace is essential, as quick races can easily cause a runner to break and fall off the pace - if you drop behind it is hard to recover.

Natalia maintained her position for the remainder of the fourlap course, crossing the line in a rapid time of 30 minutes and 46 seconds, taking fourth place, just outside of the medals and a clear thirteen seconds ahead of the next competitor. With this result, Natalia secured automatic qualification for the Yorkshire senior women’s team and will go on to race at the intercounties that are due to take place on the 10th of March.

Now with the cross-country season well underway, Natalia and Felix hope to continue their running success with some strong performances for Bristol at the BUCS Cross Country Championships in Brunel in early February, which is set to be an awesome event.

If you are interested in getting involved in running, check out the Bristol University Athletics and Cross Country Club.

Congratulations to the following students who have been selected for the 2018 England Scholars High Perfomance Training Squad: Women’s team: Anya Aggarwal Eden Coates Caitlin Evison Emily Moore Men’s team: Max Edginton Rooley Nick Hodson William Primarolo Good luck for the rest of the season from Epigram Sport!

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!

Epigram / Natalia Hackett

While many people might have spent their Christmas break with their feet up, watching TV and working on their winter layer of insulation through the ritual consumption of mince pies and pigs in blankets, two Bristol athletes were out running in the cold, competing in two important regional crosscountry competitions. The South West Cross-Country Championship is an annual event in which athletes from all over the South West compete for places in their county teams, to earn a place at the intercounties - the national race - later in the season. Prizes are awarded to club teams, county teams and top three individuals within each race, with different races taking place for various age groups.

The Yorkshire Championship is a county race, but being such a large county, it is a very competitive event. It has a similar format to the SW, with prizes for club success and individual medals. For Natalia Hackett, the Yorkshire Champs was a particularly significant race in her Cross-Country season. Leading into it on the back of some impressive performances at the national road relays, Natalia was eager to produce a particularly strong run to continue her return to form and qualify for the Yorkshire team, ready for the inter-counties later in the season.

Meanwhile, Felix Rusby was competing in the South West CrossCountry championships and, after some fast running at the Manchester relays and in Gwent League races, was hoping to produce a strong performance to mark the new year.

Representing both his club team, Wells City Harriers. and having been selected for the Somerset County Under 20s team, Felix wanted to ensure he finished strongly to help secure medals for club and county.

Both athletes were now competing in senior level competitions. Unlike in the junior years, U20s and Seniors are both run as one race, with separate scoring for the different categories. Felix was therefore competing against senior athletes amidst the U20 race, while Natalia, still an U23 but classified as a senior woman at these championships, needed to qualify against much stronger competition.

Felix’s race took place on Sunday 7th of January, a cold crisp afternoon in Yeovil. The course followed an undulating three lap route - including two rather steep hills - usually used for horse crosscountry competitions. The course was just under 9km along, not made any easier by a strong headwind across one stretch of the route.

Natalia’s run was similarly challenging. The 8 and a half km course was based at Lightwater Valley in North Yorkshire. It followed laps around an old golf-course which surrounds ‘The Ultimate’, Europe’s longest rollercoaster, and despite some heavy rain in the days

Natalia keeping the pace up at the Yorkshire Championships