On the 12th of October, 17 universities were invited, and over 400 students from across the South of England attended Dola Re Garba at the University of Bristol’s Student Union to celebrate Navratri. Hosted in collaboration with the Bristol SU, the Bristol Hindu Society, and the National Hindu Students’ Forum (NHSF), the event included exhilarating Nritya Kathak and Taal Band performances, as well as a stunning dance from the Bristol Bollywood Society. Garba, a dance native to Gujarat, is central to Navratri celebrations, which honour the Hindu Goddess Durga, embodying divine feminine strength and empowerment. Participants dance in circular formations, symbolising the cycle of life while paying homage to the goddess's nine forms. Dola Re Garba went beyond just showcasing Indian culture; it provided students with an opportunity to connect with their heritage and create lasting memories with friends.
Bristol Hindu Society and NHSF: Building Community
Hosted by the Bristol Hindu Society in collaboration with the National Hindu Students’ Forum (NHSF), the event included exhilarating Nritya Kathak and Taal Band performances, as well as a stunning dance from the Bristol Bollywood Society.
Garba, a dance native to Gujarat, is central to Navratri celebrations, which honour the Hindu Goddess Durga, embodying divine feminine strength and empowerment. Participants dance in circular formations, symbolising the cycle of life while paying homage to the goddess's nine forms. Dola Re Garba went beyond just showcasing Indian culture; it provided students with an opportunity to connect with their heritage and create lasting memories with friends.
The NHSF, one of the largest Hindu student organisations outside of India, unites over 40 Hindu societies from universities and schools across the UK. Its work extends beyond hosting events, as it also represents students on important issues such as combating Hinduphobia and advocating for access to education and employment.
During Dola Re Garba, NHSF representatives encouraged attendees who were less familiar with Navratri to learn about the festival's significance and engage in the customs.
The Bristol Hindu Society, who were instrumental in organising the event, o ers a welcoming space for students to explore Hindu traditions. It runs a wide range of activities, from cultural celebrations and dance classes to weekly Aarti sessions and sports. Events like Dola Re Garba, the Jyoti Diwali Ball, and East Meets West provide opportunities to experience Hindu culture in a fun and inclusive environment.
A Sense of Belonging
For many, Dola Re Garba was about fostering community and finding a sense of belonging. Sarita, Co-President of the Bristol Hindu Society, reflected on how joining the society gave her a sense of comfort when she first moved to Bristol.
"We’re really excited to be hosting the South Zone Navratri today; this event means a lot by bringing several cultures together… not just Hindus but all of our friends to an event in celebration of Goddess Durga, the embodiment of divine female empowerment or shakti".
The event also gave many the chance to learn more about their cultural roots. Another student shared... "I've never attended a Garba before,
but it is my culture, and it's really nice coming to uni and tapping into that culture. Especially since I’ve grown up in the UK, I’ve not really been to big events like this before, so for me, it's amazing that the university does stu like this"
Dance, Music, and Festivities
The atmosphere at Dola Re Garba was absolutely electric, with attendees dressed in vibrant traditional attire and dancing to energetic music. As Vice Chancellor Evelyn Welch, a historian of early modern European fashion, observed, the "intensely colourful, beautiful fabrics" created a spectacular...
For the full article, go to epigram.org.uk
Rhiannon Jenkins
Photo courtesy of: Shivam Patel
Annie McNamee and Amaan Ali Co-Editors-in-Chief
A Time for Reflection and Action
Amaan Ali Co-Editor-in-Chief
As November rolls in, bringing with it shorter days and a distinct chill in the air, it’s natural to reflect on the challenges we've faced this year and look ahead to what’s next. For many of us, before we begin to make plans for the Christmas holidays this time of year serves as an academic midpoint a chance to reassess our goals, adjust our strategies, and prepare for the demands of the months ahead. It also marks a period of reflection and gratitude as we begin to prepare for the new year and look back on how much we have grown and changed in the past few months.
This period of reflection is especially relevant for students who embarked on their university journey just a few months ago. The transition from the familiar to the unknown is never easy, but it’s a process that allows us to grow, adapt, and find our footing in new environments. Whether you’ve been balancing lectures, societies, and the ever-looming pressure of assignments, or if you've faced personal challenges, this season is a reminder to pause and acknowledge how far you've come. Each step you’ve taken is a testament to your resilience and determination. As we navigate these changes, November also o ers a chance for solidarity; a reminder that we’re not alone in our struggles. This time of year can bring homesickness,
stress, or the winter blues, making it all the more important to lean on those around us. In this season of gratitude and reflection, the power of community becomes even more evident. From grabbing a co ee with a classmate to reaching out to university services or checking in with a friend who’s been distant, small actions can make a world of di erence. It’s in these moments that we realize how vital it is to have someone to rely on during the darker, chillier months.
di er, our shared resilience creates a powerful bond, reminding us that we are not alone in our journey.
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"The transition from the familiar to the unknown is never easy, but it’s a process that allows us to grow, adapt, and find our footing in new environments."
This November let’s channel that resilience into action. Whether it’s participating in discussions, standing up for what matters, or simply sharing your story with someone who needs to hear it, let’s make our presence felt. As students, we have a unique power to question, challenge, and shape the world around us and this starts right here, on campus.
For people like me from underrepresented backgrounds, and those who’ve made it to university despite immense odds, this time of year can feel particularly di cult. It serves as a reminder of why we’re here not just to pursue a degree but to carve out a place for ourselves in spaces that haven’t always been welcoming. While the struggles we face may
So, as the days grow colder and assignments pile up, let’s remember the warmth of the community we are building together. Let’s keep in mind that progress whether academic, personal, or societal is not a straight line. Most importantly, let’s celebrate every step forward, no matter how small, knowing that each e ort brings us closer to our unique and important goals.
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Public appeals to Banksy for assistance with missing student investigation
It has been over six months since Jack O’Sullivan, postgraduate law student, went missing in Hotwells. The police investigation continues, and members of the public are now calling on Bristolian street artist Banksy to help.
Gemma Gray, Fourth year Politics and International Relations, and Tabby Glover, Third Year Law
Jack O’Sullivan has been missing since Saturday 2nd March after attending a birthday party in Hotwells. The 23-year old was last confirmed to be seen at 03:17, close to Brunel Way, and the Avon & Somerset Police say his phone remained active on Find My Friends until 6:44 am. Jack has not been seen or heard from since.
The Avon & Somerset Police issued a renewed appeal for information on Monday 2nd September, marking six months since Jack’s disappearance. They say searches are still ongoing, and that more than twenty di erent police teams and other agencies have been involved in the investigation.
Assistant Chief Constable Joanne Hall said:
‘Our sta and o cers remain committed to doing everything we can to find Jack and we do not underestimate what a distressing time this has been, and continues to be, for his family.’
Now, the Facebook group, ‘Find Jack’, set up by Jack’s family and friends and containing over 70,000 members, are raising the idea as to whether elusive gra ti artist Banksy, who is originally from Bristol, could help in the search for Jack
One member posted, ‘Is there anybody that does gra ti in Bristol that can do a FINDJACK?’
In response one contributor said, ‘Could Banksy help…just a thought.’
Appealing to the artist’s public following, another replied
'Our sta and o cers remain committed to doing everything we can to find Jack and we do not underestimate what a distressing time this has been' - Joanne Hall
‘For maximum publicity the biggest coup of all would be a Banksy “FIND JACK” MURAL.’
In reply to this one member said, ‘Wow that’s a brilliant thought.’
The group have also been calling on other local celebrities such as Stephen Merchant and
Russell Howard to help increase awareness and assist in the search for the missing student.
An appeal by the Facebook group encouraging users of the fitness tracking app Strava to look over their app data, which may provide additional valuable information to help in the
search for Jack, has also been made.
The O’Sullivan family filed a formal complaint against the Avon & Somerset Police and have since sought additional private search teams using surplus funds from the GoFundMe that raised £20,000 to be used as a reward for any information about Jack.
'my aim on this earth at the moment is to find Jack'
Catherine O’Sullivan, Jack’s mother, told BristolLive that they have been using specialist search dog teams also used by police to search areas around Bristol, and that these have recently revealed ‘renewed areas of interest.’
Catherine also told the BBC: ‘my aim on this earth at the moment is to find Jack.’
The GoFundMe page set up in an ef-
'the biggest coup of all would be a Banksy " FIND JACK" Mural'
fort to support the ongoing search can be found by searching 'Jack O'Sullivan' on the GoFundMe website.
If you see Jack, please call the police immediately on 999 and give the reference 5224055172 to the call handler.
If you have any other information about his whereabouts, or have some footage which could aid the investigation, please call the police on 101, or contact them through the website at www.avonandsomerset.police.uk.
Alternatively, you can email: findjack23@gmail.com.
photo courtesy of: FIND JACK Facebook page
NEWS
Demonstrators Protest at Bristol’s Forced Swim Tests on Rats
UoB's Vice-Chancellor was interrupted by Protestors from PETA at a recent talk
During a visit to Yale University on September 27, ViceChancellor Welch was interrupted by protesters from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) while delivering a talk.
The demonstrators can be seen holding signs that read “University of Bristol: Ban Animal Torture”, in a video uploaded to TikTok by the account @itsjamiescorner that has since amassed 4.1 million views.
One man seated in the audience can be seen leaving the auditorium following the ambush, stating: That’s awful, that’s actually terrible... forcing rats to swim and then drown? That’s disgusting...There’s modern human relevant methods available... I’m severely disappointed. Do better Chancellor Welch.' Some commenters underneath the video voiced frustration towards individuals in the audience who were seen smiling and laughing throughout the demonstration. With one user commenting, 'The woman in the crowd laughing?!?!! I’m infuriated!!!'
Jamie Logan, one of the demonstrators featured in the video, shared with Epigram: 'When I grabbed the mic, it
wasn’t just about disrupting a speech - it was about giving a
voice to the terrified rats forced to swim in the University of Bristol’s near-drowning tests. PETA and its supporters won’t be silent while cruel experiments continue in the name of so-called mental health research. The university must drop the forced swim test now'.
'It
was about giving a voice to the terrified rats'
A University of Bristol spokesperson said in response to the protest:
'We recognise there are di ering views about the use of animals in research, including some concerns around whether it is ethical.
'The University of Bristol has a successful track record of translating scientific discoveries into realworld advances. The majority of our biomedical research uses non-animal methods for example
computer models, cells grown in the laboratory or human volunteers.
When these methods are not suitable to address the scientific gaps, and therefore only when absolutely necessary, we use animals in research to improve our understanding of health and disease in both humans and animals. This includes cardiovascular and cancer research, diseases associated with infection and immunity and, in the case of forced swimming, advances in the understanding of stress-related disorders.
'We are committed to a culture of openness and transparency regarding the research carried out here and make publicly available short summaries of all the projects approved at the University.'
This protest is the most recent in a series of events that reflect an ongoing three-year dispute between animal welfare activists and the university.
Labour U-turns on Tuition Fee Rise
Plans announced to rise tuition fees to £10,500 in line with inflation.
Anastasia O'Reilly
Fourth Year Theology and Religion
The Labour government announced plans at the end of September to raise annual tuition fees to £10,500, in line with inflation. Annual tuition fees in England and Wales have been capped at £9,250 for the past seven years. University students in England and Wales are already faced with a hefty debt after leaving university. On average, students are left indebted to £45,600 after completion of a three year course. But new plans by the Labour government
could increase that debt to over £50,000, according to The Standard.
Aid will be needed for students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds, with reported plans to reinstate grants of up to £3,500
The decision awaits approval from chancellor Rachel Reeves. When asked about the possible plans ,Second year Electrical and Electronic Engineering student Jasper said: “This decision has definitely tarnished my view of the [Labour] party” “Luckily I already enrolled in university, otherwise I might not be able to consider it as an option”.
Even though the raise may not directly impact students now,
Jasper states that “the prospect of the higher debt is scary because interest rates are so high that if they increase the tuition loan you end up paying a lot more as the interest compounds”.
The decision comes after a string of previous pledges by the party to reduce or even scrap tuition fees. During the leadership campaign in 2020, Sir Keir Starmer said that tuition fees would be abolished. In July of this year education secretary Bridget Phillipson, stated that international student recruitment would support universities so that tuition fees for home students would not need to be raised. However, the party has since gone back on these pledges due to the rise in inflation and concerns around NHS waiting lists being the priority for spending.
Labour politician Peter Mendelson told the Guardian that “England’s universities have reached an inflection point” with severe and worsening financial pressures, supporting a rise in fees which are capped at 2.5% increase.Liberal Arts student Verity acknowledged that “everything is going up in life” but that “students are one of the many groups who are being let down by labour failing to take a stand”. She stated that Labour continuously failed to “prioritise the welfare of people as much as they have promised to”. It has been acknowledged that aid will be needed for students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds, with reported plans to reinstate grants of up to £3,500 for students in this category, something that the Conservative government removed for English students in 2016.
“This would massively help relieve the pressure” says Jasper, whose current maintenance loan received from Student Finance England “isn’t enough to cover the cost of living”.
“I have to work alongside my studies which a ects the amount of time that I can put into my studies and overall a ects my accomplishments in my degree”. In 1998 the Labour government, under Tony Blair, tuition fees of £1,000 were introduced to fill a funding gap, with the reason being that students with a degree will benefit from higher pay in future. “It's not something that I want to go to, but I do recognise that over time the value of the fee has eroded,” said Bridget Phillipson.
Rhiannon Jenkins Third Year Politics and IR
photo courtesy of: Tiktok @itsjamiescorner
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Deputy Editor
News Investigations Subeditors
..........Maud Humphries and Josie Hodgson ....Bea Learmouth and Rhiannon Jenkins
Will White and Sofia Lambis
Otto Proctor and Cerys Larsen
Anti-Abortion Protesters Clash with Bristol Students Outside of Beacon House
'It just felt like they wanted to have a go at you': students clash with anti-abortion protesters on campus outside of study centre
In the early afternoon on Friday 18th October, a group of three prolife campaigners sparked heated reactions from students outside Bristol University building Beacon House on Queen’s Avenue. The protesters, one of whom was holding a sign that read ‘Truth Matters", ‘Abortion is murder: You shall not murder’
and "Change My Mind,’ challenged students passing by as they were entering and leaving Beacon House.
The protesters were part of the ‘Spirit for Life Reformed Baptist Church’, and claimed that they were there as they ‘believe in the authority of God’s word.'
FLASH NEWS
The group, led by controversial street preacher Dia Moodley, previously held a protest in March last year outside of Beacon House where Moodley was arrested for common assault after he pushed a woman. However, speaking to Epigram, Moodley claimed:
‘One of the students assaulted me and broke my finger. I’m taking the University and the police to Court, but I’m not doing this out of revenge. I want to have some assurance that people at the University are able to think freely.'
Multiple students took issue with Moodley's conduct in particular within the group, describing how his challenge to ‘Change My Mind’ on his sign was misleading and contradictory, and that the protest was not driven simply by a desire to encourage freethinking amongst the student body.
‘His sign says ‘Change My Mind’, but he’s trying to change other people’s minds, and is acting as if he is in the right.’ said Izzy, First Year Sociology student.
Similarly, Saskia, Third Year History student, who stopped to confront the protestors as she was passing by, told Epigram that their intention was not to discuss abortion, but to intimidate students.
‘I’m really angry … he’s standing outside of a student building and
promoting these ridiculous absurd views … you don’t get pro-choice people standing outside doing this.
‘University students are sexually active, and therefore some will inevitably have had experiences that are terrible and may have required abortions. This could potentially trigger a lot of women, and that’s simply not fair. Imagine wanting to go and study, and then being put into a bad mental health space by this guy,’ she said.
In response to this, Moodley claimed: ‘If we ever saw any of the women or men upset by the situation, we would step down. We are Christians, we don’t want to disturb the peace.'
A First Year Sociology student, who wishes to remain anonymous, observed that Moodley kept interrupting the people who were trying to talk to him. He admitted that he was trying to change people’s minds, but claimed that he was open to reflecting upon his own opinions.
However, Charlotte, First Year Law student, didn't believe that the protesters were ready to listen to students' views. 'They’re not receptive in any way, shape or form. It just felt like they wanted to have a go at you.'
For many students who stopped to watch, particularly female students,
Bristol Hosts Filming of 'Young Sherlock' Series
Directed by Guy Ritchie
Cerys Larsen, News Sub-Editor
This month, Bristol city centre was home to the filming of a new television series, Young Sherlock, directed by celebrated filmmaker Guy Ritchie. The eight-part series is based on Andy Lane’s novel Young Sherlock Holmes and is set to debut on Amazon Prime in 2025.
Bristol SU launch new Gender Expression Fund
Tabby Glover, Third Year Law
Bristol Students’ Union have launched a new Gender Expression Fund, allowing trans and nonbinary students to apply for up to £100 to spend on gender a rming products.
the sight of a male protester delivering speeches regarding women’s reproductive rights was patronising.
Meghan, a First Year Economics and Management student, explained that she doesn’t normally involve herself in political confrontations, but explained that ‘this is something I felt I had to get involved in … especially when it’s a man standing up there saying stu about a woman’s body.’
Alongside the emotional distress that the protest caused, the campaigners' presence also stirred unease over privacy concerns, as multiple students reported that they were being filmed without consent.
The group stated that they were filming for their ‘own safety', having 'previously been assaulted', and 'the safety of those who are talking to us.' Moodley was fined £150 for his actions by the Council, but said the City Councillor ‘couldn’t say what law I was breaking.'
The protest comes as UK universities are seeing an increasing number of anti-abortion societies on campus and activists targeting students, as the debate surrounding freedom of speech at universities continues. At the University of Manchester in March this year, disputes between pro-life activists and students led to a violent altercation, prompting the police to intervene.
Beatrice Learmouth, News Deputy-Editor, and Josie Hodgson, News Co-Editor
photo courtesy of: Beatrice Learmouth
photo
Opinion
From coalition to crushing defeat: saying goodbye to the Tories after 14 years
Evan Raw
Editor's Choice:
A brilliantly written piece elucidating the history of the conservative party. The conservative party's 14 years in power have been marked by a mix of successes and failures with five Prime Ministers coming into power and countless ministers cycling through roles. Now, with Rishi Sunak's term coming to an end in a crushing electoral defeat, the Tories face an uncertain future.
If you’re a similar age to me then the Conservative governments of the past 14 years may be the only governments you ever remember being in power. From their coalition days, to Sunak’s soggy election announcement, they have delivered many memorable moments. The impacts of their policies brought about by their five Prime Ministers, seven Chancellors, eight Foreign Secretaries, eight Home Secretaries, and hundreds of MPs are felt by us every day. So let’s, avoiding potholes and Just Stop Oil protestors, take a trip down memory lane and look at some of the highs and lows of the Conservatives’ time in power.
Perhaps the second biggest coalition to come out of 2010, after One Direction, was the Conservative and Lib Dem coalition government. Fronted by the silk-tied duo
of David (now Lord) Cameron and Nick Clegg, they oversaw return of the economy to pre-2008-recession levels, the legalisation of same sex marriage, and Britain’s success in the 2012 Olympic games. But do we remember them for this, or their raising of tuition fees and the beginnings of austerity? The former was a policy the Lib Dems were still apologising for before the election, and the latter - despite putting the balance sheets back in line - has led to 148,000 excess deaths according to research by UCL.
following his renegotiation of the UK’s terms of membership to the EU. This was a decision that split this Union-Jack-flagged ship down the centre, as well as dividing Cameron’s own party. Weak campaigning from Cameron’s remain camp, and bus-sized lies from the leave campaign left us with the infamous 52/48 result which became the Conservative’s self-imposed responsibility to honour.
But do we remember them for this, or their raising of tuition fees and the beginnings of austerity?
A somewhat unexpected election victory in 2015 saw the Tories take complete control of the ship, with captain Cameron steering it head-first into an EU referendum
Cameron’s resignation gave the Tories a new leader, Theresa ‘Strong and Stable’ May who was set on delivering Brexit with a fair deal. Her political instincts failed her in the 2017 general election where she lost the Conservative’s small majority, leaving her in an awkward coalition with Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party which made it even more di cult for her to pass a deal through parliament. Over her three years as Prime Minister we not only saw how bad of a dancer she was, but how poor of a negotiator she was too. After her many proposals and e orts, and a teary resignation we saw Boris Johnson take control of the country and he swiftly called for the 2019 election.
the awarding of PPE contracts, Test and Trace failures, and Partygate among many other failures. In a recent ITV interview, Boris stated that he regrets giving a public apology for the Partygate scandal - showing clear disregard for how his decisions during the pandemic a ected the general public. Throughout the pandemic, Johnson’s approval ratings steadily declined and a mass-revolt by ministers saw 62 resignations that forced Johnson’s resignation in July 2022.
some of the damage done to the country by his predecessors left his approval ratings frighteningly low heading towards the inevitable election. Announcing the election in the least auspicious way possible - in the pouring rain, without an umbrella, and to the tune of Labour’s old campaign song ‘Things Can only get Better’ - it was clear that the Conservatives were on their way out.
Cameron’s resignation gave the Tories a new leader, Theresa ‘Strong and Stable’ May.
A much better election result befell him in following promises of ‘building back better’ and having an ‘oven-ready’ Brexit deal, giving his party an 80-seat majority. Celebrated by a countdown clock projected onto Downing Street, the UK left the EU - the Conservatives had finally delivered a promise. Besides Brexit, Boris is probably most famous for his handling of the Coronavirus pandemic. Despite successes with the vaccine rollout and the establishing of ‘Nightingale Hospitals’ in areas where NHS capacity was low, the Tory’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic is tainted by PPE shortages and subsequent cronyism in
Following a leadership contest that saw the Conservative party membership pick the more right wing of the two final candidates, Liz Truss became our prime minister, giving us perhaps one of the most hectic premierships this country has ever witnessed. 49 days in power, three high-profile resignations, the crashing of the pound to a 37 year low, the lowest approval rating of a prime minister in YouGov’s history, and eventually being outlasted by a lettuce; I think it’s fair to say things didn’t go well for her. Another leadership contest was held that saw all candidates bar one drop out and thus Rishi Sunak (who placed second in the previous leadership race) was ‘selected’ as the new leader.
Set on calming the economic storm that brought about Truss’ mini-budget, Sunak managed to drag inflation down from its high point of over nine percent, to under three percent by the end of his tenure. But along with this, he gave us cranky policies such as the Rwanda scheme, cuts to the arts, the abolition of the human rights act, and plans to curb ‘woke’ ideology. His failure to bring about more meaningful policies to repair even
It was, therefore, Sunak’s job to ensure his party picked up as many seats as possible even if the bookies were only predicting a one percent chance of a Tory majority. However, his campaign was littered with unpopular policy announcements like ending ‘low-quality’ degrees, cuts to welfare and civil service numbers, social care cost caps, and most famously, national service for 18-year-olds. Along with general discontent for the Conservative party, these announcements sealed a crushing defeat for Sunak’s party leaving them with their worst election result ever.
49 days in power, three high-profile resignations, the crashing of the pound to a 37 year low, the lowest approval rating of a prime minister in YouGov’s history, and eventually being outlasted by a lettuce.
Looking over their lengthy tenure it’s clear many bad policy decisions were made, leaving the country worse o , with damaged public services, and a reduced presence on the world’s stage. Many of their successes were simply repairing problems created by their own parliament. It’s clear that factionalism has brought about many problems for the Conservatives and that if they want a future as a major party in British politics, then they need a strong leader and a unified party. With their current approval rating close to Labour’s, there is still hope for their party but with Labour’s super-majority it’s a possibility that they’ll be waiting a couple of terms before their leader will be in with a shot of being the resident of number 10.
Second Year, Civil Engineering
photo courtesy of: Fabien Barral
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Student progression | Growing pains in final year
A riveting piece highlighting the nostaglia and uncertainty that comes with being a final year student
Luana Crosta Fourth Year, International Business Management
This piece is for all my fellow final years also caught up in the whirlwind of emotions, expectations and responsibilities that come with this significant time in our lives. As much as we didn’t want to believe it, we were all told our years at university would fly by - and indeed, they have. I’m sure university has been an incredible time for many people, but that’s not to say it’s always smooth sailing for everyone.
This year, we face many more hours in Wills as most of us encounter our biggest academic challenge
yet. If you’re anything like me, you’re still unsure of what career path to even go down, yet the PostGrad gods have conjured up their deadlines to fall at the beginning of term, as we’re desperately trying to establish that golden routine.
Remarks about how this would be the best time of our lives loaded on the pressure for us to make the most of our time here before we had even arrived
It’s not just the academics or career decisions weighing us down; the social aspect of university life adds its own unique pressure. As we enter the last year of our precious student experience, we feel an urge to cherish each moment with the friends we have made who have become like family. All the while, in the back of our minds, reminding ourselves that we should be knuckled down, focused on earning a first and sending o cover letters. To put it simply, final year feels like we’re simultaneously preparing for the future while racing to keep up with the present.
I change my mind weekly about my future career as I struggle to envision myself in just one role. This week I am a newspaper writer!(?) Often this is framed as a negative and, for a long time, I viewed it as such. However, after many conversations about the future with friends and family, I’ve come to see it di erently. Perhaps I’m telling myself this for comfort, like how I am babbling to my university’s newspaper as a strange form of catharsis. But I truly believe that those of us unsure about our post-graduation lives should not feel trapped by this uncertainty, since this is one of the only times in our lives where we have the choice to do exactly what we want to do, when we want to do it.
We feel compelled to carve out time for these relationsjips, quite rightly, in order to continue building memories together.
I am aware this piece jumps from complaining about the struggles of final year to o ering advice, but the reason for writing is the hope it brings some comfort to anyone feeling the same. I chose to title it 'growing pains' because that’s what I’m experiencing most acutely. I assumed by now, after 3 years, I would have found my footing. But the reality is each year of university brings its own set of challenges and we grow alongside them. 18-year-old me moving into Hiatt Baker Halls is vastly di erent to 21-year-old me writing this piece, except for the fact I have the same people I met in those halls sitting beside me in our freezing fourthyear house helping me edit this column. This growth we’ve all gone through is thanks to the opportunities, as well as challenges, university life has thrown at us. Whether you’re a first year reading this, struggling with connecting with your new
flatmates, or a fourth year feeling completely di erent from what I’ve described, it’s important to remember that growth presents itself di erently on everyone. There is no single correct path to follow through university, and these growing pains are just the small price we pay for entering our fabulous twenties!
True crime on trial: the ethics of crime dramatisation
Shreshtha Sane
First Year, Economics and Politics Are we going too far with modern crime adaptations?
It’s high time we questioned whether our obsession with true crime is about social justice, or a thinly-veiled excuse to indulge our morbid curiosities.
As Halloween season looms, the entertainment industry continues shamelessly exploiting our fascination with the macabre. In recent years, the ‘true crime’ genre has exploded into a cultural phenomenon, with podcasts like Serial and TV series like Making a Murderer (2015) captivating audiences worldwide—but at what cost?
While some argue these stories may spark discussions about injustice
and vulnerability, we’re treading a dangerous line. True crime stories risk trivialising real human su ering for entertainment, and it’s high time we questioned whether our obsession with true crime is about social justice, or a thinly-veiled excuse to indulge our morbid curiosities—whether we as a society learn and grow from these stories, or simply become desensitised to violence and tragedy. The true-crime trend is a double-edged sword, and I fear we may be cutting ourselves in our eagerness to consume it.
The appeal of true crime lies in its ability to transform real-life tragedies into addictive, binge-worthy content—but this often involves a glamorisation of perpetrators which is not just distasteful, but downright harmful. In its trivialisation of the su ering of victims and their families, the genre fosters a disturbing, voyeuristic culture of feeding on others’ pain. Recently, the Netflix series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez
Story has dominated the UK’s topten list for over three weeks, sparking intense debate over the truecrime genre's tendency to blur the lines between fact and fiction, reality and entertainment. Though it has a responsibility to present a balanced and accurate portrayal of events, it seems to have prioritised sensationalism over substance.
Erik Menendez, the younger of the Menendez brothers, has criticised the show for its depiction of the brothers’ abuse claims and the doubt it casts upon them; some argue that the show has suggested these claims were made up to garner sympathy, while Ryan Murphy, the series’ co-creator, claims to present multiple perspectives within the show. But with the parents deceased, the lawyers silent, and the brothers uninvolved, this assertion falls flat and the perspectives are instead primarily filtered through
The show has undeniably captured public attention but it's also raised serious ethical concerns.
the lens of the show’s creators. The perspectives deemed important in Monsters (2024) are those which align with the creators’ vision, and the selection presentation of these views undermines the show’s commitment to the truth. By exploiting the story in this way, the creators miss a crucial opportunity to provide viewers with an understanding of it and the issues underlying it. This approach does a disservice both to those directly a ected, and the audience, who are denied a more meaningful exploration into the case’s societal implications.
Another Netflix show, Inventing Anna (2022) has been criticised for glamorising fraud and white-collar crime, and it’s a critique which highlights a fundamental ethical dilemma in true-crime as entertainment. By dramatising Anna Sorokin’s audacious schemes, Netflix risks glorifying her criminal behav-
iour and trivialising the genuine pain she inflicted upon her victims, who are reduced to mere plot points, and whose distress is the very aspect of her crimes we need to be reminded of. Yet the popularity of the show only serves to amplify the public’s fascination with Sorokin herself, overshadowing the stories of her victims altogether.
The streaming giant’s own profits from these stories further raises serious questions about the exploitation of real tragedies for entertainment. Netflix, like all platforms, seeks to produce engaging content, but there’s a line between telling a story and profiting directly from someone else’s misfortune. It’s time for audiences to demand more responsible storytelling that doesn’t amount to anti-hero worship and the celebration of criminal acts, where sensitivity and depth aren't sacrificed at the altar of viewer ratings. Ethical storytelling in true crime is not just a moral obligation, but a necessity.
photo courtesy of: Bonnie Kittle, Unsplash
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The Fresher’s Mindset: Do we ever go too far?
‘You have to keep drinking…like you said!’
The infamous phrase seems to have been all the more prevalent during the first few weeks of Uni – we all seem to be driven by this ingrained notion that living in a constant state of semi-hangover IS the Uni experience.
My question is why?
As in, why put yourself through it?
Wolf’s on a Tuesday or a Thekla Thursday, there always seems to be an event that CANNOT be missed. Ready to then crawl into bed for a few hours before dragging oneself to that 9am and preparing to do it all again.
This then poses the (potentially) problematic question of: Why not? So then more shots (there's a deal!), another drink and a stumbling trip to the Donervan on the way home.
I, alongside many others, would argue that the vast array of Bristol nightlife calls for it, encourages it even. With every night of the week being claimed by a di erent club, you’ll never find yourself without somewhere to go on a weekday. Whether it’s Mr
Why do we do it? Why do we insist on drinking permanently? Is it anything to do with the soul-crushing case of FOMO if we decide to stay sober? Maybe the reason a night in is largely out of the question is because it will inevitably be plagued by the anxiety of missing something crucial, like the next inside joke that is going to fuel the friend
group for the rest of the year! (This is largely unlikely, and the pub will not be as groundbreaking or revolutionary of an experience as we fear). Yet, the so-called Fresher’s FOMO insists upon dampening a much-needed movie night, so much so that what is supposed to be a relaxing night, ends up becoming so stressful that it’s probably better to just go out anyway. It saves a lot of angst if anything.
Perhaps this stress simply accompanies the move to a new city, alongside an entirely new group of friends. The stability of our home lives is replaced with a seemingly precarious social circle that would, according to our own expectations, abandon and shun anyone who refuses to drink on a weekday. It’s insane! We seem to forget that every-
one else is in the same boat, and will not only understand, but perhaps be grateful for the suggestion of a night o from time to time.
Not only does the fresher’s mindset entail paralysing stress, but it also seems to be a given that we are completely up for drinking at any particular moment. This also begs another irrefutable question: Can we not interact with our flatmates in a sober situation? Is it possible to hanwg out sober? Will we even like each other? This begins a sort of dependency, that, until we come to our senses and realise that people aren’t so different intoxicated and sober, will fuel the drinking, and perpetuate the clubbing at any and all times.
read more go to epigram.co.uk
The girl from your lecture: the perfect student fallacy
You're not doing it wrong! It always seems like there's someone more on top of everything than you but we need to take things at our own pace.
Lindsay Shimizi
Second Year, English
There is something wrong with you. You don't have the confidence that your essay will earn you a first. You made a mistake during a seminar that makes you look ridiculously unprepared and scattered. You got lost in the Arts Complex yet again. Now, you sit in your lecture and the girl next to you has been intently listening to the lecturer drone on and on about Tristram Shandy. As you try to pay attention, you cannot help but get overwhelmed every time you glance at the girl next to you with perfect Notion outlines that actually look as if they are e ectively translating the technical jargon of the lecturer into something that
may help her study later. When the lecture is over, she and her friend get up to leave. She places her laptop, covered in perfectly curated stickers, into a chic shoulder bag leaving you to cram your slightly oversized laptop into your backpack from three years ago. You've attended the same lecture, you are in the same modules, and maybe you don't know her, but you know she is perfect. And you are not.
You should be interested, this is the degree you chose after all, but you don't seem to have the motivation.
You should study and try hard to achieve academic success. You want to apply yourself to your course, and you have been doing the readings each week. But you also chastise yourself when you stay home to study when you could be going out with friends. You’ve been told you need to prioritise your mental health, but your attendance at your seminars is vital to staying on top of your coursework. You feel o balance but choosing to go to university was your choice. You knew it would be di cult, and now that you are struggling, it is easier for you to believe that you are the problem instead of believing
that uni life is unfair or di cult. This would all be easier, you think, if you were the girl from your lecture. Since coming to university, you realise just how anonymous your course is. With the anonymity of university, it’s not hard to mystify and exalt her. You think you remember her name, but that’s about it. You don’t know if she’s done the weekly reading. You don’t know what her marks are, and yet she adopts a warm glow of perfection. You can’t help but assume that her essays keep receiving high marks and that she’s figured out the secret to balancing academic work and a social life. But inside you is the shadowy truth: the girl from your lecture is not the perfect student. She is the projection of your own insecurity and inadequacy. Think hard as to why you feel the need to compare yourself to this perfect student. For your entire academic career, you have been constantly reminded of how important scholastic success is. Since being at university, you have been
She probably has better time management than you, she isn't consumed by looming deadlines, and is still finding time to go out with her friends.
seeking approval to confirm that you truly deserve your place in your seminar. You want to belong, to know that you fit in, that you aren’t too stupid to receive higher education.
Here is the thing. If you are comparing yourself to anyone at university, if you feel inadequate, and if you feel like an imposter, you are normal. University life asks you to be a student first and a human second. The perfect student might be able to read all of Pamela, fit in a secondary reading or two, show up to the seminar with annoyingly clever insight, and still manage to make it to a club social in the evening. But at the end of the day, she is a figment. You are mortal. To survive university, as backwards as it may seem, you have to remind yourself that before you are a student, you are just a person. You may be a person who knows how valuable higher education is and wants to work hard, learn, and be successful. But you have to do so knowing that perfection is a fallacy. You will make mistakes. Your coursework will confuse you. You will give into checking your
phone one too many times during a lecture. These reminders, as obvious as they may seem, go ignored when we convince ourselves that we might actually one day be like the girl in our lecture. Let’s not kid ourselves. Let us all be imperfect together. The perfect student never struggles, but if that is the case she isn’t learning. So, while you may not be the girl from your lecture, you might just be better. Because you are real. You are trying, and maybe for now, that has to be enough.
photo courtesy of: Zetong Li on Unsplash
Rhodes Bray, First Year, English
An engrossing piece analyzing univeristy drinking culture and its e ects.
photo courtesy of: Zetong Li, Unsplash
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Daisy Yates................
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In Conversation with Sandwich Sandwich
Daisy Yates Deputy Features Editor
Editor's Choice:
For this month’s Editor’s Choice, I bring to you our Deputy Features Editor’s interview with the much-loved and renowned Bristolbased business, Sandwich Sandwich. In her conversation with Josh Kleiner, who runs the business alongside his family, Daisy gets the scoop on the origins of the family-owned shop, as well as all the details on the business’ newly opened sister shop in London. I’ve chosen this article not only for its brilliant interview style but also because Sandwich Sandwich, beloved by students and the wider Bristol community, exemplifies the best of Bristol-based businesses. I hope you enjoy reading about the origin story and exciting developments of this cherished local gem!
For over a decade Sandwich Sandwich has been providing the people of Bristol with incredible lunchtime options. What started as a small side business in 2012 has since grown into a much-loved institution, famed for its hearty portions, fresh ingredients, and loyal customer base. Epigram sat down with Josh Kleiner, who helps run the business alongside his family, to discuss their recent London expansion, notable career highlights, and the journey of Sandwich Sandwich. Speaking of the early days of the business, Josh said ‘It started 12 years ago, my dad started it, he’s always been in the restaurant industry, he’s owned restaurants and wine bars in London, opened a restaurant in Bristol called Juniper, and the restaurant industry, typically, is very di cult.
You’ll find a lot of chefs working from 10 in the morning prepping, and not finishing until 2:30 the next morning after service.’
‘It was very di cult for him, he had 2 young kids at the time, so he opened a co ee shop next door to the restaurant, it was almost like a cupboard it was such a small space, it used to do sandwiches, quiches, scotch eggs as well, but that was called Cotham Sandwich Company originally’. Josh explained that ‘he enjoyed the customers more, a lot more friendly, a lot less stressful especially, so he opened up another one [...] that was on Baldwin Street, and during this process, he spoke to my grandfather and they talked about a bit of a rebrand and at that point Sandwhich Sandwhich was born.’
‘Our sandwiches were great but they weren’t what they are now,
they were smaller, a lot smaller, I’d say 25 per cent of the size. They weren’t as creative, we had no brand image, we only had about 800 followers on Instagram and this stayed for about four or five years’. Like many businesses, Sandwich Sandwich took a severe hit from the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. After working for ‘two to three years helping the family business’, starting when he was 16, Josh experienced this first hand. ‘A lot of businesses were faced with very di cult times, but because we had multiple locations with high rent we were weeks away from closing - we shut our doors for 18 months’. ‘We realised we needed to change a bit more, we needed to become more exciting, work harder on how our sandwiches taste. The flavour, the profile, the layering, [...] and obviously building a brand and do more for the community’. He explained that ‘when we came back we had a skeleton amount of sta so I took over the social media [and] over time we grew. We are now on about 200,000 followers, which is a great achievement for the business.’
'Sandwich Sandwich has been named "Resturant of the Year" in the UK and Ireland in 2023. '
After having such a setback from the pandemic, Sandwich Sandwich has grown phenomenally in the past few years, expanding to three locations in Bristol and recently opening a fourth in London. Josh credits this to the fact that ‘Bristol’s food scene is phenomenal. The support from the people of Bristol is like no other for independents’. He also highlighted the impact that Sandwich Sandwich’s community work has had for both the business and the people of Bristol, which he thinks ‘people have never forgotten’. ‘Just after Covid, that first Christmas, we gave away 2,000 Christmas sandwiches to the general public. We delivered sandwiches to the NHS, we delivered sandwiches
to schools and charities, the business was struggling and not doing very well but we still wanted to do things for the community’. Josh described what a mammoth job this was, ‘trying to get a team of 30 sta to make 2,000 sandwiches until two in the morning - we put everything into that and people loved it, it was a massive success. All these little things over time add up to build a community - we’re as family-run as you can get, it's me, my brother, my mum, my dad, and even my girlfriend is involved, and it’s just so lovely to see the support from everyone’. However, this was just the beginning of the accomplishments for Sandwich Sandwich, when in 2019 they won ‘Best Independent Sandwich Retailer in the UK’. Josh explained that ‘it motivated us so much to be able to achieve an accolade of that merit, it gave us a bit of self-belief in what we are doing and working so incredibly hard to achieve. At the time my Dad was working one in the morning until three in the afternoon every single day and winning an accolade like that makes you realise that
what you’re doing is worthwhile’. Since then Sandwich Sandwich has been named ‘Restaurant of the Year’ in the UK and Ireland in 2023, winning £100,000 at the awards ceremony hosted by Uber Eats. This year marked a huge step for the business as they opened their first location in central London in July. Josh explained that the expansion to London ‘felt like it was an opportunity now or never to prove ourselves in the capital and prove that this business can go as far as our imagination. We want everyone in the country to be able to experience Sandwich Sandwich one day and we are going to try our absolute best to make that happen’. However, new opportunities do not come without new challenges. Josh said that ‘we had police attend our opening purely because they knew how busy it was going to be, but Londoners are incredibly understanding that we are new to the scene and we are trying our absolute best. We have 48 members of sta in this one new site in London [...] but they’re smashing it and they’re doing an amazing job’. This is just the beginning for Sandwich Sandwich... To read more, go to Epigram.co.uk
Features
‘I just felt really overwhelmed’: Understanding the psychology behind procrastination and how to tackle it
Fourth Year, French and Politics
The art of procrastination amongst students is one that is heavily relatable, no matter what level of academic prowess a person is perceived to have. Many will find themselves aggressively scrubbing a toilet to avoid their next set of readings or completing tasks they have been meaning
to tick o for months in lieu of planning the next looming essay. Understanding the psychological roots of this all-too-familiar phenomenon can provide e ective strategies for overcoming it and fulfilling one’s academic potential. According to various scholars published in PubMed Central, academic procrastination is a type of domain-specific behaviour that refers to the tendency of students to delay or postpone completing tasks, such as essay writing, seminar preparation or general studying for an exam, even though they know they should perform these actions and have a specific deadline for completion. Psychology Today suggests procrastination can develop from a constant desire to achieve perfection, general task aversion, a lack of motivation, and a sense of duty rather than interest. But why do over 80 per cent of students struggle to get out of this procrastination pit? Much of the scholarship investigating the psychology behind procrastination, as posited by the New
York Times, suggests that the brain favours immediate rewards over long-term goals. Students notoriously struggle with anxiety from the surmounting pressures placed on them by university, financial struggles, relationship and friendship management, and being far from home. Because of this, they often seek a quick solution to this stress through manageable and fleeting achievements like administrative tasks, answering emails, and cleaning. Similarly, by ignoring the task at hand, they find themselves emotionally regulating or masking, what could actually be a fear of failure or behaviour that mirrors self-sabotage all for the fleeting hit of serotonin that comes from fulfilling a task. However, this comes at a considerable cost, with a study conducted at the University of Durham showing a clear link between procrastination and high levels of anxiety, stress and depression, particularly among students.
'I totally misunderstood one of my questions. I basically had to scrap the whole thing'
It goes without saying that the impact of this added stress is detrimental to the wellbeing and overall experience of an individual's student life. Many report long term-e ects on self-esteem, which in turn compounds on the vicious cycle of avoidance. Amy, a third year History student at the University of Bristol, reported how her sleep pattern su ered during what she described to be an ‘essay crisis’. The culprit? Ageold procrastination. ‘I just felt really overwhelmed by my assignments at the end of second year; [the deadlines had] all fallen at once and I totally misunderstood one of my questions. I basically had to scrap the whole thing and then couldn’t face starting it all over again, until I was literally forced to two days before it was due.’ Juno, a fourthyear Law student at the University of West England, found himself in a similar position of panic...
To read more, go to Epigram.org.uk
The graduate market: Is it all doom and despair?
Fourth Year, English and French Anna Johnson interviews five graduates about their experiences searching for jobs
Johnson
Given that the UK is currently experiencing a financial recession, the graduate job market could be more challenging. While it is undeniably competitive, there is still room for optimism. On average, employers received 86 applications per vacancy for graduate schemes last year – this may seem daunting, but should not be cause for discouragement. Over half of UK job vacancies (57 per cent) in 2023 were at graduate level, indicating that students
entering the workforce remain a valuable and sought-after resource.
October is flying by and, as the term advances and the days shorten, applications for summer internships and graduate schemes are beginning to open. Although not everyone may feel this pressure, it is common to experience feelings of overwhelm related to graduate anxiety. Epigram spoke with five graduates about their job-hunting experience after university and the advice they have to o er. If you’re ready to start your search for an internship or skilled job but aren’t sure where to begin, read on. There’s no rush to land the perfect position immediately after university. Studies show that it can take graduates anywhere from three to eighteen months to secure a
'it can take graduates anywhere from three to eighteen months'
skilled, full-time job. While graduate schemes from top companies o er attractive starting salaries and strong job security, it’s a common misconception that most graduates enter these roles straight from university. In reality, only 11.4 per cent of graduates manage to land a corporate grad scheme position. Epigram spoke to Katie, who graduated in 2023 and is now pursuing a master’s in health economics. Last summer she successfully completed a summer internship with the Civil Service. However, when speaking to Epigram, Katie admitted that she ‘applied to over thirty summer internships and got rejected from all of them’. Despite the challenging nature of the job market Katie provided a sense of optimism: ‘The following summer, on a whim, I
applied for the Civil Service internship, and it ended up being the only one I applied to. For whatever reason, they liked me. It just goes to show it is really the luck of the draw and you have to persevere’. Zhara wasn’t sure what she wanted to do when she graduated with a bachelor’s in Criminology in 2022. ‘I didn’t want to go for a grad scheme’ she explains. ‘I knew it was the most secure option, but it was also the one that would make me feel most trapped in a single career path.' She wanted to pursue something she enjoyed while figuring out her longterm goals. With the experience of writing a food blog already under her belt, she decided to focus on social media content creation roles. ‘After applying to hundreds of jobs,
'if you find a suitable job after graduating, you don’t have to stay in it if it isn’t fulfilling'
I landed a position with a catering company as a social media and marketing assistant’, she recalls. Zhara emphasizes that even if you find a suitable job after graduating you don’t have to stay in it if it isn’t fulfilling. After a year, she felt the role wasn’t challenging enough, so she took the leap and quit her job, using her savings to travel: ‘It was scary, but so worth it.’ When she returned, Zhara decided to pursue a master’s in Broadcast Journalism at City St George’s, University of London. ‘It ended up being exactly what I wanted to do’, she notes, ‘but I never would have realised that right after graduating.’ If you find yourself in a similar position, feeling uncertain or ready for a change
To read more, go to Epigram.org.uk
Isabelle Lepine
Isabelle Lepine investigates the psychological factors behind academic procrastination
photo courtesy of: Unsplash / Unseen Studio
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Single-use costumes: The fastest fashion?
of us are aware of, but equally it remains the victim of an increasing ‘turn a blind eye’ culture. As students with tight budgets, buying from ethical fashion brands is often out of the question. But does this mean that we must continue feeding the second most polluting global industry?
As Halloween approaches, parties and events begin to be discussed in group chats and many of us find ourselves reaching for our laptops and browsing the familiar sights of Amazon or Shein for outfit options. But as the world’s landfill sites continue to spill their waste into our natural spaces, damaging local environments and communities, is it time for us to kick the habit and try something di erent?
The darker side of the fashion industry is something that many
The idea of ‘waste colonialism’ is a relatively new concept, but one that o ers a shocking insight into the way in which the many countries that lived under British rule still feel the impact of our greed. During the colonial regime in Ghana, people were forced to wear Western-style clothing to access many key public services or buildings. This practice persisted, meaning many unsold items from British
'approximately seven million costumes are thrown out in the UK each year'
retailers were shipped to huge second-hand markets in Accra. However, much of these textiles are unsellable due to their poor quality, meaning huge quantities end up in illegal landfill sites. This waste then often enters local waterways, meaning fishing is now impossible in large parts of the ocean near Accra due to the sheer scale of plastic and clothing waste. Hubbub is a UKbased environmental charity that carried out research into Halloween waste, and they discovered that approximately seven million costumes are thrown out in the UK each year and that 83 per cent of these use non-recyclable oil-based plastics which will inevitably end up in landfill sites such as those creating so many
issues in Ghana. With the issue already at such a terrifying scale - what are we able to actually do?
Epigram spoke to the University of Bristol’s Fashion Forwards Society for some insights into reducing fast fashion consumption. The society itself o ers various sustainable pop-up markets,
second-hand fashion shows, and clothes swaps throughout the year, and shared advice on buying second-hand this Halloween. They told Epigram; ‘a definite major tip is always to source second-hand from charity shops and look to supporting small businesses... To read more, go to Epigram.org.uk
‘It has no nuance’: Is Student Finance England’s maintenance loan su cient?
Kyia Small investigates the issues surrounding how Student Finance England determines eligibility
Kyia Small Fourth Year, English and Spanish
University is a place where students engage in a wide range of learning experiences, from learning within the context of their chosen course to living independently among peers. However, for many current students, an unexpected learning curve involves grappling with the current rising cost of living. With numerous English-resident students relying on Student Fi-
nance England (SFE) to cover their living expenses, issues surrounding how SFE determines eligibility and allocates financial support have become a growing concern. Every summer, SFE releases a report detailing how it plans to distribute its funding for the upcoming academic year. The report explains that a Bristol student who depends on their parents and starts a full-time university course after 2016 will be eligible for £10,227 if their household income is less than £25,000 per year. However, that figure drops to £7,304 once the household income reaches the threshold of £45,000 and continues on that downward trajectory if the combined total of ‘parental income’ is any higher. Despite regular review, the maintenance loan qualification system appears to be failing in today’s shifting socio-economic landscape. It only takes a quick glance at the figures to see why there might be a shortfall in maintenance loans. According to the O ce for Na-
tional Statistics, there has been an almost 7 per cent annual increase in the cost of private monthly rents in Bristol, rising from an average of £1,657 in 2023 to £1,772 in 2024. Further statistics from last year’s National Money Survey by Save the Student highlight the bleak reality of university life on a budget. As it stands, 64 per cent of students are skipping meals to cut costs, with a further 64 per cent reporting that their maintenance loan falls short by an average of £582. What appears to be troubling both students and Dr Tim Bradshaw, CEO of The Russell Group, is that ‘rent now takes up most of the average student maintenance loan’, leaving very little left over for food, bills and miscellaneous expenses. Although SFE and universities are separate institutions, one third-year Philosophy and Politics student believes that there is a correlation between the University of Bris-
'64 per cent of students are skipping meals to cut costs'
tol taking on too many students and the amount of resources loan companies can provide to meet this demand. ‘These institutions are spreading themselves too thin’, they note, ‘the monetisation of education is not okay.’ In favour of a complete overhaul of the loan distribution system, one fourth-year German and Spanish student explained to Epigram that the system ‘needs adjusting […] because my costs are increasing and were never even fully covered in the first place.' Data gathered by Save the Student points out that more and more students are needing to work alongside their full-time studies, with some occasionally resorting to less conventional forms, such as social media (4 per cent) and sex work (3 per cent). Students are going to great lengths to cover their costs, and whilst the university touts the importance of well-being...
To read more, go to Epigram.org.uk
Charlotte Kyle Social Media Manager
Charlotte Kyle explores the hidden costs of singleuse Halloween costumes
photo courtesy of: Unsplash / Beth Teutschmann
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Arts
Age of the Rave: Psychedelic Art at Tribe of Frog
Bobbi Carsley Arts Subeditor
Editor's Choice:
Arts Subeditor Bobbi Carsley introduces our readers to the experimental world of Rave art"Gone are the times when art is confined to the restriction of gallery walls. You find it while walking along roadsides, staring at you from neighbouring street walls. But the artistic habitat that has cultivated the growth of a specific, potentially overlooked, art genre is that of raves and clubs. The art I’m referring to? Psychedelic."
Psychedelic art first entered British mainstream consciousness as a movement in the 60s. The time of the kaleidoscope and the hippie was at a peak and every band and gig poster seemed adorned with the luminous colours, curved lines and warped typography that has since become iconographic to the era of flower power. Psychedelia has gone through evolutions and transitions and many of them linked to the changing club and music scene. Clubs have always been a focal hub for music, but I think for the art scene as well. Think of the rise of the acid-house scene in the Hacienda in the 1980s, the LGBTQ+ subculture of ballroom in the US. This is because clubs have not singularly been places where music is played, but fashion debuted, and artistic expression and identity played with.
Psychedelic art's connection to the club is partially due to its close association with partying. It is in the name, visualising the experience of being inebriated and intoxicated. What is intriguing is the extent to which modern club and festival culture have made such a spectacle of the artistic makeup of an event such as the lighting, decoration and staging. It is arguably a phenomenon to rival the music played, and undeniably an element that enhances your musical experience. Take for example Boomtown, it is impossible to comment on the festival’s music lineup without thinking about the immense artistic sculptures that make up the stages.
'there is art in every fibre of the night, and in every member of the crowd'
An excellent example within Bristol’s club scene of psychedelic decoration helping to enhance the musical club experience are the Tribe of Frog events hosted at Lakota in Stokes Croft. Tribe of Frog has recently celebrated its 24th birthday of being on the club and festival circuit. However, speaking as someone who has been going regularly for the past few years, it is showing no signs of getting old. The music Tribe puts on is as kaleidoscopic as the art showcases at its events. Seamlessly moving between techno, psychtrance, liquid dnb and more through Lakota’s various rooms. Time is beautifully lost as you embrace the immense lineup of djs and artists, with the event not ending until 7am. Focusing on the aesthetic, the visual display of Tribe never ceases to get any less impressive. It is constantly expanding with suspended inflatable caterpillars, butterfly bunting draped from the ceilings, psychedelic paintings plastered on every inch of wall and rainbow strobe lighting illuminating the crowd.
The art showcased at Tribe of Frog events is hands down some of the best art in Bristol. Your experience at Tribe goes beyond the remit of standard club night and into artistic immersion. Fire breathers and dancers perform on stage in the smoking area and face painting artists chart UV constellations on people’s faces. There is art in every fibre of the night, and in every member of the crowd. Some of the regular ravers at this event, a ectionately called ‘froggers’ by the Tribe of Frog team, are like psychedelic sculptures come to life. A personal favourite of mine is when I once almost walked into a woman carrying a 4-foot, green, papier mâché alien across her shoulders called ‘Bob.’
Recognising the immense artistic talent and fashion of its attracted audience, Tribe of Frog has prizes and competitions for the best dressed raver at each event. Fashion show can then also be added to the jack-of-all-trades lineup that is Tribe of Frog. If you thought some University of Bristol students came to lectures like Vogue shoots, prepare to be out dressed in the most incredible way when you set foot
'Think of the acid-house scene in the Hacienda in the 1980S'
at Tribe. The complete embrace of psychedelic into a beautiful musical and artistic performative fusion is what makes Tribe of Frog such a brilliant example of how psychedelic art enhances your club experience. I would recommend anyone who wants to experience Tribe of Frog for themselves to buy tickets for their 26th of October Halloween event on their website. You will have to be quick because tickets famously sell out super quickly.
Anika Shwarma delves into the aesthetics of spooky season nostalagia.
Anika Sharma, 3rd Year History (BA))
Ringing doorbells, chewing sweets mum doesn's usually let you have, constant running TV, chill night air, constantly adjusting your teeth and wig. Why does Halloween feel so nostalgic? While now it is celebrated with house parties and clubs with ‘Thriller’ on repeat, it still allows adults to tap into their child-like playfulness. Normalising adults dressing into famous spooky characters once a year is perhaps what makes Halloween unique from other traditions. The activities of this spooky season will continue to be drowned in nostalgia- just think about the ‘Treehouse of Horrors’ series in The Simpsons! But I want to know why we associate Halloween activities with simpler times, and how it makes this holiday so much more special.
When we think about Halloween, we think about scary movies. Something about scaring yourself in the middle of the night with
a horror film and then instantly switching to a sitcom to balance it out, screams Halloween. Films arguably have framed the spookiness of Halloween from cult classics such as Stephen King’s ‘The Shining’, to our new canon horror films like ‘Corpse Bride’. But what do these films have in common?
'the activities of this spooky season will continue to be drowned in nostalgia'
Firstly, the element of bringing the dead back to life is almost seen as a rite of passage in great horror movies. Jack Torrance’s ability to see people who had worked or visited The Overlook Hotel, along with the isolated area it is situated in, results in Jack going insane. Similarly, Tim Burton’s magical illustration of Victor and Victoria in ‘Corpse Bride’ and ‘Frankenweenie’ with the revival of Sparky, the dead terrier, evokes nostalgia. This ‘cosy horror’ genre is the key ingredient for an evening in, allowing us to return back to childhood film nights. Only this time, you are not too scared to go up the stairs after the film ends.
as a chaotic activity involving much more mess than imagined. The origins of carving pumpkins have relations to a ‘Stingy Jack’ who would haunt those on Halloween with a lit, carved-out turnip. Therefore, families would carve out turnips with faces to hinder the evil spirits of 'Stingy Jack’. As pumpkin carving is less life-threatening, our only worry is if we have the best pumpkin amongst our fellow carvers.
Pumpkin carving also takes shape in our childhood memories, serving
We cannot forget about Halloween costumes, the competition to have the most niche but well-known outfit, where you're left wondering ‘How have I not thought of that before?’. Childhood Halloween costumes never used to have this much thinking involved. It was usually associated with an animal, Disney character or popular book/ TV show. Costumes ranged from someone having a sheet with two holes cut out to the tailored Halloween costume sewn by Mum. Wherever you place yourself on this spectrum, the nostalgia of dressing up seems like one of the few activities we continue as adults.
Ultimately, Halloween remains one of the few holidays where we can feel a mixture of nostalgia and childlike playfulness. It is one of the only excuses adults have to tap into their childhood, with the combination of
dressing up, carving pumpkins or even just snuggling up to watch a spooky film. Regardless of how you celebrate this season, it is important to remember that while we are old-
er- and trick or treating might not be one of the activities this holiday brings- it is imperative to absorb the magic and curiosity of a time that was a little less complicated.
Sally Rooney
recommended reading:
In
Conversation with Rhys Nicholson
Sofia Webster, Epigram Co-Deputy Editor
Sofia Webster chats to Stand Up Comedian Rhys Nicholson about their new tour 'Huge Big Party Congratulations'
-The Su ering of the female body
Gaby Turner, Comparative Literatures and Cultures MA
Gaby
Review - Shaxcase
Amelie Patel , 2nd Year
Shakespeare socities first showcase of the year is reviewed, displaying a persuasive mix of tragedy, comedy and innovative student theatre
To read more go to epigram.org
Tattoos and Self
Expression:
are people more likely to get tattoos now then ever before?
Meabah Macaskie, Third Year
History BA
Meabah Macaskie analyses the rising trends of body art within Gen-Z and students, tracing the popularity of the tattoo through history and towards the present day.
photo courtesy of: Monica Pronk
Turner investigates recent critisiscm of Sally Rooney's work following the publication of her new novel 'Intermezzo'.
photo courtesy of: Getty Images
Film & TV
What's So Horrifying About Horror Films?
Editor's Choice:
In honour of the spookiest month of the year, we tasked one of our writers with sharpening their sleuthing skills to uncover the essential elements of a truly bone-chilling horror film. Is it simply the blood, guts, and gore or is there something more sinister and psychological lurking beneath the bloody veneer of these macabre movies? Read on to find out, if you dare...
Iam not an adrenaline junkie. I still get nervous sleeping in the dark, I tremor walking over the Clifton Suspension Bridge, and I absolutely loathe rollercoasters. The first time I watched something terrifying was a di erent story. It was just after Halloween. My friend from primary school and I sat cross-legged under a DIY den made from a duvet sheet. We put on Henry Selick’s spooky animation Coraline (2009), and I was horrified. I’ve come to realise that while I avoid the outside of my comfort zone like the plague, I find it more fun watching peopo spook me, I try and comfort myself with the facts: none of that will happen to me.
A lot of us watch films comfortably (for the most part). We curl up in a sofa or cinema, stashes of confectionary waiting on our laps, and we share the moment with the company of ourselves or others. Coraline, on the contrary, lives on an eerie ancient estate. She gets stalked by an evil spidery-shapeshifter-thing. She puts her life, and her eyes, on
the line. That contrast, a contrast between our safety as watchers and the terror on-screen is noticeable in every horror. It’s actually something we tell ourselves when the film starts to get a bit much and the panic sets in – they might not be safe, but don’t worry, we are. So why does what we witness still freak us out? Maybe because it’s just as horrifying to know that what we’re seeing might happen.
The awful scenario, person, environment in front of us has now been brought into our heads. I presume that most people don’t go around considering all sorts of twisted scenarios, so I guess before we watch scary things we’re in some sort of blissful ignorance. I hope no one really thinks about what would happen if someone’s eyes got plucked out and buttons sewed in. But horror films do. We are introduced to grotesque scenarios we’d otherwise entirely avoid and once the screen fades and credits roll, we become fearful of our imagination. What will it do now it’s
been fed something unthinkable?
A lot of horror invites the audience to see the possibilities this nasty world has to o er. Coraline, Sidney Prescott in Scream, Dani in Midsommar, just to name a few, all act as the audience’s vessel as we’re led to live vicariously through them. When these characters are chased after, struck down, or worse – the audience feels like they’re being chased after, struck down or worse. In a way, they act as a bridge between gap between the fictional horror we see and the horror we’re meant to feel. In fairness not all horror fits quite so simply under this umbrella: take Bodies Bodies Bodies.
To audience it may initially seem that the character of Bee is our way in, the one we identify with. She, just like us, is an outsider trying to find her place in this closeknit friend group. But it’s also possible that the film is told through the lens of Amandla Stenberg’s Sophie. Where the film starts Sophie’s been a distant friend, so distant that the group expresses their surprise not only when Bee arrives, but when she does. In this horror, we are refused a set of eyes to look through for longer than ten minutes, so we find it difficult to identify with a character through which we can experience the film subjectively. Nonetheless, it remains a scary film.Bodies Bodies Bodies ends up in a blood bath, and that’s horrifying mostly because these people did it to themselves. The enemy is within.
Surely these filmmakers know that those who pay to go and see their work intend on being entertained by fear. It is no surprise that most traditional narratives, whether that be the supernatural, psychological or plain old gory killing sprees, are consistently being depicted. To maximise unpleasantness nowadays, gross stu isn’t enough – audience’s need to be surprised. Returning to Coraline, there is one moment that gets me every time. Coraline feels she has finally outsmarted her villains
and gleefully climbs through the claustrophobic purple portal to get back home. However, she arrives to find her parents have been locked in a snow-globe and are slowly freezing to death. Until this point, audiences have been lured into a false sense of security and because we’re closely attached to Coraline, because she’s a likeable, curious heroine, we’ve begun to relax. She’ll be fine and the audience’s fearful imaginations can finally rest. This is stopped in its tracks by an immense twist that spices up the narrative with an even scarier realisation that the war isn’t over. Sometimes it’s not simply the death of characters that induces our terror. When the hope for resolution is killed o , the feeling doubles.
Whether you love it or hate it, horror remains one of the most prolific genres, it has more faces than pumpkins on Halloween.
All its incarnations allow an audience to feel something unsettling. Although, the genre may struggle now considering there is a strong desire for ‘real cinema’ with people wanting nuance and subtlety over crash-bang-wallop, I expect the genre will adapt to fit these needs and will muster up more and more groundbreakingly unnerving ideas
Nonetheless, these films will always be wanted, since adrenalin junkies and their poor wimpy friends that have been dragged along just can’t help their insatiable desire for more. It’s one of the only situations in which fear is considered fun. It’s not just about murderers or other-mothers, there must be no room for comfort anywhere in the film. A good ‘horror film’ knows that the clue is in the name.
What do you think is the key to a great horror film?
Meadow Wattret Film and TV Co-Deputy Editor
photo courtesy of: IMDb
photo
We no longer need to go on walks or, in the extreme, converse with friends because Tiktok and Netflix are more than willing to scratch that itch.
Harry Scott
2nd year
Economics and Philosophy
Editor
Deputy Editor
Deputy Editor
Subeditor
Subeditor
Bradley-Cole ...............Meadow Wattret .................Chien Wen Siow .........Marianne Chatburn .................Nadiya Jackson
Has Streaming Made Life Dull?
Not that any of us wanted to see it coming, but society's (oftentimes self-absorbed) introspection has now pointed its crosshairs at streaming sites. I do not intend to be a mouthpiece for the whole of society, but I suppose I'm giving it my best shot. I've found that in the same way a toxic friend's superficial fun can distract you from life's turbulence, it seems streaming sites are no di erent. They are also the type to slowly, subtly drain your energy, and dim your light and yes, keeping your cir-
cle small and protecting yourself might mean giving Netflix the boot.
As the unfortunate beginning of most recent stories go, it is best to start with COVID. Lockdowns reshaped our lives in many ways, particularly the way we watch films. The replacement for the cinema seat was your own sofa and the closest thing to a cinema screen was the laptop screen shining Netflix at you. Film productions paused or had to make-do by releasing films onto streaming services and thus commenced our current familiarisation with this new way of watching films.
Cut to two years later, our relationship to technology (best shown with social media) now paints a similar image to a demanding baby in a pram crying for their parents. Dopamine and 'joy' are bestowed to us by Mother every time we open our phones to supress the outburst that would occur without that soothing feeling from scrolling. We no longer need to go on walks or, in the extreme, converse with friends because Tiktok and Netflix are more than willing to itch that scratch.
Flick Picks: Must-See Films for Halloween
Crimson Peak
Guillermo Del Toro
Guillermo del Toro’s Victorian era haunted house blasts all other haunted houses out of the water. Frankly, it’s not frightening, it’s not gory, and it’s barely even ghoulish. But it sure is a sight to behold, with a story that seems like it’s been plucked straight out of a Mary Shelley novel.
The Killing of a Sacred Deer
Yorgos Lanthimos
Presented as a psychological horror, don’t let the strange atmosphere, stilted dialogue, and discordant music fool you into being scared - this film is hysterical and intentionally ridiculous. One must assume the film is aware of its own absurdity when Ellie Goulding’s “Burn” makes an unforgettable feature.
What has been lost is best explained by Barbenheimer. Whether you dressed up as Barbie, an Atomic Bomb, or God forbid in your own clothes to watch this cinematic phenomenon, you unwittingly engaged in the greatest cultural celebration of cinema in recent years. In this period the world turned drastically pink, it was a time that reminded audiences that films are more than their runtime, or a source of pure comfort and ease. Instead, people understood that films have the capacity to inform the zeitgeist and bind communities across the globe.
Cannes Film Festival announced that films produced by Netflix are banned from competing. That means that 3700 Netflix originals are out of the running! Critics, including director Steven Spielburg, believe that these streaming titles
An American Werewolf in London
John Landis
This film is exactly what it says on the tin. The story centres on two American backpackers who fall victim to a werewolf attack in the Yorkshire Moors. Whilst this film is the ultimate embodiment of body horror, the film is simultaneously camp, comedic, and devastatingly tragic. It is unlike anything you've ever seen!
produce superficial storylines that create passive viewing, which is parasitic to the excitement that should come with cinema.
Our heavy reliance on streaming sites filled a large hole during the pandemic and ease is nice when we want to watch films and switch o from our busy lives. But films are not created as a background whilst we scroll on TikTok, especially when they have the power to inject excitement into our lives with the likes of Barbenheimer. I feel what is needed, which Cannes’ and Spielberg’s stances suggest, is to relegate Streaming Sites to a service that does not act as a substitute for cinema. We should resist the dullness it has of recent been fed, and fend o these passive, grating, addictive forms of entertainment.
epigram.org
Jennifer's Body
Karyn Kusama
She is a soul-sucker, a man-eater, and yet just a girl. What could be more frightening than a monster hiding in plain sight? She is in total control, enacting her revenge plot for being o ered up as a human sacrifice. When her best friend accuses her of killing people, Jennifer clarifies, “No. I’m killing BOYS.”
photo courtesy of: depositphotos.com
photo courtesy of: pexels.com
Lima Assi MSc Environmental Science
music
Does Bristol's music scene have a clear obligation to be political?
With so many of Bristol’s biggest names involved in political causes, it begs the question—why?
Alice James Third Year, History & French
Politics took center stage in the Bristol music scene in August 2024. Over the bank holiday weekend, IDLES headlined their second charity gig for War Child, while Massive Attack held a sustainably powered concert the following day. Political statements like these are not new for either band or the city itself. Bristol’s music history is steeped in politics, from Portishead’s 2022 War Child performance to the underground scene of the 1980s and early punk bands like The Primates. With so many of Bristol’s biggest names involved in political causes, it begs the
question—why? And are artists expected to follow this trend?
Upon closer inspection, this 'trend' isn’t a trend at all. To understand politics in Bristol's music scene, a deeper question arises: what does it mean for an artist to be political?
'This shows that Bristol musicians engage in politics not out of obligation but because they want to.'
'Involvement in political causes by Bristol's biggest bands can create the illusion that success in the city
is
tied to activism.'
A tweet criticizing government policy, a song about class inequality, or a benefit event for a charity are all different actions. However, they can easily label an artist as political. The intersections of politics and music in Bristol aren’t one consistent movement; they are varied actions for di erent causes aiming at di erent outcomes. The events over the August bank holiday perfectly illustrate this. IDLES headlined a benefit gig for War Child, a charity supporting children in conflict zones. Meanwhile, Massive Attack’s concert focused on lowering the music industry’s carbon emissions. Both were political acts but completely isolated from each other. IDLES have long spoken out on a range of social issues, while
Massive Attack primarily focuses on the climate crisis outside their music. There’s no indication that IDLES felt obligated to be political due to the activism of bands before them, like Massive Attack. If IDLES and Massive Attack represent opposite ends of the political spectrum in music, Portishead sits somewhere in between. Like IDLES, they performed at the 2022 War Child gig, raising money for the cause with the help of Friendly Records. However, unlike IDLES, politics isn’t a major theme in Portishead’s music. Their success isn’t tied to any political stance. Involvement in political causes by Bristol’s biggest bands can create the illusion that success in the city is tied to activism. But in reality, these artists use their success to promote political causes rather than the other way around. This shows that Bristol musicians engage in politics not out of obligation but because they want to. Portishead’s 2022 performance, their first in seven years, can’t be seen as an attempt to boost their image, as their last album came out in 2008. For IDLES, politics is more complex. It’s embedded in their music and success, but this aligns more with the punk scene as a whole rather than being specific to Bristol. It’s hard to consider fundraising e orts as personal gain. Any band relying on ticket or record sales for charity must already have a solid fan base to make the endeavor worthwhile. Of course, Bristol’s music scene is far more than just its biggest names. They may shape the image of Bristol’s music as politically charged, but what about the rising artists who live in their shadow?
The same rules apply. Newer acts aren’t obliged to follow in the footsteps of more established artists or to be political in order to succeed.
' The community that Friendly Records represents is a vital part of Bristol's music scene.'
This has always been the case, even in the early days of Portishead and Massive Attack. Bristol-based artists like Katy J Pearson, Getdown Services, and Willie J Healey are all rising stars who are thriving without engaging in political activism.
With no obligation for Bristol artists to be political, the bigger question becomes: why do so many of them choose to be? It may be due to the city’s cultural and political atmosphere, or maybe it’s just a long-running coincidence. One factor that has spurred recent activism in Bristol is Friendly Records. The independent record shop in Bedminster has been instrumental in organizing political events. They’ve worked with War Child for years, helping put on both the 2022 and 2024 benefit gigs and raising money through record and merchandise sales. Though they’ve only existed since 2016, Friendly Records has provided opportunities for Bristol artists to unite for political causes. Even artists like Willie J Healey and Katy J Pearson, who are less politically involved, performed at the 2022 War Child event. Friendly Records emphasizes the importance of community. They raise money for Bristol-based charities and collaborate closely
with local artists. The community that Friendly Records represents is a vital part of Bristol’s music scene. They’re part of a network of local venues, bands, and labels that support each other, celebrating the city’s independent and diverse music culture. For Bristol’s emerging artists, music has real power. It forms communities, embraces di erences, and o ers support. It’s more than just music. Perhaps this is the key to understanding why Bristol’s music scene is so closely linked with political action. In conclusion, the intersection of politics and music in Bristol is less about a strong obligation and more about a genuine desire for social change, community building, and self-expression. The biggest names in the city's music scene –from Massive Attack to IDLES to Portishead – have each embraced political action on their own terms, driven by personal convictions rather than any expectation from the scene or industry. This has created a vibrant culture where activism naturally thrives, yet it is not a prerequisite for success.
photo courtesy of: Benji Chapman
photo courtesy of: Instagram @friendlyrecords
Editor
Co-Deputy Editor
Co-Deputy Editor
Subeditor
Subeditor
Benji Chapman
................ Aditi Hrisheekesh
........................ Megan Foulk
....................... Amelie Peters
....................Sophie Scannell
The Prospect Building: Behind the Curtain
The lineup till New Year's has been released featuring Andy C and Joy Orbison
Located in a thriving hub of development for Bristol, The Prospect Building is situated on Feeder Road in St. Philips. Only a fifteen-minute walk from Temple Meads station, the new space is part of a spread of new development in the Temple Quarter, following the continued construction of the University of Bristol's enterprise campus within the same area. With the venue's team containing individuals behind festivals and nightclubs such as Junction 2, Love Supreme, and Printworks, it was hardly a surprise to see first-hand that The Prospect Building has something interesting to o er Bristol.
'Bristol has been lacking a building at this capacity range.'
AMAAD, the promoters behind the magic, have been working tirelessly to integrate the space into the local cultural landscape. Rather than constructing exclusively a late-night venue, the team have responded to concerns surrounding the future of nightclubs by o ering a musical and cultural experience that doesn't rely on ticket sales for club events only. Events will vary in nature: from more conventional DJ sets and live shows, to vintage clothes sales, circus performances, and food festivals. Speaking to Epigram, co-founder Will Harold discussed how 'Bristol has been lacking a building at this capacity range', with the 3,500 capacity venue seeking to attract bigger names than ever before to the city. He emphasised that by working with local creatives, however, the project would also be a locally co-operative endeavour. Respective co-founder Paul Jack
'Coming in at 25,000 square feet, the monstrous venue boasts two distinct performance spaces'
commented in unison that, 'We’re thrilled to open The Prospect Building and bring this incredible space to life. Our mission is to create a venue that supports both the local community and international talent, while shaping Bristol’s future cultural landscape.' Coming in at 25,000 square feet, the monstrous venue boasts two distinct performance spaces as well as an outside area; but alongside its awareness of both local and international artists, the building is not intended to be overwhelming despite its scale. With an intimate 'Room Two' space, a smaller area allows members of the audience to bask in the six-point surround sound system away from the larger 'Room One'. The main room of the building features an impressive centre-stage, framed by a network of integrated screens and lasers that can be programmed to produce hypnotically synchronised visuals. Adjacent to the stage are viewing plat-
Upcoming Gigs !
Katy J Pearson
SWX, 29th November
Feeling shaky after a frightful Halloween? A round of sound therapy, courtesy of Bristol's very own Katy J Pearson may be just what the Student Health Service ordered. Fresh o the heels of her latest album Someday, Now a favourite of the University of Bristol's most whimsical students brings a signature sense of dreaminess to the venue. Though these may be the feelings you associate more with a bleary-eyed 9 AM lecture, take a chance on Pearson to challenge your perception. Who knows- you might even leave a better student (though use of the check-in app at the venue is not required).
Alfie Templeman
Thekla, 9th November
forms that can be accessed for an elevated view of the crowd itself. The Prospect team also expressed their keenness to appeal to and address changing attitudes concerning sobriety among young people and students. By o ering a space that intersects several aspects of local culture, at various times of day, the venue promises to celebrate events that are accessible to students of all cultural interests, musical tastes, and approaches to sobriety. With recent confirmation of the lineup in the coming months, the spread of artists on o er is impres-
With the release of 2024's Radiosoul, a collaboration with Nile Rogers signals a point of reference for the success of Alfie Templeman. Taking stock of his career in light of such an achievement, he looks back fondly on his career with his latest album, complete with the authenticity and wonder of a twenty-something making it big in the world. Hosted inside a vessel whose dancefloors are no stranger to late-night boogies, a home for the treasured Thekla Thursdays and Saturdays takes a break from grungier o erings thanks to some pristine rhythm-work and crisp R&B style.
Sports Team
Trinity Centre, 24th November
sive. Global drum and bass leaders RUN are kicking things o on the 2nd of November, headlined by Andy C, before the garage kingmaker Conducta takes over the venue on the 28th of December. Following the festivities will be Joy Orbison and Friends' New Year party that puts all others to shame. As the clock reaches midnight, the Prospect Building will surely be the place to be as Bristol continues to grow as a hub for the electronic genre following Nia Archive's opening of The Underground during the 2023/2024 academic year.
epigram.org.uk
Returning to Bristol after two years to kick o their campaign for their third album release Boys These Days, Sports Team brings their raucous sound to the Trinity Centre. The quintessentially British and tongue-in-cheek lyricism have had their previous two albums carried to critical acclaim by folks across the UK, who are rewarded with the noise and anarchy brought to the band’s live shows, often accompanied with a pub voyage afterwards dictated on the band’s socials. We’re expecting this show to be no di erent, with the band coming back with a bang in the form of their single release 'I’m in Love (Subaru).
Royel Otis
Marble Factory, 26th November
Australian duo Royel Otis are seizing their near-immediate rise to fame after their viral 'Murder on the Dancefloor' cover for Triple J’s Like A Version earlier this year floating to the surface of a Saltburn-crazed internet. Touring their debut album PRATTS & PAIN, this gig is sure to encapsulate the excitable, energetic sound of a group in their early stages of world-wide success. The fresh-faced band will take to The Marble Factory in Motion, one of the nation’s most beloved and ever-evolving venues, with an equally exhilarating night of dance tunes afterwards.
Benji Chapman Music Editor
photo courtesy of: Sarah Ginn
photo courtesy of: Hewavenly Recordings photo courtesy of: Chess Club Records photo courtesy of: Distiller Music Group photo courtesy of: Instagram @royelotis
Editor's Note:
It's been a very exciting month in SciTech! A new template (thanks Jules), a lot of collaborative projects underway and, most importantly, a load of you guys writing! It's been so enjoyable hearing all of your ideas and stories! I hope these (vaugely) spookily themed articles will encourage more of you to write! Big love and happy autumn - Corin
Cages to Canopies: Rewilding Spider Monkeys in the Peruvian Amazon
The country of Peru and the Amazon has fascinated me for many years, but the idea to actually travel there was planted during my year in industry when I worked in a factory. My job in manufacturing was monotonous, uninspiring, and negatively impacted the environment. I was in desperate need of some renewed inspiration, and I knew that I would find that by volunteering abroad. I found a research station deep in the Peruvian Amazon which needed volunteers, so I sent them an email.
After an 18-hour flight, a 10-hour bus, and a 2-hour boat ride, I arrived at Kawsay Biological Station in the Amazon rainforest. The Amazon is the most biodiverse region on the planet and is home to 10%
of all global species, covering an area roughly the same size as the United States. Kawsay was set up by a man named Raul, who became the owner of the land after he detected illegal loggers. Raul has dedicated his life to the protection of spider monkeys in the Amazon, and his work has resulted in Kawsay becoming the only rescue centre to successfully reintroduce spider monkeys into the wild.
'the monkeys would try to break into the cabin and steal our toothpaste'
Spider monkeys are some of the only mammals which can reach and eat the fruits of the tallest trees, and thereafter play a vital role in their seed dispersal. Some of the trees, such as the ancient Shi-
huahuaco “Tree of Life”, are home to the largest birds in the Amazon, as well as the beautiful macaws. These birds are incredibly vulnerable to the habitat loss caused by deforestation and logging practices, thus these species become very dependent on there being a stable population of spider monkeys. Therefore, the decline in the spider monkey population occurring in Peru disrupts the ecological chain of bird species, jeopardizing the delicate balance of the Amazon's ecosystem.
Every single spider monkey at Kawsay was found caged or abandoned after having been illegally kept as pets for families. The first stage of rewilding the spider monkeys begins at Taricaya Rescue centre, a neighbouring station around a 15-minute boat journey away from Kawsay. At Taricaya, groups of monkeys who have been there for a longer time will teach the new monkeys how to live in the wild again. It is imperative that spider monkeys live in groups, as they would certainly die if they were released alone. It is truly incredible watching a group of monkeys teach a new monkey how to eat, climb, and live together again.
Once they are ready, the monkeys are taken to Kawsay, where they are released into the jungle. The monkeys often like to stay a little too near to the station itself – I experienced this during my time at Kawsay, when the monkeys would try to break into our cabin and steal our toothpaste! Luckily, we were all armed with water guns to protect our toiletries, and we
By Alex Hulley
4th year, Engineering Design
were strictly asked not to make eye contact with the spider monkeys, since we wanted them to be uninterested in us at the station.
As they felt ready, the monkeys moved further into the rainforest. Inside the jungle, our teams monitor the monkeys around the clock; Raul even taught us the monkey call which we could use to bring the monkeys to us in the mornings. Giving these monkeys a second chance in a way as unique as this was truly incredible, and I got the feeling that Kawsay was doing something very special.
'This experience has completely inspired my interest in conservation work and was proof that there is so much good going on''
there is so much good going on out there. For any adventure seekers looking to volunteer abroad, reaching out to research stations directly, and not through agencies can be a cost e ective and quick way to get involved. Most conservation e orts are non-government funded and rely on international volunteers, so it can be your chance to go on an adventure and make a real di erence.
This experience has completely inspired my interest in conservation work and was proof to me that
For anyone interested in going to Kawsay station, you can get in touch with Raul directly here: https://www.kawsaycenterperu. org/, or follow their Instagram here: Kawsay Biological Station
photo courtesy of: Alex Hulley
photo courtesy of: Alex Hulley
Editor Deputy Editor
Deputy Editor Subeditor Researcher
............ Corin Hadley
.............. Miles Gilroy
.............. James Lewis
.............. Ellie Barnes
.......Harrison Phillips
Our celestial visitor, the 'mini-moon'
The moon's got a friend!
Alice Guskov
Second Year, Astrophysics
If you have ever looked up at the sky and thought "The Moon needs a friend", don't worry!
From the 29th of September to the 25th of November, it will have a visitor.
Scientifically known as 2024 PT5, a mini-moon was detected by Carlos de la Fuente Marcos and Raul de la Fuente Marcos at the Complutense University of Madrid on the 7th of August 2024 using NASA's Asteroid-Terrestrial Impact Alert System in Sutherland, South Africa. Approximately 10 metres in diameter, it is relatively small compared to
both the Earth and the Moon. Unfortunately, this means it will not be visible to the naked eye, but may be observable with a professional telescope.
It also means 2024 PT5 is not really a moon, it's an asteroid. I know, I was disappointed too. After the discovery, Carlos de la Fuente Marcos told Space. com, 'The object that is going to pay us a visit belongs to the Arjuna asteroid belt, a secondary asteroid belt made of space rocks that follow orbits very similar to that of Earth at an average distance to the Sun.' The asteroid originally orbited the sun but was recently pulled into Earth's orbit, classifying it as a mini-moon. Marcos added that it will not complete a full circular orbit but
rather a horseshoe-shaped orbit by the time it leaves us and returns to its toasty home near the sun.
'from the 29th of September to the 25th of November, it will have a visitor'
According to the University of Sydney, 2024 PT5 is the fifth mini-moon discovered by astronomers. The first known mini-moon was 1991 VG, which orbited for two months between 1991 and 1992. The second was 2006 RH120, which visited Earth between July 2006 and July 2007. Next was 2020 CD3, which stayed the longest, just over two years! 2022 NX1 was the last discovered before 2024 PT5, and also hailed from the Arjuna asteroid belt. They were all discovered through long-term projects designed to search for asteroids, and more could be discovered in the future.
Why should we care? In addition to sounding very cool, mini-moons enable astronomers to research asteroids to reveal their composition and behaviour. These factors are essential in determining where they come from and how they formed, giving us insight into how the universe works. They are also imperative in planetary defence initiatives that
courtesy of: NASA/
identify potentially hazardous objects to the Earth, which 2024 PT5 is not, in case you were worried.
If you don't get the chance to become acquainted with 2024 PT5 before it starts the journey home, you are in luck. You only need to wait 31 years until it's predicted to check back in on us, so mark your calendar.
Facing your fears: The Strange World of Phobias
What causes us to fear balloons, clowns or teeny tiny insects?
Sanya Saxena Second Year, Neuroscience
We are a strange species. We have accomplished the seemingly impossible, yet somehow, many of us are terrified of things like balloons, clowns, or teeny tiny insects. Whereas fears are in response to something genuinely life threatening, phobias occur when there is no real danger. So what is it that’s causing us to practically jump out of our skin?
Scientists have long believed that certainphobias helped our ancestors avoid threats in their environment. Imagine this: A bunch of cave-
men chilling, playing with rocks, then suddenly a saber tooth tiger appears. Their fear response is activated and o they go, running for dear life. That fear prevented them being torn to shreds. However, most of us won’t encounter a saber tooth tiger in our lifetimes, so instead of fearing menacing predators we irrationally fear little creatures like butterflies or mice. While they may be harmless, our brain is hardwired to fear the unfamiliar or alien to protect us.
'is it likely? Probably not. Are you still scared? Yes.'
For the psychology bu s, you will be familiar with Sigmund Freud. He hypothesized that our fears as adults stem from unresolved childhood traumas. Essentially, we may associate our trauma with specific objects. The NHS has acknowledged that claustrophobia may come from being trapped in
a confined space during childhood. However, research has demonstrated phobias may be a type of learned response. If a child sees their parent or any older figure afraid of something, they may also develop this fear, regardless of whether they have any personal experiences with it. This learning process can be explained through social learning theory, developed by Albert Bandura, which suggests children look towards adults as ‘models’ of how to interpret the world. The emotional bond that parents and children share will strengthen this process of observational learning. So, if you do have any debilitating unexplained phobias perhaps check whether your parents have them too.
Pop culture has turned us into cowards. A sensationalized news report
comes out about a man finding snakes hidden in his kitchen. Perhaps now you’re a bit wary as to whether there are snakes hidden in your kitchen. Is it likely? Probably not. Are you still scared? Yes.
Our fear response learns from the dramatic and emotional experiences we have through media, and builds fears to protect us. Research has shown that movies and TV shows have a miraculous way of triggering phobias. Now, we
all know that no girl with long black hair is going to crawl out of the TV screen at 3 in the morning. But after watching The Ring, 2002, any time you spot long hair draped over someone's face, your brain goes, ‘It's happening. She's coming for me.’
Whether rooted in ancient survival mechanisms, traumatic childhood moments, or media-induced scares, phobias remain a fascinating part of the human experience.
photo
Unsplash
photo courtesy of: Clement Falize
Sport
Biceps, quads and brains: dissecting sports psychology at the University of Bristol
Adam Mountain Co-Deputy Sports Editor
Editor's Choice:
Epigram joined Connor Grant, University of Bristol’s Performance and Wellbeing Consultant, to discuss his role in training student-athletes’ brains to maximise performance levels.
Amastery over the mind is perhaps one of the lesser recognised attributes of today’s elite athletes. It is safe to say that most footballers would prefer to just practise a set-piece routine rather than doing a half-hour visualisation session for it. Equally, a tennis player would rather serve for this time and a golfer would take to the driving range. Many athletes may not even be able to explain what such a session involves, or why it is beneficial. For Connor this is all part of the process of getting to grips with sports psychology, and so his work with students often begins with an explanation of what his role in their training is:
"It's about tryIng to meet the intersection of using our brains and performing in sport. It's thinking about how we make this idea of mental fitness. We work so hard,
whether it's to make our biceps bigger, or our reaction time better, but very little due diligence."
Connor’s experience, which includes working with Australia’s top tennis juniors, and the double-Olympic winning Fiji rugby sevens team, has left him wellequipped to take University of Bristol’s sports training to a more professional level. Attending one of his mental fitness skills workshops, student-athletes could receive guidance on any number of techniques. These include visualisation, which is used to improve performance by rehearsing a specific movement or scenario in the mind, or reflexive practice, a process that helps athletes and coaches analyse their performance for improvement. Ultimately, Connor aims for these sessions to “champion psychology for people, rather than the classic image of psychology working against us.”
Breaking down these typically negative associations with psychology stands at the forefront of what Connor does. Explaining why he thinks many athletes initially show scepticism to engage with sports psychology, Connor said, “it might be where the word ‘psychology’ comes from and it can scare people. It was definitely a scary word for me as a young athlete, but I think we’re moving beyond that now and starting to realise that psychology does not necessarily mean there will be someone in a lab coat!
“It’s about this idea of mental fitness. We work so hard, whether it’s to make our biceps bigger, or our reaction time better, but very little due diligence is paid to things like our focus or recovery.”
Tailoring training to each team or individual is a key aspect of Connor's approach, and therefore requires him to use a variety of
approaches. On working with individual athletes Connor said, “It is much more comprehensive, so we can go for a co ee, a walk in nature, or I can even join them for a mental skills session while they practise their penalties. You’ve got so much more time to understand behaviours, thought patterns, histories, strengths and opportunities.”
On the other hand, when working with a team Connor is “looking for those ‘quick wins’. This might be a team that wants to be more cohesive, may want to have more players take leadership, or may want to build a culture. So while you may not be able to go as deep with a team, you can still do really good work through empowerment and giving players autonomy, which then reverberates across the club.”
As a nationally-ranked junior tennis player, Connor naturally spends much of his time working with the University of Bristol Tennis Club (UBTC), where his expertise is highly valued in a sport defined by holding the psychological upper-hand. The Men’s First Team’s triumphant promotion to the BUCS Premier South Division marked a fitting end to UBTC and Connor’s 2023/24 season.
But Connor’s ability to participate in a wide variety of sports beyond tennis is an important aspect to the personalisation of his training, as well as the comforting impact it has on athletes. He said, “I can work with most athletes in their own playground, which is critical. As soon as that person has seen you join them […] then they see that this is all about developing
"Tennis is a mental game. Everyone is fit, everyone hits great forehands and backhands" - Novak Djokovic
your mental fitness, which breaks down boundaries very quickly.”
So in a sporting world where physical strength and technical prowess often take centre stage, Connor remains set on breaking down these boundaries to prove that mastering the mind is just as crucial as mastering the body. And as more athletes embrace the mental side of their training, it’s clear that the future of University of Bristol’s sport lies not just in
biceps and quads, but in brains too.
Image courtesy of Connor Grant
Novak Djokovic: the epitome of mental fortitude.
Image courtesy of Andy Wong
Editor
Co-Deputy Editor
Co-Deputy Editor
Mountain
Lawrence
Women's futsal becomes more available at the University of Bristol
Epigram explores the growth of women's futsal and how you can get involved.
Weronika Lecka
First Year, French and Spanish
If anyone at Bristol wants to play futsal, then currently there are B:Active sessions held for female students every Friday at the Indoor Sports Centre 5-6pm. They are
completely free and all that participants would need to do is sign up on the UOB Active app and sign in with their UCard at reception. Of course, since the sessions take place indoors then indoor shoes would be required, but there is no need to purchase the newest Joma’s – any indoor shoes will be fine as the sessions welcome all abilities and levels of experience.
The sessions are led by Milen Harris and India, who set up di erent drills and matches for participants to test their skills. These usually consist of dribbling, passing and receiving the ball in a more futsal way – with the sole of the foot rather than the side. This helps participants to understand the key di erences between the style of play in futsal, as the gameplay is a lot faster, the pitch is smaller, and the ball is smaller and heavier compared to football. Also in these sessions there is support from UoB men’s 1s futsal captain, Max Cuello-Wol e, who uses his experience playing regular futsal with the university
to demonstrate di erent skills to participants. The sport also uses di erently sized goals to football, which may be similar to handball goals, in order to get players used to shooting at a smaller target.
There have only been three sessions so far, with the next being Friday 11th November, but they have been successful with many participants coming each week. The first session on the 19th September was mainly an introduction session to meet the session leaders, but also to learn and understand the di erent skills needed to play futsal. In the two sessions after that, the group has been doing passing and shooting drills in order to fully practice and improve match skills. However, the structure of the session is mainly focused on having small sided 3v3 games, which involves splitting the group into four small and equal teams of three people and splitting the sports hall in half - which helps players understand the fast pace and smaller space that futsal has. This also allows for the sessions to be welcoming for all,
as again the group is split evenly, regardless of ability or experience level in the sport. Near the end of the session, the full width and size of the sports hall is used, alongside the bigger goals, in order to play a larger and more realistic futsal match.
I found out about this opportunity through the Freshers’ Fair 2024, where UoB Futsal organised a Giveit-a-Go session in the sports activity corner. Members of the club set up two cones either side and organised a panna match for people to take part in – to use skills such as rolling the ball or passing it quickly in order to move the ball through the opponent’s legs and into the goal. My friend Emily (UBWFC 2s) and I took part in these matches against some members of UoB futsal and really enjoyed it. We were encouraged to use our best skills, and when we were able to e ectively defeat our opponent, there were cheers from the club members and people watching around. We were told that there is no o cial women’s futsal team at the moment, but if futsal
were to become more popular with female students over time, then they can consider creating a women’s team alongside the already two BUCS male futsal teams available.
Therefore, if you have ever thought of playing futsal during your time at Bristol, now is the time to take part! There are regular updates about futsal sessions on the UBFC Women’s 24/25 WhatsApp chat, where there are polls created asking ‘who’s coming today?’ and links provided to book the session for the next week on the UOB Active app. This makes the group very interactive and welcoming for everyone. There are also a few opportunities for those looking to officiate futsal. After completing the FA Futsal course, trainee referees can o ciate BUCS matches or Futsoul360 league games at Cotham School. The BUCS matches are affiliated with the FA, meaning that they can help you complete your 5 matches in order to o cially qualify as a Futsal referee with the FA. To read on go to Epigram.org.uk
Why are sports societies so expensive?
Epigram explains why university sport has become so expensive
Siân Clarke
Second Year, Classical and Ancient Studies
For most students, playing a sport at university is an excuse to get plastered on a Wednesday night in Fishies, to keep themselves active while both doing something that they love, and, in the least cliché way possible, make friends for life. But for those less financially privileged, the high costs of participating in sports societies can quickly become a nightmare.
article in 2021 stating that ‘poorer students are less likely to take part in sport at university’, and with the ever-increasing cost of living crisis, who can blame them? With memberships for performance and BUCS (British University and College Sports) players frequently in the mid £200 mark minus kit costs, it is no wonder that sport has quickly become a marker of wealth amongst the standard struggling students. And that does not take into account the climbing prices of socials, which players are expected to participate in on a weekly basis. The sports discount codes to club entry only take £1 o the ticket, and that’s without a supply of VKs to keep you entertained throughout the night. What about the activity hardship fund? Surely those who are less
well-o can get the money needed to pay for memberships through the Student Union (SU)? Well, in theory, yes, but the stark reality is that many students are simply too intimidated or embarrassed to plead with the SU for money, especially after paying thousands to the university itself for an education. And we shouldn’t blame them. Filling out the form was a deeply invasive experience: from explaining that no, my parents do not give me any money while I study, to then using EXCEL to break down exactly how much I spend on a weekly food shop, to finally proving everything I am unable to do without their money. Additionally, the maximum funding you are able to receive is £200, hardly covering, if at all, a place in the BUCS squad for many societies. To top it all
o , the first period in which the money is allocated occurs after the majority of sports require you to have purchased memberships, with the committee then taking up to seven working days to let you know their decision, which is after the BUCS player registration deadline. This leads to students gambling
on the success of their application in order to continue playing the sport they love, or risking being stuck in a non-competitive, over-subscribed social squad.
To read more go to Epigram.co.uk
Image courtesy of University of Bristol Futsal Club
Image courtesy of: Siân Clarke
Beyond Campus
Careers Corner
‘You want me to destroy the hills?’ –Count Binface is ready to serve Bristol
Count Binface is the creation of comic writer Jon Harvey, who has written for shows like Have I Got News For You, Only Connect, and the Thick of It. Whether in Binface or ‘human avatar’ mode, he’s creating sharp satires exposing the absurdity of today’s political landscape.
Annie McNamee Co-Editor-in-Chief
He’s conquered galaxies and beaten fascists, but now Count Binface is embarking on his most di cult challenge yet: coming bin-to-face with the British general public.
Things have changed since he first landed here in the UK, way back in 2018. In his six years here on Earth (which, he reminds me, is a holiday resort for him) he has made it his mission to save us from ourselves, and stand against prime ministers and mayors alike. 2024 has, ‘been such a year
for intergalactic politics,’ he says, ‘I finished sixth in the general election – my highest ever result. It was so high that the BBC had to put me on their graphics. That was very nice.’
In the wake of all this success he has decided to embark on a journey across the country to hear directly from us, the people, but most of all to ‘celebrate democracy’ one city at a time. Even all the glitz and glam of space travel can’t save the Count from technical di culties, and although his camera is o when we sit down to chat on a Friday morning, his passion is evident. Perhaps back on his home planet, Sigma IX, they’re simply more emotive than we are here in the UK, or maybe the distance makes him able to discuss the current state of the country with the incredulity it deserves; either way he’s definitely the most straight-to-the-point politician of our time.
But the most surprising thing isn’t his lack of elusive answers, it’s a genuine respect
for the student population. ‘It’s a terrible time for students. How you find the wherewithal to live at all while you’re studying is incredible,’ he says. So what would he do to help us out?
Quite a lot, actually.
Housing is a huge issue to students at the moment. Rent is high and the quality of flats is generally quite low, but Binface has a solution: ‘I want to build one single a ordable home.
‘That will be helpful for you because in the current situation I’d imagine a student might hear that and think “one a ordable house is accommodation for about 25 undergraduates.”
I’d requisition the homes of royals and oligarchs to end homelessness, but I think we could also use some of that to help out the student housing crisis.’ And that’s not all. ‘I’ve also got further plans afoot.
‘I want to sort the tuition fees – that would save you some cash,’ the Count explains when I ask what he thinks about the prospect of universities
EPIGRAM X OVERHEARD AT UOB
potentially raising fees for home students. ‘It’s disgusting how your tertiary education has been treated,’ he tells me. ‘I want all student tuition fees paid for by Nick Clegg. I used to say it should be any politician who ever voted for them, but I’m now moving towards old ‘Cleggy paying the lot… I have a visceral hatred for that man.’
at first he seems unsure about how to fix such a big problem – ‘Do you want me to… destroy the hills?’ he asks doubtfully – he is quickly able to come up with some creative solutions.
We've paired up with Overheard at UoB to share with you some exclusive quotes from campus. The following are actual things people have said in and around the University of Bristol, not made up caricatures – we promise.
"The shag wasn't too bad, but we had to stop and pull out google translate"
Nick Clegg and his former cabinet-mates David Cameron and George Osborne may have a space reserved ‘in the phantom zone’ if the galactic traveller ever gets his way, but not all politicians will end up in purgatory under his watch. ‘I have a lot of time for the Greens,’ the alien explains, ‘huge congratulations to Carla Denyer, it’s great to see that representation in Bristol as well as just Brighton. I’m here to put rocket boosters on their attempts to stabilise catastrophic climate change.’
For a man with the face of a trash can, he’s very passionate about keeping the planet clean.
‘I cannot understand why you humans have this desire to destroy your own planet. I’m lucky, I can go home when I want– coming to Earth is my light relief from ruling the Sigma quadrant– I even get the odd person asking “Can I come with you?” and I go “No, piss o ”. You lot don’t know how to look after a planet!’ he laments.
‘I’m a big fan of segways,’ he says, seemingly excited just by the concept of the two-wheeled transporters. ‘I could invest in segways, and put them at the bottom of the hills. Plus then I could do segway racing as an alternative to Formula 1. Imagine Max Verstappen and Lando Norris cruising around Bristol on Segways. It could be called the Bristol Segway Experience – BSE.’ Now that’s big picture thinking. Take notes, Keir Starmer.
It’s obvious that this Bin is overflowing with high quality policies, but when I o er the Count a chance to speak directly to you, the students of Bristol, he’s got one simple message: ‘On behalf of your parents’ generation, sorry.’
‘You’re the first generation to be worse o than your parents, that’s disgusting. I want you to know that I’m on your side. I think you students will agree with me that Brexit, maybe not the best idea, and statistically those who voted for it are now dead. They’ve bequeathed you with a right old shitshow.’
Oh, and vote. ‘There are forces trying to degrade democracy. I want the good students of Bristol to celebrate democracy with me, and vote,’ he enthuses, ‘whoever you are, vote.’
Students, Count Binface is on your side from all the way across the galaxy. Follow
The Count Binface Party conference national tour will be the first time the alien will set foot in Bristol, but he’s already coming up with solutions to our city’s biggest issue: the hills. Although
Photo courtesy of: Count Binface
"I just bought Waitrose hummus to get a taste of home"
"You can get on the Epstein list by stepping foot in any of the clubs on the triangle"
