Exeposé Issue 616 Week 10

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Tuesday 26 November 2013 • Issue 616 • www.exepose.ex.ac.uk • Twitter: @Exepose • www.facebook.com/Exepose

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52.7% of Exeter students feel “pressurised” into drinking.

Full story on pages 4 - 5 Features: Interview Exeter alumnus Andrew Lansley - PAGE 13

Music: Talk to lefty folk hero Billy Bragg - PAGE 27

Screen: Travel through time with British icon Doctor Who - PAGE 21

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Editorial team Editors Meg Drewett & Jon Jenner Online Editors Olivia Luder & Liam Trim Deputy Editors Clara Plackett & Emily Tanner depeds@exepose.com News Editors Print: Louis Doré & Owen Keating Online: Harrison Jones & Tom Elliott news@exepose.com Comment Editors Online: Dave Reynolds & James Bennett comment@exepose.com Features Editors Print: Alexander Carden & James Roberts Online: Meg Lawrence & Imogen Watson features@exepose.com Lifestyle Editors Print: Kitty Howie & Emily-Rose Rolfe Online: Emma Brisdion & Ben Gilbert lifestyle@exepose.com Music Editors Print: Magda Cassidy & Josh Gray Online: Callum Burroughs & Ben Clarke music@exepose.com Screen Editors Print: Megan Furborough & Rob Harris Online: Jess O’Kane & James Smurthwaite screen@exepose.com Books Editors Print: Elli Christie & Emma Holifield Online: Sophie Beckett & Rory Morgan books@exepose.com Arts Editors Print: Sophy Coombes-Roberts & Ricky Freelove Online: Bryony James & Giverny Masso arts@exepose.com Games Editors Print: Gemma Joyce & Becky Mullen Online: Hernan Romero & Jon Jones games@exepose.com Sport Editors Print: Will Kelleher & Mike Stanton Online: Matt Bugler & Jamie Klein sports@exepose.com Photography Niklas Rahmel photography@exepose.com Copy Editors Charlotte Earland, Lauren Swift & Vanessa Tracey

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New voting XpressionFM surpass ‘Bigger Broadcast’ targets for Children in Need system installed for Student Guild AGM Oliva Bateman News Team

XPRESSIONFM anchors Nikki Lloyd and James Hitchings Hales made a huge contribution to BBC’s Children in Need by carrying out a 30 hour nonstop broadcast. The team originally set their fundraising target at £1,000 but had already smashed that by 11pm and finished with a whopping £2,040.

The ‘Bigger Broadcast’ took place from 12pm on Thursday 14 November until 6pm on Friday 15 November. Neither presenter was allowed to leave the studio and instead had their team bring them food and surprises to keep them awake.

Each hour took on a new theme, from James getting his legs waxed, Late Night Love Sessions, and live music from The Beacons; a four piece indie-rock band from Exmouth. Alongside all this excitement, deputy station manager Matt Bate did a 100 mile bike ride from Exeter to Falmouth on the Friday, helping the team reach their target.

Nikki Lloyd commented: “I’d never felt prouder to be part of XpressionFM and it was a huge team effort, from pro-

>> Anchors Nikki Lloyd and James Hitchings Hales

Photo: @XpressionFM

Vanessa Tracey Copy Editor

ducers, to guest presenters, to the social media team, everyone was amazing and so supportive”.

This was XpressionFM’s longest ever broadcast, six hours longer than their 2012 Children in Need show. Due to the programme’s continual success the team hope they’ll be able to try something like this again next year, with even more hours and exciting surprises to get them through.

Jak Curtis-Rendall, VP Participation

and Campuses said “XpressionFM has done an absolutely fantastic job for Children In Need. Presenters James, Nikki and the rest of the team should be proud of their exceptional broadcast, and for keeping going through the night for the whole 30 hours”.

A second year Physics told Exeposé: “The Bigger Broadcast made really good listening and it’s great that Xpression managed to raise so much money for such a deserving cause”.

Plans to close St Luke’s Bop Lauren Swift Copy Editor THE BOP, the St. Luke’s student nightclub, is under threat of closure after over three decades of use. The future of the Bop is being questioned due to the increasing difficulty to cover the costs of running the event given low footfall in recent months.

An increase in competition and student nights outside of the St. Luke’s campus is believed to be a principal factor contributing to the low levels of attendance. Discussions by Exeter Student Events, who work in partnership with the University to provide the Bop, have also identified a lack of students

living on campus and shift in the demographic of students studying on St. Luke’s as possible reasons.

Exeter Student Events has issued a ‘Last Bop? Your Choice’ campaign on social networking site Facebook to notify students of the uncertain prospects.

The event tells potential attendees that low attendances at these events would result in the event being stopped for the foreseeable future.

A spokesperson for the event commented: “We are allowing those on campus to make the decision about whether they want to see the event continue or not and this will be signalled by attendance levels at the remaining events this term”.

“We are questioning whether low

facebook.com/exepose issuu.com/exepose Advertising Ross Trant R.Trant@exeter.ac.uk (01392) 722432 The opinions expressed in Exeposé are not necessarily those of the Exeposé Editors nor the University of Exeter Students’ Guild. While every care is taken to ensure that the information in this publication is correct and accurate, the Publisher can accept no liability for any consequential loss or damage, however caused, arising as a result of using the information printed. The Publisher cannot accept liability for any loss or damage to artwork or material submitted. The contents of this, unless stated otherwise, are copyright of the Publisher.

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attendances signal that students are no longer wishing to support the event, and instead, prefer attending establishments in town instead.” Seun Olusanya, a first year Medicine student living on St. Luke’s said: “from what I’ve heard the Bop used to offer a lot more in the way of entertainment and so it used to attract more people”. If the closure of the Bop is to be realised, Exeter Student Events and the St. Luke’s Entertainment Committee, who oversee the Bop, are exploring alternatives such as previously successful hypnosis shows.

A decision regarding the future of the Bop will be made following the upcoming Bop nights in conjunction with discussions with stakeholders such as the Students’ Guild. A spokesperson for the Exeter Student Events told Exeposé: “we are hopeful that students will continue to support the event and attendance at the next two events will increase”.

Jak Curtis-Rendall, VP PAC, commented that “The Bop has a long history at St. Luke’s, and is a traditional part of the Lukie experience. I am currently supporting the ongoing discussions between the University and Exeter Student Events about the future of the Bop and would encourage students to come along and support the event”.

ON Wednesday 11 December 2013, the Students’ Guild Annual General Meeting is due to take place in the Amory Moot Room at 1pm.

The meeting allows students to approve or reject the Guild’s financial decisions made in the past year as well as other business matters including the approval of auditors who are in charge of managing and verifying the accounts. Students can either attend the AGM themselves or pass a proxy vote to an elected officer via the Guild’s Website.

It is even more important that we vote in the AGM and find out what it’s about Peter Tse, Second year English This year, the Guild has installed an ‘informed voting system’ that not only allows students of the University to nominate a proxy on their behalf, but also means they can instruct their representative in how to make use of their vote.

At least 2.5 per cent of the student body are required to vote by law which is the principal reason of the ‘informed voting system’ online, although this has also been made available for those situated on the Tremough Campus or St Luke’s as live streaming of the meeting cannot be guaranteed.

Peter Tse, a second year English student commented: “With so much going on throughout university life, the incredible work of the Student’s Guild can’t go without the full recognition they deserve. Within that are the financial details, which can be seen as irrelevant for an everyday student.

That’s why it is even more important that we vote in the AGM and find out what it’s about”.

It is a legal requirement that the Guild provides its members with annual financial reports which disclose any donations made to external organisations and guild affiliations. These reports will be made accessible online from 3 December.

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Point Exe Freshers paying over £800 for Residence Life team Harrison Jones Online News Editor UNIVERSITY nominated first years living in Point Exe are paying £30 more each week than their second year counterparts - just to have access to the Residence Life team, an Exeposé investigation has revealed.

Whilst students who apply directly to the accommodation pay £90 a week for a 44 week contract, 68 first year students have to fork out £119.98 for 40 weeks - £840 more per year – with the only difference being that they can access the Residence Life team.

Another equivalent group pay £100 per week for 40 weeks, with the apparent cost of residence life team being an extra £800 in this instance. That money goes directly to the University as a referral fee, and is then used to “cover administration costs and additional services, such as the support of the Residence Life Team,” according to a short statement from Point Exe. The privately owned accommodation is situated off campus, near St. David’s station. The accommodation is

available to all year groups, but is primarily occupied by first years, including all 68 students living in the £119.98 per week ‘cluster flats.’

One of the 68 students living in cluster flats, who wishes to remains anonymous, said they were unaware of the fact they were paying more, labelling the prices “unfair”.

The student added: “the Residence Life team are terrible - one of my flatmates disappeared for over a week and we contacted the team because we were worried. No one even came to check his locked room for three days and when we called they told us it wasn’t their problem, but that of the accommodation staff”.

The University claims that between Freshers’ Week and Week Five the mentors covering Point Exe have had an average of four visits per resident, including flat meetings, fire safety advice, information on the St David’s shuttle bus service, conversations about courses, essays and workload, discussing cooking, signposting students to the Health Centre and more confidential issues when required.

A University spokesperson said:

“The cost of the rooms at Point Exe are aligned with other University rents.

Students would have had a choice to accept these rooms or to look for cheaper rooms in the private sector themselves”.

“As well as helping to support the costs of the Residence Life Team the additional income has helped to cover additional administrative costs.

convinced, arguing: “whilst £90 a week is a great deal, I certainly wouldn’t want to be paying much more than that, certainly not another third on top. The extra cost is definitely not worth paying for whatever supposed benefits there are”.

Jak Curtis-Rendall, VP Participation and Campuses, commented: “I am

deeply concerned about the significant price discrepancies that have been identified at Point Exe. I will expect the University to respond directly to these student concerns and will personally raise this issue as part of ongoing discussions the Students’ Guild is holding with the University concerning accommodation rent prices”.

Students would have had a choice to accept these rooms or to look for cheaper rooms in the private sector themselves A University spokesperson “The Residence Life Team is an extremely worthwhile and well utilised service, which the University will continue to offer to those students who apply through the University for their accommodation”.

Jack Bristow, a second year student living in the cluster flats, is not

Photo: www.exeter.ac.uk

Police warning over Exam cheating down in 2012/13, but still high compared to Russell Group student burglaries Helen Carrington News Team SEVEN reported burglaries have taken place at student residences in Exeter over the past two months, according to figures released by Devon and Cornwall Police.

The most commonly stolen items were laptops, iPads, mobile phones, iPods and money. In addition, there have been 14 incidents involving the theft of items such as laptops and bicycles from the University.

Statistics published by the Home Office show that households comprising of people aged between 16 and 24 are the most targeted by burglars, making students the most likely demographic to be victims of burglary.

The Complete University Guide warns students, saying: “It is estimated that a third of students become victims of crime, mainly theft and burglary, but many could have been prevented.

The trouble is most students are blissfully unaware of crime in our towns and cities until they fall prey to it. This is particularly true of freshers partying in their first few weeks at university who are not ‘street-wise’ about the local area”.

The Police have advised students to ensure that their possessions are kept secure and out of sight, whether on campus or in shared accommoda-

tion. Students are also requested to sign any valuable belongings onto the website www.immobilise.com. This allows stolen property to be located and returned more easily, and serial numbers are stored on the site to allow police to identity stolen items. Free property marking is available through the University’s Student Community Wardens. The Wardens can visit premises by appointment to security mark and register values. This can be booked by emailing streetwise@ex.ac.uk.

Security marking can also be booked for January, when students may be returning to university with valuable or desirable Christmas gifts which they want to protect.

Chris Rootkin, Vice-President Welfare & Community, said: “I would urge all students to treat the security of their home and belongings as a priority. Many burglaries are opportunistic so it is important to make sure doors and windows are locked whenever going out. Items can also be security marked by the University’s community wardens and registered with police to increase the chance of getting them back if they are stolen. Most of all I would encourage students to consider their personal safety. If anyone notices anything suspicious near their home they should not hesitate to notify the police on the non-emergency number 111 or to get in touch with me”.

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Louis Doré News Editor

THE NUMBER of exam sittings that result in cases of cheating or misconduct is decreasing at the University of Exeter. A Freedom of Information request (FOI) submitted by Exeposé has revealed that only 89 cases of cheating were discovered during the January and summer exam periods of 2012/13.

This figure represents a decrease of 35.5 per cent (138 cases) from 2010/11 and a reduction of 44.7 per cent (161 cases) from 2011/12. Over 58,000 examinations sittings were recorded on Exeter campuses in the January and summer exam periods in 2012/13 alone.

However, Exeter’s proportion of examination papers involving cheating in 2012/13 (0.15 per cent), is high when compared with other Russell Group universities. Exeposé surveyed the Russell Group with the same request, and of those that complied, Exeter recorded among the higher percentages of incidences of cheating. In 2012/13, the University of Liverpool recorded only 33 incidences, despite having a larger student body and sitting 27,095 more exams. The University of Exeter’s rate of 0.15 per cent cheated examinations in 2012/13 is also far higher than Newcastle University’s 0.05 per cent, the University of Leeds’s 0.01 per cent and the University of York’s 0.01 per cent.

The number of students failing exams also appears to be on the rise, year on year. In 2012/13, 14.6 per cent of exam sittings were failed, compared to 14.1 per cent in 2011/12 and 13.3 per cent in 2010/11. Again, the University of Exeter compares higher than its Russell Group competitors, with Queen Mary University of Belfast recording only 10.7 per cent failed examinations and the University of Leeds recording 6.8 per cent. Within these figures, ‘Pass’ and ‘Fail’ is a measure of whether or not they met the normal pass mark for the exam. As such condoned passes are treated as fails in this data but will have resulted in a pass of the exam component.

It is pleasing to see the number of cases of cheating is decreasing A third year English student The Freedom of Information request also revealed that in 2013, 1,200 students had to sit a referred or deferred Exeter based examination, of which there were 2,534 occurences.

The University of Exeter advises on its website to those requiring referred/ deferred examinations: “Should you miss referred/deferred examinations, you are likely to be deemed withdrawn

from the University, unless you provide valid medical evidence confirming your inability to sit your exam”.

Professor Mark Overton, Dean of Taught Programmes, said: “We take all forms of exam misconduct and cheating extremely seriously. We have improved our processes for detecting incidences of misconduct and/or cheating, and this year we ran a campaign to make sure that students were fully aware of the rules and the consequences of breaking them. We are very pleased that this is leading to a reduction of offences at Exeter. We believe that we are particularly effective at identifying misconduct, which may be why our incidence rate is comparatively high”.

Vice-President Academic Affairs, Alex Louch, said: “The Students’ Guild has worked with the University over a number of years to address exam misconduct, and I am happy to see continued improvement. However, I recognise that Russell Group universities demand the highest standards, and I am confident that ongoing measures taken by the University in collaboration with the Guild will continue to address standards of exam practice.”

A third year English student told Exeposé: “It is pleasing to see the number of cases of cheating in university exams at Exeter is decreasing, especially when you consider our contextually high rate of exam discrepancies in relation to the rest of the Russell Group”.

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Survey reveals studen www.exepose.ex.ac.uk

• 83% feel that alcohol helps them to socialise • 38.4% consider drinking to be an “essential” part of university life • 19.8% see alcohol as the ONLY way to make friends Owen Keating, News Editor Meg Drewett, Editor A SURVEY examining the drinking habits of students at the University of Exeter has revealed that 52.7 per cent of students feel pressurised to drink by their peers. The online survey, held by the University of Exeter Students’ Guild, intended to discover accurate details of student drinking habits.

The survey also suggested that this pressure to drink increases through university, as 58.8 per cent of third years surveyed said they said pressurised, in comparison to 49.5 per cent of first years. Male respondents were seen to feel the peer pressure to drink more extensively, with 53.5 per cent of the male students who responded saying they felt pressure, as opposed to 52.4 per cent of the female students who answered.

Approximately 83 per cent of the 656 respondents either “agree” or “strongly agree” that alcohol helps them to socialise, with only 5.8 per cent saying that they disagreed or strongly disagreed that it helped them make friends.

One respondent to the survey also commented: “drinking can be a very socially exclusive process”.

19.8 per cent of students also agreed or strongly agreed that alcohol was the ONLY way they could fit in or make friends at university, while 38.4 per cent

of respondents said that they agreed with the idea that the consumption of alcohol constituted an “essential” part of university life.

When asked about the number of units of alcohol they drank per week, 14.6 per cent of female respondents said that they drank more than 14 units on an average week. The NHS website recommends that women drink no more than two to three units of alcohol per day on a regular basis, which would indicate a recommended weekly maximum of 14 units. Furthermore, 30.9 per cent of male respondents say that they drink more than 21 units a week, with the NHS recommending that men drink no more than three to four units per day.

9.6 per cent of female respondents also said that they drink more than 14 units in a single sitting, with 4.5 per cent of male respondents claiming that they have drunk more than 21 units in a single night.

The NHS is also quick to cite the harmful effects of drinking too much.

Potential negative effects include infertility, liver damage, high blood pressure, an increased risk of various cancers, and heart attacks, as well as weight gain and reduced physical fitness.

The NHS website also suggests that people drinking more than their recommended daily allowance of alcohol would be “increasing risk drinkers” who are more susceptible to health concerns, including cancers, high blood pressure,

and cirrhosis.

23.4 per cent of students also said that they had been present at or part of drinking initiations. Initiations are banned at the University of Exeter after a male student died after an AU initiation in November 2006. The student had been on a poorly organised social, and an inquest heard that the members of the AU club the man was with were too drunk to fully know of his whereabouts.

According to the survey, boys were marginally more likely to have been involved in or present at initiations, with 24.3 per cent of male respondents saying that they have seen or been active in such practices. 22.4 per cent of female respondents, by comparison, claim to have been at such initiations.

The survey indicated that older students were more likely to have been at the initiations, with 29.6 per cent of fourth year respondents saying they had been to an initiation, compared to 21.9 per cent of the first year students who responded.

In the section of the survey where students could comment on alcohol culture at the university more generally, some students mentioned what they perceived to be a culture of excessive drinking within university sports clubs.

One respondent stated: “The drinking culture around sports clubs is intimidating and irresponsible”.

Another said: “many students, especially on sports socials, do drink to get horrendously drunk quite deliberately”, while a third respondent claimed: “Initiations are supposed to be illegal at Exeter, but second and third years are very forceful in forcing first years to drink, i.e. threatening to throw them out of the society”.

The AU could not be reached for comment when they were emailed and telephoned by Exeposé.

70 per cent of those who responded also said that they felt safe in Exeter city centre when socialising in the evening, as opposed to only 8 per cent who said that they did not feel safe in the city at night.

Since 2009, Exeter Street Pastors have patrolled the streets on Friday and Saturday nights in order to help revellers who find themselves in distress while on

a night out in the city. Since the scheme’s initiation, the lives of at least two people partying in the city have been saved by the Pastors, whose primary tasks include picking up broken glass, administering first aid treatment, and ensuring that people get home safely.

The Students’ Guild also utilises a Welcome Team during Freshers’ Week, a time when students are potentially more vulnerable to excessive alcohol consumption.

The survey also asked students about their awareness of the law regarding the sale of alcohol in entertainment venues.

Many students, especially on sports socials, do drink to get horrendously drunk quite deliberately Respondent to Guild Survey Although it is illegal for a pub or club to serve alcohol to an identifiably drunk customer, the survey indicated that only 52 per cent of students were aware of this.

24 per cent of students could remember an incident when they had gained access to a pub or club when already excessively inebriated. A further 22 per cent could identify a time when they had been served in a pub or club despite being already very drunk.

When asked which entertainment venues had admitted or served alcohol to respondents when already drunk, Arena, Timepiece and the Lemon Grove were the most frequently reported.

Of those respondents that could identify a time they had been admitted to a club whilst excessively drunk, 67.4 per cent of students identified Arena as having allowed them entry, with 38.1 per cent and 23.8 per cent of students citing Timepiece and the Lemon Grove respectively.

53.8 per cent of respondents who could remember a time when they had been very drunk and still served alcohol named Arena as having done so. This figure was significantly higher than the

35.6 per cent of these respondents who could remember being served whilst drunk in Timepiece and the 16.25 per cent who could remember being served in the Lemon Grove.

Exeposé contacted Arena and Timepiece about the survey, but neither venue elected to make a comment.

When asked for comment by Exeposé, Chris Young, the Students’ Guild Licensed Trade Manager, said: “As a Best Bar None award winning venue, the Lemon Grove delivers comprehensive training to all our student staff on various aspects of working in licensed trade including recognising drunkenness and the appropriate action to take to refuse service and entry if necessary. Customer safety is a priority for the venue management team and we fully support any initiatives and campaigns that promote alcohol awareness and safer drinking to our students”.

The survey’s section on Alcohol and Risk also indicated that 22 per cent of respondents were more likely to have a one night stand after drinking alcohol, while 37 per cent were more likely to have lost valuable items like keys, mobile phones, or money.

42 per cent said they were likely to walk home alone after a night out, while 19 per cent, nearly one in five, said that they would be more likely to leave their drink unattended.

9 per cent also said that they were likelier to get into a fight after drinking, while 48 per cent admitted might be noisy on their way home after a night out.

24 per cent said they were more likely to have posted regrettable messages on social media, and 21 per cent claimed they would be more likely to get involved in pranks like moving road signs and interfering with parked cars.

When asked about alcohol promotions in entertainment venues and supermarkets, one in four students agreed or strongly agreed that cheap alcohol offers in shops and supermarkets enticed them to drink more than they had planned. By contrast, 48 per cent of students disagreed that these offers persuaded them to drink more than they had intended.

Some students also told the survey that the placement of alcohol in shops

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nts pressured to drink www.exepose.ex.ac.uk

Alcohol Survey by numbers Students who exceed a certain number of units per week (men - 21 units, women - 14 units) based on NHS guidelines

The proportion of students who have been present at initations, by year group All Years

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

30.9% of males 14.6% of females

The proportion of students who identified clubs that had admitted them when excessively drunk

The proportion of students who identified clubs that had served them alcohol when excessively drunk

Statistics representative of answers to corresponding survey questions

made them more likely to buy drinks which they hadn’t previously intended to purchase. Feedback from respondents indicated that cheap alcohol near the cash registers was often a decisive factor in what they purchased.

45 per cent of students said, however, that cheap alcohol offers in clubs persuaded them to drink more, as opposed to 30 per cent who disagreed that these promotions had any effect on their alcohol intake.

47 per cent of respondents said that ‘Buy One Get One Free’ offers encouraged them to drink more, with 355 students overall either agreeing or strongly agreeing. The survey also revealed that 53.2 per cent of students regularly play drinking games. Second years, however, were the most likely to do so with 60.2 per cent engaging in such activities, compared to 46.6 per cent of first years and 57.7 per cent of

third years.

Some students responding to the survey complained how drinking games, which they said often makes up a significant part of ‘pre-drinks’ before a night out, are only inclusive if you are drinking alcohol, indicating that this could lead to more students drink-

There is work that we can do in partnership with venues in Exeter Chris Rootkin, VP Welfare and Comunity ing in order to fit in.

Additionally, 29.8 per cent of female respondents agreed that they

drink because there are not enough alcohol free events available for them to attend, in comparison to 23.3 per cent of male students who felt the same.

While some students said that they had actually drunk less at university because of the wider breadth of opportunities and activities on campus, one student commented that non-alcoholic events were often seen as for “losers” or seen to be “uncool”. Unless these perceptions were reversed, the student suggested, then these events would continue to be unpopular.

The survey answered earlier this term by over 650 students through a portal on the Guild’s website. It ran from October 21 to November 8. Students from a range of disciplines completed the survey, with 406 female and 246 male students providing answers.

41.5 per cent of the respondents were first years, 26.2 per cent were second

years and 31.7 per cent were third or fourth years.

Chris Rootkin, VP Welfare & Community, commented on the survey: “This survey has effectively highlighted issues relating to alcohol consumption such as peer pressure to drink. I believe that students should be empowered to make their own decisions about drinking. The survey also identified where there is work that we can do in partnership with venues in Exeter to look after our students’ safety and wellbeing. These survey results will be invaluable in planning welfare strategy with the Students’ Guild, the University and our partners in the Exeter community.”

A university spokesman said: “We take the health and wellbeing of our students very seriously and have put in place a number of initiatives to challenge the perception that alcohol is

Initial Student Reaction Exeposé News surveyed student opinion before breaking the story...

“There are much better ways to socialise with friends than solely by drinking alcohol.“ Marcus Beard, 3rd year student “There is a definite pressure to drink in university life, though most of it can be avoided by choosing your friends and societies closely.”

Nick Terrett, 3rd year student

“Alcohol definitely is a major part of university life - especially given its importance to society socials.”

Jessica Thomson, 2nd year Ancient History and Archaeology student

“While everyone would agree that alcohol, especially for our generation, is a great way of relaxing into social situations, it is quite sad that nearly one in five consider it to be the only way to make friends.”

Naomi Golding, 3rd year Drama student

“I think it’s sad that over half of Exeter students feel under pressure to drink as I would have thought that as adults, we should be comfortable enough in our own decisions to say ‘no’, and this should be accepted by our friends and peers. I am also shocked that a fifth of those who completed the survey felt that alcohol was the only way to make friends.”

Beth Gore, 2nd year English student

“I have definitely felt the pressure to drink at university, much more than when I was younger.

It’s a shame some people think alcohol is the only way to make friends.”

Alice Nicholson, XTV

integral to having a good time at University. We work very closely with the Students’ Guild on wellbeing events, awareness raising and education for students. This includes alcohol-awareness training for Guild and Athletic Union officers to promote social activity for student clubs and societies. Any Freshers Week activity which involves alcohol must also offer a non-alcohol-based alternative. In partnership with Addaction we have developed Alcohol Awareness workshops; students are referred to these workshops where there is concern about the impact alcohol may be having on their welfare and/or conduct. We work with external venues and agencies on responsible drinking and licensing campaigns, hence all entertainment venues have free drinking water. We also have many venues on campus which do not serve alcohol”.

Get in touch E-mail us your responses to Exeposé’s coverage of the alcohol survey results comment@exepose.com Twitter: @Exepose

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National Student News Christopher Bateman News Team

Social scientists most employable SOCIAL science graduates are more likely to be in paid employment than arts or science graduates, according to data analysed by the Campaign for Social Science.

The Campaign for Social Science is supported by 78 institutions, including universities, learned societies, publishers and a charitable trust.

According to the data gathered, 84 per cent of social science graduates were in employment, compared with 78 per cent of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) graduates and 79 per cent of arts and humanities.

Social scientists, according to the report, have higher chances of being in a managerial or senior role in comparison to their peers at university as well as having higher employability.

One reason for this trend occurring is that a smaller proportion of social science graduates remain as students, with ten per cent compared with 17 per cent of STEM students and 11 per cent with arts and humanities degrees.

Professor James Wilson added: “We’re pleasantly surprised by the figures. It’s not a huge difference, but it is a noticeable one”.

Calls for tuition fees to rise with inflation THE PRESIDENT of ‘Universities UK’ has urged for university tuition fees to rise in line with inflation.

Sir Christopher Snowden, vice-chancellor of The University of Surrey, stated that the £9,000 limit on annual tuition fees is “not suitable”.

The issue is being raised, as by 2016 the £9,000 tuition fee will only be worth around £8,250.

Dr Wendy Piatt, Director General of the Russell Group, hazarded: “Without access to increased funding…our leading institutions cannot continue to be internationally competitive, provide a first-rate teaching experience and offer generous support to disadvantaged students”.

This request for a rise in tuition fees comes shortly after the Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University, Andrew Hamilton, called for fees to be “more closely related to true cost”, believing £16,000 per annum would be a more appropriate figure.

Sir Snowden went on to state he does not agree with a major jump in fees but believes: “fees really need to have a sensible indexing linked to it… but fees can’t remain frozen forever”.

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Exeposé

Plans for 1,000 new 3,000 expected for homes in Exeter ECU carol service Owen Keating News Editor PLANS have been revealed that will see in excess of 1,000 new homes built across Exeter, including in areas previously used as green spaces or car parking.

The city council has revealed a list of potential areas where the new houses will be built, including potentially the area around the Exeter Cricket Ground. The council intends to build 23 homes on a small area of land surrounding the cricket pavilion.

A government decision on the listed status of the pavilion itself is ongoing, although the city council have said that the cricket pitch itself would remain.

Other sites listed in the report include a section of the car park in front of St. David’s station. The rectangular car park has already been mooted as suitable for a green space which would become a ‘gateway’ to the city for visitors arriving by train. 87 homes are to be split between part of the car park adjacent to the station’s entrance and land on the junction of Station Road and Cowley Bridge Road.

New homes are also planned on sites including Topsham Road, the Mary Arches car park, and an area of the picturesque Ludwell Valley Park.

Andy Robbins, the city’s development manager, commented regarding St. David’s: “I don’t think anything is going to happen here in the near future

because of a contract between Network Rail and the train operator which states that the number of car parking spaces in the vicinity of the station has to remain the same”.

Not only can it give a welcome boost to the economy, it is needed to meet the significant housing need Rachel Sutton, lead councillor for city development Rachel Sutton, lead councillor for city development, told the Echo: “Exeter needs development to be able to thrive. Not only can it give a welcome boost to the economy, it is needed to meet the significant housing need”.

These latest proposals are additions to the previous development document on which public consultation was held in July. Over 600 residents aired their views, which were used directly to tailor the document to residents’ needs.

Exeter residents will have the chance to discuss any concerns regarding these new plans during a public consultation which will run from December to February.

Students reminded over festive refuse collections Georgia Roberts News Team STUDENTS are being reminded that missing their last refuse collections before the end of term could mean that their waste is not collected for up to six weeks, potentially leading to disruption.

The majority of students in privately rented accommodation will have their last grey waste collection in the week commencing 2 December, with the last collection for refuse in the St. James’ area likely being Wednesday 4th December.

Sally Fryer, Recycling Officer, has advised students to be mindful about their waste management, especially since there will be no additional waste collections for students over the festive season. Fryer advises that putting out rubbish at the wrong time could lead to students’ addresses being put on a “name and shame” list for those who flout waste regulations.

Fryer recommended that students “recycle as much as possible up to the end of term and at the start of the new term”, in order to leave less rubbish for landfill. Students are being encouraged to use local recycling banks, includ-

ing those on Old Tiverton Road and on campus. Official advice also states that students should double bag any non-recyclable rubbish and store it in either dustbins or wheelie bins in their gardens.

Students who need a chargeable collection for extra or bulkier waste can arrange this through the Council on 01392 665010. Students should also use this number for advice if they cannot find what information they need on the council website.

The hugely successful “glass caddy” scheme that piloted over the summer will also recommence its services, after diverting over six tonnes of glass from landfill during the summer months. The scheme, a collaboration between the Student Community Wardens and the University of Exeter Students’ Guild, will run from 6 December to 8 December, and will allow students without their own transportation to have their glass recycling ‘caddied’ to bottle banks. Bookings for one of the limited slots can be secured by emailing streetwise@ex.ac. uk, or by going to the Student Community Warden Stall in the Forum. Slots will be booked on a first come first served basis.

Fiona Potigny News Team THE UNIVERSITY OF EXETER’S Evangelical Christian Union are expecting a record attendance of over 3,000 people at their annual Christmas Carol Service.

This year’s service will be held at St James’ Park Stadium on 9 December, and is open to all, whether ECU member, student or local.

Complimentary mince pies are available upon arrival, as well as having their carolling backed by The Salvation Army, who are back by popular demand to provide accompaniment.

Amongst performances from Soul Choir, Newton Primary School, Sweet Nothings and Semi-Toned, the service will also feature various readings from Guild President, Hannah Barton, Deputy A and V Manager, Joy Taylor, and the Mayor.

The main speech of the evening,

however, will be given by Graham Daniels. The ex-professional footballer and current head of nationwide organisation ‘Christians in Sport’ will be giving a speech entitled “Christmas Revolution”.

Will Holt, President of ECU, claims: “He is a very energetic and animated Welsh speaker, and will no doubt bring Christmas cheer to the evening”.

In 2002, ECU staged their very first Christmas Carol Service in the Great Hall, with a capacity of 800, whereas the first year in the stadium drew a crowd of 2,200, and this figure continues to grow today, standing at around 3,000 and affording it the title of largest carol service in the South West. Brewster maintains that this is due to Harrower’s “hunger to make the gospel known in the city, and perseverance in going ahead despite my nervousness”.

Rachael Gillies, Faith Executive for the Students’ Guild, said: “[The ECU Carol Service] is a wonderful way to bring students and community together and to share in some Christmas cheer!”

Photo credit: John Foulkes

New ‘Taking A Break’ scheme for library Rob Harris Screen Editor THE FORUM LIBRARY, in conjunction with Students’ Guild Representatives and individual students, is set to introduce a scheme to help increase the amount of seats available during peak periods.

Despite 160 new study spaces being added since the start of the term, the issue of students taking up more than one space, or saving seats by leaving their belongings unattended, has remained a consistent problem.

Students will have to place ‘Taking a Break’ cards on their desks when leaving their workspaces so others know that the user will be back soon.

The University is hoping that the new set of guidelines will combat this behaviour, encouraging students to follow three simple rules, which include only using one seat when working, ensuring any breaks take less than an hour, and taking better care of valuables and

personal belongings. ‘Taking a Break’ card or do not return within one hour then their property may be moved to make the area available for other users.

Mike Stanton, a third year Geography student, stated: “The amount of times I’ve gone to the library looking for somewhere to work only for there to be absolutely no workspaces is pretty ridiculous. Hopefully these new guidelines will be a good step towards solving the problem”.

Posters and ‘Taking a Break’ card holders will start to be put up around the Library from Sunday 24 November onwards.

Alex Louch, VP Academic Affairs, told Exeposé: “Increasing study space across our campuses is my key priority for this year and having worked with the University on the ‘Taking A Break’ initiative, I am pleased to see it introduced. The Students’ Guild will continue to work closely with the university to extend the provision of suitable study space and to use current study spaces more innovatively”.

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Comment SEND US YOUR LETTERS: editors@exepose.com

Exeposé est.

Everyone here at the University has the right to drink - but everyone also has the right to say no On top of that, nearly 40 per cent of us believe that drinking alcohol is “essential” to university life and approximately a fifth of students feel that drinking is the only way to fit in and make friends.

These results have to be seen as concerning. Though it is easy to dismiss any attempts to raise alcohol awareness as spoiling people’s fun, the results of this survey have some serious implications for student drinking. None of us have a problem with people drinking; but do we have a problem with the fact that more than half of our peers are drinking because they feel like they have to?

Bearing these results in mind, it is important to ensure that the shouts of “see it off” and “no EG – again!” that ring out around the student population are not drowning out quieter concerns that people simply don’t want to be drinking. Some of the most memorable

DEPUTY EDITORS

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1987

Pressure Pints WE all know that the vast majority of students don’t mind a drink. Be it a pint in the Ram with your friends or the shots at a social in Arena, most of us drink and most of us drink responsibly. However, we’ve all had those nights out where a few too many units were consumed and you’re left weeping for your bed in your 9am the next day.

But there are certain aspects of student drinking that mean serious questions have to be asked. As Exeposé reveals in this issue, a survey conducted by the Students’ Guild has shown that almost 53 per cent of students feel pressurised into drinking at our uni.

EDITORS

and fun experiences at university will come hand-in-hand with alcohol, but all of us need to consider if that fun is coming at the expense of others.

More worrying still is the revelation that nearly a quarter of all students have witnessed or taken part in an alcohol-based initiation.

It is common knowledge that initiations are banned at the University of Exeter; it’s also common knowledge that they take place anyway. The excessive drinking that takes place at these events can be seen as a laugh, but it can also be dangerous and irresponsible. All of us are aware that heavy drinking can end in tragedy, and has done so in Exeter in the past. Part of this survey’s purpose was to help the Guild and the University ensure that it doesn’t happen again.

No one wants to stop students having a good time, but it could be worth asking whether we are doing enough to provide alternatives to compulsory drinking. Both Guild and AU societies across campus often start their socials in a pub – Exeposé’s most recent social took place in the Ram. Could this be seen as part of the pressure? Whilst societies should not suddenly stop going to the pub – the University would probably turn into a post-apocalyptic wasteland overnight – perhaps societies could provide more events outside of an alcohol-based environment. It’s not just for the tee-totallers amongst us but also for the average student who may be drinking more than they want to because they feel like they have to.

At the end of the day, everyone here at the University has the right to drink – but everyone also has the right to say no. If over half of Exeter students feel pressured to drink by their peers then it is the rest of us – their peers – that need to address that problem. We may have unconsciously created this culture; let’s consciously do something to change it.

Correction: In our last issue, Lou Reed: An Obituary should have been credited as written by Hugh Dignan. Exeposé apologises for the mistake.

Thanks to those who helped proof this issue: Vanessa Tracey, Lauren Swift, Charlotte Earland, Fiona Lally, Bethany Stuart, Thomas Davies, Sabrina Aziz, Beth Gore, Izzy Burston, Ben Crick, Sophie Harrison, Jessica Thomson, Tristan Gatward, Ben Pullan, Pui Ku, Pavel Kondov, Sam Brewer, Emily McIndre, Amrita Pal, Abi Polding, Nick Terrett and members of the Exeposé editorial team

9

Meg Drewett & Jon Jenner Clara Plackett & Emily Tanner

JOIN THE FACEBOOK GROUP Exeposé Comment

EDL: Peaceful protest or fearful march?

“The constant EDL chants were punctuated by minor scuffles and bouts of prolonged, aggressive swearing ”

Photo: Niklas Rahmel

Owen Keating News Editor EXETER’S thriving city centre is often full of shoppers looking for the ideal bargain. However, on Saturday 16 November, the city was full of another kind of pedestrian: the English Defence League were holding their national demonstration in Exeter, and a counter-march, organised by Exeter Together, was opposing them.

The week before the marches was filled with fervent activity on social media and in the local press, as well as, for those (including myself) who would be covering the march for Exeposé, no small amount of safety briefings.

On the day itself, my role involved covering the EDL demonstration.

While that morning’s Exeter Together march was a positive occasion of diversity and disco, we were all expecting something slightly different from the EDL’s march. We weren’t wrong.

The Locomotive Inn, where the EDL met, was not only heavily policed, but also the venue for an incident that has already earned national attention. Men in burqas pretended to pray on the street, causing widespread outrage across the street, where a number of observers had gathered.

Police Liaison officers were involved, angry onlookers were moved on, and the EDL kept slurping pints and singing hackneyed ex-football chants about being English until they eventually die. Obviously.

Pretty soon after this, the actual march began. Between 225 and 300 EDL supporters crowded into one

tightly packed group, while policemen riding horses and journalists wielding Twitter accounts did their utmost to not get in each other’s way. I moved in front of the march with our photographer, who jumped onto ledges and inbetween hi-vis police to get some stunning photos along the route.

As the situation escalated, we were advised by the police to move away from the scene, before the EDL decided to move us away themselves The atmosphere wasn’t so much threatening as just surreally aggressive. Men with megaphones claimed back the country, as the previously mentioned police horses did a very good job of keeping the march to just the one, designated route. In the interest of fairness, I will say that if the EDL, as they claim, do actually own the streets, it was very nice of them to let the police have this particular one for the afternoon, as swathes of law enforcers were very effective in controlling the march at this point.

On Queen Street, the atmosphere changed: a small but vocal crowd lined the streets, and the constant EDL chants were punctuated by minor scuffles and bouts of prolonged, impressive swearing.

Devon and Cornwall Police described the marches as “peaceful”: while this is certainly true in that there were no major flashpoints, the EDL’s turning into their rally point at Northernhay Gardens left little doubt as to the vitriol surrounding their march.

Anti-fascist protestors hurled abuse, and only a particularly determined wall of police personnel stopped the two sides from clashing.

Some journalists, including myself, another News Editor, and our photographer got behind the cordon and inside the EDL’s final rally. The atmosphere changed significantly here, as a stall appeared out of nowhere to sell t-shirts, and marchers milled around chatting as if they were at a garden party, except with more explicitly fearful prejudice towards other people.

While our journalistic presence on the march had been tolerated, if not welcomed (the EDL do NOT like cameras, or Twitter, or pretty much anything that you can’t chant, apparently), it soon became clear that our presence at the rally was causing some tension. Along with major news organisations, we were threatened with physical violence if we didn’t leave immediately. As the situation escalated, we were advised by the police to move away from the scene, before the EDL decided to move us away themselves.

As we walked back towards our base in the centre of town, we reflected on what had been an exciting afternoon. While the EDL claimed that Exeter had made them feel welcome, all I saw was disbelief at the bigotry inherent within their views. Having both followed the march, and indeed talked to demonstrators, I can say that the overriding emotion I’d associate with the EDL was fear, be it fear of the other, fear of equality, or even just fear of a student journalist with a Twitter account.

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COMMENT

26 november 2013 |

www.exepose.ex.ac.uk

Exeposé

“The Wellness Centre is a fabulous accolade for our campus to boast, and should be an amazing supportive environment that all students feel they can visit”

“This summer my mission was to find accommodation as quick as possible, without visiting it”

Anonymous

Marie Haynes

ONE of the main problems addressing a mental health issue is admitting the problem to yourself. It’s often easier, at least in my case, to act like nothing’s wrong and to carry on as normal.

It gets to a certain point where you notice that things aren’t really going to plan: when you can’t remember the last time you got a good nights sleep, when you can’t remember the last time you ate dinner, or lunch, or breakfast, or when you didn’t feel an overwhelming and overriding sense of pressure which has come to govern your every day life.

It’s often easier, at least in my case, to act like nothing’s wrong and to carry on as normal Instead of waxing lyrical about my own experience of identifying problems, the whole point of this perhaps rather bungled piece is an attempt to address my concern surrounding the support I’ve received since going to the doctor here on campus.

From the off-set, I’d like to say that the student health centre could not have been more helpful – the doc-

tor I saw was incredibly supportive, and somehow managed the superhuman feat of not making me feel like a complete weirdo. After a couple more times seeing her it seemed that the right course of action for me would be to start a course of SSRIs – a kind of medication which means that my brain is more likely to hang onto the teeny weeny amount of serotonin my nerve cells make, thus helping to cancel out the general negativity I was experiencing.

SSRIs are usually most effective when they’re combined with a course of CBT, a kind of behavioural therapy which pro-actively addresses your thought processes which could be the root of the negativity. I was like, “great, sign me up, let’s knock this thing on the head so I can carry on like normal”.

Then I found out that the waiting list for an initial assessment at the wellbeing centre on campus was three and a half weeks.

The waiting list served to make me feel three ways: firstly, I felt about an inch tall and that I was trapped in this whole big game of players where, inevitably, I had no way of governing and controlling the situation how I wanted to. How dramatic. Secondly, I was angry. Why did I have to wait so long? What about other – potentially poorlier people – or those in the same boat? Thirdly, as a consequence of the above points, I was tempted to cancel my appointment. Maybe it wouldn’t

be worth the wait in the end.

I didn’t cancel. My reappointment was re-scheduled but still I waited.

I finally had my assessment last week. After being assessed – surprise surprise, CBT was mentioned as being potentially very helpful for me. I said “great, sign me up, sounds great, let’s knock this thing on the head so I can carry on like normal”.

Then I was told that I had to go on another waiting list. For three and a half weeks. Does this situation sound familiar?

I felt about an inch tall and that I was trapped... I had no way of governing or controlling the situation The Wellness Centre is a fabulous accolade for our campus to boast, and should be an amazing supportive environment that all students feel they can visit. When its capacity is fit to bursting, however, students like me are inevitably thrust away, potentially feeling more defective and disillusioned than when first walking through the Wellness Centre’s door.

AFTER reading the recent counter-article to ‘Lemmygate’, it wasn’t long before my fingers found their way to the nearest keyboard, driven to action by both confusion and more importantly, dismay. Despite the misdirected ‘college staff’ analogy – but the ‘essay’ did arrive on time, isn’t that the point? – the author proffered some rather patronising attempts to brush aside the argument as whimsical and tangential to the ‘real’ problems in the world.

The issue itself runs much deeper than any independent incidient. The fact remains that the bouncer industry defies regulation Well forgive me if I am barking up the wrong tree, but said author appears to have missed the point of the original article entirely. Of course the

event at the Lemon Grove provided the backdrop to the story, appearing as it did in a University newspaper, but the issue itself runs much deeper than any independent incident. The fact remains that the bouncer industry defies regulation, and furthermore allows the notion of proportionate violence to be mentally negotiated in a split second by someone who has donated just 30 hours of their time to attain the necessary security qualifications.

Bouncers are much less controlled in the arena of physical-contact than police officers, who have trained for two years.

Having worked in the night-time economy myself for a good few years, I’ve heard my fair share of disturbing bouncer tales straight from the horse’s mouth. Tales of security staff who check ID not because of age restrictions, but to check that the patron is ‘from the right part of town’; tales of security staff who miss the ‘goodold days’ when the police didn’t care much about proportionate response, tales of security staff who relish their employment because it allows them close proximity to vulnerable women… the sorry list goes on.

Thus whilst I agree that bouncers may appear to have a bad (but indeed, chosen) lot in the night-time economy, I’m afraid that the age-old argument that they are simply ‘looking out for us’ just does not wash with me. Tony

Blair launched two illegal wars under the banner of looking out for us, intelligence agencies violate civil liberties on a daily basis under the banner of looking out for us – does this make such acts legitimate?

I’m afraid that the age-old argument that they are simply ‘looking out for us’ just does not wash with me

Admittedly, the original point made may have been highly context-specific, but its undercurrents remain valid. It may be ‘the British way’ to dust down our shoulders, keep calm and carry on, but in reality apathy is about as much use as a valid ID when you’re from the local council estate.

So yes, the Rolling Stones may have named one of their songs ‘You can’t always get what you want’, but perhaps the author of this particular rant may wish to turn his attentions to ‘Too rude’, ‘Too much blood’ or, dare I say it, ‘Sympathy for the Devil’.

Do they expect us to be so laissezfaire with our defecating that we’d prefer it to be in the open?

I’m now a professional cyclist with my helmet and my cycling pants. But above all, I’m really enjoying my way to the uni, since I reduced my ride by 20 minutes and I discovered how enjoyable cycling was. I can now say I’m a real sporty girl, with calves as hard as steel! I feel less guilty when I yield to a slice of chocolate cake and that’s particularly why I do not regret living so far from the uni…

“The yearly student housing dilemma has come around yet again” Sophy Coombes-Roberts

“After reading the recent counter-article to ‘Lemmygate’, it wasn’t long before my fingers found their way to the nearest keyboard” Charlotte Sefton

THIS summer my mission was to find accommodation as quick as possible and as cheap as possible, without visiting it. Indeed, I’m a French Erasmus student studying in Exeter for the term and I could not afford making the trip this summer to find my new home.

When I finally found something that looked nice on website SpareRoom. co.uk, I was so relieved that I did not hesitate a second for it. That is after the fact that I realised I did not have much information about it. I hadn’t seen any pictures and neither talked to my future roommates. This stay would be a total adventure…

In September I discovered I would live close to Saint Thomas’ Station in Exeter, meaning approximately 40 minutes walking distance from my house to the university. I have to admit I’m not really sporty. The walk completely scared me. Was I physically able to do that twice a

day? Moreover, I discovered the bus service was not really good in my area and I realized it was worth walking. During Freshers’ week I walked painfully in the morning to the uni and in the evening back to my house. I was exhausted. But then my house owner suggested to me that I use her bike and it changed my life!

Arts Editor TROUBLES, tantrums, tears and tension all around... yes you guessed it, the yearly student housing dilemma has come around yet again.

No longer than six weeks ago, we moved into our second year houses and already everyone has to make the decision as to whether to stay put or ditch their house in hope of finding a better alternative. Strictly speaking you have just over a month to make an impact, meaning trivial things such as not washing up, excessively abusing hot water or pinching your housemates’ eggs are real deal breakers.

On the other end of the spectrum the freshers are still getting to know their way around campus and settle into Exeter life, how can they be expected to choose who their housemates for next year will be with people whom they have only known for less than two months?!

In every group of friends there are bound to be people who are left out, and then have to scour the campus for people who will have them in their house. These cases are obviously sad, and being without housemates is every student’s worst nightmare but student housing is laughably cut throat, with every man for themselves.

However, the problem of sorting out housemates is only half the battle, next comes the stress of finding the actual house in November. Those waiting until after Christmas will inevitably be left with extortionate prices for average accommodation, miles away from campus

or just a pretty grimy house. It is really quite ridiculous how quickly the best houses get snapped up. The main estate agents put their student accommodation on the market on Monday 11 November, and at 4pm the very same day at least three houses I had hoped to view were already taken. It is a battle to grab a house on Queens Crescent or Longbrook Street and I would be extremely surprised if they were not all snapped up by now. We even ran to the estate agents to secure our house in the hope of getting there before another group who we knew had liked the property.

Obviously, we all want to make sure we pick the perfect house, one which meets everyone’s individual requirements, is in a good location and is somewhere we know we will be happy.

Inevitably, this can take a while to find – some groups look at over 20 properties before they find one they want, however, this isn’t like the real world of real estate where you can look for a new home over a period of months – oh no – all of this has to be done within a matter of days otherwise all the good houses will be long gone. Stressful is an understatement.

The worst part is, after all the hectic viewings, having made a final decision you can’t even get excited about it because you won’t be seeing the house again for another nine months because we do the whole thing banally early.

It makes absolutely no sense – what would be the problem with moving the whole thing back to January at the earliest? A few months later everyone would be properly sorted and ready to jump into house hunting rather than being swept up in the mad rush of it in November.

Exeposé

| WEEK ten

COMMENT

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11

Silence Please! Quiet in the Library

“Get a pack of Kleenex and for the love of God, blow your nose outside”: Ricky Freelove, Arts Editor, on his library pet peeves Ricky Freelove Arts Editor DEADLINES have been coming in thick and fast over the past couple of weeks and many of us have been taking to the library to plough through the load. During these past weeks I’ve made a mental note of just a few things which get on my wick and offer my words of wisdom to save yourself from my wrath.

8. Murmuring Correct me if I’m wrong, but I’ve always had the impression that the silent study rooms were for silent study. You think one subtle conversation would be ok, but when this continues to become a full blown conversation with low, bass-y notes which are more annoying than people talking normally - JUST LEAVE the study room. Having a conversation in the silent study room, defeats the very purpose of the room.

7. iPods I, like many people, listen to my iPod whilst working. I don’t like the sound of

silence as it exposes many of my pet-hates which will follow this point.

But, how on Earth can people listen to Skrillex on full-blast whilst working on an essay? Does the silent study room need the noise of which can only be compared to a seagull being repeatedly tossed off to fill it? No. No it does not.

Save your eardrums and save me from this tinny torture.

6. Sniffling I would personally buy a box of tissues and hand them out to all those plague-ridden students who can’t face the epic 30-metre quest across the library to go and blow their nose. Do you think sniffling is going to stop your runny nose? Because it won’t.

After at least 18 years on this planet and you still think sniffling is going to help?

Get a pack of Kleenex and for the love of God, blow your nose outside.

5. Phones on/vibrate So you’re quite popular aren’t you?

You keep getting text messages and your phone bleeps every time. Oh that’s not annoying for you is it? Because you obviously need to know when he’s replied…

Can you feel my eyes burning into the side of your

head? Good, because that’s me politely telling you to put it on silent. Oh, I see you’ve now put your phone on vibrate.

And now it feels and sounds like somebody chain-sawing the table we’re both working on.

Just go outside and call him.

During these past weeks I’ve made a mental note of just a few things which get on my wick and now offer my words of wisdom to save you from my wrath 4. Breathing Why do people need to breathe? I know there’s probably some science behind it, but I couldn’t think of anything more annoying than somebody’s respiratory system fully functioning.

Worst yet, when somebody sounds like they are struggling to breathe… when they sound like they are on death’s door and maybe taking their last wheezy and raspy breath, over and over again.

Either stop breathing altogether or put on a Darth Vader mask and make me laugh.

LETTERS RE: Issue 615 Funny Women What A Joke Pavel Kondov Dear Editors, Whilst I found the recent coverage in your Arts section regarding women in comedy very interesting, I would like to express my disagreement with

RE: Issue 615 Students start petition to renew University lecturer’s contract Hannah Butler

the piece, Funny Women, What A Joke? Whilst the writer does indeed accept that he finds both women and men equally funny is his daily life and does indeed make note of spectacularly talented newcomer Aisling Bea, that fact that he believes the absence of women on panel shows means current feamle comics are not as funny as men is surely a massive oversight.

Panel shows may indeed be the measure by which many determine good

and bad comics; they’re spontaneous, they’re quick and in front of millions you have to be funny. However looking at the real, live stand up circuit, what I believe to be the best measure of how good comics are since they are not edited by producers and stand alone before many often distrusting punters, it is clear women are taking centre stage.

it hasn’t yet “ended”. This may seem like a semantic splitting of hairs (what would Derrida make of all this?!) but I did just want to note this in order to reassure students who are due to be taught by Matt next term that he will still be here!

RE: Issue 615 Demo Debate: Comment Joshua Mines

Dear Liam, Olivia, Meg and Jon

Many thanks

I wanted to just make a quick observation about your note of clarification to the Comment piece on Matt’s contract. Matt’s three-year contract as is absolutely common in the case of new lecturers taken on initially on one, two, or three-year contracts (including my own; I started here on a one-year contract some years ago) - finishes on 30 June 2014 i.e.

Jo Gill P.S. As ever, I’m happy to respond in person to any queries from students in the English dept.

This year two out of the three winners

Dear Editors, I imagine that Joshua Mines is correct when he suggests that there are probably few students at Exeter who would support the EDL or its aims, and I personally have taken part in counter-demonstrations in my home town. Having said this I take issue with his description of all EDL members as “closed-minded, angry people venting their blaze of rage and bullying a section of society they see as lesser than themselves.”

In my experience this is simply not the

3. Cans and hot beverages Where I have beef with humanity is with slurpers. I’ve openly told my own father that whenever he is to drink a cup of tea I will leave the house.

Slurping is an act which I see as only being punishable by death – preferably by being plunged into a large vat of the same hot beverage which caused me such distress.

If it’s too hot, just wait for it to cool down. You’re not going to be able to catch a 100°C Caramel Latte off guard.

2. Apples I’m happy that some students choose the healthier option of fruit to eat whilst working, however in terms of drawing attention to yourself, eating an apple in the silent study room is equal to standing on the table, hitting all the high notes in a Whitney Houston ballad whilst wearing nothing but nipple tassels and then urinating on the floor. Why does anybody think that this is okay?! It’s so obviously not. Biting into an apple is bad enough, but to all you aggressive and assertive munchers, why don’t you go and eat your apple whilst playing on a motorway?

1. Crisps Don’t even get me started.

Whilst I’m on this rant, to all you inconsiderate students who think its okay to leave your all of your possession at a work station for the whole day, it’s not. You’re the reason why I have to check all 3 floors of library, which results in me becoming slightly sweaty, and then end up working in the Kitchen Café which is bad for my posture and diet. If I ever catch you chair-bagzying people looking happy, I promise I’ll give you a piece of my mind.

Send your letters to the editors to editors@exepose.com of the Fosters Comedy Award were women, whilst stand up such as Josie Long, Sara Pascoe and, as Pavel Kondov noted, Aisling Bea are lighting up the alternative comedy scene.

It is women who are the pioneers of modern comedy, bringing something new to a genre which could very easily stagnate with middle aged male comics who have been at it for years still the most popular, not because they are necessarily better but because

they have been given the most screen time in turn leading to sell out arena tours. Comedy is highly subjective, as is any art form, yet just because more men are on TV doesn’t make them more suited to comedy than women.

case and the numerous documentaries that have attempted to actually speak to EDL members also indicates that this is a simplistic generalisation.

Many members of the EDL are in fact members of the working class who have suffered greatly in recent years; be it down to poor economic management of the country or through immigration, I personally feel that it’s the former.

Many of them have been misled by previous governments and some sections of the media that immigration is to blame for their problems. What contributes to this rage however is the tendency of the middle class elite to simply dismiss anyone who questions immigration as a racist.

The failure of the political and social elite to defend immigration, which

is perfectly easy to do, and enter into proper discourse with those concerned about it is the real cause of mass movements such as the EDL and indeed even the BNP. I’m sure, however, that Joshua Mines’ description is accurate for some members of the EDL but they are only a small fraction.

So if you want to really tackle groups like the EDL, why not try talking to them as well as holding demonstrations? Dismissing them all as closed-minded bullies will do nothing to help and is exactly the kind of attitude that has allowed the EDL to become such a large organisation.

Sincerely, Outraged Female Comedian

Ben Higson

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During a recent homecoming, former Health Secretary and Exeter Alumus Andrew Lansley spoke to James Roberts, Features Editor, about the Guild, government and a picture of his brain ANDREW Lansley is the former Health Secretary, who prescribed harsh treatment for the NHS and was duly struck off. After just over a year shrouded in the relative safety of a minor Cabinet position, Lansley’s name still inspires unrelenting rage in fogeyish surgeons and militant revolutionaries alike. As we sit in the Amory building awaiting his arrival, it’s clear from the hastily printed A4 flyers being thrust under the audience’s noses that many on campus have not forgotten the man that tried to ‘privatise the NHS’.

I remember a sit-in we did at Northcote House - I slept under the ViceChancellor’s desk Despite the obvious pockets of ire, it’s immediately clear that he feels back on home turf at Exeter. “It has changed a lot since the late 1970s,” he observes, “but it’s nice to be back”.

Lansley hasn’t visited as much as some of our other prominent alumni, but Exeter remains his political birthplace. “I was elected Guild President and won by 12 votes,” he recalls with a wistful air, “I won mainly because of a lack of appropriate candidates”. Perhaps less has changed than he might

imagine. Indeed, in his time at Exeter, he may have had much in common with those currently stuffing Amory with anti-government WordArt. “I remember a sit-in protest that we did at Northcote House – I slept under the Vice-Chancellor’s desk,” Lansley chuckles. It might be only fitting then that the rebellious Guild President turned Conservative Health Secretary is given a taste of his own medicine.

Outside of his political activism, Lansley suggests he didn’t particularly shine as an undergraduate. “I was lucky to get in,” Lansley explains, “I didn’t get the grades but I got in anyway. I got C, D and E at A-Level, but (Professor of Political Theory then and now) Iain Hampshire Monk interviewed me and I got a place”. In spite of this, Lansley can’t help admitting that “political theory wasn’t so important, but my degree did teach me some good stuff about government and politics”. His degree did just that, taking Lansley all the way up the Civil Service food chain before his switch into politics. For

many, it is his extensive time working behind the scenes which has given Lansley the eye for detail which has thrust him forward in frontline politics.

As a senior government bureaucrat, he decided to jump ship to work for the Conservative Party. “I was a civil servant,” he recounts, referencing revered political sitcom Yes Minister, “and I had to decide whether I wanted to be Sir Humphrey or Jim Hacker, and I wanted to be on the pitch playing the game rather than watching it from the stands”. Starting his new career playing political football, Lansley emerged from the tunnel to find himself facing the biggest match of his career, in the 1992 General Election.

The stunning and undoubtedly unexpected Conservative victory rewarded Lansley with a place on the Tory A-list, a CBE and a minor stroke.

“I was given a

picture of my brain,” Lansley exclaims with alarming glee, “having pictures of your body parts is one of the weird parts of being a politician”.

While working for the Conservatives, Lansley remembers a young David Cameron working for him in his research department. Is it strange now to think that Cameron has asked Lansley to serve under him? “I can’t have been a bad boss then,” Lansley jests, with an almost uncomfortable chuckle. One cannot help but wonder if this extraordinary role reversal occurred to Lansley when Cameron replaced him with a new Health Secretary in late 2012.

Lansley’s time as Health Secretary has defined his place British politics.

While Labour was in office, he spent six years shadowing the job yet lasted only two contentious years in government. “Politicians should do their jobs for a while and it makes sense for a shadow to do that job before they take it on in government,” he explains, at the same time noting of his own departure that “the ideas that one person could stay on as the Conservative health spokesman for a decade or more is ridiculous”. As the subject of scattered personal attacks, including the ‘Andrew Lansley rap’ and a relentless heckling from an elderly woman outside of Downing Street, hatred for the former Health Secretary has gone viral. Somewhat exasperatedly, he asserts that, “every Health Secretary has wanted to do what the same thing that I did”. His face slowly reddening, voice breaking into frustrated incredulity, he continues, “it is extremely irritating.

Other Health Secretaries don’t get the ‘selling the NHS’ nonsense.

If I’d done what other Health Secretari e s

have done, they’d be burning effigies of me!” Though Lansley has considerable knowledge of the symptoms and believes his reforms were exactly what the doctor ordered, the prognosis from the public was not positive.

Having pictures of your body parts is one of the weird things about being a politician As the only Permanent Secretary in the Civil Service to become a Cabinet Minister, and with the conscientious approach to match, does he resent his vilification in the media? “You have to be resilient,” he insists, “when you’re sitting round the Cabinet table, everyone has had this kind of attack.

It’s not a matter of if, but when”. Unsurprisingly then, Lansley, himself going from Guild to government, is full of discouragement regarding a career in politics, warning simply, “Don’t do it. People go into politics for the celebrity aspect now, but people are used to having a go at celebrities”.

While he’s no celebrity, Lansley has become regrettably accustomed to the chores of unending media attention and varying degrees of public venom, despite what we have found to be a decent, considered and mild manner.

“Do politics because you believe in it, because you have the political virus,” the former Health Secretary pleads, “politics is not about self-interest, it’s about having inspirational ideas to try and make things better”.

Lansley certainly understands those things better than most. For him, his attempted NHS reforms seem to be the culmination of a career founded in radicalism and guided by meticulous public service. Perhaps then, when our next Health Secretary is inevitably accused to trying to ‘sell off the NHS’, spare a thought for the former Health Secretary that was dead on arrival.

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26 november 2013 |

Exeposé

Cairo Kindness When it comes to Cairo, the eyes of the world are usually drawn to the ongoing struggle between the military and the Muslim Brotherhood in the aftermath of last year’s Arab Spring revolutions. But, as Danielle McIntosh examines, too often there is an unseen side to such conflicts, and animals can be victims just as much as humans

WITH the amount of international coverage that Cairo has attracted recently, a growing organisation that aims to heal Cairo’s horses, donkeys and camels and educate their owners might just give you a new perspective on the people of this divided city.

The organisation is called ‘Prince Fluffy Kareem’, or PFK for short, named after a cheeky grey stallion they rescued in June 2011. Kareem was found in an emaciated, dehydrated state, suffering from equine malaria and with sores all over his body.

The transformation that took place under the care of PFK is quite unbelievable and Kareem is now happy, healthy, and living in luxury – relative to most of the animals in Cairo.

of other skilled and dedicated people from around the globe. Even after three years of living in Egypt, Marte is still overwhelmed by what she sees on a daily basis. In one of her updates on the PFK Facebook page, she tells us about a mother who gave birth to a daughter who was paralysed from the waist down, saying: “They have no money for a wheelchair, and there is no special school she can go to. So her life consists of dragging herself around on her arms on the concrete floor, in the dust with the family’s hens”.

Life for the animals isn’t very different. Before the political unrest, the majority of Egyptians living in the pyramid district of Cairo earned a living from taking tourists around the Giza Pyramids on their The organisation horses and camels. Using animals to earn money is the only resort that is called ‘Prince many people living in the city have, Fluffy Kareem’, or PFK but with no tourists, there are very for short, after a cheeky few who can care for themselves and their families, let alone their animals. grey stallion they As a result of this decline in care, working animals in Cairo; horses, donrescued in June keys and camels commonly suffer from malnutrition, starvation, equine malarThe story of Kareem is not an iso- ia, pressure sores (some larger than a lated one. In fact, almost all the horses, human hand) caused by ill-fitting tack donkeys, and camels in Cairo live their (saddles and bridles, etc.), and other leentire lives in an undernourished state. sions caused from falls, overcrowding This is in part due to the poor quality with other animals, or mistreatment. of life of people living in Cairo, but Owners simply do not have the alongside this is the lack of education knowledge or means to prevent illnessabout proper animal care in Egypt. es like these happening. Some of the Egypt’s economy relies heavily on images and stories on the PFK Facetourism. Unfortunately, with the revo- book page are very hard hitting, and it lution which took place between Jan- is very easy to judge the people of Caiuary and February 2011 and the mili- ro according to the standards of animal tary toppling of President Mohammad care we take for granted in the UK. Morsi this summer, tourism has com- However with the situation in Egypt pletely collapsed. Egypt’s people live being so extreme, and cultural norms in poverty, there is rioting and fear of entirely different to our own, these peofurther unrest, the education and health Egypt’s people systems are incredibly poor, a huge percentage of women are circumcised, live in poverty, and some families are so poor they have to sell their daughters’ virginity to there is rioting rich Saudi Arabians. People have been and fear of further looting the pyramids, Egypt’s biggest tourist attractions, out of utter despera- unrest. People have tion, even though they know the impli- been looting the cations this will have for future generations. Marte, a founder of PFK writes Pyramids out of utter on the organisations Facebook page: desperation, even “This is not the Western world. When you are born poor here, you have min- though they know imal, minimal chances of raising your the implications this living standards... [This is] a society where children dig in trash for a liv- will have for future ing, we cannot expect people to have generations awareness for animal rights; the people don’t even have basic human rights.”

Marte, who was born and lived ple do not need punishment, but rather in Norway, now dedicates each day help, understanding, and education. to helping Egyptian animals and their This is why the work of PFK is so owners to have healthier, easier lives. important. With their success over the She and Sherif, a vet, run the PFK sta- years, PFK now owns a significant plot bles together with the help of a handful of land, nicknamed ‘Fluffylandshire’,

where the animals can enjoy free food, water, space, shade, sand and company. Flocks of local horse owners come to take part in the regular clinics that PFK provide, receiving free medical treatment for their animals and advice on how to care for them. Not only do the PFK team treat any horse, donkey or camel that arrives at their gates, they also foster and adopt those who are really in need, providing care of a standard that not many others can provide in such troubled times. As both space and (more surprisingly) sand are a luxury in Cairo, with most owners only be able to provide a small enclosed concrete yard, some animals even come for a special and well deserved PFK ‘holiday’, where they rest until they’re ready to go back to work.

Fluffylandshire is truly a place of kindness, understanding (for both an-

They have no money for a wheelchair, so this girl’s life consists of dragging herself around on her arms on the concrete floor, in the dust with the family’s hens imals and their owners), and healing.

PFK also organises projects which aim to provide information on animal welfare directly to local people. During ‘The Fluffy Feet Farrier Project’ Australian vet Dr. Jude Mulholland visited to teach local farriers about common equine foot problems and how to treat them. Likewise, ‘The Fluffy Tooth Fairy Project’ helps pass on information about treating common equine dental issues. Projects like these are incredibly important in Cairo, because without them, incorrect or inefficient methods of treatment will be used again and again, often to no avail.

Of course, looking after a large number of sick animals in a desperate city is expensive. PFK is only able to stay afloat with the help of donations and the hard work of its dedicated international staff. In the past two years the organisation has moved from having supporters in their hundreds, to 60,000 likes on Facebook. Their daily updates, along with thousands of fascinating photographs of their work and the animals they provide for can be found on their Facebook page, and are very informative and entertaining. So if you ever need a break from studying... or reading about Exeter’s Horniest Student, visit www.facebook. com/princefluffykareem for a glimpse into a different world and the hope that it brings for Egypt’s animals.

>>Pictures, top to bottom: Some of the horses rescued by PFK enjoy a rest in the sand. An emaciated horse, like many in Egypt similarly suffering. An Egyptian girl and her donkey pick through trash for things to sell. Photos courtesy of Prince Fluffy Kareem

Exeposé

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15

Grape Expectations

Flora Carr’s parents are the Jedi Masters of alcohol. But her housemates are little more than rookies (or possibly Wookies). The dilemma presented to her: the bolt or the bouquet? Disarrono or decanter? The chunder or the Chardonnay?

IN Freshers’ Week, you find yourself answering the same questions over and over. After a while, you find the answers come almost as an automatic reflex. “So what’s your name?” Flora.

“What’re you studying?” English. “You in catered?” Yeah, I love the puddings.

“What do your parents do?” They’re both wine tasters.

I was swept away by the heady, seductive appeal of losing myself in a haze of almost hysterical happiness It’s around this point that people do a double-take. “You’re serious? That is so… cool. That is such a cool job. It’s like being a chocolate taster, only for grownups.”

For a while I attempt to explain that wine tasting isn’t just getting drunk all day, before launching into a brief account of my parents’ separate careers.

Usually, however, the talk then shifts towards whether or not I’m supplied with alcohol regularly, and it’s at this point that I remember that in the mind of the average student, the concept of ‘alcohol’ is quickly replaced with the word ‘DRUNK’. Usually in big, multi-coloured letters. I would know. Because I’m a student too. And apart from the usual challenges of getting lost on campus and spending a month’s worth of student loan on a single Cheesey Tuesday, a further challenge I’m currently facing is how to reconcile the ‘Student-Flora’ idea of alcohol with the way I have been taught to treat alcohol all my life.

As a teenager I found myself in the midst of the ‘down-it’ culture. The familiar chant of ‘We like to drink with ---’ became the background music of my years at secondary school. At house parties, whatever was tucked at the back of the cupboards – be it whiskey, beer, rum – was emptied into single containers and downed as quickly as possible. Noone wanted to be left sober and joyless in the corner – it became a competition to see who could drink the fastest, get drunk the soonest, stay drunk the longest. I loved it. Like any young teenager I was swept away by the heady, seductive appeal of losing myself in a haze of almost hysterical happiness, a world where you could do anything you wanted, say whatever you wanted, dance however you wanted, and blame it the next day on the tequila. It’s a culture that unsurprisingly is still going strong a few years later; between 2012-2013 an estimated 6,500 people under the age of 18 were admitted to A&E. Drinking is part of the young teenage culture, a means of experimentation whilst also standing as a yardstick for popularity and ‘cool-

ness’.

Looking back at my 15-year-old self, remembering how a house party wasn’t a party until someone was locked in the bathroom throwing up WKD, I can’t be judgemental. How can I be? My entire social group held the exact same views at the time. However, there’s a difference between a 15-year-old whose only worries included the faint threat of GCSEs and where to hide empty beer cans and a 19-year-old thinking about finding a house – a REAL house – with bills and rent and cleaning rotas. And yet I feel nothing has changed. I still drink to excess. My new friends drink to excess. There are even charts on certain floors in my accommodation that award points for each person’s number of ‘chunders’. A survey conducted by MoneySupermarket. com in 2 0 1 2

showed that, during Fresher’s Weeks across the country, an average of 14 shots would be consumed per student, 1,258,881 pints would be drunk by male freshers and 7,133,659 single spirit measures would be drunk by female freshers. I have friends who staggered home after sports initiations, hair threaded with beads of sweat, traces of vomit around their mouths, mumbling to themselves. Ironically their nappies were usually the only part of their appearance still intact. Even after Freshers’ Week this culture of excess remains; friends who decide last-minute to go out down half a bottle of vodka to ‘catch-up’, whilst I’m regularly sent Snapchats of the inside of A&Es across the country, the tag line being ‘Not where I expected to be on a Monday night’.

I can forgive 15-year-old Flora for neglecting her upbring-

ing. After all, isn’t that what those early teenage years are all about? Rejecting everything your parents ever tried to tell you? Going through (with relish) the checklist of exactly what they told you not to do? But Student-Flora should-theoretically- know better. She has come to realise that yes, she should have listened more closely when her mother told her how to warm milk for hot chocolate (in a microwave, not a ket- t l e ) .

She has accepted that there are things her parents know more about.

L i k e

budgeting. And the correct footwear for the ever-rainy E x e t e r.

A n d , a g a i n , budgeting.

So why can’t she – I – also remember what my parents taught me about how to treat alcohol?

My parents are both Masters of Wine. This makes them Jedis of the wine-tasting world.

There are only 303 in the world, whilst my parents

are – last time I checked – one of only three sets of married Masters of Wine.

The ‘MW’, as my parents refer to it, is a qualification, requiring the entrant to take a bunch of written exams as well as the expected wine-tasting and food and wine matching. In all honesty, there’s probably even more to it, but at home wine is so often a topic of conversation that you learn to tune it out very quick-

wine-tasting. But once the sweets were gone I soon lost interest again.

However, I do remember the repetition of a single word: savour. “Savour that, Flora. Savour the flavour – what does it remind you of?” At first I would usually respond to this question with a made-up response, the more ridiculous and pretentious the better.

“Tarmac. It tastes like tarmac on a

ly. In fact, the only interesting thing that ever came out of their jobs was the time my mother came to my school to give a talk during one of those ‘Parent Career’ days.

She gave volunteers Jelly Babies whilst they were blindfolded and asked them to identify the flavour.

This, she said, is the basics of

spring day. With a solid grounding of- wait for it- mahogany. Yes, mahogany. It’s that autumnal smell that gives it away.”

But as I grew older, I began to appreciate the easy access to quality wines. I would be given a glass of Chardonnay in exchange for a pause, a slowly taken sip, a comment or two on how sharp it was, whether or not I liked it. Liking an alcoholic drink or not doesn’t even matter for most students. If it’s alcoholic, who cares? You drink. You get drunk.

So how can I even begin to reconcile these two contradictory outlooks, my two contradictory selves?

How can I pause to appreciate a drink whilst trying to bolt it in ten seconds?

Slowly however, I am trying to find a middle ground. As the honeymoon period of Term One wears off, friends are less intent on getting me and themselves paralytic. After a weekend trip home, I arrived at Exeter St David’s armed with a bottle bag filled with Prosecco my mother had got from work for free.

At first during pre-drinks I would pour some into a mug to mask the contents, nervous of being branded an alcohol snob. However, after giving a friend a sip, the word has spread about the beauty of my mother’s wine, and I now feel able to wander into the common room with a bottle of white wine tucked neatly under my arm. Although I’m sure there will still be nights to come where Student-Flora will take over and leave me with the hangover to prove it, I’m giving her – and me – a rest. Just give me a moment to savour it.

16

FEATURES

PEARSHAPED Exeter is a student run service that produces high quality music journalism and does everything it can to promote live music in Exeter.

This is the story of how I went from having no idea, to building the website we have today.

In the courtyard of Timepiece at some point in January 2013, a few friends and I were rambling on about doing something musical in Exeter, something to connect people. The conversation was tied off with something like ‘We should totally do it!’, and then ‘I’m in. Drink?’ The idea floated around a little bit without coming to anything significant for a fortnight or so. Then, a meeting was convened in the Rusty Bike. ‘Let’s actually do this.’

I was assigned to do all things technological and graphical, and before I knew it I was registering the name we had agreed on five minutes before without even a logo, PearShaped Exeter, to Twitter, Facebook, SoundCloud, everything. I’d been using Photoshop for years and figured I’d come up with some sort of logo, somehow...

I sat down with a cup of tea and opened Photoshop, a blank canvas laughing at me. I tried a little square icon with the letters ‘P’ and ‘S’ in Helvetica. Everything looks good in Helvetica I told myself. It didn’t look good, it looked completely indistinct.

At the same time, in our new Facebook group, we were asking each other what this thing was even going to be. We would provide the best listings around, we said, and make sure that nobody ever misses any good music in Exeter.

We knew so many talented and passionate writers; we would get them all to contribute. At my computer screen, I was reading an article about how Wes Anderson always uses Futura in his films. I thought, I kind of like it too.

I had a logo. I had a colour (which has come to be known as ‘PearShaped Green’). Next, I registered a Tumblr.

Tumblr has a reputation these days for being the perfect location for angst-y self-designated artists and hipsters to post their favourite pictures of triangles. However it’s also a free hosting service and content management system if you jump through some hoops.

To design a Tumblr, you design a theme. There was no way I knew how to do that from scratch so I got the code from a theme that looked something like what I wanted. I opened it in a text editor and screamed internally. You know those scenes in CSI where they hack into somebody’s laptop and random letters scroll down the screen?

Tumblr has a reputation for being the location for angst-y hipsters to post their favourite pictures of triangles After a week of frantic googling and swearing, we had a passable website. The black background evoked nightlife, exclusivity, and fun. Navigation was simple, four sections for content and an About Us page. We were getting our first pieces of content through, all written between the four of us. An illustrator that we know had drawn us a page full of pears and I was scattering them across the images on

26 november 2013 |

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All going a bit PearShaped Jack Reid writes about his experiences starting music-review site PearShaped with a few close friends, and the IT nightmares that soon followed the site. Things were coming together on the website, but I still wasn’t happy with it.

Summer came and the staff of PearShaped Exeter grew. My girlfriend came on board to become our Editor.

I had been both designing the website and filling it with content, and things were moving too slowly with just me doing that alongside everything else.

Lizzie had been watching me code for months by now, and could fairly confidently put an article together without any guidance. She told me that it was quite hard to read articles on the site; the column of text was too narrow and it’s hard to read white on black. I told her to get lost, that it looked really edgy. Then a few weeks later I showed my Mum the website; “it’s a bit hard to read”, she said. I flipped all the colours around and widened the column slightly, and to my great displeasure it was indeed far easier to read. I reluctantly took a series of pointers on the website, and it got better but it still wasn’t good enough. I wanted something like a magazine, something that would really make people want to read our content.

Lizzie and I were sketching wireframes in a square ruled notebook, and I decided to start the whole website again. I would use a framework to build the site up from the bottom. I had learned enough about the HTML structure of a Tumblr theme at that point to

write one from scratch, and that way I wouldn’t keep finding things I didn’t know the purpose of in the code. I realised that I could break the content up into columns, we could have sidebars with videos and players, we could have fancy headers and headlines to break things up. We could have a homepage with a slideshow, to really show off what our contributors had been doing. Our new navigation would allow more sections on the website, and it looked pretty good too.

Freshers’ week rolled around. We were roping in people to write for us as quickly as we could and the content was coming in thick and fast. I was checking our analytics every day, waiting for a spike and getting far too excited when I saw the numbers move.

I was designing flyers and posters to advertise our service to the people of Exeter. We had decided to hold a live music event, just like the ones we wanted to promote.

I made the poster with love and care, and we ordered only twenty posters in luxuriously high quality. Though they were collectors’ items, we never did that again. I was taking time out of my web development time to hang around

Exeposé

pubs and sell tickets. People were actually turning up and buying the things, and the staff all smiled at each other for our dumb luck. We’re pulling this off, we thought incredulously.

Our launch event was the perfect opportunity for me to fish for opinions from the general public about the website. The compliments were abundant and unexpected. Whenever you make something for the public to see, it’s only the problems yet to solve that you see (that spacing looks unnatural, you can break the navigation menu if you do this thing, etc.). It was a relief to see that people didn’t laugh at my attempts to appear adept at something so exposed. Words like ‘professional’ were thrown around. I went away with a sense of incredulity that I’m beginning to associate with whenever PearShaped Exeter doesn’t fail spectacularly.

I opened it in a text editor and screamed internally.

You know those scenes in CSI where they hack into a laptop and random letters scroll down the screen?

We’re coming up to our Christmas event now, and I’ve been Photoshopping Santa hats onto drawings of pears and making heavy use of red and green. We’re quickly expanding: we have dozens of writers who produce incredible articles, and passionate staff members who agree with our message and want to spread it. When I walk around campus now, I see the logo that I made on posters and flyers, and I see the URL that I registered not that long ago. I am often recognised with the question, ‘Oh, you’re PearShaped right?’ A few short months ago, that would have been completely non-sensical or even insulting. Now, we have a visual identity and a presence in the city.

It’s been an absolutely astonishing ride so far, and it looks like the website has actually helped what we want to do, which is a great feeling. When I sat down with trepidation in front of a text editor back in January, I never thought I could make the product that we have now. I’ve learnt the pieces as I’ve gone; I read web design blogs now. I never considered that I could ever be a ‘productive’ or ‘busy’ person, and it just goes to show that all anybody needs is the right project, the right spark to get them going.

Never let anybody tell you that you can’t just learn something because you have to, to do what you want to do.

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Eat it, just eat it

Kitty Howie, Lifestyle Editor, questions #healthy #hashtags on Instagram SOME people like eating and can’t wait to get stuck in as soon as it’s laid down on the plate in front of them. Some people like eating, but also like arranging their food so it looks its best, taking a photo of it and choosing the best filter and frame for it. Then they sometimes like considering using a third-party app to make a collage (or three), deciding whether to have a collage of the food from different angles, before finally uploading it to Instagram with a load of indulgent and self-absorbed hashtags, highly in anticipation of the likes and comments to start rolling in. Then they eat. Eventually. Excessive, no? Enter the ‘foodie’ – the selfie of food photos which has taken Instagram by storm.

Last week, the Oxford English Dictionary named ‘selfie’ as their word of 2013, defining it as “a photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically with a smartphone or webcam and uploaded to a social media website”: the influence of the power of the selfie in the past year has been huge.

Love them or hate them, most people will admit to taking the occasional selfie or two once in a while. Most people, however, keep their duck faces and questionable drunken poses confined to

the limits of the camera roll or the temporary blur of Snapchat, avoiding the general stigma that selfies are self-conscious narcissistic constructions of vanity.

Some people are so riled by the culture of selfies and their implication of vanity that they’ve taken to Urban Dictionary.

One tellingly-named user ‘haterofdesperation’ describes a selfie as “The taking of a picture of yourself and posting it on Facebook because you have extremely low self-esteem and you need people to comment to tell you how hot or pretty you look. In reality you just look desperate for attention. And no matter how attractive you might be, you

still look pathetic”. Ouch.

This is where the ‘foodie’ comes in, a seemingly perfect way to brag and tell all about your lifestyle choices, without the connotations of vanity that go hand in hand with selfies. Apparently.

By replacing the selfie with the ‘foodie’, Instagram has become host to hundreds of pages which specifically reap the benefits of certain diet and/ or fitness choices. It seems in a bid to outdo each other, users obsessing over the latest health kicks and trends (paleo, 5:2, smoothies and raw-veganism all spring to mind) seem to inundate Instagram with floods of images which detail the aesthetic beauty, supposd health kick, and consequential self-serving construction of their identity.

Put simply, images of perfectly controlled calorie meals, vibrant smoothies, elaborately carved watermelon sculptures, buckets of righteous quinoa, or

‘Tis not the season

Maddy Everington explains why she feels that Christmas this year has come far too early THERE is that fabulous time of year, somewhere in between the end of summer blues and the biting winds of mid-December, when everyone decides that is a good idea to start looking forward to Christmas. And so England dives in with enthusiasm. Memories of the summer holidays are well and truly melted away with the first homemade mince pies, attempts at some rusty carol singing, and the realisation that you’re going to have to buy new tinsel this year because the dog ate it last year. We debate animatedly the traditions we religiously stick to every year, chatter excit-

I was overwhelmed by the nauseatingly happy atmosphere of the festivities edly about potential Christmas presents, complaining that we never know what to get so-and-so… “They’re just so hard to buy for. I’ll have to buy them socks,

again” and are generally caught up in a generic commercial frenzy of making sure we have absolutely everything we need at least three weeks in advance of the big day.

When in Costa a few days ago, I was overwhelmed by the nauseatingly happy atmosphere of the festivities. The velvety crooning of Bing’s ‘White Christmas’ for a moment had me entranced when I was snapped out of my reverie by one sour realisation: IT’S NOVEMBER. I don’t think the woman who served me had ever received such an icy glare than the one she got when she handed me my Chai Latte in a small paper cup with a smiling, stripy scarf-clad snowman on it.

I don’t mean to be one of those grumpy sods who frown at any display of excitement, snowflakes and other such trivial frivolities, but I’ve had enough. Christmas has come just too early this time.

It is worrying how easily the consumerist society in which we live today is swung by what is on sale at the time.

Pumpkins appear in the shops and we remember to celebrate Halloween. Those

cards with “Best Dad in the World” appear and you know it’s Fathers’ Day. I know that Boots had an entire array of Christmas products out in mid-October, and every other shop on the high street has been quick to follow suit now it’s November. Is this not a little premature?

We have loads of time before we need to polish the silver and bring out the brussels sprouts and yet everyone seems to be dashing about madly believing they are falling behind on the preparations.

But don’t let the shops drag you into the monotonous routine of the build up to Christmas The “commercialism” of Christmas is something you often hear complained about. Before now I have always been one of those to shrug it off because we all love Christmas. Maybe we are all

guilty of thinking too much about what presents we are hoping for instead of the real religious meaning of the day, yes, but we all enjoy it because it brings the family together and it’s just something that happens every year. However, the shamelessly obvious way in which supermarkets manipulate customers into buying candles and wrapping paper which they never knew they needed, and fight amongst each other to offer you the best price on DIY turkey (trimmings not included), has shocked me this year and made me think.

Every year Christmas products are brought out earlier and earlier. My email inbox has already been inundated with deep soul searching questions such as “Have you got your Christmas jumper yet?” and even worse, I found myself humming Jingle Bell Rock whilst storming out of John Lewis.

It’s not even a good song.

Not really.

I understand we all get excited

even a nice home-cooked meal or restaurant outing simply don’t interest me. I don’t care about the food that you’re eating, nor do I care about the sheer abundance of accompanying hashtags, such as #naturalhealth #fitspo #healthspo #nutrition #detox #fitness #healthy #paleo #5:2 #dramaticweightloss #cheatday #naughty #amiboringyouyet?

Nor should anyone else care.

Most people keep their duck faces confined to their camera roll or Snapchat In a world where everyone is increasingly judged on their outward appearance and social media identity, additional pressure does not need to be applied to the food which we eat. There should be no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ food put on the pedestal of worth / self-satisfied vanity which Instagram caters to. If we can’t feel comfortable about the food we’re eating anymore without the judgment of others, there will certainly be less chance of feeling comfortable in our own skin. about Christmas. It’s cold, the days are getting shorter and darker and it’s a happy time of the year to look forward to. But don’t let shops just drag you into that monotonous routine of the build up to Christmas. Can’t we at least wait until December?

If we start celebrating too early it’s going to go stale.

Exeposé

| WEEK ten

Keeping Cosy

Maddie Soper offers up her brrrrr-illiant tips for staying toasty IS your heating broken? The gas meter eating your money? Fingers shaking so much you can barely type on your keyboard? Can you see your own breath misting in your room? Fear not! Exeposé Lifestyle is here to help with the top tips for keeping warm this winter.

Build a fort: Become the most popular (or unpopular?) member of your house, and rope your housemates into building a comfy communal fort. Grab all the pillows and blankets in your house, strip the sofa cushions, find your favourite slippers, and settle down for a cosy evening in with some cosy winter movies (is it Christmas movie time yet?

Nearly?). Hot water bottles and dressing gowns strongly advised. Penguin-huddling optional.

Cook a yummy casserole: Everybody loves a delicious winter meal. Grab the largest oven-proof dish in the house, find the perfect recipe (I recommend Delia in situations like this) and get

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cooking. If you’re smart, you can make it a house meal, split the cost, and it’ll end up feeding you all for days. This plan has the added advantage of being an excellent way of eating lots of veggies, which we all know can often be lacking when those essay deadlines start looming. Carrots, leeks, potatoes, celery – add them all in; it’ll taste fab in the end, I promise. Just keep on chopping.

Head to the library: Much as we hate to admit it, those lazy procrastinating essays are not really going to write themselves. The library may be a trek away, but there’s friendly staff to help with the stress, blankets and tea for the brave over-nighters, and guess what? It has functional central heating! Find a spot, settle in, and keep your supplies of biscuits well-stocked. If you just keep at it and stop watching those pandas playing in the snow on YouTube, that essay will be written before you know it.

Fireplace app: Almost as good as the

real thing. Get the free Fireplace app for your Iphone, tablet or laptop and huddle around with your housemates. With the real-life imitation crackling flames, complete with sputtering wood sound effects, you’ll almost (almost!) believe it’s the real thing. Prop it up against the mantelpiece or hook it up to the TV with the lights off and mood music playing in the background. The cold may be truly frightful, but at least your fake fire is so delightful.

Layer those jumpers: If all else fails and you need a foolproof way to stay toasty, layering up those jumpers is sure to keep your ambient body temperature hovering above zero. Thermal underwear is everyone’s friend (nobody’s going to see it, and you can sit comfortably in the knowledge you’re warmer than everyone else). Hoodie after hoodie will certainly help trap some of that heat in. Finish with a thick winter scarf and some fetching earmuffs, and you’ll forget all about feeling cold.

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Sorority sister Our columnist, Holly Alsop, tells us about surviving the library HOMECOMING has been and gone, weather conditions have worsened and a dreaded cockroach has finally invaded the sanctity of room B29. I knew this day was coming.

Homecoming is the tradition of welcoming back the alumni to the college and it’s a tradition I think should be introduced to the UK. This weekend past students, young and old, have returned to see their old hunting grounds. There was a big football match and I’ve seen so many cute kids wearing Tribe gear. I’ve also seen a few drunk fathers playing beer pong at the frat houses trying to relive their youth...

I’ve been up to my eyeballs in work. If you think you’ve got it bad in Exeter, imagine having exams before

Christmas and three twelve page research papers due in the same week. If there’s one thing to be said about Americans, it’s that they like to knuckle down and suffer. Finals week is on the horizon and I’ve been told that students start lining up in front of Swem library from 6am so they can get a good spot when it opens.

They then proceed to live in this spot for the next week or so, leaving only to shower and not to sleep. Apparently people bring sleeping bags and camp out under the table and one boy set up a tent last year so Swem really was his home.

The weather has taken a turn and it’s much colder. In England we’d just stick it out and buy a new pair of mittens but here, people panic and stands that serve free hot cider and hot chocolate pop up left, right and center as do cook-out events where I have eaten genuine American s’mores.

With my heavy workload I’ve been keeping my spirits up by streaking and so yes, I have completed the Mighty Triathlon.

What happened when Adam Smith met Ana-Maria Barrow?

Blind Date

What Adam thought of Ana-Maria

What were you hoping for before the date?

Ramona Flowers. I was hoping for my kooky dream girl.

What were your first impressions?

She was beautiful.

What did you think of La Tasca?

It was everything I wanted in a restaurant: good food and a lack of other diners.

What did you talk about?

God - her’s and my own. I shut down Anselm’s Ontological argument, she called Oscar Wilde a paedophile. Poirot and Miss Marple came up in conversation as well, but my little grey cells felt that there would not be too much to truly bond over.

Any awkward moments at all?

Alas yes, when she asked me my age.

One should never go out with a girl that’s older than you are without some confidence in her character – the only things a man should have that are older than himself are books, music and wine.

What was their most attractive physical feature?

Her mouth. It’s where her words came

from.

What was the worst thing about them?

The age difference.

By the end of the night, was a hug, kiss, or something more?

There was a hug, but it was like a hug between siblings. Or two friends who have just shared a jug of lemonade on a hot day in mid July on a picnic blanket when they thought that the summer holiday would never end.

What mark would you give the evening out of 10?

A seven as conservative as David Cameron.

Did the evening exceed your expectations?

Someone turned

there

up, so yes. I was wondering whether I’d have to sit and drink my way through £30 of cheap wine.

substantial part of our budget on cocktails, and so ended up not having that much left for food.

Would you meet up with them again?

Possibly, in another life.

What did you talk about?

Murder mystery dramas and cartoons…

Which was fine with me! I think both of our geek sides were let loose for the evening.

Snog, marry, avoid?

Avoid; she can do better than me.

What Ana-Maria thought of Adam What were you hoping for before the date?

Not much, just a funny story to tell my flat mates.

What were your first impressions?

He looked sweet, sort of shy, but he was far too young for me. As soon as I saw him I could tell he was in first year but it was all quite casual.

What did you think of La Tasca?

Really nice… A little too nice, there weren’t that many people there so it felt exclusive! We blew a

Any awkward moments at all?

Not really, well at least not for me, it was more like friends meeting up then going for a date anyway.

What was their most attractive physical feature?

His posture.

What was the worst thing about them?

This is a mean question...I think that he wasn’t 3 years older, a couple of feet taller and had a six pack… Oh, and

the fact that he didn’t like the Sherlock Holmes books.

By the end of the night, was there a hug, kiss, or something more?

Same hug as when we first met. I think we both knew there was nothing more to follow.

What mark would you give the evening out of 10?

As a date, probably a two as he definitely wasn’t my type.

Did the evening exceed your expectations?

It definitely exceeded my expectations as despite the fact that we weren’t going to hook up or anything it was a chilled evening and we were never lost for something to say.

Would you meet up with them again?

Probably not, but that’s not to say that I would avoid him or anything if I were to bump into him on campus.

Snog, marry, avoid?

I’m going to have to go with avoid, but only as a choice over the other two.

20

lifestyle

26 november 2013 |

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Exeposé

Tweets of the week Tweet us @ExeposeLStyle Bethan Roberts @bethanroberts I may be on the verge of failing my masters but oh my god I make the BEST coffee in the world Toby Craddock @TobiasCraddock I am not a morning person unless it is December 25th #sundayinthelibrary Megan Furborough @meganfurborough Two teabags to last @claraplackett and @ElliChristie and I a whole day of essay writing.

Today isn’t going to end well!

Ben Stanbury @Ben_Stanbury Arena was superb. #ThankYou Vikki Carpenter @SnoreyTori2 Why is it that I seem to like all the maternity coats the best? #awk #signs Lauren Swift @LaurenRSwift How to win friends and influence people? Brownies. And lots of them.

Maddy @MaddyParsley In need of counselling for being in the lemmy when they turn the lights on #angels Rob Harris @RJHarris93 Bed sheets are covered in at least 4 different colours, looks like the bloody remains of a violent highlighter battle. I think green lost.

Lauren. @laurenthomas_22 No milk to make tea with. What kind of nightmare is this.

Clara Plackett @claraplackett Why do so many Exeter students have no concept of library etiquette!? #GOTOACAFE Timothy Bradbeer @timbradbeer Essay stress. Super tired, and massive headache. Only solution, order Dominos on my own. #unashamed

Behind the Scenes of Jack Wardlaw gives you a backstage pass to life as an Exeposé model WHEN I say the word ‘modelling’ to you, what comes to mind? Paris? Parties? Glamour? Not always.

I woke up ahead of Exeposé’s fashion shoot bleary eyed from the previous night’s ill-advised trip to the Lemmy It was a cold, grey Sunday morning when I woke up ahead of the Exeposé fashion shoot, bleary eyed from the previous night’s ill-advised trip to the Lemmy. I stumbled down the hill

out of Birks to head for town. Inside, my stomach was churning slightly, and no, it wasn’t because of one too many jäger-bombs. Instead, it was because I was on my way to make my first foray into the world of Exeposé, as a model for their the fashion shoot featured in this issue, just keep turning!

I managed to find the building just as the heavens opened, meaning that instead of turning up looking effortlessly suave and über-cool as I’d hoped, the actual look I achieved was semi-drowned rat. A great start to the day.

People think being a model is easy, that you just turn up and have your picture taken, but there is so much more

to it than this. I was anxious to help, in any way I could, with the smooth

Many people don’t realise the immense amount of work that goes into a shoot like this running of the shoot. It was all-stations go when I walked in, and stood slightly awkwardly in the corner not wanting to get in the way. An entire table was dedicated to makeup, with countless different brushes, pencils and other

peculiar implements, of which I don’t even know the names, sprawling over it. In another area there was a mountain of jewellery being poured over to decide which pieces were to be used for the shoot to complement the clothes on the rails.

Many people don’t realise the immense amount of effort that goes into preparing a shoot like this, with several outfits and hair/makeup changes. Considering that Emily-Rose had spent most of Friday in an apocalyptic stress due to not only having to organise the location but also sourcing the clothing, she and the rest of the Exeposé team present on the day held everything and everyone together remarkably well!

Meet the Fashion Shoot Models

Niklas Rahmel @niklasRen This day wasn’t stressful. Therefore I wont have beer. Spot the lies. Hint: plural.

George Pearcy @georgepearcy The Herculanean task of opening a sandwich quietly when in the silent study room.

Katie Barry @katierbarrybarry Have had the nicest weekend #rowehousedoesitbest #lemmyforlife

Name: Megan Pallagrass Subject: 1st year English What do you do in your spare time?

I like to cook, a lot. And I mean a lot.

Other than that I do a lot of reading.

What’s your favourite aspect of student style?

I love how casual everyone is! It makes me feel ok about going to lectures in my PJs. What’s with the gilets though?!

Name: Nathan Dundovic Subject: 3rd year Economics & Psychology What do you do in your spare time?

I work on my clothing company which specialises in photographic apparel, I also travel as often as possible.

What’s your favourite aspect of student style? Right now, a boss winter jacket scarf combo.

Name: Poppy Guleroglu Subject: 3rd year history What do you do in your spare time?

I spend my free time volunteering with CA. What’s your favourite aspect of student style?

I’m loving all the statement jewellery on campus, even with the most casual looks it can really add the wow factor!

Name: Jack Wardlaw Subject: 1st year English What do you do in your spare time?

Reading and writing my blog and keeping up to date with fashion goss!

What’s your favourite aspect of student style? Probably how relaxed everyone is - you can wear whatever you like and you don’t feel like you’re being judged by people, which is nice!

Exeposé

| WEEK ten

lifestyle

www.exepose.ex.ac.uk

the 2013 Fashion Shoot After all the models had arrived and been suitably preened, polished and prepared for the shoot, it was time to get going. People wonder about modelling, often asking, “How hard can it be? All you do is stand in front of a camera”.

Those people have obviously never stood in front of a room of people while being assessed almost exclusively on the way you look and what you are doing. Certainly, all that goes through my head during a shoot are things like “What am I doing with my hands?”, “Does my leg look awkward in this shot?”, “Is my expression looking natural?”

Making sure you achieve whichever look is trying to be created by the team is a daunting task. Think of a

relay race - even if everyone else gets their individual bit right, if you get your part wrong, you ruin your team’s chances. The same is true for being a model. On the day of the shoot, the hair was looking great, the makeup was spot-on, the clothes looked fantastic, but if the models didn’t get it right, the whole shot would’ve look awkward and all the hard work of everyone involved would’ve be wasted.

Thankfully, this was not the case.

The first few shots were inevitably awkward, but we soon settled in to the environment and relaxed. We were able to actually enjoy the process, and aside from a dubious ‘model-hop’ incident (a video is somewhere in the depths of Lifestyle’s Twitter account @ExeposeLStyle if anyone is in need

of a laugh), the shots turned out really well.

In comparison to the two female models, I had an easy day with only two outfits to wear. The jeans I was wearing were tighter than Sharon Osbourne’s forehead, and although it took me a good time to get myself in and out of them, I was in no position to complain as I said my goodbyes to everyone. I think that female models definitely have it tougher than males.

In the case of the Exeposé fashion shoot, I was able to leave in the early afternoon, whereas the girls had to stay behind for several more hours of shooting different looks and preparing for the next make-up and outfit change.

You’d be forgiven for thinking modelling is always glamorous and

fun. Sometimes it certainly is, especially if you work with a team as great

All you can hope for is to be lucky enough to work with a brilliantly creative, organised and efficient team and secure the best possible shot in the process as those at Exeposé, but a lot of the time it involves early mornings, long days and careful concentration - it is by no means an easy job contrary to what many would believe. All you can

21

Photos:Niklas NiklasRahmel Rahmel Photos:

hope for is to be lucky enough to work with a brilliantly creative, organised and efficient team and secure the best possible shot in the process.

I think I speak for all the models involved when I say that the team here at Exeposé is exactly that, and the success of the shoot is completely down to everyone there who invested so much time and effort into the project, the results of which I hope you will agree are excellent. >> Turn to page 23 to check out the final shots from the fashion shoot!

Lights, Camera, Model Student Emily-Rose Rolfe, Lifestyle Editor, gives the classic view of an Exeter student a light twist DID you know that the University of Exeter motto is Lucem Sequimur, or, for those not versed in Latin, We follow the light? The model student is not someone who sits in a darkened and static room with ancient books surrounding them and a list of exemplary marks on their student record. Neither is the ultimate student for which being the king/queen of the jungle is the quintessence of the University of Exe-perience. The model student is someone who is consistently willing to learn, whether that’s being educated in a seedy room in Amory, witnessing the complex dramas of your social circle, or taking a fast track management course by leading a society – they don’t want to stand in the shade but rather blaze through university.

That’s the behind the scenes idea of the fashion shoot – we wanted to find

the Vogue Exeter student. I frequently hear complaints that Exeter fashion is one-dimensional: it’s ‘rah’, it’s light-headed, it’s uniform. I completely disagree – fashion in the Forum is fabulous! Ranging from trend-driven ladies-

The model student is someone who is consistently willing to learn in lycra, to laid-back edgy, to wellheeled gentlemen in the city – everyone has their own, unique way of wearing the same outfit. Check out how our four extraordinary and individual models

work high fashion poses in high street clothing – they inject their bright character into clothes that are sold across the country. When I hunted down this season’s most covetable trends in Exeter’s very own Princesshay, I saw the versatility within Exeter’s beautiful body.

Whether you’re a chundergrad or an undergrad, you can still be a leading light on campus. No matter how heated your degree and dancemoves get, there is still space for igniting another passion in your life. To direct a fashion shoot when all I’d been was a fashion enthusiast was like unexpectedly finding myself in the Red Light District when the closest I’d previously been to prostitution was watching Pretty Woman. It’s very different enjoyably flicking through the fashion pages of Glamour

to organising the spotlights, however if being a student is sliding along a learning curve then surely you’re riding towards the scary scenes of post-university? The Career Zone is an area we’re all in awe of, yet they speak the truth

Whether you’re a chundergrad or an undergrad, you can still be a leading light on campus when they preach that to make yourself employable you need to find your passions on campus (oh dear, I sound like your mother).

The model Exeter student does not

fit into one mould; there are so many trends we can experiment with this term.

The very word FASHION invites you to put your own twist of creativity on the latest craze. This shoot is a snapshot into the variety of students at Exeter; it may be disposable but it’s a product of hard work, teamwork, and creative work. Stepping out of the comfort zone and learning something new will rejuvenate your eclectic exe-perience. Saying all this, throw lamps at people who need to lighten up. On the schedule of the Fashion Shoot I wrote “HAVE FUN – this is a day to ENJOY, a break from work, a breather from campus and a time to be creative – keep calm, and enjoy playing dress up!” We’re students, we’re not serious quite yet…

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Model Student HIGHLIGHTS golden girl

FRESH-FACED passion for natural

HIGH STREET HIGH FASHION autumn/winter trends 2013

BOY MEETS GIRL couples on campus

EVENING OUT

debonairs and debutantes

ExeposĂŠ Lifestyle Fashion Shoot 2013

Lust in the library, flawless in the Forum, quirky in Queens

Jack wears: Wool coat, £90, Wool jumper, £42, Black leather-look jeans, £43, all from Topman.

Megan wears: Jumper, £34, Shirt, £32, Skirt, £42, all from Topshop.

Nathan wears: Sweatshirt, £29, Lost & Wild. Chinos, £24, Topman.

Poppy wears: Faux-leather jacket, £61, Camisole, £18, both from Topshop. Jeans, £35, H! by Henry Holland.

By mixing up leather and winter warm up pieces you can keep your cool in the library

Dress, £59.95, Joules. Earrings, £7.50 (for a set of 3), Dorothy Perkins.

Boots, £40, Topshop.

Camisole, £18, Topshop. Tweed skirt, £59.95, Joules.

Nathan wears: Suit, £110, Bowtie, £26, Hankerchief, £6, all Topman.

Megan wears: Dress, £145, Coast. Necklace, £18.50, Wallis.

The lady in red is a beacon of escapism, elegance, and enticement

Megan wears: Dress, £250, Coast.

Accessorise rich colours and big jewellery with a mysterious look in your eye

Frenemy: the type of friendship fraught with risk, mistrust, and double-edged

Poppy wears: Mixed multi chain necklace, £16.50, Gold necklace, £12, Choker (worm as bracelet), £14, all Freedom at Topshop.

Megan wears: Red jumper, £35, Black skirt, £25. both H! by Henry Holland.

Earrings, £10, Dorothy Perkins.

Jack wears: T-shirt, Tight Threads, £20 Black leather-look jeans, £43, Topman.

Poppy wears: Gold top, £28, Oasis. Shorts, £32, Topshop. Choker (worm as bracelet), £14, Freedom at Topshop.

Look into Megan’s eyes, and think Twiggy.

With twists of leather this skirt and Peter Pan collar make you less frumpy female, more femme fatale

Jumper, £45, Faux leather skirt. £35, both Oasis.

Earrings, just seen, £7.50 for six pairs, Dorothy Perkins.

Megan wears: Coat, Red Herring, £75.

Ear cuff, Freedom at Topshop, £8.50.

Bracelets, model’s own.

Poppy wears: Dress, £50, Oasis.

Earrings, £10, Dorothy Perkins.

Urban renewal: update modern day glamour and give old clothes a fierce twist

Necklace, Megan’s own.

Exeposé Lifestyle Fashion Shoot 2013 credits - Editors: Emily-Rose Rolfe & Kitty Howie. Photographer: Niklas Rahmel. Models: Jack Wardlaw, Megan Pallagrass, Nathan Dundovic and Poppy Guleroglu. Stylists: Emily-Rose Rolfe & Claire Crawford. Make-up artist: Annabel Barr. Assistant: Georgia Dawson. The Exeposé Lifestyle Fashion Shoot 2013 would also like to thank for their support and assistance: Princesshay, One Voice Media, Rachael Miles, Hannah Overton, Impulse London PR, Editors Meg Drewett and Jon Jenner, XTV, the Students’ Guild, as well as brands Topshop, Topman, Oasis, Coast, Debenhams, Red Herring, H! by Henry Holland, Joules, Wallis, Dorothy Perkins, Tight Threads and Lost & Wild.

Exeposé

| week ten

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Listings Wed 27 November The Lumineers Plymouth Pavilions Thu 28 November The Family Rain Bristol Thekla Fri 29 November Crystal Fighters Bristol Trinity Centre Sat 30 November The Wurzels Lemmy Mon 2 December Don Broco Lemmy Tue 3 December Palma Violets Bristol O2 Thu 5 December Billy Bragg Great Hall Mon 9 December Gogol Bordello Bristol O2 Academy Mon 9 December Max Raptor Cavern Wed 11 December The Herbaliser Christmas at the Spiegeltent Mon 23 December DJ Derek Bristol The Thunderbolt Tue 28 January Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip Lemmy Fri 7th February Seth Lakeman Exeter Cathedral

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MUSIC

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MUSIC EDITORS

Magda Cassidy & Josh Gray music@exepose.com JOIN THE FACEBOOK GROUP Exeposé Music

“I don’t want to lead...

I want to help inspire” Ben Clarke, Online Music Editor, gets serious with Billy Bragg “MY FIRST album is 35 years old this year. That was my last gasp attempt.

If that had failed I would have been fucked.” Billy Bragg’s voice is full of sincerity and conviction as he reflects on the origins of his music career. It might have been over three decades since the veteran activist first put up a metaphorical middle finger to the establishment in Life’s A Riot, but the messages behind his music perhaps need to be heard now more than ever.

It seems a shame to pigeonhole Bragg as a political songwriter when he is so adept at producing sensitive, heart-wrenching romantic songs. Indeed, Bragg’s latest record Tooth and Nail showcases the artist at his most intimate and moving. Nevertheless, as Bragg admits, it’s something he has got used to. “I’m trying to use the platform I’ve got to get my views out there,” he modestly muses. And once Bragg is on the topic of politics, there’s no stopping him. Nor would you want to.

David Cameron’s a fan of the Smiths.

I mean, what the fuck is that about?

“There’s a lack of politics in our political discourse. The politics we have these days are a retail politics; [the political parties] do the same thing in two different packages.” According to Bragg, this ideological merging contrasts to the binary politics of the 1980s.

“If I met Margaret Thatcher I knew I would have nothing in common with her. And now I hear David Cameron’s a fan of The Smiths. I mean, what the fuck is that about?”

So does the contemporary post-ideological state of politics mean political songs are more difficult to make? Bragg is philosophical in his answer. “These

days anyone can use social media to get their political point across. But the real difference between music and Twitter is that no one will invite me to New York to read out my tweets. Music brings a sense of community. Audiences can discuss issues they might not have expressed their feelings about.”

Bragg’s older songs – most notably ‘To Have and to Have Not’ – continue to resonate with a contemporary audience faced with the same problems of mass unemployment, social inequality and rising living costs that plagued the 1980s. However, Bragg is acutely aware of the need for a new songwriter to wrestle the microphone from his grip and become the voice of our generation.

“Instead of seeing someone who looks like your dad on stage, you need to see someone who looks like you. When I saw the Clash they were my age and I though ‘fuckin’ hell I could do that.’ I had no idea how to become The Stones, but I could see how to become The Clash”.

Bragg is, however, quick to point out that a space is needed in which talent and political ideas can be nurtured and expressed without sneering condescension. “When I was 19 music magazines believed that musicians should be able to express ideas about the creation of a society; you were expected to say that. People would take what you said seriously. Whereas now you’re more likely to get piss poured on you for saying something. And it’s that cynicism that I feel is a real enemy”.

Pervasive cynicism does not spell the end for political songwriting, however. Bragg is optimistic about the future of politics and sees music as a key tool in overcoming political pessimism and apathy. He ruthlessly encourages the latest generation feeling the full force of cuts and broken promises to “get focused on where you feel the pressure is coming from” and express

Altruistic Anthems:

their anger. “It’s not about writing political songs. It’s about you telling us the pressure that you are under.

Find your skill, find your anger, throw them together and show your point to the world”.

Bragg ends with a call-to-arms: “Don’t go out and say ‘excuse me, I’ve got an idea.’ Get out and fucking grab it by the scruff of the neck. Say this is actually happening to me and you better take notice of it. Write about the pressure that you’re under and people will respond to that”.

Interview

Read the full interview at Exeposé Music Online

Billy Bragg is playing The Great Hall on Thursday 5th December

Photo credit: Andy Whale http://www.berklee.edu

Exeposé Music presents four un-cringey protest songs...

N.W.A. - Fuck Tha Police

Elvis Costello - Tramp The Dirt Down

Frank Turner - Thatcher Fucked the Kids

Bob Dylan - The Times They Are A-Changin’

ICE CUBE’s righteous rage powers this free-flowing assault on America’s racial divisions with unbridled passion and more than a few four letter words. Lethal.

DARKLY entertaining and incredibly bitter – this fiery lament still carries the same passion and weight as it did in 1989. Nasty.

DESPITE Turner’s condemnation the actions of protestors at Margaret Thatcher’s funeral, ‘Thatcher Fucked The Kids’ is a refreshing plea for the youth of today. Thunderous.

A MASTERCLASS in protest songwriting, Bob conveys the anger and dissatisfaction of a generation without ever getting bogged down in preachiness. Classic.

TheWurzels @The Lemmy How can you go to the SouthWest’s most legendary uni without seeing the South-West’s most legendary band?

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Music

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Exeposé Music’s Bogus Debate

Feminisn’t?

Megan Lee questions Lily Allen’s new single AS ludicrously catchy as Lily Allen’s single ‘Hard Out Here’ is, I’m not about to claim that it’s made my life as a ‘bitch’ any easier.

No one is in denial that sexism is rife within the current music industry, and this is certainly an error to be addressed, but we also shouldn’t pretend that misogyny hasn’t been hanging around the

It’s simply the fact we require a glut of mildly explicit material as an accompaniment to any kind of message charts like a bad smell for decades. In ‘Run for Your Life’, The Beatles made a point of how they couldn’t spend their whole lives “trying just to make you [a woman] toe the line”, and when Jimi Hendrix told his “foxy lady” he’d made up his mind and he was going to take her home, were his intentions really that far from those of Robin Thicke and his apparently well-endowed nether regions? Yes, the language may have become more explicit and the clothes fewer and further between, but gender discrimination should really be dealt with in all its forms.

Although Allen’s song certainly has its moments (I especially enjoyed “have

Jake Bugg Shangri La Mercury .......................

you thought about your butt? Who’s going to tear it in two?”) I can’t help but see it more as an attempt to grab onto that edgy, “controversial” niche currently inhabited by the likes of Gaga and P!nk, rather than making any particularly original point concerning feminism. Yes, unfortunately smoking and overt sex does sell more than positive moral messages expressed whilst wearing sensible jumpers. However, this attitude isn’t going to be changed because of a few slow-motion shots of rippling female buttocks.

If anything it’s simply reinforcing the fact we require a glut of mildly explicit material as an accompaniment to any kind of message to find it impactful.

Moreover, if Allen is promoting this latest single as an attack against pejorative approaches to the feminine body image, it is seriously flawed. In a fierce response to allegations of racism within the video, Lily Allen stated “I would have been wearing a bikini too, but…I have chronic cellulite, which nobody wants to see”. But surely the whole point of this video is appealing against what everyone wants to see? Cutting loose all objectifying ties implemented by modern ideas of female worth? Allen shouldn’t have to get out her flesh to make a statement on gender equality, but the commercially conscious style of the video does seem to dilute down the ball-breaking feminism it attempts to promote.

round, have seen him strutting around the stage Gallagher-esque, thanks partly to the donning of a leather jacket.

Next week sees the release of Jake Bugg’s second album Shangri-La including the singles ‘What Doesn’t Kill You’ and ‘Slumville Sunrise’. The singer-songwriter from Nottingham received critical and popular acclaim after his debut self-titled album reached the top of the UK charts; this rapid rise, which culminated this year with major festival appearances, began when Bugg supported the likes of Noel Gallagher and the Stone Roses aged just 18.

roots REFERRING to his recent romance with stunner Cara Delevingne, Jake Bugg responded that he “didn’t even know” if he was single… It seems Jake is starting to embrace the life of a rock star; indeed, promotional appearances for the new album, in contrast to the nervy 17 year old last time

Bugg retains his Nottingham

The Johnny Cash influence on his folk-rock music comes through on Shangri-La; but while the record was produced in LA with big name Rick Rubin, Bugg still retains his Nottingham roots in his lyrics. That said, there is evidence of a shift to a more upbeat, heavier sound, especially in the first two singles. The album is set to further enhance Bugg’s reputation; already dubbed ‘an

26 november 2013 |

Exeposé

Elinor Penny and Josh Gray dispute whether the fusion of Mcfly and Busted into McBusted is a good idea...

FOR - THE first concert I ever attended was Busted in 2004; then made up of Charlie Simpson, Matt Willis and Sam Bourne, I was so dedicated I spent a whole afternoon making a typically cringe-worthy ‘I love Busted’ sign out of kitchen roll tubes and sugar paper. Sitting in my oversized t-shirt in re-allocated seats, feeling mere inches from the stage, I watched in awe as Busted played their seemingly unlimited collection of electric guitars to every one of their songs.

So, as the recent announcement came that Mcfly and Busted were joining forces to do a 2014 reunion tour, I realised I’d been waiting ten years for this moment. The only difference; the addition of Mcfly, another noughties boy band who, having seen them perform live in the past, are one of those very rare music phenomenon’s who are just as good, if not better, live than they are on CD; an increasingly rare feat.

do with the one-off reunion, opting instead for a lumpy six figure sum in return for the rights to the ‘Busted’ name. Alright for some!

After being portrayed for years as rivals on the pop/ rock music scene, the two separate groups are joining forces for what will undoubtedly be one of the best concerts I will ever attend; partly due to the fact that both have finally got out of the awkward teen ‘let’s put too much gel in our hair and try and look all tough on our album cover’ phase.

McBusted, therefore, is definitely the best idea since Big Macs; they are practically represented by it; two beef burgers, one representing each band, the cheese, which is the ‘cheese’ associated with a cringy noughties boy band (enough so that at Cheesy Tuesday’s everyone always knows every single word of their songs), and then all the extra lettuce, tomatoes and toppings, represent that special something that both bands have that you can’t help but love.

For the majority of us, we grew up with the likes of Busted and Mcfly, and that will always stay with us.

So having been through the stress of missing out on priority tickets, only to get some in general release, I will return to see yes, two of the cringiest noughties bands but also two of the best, in my now perfect fitting t-shirt.

FOR

I was so dedicated I spent a whole afternoon making a typically cringe-worthy ‘I love Busted’ sign out of kitchen roll tubes and sugar paper The McBusted name does however hide the fact that Charlie Simpson, infamous for his mahoosive eyebrows, is not having anything to East Midlands Bob Dylan’, his ability on the guitar has been widely praised in light of his contemporary rock riffs which punctuate the melodic verses.

Only time will tell how ShangriLa, named after the studio in Malibu where the album was recorded, will be received by fans and critics but from what has been released thus far it seems Bugg has delivered a superb return album; over the last few days songs have been drip-fed via social media. ‘A Song About Love’ is a beautifully simple poem of love and memories which Bugg belts out alongside his acoustic guitar. It is reminiscent of the brilliant ‘Broken’ and ‘Someplace’ from his debut album. Also already released is the tuneful ‘Messed Up Kids’ which manages to lament for the “sea of empty pockets” Bugg grew up with on Clifton estate yet also sound uplifting.

Add this to the big tunes ‘What Doesn’t Kill You’ and ‘Slumville Sunrise’ then the record is shaping up to be a cracker.

With more songs in his armoury expect Jake to smash the major venues on his tour and continue his ascent to stardom.

CHLOE O’BRIEN

ELINOR PENNY

Lady Gaga ARTPOP Interscope .......................

IF you follow Gaga in her realms of online media, you’ll know how much of a big deal this album is; its comedown to Earth has been anticipated since 2011. Her third LP comes with a snazzy app with a documentary also in the works, and what with her recent announcements of literally going into

AGAINST - IT would be easy to decry this abhorrent supergroup based on the respective irrelevance of both bands and the innate awfulness of all individuals involved. It’d be straightforward to look back on the crimes against music both Mcfly and Busted produced at the turn of the century and judge them for the torrid turds they were. But no, why look to the musical travesties of the past when we can use our highly evolved imaginations to visualise the future? Two weeks ago my future held little worse than the prospect of never being able to afford my own tumble dryer; now I’m getting to grips with the fact that the rest of my blooming years of youth will be overcast by the dark shadow of McBusted, the grotesque monster created by six sick-minded individuals.

How can I ever hope to get a job, raise a family or die peacefully in my bed when the landscape of the world has changed so dramatically? space, you can’t help but notice the huge hype that surrounds ARTPOP. But with great hype comes great expectations. Described as ‘reversed Warholian experience’ (I still don’t understand that), the album is unquestionably pop music, which is what I both wanted and expected, and so Lady Gaga cannot be held guilty of not sticking to what she knows best. But whilst there are echoes of her ‘Just Dance’ days, it sounds as though she intends on going somewhere with her style. The old adage of ‘less is more’ is no truer than with ‘ARTPOP’, the title track, and ‘Sexxx Dreams’, which stand out in this raging sea of electronic pop. They’re pop, yes, but they’re more mature pop, where the beat is simplistic and uncomplicated, and when coupled with Gaga’s delicate

The album is unquestionably pop music, which is what I both wanted and expected vocals, almost hypnotic. But ‘Jewels N’ Drugs’, another of the album’s high-

AGA

Exeposé

| WEEK ten

MUSIC

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Gift of the Gab

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Emily-Rose Rolfe, Lifestyle Editor, and Ronnie Henderson ponder the delights of English Rain

The urban centres of population will be the first affected, consumed by the ever-hungry beast. There will be mass panic and exodus to the wastelands as the world’s government’s and music labels realise they cannot control the demon that they created. There will be war, famine and death. Brother will turn against brother, mother will turn against daughter and air hostess will turn against air hostess.

The moon will eclipse the sun and Charlie Simpson will give birth to a six-headed platypus.

These will be the end times.

There is no Year 3000 for man.

What’s that you say?

They’re just a group of friends making music for thirteen year old girls to lose their virginity unreasonably early to? Taking the pocket money of sexually confused tweenagers like they did in the early 00’s might

AINST

lights, shows the disputed Queen of Pop in a completely different kingdom. Here she sounds almost unrecognisable as she shares a hip-hop beat with T.I., Too $hort and Twista, chanting about drugs and money. To hear this was refreshing, particularly in an album where the majority of the songs seem to blend into one another, notably the trio of ‘Fashion!’, ‘Donatella’ and ‘Mary Jane Holland’.

The latter gave me a synthetic headache. I can barely recite the chorus, such was the torrent of noise that drowned out an inconsistent melody. Also reverting back to her ground of fame and fashion seems tenuous; lyrically, she should have been as progressive as her music. I can’t help but feel as though at times she was furiously flicking through a dictionary for rhymes, all to come to an inane lyric at the end of it: “Don’t puke, you just had a salad today” is hardly Bob Dylan. But to brand her music as inane is unfair, because the ballads ‘Dope’ and ‘Gypsy’ confirm her top-notch talents as a vocalist above all else. Here, any meat dress, lobster hat or “seashell bikini” is saved for the rest of the album.

CONNOR MCGOVERN

be the intent of the crack team of scientists and stylists that have resurrected the McBusted beast. But have they truly thought of all the potential outcomes? Of the McPopalypse they might just have set in motion? No.

AS the crowd sings back the chorus of ‘Home’, Gabrielle Aplin takes a step back and perhaps ponders on her meteoric rise within the last 12 months. Since her heart wrenching cover of ‘The Power Of Love’ on the national treasure that is the John Lewis Christmas advert, she has shot to fame and into people’s hearts. Her girl next door persona and endearing lyrics secured her a strong fanbase of teenage poets (as evident by the crowd surrounding us). Gabrielle, however, is more than outlet for teenage angst her opening song ‘Keep On Walking’ immediately captured the audience and she held us close throughout her two hour set.

Her panic cord is not evident throughout her performance, her petite form arrests the audience in vast expanse of the Great Hall. A tall order for the most demanding audience in Devon. As she softly croons “Get an education, get a job, get a life”, we look

around and see the stranger side of things – we are surrounded by 14 year old girls and their grim-faced fathers.

She knows her target market, and is not afraid to tell them to walk on the weirdest side of the street.

The haunting and ethereal chords of ‘The Power Of Love’ suddenly surrounds us and pulls on our heartstrings (the emotion of the moment overwhelmed Ronnie as he imagined forcing her out of the fan-base zone and down the aisle). She angelically stood on stage pouring out a powerful aura, the melody reverberated through even the most reluctant member of the audience. No wonder John Lewis’ sales skyrocketed last Christmas.

Before kicking off with the catchy ‘Please don’t say you love me’, she encourages crowd involvement with the humble phrase “You could do a little head bop to this one, or maybe throw some shapes”. We were the only ones to take her up on this offer, the

McBusted is proof of one thing: humanity is destined to destroy the world it inhabits

Parlophone .......................

Despite being more Hannah Montana than Miley Cyrus, she courageously covered ‘Wrecking Ball’ abandoning the aggression for a vunerable take on the lyrics; we are still bickering about whether this was a good take on this winter’s biggest hit. Her band, on the other hand, were unquestionably confident and clearly comfortable with Gabrielle’s quirky ways. We take our hats off to them. The encore was a triumphant culmination to a sell out tour, she gave herself to the crowd and we willingly took her into our embrace.

As we evaporated out and walked home, we wondered… how do we feel today? We feel that Gabrielle Aplin is a force of nature. If her album is English Rain, then her live show was an Indian monsoon.

Columnist Lewis Norman tackles this week’s releases

poline’ and ‘Don’t Sell Out’ are big bass-y tracks that would fit nicely into any club roster. There’s not quite as catchy as some of his previous songs but a couple of the songs stand out: ‘Mosh Pit’ sees Dizzee Rascal return to a heavier track which is al-

A nice mix of infectious club tracks and some real gems, Tinie shows he’s got his sound and this is what it is

THE SECOND album. It’s often a challenge to ‘new’ artists to keep the momentum going the second time round. Demonstration is Tinie Tempah’s round two at the international world, and it’s a very strong swing.

A lot of the tracks such as ‘Tram-

No wonder John Lewis’ sales skyrocketed last Christmas

Lewis’s Love It or Loathe It

McBusted is proof of one thing: humanity is destined for self-destruction. Maybe if we change our ways, repent our sins and lock Pop Party 2 back in the attic we can avert the coming storm. Then again, maybe not…

JOSH GRAY, MUSIC EDITOR

Tinie Tempah Demonstration

crowd were disappointingly static on the dancefloor and did not give this powerful song the reaction it deserved.

We were thoroughly disapproving.

ways nice, and ‘Children of the Sun’ does as well, for no other reason than I just like it. It’s big, it’s grand and even the rap is catchy, which are all good things for a club tune. It’s basically ‘Written in the Stars’ mark two, and I enjoyed mark one so I liked it.

There are occasional lyrical moments that are quite clever turn of phrases: “Daddy thought that the stress would kill him so he nearly called me Will”

in ‘Looking Down the Barrel’ for example, but the simple bravado and boasting of his previous album remains in spades. There are quite a few songs that provide a break from this, but they aren’t as immediately memorable tunes as the others. If anything they’re tracks for Tinie to show a bit more of what I call ‘proper rapping’.

‘Tears Run Dry’ is particular ‘delight’ and it’s a powerful and emotional song. It’s the latter half of the album where these take over and it’s really nice to hear, before returning to a bit of bravado rap before signing off.

What does Demonstration demonstrate? Well it demonstrates Tinie isn’t going anywhere for a little while, if nothing else. It demonstrates his lyrical ability, more often than you might expect. It’s more of the same stuff as before and it’s good stuff too. A nice mix of infectious club tracks and some real gems, Tinie shows he’s got his sound and this is what it is. Difficult second album? You wouldn’t think so.

THOMAS DAVIES

Jake Bugg : Shangri La Jake Bugg’s second offering is bursting at the seams with brilliant tunes. The Nottinghamshire Fireball’s raw vocals continue to crackle with blazing passion that is unrivalled by anyone. The one man/one guitar set-up has been exhausted in music and yet Jake Bugg takes this classic formula and crafts it into an emotional joy which alternates between being melancholy and sweltering with energy. This is probably best displayed in the cannonballing ‘Slumville Sunrise’ – arguably the best track he has ever released.

Lady Antebellum : Golden There is a lot of good in Lady Antebellum’s latest track. Unfortunately, every song on this album sounds like the one you just heard. The band appear to be insistent on reusing the same three major chords, which would be just about bearable if they weren’t strummed in the same fashion on the guitar with the occasional lick. Scott sounds exceptionally annoying to the degree that she would almost challenge Taylor Swift in a ‘How needy can you come across’ competition. Lady Antebellum try to fuse the best bits of country and pop but, disappointingly, incorporate too much of the latter and not enough of the former.

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Newsreel Gravity reaches $500 million at box office Now ranking as one of the highest-grossing sci-fi movies of all time, Warner Bros.’ 3D extravaganza has taken the worldwide box office by storm. It stands as the most successful film in both George Clooney and Sandra Bullock’s illustrious careers, eclipsing both Speed ($350.2 million) and Ocean’s Eleven ($450.6 million).

With every facet of the movie from acting to cinematography lauded by both critics and the general public, it seems that the Oscars will soon be knocking.

Terry Gilliam names Don Quixote as next project After going dark back in 2010, it seemed that the film would be permanently lost in the pre-production wilderness. However, it now seems that production is back underway. As a loose adaptation of Miguel De Cervantes’s 17th Century Spanish classic, Gilliam’s The Man Who Killed Don Quixote is said to follow the story of a time-traveling ad executive.

Don Cheadle to play Miles Davis The long–planned biopic of one of Jazz’s most exalted and innovative pioneers has been green-lit by BiFrost Pictures, with Cheadle also set to make his directorial debut.

With production set to begin in June, it is hoped that Kill the Trumpet Player will follow in the same footsteps as Jamie Foxx’s critically acclaimed 2004 biopic Ray.

Campus Cinema Week10-12 8-10 Week Programme All showings at 6:30 and 9pm Tuesday 26 November Boy A (with Howard League Society) Sunday 1 December Much Ado About Nothing Tuesday 3 December Blue Jasmine Sunday 8 December Rush Tuesday 10 December Thor: The Dark World

26 november 2013 |

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Exeposé

SCREEN EDITORS

Megan Furborough & Rob Harris screen@exepose.com JOIN THE FACEBOOK GROUP Exeposé Screen

50 Shades of Who

With the 50th anniversary episode airing last Saturday, Exeposé Screen take a look at the series’ legacy, from favourite episodes to the greatest incarnations

Dalek Director: Jo Ahearne Cast: Christopher Eccleston, Billie Piper, Corey Johnson 2005 BBC 1 Season 1, 13 Episodes IN the sixth episode of the rebooted series, Christopher Eccleston’s Doctor and Rose Tyler land in an underground museum filled with alien artefacts, in the year 2012. Amongst the meteorites, Cyberman helmets and Slitheen arms, something is sending out a signal, calling for help. American billionaire Henry van Statten’s prized possession, a device he calls the ‘Metaltron’, is a mystery un-

The Empty Child / The Doctor Dances Director: James Hawes Cast: Christopher Eccleston, Billie Piper, John Barrowman 2005 BBC 1 Season 1, 13 Episodes YOU don’t have to be a keen fan to remember the creepy gas mask child wandering around Blitz-era London at night on your television; a quick mention is sufficient to get most people muttering, “Are you my mummy?” in ominous childish tones.

It is difficult to pinpoint exactly what makes ‘The Empty Child’ and ‘The Doctor Dances’ the best Doctor Who story – there is simply so much to go on. Perhaps it helps that it’s set in the period of history every modern Brit knows best or perhaps it’s that within the first ten minutes we witness a spacecraft chase, lose Rose to dangling from a barrage balloon (complete with Union Jack t-shirt) amidst the beginnings of a German air raid, and meet Captain Jack Harkness for the first time as he ogles at her backside from afar through binoculars. What better introduction?

The gas-mask people are easily some of the most memorable antagonists from new-era Doctor Who. They are a chilling rendition of the war images we have all seen in history textbooks: the binding of flesh to gas mask is the physical manifestation of a virus that, amongst shouldbe-fatal internal injury, replaces all sense of former self with the same desperate need of the original victim to find his mother. And if you really need freaking out, you can watch a couple of people physically turn into these gas-mask people – although it is toe-curlingly grim, I

til the Doctor offers his help and the machine comes to life with a resoundingly familiar “EX-TER-MI-NATE”.

‘Dalek’ is the first episode that really tests the Doctor, revealing a much darker side of the Time War survivor, while simultaneously portraying the vulnerability of the lone Dalek. This is exemplary Doctor Who, humanising the monsters and reminding us just how alien the Doctor truly is. Even when the Dalek breaks free and wreaks its revenge on its human captors, its motives do not seem cold and merciless, but rather justified given the torture inflicted on it by the callous representatives of have to admit.

Even since taking over as Doctor Who’s head writer, this 2005 two-part story definitely remains Steven Moffat’s best writing.

There is no single story which c o m pares in terms of banter (banana-based, the best kind), flirting, creepy yet cunningly clever plots, dancing, undyingly positive wartime spirit, Glenn Miller in the TARDIS and the most original resolution to a cliff-hanger both my thirteen-yearold and twentyone-year-old self have ever seen.

It is both unique and as inherently human as an episode of Doctor Who can be.

However what just about pips everything to the post as my favourite thing is the post-Time War Doctor’s pure joy in seeing that, just this once, everybody lives.

IMOGEN WATSON ONLINE FEATURES EDITOR

our species. It is only Rose’s childish humanity that saves the lives of both herself and the Doctor, as the Dalek accepts the

extinction of its race and basks in the sunlight before finally granting mercy on itself and choosing to self-destruct.

As with most of Christopher Eccleston’s run in the TARDIS, ‘Dalek’ is largely overshadowed by the Tennant era, but remains an astute exploration of cruelty and humanity, and highly deserving of a place on any ‘best episode’ list.

ALICE CLEMENTS

Exeposé

| Week ten

SCREEN

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Step into the TARDIS...

31

Thomas Davies looks at the evolution of the British classic over its 50 years on our television screens IN 1962, BBC Head of Drama Sydney Newman was looking for a new Saturday night television show. Concepts were pitched: telepathy, flying saucers and a time machine. The final idea was to become the longest running science fiction show in television history. That idea was Doctor Who. The First Doctor (William Hartnell) was initially more of an anti-hero and a mysterious figure but he gradually took up the mantle of hero. The TARDIS and the Daleks were introduced in this series and became a hit with the public.

Sadly, Hartnell’s health problems began to seriously affect his ability to play the part. It was then that they developed the central idea of ‘regeneration’: the Doctor could die and be reborn with a different personality. It was a device that ensured the series’ longevity. The Second Doctor (Patrick Troughton) had a difficult job but he did it very well, laying more comedy than Hartnell. It was only in this series we learned of the Cybermen, sonic screwdriver and the

Time Lords themselves. The regeneration into the action hero Third Doctor (Jon Pertwee) established the show as a long running program, and an episode with all three doctors certainly helped.

The Fourth and most famous incarnation of the Doctor (Tom Baker) was also the longest serving, running for seven seasons before leaving the program. His replacement - the younger Fifth Doctor (Peter Davison) - was designed to be different to his wellloved predecessor. It was around this time that viewership for Doctor Who began to decline and by the time the mood swinging Sixth Doctor (Colin Baker) appeared on our screens, the show was losing popularity. After an 18-month hiatus in 1985-86, the show couldn’t produce the same number of viewers it had done previously. Baker was fired and a new Doctor was brought in to replace him - but even that didn’t save the show. In 1989 Doctor Who was cancelled despite a popular outcry. The last scenes showed the Seventh Doctor

(Sylvester McCoy) and his companion walking off into the sunset, and many believed that would be the end of it.

However, American television company Fox Network became interested in the programme and planned to create a brand new American version of the show. They were persuaded that it would be a continuation of the BBC series, and in 1996 a television movie was released starring the Eighth Doctor (Paul McGann). Whilst it was one of the top ten programs in the UK it didn’t do nearly as well in the US. Fox declined to produce their series and Doctor Who was ‘cancelled’ yet again.

Thus, whilst the show lived on in books and audio plays, it wasn’t until 2005 that Doctor Who returned to TV with the Ninth Doctor (Christopher Eccleston). Led by Russell T. Davies, both a fan and science fiction writer, the BBC began a process that would bring back Doctor Who to millions of beloved fans across the country.

The rest is history.

The timeless Time Lords

Admist fierce debate, Exeposé Screen asked writers who they thought that the best Doctor was, and why

Sylvester McCoy Sylvester McCoy ascended to the role of Doctor amidst a turbulent period for the now-iconic series. The franchise was under scrutiny from BBC bigwigs (having nearly been axed the year before McCoy arrived), and McCoy was only drafted in as a late replacement for Colin Baker, who didn’t fancy returning for a cameo after previously vacating the role in December 1986. McCoy’s debut was in late 1987 in an uneven series, with many viewers totally baffled by McCoy’s effete performances and more than slightly confusing plot sequences that blighted the series.

More recently, a growing school of critical thought (people on the Internet) has suggested that McCoy’s reign as Doctor has been criminally undervalued. From the sheer oddity of his entrance (sprawled on the floor of the Tardis, wearing a blonde wig, chillin’), to the intriguing relationship the Doctor held with Ace (played by Sophie Aldred), some have suggested that McCoy was one of the first Doctors to bring real depth to the role. He brought a sustained character arc to the role for the first time, as the Doctor actually made friends and liked people, rather than constantly feeling like he had to save the world. Basically, McCoy was a big believer in ‘me-time’, and according to some, it paid off.

Of course, that’s only one opinion.

Many of my friends, also Doctor Who

aficionados, bemoan McCoy’s performances as limp, vapid, and downright weird, while also citing the weakness of the franchise of the late 80s as another chance to berate the lusciously haired McCoy. To those people, I would say the following: don’t hate the player, hate the game. Sylvester was the real McCoy. OWEN KEATING NEWS EDITOR Christopher Eccleston Forget Tennant, definitely forget Smith – Christopher Eccleston is by far the most superior Doctor the re-boot (and perhaps the entire series) has ever had the experience of travelling with.

There were a lot of expectations resting on Eccleston’s shoulders. With Doctor Who a distant memory of cardboard Daleks, multi-coloured scarves and a big blue box, word of a re-boot were met with that curious mix of incredible excitement and complete scepticism – would it be any good?

Would the aliens be scary? And what about the new Doctor?

And Ecclestondidn’t disappoint. Not only was the first series one of the most brilliant exam-

ples of writing I’ve ever seen on television – nothing has come close to topping “Bad Wolf” – Eccleston was what we had all be waiting for. Northern, with close-cropped hair and sporting a leather jacket, he was a straight-talking, deliciously dark Doctor and so, so cool.

Whilst the more humorous aspects to the Doctor’s character were developed under Tennant (and were rapidly undone by the bumbling fool that is Matt Smith), Eccleston’s more serious, but emotionally astute and genuinely likeable Doctor took the series into the 21st century. He didn’t just gallivant from planet to planet either, wreaking more havoc in his wake that he prevents – episodes such as ‘The Empty Child’ saw him actually being a Doctor that heals, and his cry that “Just this once, everybody lives!” earnt him his place in the British public’s hearts.

His relationship with Rose – whilst not as explicitly romantic as between her and David Tennant – was touching and sweet. Let’s not forget that in the very first episode, he zaps her phone with his screwdriver just so that she can ring her mum as she watches the end of the Earth.

Eccleston’s run was upsettingly short and lasted just a single series - but this only adds to his perfection. The writers weren’t given a chance to make the Ninth Doctor into something he wasn’t, and instead Ecclestone’s Doctor paved the way for the modern, and well-loved Doctor Who. MEGAN FURBOROUGH SCREEN EDITOR David Tennant That was it. The world was over.

Christopher Eccleston was leaving Doctor Who after one season, and life was never going to be the same again.

How were any of us ever going to recover? What could possibly be done to fix this travesty?

Enter a skinny, perfectly quaffed Scotsman with a penchant for Converse and an eclectic background of RSC training and risqué BBC3 drama.

Within forty minutes he’d won a sword fight in a dressing gown, techno-babbled at a Sycorax, and quoted The Lion King. I was sold.

Tennant turned Doctor Who into the mainstream success story it always deserved to be. With illustrious wit and a hell of a lot of charm, the show

became a global phenomenon, with Tennant presiding over the Golden Age of the show’s storytelling and acting partnerships. Not only was the irresistible love story between the Doctor and Rose, but also the rapier-sharp comedy double act with Catherine Tate, mercifully free from painful pining (Martha, we’re looking at you).

It certainly doesn’t hurt that Tennant himself is just so unbearably lovable. His joy and enthusiasm light up the screen, but he can also most certainly bring both the serious and the sexy when demanded. The smile. The suit.

The brainy-specs. The hair (oh God, the hair). He crafted the Doctor into such an endearing character that his enormous acting talent was even more impressive whenever it reared its head.

Yet what was most brilliant about Tennant was his unique position as a lifelong Whovian. The little boy who used to cower behind the sofa from Cybermen and Zygons was now battling them in front of a dedicated TV audience every Saturday night. You need only watch ten minutes of an episode to realise this is the image of a man fulfilling a childhood dream. If the shameless manipulation Russell T. Davies makes you sit through in the final scenes of his last episode weren’t enough, by the time you reach that fateful closing line, you can tell: he bloody well means it.

MADDIE SOPER

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Exeposé

“You have to learn to let go”

Carmen Paddock reviews the universal blockbuster and is definitely feeling Gravity’s pull Gravity Director: Alfonso Cuarón Cast: Sandra Bullock, George Clooney, Ed Harris 91 mins (12A) IT often seems that directors are using the new 3D format indiscriminately, without proper thought as to how it can best serve their cinematographic aesthetic and (most importantly) story.

Alfonzo Cuarón’s latest project, Gravity - which he directed, co-wrote, and co-produced - is a happy exception.

Weightless objects in outer space are ideal for 3D, and each shot appears meticulously planned to maximise the medium’s visual effectiveness. Spacewalks, high-speed debris storms, floating flames, bodies swimming in air, and sweeping views of Earth seem to jump out of the screen and pull the audience into this magnificent but often nightmarish world, bringing the heart of the thriller to visceral life. Cuarón’s intelligent direction succeeds on both artistic and dramatic levels, making Gravity an almost-certain contender for this year’s biggest awards.

Aside from Ed Harris’ voice as Mission Control (a brilliant nod to his portrayal of Gene Kranz, flight director

of the lunar missions, in Apollo 13) and George Clooney’s surprisingly marginal role as the charismatic astronaut in charge of the mission, the film focuses solely on Sandra Bullock as Dr. Ryan Stone.

For the vast majority of the film she is the only person on screen.

Initially, all the viewers know about Dr. Stone is that she is a highlyrespected medical engineer on her first ever mission, but as they slowly learn her history through snatches of dialogue - nothing is revealed too quickly or blatantly - the stakes for her survival climb exponentially.

Bullock earns the audience’s complete

Every emotion and reaction feels genuine; this may be Bullock’s finest performance support by portraying an imperfect, vulnerable, yet highly resourceful character. Every emotion and reaction feels genuine; this may be Bullock’s finest performance to date (and easily worthy of a second Oscar).

The storyline itself was a pleasing surprise; while the trailer gives the impression that it will be a fairly generic disaster situation film, it never feels stale or clichéd, largely helped by the brilliant cinematography and powerful performances. The juxtaposition between the setting’s almost unimaginable immensity and tiny cast creates an oddly intimate atmosphere that keeps viewers involved at every stage of Dr. Stone’s harrowing journey.

Although (as the trailer states) there is nothing to carry sound in outer space, the film does have a soundtrack which appropriately captures the grand yet unbearably tense mise-en-scène.

One song in particular is poignantly employed at a pivotal plot moment.

The music is contrasted with several shots in complete silence, as in reality; the latter’s eerie, stifling emptiness is so intense that, as effective as they are, the horror may well have been overwhelming had Gravity been shot without sound

in its entirety.

Gravity manages to combine a strong plot with a truly stunning diegesis: from spaceship to solar system, this film reaches for the stars.

Films to see before you graduate: L’Auberge Espagnole THE FILM begins with the humble protagonist, Xavier (Romain Duris), receiving guidance on his potential career in economics. He’s advised to go abroad as the future is bound to be intercontinental and thus, the acquisition of a new language is almost essential if he is to be successful. With this in mind, he sets sail for Barcelona, leaving behind his hippie mother and possessive girlfriend (Audrey Tautou), in order to participate in the Erasmus Program.

He moves into an apartment that overtly symbolizes the melting pot atmosphere of the EU, with residents from England, Belgium, Spain, Denmark and Germany, all living in a convivial atmosphere. The ensemble form friendships and budding romances, experiment with drugs, battle cultural and language problems, and ultimately overcome all their differences to become a tight-knit group of oddballs.

Klapisch directs a visually captivating film filled with a variety of special effects, from animated maps

to superimposed images. Supplement that with the natural vibrancy and spectacular cityscape of the setting itself and you have a delightful feast for the eyes.

L’Auberge is the perfect combination of a heartwarming coming-ofage comedy and the edgier characterdriven ‘art film’ Interspersed with multiple one-liners, the film maintains a humorous tone throughout. However, the comedic highlight comes in the form of Wendy (Kelly Reilly)’s boorish brother. With a complete lack of filter as to what is socially acceptable and what is not, he takes pleasure in identifying the major prejudices of each room-

mate’s nationality. Although far from politically correct, this aspect of the film generates numerous laugh-outloud moments.

As someone who’s currently residing in Barcelona, this film was an absolute must-see and certainly didn’t disappoint. It realistically portrays the lifestyle of a ‘year abroader’, right down to disputes over fridge space.

Yet at the same time, it successfully conveys the moral that finding one’s identity isn’t nearly as important as revelling in the search itself. L’Auberge is the perfect combination of a heart-warming coming-of-age comedy and the edgier, character-driven ‘art film’.

A feel-good comedy with an edge - it is an utterly relatable film for those on their years abroad and a deeper insight into the chaos that transpires on the continent for those who aren’t.

HARRIET LARGE

As Hot As... the hot or nots of this week’s film news WOLVERINE – So, Hugh Jackman has been talking up the prospect of a third solo Wolverine movie. After hinting that we would not have to sit through another mediocre X-Men spinoff ever again, it seems that movie executives are not yet done flogging the dead horse.

Landlords

THE COBBLER – It may have Dustin Hoffman on board, but there is no avoiding the fact that it will probably just end up being another decent to cringeworthy instalment in the ever-increasing catalogue of painfully unfunny Adam Sandler films.

DUMB AND DUMBER TO – Now slated for a November 2014 release, the sequel to the much-loved comedy is less than a year away. Here’s hoping that Jim Carey and Jeff Daniels manage to capture the same attitude that made the first film so popular.

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE – But the sequels don’t end there! With Christmas just around the corner, it has been announced that the Christmas classic is also looking at a second instalment. We sincerely hope that it will be a hit, but it’s best not to get too invested.

JAVIER BARDEM – Everyone’s favourite movie-psychopath is wanted to play everyone’s favourite pirate, the infamous Captain Blackbeard. Frankly, if that is not at all an exciting prospect, we don’t know what is. Either way... pirates.

Time Lords

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Books

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Book Shelf The Hunger Games: Catching Fire was recently released to hoards of screaming fans. As a tribute, Exeposé Books looks ahead to upcoming film releases that will help you to keep young adult fiction in your life.

26 november 2013 |

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BOOKS EDITORS

Elli Christie & Emma Holifield books@exepose.com JOIN THE FACEBOOK GROUP Exeposé Books

Did it live up to the book?

Exeposé Books examines the rise and fall of the adaptation in the wake of the new Hunger Games

Divergent Veronica Roth Beatrice knows that she doesn’t fit into her society - she has officially been classed as divergent in a futuristic Chicago. Roth’s series has been billed as ‘the next Hunger Games’ for those who can’t wait for the next film to be made and is currently set to come out in March 2014.

Artemis Fowl Eoin Colfer Even though plans to adapt the first book were announced in 2001, Disney only confirmed that Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal were assigned to the project as executive producers in July 2013. Hopefully this tale of a boy anti-hero who takes on the fairy world will be worth the wait!

The Book Thief Marcus Zusak Currently out in America, we’ll have to wait until January to get the film of this much loved book narrated by Death in Nazi Germany. After a world wide search for the central chracter of Liesel it was announced that the French Canadian Sophie Nélisse had won the role.

The Silver Chair C.S. Lewis Much to the relief of fans, the films will remain in the order that C. S. Lewis published the books, rather than attempting to create a chronological order of the events.

The Silver Chair features Eustace Scrubb and Jill Pole, who arrive in Narnia to find that Caspian, an old man, searching for his son.

Austenland Shannon Hale For those that have had enough of Austen, but not enough of Darcy and those regency breeches, the recent adaptation of Austenland will be perfect. Jane Hayes, an American with an unhealthy obsession for all things Austen, visits an Austen theme park and decides to live her life in the most Regency possible way.

ELLI CHRISTIE, BOOKS EDITOR

Photo: hdwallpapersbank.com

Iona Bepey sympathises with filmmakers who Ifeoluwatolani Omotola argues that films and books just shouldn’t be compared have to deal with crazy fan reactions WITH film adaptations, the phrase ‘didn’t live up to the book’ has become fairly commonplace. We’re lucky enough to live in an era where barely a piece of print meets publication without talks of a movie being spawned from the pages, but can a ‘Page-to-Screener’ really ever do the original work justice? Is it pure sloppiness on the part of cast and crew that sees so many filmgoers leaving the cinema feeling let down? Or are we of a generation who simply underestimates the gravity of responsibility and pressure when it comes to the difficult task of producing not only a film in and of itself, but of material with a pre-existing, fiercely-loyal fanbase..?

first

My advice is to go and see the film

I’m of the opinion we ought to pity filmmakers; that is, any filmmaker charged with adapting a popular novel into an international Hollywood blockbuster. Try to imagine the expanse of the task: 391 pages in Catching Fire, and two, maybe two-and-a-half hours to shoehorn them all into a format satisfying enough to appease the legions of The Hunger Games fans the globeover, simultaneous to scoring the Big Time with critics, and even selling the story to those who haven’t encountered the original media before. As Suzanne Collins herself might say, the odds are most decidedly not in your favour.

A point of reckoning most of the novel-to-film genre’s harshest critics tend to forget is that if what you’re after is a page-by-page reading of the original

book, these are not the droids you’re looking for. Lionsgate Films, I imagine, would have had a hard time meeting their $700 million box office landslide with Jennifer Lawrence reading an audiobook of the original The Hunger Games novel. The solution: learning to take what’s given to us at face value.

As a big fan of visual as well as purely transcribed storytelling, I’ve never balked at the idea of a favourite novel setting course for the silver screen, aware though I am that the book is usually better. However, I’ve made my peace with the fact that not every detail of the novel will make it into the script; annoying, certainly, but it shouldn’t detract from your enjoyment of the film for what it is – an adaptation.

Perhaps it’s as simple as changing the order you approach material; if we saw the film before experiencing the book, would we be as disappointed postcinema?

My advice is see the film first; join the thrumming crowds of moviegoers and reviewers, ranting about ‘Terrific, sophisticated comedy’, ‘Film of the year’ and ‘Rated ‘Thor’ out of Five’ (with thanks to Empire Online) before you attempt to read the original. When you inevitably discover the book was better… well. At least you can walk away with the knowledge that at one point at least, you enjoyed the film too.

So let’s try for some sympathy, in particular for the poor sod charged with turning Fifty Shades into something almost watchable. Perhaps we’ll hit a benchmark wherein the film adaptation is actually the better of the two…

Forgive me, though, for not holding out too much hope!

When a studio or author announces that a beloved novel is being translated for screen there is a rush of criticism, some good, some bad and some hysterical. Often readers don’t want their beloved characters altered in the page to screen translation. Alterations to a character or plot often occur as a result of cost or time, helping to cater to a wider audience since not everything in a book can work in film. The best part of a book is the imagination factor since, barring extremely vivid descriptions, with

Some film adaptations have no similarity to the books they claim to emulate a book the world is your oyster and each person has their own subjective imagination. How I might imagine the hunky hero is very different from the physical characteristics my best friend may picture. In my opinion this is one of the key reasons for negative fan reactions. Most recently there was a small wave of controversy following the casting of the leads in the upcoming Fifty Shades of Grey film. When we attempt to solidify the vague literary imaginings that occur of the page (by defining what characters, places or even accents actually are like with films) it’s bound to contradict with someone’s own subjective idea.

After all, one can’t please everyone.

Some films adaptations even have no similarity whatsoever to the books

they claim to emulate. For me this was especially obvious with World War Z. Beyond the name and the concept of zombies the film was completely different from the book - although I did enjoy it. But once in a while I come across a film adaptation I find so terrible I don’t know whether to laugh or cry at what has been done to what might have been a great book. This was the case with my favourite book, The Host by Stephenie Meyer. I have read and reread that book dozens of times and, although it’s not by any means perfect, I love it. So when I found out it was going to be made into a movie I was initially sceptical. Anyone who has read the book before will know that there is a lot of internal thought and character reflections, so I couldn’t help but worry how this would work on the big screen. I was thrilled with the trailer, which was amazing. But I can honestly say that The Host was one of the worst films I have ever seen; the plot and concept just did not fit the medium of film.

So as The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is released to the general viewing public, I will be there front and centre, fingers crossed (much like I was with the first one). I sometimes feel that the books vs film argument is an unfair comparison. Books can be hundreds or thousands of pages long. With films something is usually lost in translation and that is why when someone asks me which I prefer I will always stick to the original.

Exeposé

| WEEK ten

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A Tribute to the Past

Emma Holifield, Books Editor and Rory Morgan, Online Books Editor, discuss classical references and why The Hunger Games isn’t as fresh as you think George Orwell once said “I doubt whether classical education ever has been or can be successfully carried out without corporal punishment.”

True, learning Latin and Ancient Greek rarely tops lists of fun ways to spend an afternoon (apologies Classics department).

However, from Harry Potter to Percy Jackson, classical references in literature are becoming increasingly widespread. Indeed, despite Orwell’s view, I doubt J.K. Rowling included mythological centaurs in her novels under heavy duress. The Hunger Games also makes abundant classical references, featuring characters such as Caesar and Plutarch. This is not a new phenomenon, with The Lord of the Rings and the Narnia chronicles drawing heavily on ancient sources. However, the recent popularity of classically inspired literature has led industry big-wigs to herald mythology-based fiction as one of

the biggest emerging young adult trends.

Filled with wine, women and general debauchery, many classical characters go on benders that would give even the most hardened uni drinkers a headache. Considering these themes, it is somewhat odd that classical references have become particularly prevalent in children and young adult fiction.

Many classical characters go on benders that would give even hardened uni drinkers a headache But why engage with stories created by long-dead individuals? Is it laziness on the part of the writer, stealing plotlines rather than inventing their own?

Or are these references an attempt to

make their literature more ‘intellectual’?

These may be true, but with many of the stories they draw inspiration from being considered ‘epic’ literature, it isn’t hard to understand why such references can help to create appealing stories.

The recent prevalence of vampiric romances has led the young adult genre to be cast in a bad light. However, classically immersed stories such as The Hunger Games help to prove that this genre isn’t limited to the tales of vapid, love-struck protagonists (yes Bella Swan, I am talking about you).

EH LAST weekend the second film adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ popular Hunger Games trilogy was unleashed to a mass of screaming fans. The books themselves have earned particular praise for their supposedly unique way of tackling the themes of reality television and the potentially dangerous nature of

Spellbound by books

Hannah Butler reminisces over the ability that children’s literature gave her to adventure and explore new horizons

Casting my mind back over the dog-eared, often chocolate fingerprintstained paperbacks littering sofa arms or squashed unceremoniously on bookshelves during my primary school years, I recall the usual suspects. From the age of six, I devoured the first four Harry Potter novels on a constant loop. No sooner turning the page on The Goblet of Fire’s ominous close “what would come, w o u l d come… and he would have t o

meet it when it did”. would I plunge straight back into The Philosopher’s Stone, and Mr and Mrs Dursley’s assertion that they were “perfectly normal, thank you very much.”.

Later, I remember being enormously proud, when asked my favourite books, to reply with Cliff McNish’s The Doomspell Trilogy. Based on Rachel and Eric, plunged into a freezing world ruled by a malicious witch, these fantasies coincidentally involve these siblings’ discovery that they can perform magic – perhaps not such a big leap from Harry Potter. Nonetheless, being able to name a story as my favourite that none of my classmates had read filled me with an indescribable sense of accomplishment.

The Doomspell was special for me, representing a personal choice I had made, and giving me that first sense of being able to define myself and my interests through the books I chose to read.

Later, Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy engrossed me. Lyra Belaqua’s exploration of a familiar yet alien world was something I would immerse myself in repeatedly. And of course, I wanted a dæmon. Just as I wished to be able to change my appearance and conjure chocolate sandwiches out of thin air like Rachel in The Doomspell. And I cherished for a long time that hope that I would receive an invitation to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

The make-believe games embarked on after reading these stories - turning the house upside-down whilst meticulously gathering up ‘spell books’ and ‘potions bottles’, then acting out my departure for Hogwarts - no doubt frustrated my family, yet engaged me for hours.

Debating the literary style of children’s fiction misses the point somewhat What all of these stories had in common was their stirring of longing in me: a longing to experience the things these characters experienced, to be able to do what they could do, and meet the people they encountered as I engrossed myself in their lives. Of course it’s almost impossible to avoid adopting a more sceptical view, as an English Literature student, perhaps halfheartedly accepting the criticism aimed at some of my cherished favourites; J.K. Rowling’s “pedestrian, ungrammatical prose style”, noted by Anthony Holden, may leave some critics reluctant to bestow acclaim upon her work.

However, debating the literary style of children’s fiction arguably misses the point somewhat; for me, these stories allowed me to imagine myself in worlds unreachable by any other means. They unlocked a yearning in me to be able to craft my own narratives, articulating my thoughts on paper and conjuring up worlds and characters as my favourite authors did so well, inspiring me in ways I truly value now.

it. Many would be able to tell you a brief synopsis of the fictional nature of the games and their history, but few are aware of their quite obvious Latin based literary heritage.

It seems that Collins has, like many other authors, dipped into ancient literature for some inspiration. The Games’ parallels with Ovid’s tale of the Minotaur are intriguing. The tale goes that every year or so seven Athenian boys and seven girls, drawn by lot, were to be sent into the Labyrinth (where the Minotaur had been trapped) to act as a sacrifice to appease the animal. Sound familiar?

Eventually the hero Theseus with the aid of Ariadne defeated the Minotaur.

Ok, so maybe that part of the tale is slightly less explicit in Collins trilogy, but nevertheless it is interesting to

observe how the roots of such a fresh and exciting book are so ancient.

This is perhaps why Collins has had such a widespread success on her hands, she has essentially reinvigorated an already proven successful tale with no one alive to sue her!

And why shouldn’t she? After all, when it comes to ancient literature it is often difficult to gage ownership and if Collins’ books introduce even just one per cent of her readers to the great works of the past surely there is no vice.

RM

‘Capitol’ sales Matt Bugler, Online Sports Editor, remarks on The Hunger Games’ wide appeal

The Hunger Games franchise fits that rare model of commercial success and artistic merit. The first of the trilogy in particular has enough thematic material to fit an English dissertation (I’m still considering doing it). As a supposed children’s book, there is some very adult social satire taking place in this dystopian future, from the loss of sensibilities in the reality TV age to the revolution against an oppressive minority. Throw in one of the most dynamic female heroines in literature, and themes of poverty, sacrifice, hope and fear and you’ve got one of the most thought-provoking novels of the last 50 years, in children’s and adult literature.

Indeed, as far as children’s books are concerned, you wouldn’t expect one to be about 24 kids murdering each other until the last one is standing. But the days of young teenagers reading The Famous Five are long over; nowadays they need something a bit bloodier. Dystopian fiction seems to be fighting a battle with vampire fiction as number one on the 14 year-old’s bookshelf, with the common theme of being an outsider in a scary environment perfect material for adolescent minds. Incidentally, Andrew Fukuda’s The Hunt slides into both dystopia and vampire genres, and makes for a compelling read - I was eager to borrow it off my younger brother when he finished.

The prime appeal of good children’s literature is that it can be read by young and old alike. Harry Potter was read by many a commuter on the tube, and with thousands of pages over seven books, with a whole world and hundreds of characters, it’s almost hard not to get lost in it. However, at heart, it’s a simple allegory about love. Love as being the supreme good in the dark world, love as the one thing that Harry

has to protect himself against Voldemort and bind him with his friends. If this is moral assimilation through the magic of reading, then there couldn’t be a better lesson taught.

There are other brilliant series which can inspire young minds and reward returning readers at a later stage. Malorie Blackman’s Noughts and Crosses trilogy asks its readers to consider the power of racism, subverted to white inferiority in the novel. Phillip Pullman’s His Dark Materials challenges Christian ideology of the Fall of Man and inverts the Adam and Eve story as a fundamentally good and natural process. Children may not pick up on it at first; they’ll be too distracted by the exhilarating story and characters to notice, but when they do there’s something very exciting about realising that the book that their teacher recommended is essentially about teenage sex.

Good children’s literature can be read by young and old alike There’s one thing all these books have in common: the ability to tell a fast-paced narrative while also dealing with universal human issues and feelings. Many of the classics we study deal with similar thematic material, but how many of them are genuinely fun to read? Perhaps in the near-future more young adult literature will work its way onto the canon as pieces of academic significance. And maybe by then I’ll have gotten over my anger at the ending of Breaking Dawn.

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Condensed Condensed Classics Classics Artemis Fowl Eoin Colfer (2001)

“Let us proceed under the assumption that the fairy folk do exist, and that I am not a gibbering moron.”

Among my childhood literary friends, Artemis Fowl takes the cake as one of my favourites. The cool, suavity of Fowl himself and the tough as nails Butler were great characters.

While the story of the book was strong, it was really the characters that won me. While they were technically the bad guys, you couldn’t help liking Fowl for thinking his way out of trouble.

The idea of sci-fi fairies took a while to get used to, but Holly Short proved both sympathetic and heroic at the same time. She was a well-crafted antithesis to Artemis and the battle between those two characters and Artemis’ eventual turn to heroism, especially in the later books, was a joy to read.

Artemis Fowl was a brilliant series and the first book set the tone beautifully. I can only sum it up in two words: film anyone? No? Just me then…

THOMAS DAVIES

Alice in Wonderland Lewis Caroll Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and its not-so-catchy sequel, Through the LookingGlass and What Alice Found There, have never been out of print since 1865 and 1871, respectively.

Moreover, when I read about Alice and

Black Chalk Chrisopher J. Yates As a student of law at Oxford in the 1990’s, who describes himself as a “part time hermit” on his Twitter biography, Christopher J Yates’ book Black Chalk is the ultimate display of “writing what you know.’”It is at basic plot level, a tale of a game of consequences set in the fictional Oxford college ‘Pitt’, narrated by a hermetic ex-law student. Yet if these parallels were supposed to imbue our reading with a trust in what the narrator is saying, Yates manipulates ideas of truthful story telling with complicated representations of reality.

One of those ‘couldn’t put it down’ books that avid readers search for The novel has a dual setting. The larger, set in the third person, signifies the book that the main character, Jolyon, is attempting to write, but as information that Jolyon would not have been privy to starts seeping in to these sections, we her rabbit hole for the first time 134 years later, it’s clear why. I was a bit jealous of her adventures, and who wouldn’t be?

Tea parties, talking animals,

notice the confused implications of an unstable narrator. Jolyon’s instabilities are put forward in the other setting, a first person account of his struggles in the present day, as he interacts with his obsessive neuroses and slowly falls apart, dwelling on the beginnings of a game which affected the lives of all six of its players. Eventually the story being written and the story being lived meet one another and we discover that fractured memories of the past are being fed into the story by darker influences than Jolyon realises.

The book’s tag: “One Game. Six Students. Five Survivors” immediately portrays the novel’s overarching sense of mystery, which unfolds slowly as more and more pieces of the puzzle are teased out. Yates’ own experience as a puzzle editor enriches this technique, dealing out pieces of the story that we expect to fit in particular ways but that often throw us off from completing the puzzle until all the pieces have been revealed.

The novel abounds with notions of gameplaying and strategy, exploring the ways in which players interact with each other and manipulate rules.

As someone with undergraduate experience of Oxford, I understood all too clearly how the importance of winning and losing represent a huge part

of the competitive college atmosphere.

Reading about an environment I knew so well, Yates’ writing filled me with a huge sense of nostalgia, with his understanding of the rich history of the city and the small nuances of Oxford life that he presents so perfectly.

With its considerations of the dark psychology of people against the archaic backdrop of Oxford University, Black Chalk often feels like a contemporary nod to Brideshead Revisited, with its mode of fragmented writing calling to mind other novels that self- referentially struggle to write and read themselves; Tristram Shandy, Calvino’s If on a Winter’s Night a Traveler, and O’Brien’s At Swim-Two Birds for example.

Yates is a man who is incredibly proud of his first-born. He regularly tweets back admirers of the book with genuine enthusiasm. And so he should.

Black Chalk is an incredibly gripping novel, one of those ‘couldn’t put it down’ books that avid readers search so often for. Its mixture of mystery, psychology, and fissured narrative style make Yates’ debut novel an absolute winner.

funny potions, walking cards, croquet games: it’s a middle-class child’s dream (quite literally, in fact!).

It may be a children’s story with quite an obnoxious, arrogant, precocious little girl at its centre, but it’s a powerful book. Its vivid imagery and narrative structure, amongst other things, are unofficial benchmarks for the fantasy genre and together with the assistance of the dazzling Walt Disney adaptation, I am sure I can speak for everybody when I say that the images of white rabbits and mad hatters are ones that we will be forever acquainted with.

Although I could rave about it all day, I couldn’t tell you exactly what I like about it even if you offered me all the tea in Wonderland. It flows seamlessly with no ‘...’ moments or (dare I say clichéd) cliffhangers, but that’s not the real reason why.

It’s a classic piece of literature, and I’m sure that counts for something, but that’s not why. It’s fantastical, and I’ve always liked fantasy books, but I don’t think it’s that either. I realised what it was when I was reading it again when I was 18 (the standard 18-year-old thing to do, I know). Devoid of Disneyana that easily distracts you from the story, what appeals to me more than anything is that it has the rare ability to transform itself, like a caterpillar to a butterfly, when you read it as an adult. It’s still

bonkers, definitely, and the sorts of conversations she has with mice and dodos are still as entertaining as ever, but you can appreciate the literary merit of the story, i.e. the genius of Lewis Carroll. The book is absolutely ridden with puns, so many in fact, that simply passed over my head when I first read it. As well as having really witty tickles of the English language, they just enriched the nonsensicality of Alice and her world even more, but giving them to you out of context would be pointless. So, if you’ve not read it since childhood then it’s worth a revisit just for those and if you’ve not read it at all, then you should still visit it anyway. Or else it’s off with your head.

LAURA WILSON

It’s a middle-class child’s dream (quite literally!)

Oh, and don’t worry, Alice, you can be forgiven for forgetting how to speak good English; “curiouser and curiouser” wouldn’t be what would come out of my mouth if I was “opening out like the largest telescope that ever was”...

Any Last Words?

In a fit of nostalgia, this week we asked you to muse on what your favourite children’s books characters are up to now...

I’m pretty sure Tracey Beaker would be a disgraced spin-doctor.

SARAH GOUGH Alex Rider: living under temporary asylum in Russia after whistleblowing the secrets of MI6’s unethical surveillance techniques to the British media.

RYHS LAVERTY I like to imagine that Hermione Granger has “gone Lindsey Lohan.”

OWEN KEATING Mia Thermopolis is now Kate Middleton’s frenemy.

TOBY CRADDOCK The Tiger Who Came To Tea is now a rather fetching hall rug.

JOSH GRAY Tom Sawyer has most definitely abandoned any form of civilised life in his adulthood and is leading a robber/pirate band along the banks of antebellum Mississippi.

CARMEN PADDOCK The very hungry caterpillar realised he was eating to fill a hole in his soul so finally sought the help he needed. He’s now married with two kids and is a succesful dietician. So that’s something postitive.

LOUIS DORÉ Percy the Park Keeper now suffers crippling arthritis as a result of too much garden maintenance.

KITTY HOWIE Winnie the Pooh would be in hospital suffering from untreated diabetes. As Piglet leans forward, he can just about make out Pooh’s last words: “I would do it all again... for just another drop of honey”.

ROB HARRIS Biff and Chip are now ruling the world.

CLARA PLACKETT Paddington Bear has been deported back to deepest darkest Peru.

EMMA HOLIFIELD Milly Molly Mandy has become the ultimate hipster and is now known as M³.

ELLI CHRISTIE

CONnOR McGOvErN

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Art Coded Clothes @RAMM Ends 8 December

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A Balls Out Approach to Art

After last week’s sensational scrotum story, Laura Wilson nails down art as a protest LAST week, Pyotr Pavlensky grabbed the attention of the public by nailing his scrotum to the pavement of Red Square, Moscow, in a political protest towards what he called the ‘apathy, political indifference and fatalism of contemporary Russian society.’ Whilst Pavlensky was able to sit in the Kremlin staring at his testicles for almost two hours, he could now face five years imprisonment for hooliganism. Evidently, the not-so apathetic Russian society reacted to Pavlensky’s protest by protesting against it themselves, and this circular idea of protests through art begetting protests against art is far from a new reaction.

Making a statement is a key element of creating art, staging a protest, and combining the two. Many schools of art arise from challenging the status quo, such as Cubism’s deliberate opposition to the classical representation of objects and Pop Art as a self-aware, ironic reaction to consumerism. This

relationship between forms of protest is expertly demonstrated in the defacement of Eugene Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People, which occurred in early February this year. Delacroix’s painting represents the ‘vanguard’ of the French Revolution, with Lady Liberty and her followers protesting against the monarchy of France. This term is often seen as the etymology for the Avant Garde movement, a school of art that prided itself on pushing boundaries and reacting against social norms. The woman who defaced the work scrawled AE911, a message relating to a 9/11 conspiracy, in permanent marker at the bottom of the canvas, thereby inscribing yet another level of protest onto an already multi-layered work of objection.

Perhaps the reason for many of these protests atop protests is the knowledge that a piece of art able to draw public attention can be manipulated so that the true focus is placed onto your particular

cause. Damien Hirst’s work has often attracted attention for its controversial nature, so where better to get across your political opinion than by spray-painting ‘Occupy’ onto the leg of his anatomical sculpture Hymn? Here, the protesters directly linked Hirst’s ‘capitalist approach to art’ to their act of graffiti, yet betrayed a dependence on the artist’s reputation to gain greater recognition for their own fight. It would seem that art needs protest as much as protest needs art.

Mainly art-related protests come from performance artists who see themselves as ‘engaging’ with the works. Another Russian political activist, Alexander Davidovich Brener, has performed a number of stunts as part of the Moscow Actionism movement which included defecating in front of a Van Gogh and painting a dollar sign onto a Kazimir Malevich painting. When questioned in court for this outburst, Brener defended himself by claiming to be in ‘dialogue’

with Malevich’s work.

What’s more is that almost half a dozen performance artists have attempted to ‘contribute’ to Marcel Duchamp’s Fountain, considering it the greatest triumph to have succeeded in urinating into his mounted toilet bowl. Hans Richter, a friend of Duchamp’s told him of art in society: “you threw the urinal into their faces as a challenge” clearly labelling the original work as a protest against aesthetics. Therefore, whilst these public pees may look like protest, when considered in relation to the statement Duchamp was making with the work, they are actually continuations of some Dadaist ideals.

In these, and many other examples, art and protest appear inextricably bound up together, making statements, having conversations with one another, and, perhaps most importantly, keeping the public talking about art.

Photo Credit: theguardian.com

Theatre The Blitz Project @The Bikeshed 28-30 November, 4-7, 12-14 December The Recruiting Officer @Exeter Northcott 3-7 December

Holidays are coming, holidays are coming...

As Christmas commercials start to appear on our screens Sophie Knight analyses art in advertising CHRISTMAS is imminent. What with John Lewis’ cutesy animals prancing around a tastefully decorated tree and Coca Cola’s Father Christmas campaigning for compassion, the urges to adorn my room with tinsel are becoming harder and harder to ignore. John Lewis is a master of the Christmas advert and this year’s Bear and Hare storyline is no exception. Accompanied

by Lily Allen’s poignant rendition of Keane’s ‘Somewhere Only We Know’, the display of friendship between the two protagonists would make even the Grinch’s heart of ice melt into a puddle of rainbows and flowers and marshmallows. If you haven’t seen it yet, go.

Now. Not since the age of five, okay maybe fifteen, have I been so tempted to buy a cuddly Bear/Hare toy – what has the advert done to me?! Advertising is an art, and a sneaky one at that, but is

it art itself?

Much can pass off as art these days, take Tracey Emin’s My Bed for example. It seems that if the artist wants the piece to be considered art, then it will be. Behind the façade of fox cubs unwrapping presents and snow-clad bridges the John Lewis advert has a purpose too, and no, though it pains me to say it, it is not to rouse Christmas cheer, but actually to increase sales. We could get all philosophical about the purpose of art; is it to be beautiful, depict a scene, provoke an argument or heal as therapy? Nobody really knows. Again I could debate about what exactly art is: a representation of skill and creativity, a craft or thing of beauty. Similarly, nobody really knows. An advert may not be considered ‘fine art’ but it is made up of artistic elements. The old-fashioned line drawing animations of the John Lewis Christmas advert were created

by the same artists who worked with The Lion King animations, and surely illustrators are artists, making their creations art? Then again, if this was the case, cartoons, logos, greetings card and book covers would all be considered art.

The art of advertising stems from the creativity demonstrated in making audiences remember the brand. It is in the captivation and enticement of the viewer. Successful adverts seduce us with lulling tunes, endearing characters and touching plots and before we have time to regain our wits we have purchased three rolls of bear-emblazoned wrapping paper, a hare onsie and a few casserole dishes – none of which I actually needed. We are also all suckers for a good story and John Lewis have been cunning in targeting this weakness. In the advert, as the Bear departs across the bridge, I, like the

Hare, watched after him with increasing despair. This anguish could only be quelled with the Bear’s reappearance as he saunters over the hill with a warm glow in his eyes, the music peaks and all is good again. The Hare’s present is revealed and I am gripped with pride for the clever little bunny. The acknowledgement then comes that the Hare is not

real, I am watching an advert, and I have been manipulated.

If art is art for its ability to make us feel a certain way as pre-planned by the artist, then maybe, in the same way as a painting, classic book or landmark piece of music can be considered art... an advert must be too.

Exeposé

| WEEK ten

www.exepose.ex.ac.uk

Exehibition Every issue, Exeposé Arts features a piece of student art. This week, it’s student artist and Exeposé’s very own photographer, Niklas Rahmel

I WOULD definitely not consider myself to be an artist. Photography has always been a hobby of mine; I got my first camera in 2010, and that was a pretty great day. From then on I have just continually progressed on the photographic front through taking photos for various school events, sports matches, scenic surroundings and formal balls. After joining Exeter University, and Photo Society, I got a bit more creative with my work and began producing a new style of photography.

Now I am Chief Photographer at Exeposé, official photographer for the Students’ Guild, freelance a bit for societies’ dinners and balls and have been published in a number of local publications beside Exeposé, such as the Express & Echo, This Is Devon, The Grecian and Her Campus. I do all of this whilst trying to work for a degree in Information Technology Management for Business, which is everything but related to photography.

The monochrome photo was taken

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at Bristol Temple Meads Station, after a long day-trip with Photo Soc to Bristol. We left Exeter at seven o’clock in the morning and we were tired by 11 pm, so we thought we’d be creative with some black and white photography.Temple Meads is one of the most iconic stations in the UK and it was exciting to shoot.

After joining Exeter University and Photo Society, I got a bit more creative The photo of the bird was a much luckier shot. The year before, I spent three days in Paris. Sightseeing all of the city in only three days is quite a challenge, I can assure you. Outside Notre Dame Cathedral, there were a lot of people, and a lot of people eat a lot of food, and a lot of food means a lot of waste which leads to all sorts of birds coming to survey the area and look out for dropped food.

The hungrier the birds get, the braver they become, and at the time I was there, they ate food from people’s hands. I was lucky enough to capture one of these glorious Parisian moments.

Interested in having your art published?

Get in touch with arts@exepose. com

West Country to World’s End RAMM

Until 2 March 2014 ONE of the challenges I have often found myself up against whilst visiting museums is that age-old difficulty of truly engaging with the faces gazing down from secluded ‘oil on canvas’ platforms, or artefacts lying shielded and remote in glass cabinets. However, stepping into the Royal Albert Memorial Museum’s new exhibit, I had the sense that I would overcome this typical struggle to find connections with the art and history surrounding me.

The name ‘West Country to World’s End: the South West in the Tudor Age’ immediately outlines an aim of the exhibition. Effectively zooming in on what often seems a vast yet somewhat vague and incomprehensible time

If you or your society need a photographer for an event or occassion, please email me at nsr204@exeter.ac.uk period, West Country to World’s End celebrates “the spirit of adventure and enterprise of South West people”.

Touching upon the lives of such pioneering figures as Sir Walter Raleigh and Sir Francis Drake, both born in Devon, this exhibition brought history home for me in an almost literal sense.

To see the very county in which I have come to feel I belong being associated with such figures of worldwide fame and accomplishment stirred pride within me, alongside a sense of affinity with these men I would otherwise struggle to find.

Particularly fascinating was an exhibit centred on Devon’s goldsmiths, and a communion cup made

by Exeter-born Richard Hilliard. Furthermore, in the same cabinet as this artefact stood a watercolour miniature of Hilliard himself, painted by his son.

Not only could I then imagine myself thrown back almost 500 years,

walking the same streets as Hilliard; I could now picture the man I would see walking past me, contemplating his latest artistic project. West Country to World’s End offers moments like these in abundance. Joan Tuckfield, widow of an Exeter woollen cloth merchant, poses in portrait beside a cabinet displaying her will. Yet which contribution to her historical footprint offers more insight into the life of this now unreachable figure: the artist’s, or her own?

This exhibition inspires viewers to seek connections between themselves and those displayed, appreciating the history of the South West in exciting and thought-provoking ways. A must visit for all Exeter students.

HANNAH BUTLER

Recommend: ShakeSoc

theand evening of October at a ceremony Guildhall MYON friend I have noticed that most20,dleton etc.). We wantattothe stage plays in in the You city couldof beLondon, interested it in acting,

of the plays that get put on at the Uni- various spaces on and off campus, play directing, writing, lighting, sound, set, was announced that The Bike Shed Theatre is thecast winner My Theatre Matters! versity are contemporary/original/ with the time periods, womenof astheprops, costume, hair, makeup,Most producmodern pieces. Now, there is absolute- men and vice versa, and generally pro- tion, publicity, or more than one or all ly Welcoming nothing wrong Theatre with that -Award. we love a duce exciting and entertaining theatre. or none of the above; anyone can join, bit of modern stuff. But remember that To do that, we’re going to need enthu- whatever your interests or experience.

Situated at the end who of anwrote alley in thestudents, heart oftoExeter, it onis aand hidden treasure city. – after siastic work both There’s room forof allthe in ShakeSoc man called Shakespeare loads of plays that millions of people off-stage. all, “all the world’s a stage!”

With a are 60 really seat not subterranean adjacent tavern, the venue like – they seeing much auditorium But let’s and not forget this is vintage going to cocktail If you’re interested, pleasehas sign action here in Exeter. And THAT is why be a university society – there will be up in Roborough Studios or Thornlea performances nearly every night of events the year.

Championing new(Alexander work andBuilding), innovation, theRyan or email we’re setting up ShakeSoc. social too, in the form of quizWe at ShakeSoc (Shakespeare Soci- zes, fancy dress, and, of course, trips (ro254@exeter.ac.uk) or Dan (dh352@ theatre hasonpreviously gained national forcountry, its shows, a Peter Brook Empty exeter.ac.uk). ety) aim to put original Shakespeare to theatresacclaim all over the to see winning plays and possibly some by his con- shows written by the Bard and friends, Space award.

However, prize is its greatest recognition yet. amongst many others. temporaries’ too (Marlowe, Ford, this Mid- nationwide

Jo Caulfield - Better the Devil You Know Exeter Northcott Theatre

10 November 2013 THE main thing Better the Devil You Know dangles before us is the slightly ludicrous nature of all male/female relationships, its central piece being the appraisal of her eccentric marriage - making devilish observations which everyone in the audience could relate to - before drastically changing comedic style in the second act, producing much hilarity.

I felt a little like a guinea pig at some points and, as the audience was relatively small, a lot of new material was tried out. Some of this completely flopped, in particular a couple of long anecdotes lacking strong punch lines.

Yet, a few new jokes got bigger laughs than her tried and tested material. It was also nice that these new sets involved topics outside her normal remit.

Where the show was at its funniest, however, was in her witty observations about marital relationships. This is where the bulk of the laughs came from: she has a knack for letting men in on the joke despite telling it from a female perspective, something which can be very difficult to achieve. Although I did sharply inhale when Jo revealed that sometimes she asks her husband whether or not he’s noticed anything different about her - when nothing has changed! I most firmly feel for the man; this question is strewn with more traps and pitfalls than an evening talking civil rights with Putin.

These one-liners and devastating-

ly bitchy anecdotes made up the lion’s share of the laughs in the first act. It was only towards the end of the second act that any inkling of a change in style became detectable. Elegantly, all previous jokes came together in a crescendo of ridiculousness. Here all the previous threads intertwined in a scene which, oddly enough, took a deviation

These oneliners and bitchy anecdotes made up the lion share of the laughs in the first act from the previous observational humour and simply descended into a farcical porn scene. In this way the show was very well made. Almost adhering to Chekhov’s Gun dramatic principle, previous jokes were referenced in the final scene - a nice touch. Yet, the delivery didn’t quite match the quality of the material – somehow lacking the infectious energy of some of her contemporaries.

It was a slightly meandering performance. Jo seemed to be exploring some new material – some went with a bang, some a fizzle – but the sudden change of style and coming together of jokes was a fantastic way to end her impressive show.

JAMES BEANEY

40

GAMES

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New Games, Old Platforms

With the big next generation consoles just around the corner, Exeposé Games takes a look back for one last time.

Gemma Joyce, Games Editor interviews James Monkman, the founder of RGCD, on the future of the old platforms HOW did RGCD develop and what does it do?

I launched RGCD back in 2006 as an auto booting CD-based magazine (literally “Retro Gamer Compact Disc”) that focused on reviewing new games for old hardware and retro-style PC indie games/remakes - a project that later evolved into a games publishing business by accident, ultimately resulting in the original acronym becoming pretty-much meaningless. Selling new Commodore 64 games on cartridge was initially an experiment to see if anyone was interested in supporting the format, but now it’s pretty much the core focus of what we do. Over the years I’ve been involved in the release of a number of games on other platforms too (Atari, Amiga, Jaguar, GBA and PC), but it’s the C64 stuff RGCD is best known for.

We don’t have any sort of mission statement or whatever - our core focus is to have fun releasing new games on vintage hardware. I’m not in this for the money (spoiler: there isn’t any) and am well aware that what we do has little relevance in comparison to the real video game industry, but we have a loyal following of crazy die-hard Commodore fans who make all the work we put into each game worthwhile.

Our focus is to have fun releasing new games on vintage hardware. I’m not in this for the money How diverse is the group involved in RGCD? RGCD is very much an international group made up of people from all walks of life - I actually have a real-life job as a railway engineer and my second in command is an astrophysicist! There are two of us based here in Exeter as well as members based in the rest of the UK, Germany, Australia, Norway, France

and even Tasmania - and that’s just the core members. We’ve collaborated and worked with people from all over the world.

When did you personally get into gaming?

I’m 35 years old, so I’ve lived through and experienced every generation of video gaming first hand. I suppose it is the golden era of coin-ops back in the 1980s that I remember most vividly - playing stuff like Spy Hunter, Rampage, Outzone, Sinistar, Bubble Bobble, Aliens, Road Blasters, Star Wars, R-Type and so on in the arcades at 10p or 20p a credit was an amazing experience - the 8-Bit home computer and console conversions were just rubbish in comparison. The lies we told our parents as kids to feed that addiction were just unforgivable.

What’s your favourite project that RGCD has been involved in?

Super Bread Box, the official Commodore 64 conversion of Vlambeer’s Super Crate Box. That game took over a year and a half to complete but was the most fun project to work on. Rami Ismail and Jan Willem Nijman (from Vlambeer) were super cool about the port, and even granted us permission to add extra content exclusive to our version. I also got to meet Rami in person at the GameCity festival in Nottingham this year when we launched the game.

What’s been your biggest challenge?

Every release is a challenge! It’s a lot of work to get a physical game released - there’s the development and all the pre-production stuff to get sorted, and then post release every cartridge, manual and package is assembled by hand.

It takes about 45-60 minutes per game all told, so when a game does really well (i.e. sells 100 copies in the first week) that creates quite a backlog. My wife thinks I’m insane - I have a full time job and three kids, so finding 75-100 extra hours in a week often means staying up

till 2AM every night and then getting up again at 6.30AM for work. That’s the worst-case scenario of course. Most games we release sell about 50 copies during the first few weeks after release and then continue to turn over one or two copies a week after that. They are modest figures I suppose - our best seller (C64anabalt) has shifted about 300 copies now in total, but then that is still better than some indie games ever achieve.

Oh, and we are talking about game sales for a 30+ year old 8-bit computer here, so that’s pretty good really!

What’s your favourite ever console and why?

Aside from the Commodore (which is arguably a computer rather than a console) I’m a big fan of the Famicom; I spent a small fortune on getting a ‘new in box’ Japanese unit shipped over here a few years back specifically to play one game in particular, a caravan-style score attack shmup called Blade Buster that was released back in 2010. I’ve got a DIY cartridge of that as well as a few other obscure games like Recca ‘92 and Crisis Force, and the current day NES gamedev scene is slowly gaining momentum. I also love the aesthetics of the machine and the crazy library of obscure Japanese games - the Famicom has so much more to offer than just Mario and Zelda.

Do you think retro games are becoming more or less popular?

I’m not really a huge fan of ‘retro’ games to be honest. I’m not being a hypocrite here; I love old hardware, but prefer modern game design to a lot of the classic stuff - I played all that when I was growing up so I guess it’s only natural to be interested in new ideas. Apart

from obscure platforms there’s not really a lot left for me to discover when it comes to retro gaming. In contrast, the modern day indie scene is particularly exciting and a lot of great designs and ideas have emerged from that throughout the last decade. Because of the typically low budget nature of indie game development, a lot of people confuse pixel-art and low resolution graphics as being ‘retro’ when actually they are used

My wife thinks I’m insane. With a full time job and three kids finding the time is a huge challenge because it makes the process faster and cheaper. Likewise, many indie games are based on simple concepts, which again is similar to the games of yesteryear, but still very different.

It’s been really interesting to see old games studios trying (and often failing) to relaunch retro franchises through

crowd funding sites like Kickstarter, jumping on the retro bandwagon in pursuit of a market that just doesn’t exist.

Sure, there are people who want to play old games, but that is what emulation, roms and/or old hardware is for. I’d argue that people aren’t so much looking for old franchises to come back (at least from a commercial point of view), but rather gamers would like to see a return of the pioneering spirit of the golden era when the market was full of new ideas and concepts. In a nutshell, that is what the indie scene is offering, hence the reason why the big three are doing all they can to entice indies to develop on their platforms.

I think in the future, the multi-million dollar AAA games industry will be on an equal footing with smaller independent studios. There will always be a market for certain franchises (FIFA, COD, Forza, etc.), but the indie sector with its substantially lower overheads is where the new ideas will emerge from, and both will have the opportunity to be equally profitable.

Are you a fan of the next generation of consoles?Which would be your console of choice if you had to pick one and why?

I am quite interested to see where this whole microconsole thing is going, and I’m especially hyped about the Sony Vita TV. The Vita is an incredible handheld with a great catalogue of games, and I suspect that i s going to be a hugely successful low-cost alternative to the more expensive PS4 and XBOX One.

Exeposé

| WEEK TEN

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No Go For Retro?

Chris Passey argues modern games don’t have nothin’ on the old ones I’M stabbing the shoot button as quickly as I can but I just can’t get past that wretched wolf and fire elemental combination! There’s far too much happening on the screen to comprehend how I should try to get past the obstacles!

It’s a typical scenario during a short, but intense, play-through of Super Ghouls ‘N Ghosts that could quite possibly be the most difficult game I have ever attempted to play!

There’s nothing quite like a fastpaced side-scrolling adventure game It’s true - old school games well and truly leave me whimpering in a corner.

There’s something about the simplistic gameplay that leaves you with nowhere to hide when you run into trouble.

Everything that appears on the screen has to be assessed and a suitable plan of action formulated within seconds in order to progress. Modern games, on the whole, do not provide such a rush. Maybe it’s because I’m used to playing more modern titles but I’m not going to lie - older games are tough!

It could be said that Playstation One and even Playstation Two games can be classified as retro, but for me the early 1990s is where the term really fits. I may have only been a couple of years old at the time, but I do get a kick out of playing (and failing miserably) at games from that era.

The title that I mentioned earlier, Super Ghouls ‘N Ghosts, is one of the most difficult games on the Super Nintendo but it presents a very good point.

Retro games have a special aura about

them, stemming from a time before the widespread dominance of the internet.

There’s nothing quite like a fastpaced side-scrolling adventure game, dodging relentless enemies and encountering scenarios which seem impossible to beat. Modern games do not provide this sort of experience.

Sure, you can buy contemporary games which are styled like older titles, but playing a retro game is unique.

For those of us old enough to comprehend how much of a leap the gaming industry has made since the early 1990s, it could be said that games, on the whole, have become easier. In the old days, there were no cheats to rely on and no save game files. If you died near to the end, then there wasn’t an option to reload your progress from a convenient point. Well, too bad - it was right back to the very beginning!

Some people may not like the repetitive nature of retro games, the similar level design and objectives throughout. However, for those who do enjoy a good retro title, there is nothing quite like it. Sonic the Hedgehog, Street Fighter, Final Fight and even Outrun are timeless classics that can still provide plenty of entertainment.

Furthermore, when was the last time you beat a proper “boss” in a duel - in a modern game?

Retro titles may not boast complex gameplay, life-like graphics and a host of side-missions and challenges, but to the gamers who have devoted many hours trying to complete stages, the thrill of completing a level is unparalleled. You get a genuine sense of accomplishment and a feeling of joy. Until you try to play the next section, die instantly and have to start all over again!

Extreme Nostalgia Hit Take a trip back through the sands of time with the Prince of Persia series, but watch out for the spikes!

AS a franchise, Prince of Persia has alternated between moments of pure genius and ones we’d rather forget let’s just gloss over its venture onto the big screen. However, at the root of this is a gaming classic, with a simplistic original concept which has had a massive impact on modern gaming.

The original Prince of Persia came out in 1989, and you play as the prince who must escape a trap-filled dungeon to save a princess from an evil vizier.

It’s the same basic storyline adopted in subsequent versions of the franchise. My first encounter with this game was an early one. My parents had it on a very old Mac (before they were shiny), and so I was playing this game before I could use Powerpoint.

You know, because I had priorities.

For an old game the movement is surprisingly less jumpy and linear For such an old game the movement is surprisingly less jumpy and

linear than most. You essentially have the feeling of freerunning in Prince of Persia, without being constricted to the slightly jolted movement of most games of its era. This adds to the pace of the game, as you play against the clock and want to make it through the levels in one clean sweep. The game certainly requires patience initially – it’s quite frustrating to watch your character plummet to a spiky death if you have just managed to solve a puzzle or found a secret area, accompanied by the soundtrack of patronisingly whiney electronic music.

The levels themselves are, however, varied and exciting, mixing swordfights against guards with strange potions that produce mysterious effects, to the vital dungeon trap element which forces the player to solve puzzles and engage with the environment. There is not always an obvious progression so there is more of an incentive to explore each level, although some scenes are purposely laid out to deter you and put you off going there with your character: traps are bad and you probably should avoid unnecessary confrontation with the undead.

You can see the impact the original series has had on gaming in gen-

eral, as it pushes the boundaries of the traditional 2D format and plays around with the limitations of time and physics; key concepts addressed in The Sands Of Time trilogy. This gives it a slightly surreal quality at times, but helps to mix up the action of what is essentially a platform game.

It’s frustrating to watch your character plummet to a spiky death Prince of Persia Classic was released as a digital download a few years ago, and if you haven’t played it before I definitely suggest giving it a go. It may be a little simplistic when compared to the complicated mechanics and storylines of franchises such as Assassin’s Creed or Beyond Two Souls, but in my opinion it is one of the foundation blocks of modern gaming. Plus there’s the entertainment value of the splat death sound effects.

EMILY MCINDOE

Review: Burial At Sea Episode One There’s always a man, always a city. Take a trip back under the waves with the first Bioshock Infinite DLC Burial at Sea Irrational Games

Xbox 360/PS3/PC Out Now IT was truly a dream come true when the trailer for Burial At Sea came out a few months ago. It showed Booker DeWitt, now a Private Investigator, lighting a cigarette for a mysterious woman with his fingers. It seems Irrational Games got my fan-fiction in the post. Now all is well. Out of the shadows comes Elizabeth, but this time she is darker, smarter, and hardened by the world. But this world is not Columbia it is Rapture. The idea of fusing the two games together created a collective fandom scream of joy across the world.

I am proud to say I was among those high pitched squeals of excitement.

Essentially, the Burial At Sea DLC is the engine of BioShock Infinite, set across the backdrop of Rapture. While episode one certainly doesn’t feel any different to Infinite, the return to a familiar and beloved place makes this DLC a delight for any diehard fan that

misses paradise under the sea. The strength of Burial At Sea is the atmosphere it generates. Just being back in Rapture and seeing all the sights, which I have not seen since 2007, overwhelmed me with nostalgia.

But I would not recommend this DLC for anyone who is looking for action. The first episode is mostly expositional. If you decide to just skip through all the exploration in order to get to the fighting, you will complete it within the hour. However, if you take the time to explore the recreated city of Rapture, you will find many little nuances, features and moments that add to the rich complexity of the BioShock universe.

Seeing Rapture actually functioning was my favourite moment of the DLC. Houdini splicers were actually waiters who teleported from table to table, Big Daddies repair bro-

ken pipelines, and the entire population is not spliced up on plasmids. For BioShock fans, this is where the DLC will provide the most bang for your buck.

But my personal highlight of the DLC has to be the reappearance of Elizabeth.

As much as I loved her in the original, seeing her in this noir setting just makes her a deeper character. She is more confident and, by the end, easily

I would not recommend this DLC for anyone who’s looking for action the most badass character in the game.

It is no wonder that in the upcoming Episode Two, the player will take control of her rather than Booker.

My main criticisms would be that it is simply too similar to Infinite. Obviously it’s always going to be the same engine, but frankly it is the little differences that could have made this DLC better. The “plasmids” are the same as

the vigors in the original game, as they really haven’t bothered to change the interface much. Instead of having the ‘Incinerate’ plasmid, for example, you still have ‘Devil’s Kiss’. It would have been nice to have had that tribute to the old game. These kinds of details could have added much more to the game. The short playtime, of about two hours, meant that I almost felt a bit like a chump paying £12 for it.

But just being able to see Rapture again really made it worth every penny. Above all else, the story is true to BioShock form, with an intense build up and unexpected conclusion to the DLC. Rather than being standalone, Burial At Sea actually attempts to join the universes together. Expect some links to Infinite that actually lend clarity to the complex climax of the original game. If you are a fan of the series then it is a must. But if you want action, then you would probably be better off spending the money somewhere else!

ALEX PHELPS

Postal deadlines: 4th December - AIRMAIL - Asia, Far East (including Japan) New Zealand 5th December – AIRMAIL - Australia 6th December – AIRMAIL - Africa, Caribbean, Central & South America, Middle East 9th December - AIRMAIL - Cypress, Eastern Europe 10th December - AIRMAIL - Canada, France, Greece, Poland 13th December – AIRMAIL - USA 14th December – AIRMAIL – Western Europe (excluding France, Greece, Poland) 18th December – UK 2nd Class 20th December – UK 1st Class 23rd December - UK Special Delivery Students' Guild Information Point. Level 1, The Forum Open Mon-Fri 8am - 6pm

Exeposé

| WEEK ten

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www.exepose.ex.ac.uk

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Feature

In the Clubhouse

In the Clubhouse this week Jac Hawkey and Alice Short, Trampoline Club’s Fundraising and Publicity Secs, have a bounce with Mike Stanton and Will Kelleher, Sport Editors I’M sure you’ve all heard of trampolining, it’s that thing you do at home on the garden trampoline right? Well no, not exactly. Trampolining is a competitive sport (although many people just take part for fun) and became part of the Olympics in 2000.

The University club was founded in 2002, starting out with just one trampoline and a small group of people. This soon expanded and by 2006, the club had acquired three trampolines, 85 members and a nomination for AU Club of the Year. Since then the club has gone from strength to strength, making it what it is today.

Training takes place three times a week with the sessions held on Wednesdays (3.30-6pm), Fridays (57.30pm) and Sundays (3-6pm) in St Luke’s Sports Hall.

These sessions are varied and relaxed, enabling members to choose what they want to practise, and how often they want to get on the trampo-

line.

This can involve learning individual moves and tricks, as well as routines for competitions (a set of ten continuous moves).

Members complete two routines, one of which is set by the host club and the other is a voluntary routine The club has three fantastic coaches who give all members encouragement and support to learn new moves or skills at the pace they feel comfortable.

The club has members right from novice up to elite, so all abilities are welcome and encouraged to join.

This year the club is part of the Southern Universities Trampoline

60 seconds with...

Tim Peek

Flora Zwolinski

Trampoline team member

Trampoline team member

What is the best aspect of Trampoline Club?

The best aspect of the Trampoline Club is definitely the social side. It doesn’t matter if it’s before a competition or a board games and cakes night; it’s always fun.

Best sporting moment?

The first time I competed, I was so nervous!

Sporting Hero?

Definitely last year’s captain Kate Bolton. She put her bad knee on the line for Children in Need when she did a somersault in a Pudsey Bear outfit.

What are your pre-trampoline preparations?

Usually I go through a quick memorisation of the routines.

What are your goals for the season?

My goal for this year is to try and complete more routines than I crash out of!

What is the best aspect of Trampoline Club?

Everybody is so friendly and sociable.

The whole club is very welcoming, and you instantly feel included, whatever level you are at trampolining, beginners to uber.

Best sporting moment?

The first trampolining competition at Bristol was so much fun, it was so relaxed and there was no pressure to do well; it was generally a really exciting day, followed by a little social at Pizza Hut afterwards.

Sporting Hero?

Jessica Ennis.

What are your pre-trampoline preparations?

Eat, chat, bounce, it’s very sociable.

What are your goals for the season?

I only started trampolining a couple of months ago and had never done it before so I aim to be able to confidently somersault by Christmas.

League (SUTL), which involves the team travelling to Bath and Southampton later in the year to compete against other Universities from the South.

The club will also be heading to Sheffield for BUCS and not forgetting Plymouth for the annual Varsity match.

Competitions typically take place over a weekend, with a social on the Saturday night (including a big fancy dress theme!), and competition on the Sunday.

Members complete two routines, one of which is set by the host club and the other is a voluntary routine which you can make up yourself.

These events are open to all members of the club and although entered as individuals, everyone is very supportive and synchronised competitions are also offered to add a team element.

Competitions are a great way to get involved with the club, and to get to know fellow trampolinists from all over the UK!

The club took part in their first competition of the term last weekend in Bristol (also part of SUTL), with 19 of their members competing with over 350 competitors from many different universities.

Competitions are a great way to get involved with the club, and to get to know fellow trampolinists Exeter brought home a silver medal in the inter-advanced men’s category and two other competitors finished in the top ten of their categories.

A ‘best back landing of the day’ was also given to their captain! Last year was also a very successful one for the club, with a win for the second year running in the annual varsity against

Plymouth as well as many medals in other competitions.

Outside of training and competing, EUTC like to get together for socials, be it a fancy dress night out, a pub quiz, or a casual night in relaxing and watching a film together!

Their big socials of the year include the infamous Topsham Ten, an annual summer boat party, and numerous competition socials where everyone gets involved with fancy dress.

The club also organises a 100 mile walk every year to fundraise for both the club and a charity of their choice.

This involves walking 100 miles over four days (almost a marathon a day!), ending back in Exeter. It is an amazing, albeit challenging, experience with many memorable moments.

Feel free to come down to training, and have a bounce! You can also find them on Facebook (Exeter Trampolining) and on Twitter (@ExeterTramps).

Photo: Trampolining Club

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Exeposé

Feature

Sporting profile: Tom Hayes After his sudden retirement a fortnight ago, Exeposé Sport caught up with former Exeter Chiefs captain and current university rugby coach, Tom Hayes “MAKE the most of the time you’re on the training pitch. There’s always an opportunity to make yourself better no matter how big or small the thing is that you need to improve on. Don’t let the opportunities pass you by because you don’t get them back”.

The wise words of Tom Hayes, former Exeter Chiefs captain, for any aspiring rugby player.

Hayes, who led the Chiefs from Championship contenders to Premiership punchers, may seem a quiet character in person but has been inspirational figure for the Exeter side.

Unfortunately for him and his club, he has had to call time on his career, at the age of 33, due to ongoing back problems.

The Munster man, who is the brother of ex-Ireland and British & Irish Lions prop John Hayes, epitomises everything that the South West’s premier rugby club is about. Pride, passion and a die-hard attitude to teamwork above personal gains.

“I hope that team mates, first and foremost, and then opponents will respect me as a fella who played a good hard honest game and didn’t shirk anything, didn’t back away from anything but didn’t really overstep the mark either. I went about what I wanted to do as hard as I could for my team,” he said.

Hayes epitomises everything that Chiefs are about. Pride, passion and a die-hard attitude to teamwork above personal gains “I would hope the boys wouldn’t think I was someone who played for myself or went out on the pitch worrying about me. It was all about the team. It was the same with any team.

I captained Shannon and captained Plymouth for a bit as well and I always really wanted the team to do as well as they could.

“It’s something that fellas need to recognise in a professional environment. You carry a responsibility for your team and your squad mates’ livelihoods as well as your own.

“You’re not just working to keep yourself in a job; if you come into the team slacking and you lose, you’re damaging the career of other fellas as

well.

“That’s a responsibility I always carried with me. I wanted to do as well for my team mates as for myself.”

And this selfless attitude was personified in the way he bowed out of the game he loves.

After surgery on a troublesome back at the end of last season, coach Rob Baxter gave him all the time he needed to return to fight another round.

But when Hayes came back to Sandy Park he struggled, by his own admission, to keep up with the pace and so the decision was taken to give Dean Mumm, capped 33 times for Australia, the armband for this year.

You carry a responsibility for your team and your squad mates’ livelihoods as well as your own Having conceded the captaincy, Hayes only made a couple of appearances off the bench this season before deciding to call it a day two weeks ago.

“It wasn’t a complete shock to me when it happened, I kind of new it was on the cards. It is a fairly high-end, fine-tuned business and I wasn’t really able to cut it anymore.

If you’re not able to do your job, out the door you go” he laughed.

“I had kind of got to the stage where I wasn’t really enjoying myself because I just couldn’t commit to it. I was missing tackles or not getting to rucks that I could get to a while ago.

“I just didn’t have that spring in my step, the issues I had coming from my back were preventing me to do it. I wasn’t necessarily enjoying it so going back into the club and looking at the boys training, I don’t miss it because I know I couldn’t do it anymore.”

Despite the understated, softly spoken exterior, Hayes is a fighter and cites one of his biggest achievements as playing in the Heineken Cup, a competition he adored as a young Munster fan.

“I was at Munster’s very first Heineken Cup game in November 1995. We were playing Swansea at Thormond Park in Limerick. I remember exactly where I was in the crowd.

The Heineken Cup just became a huge overwhelming odyssey, a journey that Munster were supposed to go on to try and win it. It was always the big show in town. So for me to play in that for

Exeter was really a huge thing personally.”

Despite this, however, staying in the Premiership, having been promoted in 2010, was his crowning glory at the Chiefs.

“It was virtually the same team as we’d had [in the Championship]. We were looking at, by and large, the team that played in the final the year before, and we still managed to stay up” he said.

“Even though we didn’t get a trophy at the end of it and there wasn’t the whole euphoria that there was in getting promoted, staying up and getting 8th in the Premiership was a huge achievement.

“We managed to break the cycle of the team that goes down going straight back up. I think we had a lot more about us than people recognised.”

Hayes, who has been coaching EURFC’s 6th XV (The Fresh 2s) for two years now, tries to bring the ethos from Chiefs to his university side.

“They need to make sure they appreciate what they do for each other and how their work effects those around them. If everyone makes sure they are working hard for the team it adds a lot more tempo and pace to what you do, so they can really go and enjoy themselves” he said.

And if the Chiefs are going to break into the top four of the Premiership, their former captain feels that it will be down to attacking blocks of games and not letting attainable points slip.

“There’s definitely the talent there to get into the top four. The only two games we’ve lost this year have been to Northampton and Leicester. Two of the teams that have been in the top four all of the time.

“It’s definitely something we can build towards. Obviously I know how things operate in there and it hasn’t

been spoken about. It’s not like we’re sitting down and saying ‘if we don’t make the top four our season’s a failure’. We look more short term than that.

“Last year we finished 10 points behind Northampton and there were some games where we definitely let some league points slip. London Welsh away, we lost by a couple of points there where we should have won. Sale away was another three points lost, that’s six.

We let bonus point wins slip against Wasps and Worcester, those opportunities add up at the end of the season. While it wasn’t a million miles away for us last year, it comes down to the fact that the top teams take those chances and we didn’t.”

Finally, with the monumental challenge of Toulon just around the corner how would Hayes inspire the team?

“It’s where you really want to be so enjoy it, relish it and let everything out. Be as good as you can be, be what you are, that’s something the boys have definitely gone and done.

“With the likes of Toulon and Clermont who have so much money to spend they have quality all the way across the team. You have to stop one to 15, you have to stop the whole lot of them!

“That’s where it comes down to a real cohesive team effort. Everybody has to do their job, you just have to go out and back yourself to do your absolute best and that’s all you can do really.”

The Exeter Chiefs will find it hard to unearth such an equally humble, dogged and admirable character as Tom Hayes in the years to come.

Metaphorically and physically, they are big boots to fill.

Tom Hayes’ Team Mates Most Skilful?

Henry Slade Worst haircut?

Jason Shoemark - he’s hiding his balding head Worst chat?

Brett Sturgess- a babbling idiot Softest?

Luke Arscott Least Intelligent?

Brett Sturgess or Chris Whitehead Most Intelligent?

Luke Arscott Worst dress sense?

Brett Sturgess, no question One to watch for the future?

Henry Slade And finally…Longest in the shower?

Gareth Steenson

Tom Hayes on...

Cauliflower ears

“Mine got worse at number 8.

I was just getting so many knocks on the side of the head. I was in all manner of positions so I ended up with massive cauliflowers.

You do pick it up in the second row a bit but not too much.

Will [Kelleher] yours don’t look like anything! [Thanks Tom!] You can get them drained. I’ve only had that once. You just stick a syringe in and suck the blood out. “

Exeposé

| WEEK ten

Selected BUCS Results

Badminton:

Men’s 2nds UWE 2nds

Basketball:

7 2

Men’s 1sts UWE 1sts

80 93

Women’s 1sts Oxford 1sts

34 61

Fencing:

Men’s 1sts Swansea 1sts

Football:

135 107

Men’s 1sts Swansea 1sts

2 1

Men’s 2nds Bournemouth 1sts

1 3

Women’s 1sts 3 St Mark & St John 1sts 3

Golf:

Mixed 1sts Bournemouth 1sts

3.5 2.5

Mixed 2nds Aberystwyth 1sts

5 1

Mixed 3rds Mixed 4ths

3.5 2.5

Hockey:

Men’s 1sts Bristol 1sts

4 1

Women’s 1sts Cardiff 1sts

1 2

Women’s 4ths UWE 1sts

3 3

Lacrosse:

18 1

Women’s 1sts Oxford 1sts

7 9

Men’s 1sts Bath 1sts

Rugby Union: Men’s 1sts Cardiff 1sts

Squash:

Men’s 1sts Bath 1sts

Tennis:

Men’s 1sts Oxford 1sts

26 4

53 18

5 0

4 2

45

Over 500 attend inaugural boxing show Photo: Niklas Rahmel

Boxing Richie Goulding EUABC Captain

EXETER UNIVERSITY AMATEUR BOXING CLUB hosted their inaugural boxing show in The Lemon Grove on Wednesday 13 November in what was a hugely successful night for the club.

550 students attended the event to lend support to Exeter’s boxers, creating an electric atmosphere throughout the entire event. Eleven bouts took place on the night, featuring nine from Exeter University.

Natasha Savovic was first up against a strong opponent from Cardiff University: Donna Chan. Natasha showed strength of character to overcome her game opponent who spent the majority of the bout marching forward throwing wild hooks.

Natasha scored the more wellplaced straight punches, sending her opponent’s head flying back on numerous occasions. It would prove to be Natasha’s reach advantage and crisper shots that gained her the victory in a close but thrilling contest.

Next up for Exeter was Nathan Gooding. Nathan used his superior skillset, reach and movement to gain an advantage over his opponent.

He timed his opponent perfectly, moving in and out of range with flurries of hooks and straight punches on his way to a unanimous points verdict from the judges.

Tom Tully came next for Exeter, making his debut against an opponent from Bath University. Tom boxed far beyond his experience, out-thinking and out-maneuvering his opponent to gain another unanimous decision in favour of Exeter. His Bath opponent could do little to overcome Tom’s superior reach and movement in what was one of the performances of the night.

The Tamar boxer scored counter

uppercuts on the inside, and despite Archie’s valiant effort he lost a close decision.

550 in attendance enjoyed the boxing and the atmosphere, making a future show extremely likely Chris Waterworth scored another win for Exeter, flooring his opponent in the first and continuing to take the fight to his opponent in the later rounds. He managed to pick up a one-sided points

victory against his competitor; Chai Hua from Bath University.

Roman Davymuka boxed beautifully to gain another Exeter victory in the next bout. He kept his shorter opponent at bay with textbook boxing and movement, gaining another unanimous points win over his Cardiff University opponent: Dave Haddock.

Peter Dyson was up next for Exeter, against a more experienced opponent from Tamar ABC. Despite being out of training for the past two weeks due to injury, Pete still took the bout and managed to score another win for Exeter.

Ike Ogbo impressed in the penultimate bout of the night, showing off his power-punching and fearsome aggres-

sion. Ike used his superior strength and aggressive style to score a knockdown and a standing count before the end of the first round. Ike pushed for the stoppage in the second and was granted it when the referee jumped in and waved the bout over.

It was a hugely successful night for EUABC, with seven out of nine boxers gaining victories. All 550 in attendance enjoyed the boxing and the atmosphere, making the possibility of another show in the near future extremely likely. For a club which began life less than four years ago, the show marks a huge milestone in the club’s history, and has put the club on the map within the university amateur boxing scene.

Table Tennis club ease to impressive win over Bristol Photo: Josh Creek

Men’s 1sts Oxford 1sts

Rugby League:

SPORT

www.exepose.ex.ac.uk

Table Tennis Emmot Leigh Sports Team

IN a simultaneous series of five matches played across the St. Luke’s Campus tables, Exeter’s men were given a reasonably ‘tough’ testing by their Bristol opponents, all of whom seemed to be a comprehensive unit together given their appreciation of the others’ performances.

On one table, an unconventional Bristol server was able to gain significant inroads in the early stages of his bout; at one point, he managed to pluck the ball up inches from the floor to scoop it back onto the table and ultimately claim the point.

The first game was only settled 119. However, some inconsistency and excessive aggression, where he often sliced the ball a metre or so long, crept into the Bristol player’s game.

As a result, the calmer and more methodical Exeter challenger was able to capitalise and race to the all-important 11 points, seizing the last few games by comfortable margins.

Elsewhere, the other visitors found

themselves in similar scenarios; despite their initially bright and aggressive approaches to their first games, the tables were quickly turned (so to speak).

Flashy winners subsided into rank errors, and frustration kicked in for many- in one case, an 11-1 dismantling was dished out by the rampant Exeter player.

Whereas Bristol seemed to lack the discipline to settle down and rally carefully, Exeter’s contingent worked hard to avoid the necessity of any heroic winners.

The home contestant on the middle table kept such a statue-esque posture during rallies that it was almost a shock to see him fling himself towards an accurately positioned return.

For the most part, it was only his arm that moved, cautiously prodding the ball back to the extravagant and ill-disciplined style of his adversary. This allowed him to stroll to another victory.

For a club that has seen its Firsts claim the Division Western 1A in 2012 on the Men’s side, and its Women’s become joint winners of it in 2013, this was another impressive scalp.

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Exeposé

In the news... EUWBC still without a Men’s Rugby Union Mike Stanton Sports Editor

THE 1st XV continued their fine run of performances with an emphatic 53-18 win away at Cardiff University.

Second-placed Exeter put an impressive eight tries past Cardiff, who currently sit just one place above the bottom spot in the Premier South A. It was a novel experience for many of the Exeter boys at Cardiff Arms Park, home of the Cardiff Blues, which is one of Wales’ most iconic ground.

This was a first taste of an artificial 4G pitch for many of the squad.

Following a scrappy first ten minutes, with poor handling resulting in

Swimming Anne-Marie Clifford Swimming Club Secretary

THE UNIVERSITY OF EXETER’S Swimming Club had a successful day at the annual Team Championships in Swansea on 17 November, with the A team coming 9th out of 10 teams and the B team coming an impressive 8th out of 16 teams.

Special mention goes to the Men and Women’s 4x50 Medley Relays, with times of 1.57.03 and 2.12.01.

Girls Captain Christine Howie ful-

Volleyball John Forman EUVC

ON 16 and 17 November the Exeter Volleyball teams took part in the qualifying round of the Volleyball England Student Cup at the National Training Centre in Kettering.

It was an opportunity for both to test themselves against teams from across England as they continue working toward earning spots in the BUCS championship playoffs.

On Saturday the ladies fought their way through five matches, including fixtures against tough opposition from

Golf Chris Fleming EUGC

THE EUGC 1st team were looking to get their BUCS Southern Premier League title defence back on track after a disappointing home draw to Plymouth University last week.

In far from ideal conditions the team went on to win the first three matches with the wins coming from Laurie Potter, Joe Davis and Chris

Men’s Rugby Union Joe Carlin EURFC Vice Club Captain

EURFC 2nd XV maintained their unbeaten record after fighting back from 13-0 down to beat Reading University 1st XV 13-23.

Fighting a strong wind in the first half, Exeter were unable to get points on the board and went into the second

scrum after scrum, neither team was able to get a grip of the game.

However, following this slow start the fitness of the Exeter squad prevailed as Cardiff dropped off, unable to keep up with the pace and intensity of the men in green.

Tries from Crane, Coote, Gillies, Claxton, Hopkins, Gray, Burton and Davis, as well as an impressive haul of 13 points from the boot of Gillies, saw Exeter home, much to the delight of EURFC old boys Rhys Morgan and Peddie, as they notched up their seventh win out of eight in the League.

Exeter will hope to continue this fine run of form into next week, when they face bottom of the table Swansea away. ly expects to make the finals at BUCS with these impressive times.

Since it was the first swimming competition of the year, squad captain Adele Marsullo commended the team’s performance.

“Everyone impressed me with their races and their efforts to cheer on other on in the team.

With Short-Course BUCS coming up at the beginning of December, we are all looking forward to putting in that extra effort in training to perform even better at this major competition”.

LeAF Academy and UEL. Although their mid-table finish was not high enough to make the Cup finals, the team took away a lot of positives as it continues its steady development.

On Sunday the men lost a tough initial match to KCL, but thereafter earned victories over Liverpool, UEA, and Brunel.

They now have to wait a couple of weeks to see if that was enough to advance to the finals for the third year running, having placed 13th in last season’s finals.

Fleming.

However, the next two matches went the way of Bournemouth, but fourth year and Club Captain Tom Thornhill hit a superb three iron from the right rough to eight feet to secure a half and the vital away win for the EUGC. The final match result was 3.52.5 (Laurie Potter W2&1, Joe Davis W2&1, Chris Fleming W3&2, Ben Leigh L3&2, Chris Johnston L3&1, Tom Thornhill Halved). half 13-0 down.

Exeter came out after the break completely on top of the game; they applied the pressure through good game management, and eventually after good work from the front five in the scrum, Scaffardi powered over. With the momentum in Exeter’s favour, Ebanks scored and Kimmins put on the extras and a further penalty to see Exeter home.

Women’s Basketball

Jordan Edgington Sports Team

EUWBC 1st Oxford 1st

34 61

THE Women’s Basketball 1st team fought hard but came up short against a formidable Oxford team.

Exeter started the game strongly, attacking swiftly and containing their opponents in a half-court press defensive system, restricting Oxford to few opportunities in the opening minutes.

The away team were restricted to shooting for audacious three pointers and Exeter looked commanding as they quickly gained a 4-0 lead.

Their opponents fought back, however, and as well as preventing the Emeralds from getting too far ahead,

started to make the most of their own opportunities. But Exeter still looked to be in control, epitomised by the surging run towards the basket from Beatrice Bender in the fifth minute, resulting in her being fouled in the process of shooting. Bender added one of her free throws and the Exeter defence held firm to maintain their 7-6 lead as they took their first time-out of the game.

Oxford seemed to be thankful for the break and responded well to take the lead shortly after the restart. But again, Bender showed her quality in attack with a delightful pivot and spin, adding another two points, which the build-up play deserved.

The Exeter players were showing great individual prowess, proving to be a well-tuned team, with Rosie Watts putting more points on the board with a sumptuous shot from the top right of

the D, levelling the game at 11-11.

The best move was saved until the end of the quarter. A majestic quick passing move from Exeter was finished off with a delightful lay-up to pull play level again. But Oxford snatched two points close to the buzzer to take a lead into the break after the first quarter, 13-15.

After the short break, Exeter started strong again, converting a free throw before adding two more points from a wonderfully executed play to make it a one point game.

Yet Oxford seemed to be more comfortable after taking the first period to adjust to the arduous and determined Exeter, and started to build a bigger gap between themselves and their hosts.

After a short period of deadlock, Oxford started to take the game to Exeter and gradually built on their lead

Exeposé

| WEEK ten

SPORT

www.exepose.ex.ac.uk

a win after Oxford loss

47

Crossword No. 55 by Raucous

Photos: George Keleny

Across

Down

1. England cricketer (6,5) 7. Sound of Music character (5) 8. Public sale (7) 9. Patron (6) 10. & 12. Down. American actor (4,7) 11.Validated (13) 16. Stylish (4) 17. Aphorism (6) 18. Limit us (anag) (7) 19. Make happy (5) 20. Righteous anger (11)

1. African country infamous for piracy (7) 2. Dutch city (7) 3. Comprehend (7) 4. Group thinking (13) 5.West Indies island (7) 6. _____ drinking (5) 12. See 10. Across 13. Mythical monster (7) 14. Percussion instrument (7) 15. Distinguish (7) 16. Group (5)

Presents

Guest Speaker: Simon Hall

with help from a fortuitous three pointer. In the last few minutes of the period, Exeter seemed to hit a bit of a slump and spots of loose play allowed Oxford to take a 16-30 lead.

But this is a dogged Exeter side.

Their stubbornness in defence allowed them to pick the ball off and race away on the counter on more than one occasion and they went into half time having cut the deficit to 22-30.

Unfortunately, the third quarter seemed to be where the game became out of their hands. Exeter only managed two points in the whole quarter while a few more patches of loose passing and passive defending helped Oxford within touch of victory, ending the third quarter 24-45.

Even though the game seemed to be lost, the Emeralds came out in the final quarter with a lot of fight and courage, scoring with ease within the

first fifteen seconds. There were spells of tremendous fortitude in defence too, namely from Katie Hall whose impressive efforts all game cannot go without a mention.

In spite of this, Oxford were patient, passed the ball around well and waited for their opportunities to arise, increasing their lead to 28-55 with four minutes of the game remaining.

It was clear that the scoreline was dreadfully flattering to the Oxford side, but before the final buzzer rung loud, Exeter were vigorous and added more points before the end of the game, thanks to some enchanting counter attacks with the tireless Katie Hall at the forefront with exquisite passing.

The game ended 34-61 in favour of Oxford, a score which decorates Oxford to the point of excess. Exeter should certainly not feel downhearted in their tenacious efforts.

Captain Katie Hall kindly agreed to share her thoughts at the end of the game. “We’ve lost all our BUCS games so far this season, however most of the players are new to the game or first years - complete beginners. Only four players have returned from previous years.”

It shouldn’t be expected for people to adapt immediately to such a demanding sport, it’s a difficult game.

On the bright side, these players have seemed to adapt astonishingly well; you would never have guessed so many of the players are new to the sport and credit goes to the team for that.

Hall said “There was a lot of loose, weak passing that needs to be addressed. We also need to be stronger in defence.”

If they sure up the inconsistencies in their play, their first win of the season is surely just around the corner.

Home Affairs Correspondent for BBC Spotlight speaks exclusively to Exeposé members on Friday 29th November at 2pm in Queens LT1. escape exeter this summer with Lifestyle’s top travel tips (pages 12-13) and Books’ favourite holiday reads (pages 20-21)

Rejecting the beaten path: Exeposé Travel Special

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Tuesday 4 June 2013 • issue 610 • www.exepose.ex.ac.uk • Twitter: @exepose • www.facebook.com/exepose Photo: Joshua irwandi

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CROSSING THE LINE? Students express concern over queueing clubbers NEWS, PAGe 3

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A STUDENT has been physically what assaulted in the Quay car park, in an less than ofattack that was seemingly racially moper cent£33,323 was , as tivated. was 87.1 9/10. last year The student, a British national of 2012/13 red in 200 of bursary 9/10.

EXCLUSIVE ht ver- was offe form Owen Keati in 200 for taug g Chinese origin, was punched in the the Unith of for this 8,412 larships unt bein fered year, head by a local young woman that was to £25 wor News Editor ng Harrison Jones and Tom ; last £5.5m ergradu- opposed s of scho , the amo dily dereportedly calling her a “four-eyed und Elliott Online News Editors 2009/10 over In term degrees has stea with the since ded out aries to Ch***y bitch”. The woman managed THE UNIVE graduatescholarships years, 2012/13 han d burs few sity per cent post to punch the student numerous times in este cent have decline RSITY OF EXETE a 19 larships offered in the past ns-t E red mea and pull on her hair before the two in d to confirm g offe 45.8 per e has R indicate it scho 6,000 USIV be any additio if there will also creased 49 bein ease of ates. £25 . , ther c mer were separated.

18,5 with EXCL this Saturda nal security on Figures academi a decr part of this cent in the campus 1/12, in 2012/13 i- £1,1 in After being spotted by CCTV in y 16 Novem ting 201 As per mer e English Defenc vers ber, when constitu 9/10. of 90.1 decreaseout sinc this way emic ng the Quay car park, the woman was aras 200 drop the Uni posttheir nationa e League (EDL) the Keati of acad as well since a handedawarded in ion of ards rested by police and spent a night in part hold l demons , of g eter. The Owen tor est port goes tow cent of also been red as this area amount bein University tration in ExEdi bigg the cells. At the time of writing, the in EU s offe fund 60.4 per the ards The emailed have, howeve News all larship , with going tow un- fund larships ease in Home and stustudent intends to press charges, and the march students to tell them r, it scho sive incr red to Just ty’s scho research awarded is taking taught ance the case could go to court due to the that ects.

When contact place. graduate,517,635 arch proj postgraduate a mas ance offe graduate mainten r racist implications of the attack. nten post paid in garding security ed by Exepos to ove the £18 uate rese t towards 2/13, a 15.9 mai é reunt paying on campus 2009/10year. end, the postgrad .2m wen hips in 201 1/12. This fee- The amo 0 in this week“It was an absolute shock to c Univer by members of the 1994 Group. you have to ask the price you can’t afMatthew Bugler, a second year £15 hed ts.

201 emi if there would sity did not Owen Keating increase den der £11 scholars since e from last acad not be reac confirm A spokeswoman for the Russell ford it”.

English student, said that “the fact that my family, friends and I that cent ch the be any ld on campus has gon 0 in the research increase 85.4 per News Editor whi , or if protestadditional staff ity cou irs, Group said that the joining fees had been Cuthbert added that “the new mem- an Exeter spokesman said belonging to racial attacks could occur in an year covers. allowed £100,00 Univers per cent esents ors would ic Affa iinto any sought “to cover the one-off costs of the bers of the Russell Group obviously the Russell Group is a ‘brand asset’ says the first request ed the The repr be t. buildings pus. The Academ Univers such an ethnically diverse also 2009/10, on camUniversity the rmation ter join sell line ndi 60 stu- all we need to know about the purpose THE FOUR newest members of the expansion and in recognition of the in- think it is worth divertingirwa nearly commen ch, VP cited by since of Info ity of Exe the Rus to for Alex Lou sed to see larships in The ua the EDL has been directly Russell Group have each agreed to pay vestment...made by existing members dent fees fromto: teaching Josh and learning to of joining. Exeter University may have area like Exeter” . plea as a primary for their scho Freedom Univers 2012, and abilities Phoexclusivity”, and that “the some of the country’s best researchers The affected student nationa reason numbers ing : “I am more in in a joining fee of £500,000. when developing the organisation”. advertise their The high ter’s held in Exeter. l demonstration Group cites Exe arch with ng saidinvesting ng student larship fundI am being A Freedom of Information submitted The Russell Group has 15 full-time surprise is not so much the price but that and lecturers but does it really need to ty rese l as stati easi Russell website In an article of scho ors but e of class

by Times Higher Education revealed that staff, and encompasses 24 universities. the Russell Group chose to make itself spend so much money on its image?”

Based on Exeter’s Tremough camfact ed to with incr cation on their website as wel “Why we Group “world plex allo rall valu this ion”, is “committ”. are going titled each university has agreed to pay an ex- The 1994 Group now has only 11 mem- less exclusive”.

Nick Davies, Guild President, said: pus, the student was in Exeter visiting precise cted by com the ove strongly EDL cite combine satisfact to Exeter” that the d Group research ease A spokesman for the University of “One of the key benefits of Russell boyfriend, also a student at the tra £100,000 annually over the next five bers, after St. Andrews, Bath, Surrey and LouisherDoré is affe d to see increase growth”. student Russell best interest in University’s longsta , the decr nt est very year the ghte has years in order to join the group, which Reading all withdrew following Exeter Exeter said: “Membership of the Russell Group membership is the enhancement On their way to visiting News University. that the ning the is a significa red in bur-ts deli campus in a key reason study of Islamop nding made od of mod a third a Editor hobia as future they became part of last August. and co.’s decision to move to the Russell Group is a brand asset for the Univer- of the University’s reputation and related the Quay, they were stopped by four awards r a peri orough, said: “As I maintai evident money offe Assistan as the locatio for Exeter being The number years. afte chosen Also unt of ary, hing ent Furb n The four institutions, Exeter, Queen Group. sity which also benefits our students.

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War on the Waterbased

Photo: Niklas Rahmel

Thirds grasp late draw from the jaws of defeat in the cataclysmic clash of EULHC Women’s Hockey

Scarlett Freeman-Bassett Sports Team

EULHC 2nd XI EULHC 3rd XI

1 1

A STRONG performance from both the 3rds and 2nds this Wednesday resulted in a 1-1 after a hard fought, highly competitive clash.

The vocal support on and off the pitch proved that this match was by no means a friendly, with the 2s desperate to maintain their pride and the 3s eager to prove their worth, after the last encounter resulted in a thrashing of 6-1 to the 2s.

The match kicked off to an explosive start with the 2s capitalising on a lack of focus from the 3s with a fantastic goal within the first 30 seconds of the match. It came from an accurate ball into the penalty spot and great skill

in the D, followed by a great shot by Saskia Barnes just on the inside of the right post, giving them the ideal early confidence boost.

The 2s remained very much in control of the game for the duration of the first 15 minutes, maintaining possession and using the width effectively to prevent any opposing attack. However, after a solid stop and clearance from the 3s centre defence, preventing the 2s from gaining a 2-0 lead, the confidence from the back four seemingly spread across the entire team with the turnover of possession in the 3s favour being noticeable within the final 10 minutes of the first half.

The new found confidence and focus from the 3s quickly resulted in a short corner after a fantastic ball into the D that was unfortunately stopped by a 2s foot. After a great stop and pass to the right of the D then back to the penalty spot, the shot was cleared wide due to a fantastic save from the goalkeeper.

In this issue of Exeposé Sport...

The attacks from the 3s came thick and fast, and after great teamwork between Maggie Gray and Alice Coley, followed by a rapid run down the wing

by Emma Albon, the 3s had yet another goal scoring opportunity with a short corner in the late stages of the first half.

Despite this, the fantastic defence from the 2s denied their opposition once again, holding the score at 1-0 as the half time whistle blew.

The vocal support on and off the pitch proved that this match was by no means a friendly After the intensity of the first half, the half time rest seemed to revitalise the teams, with an air of urgency noticeable in the early stages of the second half.

Sporting Profile: Tom Hayes - page 44

After a somewhat disappointing ending to the first half, the 2s came out fighting, retaining possession once more and pressurising their attacking D, resulting in a great shot on goal narrowly missing the target and hitting the sideboard.

After multiple consecutive saves from the 3s goal keeper Georgia Pemberton and resilience from the back four, the 3s once again gained possession and were eventually rewarded with a deserved equaliser after a fantastic short corner shot from Emma Albon that drifted into the top right hand corner.

The elation in the celebration indicated just how much this meant to the 3s, only seeming to spur the 2s on further. After constant pressure from the 2s, a total of three consecutive short corners were rewarded in their favor, yet despite some fantastic strikes at goal, the 3s defensive line was too strong and denied their opponents the

winner.

Any last minute hopes were dashed for the 2s as the final whistle blew, yet despite the seeming disappointment at a draw, they worked extremely hard, with a great performance from Jess Seddon and an excellent goal by Saskia Barnes.

The 3s; however, certainly proved a point and fought valiantly until the final whistle and were extremely happy with the result, as the 3s Henny Hinchliffe stated after the match: “We were so pleased with how we played as a team.

“I don’t think our heads were fully in the game at the beginning, but as soon as we were 0-1 down, we played solidly for the rest of the match.

“I think everyone was very happy with the result, it’s good to see that we’ve improved over the season.”

This result was certainly reflective of the performances as a whole and indicates a very promising rest of the season for both teams.

EUABC Lemmy Showcase - page 45