FRIDAY 5 MAY 2017
Issue 107
INSIDE THIS ISSUE... Comment Your SU paper is failing you p. 16
Lifestyle
Arts
Sport
The Man Behind John’s Van
Interview with Jonathan Pie
Interview with Football Ramble
p. 10
p. 29
p. 37
READ MORE ON PAGE4
University departments under fire from students over NSS Luke Baldwin Editor Students are calling out the University for sending misleading emails in relation to the NSS boycott. Last week, several University departments emailed their students suggesting that the recent NSS boycott had been “successful” and final year students were encouraged to fill in the survey just before the deadline.
This was following the Government passing the Higher Education and Research Bill on April 27. The bill disassociates the TEF from raising tuition fees until 2020. Several students approached Forge upset about emails they had received from their departments implying that the boycott had ended. One email said: “The boycott been successful! - the higher education bill passed on Thursday in parliament the link between
TEF (and hence NSS) to the ability of the Universities to raise tuition fees… In light of this, if any of you would like to reconsider your boycott and complete the survey the department would very much appreciate hearing your views.” Although many of the emails went into detail regarding the nature of the bill, many students feel that they were still misleading.
Continued on page 4...
Hallam Towers body identified as Uni of Student Nick Burke Deputy Editor
Police have identified the body found at Hallam Tower as University of Sheffield student Thomas Rhodes. Rhodes, a Geography student, was found by police on Sunday 26 March. A post-mortem confirmed his injuries were consistent with a fall. Speaking on behalf of the University, Head of Student Support and Guidance Audrey Leadley told Forge Press: “We are deeply saddened by the death of one of our students and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this extremely difficult time. The University is working to support everyone affecting by this very upsetting incident.”
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Forge Press Editorial Team Editor
editor@forgetoday.com
Luke Baldwin
Managing Editor Freyja Gilliard Deputy Editors editor@forgetoday.com Nick Burke Michael Chilton Web Coordinator VACANT
Head of News Ben Warner News
press.news@forgetoday.com
David Anderson Courtney Carr Gethin Morgan Comment
press.comment@forgetoday.com
James Pendlington Josie Le Vay Features
press.features@forgetoday.com
Katharine Swindells Megan-Lily McVey Elsa Vulliamy Coffee Break
press.coffeebreak@forgetoday.com VACANT
Lifestyle
press.lifestyle@forgetoday.com
Harry Gold Ellie Conlan
Head of Sport Adam May Sport
press.sport@forgetoday.com
Josh Taylor Tim Adams Music
press.music@forgetoday.com
Ben Kempton Florence Mooney Games
press.games@forgetoday.com
Brandon Mann Chloe Dervey Arts
press.arts@forgetoday.com
Laura Mulvey Florrie Andrew Screen
press.screen@forgetoday.com
David Craig Joseph Mackay Copy Editors Florence Brun Matt Wickens
L
et me start by saying welcome back. I hope your Easter break was both relaxing and productive, by which I mean I hope you found the perfect balance of panic studying and sitting in your pants eating Doritos. It’s been over a month since the last issue of Forge, where the big news was our win over our noisy neighbour. It’s safe to say that a lot has happened since then. Sheffield United we’re crowned League One champions, securing promotion to the Championship. Meanwhile the Crucible once again hosted the Snooker World Championship, where Mark Selby beat John Higgins to retain his title. If snooker’s your cup of tea, be sure to check out sport for the full match report. If it’s not, then this next suggestion is going to seem a bit odd but bear with me: go watch the snooker at some point during your time in Sheffield. Whether you’re a fan or not, it’s honestly really good fun and it’s right on your doorstep every year, so make
the most of it. Whilst the snooker championship may have slipped under your radar, I’m sure what has caught everyone’s attentions in Prime Minister May’s recent call for a snap election. Whether your fully engrossed in the campaign trail or completely sick of politics at this point, there’s no denying that the build up to June 8 has filled our social media feeds. One thing that’s always made me very proud is the commitment of students who affilate with a certain political party or movement. When we’re constantly told that young people aren’t interested in politics, it’s refreshing to see so many with such devotion to their cause. Whats even more impressive is that despite this election falling right in the middle of exams, student’s support and hard work remain undeterred. For many of you this will be your first general election. My only advice would be to make it a memorable one and make sure
Editorial
you vote based on your beliefs, not someone else. I’d also recommend attending Bar One for their all night coverage. In 2015 it was great atmosphere despite the result being a shock to most of those in attendance. They also put on various party themed cocktails; strangely I distinctly remember the UKIP one being the nicest. And of course Forge has an entirely new team. They’ve all done a phenomenal job, particularly my News team who’ve dove straight into their roles. My personal highlight has got to be Screen’s ‘Summer of Screen’. Screen was my section for almost two years and was how I first got involved in Forge so it holds a special place in my heart. It great to see my baby in such capable hands. But the same can be said about the entire paper; the new editors have all performed amazingly this past two weeks and I’m even more excited to be leading Forge Press over the coming year. I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank the previous
Meet the News Team Ben Warner Hi, I’m Ben and I’m your new Head of News for the coming year. We’re all really looking forward to keeping you up to date on the issues around the University and the city. If my friends were to jump in now they’d describe me as a beer-loving, Mancunian infiltrator into the Sheffield world. They’d be right.
David Anderson Hello there. My name’s David and I’m a first year Journalism student from Watford, best known as the home of Harry Potter World. My passions in life are football and music. And I’m often criticised for my obsessions with Watford FC and Jamie T. But my other passion is news, and bringing it to you, the people. I’m hoping my new commitment to the Forge Press News team will keep me in the Media Hub, working hard. And also help me kick my troubling Leadmill addiction.
Courtney Carr My name is Courtney Carr and I am one of the newly elected News Editors. Before coming to University to study journalism, I volunteered for a media charity for four years: getting involved in projects in my local community and raising general awareness through my writing. I also love performing arts and literature, and I’m looking forward to getting stuck into this role.
Gethin Morgan Hello, I’m Gethin. I’m Welsh and I have a beard. Those are my defining features and as News Editor I aim to bring you all the latest news regarding bearded Welsh people. Also, I’m a first year journalism student and I like to feel the ocean breeze in my hair.
two editors, Anna and Polly. I know I wouldn’t be in this positon if I hadn’t had such incredible leadership and guidance; if I can do even half as good a job as they did during their time in charge, then I know I’m doing something right. This will be the last full issue of the year, but we do have plans for two special issues for the general election and graduation so keep your eyes peeled for them. Until then keep studying hard, but remember to still take some time out for yourself, no exam or degree is worth risking your personal health over. Best of luck to all of you and don’t forget to treat yourself to a few drinks after you’re finished.
Luke
Want to get involved or got a story to share? We always welcome writers, photographers and artists to join us here at Forge Press. Come and pay us a visit in the Media Hub situated in the Students’ Union or email our editor at editor@forgetoday.com
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Students will play important part in the election Ben Warner and Ranmoor, while the University Head of News campus is located largely in Blomfield’s Central constituency. There are fears about the •• Politicians and SU turnout among young people in officers are encouragign the upcoming national election, students to vote in the especially after last year’s Leave General Election vote in the EU referendum. “Young people can determine •• You can be registered the outcome of the election,” said both at home and in Labour’s Paul Blomfield to Forge Sheffield outside the IC. “If people under 24 had voted SU officers and politicians have in the last election in the same emphasised the importance of proportion as those over 65, we students in the upcoming snap wouldn’t be leaving the European general election in June. Union.” Labour MP for Sheffield Central “Participating in the election is Paul Blomfield and Liberal very important and registering to Democrat MP for Sheffield Hallam vote is the first step.” Nick Clegg, the former Deputy At the University of Sheffield, Prime Minister, are both facing students had the opportunity to challenges for their seats from a opt-in to register to vote at their number of parties, and want the termtime address as well as their at large student populations of their home during the pre-resigstration constituencies to turn out and vote. phase of moving to university. Sheffield Hallam contains the Many did, but if you’re unsure you large student villages of Endcliffe may want to check.
In the June election, students are only allowed to vote in one constituency, but can choose where. SU President Dom Trendall said: “It’s incredibly important that students vote and most students can, including those from the Commonwealth.” “It’s really important that we get out and vote otherwise we won’t be
listened to.” Chair of the Conservative Future Society at Sheffield, Laurence Smith, said: “For students this is an election where their vote can swing the result in places like Sheffield Central.” Forge encourages you to register to vote at gov.uk/register-to-vote.
Canadian PM emphasises important of unis for growth
Ben Warner Head of News
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau highlighted how important universities are for economic growth at a higher education forum jointly-hosted by the University of Sheffield in Ottawa. “Knowledge is one of the main drivers of economic growth and we depend on post-secondary institutions for our future economic prosperity,” Mr Trudeau said. “We know we can achieve more together than we could ever achieve individually.” Deputy Vice-Chancellor Shearer West and COO Andrew Dodman also spoke at the event, which is being held in partnership with the University of Carleton, with whom Sheffield have a long-standing relationship.
Want to join the team? Forge Press will be having an EGM on Thursday 18 May! The positions available are: Four Online News Editors Coffee Break Editor Treasurer Secretary Inclusions Web Coordinator Two Copy Editors
New music initative open for entries
The time and location will be confirmed on the Forge Press Facebook page. We will also be looking for a freelance cartoonist. Get in touch for more info! Contact editor@forgetoday.com with any enquiries.
Hallam Towers body identified as Uni of Student Continued from front page In a statement, site owners Blenheim Group said: “As the owners of Hallam Towers, we are deeply shocked and saddened by the recent tragedy of Thomas Rhodes’ death. As parents ourselves, our hearts go out to his family and friends at this sad time. “Since buying Hallam Tower late in 2015, it has been an ongoing battle to secure the perimeters and the tower. No matter what measures we put in place daily, trespassers always seem to be determined to enter. “We have been working closely
with the council to ensure that our efforts meet their requirements. However, internally the building is extremely dangerous and should not be entered by anyone. We urge anyone who might still think this is a cool site to enter to consider the dangers they face.” Forge offers its condolences to the family and friends of Rhodes at this difficult time.
Ben Warner Head of News A new programme to help the development of new music in Yorkshire and Humber has opened for entries. It is called ‘Breakthrough 2017’, and is appealing for those in an interest in playing music to come forward for a chance to earn a place on the programme. Once someone gets onto the programme, Breakthrough will provide live showcases, studio recording, music releases, radio sessions, master classes and expert mentoring all for free. It is being run by Higher Rhythm, with funding from Help Musicians UK and Arts Council England going towards helping musicians develop a professional music career for little of the usual cost.
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NEWS POLITICS COLUMN Macron v Le Pen in French presidential run-off Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen have been chosen by the French people as the two candidates to go forward into the French Presidential run-off. The centrist Macron came first with 23.9% of the vote, whereas the far right Le Pen came second with 21.4% of the vote. They will go forward to the final round, held on 7 May, where the next President will be chosen. Macron is currently the favourite, holding a clear lead in the polls. The candidates are clearly distinguished between their views on Europe, with Macron adopting a tempered reformist attitude, and Le Pen calling for an in-out referendum and declaring the Euro currency ‘finished’.
Labour pledge 10,000 extra police officers Labour have pledged to recruit 10,000 additional police officers in England and Wales should they be elected on 8th June. Jeremy Corbyn has claimed he will fund this through reversing Conservative cuts to capital gains tax. The Conservatives have dismissed this plan as ‘nonsensical’. Labour claim that £2.7 billion will be saved over five years from reversing cuts to capital gains tax, allowing them to fund this rise in the number of police officers on the street. The Conservatives have rejected Labour’s plan, arguing that different increases in government spending have already been set against this rise in tax.
Australian MP injures self watching TV An Australian MP had to get stitches after injuring himself watching an episode of satirical TV show Veep. Graham Perrett was eating sushi and watching the show, when a joke made him laugh so hard he choked on his sushi and knocked himself out, hitting a kitchen top – resulting in a black eye and three stitches. The show is a spin-off of Armando Iannucci’s criticallyacclaimed BBC show The Thick Of It. Perrett is a member of the Australian Labour Party, and has been a member of the Australian Parliament for Moreton since 2007.
press.news@forgetoday.com
UoS student to stand in General Election Ben Warner Head of News
•• A student from UoS is to stand in Sheffield Hallam in June •• The Green Party also announced a pledge to scrap tuition fees at the IC A student from the University of Sheffield is one of four Green Party candidates in the city for the upcoming General Election. Logan Robin studies German and Politics at the University and is also Chair of Sheffield Young Greens. He is standing against former Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg in Sheffield Hallam, who held onto his seat by a little over 2,000 votes in the 2015 general election. Logan Robin sees the pledge to scrap tuition fees as a key part of his campaign to take the seat. “Young people today face enormous challenges, with incredible levels of student debt and uncertainty in the world as we face Brexit,” he said. “In 2017, the Green Party has pledged to scrap tuition fees.” Also standing in the city is the former leader of the Greens Natalie Bennett in Sheffield Central against Labour’s Paul Blomfield. She visited the University of Sheffield recently alongside the new co-leader Jonathan Bartley and deputy leader Amelia Womack to announce a range of education policies in a statement outside the
Information Commons. They announced a pledge to scrap tuition fees and bring back the maintenance grant for less welloff students. Talking to Forge, Bartley said: “At my daughter’s school there are many students who aren’t going to go to university because they’re frightened about the private debt.” “Education is a right, it shouldn’t be a privilege.” The Green Party say they would pay for the policy by reversing the cuts to corporation tax since 2010. The Resolution Foundation say £9 billion has been lost following the cuts, and the Greens want to reverse this and use it to fund tuition. “It’s this generation that are being made to pay for national and global
inequality with big corporations sucking all that money out,” Bartley said. “We’re just talking about taking a slice out of those excess profits. They’re the ones that benefit from the graduates, they’re the ones that should be paying.” Tuition fees were first implemented in the UK in 2006, with most new students paying the maximum allowed amount of £3,000. They were then tripled to £9,000 for new students in 2012, and education campaigners have been calling for a cut in fees since then. Responding to the Green Party’s announcement, Chairman of Sheffield’s Conservative Future Society Laurence Smith said:
“The Green promise to scrap fees and provide grants is neither unexpected nor surprising. As ever with questions relating to university funding – since it is our fees which, in part, fund the university – we need to ensure sustainable models moving forward and so the costing needs to be clear. Unless the Greens confirm how it would make up the £7bn+ shortfall that the £9k fees previously amounted to, and how they will fund the grants which amount to at least £3bn, these plans will threaten university funding.”
University departments under fire from students over NSS •• Departments misinform students on NSS boycott •• Education Officer Ali Day released a statement condemning the departments’ actions Continued from front page Organisers of the boycott have agreed, stating that the Government concessions were ”exaggerated” in emails to students to encourage them to fill out the survey. Education Officer Ali Day released the following statement regarding the emails: “This information over exaggerated the concessions from the Government. Whilst tuition fees now cannot be on a differential level until 2020 at the earliest, following an independent review, it has actually removed the link
between the TEF and tuition fees. Fees will continue to rise in line with inflation. This concession from the Government was not sufficient to change our position on the boycott. This information also suggested that our campaign aims were entirely different to what they were and continue to be. Our campaign was about so much more; protecting the actual worth of the degree you obtain, protecting future students from a lifetime of debt, protecting marginalised, debt-averse students from students from being able to access Higher Education and disrupting the TEF which would entrench universities in a system of marketization and competition, treating students as little more than customers buying a degree.” In response to the allegations, Professor Wyn Morgan, Vice-
President for Education at the University of Sheffield, said: “We’ve always sought and valued feedback from our students to help shape future developments for courses, departments and the University as a whole. We expect that any communications to students from departments was aimed only at receiving as much feedback as possible to help with planning and prioritising. The Higher Education Bill passed by Parliament last week did disassociate the TEF results from raised tuition fees until at least 2020-21 and it is important that students are aware of this.” The SU launched the campaign urging students not to fill in the NSS in February in a bid to combat the wider issue of rising tuition fees, a product of the University being
a part of the Teaching Excellence Framework. Departments have previously used financial incentives to encourage departmental societies to ensure their turnout is high, sometimes offering as much as £500 for participation of over 75 per cent. Some departments sent out clarification that their original email was incorrect after pressure from students. This was only a few hours before the NSS closed, restricting student’s ability to retract their submissions should they choose to. If anyone has reason to believe that their department has exaggerated the truth in either lectures or email when discussing the NSS, contact press.news@ forgetoday.com.
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NEWS Pub numbers Walkabout suspend bouncer fall alongside supermarket following customer incident rise Gethin Morgan News Editor
•• A Walkabout bouncer has been suspended following an incident •• A man was rushed to hospital with life threatening injuries
A bouncer has been suspended by Walkabout after an incident where a man was left hospitalised. It took place in the early hours of April 16 and involved just two people, one of which was an employed bouncer. A 28-year-old man was left with injuries described as life threatening, although he was in a stable condition after being rushed
to hospital. Following the incident South Yorkshire Police temporarily closed the bar on Carver Street, and were due to apply for a closure order from Sheffield Magistrates’ Court. This would have allowed them to close the bar for up to three months, but they withdrew the application after coming to an agreement with Walkabout over a number of changes. The changes included installing a new CCTV system and completely changing the door security team. A spokesperson for Walkabout said: “I can confirm that the incident involved just two people, of which one was the bouncer, and in line with standard procedure he is no longer working at the venue until a full investigation is complete.” She added: “The closure followed an unusual incident which took place on Saturday and we are confident that all possible steps have been taken, working closely with the Police and other
authorities, to ensure it cannot happen again.” Temporary Chief Superintendent Shaun Morley said: “I hope this measure sends a strong, clear message to licensed premises that we will take firm and immediate action if we believe the public are at risk or there are serious issues at a particular location.” He added: “I also hope this action reassures the public that we are committed to keeping people safe and that everyone should be able to enjoy South Yorkshire’s night-time economy safely and without risk.” The Australian themed bar, formerly a Methodist Chapel, went under a £1m renovation in August 2015. It is one of the 24 UK locations owned by the chain. No other incidents have been reported since, and Walkabout remains open at this moment in time.
Bars to take part in ‘Ask for Angela’ campaign Ben Warner Head of News
•• Council calling for clubs and bars to take part in new campaign •• Starting on May 19th, the new campaign hopes to tackle sexual harassment in the city Sheffield City Council are appealing to pubs, bars and clubs in the city to take part in a campaign to prevent sexual harassment. The campaign is called ‘Ask for Angela’ and encourages people to ask bar staff for help if they are feeling uncomfortable, for example on a night out or a date. From May the 19th, the date the campaign comes into action, people feeling unsafe in bars. This could involve taking them aside for a chat in private, calling police or family, or ejecting the disturbing character.
The scheme will come into action from May 19th, but 20 venues will also be hosting training for bar staff on May 5th, in preparation for implementation of the campaign later this month. ‘Ask for Angela’ was thought up by Lincolnshire County Council last year, and gained popularity when an online post about it got 55,000 views leading to public support. 20 venues in Sheffield, including both Uni of and Hallam’s Students’ Unions and several bars on West Street with large student clienteles have already signed up as well as other such as the Frog and Parrot (pictured), but the Council are trying to encourage more bars and clubs to sign up not just before launch day on May 19th but in the coming weeks and months as well. “This is about keeping people safe and offering a discreet way for them to ask for help if they’re on a night out and getting unwanted attention or are out on a date and something doesn’t feel right,” said
Jessica Green News contributor
Supermarkets and convenience stores have taken over the alcohol scene as pub numbers have fallen. One in ten pubs closed in England between 2001 and 2013. Yet the number of supermarkets and convenience stores more than doubled, according to a new study by the University of Sheffield’s Alcohol Research Group (SARG). The study also found that whilst the total number of premises selling alcohol has decreased over time in the most deprived areas, the dramatic switch between the number of pubs to the number of convenience stores means that the availability of cheap alcohol has most likely increased significantly in said areas. Alcohol overall is also more easily available as it was found that 85% of postcodes are within 500m of somewhere to buy alcohol. Funded by the National Institute for Health Research’s School for Public Health Research and Alcohol Research UK the study showed concern about the availability of alcohol, especially regarding those deprived areas which are more affected by alcohol-related health problems.
Uni of fall in university rankings Courtney Carr News editor
Alison Higgins, Domestic Abuse Strategic Manager at Sheffield City Council. “This is particularly important with the rise of internet dating and dating apps.” “Sheffield has a busy, thriving and safe night-time economy
and we work closely with venues through our Best Bar None scheme. This campaign is a further way to help people when they’re out at night.”
The Complete University Guide’s 2018 league table rankings have revealed that the University of Sheffield have fallen four places. The University of Sheffield was placed at 31st, whereas the institution was ranked 27th in 2017. Sheffield Hallam University however rose from 72nd to 69th in the league table. However, the University of Sheffield featured in the top ten for eight subjects that it teaches, in listings covering 70 subjects. The University of Leeds has gone from 16th to 14th, keeping its title of the top university in Yorkshire and Humber, taking over from the University of York.
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‘Lost musical’ performed at University of Sheffield Gethin Morgan News editor
•• Musical ‘lost’ for 60 years performed at University of Sheffield •• Composers Lerner and Loewe also wrote ‘My Fair Lady’ and ‘Camelot’ An early musical by Lerner & Loewe, thought to be lost, has been revived for the first time since the 1950s by the University of Sheffield. The Day Before Spring, which opened on Broadway in 1945 and ran for 167 performances over six months, was last revived in 1953. Film studio MGM owned the rights and tried to adapt it to the screen, and there have been attempted revivals, but none of them had access to the full script and score. The second musical written by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe, known for hits such as My Fair Lady and Camelot, was presumed to have been lost forever.
Then in 2009 Dr Dominic McHugh, Senior Lecturer in Musicology at the University of Sheffield, tracked down a pianoconductor score which had been kept by MGM. With the studio library closing in the 1970s, the score was then taken to the University of California, where it was discovered by Dr McHugh. He said: “I’d heard of the show and was curious to hear more. I was completing my PhD on My Fair Lady at the time and was determined to track it down.” He later found Lerner’s personal copy of the script, leaving only the orchestrations to be found. Although they remain lost, they have been reconstructed by a Sheffield PhD student. Matthew Malone, who holds a special studentship devoted to the musicals of Lerner and Loewe, spent hours recreating the original. Dr McHugh said: “It has taken Matthew around a year, on and off to reconstruct over 1000 pages of orchestral music alongside doing his PhD.”
The musical was performed in Firth Hall on the 2 May and 4 May as part of the Festival of Arts and Humanities at the university. It included a cast of student
performers and a 34 person orchestra conducted by Malone. Natasha Fretwell, who plays trumpet in the orchestra, said that the music was very challenging
before adding: “It went really well considering we didn’t have many rehearsals. The acting was good and the orchestra were amazing.”
UoS business Shakira Martin named Supplier of defeats Malia Bouattia the Year for NUS presidency Ben Warner Head of News
Ben Warner Head of News
Shakira Martin will be the new President of the National Union of Students, after she was elected with over 50% of the vote at Conference. The 28-year-old beat controversial current President Malia Bouattia, who became the union’s first female Muslim
president last year. She will take over in July and wants to refocus the NUS on its 7 million members nationwide. Ms Martin: “I am honoured and humbled to have been elected as NUS’ National President. “I take this as a vote of trust that our members believe I can lead our national movement to
be the fighting and campaigning organisation we need it to be, representing the breadth of our diverse membership.” The President-elect is currently one of five vice-presidents of the NUS, covering Further Education, something she says has been a huge part of her life. The outgoing President Malia Bouattia will remain at the head of the union until after June’s snap General Election, but will then hand over the reins. Students at the University of Sheffield voted for the Students’ Union to remain affiliated to the NUS in a referendum in March, with almost 60% of voters eager to maintain the connection. The conference was held in Brighton with 1200 attendees, discussing important student issues.
The Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre was the only British business named Supplier of the Year at an awards ceremony in Dallas, Texas in April. The AMRC is a University of Sheffield business which was cofounded with Boeing in 2001. The awards ceremony was hosted by Boeing in America, and the AMRC was honoured in the Innovation category, one of 13 praised for their progress and the only one from Britain. This is the second time that Boeing have given Sheffield’s AMRC global recognition following an award in the International (Technology) category in 2011. They recently also announced that they’re to open a new facility in Sheffield, working alongside the AMRC to develop components for new aircraft such as the Boeing 777. Professor Sir Keith Burnett,
President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield, added: “It is a great honour for the University of Sheffield AMRC with Boeing to once again be named Boeing Supplier of the Year. “We are deeply proud of the vision and talent of our engineers who have a global reputation for advanced manufacturing research which works directly with industry in ways which transform business, create jobs and strengthen our economy.
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Ched Evans could re-sign for Sheffield United Ben Warner Head of News
•• Ched Evans could re-sign for Sheffield United from Chesterfield •• It comes a year after a guilty conviction for rape was quashed
Controversial former Sheffield United striker Ched Evans looks like he could be re-signing for the club this summer. The Welsh international left United in 2012 following a conviction for rape, a verdict which has since been quashed allowing the 28-year-old to be found not guilty. Since then he has been playing for Chesterfield, but it looks like he could be returning to The Blades this summer, with Sky Sports reporting he has completed a successful medical. He would be the first signing for Chris Wilder’s team since they secured the League One title in April. This isn’t the first time United have tried to bring him back in since his initial guilty verdict. He also trained with the club following his release after two-and-a-half years served, but the move by The Blades
caused female staff members to resign and celebrity supporter Jess Ennis to protest. Evans also previously had spells at Manchester City, where he started his career, and Norwich City, but it was in Sheffield he made his name with 48 goals in a little over 100 games. This season has been a very successful one for United, with them finally earning promotion back to the Championship after six years in League One. They won the title with several games to spare, 14 points clear of runnersup Bolton Wanderers. Promotion also could mean the first Steel City derbies against Sheffield Wednesday since 2012, although The Owls have clinched a Championship play-off spot already. Sheffield Star writer Rob Staton says the fee to take Evans back to The Blades is around £500,000.
Forge members Bummit to Riga Gethin Morgan News Editor Members of Forge have been raising money for hitchhiking charity group Bummit. The group, found and run by University of Sheffield students since 2003, is in its 15th year of annual hitchhiking events. The aim is to hitchhike a the chosen location within the time allocated, and raise as much money as possible in the process. This year the challenge was to travel from Sheffield to Riga, Latvia, which is 1,600 miles, in just nine days. Nick Cassidy, Head of News at Forge Radio, was one of 400 students to go on this year’s trip over the Easter holidays. He made it to Riga via Newcastle, Amsterdam, Berlin and Warsaw to name a few. He said: “It was really fun and the people we met were really nice. Although it was very difficult with the language barrier. Latvian and Polish in particular were very hard to understand.” Nick has raised £230 so far and
will soon reach the £250 required sponsorship amount. He said his most impressive achievement was travelling from Amsterdam to Berlin in one day without spending any money. The total amount raised this year has yet to be calculated but four Sheffield charities and one international charity will benefit from the fundraising. These include NeuroCare, Sheffield Steelers
Weelchair Basketball Club, St. Wilfrids Centre, YWCA Yorkshire and Femme International. Since beginning in 2003 the charity has raised over £750,000 and the destination for next year’s hitchhike will be announced in November. Meanwhile the fundraising deadline for this year’s hikers is next week.
SCIENCE & TECH Research reveals Antarctic lakes David Anderson News editor A study by an international team of scientists, which included geographers from the University of Sheffield, has discovered networks of lakes and streams on the surface of Antarctica’s ice sheets. It has revealed that the drainage of surface water, known as meltwater, is more extensive than previously thought. In a warming climate, more water is likely to be produced on the surface and drain onto ice shelves which are vulnerable to collapse, which could accelerate sea
Malaysian uni collaboration Ben Warner Head of News Vice-Chancellor Kevin Burnett has signed an agreement with the ViceChancellor of Malaysia’s UNITEN University, Kamal Nasharuddin Mustapha.
level rise, the researchers say. Scientists previously believed meltwater was a rarity in Antarctica. However, aerial photography and satellite imagery revealed huge lakes and extensive networks of streams had been forming since at least the 1940s. Dr Jeremy Ely, a member of the research team from the University of Sheffield stressed the importance of this research. He said: “If melted completely, Antarctica’s ice sheets contain enough water to raise global sea levels by around 58 metres. It is vital we understand the impact.”
The agreement ensures the forming of research partnerships to look at energy and sustainability. “I’m delighted that the University of Sheffield is developing what I am confident will be a very fruitful partnership between one of Malaysia’s leading universities working in a very focused way on Energy, a clear area of relevance to the people of Malaysia and the United Kingdom, as well as around the world,” Sir Keith said.
First air-cleansing poem to be auctioned off Ben Warner Head of News The air-cleansing poem on the side of the Alfred Denny Building is to be auctioned off for charity. It is the first of its kind in the world, and more than two tonnes of pollution have been removed from the air since 2014, when it was placed on the Alfred Denny building. Written by Simon Armitage, the poem has been removed and seperated into 12 pieces of artwork to be sold off at auction. All profits are to go to the British Lung Foundation, to fight various
lung diseases. Project leader Professor Jo Gavins said: “We’re delighted to be celebrating the end of our project by reusing the catalytic poem material and supporting the British Lung Foundation, who fund essential research on the prevention and treatment of lung diseases. Our final catalytic poetry event on Tuesday will ensure that our project has a lasting legacy, both through the creation of new artworks from the poem banner and through our donation to lung disease research.”
N EW
EVERY SATURDAY NIGHT /SUNDAY MORNING
£1
952
late night
STUDENT
WEEK T T N
KET IC
STUDENTS’ UNION PICK-UP
STUD E
BUS SERVICE £8
£7
Glossop Road bus stop (opposite Bar One)
2.35am & 3.35am
West Street
Students’ Union
Endcliffe
Fulwood
Crookes
Walkley
www.firstgroup.com/south-yorkshire sheffieldsu.com/latenightbus
Hillsborough
Dominic Trendall President
FORGE PRESS 9
FRIDAY 5 MAY 2017
FEATURES
press.features@forgetoday.com
IS POLITICS GETTING FAR TOO Responding to a lack of trust in mainstream media, voters are turning to politicians’ personal profiles for the truth. But is it always a good idea to give politicians free reign online?
A
Devni Kitulagoda Contributor
s the public becomes increasingly attracted to the more personal lives of public figures, social media has swiftly become a staple in modern day politics. Many politicians are now using Twitter and Facebook to spread the word about their campaigns. Online political debates, fuelled by anger and passion, are quick to follow.
“20% of Americans reported modifying their views because of something they saw on social media” This is most obvious in US politics, especially considering the influence of social media on the recent presidential election. Last year, social media became an unlikely battleground for presidential candidates Donald Trump and Hillary Rodham Clinton, with stories going viral in the run up to polling day. And this was not without impact, according to Pew, 20% of Americans modified their view about a political candidate or social issue because of something they saw on social media. This has real implications for us in the UK where whilst the use of televised advertising for political campaigns is illegal, there are no restrictions of this kind for online content.
PER SON AL?
This is the way the world ends. Not with a bang, but with a tweet.
The social media audience is ever-growing, with 2 billion people worldwide using Facebook, meaning information and campaigns that appear online are reaching more and more voters. Many people appear to have shunned traditional news outlets in exchange for social media feeds, showing a significant distrust of the mainstream media. Ipsos MORI statistics from January 2016 state that only 25% of the British public trust mass media to tell the truth, which may go some way in explaining the increasing political presence on social media. Given the widespread appeal of social media, politicians are not merely using Twitter and Facebook for official business. In addition to making public announcements and engaging with the electorate, they are increasingly engaging in highly personal quarrels. President Trump in particular favours Twitter to air out his grievances, most recently with NBC’s Saturday Night Live and the cast of the Broadway show, Hamilton. During campaigning, President Trump was not afraid to mix politics with personal attacks - he called Hillary Clinton’s aide Huma Abedin “the wife of perv sleazebag, Anthony Weiner” and branded his opponent ‘crooked Hillary’. With 28 million followers on Twitter, Trump almost used his account for theatrical purposes by purposefully posting controversial tweets for the media to run with, mastering the art of provocation and harnessing the publicity that comes alongside it. However, President Trump’s love affair with his Twitter account now poses a very real threat to foreign policy and diplomacy. Provoking and challenging foreign nations could be a very harmful
move for the United States, particularly since the Trump presidency is still in its infancy. Recently, he taunted the North Korean Government on Twitter by saying that they “were looking for trouble”, adding that he was ready to resolve the North Korean crisis alone if China failed to help. In retaliation North Korea resorted to a public parade to show off their military might and even conducted a missile test. Trump took to Twitter to warn that US was sending a “very powerful” armada of navy ships to Korean waters, yet the ships were soon photographed heading south and nearly 3,500 miles away from North Korea.
“Being overtly personal on social media could reduce credibility” Social media presence has the power to work wonders for politicians by improving direct communication with the electorate. However, being overtly personal on social media could reduce credibility of the office that they hold, especially in the case of President Donald Trump.
10 FORGE PRESS
FRIDAY 5 MAY 2017
FEATURES
press.features@forgetoday.com
THE
DARK SIDE
OF DRINKING
Alcohol can be a great asset when it comes to making friends, but have we taken it too far? Contributor Rebecca Lally looks at university drinking culture, and the negative impact it could be having.
W
hen the next wave of new students arrive at university in September, it can safely be assumed that the majority already have a plan regarding how the infamous Freshers’ Week is going to play out. Staying out until the early morning, bonding with new people, dancing for hours in dark sweaty clubs, and, of course, drinking. Lots and lots of drinking. Most people couldn’t face the aforementioned activities without the social lubricant of alcohol. It makes us feel better – more confident, more amusing, more likeable – at least in our own minds. It can remove the overwhelming shyness that takes over when you’re thrown into such a whirlwind of unfamiliar situations, the shyness that makes people think you’re stuck-up and standoffish, when really you just don’t want to say anything embarrassing that you’ll play over in your head for the next three years to come. Alcohol breaks down that barrier for you, and excuses all manner of behaviour that would be unacceptable when sober. Alcohol can make a difficult transition period much easier, so it’s no wonder most freshers automatically reach for the vodka and coke. In fact, it would be far more unusual not to. 80% of the new students will consume alcohol during Freshers’ Week – for some, it will be their first experience of
drinking at all. When you’re away from home and free from your parents’ influence for the first time, it’s easy to let your first taste of freedom go to your head. Suddenly, no one is there to tell you not to mix your drinks or encourage you to have a glass of water in between. It doesn’t help that so much of Freshers’ Week is associated with alcohol – between the club flyers you’re inundated with outside the Students’ Union and the events flooding the Facebook Freshers’ pages, it’s almost impossible to avoid planning your entire first week around it. Even trying out for a sports team often involves drinking to excess, with non-participation looking like a lack of commitment. With your student loan burning a hole in your bank account, it’s tempting to spend it on alcohol.
“Suddenly, no one is there to tell you not to mix your drinks or encourage you to have a glass of water in between.” Initially, the consequences don’t appear to be any worse than a bad hangover and a few missed lectures. You don’t need to be responsible about drinking alcohol because it’s associated with the direct opposite – it’s about having fun and letting go. You don’t need to overthink it, or so everyone will tell you repeatedly. Of course, it’s not that fun when alcohol becomes
more of an issue. The automatic reflex of turning to alcohol to solve a myriad of problems often lasts long past the first week. In a survey conducted by the website studentbeans.com, one in five students admitted they could not survive a semester without drinking, and the real number is likely to be much higher. Sophie, a second-year student, said: “Everyone drinks at uni – it’s just what you do, even if you’re not going on a night out. I think a lot of people see it as a way to relax and get away from stress.” This was an opinion shared by almost all the other students I spoke to – drinking alcohol is normalized to the point where teetotalism is notable. Forgetting about your problems for a few hours is an almost irresistible prospect when you’re stressed. And the quicker this transition can take place, the better, which would explain the explosion in popularity of shots and ‘fivepound rounds’. This would explain why 60% of young people admit to drinking alcohol purely to get drunk. Not to chill out at the pub with their mates, not to make them feel classy having wine at a restaurant, but rather to distract from the tougher side of student life. Alcohol can instantly change your mood to make you feel better, in a way that eating healthily and sleeping well just can’t. Fun at the time, of course, but not sustainable or healthy.
FORGE PRESS 11
FRIDAY 5 MAY 2017
FEATURES Regardless of the emotional impact alcohol dependence can have, the physical negative effects are damning. It’s too easy to think of yourself as indestructible when you’re young, and we’re all guilty of associating the health problems linked with overconsumption of alcohol more with older people than with ourselves. But it’s dangerous to take our health for granted. Not only can liver problems strike at any age, but it has been shown that binge-drinking can have a long-term negative impact on the brain during development, thereby hindering educational achievement. Danny, a third-year student, noticed the impact alcohol was having on his health. “I put a lot of weight on over the course of my first year thanks to all the drinking,” he said. “Obviously there’s loads of calories in alcohol, which you don’t really realise at first. I wish someone had warned me about that.”
“So what can be done to balance out the murky underbelly of the university drinking culture?” But drinking heavily can lead to worse things than putting on weight, and a heavy night out can have unintended and even dangerous consequences – three-quarters of 18 to 24-year-olds have regretted something they’ve done when drunk and more than a quarter have woken up the next morning not remembering how they got home. Drinking heavily can have a serious impact on your first year of university experience – it can affect your burgeoning friendships and the next-morning embarrassment can increase the sense of isolation well known to many freshers. More worryingly, it can lead to accidentally putting yourself in dangerous
situations – people are more likely to take risks or act aggressively when drunk - and alcohol is a factor in 50 per cent of all violent incidents. The lowered inhibitions often seen as a benefit of drinking alcohol can often have consequences reaching further than just the next morning.
“It’s incredibly important that our SU continues to support students by raising awareness of the dangers of alcohol” Despite all the scary statistics, the fact is that the vast majority of students will navigate the drinking culture at university in a relatively unproblematic manner. Many students do drink safely and responsibly and, if anything, university is a better environment to find your limits and make mistakes than the world of work, where a few too many hungover mornings could impact on your ability to do your job and result in you losing your employment. Why not take advantage of the opportunities to have fun afforded at university while you still have them? It’s a chance that’s unlikely to come again. However, the question remains as to what should be done for the minority – the students who fall prey to the sinister side of the university drinking culture, who drink too much and too often, who rely on alcohol to help them deal with stress or anxiety. The negative effects of alcohol are well-known, and it’s unlikely that the statistics in this article will be particularly surprising to many people. But numbers on a page feel far away from the reality of alcohol dependence, and it can be difficult for someone to recognise the issues in their own life thanks to the universal conviction that ‘it doesn’t apply to me’. So what can be done to balance out the murky underbelly of the university drinking culture? One strategy that comes up in the newspapers every year is making sober events more a part of student life. Student Unions are often judged on the quality of the club nightlife they can offer, but many
say it’s important to balance this out with initiatives, both during the day and at night, that don’t involve alcohol, so that students who would prefer to abstain from drinking don’t feel like they’re missing out on the ‘student experience’. Reena Staves, Welfare Officer-Elect of the Students’ Union, said the SU has a role to play in protecting students. “It’s incredibly important that our SU continues to support students by raising awareness of the dangers of alcohol and the ways in which students can ensure they are able to have a good, safe night out.” On a more individual level, students who find the university drinking culture difficult, whether because they don’t want to participate or find themselves inadvertently participating to excess, can find valuable help and counselling through the Students’ Union. But many don’t know that kind of support exists, or might be too embarrassed to access it, preferring instead to deal with it themselves. It’s not just ‘something everyone does’ or ‘something that happens to everyone.’ If it’s starting to impact on your wellbeing, and it could help struggling students to feel less isolated if they knew it wasn’t a problem unique to them. Having more freedom and fewer responsibilities at university is undeniably an advantage in regard to experimentation with alcohol - but students need to be aware of the dangers surrounded university drinking culture, and the support available to them.
80% of students drink in Freshers week
Statistics from gov.uk alcoholconcern.org.uk theguardian.com alcoholresearchuk.org drinkaware.co.uk
Three-quarters of 18-24 year olds regret their drunken behaviour
Over half of students drink at levels considered hazardous
A fifth of uni students say they binge drink at least once a week
12 FORGE PRESS
FRIDAY 5 MAY 2017
FEATURES
Do we need celebrities in mental health activism?
press.features@forgetoday.com
Source: Netflix
Royals on Radio 1, graphic depictions of suicide on Netflix, and Skype calls with Prince William and Lady Gaga. Following the launch of the ‘Heads Together’ campaign, contributor Aidan Kidder looks at the benefits and the drawbacks of the continuing trend of celebrity roles in mental health activism.
M
ental health seems to be the new in-thing in celebrity activism. So much so that even the Royals are getting involved. Prince Harry has joined the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in spearheading the new ‘Heads Together’ campaign, aiming to end the stigma around mental illness. The younger prince has recently opened up about his mental health after the death of his mother, Princess Diana, when he was just 12 years old. After shutting out and failing to address his grief, the Prince of Wales revealed how this had culminated in his seeking counselling to address his mental health issues. Prince Harry publicly discussing his mental health adds to a growing list of celebrities who have begun speaking out about their own difficulties with mental health. The ‘Heads Together’ campaign, launched by the three royals earlier this year, have also released a series of short films featuring numerous celebrities delivering the message that it is “OK to say” - in reference to opening up about mental illness. In one film, rapper Professor Green and cricket player Freddie Flintoff talk openly about their own experience of mental health problems and the relief they both felt after being able
open up to someone. Rio Ferdinand talks about the passing of his wife, and the grief that followed. Stephen Fry, who is also the president of the mental health charity Mind, also features on the ‘Heads Together’ website discussing his own mental health breakdown with his psychiatrist, as does former Press Secretary Alistair Campbell and American actress Ruby Wax. These celebrities’ stories about their mental illnesses collectively emphasise the importance and benefits of talking openly about one’s own experiences. With large followings, the coming together of big names behind campaigns to break the stigma attached to mental illness certainly has the ability to influence many people’s thoughts and preconceptions on the matter. The three Royals say the goal of these films is to “show people how simple conversations can change the direction of an entire life” and have asked the public to “share them with your friends and families and join us in a national conversation on mental health in the weeks ahead.” In another recent short film, Prince William and Lady Gaga appear to have an impromptu Skype call, discussing what needs to be done to end the stigma. Lada Gaga also revealed aspects of her own experience
of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, which she had previously opened up about on her blog. She spoke of the shame which surrounds mental illness, but went on to say how she had accepted that this was simply a part of her and that’s okay, concluding that “I don’t feel like we’re hiding anymore”. The conversation ended with the two agreeing to get their heads together soon to “really tackle this”. This is a bold and brave pledge to make. But is it a pledge we really need? It is important to question how meaningful this kind of celebrity activism actually is for ordinary people facing mental health problems. Celebrity activism/ humanitarianism, however well-meaning its intentions, is always fraught with problems of representation. One only has to recall the harrowing lyrics from Band Aid, the infamous collective of privileged stars trying to reach out with empathy to the third word, “Where the only water flowing is the bitter sting of tears” to realise this. Whilst this alarming level of misrepresentation has not quite yet been reached by celebrity mental health activists, it is ever a danger we must be wary of, particularly as the momentum behind the campaign grows, and media engagement expands.
FORGE PRESS 13
FRIDAY 5 MAY 2017
FEATURES A particularly damaging representation of mental illness is presented in the new Netflix’s series 13 Reasons Why. Selena Gomez, an executive producer of the series, has also been one of the celebrities who has also been talking publicly about her experience with anxiety a key reason she gives for her involvement in the show. Based on a popular young adult novel by Jay Asher, the show depicts the story of a teenage girl who commits suicide and leaves her classmates a series of tapes, recorded on which are her ‘13 reasons why’. But in focussing on the thirteen reasons along with the drama that arises among Hannah’s classmates in response to the tapes, the narrative becomes a sort of blame-game, turning Hannah’s suicide into a ‘whodunnit ’style drama. As a result, the show is almost devoid of any meaningful engagement with the issue of mental illness. This should have been the major theme of the story.
“Simple conversations can change the direction of an entire life” 13 Reasons Why and other shows, such as Skins, which fail to sensitively and accurately portray mental illness, demonstrates the problems of representation that can come out of popular engagement with mental health problems. Whilst celebrities telling their own stories in aid of reducing the stigma is unlikely to be quite so damaging as these TV shows, there is still the risk of homogenising mental illness or mental health. These issues are deeply personal experiences, and what coping or relief methods work for one individual may differ amongst others. In an age where young people are able to follow the lives of big-name celebrities through a range of social media platforms, the experiences of just a few particularly well-known and vocal celebrities could become common understandings of what mental health/illness actually is. This should not be the case. For us all to begin to understand mental health better an appreciation of the complexity and heterogeneity
of its manifestations must underpin representations in the media. Celebrity activism is unlikely to achieve this; too often the egos or personalities of the stars are relied upon to drive forward such campaigns, despite undoubtedly good intentions. Perhaps more coverage of ordinary people suffering from mental health problems is what is needed. Admittedly, the Heads Together’s ‘OK to say’ series does feature some of these kinds of stories too. But this is something of an add-on, and will always be overshadowed by the celebrity stories - especially as part of a campaign fronted by members of the Royal family. Through focussing almost exclusively on the issue of reducing the stigma, celebrity activism also misses a further set of potentially more critical issues in mental health. Improving how society supports those with mental health problems requires more than just awareness. It also crucially requires policies and an institutional framework which guarantees accessible and effective support. Currently, there are a number of barriers preventing this goal. Most significant is the lack of political will to deliver the necessary change. The changes to benefits in the Government’s Spring Budget shows that those currently in power are far from helping. The Personal Independence Payment (PIP) was altered by the Government in order to exclude those with severe mental health problems, such as psychological distress. Paul Farmer, Chief Executive of the charity Mind wrote that, “people who find it difficult to leave the house because of anxiety, panic attacks, and other mental health problems are as restricted in their independence as many people with physical mobility problems, and face just as many higher costs in their daily lives as other disabled people do.” Farmer predicted that the changes to PIP could affect up to 160,000 people with mental health problems. Alongside cuts to Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) these are very damaging policy changes for those whose mental health affects their ability to work. Access
to professional support is also being continuously confounded by cuts to NHS mental health services. Around 40% of mental health trusts in England have seen their budgets cut over the past four years, and none have had their funding increased. New figures indicate that mental health spending is being cut by £4.5 million in five English regions this year. Reaching out for support is a huge step for people with mental health problems. But if society fails to offer them
“People who find it difficult to leave the house because of mental health problems are as restricted in their independence as people with physical mobility problems do” adequate support then the stigma is simply reproduced at the institutional level. In this sense, celebrity activism can only go so far. The pivotal change to be enacted rests in the hands of policy makers. Celebrities speaking out about their experiences of mental health cannot directly instigate this kind of change. Over time it may indirectly influence policy through affecting society’s preferences. But given the problems of representation inherent within celebrity activism, one has to ask what these preferences would look like, and if they would really be to the benefit of the mental health of the majority of ordinary people. For direct and genuinely effective change in the way our society approaches mental health we don’t need celebrity activists, we simply need policymakers to listen to and understand the needs of those in our society in need of support for their mental health.
32% of the public said that in the last 12 months, NHS mental services 'definitely' gave them help or advice for finding financial support. 9 out of 10 people say the stigma attatched to mental health and discrimination have a negative effect on their lives. 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem at some point in their lives. Most people recover fully, especially if they seek help early on.
Statistics from Mental Health Network's NHS Confederation
14 FORGE PRESS
FRIDAY 5 MAY2017
COMMENT “Your SU paper is failing you”
press.comment@forgetoday.com
Sarah Deria shares her experiences of institutional bias within the SU Sarah Deria SU BME Councillor & BME Chair
D
ear Readers, Your university is failing you. Your SU paper is failing you. Your fellow students are failing you. If you don’t understand why, you’re failing yourself. I am a third year student. I have a dissertation to write. I refuse to sit down and spend hours of my life writing hundreds of words on how this SU and the students within it are complicit in the institutional biases of this organisation. As the BME councillor is it my job to represent BME students. It is my job to voice the interests
of BME students. It is my job to act in the best interests of BME students. What is it not my job to do is pander to the insecurities of men who feel that being told they lack life experience is the verbal equivalent of being castrated. Most recently, this was flagged up in this very paper with a Comment-er attacking Council’s ability to represent BME perspectives, despite the fact the motion they were attacking came from BME students. The motions that I proposed in the Council meeting in question were well thought out, well evidenced motions. Before I wrote them, I spoke to as many BME students as I could about it, as well as their views on it. I got a unanimous go ahead. So, I took it to Council,
and it passed. Now if you come from a place of privilege, do not try and negate the experiences of those who have not by assuming that your privileged life is the only life. You can be a BME student and still come from a position of privilege. There are countless levels upon which oppressions intersect. For example, a middleclass, heterosexual, cisgendered man can have a completely different experience when it comes to issues of race within the UK, meaning they might be ignorant of the experiences of others. Mozayen’s piece in the previous issue was ignorant in my opinion. The responsibility here not only lies with uninformed Comment-
ers but with the paper and the SU itself. My problem with Forge Press is that it doesn’t realise it’s a Student Union newspaper. It is not The Star. It is not The Daily Mail. I am at a loss as to why the only coverage it has given to what’s going on in Council is when race has been brought up. My issue is that Forge only covers Council when some hurt Conservative Society member wants to air his feelings. Come on now, I’m sure y’all can afford a counsellor. When it comes to the SU, if you are a person of colour considering running for Council, I wouldn’t recommend you do it on your own. It’s interesting that the last BME Councillor quit. It’s interesting that other outspoken
women of colour who engage in student activism have been worn down by the SU to the point of mental breakdown. It is very interesting that all complaints I have lodged about these articles being continuously published have been ignored. It’s interesting that all mention of anything I’ve said in Council has been left out of the Council minutes. It’s interesting that even though my intentions of lobbying for a BME Officer have been explicitly clear from the get-go, somehow the focus has now been shifted to a Liberation Officer. This Union is at a crisis point. And if you don’t open your eyes and see it, if you’re not willing to do something about it, then you’re complicit.
This piece was written in response to Hatau Mozayen’s piece in the previous issue (106) “SU Council ignores BME perspective”.
Dom Trendall’s response on behalf of the SU I did receive a complaint from Sarah following publication of an article in the last issue of Forge just before the Easter vacation which delayed my response. I am required to respond within a certain time frame which I have done and also sincerely apologised to Sarah for not letting her know that I was away. The minutes of SU Council are not a transcript of the meeting, but intended to be a record of decisions taken alongside a formal record of procedural matters. Council minutes are approved at the next quorate meeting of SU Council. The Officer Roles Review Committee has been meeting since
November to explore improvements which can be made to the post, roles and duties of the Officers. Discussions have included reviewing the current roles, identifying gaps in responsibilities, reviewing the new SU Strategy, a thorough look at the Membership Survey of 2016 which focused on Officer Roles and Student Leadership in the SU. Very early on in the process the committee members were asked what their favoured outcome was and Sarah suggested a BME Officer. Other committee members voiced different priorities, predominantly around other Liberation Groups. The committee’s deliberations then focused on how to meet these various demands. The current thinking includes two suggested improvements for consultation: 1. Include clear responsibility to
support the work of our autonomous liberation campaigns in the Women’s Officer job role - this is currently somewhat ambiguous. 2. Increase the role and profile of the leadership of the autonomous liberation campaigns - perhaps created a place on SEC for those individuals to give them all a louder voice in the organisation. So far, no committee members have dissented from that direction of discussion. Consltation sessions are ongoing, an open event for Councillors and other student leaders was held on Thursday 4 May. I understand that the resignation of the last BME Councillor was linked to the issue of candidates standing on slates and which was subsequently discussed by SU Council and reported in the 2015 Elections Report.
Media hys-queeria? Farron forced to forgo his faith to pacify the belligerent left: so much for human rights Kimberley John Incoming Online Editor
T
wo weeks ago in Parliament Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said he does not think homosexuality is a sin. The incessant debate surrounding personal views he is entitled to hold, and which he states do not interfere with his role, highlighted more the hypocrisy of the left than the actual accusations. It would have been a mistake to assume that Channel 4 newsreader Cathy Newman’s question to Farron in 2015 – whether as a Christian he believed homosexual sex to be sinful – would not haunt him. At the time his answer was deemed evasive by most and last week, when in the spotlight again thanks to Theresa May’s call for a snap election, he was asked to clarify his position. But why are his personal
convictions deemed so important? “It’s a peculiar thing to say that somebody who happens to belong to a religious group, who is a Christian, can’t be a liberal. It’s exactly the opposite,” Farron responded in 2015. He said: “To be a member of a minority group of any kind is to understand in a very clear way why every minority, every individual’s rights matter.”
“Farron’s human right to freedom of religion was impinged ” Responding to Newman pressing the issue last week, Farron said: “As a Liberal, I’m passionate about equality, about equal marriage, about equal rights for LGBT people, for fighting for not just LGBT rights in this country but overseas.” When looking at his political
career it is clear that his words ring true. He has continually voted for same-sex marriage (except for one absence) and has proudly upheld the Lib Dem’s pro-LGBT stance. However, this consistency in his public life was not enough for celebrities, commentators, politicians and the left-leaning public alike, who labelled Farron as intolerant, prejudiced, and in the words of Owen Jones an “absolute disgrace”. It is not a stretch f o r me to
assume that the same people who attacked Farron for his presumed personal faith while refusing to acknowledge his active solidarity with the LGBT community are actually of a similar persuasion to him in terms of human rights. The Liberal Democrats are in favour of the 1998 Human Rights Act, alongside left-wing parties Labour and the Greens. Article 9 of the Act concerns
the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion and states that among other factors everyone has the right to exercise religion or belief publicly or privately. Yet Farron’s human right to freedom of religion was impinged because the unnecessary controversy centred around his assumed views on homosexuality left him with no choice but to answer questions about his own private belief system just to put an end to it all. It’s hard to reconcile being vehemently pro-human rights one minute but equally against them the next when the person or group in question doesn’t share your sentiments. How exhausting that must be.
Image by Alex Folkes
FORGE PRESS 15
FRIDAY 5 MAY 2017
COMMENT The hills are alive with the sound of slaughter
Megan McGrath discusses how abbatoir protests are being clamped down on and highlights the Save Movement The Save Movement is a network of independently-organised activist groups that witnesses animal slaughter and promote veganism. The movement has 42 groups in the UK and 100+ worldwide, with vigils held everywhere from Hong Kong to Chile. Each is comprised of vegans who travel to slaughterhouses to witness and record footage of a mere fraction of the estimated 56 billion land animals that are killed for food each
Megan McGrath Development Officer Elect
U
pon first hearing about the movement, I was initially dubious as to what effects they would reap. But there is nothing more that can consolidate or attest to the belief that harming animals for pleasure is morally incorrect than witnessing the victims of the meat, egg and dairy industry first hand. Here you find us, standing peacefully and lawfully outside the entrances of slaughterhouses with placards detailing why we are there and to ask the truck drivers to give us a few minutes to record the animals contained within (who are likely seeing daylight for the first time). Whether it’s pigs, cows, chickens or sheep crammed into the dingy and terror-induced faeces-filled truck, one thing always remains constant: the look of sheer sadness in their bulging eyes. Despite their only experiences of humans likely being negative (castrations, branding, teeth or horn removal, beaks clipped, forced ejaculation or impregnation, just for starters) the animals still yearn for your touch and muzzle your hand with
to enter the premise gates and leaving us with nothing more to do than look on helplessly as they’re driven to their deaths. The stench of animal faeces from the transportation trucks is something that lingers long after leaving, along with the sights of the skeletons, heads and organs of the animals that not minutes ago we stroked being forklifted into a skip as waste.
“Companies’ propaganda starts at the outset” Almost everyone would say they were opposed to needless animal cruelty, but continue to fund an industry where harm, torture and abuse is a prerequisite for its existence. Eating meat, eggs and dairy is not a necessity, so why do self-proclaimed “animal lovers” not switch to the plethora of alternatives on today’s market? It is a consequence of the companies peddling these products utilising arguably some of the most efficient marketing techniques out of any industry. Consumers genuinely believe that the cow whose calf was killed so her breast milk could instead top your pizza or the chicken that
year. The movement began with a woman called Anita Krajnc who noticed nine large trucks full of pigs on their way to a slaughterhouse in Toronto. This prompted her to hold peaceful vigils, bringing awareness to the animals suffering. Veganism has risen 360% in the last decade in the UK; the footage captured by activists in the Save Movement further facilitating people making the connection between animal and food.
names: Happy Cow, Happy Eggs and The Laughing Cow. Smiling cartoon animals are the basis of advertising campaigns, if not the brand’s entire logo. These are extremely efficient tools for dissociating consumers with the inevitable cruelty experienced by that the animal who truly produced it. The idea of Dog’s Trust associating itself with the Yulin Dog Meat festival is absurd, but yet the RSPCA symbol adorns the chunks of animal flesh on supermarket meat shelves. How can a charity apparently dedicated to the protection of all animals, endorse the products of any animals’ exploitation and death? Why is it commonplace to condemn the acts of people who mistreat or abuse ‘pet’ animals, with cases even occasionally gaining front page-coverage, but any discussion of the unnecessary slaughter of ‘livestock’ is extreme? No one questions the notion of the animals we view as pets as possessing a personality, as being individuals and capable of experiencing an extremely extensive range of emotions. Why do we not consider the pigs, cows, chicken and sheep whose bodies and excretions it is the norm to feed upon to share these qualities? Some argue it is because they do not have personal relationships with any of the aforementioned species, but extrapolate the idea and its absurdity is revealed. Is, say, stealing from a human only morally wrong if you know the person?
“I still leave every vigil with a horrid, throat-tightening feeling of guilt”
their noses just like a pet dog would. We bond with them in the brief moments we have to comfort them, only for the truck then
laid her unnaturally frequent and painfully-large egg to finish your fry up had a pleasant life. Companies’ propaganda starts at the outset. Consider the
Even though I’ve been vegan for nearing on two years now, I still leave every vigil with a horrid, throat-tightening feeling of guilt. For the 19 years of my life in which I routinely consumed animal products, I never really had thoroughly considered the process of how a living, breathing, feeling animal
turned into the filling for my chicken salad sandwich. I was vaguely aware of the connection, but it was something I purposely buried, not wanting my ignorance interrupted. I would avoid anything that reminded me of that fact my food had once been a part of the body of an animal,
Images by ‘The Save Moverment
only opting for skinless, vein-less and boneless meat in order to not induce my veiled discomfort. Our intentions at the Save Movement are not to vilify the workers, the movement is one of compassion and peace; yet the meat, egg and dairy industry are fighting back with a vengeance. Thousands of pounds are being spent building gates reducing what is visible from outside the slaughterhouse. Workers have thrown verbal abuse, threatened us with physical violence and trucks driven straight for people standing peacefully in front of slaughterhouse entrances. The National Counter Terrorism Police Operations Unit is working with the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers on the response to the Save Movement. In today’s current political climate especially, there are surely many more pertinent uses of taxpayer’s money dedicated to fighting terrorism than targeting those asking the public to not fund animal cruelty. This response only eludes to the threat the meat, egg and dairy industries
consider the Save Movement. They are extremely aware that people educating themselves on the brutality that is the industry standard, means a reduction in profit. Anita Krajnc, the woman who began the movement, has been charged with criminal mischief for giving some pigs on
their way to slaughter water on a hot Toronto summer day The stark reality of our country’s eating habits is that they’d be radically different if people had to kill animals with their own two hands. People believe the slaughter of animals is morally acceptable because it’s “humane”, but when the definition of the word is “to show compassion”, is the combination of the two not the ultimate oxymoron? The notion that the animals fuelling our country’s demand for eggs, dairy and meat are ‘happy’ or had a painless death is completely and utterly false. To those that disagree, I invite you to join activists on the public footpath outside Tulip Slaughterhouse’s gas chamber in Manchester, or behind Woolley Brothers’ Slaughterhouse in Sheffield. If you can listen to the sounds of pigs, who share the same ability to feel pain, reason and general intellect as chimps and dogs, screaming and fitting whilst being suffocated to death by CO2 and persist that what they are undergoing is anywhat compassionate - I am dumbfounded.
16 FORGE PRESS
FRIDAY 5 MAY 2017
COMMENT TV leaders’ debate debate
press.comment@forgetoday.com
Should Thersa May take part in the TV leadership debates? ARGUING FOR Grace Braddock Second year English student
M
ay’s decision to boycott TV debates show a worrying attitude towards the election. Some may see it as her certainty at a lack of a Labour threat, others a disillusionment with the public’s dissatisfaction with the current state of UK politics. Following her announcement for the snap election over 100,000 18-25 year olds and nearly 100,000 25-34 year olds registered to vote in two days, suggesting millennials are ready to have their voices heard. By refusing the debate May has essentially said that she thinks there’s no competition, but also that she won’t fight for what she believes in. Avoiding the screen does not paint a picture of a passionate leader with strong integrity. Her role as a politician is to represent and listen to the people, yet she has disregarded the opinion of thousands who believe that she should participate in the debates, simply because she doesn’t think they warrant
the energy. By not going on TV, May is putting in the bare minimum for her campaign. If the leader of our country doesn’t believe she has to debate, how is she supposed to encourage and persuade the apathetic public that there is any point in getting involved in the politics of their country? For a leader who has yet to run in a General Election to skip the debates is a bold decision. Maybe it’s fear rather than confidence that has caused her to shy away instead of stand tall in the face of her opposition. Whether the polls are showing a landslide in COMMENT your favour or a close race, in the run up to elections the leader should be doing anything and everything to get their voice heard. We should be rallying behind someone who debates because they care enough to do so, not because they have to.
ARGUING AGAINST Matthew Fender Conservative Association Campaign Manager
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f course, the inevitable response when Theresa May announced that she would not be participating in any debates during the general election campaign was that she was running scared, and was not brave enough to tackle Corbyn on the NHS. Similarly she was accused of hiding from Farron on Brexit and Sturgeon on Scottish I n d e p e n dence. DEBATES However, I believe it was a brilliant tactical move. The last two general elections have successfully proved that TV debates are a complete waste of everybody’s time. At the end of the day, they end up becoming slanging matches and a contest to see who can become the most offensive (which brings back memories of Farage’s rather stupid comments regarding
foreign immigrants with AIDS). In 2010, admittedly, the format worked reasonably well, as there were only three candidates on stage. This meant that actual policy could be debated in a relatively calm, reasonable manner, despite Nick Clegg’s attempts to appear like Superman, rushing in at the last moment to save the day. In 2015, the format completely fell apart. Putting Northern Ireland aside, which is often the price to be paid when talking about British politics, you had seven candidates, all trying to out-do the others with vaguely witty putdowns and discussing very little actual policy. May has realised that this format was a complete disaster, and only seeks to try and promote minor parties that have no hope of achieving power as a result of the election. Does anyone remember any actual policy being discussed in the 2015 debates? All I remember is Farage offending David Dimbleby (never a good idea), Cameron being outwitted by Paxman, and Ed Miliband nearly falling over after what was the worst hour or so of his life. May’s right not to participate. All the debates focus on is good television, not what matters to voters.
Your new Comment Editors At Comment we are committed to allowing students to express their views as freely as possible whilst maintaining good journalistic practice. Each article is the view of each individual contributor and not of Comment or Forge Press as a whole. At times people don’t like the opinions expressed in Comment and we welcome the opportunity for debate and this section is a platform for students to express their own views. Different views deserve a right to be published and that is what we aim to achieve here at Comment. Josie and James
Nuclear erectile dysfunction Image by DonkeyHotey
Hugh Dickinson lives up to his name as he looks at Trump and Kim Jong-Un’s willies
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Hugh Dickinson Outgoing Sports Editor
t’s been almost a year since we rallied behind the slogan of ‘dicks out for Harambe’, but once again gorillas and willy-waving have hit international headlines. The gorilla in question, currently to be found hurling his faeces at the walls of the oval office, recently swapped his policy of a Russian bromance and antagonism towards China for the inverse. It was a move that was remarkably similar to Oceania’s change of enemy from Eurasia to Eastasia in George Orwell’s 1984. And how better to consecrate the new found friendliness with Beijing than by sending an aircraft
carrier into the waters of China’s ally and neighbour? Whilst Trump’s new bezzie has remained rather quiet on the issue, East Asia’s answer to Donald Trump hasn’t been. North Korea went through with waving their willy about and, even though the willy in question turned out to be rather flaccid, said they were willing to use it anyway if provoked by the US. And the disappointing performance of the willy in question is precisely why this is such an important matter right now. The US want to make sure that North Korea never have a willy that can poke them from afar. As long as the US have the biggest dicks,
North Korea can never really cause too much trouble. If you are a subscriber to the theory of mutually assured destruction (and the neorealist school of international relations – shout out to the BA Politics students), that says two people getting their willies out at the same time means everyone suddenly goes off the idea, you must believe that North Korea getting theirs up and running must be a good thing. US VicePresident Mike Pence said: “We want to see North Korea abandon its reckless p a t h of the
development of [willies], and also its continual use and testing of ballistic [willies] is unacceptable.” Couldn’t those words have been spoken about the USA by North Korean number two Hwang Pyong-so? This particular flurry of willy waving is not about protecting the world, or even the USA. North Korea would never attack the US and its vastly superior arsenal – even the ‘Great Successor’ would not be foolish enough to risk the mutually assured destruction. Instead, as much of history has been, it’s about power. Whilst there may be perfectly good humanitarian reasons for military intervention in North Korea, don’t be fooled into thinking that the
US are reprising their role as a sort of Starsky and Hutch meets Laurel and Hardy world police. It’s not about good versus evil; it’s about the silverback showing those North Koreans who’s boss, and staging a performance for his endearing public. I don’t want Kim Jong-Un to be waving his willy about, neither do I want Donald Trump to; the world would be a better place without them. But if they are going to be engaging in this boyish rivalry, I’d rather they do it in a corner than on the global dancefloor. And yes, I’ve written this entire article without using the words “nuclear weapons”, but so long as they are only an extension of the manhood of the world’s most insecure leaders, we can breathe a sigh of relief.
Images by Annika Laas
Discuss your experiences, from revision period to the timetabling of exams with senior University representatives
Mon 15th May, 1-2pm, Activities Zone, SU, Free Refreshments Ask a question in advance: Visit SU Plaza 12-2pm 8th-12th May or email michael.kind@sheffield.ac.uk
18 FORGE PRESS
FRIDAY 5 MAY 2017
LIFESTYLE The Man Behind The Van
INTERVIEW
In a Forge Press exclusive, Abi Herbert recently wrestled through crowds of hungry engineering students to bag an interview with campus celebrity Jez from John’s Van. A beacon of light at the end of every weary undergrad’s morning, John’s Van was awarded the third best student eatery in Sheffield by the official university website; but how well do you really know the Man behind the Van?
Hi Jez! Tell us a bit of John’s Van history. When was John’s Van born and how many generations of Johns has the Van been handed down to? The van was started by my mum and dad back in 1981. They had a shop where the car park is. That got knocked down. My parents put a van there as a temporary measure until new shops were built as they were told they could have one.
It surprises a lot of people that your name isn’t actually John; do people ever call you that? Most people call me John. It takes too long to tell them the history and who John is so I just let them.
Unfortunately the Van was stolen back in 2013 - did police manage to recover the original van or is this a new and improved John’s van? I got the stolen van back but had to get a replacement as it wasn’t found straight away and I kept the new one as it’s bigger and better.
Students at the university actually made a music video about the incident which is… interesting, and there was worldwide controversy stretching to Gibraltar and the US. Were you humbled by the support from your loyal customers? I never knew how popular the van was until it was stolen. Since then it’s got more of a cult status than ever. Still get people asking me about the whole ‘find John’s Van’ episode. Got a message from an old customer in China wishing me all the best while it was all going on. It was a very bad time only made better by the great support I had from all my customers. Non-customers got involved too.
Rotherham full of half eaten celebrity sandwiches?! The YouTube thing was a favour for a customer! He was promoting the new and improved foundry I think.
News moves fast on campus and students love nothing more than John’s Van news. A petition was recently started to include a vegan option on your menu, is this something you’re looking into? Didn’t know about the petition. I’m always open to new menu ideas from customers. I wasn’t aware a petition had been started. I’ll look into it further and maybe get something on for Fresher’s week.
Where does John’s van go during the holidays? John’s Van is open all year round. In the summer my customers are mainly staff, builders and I’m very popular with the Language School.
On Facebook you recently shared a ‘dank memes for Sheffield teens’ photo. Do you have any other favourite memes? To be honest, I never even knew what a meme was until someone sent me a link to the ‘Sheffield teens’ one.
And finally (obviously aside from John’s Van) where are some of your favourite places to eat in Sheffield? The Graze Inn on Eccy Road. Marco at Milano’s in Millhouses. Almas Indian in Dore is amazing.
So there you have it. The man of mystery responsible for brightening every students’ morning is finally unmasked. Make sure Speaking of YouTube, to give John’s Van a visit we recently discovered a before leaving Sheffield video where you took @ over Summer! nightsoutsheffield through your personal collection of burgers half eaten by members of Pulp, the Cure and Bowie which sparked a lengthy debate as to whether or not this is true. Please put us out of our misery: do you really have a freezer in
John’s Van can be found online atTwitter: @johnsvan Facebook: facebook.com/ johns.van
FORGE PRESS 19
FRIDAY 5 MAY 2017
LIFESTYLE How well do you know John’s Van? LIFESTYLE QUIZ
1) True or false - John’s Van sells smoked salmon
and cream cheese bagels
2) How much is a halloumi, mushroom and onion
bread roll?
3) What was the vegan option that was petitioned to
be added to John’s menu?
4) What is the official name of John’s Van?
1) True 2) £2.70 3) Linda McCartney Sausages 4) Stella
Meet Lifestyle’s New Editors LIFESTYLE PRESENTS Ellie Conlon Meet miniscule Mancunian menace Ellie Conlon, a dual English Literature and Philosophy student with a penchant for being hit in the face on nights out. She’s proud Manchester City supporter (and lover of her hometown in general), so if you’re ever walking through University and hear a shrill, high-pitched cry of “MANCHESTAAA”, you know who it is. When not attending lectures about death, Ellie can be found crying in the IC over the stress of her dual degree and the bleak prospects of future career opportunities. She’s allergic to peas, but could probably lick one and survive.
Harry Gold Meet English Literature BNOC Harry Gold, often spotted on campus wearing his generic jumper, rolled up trousers and socks pulled up to his knees combination. He’s obviously really cool and edgy because he’s in a band and can’t have a conversation for more than three minutes without declaring his love for shoegaze. You probably won’t see him before one in the afternoon without a coffee in his hand and we’re pretty sure it took him five attempts to pass his driving test, but he doesn’t have his car up in Sheffield so we’re all safe, not to worry. All in all, pretty cool guy, 10/10.
20 FORGE PRESS
FRIDAY 5 MAY 2017
LIFESTYLE
press.lifestyle@forgetoday.com
LIFESTYLE LOVES
REVIEW
COLM’S COLUMN
By Ellie Conlon
Opinion Column
Colm McKenna explores the idea of subjective judgement, drawn from his experiences during studying.
O
ver the Easter break I spent quite a lot of my time in my local library. It was a relatively productive time, but the luxury of surrounding myself with like minded students in Western Bank made my visits to Gorleston library atypical to say the least. Out of the 15 or so days I spent there, I counted only a handful of students. Most of the time the library was completely empty, besides a few pensioners reading the Eastern Daily Press. It felt like there was no incentive to work in that place; the librarians didn’t care to uphold the noise level in the silent areas and whole families would come in for hours at a time to log into one of the computers provided by the library and scroll through Facebook. Facebook and gov.org was all I ever found when I found myself prying on the people using the computers. The reason I believe all of this to be of note is to reflect how easy it is to conjure up unprovoked, abhorrent perceptions of other people. There was one woman in particular who was sat in front of a screen filling out a benefit entitlement form. Her baby began to cry and didn’t stop until she left, about an hour later. At the time, I was so preoccupied with the hindrance I thought this woman and her child were on me that I forgot “It is unimaginably hard to stay conscious and alive, day in day out”. The whole rhetoric of David Foster Wallace’s This is Water contradicts nearly every thought I had in that library. Wallace is keen to emphasise that the true value of a degree - a humanities one in particular, he notes - is that one can become not only conscious, but strive to eliminate the inherent selfishness we are not to blame for, so long as we try to do something about it. The only thing I ever directly know in myself are my own first hand experiences. This doesn’t mean that I can’t be considerate towards the experiences of others, it just means it’s difficult not to interpret strangers in a negative light, because we have an intuitive grasp on our own
We had two whole sunny days last week, which saw everyone in Sheffield crack out those shorts that’ve been collecting dust at the back of their wardrobes. It’s fair to say we’ve probably had our summer now. Back to our classic damp northern ways.
experiences and those of others will never properly belong to us. I think taking a more familiar case will better illustrate what I am trying to say; imagine somebody sitting across from you in the main lobby of Western Bank. All they’re doing is laughing at their phone and texting. You’ve left your headphones at home and they haven’t turned the keyboard click setting off. Unless I am woefully misinformed, I wouldn’t think it an over exaggeration to say that this situation would aggravate most people reading. It’s so easy to interpret it as ‘this person it out to annoy me today’, but it is also worth considering the polar opposite. It’s worth thinking to yourself what the worse possible situation is that this person could be in. Their laughter could be a coping mechanism for the anonymous death threats they’ve been sent for the past few days, maybe the keyboard clicking sound helps them to feel like they’re not completely alone, maybe they have an irrational fear of silence that is more real than you could ever experience This is probably not the case. The person may well just be slightly annoying and completely stable. Regardless, it is valuable to take an objective view of things, to not think that the actions of others are invariably caught up with your own life. People are annoying, but it’s rare that a stranger like the one in my local library would actively be trying to annoy me. Your own feelings are yours only, but this is a universal state of affairs. It seems intuitive to do so when you’re reminded, but it is so easy to forget that the driving force behind annoying stranger’s actions are to annoy you. It’s a claim we’re too willing to level at others, but so vehemently deny when it is thrown back at us.
FASHION
FOOD Review
Lifestyle’s editors Ellie Conlon and Harry Gold visited Sheffield’s annual Beer & Cider Festival to check out what the event had to offer
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hat better way to combat exam stress (or just completely avoid doing your dissertation) than spending seven hours drinking gin and tonic with your mates in Interval? With over 100 varieties of real ale, fruit beers and cider, and being just a two-minute walk away from the IC, we couldn’t possibly turn down the opportunity to visit the Sheffield Student Union’s Beer and Cider Festival. Friday had us revisiting the real reason we all love the North, as many students crowded round the pop up pie stall outside the union. Pints, pies and gravy - what more could you want from a Friday afternoon? With hundreds of students drinking at 2pm, the event could have gotten a bit messy. Luckily the SU had this one covered – plastered all over the Union’s beer menu was a helpful piece of information that stopped everything from getting out of hand - “Warning: strong ales are strong”. We’d never have guessed. The outside cider stall had some very interesting drinks on offer, including Beetroot and Orange Autumnal Cider (honestly, we’re not
lying). I know what you’re thinking, it was as strange as it sounds. And sort of tasted like soil. But for all those beetroot enthusiasts out there, it’s undoubtedly an interesting taste
Thank God for John’s Van. What better way to reward your six hours spent in the IC ? Other food vans are available.
“Warning: strong beers are strong” experience. Some excellent beers were also available over the weekend, firmly cementing Sheffield’s reputation as the real ale capital of the UK. Available, among others, were Beerexit (as strong, apparently, as Theresa May’s leadership), I Speak For the Trees and, our personal favourite, Beery McBeerface. The festival also had constant live music outside to show off the SU’s local talent. Saturday was just as successful, with craft beer and American themed food to kick start the bank holiday weekend. Taking the event to a close, Sunday brought the SU’s Beer and Cider Festival’s traditional ‘Pig and Cider Day’. With a hog roast, even more entertainment and alcohol brewed in collaboration with our very own Real Ale society, it’s fair to say the SU smashed the festival once again. Drinking beetroot cider and listening to the soft strum of acoustic guitars - a perfect way to spend a few hours of any day.
TRAVEL Considering it’s the middle of exam season and everyone’s crying into the 100th draft of their dissertation and sleeping in the IC, it’s safe to say nobody’s travelling anywhere particularly exciting. But of course we’re all looking forward to going home for the summer.
21 FORGE PRESS
DAY 5 May 2017
What’s On?
This Week in Sheffield.
Forge have the low down on all that is going on in Sheffield
Music - Bruno Mars @ Motorpoint Arena 6 May - Iron Maiden @ Motorpoint Arena 10 May - Marianas Trench @ O2 Acadamy Sheffield 5 May - CKY @ O2 Academy Sheffield 17 May - The View @ Foundry and Fusion 14 May
University - Volunteering Awards @ Foundry and Fusion 8 May - A Capella summer showcase! @ Foundry 19 May - Sing Soc Presents: Three classical works in concert @ St Marks Church, Boomhill May 5 - World Food Festival @ Octagon Centre 6 May
Nights out - Common People 90’s Special @ Leadmill 28 May - Last Pop Tarts of the year @ Student’s Union 10 June - Last School Disco of the year @ Corporation 7 June - Slam Jam @ Corporation 28 May. - Summer Social @Student Union 9 June
Films - Alien: Covanent out 11 May - Guardians of the Galaxy: Volume 2 (review inside) out now - Pirates of the Carribean: Dead Men Tell No Tales out 26 May - Wonder Woman out 2 June
Sports - Sports Awards - Kelham Island cyclocross on the 6 May - Sheffield Wednesday vs. Fulham @ Hillsbourgh Stadium 7th May - WWE Live @ Motorpoint Arena 11 May - British Ice Dance Championship @ Ice Sheffield 13-14 May
Not to be missed! - Register to vote by the 22nd May - Eurovision at Film Unit on the 13 May - Sheffield Food Festival @ Peace Gardens 27-29 May
REMEMBER TO VOTE!
FRIDAY 5 MAY 2017
22 FORGE PRESS
MUSIC
Music News. •
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Sony has finally cut ties with Dr. Luke as a result of the ongoing legal battle with Kesha. It has been announced rock legend Stevie Nicks will appear on Lana Del Rey’s new album. Expect a beautiful retrospective by these two songstresses. The coolest sisters on the block Haim have released their first new music in three years with the track ‘Right Now’. Their new album Something to Tell You will be released on 7th July. Beyoncé has announced Formation Scholarships to mark the anniversary of the release of Lemonade. It will be offered to four women at four different American universities, studying the creative arts, music, literature or AfricanAmerican studies. Glastonbury resale tickets have sold out. Earlier this week a new metal-only stage has been announced, further increasing the wide range of music Glasto offers. Fyre Festival, was cancelled after it descended into havoc due to horrendous organisation. With tickets going for up to $12,000 for the event, the organisers now face a $100 million lawsuit.
press.music@forgetoday.com
Harry Styles: Sign of the Times Florence Mooney Music Editor
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ince Zayn left One Direction in 2014, and the band took their ‘break’ in 2016, the race has been on for the title of the most successful solo career. Zayn gave it a good shot with his successful debut album Mind of Mine, Niall released the forgettable track ‘This Town’, and supposedly Louis has released something. But, of all the band, it’s Harry’s solo effort we have all been waiting for. Arguably the most interesting band member, he’s always seemed to have more potential, with mystery surrounding what a solo release might sound like. At the beginning of April, our questions were answered when Styles returned with the glorious ‘Sign of the Times’. The track begins with simple piano chords backed by a quiet, dreamy synth as Styles steps up to the microphone crooning “Just stop your crying, baby, its the sign of the times”. The song gradually builds to include extensive backing vocals, guitars, strings and moving performance from Styles. If there is one thing that ‘Sign of the Times’
makes clear, it is that One Direction never showed off the talent Styles had. Styles’ vocals glide over the track, wrapping the listener away in his dream world. There have been rumours swelling of solo Styles earning comparisons with David Bowie. As much of a triumph as this track may be, maybe this comparison is a little much, but there is definitely a certain air of Hunky Dory era Bowie. Style’s closing cries aren’t a world away from ‘Life on Mars’. This isn’t boyband material, this is much, much more. Styles sings: “will we ever learn//we’ve been here before”, but we definitely haven’t. This is new. And if it is a sign of what is to come, it seems pretty obvious who is going to reign supreme in the battle for the best One Direction solo career. Harry Styles, his self titled debut is released on 12th May, and he will be touring the album in autumn. Watch this space.
Forge’s Music Editors. Florence Mooney Music Editor
’m Flo, I’m a second year Philosophy student and I am one of Forge’s Music Editors for this year. I love music – always have, always will, and I’m super excited to spend the next year writing about the music I love and sharing it with everyone. I have a pretty eclectic taste, from soul to disco, acoustic to electronic, and a little dad rock along the way. Favourite Album - This is a tough one. There are so many to choose from. I could pretend to be cool and choose some really obscure experimental piece, but I’m not cool so I’m going to go with a super obvious choice. Rumours by
Fleetwood Mac. Perfect pop. Best Gig - When I was 17, I saw Jenny Lewis play at the back room at The Institute in Birmingham. I went alone with few expectations, just something to do with my Saturday night. Three years later, I still think about that gig. My mind was blown completely. She had the whole audience in the palm of her hand and I was stood mesmerized for every minute of the flawless two-hour set. Guilty Pleasure - I don’t really have many guilty pleasures when it comes to music, as I tend to be fairly shameless in my appreciation for some of the crap I listen to. But if we have to choose, lets go for ‘Fuck it (I Don’t Want You Back)’ by Eamon. Pure gold.
This year we’re really interested in giving more coverage to local bands, especially student bands, so if you’re
in a band and would like to be featured drop us an email at press.music@forgetoday.com
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Ben Kempton Music Editor
’m Ben, a first year Journalism Studies student. My love for music has stemmed from going to festivals, events and gigs. My dad took me to see my favourite boyhood band, Foo Fighters, when I was about 12, and ever since I’ve been obsessed with all forms of music (other than death metal. Still struggle with that one). As Music Editor I want to work with Flo to get all genres of music represented, not just Sheffield’s beloved (and bloody brilliant) indie band scene. Best album - That impossible question. It’s so mood dependant, but an album which I adore, have
We also have a Spotify account where we will be posting playlists with our picks of the week. Find us
listened to from start to finish countless times and believe will go down in music history is good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar. The man is hip hop royalty and this album is, to me, faultless. Best Gig - It’s cheating but I have two. The Prodigy at Isle of Wight Festival in 2015 and The Chemical Brothers at Bestival in 2015. Two enormous dance acts who know how to put on an epic show and get the crowd going nuts. Guilty pleasure - I’m still adamant this isn’t a guilty pleasure but I have been ripped by my brother and friends for blasting out a bit of ‘Tiny Dancer’ by the one and only Elton John. Perfect shower karaoke if you ask me.
at forgepressmusic and give us a follow.
FORGE PRESS 23
FRIDAY 5 MAY2017
REVIEWS.
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Blondie: Pollinator
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Florence Mooney Music Editor
he term ‘legend’ is not one to be thrown around loosely, but if there is one band and character who deserves the title, it is Blondie and frontwoman Debbie Harry. First becoming a musical icon in the late 1970s, Blondie broke into the new wave scene, soon becoming genre heavyweights. The music industry, particularly rock, has always been very male dominated, but Harry has bucked this trend. Her class of cool has always been beyond the reach of anyone else, keeping her care-free reputation intact for the past five decades. With such an extensive back-catalogue and legendary reputation to uphold, a new Blondie album brings with it a lot of trepidation. However, once again, the band deliver with an album worthy of their standing. Since Blondie reformed in the late 1990s, the band have explored numerous different styles electronic and pop. Pollinator is much more reminiscent of classic, seventies-era Blondie. Harry’s vocals are distinctly recognisable
and very impressive for a 71-yearold rock star. From the album’s fast-paced opener ‘Doom or Destiny’ the listener is greeted by the beautiful pairing of guitarist Stein and Harry, who have always complimented each other so wonderfully. The guitar chords burn through the track and could fit as happily in Parallel Lines, whilst Harry’s vocals provide the same
While She Sleeps: You Are Me
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Michael Chilton Deputy Editor
efore I say anything about this album, it has to be acknowledged that at the time of writing You Are We by Sheffield locals While She Sleeps sits at number seven in the official album chart. From a band with a DIY ethos (You Are We was only made possible by fans pledging money to support its production) and a sound that is nothing like the safe and mainstream indie music the chart is used to, You Are Me is a shining beacon and testament to heavy music. While She Sleeps have managed to produce a more commercialised sound without losing their anger and heavy roots. This is reflected in tracks like ‘Hurricane’ and ‘You Are We’, which leave unmistakable heavy guitar riffs and double bass drum rhythms stuck in your head. This entire album is a testament to the potential heavy music has to
MUSIC
turn the current musical hegemony on its head. The mission statement is clear with opening track ‘You Are We’, the quiet clean guitars in the intro instantly traded for singer Loz’s bellow of “You are we”. The crescendo of music that flows through the rest of the album.
There are welcome respites though; the band know that too much of the same thing isn’t always the best approach. The refrains in ‘Civil Isolation’ and ‘Empire of Silence’ are timed perfectly, providing the perfect juxtaposition to the moments the whole band comes back to give it extra punch.
thrill of any wild 20-something. The recent single and album highlight ‘Long Time’ has an air of the classic ‘Sunday Girl’, whilst the lyrics “Chasing down The Bowery, on a crowded afternoon” brings to mind ‘Hanging on the Telephone’. But this is neither ‘Sunday Girl’ nor ‘Hanging on the Telephone’. Harry seems older and wiser in her lyrics. Many classic rock bands There are, however, a few weak points to address. First and foremost, this album saw the release of five singles before the album actually dropped. This is nearly half the 11 track album, which takes away much of the initial discovery and unknown element of the first few listens (I appreciate this may just be my own personal preference). A broader criticism is the shift in lyrical content. Unlike Brainwashed I felt, at points, this album had moments of aesthetically pleasing lyrics at the expense of real meaning. As an example, “You can steal the sun but there’s a light you can’t replace” from the track ‘Steal the Sun’. I can definitely see the general thrust of this lyric, but it seems to have been bogged down in pretty imagery which cost the words that punch I admire from the band. Despite these minor reservations however this is a superb album. While She Sleep have a big future ahead of them, and there is no one I would rather have representing heavy music in mainstream music than these Sheffield heavyweights.
For the review of their hometown album release show at Plug check out forgetoday.com
attempt to recreate their sounds from the 70s, unable to break new ground, but here Blondie have done something pretty clever – this is reminiscent of what made them so successful, but without being a repeat of previous work. As the album progresses, it quietens, with tracks such as ‘When I gave up on you’, lacking the energy of the first few tracks. But this slower pace provides age and wisdom to the band’s sound. ‘Love Level’ is the album’s trough, seemingly trying too hard to sound fresh and relevant. The vocals are overly auto-tuned for effect, and the half-rap doesn’t have the success of a track such as ‘Rapture’. However, this brief dip can be looked past, as the catchy ‘Too Much’ and the brooding, moody ‘Fragments’ close the album with the success it started with. In Pollinator, Blondie don’t revolutionise music - this isn’t Parallel Lines. Maybe they are past wanting to break every boundary and instead just keeping to what they know. However, Pollinator is still a wonderful collection of tracks, showing off what Blondie has always done: make really good music.
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MUSIC
DAMN. Kendrick Lamar «««««
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Gethin Morgan Music Contributor
ew artists have had as much impact as Kendrick Lamar in recent years and his fourth studio album DAMN. feels like yet another showcase of a genius at work. The Compton-born rapper has blended the technical superiority of Section.80 with the charm of good kid, m.A.A.d city and the political power of To Pimp a Butterfly to create an incredibly dense, powerful and provocative 14 track album. It opens with ‘BLOOD.’, and an opening monologue delivered with a composure which draws you in, and ending with a clip of journalists condemning Lamar’s attitude towards the police. The
Stormzy Sheffield o2 Academy ««««
S
Ben Kempton Music Editor
tormzy hit The o2 Academy, Sheffield on Sunday 30th April with much anticipation following the release of his highly acclaimed album Gang Signs & Prayer. The scene was set perfectly by the warm up DJ, who blasted out grime and rap royalty. The likes of Kendrick, Kanye, JME, Skepta and of course the ever crowd pleasing ‘Feed ‘em to the Lions’ got the crowd pumping as early signs of moshing formulated. As darkness fell and smoke filled the stage, there was an overwhelming air of excitement. The reason for Stormzy’s nickname ‘Big Mike’ became blisteringly apparent as he burst through the clouds of smoke and jumped under the frantic lasers. The crowd erupted. His prolific stage presence was felt immediately, not only in his massive stature but as he prowled commandingly up and down the stage. Stormzy was not going to let the crowd die down anytime soon as he chanted, “Where are my energy crew? let me hear some noise”. With the bass blasting and the crowd going crazy, Stormzy opened with his huge grime tune ‘First Things First’ and continued to keep the energy going with his quick tempo and endless energy. The likes of ‘Cold’ and ‘Bad Boys’ set the
second track then kicks in with power and a booming bassline. Aptly named ‘DNA.’, it sets the tone for what is a reflective album, where Lamar seems to be looking at himself more than the world around him. He transitions perfectly to the mellow ‘YAH.’ and continues to analyse himself by claiming “I’m an Israelite. Don’t call me black no more, that word is only a colour”. Soon enough you realise that this man transcends genre. Hip hop, soul, jazz… he throws it all into a blender and out comes a delicious sound unlike anything else you’ll hear. In fact, each new song feels like a completely different formula cooked up by Lamar. It speaks volumes when one of the album’s weakest songs is ‘LOYALTY.’ which features Rihanna. Not only are his lyrics powerful but his flow is a joy to behold. Whatever the beat, whatever the rhythm, Lamar adapts with ease. No more is this on show than in the hard hitting ‘HUMBLE.’ place on fire. Gang Signs & Prayer is so critically acclaimed not just for it’s big grime beats but its softer, more melodic side and there were question marks over how he would deal with the contrast on stage. Stormzy pulled up a stool and told us to think about what is close to us, “Whether it’s your relationship with God, girlfriend, best mate”. It works so beautifully on the album but live, the contrast doesn’t quite have the same effect. The noise of the crowd drowned out the depth of the slower songs such as ‘Blinded By Your Grace, Part One’ and ‘Velvet/Jenny Francis’, but there was still an unexpected intimacy for such a large venue. This was most noticeable in ‘Cigarettes and Kush’ and ‘Blinded By Your Grace, Part Two’, which were much more fitting for the atmosphere. The last 20 minutes were phenomenal. Stormzy showcased his grime splendour with anthems ‘Big For Your Bootz’, ‘Shut Up’ and most impressively, ‘Know Me From’ – which he played twice because it turned the crowd into a wild zoo. His fans adored him as he lowered himself into the abyss of wavering arms. 1 hour 15 minutes was admittedly too long a show at this stage for Stormzy. There were parts where he lost the crowd but as for his anthems, he blew myself and the rest of the venue away. Stormzy’s enthusiasm and energy was infectious and it proved for an incredible night. It was a pleasure seeing grime royalty in the flesh and witnessing someone who has already made his mark on British music history.
It’s impossible to predict his next step, and most bizarre is his stunning collaboration with U2. Perhaps it shows that he’s at his best when political, but musically it’s masterful. He uses sirens and car revs more effectively than most musicians can use an actual instrument. U2 don’t feel out of place either, if anything they complement each other. It even features a reference to Donald Trump, as if we needed reminding how contemporary an artist Lamar is. The ponderous ‘FEAR.’ reminds us that this is a man less sure of who he was than in his previous work. Tangling with religion and death, it’s the longest track on the album, and probably the most profound. This is captured perfectly with the piercing and surreal line: “If I could smoke away fear I’d roll that motherfucker up”. As the album comes to an end with ‘DUCKWORTH.’, Lamar leaves us with 10 seconds of silence, like he knows that we need a
Relaxer alt-J ««««
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Ben Kempton Music Editor
got the pleasure of reviewing alt-J’s upcoming album Relaxer early. The first thing to note, before even listening to the album, is the stylish, retro-gamelike album cover.
The album opens with ‘3WW’, where soft dreamy percussion creates a magical trippy ascension. The hallowing vocals of alt-J return
moment to recover and gather our thoughts before we can come anywhere near contemplating what we just listened to. If I wanted to break down exactly what this album is about I’d have to write a dissertation, not a review. That’s one of its many graces, it’s so
difficult to decipher that it really does reward repeat listens. Often a sign of an icon is the ability to identify them with only one name. Bowie, Prince, Tupac. How about Lamar?
in their wispy fashion and the change of tone throughout the song provides moments of ecstasy, fear and relaxation. An uncommon yet beautifully eloquent combination. The female voice is that of Wolf Alice’s Ellie Rowsell, which fits perfectly with the male voices of alt-J. The video to accompany is a cinematic masterpiece that resembles a modern Spanish Romeo and Juliet. Reading into the lyrics, there is, similar to Breezeblocks, a dark attitude towards love. “3WW” stands for three worn words which represent the overuse of the words “I love you”. In the chorus, the lead singer, Joe Newman, sings “we whisper Like the rubbing hands Of tourists in Verona” representing the superstition in Verona that if you rub the breast of the statue of Juliet, it will bring you good luck. But the statue has been rubbed so much it is damaged. This line is about harming someone by trying to love them in a way that turns out to be destructive. The poetic depth behind this song is highly characteristic of alt-J and sets the tone of the album straight away. This certainly is not a pop album. We then progress to “In Cold Blood”. A burst of upbeat, “LeftHand Free” style indie band power. This does result in losing the trippy tone but the powerful horns and catchy “la la la” chant makes this an epic. A powerful outro leaves a lasting impression on what will surely go down as an alt-J classic and a suitable song to make the charts and bring commercial value to Relaxer. Interestingly, the opening line, “01110011”, is the UTF-8 code for “∆” in binary. alt-J is how to type out “∆” on a mac. The album returns to slow,
melodic trippy vibes and even sounds medieval with ‘House of the Rising Sun’ but unlike The Animals “House of the Rising Sun” this one is a bit boring. “Hit me like that snare” provides a darker twist and “Deadcrush” is an intense journey which seems to associate itself with the cover art perfectly. Newman’s bizarrely unique vocal range is exercised in the chorus. “Adeline” sounds as if Hans Zimmer was producing it for a huge motion picture, it will almost definitely give you goose bumps. Powerful stuff from Alt J. “Last Year” then goes back to a tone of misery featuring a stunning female vocals. Sticking with it’s cinematic tones, the album finishes off with “Pleader”, recorded
with a full band in Abbey Road, this provides a powerful outro for what is a highly powerful album. Close your eyes and get lost in this mysterious illusive album. It doesn’t have the same journeylike effect as ‘This is All Yours’ and it doesn’t provide as many indie classics as ‘wwAn Awesome Wave’ but it is beautifully poetic and holds deeper meaning than I myself, as a humble listener, can grasp. Down to interpretation, this album is an art piece.
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SCREEN
press.screen@forgetoday.com
SUMMER OF SCREEN
Summer is fast approaching and with it: blockbuster movies! David Craig predicts which releases will actually be worth your time and money…
ALIEN: COVENANT
Veteran director Ridley Scott returns to the Alien franchise, after leaving critics polarised with 2012’s Prometheus. This year’s offering seems to have abandoned the lofty concepts of its predecessor, in favour of a more straightforward sci-fi horror that harkens back to Scott’s 1979 original. The set-up is familiar: a space crew touches down on a remote
and mysterious planet, and quickly discover it is home to a monstrous race of aliens who begin picking them off one-by-one. However, with a strong cast, some intriguing ties to other films in the series, and the capable hands of Scott at the helm, Alien: Covenant has the potential to be one of summer’s most memorable films.
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES
APPROACH WITH CAUTION!
After a six-year break, the Pirates of the Caribbean series finally returns to cinemas this year. Johnny Depp reprises what could be considered his career-defining role, the loveable scoundrel Captain Jack Sparrow. Proving he has no shortage of enemies, this entry finds yet another foe from Sparrow’s rocky past pursuing him across the seven seas: the undead
WONDER WOMAN
At long last, one of the most famous super heroes in the world makes her solo big screen debut. Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman made quite a splash in last year’s divisive Batman v Superman, and fans are eager to find out more about this new interpretation of the character. This film takes place during
THE MUMMY
Tom Cruise stars in this reboot of The Mummy franchise, which originated back in the 1930s but is perhaps best-known for the recent trilogy starring Brendan Fraser. This new film bears little resemblance to either of those previous incarnations, taking place in the present day and following Cruise’s war against a female Mummy known as Princess Ahmanet.
Intended to kick-off a shared universe of films about classic monsters like Dracula and the Wolf Man, there’s a lot riding on the success of this movie. However, given the tendency recent films have shown to prioritising franchise-building over good storytelling, this isn’t necessarily a guarantee of quality.
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LOOKING GOOD! 26 MAY
Captain Salazar (played by typecast villain Javier Bardem). Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley also return, after a noticeable absence in the fourth instalment. While recent trailers look promising, previous sequels have left this franchise with a dodgy track record, which prevents us from getting our expectations too high.
the First World War, and reveals the sequence of events that led Amazonian warrior Diana Prince to the world of mortal human beings. Recent entries in the so-called DC Extended Universe have had a mixed response from critics, and director Patty Jenkins has little experience directing large action
sequences. Nonetheless, it’s difficult not to root for a movie which fans have wanted for decades, and we’re hopeful that Wonder Woman will deliver what they’ve been asking for.
1 JUNE
LOOKING GOOD! 9 JUNE
APPROACH WITH CAUTION!
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TRANSFORMERS: THE LAST KNIGHT Michael Bay’s Transformers franchise seems to hold a bad reputation with most film fans, but the consistent ability it has to make colossal sums of money suggests that some people do like it. This latest instalment promises to tie everyone from King Arthur to Adolf Hitler
BABY DRIVER
After a four-year absence, fanfavourite director Edgar Wright returns this summer with Baby Driver, a film about a young getaway driver whose secret to success is a playlist of his
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(not kidding) into the Transformers mythology, meaning The Last Knight may well be the least coherent entry in the series to date. It should go without saying, but spending two hours of your summer holidays watching this film would be a decision you would regret.
favourite songs. Ansel Elgort takes the lead role, opposite a star-studded supporting cast that includes Kevin Spacey, Jamie Foxx and Jon Hamm. Wright’s previous films have each
AVOID!!
been thoroughly entertaining, and early reviews suggest this latest project will be no different. While not the biggest film of the summer, Baby Driver may well end up being the best.
SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING The second Spider-Man reboot in just five years is headed to cinemas this July, but thankfully isn’t another exploration of the character’s origin story. Instead, this film picks up after the events of Captain America: Civil War, with Peter Parker’s super hero career
MUST-SEE!!
7 JULY
in full swing under the mentorship of Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.). Homecoming will pit the web-slinger against classic comic-book villain The Vulture, played here by formerBatman and former-Birdman Michael Keaton. While Homecoming doesn’t
seem to be bringing anything new to the super hero genre, it seems likely to be another entertaining addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
LOOKING GOOD!
WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES After 2014’s Dawn of the Planet of the Apes proved shockingly compelling, expectations are high for the third film in the rebooted Apes franchise. Director Matt Reeves returns from the previous instalment, as the battle for supremacy between
VALERIAN AND THE CITY OF A THOUSAND PLANETS While the comic-book Valerian and Laureline is a hit in its native France, it holds significantly less brand recognition here in the UK. That could all be set to change though, with the release of a mega-budget adaptation this August from director Luc Besson. A stunning trailer revealed this movie to
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be a return to Besson’s surreal sciencefiction roots, having made his name with the 1997 cult-hit The Fifth Element. Dane DeHaan and Cara Delevingne star as the leads in a film which, if nothing else, is sure to be a visual spectacle.
ATOMIC BLONDE Chad Stahelski and David Leitch, the pair who brought us 2014’s John Wick, have each struck out on their own this year. Stahelski did so with February’s John Wick: Chapter Two, which Forge Press gave a strong four-star rating. Now Leitch steps up
man and ape rages on. This time, Woody Harrelson takes the lead (human) role as a hardened soldier dedicated to mankind’s survival, while Andy Serkis returns to fight for the Apes as their leader, Caesar. A creative team with success behind them and
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a promising first trailer make this a film you should have on your radar.
MUST-SEE!!
4 AUGUST
MUST-SEE!! 11 AUGUST to the plate with Atomic Blonde, an action spy thriller set towards the end of the Cold War, with the incredible Charlize Theron in the lead. Early reviews are promising for this latesummer release, which also stars James McAvoy and John Goodman.
LOOKING GOOD!
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SCREEN Fate of the Furious «««
Gethin Morgan News Editor
I
t’s quite apt that Fate of the Furious came out over Easter, because it’s essentially two hours of three massive eggs, in the shape of Vin Diesel, Jason Statham and Dwayne Johnson, beating the living hell out of each other and everything around them. When Dom (Diesel) mysteriously turns against his ‘family’, Hobbs (Johnson) is forced to team up with arch nemesis Deckard Shaw (Statham) and the old gang to get Dom back from cyber terrorist Cipher (Charlize Theron). This franchise keeps getting more outlandish, outrageous and quite frankly ridiculous with each addition. By now we’re a million miles, or a million quarter miles,
Guardians of the Galaxy: Volume 2 «««««
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David Craig Screen Editor
he Guardians of the Galaxy have finally returned with a triumphant sequel that easily stands up against their 2014 debut. This time, the story centres around Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) finding his long-lost father Ego (Kurt Russell), as the team is also faced with overcoming a number of their intergalactic enemies.
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ho are you? What are your favourite films? What are you doing in my house? These are questions I get asked a lot, and so I thought I’d take this space to answer some of them. My name is David, and I’m one half of the screen editorial team for the next year. I’ve been writing about films since I was thirteen years old, and hope to keep writing about them for a very long time. I have an obsession with Marvel which some people would call unhealthy, having once spent nearly an hour debating the ethics of Captain America: Civil War with the manager at my old job. And yes, I was on my shift at the time.
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away from The Fast and the Furious. However, that baggage has to be left at the cinema entrance with a film like this. Yes, it’s riddled with silly plotlines and plot-holes, but look past that and it’s quite simply a load of fun.
“As expected, the film thrives during its action set pieces.” The stars of the show are easily Johnson and Statham; their back and forth is electric, with Statham in particular providing most of the laughs. Both relatively new additions to the franchise, they look set to take the driver’s seat for future instalments. They’ve become funnier than Roman (Tyrese Gibson) and Tej (Ludacris) and have far better action than Vin Diesel, who struggles in this film to do anything interesting at all. Without the late Paul Walker, whose character Brian always
Opening with a genius sequence set to ELO’s Mr. Blue Sky, it immediately becomes clear that the Guardians haven’t lost any charm during their three-year absence. The wacky sense of humour established in the first movie returns, with an unending stream of jokes running for the duration of the movie. Remarkably, almost all of them hit their mark with very few duds to be found, but laughs are not all this film has to offer. By choosing to add only a few new characters, writer-director James Gunn has plenty of time to explore the Guardians in
seemed to ground Dom, Diesel’s character has become little more than a caricature. His acting chops are also heavily exposed thanks to sharing most scenes with Theron, who gives us arguably the best villain of the series. Sophisticated, charming and extremely threatening, she brings a danger to the film that is vital. As expected, the film thrives during its action set pieces. Remarkably they never run out of new ways to destroy cars and buildings, and there’s an incredible prison riot scene. Director F. Gary Gray brings the flair he showed with Straight Outta Compton to the action. Slow motion, unorthodox camera angles and unthinkable stunts bring an impressive polish to the film.
greater depth than he could in the first entry. He does an excellent job giving us an insight into the minds of every member of the team, finding time for each to have at least one emotional moment. Indeed, for a film that celebrates its own insanity, Volume 2 effectively builds to a genuinely touching finale that could leave some movie-goers feeling weepy. Of course, a major selling point of this movie will be the action sequences and they don’t disappoint. Gunn excels at framing
What the franchise has mastered over recent years is having a large ensemble but giving everyone their own ‘moment’. They perhaps take it to the extreme with one or two minor characters in this film, but the likes of Kurt Russell, Scott Eastwood and Kristofer Hivju are all clearly having a lot of fun. Even Helen Mirren pops up with a hilariously dodgy cockney accent.
space battles that are vast in scope without overwhelming his audience, while also delivering some memorable smaller scale fights. As was the case in the first film, Gunn also integrates a fantastic soundtrack into the events unfolding on-screen, continually finding ways to do this in a manner that feels fresh and original. Credit must be given to some of the best visual effects yet to be seen in a Marvel film, or perhaps blockbuster cinema as a whole. Each planet has a unique and fascinating design which is beautifully brought to life, while
Overall, the eighth film of the series probably ranks somewhere in the middle. It’s not as tightly put together as Fast 5 but it has The Rock, which immediately places it above the first four. With endless one liners that no other film could pull off (including the greatest ‘knock, knock’ joke of all time delivered by the former WWE wrestler) and all the explosions, crashes and gear changes one could ever wish for, Fate of the Furious is a crowd pleasing joyride. Fans of the franchise will enjoy more of the same, and if you don’t take it too seriously, it’s a perfectly fun time at the cinema.
characters like Groot and Rocket are so lifelike it becomes easy to forget they’re completely computer generated. Although the plot meanders slightly as it refuses to settle on a single key villain or plotline, Volume 2 remains one of the best super hero films of recent years. This is due to a compelling focus on character, which leaves each member of the team emotionally exposed. What at first seemed like a ridiculous roster of kidfriendly characters, is revealed to be a group dominated by very human insecurities and traumas. Rather than exploring every corner of the galaxy, Volume 2 explores a group of people who reside there, and is far more interesting as a result.
New Screen Editors! For the record, I’m Team Cap and I will fight you IRL. As I am frequently crippled by my own indecisiveness, choosing five favourite films was a daunting task. Needless to say, I reserve the right to deny ever making this list if I suddenly change my mind about what should be on it: 1.) Aliens, dir. James Cameron (1986) 2.) The Truman Show, dir. Peter Weir (1998) 3.) Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, dir. Edgar Wright (2010) 4.) Kick-Ass, dir. Matthew Vaughn (2010) 5.) Captain America: The Winter Soldier, dir. Anthony and Joe Russo (2014)
A quick thank you to Beth Andralojc and Luke Baldwin for being awesome screen editors last year, I’m excited to pick up where they left off!
David Craig
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i there, I’m Joe and I’ll be one of your screen editors for the next year. If you’d like to take a seat, I’ll just quickly sort out some menus for you – would you like any water for the table? “Roads? Where we’re going we don’t need roads.” This is the wisdom
of the fifth Century Chinese teacher, editor, politician, and philosopher Confucius, and, for me, this encapsulates my very philosophy on editing the screen section of Forge Press. Because we don’t need roads. We need words. Are you following me? Cool. I digress. Let’s cut the crap and get down to brass tacks. I like films. I like films a lot. I wake up in the morning and I have films on toast with a glass of freshly squeezed film on the side, served up on a 35mm film reel instead of a plate. As we all know, actions speak louder than words, so here are my top five favourite films: 1.) Midnight in Paris, dir. Woody Allen (2011)
2.) Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, dir. Edgar Wright (2010) 3.) The Room, dir. Tommy Wiseau (2003) 4.) When Harry Met Sally, dir. Rob Reiner (1989) 5.) Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, dir. Chris Columbus (2001) Hopefully this awful bio and dubious selection of films hasn’t depicted me as too much of a sketchy character, and I’m looking forward to an exciting 52 weeks of RADIATING my passion for films into my very surroundings.
Joseph Mackay
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press.arts@forgetoday.com
ARTS An interview with:
Jonathan Pie
As the country finds itself in increasing turmoil, Deputy Editor Nick Burke chats to the satirical reporter about the political battlefield and bringing in the laughs.
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nap elections. Trump. Brexit. One thing’s for sure: it’s a great time to be a satirist. Of the up-and-comers in the world of topical comedy, perhaps the keenest embodiment of the frustration and turmoil currently enveloping society is Tom Walker A.K.A internet sensation Jonathan Pie. For creator and actor Walker, Pie’s increased social standing has resulted in a surprising public response. “I’m aware of what my job is now, to hold a mirror up to what’s going on,” he says. “But I find it extraordinary that people take it at face value. Of course [Pie] gets it wrong sometimes, of course he oversimplifies. He uses ad hominem attacks, he contradicts himself week on week – we all do, because everyone’s political views are nuanced.”
“It’s my job to hold up a mirror to what’s going on.” This spectrum of political views is where Walker, and by extension Pie see the inflexibility of current political discussion to be a serious problem. “You’re either a liberal or a Nazi, there’s nothing in between according to the general consensus”, he laments. “It’s possible to be a pro-gun, Trump-voting feminist. But you’re not allowed to be, because if you’re a Trump supporter you’re a racist, you’re a misogynist and you’re fucking stupid.” Walker’s canny approach to recent highprofile political events is perhaps what has set him apart from other satirists. A video released in the wake of the American election garnered huge viewing figures
with six full minutes of searing commentary and indiscriminate fury, confirming Walker’s ability to write his best material in the vital moments. More than anything, this has cemented his most recent wave of fame, capturing an energy that Walker has since channelled into his live show. On stage, Pie is a whirlwind of comic drama, engaging the audience in a visceral one-act unravelling of a man who cares more about politics than his health or his failing marriage. This may seem like a surprisingly layered and deep performance for those expecting a feature-length rant about the Government, but for Walker, that was always the plan. “Yeah, I had to start off by thinking ‘What do people think they’re going to see?’, and that’s pictures of David Cameron and me going ‘Look at that twat’,” he says. “So you have 10 minutes of it, in the first part of the show when [Pie’s] in control. He has a go at the left, he has a go at the right, and everyone in between. But after he’s taken a phone call from his wife, he’s not in control anymore. That’s his character flaw, that he can’t control himself.” Whether viewers choose to take his work as genuine political activism or simply as satire doesn’t concern Walker. To him, Pie is a character study, with the politics remaining secondary. “I’m aware that the politics thing has stuck, that’s made it go viral,” he says. “So that’s a massive part of what it is and who he is. Pie is so politically engaged that he can’t go to the pub and not talk about politics,
Pie has a go at the left, the right, and everyone in between.”
and he can’t talk about politics without getting angry and judgmental.” Walker happily uses his predominantly left wing character to highlight the ineptitude of the entire political spectrum, too. “He reflects what I believe is wrong with the left, which is their lack of dialogue with people that they disagree with, and he falls into that all the time. He’s aping the ‘loony left’.” Over the past year, Walker has been working closely with writing partner and comedian Andrew Doyle, and is grateful for the effect his co-writer has had upon Pie’s character. “It’s allowed Pie to become
days of staring at a blank piece of paper, banging your head against the wall.” Perhaps Pie’s success has added its own pressure, requiring consistent quality? “Sometimes I have to remember that it has to be funny”, he says. “I’ve just finished my live show, now I want to go on holiday.” The success of Jonathan Pie: LIVE!, along with a recent collaboration with Comic Relief confirms Walker as an important name in topical comedy. With a snap election on the horizon and 1,355 more days of Trump leadership to contend with, he seems all but certain to remain a prominent and entertaining voice in political satire.
“It’s a constant battle.”
Tom Walker’s recent live show, Jonathan Pie: LIVE!, is now available for purchase at his website: www.jonathanpie.com.
much more than just an anti-Tory shout piece and stick it to the left as well. It’s just good to have someone to bounce off.” Together, the pair have recently concluded an extensive live tour, all the while sticking to a weekly schedule of a single Pie-fuelled rant. While the creative process may sound straightforward, with a single threeminute video produced per week and a seemingly endless supply of topical material, Walker insists it can be trying. “It’s a constant battle,” he chuckles. “[The videos] are written to within an inch of their life, but they’re not learnt to within an inch of their life, so there’s an element of spontaneity. Normally when I’m tripping over my words I look like I’m making it up, whereas what I’m doing most of the time is thinking ‘What’s the next fucking line!’” Walker goes on to describe the challenges of reliably producing content. “The worst bit of the process is thinking ‘What am I going to do this week?’. It’s always a struggle, and then something clicks and it’s easy, but it can be two
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ARTS MILLENNIUM GALLERY
Protest Lab
P
Georgie Cooper Arts Contributor
rotest Lab is an interactive exhibition by Museums Sheffield, which details the rich history of activism in Sheffield, and the people involved. Protest Lab is one of multiple exhibitions organised to mark the 100th anniversary of the Representation of the People Act in 2018.
“Visitors can get involved in shaping the exhibition.” The exhibition is laid out in a fun and accessible way, and includes a large timeline explaining some of the major protests and demonstrations in Sheffield
throughout history, from the 1700s up until the recent anti-Trump demonstration in January. There are two wonderfully curated collections of artefacts produced to represent the various causes in the centre of the room. From colourful pin badges and posters to hand-drawn magazines produced for the Greenham Common Women’s Peace Camp, all these hand-made artefacts bring the people fighting for these causes to the focal point of the exhibition, creating an intimate and inspiring experience. It’s this focus on the individuals involved which makes the exhibition unique, and the ‘write on the wall’ segment links this theme seamlessly with the more contemporary causes that matter to the residents and visitors of Sheffield. Instead of a passive museum experience, visitors get to feel the passion of activists from
past and present, and add to it themselves.
“Visitors get to feel the passion of activists from past and present, and add to it themselves.” As well as the ‘write on the wall’ section, visitors can interact with the exhibition by writing the name of a cause they care about on a sticker provided by Protest Lab, and add it to the exhibition. These contributions will then be used in a series of upcoming showcases and events, giving visitors a fantastic opportunity to shape the exhibition themselves. These interactive elements clearly had the desired effect, with the wall being covered in stickers and notes from visitors, detailing the causes they’ve fought for, and are still fighting for.
A cabinet of bobble heads and plastic toys form a ‘mock demonstration’ in the middle of the room, in which visitors are encouraged to participate by making protest signs for each character. As well as providing another chance for the public to get involved in shaping the exhibition, this seemed to be a brilliant way to engage younger visitors, with this section getting a lot of attention from the children in the exhibition. There are multiple talks and discussions scheduled to take place at the Protest Lab, covering both historical and contemporary social and political issues, making the project as a whole an interesting and engaging way to learn about the social history of Sheffield. With free entry, you can’t really go wrong.
surreal vibes. One could speculate that the fantasy-like aesthetics of the second act are reflective of Shirley Valentine’s journey, as she travels to Greece to live out her ‘fantasy’. The domesticity of the original stage set compliments her role as a housewife. It appears that she physically cooks a meal of egg and chips on stage, which is either evidence of a very believable special effect or the finely tuned multitasking abilities of Prenger.
TAKE A BREAK The next few weeks are sure to be a testing time for everyone on campus. Between exam stress, coursework mayhem and career decisions, we’re all feeling the pressure. To help you beat the May monotony, we’ve put together our top arts events in Sheffield:
FOLK ARTIST IN RESIDENCE
Bank Street Arts, Ongoing Artistic researcher Lucy Wright brings the idea of ‘folk’ to life in this resident exhibition. Reworking traditional forms for the 21st Century, Wright’s work is a celebration of people coming together.
“Prenger brings this one-woman show to life with a brilliant energy that she holds consistently throughout the performance.”
THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME
Lyceum Theatre, 9-20 May If you missed the National Theatre’s acclaimed production last time it came to Sheffield, here’s your chance to see it. Based on Mark Haddon’s bestselling novel, the play follows the exploits of Christopher, a teenager with an extraordinary brain.
UNSHUT FESTIVAL
DINA, 18-20 May This pay-as-you-feel festival is an exploration into the radical. With live performances, workshops and more, it’s a chance to step outside your comfort zone.
THE ASSIGNMENT
Moor Theatre Delicatessen, 20 May Far from the comfort of a theatre seat, this production from Cap-a-Pie sees you take the lead in a solo quest around the city.
THE DREAM; SYMPHONIC VARIATIONS; MARGUERITE AND ARMAND
Light Cinema, 7 June Screened live from the Royal Opera House, this mixed programme brings together some of the greatest works from esteemed choreographer Frederick Ashton.
Protest Lab can be seen at the Millennium Gallery until Sunday 21 May.
of theatre is the playwright Willy Russell’s insightful ability to write the female voice and comedy that comes alive on stage. The dialogue was undoubtedly sharp, witty and Ingrid Johnson delivered flawlessly by actress Arts Contributor Jodie Prenger. Prenger (Shirley Valentine) ooking, cleaning and having brings this one-woman show to your husband’s food ready life with a brilliant energy that to hit the table as he walks she holds consistently throughout through the door. We are all familiar the performance. This woman is with the stereotypical housewife, incredibly funny. With spot on and Shirley fits this description comedic timing and an ability to perfectly - until she decides that draw in a theatre full of people, enough is enough and jets off to Prenger keeps the audience Greece to follow the dreams she has entertained from start to finish. never dared to express. She is clearly a highly skilled Shirley Valentine does not have actress, showing a great range of the most complex of plotlines. A vocal talent as she does humorous 1980s housewife is restless and impressions of the other characters disappointed with her life, and from her world, filling the night so overcome with the desire to with anecdotes and stories. rediscover her identity, she runs Between acts, the stage set shifted away to Greece for a few weeks and from being a domestic kitchen does not want to go home. However, environment with warm tones what makes it a compelling piece and lighting to a beach with fairly
THE LYCEUM
Shirley Valentine
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The sound effects are minimalistic and used gently in the background to create a sense of atmosphere. The show’s use of lighting become more prominent in the second act, with the bright blue background contrasting intensely with the orange tones illuminating Prenger. This effect, coupled with her amazing energy, really helps to draw in the audience’s focus. Overall, Shirley Valentine is a fun piece of theatre. Though the storyline may be fairly predictable, it is well-written and admittedly penned in the 1980s for an audience that may have found Shirley’s journey from domesticity to independence refreshing. The execution is spot on, leading to an enjoyable show that will have you laughing until the curtains close.
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ARTS FESTIVAL OF ARTS & HUMANITIES Running from 2nd to 22nd May, the University of Sheffield is playing host to a range of concerts, film screenings and talks as part of the Festival of Arts and Humanities. Taking inspiration from the seven Arts and Humanities departments, the festival’s themes for this year are Exploring Social and Political Cultures, Sights and Sounds and Thinking about Thinking. The festival kicked off with a monumental musical concert of The Day Before Spring featuring the University’s Broadway Orchestra Society. It was the first time the full score of the musical had been played since 1953, after Dr Dominic McHugh, of the Department of Music, tracked down the score at the University of California. The musical was written by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe, who are of My Fair Lady and Gigi fame.
DRAMA STUDIO
The Producers
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Maisie Green Arts Contributor
fter over two months of rehearsals, students of Sheffield Performing Arts Society (SUPAS) left the audience in stitches with their hilarious performance of The Producers. The musical was originally a film which was written and edited by Mel Brooks in 1978. It follows the story of a down-and-out producer, Max Bialystock and his new accountant Leo Bloom. Bloom makes a suggestion that if Bialystock found investors for a new production that turned into a flop, he could legally keep the extra money. This idea turns into a working reality as the two put together a production of the worst play they could find, entitled “Springtime for Hitler”, but the outcome is unexpected.
“From the lead actors to the chorus, the entire cast applied themselves fully, with bags of energy maintained throughout.” The production was bursting with jokes encompassing a range of themes including adult humour, stereotypes, dark humour, and satire. From the lead actors to the chorus, the entire cast applied themselves fully, with bags of energy maintained throughout. This kept the comedic effect at absolute maximum for the audience, which was obvious from the constant reaction around the University Drama Studio auditorium. The characterisation was perfect, with each character having their own impact on the humour. It was clear that every member of the cast was completely comfortable with
their character. The minimalistic set heightened this effect as it allowed the audience to engage fully with the humour and emotions of each character. Most of the actors had the challenge of keeping up a range of accents from American to Swedish and German. These were executed realistically, even when singing. The vocal delivery of the songs was really strong by all, and this kept up the energy of the performance. All dances were performed excellently, and the actors did justice to the creative choreography.
“There really wasn’t one dull second in the whole performance.” The high audience impact was also kept up by the talented student band who brought the original soundtrack to life. The conductor also added a dash of comedy when he broke the fourth wall and interacted with the eccentric Nazi enthusiast, Franzine. This added a great twist amid the constant humour. There really wasn’t one dull second in the whole performance. However, the humour may not be to everyone’s taste as some of the topics, such as the satirical mockery of the Holocaust and Hitler, and the stereotyping of the gay characters, may come across insensitive or offensive. But the innocent, satirical approach from the creatives and actors made it easy viewing, and it was almost impossible for the audience not to break out into hysterics. This was a fun-packed show with exciting surprises round every corner and a professional standard of dancing, singing and acting.
Photos by Dan West.
On 10th May, author Ben Aaaronovitch discusses his urban fantasy series Rivers of London. The novels follow detective Peter Grant who, after a ghost sighting, is recruited in a branch of the Metropolitan Police that focuses on magic and the supernatural. Ever fancied dining like a Roman? Enjoy a four-course Roman-inspired meal, whilst listening to poetry, stories and philosophical talks at Inox Dine on 18th May. If poetry centred on our local area interests you, Sheffield’s very own Pete Green and Ben Dorey will be reading from their new pieces of work Almanac (Green) and Seven Hills (Dorey), which discuss everything from the economy to internationalism and culture. The festival concludes with a talk from historian, broadcaster and author David Olusoga, who will be giving a talk at The Diamond on black British history. Other events that are not to miss at the festival include a concert from Sheffield’s LGBT choir Out Aloud and a medieval cabaret in the magnificent Sheffield Cathedral. The Festival of Arts and Humanities has been a huge success in the past and this year promises to be no different. Visit https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/festivalah for more information.
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GAMES
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onkey Island and Maniac Mansion creators Ron Gilbert and Gary Winnick had a big challenge on their hands to live up to the past success of their own careers with Thimbleweed Park. However, the retro revival exemplifies everything brilliant about the point-and-click genre, and once again proves that the duo are a match made in heaven. While the game opens as a murder mystery, it steadily turns into something much more. With the help of its five slightly bizarre playable characters in Federal Agents Reyes and Ray, aspiring video games developer Delores, her father Franklin the toy maker, and Ransome the insult clown, you engage with the world and its weird inhabitants at a pace that is comfortably your own. Whatever pace you choose though, the jokes and shameless puns always come thick and fast. Thimbleweed Park is a game that never forgets its humble beginning as a crowdfunded Kickstarter campaign. From the books in the libraries to the names in the town phone book- this game is one big thank you to the fans who supported it through development- all 15,623 of them. Naturally, these are the players who would get the most out of such a game: the pointand-click genre isn’t as fast paced or straightforward as many gamers today would appreciate. But the slow pace of Thimbleweed Park leaves players enough freedom to explore the map, appreciate the views and return to puzzle solving without losing track of what is needed, thanks to the To Do lists of each character. This is perfect for students looking for a game to take the edge off, rather than stimulate all of the senses with intense cinematography or quick-paced combat. The greatest asset of Thimbleweed Park, and the vital source of its quick wit and humour, is that it never pretends to be anything it’s not. The genre has undoubtedly evolved, especially recently with the likes of Telltale Games pushing the boundaries of what can
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be achieved with the point-and-click format. However, Thimbleweed Park is a keen and welcome reminder that traditional gameplay can still be fun, engaging and charming. Great writing is key to the success of any pointand-click adventure game. Thimbleweed Park is full of colourful townies to chat to, and Gilbert and Winnick achieve success in a script that allows the five playable characters to interact with the world in vastly different ways. Their attitudes and idioms drive the player to approach Thimbleweed Park with a fresh pair of eyes upon changing character, despite the core mechanics never changing. Whether it’s witnessing the hilarious bitterness of Ransome as he swears at just about everything (including the player) or catching on to the ironic humour created through character narration which breaks the fourth wall frequently, Thimbleweed Park manages to engage with the player in ways that bigger titles just can’t get away with. The rules are slightly bent for this neo-noir mystery, but then again everything in Thimbleweed Park is a bit unusual. The journey to solving just why this is not your average town is absolutely a memorable one. Navigating a world with five very different playable characters may appear overwhelming. However, swapping between characters is quick and easy, and is useful for taking a break when you seem to have hit a dead end with a certain character’s progression or arc. Additionally, the item-based and verb-driven solving system, a classic feature of the point-and-click format, is kept malleable rather than limiting. Some of the many puzzles around the town require the player to really think outside the box, whereas other times the solutions
Chloe Dervey Games Editor
are simple, but only if approached with the right frame of mind. Instead of tedious puzzle solving, it is totally satisfying to correctly navigate character interaction and have those little ‘eureka!’ moments when applying the right item and commands at the right time. In the current climate of gaming, cinematic quality dominates the industry. Yet Thimbleweed Park boldly stands apart, and it is all the more refreshing for it. Not only is the story set in 1987, but the retro art style makes this game look like something straight out of that era while never seeming outdated or recycled. The simplistic nature of the pixelated graphics is what makes this game so beautiful, and brings the declining town to life. Synthetic and electronic snippets on the soundtrack add nicely to the 80s vibe, and if that still isn’t enough for you, there is an additional option in the controls to add further retro fonts to the game display, for those players who really appreciate the point-and-click nostalgia. The casual mode is enough to get your mind thinking and solving puzzles at a satisfying rate, without too much frustration. This mode does not include all of the puzzles, and this leads to stagnant items clogging up the inventory. This can mean time-consuming theories bog down gameplay: you can get stuck. Players prone to collecting and exploring, even if new to the adventure game genre, are perhaps better suited to the hard mode option, which contains all of the puzzles for a longer and trickier play time. The genius of Thimbleweed Park will get you asking questions you never thought you would need in a gameplay situation. What do I need this empty tin of tuna for? Do I need to kill off the hamster? Should I open the toilet? And if the town and its inhabitants leave you with anything other than a delightful sense of curiosity, it is certainly an increased stash of puns and jokes. And also an odd suspicion of that Sherriff... or was it the Coroner… or the Hotel Manager?!
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GAMES Dark Souls 3: The Ringed City «««
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Brandon Mann Games Editor
erhaps it was always an impossible feat to truly do justice to Dark Souls; to send it off in a fitting fashion. Six years since its inaugural release, the franchise has taken the world by storm and not looked back since. It was always a punishing experience that rewarded stoicism and willpower, and The Ringed City certainly hasn’t changed that. But it has changed what made the series great, besides the challenge. At the end of the base game, the Ashen One is transported to the Dreg Heap; an amalgamated mass of eras gone by, consumed by darkness and smashed violently together into a cocktail of forgotten kingdoms and ancient cultures – the literal and figurative end of the world. In the distance, perceptive players can spot the ruins of the Undead Settlement and Lothric Castle. That isn’t where the nostalgia stops.
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pisode one of Telltale Games’ latest adventure starts strong - if only this was to last. Great music, signatory of the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, sets the tone from the get go as the team lands with a bang to pursue a new mission. Accompanied by some enjoyable quick time events classic to the Telltale style, the opening of this collaboration is encouraging. New gameplay helps keep things fresh. Star Lord’s jet boots give a taste of level navigation which hopefully will feature prominently in episodes to come. The first big teamwork combat sequence shows off the potential of the season, embracing the energy of Guardians of the Galaxy and its now-iconic party of five. Quick
The Ringed City ends up feeling like a greatest hits highlight reel rather than a fresh adventure. Every NPC encountered feels like an inside nod, boss gimmicks are re-used from Demon Souls (in what is, in fairness, a very interesting fight), old enemies are recycled – as are areas from previous games, such as the Earthen Peak – a place nobody ever wanted to return. The less Dark Souls 2, the better. There is little which feels new or retrospectively stood out to me after completing the DLC. Fromsoft did try to inject some new life into the game by remixing the tried and tested formula that has made the series so lovable. Rather than encouraging a slow, methodical approach to the horrors that lurk around every corner and behind each fog gate, the pace of The Ringed City is blisteringly high, pushing you through its linear pathways at top speed. Players are forced to sneak and run from angels with devastating turret beams, escape tedious encounters with legions of crawling undead and hide from the arrow fire of spectral armies. All sounds fun in theory, but the AI’s ploys soon wear thin and become nothing more than
rotations between the characters with a sweeping camera is certainly effective in creating a dynamic, fun, stylish and cool segment of gameplay. Unfortunately, this is where the episode peaks too early. That this was the extent to which the other Guardians were playable is disappointing, especially considering how Telltale have included more than one playable character in some of their previous games. With any luck, further episodes will
tedium. On subsequent revisits they’ll provide no enjoyment and will hurt its longevity. Upon arriving at the Dreg Heap, the scenery is rather amazing – you stand in the chaotic backdrop of the fight with the Soul of Cinder. The Heap itself though is a vertical world made of ash. It’s jarringly beautiful at first but the similarity of each area does detriment to the stunning visuals. The Ringed City itself, however, is classic Souls: sprawling cathedrals, ancient ruins and abyssal swamps. This place is
see a more creative use of all that the other Guardians have to offer. There are already promising signs, with Nolan North’s performance as Rocket Raccoon one of the highlights of the episode. The intergalactic setting gives Telltale a chance to produce something stunning, and certain scenes do make good use of cosmic effects to achieve this. But the updated art style and textures seem out of place next to clunky animations, and this can be distracting d u r i n g cinematics a n d character interactions. Although this isn’t exactly new for Telltale, they may have (counterintuitively) gotten away with the disparity if they had stuck to their trademark sketchy comic
also home to unique and engaging encounters, quality loot and some of the best puzzles the series has yet to offer. Perhaps the highlight of the DLC is its bosses. Each one is challenging and demanding in its own way and requires a different strategy. The final boss, whilst not as fitting as the Soul of Cinder, is a fun fight which is reminiscent of Knight Artorias. And, last but not least, is its optional boss. It’s arguably the hardest Dark Souls encounter ever and is a must for long-time fans.
book art style. The playful nature of the franchise could have been used to set up endless opportunities for more interstellar fun-times, but surprisingly the main focus of this episode is family feuds. When the team begin to reconsider their purpose in the galaxy, problems rise to the surface for the dysfunctional family. For most of this episode, gameplay consists of checking in on your fellow teammates as Star Lord, and proceeding to grill them for context purposes. Though this is mostly light hearted, jokes can’t and don’t always carry the whole show, and sometimes the tone falls a little flat. As seen from the success of Tales from the Borderlands, Telltale can be spot on with humour. At times though, this feels forced, which is disappointing. On the other hand, the larger story arc, the antagonist and intriguing relic The Eternity Forge are established well, and in a way which sets up room for more riveting content in upcoming episodes nicely. Ultimately, episode one does leave the player wanting more, just not always in a good way.
The Ringed City isn’t bad, but it isn’t great either. It definitely lacks the clout and all-round brilliance of DLC like The Old Hunters and Artortias of the Abyss. Towards the end, I was playing it just to be done with it, although it was immensely saddening to conclusively finish every trial From had to offer. Somewhat ironically, it’s a hollow adventure that breaks the perpetual Souls cycle and sees its once roaring flame splutter and wheeze into obscurity.
Marvel’s GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY Ep. 1. ««
Chloe Dervey Games Editor
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athan McCree, composer of the one of the most iconic video game scores of all time, has announced that a collection of the legendary music from Core Design’s Tomb Raider I, II and III, will be compiled into a new album, The Tomb Raider Suite, to be recorded at Abbey Road in London this summer.
This will be made possible through the support of a successful kickstarter campaign said to launch in mid-May, as advertised through an official announcement video on Youtube. Fans in the Tomb Raider Community love the music from the original titles almost as much as they love Lara herself. Fortunately, I was one of the lucky few who managed to get down to London in December 2016 to watch The Tomb Raider Suite live in concert, performed by the Royal Philharmonic
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Orchestra, as part of the 20 years of Tomb Raider celebrations. The positive reaction from the fans is what drives projects like this to success, and the night was highly emotional as many watched the orchestra perform a score which was essentially the soundtrack to
Meet the Forge Games Editors! Brandon Mann Games Editor I’m the one on the right, unfortunately. I would like to think I have good relations with the Empire though.
their childhooods. The Tomb Raider Suite is a project that McCree states to have had in mind for almost 20 years. The ongoing success of the franchise, as now undertaken by developers Crystal Dynamics and publishers Square Enix, however, does not currently accomodate for ventures which expand on the material from the old Core Design studios, despite dropping little
references to the series’ legacy in newer titles. Classics like the T-Rex theme, and favourites across all three of the games will feature in The Tomb Raider Suite, and the album will also include some new pieces from Nathan himself; a preview of new tack “In the Blood”, can be found online. Watch out for the Kickstarter campaign when it launches!
Chloe Dervey Games Editor
Our most anticipated games for the summer:
First things first, I’d like to forewarn you that I’m awful at selling myself to people (which makes me sound sort of like a gigolo). I’m a first-year journalism student and hope to enter the gaming industry because my only discernible talents are writing and utilising games as a tool for procrastination. The best game I’ve ever played probably has to be Dungeons & Dragons - especially as the Game Master. There’s no better feeling than developing a principled god complex.
30th June 2017 Chloe Dervey Games Editor What do you mean I ran for this position so I could justify having a console at university? That’s nonsense! Games are consistently underestimated- as a market, as a formula for creating thriving communities, as a mode for spawning puns which last a lifetime, and most importantly, as an art form. Hopefully, throughout the year I’ll get to show you why! My favourite game ever is probably Tomb Raider: Angel of Darkness- don’t worry, I have a lot more unpopular opinions to keep you entertained.
August 2017
Fun fact: I’ve been waiting for Kingdom Hearts 3 for over half of my life. Honestly.
Podcasts, artwork, videos, opinions, reviews.... Forge Games wants to show your projects! contact press.games@forgetoday.com
22nd August 2017
36 FORGE PRESS
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COFFEE BREAK SUDOKU
Easy
Medium
Hard
CROSSWORD Across
Down
1. Tongue (8)
2. Letters sent by plane (7)
6. Rotter (3)
3. Deity (3)
9. Enticed (5)
4. Horizontally (6)
10. Small waves (7)
5. Spying (9)
11. Car frame (7)
6. Punctuation mark (5)
13. Possessed (5)
7. Handicap (12)
14. Shout loudly (6)
8. Bramble fruit (12)
15. Vast desert of North Africa (6)
12. Blizzard (9)
18. Religious observances (5)
16. Fashionable (1,2,4)
20. Chic (7)
17. Expose (6)
21. Make better (7)
19. Slightly drunk (5)
22. Strap (5)
22. Excessively (3)
23. Utter(3) 24. Ponder (4,4)
Think you can do better? Forge Press will be having an EGM on Thursday 18 May for the position of Coffee Break Editor as well as these roles: Secretary, Inclusions, Web Coordinator, Treasurer, four Copy Editors, two Online News Editors The time and location will be confirmed on the Forge Press Facebook page. Contact editor@forgetoday.com with any enquiries.
FORGE PRESS 37
FRIDAY 5 MAY 2017
SPORT Exclusive: Interview with The Football Ramble Nick Burke Deputy Editor
L
uke Moore, for his sins, is a Portsmouth fan. “It’s essentially just luck – or bad luck – of the draw”, he says wryly of his allegiance. And though his home town club’s fortunes have shifted tumultuously in recent history, Moore’s success with award-winning podcast The Football Ramble has followed a very different trajectory. Established in 2007, the Ramble’s unique blend of quality analysis and goodnatured comedy has taken sport podcasting by storm to become the UK’s biggest independent football brand. All of this is thanks to the charms of its loveable quartet: Marcus Speller, Jim Campbell, Pete Donaldson and Luke Moore. For Moore, his analysis of the podcast’s rise in popularity is simple. “Social media and a lot of hard work” he states. “That’s the only way you can do it. It’s not going to be successful straight away, so you’ve got to earn your right to be there. “We just kept doing it because we loved doing it. “Gradually we started posting some pretty big numbers because people liked it and there was a gap in the market for it.” Not least due to a mindboggling amount of domestic and foreign investment, football is constantly evolving, with the on-pitch stakes raised ever higher by the investment of those off it. A referee’s decision, a player’s mistake, an offhand comment all fall under increasingly intense scrutiny. Within this oh-so-serious sporting sphere, despite nearlimitless room for top-quality analysis and expert punditry, is where Moore sees the Ramble’s niche as the antidote to a sport increasingly disconnected from everyday life. “We don’t take it too seriously; we just have fun and take the piss out of each other and the game itself. The more serious the game gets, the
more fun it is to do the show!” Facing yearly downloads well into the millions, Moore maintains the importance of respecting the Ramble’s social responsibility. “You have to get used to the idea that whether you like it or not, people actually rely on this show and it’s a part of their week” he said. “You have to put the time in to make sure it’s as good as it can be. We have to make sure we’re on top of our game.” For a show that revels in its unruly and rambling nature, this hints at a great deal more preparation between shows than meets the eye, particularly where the live shows and brand new book, eponymously titled The Football Ramble are concerned. “It all goes into everything outside of the hour we record, and the hour we record isn’t prepared at all”, Moore admits, recounting the challenges the brand’s recent
“You have to put the time in to make sure it’s as good as it can be. We have to make sure we’re on top of our game.”
diversification have presented. “You have to respect each medium. You can’t just take what you do in the podcast and go ‘let’s put this on the stage and that’ll be that’, otherwise it’s boring and no one fucking likes it. For our book, we didn’t just put a podcast between the covers of a book, we actually wrote a book and it took ages.” From writing to presenting in front of sell-out crowds, the Ramble’s success has nevertheless brought its own set of challenges. “I don’t want to sound like a massive pillock complaining,” Moore begins ominously, “because it’s amazing to have the opportunity and stuff, but whether you like it or not it’s tiring, it’s hard, and you end up not seeing your wife for a week.
“Even just a week off, like for Christmas, is a real bonus… sometimes I need a break for the quality of the show”. It’s as if the bigger the podcast gets, the more there is to do that isn’t the podcast. “Exactly, yeah” Moore agrees, quickly adding that despite any fame, podcasting isn’t the medium for financial gain. “I’m still fucking skint! I’m saying all this stuff, but I haven’t got any money.” The perfect balance for a show that is, essentially, a group of mates chatting about football, is challenging to achieve. Organic banter and discussion makes for a natural procession of in-jokes, but make too many and be too self-referential and the audience is alienated. Moore sees this balance as his biggest learning experience so far. “The thing we fall down on most is being too self-indulgent. Just think about what’s going to entertain people on their way to
“The thing we fall down on most is being too self-indulgent. There’s always pitfalls with any dynamic.”
work on a shitty Monday morning, because that’s why they listen.” Podcasts are now delivered in a dizzying array of formats, from documentaries and commentary to professional criticism and storytelling. If the secret to the Ramble’s charms is so simple, then why aren’t more groups successful within the medium? Moore puts it down to a lot of love, and a little bit of hate. “They don’t spend all their time together, they don’t have any dynamic, they don’t have a lovehate relationship with each other like we do, like everyone has with their friends because they’re not friends. That’s essentially what it comes down to.” It seems fair to say that no three ‘ramblers’ could truly succeed without the fourth, but Moore’s regularly well-structured insight and quick-witted humour makes him truly indispensable to the quartet’s endearing dynamic. “There’s always pitfalls with any dynamic. If he’s not too careful, Marcus can be too cheesy, too Alan Partridge. I’ll just be too loud and just give opinions for opinions’ sake. Jim can just be boring, and Pete can just be wacky for the sake of wacky. As long as we know our roles, we can make a strong dynamic.”
“If he’s not too careful, Marcus can be too cheesy, too Alan Partridge.” The Ramble’s existence is inextricably tied to the state of the game. Fortunately, in these extraordinary times of 24-hour transfer speculation, rumour mills and domestic and foreign matches played nearly every night, a lack of content to cover is a complete non-issue. No one knows this better than Moore. “The one thing you find out about the football is that it’s never-ending now. Not a month goes by when there’s no football”. In the words of Mitchell and Webb, “the football is officially going on forever”. Whether that’s a good or bad thing is subjective, but what is undoubtedly true is that the existence of shows like The Football Ramble enrich and ground a game that, for the everyman, is becoming more and more removed from reality. The Football Ramble’s new book is available at most major retailers.
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SPORT
press.sport@forgetoday.com
Scintillating Selby holds off Higgins in classic Owls set
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Tim Adams Sport Editor
live James, a former writer, once claimed that whoever called snooker ‘chess with balls’ was rude, but right. Snooker players must observe their surroundings in a tranquil yet deafening cauldron, methodically finding out the consequences of each shot with the realisation that even the finest of mistakes could be fatal. The phrase ‘survival of the fittest’ could not have been better applied to Mark Selby and John Higgins. There is no hiding in snooker, and any error is flagged by the predatory onlooking referee, the knowledgeable crowd and the millions watching at home via state of the art close-up cameras. Selby, already a two-time world champion was the favourite. He had arguably progressed through the tougher half of the draw, and through his resilient mental strength saw off Ronnie O’Sullivan’s victor, the calming and tenacious Ding
for Play-Off campaign
Junhui 17-15 in the semi-finals. Higgins had eventually seen off a stubborn Barry Hawkins 17-8 and knew that he had beaten Selby the last time they had faced off in a final in 2007. And the five-time world champion set off in fine fashion. A 141 break in the fifth frame cemented his positive start, and with Selby still tired from his marathon of concentration against Ding in the previous round, Higgins knew he had the advantage. In the first two sessions, the
“Higgins looked on in disbelief but a glint of admiration in his eye that told a tale of an appreciative fighter” 41-year-old rolled back the years to claim a commanding 10-4 frame lead at the end of Sunday. The Crucible is a funny old place though. Since 1977 it has hosted the World Championship, and its contagious aura can either
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make you or break you as a player. Selby decided he would use the occasion to his advantage and with his back against the wall decided to dig deeper than he had done in the competition before. 10 out of the next 11 frames followed, and Higgins looked on in disbelief but with a glint of admiration in his eye that told a tale of an appreciative fighter who knew he was not out of the final by a long shot. Snooker is one of those sports where the momentum can
swing so quickly though, and Higgins once again battled back. A controversial call on a black stopped Selby in his tracks. He responded with a 131 break and triumphed 18-15. That’s the measure of a true champion. Selby said: “To have three world titles is unbelievable and to be one of only four players to defend it is something I could only dream of.” Higgins said: “It has been an unbelievable tournament, I gave everything.”
SportsThoughts.
In this issue of Sports Thoughts Josh Taylor imagines a world where an NFL-esque draft is implemented into English sport and discusses the pros and cons.
What would a draft look like in the UK?
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Josh Taylor Sport Editor
he NFL draft took place over the past weekend. 32 franchises frantically chased prospects searching for the missing piece, hoping not to pick a bust. 253 players, fresh faced out of college, enjoyed the jubilation of kicking off their NFL careers whilst hundreds more suffered the agony and uncertainty of free agency. In the NFL the drafting process starts years before a player will be picked. Prospects are scouted when they begin their college careers, scouting is intense and with the huge media coverage players are marked as talents way before they become professional. Part of the scouting process is a series of trials called the Combine where players run drills for their perspective positions and teams evaluate them from this. The draft itself is seven rounds with each team picking once, the teams with the worst records over the past season pick first, with the better teams picking last. Although the drafting process is one of the hardest aspects of American sports
to wrap your head around, it also happens to be one of the most important. So in the classic fashion of comparing UK and US sports, what would happen if there was a draft in European version of ‘football’? First off, the draft and Combine would be on a much smaller scale. There is no sensationalism partnered with grass roots and university sports like America. College football (American version) can bring in crowds of around 50,000 with even more extensive media coverage. In Britain it would be a peculiar sight to see 500 people at an under 13’s Sunday league match. Furthering the downgrade from the US version, a UK draft would probably be aimed at scouting players in the 12-16 age range rather than 20 plus. These are the years when a player is most likely to be scouted and if the draft was to work alongside the normal scouting process, where players are signed by clubs to youth academies, then a youngster drafted could still be given time to flourish. A draft would also have to be handled by the respective FA of each country, another way to not interfere with a club’s own scouting.
Here each association would have their own scouts to pick players and their own academies to train them until eventually they are put forward for a Combine, which would take place once a year. A Combine would also be set up by the country’s FA and unlike college players, who have to spend three years at that level before being scouted, a player within an FA academy can be entered into a Combine any age, again to give them time to flourish within a club. The draft itself wouldn’t be largely different to its US counter parts barring the fact it would need to cater for different leagues and
the promotion/relegation system. On paper there’s a small chance a draft could work but this is all hypothetical. US and UK sporting cultures are too far apart for it to even be considered. In truth a draft in the UK wouldn’t be entertaining and it would cost a whole lot of money and manpower for an FA to organise it. It may promote more youth prospects but the question of its worth will crop up time and time again In the end, a draft would cause make more problems than solve them. On that sole reason, would implementing a draft into English sport be worth it?
Adam May Head of Sport
heffield Wednesday are gearing up for the lottery of the play-offs as they aim to gain promotion to England’s top-tier. The Owls secured their place in the Championship’s top six after notching wins against Derby County and Ipswich Town, and face 6th-placed Fulham at Hillsborough on Sunday (May 7) at noon. Fulham occupy the final playoff spot in what promises to be an exciting clash between two of the league’s most consistent teams. Carlos Carvalhal’s outfit won’t know their play-off opponents until the end of the weekend’s fixtures as they could leapfrog Reading in 3rd, meaning they will have to face Fulham twice again with the playoffs taking place on the weekend of May 13 and either Tuesday 16 May or Wednesday 17 May. Sheffield United will be secretly hoping that the first Steel City Derby since March 2012 can be fought out, although the Owls will want to go one step further than last year after losing 1-0 to Hull in the play-off final. And their striker, Steven Fletcher, has been shortlisted for the PFA’s Championship Fans’ Player of the Month award for April after smashing in four goals during the Owls’ six-game winning streak that helped them cement their spot in the play-offs.
As Brighton and Newcastle stormed to automatic promotion after putting in top-class performances, the Owls are well aware that they will have to do things the hard way if they are to reach Wembley on May 29. A season’s work comes down to three games for the Owls. Carvalhal told The Sheffield Star: “It gives me satisfaction to see people around me happy: the chairman, the players and the fans. I work for them and I’m happy when I make them happy. “It is a marathon competition and it is hard to be on top of your game all the time.”
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Wilder’s Wonders takes Blades to Championship
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Adam May Head of Sport
hris Wilder’s return to old school management was a joy to watch, and it reaped rewards as Sheffield United returned to the second-tier of English football after battling in League One for six seasons. The Blades’ boss, who is one of very few managers to win promotion with two different clubs in consecutive seasons after leading Northampton Town to the League Two title last term, managed expectations at Bramall Lane in matches that were rarely met with fewer than 20,000 spectators a game. But it wasn’t all plain sailing. Bottom of the table after four games with four points from a possible 12 got some Blades fans uttering the words ‘not again’ after last year’s poor mid-table finish under Nigel Adkins and previous play-off final heartaches. Wembley is not a fan of Sheffield United or, rather, Sheffield United are not fans of Wembley. Good job, then, that they had Wilder in charge. A true Blade, he’s donned the red and white stripes as
a player and resides in the city. He gets the club and, perhaps more importantly, has the backing from its expectant fan base as a result. After their woeful start it became common knowledge that Wilder stopped at an off licence to spend over £100 on beers for his players on the way back from Millwall, a 2-1 loss after a last-minute penalty, telling his players that their season is to start here. They never looked back. Result after result after result, with minor setbacks inflicted by Walsall and Fleetwood at Bramall Lane in the latter stages of the season, followed, and not dropping points at home to Bolton and Scunthorpe – two of the main chasers for much of the season – in back-to-back weeks proved crucial. Promotion became almost inevitable. The title was the icing on the cake. No football politics threatened to undo any of the work on the field, and a squad that was rarely hampered by injuries was instead allowed to flourish and play entertaining football. John Fleck was a stronghold in midfield, Kieron Freeman
contributed goals into the double figures from wing-back, Mark Duffy was the crucial link to the front men that featured the influential and simply outstanding Billy Sharp, who skippered his hometown club and banged in 30 goals for good measure, scooping the EFL League One ‘Player of the Year’ gong. Euphoria hit as the Blades travelled in their thousands to MK Dons – a deserved party atmosphere – and the perfect send-off, too, at home to Chesterfield on the last day of the season. The open top bus parade, met by thousands on the city, brought to life again the remarkable achievement that it was. 100 points. Remarkable. It was a well deserved triumph after a season that many teams may have buckled under. The pressure was expectant and intense. You were constantly issued with a friendly reminder of how giant the football club really is, and it’s now ready to grace the Championship. Wilder admirably dealt with everything that a football season brings up and, while the Blades will have to recruit well if they are to avoid dropping back down, they have a real Blade at heart.
Above: Chris and Rachel Wilder lift the SkyBet League One Trophy
Sheffield’s streets prove gruelling test for Tour de Yorkshire cyclists as over 2m come out to watch
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Adam Bailey Forge Sport Contributor
ome of the world’s best cyclists were left cursing Sheffield’s hills during a thrilling finale to the Tour de Yorkshire last weekend. The three-day race finished at Fox Valley Shopping Centre in Stocksbridge on Sunday and there was plenty of relieved faces as the riders crossed the finish line after what was the toughest stage in the race’s short history. The 194.5km stage from Bradford to Fox Valley was nicknamed the “Yorkshire Terrier”, with eight categorised climbs, including four in the final 22km. Those final four climbs proved to be the perfect springboard for victory as Serge Pauwels claimed both the stage and overall win. The Belgian attacked at the top of the Cote de Wigtwizzle with 10km to go. He quickly opened up a small gap, which extended on the following climb.
His advantage was shortened to just 10 seconds with 6km to go as the chasing group became more organised. As he descended into Stocksbridge, the Team Dimension Data rider was joined at the head of the race by his teammate Omar Fraile, who bridged across the gap from the chasing group. Pauwels finished just ahead of Fraile to claim his first professional win and secure the overall victory. Unlike the final stage, the first two stages ended in a bunch sprint. The first stage from Bridlington to Scarborough was won by Dutch sprinter Dylan Groenewegen for the second year in a row, while French sprinter Nacer Bouhanni claimed victory on stage 2 in Harrogate. The women’s race took place on Saturday and was won by home favourite Lizzie Deignan. The former World Champion produced a brilliant ride, attacking with 14km to go, to finish nearly a minute ahead of second-place Coryn Rivera.
University of Sheffield student Hannah Larbalestier helped her SunSport Velo teammate and fellow Uni student Lizzy Banks to a 26th place finish, while alumni Tom Stewart was the fourth-highest ranked British rider in the men’s overall classification, finishing in 21st place. It wasn’t just the exciting racing that stood out from the three days, but also the level of support the riders received on the roadside. Over a million people are estimated to have turned out to watch the final stage as 2.2 million spectators lined the route over the three-days. The Tour de Yorkshire 2016 boosted the economy by nearly £60 million independent research shows today. The race weekend last year from April 29 to May 1, saw more than two million spectators line the route. The Tour de Yorkshire is regarded by many cycling
fans as the one of the most prestigious European races after the Giro d’Italia, Vuelta a Espana and Tour de France. The current Presdient of cycling’s world body, the Union Cycliste Internationale, made an apperance at the event. Brian Cookson had juts flown back from the Tour de Senegal
and spoke to Forge Sport about the organisation’s plans to expand the World Tour and his views on the Team Sky controversy. For more reaction to the 2017 Tour de Yorkshire, including rider interviews, listen to Forge Sport’s cycling podcast, ‘The Cycling Ramble’.
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Meet Your Sports Team
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Adam May Head of Sport
hat a fascinating few weeks it has been for sport in Sheffield. We’ve had Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United march to the League One title after amassing an incredible 100 points, while Sheffield Wednesday’s fate is in their owns hands as they take on the play-off lotteries. Sheffield has also this month seen the return of the World Snooker Championship as Mark Selby retained his crown after a thrilling final that certainly wasn’t lacking in drama and controversy. The streets of Sheffield got battered and bruised by hundreds of tyres as the Tour de Yorkshire rode through the city, and all of these can be read within the next few pages as you kick back, relax, and occupy yourself with anything but revision. That’s how it works at this time of year, right? Also in this issue we have an exclusive interview with The Football Ramble, a podcast that has risen in popularity ever since its originial release a decade ago. The Football Ramble has also since hit the bookshelves and the interweb, and Nick Burke, Forge Press’s Deputy Editor, chats to Luke Moore, one of the hosts on the show, details of which can be found at www.thefootballramble.com. I’m personally looking forward to starting my new role as Head of Sport at Forge Press and delighted to have the chance to work with our two Sport Editors, Josh Taylor and Tim Adams. Through the next issues we’ll be covering the Blades’ Championship campaign and the Owls’, well, time will tell what division they’ll be pitting their wits in. We’ll have BUCS fixtures to return to as we gear up again for what should be an epic Varsity to finish the year. Will the Uni of Sheffield gain its sixth straight crown? Hopefully we’ll have some Freshers joining our writing team next year or, if you just fancy getting press.sport@forgetoday.com. We’re all really friendly, I promise. Oh, and just to mention, keep an eye out for August 7-12 for some inspiring stories in the 2017 Special Olympics that are being held in this beautful city. It’s bound to make you want to get out there are try some new sports. Next Varsity champion, anyone?
Wockey FC’s People’s Cup Heroics Win National Comp
Above: Fiona Small, Eleanor Richards, Emily Ramsden, Tara Davidson, Tash Barker, Cat Powell and Bexx Wooods celebrating Tim Adams Victoria MacDonald, won two Sport Editor tournaments to qualify for the finals and were drawn in a group he University of of six, qualifying in third to Sheffield tasted reach the knockout phase of the success at the FA competition. People’s Cup last In the semi-final, they faced a weekend after Wockey FC edged Loughborough side who had just a thrilling penalty shoot against lost two games in the competition Nottingham Medics. but triumphed 2-1 after two goals The six-a-side team, consisting from Cat Powell. of the Uni’s women hockey The final produced a topsy-turvy players, won 4-3 on spot-kicks match, one where the momentum after the final at Play Football swung both ways. Wockey FC Birmingham ended in a 3-3 draw. opened the scoring through Wockey FC, created four years Powell but were pegged back and ago by hockey club secretary then found themselves fall behind
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to a stunning individual goal from Nottingham. A darting run down the right from Bexx Woods had levelled the tie before a smart free-kick from Powell regained the advantage for Wockey FC. Even though Nottingham equalised in the last minute Wockey’s desire in the shoot-out took them to victory, goalkeeper Fiona Small saving the decisive penalty to the delirium of the team. Woods, captain of Wockey FC, said: “This morning I was on the Chris Evans Breakfast show
talking about our experience which was very exciting, but the best part is we get to lift our trophy at Wembley. “At half-time of the FA Cup final, we get presented our trophy on the pitch. The FA has funded the entire tournament including our transport, provided lunch and cup final tickets. “We entered just to have fun and to play a different sport. Our team is a mixed ability from complete novices to people who had played a high level when they were younger.”