Forge Press by Forge Press

The independent student newspaper of the University of Sheffield // www.forgetoday.com

Issue 15 // Friday October 23 2009

David Blunkett Features pages 20-21

Resurrected: Biblical Studies saved as faculty head resigns 4 University U-turn after student protests and international outcry 4 Powrie condemned by Biblical Studies campaigners Rosie Taylor The Faculty Pro-Vice-Chancellor (FPVC) for Arts and Humanities has resigned his position days after the University reversed its decision to review the future of the Biblical Studies Department. Professor Phil Powrie stepped down as FPVC shortly after holding a meeting with Biblical Studies students on Monday, October 12.

Have your say Comment on this article at Forgetoday.com Send a letter to letters@forgetoday.com Several students were angry at the way that the potential closure of their department had been treated by the University, with many feeling that the decision had been taken “behind closed doors” and had been kept a secret from undergraduates. Students heavily criticised Powrie’s conduct during a meeting over the proposed closure of the undergraduate arm of the department. Postgraduate student, Iona Hine, accused Powrie of acting in self-interest and favouring other departments in the faculty above Biblical Studies. She asked him: “Why are other departments more important to

LIFESTYLE

Meadowhall fashion show This Autumn/ Winter’s trends Lifestyle pages 22-23

you? Why did other departments take on extra students while our quota was reduced? We have lost 50 per cent of our staff and the others are worried about the future of their jobs.” In response Powrie said: “We’re here to listen to what you have to say. The Vice-Chancellor will consider your views.” A number of Biblical Studies students told the Forge Press that the meeting with Powrie had been unsatisfactory. Third year undergraduate, Joel Herbert, said: “How did someone like Powrie get to be in the position of responsibility he has? He answered few of our questions and his answers were ridiculous. “I’m disgusted that the University is considering closing the department. It’s made such a difference to my life.” But the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Keith Burnett, has since announced that he has reversed the Senate’s move to suspend undergraduate intake for the 2010-11 academic year, after receiving letters from Biblical Studies scholars from around the world and taking staff and student feedback into account. He has also chosen to discount the recommendations of the Faculty of Arts and Humanites to permanently remove undergraduates from the department and reconfigure it as a Postgraduate Research Centre. Continued on page 5

Protests saved Biblical Studies. (Inset) Phil Powrie.

Photo: Sam Bennett

Heart-broken student killed himself A mature teaching student from a Sheffield university killed himself after splitting with his wife, a coroner has ruled. Patrick Smith, 45, was found dead in the bath at his Allenton home in Derby on July 3. It came a month after he separated from Sarah Smith, who told the court they had come close to splitting up on a number of occasions since they met in 2003. Derby Coroners’ Court was told Mr Smith, of Damson Grove, Derby, had been combining a teaching course with a work placement at Heanor Gate School, where he had been teaching religious education. Mrs Smith said her husband had been putting a lot pressure on himself. She told the court her husband believed she had been having an affair and refused to accept that she had simply been working late. She said it was not the first time Mr Smith had threatened to take his life. She said: “His main focus used to be looking after his mum and after she died he didn’t see the point of carrying on. I think the only thing that kept him going was the thought of what his brother was going to do if he died.” Mr Smith’s brother John raised the alarm after finding a note at Mr Smith’s address instructing him to call 999 and to not go upstairs. Police arrived and found Mr Smith dead in the bath. His body had to be identified through dental records but no further details were released in court. Matthew Pearce, of Cotton Lane police station, said Mr Smith had left three notes of instruction at the address that suggested he had intended to take his own life. Deputy coroner Louise Pinder recorded a verdict of suicide. At the time of going to print, Forge Press was unable to confirm whether Mr Smith was a student at the University of Sheffield or Sheffield Hallam University.

FUSE

COMMENT

NEWS

More//inside

Off The Shelf festival special

Are we champagne students?

Union Council elections

Letters

Travel

Coffee Break

Sport

Including interviews with Sarah Dunant and Rich Fulcher Fuse pages 6, 8 & 9

Are you spending your loan on salmon sandwiches? Comment page 11

Full results and reactions. News page 4

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Editor

Robert Golledge

Deputy Editor

FORGE PRESS Friday October 23 2009

Touching the box for 24 hours

Helen Lawson

Managing Editor

Rob Ellerington

News

Rachel Blundy Leanne Rinne Rosie Taylor

Letters

Emily Cresswell

Comment

Michael Hunter André Nunn

Features Lifestyle

Lucie Boase Paul Garbett

Hannah O’Connell Keri O’Riordan

Travel

Sarah Barns

Sport

Matthew Duncan Christopher Rogan Ross Turner

Fuse

Alistair White

Music

Games

Helen Lawson Natasha Parker Jeremy Peel

Screen

Brendan Allitt Mark Clement Melissa Gillespie

Arts

Richard Scott Amy Smith

Web Editor Alexandra Rucki

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Student Dan Hopwood received an iPod Touch for maintaining contact with RAG’s pink box for 24 hours on the concourse.

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Sheffield students spent 24 hours next to a giant pink box on the Concourse this week to win an iPod Touch and raise awareness of Sheffield Raising and Giving (RAG). To win the Touch It competition, which took place on Friday, October 16, contestants had to keep touching a large, pink, iPod box on the Concourse for the longest amount of time. Six people entered the competition and Zac O’Brien, a third year History student, was the first to sign up for the event that day. He said: “I have come down for a bit of a giggle and I might even stay 24 hours.

ARTS

EDUCATION

“My girlfriend is coming down later with an old duvet and I’ve got some history articles to keep me busy.” Also competing were enthusiastic second years Tamanna Keir and Ali Macnulty. They said: “We are thinking of staying the weekend, as long as it takes.” Touch It finally ended on Saturday afternoon, 24 hours and 12 minutes after it had begun. The competition ended in a draw between Zac O’Brien and Dan Hopwood when they agreed to let go at the same time after spending the night out on the Concourse. Rachel Colley, chair of RAG, said: “Apple Higher Education is considering giving them both an iPod touch as they endured so much for one.

UNIVERSITY

HE funding National debate event Poetry Day

Inspiration for locals

The National Union of Students (NUS) will sponsor a Funding our Future campaign in Sheffield on November 2 and 3, organised jointly by Sheffield and Hallam Students’ Unions. Events will be staged at Sheffield Town Hall, the Peace Gardens and Sheffield Station. NUS has been holding the events and public meetings, nicknamed Town Takeovers, in cities across the country aiming to engage both students and the general public in a debate around higher education funding.

The School of English hosted a Hear Women Poets, Here event in recognition of National Poetry Day. The event featured poetry readings by many of Sheffield’s finest female poets, including Liz Cashdan and Debjani Chatterjee. Co-organiser, Professor Adam Piette, from the School of English said: “It was a rich evening of different voices, celebrating the last century’s struggle for women’s right, the joy and fact of the first woman laureate, and the vibrancy of poetry at Sheffield”.

Joe Oliver

Jenny Greenwell

The University is holding a week of events aimed at inspiring locals to “reach for the stars”. Dream Bigger Dreams will be held from October 26 to October 31 and will provide opportunities for Sheffield residents to take part in a variety of activities hosted by student groups and societies. The Raising and Giving Society (RAG) will be holding a special Sheffield city centre wide treasure hunt. All the events are free and there will be a series of information boards in the Winter Gardens throughout the week. Rosie Taylor

“We worked with Apple Higher Education as they want further contact with the student body and RAG are able to reach many people. “It turned into a good bonding experience for new committee members and the two lads left on the box have become friends. “We hope to run this event in the future with a different array of prizes and take it into the different halls of residents as well. “RAG put on a great variety of events and it’s just letting everyone know how to get involved.” Last year £117,000 was raised by Sheffield RAG and this year the committee has already made £11,000 from the fresher bar crawls alone. Colley said: ‘We took just under

Photo: Edd Wright

2,000 new freshers from Tapton, Ranmoor, Endcliffe and Opal on the bar crawls. “They were all really successful and we raised a great amount of money. “I’m pretty sure everyone got well and truly RAG’d.” RAG have also hosted their first fundraising Rag Raid of the year to support Sense, the deaf and blind charity in Fargate. Colley added: “We have had a lot of new people getting involved this year and it’s great. “People started shaking their buckets on Fargate at about 10am and everything went really well.” RAG’s next event is the Spiderwalk which is taking place on Friday, November 5. Tickets are on sale at the Union box office now.

Protect the human Dan Bailey Amnesty International held “Protect the Human” events this week to raise money to encourage the Government to uphold the standards of International Human Rights conventions. Students from Amnesty staged poetry, cinema events and even a tea party on the Concourse. Alex Hodgson, the treasurer of the University of Sheffield society, was optimistic that the weeks activities would help to equal last year’s annual donation total of £500. Chair, Natasha Lewis, was delighted with the reception the events received from students and hopes that the momentum will continue throughout the academic year.

The Cinema Syndicate, who cohosted the event, screened In This World, a film about two young Afghan refugees, who make the illegal and dangerous journey from Pakistan to London. Amnesty has traditionally highlighted incidents of human rights abuses and has put pressure on governments and private companies to take action. Student petitions against forced deportations of destitute asylum seekers were circulated in the Union during the week, including a petition in support of an asylum seeker Samuel Musarika, who featured in a poetry night on Monday evening. Musarika praised Amnesty’s work, describing it as “brilliant.” He said: “It really gives a voice to the voiceless.”

FORGE PRESS Friday October 23 2009

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UNIVERSITY NEWS

Condemnation of Hallam student, Laing The Sheffield Hallam student who provoked national outrage after being pictured urinating on a war memorial has had his court hearing adjourned. Robert Golledge Philip Laing, the Sheffield Hallam student photographed urinating on the Barker’s Pool war memorial following a drunken binge, failed to turn up to court yesterday. The 19-year-old Sport Technology student’s case was adjourned by District Judge Anthony Browne following an application from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Sheffield Magistrates’ court heard. Angry residents gathered outside the court donning Poppies. Inside, one man had to be restrained by five police officers and ejected from the building after shouting “is that fucker who pissed on our boys in court today? Them boys died for the British.” Laing was photographed whilst on a Carnage bar crawl in Sheffield on Sunday, October 11. Pictures of him urinating on the city centre war memorial opposite City Hall have sparked public outrage. Thousands of people have voiced their anger on social networking websites, some demanding he be jailed and even killed. In court one yesterday, prosecutor Iain Conway asked for a two week adjournment so the CPS could take a longer look at the case. Neither Laing nor his counsel attended the hearing. He is charged with outraging public decency. Despite Laing being a Hallam student both the University of Sheffield and Union of Students were inundated with angry phone calls and emails. Carnage’s organisers, Varsity Leisure Group Ltd, said they are not responsible for Laing’s actions. Paul Scriven, leader of Sheffield city council, is calling for this weekend’s Carnage event to be cancelled. “I don’t feel that we should step in and cancel the event, as I don’t think the council can legally do so. But I have written to the promoters and asked for this

Sunday’s event to be cancelled due to the sensitivity about what happened last week. “I think it’s important not to make a knee jerk reaction and look at things in proportion. This was one student, out of an event involving thousands. “I want to work closely with both universities and if Carnage don’t act responsibly then I’ll be right on the case,” he said. A joint statement from the University of Sheffield and its Union of Students has warned students about the effects of binge drinking and reminded them of their responsibilities. “The University of Sheffield’s Regulations includes the expectation that students will not bring the University into disrepute, and to do so is a disciplinary matter. “In dealing with cases of student misconduct, we are clear that alcohol will not be seen as a mitigating factor. “The University and Union particularly deplore behaviour which undermines the positive reputation of the majority of students who make a valuable contribution to the city. “We are committed to building good community relations and expect our students to behave responsibly, respect their neighbours and make an active contribution in their local area. “A key concern for the University is the wellbeing of our students and both the Union and University provide a wide range of student support and welfare services. “We also have an active programme of health promotion and continue to work together in a variety of ways to promote a responsible approach to alcohol.” John Harrison, 48, who lives on Division street was outside the court hoping to confront Laing. He said: “My dad fought in the second world war and his mates died. “This lad’s actions are disgusting and whilst I think he should serve time for this.” Laing is required to attend court on Wednesday, November 4.

Philip Laing didn’t appear Sheffield Magistrates’ court yesterday.

Photo: Sam Bennett

Main Union entrance to close during 40-week building project Rosie Taylor Work is due to start on the Union of Students’ building at the beginning of November, closing the main entrance and dividing level three in half. A large section of the concourse will also be fenced off from November 2 for the duration of the 40-week build and students will have to use side entrances to access the Union. Staff have insisted that all Union services will remain open and continue to function as usual. Paul Tobin, Union President, said: “There will be some disruption, but we’re going to minimise this with improved signposting.” Some services will be moved during the build, including propertywithUS which will be

relocated to the reception of University House and the Student Advice Centre which will move to Glossop Road. The Box Office will be moved to the East Entrance – where students normally exit from Union club nights – and clubbers will also have to enter and exit Fusion and Foundry from this door. A Union spokesman said: “Security has made plans to manage the (East Entrance) area, such as using tenser barriers to separate people who are buying tickets and queuing to enter club nights. As there is no security needed at the top of the Fusion and Foundry staircase during the build, there will potentially be more security available on the entrance.” A temporary box office for Space club night will be set up in the Octagon on Fridays so students

do not have to walk to the East Entrance to collect tickets. Tobin said: “All the club nights, societies and events will go on as usual and our new Union building will be fantastic and finished in less than a year.” Marketing staff will be on hand to guide students around the new layout for the first two weeks of the build and maps will be available. Disabled Students’ Councillor for 2008-09, Chris Jesson, has been monitoring the closure plans with the Union. He said: “We don’t envisage a perfect scenario whereby everyone’s routes will not be compromised, there are bound to be hiccups along the way. “But what I should hope to see is a contingency plan for disabled students to download.”

The planned closures on level three of the Union.

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FORGE PRESS Friday October 23 2009

NEWS UNIVERSITY

Record numbers vote to elect Students’ Union Councillors

Candidate reactions “It was a tough position to win because the competition was really strong.” Mina Kasherova

Last year’s voting figures smashed after introduction of e-voting Rosie Taylor

“Hopefully I can do a bit more for the older mature students.” Alexzandar Swatton

Record numbers of voters took part in this year’s Union Council elections with turnout more than doubled from 2008. A total of 3,735 people voted this week, a massive increase on last year’s turnout of 1,650. More than 90 per cent of voters cast their ballots through the online system, which was used for the first time in a Union Council election this year. Union President Paul Tobin said: “I’m over the moon because not only did we beat last year’s record but we also set a target this year of 15 per cent and we beat that as well, thanks to the online voting.” The winning candidates were announced in an awards ceremony in Fusion last night, where music was provided by Open Space. The International Students’

“I’m really happy to get a second term and I hope we can make it better.” Rachel Steyne “I’m very happy as I wasn’t overly confident of winning.” Christopher Northwood “I’m shocked, it’s a shame because one of my friends was going for it too.” Peter Lennox

Have your say Comment on this article at Forgetoday.com Send a letter to letters@forgetoday.com Councillor was the most votedfor position, with a total of 643 votes. The winning International Students’ Councillor, Mina Kasherova, was the candidate who received the largest number of votes overall, with 377. Politics had 11 candidates running for council, more than any other department. The councillors for Landscape and East Asian Studies had to be decided by a coin toss as the votes were tied. Thomas Nixon was the winning candidate for East Asian Studies and Christopher Haines won the coin toss to become Landscape Councillor. Tobin was delighted with the successful candidates. He said: “I think the Council is in safe hands. There is a fantastic range of students, all of whom are determined to do their best. “It is particularly good that international students feel a strong affinity to their Union of

“I want to raise the profile of the Council.” Thomas Hastings “I want to make the link between the Union the department stronger.” Erin Heywood

Photo: Sam Bennett

Newly-elected Union councillors celebrate. Students.” Two candidates were penalised for cheating by using email distribution lists to appeal to a large number of voters. Both Alexzander Swatton – who was standing for the position of Mature Students’ Councillor – and Samir Therroth – a candidate for Automatic Control and Systems Engineering (ACSE) Councillor – had 10 per cent deducted from

their total number of votes as a penalty. The penalty did not diminish Swatton’s success as he still received the most votes and was named this year’s Mature Students’ Councillor. The Architecture Department, the School of Nursing and Midwifery and the School of Education, will be unrepresented on this year’s Union Council as

no-one stood for election. Tobin said: “We expected a low candidacy for Nursing & Midwifery. “Architecture and Education were a disappointment but we hope to fill them. We want to get it sorted out as soon as possible.” Additional reporting by: Leanne Rinne, Rachel Blundy, Mark Duell.

Students’ Union Council election: the results Aerospace Engineering Abdiaerim Yusuf Animal and Plant Sciences Jack Pearson Archaeology Alan Lewis Architechture No candidate Automatic Control and Systems Engineering Narmada Herath Biblical Studies Peter Lennox Biomedical Science Daniel Ash Black Students Mansif Mufalil Chemical & Process Engineering Chinedu Onyeonagu Chemistry Nigel Tu Civil Engineering Laura Christie Computer Science Christopher Northwood Dentistry Maryam Khan East Asian Studies Thomas Nixon School of Education No candidate Economics Ross Keating Electronic & Electrical Engineering

Sagnick Mukherjee Engineering Materials Matthew Yeow English Thomas Hastings Geography Nicole Hugh History Charlie Tobin Human Communication Sciences Lucy Adams Information Studies Lei Zhang Institute for Lifelong Learning Alex Young International Students Mina Kasherova Journalism Erin Heywood Landscape Christopher Haines Law Elena Brown LGBT Students Maxwell Baker Management School Lilly-Anne Hymes Mathematics Harry Horton Mature Students Alexzander Swatton

Mechanical Engineering Robert Thorton Modern Languages and Linguistics Maria Cansella Molecular Biology & Biotechnology Glenn Masson Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Raveen Jayasuriya Music Lauren Paisley Nursing & Midwifery No candidate Postgraduate Research Sam Browse Postgraduate Taught Chinonso Ezeangika Philosophy Chloe Ashley Physics and Astronomy Ellis Tite Politics Isobel Kettle Psychology Rebecca Anderson SCHARR Ian Jacob Sociological Studies Charles Watson Students with disabilities Cerlann

“There were seven of us so you couldn’t be sure who’d win.” Charlotte Tobin

Rush Town and Regional Planning Christopher Maidment Women Students Rachel Steyne

3,735

Voter turnout 1,571

1,650

2007 2008 2009

Council explained Michael Smith Union Council is made up of 56 elected representatives: the eight Union Officers sit alongside eight councillors from representative groups, with the remaining 40 each representing an academic department. Elected for one year only, Council meets fortnightly with an aim to discuss Union policy, scrutinise the sabbatical officers, and represent the concerns of all students. Councillors are expected to consult with the students they represent on important issues. Any student can attend meetings. Significant debates in Council last year included proposed changes to the Officer team, the Union boycott of Nestlé, reform of the NUS and the mandating of a Union Officer.

FORGE PRESS Friday October 23 2009

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Face paints stir up racism row Students in fancy dress have been told to wash off black and white face paint by Union security as part of an “unofficial” anti-racist policy

UNIVERSITY NEWS

Union’s Source team deemed “excellent” Rachel Blundy

Alice Weekes, dressed as Danger Mouse, was made to remove her face paint before entering Roar. Leanne Rinne Students wearing face paint were denied entry to the Union this week due to racism fears. A group of girls on the Sheffield University women’s football weekly social were told to wash off black and white face paint before they were allowed into Roar on Wednesday, October 14. Their fancy dress theme for that week was heroes and villains. Many of the footballers used face paint to look like characters such as Danger Mouse, Superman and the Joker. Chelsea Walmsley, the women’s football social secretary, said two members of the team she was with were told to remove black and white facepaint. As the girls had experienced no previous problems while wearing black and white facepaint, Walmsley said she was shocked to be turned away to wash it off. She said: “When we were handing in our tickets two of us

got told to take off the face paint, even though my black, painted eye mask was clearly part of my superhero outfit. “A helpful female bouncer agreed that my face paint could stay on but Danielle (a member of the team) had to go to the toilets and clean the paint off her face. “She was really shocked more than anything and concerned that after washing everything off her face she would have no makeup left on at all.” The girls were confused at the security team’s decision. Walmsley said: “All the girls had gone to lots of effort with their costumes and we have never had any problems like this before which was confusing. “Of course we can understand that if complaints were made then the face paint should be taken off but it seems like security staff can just pick and choose what is offensive and what is not. “My friends went dressed as cows to Roar the other week and were allowed in.”

Welfare Officer Jennifer Hastings defended the decision. She said: “The policy regarding black and white face paint is as a result of previous student complaints. “I understand that most, if not all, students do not mean to cause any offence but these measures were seen as necessary in order to ensure all students felt comfortable in the Union.” She explained that complaints sparked the Union’s decision to make a stand against face paint. She said: “This isn’t an official Union policy it is more of an operational policy, and has been around for a couple of years now. “There were a handful of complaints at the time of this incident. “However, we don’t feel that the number of complaints is relevant. “The fact that the face paint caused offence to at least one student deems it serious enough for the Union to take action.” She added: “This policy is

Squatters turfed out by NHS Michael Smith Squatters who recently occupied a vacant University building have been evicted from a second property owned by Sheffield Children’s Hospital. The group, who had turned the building on Northumberland Road into a makeshift community centre, were ordered to leave by Sheffield County Court last Wednesday, after occupying the property for just seven days. Shortly after the order, bailiffs arrived and gave the squatters two hours to move out. They had moved into the building after being evicted from Pisgah House in Broomhill, formerly part of the University’s

Department of Music. They were ordered by Sheffield County Court to pay the University’s legal costs, amounting to £20,145.

Have your say Comment on this article at Forgetoday.com Send a letter to letters@forgetoday.com Paul Badger, representing the squatters in court, admitted the group had no legal defence. He said: “It is a weak argument as opposed to a strong argument.” Mr Recorder Oldham, presiding, said: “I hope this isn’t a precursor to occupying another building.”

He also expressed disappointment that the group failed to follow his advice from the previous eviction hearing and entered into a dialogue with the building’s owners before moving in. Solicitors for Sheffield Children’s Hospital NHS trust made no application for legal costs. The squatters refused to comment but a statement on their website said “a break is needed, to recover and consolidate our thoughts on the experiences we’ve had. “We believe that an autonomous social centre is still possible in Sheffield, and will be reconvening again soon to consider the options for the future.”

Photo: Chelsea Walmsley not widely publicised as this could potentially bring up more problems with students making a bigger issue out of it than needs be.” Yaz Dogan, another member of the women’s football team, said the girls involved felt there were conflicting messages about the Union’s position on face paint. She said: “I was chatting to some of the girls at training on the following Monday and the main issue was that there didn’t seem to be any consistency. “Even if it is an unofficial policy there should be some form of guidelines so students are aware of what they should and should not look like. “I’ve gone to almost every single social in a variety of fancy dress and face paint and we’ve never had any problems before.” She added: “I completely agree with a policy that aims to defend students feeling racially insulted. The only problem is that it doesn’t seem to be enforced very effectively.”

The Source in the Union of Students has been given a Service Excellence Award by the University of Sheffield. The award recognises an individual or team working in the University or Students’ Union who have demonstrated a commitment to delivering an excellent level of service to students, staff, external contacts or visitors. Factors taken into consideration include delivery of service above and beyond the call of duty, evidence of praise received directly from customers, examples of dealing positively with complaints and difficult situations, as well as delivery of a service that has led to a positive impression of the University Give it a Go coordinator, Anna Tummon, said: “We didn’t even know we had been nominated. I think it was students who put our names forward. “The Source is clearly an invaluable part of the Union, so many people recognise it as a useful resource.” Kab Nepal, chair of the Societies Committee, said: “The space is very useful for societies. The desk is always manned in the Source. “If your enquiry cannot be solved immediately, then someone will usually be willing to make a quick phone call to the relevant person.” Activities Officer Claire Monk, is proud of the Source’s achievements. She said: “The Source staff have always been fantastic, helping me run several societies throughout my years at university. “Fiona, Anna, Kim and Jenny work exceptionally hard and will always go that extra mile for all students, which is something that deserves recognition. “Although I met them as a student in a professional capacity, I quickly began to get to know them as friends, making the service they offered unique. “I am exceptionally pleased that they have been awarded this prize as it was open to all departments across both University and Union - congratulations to them all.”

Biblical Studies saved Continued from page 1 Union President Paul Tobin was delighted with the ViceChancellor’s decision. He said: “The reversal on the Biblical Studies closure is fantastic news for the students and the University as a whole. “The students’ actions were impeccable and the incident has shown the Union’s effectiveness in standing up for students. “This victory will lead to a new era for the Biblical Studies Department.” Powrie’s replacement, Professor Mike Braddick, said: “Professor John Barrett from Archaeology has agreed to take on the role of acting head of department for Biblical Studies.

“We are also taking steps to consider the recruitment of additional staff to support the undergraduate degree programme and its intake for 2010. “One additional element of the department’s planning will be to draw on the ideas and suggestions of groups external to the University, including those who have written in support of the Department’s continuation.” In a message to staff, Phil Powrie said: “With the first phase of the development of the Faculty now successfully completed, and the move to Jessop (West) and new structures in place, I am writing to advise you that I am stepping down as FPVC.” He will now take leave to research French cinema.

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Students suffer from lack of loans Kirsty McEwen Students all over the country are struggling to make rent payments as the Student Loans Company (SLC) suffers massive delays in processing loan applications. As many as 175,000 students are still waiting for money due to administrative problems. A third year journalism undergraduate at the University of Sheffield told Forge Press: “I applied for my grant online three days after the June deadline. “I won’t get my loan until at least December. She added: “I told my landlord straight away that I couldn’t afford all my rent until the loan came in. “They were understanding at first but phoned me a couple of days later demanding to know why I hadn’t paid. I’m using my overdraft and my wages from my part-time job at the Union to buy food.” This is the first year that the SLC has handled grants as opposed to local authorities. Derek Ross, deputy chief executive for the SLC, told BBC 1Xtra: “The information we have is that everyone who applied on time has been paid on time”. City Council Leader Paul Scriven is campaigning on behalf of those Sheffield students yet to receive their loans. He said: “The failure of the SLC to process these applications on time really is a shambles.” Councillor Scriven has written to both Sheffield universities and private landlords to ask them to give affected students an extended deadline for rent payments.

‘Champagne’ student lifestyle Emily Travis A professor from Queen Mary College, University of London has said that students are living “luxurious lifestyles” in a controversial article in the Times Higher Education magazine. Professor Kevin Sharpe says students “snack from Marks & Spencer” and consume “freshly squeezed O.J. and smokedsalmon sandwiches”. He said: “We should not ask our students to return to the fleapits of an earlier age, but a bit less luxury might mean a lot less debt.” The article has caused controversy amongst students across the country. Charlotte Wright, a first year Civil Engineering student at the University of Sheffield, said: “We’re taking it upon ourselves to get educated which is far better than sitting around at home. I don’t think that an improvement in lifestyle does any harm.” Owen Thomas, a first year Biomedical science student, said: “A lot of students have jobs. You’re always going to get the occasional one who coasts through and manages to float through the system but in general that is not the case”.

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FORGE PRESS Friday October 23 2009

No water at University flats Postgraduate residents at St. George’s Flats went without water for three days this month and were forced to shower at Opal 2 Ellie Neves Students living in St. George’s flats accommodation have suffered from a lack of hot and cold water for a total of three days this month. Despite paying rent of £96 per week students living at the postgraduate-only flats have had to cope with the aid of a temporary cold water dispenser provided by the University. They also had to walk 500m along a main road to use the showers at the privately-owned Opal 2 halls. During freshers’ week, the new students at St. George’s had to face five days without any hot water. Some students also claim to have found sediment in the water. Peter Mason, a resident at St. George’s, said: “It was completely unexpected and in my opinion the situation was mishandled. “We received one email since the problem arose and were given a drinking water dispenser the day after the water was first cut off. We were told we were free to use the showers at Opal 2 and that was that”. When the water facilities finally came back on residents reported that the water was black in colour. Many refused to use it until there was some guarantee that the water was safe. Residents say they were offered no explanation as to why the situation occurred in the first place. A spokesperson from Accommodation and Campus Services at the University (ACS) said: “We received a report on September 19 that St. George’s Flats were without hot water due to problems with Sheffield heat and power supplies. “This issue was not isolated to our accommodation and was beyond our control. “Students were provided with alternative shower facilities at Opal 2 until the issue was resolved on 23 September. “On October 4 there was no water at St George’s Flats, due to a water main being dug up by Yorkshire Water. “Students were provided with bottled water and alternative

Resident Daniel Lexford displays his bottled water. shower facilities at Opal 2 until the issue was resolved on October 8. “Taking on board concerns over the discolouration of the water, we reported this to Yorkshire Water who advised us that they were satisfied with the quality of the water.” The University has given

residents of the flats £25 compensation. Welfare Officer Jen Hastings said: “Whilst this is an unacceptable situation for any student to be in, it does appear that ACS have done their very best to handle it appropriately. “I do think that this incident highlights the need for students

Photo: Edd Wright

to be ready to speak up if their accommodation is not up to the standard it should be. “Students are paying good money for their accommodation, whether university-owned or private sector, and so have the right to complain if they’re not getting what they are paying for.”

Effeminate men attract women on the Pill Kate Lloyd Researchers at the University of Sheffield have claimed that the contraceptive pill makes women more attracted to effeminatelooking men such as film stars Orlando Bloom and Zac Efron. The study, carried out by the Animal and Plant Sciences Department, found that changes to a woman’s menstrual cycle can cause substantial psychological effects. According to research, women are usually more attracted to masculine, ‘macho’ men just before they ovulate and throughout the rest of their cycle they are more attracted to men who are closer to them genetically.

Women who are on the Pill, which eradicates their natural ovulation cycle, are therefore attracted to the same, effeminate type of men throughout the month. The research also suggests that going on the Pill after starting a relationship can cause individuals to find their partners less attractive. Especially because men are typically more attracted to women just before they ovulate and the Pill eliminates the menstrual cycle. Dr Alexandra Alvergne said: “Altogether the use of the Pill might have important consequences for the formation of couples, and subsequent marital relationship and reproduction,

and thus have an effect over a large population.

Orlando Bloom.

“There are many obvious benefits of the Pill for women, but there is also the possibility that the Pill has psychological side effects that we are only just discovering. We need further studies to find out whether there are side effects.” Researcher Dr Virpi Lumma said: “It is well known that the Pill can cause physical side effects such as headaches, nausea and mood changes, but it is only recently that the psychological side effects have been considered. “This study is just one of an increasing number which have suggested that the Pill is likely to have an impact on human mating decisions and therefore on reproduction.”

FORGE PRESS Friday October 23 2009

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UNIVERSITY NEWS

Activists protest against new Registrar

New University registrar Philip Harvey defends professional record following a “Welcome Party” protest staged by activists outside the University’s Firth Court this week anti-militarist activism, forced redundancies, union busting, the forcing of external trustees onto the Sussex Senate and attacks upon the Sussex Camp Against Cuts.” Dr Harvey will act as a Secretary to the University Council and Senate - the constituted bodies which make all key decisions in the running of the University. He said that his role is to ensure that University procedures are operated fairly. He said: “Our students are the lifeblood of the University. I feel sure that every member of staff fundamentally believes in providing students at Sheffield with the highest quality of education and experience that will benefit them throughout their lives.” SAN said they had wanted to speak with Dr Harvey at the protest but he did not appear. A protester said: “We don’t want him to step down from his position, but we want changes in University policy to keep our institution democratic”. Dr Harvey said he was not aware of any request from the protesters and added that he is willing to listen to concerns from the University community. He said: “Any member of our University has the opportunity to make their concerns known to the Vice-Chancellor or myself. “I will listen to those concerns and where appropriate meet the individuals involved, provided that they are not hiding behind a cover of anonymity. “Universities have an important role in society in defending the principles of freedom of enquiry and speech. “Students have the right to express their opinions and to protest. But such protest must be done in ways which are within the law and I am committed to protecting staff and students from discrimination and harassment, and from behaviour of others that may cause fear and intimidation.”

Rachel Blundy The Sheffield Activist Network (SAN) threw a “Welcome Party” protest for newly-appointed Registrar Dr Philip Harvey outside Firth Court this week, to raise awareness of changes they claim he implemented whilst at other universities. A spokesperson for SAN claimed that the protest was not intended as a personal vendetta against Dr Harvey, nor was it meant as a threatening demonstration. They said: “The appointment of Phil Harvey is indicative of the current management at the University. “He was renowned at the University of Sussex for being anti-Union. He is the worst of the worst. We want to keep Sheffield radical.” Protesters donned party hats and gave out free cake on the steps of Firth Court to passersby. Several police officers were present to prevent any public disorder. SAN have accused Dr Harvey of imposing curfews on daytime student protests in his previous role as Registrar at the University of Sussex. In response to the accusations Dr Harvey said: “At my previous university, a student was disciplined after an investigation and the penalty imposed involved a curfew. “This decision was taken by a Discipline Committee that comprised members of academic staff and other students of that community. “My job was to ensure that the Committee existed; that the evidence before it was properly formulated and that the student concerned had the opportunity to make their case before the committee - I was not present at the hearing and not involved in any way with the Committee’s decision. “It would be entirely improper for the Registrar to do so.” In a statement, SAN said: “At previous universities he has been responsible for such heavy handed actions as a campus curfew for

The activists unveiled banners and wore party hats to ‘welcome’ Phil Harvey.

Photos: Sam Bennett

Pick up the next issue of Forge Press for an in-depth interview with Dr Philip Harvey.

University world ranking drops for second year running Rishi Vaidya The University of Sheffield has dropped to 82nd position in the Times Higher Education (THE) and QS Top 100 Universities World Rankings. The University has been ranked six places lower than last year’s position of 76, which was itself a drop from the University’s 2007 place of 68. Education Officer Holly Taylor said: “The economic climate and the University’s initial (staff) cutbacks may have had an influence on satisfaction and services.” But she added: “I don’t think moving down six places in the World University Rankings is particularly significant. “As the Times Higher pointed out, international competition is getting fiercer every year,

particularly from Asia.” A spokesperson from the University of Sheffield said: “The slight fall in the rankings relates almost entirely to the score the University received in the peer review section.

Have your say Comment on this article at Forgetoday.com Send a letter to letters@forgetoday.com “This section is given significant weighting in the calculation of the final position and is based simply on asking academics to name the universities which are home to key academics in their particular field. “There is natural variation year by year due to the subjective

nature of this question.” The University has emphasised its strong position within the ranks, despite the recent slip. A spokesman said: “It is worth noting that the University of Sheffield is ranked more highly on several of the other indicators and remains within the top one per cent of universities worldwide.” From 2004 to 2006 the University of Sheffield moved from position 150 up to 102 before being ranked 68 in 2007. This year the University of Cambridge was placed second to Harvard University in the top 100 list, with 18 UK institutions making the list in total. The THE-QS World University Rankings was first published in 2004 and has been released annually since. It is calculated by looking at collected data from six different indicators.

2009 World Rankings

Sheffield’s ranking ’04-’09

80 - University of Washington

Year

81 - University of Adelaide 82 - University of Sheffield 83 - DELFT University of Technology 84 - University of Western Australia 85 - Dartmouth College 86 - Georgia Institute of Technology 87 - Purdue University 88 - University of St Andrews 89 - University College Dublin

Position

Movement

2004

150th

n/a

2005

143rd

2006

102nd

+41

2007

68th

+34

2008

76th

-8

2009

82nd

-6

90 - Emory University Source: THE-QS World Rankings

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FORGE PRESS Friday October 23 2009

NEWS LOCAL

Firefighters strike over longer shifts Hundreds of firefighters face the sack over heated dispute Michael Smith Firefighters went on strike this week in protest against bosses using “bully-boy tactics” to force them into accepting shift changes. They have organised two 24hour walk-outs, the first which ran from 6pm on Monday until 6pm Tuesday. South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue (SYFR) want workers to complete four 12-hour shifts in a row, instead of two nine-hour night shifts and two 15-hour days. They have threatened to terminate the contracts of 744 firefighters next year, forcing them to accept the new terms if they want to keep their jobs. Unless an agreement is reached, a second 24-hour strike will take place from 6pm this Friday.

Have your say Comment on this article at Forgetoday.com Send a letter to letters@forgetoday.com Asked if further action was planned over the Bonfire Night period, Fire Brigades Union (FBU) spokesperson Duncan Milligan said: “We are obliged to give the Fire Service seven days notice of any action and we will do that. “Beyond that I’m not in a position to say. It’s a decision to be taken by local firefighters, but no dates are ruled in and no dates are ruled out.” Bonfire night is traditionally one of the fire service’s busiest nights of the year. Last year

SYFR received a total of 244 calls and firefighters attended 122 incidents in one night. Ian Murray, South Yorkshire Secretary for FBU, said: “[The Fire Authority’s] threat to sack 744 firefighters to force through the changes it is demanding are the worst kind of bully-boy tactics. These aggressive tactics leave strike action as the only option left to us. “If the fire authority drops its threat to sack firefighters, we will call off the strikes. We will enter talks without pre-conditions to reach an agreement.” Jim Andrews, Chair of SYFR’s governing authority, said: “We remain absolutely committed to 12-hour shifts, which will make the public and firefighters of South Yorkshire significantly safer, without any job losses, pay cuts or reductions in emergency cover. “Firefighters will continue to work the same number of hours for the same pay. “Considering the impact this recession is having elsewhere, and our numerous attempts to agree a negotiated settlement, I cannot believe this is an issue to strike over.” When asked if Monday’s strike had left the fire service unable to respond to a major incident, Mr Milligan said: “There were no major incidents that we’re aware of, although we may not hear of them straight away.” The South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service have said it would provide emergency cover while the strikes are on. They added they will use their own staff and equipment rather than rely on equipment supplied by the army.

An artist’s impression of the view from inside the new development on the Moor.

Sheffield Indoor Markets to move to multi-million pound Moor complex Robert Golledge Plans for Sheffield Indoor Market to move to a purpose-built £16million building on The Moor was approved by the city council last week. Traders will relocate into the new market from their current Castlegate site once the new complex is built. The scheme is part of the wider development of The Moor and goes before the Sheffield’s Planning board next week. The Sheffield markets have existed for more than 800 years,

Youth unemployment campaign Lauren Merryweather A demonstration inspired by The Full Monty took place in the city centre last week to highlight the rising level of youth unemployment. The rally was fronted by the Youth Fight for Jobs (YFFJ) campaign, a national movement which raises awareness of the issues young people are facing in the job market. Protesters gathered with banners outside Bailey Court Jobcentre on West Street, which appeared in the 1997 film, The Full Monty. The screenplay is based around the plight of working class men in Sheffield during the 1980s when the city’s steel industry collapsed and caused an unemployment crisis. Organiser, Wyllie Hume, said: “We thought it would be poignant to hold the demonstration here. “We’re almost seeing a return

to the problems of the 1980s and Yorkshire’s youth unemployment rates are much higher than the national average.”

The protest outside the Jobcentre. He added: “We’re making it clear that it’s in the Governments hands to solve this. “Investment should go into providing decent apprenticeships and offering free higher education with support for living costs.” The YFFJ campaign is

demanding the Government make provision for fairly-paid jobs and apprenticeships for the country’s youth. They are also campaigning for the abolition of tuition fees. A significant proportion of today’s unemployed are graduates, many of whom also have a large amount of debt. A total of 36,000 students who graduated in 2008 are unemployed. This figure does not take into account those in casual, temporary, part-time and ‘nongraduate’ jobs. The number of under-25s in Britain without jobs is almost one million according to the latest government statistics. Hume, a Social Work student at the University of Sheffield, added: “The economic crisis has especially affected young people because of their lack of experience. “Being out of work is not only a financial strain, it has massive psychological impacts too.”

predominantly in Castlegate. But owing to the city’s main shopping district moving towards Fargate and The Moor the markets have become increasingly isolated and visitor numbers have fallen. The current building is set over many floors and has been deemed unfit for the purpose. There are also plans to turn the existing market site into a tourist attraction as the foundations of Sheffield Castle lay below the current market building. Design plans will cost a maximum of £700,000 and planners say the building will be state-of-the-art and

environmentally friendly. Councillor Colin Ross, who oversees employment, enterprise and development issues, said: “It’s good news for The Moor and will be a great retail area for all of Sheffield. “It is also good news for the future of Castlegate as we move on to develop that area too.” Despite an expected decline in profits during the move to the new site, the council expects the traders to benefit from increased sales and profits in future years. There are over 200 stalls at the market which sells fresh fish, meat, fruit and vegetables.

Chinese partnership Robyn Ellison Sheffield is to be formally linked with a Chinese city in an attempt to connect local businesses with the world’s fastest growing economy. Councillors have announced that Chengdu will become Sheffield’s sister city in order to boost the area’s cultural and economic links with China. Chengdu is advanced in information technology and will provide opportunities for Sheffield’s digital and creative companies. It is also hoped that professional, financial and manufacturing sectors will benefit from the new partnership. The agreement will establish an entry point for Sheffield businesses into the Chinese market, and, in the future, provide a destination for Chengdu businesses looking to expand into the European market.

The five-year agreement between Sheffield and Chengdu will be signed early next year but links between the two cities have already been developing. In 2008 a Sheffield China Business Network was created and Sheffield United purchased the Chengdu Blades football team. Sheffield was twinned with a town dependent on steel in North East China 20 years ago. Andy Cantrill, chairman of the Sheffield China Business Network, said: “As the UK economy continues to contract we need to encourage Sheffield companies to engage in the rapidly growing Chinese market.” Daniel Klemm, International Manager at Creative Sheffield, said: “The nature of the Chinese culture is that strong relationships need to be formed before business can be conducted. It is therefore important to use opportunities like these to further strengthen our links with China.”

FORGE PRESS Friday October 23 2009

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LETTERS

Have your say Support for Zimbabwean students Dear Forge, I am writing in response to Paul Garbett’s piece ‘Zimbabwean students fight for their right to education’ (page 17, issue 14). My heart goes out to my friends on the other side of the world, who are fighting for their rights while still having to struggle to live another day of life. I come from Hong Kong, where hunger and poverty are never a problem. Our education system is one of the best in the world. I’m grateful to have received a scholarship to spend a year in Sheffield, one of the best universities in the UK. But now when I look at the less fortunate, all that I have seems so far out of their reach... I even feel guilty for being so blessed. I used to be a passive onlooker. Even having read article after article about their situation, I dared not imagine the extent of agony that they have been suffering, however hard I try. I watched them suffer from oppression and persecution and tormenting hunger but I did nothing about it, possibly because I believed that I couldn’t help except by mourning for them... And then this article hit menever before had I felt so strong an urge to do something, even if it was just a small move – to write an article to alert people to their peers’ tragic situation.

Star letter is sponsored by Your Harley

The winner receives a free meal for two and a Lock-In membership at Your Harley I’m not suggesting that we should all stop our revelling and donate more money to good causes, since the proceeds may well end up in Mugabe’s pocket. What I’m trying to do is raise awareness about the hardship our counterparts are undergoing and to stop being apathetic. I also hope to engage the Government in helping the distressed people to gain access to education, which is one of the fundamental human rights. Sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe prove ineffective. Things show no sign of improvement under the new united government. Mugabe and his minions are still in good shape: he splashes out on luxurious homes worldwide,

with one in Hong Kong priced at £5million; his wife Grace Mugabe was seen on a shopping spree in Hong Kong early this year, and hit a photojournalist in the face with her diamond-studded fist. More ironically, the couple have sent their daughter to study at the City University of Hong Kong at the cost of more than £8,500 per annum instead of the University of Zimbabwe for free. It’s the people instead of the power who are suffering. It’s not right to have the innocent citizens eat the bitter fruit of their irresponsible government’s making. United Nations should step in and summon support from other more well-off countries to provide up to standard education for Zimbabwean people. An organization independent of the Zimbabwean government and supervised by the UN should be set up to deal with the incoming money and to make sure that it is used in the right place. This may sound too idealistic, but I’m convinced that with international concerted efforts, we can bring about positive changes to the other parts of the world. Remember, Zimbabwe is just the tip of the iceberg. Yours, Colin Kin Ning Wong Journalism (Study Abroad) Third year

Graduate tax will create financial burden Dear Forge, It is right that the Union Finance Officer should condemn the CBI’s solution to the higher education funding crisis? (‘Call for tuition fees to rise’ page 5, Issue 14) This “solution” would see the financial burden move from the state to students. Economic growth is our only way out of the recession. Our economy is a knowledge economy and for it to grow we need our workforce to be globally competitive. Workers need to be highly skilled. Now is not the time to cut the public funding

of our higher education institutions for this reason. This funding will not come from the private sector – the recession we face is caused by a crisis in private investment. The state needs to step-up and shoulder this burden so as to stimulate economic growth. Despite Bailey’s correct response to the CBI, his endorsement of a graduate tax is disappointing. As the NUS admit, in a student’s lifetime the “tax”, which is nothing but another name for student debt, will actually cost students more. Furthermore, it has the same consequences

for marginalised groups that our Union policy on education funding highlights- ‘Black, LGBT and Women graduates are disproportionately burdened with debt due to pay discrimination’. This policy passed by a massive majority in a referendum last year. The Union Sabbatical Officers should stick to the spirit of the policy and make the strong economic and ethical arguments for a free, progressively funded education system. Yours, Sam Browse English Language Postgraduate

Did you vote in the Union elections?

Tom Powell Ecology Fourth year

Ginny Atkinson Biology Second year

Harini Boraluwa Chemistry First year

I don’t usually vote. It seems like a popularity contest. Most people vote for who they’ve heard most from.

I’m not allowed to vote because I’m taking a leave of absence. I want to vote to support my friends.

Yes I did. I think it’s important that international people’s views are heard as well.

Write: Forge Press, Union of Students, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TG Email: letters@forgetoday.com Please include your name, course and year of study. We reserve the right to edit letters for clarity and space.

Article ‘missed the point’ of SAN Dear Forge, I am writing in response to Michael Hunter’s article ‘Sheffield activists lacking action amid squatting saga’ (page 13, issue 14). He openly stated in his article that he did not understand the point of the Sheffield Social Centre – I think it is fair to say that is because you entirely missed the point. In his detailed description of the centre he failed to include the free library, the vegan cafe, the gig space, the garden and the kitchen. He also failed to mention that the centre was attempting to be entirely sustainable with compost and recycling facilities; offering itself as a dedicated example of the ‘green’ and ‘climate camp’ ideals that it provided workshops upon in its opening week. In regards to his disapproval of the ‘kid’s zone’, it should be mentioned that all of the toys

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were donated to the centre by kind members of the public; the menacing pig mask included. So, ignoring Michael’s inept and inaccurate description of the actual social centre, I look to his argument about SAN’s lack of action with regards to Phil Harvey’s arrival. I would assume that had there been a protest outside the university (or had they been ‘demoing outside Firth Court’ as your editors so elegantly put it) that he would have found some other way to shine light on the situation and critique an activist’s attempt to make a difference. SAN are in fact holding a party to celebrate and commemorate the arrival of Phil Harvey; we can only apologise that our activism, this time, has not allowed you to find some way to slate us once more. Yours, Katie Wellbrook English Literature, Third year

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FORGE PRESS Friday October 23 2009

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COMMENT

A luxury lifestyle is a far cry from reality for most student savers

We only have ourselves to blame for soaring debts and overdrafts

With loans barely covering rents, our champagne generation lacks sparkle

Students are swapping Aldi for Waitrose and baked beans for smoked salmon

Ellie Neves

Charles Dennett

Professor Kevin Sharpe at Queen Mary University argues the lifestyle of your average student is becoming increasingly flamboyant. To the contrast of earlier decades - when apparently students went far hungrier - Sharpe says modern undergraduates represent a “champagne generation”. He suggests students waste loans on indulgent items like BlackBerries, LCD TVs, and smoked salmon sandwiches. The result of this spending is debt, but Sharpe’s view of student life barely compares to the real deal. Students do eat out more today. But we’re not drawn in by the whiff of exotic, expensive dishes. Instead, we’re enticed by the bold print of “student discount” on the windows.

‘Thrift’ is a word that barely exists in the modern student’s vocabulary. Eating cold beans from the tin, scraping enough money to pay the gas bill, and worrying about the cost of bread and washing up liquid are barely relevant. This is, of course, a step in the right direction. There’s a difference between being thrifty and having a quality of life. But takeaways every night? Calling a taxi when a walk will do? Refusing to have anything but organic butternut squash from Waitrose when Aldi is down the road? The grotty bedsit of the 1980s is the archetypal image associated with students slumming it. But when you think about it, the stereotype so gloriously illustrated in The Young Ones no longer applies. Landlords aren’t the most generous people, but can you think of a

Students are investing in penny-saving tactics The best way to go about eating out as a student is to head to a buffet armed with Tupperware and sneak home a stash of leftovers for the week’s dinners. A particular “luxury” Sharpe alludes to is bottled water. He clearly doesn’t recognise its necessity.

Are students living excessively? Not only does bottled water keep us awake in stuffy lecture theatres, empty bottles work wonders for a cheap night out. Fill them with smart price vodka, slip them into a bag, and you have yourself a cheap night out supermarket style. The professor fails to realise that, far from getting careless about our money, we’re actually doing the opposite. Students are investing in penny-saving tactics; not new luxuries. Lifestyles change with modern times, and nowadays it is simply a case of higher living standards as society has progressed. As health and safety laws tighten, the tolerance of filthy carpets and communal bathrooms has withered. Meanwhile, cheaper and

Art: James Wragg

grimier accommodation is seldom available. Students are forced into the more expensive market as there is no viable alternative. Most would argue that the real drain on their loans is not careless spending, but accommodation costs which loans fail to cover. We find ourselves resorting to overdrafts before our course has even begun to cover hefty accommodation bills. Also, Sharpe hasn’t considered the current economic climate and the subsequent need for businesses to cater to the skint amid a recession. If that means we can swap 6p noodles for a taste of Waitrose, that’s one thing worth cracking open the bubbly for.

DARTS

flat or house you would consider that didn’t have an LCD TV? Or double beds? God forbid a night where sleeping diagonally wasn’t an option. This is of course before the other apparent student essentials of modern times are considered: games consoles, multiple laptops, and annual Sky subscription.

Like it or not, we are all guilty of overindulgence All this on top of the overheads of gas, electricity, water and good old rent? It seems Professor Kevin Sharpe has more than just a point; he’s put his finger right on it. In a drunken daze, I admit even I am partial to a stop off at a certain takeaway in Broomhill. I mean, if it’s good enough for Sean Bean, right? But, partly due to the cost, I limit myself to one a week. I love cheesy chips as much as the next guy, but come the weekend you

wonder where that tenner has gone. Efforts to limit my outgoings can be viewed to be both of a trivial and “holier than thou” nature. And I would agree if it wasn’t for one of my friends. The walk to Broomhill from Endcliffe is one of those things that has to be done. But my takeaway comrade reckoned a taxi was in order. A taxi for half a mile? If that isn’t exuberance then I don’t know what is. There is another element to add to the mix. Those two words that make the most expensive of purchases seem justified and value for money: “student discount”. Yes, I see the point of discounts. And yes, they save you money. But who offers more than ten per cent? No one. Which means you have to spend huge amounts to get a substantial saving. Like it or not, we are all guilty of over-indulgence. The day of the student scraping by on leftovers and nearly-off milk are gone. But as I recline in my leather computer chair, kick off my limited edition high top trainers and quaff another glass of Côtes du Rhône, I can’t help but think good riddance.

Forge Press takes its satirical aim

NOT SEEN AND NOT HEARD

GET YOUR KIT OFF

In a week where visitors to the Union are being blitzed by excitable campaigners with dreams of student council, Darts was impressed by a Philosophy student’s novel idea of an invisible political campaign. His manifesto to become councillor for his course called student politics

There’s a whisper around the Union corridors that the Sabbatical Officers have rejected the chance to bear all in a campaign to raise funds for charity. Nightline wanted the delectable eight to star in a Students’ Union naked calendar for 2010. But after considering the prospect of Paul Tobin’s bits over breakfast, we’re not sure if we should be disappointed or relieved.

a joke and promised not to promote his campaign in any way. He also said he would remove any ugly publicity from other candidates. If only some of the fame-hungry Z-listers who force us to swallow publicity stunt after publicity stunt would do the same.

Art: Natasha Maisey

REDUNDANT Monday’s Careers Fair ended in washout as it lashed down with rain on the Union Concourse. As desperation set in and the heavens opened, girls on megaphones beckoned drenched passers-by in with: “It’s warm inside.” Indeed, even a free pizza couldn’t tempt students in. But a free meal is hardly worth it if you have to glimpse into the graduate job market as well.

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FORGE PRESS Friday October 23 2009

COMMENT

Binge-drinking Britain shouldn’t be so shocked by Laing’s boozy antics Carnage bar crawl fallout has left the country nursing a familiar hangover Emmanuelle Chazarin

The picture of a drunken 19-year-old student pissing on the war memorial in Barker’s Pool while on a Carnage bar-crawl has provoked furious backlash. In one of seven Facebook groups created to vilify his actions, Philip Laing is brandished “an excuse of a man”. It is helpfully suggested he be expelled from Sheffield Hallam, sent to fight in Helmand’s frontlines, or hanged. But his actions have been blown out of proportion. He issued an apology and he’s been summoned to court. Plus, he’s faced extensive media coverage likely to embarrass him and his family forever.

Worse things happen on Carnage bar crawls The problem lies far beneath his pissed-up antics. Events like Carnage encourage people to drink until they don’t know what they’re doing. The much bigger issue is the cultural acceptance of people in the UK, particularly students, to drink themselves unconscious on a night out. Otherwise, events like Carnage wouldn’t exist. Thankfully, the NUS and many councils have expressed concern about

Editorials U-turn on department closure is a divine victory The decision by the University senior management to ditch plans to close the Biblical Studies department is a monumental achievement. The dedicated Biblical Studies students who passionately made their case to save their beloved department is indicative of how rational debate, representation and meaningful protesting can influence University policy and decision making. Let’s not beat around the bush: the University messed up. They messed up big time. But to their credit they’ve reopened admissions for the coming year, saving undergraduate study while a fresh review on the department is carried out. The outcry from academics and scholars worldwide epitomises the department’s significant and unique contribution to academia. Whilst the full details of Phil Powrie’s resignation have not been released, it is clear that his departure is fundamentally linked to his handling of the whole Biblical Studies affair. It begs the question, did he jump or was he pushed? Either way it doesn’t matter. The University has rightfully come to the correct conclusion and saved a world-leading department which boasts dedicated staff and students alike.

Face paint row at club nights beggars belief

Pictures of Philip Laing appeared in national newspapers last week. the organised drinking session, with Preston going as far as banning it. When a student was found hanging from a tree the morning after going on a Carnage bar crawl in 2008, the event’s founder Paul Bahia said it didn’t promote irresponsible drinking and instead focused on “group identity and social and ethnic cohesion”. What bullshit. The event is supervised by 50 stewards employed to help drinkers “move between venues”, (or hail cabs when they can’t manage it themselves.) Carnage also has its own medical staff to deal with “emergencies such as asthma attacks”. A euphemism, perhaps, for alcohol poisoning? Trademark Carnage tees boast challenges like “snog five randoms”, and “steal a piece of the opposite sex’s

underwear”. So saying it doesn’t encourage excessive drinking is ridiculous, especially after you’ve seen some of the participants rolling around in the gutter or chasing oncoming traffic. Ask any of the 2,000 revellers and see how many of them would say they were there for the “ethnic cohesion”.

His actions have been blown out of proportion They’re there to get pissed and put pictures on the internet to prove it. Unfortunately for Laing,

Art: Natasha Maisey

he was too busy nursing a hangover when he should have been de-tagging. I’m not excusing the guy for peeing on the war memorial. It was disrespectful and he must be punished. But locals and students alike piss on every corner of the city after one too many pints. At the time Philip’s photo was taken, some other drunk might have been peeing all over church graves away from the glare of the camera phones. Worse things happen on Carnage bar crawls that aren’t photographed. With scores of revellers getting wasted every night on the UK’s streets, it’s a surprise its people are outraged by one example of drunken behaviour, but not the drinking culture that has brought it about.

To eject students donning fancy dress costumes over fears of racism are simply absurd. How anybody could be offended by a football player dressed as Danger Mouse is totally unconceivable. The point of fancy dress is that you take the form of who or what it is you’re trying to portray. In this case, applying white face paint to resemble a white cartoon mouse is surely harmless? It is plain and simple to see what is needed: common sense. If someone turns up with brown face paint rubbed into their pasty faces with a tea towel for a turban and a rucksack labelled ‘bomb’, turn the little racist away. If someone arrives dressed as Mickey Mouse, Bugs Bunny or a pantomime horse let them in. The only one who is likely to be offended is the poor beggar in the rear of the horse suit. It is right that certain provisions are made in all walks of Union life but this is simply bonkers.

In praise of...the Source Many congratulations to the staff who make the Source the fantastic labyrinth of student activity that it is. The Service Excellence Award is fine recognition of the exceptional work they do for students day in day out. As a Union we celebrate the achievements of students on a daily basis. It is only right that we give the hard working employees a truly deserved pat on the back. We boast the best Students’ Union in the country and with the Source’s help and support Sheffield will stay head and shoulders above the rest.

Forge Press Editor, Media Hub, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TG, forgepress@forgetoday.com

£96-a-week tenants deserve more from city flats Peter Brennan Students are notorious for living in a less than sanitary environment. We are generally incompetent at any number of chores; be it cleaning, cooking, or even washing. My own house currently has no clean cutlery, kitchen utensils or plates to speak of. Any one of nine of us could try and work out how to use the dishwasher, but we can’t be arsed. While such behaviour is frowned upon, those in St. George’s flats are seemingly

being encouraged by the University to live in similar squalor. The St. George’s horror began with no hot water, and gradually escalated in severity until black gunge replaced water when turning on the taps. Those who moved in to St. George’s at the start of this year might have expected much from their £96-a-week accommodation. They probably weren’t expecting to their bathtubs to be filled up with a substance more at home in District 9. Perhaps that film was

a vision of the future and soon the inhabitants of St. George’s are going to turn into aliens.

The crazy thing is the money these people pay Opal 2 is now being used as a sort of charity, providing aid in the form of showers and washing machines.

Soon a refugee camp will be set up outside as the St. George’s inhabitants grow tired of the tiresome journey from apartment to bathroom. The debacle couldn’t have been timed more ironically, with students being accused of living champagne lifestyles. The crazy thing is the money these people pay for the privilege of living in third world conditions. Showering in sewage for £96 a week? They may as well put their cash, or indeed themselves, straight down the drain.

Shef Squatted Social Centre In the article ‘Sheffield activists lacking action amid squatting saga’ (page 13, issue 14) by Michael Hunter, it was incorrectly printed that squatters at the Sheffield Squatted Social Centre had 20 locks and bolts on their front door. Both the Forge Press and the article’s author now acknowledge there were not as many as 20 locks and bolts on the front door. We would like to apologise for exaggerating the figure, and for any distress caused to the Squatted Social Centre by this innacuracy.

FORGE PRESS Friday October 23 2009

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COMMENT

Biblical Studies U-turn triumph for students Now the department needs to prove its worth after closure threat Andre Nunn

So what do you need when the University makes a decision you’re not happy about? Well, the resignation of a University big shot, threat of strikes from unions, and outcry from students and scholars around the world certainly help. The decision to close the Biblical Studies department caused uproar as students and academics alike immediately jumped to its defence and began furiously campaigning that it remain open. The closure was almost a foregone conclusion a couple of weeks ago, with a vote by the Senate the only thing needed to make it final. If it wasn’t for Union President Paul Tobin informing students via an email, the proposal would’ve almost definitely made the voting stages and the decision finalised long before the day this issue will go to print. It could’ve been very different if the massive chorus of complaints from students, who the Uni had somehow neglected to inform, hadn’t caused protests from people on all five continents and brought the proposed closure to the hearts and minds of everybody who expressed at least a passing interest. As often happens in

today’s digital world, where a blog is almost as good as a placard, the blogosphere grabbed the matter with both hands as people tapped away at their sticky keyboards to let the entire globe know where they stood on the issue. A petition started, protests held and furious letters written to ViceChancellor K e i t h Burnett. What was most surprising about the whole ordeal was it worked. The students fought the Uni bigwigs and won in a modern-day tale of David and Goliath. It must be a blow for the Uni itself which was clearly intent on pushing the decision through with minimal hassle. But it seems that for a change, students can stand up for something seemingly predetermined by the powersthat-be and it won’t be a wasted, disregarded effort. It is notable for showing the power of the student voice and what it can do if applied properly. The Uni may now have to accept that it’s decision to close the department without first informing all of the people who needed to know – most importantly, you could argue, its students – has had implications far greater than if it had done so in the first place. What should’ve been

the comparatively simple shut-down of a department and transfer of staff has become an issue of trust and integrity. One name that has not emerged unscathed is former Faculty Vice-Chancellor, Professor Phil Powrie, who appears to have sacrificed himself for the sake of the Biblical S t u d i e s department. While his resignation “to engage more fully with his discipline of French cinema studies” shows no obvious signs of having anything to do with the proposed closure, it is worth noting that the department was rescued from being resigned to the history books on the same day that his resignation emerged.

The students fought the Uni bigwigs and won The U-turn is a victory for students and campaigners everywhere, and while seeing the little man win is always a comforting feeling, it seems odd that it was this issue which finally made the big shots cave. All of this fuss was about one of the smallest departments at our university. Biblical Studies accepted just eight students

Phil Powrie resigned on the same day the department was saved. Art: Elisa Santos this year, with around fifty applying for a place on the course. The only course of its kind in the UK, the whole ordeal makes a mere observer question the importance of a course when one of the best in world will cater to just a working hard to devise handful of undergraduate practical measures, students. including providing So many people stamped Keith students with valuable their feet about the closure, information and resources but people are far from Burnett on the dedicated webpage. applying in their droves to We have also become part of the course implemented a Graduate itself. Internship Scheme which University of Here’s hoping that while Vice-Chancellor, offers financial support to Sheffield this heralds celebration organisations which could for campaigners who benefit from employing a voiced their disgust at The recent headlines for recent graduate on a shortgraduates make depressing the department becoming term placement. defunct, it also sparks reading. But it really Many large organisations enough interest in doesn’t have to be all doom are still looking to recruit the subject to make it and gloom, and Sheffield quality graduates and, students are far from worthwhile. powerless in the face of the while it has always been important to have a clear global economic challenge. I am urging all my plan and to act early, it colleagues to be especially is even more important aware of the challenges during a recession. The National Union diluted by other myriad you face, and to work in an of Students’ advice is to integrated way to help you impulses that combine to complement your Sheffield start looking for jobs much form an attraction. earlier, and to think globally If this study is on to degree. about opportunities which something, there must will aid your CV. be hordes of lonely, I agree – a spell working chisel-jawed, abroad can be lifetestosteronechanging as well as careerf u e l l e d enhancing. “manly” So, although it may only m e n be the first Semester, it knocking is not too early to begin a b o u t thinking about what somewhere. happens next and to be as If you see A Sheffield degree already prepared as possible. them, give The University is holding carries the hallmark of me a call. quality which is recognised the Yorkshire Autumn Recruitment around the world, but it Graduate Fair in conjunction with is even more compelling when it is supported by Sheffield Hallam University evidence of public speaking, on November 3 and 4. However busy you are, it’s report writing and active a date you should definitely citizenship. The Careers Service is have in your diary.

Now is the time to prepare for the future

Give me an alpha male over a pretty boy Gemma Kappala-Ramsamy Forget climate change, mutated super-viruses and clinical obesity – it’s the contraceptive pill that’s dooming humanity to the slag heap of time. We’ve all watched a happy couple gaze lovingly into each other’s eyes and thought: “What the hell do they see in each other?” Well, maybe the Pill is to blame. Research at our Uni suggests women on the pill are more likely to fancy “girly” men. Extra hormones apparently alter their perception of what’s attractive. So despite being hardwired by millennia of evolution to lust after

Daniel Craig, the Pill makes women fall for pretty boys like Zac Efron. But because effeminate men tend to be more genetically similar to their partners, any babies they have could lack a vital mix of genes needed for a healthy child. The evolutionary tricks that once served to ensure we didn’t go the way of the dinosaurs are now redundant. Hormones do play some part in determining whose throat we force our tongues down on a night out, but there’s more to it than that. On a biological level we are the same as we were thousands of years ago, but modern life is complicated.

Cultural norms, society’s expectations, sense of humour, taste in music, hair colour, availability: it’s not all about hormones. Perhaps women are going for “girly” men because there are more of them about. The rise of icons like David Beckham and a more tolerant society are making it easier for them to express that side of their nature. When I’m considering whether someone is boyfriend material, I don’t worry too much about DNA compatibility. As long as we’re not related I figure it’s probably okay. Whatever effect the Pill has is

Working abroad can be lifeenhancing

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FEATURES

OMG: Why a status like this could get you sacked, LOL A polished public profile on Facebook could be more important than ever for your future job prospects, recent surveys have shown. Forge Press investigates. Duncan Robinson Facebook is everywhere. The social networking website recently passed the 300million users mark, giving Facebook a population larger than any country, with exception of the USA, India and China. In the UK, nearly one in three have a profile. Owing to its popularity, Facebook has become a ubiquitous part of everyday life. Similar sites, such as Bebo and Myspace are in decline, with falling revenues and declining user numbers. But Facebook goes from strength to strength, giving a forum to people who want to put every moment of their private life into the public domain. Employers have been aware of this for quite a while. It’s only now, however, that employers looking at social networking sites prior to offering jobs have become the norm, rather than the exception.

Fifty per cent of managers said that a ‘positive’ profile increases a candidate’s chances A recent survey showed that nearly half of all employers do this, and that companies really do change their decisions based on what they read on sites like Facebook. In another survey of 2,600 hiring managers, 53 per cent admitted that they had not hired candidates after looking at them on Facebook simply because of some inappropriate photographs or bad spelling. These statistics alarmed me. If my dream employer searched for me on Facebook, the first picture they would find is one of me devouring a chicken leg, caveman style. Delve further into my profile and the intrepid Facebook stalker/future employer would be greeted with hundreds of photos of me drinking, skiing and (my personal favourite) shirtless with both nipples covered in shaving cream at Leeds Festival. Something tells me I wouldn’t be getting that job. My Facebook page gives the impression that I am a drunk who enjoys nothing more than debasing himself at

Incriminating Facebook photos could lead to rejection from your dream job. music festivals. MY JOB! My boss is a total pervy The only upside is that, amidst wanker always making me do all the debauchery, my spelling is shit stuff just to piss me off.” impeccable. This is fine, unless you have Aside from the photos, my already Facebook-befriended profile shows me to be a nerd with your boss – as this rather dim a penchant for foul (if perfectly girl had. The boss promptly left a spelled) language. comment pointing out that a) he From an employers point of was gay, b) the ‘shit stuff’ was her view, however, bad language is a job and c) she was sacked. lot better than slagging off your Having a private profile, job in statuses. however, is not always the best Back in February, there was a idea either. Around 50 per cent well-publicised case of an office of hiring managers said that a worker sacked for revealing that ‘positive’ profile would make them she was “so totally bord!!!” at more likely to take a candidate. work on Facebook. The Careers Service at Sheffield It wasn’t the girl’s awful asks students to “ensure that spelling which got her the sack, their Facebook pages, if open for but her manager’s desire to keep public viewing, show them in a the company’s name out of the positive and favourable light”. media. Unfortunately, he didn’t So, if you’re the type of person bank on the girl selling her story with statuses like “If you can to the Daily Mail. believe, you can achieve!”, or There is a simple way around “Great brainstorming session this problem. Set your profile today, guys. Go team!”, leave your to private and no one but your profile open. If you lead a normal ‘friends’ can view it. This means life, keep it shut. you can write whatever you like. But who are these companies, You could even do what one snooping on your Facebook girl did and write “OMG I HATE profile? I asked the Careers

Service at Sheffield and they knew of no companies who examined Facebook before hiring potential employees.

Facebook allows people to vaunt their private lives in the public domain I even called a number of companies in the Times Top 100 Graduate Employers, none of whom admitted to Facebookstalking future employees. Employers online-stalking potential employees is simply symptomatic of a more modern malaise. Facebook has caused the boundaries between people’s work, social and private life to

Art: Natasha Maisey become confused. What was once private has instead become quasi-public, with comments that you would normally only tell real friends being relayed to hundreds – or even thousands – of virtual friends and potentially millions of stalkers. For some, the instancy of Facebook isn’t enough. Sites like Twitter have emerged to plug a gap for those desperate to reveal their every waking moment to a collection of friends and ‘followers’. More than 65million have signed up to Facebook mobile, so they can tell everyone they know (and a few people they don’t) exactly what they are up to at that very second. Young people today are Digital Natives, surrounded by computers and the internet from childhood. Posting minute details of your life has become the norm, and it has consequences. It’s not surprising that employers have caught on.

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FEATURES

Cake, craft and community: Sheffield’s new WI takes off

Photo: Lindsay Garfitt

The traditional image of the Women’s Institute has been updated by a younger group of women in Sheffield.

Millie Travis Forget the staid stereotype of old ladies in church halls: there’s a W.I. revolution afoot. Sheffield social scene’s newest addition, the Seven Hills Women’s Institute is bringing the longestablished, perhaps antiquated, organisation into unchartered territory thanks to three hip twenty-somethings on a mission of rejuvenation. The group of friends, Lindsay Garfitt, Kim Whelan and Jennifer Marsden, aim to transform the W.I.’s image by attracting women of all ages, and younger women in particular, through a packed calendar of exciting events.

‘We’re trying to get our own little community of women who share interests’ Lindsay Garfitt, President October 15 saw a successful forming meeting for the new group, with 49 new budding members vying to begin the evening’s activities. The meeting dived straight in to the vibe of the new W.I. with a special guest, broadcaster and milliner Mary Jane Baxter. Mary Jane is currently involved in a project called ‘Make

Forge Press went to find out why it’s belly dancing and Bellini, not Jam and Jerusalem which makes Sheffield’s new Women’s Institute tick. Do and Mend’ for the BBC and Newsnight. The recession-busting programme involves Mary Jane travelling the country, making and mending everything from clothes to curtains in return for bed and board. Her original reason for visiting Sheffield was a request to help making a pair of trousers for a stilt-walker. She spoke to the women about her own millinery business and her involvement with the BBC. Mary Jane Baxter is just one of a fantastic line-up of speakers and events planned for the ladies. The emphasis is on having something for everyone. Sarah Waterhouse, a new member of the Seven Hills branch, said she looks forward to “learning fun, new skills”, “meeting lots of new people” and “doing something a bit different”- she certainly won’t be disappointed. In November there will be a speaker talking about looking and feeling good as well as how to do mini massages. For the more daring member, there will be a burlesque evening in February. The group will also have the chance to welcome the author Millie Johnson in March. The idea for the group came from Lindsay, President of the Seven Hills W.I., who as a journalist had travelled with the North-East Derbyshire W.I. to

London. “I had a brilliant time,” recalls Lindsay. “They were such lovely ladies. They were all in their sixties, seventies and eighties but I got on so well with them. “What they were telling me about the Women’s Institute just sounded fantastic. But they also said that it was dying out and they were not getting any new members.” “Soon after that, I saw an article in a magazine about Shoreditch Sisters W.I. in London”, she continued. “They’ve set up a group for younger women and it had really taken off, so I thought if it could work down there then it could work up here too.” After searching the local area for a similar project and yielding no results, Lindsay approached her future co-founders Jennifer and Kim. Their enthusiastic response prompted the three friends to go ahead with the idea. Several of the women I spoke to mentioned that the modern approach of the group was what had attracted them to it in the first place. However, despite the emphasis on drawing younger members, Lindsay reminds us that being the Women’s Institute, it is still a group for women, of all ages and all walks of life. “It’s not about age, it’s about attitude and that’s what we’ve always said”, Linsday said. For the Seven Hill’s first

meeting, ages ranged from 22 to 58, and that bracket had certainly extended both directions on Thursday. Yet it’s not purely attention to shifting the demographic that has credited Sheffield’s new W.I. with success. A huge appeal of the group is found in its ability to engender community and friendship, something which Lindsay says has been lost in big cities such as Sheffield. “The W.I. was originally a rural thing for villages; that sort of community spirit is what is lacking sometimes. “That’s what we’re trying to get going here - just our own little community of women who get on, share interests. “Big cities can make you feel a little bit like no-one knows you and you’re anonymous”. It is this community aspect which is the clinch. Every woman at Thursday’s meeting had come with hopes of meeting new people, finding friends outside of work and those with similar interests. Paula Derbyshire had been searching for a group for a while for “fun, entertainment and friends”. She said: “I’ve always wanted a sense of community, and I don’t feel like I’ve got that. I just want to meet other people really - it’s a good opportunity”. And this is what Lindsay, Jennifer and Kim aim for – sharing ideas and developing a

sense of belonging in what is a very broad and diverse society. Students might also feel the gravitational pull of the rejuvenated W.I. When moving into a new society and new surroundings it’s very easy to start feeling lost. As Lindsay says: “Sometimes when you’re a student, if you’ve moved away to a different city it can be a bit lonely. You might not feel like you’re connecting with the city”. Although community and support is encouraged within the University, the W.I. aims to cast a net into Sheffield’s wider society to ensure you meet “not just with students but people of all ages, from all walks of life”.

‘We’ve always said, it’s not about age, it’s about attitude’ Lindsay Garfitt, President When people talk of a new breed of W.I. emerging from Sheffield, perhaps they’ve got the wrong idea. What Lindsay, Jennifer and Kim have done is taken the existing principles of the Women’s Institute and brought them to life. The new group provides a fantastic opportunity for students to branch out from the secure realms of the Union. By gaining valuable skills and lifelong friends in the very heart of the city, we can become part of the heart of Sheffield ourselves.

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FEATURES

The home for those who have nowhere to go With the recession causing a surge in the number of homeless people, Forge Press joins members of Shefﬁeld’s homeless community for breakfast at Shefﬁeld Catherdal’s Archer Project.

Paul Garbett Friendly chatter can be heard over breakfast tables while the smell of cooking in the kitchen pours into the dining room. “Thanks Love” says one of the hungry diners as he picks up his tray for the serving hatch. “You’re welcome” replies a friendly voice. Toast, beans and bacon might

just be a breakfast hangover cure for some students, but at Shefﬁeld Cathedral’s Archer Project the most important meal of the day could be the most important meal someone has ever had. Looking around the dining room, I feel like I could be in any one of Shefﬁeld’s city centre cafés, but in fact my fellow diners include rough sleepers, drug and alcohol addicts, prostitutes and asylum seekers. Many of these people have one thing in common, they are all homeless. Since 1990, The Archer Project has been cooking up breakfast for some of the city’s most needy people. Their doors are open at 8.30am each morning for anyone to enjoy a free breakfast with someone to talk to. The centre serves over 10,000 free breakfasts every year, as well as providing 4,000 subsidised hot lunches for just £1. But the project is far from just a meal service. It offers some of Sheffield’s m o s t

‘My drug use was getting out of hand and I mugged someone using violence’ Jamie Rose, Volunteer vulnerable people a place to wash, study, and receive health care. Last year the project moved into a purpose built centre within Sheffield Cathedral offering shower facilities, teaching rooms and areas for the homeless to socialise. The centre even offers phone, internet and postal services in a bid to stop the homeless from becoming isolated. Lisa, aged 19, came to the project a few months ago after sleeping on the streets of Sheffield since she was 18-years-old. While thousands of people her own age were enjoying Sheffield’s student scene, Lisa was sleeping in the doorways of the city centre shops most of us spend our student loans in. A former drug addict, she has made a personal recovery after visiting the centre, now volunteering in the kitchens while taking an NVQ qualification. “It can be very scary out there on the streets,” she said. Jamie Rose was once homeless, but now volunteers at the centre.

“Thanks to the people around me, I’m getting myself straight and have turned my rough sleeping around. This is the only place where homeless people can just walk in and get help. “The staff have been through things like drugs before and can help. They don’t judge, they just make you feel welcome.” Lisa is one of 12 former rough sleepers who are taking qualifications and volunteering at the centre, while others are benefiting from basic maths and literacy lessons. Jamie Rose, aged 30, ended up on the streets when he was just 21. He spent five years sleeping rough and became addicted to heroin. Now volunteering at the project, Jamie says the centre was invaluable to him during his time on the streets. He said: “It’s the small things like offering people a hot shower and laundry service that just shows that someone cares about them. Providing a hot meal helps people socially as well as physically. “It gives rough sleepers a chance to sit down and chat as well as getting a good meal. If these people weren’t getting a meal here they would starve or steal it. “We can act as a good signpost to other agencies, helping people with drug and alcohol problems and with getting housing and benefits.” Jamie himself faced the vicious circle of homelessness, becoming involved in drugs and crime. “When you’re on the streets people turn to alcohol or drugs because it helps you get by. You get drawn into a circle and I can see now how bad it was for me. It’s

thanks to places like this and G that I’m where I am today. “My drug use was getting out hand and I mugged someone usi a lot of violence. I ended up court and was quite rightly giv a big prison sentence. Although seemed bad at the time, the ﬁ year sentence was a Godsend. “When I was in prison I d various different courses and fou my faith in God. The prison syste worked for me because I wanted to. Once I came out, I knew I did want to get back into the vicio cycle of sleeping rough.

Since 1990 The Archer Project has been cooking up breakfast for Shefﬁeld’s mos needy people

“Getting off drugs is the ea part, it’s moving out of the soc circle which is difﬁcult. It’s ha for homeless people to break out the street community.” With the recession forcing mo people out of their homes, charit have warned that homelessness a growing problem in Britain. The Archer Project helps arou 50 homeless people each day Shefﬁeld and while Jamie feels t council could do more to help;

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says rough sleepers must shoulder some responsibility themselves. “The council could do a lot more to help the homeless in Sheffield, but where does the buck stop?” he said. “It’s down to the individuals to want to change their lives and take the responsibility themselves. Help is available for everyone.” With the centre only open during daytime hours, Jamie says it’s sometimes hard to see users return back to the streets to sleep rough at night. He said: “In an ideal world we would have beds here so they could stay, but it’s a matter of funding. We try to do as much as we can to help people find accommodation.” The Archer Project is funded through charitable donations and profits from the Cathedral conference centre, with the project organising a range of events with the support of high profile speakers. Last Friday, members of the local business community attended a conference featuring Sheffield MP David Blunkett, who is a vocal supporter of the project and feels other community projects could

‘This is the only place where homeless people can get help’ Lisa, Volunteer learn from the way the Archer Project uses former users as volunteers. He said: “This is a fantastic project; it’s impressive to see people coming through the system and working as volunteers. “Throughout my life I’ve been a big believer that you get more out of life if you put more in. People who have been through homelessness have invaluable experience to help others; I think it’s vital to the community but also to the individuals. “It’s a two way street and people can learn so much about themselves and the world in general.”

The Archer Project provides around 10,000 free breakfasts to Shefﬁeld’s homeless community each year. Lisa (above) is now training in the kitchens after sleeping on the streets since she was 18. Photos: Sam Bennett

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FORGE PRESS Friday October 23 2009

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‘Leading a normal life is not possible for me any more’ Nearly two years after peacefully demonstrating against a Presidential decree, Forge Press speaks to Minsk protester, Alies Stralsou, about his restricted freedoms.

Lucie Boase Fees, fox hunting, climate change – you name it, we’ve protested about it. But while in Britain we can expect little more than a batonrapping from a police officer, in Belarus the ramifications of such activity are far more severe. In a case highlighted by Amnesty International as an example of the increasingly draconian regime present in Belarus, seven people, including one minor, remain under conditions of “restricted freedom” almost two years after their participation in a peaceful demonstration in Minsk. The demonstration, held on January 10, 2008, against the introduction of a Presidential decree which prevents small entrepreneurs from working legally, lacked all the hallmarks of feloniousness.

‘Restricted freedom’ is considered by Amnesty as a form of imprisonment Local entrepreneurs, whose businesses would suffer tremendously under the new decree, first gathered in the central square to have a council amongst themselves, before moving on to the Presidential palace, and failing that, the Parliament, to present a petition, demanding their right to work. As one of the sentenced participators, Alies Straltsou, reasoned, “no trash cans were turned, no glass broken, no property damaged in any way, no person was beaten or harassed by the demonstrators; it was clearly and purely a peaceful demonstration”. In a country of increasingly restricted individual liberty, it was surprising that people were allowed to gather at all, before heavily-armoured riot police arrived, dispersing the crowd and arresting those who didn’t comply. Of the 22 people arrested originally for their participation, 14 were later convicted under Article 342 of the Criminal Code for “taking part in or organizing actions that gravely disturb public order” and sentenced to up to two years of “restricted freedom” in accordance with Article 48 of the

Peaceful opposition protesters in Belarus risk dire consequences for their actions. Below: Alies Straltsou. Criminal Procedural Code. hardened to real prison.” “the current parliament is deOf these, seven are still It may be hard to believe that facto 100 per cent appointed by serving their sentence under such tough restrictions would Lukashenko. conditions considered by be placed on an individual for “It’s purely decorative and had Amnesty International a form of merely gathering in a square no real powers in the first place.” imprisonment. and walking to their country’s Since his election in 1994, Worryingly, these conditions parliament; it smacks of Father Lukashenko has brought in of “restricted freedom”, although Gapon and his ill-fated procession sweeping constitutional changes imposed by a judge, can be set to the Winter Palace. closely paralleled with those by the police officer in charge But this is a Belarus under of Russia’s former President, of the case, in effect, creating a Alexander Lukashenko. Vladimir Putin, including taking situation where restrictions can Considering it’s chequered state ownership of the economy. be changed arbitrarily by police past – including both Nazi and Owing to human rights officers. Soviet rule – Belarus’s current concerns, Belarus remains one These constraints greatly conqueror hardly breaks with the of only two European states impinge on the convicted person’s extremist tradition. not part of the Council of ability to comply, and furthermore, Europe. mean that due to the absence of Similarly, Belarus is official judicial influence, they are one of the few states not offered no right of appeal against to have asked for EU such decisions. membership, and not to Alies Straltsou explained that have been offered it by living a ‘normal’ life under his the EU. sentence of “restricted freedom” Many believe that life has become extremely difficult. in the EU would be better “Even the easy things like going than that under President to the laundry or doing shopping Lukashenko’s self-professed are becoming nearly impossible A newly independent, post- ‘authoritative ruling without breaking the time rules,” Soviet Union republic, the style’, labelled by many he said. country has fallen into the all- Western states as a “I can only leave my flat to go too familiar trap of other post- dictatorship. to work and back, and to register communist states, adopting But those with the police every week. a mixed-presidential regime in charge “I can’t visit any other flats, any which ultimately affords one of ruling gatherings, any social or cultural person, namely the president, B e l a r u s establishments. considerable and overarching seem to “If I break these rules three personal powers. be more times, the sentence will be In Alies Straltsou’s words: eager to

Lukashenko’s Belarus lacks the vestiges of democracy

hold on to the values synonymous with an authoritarian state – notably not those “common values” the EU is so keen to promote. Even the remotest political activity can lead to severe consequences. Alies’s girlfriend was thrown out of university for possessing an opposition leaflet; he said that “any young opposition activist faces a beating, loss of their job, or sentencing to 10, 15 or 20 days in prison - sometimes longer, as in my case - for any kind of public activity”. It’s been a long 17 months since the original sentencing. Amnesty International’s work on behalf of the Minsk demonstrators continues, but hopefully, soon the freedom of Alies Straltsou and his compatriots will be restored.

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ORGE PRESS Friday October 23 2009

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FEATURES

Blunkett still believes in Britain

Forge Press speaks to former Home Secretary David Blunkett about social mobility in Britain and his battle to gain a university education.

Paul Garbett

lind at birth and brought up in a nderprivileged family in Parson ross, few would have predicted hat David Blunkett would become ne of the most powerful men in overnment. While many of his colleagues at Westminster have gone through he familiar cycle of independent chools and top universities, lunkett faced a battle to gain his ducation. After growing up in one of hefﬁeld’s most deprived areas nd facing the tragic death of his ather when he was just 12-yearsld, Blunkett’s opportunities in fe seemed limited. But through ard work and determination, he raduated with a degree in Political heory and Institutions from this University.

It’s vital people rom poorer backgrounds access higher education’

David Blunkett, MP

“There are massively more pportunities now compared to hen I was a child,” he said. “Only eight per cent of the opulation went to university when was studying at the University of hefﬁeld. “It took me six years of going o evening classes and getting my employer to give me a day off ach week so I could go to college. Nobody within a square mile of here I lived in Parson Cross ad any experience whatsoever of niversity. It was a totally alien orld. “Now we’ve got over 40 per ent of the population going to niversity.” Despite students leaving niversity with an average debt of 20,000 and concerns that fees are iscouraging poorer students from ttending university, Blunkett elieves that a university education ffers good value for money. He said: “While the struggle to ay back loans is a very big one, eople are prepared to borrow

money to buy a car and set up a home, so I feel that being prepared to go for it is absolutely crucial to the wellbeing of those who have the capability to do so. “It’s vital for the rest of the country to have more people gaining degrees, because our economy in the future will depend very heavily on people gaining the high level skills that university brings.” While Sheffield has a student population of over 45,000, the former Education Secretary accepts that there are still difficulties encouraging those from the poorer areas of the city to continue their education after leaving school. “Over the last 10 years we’ve opened two sixth form colleges in the north of Sheffield where there was previously no immediate access to post-16 education. “Very few people stayed on in my constituency of Brightside and now that’s beginning to transform. The number of people in the last five years who have gone to university has doubled. “While still only 16 per cent of people from that area are going to university, it is major progress and now with the sixth form colleges, youngsters are staying on in very large numbers and they are learning that they are bright and not thick. “They are learning that potential exists if they choose the right course, they’re learning that there are all sorts of opportunities and professions that they’ve never even dreamt of. It’s absolutely crucial to their wellbeing but also to the regeneration of the communities that they grew up in and for us as a nation.” While Blunkett says opportunities for underprivileged young people have improved, statistics show there is still a lack of social mobility in Britain.

‘When you marry a GP you expect to keep going forever’ David Blunkett, MP Over half of professional occupations such as law and ﬁnance are currently dominated by people from independent schools which are attended by just seven per cent

of the population. Seventy-ﬁve per cent of judges and 45 per cent of top civil servants were privately educated. He said: “I think it’s absolutely vital that people from poorer backgrounds have access to higher education and we face an enormous challenge to encourage more social mobility.

‘Nobody within a square mile of where I lived had any experience of university’ David Blunkett, MP “The challenge we face is engaging children from areas where there is mass unemployment and showing them that there are better opportunities. We need schools to bring in more speakers and use local role models to inspire. Volunteering can also have a role in bringing unemployed people back into work environment. “On a visit to a school in a poor area of Bristol, my secretary once asked a nine-year-old boy what he wanted to do when he was older. ‘I want to draw my beneﬁts on a Tuesday,’ he said.” Earlier this month at the Conservative Party conference, David Cameron pledged if elected, his government would act on child poverty and become a champion of the poor. He said: “I see a country where the poorest children go to the best schools, not the worst; where birth is never a barrier.” Blunkett disagrees that the Tories are now the party of the poor. He said: “I think cutting public services and expenditure is exactly the reverse of helping those who are absolutely dependant on the support systems and investment that has transformed already the life chances for the children of Shefﬁeld. “It’s the literacy and numeracy programmes, the extra teaching assistants and the complete rebuilding of schools that are the outcome of investment in our future. If you don’t invest, you

don’t have a future and you don’t have change. “People who can buy their way out of cuts in education and health spending don’t have a problem, it’s the people who are least likely to vote, who are alienated and disadvantaged who lose out most. “I think we’ve got to break that cycle and persuade people firstly to get engaged as citizens, secondly to get engaged in voting and more importantly being engaged in actually helping to transform their own lives and the lives of people around them.” Having just re-married at the tender age of 62, the University of Sheffield graduate shows no signs of slowing down ahead of the biggest general election in decades. He said: “I’ve been very lucky to have such a long political career, and I’m ready to enter the final third of my life. I say final third, because when you marry a GP you expect to keep going forever. At the moment though, the only

advice she’ll give me is to take two paracetamol.” If you believe the polls then sometime next May, David Cameron will be announced as Britain’s next Prime Minister, ending 13 years of Labour control. But Blunkett believes the ﬁght to win votes is far from over. He said: “In 1969 and again in 1978 we were in the same position we are in now and we only just lost those elections. “It is perfectly possible to persuade people in the next six months if we communicate better and talk simpler language. We need to show people that if Labour do lose the election, Britain will be a worse place to live.” “We’ve got to put the scandals of mistrust in politicians behind us, because obviously if you already hold more seats than your opponents then it is those individuals who are going to be scrutinised the most as the governing party. We’ve got six months to get over that.”

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Lifestyle Four of the best: Freebies

Fashion Food & Drink Health & Fitness Technology Sex & Relationships

FORGE PRESS Friday October 23 2009

Hero of the fortnight Boyzone The remaining members of the band, have joined together to support Stephen Gately’s mother.

Meadowhall fashion show The shopping centre round up of Autumn/Winter fashion

Lucy Sprague

Hannah O’Connell

A walk in the Peak District: Being right on your doorstep, it would be foolish not to take advantage of the natural wonders the Peak District has to offer. The Source can provide directions of how to walk into the peaks. A ramble in the hills would be a perfect way to spend an afternoon.

A picnic in the Peace Gardens: Pack a picnic and take a short walk to the Peace Gardens in the city centre. The scenery, including fountains and lawns, is award-winning. Take your friends and make the most of the last few sunny days by spending a little time relaxing in the fresh air.

A gig in a pub: Spend an evening at a live music night at one of your local pubs. Often it costs very little or nothing at all to get in. Pop along to The Grapes or The Boardwalk and you never know, you might just see the next Arctic Monkeys.

A trip to a museum/art gallery: Shefﬁeld has a lot to offer in terms of culture and art. Hit the Western Park Museum where you can explore the history of Shefﬁeld. Or if art is more your thing, try the Graves Gallery, which has had a recent makeover.

OK, so it wasn’t London or Paris but Meadowhall did manage to produce an impressive catwalk fashion show on October 8. Lifestyle was invited to the exclusive fashion show, which was held in a transformed vacant shop space, to witness the lines that are available in the stores this season. It looked pretty glamorous: the lighting was dim apart from the many twinkling fairy lights surrounding the catwalk and contemporary transparent seats; there was an acoustic guitarist and singer entertaining the guests until the show started. As well as there being suited waiters and waitresses offering canapés and free drinks. When everyone was seated the stylist, Bradley Taylor, introduced the show; he was followed by several break dancers who reappeared throughout the show – ensuring the attention of the audience remained. As Meadowhall is full of highstreet stores, most things worn on the catwalk were affordable for the general public and most importantly, students. Cheap and cheerful Primark started the show; although there were sequins aplenty it, surprisingly wasn’t as tacky as I expected. The picture, bottom right, shows a model donning Primark clothes. As you are likely to be aware (due to the fact they are covering everything in sight this season) sequins are big; the gold skirt looks really effective with a plain black vest and tights or leggings. Many of the stores at Meadowhall showed their lines for this Autumn/ Winter – including Warehouse, Coast, New Look, Next and House of Frasier. These stores, as well as many more, also showcased sequin inspired garments, including tops, jackets, leggings and trousers. You deﬁnitely

don’t need to look far at the moment to find something that follows this trend: the good news is there are so many different items and styles in the shops, covered in sequins, that you can find something that suits you and that you can get wear out of. There were certain trends that consistently appeared throughout the show; illustrating the key items essential for all fashion followers that are available on the high street at the moment. Shoulder pads were out in force, top right; as well as blazers and studded leather jackets which are great for easy day and night wear. Blazers are extremely versatile; they look great with jeans, shorts, a dress or a skirt. As well as looking great they are also a fairly practical item to wear on a chilly Autumn night out; better than braving it without a coat. The catwalk demonstrated that the studded leather jacket is the epitome of casual wear. The jacket looks great on the model with hot pants; but equally looks fantastic with jeans for a lecture. Body-con dresses appear to be the Christmas dress of choice this year. For some of us this fact may fill us with dread. However, for the lucky ladies that can pull off the bodycon dress be daring and go for a bright colour, like the red standout dress, top right. Tulip shaped skirts and dresses were everywhere. Thankfully, this is a more easy to wear style which accentuates curves and suits most figures. Skirts can be

Showcasing the Autumn/Winter fashion. Photos: Sam Bennett

transformed by wearing different tops, leggings or tights – meaning that you can wear it time and time again and no one will know. Accessories that stood out on the catwalk include studded heels and small leather gloves. Wearing studded heels instantly transforms your image and your outﬁt. It’s the same with the gloves’, they are quite an individual item to pull off but instantly assert your fashion identity. The stand out colour on the catwalk was gold. It was a popular colour for many party outﬁts so was mainly found in the form of satin or sequins. The two gorgeous gold dresses, pictured top centre, are from Coast; they will be pricey but they are pieces to keep. Gold and Christmas go hand in hand so it’s worth spending that little bit more on something that you can keep. This was the message from the stylist, Bradley Taylor. He told Lifestyle that this season everyone should invest in a “hero piece”; he explained this as an item that would go with everything and could be worn time and time again. I suggest a blazer or leather jacket as your hero piece; initially they hit your bank account hard but when you’re still wearing it throughout next year it will have been a bargain. For more pictures of the event go to the Lifestyle and Fashion section of forgetoday.com and check out the gallery.

FORGE PRESS Friday October 23 2009

www.forgetoday.com // lifestyle@forgetoday.com

Gadget of the fortnight

Product of the fortnight

Villain of the fortnight

Kindle £175 Books become the latest victim of the digital age this month. Will e-readers take over?

Innocent Veg pots £3.20 Despite the lack of glamour they taste surprisingly good. Lunch sorted and THREE of your ﬁve-a-day.

Philip Liang He brought shame on all Shefﬁeld students, by making national press for urinating on a war memorial.

Review: Sakushi Amy Garrod As a sushi virgin I didn’t know what to expect from Sakushi. I’d always felt intimidated by the idea of eating raw ﬁsh. However, university is all about gaining new experiences, so with this in mind I eagerly set off for the restaurant on Campo Lane. The main focal point of this clean cut oriental restaurant is a selection of dishes, rotating around the centre of the room on a conveyer belt. The novelty of watching the different foods pass you by allows you to check out all the dishes before making any decisions. Not only are you able to do selfservice but you can also select from one of the 70 dishes on the menu. Having such a large selection available to you may seem overwhelming however, with such passionate and knowledgeable staff who are happy to help, you needn’t worry. The service was good, and our

Top ten hottest fashion trends for this Autumn/Winter: 1. Sequins - Whether you need a top, hot pants or trousers - make sure they’re sequinned. 2. Studs - Studs create the perfect rock-chick look. A studded dress looks edgy teamed with ankle boots and dark eyes. 3. Leather - Leather jackets are the epitome of casual cool. Leather isn’t stopping at just jackets: leather leggings and skirts are hot. Branch out and give them a go. 4. Big shoulders - Embellishment, ruffles and pads. Start tame and build up to brave this seemingly scary trend. 5. Velvet - This material may remind you of your Grandma but (honestly) velvet is in. Nicola Roberts rocked her vintage seethrough top and velvet bottom jumpsuit. 6.’80s - It’s still in so keep your brights out and team with leggings. 7. Thick knits - Practical and fashionable, what more could you want? 8. One shouldered - One shoulder body-con dresses can’t be worn by everyone but those who can will be envied. 9. Denim - First there were all sorts of differently coloured jeggings; now there’s more denim with the addition of jackets, waistcoats, dresses and shirts. For something different, look out for a sleeveless denim cropped jacket. 10. A winter coat - There is so much to choose from when it comes to coats. Formal, casual, black or bright you can find it in the shops. There are lots of casual looking coats out that have big toggles across the chest. Coats are essential, an investment and really can make an outfit.

food arrived promptly. In the spirit of being adventurous, we tried Tako Nigiri (octopus), which, although a challenge to eat with chop sticks, turned out to be surprisingly good. Nonetheless, with such a versatile menu you are certain to find something to suit your taste and appetite. An extensive noodle menu also means you can be sure to leave feeling full, but lighter bites such as Tempura (battered fish, meat or vegetable) makes Sakushi a popular lunch stop. The drinks are reasonably priced, and food ranges in price depending on the meal. The sushi on the conveyor belt is colour coded according to price, varying from £1.80 to £3.80. This helps you keep tabs on spending, but with such diversity, prices can soon escalate. As a student this is definitely a venue for special occasions, perfect for a first date or for those adventurous people who want to try something new.

The conveyor belt is the focal point of this restaurant.

So you think you can’t get testicular cancer at 20?

Photo: Sam Bennett

Realising potential

Stephan Green Girls and women have been told for years that they should be giving their boobs a squeeze and boys are no different, apart from it’s your testicles that you should be giving the once over. It could happen to anyone, Lance Armstrong who won the tour de France seven years in a row was diagnosed with stage three testicular cancer in 1996. Testicular cancer is one of the commonest cancers among young men aged 15 to 35 and as we all know that cancers that are detected early are the ones that are most easily treated. It’s important to be clued up on what to check for in your nether regions. There are several different symptoms that you should be aware of, these include a lump or swelling, pain or discomfort and another symptom is having the feeling of a heavy scrotum. The most common symptom of testicular cancer is a lump or swelling. However, it is important to remember that most lumps aren’t testicular cancer, a very small percentage of lumps found will be cancerous. Nonetheless, it’s still really important to get them checked out just in case. You should check your testicles about once a month. The best time to check your testicles for lumps is after a warm bath or in the shower, this means that the scrotal skin is relaxed and so it will make it easier to feel your testes. Cancer Research suggests to gently hold your scrotum in the palm of your hand. This will make it easier to examine with your ﬁngers and

Embrace your student status. Vicky Shaw The ‘university student’ label is something most of us will only wear for a short period of time during our lives. So make sure you make the most of your studenthood.

Anyone is at risk to cancer - even a young, fit athlete like Lance Armstrong. thumbs on both hands. It’s common to have one testicle larger or lower then the other but any noticeable increase in size and weight should be checked out. Also when checking your testicles you may notice a soft tube at the top and back of the testicle, this carries and stores sperm, it may feel tender but don’t confuse it with a lump. The testicle itself should be smooth with no lumps or swellings. Remember if you find any lumps or swelling it’s important not to panic but ensure you make an appointment with your doctor straight away to make sure it’s nothing serious. So to recap, check once a month, after a warm bath or shower and if you find anything call and make

an appointment with your doctor immediately. If you are found to have testicular cancer then treatment is usually removing the affected testicle. However you can still lead a perfectly normal life with one testicle it doesn’t affect the level of sex hormone, or being able to get an erection. Also one testicle still makes enough sperm so that you can have children. Major problems occur when the cancer is detected very late. So it’s really important to ensure that you regularly check yourself for lumps and bumps and to not be embarrassed to go down to the doctor’s practice as soon as you know something’s not right. Remember the doctors have seen it all before.

1.Sign up to studentbeans.com Making an account is quick and simple, saving you money on meals out, course books, travel and much more. There is info of how you can get free stuff too. 2.Do something crazy for charity ‘Bummit’ across Europe on a budget, walk a night time marathon around Shefﬁeld and the peak district or follow cryptic clues around Europe in a race to win £1,000. Get involved in Shefﬁeld RAG and have some unforgettable experiences. 3.Be experimental Find a sport or activity you’ve never tried and Give it a Go. Or make a drastic change to your appearance by following an outrageous fashion trend. University is a great time to learn more about yourself so step out of your comfort zone and mix things up a little.

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FORGE PRESS Friday October 23 2009

Lifestyle

Monsieur Derrière:

Warts and all

ith freshers’ w e e k over a month ago, my chances of finding my freshers’ meat was looking very doubtful to say the least. However one wet and windy night in Sheffield changed my view completely. I was huddled in the corner of the smoking area, dressed in my neon blue hot pants for my friend’s 21st birthday shenanigans, when man number one approached. He screeched at me in his camp, northern accent ‘oh my God’ where did you get those fabulous hot pants from?’ Now I’m not fussy when it comes to men, but this particular ‘man’ made me shiver just hearing his voice. So calmly I responded with ‘thanks, my boyfriend leant me them for the night.’ Needless to say he minced off towards his next victim. Once I was back inside, man number two caught my eye. His beautiful blue eyes pierced my drunkenness and more than that, he was a fresher. Slowly we danced our way closer together before finally making out on the dance floor and 20 minutes later we left, hastily making our way back to his apartment in town. We started stripping down when finally it was only his boxers keeping us from our night of passion. The excitement was building, literally, with his bulging package in my eye-line. With that, I ripped his boxers off to find a very unwelcome yellow wart followed by another one and another one. I froze in shock before hastily getting dressed and making a run for it. I awoke the next morning fuming over the previous night’s disaster on the way to the GUM clinic. After a very embarrassing set of tests the results came back clear, I promised myself never to set my eyes on a fresher again.

Let’s hear it for the boys: Male fashion Steve Hughes Remember the time when woolly jumpers meant grandma’s, Christmas day and itching, well those days are gone and have been replaced by the new indiechic sweater craze which is sweeping the nation. The jumpers which could once only be found in retro boutiques such as Cow and Freshmans, have now hit the high street creating a new wave of style, combining the typical winter hoodie with a retro twist. Topman has stocked a range of sweatshirts and jumpers for this seasons trendsetters. For a warmer, heavier, more knitted look River Island have introduced a new line of chunky knitted cardigans, which are reasonable priced considering they are knitted pieces. These pieces are stylish, and perfect for smart and casual looks. For the credit cruncher’s amongst you New Look has a great blue and red crew neck sweater, which

can help you create a relaxed informal look. Another style which has burst onto the fashion spectrum this winter is the ‘rolled up’ jean look. On the catwalks once again this season. They help to create a style which is relaxed but bold, going great with plimsolls or moccasins. They’re also really easy to get hold of and available in most men’s high street chains such as: Topman, Burtons and River Island. The dark denim skinnys are simple but create an impact and can be bought for around £40 from Topman, and they help complete any look. River Island also stock a range of ‘roll looks’ so you could experiment with high rolled skinny’s or go for a more casual ‘slouched look’. If buying new from the high street isn’t within your budget, then why not just do it yourself, rolling up your jeans to create the vintage two-toned winter look.

Plan for the unplanned Emily Williams

Crucial to avoid a trip to the clinic.

Ticket, phone, money. The essential equipment for a great night out. Until, vodka goggles in place, you make the impromptu decision to go home with the complete stranger that you’ve been getting with since entering ROAR. Back at theirs and several stages in, the awkward realisation hits that neither of you has a condom. This should call a halt to proceedings but who wants to be a spoil sport? The shame doesn’t quite hit home until you’re sat in the sex clinic.

The towers of brightly coloured leaflets detailing the myriad of sexual diseases that could be lurking within you right now, make you consider for the first time the potential seriousness of the situation. Some may think that carrying a condom is somehow slutty; that taking one everywhere means you’re looking for it everywhere. However, by planning ahead you can have unplanned sex without risking you or your partner’s health. Which hangover would you prefer, a lazy day on the sofa or gynaecological exposure and a nerve racking wait for the results? I know which one I’m going for.

There’s an art to making a cocktail.

Photo: Hannah O’Connell

Society of the fortnight: Cocktail Society Keri O’Riordan CockSoc has had an image makeover. No longer just a drinking society with a funny name, the Cocktail Society paints a much more sophisticated picture this year. This becomes apparent when you talk to the committee and a relaxed president talks through what sort of workshops the society is putting on this year. Every week there is a different workshop in various bars around the city each featuring a different spirit based cocktails. He also tells us about the Cocktail Society membership cards, which gives you loads of brilliant offers in places like Bai Hoi and Vodka Revolution. In the Bowery we would be shown how to make rum based cocktails, specifically looking at Havana rum. As we relaxed back with our two for £6 cocktails a lovely barmaid called Nicky talks us through how Havana rum is made and a little bit about its history. A few interesting facts and a couple of drinks later and we were ready to make our cocktails. To give us a broad range of cocktail making skills we’re shown how to make three different cocktails a stirred, shaken and strained cocktail.

There was an element of competition to the cocktail making as me and my friend compared our mint garnished glasses, and a definite element of fear as we delicately made our first attempt at a shaken cocktail. By the end of the night, I felt well versed on rum based cocktails, declaring to my housemates that I was dropping out of university to start a rum based cocktail party company.

The new sophisticated cocktail society The whole night was really enjoyable, the Cocktail Society help to create a really chilled atmosphere, which made it a really fun and relaxed night. The society runs workshops every Monday which are priced according to what sort of cocktails you’re making, but it’s a lot of fun and I would highly recommend it. If you would like to take part the next workshop is Monday, October 26 in the Bowery and Monday, November 2 in Bai Hoi, to book yourself in for one of these workshop’s contact the society through the Union page.

FORGE PRESS Friday October 23 2009

www.forgetoday.com // travel@forgetoday.com

TRAVEL Foreign Correspondent

Alone and lost in translation Jo Wendel So life as an exchange student is turning out to be far from the expected easy life of ERASMUS parties and bier drinking. In fact, it’s pretty much the opposite. After three weeks I still have no friends, and the mere thought of attending lectures in full on academic German is disturbing my sleep. Admittedly my disturbed sleep could also be caused by the horrible mattress I have and the weird German pillows.

I have no doubt my year abroad will be awesome All German pillows are size 80x80cm – roughly 31x31” – and only very loosely stuffed. But that still doesn’t change the basic truth: so far my year abroad has been everything but expected. Not even my imported sweets from home can cure the loneliness. The worst part of going abroad is undoubtedly leaving all your friends behind. After two years of laughter, parties and heart-to-heart chats, you have to leave your whole life behind. Everything familiar is gone. In Sheffield not a day would pass without me running into friends on the street, in the Union, or even at the supermarket. In Berlin, the chance of me running into someone I know is literally one in a million. The four people I know divided by the four million living in Berlin. Berlin is the coolest place I’ve ever been to, and I’m still completely overwhelmed and thrilled to actually be living here. It’s just tough having no one to share it with. Several times a day I catch myself bringing out my mobile to fire off a text about that funny graffiti I just saw/bizarre German woman I just met/insane cultural shock I just experienced. Then I remember: Oh yeah, I have no one to text. Friends aren’t exactly proving easy to find. Freshers’ week, Students’ Union and University societies are all completely unheard of here. My best bet is probably that one ERASMUS party the university actually will organise in two weeks time.Your year abroad is meant to be totally awesome, and I have no doubt it eventually will be. It’s just that if I had known I was going to spend my nights alone in my room watching Gossip Girl episodes on my laptop, I would’ve brought more DVDs.

Read Jo’s blog and see pictures at www.forgetoday.com

Marvel at the sights and delights of Marrakech Set in the intense Moroccan heat, Marrackech is an unusual blend of African and Arabic culture

Rachel Blundy Marrakech is fast becoming a hotspot for Western tourists. With its eclectic mix of bustling restaurants, stunning architecture and maze-like market stalls, all set in the intense Moroccan heat, this city is ideal for anyone seeking a very different African experience. This summer I visited Marrakech for six days during the end of August. It was a special time in the Marrakechi calendar, being the month of Ramadan, so almost everyone was fasting. The main square in Marrakech (Djemaa el Fna) came alive in the evenings once everyone had completed prayers at the central mosque.

Women should avoid dressing provocatively Performers and artists were everywhere. Occasionally they would entreat you to stay to watch, but if you carried on walking they rarely continued to hassle you. The souqs (commerical quarters) and riads (traditional houses with interior gardens) which surround Djemaa el Fna can often seem like a labyrinth of streets. We lost our way several times but there was normally someone on hand to direct us, if occasionally for a small fee. When buying souvenirs in the souqs, we found that prices would start relatively high, and the customer was expected to barter until a sale could be agreed. This can begin to get tiring, but if you persist you can find some great bargains. Many sellers understand English but French is more widely spoken in Morocco so it helps to speak a little of both when negotiating. Each souq specialises in a particular product such as clothing, l a n t e r n s , jewellery and crafts. Some upmarket souqs even allow you to pay by Visa card and

then have your purchase shipped home. The Ali Ben Youssef Mosque, situated about 15 minutes walk from Djemaa el Fna through some winding streets, is another notable attraction. We visited the mosque, the Ben Youssef Medrassa (an old Arabic school) and the Marrakech Museum for a combined price of £4. The Museum lacked engaging exhibits as well as having most of its information printed in the old colonial language of French. Its architectural design however was breathtaking, closely rivalled by the structure of the Medrassa. Transport and food were both extremely cheap in Marrakech. Taxis from our hotel (situated in the more modern district of Gueliz) to the city centre cost little more than 30 dirham (just over £2). Owing to Ramadan, many restaurants were closed until sunset (around 8pm), resulting in my boyfriend and I often getting pretty hungry. There were the obvious Western chains such as Pizza Hut, KFC and McDonalds, but we sought to eat authentic Moroccan food whenever we could. We frequently ate delicious plates of chicken, rice, chips and salad for under a fiver. The small food stalls in the main square would have produced the same food for half the price, but they didn’t provide the same beautiful rooftop scenery of the city. Alcohol is prohibited in many bars and restaurants in Morocco because the owners and many of their clientele are strict Muslims. If you’re expecting a boozy holiday in the sun then you might be disappointed. That said, you can find more Westernised bars selling a selection of wine, beers and spirits if you look towards Gueliz. Brewed in Morocco itself, Flag Speciale beer was a surprising favourite of mine whilst we were there.

The Al Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakech. Photo: Rachel Blundy Flights to Marrakech can be Marrakech Facts purchased very cheaply through Royal Air Maroc. We bought ours for £130 return Marrakesh is renowned for leather goods and is one of the principal per person, including all taxes. Beware however, this was Air commercial centers of Morocco. Maroc’s economy, non-refundable fare which could not be cancelled Beautifully situated near the Atlas Mountains, Marrakech has or changed once booked. If you want the option to cancel, extensive gardens, ruins of a 16thyou might be better to pay a little century palace, a former palace of the sultan that is now a museum more. of Moroccan art, and a royal necropolis.

Marrakechis are renowned for being liberal

We booked our hotel through www.travelrepublic.co.uk, which gave us a perfectly decent air conditioned room with a television for £31 per night, based on two sharing. The hotel also provided breakfast and a swimming pool. I’ve spoken to people who stayed in one of the city’s famous riads, who said they experienced luxurious surroundings at an affordable price, but often couldn’t remember the way back to their hotel. If you’re planning to go to Marrakech, be aware that it is still a very religious city. Women should avoid dressing provocatively, whilst drunken lager louts might be treated more harshly than at home. Marrakechis are renowned in Morocco for being fairly liberal, but you might still get some unwelcoming stares if you neglect to respect their unusual blend of African and Arabic culture.

The Université Ben Youssef, a center of Islamic studies, and a

public university are in Marrakech Marrackech means ‘Land of God’ but it is also known as the ‘Red City’ by local people. It has a population of 1,070,838. Arabic is the official language of Morocco. French is the former colonial language and Spanish is used in the northern costal areas. Morocco has a subtropical climate, tempered by oceanic influences that give the costal regions moderate temperatures. Strictly Come Dancing contestant Laila Rouass and actor Karima Adebibe are both Moroccan.

FORGE PRESS Friday October 23 2009

www.forgetoday.com // travel@forgetoday.com

TRAVEL Foreign Correspondent

Read Jo’s blog and see pictures at www.forgetoday.com

Marvel at the sights and delights of Marrakech Set in the intense Moroccan heat, Marrackech is an unusual blend of African and Arabic culture

Women should avoid dressing provocatively Performers and artists were everywhere. Occasionally they would entreat you to stay to watch, but if you carried on walking they rarely continued to hassle you. The souqs (commercial quarters) and riads (traditional houses with interior gardens) which surround Djemaa el Fna can often seem like a labyrinth of streets. We lost our way several times but there was normally someone on hand to direct us, if occasionally for a small fee. When buying souvenirs in the souqs, we found that prices would start relatively high, and the customer was expected to barter until a sale could be agreed. This can begin to get tiring, but if you persist you can find some great bargains. Many sellers understand English but French is more widely spoken in Morocco so it helps to speak a little of both when negotiating. Each souq specialises in a particular product such as clothing, l a n t e r n s , jewellery and crafts. Some upmarket souqs even allow you to pay by Visa card and

Marrakechis are renowned for being liberal

The Université Ben Youssef, a centre of Islamic studies, and a public university are in Marrakech.

Marrakech means ‘Land of God’ but it is also known as the ‘Red City’ by local people. It has a population of 1,070,838. Arabic is the official language of Morocco. French is the former colonial language and Spanish is used in the northern costal areas. Morocco has a subtropical climate, tempered by oceanic influences that give the costal regions moderate temperatures. Strictly Come Dancing contestant Laila Rouass and actor Karima Adebibe are both Moroccan.

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FORGE PRESS Friday October 23 2009

FORGE PRESS Friday October 23 2009 www.forgetoday.com // features@forgetoday.com

PUZZLES & HUMOUR

Coffee Break CROSSWORD

Fortnightly quiz

SUDOKU

1. Where in the body is the labyrinth ?

7. What is the unit of currency in Poland ?

2. What is the common name for ascorbic acid ?

8. Which two elements make up water ?

3. Complete this quotation from Voltaire: ‘If God did not exist...’

9. Who was the captain of the Pequod in Moby Dick ?

4. Americans call it a faucet. What do the British call it ? 5. How are the first five books of the bible know collectively ? 6. Who designed the dome of St. Peter’s, Rome ?

10. What colour is a New York taxi ? 11. What is measured on the Beaufort scale ? 12. Where would you find the ‘ocean of storms’ ?

Solutions: 1. The ear, 2. Vitamin C, 3. ‘...it would be necessary to invent him’, 4. A tap, 5. Pentateuch, 6. Michelangelo, 7. Zloty, 8. Hydrogen and Oxygen, 9. Captain Ahab, 10. yellow, 11. Wind Velocity, 12. On the Moon. Across

Down

1. Concern (5) 4. Maxim (5) 7. Fruit (3) 8. Responded (7) 9. Chess piece (4) 10. Writer (6) 13. Sagacity (6) 14. Leave out (4) 17. Decorate food (7) 19. Beverage (3) 20. Stitched (5) 21. Travesty (5)

1. Thin biscuit (5) 2. Areas (7) 3. Tall story (4) 4. Counting device (6) 5. Perform (3) 6. Duck (5) 11. Short-tailed burrowing rodent (7) 12. Aped (6) 13. Earnings (5) 15. Search and find (5) 16. Professional cook (4) 18. Uncooked (3)

OVERHEARD IN SHEFFIELD In the IC: Boy: “I don’t WANT to sleep with a different girl every night, but Sarah broke my heart and now I don’t have any choice.” In the Kitchen: Girl: “I can’t find my cucumber.”

Boy: “Have you tried looking in your bedroom?”

Outside the Mappin building:

Girl: “I’ve looked there already!”

Boy one: “You won’t believe what my grandad did this week - he drove to Asda and then forgot which car was his.

On the Concourse: Girl talking on mobile: “I only cheated on my last three boyfriends - they were all slags anyway.”

Issue 14 crossword solution: Across: 1. Dozen, 4. Cache, 7. Oblivious, 8. Yawn, 10. Eroded, 12. Eagles, 13. Idea, 16. Tarantula, 18. Nadir, 19. Tacit.

Boy: “Do you mean John Wayne? Bruce Wayne is Batman.”

Boy two: “Does he have Alzheimer’s?” Boy one: “No, a Mondeo.” In the Gallery:

Down: 1. Diary, 2. Zoo, 3. Nile, 4. Covert, 5. Crowded, 6. Eased, 9. Wagered, 11. Leaner, 12. Eaten, 14. Adept, 15. Aunt, 17. Arc.

Girl: “It reminds me of those great western movies with Bruce Wayne.”

PICTURE OF THE FORTNIGHT mOST POPULAR web CONTENT tHIS MONTH: 1. SIngles Review: What’s coming up 2. The Forge News Session 3. Forge TV hits Union screens 4. Sheffield’s gang scene unmasked 5. Biblical Studies department threatened with closure 6. Teaching quality fears 7. Ridge go-ahead despite complaints 8. Cuts will see standards slip 9. Protest against ticket barriers 10. BAE corruption charges

Sam Bennett captures Alan Fletcher - AKA certified DILF and the world’s most versatile medic, Dr Karl Kennedy from Neighbours - starring with his backing band The X-Rays in the Foundry this week. See your pictures here; email: features@forgetoday.com.

Keep up to date with Forge Media by visiting forgetoday.com; featuring articles, podcasts, listen again shows, video content and lots more.

Photo: Sam Bennett

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FORGE PRESS Friday October 23 2009

SPORT FEATURE

Would Sheffield be a good World Cup host? Howard Wilkinson

Sheffield has the oldest club in the world in Sheffield FC, the oldest ground in the world in Hallam FC’s Sandygate Road and is the place where the first rules were written. We have two established clubs formed early on in the sport’s history and two stadiums which are good now and will be excellent by the time of the World Cup. Sheffield is a city that has adapted to change and has an infrastructure with transport and communication networks as good as anywhere. There is a fan base that is a genuine fan base and the 50,000 people who watch Wednesday and United are mostly from the region and don’t rely on migrant support. The city probably boasts more home football fans than anywhere else in the county. Each city will be trying its best to win the bid and Sheffield is certainly amongst them. Howard Wilkinson, interviewed by Robert Golledge. Darren Purse of Sheffield Wednesday and Chris Morgan of Sheffield United are behind Sheffield’s bid.

Matt Duncan You must have seen the adverts around town by now. Even the most ardent anti-football ones of you will have seen the big green boards asking you to “Back the Bid.” So far we seem, as both a country and more specifically as a city, to have simply accepted that hosting the World Cup in 2018 is a good idea with almost no negatives. But is that actually the case? Would the city be a good host, can we afford it and what would be the point of having it here? Simon Argall, the Operations Director at Sheffield United and one of the stakeholders for the Sheffield bid believes that the city will not only cope, but will excel at hosting part of the largest single sporting event in the world. “Sheffield is the fourth largest city in the country and the first city of sport. “Ultimately this is the city that helped to give the game to the world through Sheffield FC, through Hallam FC and through the original hand written rules of the game.

“We are uniquely positioned to celebrate the World Cup with the rest of the world by inviting home its progeny, football.” Talk of bringing football home is a spiky issue. The previous England bid for the 2006 tournament was widely derided for being arrogant and relying on being seen as the home of football.

‘Sheffield is a city with lots to gain in terms of legacy’ Simon Argall, bid stakeholder To combat the risk of that accusation being used again, this bid is keen to show the economic and social benefits of being the host nation. For Sheffield in particular the benefits are apparently massive. “There will be a significant amount of money coming onto the city on top of the large amount of

jobs that it would create in the local area. “For every footballer that turns up there will be a dozen or more support staff and looking after them, plus all the people in the city working to make things work well.” The image that the bid team seem to be putting across is one of self sufficiency, that hosting World Cup games in Sheffield would pay for itself. The large financial outlay is justified by both the prestige factor and also the legacy of being a host city. As with every major sporting event since London winning the right to host the Olympics, legacy is a massive buzz word at the very centre of the bid. Argall said: “This will cement what was meant to be a decade of sport but what will probably stretch even longer now in terms of employment opportunities and sporting legacy. “Sheffield as a city has a lot to gain in terms of legacy. There are a number of community schemes based around the bid that are aiming to bring together the many groups within the city. “Some of the problems within the city will be given a much

needed injection, leading to better cohesion and citizenship.” But of course the most important aspect to any World Cup bid is the local population and their attitude. Argall was keen to highlight the popularity of football and sport in general within the city. “We use the term football daft. We have two large football clubs and other clubs that play within the city, able to command combined audiences of over 50,000 people each week. “That is over 10 per cent of the population, more than double the national average. There is obviously a huge passion for sport and for football in this city. That statistic, combined with the fact that there are over 120 different nationalities represented in Sheffield, means that if the tournament were to be held here then whatever country playing would almost certainly be guaranteed a good reception. The Sheffield bid proposes two stadiums, Hillsborough and Bramall Lane, but the chances are that only one will be selected should the city’s bid be accepted. “Both stadiums do not currently meet the standard required but both can easily upgrade to that

standard so that is not a worry for us.” There seems little doubt that the city will be a good host, with the right facilities and the right attitude.

‘There is obviously a huge passion for sport and for football in this city’ Simon Argall, bid stakeholder History is on Sheffield’s side, the people of the city want it here and the finances, we are assured, all add up. Now all that can be done is wait until December when the FA will decide which cities will contribute to the final 12 stadia. The bid is finished and now the agonising wait begins.

FORGE PRESS Friday October 23 2009

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COMMENT & NEWS SPORT

Athletics Club’s strong start to season

Why are football fans idiots? Chris Rogan Comment

Tim Carter The University Athletics and Cross Country club revelled in the opportunity to showcase their strength and depth last weekend as teams took part in their first races of the year. There were two events taking place, the Manchester University Relays and Cutler’s Relays, both being held in Graves Park, Sheffield. With the luxury of fielding different teams on both days, the best performances came in Sheffield, as the Men’s first team were successful in winning the overall men’s team prize. Armand Bush and Danny Brewer completed the hilly two mile course in the first and third overall fastest times of 10 minutes 44 seconds and 10 minutes 59 seconds respectively, gaining the individual prizes. Alastair Canaway and Liam Ratcliffe made up the remainder of the victorious team , cementing a good quality start to the season. The women’s team meanwhile had a similarly successful outing, with three teams and nine athletes competing. The A-team finished in second place overall, whilst being the fastest university team, with Emily Armstrong and Natasha Dawson setting Sarah McCormack up for a dramatic final leg finish. McCormack raised hopes by making up almost a minute, only to miss out by only four seconds in a dramatic sprint for the line, but clocked the joint-fastest time of the day in a time of 12 minutes 30 seconds. The women’s second team also collected prizes for a gallant performance, finishing as the third placed team, which rounded off a promising start for the Club.

The recent goal debacle at the Stadium of Light during the Sunderland vs. Liverpool fixture has left the away fans with the proverbial egg on their face. The beach ball that was introduced on to the pitch by a Liverpool fan caused the only goal, claimed by Darren Bent. The away end would argue that the game should have been halted and the goal disallowed, but really it was their own fault.

Why should a beach ball be taken along on a match day? It seems out of place at a Premiership game. Yes, it’s a bit of fun before kick off, but what’s wrong with reading the programme, and eagerly anticipating a game that someone has paid a lot of money for? The truth is that fans are idiots. And the goal at Sunderland is just the latest in a long line of unintelligence amongst football fans. The recent Ukraine vs. England match saw another example of poor form with regard to the fans. Flares were slung onto the pitch on two occasions, breaking up play for the eager Ukraine side taking momentum away. This was, however, the fault

of the Eastern Europeans, and the actions were odd at best, as Ukraine is hosting the 2012 European Championships. This will surely cast doubt on the country’s ability to host the event. And it’s not directly the fault of the Ukrainian FA, but the fans at the match. A few weeks ago, Emmanuel Adebayor’s celebration of a goal for Man City against his former club, Arsenal, revealed the psyche of pathetic and brainless minority of football fans. Critics blasted Adebayor, but only because the fans couldn’t quite cope with what was going on in front of them. The Manchester City fans were not much better, turning and hurling abuse at their Arsenal counterparts.

Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina is foxed by the offending beach ball, introduced by a stupid fan.

I am no psychologist, and I’m sure people of such expertise have written pages on such crowd behaviour, but to me it seems that the nasty and unpleasant abuse that takes place at football games needs to be questioned. I’m not saying there shouldn’t be any passion in the game, but it’s a fine line between passion, anger, and then violence. The recent West Ham vs. Millwall tie, which resulted in pitch invasions and crowd violence, suggests that football hooliganism is far from dead and buried. During the riots, which occurred on the day of a Carling Cup tie, a man was stabbed in the chest. Of course, today’s problems with football is nothing compared to the 1970s and ’80s. But there are still pockets of “hooliganism”, which are, of course, the fault of the idiotic fan. The reasons for crowd involvement are perhaps simple: they want to be part of the match. They want to join in with their heroes on the pitch, and watching, chanting, and light-hearted banter with the away fans just doesn’t seem to be enough for a small number, in spite of the fact that most people in the crowd hate invasions, streakers, and now beach balls, and anything else that disrupts the beautiful game. The solution is by no means evident. With society seemingly in a downward spiral, fans are probably going to maintain their low levels of brain cells, and disruptions are going to be commonplace, as they have been for years. What does need to be made clear is that the pitch is for players and referees, and any one else who infringes this should be punished. If a player gets involved with the fans, he is punished, and this should be reciprocated. The pens that were the causes of disasters in the ’80s, like Heysel and Hillsborough can’t return, which means idiotic fans need to be stopped.

British Universities & Colleges Sport fixtures BADMINTON Liverpool 1st v Men’s 1st Hallam 2nd v Men’s 2nd Newcastle 1st v Women’s 1st

HOCKEY Men’s 1st v Leeds Met 1st York 2nd v Men’s 3rd Men’s 4th v Leeds 6th Women’s 2nd v Leeds Met 2nd Women’s 3rd v Leeds 5th Newcastle 2nd v Women’s 4th LACROSSE Men’s 1st v Durham 1st

NETBALL Women’s 1st v York 3rd TASC 1st v Women’s 3rd

RUGBY UNION Men’s 1st v Hallam 1st Men’s 2nd v Leeds Met 3rd York St John 1st v Men’s 3rd Women’s 1st v Leeds Met 1st

BASKETBALL Leeds Met 1st v Men’s 1st Women’s 1st v Newcastle 1st

FENCING Bangor 1st v Men’s 1st FOOTBALL Men’s 1st v York 4th Men’s 4th v Leeds 6th Leeds 2nd v Women’s 2nd

NETBALL Women’s 1st v Hallam 1st Teeside 1st v Women’s 2nd York St John 4th v Women’s 3rd

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 4

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 28 BADMINTON Leeds Met 1st v Men’s 1st Women’s 1st v Manchester Uni 1st

Table tennis action. RUGBY UNION Leeds Met 2nd v Men’s 1st Women’s 1st v Northumbria 1st RUGBY LEAGUE Men’s 1st v Nottingham Trent 1st SQUASH Women’s 1st v Newcastle 1st TABLE TENNIS Leeds 1st v Men’s 1st TENNIS Bradford 1st v Men’s 2nd

RUGBY LEAGUE Cambridge 1st v Men’s 1st

FENCING Men’s 1st v Lancaster 1st Women’s 1st v Sunderland 1st

SQUASH Leeds 2nd v Men’s 1st Bradford 1st v Men’s 3rd Women’s 1st v Durham 1st

FOOTBALL Men’s 1st v Teesside 1st Men’s 2nd v Hallam 2nd TASC 1st v Men’s 3rd York 4th v Men’s 4th Newcastle 1st v Women’s 1st Women’s 2nd v Bradford 1st

TABLE TENNIS Men’s 1st v Teeside 1st Men’s 2nd v Liverpool 1st Leeds 2nd v Women’s 1st

GOLF Men’s 1st v Hallam 2nd HOCKEY Men’s 1st v Manchester 1st Men’s 2nd v Leeds 3rd Men’s 3rd v Newcastle 4th Men’s 4th v Hallam 3rd Women’s 1st v Leeds Met 2nd Leeds 3rd v Women’s 2nd Teeside 1st v Women’s 3rd York St John 2nd v Women’s 4th

The lacrosse men’s firsts

TENNIS Men’s 1st v York 1st Leeds 2nd v Women’s 1st

LACROSSE Hallam 1st v Men’s 1st Women’s 1st v Hull 1st

VOLLEYBALL Hallam 2nd v Men’s 1st Hallam 1st v Women’s 1st

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SPORT REPORTS

Wednesday’s frustrating campaign continues with loss

FORGE PRESS Friday October 23 2009

Another win for football firsts Men’s Football firsts

Coca-Cola Championship Sheffield Wednesday Preston North End

University of Sheffield University of York

1 2

1 0

Jack Burnett

Jack Burnett A 2-1 defeat for Sheffield Wednesday marked the side’s fifth loss of the season and saw the Owls slip to fifteenth place in the Championship. Although manager Brian Laws can be relatively pleased with his side’s attacking display, the defeat highlighted defensive errors that have cost the team dearly this season. Sheffield-born Neil Mellor struck first for Preston, against the run of play, after 20 minutes. Michael Gray then curled in a magnificent free kick before half time, but Wednesday failed to convince in the second half and were deservedly punished when Jon Parkin scored the winner 10 minutes after half-time. Though the defeat is unlikely to be a cause for alarm at Hillsborough, fans will be disappointed to have missed an opportunity to leapfrog rivals Sheffield United in the table after the Blades lost 3-0 at Blackpool. Laws stuck with the same team that had beaten Coventry 2-0 at Hillsborough on Saturday, and early attempts on goal signalled that a similar result was in the making. After only 12 seconds, Lewis Buxton found himself bearing down on goal having been played in by Gray after a swift move that seemed to take the visitors by surprise. Buxton can count himself unlucky that Preston keeper Andy Lonergan was so sharp in the opening moments of the game, the Preston captain saving smartly at his near post. It was a signal of Wednesday’s attacking intent; unfortunately for them, it was also a signal of the outstanding performance to come from Lonergan.

Preston keeper Andy Lonergan makes a save in an entertaining match. Though Preston had rarely outside the box smashed against threatened, the Wednesday the post; the ball rebounded defence looked shaky when straight back to him inside the dealing with what little they area and he unleashed a ferocious faced and a breakthrough came drive that hit the same spot. before the midpoint of the first A free kick 25 yards from goal half. gave Wednesday the opportunity Eddie Nolan found space on to go into the break with the the left and, though it appeared match level. as though the ball had gone out of By no means was it a simple play, crossed for Mellor to glance one, but Grey effortlessly a header into the corner of the net despatched the free kick with via a slight deflection off Darren pace and precision into the topPurse. right corner of the goal; for once, The impressive Mellor there was nothing Lonergan could tormented the Owls’ captain do about it. A barrage of corners throughout, with that strike ensued, an acrobatic effort from taking the ex-Liverpool hit man’s Purse shaving the post before the goals tally for the season to six. half was up. Wednesday probed for an Ten minutes into the second equaliser and almost got one half, Mellor had time and space on from the speedy Johnson, who the left to pick out an unmarked was denied twice in succession by Jon Parkin, who slipped the ball the woodwork. An effort from just with ease past the wrong-footed

Grant. A response akin to that of the first half looked beyond Wednesday, who struggled to overcome a tight Preston defence. Even the introduction of strikers Akpo Sodje and, much to the dismay of the Hillsborough crowd, Francis Jeffers, could not prevent a discouraging defeat for the home side. After the match, Brian Laws lamented Wednesday’s inability to put away first half effort. “It was as big a one way traffic as I’ve ever seen”, commented the Owls’ boss. Certainly, Wednesday seemed to miss their injured top scorer, Marcus Tudgay. Wednesday will be hoping for a drastic improvement on this performance when they face twelfth-placed Watford at Vicarage Road on Friday night.

The men’s first team produced a solid display to win their second match of the season. The visitors started brightly, with Sheffield’s keeper forced to make a decent save in the first minute after a clever one-two on the edge of the area had given York’s striker a clear shot at goal. Sheffield looked the better side for most of the first half, producing few efforts on goal and persistently giving a slow York defence problems with long balls. Swift link-up play on Sheffield’s right wing enabled midfielder Hands to provide several crosses into the area, but his team mates consistently failed to reach them. The nature of the game allowed Sheffield countless opportunities from set-pieces, though York’s keeper was rarely troubled. The deadlock was broken in the 20th minute when a foul just outside York’s area presented Sheffield with a chance. Josh Sherry duly stepped up and dipped the free kick over the wall and into the bottom-right hand corner. The goal seemed to galvanise the Sheffield side, but York stayed firm to ensure they went in at the break with the match still in the balance. The second half saw precious few chances as Uni seemed happy to keep possession hold on for the win. Will Doyle made a chance for himself before the hour, jinking past two defenders into the area only to see his shot saved. York’s chance was to come five minutes from the end of the game when Ian MacKellow was put through on goal, but he could only shoot over the bar. Sheffield coach Pete Cooper said: “At times we were a bit sloppy and careless, but they’ve done all I asked them to do.”

Sharks continue winning streak against Glasgow Rocks British Basketball League Sheffield Sharks Glasgow Rocks

85 75

Liam Hill The Sheffield Sharks beat Glasgow Rocks 85-75 to remain top of the league and to stretch their winning streak to five games after a hard fought game on Friday night at the EIS. This was the first meeting of the two teams this season, and saw the return to Sheffield of two former Sharks players, Sterling Davis and most notably Rob Yanders, who enjoyed a hugely successful spell at the club several years ago. The opening minutes were very tight, with both teams settling to the pace of the game. Mike Copeland converted several early baskets for the Rocks, which were responded to by a threepointer from Ryan Patton, whose shooting remained valuable to the Sharks throughout. The introduction of Matthew

Gorman, who was playing his first game of the season after injury, was received by a warm reception by the fans seven minutes in. The first quarter ended in dramatic fashion with a spectacular buzzer-beating threepointer from Jesse Sapp for the Rocks, which meant they went into the second quarter with a two point lead. The course of the game continued where the first quarter left off in the second, but the form of Sharks’ captain Todd Cauthorn proved crucial. A total of 14 points in the second quarter alone, combined with the playmaking ability of Mike Cook, and the continued success of Ryan Patton’s long range shooting meant that the Sharks found themselves six points up at the end of the half. Glasgow suffered their own dip in basket conversions and not even Scott Russell’s eight-point haul could not keep up with the Sharks’ crisp passing and off-theball movement. Yet the game remained tight in the second half as Glasgow chipped away at Sheffield’s lead,

eventually ending the third quarter just one point behind the Sharks, due to the hard work of the guards. Rob Yanders, who up to this point had a seemingly subdued game against his former club, and Mike Copeland, both of whom had baseline drives and reverse lay-ups to particularly good effect. This set up an exciting finale to the game, and with Sharks leading by one solitary point, both teams continued to press for open looks for shots. The offensive awareness of Most Valuable Player Mike Cook brought points for Atiba Lyons and Perry Lawson, yet the provider turned producer as well, scoring 100 per cent of his four free throws that quarter to bring his total point haul of the game to 20. Glasgow adopted a zone defence to stop the threat coming from the high post shots of Matt Gorman, with some success but it was their misses that ultimately cost them the game, and a double from Tafari Toney two minutes from the end proved the final straw.

The Sheffield Sharks score against Glasgow.

Photo: Edd Wright

FORGE PRESS Friday October 23 2009

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REPORTS SPORT

Frantic encounter ends in defeat for basketball firsts

Netball impress in first game

Men’s Basketball firsts

University of Sheffield York St John University

University of Sheffield University of Teeside

65 72

48 19

Charlotte Duncker

Matt Duncan The men’s basketball firsts are still to get off the mark this season after suffering a home defeat at the hands of the University of Teeside. A lack of composure coupled with some poor rebounding from Sheffield saw the visitors from the north-east recover from a somewhat shaky start to head back up the M1 with all the points. The Sheffield coach, Steve Barnett, blamed a lack of match practice for the loss. “We were rusty, we have only had two or three practices as a team.” The game got off to a frantic start with almost a complete lack of order in the play. An early three pointer from Josef Faddoul showed what the hosts were capable of but the game continued to be full of mistakes. Less than halfway through the opening quarter, Sheffield were in foul trouble, a symptom of their apparent inability to play calm basketball. Teeside did not look overly threatening from open play but the fouls kept giving them free throws although their conversion rate from the line was still below 50 per cent. Despite all this, Sheffield led for the vast majority of the first quarter and ended it ahead 1713. The Sheffield coach used the break to ask his team for more composure, with and without the ball and the opening minutes of the second quarter briefly saw his request answered.

Netball firsts

The men’s basketball first team slipped to another defeat against Teeside. They went on a six point scoring a gap that would never be fully run to open a gap but the frantic closed. element crept back into their play At one point towards the end of and the lead was eliminated as the quarter Sheffield had the lead the end of the half approached. down to two but a spectacular A great rebound from Kaveh dunk gave the visitors a 51-47 Gharieh saw the lead swing lead going into the final period. Sheffield’s way just before the A tit for tat opening to the final buzzer went to signal halftime. 10 minutes saw Sheffield get At the break Sheffield still held within one point of being level the lead, 31-29. but the Teeside offence could not The start of the third quarter be stopped. saw a flurry of baskets. The score The lead was soon back to a was quickly tied up at 35-35 and safe five points and Sheffield’s Sheffield still seemed to want poor defensive rebounding made to play too many risky passes, it almost impossible to stop the leading to a series of turnovers guest’s scoring. for Teeside. Sheffield’s growing frustration Midway through the quarter a over perceived poor refereeing Teeside 10 point run took them spilled over as Faddoul gave away clear of the hosts and created a technical foul for volleying the

Photo: Matt Duncan ball against a wall. The final minutes saw Sheffield reach their team foul limit again and Tesside maintain control of the game to close out a seven point victory. Barnett said: “We will hopefully get better as the season goes on and we work together more.” In response to his player’s grievances over the refereeing he said: “The refs are never going to see everything but I did think that there were some inconsistencies in the decisions, especially near the basket.” Sheffield now move on to face Leeds in their next league match and will be hoping to get their win tally up and running as soon as possible.

The netball first team put in an impressive performance at Goodwin to beat York Saint John. For a brief period the match looked unlikely to go ahead as the fourth umpire had failed to turn up, leaving Sheffield in a situation where they may have had to forfeit the match. Luckily York Saint John agreed to proceed with the game and the fourth umpire turned up just after the end of the first quarter. Sheffield began their season just as they planned, scoring 12 times in the first quarter with York having little response, scoring only four times. The new faces in the Sheffield team appeared to come together well. The team maintained their high spirits in the second quarter with the goal shooter netting the majority of her shots. The match continued at an energetic pace with the defence working well to keep out York, ensuring that the home side held a convincing 24–9 lead at half time. The third quarter started the same as the other two, Sheffield quick to start the scoring with impressive shooting from the attacking players. With constant communication from the goal keeper, Sheffield fought hard to win every loose ball and intercept passes. The link up between captain Olivia Mason at centre, the wing attack and goal attack left York with no chance of a win. The visiting captain said: “It was our first game together as a team and we are bound to improve.” Mason said: “I thought we played really well. The team has come together a lot better than I expected.”

Hockey firsts start with a draw after letting lead slip Men’s Hockey firsts University of Sheffield Durham University

2 2

Robert Scott Despite an impressive performance by the men’s hockey firsts, Durham battled from behind to secure a 2-2 draw at Goodwin. The game started with some early Durham attacking play but Sheffield, in what proved to be a solid defensive display, were more than able to deal with it. In one of Sheffield’s first attacking moves, a long range effort forced a good save from the Durham keeper but Sheffield striker Marcus Booth was on hand to put in the deflection. Sheffield continued to build on their 1-0 advantage and started to gain the majority of possession, putting particular pressure down the left wing. From a resulting short corner striker Marcus Booth was once again on hand to finish off the fruits of Sheffield’s

labour and make it 2-0. Sheffield continued to dominate possession although Durham continued to have an attacking threat and had a goal disallowed late in the first half for a foul inside the D. Near the end of the half a foul resulted in Sheffield having a player yellow carded and sent off for 10 minutes. In the second half both sides started with renewed energy and Durham started to see more of the ball. But Sheffield’s continued strong defence and sweeping counter attacking play meant they continued to hold their own and the team was bolstered when their yellow carded player returned to the field. However, Durham’s fight back began when they were rewarded for their continued effort and forward pressure with a short corner, which was converted to make the score 2-1. Sheffield now worked to close down the game, but with players on both sides tiring the game was becoming a more open affair, with both sides now getting more attempts on goal than in the first

half. With less than 10 minutes to go, a Durham counter attack produced an equalizer to make it 2-2, to produce an exciting end to the game. Sheffield looked for an elusive winner which ultimately never came, although not for lack of trying, and the match finished 2-2. The team’s frustration was evident at the end, as this game represented a lost opportunity for Sheffield. Captain Will Beeching said: “We lost a good opportunity, we had the advantage but we lost concentration and let them back into the game.” Despite the final score, Sheffield produced a good defensive performance, and afterwards the Durham captain said: “Sheffield started well and their forwards worked really well.” The team can take positives from this performance into their next match despite its ultimately disappointing result. Credit, however, must go to Durham for the way in which they fought back in the second half to claim a draw.

Sheffield could not hold on to defeat Durham.

Photo: Edd Wright

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SPORT

World Cup feature Page 28

Uni fall to crushing defeat by a convincing Hallam

FORGE PRESS Friday October 23 2009

Match reports Page 31

Ennis tells students to make the most of Uni

Charlotte Duncker

Photo: Alistair Webster

A crushing tackle from Hallam during their defeat of University.

Men’s Rugby League University of Sheffield Sheffield Hallam

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Chris Rogan A strong Sheffield Hallam side defeated a battling University of Sheffield at the picturesque Arena at Hillsborough Park. The match was a tough affair for both teams, with attritional midfield play characterising the game, with only rare palpable surges of attack occurring, which was unsurprising due to both team’s decent defences. Hallam opened the scoring after dominating the early stages, which was the result of good pressure from the home side, but they failed to score the conversion.

Uni opened their tally not long after, with an accurate penalty kick from the 20 metre line to make the score 4-2. However, Uni failed to make much more of an impact in the first half, conceding a try after a great move from Hallam, with a little dink through the back line that the Uni side failed to deal with. Hallam converted the try for an extra two points. A similar move occurred a few minutes later but the defenders remained tight on this occasion. The first half ended with the Hallam second row making the most of a terrible pass between the Sheffield University players, and could not be caught to the try line. The teams switched with Uni trailing 14-2. After the half-time break, Uni emerged as a much more determined side, but they failed to take advantage from ten

minutes of great pressure. Hallam, however, clearly a more experienced side, managed to almost stroll through the Uni team, and score a try, very much against the run of play. University of Sheffield did not appear to be disheartened, with superior tackling from Hallam preventing a number of close attempts on scoring. Uni eventually took the ball over the line in a scrappy attack, and then converted to make the score 208. The last 15 minutes were again physical, with neither team able to convert good pressure. Hallam were probably the better team over 80 minutes, and the stronger side. Uni captain Mike McGrath said: “We were suffering fatigue in the last few minutes, but that can be sorted out, it’s just fitness. “In previous years we’d been

leading against Hallam and then just throw it away at the death, and I’m glad we didn’t do that today. “Hallam are favourites for the league this season, and we’ve shown today that we can contend. Once we get the team settled down; we’ve got a lot of new players in this year, we can be the superior team.” Herb Gray, Uni’s coach was proud of the team, despite the loss. “Performance-wise we couldn’t have done much better. I think the team were three times better than last week against Coventry, and we won that quite comfortably. “Hallam have got four semi-pros, and we put out an inexperienced team. The fact that we put up such a good fight against arguably the best in the league is something very positive.”

World heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis has encouraged students at the University of Sheffield to capitalize on the sporting facilities offered to them as she took part in a charity ‘Walk as One’ event raising money for Weston Park Hospital. She said: “Sheffield has two big athletics clubs which you can get involved with and students should take advantage of the great facilities at the University. Everybody should get involved.” Whilst her degree in Psychology doesn’t have obvious links with her athletics career, she revealed how it has helped her to become the champion she is today through the life skills she learnt here in Sheffield. “My degree was more of a general psychology degree and not specific towards sport but I had the task of juggling my athletics with my university work and I learnt important skills such as time keeping and working under pressure that have helped me within my sport.” In between her rigorous training and competing the University of Sheffield graduate takes the time to support four different charities for worthwhile causes. Weston Park Hospital supports cancer patients and Ennis said: “It is a very worthy cause as cancer is something that affects everybody. I like to do what I can to help the charities that I have chosen. Weston Park has such excellent facilities and it is great to see how they are helping so many people.” Ennis overcame all odds this summer, after coming back from a career threatening injury to become World Champion in Berlin and consequently has become one of Britain’s hottest prospects for the 2012 Olympics. She had no time for rest as she was straight back to training after the event. After her great success over the summer Ennis has been dubbed ‘the face of 2012’ which comes with a great deal of pressure for the 23 year old but she doesn’t appear to be fazed by it. “I’m trying to take it all in my stride and it’s a good kind of pressure to be put under. I’m kind of flattered that everybody thinks that about me and I hope that I can continue to perform well. “I need to take out of it [the pressure] what I can to help drive me forward. I’ll try to keep my feet firmly on the ground and focus on each competition as it comes along.”