Forge binder 1 by Forge Press

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

Issue 22 // Thursday April 22 2010

Inside Fuse page 8-9

Chase & Status interview

The wait continues

In the line of fire

Hallam win Varsity. Full coverage and analysis.

Election guide

Forge Press meets the Officer Training Corps.

16 page pull-out inside

News pages 9-11

Features pages 16-17

Kerb-crawlers prey on Opal residents 4Student solicited by punters has demanded more protection 4Flats are in the heart of Sheffield’s red light district Leanne Rinne A University of Sheffield fresher who was harassed by kerb crawlers outside her student accommodation is calling for the University to do more to protect female students. Lisa Wade, a 19-year-old Law student, was walking to Tesco on Infirmary Road from her flat at Opal 3 student accommodation, when two men in a car asked her if she was a “working girl”. When she said “no” they persisted and asked: “Do you want to be?” It was approximately 7.30pm and Lisa was wearing casual clothes - including a University of Sheffield hoodie - to go food shopping.

Have your say Comment on this article at Forgetoday.com Send a letter to letters@forgetoday.com She crossed the road and rang South Yorkshire Police immediately to report the incident. The operator she spoke to told her Opal 3 student accommodation “was in the heart” of the red light district, and they had received calls from other students experiencing the same problem. Lisa said: “The operator told me people are specifically trying to recruit female students into prostitution because they know they are having financial difficulties – they said it’s a national problem.” The incident took place earlier this academic year, but Lisa said

she is still afraid to walk around the area in the evening. The Opal accommodation website states the residence boasts an “array of security features”, including “24 hour manned security and high quality digital CCTV”, but Lisa believes it is still unsafe. She said: “They could have dragged me off, it really knocked me back. You just don’t expect this sort of thing to happen three months into university. “I really think there should be better security and more police around here. If girls like me are being solicited it’s not safe. “I also see prostitutes near Opal 2 all the time, but one of the reasons I came to this University is because I thought it was going to be safe.” She said she would not recommend the Opal 3 accommodation to any female student, and the University should warn people it is situated in the red light district. “I’ve seen the people who stopped me twice, they are deliberately trying to take advantage,” she said. A spokesperson from South Yorkshire Police said they want to reassure female students this is an isolated incident, and “robust action” is taken against people identified as kerb crawlers. Sergeant Darren Nugent from the City Centre Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) said: “Officers from the local SNTs and partners in Sheffield are working hard, not only to identify kerb crawlers in the area and take action against them, but also to assist women in getting out of prostitution. “In recent months, Sheffield City Centre has become increasingly populated with more

A reconstruction of the incident outside Opal 3. Photo: Rosie Taylor student accommodation flats that the police are tackling this provided around Shalesmoor, problem head on. Kelham Island and surrounding “Our advice is always plan areas. your journey, take a safe route to “Crime Reduction Officers your destination and don’t walk are working closely with the through unsafe or unlit areas. universities and students to give “Avoid walking on your own, advice about personal safety. especially at night.” “Our intention is to provide reassurance to female students Continued on page 6

35 Sheffield students are rape victims Andre Nunn More than 30 Sheffield students were victims of rape in the last decade, including three men, Forge Press has found. Three male and 32 female students in Sheffield filed reports of rape to the police between 2000 and 2009. In light of the statistics, Women’s Officer Amy Sutherland has urged students to treat the subject of male rape as less taboo. She said: “Sexual assault, domestic violence and rape are scenarios rarely discussed in relation to men. “There seems to be a fear that discussing these issues is some how unmasculine. “Gender stereotyping, for example, the notion of how men and women should behave, is damaging to both men and women and is something that we need to move away from.” Of the rapes reported by women, 14 - fewer than half of the total - resulted in a charge or a caution. Two of the three reports by men resulted in police action. There have been 114 reports of sexual assault on women, whilst only two men reported a sexual assault to the police. Despite these figures, the number of sexual offences are falling. Overall, there were 212 reports of sexual offences from students in Sheffield since 2000. This number peaked in 2005 and fell to just under 15 reports in 2009. Sutherland said there is support available for anybody at the University who is a victim of violence, regardless of gender. She said: “The University counselling service and Nightline are there for any student who has been a victim of violence. “The students’ union also offers personal safety alarms to all students regardless of gender. “Any student who has concerns about certain areas around campus should contact South Yorkshire Police or a member of the Student Officer team.” A recent study by the NUS called ‘Hidden Marks’ found that one in seven women students are victims of sexual assault or violence, but there is no such study for men.

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NEWS UNIVERSITY

Editor

Robert Golledge

Deputy Editor

FORGE PRESS Thursday April 22 2010

Degree inspires community work

Helen Lawson

Managing Editor

Rob Ellerington

News

Leanne Rinne Rosie Taylor

Letters

Emily Cresswell

Comment

Michael Hunter André Nunn

Features

Lifestyle

Lucie Boase Paul Garbett Oliver Hughes

Hannah O’Connell Keri O’Riordan

Travel

Victoria Shaw

Sport

Matthew Duncan Christopher Rogan Ross Turner

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Alistair White

Music

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Helen Lawson Natasha Parker Jeremy Peel

Screen

Brendan Allitt Melissa Gillespie Peter Walsh

Arts

Richard Scott Amy Smith

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Forge Press is part of Forge Media Forge Press is published by the Union of Students. Views expressed are not necessarily those of the University, the Union or the editorial team. In the first instance all complaints should be addressed to the Managing Editor, although a formal procedure exists. Forge Press is printed on 100% recycled paper

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CAMPAIGN

The student volunteers at Wybourn Young People’s Resource Centre and the renovated cafe area (top right).

Students from the University’s Business Department have raised £1,200 and used the money to help renovate Wybourn Young People’s Resource Centre in Sheffield. Inspired by a module on their Business degree, third year students Jodie Cole, Emily Grant and James North decided to get a group together to help with the Wybourn project. Cole said: “From learning about corporate social responsibility within our Business degree, we

were inspired by companies who offset their negative impact on society. We felt we were giving Sheffield businesses the chance to help out their local community too.” They worked with Sheffield Raising and Giving (RAG) and local businesses to organize a series of fundraising events, including a number of gigs and a raffle. During Sheffield RAG Week, held March 8 to March 14, the students dressed up as superheroes, animals and pirates to raise money through public donations in the city centre.

The money raised was used to purchase all the necessary materials for the project. Just over 20 students helped renovate the building and redecorate the kitchen in one day, on March 17, starting at 8:30am and finishing at 7:00pm. Emily Grant, a final year Business student said: “It was a long day, but definitely worth it.” Wybourn Young People’s Resource Centre is situated in an area regarded as socially and economically disadvantaged. The centre aims to improve the lives of young people in the area and support the surrounding

FUNDRAISING

COMPETITION

Pupils meet the Dragons

Charlotte Dobson

Appeal raises Performer set Students for live final stage protest £2,500 Students from the Amnesty Groups at The University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University held a protest against the ethical practices of Shell the global group of energy and petrochemical companies - on March 17. The demonstration was held outside the Shell garage on Ecclesall Road, with campaigners demanding the Chief Executive of Shell, Peter Voser, should clean up oil pollution in the Nigeria Delta and stop violating human and environmental laws. Harriet Di Francesco

Chilean students at the University of Sheffield have been raising money for people in their home country who were the victims of an earthquake off the coast of the Maule Region of Chile on February 27. The event, organised in conjunction with the Mexican and Latin American Society, gave people the chance to sample traditional Chilean food and culture, with live music, dance and poetry. A total of £2,500 will be donated to the appeal. Leanne Rinne

Emilie Marie Abraham, a thirdyear Dentistry student at The University of Sheffield, has made it through the regional finals of the national Live and Unsigned competition. Emilie auditioned against thousands of other acts across the UK and went on to perform live on stage at the regional final in Sheffield. She will now perform in the last stage before the Live and Unsigned Festival at the 02 in London in July. Live and Unsigned is the largest national music competition for original artists, bands and vocal groups. Leanne Rinne

Tom Bollard A University lecturer condemned for his “disrespectful attitude” has organised a Dragon’s Denstyle contest for schoolchildren. Pupils aged between 12 and 14 were given the chance to enter the competition, organised by Dr Jon Burchell of the University’s Management School. The event saw the children pitching their ideas to a panel of business heavyweights in an attempt to win funding for their ventures. Dr Burchell has recently been criticised by Union Education Officer Holly Taylor after Forge Press revealed he had mocked students’ answers to exam papers in an email to all Management School staff.

community. Cole said, “The staff at the resource centre were really friendly people. “Their enthusiasm was a great incentive for us to volunteer our time to help improve their centre.” She added: “The stereotypical student is a drunken waste of space. Projects such as this challenge that stereotype.” Rachel Colley, chair of RAG, praised the students’ efforts. She said: “It was nice to have another group of students work with RAG and have them approach us about fundraising and volunteering.”

Taylor had said she found it “sad” that a member of staff could have “such a disrespectful attitude towards students”. At his business event, four teams of schoolchildren presented their proposals to a panel which included representatives from Yorkshire Bank, Capita and Irwin Mitchell. The entrants from Fir Vale School won with their idea of a badge reward scheme that could be used to create revenue by promoting healthy eating in schools, earning £500 to fund their venture. Dr Burchell said: “The event is a great way to encourage school children to develop business ideas and to forge stronger links between the local businesses, the University’s Management School and other local schools.”

FORGE PRESS Thursday April 22 2010

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UNIVERSITY NEWS

Tributes paid to fresher found dead after night out with mates

Friends mourn the loss of Frederick Archer Joy, a first year Hispanic and Czech student

Fred (left) with close friend Andrew Wylie. Leanne Rinne Students are paying tribute to Frederick Archer Joy – a fresher at the University of Sheffield who died tragically after a night out visiting friends in Leeds. Eighteen-year-old Frederick, who studied Hispanic and Czech Studies, collapsed on the bathroom floor of a friend’s flat at the Boddington Halls of Residence at Leeds University on March 13. He was rushed to Leeds General Infirmary but his condition deteriorated and he was referred to intensive care. The teenager from Bristol, known as Fred or Freddy to friends, was pronounced dead on Monday, March 15. First year Leeds University student George Vousden went to sixth form with Fred and found him collapsed on his bathroom floor. He said: “He had come up here to celebrate a friend’s birthday,

we had been on the Otley Run bar crawl. “Fred didn’t get into the club so I went back home with him in a taxi. He collapsed in the toilets and I rang an ambulance. “You just don’t think something like this is going to happen, it was such a mess. “Of course if he had not come to Leeds this may not have happened, but I know I did what I could when I found him that night.” Friend Matthew Abbott, a second-year biomedical student at the University of Sheffield, said: “I feel extremely proud to have known Fred. My friendship with him was very important to me and he had a big impact on my life. “He was one of the most happy, fun-loving, kind, lighthearted and joyful people I have ever met. “People were drawn to him because of his wonderful personality and love for life. “Fred was a great friend,

and above all, a great person. Everybody loved Fred and I for one will always cherish the memories we made together.” Adrian Champion is director of the sixth form at St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School in Bristol and taught Frederick at A-level.

Have your say Comment on this article at Forgetoday.com Send a letter to letters@forgetoday.com He said: “With Freddy, what you saw was what you got, with no unnecessary airs or graces. He was a good student, but one who never took life too seriously. “At the same time he was quietly determined to do well and move on to the next stage at university, something which he really looked forward to. “Freddy was one of life’s

genuinely nice people and it is this impression which will remain with us.” Although the cause of Frederick’s death is still under investigation, early reports by West Yorkshire Police suggest that “excessive drinking” was to blame, said Leeds Coroner David Hinchliff. At the opening of the inquest, Mr Hinchcliff said: “It’s excessive drinking, sometimes known as binge drinking, that can be really dangerous.” Large quantities of alcohol can cause “sudden death” by poisoning or disrupting gag reflux. Debora Green, assistant director of Student Services at the University of Sheffield, said: “We have been in touch with Fred’s family to offer support and our deepest condolences. “Tutors in his academic departments are offering support to Fred’s classmates and members of the University’s mentoring team have also

visited his flatmates to ensure they are aware of the services available to them.” First year student Andrew Wylie lived next to Frederick. He said: “Fred was the first person I met here at Sheffield. From that moment onwards we quickly became friends - he was the best friend anyone could hope for. “Always laughing and smiling he was there at the end of every day to make everything seem so relaxed. “Of the countless amazing things that I will miss about him, what I’ll miss most is his laugh, anybody that heard it would soon be laughing themselves.” His friends and family must now await the outcome of the inquest to confirm the cause of Frederick’s death. But Debora Green said: “No matter what the outcome tells us, it is impossible to convey the sense of loss and tragedy.”

Pro-Chancellor accused of slapping colleague’s bottom Hannah Summersfield A Pro-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield has been accused of slapping a female colleague’s bottom and propositioning her after a company dinner. Paul Firth, 51, denied the claims, saying he had invited Sarah Sweeney, 36, to join a group for after-dinner drinks, while he was working as a senior partner at law firm DLA Piper, but she declined because she was driving. At an employment tribunal in Liverpool last month, Ms Sweeney’s barrister Timothy Pitt-Payne told the hearing that Mr Firth, who is also chair of the University’s Estates Committee, invited her back to his hotel room after the dinner.

Mr Pitt-Payne said that when Ms Sweeney tried to laugh off the request, Mr Firth said: “You can’t blame me for trying” and slapped her on the bottom as she left. Ms Sweeney said: “As I came out of the reception room into the main gallery to get out the door, Paul was there. “He came away from the group of very senior people. He stood forward to have this second conversation. “I could not say whether anyone else saw him slap my bottom. He did it as I walked out of the room.” Mr Firth had been managing partner at DLA Piper in Sheffield since 1994, and was promoted to managing partner for the UK regions 2007. He said: “My recollection was

when we went our separate ways, she was smiling. “This was not the reaction of someone who was offended in any way.” Ms Sweeney told the tribunal that there was an “old boys” culture at the firm. She said: “The equity partners in the Liverpool office were all male. “I suppose I just accepted it as part of the culture of the firm.” The firm’s representative, Gavin Mansfield, said Ms Sweeney had “exaggerated” her claims about the firm’s culture. He also said that Ms Sweeney lost her job in November 2008 because the firm had needed to make cuts due to the credit crunch, and she was seen as “the most dispensable”. But Ms Sweeney claimed

that the reason she was sacked was because bosses had found out that she was having IVF treatment to try for a baby. DLA Piper is disputing all the allegations. In a statement they said: “We strongly contest the allegations that have been made by Ms Sweeney in this case and will be calling evidence to rebut all aspects.” Mr Firth is the chairman of Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity. He is also chief executive of Creative Sheffield and remains a consultant at DLA Piper after stepping down as UK managing partner last year. Forge Press contacted the University of Sheffield for a statement but at the time of publication no response had been received.

‘Cheeky’ Paul Firth.

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NEWS UNIVERSITY

Future of UK universities uncertain after funding cuts Rishi Vaidya Experts are predicting that the effects of the funding cuts on Higher Education could last until 2018 – calling into question the future of university institutions across the UK. The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) announced measures in March which will see 99 out of 130 English universities face cuts in real terms in 2010/11. This is set to put pressure on class sizes, jobs and teaching quality. The University of Sheffield has said it will continue to try and

Have your say Comment on this article at Forgetoday.com Send a letter to letters@forgetoday.com Animal rights activists demonstrate outside University House.

Protest against vivisection at Uni Kristi Genovese Animal rights activists pretended to be dead and covered themselves in blood at the Union to protest against vivisection at the University. More than 20 activists took part in the demonstration on April 13, which marked the launch of the Stop Animal Experiments in Sheffield campaign. Some of the protesters laid on the ground wearing lab coats, fake blood and animal masks whilst others held banners and leaflets. According to the activists 30 per cent of vivisection happens at universities and colleges, predominately in biology and psychology departments.

Campaigner John Whittle said: “Most students are unaware of the suffering going on behind closed doors on campus. “The University of Sheffield kills 30,000 animals every year.” The campaign group said they are opposed to all animal exploitation, including the meat and dairy industry, the fur trade and hunting. A spokesperson for the University said: “Animals are only used in our research when there is no satisfactory alternative. “Every animal research proposal is initially subject to rigorous scrutiny by our Ethical Review Process. “The University is at the forefront of research in support of the biological and medical sciences.

“These include major killer diseases such as cancer and heart disease and there is still no complete substitute for animals in some aspects of this important research.” But Whittle believes there are alternatives available. “There are many cruelty-free methods in medical research, such as clinical studies of humans, test tube research, scans of the brain and body, and computer modelling,” he said. Demonstrations took place at 18 different locations across the country last week as part of AntiVivisection Week. The Stop Animal Experiments in Sheffield campaign group will meet again on June 19 to demonstrate outside Sheffield City Hall.

New NUS president is elected Leanne Rinne The National Union of Students (NUS) Conference 2010 took place last week in Newcastle, Gateshead and Aaron Porter was elected the 54th NUS President. He has served for two years as NUS Vice President and will succeed Wes Streeting in June 2010. Porter was elected with 65 per cent of the vote - an overwhelming majority. He defeated current NUS Black Students’ Officer, Bell RibeiroAddy who received 27 per cent of the vote, and Chris Marks from Hull University with four per cent of the vote. Porter said: “I am delighted to be leading NUS into what will be a crucial year for further education, with a general election, fees review and cuts on

FORGE PRESS Thursday April 22 2010

New NUS President Aaron Porter.

the horizon. “It is more vital now than ever that we come together to put our issues at the top of the agenda with a credible, representative student voice shaping the outcomes of these pivotal debates.” He is urging students to continue to campaign against lifting the cap on fees and more than 700 candidates for the general election have signed an NUS pledge against a rise. “This is a time to continue pressurising politicians not to increase the cap on fees and we will be publicly shaming those that refuse to sign our ‘Vote for Students pledge’,” he said. An independent review is looking into whether ministers should raise fees, but Porter has vowed to organise a national demonstration before any vote in parliament over a fee rise.

save money after their 2010/11 recurrent grant fell by 0.05 per cent on last year. Education Officer Holly Taylor has encouraged students and staff to co-operate in maintaining high teaching standards. She said: “Communication channels must be kept open and we need to listen to each other. “Students should be consulted whenever an idea is considered which will impact upon them.” With 60 per cent of university funding currently coming from the Government, experts predict that more universities will recruit international students to help plug the funding gap. A spokesperson for the University of Sheffield said: “Like all other UK universities the University of Sheffield is focusing on finding efficiencies to reduce costs, and pursuing opportunities to increase income from other non-HEFCE sources,

to respond to the funding cuts in Higher Education. “Increased recruitment of international students is just one way in which the University is looking to diversify its income. “The University of Sheffield is a global university and we are proud to have over 120 nationalities represented on campus today.” In the future there could also be more privately-run Higher Education institutions and more UK university courses could be run internationally. The Chief Executive of the British Council, Martin Davidson, said taking an international approach “will pay dividends”. He said: “More universities should take opportunities for joint course delivery, international branch campus development and increase research collaboration.” Experts are also predicting that funding cuts will mean more universities will develop online courses and give lectures via video-conferencing. But a panel of senior Higher Education figures have warned technological changes should not impinge upon lectures, tutorials or work feedback.

Martin Davidson, British Council.

Students raise thousands Charlotte Dobson Students from the University of Sheffield’s Islamic Circle (USIC) held a week-long series of events in the local community last month, raising almost £8,000. From March 15 to March 20, students took part in volunteering work and held several collections for the Sheffield Children’s Hospital Scanner Appeal. Hafsah Qureshi, vice president of USIC, said: “Being a good citizen is a vital teaching of our religion, and as a society, we wanted to give our members the opportunity to give their time to the community.” During the week a group of students visited the Yemeni Community Association’s Firvale Centre to teach children about Higher Education opportunities. Other students took part in

tree planting at Shire Brook Valley Local Nature Reserve, whilst others spent the day doing henna and calligraphy at the St Wilfred’s Centre for the socially vulnerable. Maryam Khan, a secondyear Dentistry student, said: “I particularly enjoyed the tree planting and talking to school children about Further Education. “These activities demonstrate that Islam is a diverse religion which emphasises the importance of the environment, a sense of community and education.” USIC Secretary, Marwa Saeed, said: “Dressing up as cartoon characters and frogs helped draw attention in the streets of Sheffield town centre. “Not only did this entertain kids but the adults appreciated the efforts we went through to raise money for orphans worldwide.”

FORGE PRESS Thursday April 22 2010

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UNIVERSITY NEWS

Union security staff are ‘too aggressive’

Forge Press survey reveals around one in six students polled believe they have received ‘unjustified’ physical or verbal aggression from security staff at the Union of Students Rosie Taylor One in six students polled by Forge Press have accused Union security staff of being “unjustifiably aggressive”, survey results have revealed. Of the 159 students surveyed, 18 per cent said they had met with behaviour from Union security staff which was “too aggressive”. Students claimed that they have received both verbal and physical aggression from Union security which was inappropriate for the situation, with 17 per cent saying they had been the target of unjustified verbal aggression and 13 per cent saying they had received unjustified physical aggression from security staff. Only one per cent of respondents said they believed the physical aggression they received was reasonable considering their own behaviour, with eight per cent stating they believed the verbal aggression they received was appropriate. One respondent said the emergency services were called after he was ejected from the Union. Eyewitnesses claimed he was left unconscious. He was taken to the Royal Northern General Hospital with injuries to his head and right hip. After the incident a Union spokesman said: “Police investigated on the night and decided not to pursue the matter further. “Despite the incident occurring several weeks ago the student has not registered a complaint. If he does we would investigate fully.” Several students stated they believe security staff are too forceful in the way they remove students from the Union building. A masters student, who wished to remain nameless, said: “During Pop Tarts I approached a member of the security staff to ask why a female friend of mine had been ejected from the premises. “Our brief exchange was abruptly ended when the member of staff and at least one other grabbed me and bent me

Students with injuries to the knee and neck (above) and falling (right) after being ejected from the Union by security. Photos: S. Bennett, R. Taylor over forwards in a two-arm lock, various venues. small minority of customers and Union Welfare Officer Jennifer completely without physical “This intervention in the vast unsurprisingly some of these will Hastings said complaints are provocation from me and without majority of cases will calm and not be happy. taken seriously and any students giving any verbal warning or diffuse the situations and often “All our security staff are who felt they had received asking me to leave the premises. is not even noticed by others licensed and trained to the unjustified aggression should “This left me with bruising to not directly involved, allowing Security Industry Authority make a complaint in writing to the arms and neck.” everyone to carry on enjoying national standard and then get the Union’s general manager. Head of Union security Martin themselves in our very safe additional enhanced training on Despite some fears of Wick insisted his staff make the environment. top of this. aggression, 92 per cent of those Union a safe place. “However, sometimes as a “We look at all feedback and in polled felt safe in the Union. He said: “Part of the security job last resort, as required by the this case the Forge Press survey, This poll is not intended to be a is to respond to disputes between law to prevent disorder, we do to see if we can learn anything and scientific survey but an indication over-exuberant customers in our regrettably have to remove a very improve the service we provide.” of student opinion.

Council condemns plans to split Broomhall student house Giulia Smith Thornsett properties have been denied planning permission for the second time to split a student house in Sheffield to allow more people to live there. The letting agency was given permission by Sheffield City Council to turn a medical consultancy into a house at 60 Wilkinson Street, Broomhall on condition it would house a ‘large family’ of six people. They were then given permission to build an extension on the house. But in July last year students from the University of Sheffield moved into the house to discover Thornsett had partitioned the house - even though Sheffield City Council had said the extension could not be used separately.

Thornsett applied again for permission but their proposal was blocked unanimously on the grounds that there would be insufficient parking and noise pollution. The Council also said the road should remain predominantly residential rather than studentled. Planning Board member Peter Price said: “This is another case of a developer putting two fingers up at the board and saying, ‘we are going to do what we want’.” In April the Council told Thornsett to either join the two houses to form the original ‘large family house’ or demolish the extension and keep the existing house. Tom Donelly, a second year student at the University of Sheffield who is living at 60 Wilkinson Street, said: “I think

Thornsett have been very negligent and inconsiderate over the whole affair. “The first rule is never start building before you’ve received planning permission.” But Thornsett have said they will ask permission to split the house again. Tony Saunders, who lives next door to 60 Wilkinson Street, has written numerous letters of complaint to the Council. He says he is “exasperated” at a developer who has “put two fingers up at the Council and the neighbours”. The current students who are living in the house have also discovered a lower ground kitchen was built without planning permission. The Council have informed the Environmental Health department, who have said they

will visit the residence to examine whether it is a fire hazard. Kate Holden, a first year student at the University of Sheffield is living in 60 Wilkinson Street in September. She said: “I can’t believe Thornsett have lied to us, we never knew the kitchen was a potential fire hazard. “We were told that the extension would house some new students, which initially I was happy about. “Now on discovering that Thornsett have built the extension without permission, probably for extra money, I don’t think they should be allowed to keep the extension.” She added: “I wish we’d been told all this information before we’d agreed to live in this house, as most of us would have thought twice about renting it.”

Photo: Giulia Smith

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FORGE PRESS Thursday April 22 2010

NEWS UNIVERSITY

Sheffield sports teams defend Saloufest Students criticise British and European media’s coverage of binge drinking, vomiting, sexual antics and nudity at Spanish sports festival as ‘hyped-up’ and unrepresentative Rosie Taylor Sheffield students have defended sports festival Saloufest despite international media coverage portraying it as a centre for debauchery. The five-day event, which was attended by the University’s hockey, rugby and netball teams during the Easter vacation, was featured on British, Spanish and international news after students from 100 UK universities were pictured drinking to excess and exposing body parts in the Spanish resort of Salou. But Sheffield students have been quick to defend the festival, run by ilovetour, claiming that the media has exaggerated the seriousness of the behaviour in Salou.

Have your say Comment on this article at Forgetoday.com Send a letter to letters@forgetoday.com Netball club captain, Elizabeth Greaves, said: “Personally I feel that the media has overhyped the whole thing completely. “They went looking for a story about rowdy students abroad and in the end had to try and big up the whole occasion because they didn’t get the images they were looking for. “If you actually look at the footage you won’t see any violence, vandalism, aggression or hostility towards locals, it’s simply some students having a few drinks and some friendly banter with other universities.” Her teammate, who wished to remain anonymous, agrees. “It’s only some people who cause havoc,” she said. “In reality it’s really good for team bonding.” Will Ville, a member of Sheffield’s rugby team, said: “Tour was absolutely amazing and I would say the best thing

Sheffield’s netball team show off their teamwork skills on tour in Salou. about it was that everyone became a lot closer. “There was a great sense of spirit and it helped all the freshers to become better friends with the older lads which normally wouldn’t necessarily happen back in Sheffield.” Salou’s Mayor, Pere Granados,

has also backed Saloufest, stating that the students were better behaved than the average summer visitor. He told the Diari de Tarragona newspaper: “Over the time that the 8,400 British university students spent in Salou, neither the night-time incidents

Photo: Natalie Morris requiring police intervention, nor the number of patients needing treatment in the emergency room were anywhere near the figures normally seen in the month of August.” It is believed 60 British tourists were treated for alcohol poisoning during the festival.

Residents spoke to British and Spanish press during this year’s Saloufest. Spokesman for a local residents’ association, Maria Gomez, said: “This morning the streets were full of vomit. “This kind of drunken tourism is deplorable.” Dolores Vidaal, 64, said: “The British students are animals. Spanish students don’t behave like this. I really hope they ban the festival so I can get some sleep.” While resident Aurelio Langa said: “Who thinks it’s OK for 5,000 kids to be running about in their underwear, shouting in the street at 1am?” ilovetour’s managing director, Sam Seward, hit back at reports that locals were unhappy the festival was taking place. “Our sports festivals operate in a traditionally quiet period in Salou and local businesses have always been happy to receive our guests, while local residents have had little cause to complain as our students are accommodated in an area with very little residential property,” he said. He was supported by Jose Otero, chairman of Salou’s Association of Bars and Restaurants. He said: “We should be grateful the students come here. Without them, we’d have no food on the table this year.” Jaume Orteu, manager of the Playa Park Hotel in the resort, also backed the festival. “The students bring a lot of colour to our town as well as valuable business for our hotels, restaurants and evening venues,” he said. “Of course it is drunken tourism, but they are good clients.” This week, Seward, confirmed that Saloufest would take place again next year, despite speculation that the festival would be cancelled. Seward said: “With the resort’s support we are very pleased to confirm that, despite reports to the contrary, Saloufest will return in 2011.”

McClure for Lib Dems Student harassed by kerb-crawlers Continued from page 1

Michael Smith Reverend and the Makers frontman John McClure this week pledged his support for the Liberal Democrats election campaign. The Sheffield-born singer publicly endorsed Paul Scriven, Lib Dem candidate for Sheffield Central, and is displaying a giant banner outside his home. He said: “The Lib Dems have shown on such issues on the war in Iraq, Trident and the abolition of student Tuition Fees that they have got it spot on. I like the fresh and new style of politics Paul Scriven would bring to Sheffield.” Paul Scriven said: “It is great to get the Rev’s backing. “He knows we want real change in British politics and are a progressive force that can bring about long lasting results here in Sheffield and the UK.”

McClure and Paul Scriven.

After the incident Lisa went to see Women’s Officer Amy Sutherland who gave her a personal safety alarm and advice about what to do if she is approached again. Sutherland said: “Students living in any area should be vigilant and not let their guard down by assuming that their neighbourhood is ‘safe’.” She recommends all female students who live in Opal 3 should get the Women’s Minibus at night time. It runs seven nights a week during term time and takes students directly to their doors from outside the Union building. She said: “Kerb crawling is not something to be taken lightly, it causes serious distress to some people and can damage their confidence. “Incidents such as these are the reasons why the bus was

originally created.” She said there are “a number of practical tips” students can take to keep safe - including travelling with other people at night. “Students should not walk alone in the dark with their iPod on, because it makes them much less aware of their surroundings. “Similarly, students should not talk on their mobile phones whilst walking home alone - it makes them far more easy to spot,” she said. She recommends all students should save enough money at the end of the night to get a taxi home if they get separated from friends. “If you feel threatened walk into a public space. For example, enter a supermarket, shop or pub and tell staff you have been harassed or followed,” she said. She urges all students to report any incident to the police as soon as possible. But a survey published by

the National Union of Students last month revealed only 10 per cent of female students who said they had been seriously sexually assaulted reported it to the police. The survey also found one in seven female students have been the victim of a serious sexual assault or serious physical violence whilst at university or college. One in four female students also said they had been subjected to an unwanted sexual experience whilst at university or college. Sutherland added: “Students should never be afraid to go to the counselling service, no issue is to big or too small. “Nightline is also a fantastic student-run service, which is there to listen to any student who wants to talk about an incident.” She said any student who wants to leave their accommodation can contact the Student Advice Centre for guidance.

FORGE PRESS Thursday April 22 2010

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Sheffield students are set to go head-to-head in beauty contest

UNIVERSITY NEWS

Professor heads organ donor review Peter Brennan

University of Sheffield student Astra Darrington (left) versus Sheffield Hallam University student Lauren Richardson (right). Paul Garbett Two Sheffield students are set to bring a touch of glamour to the annual Varsity competition, when they face each other in the final of Miss Nottingham 2010. Second year English student at the University of Sheffield, Astra Darrington, beat hundreds of hopefuls to land a place in the grand final of the Miss England regional qualifier, only to find out that school friend and Sheffield Hallam student Lauren Richardson had also reached the final. Astra Darrington said: “I went to college with Lauren and didn’t even realise she’d entered until we both turned up at the semi final.

“There might be a bit of uni rivalry on the night but she’s my friend and its great we’ve both made it this far.” The Miss England competition has been changed over recent years in a bid to make it more serious and less sexual, with the swimwear modelling round abolished by last year’s winner Katrina Hodge, who is a serving Lance Corporal in the British Army. Astra said: “The swimwear round has gone now which is a great relief to everyone, as its scary enough to get up and stage and speak on the microphone without being half dressed. “I entered the competition to prove that it is possible to have brains and beauty and that today’s Miss England competitors have

to have more than just looks. “The competition is about showing women in a positive light and picking people who’ve got something to say for themselves. “In my interview I’m going to focus on the media images of women and talk about how it’s important for more girls from working class backgrounds to get into Higher Education.” Lauren Richardson, who studies Sociology at Sheffield Hallam University, said: “I’ve always wanted to enter Miss Nottingham but never had the courage. “I want to prove that you can accomplish anything with a little optimism and a smile. “To be a finalist means so much to me. “It’s made me feel more

confident in myself and has given me the opportunity to represent my community.” The two girls will now compete against dozens of other contestants at the Crown Plaza Hotel, Nottingham on Sunday, May 2, with £2,000 of prizes on offer and the chance to qualify for the finals of Miss England. The winner of the grand final in London will go on to represent England at the Miss World competition in Vietnam, which is viewed by millions worldwide. Voting is open now and closes on May 2 at 8 pm. To vote for Astra or Lauren, text 04Astra or 20Lauren R to 84205. Alternatively, ring 0901 656 1575 and quote 04 for Astra or 20 for Lauren. Votes cost 60p.

A professor from the University of Sheffield has been appointed by the Health Secretary to review an inquiry into a scandal involving the UK donor register. Professor Sir Gordon Duff has been asked by Andy Burnham to review how approximately 800,000 people were wrongly registered as willing organ donors. For the last 10 years the details of some donors’ preferences have been wrongly recorded because of a technical error. The mistake was discovered last year when the NHS Blood and Transplant started to write to donors to check their organ donor preferences – but many responded claiming the information was incorrect. An investigation found that 45 of the 800,000 individuals affected have since died. Mr Burnham said: “I have asked Professor Sir Gordon Duff of Sheffield University to carry out a review to find out why this has happened, to prevent mistakes like this being made again and to ensure all necessary steps are taken to maintain confidence in the organ donor register.” Whilst details on where in the country the mistakes have happened have not yet been released to the public, Mr Burnham has said he is working hard to regain the public’s trust. “I want to assure the millions of people on the organ donor register that they can have full confidence that only their accurate information will be discussed with their families, and that their wishes will be respected,” he said. In a statement, NHS Blood and Transplant said: “We assure everyone currently on the organ donor register that the affected records will not be used in discussions with their family about organ donation. “They will only be used once they have been corrected in accordance with the donors’ wishes.” The University and Sir Duff were unable to comment before the time of going to press.

University’s catering service hits back at student complaints Rosie Taylor

The Edge dining room.

The University’s catering team, eatwithUS, has contested student complaints that its food is too expensive with not enough choice. Students have criticized the food available in halls and at the University’s eatwithUS outlets for being too pricey and for having a limited choice for those with specific dietary requirements. But eatwithUS have hit back, saying it offers “competitive prices” and “the most flexible catered package in a university environment”. At an eatwithUS feedback meeting last month, Endcliffe Village resident Sidhanta Patnaik complained that the current system does not allow students to keep the money on their eatwithUS cards from week to week.

He said: “The money disappears off the card on Saturday but if it stayed I could get my money’s worth. “It means if students want to go home for a week they lose out. “Seeing as we are paying money I think eatwithUS should help us not take it away from us.” But John Bell, general manager of Commercial Services, argued that the system was fair. “If students choose to go home for a week there’s nothing we can do about it,” he said. “Even if a student decides not to use their eatwithUS card for a week we still have to spend the money ourselves on supplies and to cover staff costs. “It’s no different than if I pay for a full-board holiday then choose not to eat in the hotel. I wouldn’t expect the travel company to refund me.” Patnaik also voiced concerns over what he felt was a lack

of consideration of cultural differences for international students. “There are some major cultural differences, for example I do not see dry food, such as a veggie burger, as a meal,” he said. After hearing Patnaik’s concerns, Dave Ryan, assistant chef at The Edge, said: “We have to look after everybody. “It’s about planning our days right and swapping menus around.” Former Endcliffe resident Simon Egan also said he thought the pricing of some foods at The Edge was unreasonable. He said: “The healthy food is good value but the more unhealthy you go the more expensive it gets. “Slices of pizza are ridiculously expensive but then a jacket potato is quite good value.” Bell said students should be aware that eatwithUS does not

make a profit and all pricing is set to cover costs. “We don’t make a profit, the target is to break even,” he said. “We are responsible employers who pay our employees over minimum wage so we have staff costs to consider.” Some students have also complained about the price of food in campus outlets run by the University, in particular the Information Commons (IC) café. Masters student Libby Rudd said: “The IC café is definitely too expensive. Particularly the sandwiches and coffees compared to prices at the Union.” Bell said the University’s eatwithUS outlets were in “healthy competition” with the Union. “We believe we are competitive,” he said. “Students want their food to be subsidised but where is that money going to come from?”

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FORGE PRESS Thursday April 22 2010

LETTERS

Have your say Have to put something in to get something out of University sport Dear Forge, In response to the Comment article written by Luke Martin (‘No newbie fun amid an inane booze culture’, Issue 21, page 11), I feel compelled to respond, as the guy couldn’t be more biased if he tried. I also decided to attend one of the recreational runs offered by the Athletics club for the first time this year, where every effort was made to make me feel welcome. I was immediately introduced to the members of the Committee, who took the time to learn who I was. As a result of the lengths they went to to be as accepting as possible, I quickly became an active member of the Society and take my running much more seriously then I ever would have expected. I also hope to take a role on the Committee next year after the excellent time I have had, experiencing University sport for the first time. As a club they will take several groups of varying abilities to cater for all who turn up for recreational runs, and have a very able development officer

Star letter is sponsored by Your Harley

The winner receives a free meal for two and a Lock-In membership at Your Harley whose primary purpose on the committee is to act as a mentor to those who are new to the club. The man has done an absolutely sterling job. I feel there is one key difference between my first experience and Mr Martin’s; Whilst I turned up with an open mind, it seems to me clear that he came in with low expectations and already had decidedly negative

views on University sport as a whole. Thus he already felt he could not bond with the apparent ‘inane simpletons’ talking amongst themselves, and did not make any attempt to even try. With new clubs, as with all things, you need to put something in to get something out of it, and with such a terrible attitude to sports teams he was never going to do just that. In any case, someone who is apparently so superior towards the ‘reprobates’ who enjoy the culture of University sport would not have fit in with the club. Its members are some of the friendliest and most accepting people of anybody I’ve met in three years in Sheffield. I realise that Mr Martin needs to write his article, but to use the Athletics club as an example of a typically uninviting and elitist sports team is unfair, as it couldn’t be farther from the truth. I invite anybody interested in doing some running to come along and find out for themselves. Yours, Tom Jayne Physics Third Year

Are you on the organ donors’ register?

Agnieszka Paszcue Law Third year

John Patten Chemistry Second year

Arkady English Physics and Astronomy Fourth year

Amber Wilson Geography Second year

No. For a while I couldn’t be because I had an operation. But I’m considering it.

No. I’ve heard a lot about hospitals taking bits they shouldn’t and not telling the families.

Yes. Once I’ve passed, I’m not going to need it any more so other people might as well have it.

Yes, If I needed an organ, I’d happily take it, so I feel it’s fair that I should be on the register.

VARSITY 2010 DOWNLOAD VARSITY HIGHLIGHTS PODCAST FRO M

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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.

Union officers are here to support, not to control Dear Forge,

In reference to some of your (excellent) coverage of the recent Union elections, I do find one small fault- the repeated desire to portray Officers as power-hungry egotists is a little frustrating. “Authoritarian is exactly how I perceive anyone who wishes to become Union President” (‘Candidates were nothing to shout about’, Issue 20, page 11) exemplifies this easy stereotyping. My job doesn’t involve having power over students; if it did I wouldn’t have run for election. The Officers are here to stand up for students, and this kind

of portrayal can only lead to students who need our help feeling too intimidated to come and see us. Moreover, as anyone who has met me can hopefully testify, synonymising the job as the “Führer” (‘Dastardly put thrill factor into election season’, Issue 21, page 13) is simply laughable! I’ve got three months left in the job and my office is above Coffee Revolution; come and see me and let me help in making your time at Uni even better. Yours, Paul Tobin Union President

Lib Dem candidate against “cashfor-influence” scandal Dear Forge, I’m sure that, like me, many of your readers have been appalled by the recent media coverage which has shown the present MP for Sheffield Central caught up in the “cash-for-influence” scandal. I was particularly concerned with the following report in ‘The Sunday Times’ (‘My fee? £2,500 a day...plus expenses‘) on March 28, 2010: “Richard Caborn, the former sport and trade minister, is already acting for business. “One of his main clients is Amec, the nuclear construction company, which pays him £75,000 a year for 30 days work. “He said if a client was a “big hitter” it could gain access to the highest levels of government. “This was true of Amec’s chief executive, Samir Brikho. “‘If Samir Brikho wants to see the prime minister, Samir Brikho sees the prime minister,’ said Caborn. “Asked whether this was

something he helped to arrange, he said it was.” I believe that MPs should not be paid to lobby as a second job whilst sitting in the House of Commons representing local people. I think it’s important to recognise that when people select or elect Members of Parliament, then their first priority, their first job, their first loyalty has got to be to the needs of their constituents. As one of the candidates for Sheffield Central I am pledging not to take on a second job lobbying for a private company if elected as the Member of Parliament. I would ask the other candidates to make the same pledge. Yours, Paul Scriven Liberal Democrat Parliamentry Candidate Sheffield Central

Labour candidate pledges not to lobby in exchange for cash Dear Forge, The new Parliament to be elected on 6 May will have to work hard to rebuild trust in democratic politics, which has been undermined by the financial conduct of some MPs from all parties. I have made cleaning up politics a central issue in my campaign to be elected as the new MP for Sheffield Central, and want to make students aware of my views. I published a pledge on my personal conduct several months ago. It rejects any personal gain and commits me to full transparency and accountability on finances, only claiming the basic expenses necessary for undertaking the job. I have also confirmed that, if

elected, I would take no income other than the salary paid to me as an MP. But it will take more than pledges on conduct to rebuild confidence. New MPs will need to work more closely with those who elect them. Students make up almost a quarter of my constituency and I have pledged to hold regular open sessions in both our Universities to make myself fully available to you. For more details of my views on reforming politics, have a look at my website, www.paulblomfield. co.uk. Yours, Paul Blomfield Labour Parliamentry Candidate Sheffield Central

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FORGE PRESS Thursday April 22 2010

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INTERVIEW NEWS

Union manager reflects on 20 years at the helm and his bid for Parliament Michael Smith Students may see a familiar face on the campaign trail this month, as Union general manager Paul Blomfield brings his election bid to the city’s doorsteps. Paul, who has worked for the University for over 20 years, has been instrumental in developing Sheffield’s Union into the best in the UK, and has been influential in local politics.

Have your say Comment on this article at Forgetoday.com Send a letter to letters@forgetoday.com Paul first got involved in politics at the age of 16, when he became involved in the Anti-Apartheid Movement, campaigning against racism in South Africa. He later became involved in the movement’s national leadership. Paul went on to join the Labour party, eventually becoming Sheffield’s party chair, a position he held for 15 years. He was selected as the candidate for the Sheffield Central constituency two years ago, although he insists he never had an eye on a seat in the Commons. “When I was in school I thought political parties were a bit boring,” he said. “It was never a career decision. I’ve spent more than 20 years putting leaflets through doors, talking to people on doorsteps and doing all the grass roots work that’s involved in politics without ever having any specific intention of standing for Parliament”. If he is elected, Paul says he will work to restore public confidence in politicians. “It’s clearly at a very low ebb after the expenses scandals

which has obviously involved politicians of all parties. “People aren’t saying I want you to rebuild trust in politics, what people are saying is ‘I’m fed up with all politicians’. And I understand why, but for me the challenge is to change that culture so that people aren’t fed up with politicians. “It probably requires constitutional change, it requires a change in mind-set in all political parties, and it requires a changed culture which I think every individual politician can play a part in.” Labour’s main opposition in Sheffield Central comes from Lib Dem candidate Paul Scriven, currently leader of the city council. Sheffield Central is South Yorkshire’s most marginal seat, with just over 5,000 votes between long standing Labour MP Richard Caborn and his Liberal Democrat opponent in the 2005 election. Mr Caborn stood down from Parliament last week after 27 years at Westminster - 10 of which were as a Government Minister. Because the seat is so vital to Labour, it is enjoying much attention from the party’s top brass. In the last week, the constituency has been visited by Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Chancellor Alistair Darling, and Transport Minister Lord Adonis. On Friday, Paul was joined on the campaign trail by Environment Secretary Ed Miliband, who was responsible for the party’s manifesto.

General Election 2010 Forge Election guide p10-11 Comment, p14 Editorial, p12

Students’ Union Manager Paul Blomfield with NUS President Wes Streeting and Activities Officer Claire Monk.

Forge Press reporter Michael Smith joins Labour candidate Paul Blomfield and Cabinet Minister Ed Milliband on the campaign on the streets of Sheffield Central We’re told that this year will see the first “digital election”, an election decided by who has the smartest twitterers and the biggest Facebook groups. Either Sheffield didn’t get the memo, or the Labour party are leaving nothing to chance in this constituency, because we’re on our way for an evening of old school campaigning. We’re off to knock on doors. As we step from Labour’s offices in Sheffield’s Trades and Labour club to the car park outside, I feel certain Paul Blomfield is leading me towards the silver Jaguar parked in the corner. A politician’s car if ever I saw one. I’m slightly blindsided when Sheffield Central’s newest Labour candidate flips the central locking on the much less ostentatious maroon Clio parked behind it. We’re making a short journey to Sharrow to meet Environment Secretary Ed Miliband, author of Labour’s recently launched manifesto. As we park up, we’re joined by a small army of volunteers

sporting red rosettes. There’s an air of giddiness about the younger members of the group. Part pure enthusiasm, part excitement at the imminent arrival of such a rock-star of politics. The team disperse through the nearby streets, knocking on doors to ask people’s allegiances, and seeing if anyone fancies a chat with a cabinet minister. Ed’s running a little late, he’s been visiting a recycling centre near Scunthorpe and the traffic’s a nightmare. One of the younger campaigners jokes that an approaching, slightly tired looking Jag could belong to the minister, to which Paul quips: “No, I’m pretty sure he’s driving a Prius.” Ed soon arrives, wearing a slightly weary smile and a suit that surely cost more than my education, and heads off with Paul in a door-knocking tag team. The army’s tactics are starting to become clear. They’re looking for wavering Labour voters whose fears they

can calm, and Green supporters who Ed can convince to vote tactically. He offers his ecocredentials as assurance that they can vote for a winner without betraying their values,

. Blomfield (left) and Ed Miliband.

along with promises of electoral reform, to make conscience voting easier next time round. Does he not find it odd asking people to vote for them, so they can more easily vote for someone else next time? “Obviously I want people to vote Labour, but the truth is if you want accountability of MPs it’s good to have a system where you have to get more than 50 per cent of the vote.” Ed tells me: “We want people to be able to express their opinions, but then vote second or third for someone else, and frankly we’ve got to take this opportunity to reform our politics.” Today’s other big message is that the Liberal Democrats, Labour’s only serious competition in Sheffield Central, “can’t win nationally.” Nick Clegg gave a crowd pleasing performance at the first round of leaders debates last night, surely cause for concern in such a hotly contested seat? “The reason I’m here to support Paul is that this is one of the key seats where a vote for

the Liberal Democrats could let in a Tory government.” Ed says, deftly dismissing the idea of a hung parliament, let alone an outright Lib Dem win. “I think Nick Clegg clearly had a good outing in the debate, but he didn’t come under much scrutiny because the Liberals tend not to. I think he’ll face more scrutiny in future debates, but on that key Labour-Tory choice, Gordon Brown won the debate.” One thing Ed and Paul clearly have in common is an enthusiasm for the old fashioned pressing of flesh. While enthusiastic pledges of Labour votes have been a little thin on the ground, people are genuinely impressed that the pair have bothered to turn up in person to ask for them. It may be quicker and easier to reach a lot of people with a tweet, but it’ll never have the same impact. As Ed says before he heads off to his next meeting, “Getting out and meeting people, there’s no substitute for it.”

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FORGE PRESS Friday April 22 2010

NEWS GENERAL ELECTION Forge Press’ guide to the constituencies Michael Smith Sheffield Hallam is the wealthiest constituency in the North of England, and is made up of fairly affluent middle class suburbs: Crosspool, Dore, Fulwood and Eccleshall. Of course it also includes campuses of both universities, and is home to a good deal of Sheffield’s student population. The 2005 boundary changes may have altered its shape a little, adding bits of Nether Edge and Crookes, but its character remains largely the same. Hallam had been a safe Conservative seat for 69 years until the mad rush away from the Tories in the 1997 election, when Liberal Democrat Richard Allen took control from sitting Tory Sir Irvine Patnick with an impressive 51.3 per cent of the vote. Allen stood down in 2005, and now works as a lobbyist for Facebook, where was employed to further their agenda on internet privacy. In the 2005 election, Nick Clegg held the seat for the Liberal Democrats, trouncing the nearest competitor, Conservative candidate Spencer Pitfield, by over 8,500 votes. Two years later Clegg beat Chris Huhne to become party leader. He was last seen raving about Sheffield’s achievements at every opportunity during his much lauded performance in ITV’s first televised leaders debate. According to political magazine Total Politics, “With the Liberal Democrats continuing to hold every council seat in the constituency it is almost inconceivable to see Nick Clegg losing”.

His party’s recent surge in popularity has further strengthened Hallam’s safe seat status. Sheffield Central is likely to see more of a battle. Traditionally a Labour stronghold, long standing MP and former sports minister Richard Caborn has seen the Lib Dems chipping away at his party’s majority in every election since 1997. The constituency is made up of the city centre, and parts of Walkley, Nether Edge, and Manor Castle. The addition of Broomhill, and the extension into Walkley in this year’s boundary changes mean that students now make up 11 per cent of the electorate in Sheffield Central. In with a chance of pinching the seat for the Lib Dems is Paul Scriven, whose two years as leader of Sheffield City Council has seen him grow in profile and popularity. While Labour candidate Paul Blomfield is no stranger to local politics, having served as chair of the Labour party in Sheffield for a decade and a half, he’s never been one to chase the limelight. Mr Scriven lost favour from many in Nether Edge last year after the council ordered the closure of Sheffield’s smallest secondary school, Abbeydale Grange, despite a ferocious campaign by parents and teachers to save it. The Electoral Reform Society consider Sheffield Central to be South Yorkshire’s only marginal seat, and it’s likely that both Labour and the Lib Dems will be throwing a good deal of resources and advertising at the area. If you have a choice of where to vote, and you want your vote to really count, Sheffield Central’s the place to cast it.

Paul Blomﬁeld (Lab), Jillian Cre organised by the Exchange. The

NUS aim to make tuition fees a majo Millie Travis It is the turn of the students to make their voices heard in the run up to the General Election in May as tens of thousands register with the National Union of Student’s (NUS) ‘Vote for Students’ campaign opposing any rise in university fees. The campaign, launched in February, pressures parliamentry candidates to sign the NUS Pledge which states: “I pledge to vote against any increase in

fees in the next parliament and to pressure the government to introduce a fairer alternative”. The consequence of not doing so according to the national union would be the loss of the student vote. “Through this campaign we hope to remind students of the power they hold and remind candidates of the danger of not taking our votes seriously,” says NUS President Wes Streeting. “Vote for us or pay the price”. Shefﬁeld is one of 20 top “student battlegrounds”,

identiﬁed by the NUS as cities where large student populations had proven capable of making a signiﬁcant difference in the constituency following the General Election in 2005. Other cities include Manchester, Leeds, Norwich and London. Nationally, the student vote represents 5 per cent of the electorate. The students who have registered at the Vote for Students website threaten to vote only for candidates who have promised to take action against rising fees.

The campaign’s website enables this by allowing those registered to see which candidates have so far signed the Pledge. “We will be able to lobby MPs after the General Election by showing how many students in Shefﬁeld are politically conscious,” explains Shefﬁeld Union President Paul Tobin. “We have a real opportunity to put the topic of Higher Education on the General Election agenda”. Over 700 candidates nationwide have signed the NUS Vote for Students

UNION POLITICAL PARTY CHAIRS >>

Jon Narcross Chair, Shefﬁeld Labour Club

Candidates who have signed the Vote for Students Pledge from the Central and Hallam constituencies:

     

Jillian Creasy Sheffield Central Green Party Paul Blomfield Sheffield Central Labour Party Paul Scriven Sheffield Central Liberal Democrats Steve Barnard Sheffield Hallam Green Party Nick Clegg MP Sheffield Hallam Liberal Democrats Clive Betts MP Sheffield South East Labour Party

As students your vote should count on May 6, use it to support candidates and parties who represent students’ interests and campaigns for the issues that affect you. Use that vote, to vote Labour. Labour are the part of the many and not the few. If Labour had not expanded Further and Higher Education I, like many of you might not be at Shefﬁeld University today. While the Tories and Lib Dems have opposed Labour’s 50 per cent of young people going to university, but even in

the economic crisis Labour has guaranteed twentythousand additional university places, this year, fully funded, with the grants and loans to go with them. In Sheffield Central Labour has a great candidate in Paul Blomfield, General Manager of Sheffield University’s award winning Students’ Union. Paul has spent much of his working life representing students and knows the issues that affect us. In Sheffield Hallam, Jack Scott, a recent graduate of Sheffield University, knows the issues that face students today. Both Jack and Paul have pledged to vote against any increase in University fees, to campaign for more jobs and internships for graduates in Sheffield and to give students a strong voice in Parliament.

Richard Heinrich Chair, Shefﬁeld Lib Dems

There is one phrase that irks Liberal Democrats more than any other. It’s this: “That’s just the way things are”. No. The way things are is not the way things have to be. There is a better way. What will the Liberal Democrats do? We will give you fair taxes. We’ll raise the income tax threshold to £10,000 handing back an average of £700 in taxrelief funded by a radical re-balancing of the tax system. We’ll make sure that everyone gets the fair education opportunities

they deserve. We’ll invest an extra £2.5 billion in a “pupil premium” for schools in the poorest areas of the country and we’ll abolish tuition fees and the unfair barrier to higher education they represent. We will create a new, fair economy where we are no longer held hostage by the greed of bankers in the City of London. And we will give you a fair, open and transparent politics after the gross betrayal of the expenses scandal. We’ll introduce a proportional electoral system ending the “seats for life” that foster so much corruption and ensuring that every vote counts. It really is as simple as that. When you think about who to vote for remember that the future of your country is at stake. are. Be demanding. Vote for what you believe in.

FORGE PRESS Friday April 22 2010

GENERAL ELECTIONS

Shefﬁeld Central candidates Andrew Lee, CONSERVATIVE Andrew Lee has been on North Yorkshire County Council since 2005. After university he worked for a London jewellery company but now works in his family’s business. Recently he has campaigned to overturn Government plans for an ‘eco town’ in one of the villages in his division.

Paul Scriven, LIBERAL DEMOCRAT Paul Scriven has been a city councillor for Broomhill since 2000 and Council Leader since 2002. He spent many years managing different NHS hospitals and owned his own travel business. He aims to “get the people of Shefﬁeld a fair deal” including campaigning against tuition fees.

or election issue

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NEWS

Forge Press’ Kirsty McEwen looks at who’s running in student areas on May 6

reasy (Green) and Paul Scriven (Lib Dem) at the hustings ey were questioned by students in a packed auditorium.

e g e o

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Pledge, saying they will vote against raising tuition fees in the next parliament. These include nearly 200 Labour candidates, over 300 Liberal Democrat candidates and 10 Conservative candidates. “I personally cannot see tuition fees being scrapped anytime soon because of the economic climate,” adds Tobin, who says a graduate tax would be a better option than the current system. “This would be fairer as the people who earn less after university, such as nurses and teachers, do

Holly Smith Chair, Conservative Future

2010 can be the year for change for Britain, and you can play a part in delivering this change by voting for the Conservatives on May 6. As a student value for money is incredibly important, and that’s why we have pledged to help university students by working to improve the way that universities are funded, and by introducing an early repayment bonus scheme for student loans which are repaid ahead of schedule. Many of us will be graduating throughout a time of economic

not pay the same as people who earn millions.” During this month’s NUS National Conference, the Streeting underlined why it is so important to defend education from further higher tuition fees. “Public investment in education is not an end in itself, but a means to an end,” he said. “It’s about enfranchising people. It’s about making sure that everyone has a stake in society”. For a list of Shefﬁeld candidates who have signed the Pledge - see bottom left.

uncertainty, and future job prospects are an issue that concern many of us. That’s why we would abolish tax on jobs created by new businesses for the ﬁrst two years of a Conservative government, a move which is expected to generate 60,000 new jobs, which will be invaluable to us after we graduate. Britain deserves a new government that will be careful with taxpayers’ money and build a strong foundation for a sustainable recovery in the years ahead. We have something to offer to everyone, and for more information visit conservatives.com, or you can contact me directly through the Conservative Future Shefﬁeld Facebook group. If you want change there can only be one choice, and that’s to vote Conservative on May 6.

Jeffrey Shaw, UKIP Jeffrey Shaw is treasurer of the Shefﬁeld UKIP branch. He is a solicitor who specialises in conveyancing, and runs his own ﬁrm in Nether Edge. As a UKIP candidate, he believes that “politicians should follow the wishes of the public, not the other way around”.

Paul Blomfield, LABOUR Paul Blomfield has been the chair of the Sheffield Labour Party since 1993. He is the General Manager of the University of Sheffield’s Students’ Union, previously working for the Board of Sheffield City Trust. He is prioritising a strong Sheffield economy, housing, green issues, health services and education.

Jillian Creasy , GREEN Jillian Creasy has been a city councillor since 2004. She is a parttime GP and has lived in Shefﬁeld since the mid-80s. During her time on the Council she has campaigned for affordable housing, against a Shefﬁeld supercasino and has run a review into noise nuisance. She says she will focus on residents’ concerns and problems.

Shefﬁeld Central...facts and ﬁgures Labour’s Rt Hon. Richard Caborn comprehensively won the seat in 2005 with 49.9 per cent of the vote, down from 61.4 per cent in 2001. Caborn polled 14,950 votes compared to the Liberal Democrat Ali Qadar’s 7,895 (26.3%). Owing to changes to the boundary, the Labour majority is estimated to be in the region of 5,000. Council Leader Paul Scriven needs a swing of around a 13 per cent to take control.

Shefﬁeld Hallam candidates Nicola Bates, CONSERVATIVE Nicola Bates works for a large communication consultancy business and has worked with clients dealing with housing and public affairs. She has been a Special Police Constable and so has experience with the police force and the pressures it faces. She is especially interested in social policy, focussing on homelessness and crime.

Nick Clegg, LIBERAL DEMOCRAT Nick Clegg was elected MP for Shefﬁeld Hallam in 2005 and became Leader of the Liberal Democrats in 2007. Previously he has worked for the European Commission and lectured at Shefﬁeld and Cambridge universities. He campaigns for civil liberties, the environment, and reforming the outdated ways of Westminster, amongst others.

Nigel James, UKIP Nigel James is the secretary of Sheffield UKIP. He volunteers at Sheffield Cathedral and is a retired lecturer of Medicine. He is concerned with the Bologna Process of the EU, which could lead to five year degrees for all UK students.

Jack Scott, LABOUR Jack Scott has lived in Shefﬁeld since he came to the University to study. He is a governor of the Shefﬁeld Teaching Hospitals Trust and governor of two local schools. He is campaigning for a strong economy, social justice, educational opportunities, green issues and safer communities.

Steve Barnard, GREEN Steve Barnard was a city councillor from 1996-2000. He lives in Heeley with his family and works on the management team of a community centre. He says Labour and the Lib Dems “simply aren’t tackling many of the challenges of the future” and that he offers a “real alternative”.

David Wildgoose, ENGLISH DEMOCRATS David Wildgoose is the English Democrats candidate for Shefﬁeld Hallam. The English Democrats consider themselves the English equivalent of the SNP in Scotland and Plaid Cymru in Wales and are ﬁghting for a devolved English Parliament. They have 120 candidates across the country.

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FORGE PRESS Thursday April 22 2010

COMMENT

Sex victim stigma Why your vote can save our universities needs to stop Editorials

In two weeks the country goes to the polls in the General Election and without a doubt it is the single most important election for students ever. With the future Government tasked with shaping the future of Higher Education and our universities, our choice is a vital one. Do we want to see the cap lifted and experience fees escalate to £15,000? It’s easy to shrug and in pure selfishness think that it doesn’t affect us. But it does. What will be the ramifications on a younger brother or sister? They’ll suddenly be plunged into debts of £50,000 plus. Or, as is very likely, your parents will shell out the huge sums – directly affecting their bank balances and their quality of living. Is that fair? What if at 60 or 70 years of age you decide to go back into the Higher Education system? Should we expect pensioners to fork out their life savings to top up universities’ bank balances? Is that fair? What if in 15 years time your child wants to go to university? Are you happy about forking out £50,000? What about the single parent who simply cannot afford to support their child’s Higher Education? Or the potential doctors, chemists, social workers, nurses and teachers who realise they will be in £50,000 debt before the age of 22 and therefore decide not to go to university? Is that fair? Is that good for our country? Or the student who has no choice but to go to a university offering cheaper fees because the one offering the best course is £10,000 dearer than the local one. Is that fair? When you make your vote on Thursday you have the power to shape the way our universities will operate in the future. It’s not just a case of fees and money; it’s a matter of accessibility, a matter of sustainability, and a matter of fairness.

Varsity is a success After days of fierce sporting competition our neighbours Hallam pipped us at the last to claim their seventh Varsity triumph. Following the previous two years’ historic draws Uni had all reason to be confident. But our teams certainly didn’t let us down with fine performances in every single fixture. However this disappointing result means we haven’t lifted the trophy individually since 2003. It’s normally the stars on the field that get the credit but after this year’s Varsity being the biggest ever with venues including Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough and the Sheffield Arena, we must give due recognition to Union Sports Officer Kate Rickard, Hallam Sports Officer Sam Gill and the Sports Committees of both Unions. Following the sad climax to last year’s competition where yobs marred the sporting achievements on the field, this year’s Varsity came back bigger, stronger and better. With around 3,000 spectators at Hillsborough stadium the electric atmosphere couldn’t have asked for a more fitting end than with the overall score coming down to the final match. It was a bold move by the organisers - but it paid off. For another year the hard work is over and last night those so heavily involved will rightfully have a beverage or three to celebrate what has been one of the greatest University events ever. Sport has been in the stocks lately with the shenanigans of Salou. But this last week was all about sport and sport was rightly the winner.

Frederick Archer Joy Death is never easy to cope with and it is especially difficult to know how to react and respond emotionally and physically when life is taken so quickly after it has begun. Frederick Archer Joy - aged just 18 - was a high achiever with a love for life and likeability factor that made him a popular and amicable student in his first few months at the University of Sheffield. Sheffield as a city is described as being a vast metropolitan metropolis with a village atmosphere, and this rings true of the University community too. We all join to celebrate our success and we will all unite in paying our tributes to Frederick and offering our messages of support and condolence to his friends and family.

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

Stats reveal students of both sexes should remain vigilant Graph: The number of sexual offence complaints made to South Yorkshire Police by students in Sheffield between 2000 and 2009.

11 6

15 17

17 15

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Jo Wendel TOP OF THE AGENDA If you’re a guy, you obviously can’t defend yourself. If you’re a girl, you shouldn’t have gotten so drunk and worn such a revealing top. When will the stigma surrounding rape victims finally come to an end? Over the last decade, 35 students in Sheffield have reported being victims of rape. But with research suggesting that between 75-95 per cent of rapes in the UK are not reported, it is impossible to know how many students have suffered in silence. Since 2000, only three rapes with a male victim have been reported by Sheffield students, yet the real number is bound to be much more. It’s hard to estimate because male

rape is still stigmatised and its victims are often marginalised or forgotten. It happens. But it is still a taboo subject in the 21st century. While rape on women is becoming increasingly talked about, there is still very much a notion that people who get raped are in some way to blame. In the case of male rape, the guy is a wimp who wasn’t man enough to defend himself. In the case of women, the girl was drunk and shouldn’t have worn such a short skirt. We talk a lot about it, and as a result the number of reported incidents has been increasing drastically in recent years. Yet 30 per cent of the British public still think that a woman is partially or completely to blame for being raped if she was drunk. With a public opinion like that, it is unsurprising that many sexual assault victims choose not to report the crime to the police. It doesn’t help that many sexual assaults and other crimes take place during,

or after, a night out. Given that you are more likely to find students in clubs or bars rather than libraries, it is no wonder so many are victims of serious crime. Being drunk puts you in a more vulnerable situation, while making any crime committed against you far less likely to end in a conviction.

It is still a taboo subject in the 21st century Cases where the victim was drunk are much harder to prosecute, with sexual assault proving the most difficult. Many jurors believe that silence is consent, even when that silence is due to the fact that the victim is so out of it he or she can no longer speak. The University of Sheffield boasts to prospective students that

the city is one of the safest in the UK. But as the budding first years arrive fresh-faced and excited for freshers’ week, the sad reality is that one out of three will become a victim of a crime during their studies here. I know I will probably sound like your mum saying this, but stay safe. Or at least try to. There are many easy ways not to put yourself in vulnerable situations. Don’t walk home alone late at night; don’t drink too much; and if you do, make sure there will be someone to take you home. My top tip for girls is: put a fiver down your bra at the beginning of the night. If you’re hammered you won’t remember it’s there. But you will when the clock turns three and find yourself stuck alone. Should all your friends still be there, you’ll probably end up finding that fiver on the bedroom floor the next day. In which case it’ll be a welcome contribution to your hung-over take-away. Win-win, as they say.

D.A.R.T.S. FEELING SLEEPY

Nearly a year as Union Education Officer might be taking its toll on Holly Taylor. While her sprightly replacement and incessant Twitterer, Joe Oliver, found time to tweet all the goingson from last week’s NUS Conference, Holly was less enthused. According to Joe, she even fell asleep during one speech. We’d be shocked if she was the only one.

z z zz

TIME TRAVELLING

Nothing gets past our Union’s Activities Officer, Claire Monk. She sent out a helpful email to all Uni students on Monday, April 20, promoting the No Limits international student film festival. Unfortunately for film lovers everywhere, the festival had come to its conclusion almost 24 hours earlier. Now, where did I put that TARDIS?

FORGE PRESS Thursday April 22 2010

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COMMENT

Debate: Is a degree from a traditional university better than one from a former polytechnic?

I’m here for the Poly degree prestige, not won’t stand in for the teaching way of success Peter Brennan

Andre Nunn

There is a level of snobbery that runs rife throughout Higher Education. It generally isn’t a positive thing as it results in unhealthy rivalries and bitterness. Whether it be mathematicians claiming superiority over sociologists or masters students lording it over bachelors, all that really matters is that old polytechnics and universities like Hallam are rubbish whilst institutions like the University of Sheffield are brilliant. Employers take things like reputation very seriously. The fact that we are in the Russell group matters as it gives Sheffield a competitive edge over rival institutions. This in turn directly affects us as it gives students of Sheffield a competitive edge over our rivals. The Russell group is perhaps the most pretentious element to this debate as it seemingly quantifies that there are 20 universities that are definitively ‘the best’ with Russell Group universities accounting for 65 per cent (over £1.8billion) of UK universities’ research grant and contract income. Cambridge and Oxford are obviously held in the highest esteem. They are the best of the best churning out world leaders, high level bankers and other generally self important bastards at an alarming rate. But for those of us who

A rowdy Hallam student stumbles into a kebab shop after a night pulling shapes and swigging shots with his friends. He walks into another guy who is preoccupied trying to apply ketchup and they both drop their cheesy chips. A fight erupts. The two are dragged apart by alarmed staff and nobody is surprised that a Hallam student is responsible. That is, until a UCard falls out of the pocket of the other guy. As much as some people might protest, Uni of Sheffield students are no better behaved and no more studious than the people who study at Hallam on the other side of town. There’s often that underlying snobbery that if you’re not studying a subject you can’t pronounce without a PhD in something unpronounceable, then you’re an idiot who would be better off sitting at home filling out an application form for Somerfield. There’s a similar attitude when it comes to attending a uni further down the league tables. A student from a formerPolytechnic, like Hallam University, must feel constantly condescended by people who think they’re only there because they flunked their exams. As soon as you arrive in Sheffield, you’re plunged into an archaic and ridiculous rivalry with the ‘other university’. We are forced into

lack the brain power or the personal statement writing skills to get into those institutions it is important that we have some prestige of note so that prospective employers show interest in our CVs rather than mistake them as toilet paper. As a ‘red brick’ Russell Group member it seemingly doesn’t matter that Sheffield University has been sliding down the Times’ league tables ever since I’ve been here. The fact that universities such as Leicester and Loughborough are getting better and better doesn’t make up for the fact that they are not in a group of their own. They’re like the nerdy kids in school who work hard, keep their heads down, do well academically, but no one notices them because they have no friends and aren’t in the football team. I could be at any

Art: Mark Mackay university and I don’t feel it would make any difference to the level of education I am provided with. As an Arts student my studies revolve around libraries and reading volumes of academic drivel. I have four hours of lectures a week and during those four hours I am a fully attentive perfect student for about 10 minutes. It is unlikely that the gulf in class in terms of teaching skills is so vastly superior here compared to somewhere like the University of Brighton that I would be learning any less there. I know that my money is essentially buying me a £3,245 library card. But for my money I’m getting a prestigious name to write down on a piece of paper that alters the course of my career. Whilst that may seem like a raw deal, it would be a lot rawer at a lower ranked university.

fierce competition which is exploited by clubs and fuelled by competitions like Varsity. If you’re from Hallam, you’re already the loser. Our uni’s prestige and investment in glossy buildings and libraries (with not enough computers) puts us higher in league tables and makes us more respected among employers. The Uni of Sheffield’s stamp is recognised as a stamp of a very good degree.

If you’re from Hallam, you’re already the loser And now he’s our Honourary President, our degrees even have the approval of ex-student and comedian Eddie Izzard. But the two universities are deliberately different. Former Polytechnics are meant to offer more vocational courses for students who are less academicallyminded, or who want to follow a career that’s more

Sports Coaching than English Literature. Hallam offers a range of subjects that the researchorientated Uni wouldn’t touch. It gives all of those people at college who missed out on the grades for a place at their dream uni a shot at the career they’ve always wanted. It offers courses from the NHS with free funding and gives the poorer – but not necessarily less-able – students a way into medicine. It it is just as possible to get a good grade in a subject which will help you get that dream job at Hallam as it is at Uni. The only thing standing between a Hallam degree and a good future is a few less decades of experience and load of old-fashioned snobbery and bigotry. Anyone who thinks being a Hallam student stands in the way of success should consider that Wallace & Gromit creator, Nick Park, and Olympic hero Dame Kelly Holmes have both been there, done that and reaped the rewards of a polytechnic education.

Forge Press takes its satirical aim

SPANISH SESH PERFECT PREPARATION SEX-CITING EXAM

PAUL FOR PAUL

It was pleasing to see the University of Sheffield getting some national exposure during the Easter break. But sadly for the University’s top brass, it wasn’t groundbreaking research or another award for the untouchable Jess Ennis that made the headlines. Instead, it was the pukestained black and gold

Union President Paul Tobin is supporting Sheffield Central’s Labour candidate Paul Blomfield in the General Election. That means anyone who has a Labour leaflet thrust into their hand in the next couple of weeks will be lucky enough to have Paul’s face grinning back at them. As if students around the Union haven’t had enough of Tobin’s enormous fourfoot high face already.

jerseys of the University’s sports teams on a piss-up in Salou that caught the attention of rolling news channels. Achieving infamy: a tried and tested way of helping build team spirit. Who needs training? Let’s hope those pictured shook off their hangovers ahead of their respective Varsity clashes over this past fortnight.

If you thought your exams were bad, spare a thought for the students who are going to sit down in front of ‘History of Mathematics’. Then ponder over what the APS lot will get up to when they sit their paper on ‘Sex and Reproduction’. Whether it be scribbling drawings akin to toilet graffiti or something more practical, it’s bound to be more fun than the Pythagorean theorem.

Art: Natasha Maisey

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FORGE PRESS Thursday April 22 2010

COMMENT

Road digger or Mandela’s man on the outside? 4Students to have huge say over Sheffield Central seat as Scriven and Blomfield tussle 4But leaflet littering won’t be enough to attract first-time voters to the polling stations

Luke Martin

Most students have probably had enough of polls, what with the fortnight of hell we had to suffer ahead of the March Union Elections. But now it’s the turn of the grown-ups and the Sheffield Central seat – held by Richard Caborn since 1983 – is very much up for grabs in the upcoming General Election. Boundary changes put in place for this election have reduced the Labour majority from just over 7,000 to around 4,500. The introduction of Broomhill – a safe Liberal Democrats ward in local council elections – at the expense of Labour stronghold Burngreave is a bonus for those donning yellow rosettes this election campaign. Only Labour and the Lib Dems stand a realistic chance of taking the seat. The Green Party, UKIP

and the Conservatives are also represented. But it’s looking like a straight battle between two men: Paul Blomfield of Labour and Paul Scriven of the Lib Dems. Both live and work in and around the area. So no career politician from North Yorkshire at least. The work they have done for the city and the positions they have held makes them impressive candidates. Scriven is the current leader of the city council and answered his party’s calling to lead them to victory. He’s an astute local politician nowadays after spells digging roads and running a travel company since leaving school without a qualification.

I want to see blood and guts on the battleground Blomfield is the former chair of Sheffield Labour Party and the current General Manager of our

university’s students’ union. However, he took unpaid leave from March just as the Union Elections were in full swing. Can’t blame him there. Blomfield doesn’t really have the experience of Scriven in local frontline politics but has been active at some stage all the same. I was tempted to look on the Sheffield Forum website or pop back out of a selfimposed Facebook ban to read up on the candidates. Sadly, the Sheffield Forum is mainly a collection of people who can’t get on radio phoneins, while Facebook will be littered with Photoshopped images of Brown battering some Etonians or Cameron sat at the breakfast table surrounded by 40-year-old black men from Plymouth. So to the candidates’ websites it was. First look at Scriven’s is a little discomforting. His face is everywhere. I know it’s his website, but after logging off I felt like having a five-mile restraining order put on him. I can still feel him watching me now. Blomfield’s is a little more sedate. You get chance to casually look around: a

nice tree here; Park Hill flats there; Richard Caborn as a young man – no, wait, that’s Blomfield. He and Caborn are stood together in one photo. I think the latter could be a Highlander. Over the next few weeks we need to see the personalities beneath the photo opportunities. I want to see blood and guts on the battleground outside Balti King. I want to know what riles these men; what makes them fight injustice on our behalf. Us, the people of S1. (Well, not me. I’m more S12, but originally representin’ S2 and that’s sort of near S1, init?) When you look back through Scriven’s political conquests and notice he was President of the students’ union at Manchester Metropolitan, alarm bells start ringing. Was he one of them? One of the kids of a few weeks ago playing grownups with their paints and cardboard? Contrast this to Blomfield, whose early political exploits point to Nelson Mandela’s man on the outside. He single-

handedly set up the Sheffield Anti-Apartheid Movement when he was still at school. Ever get the nagging feeling of under achievement?

Cameron sat at breakfast with 40-yearold black men Blomfield is big on the economy of Sheffield, manufacturing and both the universities. He wants to concentrate on the social aspect of Sheffield, building communities by tackling crime and anti-social behaviour. Scriven, according to ‘Paul’s Priorities’, wants to achieve much the same. He has the vision of smaller class sizes and a better, broader curriculum. He wants to set local business free. He champions well-resourced public services with local accountability. And if you’re really lucky you get to ride the ‘ladder of opportunity’.

Art: Natasha Maisey I was a little pensive ahead of climbing it but it turns out it’s safe and is merely a social justice thing for those on t’Manor and the ‘ethnic minority community’. Blomfield pledges a higher sense of clarity and transparency. He’ll publish his expenses (they do any way) and he will hold regular public meetings. That’s what an MP is supposed to do, isn’t it? Scriven, on the other hand, has been working hard and has stood outside almost every primary school. Both have pledged support for students now the constituency covers both universities, despite that around a third will have disappeared after casting their vote. I’m not sure most students will even be arsed to register their vote here. The political landscape is potentially changing. And the battle between Scriven and Blomfield will be an intriguing one. But I reckon most students are longing for May 6, when yellow and red leaflets will cease landing on the doormat.

FORGE PRESS Thursday April 22 2010

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COMMENT

Protect those who become the victims of prostitution Michael Hunter

The first time I knowingly saw a prostitute she was receiving oral sex from a colleague on stage. Twenty-five minutes later she was whispering in my left ear the astonishing number of things she could do to me for 9,000 forints. Sounds like a good night. Sadly, I was 17 with sweaty palms and a nervous disposition. And she was 55 with breasts like Christmas stockings. It was in a strip bar in Budapest, which, manky hookers apart, is a beautiful city. I should point out there were some very attractive prostitutes as well, such was my luck. In 1999, Hungary legalised prostitution. And three years ago, the country’s tax authority said the move had helped the Hungarian sex industry raise the equivalent of $1billion a year. A smart business move, perhaps. But concerns remain among campaigners who say legal sex workers across the EU are often trafficked foreigners who are mistreated.

In the UK, the official line is that prostitution is illegal. But a quick glance at PunterNet.com tells you a slightly different story. PunterNet is the premier database for men who want a lady and don’t mind paying, complete with one of the most eye-opening search facilities on the web which allows users to identify girls by ‘service’. This isn’t your everyday comparison site. Never before had I checked boxes for ‘Rimming – giving’ and ‘Water sports – receiving’. Who said romance was dead? Startlingly, there were nine results in the Yorkshire area. And one in Sheffield.

It’s surprising that punters are scouting outside Opal Naturally, for research purposes only, I took a look at ‘Katrina’s’ personal website. She starts, as it turns out all these sites do, by saying she’s a professional masseuse who takes money for time and companionship only. Any other agreement between her and her clients is not part of the price.

It must be a coincidence, then, that every field report from ‘Katrina’s’ place on PunterNet has something of a happy ending. ‘Katrina’ is far from alone in Sheffield. There’s able competition from the likes of ‘Karin’, ‘Amy’, and ‘Debbie’, while there’s at least five ‘massage parlours’ on Attercliffe Road alone. We’re inundated. So it’s surprising, with Sheffield’s booming sex underworld, to hear that punters are scouting around Opal 3. Maybe they know more than I do. After all, it can be hard for £78-a-week tenants to then afford groceries or a night out. And ‘Katrina’ charges £120 an hour for a callout. But most students would rather try and finish their dissertation at the moment rather than being handcuffed to their single bed by a moustached middle-aged bloke from Heeley. Yet if any student does like the sound of 100 quid an hour, you needn’t worry about its illegality. Most prostitution is clearly tolerated in this country. We could never dispel our classic reserve and legalise it; so as long as you’re not loitering outside Aslan’s on West Street every other Friday being a visible lawbreaker, you can crack on. Anti-prostitution

Art: Michael Westwood

campaigners say legalising prostitution won’t stop some women being exploited. But surely any type of regulation, like that in place in Hungary, can empower employees at places like those seedy Attercliffe brothels, while young students can walk home from the library without fear of being accosted by lonely punters. For many working girls like ‘Katrina’ and ‘Karin’,

working beneath the law might not be a problem. From their glowing PunterNet reviews, they appear to have a loyal and somewhat protective fan base. One drools: “I … would unreservedly recommend her to anyone who likes to spend time with an attractive, intelligent, friendly and supremely talented lady.” And another: “Not a

clock watcher and left me with a huge smile on my face. Can’t wait till I’m in Rotherham again.” (You’re alone there, mate.) Sadly, this old profession isn’t always as glamorous as these giddy reviewers suggest. Legislation can help vulnerable victims of this underworld. But while cries remain relatively quiet, ignorance is likely to continue as bliss.

Why, grammar and punctuation are important Emma Crowe

‘All meal’s 2 for 1’; ‘Daves Burger Bar’; ‘Frie’s + dips £2.99’; ‘Goats Cheese Salad – Lettuce, Tomatoes, Cucumber, Goats, Cheese’. ‘Small hessian bags – was £2 now 50p’, ‘Sandwhiches’, ‘I’m a language student so its easier for me to get English right.’; ‘Let’s all use less plastic bags’. Luckily, some pedantic soul after my own heart had taken a marker pen to that last example, neatly crossed out ‘less’ and written ‘fewer’ above it. I compiled this eyebrow-raising

collection from around the University over just a few days. And, though errors like this can be amusing to us pedants, they can also have repercussions. It’s only weeks until our end of semester exams, and now is the time to ask yourself how many marks you could lose through sloppy English. A prestigious university recently revealed that one third of applicants fail their ‘easy’ spelling and grammar entrance test. Do you honestly know, for example, the difference between ‘your’ and ‘you’re’; between ‘their’, ‘there’ and ‘they’re’; or ‘whose’ and ‘who’s’? Can you use commas correctly?

Like many people, you might think it doesn’t matter. But, as illustrated by the goat’s cheese salad example, it isn’t simply a case of doing it a certain way just because it’s ‘right’ to do so. On the contrary, poor grammar and spelling and incorrect punctuation destroys understanding. Okay, you probably never thought that the salad had goats in it. But someone unfamiliar with European cuisine could have done, especially if they were from a country where goat-on-toast is considered a delicacy. In the multicultural setting of a university, our foreign friends may struggle to understand our

‘incorrect’ English; or worse, allow their own accomplished English to be tarnished by it. So, why are bloopers increasing in frequency all around us? It’s easy to blame texting and internet chat; after all, we barely have to use ‘real’ English these days. The education system is more to blame. The English curriculum is no longer prescriptive. Not once in my school life did I study the use of English in actual English classes. Most people can say the same. Even now I witness lecturers not correcting students’ mistakes, or making them themselves. Microsoft is also guilty. Nowadays we don’t need to pay attention to our spelling;

computers spell things for us. They even highlight some grammar mistakes. Don’t forget, though, that you have to do it yourself in exams. A misplaced apostrophe or colon confusion could lose you marks. So, why not meet a friend at Dave’s van before heading into town and buying a book on English. Then, sit yourselves down with a goat’s cheese salad; a sandwich; or some fries and dip. After that, spend the afternoon learning to use your own language correctly. Perhaps in a bid to use fewer plastic bags you could put it in one of those hessian ones, which were £2. Don’t feel disheartened if you’re not a language person. I am, and it’s not always easier for language students.

FEATURES

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FORGE PRESS Thursday April 22 2010

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FEATURES

IN THE LINE OF FIRE One year on since the Officer Training Corps were shamed by lurid revelations, Forge Press joins them on exercise. educated military junkies, who’d spend evenings downing bottles of whisky while discussing the inaccuracies of the latest Andy McNab novel. Instead though, my platoon was made up of a diverse mix of normal Sheffield students. There were people of different levels of fitness and experience and students from completely different backgrounds. While one or two had plans to join the military after graduation, most just saw the OTC as a university society and a way of meeting new people. The idea that the OTC is solely a military recruitment campaign is way off the mark, Pedro tells me.

Paul Garbett I’m on my hands and knees struggling to breathe as I crawl through a muddy field. My uniform is covered in dirt and soaking wet from the driving rain, while an angry army corporal shouts at me to run faster. It’s 10am on Saturday morning and while my housemates back in Sheffield are still tucked up in bed, I’m in a cold, wet field in Catterick, North Yorkshire shouting “on guard!” at the top of my voice, while furiously pointing a bayonet towards a straw bale. Just like Prince Harry, James Blunt and Pike from Dad’s Army, I’m now a soldier, well for a weekend at least. For over a hundred years, the Officer Training Corps has been a valued part of the British Army, providing military training to university students with a mission to communicate the values, ethos and career opportunities of the Army.

‘We needed to be more professional and the rumour mill has been stopped’ Peter Dobinson, OTC Having been founded in 1911, the Sheffield University Officer Training Corps now has around 150 student officer cadets, who take part in four weekend training camps each year, as well as a two-week long intensive summer camp. However, the unit has found itself embroiled in controversy in recent years.

Student cadets training at Catterick Garrison In October 2008, two army captains were heavily fined and kicked out of the military after admitting to using and supplying Class A drugs at a party at Sheffield OTC’s Somme Barracks. And in April 2009, Forge Press published details from a sexually explicit magazine produced by trainee officers. The story captured local and national media attention with the Ministry of Defence launching an internal investigation. Now a year on from the tales of sex, drink and drugs, I was off to experience an OTC training camp for myself, and see if I could rise to the challenge of a weekend with the Army. My guide for the weekend is Peter Dobinson, or Pedro as he is known amongst his OTC comrades. Pedro is studying a Masters Degree in Town Planning at the University of Sheffield and has been involved in the OTC since his first year. He now works as part of the Community Engagement Team and is working to rebuild the OTC’s local reputation following the embarrassing newspaper stories. As we’re heading northbound on the M1 he tells me: “In many ways the negative publicity has woken

Photos: Sam Bennett

a lot of people up in the OTC. Most of the unit were shocked and disappointed by what happened, and it showed us that we need to make the organisation more transparent. “We needed to be more professional and that whole rumour mill atmosphere has been completely stopped. People were disciplined and we’ve introduced an alcohol policy.” All officer cadets wear standard army uniform, and at a service station on the A1 came the moment for me to change from weedy student journalist into a camouflage-clad action man. After changing into full combat gear, we headed up to road to Europe’s largest army base at Catterick Garrison, ready to join a platoon on their training exercises. Within minutes of arriving on site, I was assigned to join Anzio Platoon, a group of 16 cadets headed by Duncan Carroll, a Mechanical Engineering student and part-time platoon commander. Having never experienced the OTC at first hand before, I was initially surprised by the 12 men and four women who would be my colleagues for the next 24 hours. Having previously based my opinion on the OTC from rumours and stereotypes, I was expecting to meet a group of well toned, privately

I’m in a cold, wet field in North Yorkshire shouting ‘on guard’ at the top of my voice He says: “A lot of people misunderstand our role and think that the OTC is just about getting students to join the Army after university, and that isn’t what we’re about. “In terms of recruitment, the Army don’t get a great deal out of it as each year there will only be a few people who will go on to join afterwards. The OTC movement does give students a wider experience of the Army which is made worthwhile by the quality of people that will come out.” Having impressed my fellow soldiers by hurling a petrol bomb at a flaming tank, it was time for me to complete my first full training exercise. After receiving health and safety clearance, I would join the platoon in bayonet training, or sword fighting as it is referred to by the professionals. Continued on page 19

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FORGE PRESS Thursday April 22 2010

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nstructed by two fearsome corporals from The Rifles regiment, our platoon would have to master the skill of controlled aggression, by attacking a straw target with a bayonet rifle. While bayonets may be associated more widely with conflicts like the First World War, they are still being used for close combat in Afghanistan today. They are said to require a high level of mental toughness due to the intense aggression required to kill the enemy at such close range. In order to get this level of aggression, the corporal’s insisted that we ran several hundred meters across the field and then crawl back over the wet, muddy ground. After struggling through this drill several times, it was time to attach a sword to my rifle. Under the intimidating instruction of the two corporals, I stood in an attack position shouting “on guard” and “attack”, before stabbing the straw target through the chest.

I wasn’t sure I’d be able to shimmy up a telegraph pole or climb a rope up a house When the intense 30 minute session was over, it was time to tackle Catterick Garrison’s Whinny Hill confidence course, an urban assault course running through a row of semi-detached houses. While I’ve always been reasonably fit, I wasn’t overly convinced that I’d be able to shimmy up a telegraph pole or climb a rope up a terrace house. But with the support of my team and the encouragement of the senior officers, I completed the course without a single problem, and perhaps surprisingly ahead of some of the cadets. Proof perhaps that the OTC isn’t just for the super-fit military hopefuls. Nicole Gallagher, one of Anzio platoon’s female members tells me: “The one thing we all have in common is that everyone wants a challenge. “Sometimes as a girl I find it hard at the time, but afterwards feel like I’ve achieved something by keeping up with the boys and doing things which my friends say they couldn’t do”. OCT weekends are split up over two days with the Saturday

FEATURES spent doing training drills and exercises, while the Sunday sees cadets carry out a simulated conflict situation using blank ammunition. In order to prepare for the ‘final attack’, platoons trek outside the village to camp in the surrounding countryside and confirm attack plans after receiving orders from senior officers.

Rations include a surprisingly tasty mutton curry and enough biscuits for a tea party So after a hard afternoon of training, our platoon headed up to the hills to prepare for the final attack, and I began to notice a more serious atmosphere amongst my comrades. While throughout the afternoon the atmosphere around the platoon was boisterous and lively, the thought of a disturbed nights sleep in wet and muddy combat gear seemed to have quietened down the troops. I’ve done a fair bit of camping in the past, but our accommodation on the Moors was considerably different to my Eurocamp family holiday in 1998. Firstly, the OTC don’t use tents, opting instead for a standard Army camouflage tarpaulin and a Gortex ‘bivvy bag’ to stop your sleeping bag from getting wet. So after finding a suitable ditch to make my bed for the night, we set up our primitive accommodation. After reading last year’s revelations about the OTC’s wilder side, this might be the point when you’d expect the trainee officers to crack open the lager and begin some R&R. But sadly, alcohol isn’t part of the MoD ration pack which forms the sole ingredients for our evening meal. Rations did though include a surprisingly tasty boil-in-abag mutton curry, a chocolate pudding desert and enough biscuits to supply a tea party at Chatsworth House. With food in short supply, it’s not long before a friendly face shares a bag of Harribo around the platoon or offers a share of his meal to a more hungry cadet. And it’s this sense of comradeship and togetherness which makes OTC weekends so special. As Pedro tells me: “Everyone learns to share on these weekend.”

So after a wholesome dinner I was heading to bed, unlike the rest of the platoon, who were required to keep awake to carry out night patrols of our camp, watching out for an enemy attack. With a ditch as a bed for the night, I was never going to get the best night’s kip, but come 2am I was already awake to receive orders from platoon commander Duncan Carroll regarding the morning operation. With the help of a map made of sticks and stones, Duncan informs us that Anzio platoon will help seize control of a tower block in Whinny Hill, which has been seized by the enemy. As an embedded reporter, I would follow the platoon as they look to suppress the enemy’s fire and take control of the platinum tower. Our mission began early on Sunday morning, gathering silently in woods close to the village. After a signal from the platoon in front of us we began the attack, crawling underneath a barbed wire fence under the cover of a smoke bomb. After nearly two hours of gunfire, hundreds of rounds of blank ammunition and dozens of thunderous grenades, the battle was over and the tower was secured. After calling a cease fire, the cadets dropped their weapons and began the more ominous task of collecting rounds of ammunition from around the battlefield for recycling. My time at Catterick Garrison had come to an end and it was time to send my uniform back to the MoD laundry and get back to my civilian life. Despite the aching bones and incredible tiredness, I had enjoyed my weekend with the OTC.

After a signal we began the attack, crawling underneath a barbed wire fence Any student group with links to the armed forces is bound to be a controversial one, as the recent Kick ’Em Off Campus campaign shows. But having seen an OTC weekend at first hand, it’s easy to see the exciting range of experiences which encourage students to join. Even if I might rest my helmet for the next training weekend and get my Army fix from Call of Duty instead.

Photos: Sam Bennett

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FORGE PRESS Friday April 22 2010

FEATURES

Singh’s battle with libel law

Science writer Simon Singh talks to Forge Press about libel reform, censorship, and his court victory over the British Chiropractic Association. medicine was in part sparked when he heard that students were going overseas on gap years and using homeopathy to protect themselves from foreign diseases. Homeopathy, according to The Society of Homeopaths, is a system of medicine which involves treating illnesses with highly diluted substances, working on the principle of “like cures like” – that is, a substance that would cause symptoms in a healthy person can be used to cure the same symptoms in illness. “Often you’re just left with a sugar pill with nothing in it”, says Singh. “The homeopath says it’s a memory of the ingredient which is protecting you, but scientiﬁcally it makes no sense, and clinical trials don’t back it up.” Singh said he couldn’t believe that the treatment was trusted by both students and perpetuated by practitioners, so he set up an experiment. “I asked a young student to go to 10 different high-street homeopaths, and to tell them that she was going to West Africa and wanted an alternative to conventional treatments. I speciﬁcally picked West Africa because there are strains of malaria there which can kill within three days.” The result? “10 out of 10 homeopaths said ‘here, take this’. So, 10 out of 10 homeopaths were willing to let this young woman go off abroad and risk her life, because they clearly believed in what they were selling.”

Lucie Boase For someone who was being sued for libel, Simon Singh seemed remarkably upbeat. When I spoke to the highly respected and best-selling author a short while ago, his cheerful demeanour (complementing his almost-comically-cropped Mohican-esque haircut and circular glasses)- suggested nothing of the anguish he had been going through since the beginning of a twoyear court case brought against him by the British Chiropractic Association (BCA).

‘The only way science progresses is through debate and discussion’ Simon Singh, author “When I write about something, I get obsessed”, admitted Singh. Back in 2005, a tongue-in-cheek article suggesting new, more scientiﬁcally accurate lyrics about the origin of the universe for Katie Melua’s ‘Nine Million Bicycles’ song led to the singer re-recording her single with Singh’s words. “It was the highpoint of my career”, says Singh, who had spent three years researching Big Bang, his imaginatively titled history of cosmology. The same obsession is clearly evident in Singh’s most recent book, Trick or Treatment, which tackles the murky world of alternative medicine. It was his 2008 column in The Guardian, ‘Beware the Spinal Trap’, highlighting what he saw as the dangers of one such treatment, which ﬁrst caught the attention of the BCA. In the article, which was removed from The Guardian’s website following a legal complaint from the BCA, Singh wrote that chiropractic does not cure colic, asthma and persistent crying, and that the BCA “happily promotes bogus treatments”. The article has since been reinstated.

When I asked why he had decided to single out chiropractics in his column, Singh replied: “That week was National British Chiropractic Awareness week and I thought I’d make people aware of chiropractic. Boy, did I make people aware of chiropractic.” The BCA began a court case which left Singh out of pocket to the tune of £200,000; costs that, despite a landmark court ruling on April 2 in Singh’s favour, will never be entirely recouped. And although the BCA withdrew their libel action on April 15, Singh does not feel overwhelmingly victorious. Last week he told interviewers, “my bill for a clear victory could be £60,000. That explains why people don’t ﬁght libel cases: even if you win, you lose”.

I was talking to Singh before he delivered a talk to Shefﬁeld’s branch of Skeptics in the Pub, a group which comes together to discuss topical issues and backslap a bit about the extent of their own wisdom and enlightenment. But the very opportunity to talk about these things is something sacred, says Singh, who appears to equate the BCA’s action against his article with censorship. “The only way that science, medicine and technology progresses is through debate and discussion. “That’s what is happening tonight – I’ll say something, and then 50 people will ask me questions. Some of them may challenge me, some of them may even be beeﬁng my position.” Singh’s interest in alternative

‘It’s generally accepted that Britain has the most oppressive libel laws in the free world’ Simon Singh, author Singh found it both fascinating and alarming that such a thing could happen. “It made me realise that there are smart people out there who believe this stuff works, and there are practitioners out there who are willing to provide it, and nobody

seems to be actually looking for hard facts.” The incident prompted Singh to ﬁnd a co-author – Edzard Ernst, the world’s ﬁrst professor of complementary medicine – and give alternative medicine a rigorous investigation.

‘My bill is £60k, that’s why people don’t ﬁght libel cases’ Simon Singh, author

“We decided to let people know the facts. You know, what works, what doesn’t work; what’s safe, what’s dangerous; what we have absolutely no clue about whatsoever.” The result was Trick or Treatment? Alternative Medicine on Trial, which looks at four therapies in detail – acupuncture, herbal medicine, homeopathy and chiropractic – and gives one-page summaries of all of the others. “People have said that we’re relentlessly negative and antialternative medicine”, he says. “We’re not anti-alternative medicine. We’re just pro-evidence. We look at each therapy one by one, and we’re only negative if the data’s negative, like for homeopathy. “If something’s proven by evidence to work, for example, hypnotherapy for Irritable Bowel Syndrome, then we’re very happy to embrace it.” Perhaps naively, I asked whether Singh had tried all of the therapies himself in order to write the book. “No”, he replies, “because I was never that ill”; but that’s not the real reason, as Singh explains. “Alternative therapists have said, how can you write about this if you’ve never tried it? Well, let’s say I tried reiki, and it made me better. How arrogant of me would it be to say that reiki must work, because it worked for me; or if I had a really bad experience, to say, reiki’s terrible because it made me ill”. The scientiﬁcally rigorous way to measure a treatment’s

FORGE PRESS Friday April 22 2010

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FEATURES

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effectiveness is to subject it to a clinical trial - “rather than relying on our experiences”, Singh says, “we looked at research from around the world”. The slightly unforeseen result of Singh’s brush with the law over chiropractics has been the writer’s consequential championing of libel reform. “It’s generally accepted that Britain has the most oppressive libel laws in the free world. “It’s incredibly easy to bring a libel suit - anybody can just issue

one and suddenly you’ve got to make a decision: am I prepared to stake my entire earnings on defending this article, or do I just walk away?” Fellow scientists faced by similarly crippling legal fees from libel battles have told Singh that they keep on ﬁghting because to concede defeat would be to break the Hippocratic Oath. One such person, cardiologist Peter Wilmshurst, who is being sued for saying a US heart device does not work, told Singh “I’d

rather be a good doctor than a quiet doctor”. Although Singh effectively won his own libel case, he says he did so despite the libel laws; libel reform is still an area in dire need of attention. “There’s a lot to be proud about the English legal system. But I would defy any politician to argue against libel reform. The right of free speech, to have fair and open debate, is a cornerstone of who we are and what we are.” The fact that I was initially

worried about having this article published surely says something too. “For a student newspaper, libel reform is as important to you as it is to me”, said Singh. “If you can’t write about stuff because you’re scared of libel, then your readers will never ever read about it”. Just as Simon is about to leave to give his talk to the Shefﬁeld Skeptics, I squeeze in one last question, anxious to steer the conversation back round to the original subject – alternative

medicine. Does he see it as simply another lifestyle choice which may go out of fashion? “I just see it growing – it’s been growing year on year for the last 15 years. People invest in it because it’s natural, traditional, and holistic; it fits in with a belief system that they might have. “‘Trick or Treatment’ is about finding out what works, and embracing it, and finding out what doesn’t work, and letting the public know.”

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FORGE PRESS Thursday April 22 2010

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FEATURES

Wine into water: the society who offer a helping hand Forge Press joins the members of the Synergy society who, armed with bottles of water and a desire to help others, assist students after nights out. Katy Koesy It´s Wednesday morning, but Tuesday Club has only just let out. A group stand waiting in the freezing cold; armed with nothing but bottles of water and a desire to lend a helping hand, as the stumbling students begin to make their way out from the Union and into the street. Two club nights a week, the members of the University´s Synergy society make it their mission to ensure students reach taxis, re-hydrate and have a friendly face waiting after a long night out. It was created as a way for Christian students from different churches to come together as an alternative to a weekly meeting similar to their church experience. Members of the society strive to “love as Jesus loved” and term their campus initiatives Agape, which in Christian theology means ‘God’s love for mankind.’ The group was founded by former University of Sheffield student Peter Clarke, who aimed to encourage a campus-wide evangelical approach that did not “require anything of people.” “Agape is a way of showing love being as unconditional and indiscriminate as possible,” Isabel Edlin, Synergy society’s executive secretary, said. “And that’s what we aim to do through Agape - bring unconditional beauty and joy in a practical way.” Synergy Society brings together Christian students who have “a passion about a certain way of showing love and could not help but do something about it.” The group’s other initiatives include club outreach, free hugs and homeless outreach. “By looking after other people, we are trying to do something that is both good and practical,” said Synergy society member Daniel Furlong. On a typical night out, the members of Agape will distribute about five crates worth of free water bottles to students leaving from the Union’s club nights. The group members also monitor the scene at the Union entrance in order to immediately assist the students who get kicked out of the Union nights. “The water bottles are great to hand out, but they are really just an excuse for us to be here for the students,” Furlong said. The group members said they often get very positive reactions from students on their nights out; a “validation of success” for the organization. And while the group does not “ask people to talk to us or listen to us” when it comes to promoting their Christian values, will not

A Synergy society member offers a student a friendly face and a bottle of water after a night out at the students’ union. hesitate to talk with interested students about God.

‘Crying, throwing up, and getting kicked out of clubs have become the norm’ Daniel Furlong, AGAPE “I listen to what their need is - whether they just want to talk about God or whether they want prayer or whether they want to be connected with a church,” Edlin said. “We then try to fill that need with God’s guidance.” And for the group members, asking for God’s guidance primarily occurs in the form of prayer. “We begin each night out with a prayer that is mostly just for peace,” Furlong said. “We

also pray for protection for the students, for ourselves, and for the security and staff.” Furlong said the group members often face a range of both predictable and unpredictable reactions when students learn that the organisation has Christian affiliations. Most students gratefully accept the bottle of water, turn down the assistance in calling a cab, and leave without another word. “If someone handed you a free bottle of water, would you turn it down?” one student said in response to the group’s presence outside Tuesday Club. But still others want to challenge the group members and often question whether or not accepting a bottle of “Christian water” opens them up to a potential conversion attempt. “I don’t want just water; it’s boring,” one student said to Furlong’s offer of free water. “Plus, it comes with your Christian values.” But Edlin said even some of the most difficult and intimidating moments to openly talk about God can be some of the most rewarding. “I remember a guy was offended at God and he was shouting a lot

and I was a bit scared,” she said. “But afterwards, he came and apologised to me and opened up about why he was so angry at God, so it kind of turned into a good experience for both him and me.” The group’s notoriety regarding their Christian foundation can prove to be both a blessing and a curse; especially in light of the group’s struggles of dealing with a drinking culture that Furlong said has “gone past the line.”

Members of the society strive to ‘love as Jesus loved’ “It is great that people have the freedom to drink, but our binge culture is strange,” he said. “Crying, throwing up, and getting kicked out of clubs have become the norm.” Edlin also said she believes the drinking culture is “a bit sad, but understandable.” “What upsets me is when people think they have to do it

Photo: Sam Bennett

to fit in and it’s not a choice they would have made otherwise,” she said. But, ironically, it is because of the drinking that the members of Agape have the opportunity to make a name for themselves as living a very “Christ-filled and inspired life.” “I just love that people recognise us as the Christian water people and coming bounding up to us to get their free bottle,” Edlin said. “I am privileged to be part of a huge network of Christians, uniting churches.” As for the future outlook of the organisation, Edlin said the Synergy Society is hoping to get more manpower and money to expand their club outreach to more than just two nights. She also said the group wants to become more recognisable as well as build stronger relationships with the Union security staff. But for now, the group will continue to provide free advice, assistance and water bottles every Tuesday and Friday night at the students’ union. “No matter how many water bottles you carry, you always find that you needed to have carried just one more,” Furlong said.

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FORGE PRESS Thursday April 22 2010

Lifestyle Go mad with vintage tea-p Hero of the fortnight

Fashion Food & Drink Health & Fitness Technology Sex & Relationships

Half-marathon runners Students are pounding the pavement on Sunday April 25 aiming to raise money for charity.

With a mass of vintage boutiques in Shefﬁeld, there’s no reason why the Steel City can’t be placed ﬁrmly on the map for being fashionforward. There’s a range of old clothes, new clothes and reworked clothes available in many of these boutiques, so everyone has the chance to create their very own unique look. Just a quick walk down Division Street reveals that there’s so much more to the shops there than on your average high-street. Lifestyle has hand-picked four of the best boutiques around to showcase their clothes ar our very own tea-party. Flock, Freshmans, Kittie’s Kloset and Syd and Mallory are the places to shop if you want to put an individual stamp on your wardrobe. Whether you want a casual Summer update or some new party wear, have pride in your city’s very own designers and one-off boutiques; at the same time you can gain fashion credentials.

Syd and Mallory: Brendan wears tan leather jacket £40; check shirt £15. Emily wears headband £5; lace croptop £18; necklace £12; skirt £20.

Freshmans: Brendan (left) wears check shirt £20; blue cords £20. Yiannis wears denim shirt £25; t-shirt £10; cream cords £20.

Alice Takes a Trip (Freshmans): Alex wears dress £45; bag £18; gloves £2.

Freshmans: Prices stated in main picture.

Kittie’s Kloset: Lottie wears blue dress £25; Silver Alice necklace £30.

FORGE PRESS Thursday April 22 2010

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Gadget of the fortnight

Product of the fortnight

Villain of the fortnight

Floodlight Desk Lamp £14.99 This desk light would add some much needed character to any revision session.

Clinique Redness Daily Relief Cream £34.00 Tone down those rosy cheeks with this soothing daily relief cream.

Iceland Travel Chaos across Europe all because Iceland can’t keep it’s Volcanoes under control.

party style this summer Syd and Mallory: Alex (left) wears turquoise headband £7; dress £40. Yiannis wears Tweed hat £5; scarf £3; tweed jacket £30; black t-shirt £22.

Flock: Alex (left) wears black silk top £4; playing card necklace £8; coca-cola skirt £12. Emily wears gingham headband £6; red button jacket £15; Paddington bear skirt £18.

Photos: Sam Bennett

Kittie’s Kloset: Emily (left) wears dress £25; fob watch necklace £18. Alex wears red t-shirt £10; polka dot skirt £14; striped blazer £10.

Freshmans: Sarah wears ﬂowery dress, £22; hat £5. Jono wears striped t-shirt £15.

Flock: Alex (left) wears grey t-shirt £12; bead belt £5; geometric print skirt £15; pink tights £3. Emily (right) wears gingham head ban £6; blue spot body £10; playing card necklace £8; red belt £5; brown gingham skirt £18.

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FORGE PRESS Thursday April 22 2010

Lifestyle

Madame Whiplash:

These boots are made for... I wanna have sex on the beach

hy is sex better in the summer? Maybe it’s because everyone is wearing fewer clothes, or that suddenly it’s completely acceptable to drink cider from eleven. Either way I find myself wanting a bit of al fresco loving. Sex outside never appeals in the winter, its cold, and I’m pale. But in the summer we’re all a bit leaner, a bit browner and the shorter hem lines ensure that our legs are constantly strokeable. Now every good sex fantasy has all the details worked out, down to the colour of the drapes. Fortunately in my sex fantasy there are no drapes. There is however blue sea waves gently crashing on a golden beach, while I am shielded from prying eyes by a conveniently placed rockery. I never thought my fantasy would come to fruition. That was until my latest beaux offered to take me for a road trip. Soon we were on route to the nearest beach.

“Riding him in time to the crashing of the waves” I couldn’t believe it, my beach fantasy finally was going to be carried out. The journey was taking far too long for my liking. “So why are you so desperate to get to a beach?” he asked. I whispered my reasons into his ear. Suddenly, the car started to speed right up until finally we reached our destination. I looked out of the window, ready to see that long sandy beach, when what greeted my eyes was a small, greying pebble beach. My beaux looked sheepish. “Well, at least no-one is here,” I decided, grabbing him and running towards the pebbles. We got right to it, picking a spot next to the shoreline. I went on top, riding him in time to the crashing of the waves. I thought things were going well, until he suddenly looked uncomfortable. “A pebble is becoming increasingly lodged in…” He didn’t need to go into any further detail. I looked at the sea hopeful to keep the fantasy alive. Until we both looked dismally at the brown colour of the water. This wasn’t the beach from my fantasy. Instead we moved towards the car and carried on from there. I guess it did need christening. And besides I always like to take the driver’s seat in these kind of situations.

Pete McKee web chats to Lifestyle about Mod style and his new boots.

Kate Llyod Local artist, Pete McKee, has been commissioned to design a limited edition pair of desert boots for Clarks. Lifestyle caught up with the renowned painter and cartoonist to chat about his motivation for making the transition into fashion. Why did you decide to collaborate with Clarks and create the boots? It seemed like a fun idea. As most of my work is influenced by fashion it’s great to know that I’ve had a chance to influence a bit of fashion, although I imagine people will see the boots more as an art piece or collectible. I imagine them being locked away in wardrobes across the nation and saving for prosperity. Who do you imagine wearing them? I would love to be walking on the sea front and see a couple of sorts walking by wearing my boots. What was your inspiration? I imagined the aura of Britain in the ’60s and Mod culture. The style of the Mod movement is universal and influenced my

shoe design. I love the simplicity of their fashion trends, defined by the size of one’s turn ups and the number of buttons on a jacket. Do you think that Mod style is still relevant to the contemporary Briton? Mod style can be adapted to fit any occasion from weddings to brick laying and what ever your activity you can feel easy in the knowledge that you look good. Without realising it people nowadays are dressing like Mods. Many of the classic mod stylings have found their way into everyday casual wear on the highstreet. The only thing different is the hair. If you could make one change to modern British fashion culture, what would it be? The problem we have today is that there isn’t any definition in fashion movements because we have too much information. In the good old days, music and fashion movements went hand in hand and there was at least a 6-12 month period where people would walk around dressed like their idols until the next wave came on the scene,

ska followed punk, followed new romantics followed casuals. Now the teenagers are bombarded every minute of the day with much of a muchness. Also, I would like to see fewer youths showing off their underpants and getting themselves into a decent pair of Levis or stay press trousers. Pete’s desert boots are available from Clarks nationwide now.

’60s Briton influenced the design of Pete’s desert boots (pictured top).

Start your summer exercise regime now

Lifestyle review: Jabu

Emily Spencer

Jabu isn’t your traditional Chinese restaurant. If you go expecting sweet and sour pork or lemon chicken you’ll be bitterly disappointed. However if you love tasty, wholesome and importantly cheap food, then Jabu is the place for you. Walking into this little restaurant don’t be put off by the utilitarian décor, the bare walls and simple furniture aren’t exactly inviting but you don’t need luxury when dinner is this good. To start you can choose from a selection of dumplings and soy sauce, a fiver will buy you a good half a dozen and it’s more than enough for a greedy pair. The main course is a little bit more special because Jabu is a Chinese hot pot restaurant, which means that you choose a selection of raw ingredients and then you cook them yourself in a hot broth in the middle of your table.

Many people dread the warmer weather as it means exposing all the wobbly bits we’ve kept well hidden throughout the Winter months in that loathed skimpy bikini. Instead of reaching for the fad diets and quick fixes that never end up being either quick or effective take advantage of the sunshine and long evenings ahead to find cheap and fun ways to tone up. By far the most effective and easy on your pocket, running is a great way to shape up. A 30 minute jog three to four times a week will not only get you into shape in no time but is really great for stress relief. However going for a jog several times a week is hardly appealing, so try and mix it up a bit. Making exercise varied is really important if you want to stick to your regime, exercise need not be a chore. Instead of getting stuck in exercise regime, either at the gym or at home, cardio is important but mix this with yoga to provide tone as well as weight loss. Now is particularly the best time to try any new outdoors activities you have been putting off. Tennis, cycling, rock climbing or even just getting out into the park and tossing around a frisbee. Outdoors really not your thing? Look around for bargains reduced gym membership tends to be offered in the lead up to the

Running is a great way to get fit. Summer months. But there really is no need to spend excessive amounts of money, getting a fab abs and toned legs can be achieved in the comfort of your own home. Doing crunches press up and squats will have your body toned to perfection within a few weeks. There is no point exercising and continuing to regularly consume high fat and calorific foods. While by no means do I suggest regimented diets, cutting out excess will make a difference. Drink plenty of water: the standard eight pints a day is always a good bet. A cheeky tip if you’re in need of a drink: order a shot of vodka a glass of water and a slice of lemon- drop the shot in the water squeeze the lemon and voila. It’s almost calorie free, leaves you hydrated and hangover-less. You’ll even have a few pennies spare so you can buy that lovely bikini you’ve had your eye on.

Keri O’Riordan

This type of food is messy and delicious. We used a tom yum soup, and for our raw ingredients we had delights such as scallops, tiger prawns, whelks and frogs legs.

Jabu is food with an aversion to pretension The broad range of ingredients and the style of cooking means you get free reign to create a dish completely to your taste. Furthermore the chilled out atmosphere really enhances your experience, you definitely don’t worry about spilling broth everywhere, or getting chilli sauce on your white T-shirt. Even the family that own the restaurant sit down with their dinner in the restaurant while watching Chinese music channels. So if you’re a massive foodie with an aversion to pretension then Jabu is the place for you.

FORGE PRESS Thursday April 22 2010

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

TRAVEL

Photo: Colin Wong

Stockholm City Hall.

Pyramids at Giza.

Gumbet Beach.

More holiday for your money With the British Pound not as strong as it once was, Forge Press looks at some destinations outside of the Eurozone where your money will go further.

Turkish Delights

Nordic Chic Colin Wong Sometimes university life can be stressful and a great way to let off steam is with a well deserved holiday. This summer, why not set off on a therapeutic trip to Stockholm and see what it has in store?

Find yourself emerged in sensational fashion Swedish design has a unique Nordic spin to it and is great in its own right, setting itself apart from its European counterparts. Perhaps that explains why international phenomena such as IKEA and H&M managed to win over our hearts and minds and make Sweden the Mecca for designers and consumers alike. The Swedish are fashionforward and you know that

because they wear their edgy heart on the sleeves. Just by taking a walk on the streets of Stockholm you will find yourself emerged in sensational fashion. But chic can be cheap, find your way to the SOFO neighbourhood if you are excited by streets brimming with modish boutiques selling stylish fashion items at a budget price. While the allure of shopping in Stockholm is ready to drain your wallet, the city also holds its own in the culture stakes too. Visit Gamla Stan (the Old Town) and Riddarholmen, two islands that together make up Northern Europe’s largest and best-preserved medieval city. If viewing some unforgettable scenery is more your thing Stockholm’s Archipelagio which is made up of over 24,000 islands are accessible to tourists via boat or oldfashioned ferry and will take your breath away. Stockholm has all the ingredients to feed your intellectual, spiritual and emotional needs.

Brogan Campbell The yellow cabs of Cairo have sparked the beginning of a tourist revolution in the capital city; brand new cars, fitted with pollution lessoning technology, providing comfort for the weary traveller. As a result, Egypt has embraced a new tourist extravaganza, offering a holiday maker more of an Egyptian experience rather than a sight-seeing tour. Sharm el Sheikh has pounced upon this opportunity and is fast becoming THE place to go for your summer holiday. Only an hour plane ride away from bustling Ciaro, Sharm el Sheikh has truly embraced the tourist industry, becoming a hugely popular spot for water sports; kite surfing, canoeing and scuba diving, providing some spectacular underwater scenery. Furthermore, these fantastically equipped resorts are surrounded by restaurants boasting haute cuisine and a diverse nightlife

yet to have been tainted by tourism and crowds. Nevertheless, the grandeur of Cairo is on your doorstep: the mask of Tutankhamen, The Valley of the Kings, The Pyramids. With so many airlines offering discount flights to Sharm el Sheikh, it’s far too easy to enjoy a fantastic holiday by the beach as well as taking a short visit to the famous sights of Luxor and Cairo.

A whole lot more than history So, if you want the perfect place for a week away with friends or an unwinding holiday on the beach, Sharm el Sheikh shows that Egypt can offer a w h o l e lot more t h a n history.

Egyptian Wonders Lucy Sprague Located on a sandy beach stretching six hundred metres across the coast of Turkey, the resort of Gumbet boasts a world of activity, day and night. Perfectly suited for sunbathing and water sports, the main beach offers days of exhilaration and relaxation, so however you prefer to spend your holiday time you won’t be disappointed here. At night the resort comes alive, spread across the sandy beaches are a multitude of bars and restaurants, lie back as the waiters come and serve you on the beach - the perfect lazy day. For those of you who love to party on your holiday Gumbet is the best resort in Turkey. The Vegas-esque strip of clubs and bars along the beach has seen Gumbet hold its own amongst the other holiday resorts popular with the 18-30s crowd. Lit by the golden sun by day, and the flashing neon lights by night, Gumbet

offers wild and energetic partying for those who could literally dance all night. At 4:30am the party moves on to the beach, where you can enjoy a traditional bowl of Turkish soup and watch the sun rise.

Days of exhilaration and relaxation Gumbet is ideally placed for day trips to the more traditional tourist and historic attractions in Turkey too if you do fancy a day or two away from the beach. All in all, a holiday in Gumbet will not break the bank and will surely please all of you out there who enjoy a relaxing day in the sun and an exciting night ‘on the town’.

City Scout: Newcastle Maya Collyer How to get there: From Sheffield, by train to Newcastle takes roughly around 2 hours 15 minutes and an advance return ticket with a railcard will cost you £23.75. Where to stay: Newcastle is popular for stag and hen parties as well as weekend party goers or weekend breaks as there are lots of hotels offering many great value deals, especially if you book in advance.

The Holiday Inn, which is located right in the heart of Newcastle’s city centre, offers rooms at £60 per night for two people. Things to do: The recent regeneration on both sides of the River Tyne makes the Newcastle-Gateshead Quayside an attractive place to visit. The BALTIC is a major international centre for contemporary visual art which has a range of different exhibitions on show each month. A short metro train ride away from the city centre is the Metro Centre, this is the largest shopping centre in the EU, offering a large variety of shops, as well as

top walks, which is easily accessible again by the metro train. Where to eat: The city centre and quayside boasts an array of excellent bars and restaurants, a great family run Italian with a bustling atmosphere is UNO’s Trattoria. plenty of places to stop for a drink and lunch or even just a rest. For those of you who miss the sea whilst in Sheffield, Newcastle’s close proximity to the coast of South Tyneside, offers several miles of unspoilt beaches, with plenty of cliff

Nightlife: Newcastle offers a variety of different clubs and bars for a good night out on the town, so head to the streets around the Quayside and Bigg Market to experience for yourself what nightlife the city has to offer.

www.forgetoday.com // features@forgetoday.com

FORGE PRESS Thursday April 22 2010

g n i r e e unt

l o V d l e fi f e h

! 0 1 0 2 l a i c o S d n Gra

Do you love Volunteering? Took part in Just Do It 2010? Volunteered with your department? Helping out with Sports Day? Or just want to find out more about SheffieldVolunteering? Come along to the GRAND SOCIAL to celebrate yet another successful year of SheffieldVolunteering! Wednesday 28th April 2010 8.30pm - 10.30pm in Fusion continuing onto Roar! Tickets ÂŁ3 including entry to Roar - Available from the Box Office now!

FORGE PRESS Thursday April 22 2010

www.forgetoday.com // features@forgetoday.com

PUZZLES & HUMOUR

Coffee Break COMPETITION: Win a pair of summmer break tickets

CROSSWORD

We are offering one lucky Forge Press reader the ultimate way to celebrate the end of the academic year by giving away a pair of tickets to the Summer Break festival in Newquay - including free accommodation.

Across

Down

1. Foot-operated lever (5) 6. Side by side (7) 8. Highest mountain (7) 9. Mineral spring (3) 10. Cat (4) 12. Renown (4) 15. Cover (3) 16. Try (7) 18. Add sugar (7) 19. Eccentric (5)

1. Tropical fruit (10) 2. Gaming cubes (4) 3. Trademark (5) 4. Rasp (5) 5. Sickness (6) 7. Path of a projectile (10) 11. Abrupt (6) 13. Desires (5) 14. Rise to one’s feet (5) 17. In the greatest number (4)

and Urban Knights all landing on board. With some exciting extras on offer including a private beach with live acoustic

stage, cheap surf lessons, zip wires, cliff-hangers and more - Summer Break has something for everyone. Can you think of a

better way to start the summer? See www.beachbreaklive. com for more details. To win two tickets with accommodation, all you have to do is answer the following question:

For three weeks, the sun drenched beaches of Newquay will see 9,000 student partygoers take over for four days of BBQs, outlandish parties, surfing and music. The line-up is already bursting at the seams with fresh talent from the scene with acts such as Chipmunk, Tinie Tempah, Example, Jack Beats, Caspa, Zinc, Sub Focus, Radio 1’s Mistajam and Jaymo and Andy George, Club de Fromage

What was the title of Chipmunk’s debut album? Send your answers to features@ forgetoday.com and the winner will be selected at random after the closing date of Friday, April 30, 2010. The winner will be notified after the draw. Good luck!

COMPEtition: Spot the ball

Issue 21 crossword solution: Across: 1. Ghosttown, 8. Radio, 9. Plane, 10. Mother, 12. Tent, 14. Sark, 15. Mortal, 17. Noise, 18. Depot, 20. Presently. Down: 2. Had, 3. Spoken, 4. Tops, 5. Weakest, 6. Promising, 7. Ventilate, 11. Terrier, 13. Wooden, 19. Pal.

SUDOKU

OVERHEARD IN SHEFFIELD In the Union:

In a seminar:

Boy: “Wow, this ice cream is better than the wank I had this morning!”

Girl: Wait, why are we talking about Iraq and Afghanistan as if they’re two separate wars? Guy: Because they are. Girl: Oh. In the Union: Girl: “...that famous astronomer, Sir Roger Moore...” After night out at the Union: Guy: “Do you know where

I’m from, baby?” Girl: “No, where?”... Guy: “Sexyland...” In the IC Cafe: Girl: I’m reading the final book in the Twilight trilogy. Guy: Really? How many of them are there? Girl: Four.

WIN a pair of Sheffield wednesday tickets SPOT THE BALL! To win a pair of tickets to a Sheffield Wednesday home game just tell us where you think the ball was in Helen Munro’s photo taken at a recent women’s netball match. Email sport@forgetoday.com with the grid reference you think is home to the missing ball by Friday, April 30. Good luck!

www.forgetoday.com // sport@forgetoday.com

FORGE PRESS Thursday April 22 2010

SPORT NEWS AND COMMENT

About time we left our sporting idols to get on with their jobs

Steel City spoils shared Matt Duncan

Matt Duncan Comment Tiger Woods has been everywhere this year. All over the papers, on television screens, radio chat shows. In fact he has hardly been seen in his natural habitat at all, only actually competing in one tournament, so far this year. Unless you have been living under a rock or consumed by a five month volcanic ash cloud, then you will know why Mr. Woods has been so prominent recently. The world’s best golfer has admitted to marital infidelities and has visited rehab and taken a break from golf.

I don’t want my kids to think that success is based on illicit affairs and using hookers Similarly, Ashley Cole has been injured for months now and yet he has been on the front page of all the tabloids after his split from Cheryl. Hear the name John Terry at the moment and I bet your first thought is not anything football related. For some reason our society now expects our sporting stars to be role models. What a load of rubbish. What a poor move for us all to make. The majority of those sportspeople who we put forward as people to look up to are young men between the ages of 18 and 35 with far too much time and money on their hands. This is

simply not a recipe for good role models. Money in itself can never be seen as an aim or as a means of qualifying success. Unfortunately we have reached a point in our civilisation where people are losing sight of arguably more important things like family. When I have kids I know that I do not want to be showing them that success in my eyes is earning £80,000 a week but using it to buy prostitutes or secret hotel rooms for trysts with illicit lovers. I don’t want my children to think that assaulting another human being is all right because certain sporting figures do. Lets get this clear: I am in no way blaming the players themselves for this situation, they do not ask to be role models, they simply find themselves thrust into that role. And I am not saying that a sports star can never be a role model. I would love it if my child grew up wanting to emulate Roger Federer, a man who is great at what he does but also appears to be a genuine person who makes his wife and children a priority. What I am saying is that we owe it to the young people of this country to be a bit more selective with those we put forward as role models. Simply saying that all people in the public eye need to be role models and then chastising every single one of them who happens to mess up is wrong. Such action is not helpful for their own careers, or for the young fans who could be influenced by their action. I recognise that the sheer depth of coverage that sport gets in this country has not helped this situation and for that I take my own personal piece of blame but by writing about sport I have in no way made it inevitable that people place the wrong people on pedestals. As well as the long term benefits for our children, there is another reason why we all need to be careful with whom we look up to. One can only assume that we

Stars should entertain with their talents, not with their private lives choose our role models because we place great importance on what

they do for a living. People look up to Wayne Rooney because he is an amazingly talented footballer, not because of his charity work or the compassion that he shows for others. If this is the case maybe it is about time that we let these people get on with their jobs, which are essentially to entertain us, without worrying about how the rest of the world views their private lives.

The Steel City derby ended with no victor after a 1-1 draw at Hillsborough left both sides of the city disappointed. The result means that Wednesday remain in the relegation zone with just two games left to play whilst United must now settle for a place outside the top six and another season of Championship football. Wednesday had taken the lead in the first half through Darren Potter, but a Lee Williamson goal on the hour was enough to earn a share of the spoils. It was the visitors who looked most likely to score early on with Darius Henderson seeing his header deflected onto the post via the boot of Owls skipper Darren Purse. Wednesday appeared to be lucky to not be reduced to ten men when Jermaine Johnson appeared to catch Evans with a flying elbow. He survived and United were soon made to rue their chances when, five minutes before the break, Luke Varney broke down the left before cutting in and floating the ball into the area for the onrushing Potter to volley into the top corner and send the majority of the 35,000 crowd into raptures. The vibrant atmosphere continued after the break but was soon dampened when Williamson curled over a free kick from near the corner flag which evaded everyone and went in off the far post. After the game Owls boss Alan Irvine remained upbeat about his side’s chance of beating the drop. “If we can be a bit more clinical up front and just stop getting some awful goals against us in terms of luck, then we’ve got a chance. His opposite number, Kevin Blackwell was quick to praise his players for their passion. “Seven or eight of those lads are out of contract in two weeks’ time and they showed the desire and the passion to want to play here.”

British Universities & Colleges Sport tables Football - Northern Conference Men’s 2B

Badminton - Northern Conference Men’s 1A Pts Leeds 1st................................................................. 21 Sheffield 1st............................................................. 19 Liverpool 1st............................................................ 16 York 1st.................................................................... 14 Manchester 1st........................................................ 13 Lancaster1st........................................................... 4

Sheffield 1st............................................................. York 1st..................................................................... Newcastle 1st.......................................................... Hull1st...................................................................... Leeds Met 2nd......................................................... Teeside1st............................................................... Football - Northern Conference Women’s 2B

Badminton - Northern Conference Women’s 1A

Pts Teesside 1st.............................................................. 19 Durham 1st............................................................... 19 Leeds 1st.................................................................. 17 Sheffield1st............................................................. 10 York St John 1st....................................................... 9 Newcastle 1st........................................................... 0

Pts Leeds Met 2nd........................................................ 23 Newcastle 1st.......................................................... 19 Manchester 1st....................................................... 14 Sheffield 1st............................................................. 12 Bangor 1st................................................................ 19 Liverpool 1st............................................................. 7

Lacrosse - Northern Conference Men’s 1B

Basketball- Northern Conference Men’s- 2B Pts Leeds 1st.................................................................. 24 Leeds Met 2nd.......................................................... 18 Teeside 1st............................................................... 18 Sunderland 1st........................................................ 9 Northumbria 2nd...................................................... 6 Sheffield 1st............................................................. 3 Basketball - Northern Conference Women’s 2B Leeds Met 2nd....................................................... Bradford 1st............................................................ Newcastle 1st......................................................... Sunderland 1st........................................................ Sheffield 1st............................................................ York St John 1st.......................................................

Pts 25 22 11 9 7 4

Pts 30 26 24 23 22 21

.The Rugby Union firsts.

Hockey - Northern Conference Men’s 1A

Rugby Union - Premier Women’s North

Pts Manchester 1st......................................................... 28 Durham 2nd............................................................... 19 Leeds Met 1st............................................................ 12 Sheffield 1st............................................................... 11 Newcastle 1st............................................................ 7 Liverpool 1st.............................................................. 6

Pts Leeds Met 1st.......................................................... 27 Loughborough 1st.................................................... 22 19 Edinburgh 1st...................................................... Manchester 1st......................................................... 12 Sheffield 1st.............................................................. 3 Northumbria 1st....................................................... 0

Hockey - Northern Conference Women’s 2B

Rugby Union - Northern Conference 1A

Hallam 1st................................................................ Sheffield 1st............................................................. Leeds 2nd................................................................ Leeds Met 2nd......................................................... Newcastle 2nd......................................................... York St John 1st.......................................................

Pts Durham..................................................................... 24 Hallam....................................................................... 18 Leeds Met................................................................. 18 Sheffield.................................................................... 18 Northumbria............................................................. 12 York........................................................................... 6 Leeds........................................................................ 3

Netball - Northern Conference Women’s 2B

Lacrosse - Northern Conference Women’s 2A

Rugby League - Midlands Men’s

Pts Leeds Met 1st........................................................... 15 Leeds 2nd................................................................. 12 Sheffield 1st.............................................................. 12 Hallam 1st................................................................. 6 Manchester 2nd.................................................... 6 York 2nd.................................................................. 3 Keele 1st.................................................................. 3 Manchester Met 1st...................................... 3

Pts 24 21 15 15 3 3

Pts Leeds Met 3rd......................................................... 25 Leeds 2nd................................................................ 21 Sheffield 1st............................................................. 12 Hallam 1st................................................................ 10 Durham 2nd............................................................. 9 York St John 1st....................................................... 3 Pts

Hallam 1st................................................................. 15 Cambridge 1st.......................................................... 11 Notts Trent 1st.......................................................... 10 Warwick1st............................................................... 8 Sheffield 1st............................................................. 6 Lincoln 1st................................................................ 3

Pts Hallam 1st................................................................. 31 York 1st...................................................................... 31 Liverpool 1st.............................................................. 30 Sheffield 1st.............................................................. 21 Leeds Met 2nd.......................................................... 19 Northumbria 2nd...................................................... 13 Durham 3rd.............................................................. 4 Manchester 2nd....................................................... 1 Tennis - Northern Conference Men’s 2B Sheffield 1st............................................................. Durham 2nd............................................................. Leeds Met 3rd.......................................................... York 1st.................................................................... Northumbria 1st...................................................... Leeds 2nd................................................................

Pts 27 18 14 9 5 3

Tennis - Northern Conference Women’s 2B Pts Leeds 2nd................................................................. 27 Leeds Met 3rd.......................................................... 21 York 1st..................................................................... 15 Durham 3rd.............................................................. 12 Sheffield 1st.............................................................. 4 Hallam 1st................................................................. -2

FORGE PRESS Thursday April 22 2010

www.forgetoday.com // sport@forgetoday.com

NEWS SPORT

Sports Officer-elect Emma Bird plans to make Uni prioritise student sport Ross Turner Next year’s Sports Officer Emma Bird has vowed a shake-up of the University’s sports system if the findings of a review by current officer Kate Rickard show that sport is being undermined. There has long been questions about the amount of money invested in sport at the University and Bird has her own doubts about the opportunities currently being offered to students. She said: “We have to ask very big questions like why Hallam’s sports budget is so much bigger than ours? We always do better in the BUCS rankings than they do - imagine what we could do with a bigger budget. “It seems, too, that we are always working against uSport rather than with them. I want to change this. Why is the gym so expensive? Surely a cheaper gym would be beneficial to our athletes.” Rickard’s review will analyse everything in Sheffield student sport and make recommendations accordingly. Encouragingly for Bird, the new registrar at the University has made it known that he is very interested in sport and prepared to push the case for more investment in the future. Bird also said that she would be open to the idea of returning Varsity finals day to Abbeydale, depending on student opinion. “I loved Abbeydale but today was fantastic. Hillsborough was 100 times better than I had anticipated. Perhaps the students should decide what venue the final is held in, possibly through online voting. It will have to be looked in to.” The future Sports Officer highlighted her main aim next year as getting more students to participate in student sport, in terms of spectating as much as playing. This would include a major increase in promotion for everyday BUCS games, which rarely get a decent turn-out from students. On this year’s Varsity, Bird was understandably disappointed but also proud of the University’s achievements. She said: “I’m absolutely

Photo: Adam Harley

Emma Bird is confident that she can make sport a priority for the University. gutted. It is strange that we are better than Hallam in BUCS but not in Varsity - it is down to the rivalry, but also the fact that Hallam often don’t submit

teams that they know will be comprehensively beaten, such as in table tennis. That is the Hallam way - it is just how they do things and we all know that by

now. “Kate has done an immense job this year and hopefully we can keep moving forward and build on what she has achieved.

“To make the final day of Varsity such a success when the choice of venue had so many doubters was not easy; hopefully next year we can match this.”

Cheerleaders celebrate new highs in both size and competitions Chris Rogan The University of Sheffield cheerleading squads have enjoyed success over recent months, including being highly placed at international competitions. The Sabrecats stunt squad, which is the more gymnasticbased team, and the Pom cats and Sabrecats Pom squads, both of which are more dancingorientated, have all entered and secured places as high as third against some of the best cheerleading squads in the country. The University of Sheffield’s cheerleading has progressively increased in size over the last few years to be one of the biggest societies at the University. The club boasted of upwards of 200 newcomers at the start of the current academic year, which

may well have had an impact in the results of their recent competitions. Sarah Laycock, a third year medicine student and coach of the Sabrecats stunt team alongside Beth Mills, noted how well the team had done this year in the face of such tough competition. “We have entered two competitions this season, and done really well in both of them, especially the International Cheerleading Coalition (ICC) British Open, held at Nottingham in March, where we competed alongside the most talented cheerleaders in the country.” The British Open attracts thousands of specatators as well as the best cheerleading teams in the UK. The stunt squad secured third place in the third tier of the competition. Laycock was keen to emphasise that this was in the face of

relatively poor training facitilies: “We had hundreds of students interested in cheerleading at the start of the year, but Brookhill Hall, where we train, really struggles to accommodate these numbers. “For the stunt squad to finish third in such a major competition in Nottingham is really impressive because of these training problems.” If the squad continues to increase in size then there certainly is hope that the club will secure another venue for training. The Sabrecats performed at the Sheffield Arena for the Ice Hockey Varsity, as well as at Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough stadium yesterday for the men’s and women’s football Varsity final. www.cheerleading.union.shef. ac.uk.

The University Cheerleaders, the Sabrecats.

Photo: Helen Smalley

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SPORT

Emma Bird Page 31

FORGE PRESS Thursday April 22 2010

Varsity special 16 page pullout

Hallam steal Varsity after dramatic Uni fightback

Photo: Helen Munro

The Hallam men’s football firsts lift the coveted Varsity trophy after two years of stalemate. Matt Duncan A stirring University of Sheffield comeback fell just short as Sheffield Hallam held on to claim victory in this year’s Varsity. Uni went into Finals Day trailing by five points but victories in badminton and ultimate frisbee, as well as an unexpected draw in rugby league, meant that the final result depended on the outcome of the men’s football first team match at Hillsborough. Hallam won that game 2-0 to take both the final point and the Varsity trophy. Speaking after the presentation

Uni Sports Officer Kate Rickard said: “It’s a lot of mixed feelings at the moment. I’m obviously gutted that we’ve lost the crown overall but I’m so, so pleased with the way the competition has gone. “From start to finish the university students have been absolutely unreal. It’s been absolutely fantastic and I couldn’t ask for any more from them.” Going into the final day of action Uni needed something of a miracle to win for the first time since 2003, and it very nearly happened. Uni won seven of the ten available points through the day but that final moment of

achievement proved elusive for yet another year. This was the first year that the final match was played at the home of Sheffield Wednesday and it proved to be a great success with thousands of students turning up to cheer on their side. In a year that also saw Winter Varsity move to Sheffield Arena, congratulations must go to both Sports Officers’ for organising a showpiece final event that clearly captured the hearts of the students at both institutions. The atmosphere was lively from the start but as rumours began to spread regarding the exact state of the tournament score-line then

there was soon a tangible sense of tension in the air. Rickard was keen to praise those who went down to show their support: “I’m ecstatic with the support to be honest. “Now we’ve finished and it’s all empty, looking around at the empty seats it’s a bit like ‘oh my god we packed this’, and with such a short turnaround it’s a big hand to all the clubs for coming down. I’d like to say a big thanks to everyone who came down not just today but for the whole competition.” Rickard’s counterpart at Hallam, Samantha Gill, was ecstatic at the result: “It’s

amazing; it has been such a good day. I’m so tired now though.” Rickard was obviously upset at the outcome but she was determined to see the positives that have come out of the tournament. “I am disappointed we won’t be dancing with the trophy in Roar tonight, but I’ll be dancing with a lot of passionate black and gold students. We’ll overcome them one day I’m sure. “It’s just been an incredible day and it’s shown everyone just how incredible the University of Sheffield is. They are winners at life.”