The independent student newspaper of the University of Sheffield // www.forgetoday.com
Issue 36 // Friday May 20 2011
Carol Ann Duffy interview Fuse Arts page 4
‘University screwed us over,’ say workers Hundreds of university staff are to strike during the exam period over controversial changes to their pension plans. The decision was passed late Wednesday afternoon despite trade unions claiming the new scheme could slash the pensions of the lowest earning staff by 50 per cent. A crowd of protesters gathered outside Firth Court while councillors and university bosses met inside to decide on the final plans. The Unite union, which represents more than 400 technical and support staff at the university, will now strike after 60 per cent of their members voted to take action if the changes were passed. Christine Marsden, who works at Corporate Information and Computer Services (CICS), has been contributing to the pensions’ scheme throughout her time at the university. She said: “I have paid into the pension for 33 years. Enough is enough. They don’t give a toss about the staff, only themselves. “They don’t care about the staff, they just pretend. It’s all hollow words. There’s nothing behind it. Half of the Vice-Chancellors get more money then the Prime Minister. They should practice what they preach.” As different pensions schemes are used by different members of staff depending on how much they earn, the change currently being discussed – the loss of a final salary scheme - will only affect lower paid employees. Jane Hobbison, also from CICS, said: “They look after all the top
management, and now they are trying to screw the workers. After all that talk about being Investors in People. They should live up to their promises. “Integrity, equality – we’re going to lose that in Sheffield.” A spokesperson for the University of Sheffield said: “The rising risk and cost of the University’s local pension provision meant that the University’s pension scheme was no longer sustainable and affordable. “In addition, only a small minority of eligible new employees were choosing to opt into the scheme, with almost 50 per cent of staff on grades one to five not in a pension scheme at all. “Yesterday’s outcome is a measured, balanced decision for the long term which takes into account the realities of rising pension costs and risks being faced in all sectors. “The University also believes that the new scheme will be attractive and affordable to all members of staff.” Meetings between the university and the trade unions will be taking place in an attempt to resolve the dispute and to soften the impact on students. Some have raised fears that students could be hit with postponed exam or delayed results. Students’ Union Education Officer, Joe Oliver, said: “We will work with the university and the trade unions to try and minimise any disruption to students. “We’re completely aware that getting exam results quickly is important for all students, especially those in their final year, but I hope there won’t be delays.”
FEATURES
NEWS
LIFESTYLE
Jodi Picoult
Goodwin pool
Five Day Challenge
Featured pages 14 and 15
News page 5
Lifestyle pages 16 and 17
Katie Davies
Interview with awardwinning author
Anger over refunds after months of pool closure
67 years of sentences for Sheffield’s drug dealers Fay Guest
Protestors outside Firth Court while a decision is made on pensions inside.
Could you be a vegan?
A group of 27 people involved in Sheffield’s drug market have been brought to justice at Sheffield Crown Court after an 18-month police investigation. Of the 27 people, 22 of them will be going to prison, with their combined prison sentences totalling 67 years. The group appeared in court on May 18 after being arrested during a series of raids in January and February. They were involved in various drug related crimes around several areas of Sheffield. Superintendent Peter Norman, who ran the investigation, said: “The operation was organised in direct response to the concerns of local communities. “They told us some young people didn’t feel safe as a result of the increasing levels of serious crime being committed by groups in different parts of the city that were clearly related to drug dealing. South Yorkshire Police are not prepared to tolerate drug dealing or the intimidation of young people. “Every young person and every family has the right to feel safe and secure wherever they live and I hope that this operation demonstrates our commitment to making Sheffield a safe and more secure place in which to live, work and visit.” He was very pleased with the sentence given. He said: “It is important that there is a strong deterrent to any young person who may think drug dealing is a quick way to earn money, the reality is very different and we will be watching and ready to take further action.”
Inside Fuse. To Hell and Back Again: Interview with Doug Claybourne, assistant director of Apocalypse Now
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FORGE PRESS Friday May 20 2011
NEWS UNIVERSITY
Students help Kenyan villagers
Top staff and students awarded
Alex Erdlenbruch Students from the Department of Geography have raised £3,400 pounds to assist the construction of a clinic in north-western Kenya. When visiting the village of Tikeet on an annual field trip, students witnessed the hardships the locals faced. Villagers had to walk seven or eight hours to go to the nearest clinic and access to clean water was limited. Upon returning to Sheffield, the students decided to raise funds for the construction of a new clinic in Tikeet. Various activities were organised, including a charity gig, ‘Tunes for Tikeet’, at the Green Room pub on West Street. Senior lecturer in the Department of Geography Dr Deborah Sporton, said: “We’ll be contributing towards things like beds and supplies for the clinic. “The students have organised everything themselves and they´re very committed to it.” One of the students who travelled to Kenya this year was MA student Emma Crump. Crump said: “One of the most moving moments for me was speaking with mothers under the shade of a tree near the fields. “Once they realised that we were raising money for their new hospital they were overjoyed and thanked God for our generosity. “This really made me realise the impact that this hospital will have on the people of Tikeet, especially on the health of mothers and their children.” The money raised will go through the Marich Pass Field Studies Centre. Both the clinic and a borehole, which will provide fresh and clean water, will be completed soon.
Photo: University of Sheffield
Harriet Collier Students and staff were recognised for their contributions to university life at this year’s University of Sheffield Activities and Academic awards. The Activities Awards celebrated the achievements of the societies, working and representative committees at the Students’ Union, while the Academic Awards honoured academics, support staff and student representatives. The Engineers Without Borders Society scooped four prizes, fighting off stiff competition to collect the award for Best Society of the Year. “We were delighted with the success, as this year’s committee worked extremely hard to make it happen,” said vice-president Ewan Ashburn. The Politics Society collected three awards for Outstanding Society Charitable Fundraising,
Best Departmental Society and Commitment to Conclusion. The National History Society picked up the awards for Best New Society and Best Special Interest Society. The Theatre Company accepted the Event of the Year award for their 24 hour musical production of Oliver! as well as receiving recognition for Most Creative Publicity and Best Working Committee. Film Unit also picked up awards for Best Webspace and Most Improved Committee. Students’ Union Activities Officer Rachel Colley said: “Our societies’ achievements should be commended as without them, the Students’ Union and Sheffield would be a far less vibrant, interesting and fun place.” In the Academic awards Journalism lecturer Jonathan Foster won Teacher of the Year, while Philosophy Course Rep Chloe Ashley won Councillor of the year.
Media Hub, Union of Students, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TG 0114 2228646 forgepress@forgetoday.com
Editor matt.burgess@forgetoday.com Matt Burgess Deputy Editor Nicole Hernandez Froio Managing Editor Mary Anne Hobbs WEB EDITOR Ben Williams fuse editors fuse@forgetoday.com James Garrett Lauren Kelly
Photo: University of Sheffield Students’ Union
Journalism lecturer Jonathan Foster collects his award for Teacher of the Year.
News news@forgetoday.com Nicholas Carding Katie Davies Nicole Hernandez Froio
Features features@forgetoday.com Lauren Clarke Rebecca Cooke Jonathan Robinson
Comment comment@forgetoday.com Hannah Frost Tom Geddes
Lifestyle and travel lifestyle@forgetoday.com Ina Fischer Fay Guest Hannah Pearson
LETTERS letters@forgetoday.com Holly Wilkinson Arts arts@forgetoday.com Tim Wood
Sport sport@forgetoday.com Jack Burnett Adam Hancock Anthony Hart
Academic Award Winners
Activities Award Winners
Non-academic Staff Member of the Year: Andrew Fairburn Staff Student Committee Coordinator of the Year: Linda Gray Good work towards Widening Participation: Penny Simons Good Work towards Employability: Deborah Sporton Inclusive Learning and Teaching: David Forrest Innovation in Teaching: Dan Hammett Best Practice in Feedback: Roel Vismans Teacher of the Year: Jonathan Foster Personal Tutors of the Year lArts & Humanities: Jenny Saul lEngineering: Elena Rodriguez-Falcon lMedicine, Dentistry & Health: Lynne Bingle lScience: Rosie Staniforth lSocial Sciences: Alasdair Rae Postgraduate Student Who Teaches: Gary Wood Students’ Union Councillor of the Year: Chloe Ashley Course Rep of the Year: Joe Vickers
Best Society of the Year: Engineers Without Borders Best Political, Campaigning & Charity Society: Engineers Without Borders Best Special Interest Society: Natural History Society Best Leisure & Appreciation Society: Simurq Aeronautics Society Best Film, Media & Technology Society: No Limits Film Festival Best Creative Society: SingSoc Best Departmental Society: PolSoc Best Faith Society: Christian Orthodox Society Best National Society: Sheffield Chinese Culture Exchange Society Best New Society: Natural History Society Most Improved Society: Assassins Guild Most Improved Committee: Film Unit Commitment to Inclusion: PolSoc Commitment to Collaboration: Engineers Without Borders Best Societies Showcase Performance: Gospel Choir Society Most Creative Publicity: Theatre Company Commitment to Ethical & Environmental Practice: Engineers Without Borders Best Society Volunteering Initiative: SUMS Read full list of winners online.
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Music music@forgetoday.com Sam Bolton Coral Williamson Games games@forgetoday.com Arnold Bennett Ellen Jurczak Screen screen@forgetoday.com Tom Fletcher Tom Wardak picture editor Adam Harley
Forge Press is printed on 100% recycled paper 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.
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3
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Stagecoach bus bursts into flames after engine malfunction
Funerals held for Uni graduates Dale Griffin
Firefighters tackle the blaze on Crookes Road. incidents of wheels having fallen Nicole Froio off buses in 2010. The investigation saw An inquiry has been launched Stagecoach Scotland being by Stagecoach after the engine banned from running new compartment in one of their buses services in Strathtay after the mysteriously self-combusted. Traffic Commissioner determined The single decker bus was a series of safety incidents travelling up Crookes Road when “dramatic and worrying”. smoke started coming out of the A University of Sheffield engine compartment. student who raised the alarm The smoke grew into a massive told Forge Press she called the blaze that burned down the back fire services when she saw smoke of the bus. coming out of the back of the Fire services quickly bus. extinguished the blaze and no Second year Psychology one was injured. student, Phoebe Bates, said: “My Other incidents of the same housemates and I were on the nature have been reported on bus in front. Stagecoach buses in the past “When we got off at the bus stop three months in Carlisle and we noticed that the bus behind Kent. ours had a load of black smoke An investigation by the Traffic behind it. Commissioner on Stagecoach “As it drove past us there was Scotland was called following a tiny little fire coming out of the
back, where we reckon the engine was. “Suddenly the flames just got massive and they were all up the back of the bus. We starting screaming, at which point the bus began to pull over. “We were the only ones around who weren’t in cars, so I just grabbed my phone and dialed 999 and asked for the fire brigade. “We were actually quite concerned that the engine could explode, as that seems to always happen in films, but we weren’t sure how realistic that was.” A police spokesperson said: “Police were alerted by the fire service at around 8.35pm, the road between Roslin Road and Witham Road was closed until the fire was extinguished and the bus was recovered. “Passengers travelling on a single decker bus in the Crookes
Photo: Michael Whitehouse area of the city were evacuated when the bus caught fire. “None of the passengers were injured.” Bates said the back of the bus was completely taken over by the flames, “The fire engines arrived after about 5 minutes and managed to put the fire out quite quickly even though the entire back of the bus was engulfed in fire. “There was smoke all up and down the road. “Students started coming out of their houses to see what all the fuss was about. The police also arrived but left quite quickly.” At the time of going to print, Stagecoach’s investigation had produced no results and the cause of the fire was still unknown. A spokesperson for Stagecoach said: “Nothing has come out of the investigation so far.”
‘Alarming’ loan delays Students improve life of as debt crisis deepens 10-year-old disabled boy Nicole Froio The number of students and graduates who complained about the handling of their student loan is at an all-time high. Complaints ranged from delays in the payment of loans to harrassment of graduates by debt-collection agencies. Figures reveal the number of people who complained about the Student Loans Company (SLC) rose from 1,441 to 5,658 in six years. The rise in complaints followed the SLC’s boss resigning after the company left thousands of students waiting for their loans for months. University of Sheffield Students’ Union Finance Officer Tom Hastings said: “With a rise in tuition fees on the horizon, it’s imperative that the output from the SLC drastically improves. “Alarmingly too, the situation could worsen as many more students are forced to rely on the SLC for more loans and funding. Good contact and communication with the Student Loans company is a critical function for all students, both before and during
their degree. “The rise in complaints is extremely concerning, and it does seem to reflect the fact that students are becoming ever more anxious about their financial situation. The SLC and other similar services relating to higher education need to be improving and ironing out their faults right now, in preparation for what is to come post-2012.” Aaron Porter, NUS president, said: “The complaints demonstrate students’ growing dissatisfaction with all parts of the higher education funding system. “We will be keeping a close watch to ensure there are no repeats of debacles like the one in 2009.” The SLC claims the number of complaints soared because of a rise in number of applicants. A spokeswoman said: “The SLC processed 967,000 applications last year, and the increase in complaints highlighted for 2010-11 represents an increase in customers who were previously assessed by local authorities.”
Katie Davies A University of Sheffield competition transformed students into inventors in the hopes of improving the life of a 10-year-old boy with cerebral palsy. Students from the Faculty of Engineering designed a number of gadgets to help Kieron Norton, from Nottinghamshire, and other cerebral palsy patients lead a more fulfilling life. Cerebral palsy is a condition which often makes speech and movement difficult and means that Kieron needs help with many daily tasks. The winning entry created a specially adapted mixing bowl that allowed people with movement problems to enjoy cooking and baking. Other entries included devices to help patients easily turn a page in a book, and accessible board games. The designs were presented to a panel of judges including Kieron’s family, with the winning entry being awarded £500. All prize money was donated by outside companies Gripple
and Kingkraft and University of Sheffield Enterprise (USE). Jenny Moore from USE, who helped organise the competition, felt it was particularly important to involve students in a social enterprise. She said: “There’s a perception engineers can’t reflect and they can’t express themselves, but it’s amazing what they were able to do.” David Oliver, a fourth year Aerospace Engineering student who took part in the competition, said: “I think it’s easy to be flippant and say it’s not useful, but it is. I knew we would be able to do it, but we didn’t expect the level of complexity. “Kieron is the best thing of the whole project. Some projects you think – what am I doing this for? – but here there’s a definite reason. It’s going to help a group of people who are deserving.” The competition follows a similar challenge in 2007 where students were asked to help Kieron achieve his dream of writing. The winning design was a unique writing aid to help sufferers of neuromuscular disabilities or severe arthritis branded The Scribble.
The funerals of two University of Sheffield graduates who were shot dead last month in Florida have taken place. Hundreds of mourners gathered for the funerals of James Cooper, 25, and James Kouzaris, 24, in their respective home towns of Hampton Lucy, Warwick and Moulton, Northampton. More than 400 people paid their respects to Kouzaris at Moulton Parish Church, Northampton, on May 10. A video link from a neighbouring building had to be established to cope with the large numbers of mourners who wished to pay their respects. His coffin was painted with a beach scene and was carried in to the church to the sound of Man in the Mirror by Michael Jackson. Kouzaris’s father paid tribute to his son, saying he was the victim of an “act of madness”. He also questioned why young people in America carry guns. Cooper was buried at St. Peter’s Church. His coffin was adorned with blue and white flowers, the colours of Coventry FC. Local residents stood in their gardens to pay their respects as his coffin was taken into the church by family members. Cooper’s parents described their son as “gentle, kind, compassionate, clever and an athlete”. His funeral took place on May 5, a day after the pair’s suspected killer was charged with their murders. The families of both men have set up a foundation in their memory. The pair were discovered by police in the early hours of Saturday April 16 in the city of Sarasota, about 12 miles from where they were staying with Cooper’s parents. CCTV footage showed the friends drinking in a Sarasota bar just hours before they died. Police have not yet established why the pair strayed into a residential area of Newtown, a neighbourhood known for its high crime rates. Shawn Tyson, 16, who lived in the area, has been arrested and charged with the murders. He will be tried as an adult and could be imprisoned for life without chance of parole. The authorities in Florida have been criticised after admitting to the release of Tyson from custody on April 15 for another alleged firearms offence. Cooper and Kouzaris were killed a day later. The trial is expected to take place within 18 months.
James Kouzaris and James Cooper
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NEWS LOCAL
Petition fights NHS changes
Julie Dore elected as new Sheffield City Council leader Nicholas Carding
Paul Blomfield. Photo: 38 Degrees Katie Davies A petition of more than 37,000 signatures protesting about the proposed reforms to the NHS has been sent to Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg . The petition, which was organised by the campaign group 38 Degrees, opposes spending cuts as well as controversial government plans to reorganise the health service. Protesters gathered outside The Hallamshire Hospital to support the petition, which had gained 37,400 signatures by the time it was presented to the Lib Dem leader. Protester Keith Endean, a nurse at the hospital, said: “There are people in there right now who are working over their contracted hours any way just to provide the service. “Efficiency savings means these people will be working longer and harder and for less.” As well as slashing NHS budgets, the proposed changes include creating GP’s consortiums with the power to create their own budgets, and to increase competition with the private sector. Many groups, including the Royal College of GPs, have also criticised the plan to take away the health secretary’s duty to provide a national health service, fearing it could destroy the NHS’s mission of providing healthcare to everyone, no matter how little they can pay. Hannah Bachelor, a volunteer for 38 Degrees, said: “The NHS is something we all use. “With this new commissioning system, if the GPs get their budget and they run out of money at the end of the year, they’re going to cut back on tests, on sending people to consultants. “In America, the quality of care you get depends on how much you can pay, and anyone who says that is not going to happen here is deluded.” Speaking to 38 Degrees supporters in Sheffield, Paul Blomfield, Labour MP for Sheffield Central, said: “The fact is we are talking about the fundamental reorganisation of the NHS. “We get two to three hundred e-mails a day about this. Constituents are concerned about the issue. “We did get stuff wrong in the health service, but if we don’t succeed in challenging the policy they are unrolling now, we won’t have an NHS. “What’s at stake now is a national health service in the way we understand it.”
Labour Party’s Julie Dore has taken the reins of Sheffield City Council after the Lib Dems suffered crushing defeat in council elections. Dore, councillor for Arbourthorne, was elected unanimously and oversaw her first council meeting on 18 May. She said: “It’s a great honour and victory for this Labour group to lead the Sheffield City Council. “I think it’s really important in these times of significant government cuts we reduce the size of the cabinet. “Council staff are being asked to do more with less and I think the council’s political leaders should be prepared to do the same.” Dore may take on the position of shadow Mayor under new government plans. Her newly appointed cabinet will see a mix between new and old politicians. Bryan Lodge will stay on as her deputy, and Beighton councillor Helen Mirfin-Boukouris will also stay on the team. Labour housing spokesman Chris Weldon is being replaced by former deputy leader Harry Harpham. The councillors representing healthy living or children and young people remain unchanged, and will continue to be by Mary Lea and Jackie Drayton respectively. One of the council’s first actions was to cut the number of scrutiny meetings by more than 50 per cent. Scrutiny meetings are held so that the public can openly question their councillors on community issues. Under Paul Scriven’s Lib Dem leadership, the city council organised 72 scrutiny meetings every year, but Dore’s first act as leader of the council cut this
down to just over 30 meetings. Recently appointed LibDem leader Shaffaq Mohammed said: “The fact that Labour’s first act since taking control is to try and stop anyone questioning their decisions doesn’t bode well. “What’s more, I don’t believe it is acceptable for local people to be forced to wait two months before they can ask questions or present their petitions. “Local people don’t want to see a return to the ‘we know best’ attitude Labour had when they last ran the Town Hall.” At the same meeting, Dr Sylvia Dunkley was appointed Lord Major of Sheffield for 2011-2012. Dunkley, former LibDem councillor for Ecclesall, replaced retiring Lord Major Alan Law, and will perform duties such as opening ceremonies, supporting charities, and welcoming royalty. Dr Dunkley has lived in Sheffield since 1982 and has a long history of supporting charities and trusts, including numerous museums in Sheffield and Sheffield Theatres. She said: “I’m grateful to my council colleagues who have shown such confidence in me. “I feel I have to pinch myself”. Dunkley will be Sheffield’s 115th Lord Major, but only the 15th female to be elected to the position. Dunkley, who is originally from Southwest London, said: “Sheffield is a different city now, than when we arrived in 1982, but its people are still as friendly, welcoming, and tolerant as ever.” In her opening speech to councillors, she said she would focus on institutions and events which are created and made in Sheffield. She spoke of how she would support Sheffield’s Royal Society for the Blind which is independent of the National body, and the local British Heart Foundation branch.
Julie Dore is Sheffield City Council’s new leader.
Photo: Matt Burgess
All change at the top for Sheffield man acquitted of defeated Sheff Lib Dems terrorizing 7/7 victims’ families David Parker
Nicole Froio
Shaffaq Mohammed has been appointed leader of the Liberal Democrats in Sheffield after former Council leader, Paul Scriven, stepped down. Broomhill councillor Mohammed takes the reins after the Lib Dems were swept from power in the local elections by the Labour Party. Mohammed admitted that the future for the Lib Dems will be tough. He said: “I’m delighted to be trusted with the job of leading the group. There is no doubt that the local election results show the Liberal Democrats have a tough task ahead.” “However, we can be proud of our local record and the people of Sheffield will remember this if local Labour councillors go back to their bad old ways.” Fellow Broomhill councillor Scriven stepped down four days after the elections. He said: “I have thought long and hard about this decision but, after nearly a decade as party leader, it’s time to move on.”
A 63-year-old man accused of sending terrorizing DVDs and letters to the families of those killed in the 7/7 bombings, was cleared of all charges in Southwark Crown Court. The DVDs, sent by John Hill from Sheffield, claimed the four suicide bombers from Yorkshire were “innocent patsies.” He also sent a letter to John Hyman telling him that his daughter Miriam did not die in the Tavistock Square bus suicidebombing, but had been murdered by the security services in Canary Wharf in London. Annabel Darlow, prosecuting, told the jury that the letter addressed to Hyman had said: “I do not believe Miriam was on the number 30 bus. “I don’t think you believe that either. “I believe she went to Canary Wharf, witnessed and photographed the murder of the Muslim patsies and was murdered by the security services to silence her.” Hill pleaded not guilty to two
Paul Scriven.
Photo: Mikey Smith
charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice by posting six copies of the DVD to the leader of the jury and the judge of a case related to the bombings in 2008. The packages were intercepted by court staff before they reached their targets and fingerprints on them were traced back to Hill. He allegedly sent copies of the same DVD to families of the victims between 2007 and 2008. Darlow said: “The video which you will watch as part of the evidence in this case was one which stated that the bombings which took place in London on July 7 2005 were in fact the product of a government conspiracy. “The four Muslim men identified following extensive police investigation as the bombers were, in fact, no such thing, claimed this DVD. “They were innocent patsies set up by the powers that be in order to take responsibility for the atrocities on that day and the deaths of 52 innocent people which ensued.” Hill was living in County Meath in Ireland at the time he was charged.He was cleared of all charges.
FORGE PRESS Friday May 20 2011 www.forgetoday.com // news@forgetoday.com
5
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Student anger over low refunds after six months of pool closure
Forge in Brief Acid theft from uni Fifteen litres of nitric acid have allegedly been stolen from a Yorkshire University between March 14 and April 28 2011. Officers from South Yorkshire Police, who are carrying out enquiries, urge anybody with any information regarding the incident to come forward. South Yorkshire Police can be contacted on 0114 2202020 or can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. Harriet Collier
NUS job for officer
Swimming and Waterpolo club Captain Jenny Dean and keen swimmer Steven Bayton got meagre refunds. Nicholas Carding Members of Goodwin Sports Centre have been angered by meagre refunds offered by the Centre after the swimming pool was closed for six months. Students who bought £150 memberships have received only £15 for their trouble, despite only joining the gym to use the pool. Members of the University of Sheffield Students’ Union Swimming and Waterpolo Club also lost a substantial amount of money after their refunds did not cover initial costs of joining the club and gym. Captain Jenny Dean said: “Club members were very disappointed by the refund offered. “Many bought membership solely to utilise the swimming training facility. “A lot of us received only a third of our monthly refund, and we’ve
only been given four months worth of refunds despite the pool closing for six months.” This means off-peak gym members have lost £58 each while peak members have lost over £90 pounds. The club has over 60 members who all paid to use the swimming pool. The refund system is based on the fact that Goodwin offers three facilities to members: the pool, gym, and fitness classes. Dean said: “Because of the thirds system, Goodwin said they couldn’t offer a full refund because the other two facilities are open, even though we joined to use the pool. “I feel there was a lack of communication from Goodwin as I did not receive any further information about the pool reopening since March. Cross Country Running Captain Steven Bayton is one of
Duchess of Cornwall opens research centre Rachel Dixon Camilla Parker-Bowles, the Duchess of Cornwall, has opened a new £2m Biomedical Research Centre at Sheffield’s Northern General Hospital. The centre is the result of a longstanding partnership between Sheffield Teaching Hospitals and the University of Sheffield. Staff and patients at the hospital were ‘’honoured’’ to have the Duchess of Cornwall open the centre which has been funded by the National Institute of Healthcare Research. Richard Eastell, Director of the centre said: ‘’We were truly honoured to welcome the Duchess of Cornwall to officially open the new centre. “We are fortunate to have some of the best experts in the world working here in Sheffield.’’ The state-of-the-art facility will focus on understanding and pioneering new treatments for bone diseases such as osteoporosis and cardiac conditions for thousands of patients. The Duchess said: ‘’It has been very interesting to see the work
at this impressive new research facility and it has showed me how vital this facility will be for the advancement in research into bone and heart conditions.’’ Since 2001, the Duchess has worked tirelessly as President of the National Osteoporosis Society - a cause particularly close to Her Royal Highness’ heart following the death of her own mother from the disease in 1997. One in two women and one in five men over 50 in the UK will fracture a bone mainly as a result of osteoporosis. Statistics have also shown that hip fractures cause more than 1,150 premature deaths each month in the UK. The cause of the disease is not fully understood, but research at the centre continues to paint a picture of the factors affecting bone disease. Professor Tony Weetman, of the University of Sheffield said: ‘’The facility is a great example of the partnership between the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust and the University of Sheffield. ‘’I know there’ll be many future breakthroughs from their work.’’
many students who paid £150 to join the centre, intending only to use the pool, but was given just £15 back. Bayton should have been paid £25 according to Goodwin’s refund policy of paying back a third of the monthly fee, £10 more than what he was given. Bayton said: “£15 is not enough considering the pool closed for six months. “They didn’t even inform us that we could claim refunds, I had to go to the reception desk and ask. Even then I had to tell them how often I would have been using the pool had it been open”. The pool closed in early November during refurbishment to the S10 Gym’s Health changing rooms. During these works it was discovered that the air handling system could not maintain the pool’s ‘air’ temperature. A University spokesman said
Photo: Nicholas Carding at the time: “It is the University’s intention to carry out asbestos abatement works within plant areas. “This work can only be undertaken when the pool is closed.” The Sports Centre sent one email in March informing students of the pool works progress. They originally said the pool would be closed for just three months. Since the loss of the Swimming and Waterpolo club’s only pool training facility, the club saw a dramatic drop in membership. Dean added: “A lot of people came to Goodwin before, but stopped when the pool closed. We went from having 50-60 people to only about 20 swimmers.” Forge Press have contacted Goodwin Sports Centre several times, but no statement had been issued at the time of going to print.
Willetts ‘desperate’ for higher education race Nicole Froio Rumours about Higher Education White Paper soared last week when David Willetts suggested richer students would be able to purchase places in the best UK universities for double the tuition fee. After quickly retracting the suggestion, Willetts clarified in an interview with The Independent that off-quota places would only be available for charity or business-sponsored students. He also suggested last-minute places for half the price could be offered in the future. University’s admissions process could turn chaotic if this plan goes through as students might wait until the last minute to accept their university offers in case they get cheaper alternatives. Student leaders have expressed their concern over the plans Willetts has suggested and fear the White Paper will not reflect the need of future students. Students’ Union Education Officer Joe Oliver said: “I think this is a really bad suggestion and most people in the government
recognize that. I just didn’t really understand what on earth David Willetts was aiming for with these proposals. “And because when talking to Nick Clegg and David Willetts they always say ‘Oh there will be clarification during the consultation’s process’ but there has been no clarification on what this process would be. “I think everyone from ministers themselves to the Daily Telegraph, which are hardly the anti-government newspaper, are saying we are sentenced to a complete mess and I must say I agree with them.” “I really don’t see how at a time when there are many more students wanting places than places for them, you’re going to get universities to reduce their prices to sell them after clearance. “I think it’s quite a desperate attempt to encourage the marketization of higher education and encourage the market to develop. I think ministers miscalculated wildly because they thought raising the tuition fees would create a market and it hasn’t because it’s just raised everybody’s fees to £9,000.”
Education Officer Joe Oliver has been elected onto the National Executive Council of the National Union of Students (NUS). The 15 council members will hold NUS officers to account, and influence the direction of the student organisation. Oliver was elected on the promise to review the presidential voting system and championing the widening participation agenda. Oliver will start his new, parttime role in July 2011 for a oneyear term. Alex Erdlenbruch
Poet visits uni Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy performed at the University of Sheffield’s Lyric Festival. Dr. Sara Whiteley, one of the festival’s organisers and a wellknown Poet Laureate, said: “It was an honour to have such a well-loved poet performing at Lyric 2011”. Musician John Sampson was also present at the event. The evening alternated between comedic pieces of music by Sampson, and poetry readings. See a full review in Fuse. Laura Elliott
New gates at park The historic gates at Weston Park have been returned to their rightful place after being missing for the past 17 years. The gates, which were stolen in 1994, were spotted by a member of the public earlier this year and have now been restored to their original state. Amongst those invited to the witness the reinstallation were the original group of craftsmen who worked together to renovate the gates in the 1970s. Katie Davies
Photo: Katie Davies
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6
LETTERS
Have your say
Email: letters@forgetoday.com Write: Forge Press, Union of Students, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TG Please include your name, course and year of study. We reserve the right to edit letters for clarity and space.
‘What a year for Sheffield Students’ Union!’ Dear Forge,
As many undergraduate students prepare for their end of year exams and this academic year draws to a close, it is with great pride that I look back upon my time in office. It has truly been an honour and a privilege to serve as the President of this Students’ Union at this incredible time. With the Government launching unprecedented attacks on higher education and students we have faced relentless challenges: cuts and fees, EMA, AimHigher, International student visas, weak Widening Participation regulations and disgraceful attempts made by this Government to reduce student numbers. It has been our job here in Sheffield to oppose these decisions. It has been our task to be the voice of our generation, to tell our local MP, Nick Clegg, and his Government exactly what young people think about their plans. I was lucky enough to be well supported in this first, by our sterling officer team and our great staff at the Students’ Union; second, by large sections of the student body of the University of Sheffield. We came together and we told them what we thought. We came together and we
fought for justice. We came together and together we made the Government tremble. Tragically, we did not succeed in defeating the lifting of the cap on fees and the cuts to Higher Education. The immediate effects of this are by now well known: most universities (sadly, including our own) will be charging £9000 fees starting in 2012; many people from poorer families may strike ‘University’ off their list of options; Britain seems set to roll back the clock on social justice. Worse still, the long terms effects remain worryingly unknown. In the face of this uncertainty, my deeper hope is that the awakening of our generation to its power and responsibility will enable us to carry on the struggle and reverse the harm done. I hold this hope precisely because I have already witnessed the positive changes a caring and dedicated group of people can make to the world. Our ‘Protect International Students’ Rights’ campaign translated into concrete results with the weakening of the disastrous original proposals. Moreover, with the support of student representatives at all levels, we have convinced the University to begin to shift more of its focus
to teaching and to invest £12million into Widening Participation by 2015 (this is £2million more than is required by Government regulations). Furthermore, the work done by Officers, Union Councillors and other campaigning groups have contributed to making our Union more inclusive, fairer and greener than ever. In addition, the whole officer and staff team have worked to help the thousands of students we see in the Union every week with their specific problems, projects and ideas. However, this is not all: the great many student groups living under the Union’s umbrella have continued to surpass themselves, continuing to grow, bringing our community to life, tirelessly creating something out of nothing. It is in light of this that I feel pride, not in me, but in the student body that I represent. It is for this reason and no other that I must thank you for giving me the honour of being your President for this past year. Yours, Joshua Forstenzer President of the Students’ Union
How green are you?
Sarah Burgess Molecular Biology Second Year Reasonably so, I guess. I use energy-saving light bulbs and I turn stuff off. I do what I can but it’s not that much.
Tim Maiden History and Politics Third Year
Alexander Clememts Russian and Philosophy First Year
I love recycling and I enjoy helping the environment, but I’m not sure how much impact it all makes.
Very much so. I work for a conservation group and we do a lot of ‘green’ work. I think the UK’s policies are dreadful though.
Gamuchirai Mavengere Law Third Year
David Hodgkins Politics and Philosophy First Year
Damian Convoy Structural Engineering Masters Final Year
I really think some of the student halls need facilities for separating out rubbish. I would like to get a bike too but I don’t feel Sheffield’s roads are bike friendly.
No, I’m not. I’m not against it but I see the green issue as a way for the government to levy more taxes. It’s a mechanism to generate revenue.
In Ireland we recycle a lot due to the cost of products that aren’t recycled. I don’t think England is very good at this. Sustainability really is the future.
You can’t cover the truth Dear Forge, I would like to express my strong agreement with the article in your last issue (‘Nudity exposes Union’) The idea that by putting covers on ‘lad’s mags’ people will be less offended by their content is ridiculous. People are not stupid, we are all adults and know perfectly well what’s under those ‘modesty covers’- and most of us know of a lot worse. What next? Is our union going to hire people to walk around with giant black boards covering scantily-clad
girls on a Union night out? If you’re that easily offended, then I’d avoid a large number of union events; and don’t even think about going to ROAR. You can not stop or surpress how women choose to dress or express themselves; and demonising a perfectly legal job is both snobby and judgemental. It also gives out a very negative view of the feminine body, covering it up as though it is something to be ashamed of. If you disagree with the sex industry and their portrayl of women, simply covering
up the problem is similar to shoving your mum’s broken vase under the carpet and hoping that somehow the fixes vase itself. It’s a policy that will cost the union, for a principle that the vast majority of students don’t agree with; with great fear of sounding of like Jeremy Clarkson, I have to say “it’s political correctness gone mad.” Yours, Emilie Jenkins, 2nd year English Literature student
Your comments on www.forgetoday.com to: ‘Our Students’ Union makes healthy eating a rare luxury’ “The Union seems determined to stick with its “diverse” food philosophy so I think I’ll have to go to home and cook for myself.” What does that even mean? I’d have thought choice was better. And it’s unlikely anyone has all their meals at the union, so having a burger or pasty every so often is hardly going to make everyone obese. Anyway there are plenty of low calorie options available, so if people choose the unhealthy stuff and become obese that’s their decision and nothing to do with the author.
The article states that Interval has a range of healthy food catering to all dietary needs, yet the complaint seems to be that there are pizzas on the menu as well. How about the author just eats what he wants off the menu, avoids the pizzas and minds his own business what other people eat. “So isn’t it great then that our Students’ Union is addressing this problem and is helping students steer clear of the junk-food? Oh wait….” It is not the union’s job to police what people eat by reducing choice and
thus revenue to the union. The union clearly HAVE acknowledged healthier foods as shown by New Leaf being the epitome of it. If the union only had acai berry, kale and quinoa superfood salads, we’d see people going to nearby cafes to spend their money elsewhere, reducing funding to the union, and making the university a joke. No. Enjoy your steamed chicken and broccoli but don’t force it on everyone else. Hale May
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Debate: Is the Oxford English Dictionary right to include ‘words’ such as LOL, WTF and BFF?
New words keep Additions make dictionary in the mockery of 21st century English language Guilia Smith
Earlier this year the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) announced it was adding thousands of new words to its online edition. It was greeted with uproar from traditionalists who were disgraced at the inclusion of text message abbreviations such as ‘LOL’, ‘OMG’ and ‘FYI’. Personally I don’t see what the issue is. The criteria for a word to enter the dictionary is by how frequently it’s used. Lexicographers ( the people who make dictionaries) find and record words that are most often used in the English language.
“When has anyone used snivelisation in a conversation?” In fact, the principal editor of the OED’S new words groups said to The Telegraph, ‘LOL’ has been used in the English language since the start of the twentieth century. In the 1960s, ‘LOL’, referred to ‘Little Old Ladies’. The oldest written record of the phrase ‘LOL’ being used in its contemporary meaning was in the 1980’s by Wayne Pearson who typed a message on an early internet discussion forum. The term is defined in the dictionary as an interjection,
‘used chiefly in electronic communications... to draw attention to a joke or humorous statement, or to express amusement’ The use of ‘LOL’ is necessary in today’s society. With the majority of conversations and interactions taking place via text message and social networking. There needs to be a way for people to express humour. In the same way we may laugh in face to face conversation, ‘LOL’ conveys that same emotion in texts or e-mails. Since the rise of mobile phones and the internet, language has had to adapt to these changing environments. Phrases such as ‘WTF’, and ‘IMHO’ are expressed extremely frequently in our language. For example, one headline in The Guardian contained ‘WTF’, ‘OMG’ and ‘LOL’. If newspapers like The Guardian are using these abbreviations, surely they are becoming a part of the English language and should therefore be accepted into the OED? Mafufunyana and Snivelisation were added to the OED a couple of years ago. Does anyone even know what they mean? Mafufunyana is a rare Zulu term for madness or halluncinations. It has less than 100 results in a Google search and yet no one ever had a hissy fit about it being included in the OED. ‘Snivelisation’ refers to civilisation and its ability to wear people down, making them anxious and weak and was first used in 1849.
Debate poll: Is it time for society to stop clinging on to religion and let the higher powers die out? 80% voted yes, secular census doesn’t mean end of society 20% voted no, religion unites and teaches us compassion
When was the last time anyone used snivelisation in every day conversation? Surely, the likes of ‘OMG’ and ‘LOL’ have more of a right to be included in the dictionary than mafufunyaya and snivelisation? The complaints about these new words will no doubt be coming from people of an older generation who aren’t techno-wise and therefore never use these words in their everyday speech. But the dictionary serves to accommodate words are that are popular in every day English this evolution is important.
Cat Tibbs
Now here’s one for the dinner table: the Oxford Dictionary has officially added ‘LOL’ to its ranks of supposed English language...ROFL. This is no joke although it certainly got me ‘LOLing’: the official definition reads ‘originally and chiefly in the language of electronic communications: ‘ha ha!’; used to draw attention to a joke or humorous statement, or to express amusement.’ ‘LOL’ is joined in the dictionary by other popular terms
Words of the English language or pure idiocy?
such as ‘BFF’ and ‘OMG’, meaning ‘best friends forever’ and ‘oh my god’. Graeme Diamond, the principal editor for the Oxford English Dictionary backs up his decision to include such phrases claiming they ‘help to say more’. This does not make them legitimate words fit for the dictionary; they are purely helpful for abbreviating longer sentences when in a context that requires a rapid response such as a text message - not for general use in the English language. ‘OMG’ and ‘BFF’ are perhaps suited to a guide for shorthand but the Oxford Dictionary? No thank you. Maybe I am missing something but when did these terms become recognised words? They are acronyms that falsely pose as real phrases . Unlike other acronyms that have been granted a place within the Oxford Dictionary, such as ‘RADAR’ and ‘LASER’, they are not spoken as words but the singular letters are only spelled out. Clearly, Graeme Diamond has made an error: ‘LOL’ at his life. Nevertheless, ‘LOL’ has been granted the status of an English word; I am so proud. English is hardly the most attractive language in the world, especially when compared to the romantic Italian words ‘ciao bella’ that make me weak at the knees, and now the dictionary is relegating our language even further down the social and intellectual
scale by including internet slang. ‘OMG’ is neither impressive nor even attractive. Echoes of American high school culture ring when I hear hoards of young girls screeching “oooh emmm geee” when they’ve heard the most spectacular gossip from the night before. Please let’s not allow our language to be infiltrated by the American way of life. Surely the Oxford English Dictionary should be, well, English?
“This is no joke, although it certainly got me LOLing” It’s become a recent craze to invent the most ludicrous usage of ‘LOL’; ‘Loldemort’ is the best I have heard so far poking fun at Harry Potter’s slightly nasal arch enemy. Imagine foreign students learning the correct pronunciation of ‘LOL’. While we, as English tourists, are learning the difference between ‘poisson’ and ‘boisson’ in French, our lucky visitors must excel themselves by studying ‘LOL’ and its hilarious terms of use. Guess the idiotic language. To make matters worse, apparently <3 is a word too? Meaning love or a heart, Oxford Dictionary has also chosen to recognise this symbol. Well, traditional English, it was nice knowing you.
Mr. Willetts, what is your problem? Nicole Froio After months of silence about the Higher Education system, the strangest things have started happening. First, the slightly loony David Willetts had the significantly more loony idea of selling the best university spots in the market, and somehow thought giving more advantage to the advantaged would make our society more equal. Later that day, loony Willetts retracted this plan and the next day another crazy idea was flying about; university places clearance! Accept your offer at the last minute and get your tuition fees half off! Doesn’t that sound just swell? Frankly, I am tired of Nick Clegg’s pathetic attempts to justify his broken
pledge. But this just makes me think that Willetts is writing this White Paper for a laugh - let’s see how much we can wind up students, shall we?
“It’s just a small step away from finding the nicest and cheapest shoes you can”
Either that or Willetts is being sneakily used to make the Lib Dems look slightly better to their most hateful audience. These are the only reason I could come up with to justify the mockery that is being made of Higher Education. Cuts aside, treating the sector as a market place and offering spot clearances is an incredibly disrespectful concept to the idea of education. As a student, I have never thought of education as a monetary asset, but
this is how the government wants us to see it. It’s just a small step away from shopping for the nicest and cheapest shoes you can find. And I just cannot come to terms with it. I decided to come to the UK as opposed to the US precisely because American education system is too expensive and economically driven. Many people get into Ivy League schools because of their family names, or the size of their parents’ salary because they are more likely to donate to the school. And it shouldn’t be like that. Education is not about money, it is about gaining knowledge, enriching the world with new findings and equal opportunities. It is not about who can spot the cheapest degree and bag it fast enough; it is just insulting to suggest it. We need some one who has a clue what students want to write this paper, Willetts cannot be trusted.
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I know something you don’t know Andrew Tromans Super-injunctions: everyone’s talking about them, but they shouldn’t be. Super-injunctions are just like injunctions, but a little more beefed up. Injunctions hide any debauchery you may have got up to, super-injunctions hide the fact that you’re hiding something in the first place. Simple really, but are they just? There are plenty of valid reasons why someone may take out a super injunction: to protect families from the intrusions of the press, or to hide the parts of your life you believe should remain private. But it seems that every tom, dick and John Terry is getting a super-injunction, and let’s be honest, most of them are adulterous male celebrities (pointing no fingers, footballers). But this isn’t just about a few miss placed passes. There’s a bigger conflict going on here: what should take precedence, the right to privacy or freedom of speech? There is an argument to be made for superinjunctions. Protecting those who live under the constant glare of the public eye can be a necessity. Take the case of the late Diana Spencer. It is often argued by her sympathisers, that if more robust privacy laws (e.g. super-injunctions) were in place then perhaps she could have been spared a lot of misery. We live in a 24 hour news world. Those in the public eye can often expect to be intruded upon, often at the most distressing of moments of their lives. The press love a good marriage breakdown or miscarriage. I think even the most ardent of free speech
advocates would begin to pale if details of their personal relationships were to be printed in the scandal rags. Yet there is a problem with this line of reasoning; what of marginal cases? How about a politician who begins to somewhat unprofessionally bonk a secretary? Surely it is of public interest to know when an elected official is misbehaving. I feel deeply uncomfortable with the idea of politicians imposing super-injunctions to cover up base behaviour. It has been argued that super-injunctions, with their implicit restrictions on freedom of speech, have no place in a truly democratic society. We need our own space right? But imagine we had we had a political leader as corrupt and sleazy as Berlusconi in the U.K. Where would that leave democratic accountability, if a corrupt leader could simply impose a superinjunction and stifle any exposure of their misdemeanours? It’s a nightmare scenario, one that hopefully won’t come to pass, but there is an issue of elitism here. Superinjunctions invite the legal profession to decide what the public can and can’t know. Privatising the railways may be one thing, but privatising freedom of speech is a step too far – even by today’s standards. At present, judges make ad-hoc decisions about privacy and freedom of the press. What we really need is a solid privacy legislation that can provide a balanced ruling between privacy and freedom of speech. Super-injunctions are taken out for all sorts of reasons, so it would be impossible to list all the cases that are valid and contentious. A benchmark is needed - something that sorts this ‘unspeakable’ mess out.
Facebook and Iplayer: exam season in the IC Sarah Hollingdale
We all know what it’s like - you walk into the Information Commons to find a computer but they’re all full, then you realise that some of the computers are blocked with people on Facebook or Youtube or BBC Iplayer and you think, “Is that really fair?” At exam time, the competition for computers is intense and everyone is chasing their own deadlines. The last minute rush to finish an assignment or print off an essay is worsened by panic when you can’t find an available computer. In the Students’ Union I came across Dora who knew all too well about this panic. She had less than an hour until a French presentation and had to print off her work but couldn’t find a computer. “The I.C is such a nightmare I’ve stopped going there,” she said, as she Bored to cards? Such distractions are a nightmare at times of revision. struggled to get her computer to work I suspected that a lot of other students would object to fast enough. We spent the next 15 minutes hitting her being restricted, so I decided to visit the I.C to see how computer in an attempt to speed the process up. other students feel. Surely this can’t be right. The I.C is ultimately a place George, a Psychology student, was looking for a to study, so students should be able to use the computers computer as I arrived. there for academic work. The question is whether the He said: “What annoys me more is people just sitting in university should be doing something to help by blocking front of computers not using them.” certain websites. Just a few feet away, a post-graduate called Adam was By introducing an internet filter, the university using a computer to check Facebook. He said he wouldn’t would do a lot of us a favour. It’s common for students be that bothered if the university got rid of such sites: “In at this time of year to impose their own ‘filters’; some all honesty it probably stops me from working. It would people deactivate Facebook or get a friend to change the probably be better for me if I couldn’t use it.” password, and I even knew of someone who changed his We’re all in agreement that the shortage of computers password to a series of random characters and hid the piece of paper with the characters on until after he’d finished his essay. Others choose to revise in places without computers because we all know just how easy it is to waste hours online. Time appears to literally disappear as we stalk someone’s photos or get lost in endless Youtube links. This idea of filtering to increase productivity isn’t new. Many companies in the nineties famously removed Solitaire from their employees’ computers. The internet is an incredibly annoying problem, which only gets worse is this generation’s Solitaire. at this time of year. The problem is that as soon as we are told not to do The consensus also seems to be that as entertaining as something, we just want to do it even more. the internet is, it can be a distraction. But it is essentially In fact I remember many hours of school I.T lessons up to us to use our time wisely. being spent trying to get around the filters on the school This doesn’t stop the lack of computers being a massive computers, and whoever managed it was the class hero issue though, so I have an alternative thought; perhaps for the day. the university could help us by using the ever increasing We’re not children anymore though, and while such amount of money that they extract from our bank account filters were annoying back then, they’d be downright each term to buy us a few more computers? Wouldn’t go insulting now. When individuals restrict themselves they amiss now would they? do so out of choice and I’m not sure how I feel about the idea of essentially being censored.
“The I.C. is ultimately a place to study, students should be able to use the computers there for academic work”
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We can’t afford to switch off from trying to save the world Samuel Valdes Lopez On any given day, without warning, you’ll get an email, a tweet or a piece on the news about how the environment is becoming humanity’s battered wife. It has been said so many times that the shock of it all is now a shrug, a muttered “whatever”. The rationale behind this disdain probably goes along the lines of “well, we’re screwed, might as well go down with style, right?” The global warming debate has become such a well rehearsed sermon that we think we’ve heard it all
before. We just switch off. Don’t take this tirade as another preachy rant, but more of a little aside that says, “So far, so good, now let’s get cracking.” But how? With companies, global corporations and even countries abusing the planet to irrepressible extents, it feels that any effort us lot put in is going to be completely futile. Well, every little counts and satisfying your inner cynic won’t help the situation you too have helped create. Not your fault? Take a look around yourself: MP3 player and computer? The lights left on in the kitchen? That cheap cosmetic care product you got for a quid?
You’d raise an eyebrow discovering what can be sneaked in them. The pile of shopping bags you never re-use? Well, you get the idea.
“Not your fault? Take a look around yourself”
I’m not pointing the finger at you; we’re all guilty in one way or another. “But we’re students” I hear you cry. We are busy; trying to secure a degree whilst living on a shoestring. Well, there are little things that can eventually help out, little by little,
offsetting some of the damage. Recycling batteries, old electronics, and ink cartridges might not look like much, but in the long run it does help. The same goes for saving water, reusing containers or unplugging your electronics (no sleep mode, please). Are we doomed? The answer is a simple yes. Yes, we are doomed if we don’t do a thing. Being pessimistic and just sitting down waiting to die will not solve anything. You might not be a scientist working for the European Environment Commission, but you do have a recycling bin. Do your bit.
FORGE PRESS Friday May 20 2011
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Sweet home ala Mama
Once university is over, it’s hard to know exactly where you and your belongings, well, belong.
Holly Rogers It’s coming up to the end of my third year, and like many people, I’m feeling the fear. Real fear. Shaking in my shoes. Not about my final exams – I’ve blocked the thought of those out completely – but the overwhelming issue of what I’m going to do once I’ve graduated. The big question is whether I’m going to do a fourth year of my course or not. If I do, I can put the decision off for another year, but if not – that’s right – I might have to move back in with my parents. Don’t get me wrong, I love my family. I actually look forward to visiting them over Easter and Christmas, and I think I went home for a whole three weeks last summer. I get my laundry done for me, there’s no mould on my bathroom walls and I get to catch up on all the local gossip. My parents enjoy having me around the place, and even my little sister grudgingly approves. There’s something quite nostalgic about being on familiar ground, and I find myself bumping into people I haven’t seen in years. The problem is, they really have just been visits. My home town is a long way from Sheffield, and so
popping back for the weekend isn’t often an option. Sometimes I can go for months without making it back to the motherland, and the thought of moving back in permanently is quite different to dropping in and picking up some Easter eggs.
“I love my family - I think I went home for a whole three weeks last summer” After three years of living more or less independently, returning home is going to feel like a timewarp back to being 17. By now, I’m used to cooking whatever I fancy for dinner, and if I feel like a discount Danish pastry and nothing else, there’s no one there to judge me. I’m used to not having to let people know what time I’ll be home at night, and inviting gaggles of friends over without feeling guilty about invading the living room. I’m probably more opinionated, and I’m definitely more untidy. Starting university might be a steep learning curve, but moving home is a slippery slope to ending up back where you started. Equally, my parents are used to having a long-distance daughter. They get a phonecall once a week, but they’re quite capable of entertaining
themselves without me. They don’t have to give me lifts. My mum’s filled my room with tropical plants, and if push came to shove, I’m not sure she’d choose me over them. They certainly don’t want me lounging around feeling sorry for myself because there’s no local equivalent of Corp, or because my friends are still in Sheffield without me. On the other hand, going home for good might be the best move I could make. Student debt is rearing its ugly head, and living on your own is incredibly expensive. Getting a job without having to pay all your own bills lets you build up some savings (or develop a chronic online shopping habit), and gives you some time to figure out what you really want to
“Returning home is going to feel like a timewarp back to being seventeen” do. It’s hard to imagine working fulltime when you’re at university, but away from student territory, it starts to feel a lot more real. Plus, as long as I’m not still there when I’m 40, I feel I should make the most of being able to spend some time with them while I can. Although I can’t promise to give up the Danish pastries.
An orange revolution Hannah Frost In 21st century Britain, we like to think we’re pretty tolerant. You can commit to who you want, regardless of sex, race, age or whether someone still has the same genitalia as they did at birth. But there’s one relationship taboo left untouched by our society. There’s still that one stereotype you’d think twice about taking home to meet your parents. I am referring to, of course, gingers. In the past, I’ve known people whose love lives have genuinely been affected by that recessive gene. A friend of mine was having a casual bit of bump ‘n’ grind with a stranger in a club, only for her friends to tell her “You can’t go home with him! He’s ginger!” Being a ginger myself, it’s kind of understandable: gingerism goes way back,
long before playground taunts. As by-products of evolutionary changes, we’re technically mutants. Hundreds of years ago, it was assumed that redheaded women were witches, and freckles were marks of the devil. But, at last, it looks like the world is set to change.
“If a man can rock a carrot top, that’s confidence” Psst, it’s now okay to fancy a ginge. God bless you, Prince Harry, with your luminous copper pot and your rosy wee cheeks. Thank you, Ron Weasley, for your boyish charm and flaming locks. For men, it’s been okay to lust after a bit of red hot lovin’ for a while. That look is in, with more women than ever voluntarily going redhead. After all, what about
Jessica Rabbit? But on men, there’s always been a little bit of a problem. Maybe it’s a matter of collar and cuffs, or pale skin and freckles. Perhaps it’s that neon glow that ginger leg hair provides. Consider this, though. If a man can rock a carrot top, he probably has a little ‘something-something’ about him. If you can exude “Yeah, I can get sunburnt at night time – and what?” That’s a confidence not to be toyed with. Yes, it looks like the tide of opinion is changing, and not just in whispered conversation. There are whole websites dedicated to gorgeous ginger men, jam packed with hundreds of flaming hot red heads. So, ladies and gentlemen, hide your lust no longer. It’s okay to want a ginge, whether that’s Damien Lewis, Christina Hendricks or even Tim Minchin. But yes, we’re allowed to now. The future’s bright. The future’s, er, ginger.
D.A.R.T.S. Did you know? The railings on top of Bartholemew House (the ones with the phallic patterns) were originally ‘erected’ to segregate the lepers that used to be kept there. The law school was previously a mental hospital that specialized in the care of lepers. Due to their condition, the roof of Bartholemew was the only outdoor space the lepers were allowed in.
What copy shop? Activities officer-elect Nabil Alizai appears to be making the most of his last days as a student. He discovered a photocopier in the Western Bank Library was broke and making free copies. He tweeted:
“I’ve photocopied well over 100 pages for free ”
At 5p a sheet that’s a fiver of free copying... lets just say it is a good job he isn’t going to be finance officer
Editorials Have we achieved anything after a year of protesting?
In short, no - protesting hasn’t made any difference at all. Fees have gone up, cuts have been made, the student movement has failed. The only thing to come out of this year, over than a depressing future for Higher Education, has been a couple of day trips to London for a few thousand students. The minority of students who trashed Milbank House and got kettled in Parliament square were only there to cause trouble. Even those who were the most radical could not make a difference, so what chance did the thousands who were waving pretty little banners have? We should have expected that we couldn’t change the Government’s mind and just stayed at home. It would have been exactly the same. Nothing changed after the protests in 2005, so why would this year have been any different?
Good luck Mary-Anne
Everyone here at Forge Media would like to wish media development co-ordinator Mary-Anne Hobbs good luck in her new job at XFM. She may have only been with us a year but she has made a huge difference to the way we work. It has been a pleasure to work her and learn from the experience she has from a very successful career in the media. It is safe to say we’ll all be tuning into her new Saturday night show when we’re putting the paper together next year.
Finally, thank you...
The last issue of Forge Press this year can’t pass without me saying a massive thank you to everyone that has been involved. To all the readers we couldn’t do this without you picking up a copy, or two, of the paper every two weeks – after all what’s the point in creating a paper if no one reads it. In the next few weeks we will be sending out some surveys to find out what you think of the paper and what you would like us to do with it to improve it next year. If you have written, photographed, drawn anything for the paper this year you should be proud of yourself, we have had a really strong year. If you’re graduating good luck in the future and if you’re back in September we look forward to seeing you back then.
Forge Press Editor, Media Hub, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TG, Matt.Burgess@forgetoday.com
Forge Press takes its satirical aim
Quote of the issue: Website of the week:
“The Secretary of State for Education shouldn’t be shouting his head off - it’s a very bad example to set to the nation’s schoolchildren!”
- Speaker of the House of Commons, John Berkow to Michael Gove MP, at last week’s PMQs. The very idea that John Bercow considers Michael Gove MP to be a role model for the nation’s school children is laughable. Children seek the leadership of footballers when looking for an example - not an ageing right winged MP, who insists on removing their right to a decent, state funded education.
“http:// mustachepotter. tumblr.com If there is one thing that can make Harry Potter even better, then it is the comedy moustache. This website has GIF after GIF of very childish, but ultimately highly amusing moustache humour. Page 5 is the real highlight.
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FEATURES
Discovering the lost and forgotten. Ancient texts found in the Middle East could answer some of the most challenging questions about Christianity, but controversy has plagued their discovery Words: Sarah Hollingdale Pictures published with the permission of David Elkington
I
magine a lowly shepherd seeking refuge wanders into an ancient cave on the banks of the River Jordan and notices the symbol of a menorah engraved on the floor. Intrigued, he realises that the image is engraved on a lid. As he lifts the seal, he unearths potentially one of the most important Christian discoveries of all time. It sounds almost biblical, but this is the story that hit the headlines last month when a Jordanian Bedouin unearthed new Christian texts, unseen for thousands of years. More amazingly, these texts, believed to be written around the time Jesus died, were only discovered because a flash flood exposed their hiding place. This incredible discovery has excited scholars around the world, including a professor here at the University of Sheffield. Philip Davies, Emeritus Professor of Old Testament Studies, is one of only a few who have not only seen the texts but handled them too. The collection includes around 70 books, or codices, with between 5 and 15 metal pages bound by lead rings. Inside, the pages reveal images of Alexander the Great and detailed faces of crocodiles, as well as classical Jewish images such as a menorah, date-palm, stars, and a bunches of grapes. The writing in the books appears to be a form of coded Hebrew, which is testing experts who aim to decipher it. However, it is the possible depiction of the crucifixion of Jesus that has left Professor Davies ‘dumbstruck’. He says: ‘There is a cross in the foreground, and behind it is what has to be the tomb [of Jesus], a small building with an opening, and behind that the walls of the city. There are walls depicted on other pages of these books too and they almost certainly refer to Jerusalem.” A picture map of Jerusalem appears to be the best evidence that
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There are walls depicted and they almost certainly refer to Jerusalem Professor Philip Davies, University of Sheffield
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FEATURES the texts are in fact Christian. The location of the finds is also important, as the caves near the east bank of the River Jordan is near to where early Christian refugees are believed to have fled to after leaving Jerusalem in fear of the Roman army. David Elkington, a scholar of ancient religious archaeology, also points out that the seven-branch menorah featured on one of the pages is unlikely to have been drawn by Jews. The Old Testament book of Exodus forbids anyone from representing the items found in the holiest part of the temple. If these texts are genuinely written by early Christians, they would be unique. There are very few records about early Christians or the first stages of the development of the religion, so any light that these texts could shed on the period could potentially be ground breaking. If they are 2,000 years old, as many experts believe, there is even the possibility that they could contain accounts of the life and death of Jesus. One suggestion is that the purpose of the books was for personal, devotional use, since they are miniature. Another theory is that one of the books may have been a type of identity card that would have been sewn into the hem of a robe - an extract from the text in ancient Hebrew bares the words ‘congregation of the faith.’ But many of the discoveries still remain a mystery, having been sealed with heavy lead rings. However, this discovery is of course only of any real value if it is genuine. The world of biblical scholarship is no stranger to hoaxes and has been fooled recently, with the faked ossuary of Jesus being one well publicised example. There is a huge amount of money to be made from religious artefactsalready figures of £250,000 have been suggested for just one piece of the collection- so it is no surprise that many forgeries may have been attempted. Peter Thonemann, University Lecturer in Ancient History at the University of Oxford, wrote a piece for The Times claiming that he has proof that the discovery is fake. After studying photographs of the copper codices, Thonemann translated three lines of Greek text as ‘without grief, farewell! Abgar, also known as Eision.’ He found the same phrase on an early 2nd century Roman tombstone from Jordan, and believes a forger simply copied the letters from the tombstone. Dr Elkington’s response, sent to The Times, argues against this claim. He says that Thonemann is not qualified to dismiss the entire collection. As Dr Margaret Barker, an expert in early Christianity, points out: “If they are a forgery, what are they are forgery of? Most fakes are drawn from existing material, but there is nothing like this that I have seen.” The whole matter becomes more complicated when you consider Professor Davies’ opinion that the books may not have originally belonged together, so even if one is a fake, the others may not be. The authenticity of the each book may have to be determined individually. He says experts are being cautious about publicly announcing their opinion because of this. Currently metallurgical tests on the lead of the books and carbon dating of leather found with the books seem to agree that the finds are around 2,000 years old, and experts have stated that the manner of corrosion, which the metal has undergone, would be impossible to achieve artificially. The only way that any concrete answers about these texts can be gained is through further investigation.
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Most fakes are drawn from existing material, but there is nothing like this that I have seen Dr Margaret Baker, expert in early Christianity
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However, to investigate experts need access to it. Here, the drama continues. There is currently a battle taking place concerning who the texts belong to. Despite the texts apparently being discovered by a Jordanian Bedouin, an Israeli Bedouin called Hassan Saeda currently has possession of some of them. He denies that they were illegally smuggled from Jordan and claims that they were in fact found by his grandfather in the 1920s and have been passed down through his family ever since. Although the Israeli Antiquities Authority has denied interest in the books, Saeda is still hanging onto the texts and there is a concern that he will sell them to a private collector. If he does so, it could be almost impossible to answer the questions about the texts, and fill in the gaps of early Christianity. In 1947, the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in a similar location in Jordan, but they couldn’t be studied for decades because experts were not allowed access. They were even subjected to well intended but damaging ‘repair’ work, which even included the use of Sellotape and Perspex glue. Worried that history might repeat itself, several English scholars, including Professor Davies, have joined forces with the Jordanian Department of Antiquities. They are determined to repatriate the texts so that they may be examined fully, and answers can be found. The reality is that even if they are proved to be genuine, this presents more questions than answers. It took the Church hundreds of years to decide which gospels were authentic and allowed into the scriptural canon, and it is unlikely that conclusions are to be drawn any time soon. So what next? Well instead of calming down, the whole drama appears to be intensifying after it was revealed that Dr Elkington and his wife have received death threats, during their attempts to return some of the texts to Jordan. As part of an effort to establish the authenticity of the texts, the current owner, Hassan Saeda, gave Dr Elkington some of the books for him to examine on a previous visit to Jordan. However this has now put him in danger. Dr Elkington explains: “Once Saeda realised that our intention was to have the cache returned to Jordan, he began a series of threatening phone calls.” Both were shot at when visiting the discovery site. Mrs Elkington says: “We were just emerging from the caves when someone, from up above the ridge, opened fire on us. We knew it was a warning that we were getting too close.” The couple have even had to go into hiding, to protect themselves and the pieces they currently possess. Because of this and the limited amount of information available, people are free to interpret and embellish as they wish, but not everyone is as qualified as biblical scholars. A quick search on Google reveals pages of varying theories about these new texts, including one particularly outlandish claim that these texts contain proof Jesus was openly gay. If the story of discovery sounded like a biblical one, the recent developments sound more like a Hollywood blockbuster. It therefore comes as no surprise that a film is in the pipeline, to be produced by Robert Watts, who worked on the Indiana Jones films. What the conclusion will be, nobody knows. In the words of Professor Davies: “We shall see.”
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Lifestyle & Travel
Crookes valley park
endcliffe park
REVIEW
Although there isn’t much to see at Crookes Valley Park, it is a great place to relax and unwind. There is a play area for those wishing to unleash their inner child, and a lake which is overlooked by the Dam House beer garden.
The Botanical Gardens is a tranquil place displaying exotic plants from all over the world. A great place to have a picnic – if you like sharing your food, that is. The squirrels dominating the park aren’t shy at all... Words and photos: Beckie Spencer
Revolución de Cuba When we had the opportunity to review the new Cuban restaurant and bar on Mappin St, we jumped at the chance as we’d heard rumours of rum cocktails and Mexican food. Walking into Revolución de Cuba is like walking into your holiday memories. They’ve clearly worked hard on creating the tropical beach meets city chic bar effect. And it works. There’s a lot of dark wood flooring and furniture, coupled with comfy seats which are accessorized with colourful cushions. Posters line the walls, along with a map of Cuba, and huge wooden ceiling fans. So authentic is it, that when we looked out the window we were surprised to see West St and the rest of Sheffield still there. But now to the very serious business of sampling what was on offer. And we started with the cocktail menu. Revolución de Cuba has successfully mixed classic cocktails with a distinct Cuban twist. There are mojitos and daiquiris on offer as well as a whole lot of rum! In the spirit of adventure, we both decided to try something new. Fay opted for Nelson’s Blood, a tasty and refreshing, if potent, cocktail, which was served to her utter delight in a teacup. Hannah went for the Cuban Cosmo which, it has to be said, she drank within a matter of minutes.
Photo: Hannah Pearson
Five day challe
botanical gardens
This park has a very wild feel about it with its tall trees and overgrown corners, streams and lakes with ducks paddling about. It’s five minutes away from Endcliffe Village, so it’s a prime spot for students enjoying a summertime barbecue.
Fay Guest and Hannah Pearson
We’re loving... It’s the little things in life that make you happy, so we’re loving the things that get us through exam and essay writing time...
CHALLENGE
Parks in Sheffield Apart from the ice cream van frequently parked by the main entrance, Weston Park has a café, duck pond, tennis courts and a Victorian bandstand to offer. Or, for something a bit more educational, why not visit the weather station or Weston Park Museum?
This fortnight...
Fashion Food & Drink Health & Fitness Travel Sex & Relationships Technology
FOUR OF THE BEST Weston Park
FORGE PRESS Friday May 20 2011
Elsewhere on the cocktail menu are Rum Pinches, otherwise known as shots, in a variety of different flavours. But by far our favourite thing on the menu was the Cuban Tea Party range. They may cost £15 each but these cocktails come served in a colourful teapot and can be shared with up to four people. The tradition dates back to the days of prohibition in 1930s America when people were forced to disguise their tipple. So onto the food - we sampled
Photo: Fay Guest garlic mushroom burritos and chicken enchiladas, which were both delicious. True to form, Revolución de Cuba kept to the traditional recipes but added a twist with the tomato rum sauce, yum! The food looked amazing and included sides of salad and tortilla chips. Moving on to dessert, we sampled the chocolate brownies and frozen berries with white chocolate sauce. It was so good we may have got a bit carried away and only remembered to take a photo halfway through our dishes! Throughout the night the service from both the bar staff and waitresses was exceptional. Everyone was very friendly and our waitress, Tanita, suggested some of her favourite dishes to us. The cocktails and food were extremely yummy, but what surprised us the most has to be
Revolución de Cuba’s attention to detail. From the brightly coloured cushions to the individual table candles and the live musicians playing in the background, it’s clear that every part of the restaurant has been meticulously designed. The menu also doubles up as a magazine that teaches you how to make the perfect mojito as well as giving you a brief history of Cuban art and food. For those of you looking for a unique hobby, there is also a Rum Club on Monday nights, which gives you exclusive offers and promotions. Every week you can learn about (and sample!) the finest rums from around the world and recreate some of the most famous rum cocktails. And it’s worth noting that for such a nice restaurant the prices are not to be sniffed at. Cocktails are priced between £6£7 with all the main dishes costing around £8 and the desserts £3.50 each. For students looking for a good bargain, Cuba’s answer to tapas comes as small plate dining with any three plates for £12 every day of the week. And between 12pm-6pm every day you can get a mojito and burrito for only £7.95. But our favourite deal has to be the 2 for 1 cocktails between 5pm7pm every evening. For all the latest info and offers, visit www.revoluciondecuba.com.
Photo: Fay Guest
Sarah Arkle Every fortnight, one of the Lifestyle contributors embarks on a mission to fulfil our five-day-challenge. We’ve had people house-swapping, getting up at 5am and wearing the same outfit for five consecutive days. This week, we decided to test Sarah’s willpower by asking her to eat a vegan diet. Could you go a week without milk in your tea or cheese on your toast?
TRAVEL
When I first agreed to take up this challenge, I thought it would be fairly easy. More importantly, I certainly needed an incentive to calm my serious cheese habit. However, from day one I encounter a variety of problems. First of all, my internal alarm clock decided that 12:30pm was an appropriate time for me to wake up...not the best start into what promised to be a demanding five days. I manage to survive the first day on an apple and was extremely pleased to find myself well-prepared for dinner with some salad that I had
Last-minute travel The weeks leading up to the longawaited summer break tend to be crammed full of exams, essays and deadlines. Many of us also have to juggle academic responsibilities with end-of-the-year financial hardship. It can be more than enough to handle for the average student. So what do you do after you’ve survived all of your exams and commemorated the occasion with pitchers of Pimm’s in the Union beer garden? Suddenly there is this big void in your life, also known as ‘fifteen weeks of freedom’? If you haven’t yet lined up an InterRail trip to France or made plans to go backpacking in Latin America, do not despair. Lifestyle has come up with a variety of suggestions to keep you from doing something as horrendous as studying during your well-deserved break. All you need to do now is pack your bags and go. See you in September!
IN THE UNITED KIN Amy Larkin Staying in the UK over the summer is becoming a popular option, with many students looking to bag a bargain, and it’s easy to see why with so much on offer. Festivals are great if you want to escape for a few days and enjoy some music, drink and meet new people. Every summer the UK plays host to many free music festivals, such as Tramlines festival right here in Sheffield.
Photo: Ina Fischer
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On a hot day
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After a long day
Ice cream What better way to make the most of the hot weather than with regular ‘revision breaks’ in Weston Park? ‘99s all round?
Every day
Exercise Really! It’s a great way to de-stress and get a great body in time for summer. If you’re not into the gym, try exercise classes or swimming.
Summer mornings Nothing gets you in a good mood than waking up to a beautiful sunny day. When we’re lucky enough to get one of course.
enge: could veganism be for you? bought the day before. However, ten minutes later I was back in the kitchen cooking (nonegg) noodles; a bowl of leaves just did not cut it as a proper meal. So far, so hungry. Day two: A night of drinking leads me to wake up next to something I’m terribly ashamed of. I feel cheap as I look over at the near-empty pizza box on my desk. Turns out that after a few drinks, my willpower easily gives way to my love of cheese. Meat too, as further inspection reveals. How shameful. In the wake of this astounding failure, I insist on carrying a canvas bag and decide to become supermilitant by shunning my beloved Doc Martens in favour of my slightly more animal-friendly Converse. I do pause to think over the fact that the glue used in my shoes probably isn’t vegan...perhaps I should consider this an opportunity to buy new shoes for ‘research purposes’. Day three goes by well. My former vegan friend Ali forces me to go to Tesco to stock up on vegetables and a sack of vegan mince. I turned this into bolognaise, which tasted surprisingly nice. To reward myself for my efforts so far, I treated myself to vegan chocolate buttons. Before you turn away in disgust: they actually tasted quite similar to the real deal. After a shaky start, I definitely seemed to be adjusting well to the vegan lifestyle. I managed to make it through day
four, however my day more or less consisted of eating baked potatoes and mushrooms. I am more than ready to return to a more varied diet! As I prepared for my final day as a vegan, I reflected upon the difficulties of the challenge. I don’t eat a great deal of meat in the first place so I thought the transition would be fairly uncomplicated. However, the amount of food packages I checked only to discover I couldn’t eat the items they contain was quite shocking, Especially being on a student budget, my diet ended up being quite limited. Veganism certainly isn’t a lifestyle choice for me. It takes far too much effort. Nevertheless, it has been an interesting change, even if just for five days.
Example of a three-day vegan meal plan Breakfast:
Breakfast:
Breakfast:
Weetabix with chocolate soy milk chocolate soy milk tastes so good, you’ll never want to go back to regular milk. It’s naturally reduced in fat too.
Vegan muesli with raisins and apple chunks, vanilla soy yoghurt. Supermarkets that sell vegan cereals include Asda, Co-op and Sainsbury’s.
Snack:
Snack:
Porridge oats with cinnamon Use hot water instead of milk and add sliced banana for more taste.
Cup of tea with soy milk
Handful of berries and dried prunes with soy yoghurt
Cup of tea with soy milk Vegan chocolate bar Lunch:
Hummus with carrot and celery sticks Dinner:
Rice crackers with avocado and rocket Lunch: Rice crackers topped with avocado and rocket salad.
Cous cous salad and roasted vegetables, seasoned with herbs. To make the salad, chop up dried tomatoes, cucumber and olives and mix with the cous cous. Add a spritz of lemon.
Dinner:
As good as the real deal? Sarah and her dairy-free chocolate treats.
Vegan chilli made with tofu mince. Avoid ready-made tomato sauce because of non-vegan additives. Place tomatoes in hot water so the skin peels easily and blend. Add spices, beans and chopped vegetables.
Porridge with cinnaCup of tea with mon and banana soy milk Snack:
Handful of nuts and an apple Lunch:
Egg-free noodles with broccoli, cherry tomatoes and vegan pesto. You can buy the vegan pesto or easily make it at home by blending basil, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper. Dinner:
Tortilla wrap with mushrooms, sweet corn and peppers. Most tortilla wraps are made solely with water and flour, but check the packaging for hidden additives that might not be vegan. Ina Fischer
Cous cous and roasted vegetable salad
ideas for your long summer break...
NGDOM Running from 22-24 July, The Futureheads, 90s band Ash and Sheffield’s Rolo Tomassi are amongst the headliners. With so much more going on across the city, this is not to be missed. The iTunes Festival London is a great opportunity to see a lot of big artists perform for free. You need a bit of luck to win tickets, but with the chance of seeing performances by Adele, Foo Fighters, Mogwai or Duran Duran, why not give it a shot? (1 -31 July at The Roundhouse, London). Volunteering is another way to spend your summer. From helping out in the community to completing a voluntary internship, this is a great opportunity to make a difference and add something to your CV. Visit www.do-it.org.uk, the government volunteering website, to find out more. If you just fancy getting away for a few days then there are great deals to be had around the UK.
ACROSS EUROPE Try a good old-fashioned seaside holiday, such as the popular town of Abersoch, North Wales, which comes alive over summer with surfers and students alike. With camping starting at £10 per night, this could be the perfect last-minute option for
a fun summer. Or why not go somewhere most travellers don’t? There are a variety of small towns throughout the UK with truly quirky names: Mousehole is a beautiful seaside village with a range of cosy cafes. Who knows what you’ll find in Great Snoring or Sockburn?
Ina Fischer Your favourite festival’s sold out? Instead of spending a lot of time and money trying to secure a pair of tickets off Ebay, why not consider travelling to another festival abroad? You could end up with an equally incredible line up and better weather. The Super Bock Super Rock Festival takes place every July in a small town about an hour outside Lisbon, Portugal. The festival site is located next to the beach, so you can recover from sleepless nights by taking a dip in the ocean or topping up your tan. This year, the line-up includes Arcade Fire, The Strokes, Arctic Monekeys, Lykke Li and Portishead. Tickets are reasonably priced at 80€. (July 14-16, find out more at www.superbocksuperrock.pt). While many university students have probably spent the odd
weekend in Amsterdam, there are other cities in the Netherlands that are equally nice and less overpopulated with tourists during the summertime. Scheveningen is a seaside district in the country’s capital, The Hague, and one of Central Europe’s prime surf spots. It is also home to the popular youth hostel Jorplace, which comes fully-equipped with a surf-style lounge bar and a five-star kitchen. Overnight stays start at 19€, or you could go for the slightly more expensive but unique experience of
Photo: Jorplace.nl
booking a night in an old-school VW minivan! If you’d rather spend your summer working and making money, then why not work abroad? There is a variety of summer camps in countries such as France, Switzerland and Italy, and many are still hiring staff for the summer. A good place to start your search is www.seasonworkers.com. Alternatively, many youth hostels offer free lodging in return for a helping hand with cleaning or in the kitchen. Just phone in advance to see what jobs are available. The European Union also offers a variety of opportunities for young people to get involved in volunteering or youth exchanges throughout the summer. You won’t get paid, but in some cases you can apply for small grants to cover travel costs (www.europa. eu/youth). You don’t need to spend a lot of money to have fun this summer!-
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FORGE PRESS Friday May 20 2011
Lifestyle & Travel
FOOD
You are what you eat Sex on the beach Whether it’s American cheerleaders, suave Spaniards or free-spirited Australian surfers, many people find romance on holiday. The hot temperatures coupled with minimal clothing can lead to a fiery encounter along the lines of ‘voulez-vous couchez avec moi, ce soir?’ minus Christina Aguilera. Summer can be a time when over-worked students relax, let their hair down and celebrate results. However, whilst our parents think (or perhaps rather hope) that this will be done by reading a good book around the pool, or sunbathing on the beach, many find a spot of exertion releases their built-up tension. It may seem incredibly romantic – meeting on the beach at sunset, riding around town on a Vespa, generally loving life. However, you have to be careful when making ‘friends’ on holiday as your short amount of time together can make you rush things you wouldn’t ordinarily and give a sense of urgency that is hard to ignore. Many people go on holiday to have as much sex as possible. Whether you’re one of them is completely up to you. But if not, be aware that while you may be floating around on cloud nine, your partner may be acquainting themselves with everyone in sight. Either way, use protection. The fact is you really don’t know this person and their sexual history so always err on the side of caution. So there you are, sitting comfortably in the sea breeze, ever so slightly inebriated and admiring the tan on your partner when your *ahem* animal instincts take over. But where to do the deed? The likelihood is you’re sharing a room with friends so if you haven’t arranged a sock-on-thedoor-handle-type-of-warningsystem you could both get the shock of your life, with the blushes still visible when you touch back down in Blighty. For the more risqué bunch taking advantage of the natural scenery can seem alluring. If so, I have just one request. Please, please, do not do it in the sea. A friend of mine had sex in the sea. In Malia. I’m sorry but that is just nasty. I mean, the water there probably has STIs! Anyone who has experienced Malia will know what I mean. Despite the obvious lack of sanitation involved, with sea water and sand going into places they really don’t belong, surely you have standards, right? In the immortal words of The Hangover: “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Except for herpes. That shit will come back with you.” Never has a truer word been spoken. Charlotte Green
Beth Surgenor Summer is fast approaching and it seems we are being constantly bombarded with the latest trend to help us get that ‘perfect beachbody’. But these quick-fix diets and supplements are often expensive and can leave you with low energy levels and cravings for the very foods you are trying to avoid. So how can I get a flatter stomach but still take care of my body, I hear you cry? First and foremost, drink more water, eat a balanced diet and exercise more. Try to avoid salty foods and fizzy drinks which will leave you feeling bloated. The best foods to eat are those that relieve water retention (bloating), boost metabolism and leave you feeling fuller for longer – preventing those cravings for a bag of salty crisps. By simply replacing your breakfast bowl of sugary cereals with porridge oats, you stock up on slow-release energy that will leave you feeling fuller for longer and fuel your body for a busy day to come. When you fry your food, use olive oil instead of sunflower oil or butter. It contains the “healthy” polyunsaturated fats and oleic acid, which helps break down excess fats in your body. After you work out, eat or drink something that contains high levels of protein, such as low-fat milk, cottage cheese, chicken or turkey breast. This will actually extend the period of time that your body continues to burn fat post-exercise. When you feel hunger setting in, don’t ignore it. In fact, that is probably the worst thing you can
Student super foods
do. Eating healthy snacks several times a day is better than indulging in one massive meal - for both your body and your brain.
Here’s a handy list of some of the best foods for your body. Simply incorporate them into your daily diet and you’ll be flaunting your stuff on the beach in no time.
The best vegetables leafy greens (kale, spinach, lettuce), asparagus, cucumber, watercress. The best fruits tomatoes, melon, bananas, berries. The best things to snack on almonds and walnuts, dark chocolate.
The best drinks green tea, peppermint tea, cranberry juice (on a night out you could even swap your usual mixer for some cranberry goodness). The best of the rest whole grain foods, oats, olive oil, beans, garlic, chilli.
Spinach and grilled chicken salad You can add any amount of the ingredients to this salad or try experimenting with other ingredients for a bit of variety. Shopping list:
a handful of baby leaf spinach baby tomatoes a handful of lettuce (any sort works well) asparagus spears 1 chicken breast salad potatoes olive oil
1. Drizzle a small amount of olive oil all over the chicken and place on a preheated grill. Cook for about 5-6 minutes on each side – the juices will run clear when cooked. 2. Meanwhile put the potatoes in to boil for about 15 minutes. 3. Only put the asparagus spears into the saucepan for about 5 minutes or they’ll go mushy. 4. Wash and chop the spinach, lettuce and tomatoes. 5. Once everything is cooked put it all on a plate and enjoy! This meals tastes great for lunch or tea. It’s also perfect to make and take into university for lunch so you can avoid skipping lunch or snacking on unhealthy junk food.
Thankfully, none of these ingredients are too expensive or hard to come by - the local veg shop will become your new best friend. And by buying local produce you’re doing both the community and your bank account a favour. Also, make sure you don’t feel like you’re ‘punishing’ yourself by altering your diet. By making healthier choices now you can achieve long-term wellbeing for body and soul.
Photo: Beth Surgenor
STUDENT LIFE
Dancing with danger
Charlotte Green Money, money, money. It’s a commodity that many students lack at university. Whilst some don’t quite leave the bubble and continue to rely on ‘Mummy and Daddy,’ others get themselves into debt they’ll spend the best part of the next decade trying to pay off. And with tuition fees rising as of 2012 students are becoming even more resourceful in finding ways to finance their studies. Whilst common occupations range from bar work to retail, a growing number of students are utilising their ‘talents’ in other, more risqué jobs. A BBC investigation in 2003 found that a quarter of women working in lap dancing clubs in Yorkshire were full-time students. As they can earn around £250 a night, it’s not difficult to see the allure the job holds. Taking it a step further – Belle de Jour, the famous prostitute, first started entertaining clients when she was studying at the University of Sheffield.
However, it’s been argued that the money students can make, and the gloss placed on Belle’s life through her blogs and the TV show Secret Diary of a Call Girl, makes the whole affair seem a lot more glamorous than it actually is. A recent study by the University of Leeds found that lap dancers were often spot-fined £20 for trivial issues such as chewing gum, and the stigma attached to the job means that some women don’t feel they have anywhere to turn for advice on unfair employment. Feminists have fought for the freedom of women for centuries, and whilst some argue that a job in the sex trade is an expression of the freedom to use their bodies as they please, others say it
contributes to a sexually objectified view of women as men’s play things. Whichever view you take, it cannot be ignored that these women could be mixing with unsavoury characters and crimes against sex traders are rife. With 16 per cent of students saying they would be willing to work in the sex trade to cover their burgeoning debt, and university fees set to reach the dizzying heights of £9,000 a year, the figure will undoubtedly increase and the future of our students looks worrying. Olivia Bailey, the Women’s Officer for the National Union of Students, said: “It’s outrageous that any student feels forced into sex work to fund their studies. I’m worried that as women find it harder to fund their studies they may feel forced into this
kind of work.” The recession has resulted in many professionals being made redundant and having to fall back on more menial ‘studenty’ type jobs, meaning what is always a scarce resource has become even more so. This coupled with increasing prices on everything from tuition fees to Tesco means that many students will find their purses particularly pinched at the minute. With this in mind is it any wonder that some are looking into pole dancing and the like in order to fund their studies? Desperate times call for desperate measures after all. Perhaps universities should have thought about this before they decided to increase their fees? Pity, it’s only our futures at stake. If you are affected by this issue and would like to talk to someone then you can call Nightline on 0114 222 8787 or get in touch with Rachel Steyne, Women’s Officer at the University of Sheffield.
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FORGE PRESS Friday May 20 2011
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Lifestyle and Travel
FASHION THIS FORTNIGHT
Designer, High street, Bargain!
Have you ever been jealous of the host of celebrities popping out for a pint of milk dressed in clothes that cost more than the contents of your entire
Fay Guest and Alana Leggett wardrobe? Here at Lifestyle, unfortunately we can’t boost your bank balance to the tune of tens of thousands of pounds. However, we can show you the
affordable alternatives to the designer pieces that finish off the ‘just popping to the shop’ look. Or, if you don’t make that much effort for food shopping, the ‘going out to lunch/on a night out/on a date’ look. Whatever your budget, we’re here to show you that you can look like a star, wherever you happen to be. Our mission was simple. For both males and females, find three items of clothing. One made by a well-known designer label, and two alternatives. One from the great British high street and one from somewhere that guarantees a bargain. This meant trawling through charity shops, Ebay and various other cut-price outlets. It took shopping to a whole new level.
For the girls...
...and the boys...
Red is the colour of confidence, so a sizzling red dress is always a winner. Whether you’re on a date, with your mates, at home or abroad, a red dress is a guaranteed confidence boost.
Longer shorts and cropped chinos are a must-have look for this season. A wise investment, they can be mixed and matched with anything else in your wardrobe.
Designer Designer
Dark shorts by Dolce and Gabbana, £180
Draped red dress by Karen Millen, £140 One of the hottest names in fashion, Karen Millen is famed for producing wearable, stylish clothes for women of all shapes and sizes. This red-hot draped dress, with its gathered neckline and figure flattering shape is perfect for dinner or a night out. Fantastic for summer in the UK or abroad, it’s just a shame that the price tag might put off many students.
We’ve taken inspiration from Dolce and Gabbana’s wearable range, and these shorts are very on-trend for this Spring/Summer. If you’re feeling summery opt for a bright t-shirt for a casual look for the holidays. For a more formal look, team with a brown belt and a shirt.
High street High street
Red swathe dress by Firetrap at Republic, £29.99
Dark shorts by Topman, £43
If Karen Millen is just outside your budget, try this strapless red dress from Republic. Sexy and figure-hugging, just like the Karen Millen dress, this is perfect for dinner or a night out, either in the UK or abroad. However, a dress or slip underneath is essential, as its sheer fabric means that without one, you may be blushing because of more than just the heat.
We’ve provided a high street take on the Dolce and Gabbana shorts with this pair from Topman. Again, these can be dressed up or down, and at £43, are slightly closer to the average student’s budget than D&G.
Bargain
Bargain
Red strapless summer dress, Ebay, sold at £2.00
Men’s college shorts, pack of two, Ebay £16.99
It might not have the kudos of the Karen Millen name, but this strapless red summer dress was originally from New Look. However, when put on Ebay, this dress sold at a recession-beating £2.00, which we think you’ll agree is not to be sniffed at. Slightly more casual than the other two, it can be dressed up for a night out, or down for a day in the park. Perfect.
On Ebay you can get not one but two pairs of shorts. Just as versatile as the designer and high street versions, these shorts come in at just under £17 for the two, which we think you’ll agree, is a complete bargain! Ebay is a veritable treasure chest of clothes at bargain prices and, if you look long and hard enough, you can even find your favourite designer labels!
FASHION NEWS
Bug-eyes vs cat-eyes
When fashion goes too far... Hannah Summersfield and Fay Guest Most of the time, we are wowed by the outfits worn by celebrities and royals alike. However every now and then the creations they appear in are applauded by the fashion houses and hated by the rest of us. With the news that Princess Beatrice is set to auction off that Philip Treacy hat, it begs the question: has fashion gone too far? The beige creation worn by Beatrice has been compared to a pretzel and
reindeer antlers, but she wasn’t the only guest whose headgear divided opinion at the Royal Wedding. Her sister, Princess Eugenie, also opted for a Treacy design. The blue hat, which featured maroon flowers and an array of feathers, has also been slated. But Philip Treacy has defended his creations, saying he thought both Princesses looked ‘gorgeous’. When done right, headpieces can look lovely, but if you are not careful they can end up looking over-the-top and tacky. But it’s not just headgear that can leave us wincing. Lady Gaga has had us all enraptured with her weird and wonderful fashion statements - meat dress anyone? But even she might just have overstepped the mark. Horns on the face? Enough said. And don’t get us wrong, we love
Helena Bonham Carter. She’s brilliant. And whilst we applaud those who showcase their individuality, odd shoes on the red carpet is a bit too far for our taste. She must have pleased someone though, making it onto several Best Dressed lists; when they told her about it even she thought they were joking. It seems these days fashion is more about making a shocking statement and hitting the headlines than anything else.
Hannah Pearson This summer sees a clash of eras as the cat-eye specs of the 50s take on the bug-eye sunnies of the 70s. Made popular in the 50s by the likes of Marilyn Monroe, cat-eye sunglasses were the must-have fashion accessory for women. Characterised by a sharp flick in the corner of each lens, cat-eyes were classic but sexy. They became a staple piece in an era when women were encouraged to look feminine and sophisticated and designers such as Chanel were championing Parisian haute couture. With 50s fashion making a comeback in 2010 – think lace, silk, costume jewellery and pastel colours – the 70s were bound to make a reappearance. A time of experimental and individual style, fashion in the 60s and 70s seemed to lose all concept
of boundaries. Mini-skirts and bold colours became the norm as a more extrovert fashion emerged. The younger generation determined their own style and punk swept the nation. Unsurprising then that the chosen eyewear of the 70s were over-the-top bug-eyes. They quickly became a staple of Hollywood A-listers and continue to be championed by the likes of Victoria Beckham. Characterised by their large lenses, which usually span from the eyebrows to the bottom of your nose, they have been given an update with squarer lenses. With Gok Wan’s latest collection for Specsavers and Kate Moss’ new designs for Vogue Eyewear, it seems both styles are back with a bang at both ends of the price range. Once upon a time you would have been forced to choose, but why not have both this summer?
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PUZZLES & HUMOUR
Coffee Break One male flatmate to the other: “It’s very important not to be outwitted by your trousers. If you’re outwitted by your trousers it’s time to leave.”
overheard
in sheffield
Around St. George’s: Guy: I love jeans, you never have to wash them, ever.
The strange news this fortnight: Batman has been arrested
Visit forgetoday.com to keep up to date with all aspects of Forge Media, from articles and podcasts to listen-again shows and video content.
See it:
True friendship
Tweets like: ‘Spending the day at Windsor Horse Show. DoE just told someone that one was “used to dealing with horse shite in Westminster”. Awkward’
The real news this fortnight: The Magnetic boy
We are constantly told to look beyond the surface, and Tara has done just that. Tara the elephant, is living in a ‘retirement home’ where everyone has a best friend. Tara founds hers too, albeit in slightly different species. Bella, the dog, and Tara are insperable. For an ‘awwww’ moment, indulge yourself. YouTube Search: The Animal Odd Couple
ask it: We’ve all watched X-men and wished that we had been born with some superhuman ability. Six year old Ivan Stoilijkovic is able to ‘stick’ magnetic objects, such as spoons and frying pans, to his bare chest weighing up to twenty five kilograms. Apparently that isn’t the end of the young boy’s talents. Ivan is able to alleviate pain using his hands. His grandfather, Ivo, said that Ivan used his
‘healing’ hands to ease his stomach pains, as well as taking away the pain in his next door neighbour’s leg, which was hurt in a tractor accident. According to Ivo, his grandson laid his hands on the area, which became hot before the pain dissolved away. Ivan can also carry bags of cement weighing up to twenty two kilograms. It makes us wonder, has human evolution begun its next step?
This fortnight’s puzzle: A Kenken
Should I work?
The question that universally plagues students the world over. How many times do you find yourself with that horrible decision: party or work? Do you wish that there was an impartial entity to make the decision for you? The answer is now available online (where else?). Refresh the page and get a new reply. The riddle has finally been solved. Search for : www. shouldidomywork.com
youtube it:
mOST POPULAR web CONTENT 1 - Ward by ward: Sheffield local election results in full 2 - Labour take control of Sheffield with landslide victory over Lib Dems 3 - Local election 2011 results at a glance 4 - Sheffield Council Leader Scriven dismisses peerage speculation 5 - Another win for men’s cricket firsts 6 - All eyes on Sheffield: Local election and AV referendum 7 - Varsity 2011 8 - How to get a graduate job and why you don’t want one 9 - How did you vote today? 10 - Sex with a house-mate: Too close to home?
omg, Have you seen...?
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of these night time forays into the superhero world too, his MySpace profile says that he likes to help people when he can. It may seem strange but following Kick-Ass, the box office hit, more and more primary-coloured superheroes have been found out and about, quietly rescuing their fellow citizens from harm. However, whilst his secret-identity remains hidden, we do know that hearing about this 31 year old from Petosky, USA, tickles that little place inside of us that revels in one human being helping another, maybe even inspires us to good deeds too. Just maybe Gotham City is all around us.
#ff @Queen_UK The life of the Queen: how does she spend her days? Well her twitter double is now providing us with hilarious daily tweets. For your faux royal updates look no further!
On the Concourse: Guy: I was wearing these boxers last time I had sex. Girl: Oh really, actually I was wearing this bra last time I had sex. Guy: We should combine them. Then we’d be invincible.
Unfortunately, he is not our favourite cloaked maverick but he was found dangling from a 30ft building at 1am. The, so far unnamed, hero was brought back into the building before being arrested for trespassing and possession of a dangerous weapon. Our newest superhero was in fact packing heat, but not of the regular variety. Oh no, he had superhero styled dangerous weapons. Batman was found in possession of lead-lined gloves, a baton-like weapon and a chemical irritant spray. Everything he needed for his next lifesaving escapade. The masked avenger seems to be making a habit
Coffee Break’s Follow Friday
LadderGoat
Random Fact: Present Kennedy was the fastest random speaker in the world, with upwards of 350 words per minute.
Coffee Break’s Word of the Fortnight: Gallimaufry (n.) - a hodgepodge, jumble; a mixture of diverse things
(From French galimafrée “a stew, hash, ragout,” from galer “to make merry” and mafrer “to eat heartily.”)
Ever laughed hysterically and filmed yourself? LadderGoat is simply, side-achingly funny and not just because of the content. The guy is obviously not quite with us on planet earth, but whatever he is finding so funny it certainly had us laughing. YouTube Search: LadderGoat you’re so random
FORGE PRESS Friday May 20 2011
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SPORT
Scrutineering Adam Hancock
Lennon should stand down for the good of the game S
hortly after Rangers had claimed their third successive league title, attention in Scotland turned to the future of Celtic manager Neil Lennon. As Walter Smith signed off from Rangers in triumphant style, Lennon revealed that he is hoping to sign a new contract to remain as manager at the club. Some may see this as an act of defiance by Lennon, who has been at the centre of a witch hunt that has gone well beyond the markings of a football pitch. Others, however, will hope that Lennon is relieved of his duties, if only for the sake of football in Scotland. Over the past few months, the Celtic boss has received death threats, parcel bombs and was even attacked on the touchline during a recent fixture at Hearts. All of these incidents cannot be excused and the moronic individuals involved are rightly being condemned. Recent events have shamed Scottish football and the ugly issue of sectarianism has reared its head once again. As a Catholic born in Northern Ireland, Lennon is no stranger to the dark undercurrent of religious bigotry that has cast a shadow over the game in Scotland. He retired early from international football after receiving a death threat before a game against Cyprus and was assaulted in 2008 during a night
BUCS Results CRICKET MAY 8 Women’s firsts Lost 88-87 vs. Manchester MAY 11 Men’s firsts Won 179-112 vs. Newcastle Women’s firsts Lost 141-139 vs. Leeds MAY 15 Men’s firsts Won 141-105 vs. Leeds
out in Glasgow. Lennon now finds himself under constant protection and even the touchline is no longer a safe place, as highlighted by the shocking attack on him at Tynecastle. Yet, he remains defiant. This is where the problem lies. Whilst the majority of people would be keeping a low profile after receiving a parcel bomb which was intended to cause ‘real
harm,’ the Celtic manager was taunting Rangers fans after an old firm game. Those who also witnessed the recent touchline sparring between Lennon and Rangers coach Ally McCoist, will realise that he is not a man who backs down. Lennon’s hair is fittingly red, as he seemingly enjoys fighting fire with fire. In a turbulent time for Scottish
football, Lennon is not the ideal man to act as a peacemaker. His snarling persona, haranguing of officials and taunting of opposition supporters makes him a hate figure for all outside of Celtic. This season he has used press conferences to fuel the flames with rival teams, rather than try to simmer down increased tensions. We are told that away from the
help each other out. Baldwin also understands the need for societies to be more approachable, and with the Olympics just around the corner it is an exciting time for all involved in sport at Sheffield. With this in mind Baldwin is keen to press the ‘give it a go’ scheme a lot more than in previous years and highlights that “the Endcliffe Free Friday Night scheme is an excellent initiative.” Within his own sport, Volleyball, he has championed greater involvement from squad players in helping beginners. Baldwin’s biggest exasperation with sport at the university is that people are discouraged by the competitiveness of university sport and this is why the ‘give it a go’ scheme is so important to him. “I want to break down the barriers between clubs and players and enable more people to become involved in sport,” he
comments. Baldwin recognises that Varsity will remain the key focus for all sports and with the University continuing to challenge well across all sports at BUCS level he acknowledges that Andy Cox does
game he is a quiet family man who seeks a private existence, so maybe its time for Lennon to call it a day and dig out his gardening equipment. Nobody should be hounded out of the game they love due to religion and the treatment of Lennon has been despicable this season. But you cannot deny that Lennon has helped contribute to his own downfall. A comparison to former Celtic manager Martin O’Neill highlights this. Like Lennon, O’Neill is also a Catholic born in Northern Ireland. That’s where the similarities end. O’Neill was never subject to the constant intimidation that has been a feature of Lennon’s reign. He acted with dignity and helped to try and repair the degrading image of Scottish football. Sectarianism is a cancer which has continuously plagued the game in Scotland. It will probably never go away. But the cancer can be tamed. Scottish football needs its figureheads to stand up and condemn the current behaviour. It also needs them to help relax the tensions which are gripping Glasgow. Characters like Lennon only aide these bitter rivalries. If he really loves the game in Scotland, he should do the honourable thing and step down before it’s too late for football and for himself.
New Sports Officer ready for action Will Aitkenhead Since being successful in the election for Sports Officer, Ben Baldwin has clearly been itching to take over from Emma Bird. He takes control on Monday June 13 before a month of adjustments and working closely with Bird ensuring a smooth hand over is completed. Officially the role entails 38 hours a week, but Baldwin is not concerned with just doing the minimum. As he says, “I like to get up early and do things before most other students are out of bed. It enables me to get more done in the day.” And this will be essential if Baldwin is to take in as much university sport as he intends to. He plans to focus on ensuring that committees run smoothly and developing more links between clubs so that they can
a fantastic job in this respect. One area for concern, however, remains the standard of facilities compared to other similar universities. The state of the Norton site has been a worry for some time now and it has got to the stage where it is simply not good enough for first team sport. Baldwin admits that his influence in such areas may be limited. Baldwin establishes that in his eyes, “Sheffield is not primarily a sporting university.” This may be the case and it is true that Sheffield is certainly not in the top band of sporting universities. But there is no reason why with careful use of resources and funding students should not aspire to reach the top. For now, Baldwin is not ashamed to admit that “the sport system at Sheffield is fantastic and we need to keep going forward.”
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SPORT
Thunder from Down Under
Jack Burnett
With a deft swing of his left boot, Mick Kay leathers the football upfield. Kay, a former winger for League 2 winners Chesterfield, looks pleased with the effort and ambles forward to retrieve the ball, before returning to his teammates. They’ve gathered for training at Hillsborough Park, surrounded by various other footballers taking advantage of the sunny weather for an impromptu kickabout. Only, the football Kay now plays is not of the same variety as United, Wednesday and the other park-goers. He is a member of Sheffield Thunder, the city’s
Australian rules football team. Their coach and club president, Garth Nevin, is responsible for Thunder’s reincarnation after the team disbanded in its original form three years ago, then heavily reliant on university students whose exam season coincided with Aussie rules season. “Sheffield kind of had a scrap team together, but they didn’t have any kit and they weren’t really recognised,” says Nevin, an Australian who has been a resident of Sheffield for the past three years. Having moved to Sheffield from New York, where he played Aussie rules with the New York Magpies for two years, Nevin,
who works for Sheffeld City Council, joined Sheffield Rugby Union Football Club. That didn’t quite fill the football-shaped hole in his life though, so he began training with the nearest Aussie rules team, Huddersfield, and it was here that the idea of a team in Sheffield took off. “They said the Sheffield team fell apart but that it’s there if you want to start it up,” explains Nevin. “So I thought, ‘yeah, why not?’ I convinced most of the rugby boys to get involved last year and it’s just grown since then. “Last year we were kind of the whipping boys – there were only five teams in the division and we came fifth, winning one league game for the year – but we didn’t have that many Aussies and our English guys were still learning because it was brand new to them.” If last year was something of a baptism of fire, this season’s early results have given the coach reason to be cautiously optimistic. Defeat against Nottingham Scorpions did little to detract from the magnitude of an opening victory against cup holders Birmingham Bears, and success in the Aussie Rules UK central division is not out of the question. At the very least, there now exists a solid foundation on which to grow, and Nevin is keen for the University to play a part in that growth, too. “We have a mixed range here; some of them are professionals with their own businesses, we’ve got a musician, and we’ve got some Uni guys,” he says. “There’s already a few university teams in the UK – I think Birmingham, Leeds Met
Garth Nevin hopes to have built a team that will remain competitive for the foreseeable future. Photos: Jack Burnett
and Cambridge all have teams – and I would love to tap into the university here.” For Kay, who was born and raised in Sheffield but lived in Australia for a year, the appeal of the game lies in its distinctive nature. “Once you’ve played soccer all your life here, it makes a nice change,” says the former professional footballer, who is enjoying the fresh challenge at the age of 33. “When I found out there was a team in Sheffield I thought I’d come down and see what it’s all about. “Other than at Chesterfield I’ve always played semi-pro until
I started my own business, when I had to give it up. It took up too much time, so this is a nice compromise. “Because I played football all my life, you get to my age and it gets a bit boring. So to take a totally new challenge on makes it competitive and hard for me, because you can’t just play on auto-pilot like I used to with football. It’s a good kind of different.” For more information on Sheffield Thunder, including training details, visit: www.sheffieldthunder.co.uk
Blades youngsters fight back to earn cup final draw FA Youth Cup Final 1st Leg Sheffield United Manchester United
2 2
Adam Hancock Sheffield United twice came from behind in an entertaining first leg of the FA Youth Cup final. The match drew a huge crowd, with 29,977 at Bramall Lane to view the impressive youngsters on display. The visitors started the better side although the first real chance of the game came when Corey Gregory headed over for the Blades after good work from Jordan Slew. This didn’t deter Manchester United and they were soon ahead via a controversial goal from the impressive Jesse Lingard. The Warrington born forward headed a Paul Pogba cross goal wards, but the ball appeared to have been cleared by Blades defender Harry Maquire. Referee Michael Oliver felt the ball had crossed the line and after consulting the linesman he awarded a goal which left even the away team puzzled. The visitors drew even more confidence from this goal and began to play some wonderful one touch football, with the
imposing figure of Paul Pogba dominating the midfield for Paul McGuinness’s side. This all changed on the stroke of half time when Callum McFadzean made a surging run forward and produced an astounding strike from outside the area. Bramall Lane erupted and the Blades were right back in the tie. They started the second half better, and a header from Captain Elliot Whitehouse was cleared off the line. However, moments after having a goal ruled out for offside, the away side were once again ahead with an unmarked Will Keane poking home from a great cross by the dangerous Lingard. The goal came in the 70th minute and the home side appeared to be tiring. Yet they remained undeterred and were again level via Jordan Slew. The powerful front man has already appeared for the Blades senior side this season and showed why with a terrific strike after latching on to a precise through ball. His shot appeared to take a slight deflection but there’s no doubting that it wasn’t deserved after the junior Blades had fought so hard. Both sides notably tired towards the end of the game, although the visitors had several
Callum McFadzean celebrates his stunning goal in front of a record crowd. Photo: Blades Sports Photography good opportunities, including a strike from Ryan Tunnicliffe which forced a fine save from George Long in the Blades net. The teams will now contest the second leg at Old Trafford on Monday night and Sheffield
United coach John Pemberton is confident his side can once again compete. “Were not going there with fear, we’ve done well so far so touch wood we can continue our good form.”
Pemberton also praised the home fans for a magnificent turn out, saying: “It was a massive crowd; I’d like to thank them all for the support because the turn out this evening for a youth game was unbelievable.”
FORGE PRESS Friday May 20 2011
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Sports clubs honoured
Members of the University’s Orienteering and Fell Running Club were largely successful in Sheffield. Photos: Kris Jones
Home comfort for orienteering Chris Davies 28 University of Sheffield students competed in the British long distance and relay championships, which took place in Sheffield on the weekend of May 14-15. The long distance race was a world ranking event, which meant that there was added pressure on the competitors. The Long race, at Wharncliffe Woods on the Saturday, saw runners face steep rocky slopes in a tough long distance race. In the men’s senior elite race, many of the early starters struggled. Despite a slow start, however, Ralph Street – in his first year as a senior – managed to put in a strong last few kilometres on the 90 minute race and end up in third place, adding to his bronze from the British Sprint Distance Championships earlier this year. In the women’s class, Laura Daniel was Sheffield’s best placed finisher in 6th place. Kris Jones, better known for shorter races but still one of the favourite for the Men’s 20 title, made too many mistakes and was fourth in the M20 class, well behind the leader. Jones will now be focusing on his preparation for the Junior World Championships in July. Johannes Klotz, a newcomer to the sport before this year, won first place on the Men’s 21 novice category. The next day saw a change of venue to Tankersley Wood for the relay championships, which offered a different challenge to the individual with old mining works giving difficult navigation and lightning fast running. It was clear before the start that the best tactic would be to run slightly slower than normal in order to make no big mistakes, and with intense head-to-head racing and three legs all needing to run well the pressure was truly on. The men would face 5km legs and the women 4km. The women’s team went into the race looking to build on good results from earlier in this year
and were an outside shot for the podium. Unfortunately, after losing time on the first leg, they found it difficult to win back the time lost and finished in eighth place. The University of Sheffield were reigning champions in the men’s elite class and were looking to defend this title over the three legs. In a highly dramatic race, the lead changed hands many times but Ralph Street on the last leg ensured that the trophy would stay in Sheffield next year, overturning a deficit of 40 seconds to win comfortably. In a testament to the strength in depth of the men’s teams, Uni’s second team placed fourth, narrowly missing out in a sprint finish with second and third
place. In the men’s short team, Dan Hartman, Ashley Ambrose and Nic Barber ran extremely well to cross the line in the lead but then saw their result chalked off due to failing to register a punch at one of the control points. Ambrose and Barber started orienteering at university and the result, despite the unfortunate disqualification, went some way to displaying the progress they have made. For many of the senior athletes in the club, the British Championships is the final stepping stone on the long road to the World Championship Trials, being held in the Lake District on the weekend of May 21-22.
Ex-England goalkeeper Peter Shilton congratulates winners. Below: Club Sport manager Andy Cox with outgoing Sports Officer Emma Bird. Photos: Chris Davison/4life Photography Anthony Hart The University’s sports clubs celebrated a year of achievements with the annual Sports Awards, which were held at the Octagon Centre on Wednesday night. Outstanding individual and club contributions to university sport were toasted, as was the overall achievement of the University having achieved its highest ever BUCS points total. Ladies’ Rugby’s John Dudley picked up the coach of the Year award in a season where the team managed to secure their status in the Premier Division, while swimmer Bethan Corley picked up the Holly Willis Memorial Award for the Freshman of the Year after a series of strong performances during her first year at the University. Jenny Dean took a further award for the Swimming and Waterpolo Club as she won the Club Sport Member of the Year award, in a difficult year in which alternative facilities had to be found in the wake of the University pool’s closure.
Orienteering’s Kris Jones took the Sports Person of the Year award, after a fine year in which he became European Junior Sprint Champion and got second place in the World Junior Sprint Championship. He was also part of the University of Sheffield Orienteering and Fell Running Club that achieved second place at the BUCS Championships. Women’s Lacrosse picked up the team of the Year award thanks to their unbeaten season. They won promotion to League 1A, as well as tasting success in the cup and picking up a win against Hallam on the opening day of Varsity. Women’s Hockey were declared Club of the Year. Their first team gained promotion while the other teams all retained their league statuses, and off the pitch have raised at least £4,000 for the Leemings Cancer Trust. The Award for Outstanding Contribution went to Anna Foster, a fifth year medical student and member of the Ladies Rugby club who has taken over as back coach as another coach could not be found.
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FORGE PRESS Friday May 20 2011
Uni sports awards Page 23
Aussie Rules Page 22
Cricketers clinch title
Futsal reach Finland finals
Uni celebrating BUCS success. Photo: Marek Allen Jack Burnett
Photos: Will Aitkenhead
and it seemed only a matter of time before Uni would be crowned champions. David Gibson claimed a caughtand-bowled with his off spin and Chris Charles came back from the Pavilion End to take his first wicket as well. It was Gibson who would have the honour of taking the final wicket to clinch the sweetest of victories, however, as he clean bowled the Hallam number eleven to send the Sheffield team into raptures. The win capped off a memorable league season for Uni’s firsts as they will be playing Division One cricket next year.
Leading run scorer and captain Mark Williams said: “This is a fantastic achievement for the club. It’s nothing more than we deserved this season, I’m so proud of the lads.” Williams was also keen to put the horror show of a season last year behind the club. He said: “Nobody gave us a chance after last season. This year has seen the club turn around and with the help of Andy Cox, the club has never looked healthier.” Sheffield now enter the cup competition, with the draw being made on May 22 and the first match taking place on May 24.
Uni’s men’s firsts were crowned league winners after comfortably beating rivals Hallam. Will Aitkenhead The University of Sheffield’s first team completed the perfect season as they clinched the league title after thrashing Sheffield Hallam by 160 runs at Bawtry Road. After setting the opposition a daunting target of 301 to win, the Uni bowlers delivered once again to dismiss Hallam for just 140 with Phil Singleton and Sam Hickinbottom taking three wickets each. Having lost the toss, Uni were asked to bat first on a bowlerfriendly wicket. Hallam failed to take advantage of the conditions, however, as Alex Griffiths (26) and Will Aitkenhead (64) put on 95 for the first wicket. Both were watchful to start with as the new ball nipped around on a green wicket and Griffiths even took a blow to the head from one ball which leapt off a length. They were soon into their stride though and Aitkenhead’s innings was helped by one over which he took for 20, including two sixes. In total he hit four sixes before being caught at mid on attempting to hit another. After the two openers had departed, Chris Murrall and Mark Williams continued the solid foundation that had been laid with a typically classy partnership which saw them add 85 at a run per ball. Murrall’s innings oozed class with a series of sumptuous cover drives as he picked up boundaries with ease. Williams, on the other hand, was watchful to start with, picking up singles at will and not hitting a boundary until he was well into his thirties. When Murrall was clean bowled
for an excellent 59 with the score on 208 in the 40th over, Williams picked up the pace with some clean hitting before being caught in the deep for a high quality innings of 74. The middle order ensured that Uni made full use of their 50 overs, and with some excellent running between the wickets they finished the innings with the score at 300 with six wickets down. Uni knew that making use of the new ball would be crucial once more and Williams and Chris Charles did just this with excellent opening spells, which saw Hallam restricted to just 60 from the first 15 overs. Chris Charles bowled a particularly nasty delivery which managed to get under the batsman’s helmet and break his nose, meaning he had to retire hurt and Sheffield needed just nine wickets for the league. The Hallam batsmen managed to put on 58 before Singleton made the breakthrough, when he clean bowled the remaining opening batsman. Both Singleton and Hickinbottom took advantage of the tight start and picked up wickets at regular intervals. Both bowled a perfect length which had the batsman struggling to time the ball on a slow wicket. Having been 70-1, Hallam suddenly found themselves 101-6 as they gave their wickets away under the extreme pressure that both bowlers were exerting and they never recovered, with Uni working hard in the field. When Singleton and Hickinbottom had both finished their spells with identical figures of 3-24 from their 10 overs, the score was 125-6 after 34 overs
The University’s futsal team will make history this summer when they compete in the European Universities Championships, becoming the first team from the University of Sheffield to do so. The futsal team, who took gold at the BUCS Championships and swept aside Hallam during Varsity, will face the likes of the French University Sports Association and the Polytechnic University of Valencia when they compete for the status of Europe’s best university side. The EUC men’s futsal, which involves 24 teams, will take place over eight days this July in Tampere, Finland, in the event’s eighth year. It will be one of a number of tournaments taking place across Europe as part of the 2011 European University Sports Association (EUSA) Championships. Club captain Rich Ward showed his delight at the team’s progress, saying: “To be honest it’s an unexpected achievement because we didn’t have much structure throughout the year in terms of having an actual squad or training, but we’ve had experienced players and newcomers who’ve picked up the game really quickly.” While acknowledging his side’s momentous victory at the BUCS Championships in Sheffield, Ward played down chances of European success, citing the gulf in class between top-level futsal in England and in mainland Europe, where the game is generally far more established. “We’ll be going there with nowhere near as much experience as the rest of the competition. Valencia have a team who have recently been promoted to the second division in Span, which is professional. “But in BUCS we played Teesside, who have participated in the EUC for the last two years, and we were an equal match and perhaps should’ve won that game, which gives us some confidence. “Being the University’s first representative at the EUSA Championships will be amazing and I’m proud to have led the team there as captain, but all credit goes to the quality team we’ve assembled and I’m sure we’ll do ourselves proud,” he said.