Forge Issue 87

Friday 9 October 2015 Issue 87

FIFA 16 Wolf Alice Games and Sport look at Music editor Tara the brand new FIFA 16, Hodgson interviews and the impact of having rising starts Wolf Alice women in the game.

FUSE P10 SPORT P29

FUSE P8&9

Mental Health Dating Disasters Comment look at Features look at the whether or not the best (and the worst) of Activities’ Fair is mental your dating experience. health friendly Safe to say, hilarity will ensue COMMENT P11

FEATURES P14&15

HOW SAFE IS YOUR CITY? Harcourt Road Most Recorded Crime Viper Rooms Stabbing

Lisa Latham A first year medic student was stabbed last week in Viper Rooms on Carver street.

Curtis Mitchell was celebrating his 20th birthday with flatmates when he was stabbed in the leg at around 1:30am.

Police have arrested and charged Taukeer Khalid Hussain, of Fieldhead Road, Lowfield, in connection with the assault.

Mitchell claims in the Tab his

attacker pulled out a small knife and stabbed him after they bumped into each other in the club.

Mitchell reported the incident to security and waited with them while the manager performed some basic first aid on his leg.

He was able to identify his attacker when Hussain was escorted out of the club shortly after. Mitchell then got a taxi to A&E where he required six stitches in his leg.

In a statement a Viper Rooms

School Road Sexual Assault

spokesperson said “We feel deeply upset that anyone’s night out should be spoilt in such a way, and regardless of the fact that since we opened in over 300,000 student visits we have never experienced anything like this.”

CCTV footage and witness accounts have been provided to the police in support of the presecution, and 24-yearold Taukeer Khalid Hussain will appear before Sheffield Magistrate’s Court October 15.

A spokesperson for South Yorkshire Police said: “The charge relates to an incident at a nightclub in Carver Street, Sheffield.

Between 1.45am and 2.10am on Wednesday 30 September, it is alleged that three people were assaulted, suffering stab injuries that required hospital treatment.”

This exposé is continued on p.5 and p.7

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In Brief...

Friday 9 October 2015 | Forge Press

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Editorial

Plug Applies for Boxing License Sheffield’s nightclub Plug, better known as a music venue, has applied for a licences to hold boxing, mixed martial arts and wrestling events.

The application will go before the Sheffield City Council licence committee soon.

Dishing up crowd funded soup Crowd funded soup dinners are now being served in Sheffield. More than 100 people turned up to the first Sheffield Soup, a concept which is aiming to raise funds for projects around the city.

The love of my life, Chloe Coleman

New Master Cutler A 400-year-old Sheffield tradition was maintained as the 377th Master Cutler was appointed at Sheffield Cathedral.

Craig McKay now occupies the role that was founded in 1624 by the Cutlers Company, at 44 he is one of the youngest to ever hold the position.

A £58m project to run trams along railway lines in South Yorkshire has been delayed by at least a year. The project will eventually link Sheffield, Meadowhall, and Rotherham via tram and train lines, but National Rail have apologised after it’s emerged that they are still awaiting approval from the transport secretary.

Crookes first street market A street market celebrating independent shops will take place in Crookes for the first time. Due to take place this Sunday, the event will see 30 stalls sell everything from crafts to food, beer tasting, and even a choir.

PICTURE EDITOR dan.west@forgetoday.com Dan West FUSE EDITORS fuse@forgetoday.com Joss Woodend Phil W. Bayles HEAD OF ONLINE ned.westwood@forgetoday.com Ned Westwood NEWS press.news@forgetoday.com Keri Trigg Will Morgan Claire Fowler

Friday 9 Oct 19:30-22:00

Henning Wehn: Eins, Zwei, DIY

Crookes’ First Street Market

DEPUTY EDITOR chloe.coleman@forgetoday.com Chloe Coleman

The Sports Thoughts this issue on the addition of women to Fifa 16, is one of my favourites and Fuse looks absolutely beautiful as always, my personal favourite page is definitely 22Chloe, my glorious deputy editor, has been my shining beacon of hope this issue. I feel like our matriarchal editorial team has made its mark on Forge Press, and we’re looking towards a year of success. However, I feel that the distance between the media hub and Bar One/ Interval beer garden is far too short for this year to be overly productive.

So enjoy this issue, and if you’re tempted to get involved in our wonderful team then pop up to the media hub and see us.

P.S. My least favourite part of being editor is writing these editorials, can you tell?

What not to miss this fortnight

Train-Tram Plan Delayed

EDITOR editor@forgetoday.com Polly Winn

By now the novelty of being back at/starting uni shall definitely have worn off, and instead you’ll be sleep deprived, drowned in course reading and probably battling off the last of the dreaded Freshers’ flu.

The feeling is very much this way in the hub. The nights out have slowed down, and the early mornings are creeping in, and for us, the hours of editing and slowly losing our minds in the media hub have also returned. But don’t worry, we have lots of scoops for you inside this week’s issue of Forge Press. So you can curl up with a cuppa and flick

through the pages.

This fortnight News have an expose for you on how safe your city actually is. We also have some coverage on whether or not the Diamond will ever be fully open again, and if so… when?

Comment have an insightful issue about what the Activities Fair is like for those who have mental health problems, the article by the President of mental health matters society flags up several issues that we need to be so much more aware of to make our Union, and our University a much more inclusive and accessible space.

As well as this, we have a debate on the divestment of fossil fuels, and a Fresher’s perspective on whether the first few weeks of University has really been all it’s cracked up to be.

Features have a cringeworthy and hilarious article on dating disasters, that will make you feel that little bit better about your love life.

Lifestyle also have a feature on Sheffield’s street art, that encompasses some of the best graffiti in the city, and Coffee break have a Forge-approved guide to Netflix and Chill.

After more than a decade in Britain, the German Comedy Ambassador has ‘groan’ to like puns.... though he still couldn’t eat a whole one.

As Henning’s assimilation is not yet complete he hasn’t lost his sense of Westphalian wonderment at the foibles of British society.

RAG Week

SPORT press.sport@forgetoday.com Ed McCosh Rob Milne Anthony Philips

COMMENT press.comment@forgetoday.com Robin Wilde Chris Saltmarsh

MUSIC press.music@forgetoday.com Tara Hodgson Charlotte Pick

COFFEE BREAK press.coffeebreak@forgetoday.com Adilah Hameed

GAMES press.games@forgetoday.com Moya O’Rourke Ash Emritte

LIFESTYLE press.lifestyle@forgetoday.com Mojo Abidi Mared Gruffyd

Friday 17 Oct Friday 24 Oct

RAG are holding a week of events around the Union to raise money for charity.

They’ll be at Poppy Tees, doing karaoke and a “sleep out for solidarity”. Join in and get donating!

DEPUTY NEWS press.news@forgetoday.com Jess Davis Nathaniel Robinson Lisa Latham

FEATURES press.features@forgetoday.com Sheena Sidu Anna Gillies Declan Downey

Octagon, tickets available online or & at SU Box Office priced at £10 Early Birds / £13.50 Students and OAP / £15.50 General Sale

ARTS press.arts@forgetoday.com Joshua Hackett Jo Gallacher SCREEN press.screen@forgetoday.com Rhys Handley

All over the union! Plaza, Pop Tarts, Concourse, Bar One, City centre and Goodwin!

COPY EDITORS Sophie Cockett Adilah Hameed Bethan Littley Ellena Rowlin Emma Quigley Harriet Hales Joanna Booth Lotte Dobson

Forge Press is printed on 100% recycled paper

Forge Press is published by Sheffield Students’ Union. Views expressed are not necessarily those of the Union or the editorial team. Complaints should be addressed to the Managing Editor in the first instance, although a formal procedure exists.

Medi a H u b, U n i o n o f St u den t s , Wes t er n B a n k , S h ef f i el d, S 10 2 T G 0114 2 2 2 8 6 4 6 // f o r gepr es s @f o r ge t o day. co m

Forge Press | Friday 9 October 2015

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#ReclaimYourCampus Will Morgan The University of Sheffield’s Students’ Union is to host 16 days of activism against gendered violence starting November 2.

The campaign is the first of its kind in Sheffield and is part of the #ReclaimYourCampus initiative launched by the National Union of Students last year.

NUS statistics on sexual harassment for 2015 show that one in four students experience some form of sexual harassment.

Women’s Officer Sharmin

Jahan, the organiser of #ReclaimYourCampus, states that these days of activism are necessary because “violence and the threat of violence affect women across the world, regardless of wealth, race, sexuality and culture.”

“Violence against women includes rape, sexual violence, female genital mutilation, forced marriage, stalking, crimes and murders committed in the name of ‘honour’, sexual harassment and domestic violence.”

Some of the activities taking place include: workshops on ‘Lad Culture and Consent’ and domestic abuse, a candlelit

vigil on the international day for elimination of violence against women and a panel discussion on women in academia led by five female academics.

Women’s Officer Jahan said of the events “I think it’s really exciting and I’d like to get everyone engaged, from students to people in the local community.”

The 16 days of activism are not held consecutively and will conclude with the Reclaim the Night march and rally November 30.

Speaking to Forge Press about #ReclaimYourCampus, Women’s Committee Chair Rachel Claringbull said: “It’s

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great to see that the campaign doesn’t focus on women as a homogeneous group but is looking at all the different intersections of oppression or discrimination that women and non-binary people both in the university and internationally may face.”

Adding: “I’m really excited for the rally afterwards too which will bring together many different women to share their experiences through poetry, music, etc.”

Last year’s Reclaim the Night march saw 300 people march to protest and raise awareness of gender-based violence.

NEWS SCIENCE & Technology

Volkswagen in Emissions Scandal

Volkswagen has admitted cheating on emissions tests making their cars appear less polluting.

Software was installed in some engines to alter performance when cars were being tested by releasing less harmful nitrogen oxide (NOx) gases.

Emissions are actually up to 40 times higher than the legal limit, causing up to one million more tonnes of NOx emissions per year.

1.2 million cars are to be recalled in the UK alone.

Many national authorities are opening investigations.

Emily Vincent

UK Womb Transplants Given Go Ahead

Sheffield makes it into world top 100 Nathanial Robinson Sheffield is one of the top 15 universities in the UK, and 100 in the world, according to The Times Higher Education World Universities Rankings 2015-16.

The university has skyrocketed a massive 24 places in this year’s league table to reclaim its academic standing.

Not only has it excelled internationally, but it is now the 15th best university in the UK, leaving several other Russell Group universities in the academic wilderness.

Competitors such as Nottingham, York, Leeds, Sussex and Birmingham were left humiliated by the survey, not even finding themselves in the top 100.

The prestigious Times world university league table ranks universities from 70 different countries recognising 800 universities in total worldwide.

The ranking only acknowledges four per cent of the world’s higher education establishments so being placed

97th is a great achievement.

These latest rankings help to cement Sheffield’s reputation for academic excellence and reiterate the findings of the QS World University’s Rankings which placed Sheffield in the top 100 institutions globally, securing 80th place.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Keith Burnett said: “I am very pleased for the talented and hard-working staff and students of the University of Sheffield that the Times Higher World University Rankings acknowledge the reputation of our University as a globally leading university making a real contribution through excellent teaching and research.

The Times Higher Education World University Rankings are regarded as one of the world’s most prestigious university rankings. They are the only global performance tables that judge researchintensive universities across all their core missions: teaching, research, knowledge transfer

and international outlook.

Phil Baty, Editor of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, said: “The Times Higher Education World University Rankings, now in their 12th year, apply rigorous standards, using tough global benchmarks across all of a global research university’s key missions.

“The results are trusted by students and their families,

academics, university leaders and governments. For the University of Sheffield to make 97 in the world is an outstanding achievement to be celebrated.”

Whilst we celebrate our global intellectual superiority we must remember to raise a glass to those institutions who are less fortunate than ourselves, most notably Sheffield Hallam who did not make The Times top 500.

British doctors have been given approval to carry out ten womb transplants following successful trials conducted in Sweden.

The patients will receive wombs from donors with no brain activity and then start a course of IVF. The success of the process will be know by early 2018.

These operations offer hope to the 6000 women every year who are born without a womb, and those who lost theirs through cancer.

The trial is due to start next spring.

Samuel Weston Water Found on Mars NASA has confirmed that it has found evidence of liquid water flowing on Mars.

Dark stripes on the red planet have long been linked to liquid water flow, and they were recently confirmed to contain hydrated salts.

This discovery is hailed as one of the most important in the history of space exploration, as it is a bonus for NASA’s plans to send humans to Mars, and reaffirms the belief that there could be life on the red planet.

Scientists are unsure of how to go about looking for this life, as their rover Curiosity isn’t sterile and may contaminate any evidence it finds.

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NEWS UniNEWS

Interesting stories from other universities around the world

New partnership reduces environmental impact The University of Sheffield’s partnership with Microsoft is reducing the environmental impact of their supply chains.

Public and private sector organizations can understand the environmental impact of their supply chain more, due to a new Cloud based tool SCEnAT+ (Supply Chain Environmental Analysis Tool), therefore reducing carbon emissions.

Companies can now perform improved life cycle analysis, subsequently decreasing CO2 emissions.

Jessica Davis

Sombrer-no?

Some consider the Sombrero to be an uncontroversial item of headwear but not at the University of East Anglia (UEA).

Student Union leaders at UEA banned the item in question from their recent freshers’ fair after declaring that it was offensive and that anyone wearing one, other than a Mexican, amounted to cultural appropriation.

Those hats which were already in circulation at the fair were confiscated and union officials threatened Pedro’s Tex-Mex Cantina, responsible for the sombreros, with being shut down unless they stopped distribution.

Matthew Ward, the general-manager of Pedro’s, said in a statement that “we are just celebrating the culture” but Chris Jarvis, democracy officer for UEA students union, stated that “we try to ensure that there is no behaviour, language or imagery which could be considered racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic or ableist.”

Before the event all stall holders had been sent an advertising policy which outlined activity which could be deemed discriminatory, including cultural appropriation.

Nathaniel Robinson

Friday 9 October 2015 | Forge Press

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Is rent in Sheffield out of control?

Will Morgan Data released recently by UK investment company LendInvest shows that landlords in Sheffield make more money on buy-tolet properties than most other places in the country.

Three of Sheffield’s postcodes were featured in the top 20 places in the country for buy-to-let yields, putting it just behind Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham and Liverpool.

According to Neal Hudson of Savills estate agency “Most BTL (buy-to-let) investors have tended to be more interested in capital uplift (growth in house price), so long as the rent covers their management costs”.

Yet in cities with low rates of capital uplift such as Sheffield where house prices grew just 6.2% last year, 11 points behind London’s 17.3%, rent yields have become more primary than property appreciation.

This spike in rent yields means that increases in rent are outstripping expenditure on property, leading to a rougher deal for many in rented accommodation.

Third Year Journalism student Robin Wilde cites Sheffield’s student population of more than 60,000 as a

cause because they have “a certain level of guaranteed income from Student Finance and it means that because they need somewhere to live it’s a fairly easy way for buy-to-let landlords to get some profit.”

Liverpool, a city with a similar student population to Sheffield, also features highly on LendInvest’s index.

Sheffield’s top three postcodes for buy-to-let yields are S1, S14 and S2 with each reaching rental yields of 8.38, 7.2 and 6.95 per cent respectively.

It has also been revealed recently by the Deposit Protection Service that student renters are twice as likely to lose their deposit as a normal renter.

Sheffield City Council also recently approved a new 437 room student accommodation complex for Scotland Street, an area already seeing a rental yield increase of 6.66 per cent, likely exacerbating the city’s apparent rent problems and providing an even rougher deal for university students in the city.

Sheffield hailed as a leading UK Music City Joss Woodend A new report commissioned by the University of Sheffield has found that Sheffield is one of the UK’s leading ‘Music Cities’.

‘Music: A snapshot of Shefield’s music sector’, compiled and written by Sheffield’s Sensoria Festival, outlines how the city has 788 organisations active in the music sector, 465 active bands, 70 rehearsal rooms, and a wide variety of music genres.

Professor Vanessa Toulmin, Director of City & Cultural Engagement at the University of Sheffield, when launching the event said: “Sheffield is a city of makers; its creativity is reflected in the input from both universities, the range

of festivals in the city and its spirit of independence.

“This report begins to ask how we can bring current talent from under the radar and enable growth in a time of harsh economic realities, etablish our talent on a world stage and pave the way for the next generation of musicians.”

Music Canada, an international organisation who are visiting this year’s Sensoria Festival, are due to launch the Sheffield based report.

Jo Wingate, Director of Sensoria, The UK’s Festival of Music, Film & Digital, said regarding the launch: “We know that Sheffield has a rich music history and an outstanding music scene – that’s why Sensoria gets better each and every year.

“This report gives us the full music industry snapshot for the first time and shows how Sheffield is well-positioned to be the UK’s leading Music City.”

The new findings are the first of a trio of reports

commissioned by the University, focusing on the city’s potential areas of growth, with the other two reports planning to explore the economic impact of the art and beer sectors of Sheffield.

Forge Press | Friday 9 October 2015

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Student sexually assaulted on School Road, Crookes Keri Trigg & Claire Fowler

Police are appealing for witnesses after a 19-year-old student was sexually assaulted in Crookesmoor.

The student was walking on School Road at around 9.45pm on Wednesday, October 6, when she was approached from behind by an unknown male.

He then reportedly sexually assaulted her before fleeing the scene, heading towards Commonside.

The suspect is described as being a white man, around 5’8”, with a stocky build. He was believed to have been wearing a black hooded top with the hood up, with three blue stripes down the sleeves, black tracksuit bottoms and black trainers.

The assault came days after South Yorkshire Police announced that crimes against students in the city during the first two weeks of term had fallen compared to the same period last year.

After a crackdown on alcohol related crimes, the figures suggested that the campaign had been a success.

Numbers of robbery, burglary, and theft have all dropped and crimes against students in the first two weeks of term have fallen from 246 to 157.

In preparation for the influx of new students, South Yorkshire Police liaised with the city’s two universities to discuss issues of crime and the

dangers to students.

Extra police patrols were issued at night and Carver street was closed off to traffic to protect freshers as they enjoyed the nightlife.

Chief Insp Jayne Forrest of Sheffield District Police told the Star: “Our message is a simple one – not letting one extra drink lead to a drunken scuffle, which can have life-altering consequences” Students’ Union Women’s Officer Sharmin Jahan

Masturbation a touchy subject for Lit students

Will Morgan

Over 200 English Literature students will delve into ‘The Art of Masturbation’ for their second-year studies.

The students will hear the lecture, part of a study into pleasure, self-scrutiny, and auto-eroticism, for their compulsory module ‘Critical and Literary Theory’.

The module looks at the relationship between literature and philosophy, with the weeks leading up to ‘The Art of Masturbation’ looking at Freudian psychoanalysis and Queer Theory.

The world’s media came to the story prematurely, misreporting the single lecture as a whole module.

Meanwhile, third year Philosophers are studying

Priapus, God of fertility a module entitled ‘The covers issues such as defining Philosophy of Sex’ which sex, and sexual perversion.

has launched 16 days of activism against gendered violence, in a project called #ReclaimYourCampus.

To read more about this project, see our article on p. 5 Last week it was revealed that Harcourt Road and Harcourt Crescent are the most dangerous streets for University of Sheffield students to live on.

Between September 2014 and July 2015, 64 crimes were reported in the area.

With

students having been victims of arson, drugs crime, and criminal damage.

Whitham Road was found to be the safest area, with only five crimes being reported there last year.

South Yorkshire Police are urging anyone with information about the incident on School Road to contact them on 101 quoting incident number 1179 of 6 October, 2015.

Joy as Fowler visits Sheffield

Keri Trigg

Award-winning author Karen Joy Fowler visited the Octagon Centre, October 7, to open a University-wide competition run by the Man Booker Prize Foundation.

The competition comes as all first year students across the University received a free copy of Fowler’s latest novel We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves, which was shortlisted for the prestigious literary award in 2014.

Guests were treated to readings from the book by the author, before a Q & A session and book signing at the event on Wednesday, October 7.

The University of Sheffield is one of a handful of UK institutions selected to take part in the Foundation’s Universities Initiative, which aims to create shared experiences and debate, and offers

budding writers the chance to see their work published.

Open to current undergraduate and postgraduate students, the competition invites entries of no more than 3,000 words prompted by a quote from Fowler: “We have underestimated our fellow animals at every turn, mainly by being unable to see beyond ourselves.”

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Public debate on University’s £3m fossil fuel investment Lisa Latham

The University of Sheffield is to host a public debate on the divestment from fossil fuels.

This comes in response to a campaign by environmental organisation People and Planet to go ‘fossil free’, in recognition of climate change and the need for major organisations to access more climate-friendly energy sources.

People and Planet is Britain’s largest student-led activist group that campaigns for all universities in the UK to divest from fossil fuels. £5.2bn is invested directly and indirectly into fossil fuel companies by universities annually, contributing to the continuation of fossil fuel use and consequential increase in carbon emissions.

According to think tank Carbon Tracker, the University of Sheffield invests approximately 10 per cent of its yearly £30 million income into fossil fuel companies.

After securing the support of Sheffield’s Student Union in May 2014, the network has worked to confront the University over

its investments.

Organiser of Tuesday’s debate Michael Kind said “The effect of reputable public institutions disassociating themselves from these companies is to tarnish them, and to create a wider cultural mindset that perceives them as toxic and a hindrance to climate action.”

It is anticipated that the debate, which will be he held on Wednesday October 14, will conclude with a vote among audience members concerning

the divestment from fossil fuel companies.

The University of Sheffield introduced its Environmental Policy in 1997. Revised in 2008, the policy proposed a number of targets to decrease energy usage and CO2 emissions. On its website, the University says: “committed to making a 43 per cent reduction in carbon emissions by 2020”, as part of a wider program to improve their environmental performance.

It is on this basis that People and

Planet anticipate the University’s divestment from fossil fuel companies and commitment to the growing global movement to decrease fossil fuel usage.

In a statement to Forge Press, Michael Kind said: “this is a growing global movement, and the University of Sheffield is falling behind and missing a vital opportunity to prove its so called ethical commitment”.

For further information turn to page 11.

Thousands fall on Manchester to oppose Tory Party Conference Chris Saltmarsh On Sunday 4th October a reported 60,000 people marched through Manchester city centre where the Conservative party’s summer conference was being held.

It was organised by the People’s Assembly Against Austerity, though the march was attended by a diversity of people with a broad range of political ideologies. Trade Unionists, Labour and Green Party members, Free Education activists, junior doctors and anarchists marched together to show their collective opposition to Tory government.

Protesters stood along a sunny Oxford Road for several hours before the march began.

Numerous Trade Union leaders, along with Owen Jones, gave speeches to the crowds.

Socialist musician Billy Bragg also entertained to waiting crowds. Many grew impatient and began to chant slogans over the speakers.

The march, constantly surrounded by police,

progressed down Oxford Road and culminated in the vicinity of Manchester Central, the conference centre where Tories’ had converged.

Though protesters garnered

media attention for spitting at journalists and after one young Tory was egged after antagonising those who were marching, there was little disruption and the crowds

eventually dispersed as the march came to an end.

A living wage at last

Polly Winn

In September, the Students’ Union and Unicus announced that they will pay a living wage.

The Union released in a statement that it would be paying a living wage of £7.85 per hour, and removing the age discrimination rates for under 21s.

This was announced on 18 September in a joint statement with the University, the change was effective immediately.

The statement released from the University included positive comments from the Head of Commercial services at Unicus, and Union President Christy McMorrow.

Forge Press spoke exclusively to the Living Wage campaign about the announcement.

Rosie Carter-Rich, Co-Chair of Sheffield Living Wage Campaign said: “Obviously we’re really happy because this is a pay increase for many more staff.”

“The reason it’s come through really is because it’s part of the restructure. So this is Ally Buckle and Yael’s work, which means that all of these years of campaigning have been effective if not immediate” “However, we have got some problems.”

Carter-Rich told Forge Press: “When the living wage is increased in November, [the University and Union] are going to be under the living wage again.

“Moreover, as it’s gone to core staff it’s not paying all staff the living wage which is something that we want to push for.”

The Co-Chair of the living wage campaign also commented that Unionisation was a main objective of theirs for the future.

“We’re not going to give up on unionisation just because of this increase in wage which is obviously great, but it’s almost easier for people to feel complacent and secure and unfortunately we just can’t ensure that, especially when it’s not accredited.”

“Increasing wages is one thing but we want to ensure that this comes with the number of hours staying, how much people are being paid over time, how much overtime they’re getting.

“As it’s core staff this doesn’t include the casual staff which is the majority, so we are happy but hesitant.”

Students’ Union President Christy McMorrow said: “It’s fantastic that our Union has been able to respond to the great work of student activists calling for a living wage over the last few years.

Forge Press | Friday 9 October 2015

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Barmy Burnett’s Bizarre Blunder Will Morgan Sir Keith Burnett, the University of Sheffield’s Vice-Chancellor, penned a bizarre article for the Times Higher Education blog recently.

In the post titled “What makes a university great? It’s the brand, stupid!” Burnett equates choosing a university to going into a pound shop and argues that only a “dopey Marxist” would believe that a degree course should charge only for its “costed elements”, as part of the price is the university’s “brand”.

The Vice-Chancellor invites us to imagine that we “are in a shop where everything costs £1” and asks “If all the prices are the same, then how would you know that you were not being done?”

This premise for his analogy of the value of a university’s brand is undermined somewhat with the following Cameron-esque gaff of “That is a serious question for a Yorkshireman.”

The answer to Burnett is simple “Of course there is no problem.

You choose the Calvin Klein degree” as “everyone knows that you only get into the posh clubs if you are wearing the right clothes”.

The article was not well received online, with one sassy

George Osborne “dropped everything” to visit the University’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre to sign a new devolution deal.

The Chancellor, visiting Sheffield to announce the latest Northern Powerhouse developments, claimed to have put plans, understood to include writing his Conservative Party Conference speech, on hold to be there.

During the visit on Friday, October 2, he toured the facilities at the AMRC and met with some of the University’s advanced apprentices before signing the agreement with civic leaders.

The department, described

by Osborne as “symbolic” of Sheffield’s economic potential, is one of the first in the UK to offer vocational foundation, undergraduate and master’s degrees in advanced manufacturing.

“This was, of course, once the manufacturing cradle of the world,” said Osborne.

“But what we’re seeing here is the manufacturing cradle of

NATIONAL NEWS Embarrassing Mums do know best

commenter writing “An open letter to Keith Burnett from the ‘dopy’ Sheffield Marxists” arguing that It is unsurprising that someone who lives on a minimum of £370,000 a year in a literal red brick tower would not see the existence of the pound shop from so high above the reality of ordinary people.”

Hence your ridiculous and nonsensical analogy which simultaneously exposes how far removed from the lives of your

own students and their families you are, whilst demonstrating your complete lack of fashion sense”.

A spokesperson for the University of Sheffield said: “The blog was clearly flagged as a tongue in cheek critique of the limitations of a restricted way of measuring the value of a university degree, in the light of current discussions around metrics for teaching and research.

“It was widely understood as such by commentators in the field, and sits alongside more conventional pieces on the purpose of universities, funding and what this means for students and graduates.”

Turn to p. information.

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Osborne Comes to Sheffield Keri Trigg

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the future.”

The in-principle deal pledges £900 million to Sheffield over the next three decades and will see a handover of powers in areas such as roads, college and skills funding, and employment schemes to local authorities.

He said: “The commitment we’re making of £30 million over 30 years enables you to make long-term decisions to invest in local skills, local manufacturing, in the research and development of the future

– and you’re not going to be dependent on the annual budget handed down from Whitehall for this important work.”

The University of Sheffield’s Vice-Chancellor Sir Keith Burnett, who has co-authored a report on how the future of advanced vocational education will benefit the next generation, was pleased that the Chancellor was able to see the work of the apprentices at the centre first-hand.

He said: “As the regional

for

Ever been so embarrassed by parents you just want to cry?

Liam McCarney’s mum took it to the next level.

He hadn’t called her since moving to university in September, so she decided to teach her son a valuable lesson.

She posted a video to Facebook, reciting all the motherly things she had done for him, gaining nearly 9 million views - how embarrassing.

He won’t be forgetting to call home anytime soon.

Jessica Davis

more

economy grows, we will see the growth of our AMRC Training Centre – an inspirational model for the very best apprentice education totally attuned to innovation and the needs of industry.

“I am thrilled that the Chancellor has seen for himself these superb apprentices who work in such a progressive environment can continue to be trained to degree level and shape the future of UK industry.”

Whopper Induces Green Whopper Burger King’s new Halloween Black Whopper is turning consumers’ poop green.

The company recently unveiled the chain’s signature sandwich served on a dark bun. But people who eat the Halloween Whopper say it goes in one colour and comes out another.

The ensuing panic led to the #GreenPoop hashtag trending across the globe on Twitter.

The phenomena is due to green dyes being often used in black food colouring.

The burger is not hazardous to consumers, though may leave a striking lasting impression.

Nathanial Robinson

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Friday 9 October 2015 | Forge Press

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Work “un-paused” on northern train electrification Claire Fowler The Chairman of Network Rail has announced that work should restart on the ‘paused’ plans to electrify northern train lines.

This announcement comes after an exchange of letters between Sir Peter Hendy, Chair of Network Rail and Patrick Mcloughlin, Secretary of State.

In the letters Sir Peter Hendy presented reformed plans for the rail services in the north and asked that work resumed on its electrification.

The Secretary of State said: “I have always been clear that these schemes were paused and not cancelled and I am now accepting your advice that work can be re-started.”

The plans for upgrades on northern lines were paused back in June so that the project could be reviewed.

This ‘pause’ came shortly after this year’s general election despite promises

made to improve transport links in the north.

Labour’s ‘Don’t Pull The Plug’ campaign called on the government to honour its promises and reinstate plans to electrify the Midland Mainline and TransPennine route.

The announcement to resume work came just before the 2015 Conservative Party Conference in Manchester, with new promises to make multiple changes to northern train services.

Originally, only the power supply from diesel to electric was to be changed but now it has been revealed that there will be improvements to capacity as well as train times.

The new Northern and TransPennine Rail franchise awards will be announced in December. The new franchise promises: to deliver new train carriages and remove outdated Pacer trains, introduce free WiFi on trains, offer onethird increase in capacity with 200 additional services on

weekdays and Saturdays and 300 more services on Sundays.

However the resumption of work comes at a cost. The delay on work has now set the project back four years, meaning Sheffield won’t see an electric train until 2023.

Chairman of Network Rail Sir Peter Hendy said: “The temporary pause in the programme has given us

the space to develop a better plan for passengers. People can expect more services and faster journeys. We face some difficult challenges, and there is more work still to do, but the Secretary of State’s decision means we can now move forward with our plans to electrify TransPennine and Midland Mainline”.

Council chief hates trees Sheffield Council’s chief has stepped back after being caught on camera making controversial comments against a campaign to prevent the removal of trees.

Chief of Highway Maintenance Steve Robinson was recorded at a private talk saying that the campaigners’ reasoning is “nonsense” and that he is “not interested” in their views.

The project Streets Ahead aimed to improve the road conditions, including plans to remove many roadside trees.

The campaign to save the trees has caused ongoing delays, with a recent petition holding thousands of signatures putting all work on hold.

Mr Robinson’s comments sparked even more outrage amongst campaigners.

The council has apologised for the incident and confirm that another member of staff will take on Mr Robinson’s tree responsibilities pending an investigation.

Claire Fowler

Diamond in the rough?

Claire Fowler The new £1.8 million engineering space, the Diamond, is now open for use to students of the University of Sheffield.

Opened on the first day of term, the University boasted of the building’s new facilities and invited students and lecturers to visit and admire the campus’ latest build.

The University handed out flyers, goodies and organised competitions in celebration of its grand opening.

The Diamond is set to be the new home of the Faculty of Engineering with specialist engineering facilities that will allow interdisciplinary teaching.

But it is not just engineers who will benefit: The Diamond will also be home to a new Information Commons and library which will be vital to all students especially near exam period when study spaces are hard to find.

However, despite plans for the building to be finished for the first day of term, there is still a substantial amount of work being carried out on the

structure, affecting opening times of the brand new million pound space.

Contractors and heavy machinery still occupy the roads and pedestrian walkways, even though the deadline has been and gone.

And not everyone is impressed with the Diamond.

On Twitter, @streetswpt said: “Whoever designed #TheDiamond needs a kicking. 80 per cent of the available space is wasted.

It’s just a big empty hall with floor round the edges.”

Some even disapprove of the new toilet facilities.

ConnorPilling tweeted: “The toilets in #TheDiamond have gone with a Mitsubishi JetTowel over a Dyson Airblade. I’m appalled. What a poor choice.”

But the majority of comments made by students on social media were positive.

Many praised the modern design and admire the views from its higher floors.

Students and staff are anticipating the completion of the Diamond and the essential study space it will provide for impending exam periods.

Derelict Hallam Towers to be rejuvenated One of Sheffield’s most famous landmarks is about to disappear from the city skyline, after being sold to an unnamed local developer.

Hallam Towers, which has stood empty for 11 years, is to be replaced by a series of ‘luxury’ apartments set to cost around £300,000 each.

The plans, which will shortly be submitted to Sheffield City Council, also include space for seven serviced plots costing £495,000 apiece, where buyers can design their own houses.

The first three floors of the building have already been gutted, along with the outlying buildings.

Sheffield’s first £1million hotel opened its doors on the site in 1965, achieved a four star rating from the AA, played a pivotal role in a meeting between Arthur Scargill and proprietor of the Daily Mail.

It closed down in 2004, and has been standing derelict ever since.

Phil W. Bayles

Forge Press | Friday 9 October 2015

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NEWS

Ched Evans appeals rape charge Jessica Davis

Ched Evans, the former footballer, has had his conviction referred to the Court of Appeal, the Criminal Cases Review Commission has said.

Mr Evans, 26, was released from prison last year after serving half of his five-year sentence, where he was charged with raping a 19-year old woman in a hotel back in April 2012.

The case sparked huge controversy from the beginning, with many condemning Evans for failing to show any sign of remorse and attempting to return to his career back on the pitch.

In November 2012 three judges at the Court of Appeal, sitting in London, refused Evans leave to appeal against his conviction.

They also rejected an application to reduce the length of his sentence.

Evans denied the offence, however was found guilty at

Crown Court. He did admit to having sex with her, and she explained to the jury in court that she had no memory of the incident and was too drunk to consent to sexual intercourse.

The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) has referred the conviction to the Court of Appeal after a 10-month investigation, due to new information not raised at trial.

Commission chair Richard Foster said: “The decision of the commission is not a judgment on guilt or innocence in relation to Ched Evans, nor is it a judgment about the honesty or integrity of the victim or any other person involved in the case.”

Evans and his family have vocalised that they want to have the conviction quashed, through creating a support website.

In response of all this, supporters of Evans have started a website, stating why he is innocent and various announcements made during

the investigation. There is also a section where you can write your support.

Amidst the varying opinions of the case, the victim has not been forgotten. The CCRC released a statement earlier in the week, addressing that they are aware how this situation will have a monument impact on the victim and that they are stressing even further that the anonymity of the victim is kept. Her anonymity is vital, as she has already had to change her name and move house five times after she received abuse from twitter users during the ordeal.

In addition, any further evidence of the case goes from the CCRC straight to her, so she is kept in the loop and finds out about further development of the appeal.

Overall, the CRRC are saying they need more time and further consideration into the appeal before a decision can be made.

Forge Press: blast from the past “A ban on ‘Black Christ’”

Will Morgan

In the far-flung yesteryear of 1966, Forge Press’ predecessor DARTS ran the headline “A ban on ‘Black Christ’” after the University refused to allow a painting depicting a black Jesus to be shown.

Their justification for banning the exhibition of this photo was that “it might be taken as insulting to the government of South Africa” as the painter Ronald Harrison was famously antiapartheid.

If ran today, many would see that headline and believe that the Union had taken a bizarre stance against Kanye, rather than the even more bizarre stance against anti-apartheid painters.

Ultimately the crux of the issue ended up being who held jurisdiction over the Union’s foyer and so the final say over the painting.

As with all issues that arise within the Students’ Union, the answer to this issue was unsatisfying and bureaucratic as the Union’s Foyer was in fact “a no-man’s land under joint management”.

Friday 9 October 2015 | Forge Press

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COMMENT

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Fossil Free Sheffield campaigners outside Firth Court. Photo by People & Planet Sheffield.

debate Fuelled on campus - for and against Fossil Fuel divestment chris saltmarsh

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he last 12 months have been an incredible and inspiring time to be campaigning for our University to divest from fossil fuels. Since October 2014, seven British universities have committed to divesting from fossil fuels. This has contributed to a global total of $2.6 trillion of fossil fuel divestment.

The global fossil fuel divestment movement has reinvigorated climate change activists who have finally found a powerful (and guilty!) enemy to rail against in fossil fuel companies. The University of Sheffield must take this opportunity to join such an exciting movement before it gets left behind.

Contrary to popular discourse within the environmental movement, we do not have until global average temperatures rise two degrees Celsius.

We do not have until the arbitrary date of 2050.

Climate change is already taking lives and displacing people from their homes and communities through more frequent and severe natural disasters, floods and droughts. We must act now. Divestment is an essential part of that action, and the University has a moral responsibility to play its part.

“Contrary to popular discourse within the environmental movement, we do not have until global average temperatures rise two degrees Celsius.”

Lets get one thing straight, divestment is not supposed to cripple fossil fuel companies financially.

The University’s investments in fossil fuel companies may seem relatively insignificant, but the goal is to challenge the political power of the fossil fuel industry by stripping it of its social licence to profit from climate change.

Universities are highly reputable public institutions, and the cultural capital they take away with divestment is far greater than their money. If they actively and publicly move their investments from fossil fuels, that will send a clear message to broader civil society about how we should be treating the industry. If we revoke the social licence we have given to fossil fuel companies, it will become untenable for them to yield such potent political power which has been the primary reason for decades of inaction on climate change.

It will become unacceptable for politicians to take money from or associate with fossil fuel companies. When this happens, the government should stop subsidising the fossil fuel industry and actually begin incentivising research into and the adoption of renewable energies.

COP21 in Paris, the most highly anticipated climate change conference ever, is happening this December and fossil fuel companies will be at the table with the very global leaders seeking to construct a legally binding agreement on emissions reductions. Needless to say, this prime example of the corrupting influence of the industry has doomed the talks to failure before they begin.

People & Planet have called for a wave of divestments by UK universities before COP21 to have a maximal effect on the talks, and to inspire the global climate change movement to action. Sheffield absolutely must be a part of that.

The University often seeks to boost its corporate image by portraying itself as socially and environmentally responsible. However, as long as the University profits from the climate crisis through its financial investments in fossil fuel companies, there remains a deeply troubling hypocrisy at its core.

This is its chance to address this contradiction in message and action. By divesting from fossil fuels before COP21, the University of Sheffield can send a strong message to policy makers in the UK and around the world. If we really want to make a difference, now is the time to act.

robin wilde

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he case for divestment seems an obvious one, and the intention is undeniably good. The climate is in peril, and for a public body, owned by a government supposedly committed to fighting climate change, seems both counterproductive and hypocritical.

But the argument against is based in those tricky realms of pragmatism and forward planning. Nobody - except the most rabid of Scottish nationalists or oil company employees - thinks more fossil fuels is a good idea, but we have to focus on the effects on the University and its students.

Fossil fuels constitute 10 per cent of the university’s £30 million in investments, according to the main group campaigning for divestment, Fossil Free Sheffield. It seems difficult to imagine an oil company - which, by virtue of controlling an incredibly valuable commodity, are fantastically wealthy missing the relative small change that is £3 million.

“The University helps to contribute to a world of sustainable energy and high technology replacing the inefficient and damaging industries of the past.”

Meanwhile, £3m in investment brings in quite a return on the scale of a university. It’s the tuition fees of over 300 students, to put it in its most crude form, or four per cent of the cost of The Diamond.

Either the University would have to forgo a not-unreasonable chunk of cash that directly benefits its

students, or it would have to find alternative revenue streams.

It’s hard to think of many industries that can provide better returns than fossil fuels. Tech is one, but it can be a crapshoot and a slow burner into the bargain. Others, like arms or banking, the anti-fossil fuels protesters would object to equally strongly.

I feel as though I’d be much more dubious about extra investment in BAE than in Shell.

By properly funding its research, particularly in the sciences, the University helps to contribute to a world of sustainable energy and high technology replacing the inefficient and damaging industries of the past. Thinking to the long term, inflicting a negligible amount of harm to a current energy company at the cost of harm to potentially vital research would be a very unfortunate boomerang.

Of course, the clearest response is that the government ought to fund our universities properly so that these kind of investments are not necessary to sustain good research. But the sad reality is that they aren’t about to, and we won’t have another chance to change them until almost everyone reading this has graduated.

If we want to protest though, it might be prudent to protest against the government’s underfunding and under-promotion of the Green Deal, their lack of support for new renewable energy sources and their plans for fracking, even in areas of the country whose residents strongly oppose it. It would be a shame if such a noble cause was turned on the relatively parochial matter of three million quid from a university.

Divestment from fossil fuels would be desirable, if a similarly large and reliable income stream could be found relatively quickly. So far, no answer appears to be forthcoming, and for now divestment doesn’t seem to be the answer.

Forge Press | Friday 9 October 2015

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The university must do more to respond to the refugee crisis

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COMMENT

A fresher’s first impression

Bronte Howard

U

niversities across Britain are being urged to do more to help refugees and asylum seekers in Britain have access to a higher education something many people take for granted.

As the new academic year is just beginning, millions of refugees and asylum seekers are fleeing their war-torn countries in the Middle East, undertaking the gruelling and treacherous journey in a bid for safety. Among the estimated four million refugees, it is estimated that around 450,000 are aged 18-22 and most will not have access to higher education.

The University and the Students’ Union have claimed that they are committed to doing their part in order to welcome the refugees and asylum seekers into Sheffield - a city recognised for its cultural diversity. The University also appreciates that amongst those settling in Britain are those who “can and do become tomorrow’s teacher or doctor, musician or scientist.” This is a welcome announcement after the Prime Minister declared that just 20,000 refugees will now be allowed to enter the UK over a period of five years, a stark comparison to countries throughout Freshers arrive at their accommodation on move-in day. Photo by Dan West.

Europe that have welcomed thousands more.

After academics wrote open letters to vice chancellors across the country asking for talk to the majority of people you make eye-contact universities to create five undergraduate and with. But the delusion of having a large friend group postgraduate scholarships and bursaries for that will last a life time quickly dissolves when you refugees settling across the UK, the University is barely see them in the following days. I could spend among the few that have taken major steps by all night having meaningful drunken conversations offering scholarships to asylum seekers who show with someone about my interests and beliefs one “exceptional academic potential”. However, it is week, and the only interaction I’d have with them clear that this is not enough with the University for the days to come is an awkward “hello,” when I of Sheffield offering just two scholarships, ALEX BARNES passed them on the street. an unfortunately significant contrast with the On the academic side there was a certain sense University of Warwick, who are offering 20. of excitement toward the prospect of not having to wake up early in the morning to attend lectures. I efore moving in and beginning our university could finally wake up on my own terms and have a experiences we all had preconceptions of what leisurely cup of coffee without having to rush out our new lives would be like. We imagined scenarios the door. My dream was shattered along with all based on what we had been told by siblings, older the other Journalism Studies students when we were friends, and even films, but no-one’s first impression told our daily shorthand classes began promptly of university is exactly like they imagined. It may be at 8.00am. And thus my brief nightclub social life even nothing like it at all. died, along with Freshers’ week and my massive Your first couple weeks at university may be a friend group. relief if you have a cynical outlook, or a complete From films and TV shows we get the impression that disappointment when you’ve been building up the the better part of university is composed of drinking possibilities in your mind and over-thinking it for enough to bring your whole flat to their knees and years.

As the journey for asylum seekers is not over Freshers’ week is the best time to assimilate into using your freedom to experience life as you’ve once they reach safety, it is important that the student lifestyle and make as many friends as never seen it before. Your bank account suggests they are given help and support. Fortunately, possible. You’ll go out most nights, get drunk, and otherwise. Unless you’re somehow managing to the Students’ Union is also offering students the opportunity to get involved and to help those fleeing their homes. Assist Sheffield is an opportunity to provide temporary accommodation for a refugee, while RAG is arranging money collections from both students it has declined? Not necessarily. and staff in order to raise money for people Perhaps we should view the current British political in crisis. While the initial step is to provide the climate in another way, recognising the existence basics - shelter, food and water - the next step is of centrism as a viable and influential grouping on to provide the means to a better quality of life the political spectrum, but not necessarily standing and to allow people to develop themselves and alone. It has instead been subsumed within certain build a career. phenomena. Thus, rather than judging the ‘decline’, It doesn’t look like the terror and conflict that is maybe we can interpret the ‘hiding away’ of forcing thousands out of their homes is going to centrism, such as within the Conservatives, who tolga inanc stop anytime soon. It is imperative that more is arguably not only stretched themselves across done by the University as thousands are reaching centrist positions with their centre-right electoral the borders of Europe every day. Claiming to be ideology, but managed to attract many of the a “sanctuary” for refugees and asylum seekers, centrist voters who were either previously Liberal while offering just two scholarships for thousands Democrat voters or even swing-voters from Labour. of people with the potential to succeed any are still pondering, post-election, whether If the majority of centrist voters hide their votes academically, is simply not going to be enough. centrism has evaporated from the spectrum of with the Conservatives, this shouldn’t confirm the British politics. A number of factors help reinforce demise of centrism, and this phenomenon is not just judgements that indeed that is the case - that confined to the Conservatives but also applicable moderate politics in either direction is dying out. with the Labour party too. While Jeremy Corbyn’s To name a few, these include the parliamentary overwhelming leadership victory, on a huge interwipe-out of the Liberal Democrats in the 2015 party democratic mandate, on unique policies general election, and the growth of initially fringe (relative to the ‘consensus’ of three decades) helps parties with radical politics such as the Green Party reinforce the image of a polarisation of British and UKIP. These coincided with the popular rise of politics at the expense of centrism, we should not the SNP and (to a lesser degree) Plaid Cymru over forget that this is not synonymous with the idea the past decade. Add to this the election of Jeremy that suddenly all Labour members, voters, and Corbyn as Labour party leader and we can see politicians have abandoned their centrist ideology. why one might perhaps make the argument.

And with the centrism that is not hiding in either But how true is this? How representative and the Conservatives, or for that matter, muted within reflective is the composition of parliament of a very left-leaning Labour party, there are still Britain’s political spectrum? Do we have to have a (whisper it) the Liberal Democrats. While the Liberal strong parliamentary composition of centrist parties Democrats may have experienced near wipe-out in A refugee camp for Syrian refugees in Jordan. with centrist MPs in order to state that centrism the 2015 general election, the sheer scale of which exists, or when this composition is lacking, state that is demonstrated by them losing over four fifths

B “It is imperative that more is done by the University as thousands are reaching the borders of Europe every day”

balance lectures, seminars, assignments, and a social life with having a job, your idea of a highend meal will be a two-for-one pizza deal. A night out, especially with a taxi, is a luxury and predrinking is a necessity.

When you start university you have the expectation of a new-found sense of independence.

You’ll be away from home, live by your own rules, and have the freedom to do whatever you please. But in reality, you’ll be craving your old bed and home cooked meals. I won’t use my day to do sophisticated things like the adult I thought I’d become, but rather spend my time drinking tea on the floor of my corridor with my flatmates and missing my mum. Starting university isn’t the crossing over point from adolescence to the adult word. And no matter how many posters or potted plants I’ve filled my flat with, I still don’t quite feel at home.

My first impression of university wasn’t all negative, and everyone’s will be different. I’ve enjoyed my lectures, and for a generally anxious person, I’ve become comfortable and close with all of my flatmates surprisingly quickly. Despite my preconceptions of university proving to be false, I’m looking forward to what the next three years have in store for me.

Things hold together; The Centre Can hold

M

of their parliamentary seats, they still received 2.4 million votes. This exemplifies the strange workings of our electoral system and perhaps was anticipated for an increasingly unpopular coalition party bullied by its large coalition partner, heading into an election. But we shouldn’t overestimate the idea that centrism has evaporated because the Liberal Democrats have done so. If anything, the future looks positive for the Liberal Democrats, who are not only increasing their party membership, but are expected to capitalise on Labour voters who do not subscribe to Corbyn’s ideology.

The beauty of all this is that they have time, and plenty of it, to begin recovering for 2020, when we can expect the Liberal Democrats to position themselves as the ‘safe bet’, between a Conservative majority and what they will perceive as a radical Labour Party, in order to try and regain a selection of seats lost to the Tories while fighting Labour as a credible centrist party too.

Overall, we should be cautious not to misread the supposed polarisation of British politics as the permanent and irreversible death of centrism.

It may look unpopular just after an election with plenty of political fall-out, but it will not go away so easily, and taping effectively into voters’ desires for moderation could be crucial for any party, as it nearly always has been, in performing well in elections.

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Friday 9 October 2015 | Forge Press

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Below the line

ETT: N R U B H T I E K ks r o w g n i d Bran ls l e s t i en h w substance

Michael Chilton

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wo weeks ago our vice chancellor, Sir Keith Burnett, wrote an interesting piece for the Times Higher Education concerning our university and what it means to him. He ultimately argues that we should appreciate our university and the brand it “creates” as the key to our future career prospects: “There are, of course, people who think that it is the quality of teaching alone that will get our kids a job. But we all know that it needs both: a good name for the university and good preparation for life”.

As a student, it hits hard to read that your vice chancellor, along with many others, is arguing for the reduction of education to employability through branding. It makes me feel like I'm nothing more than the University hoodies sold in the union and sets an alarming precedent for being viewed simply as a branding exercise for the next intake, rather than a student as an end in itself. Over the past decade this has been a growing issue within the education system that is leading to what were the most academically accomplished universities sleepwalking into becoming employability factories.

Burnett would likely respond with the line that the University of Sheffield is simply adapting to the times to ensure the best opportunities for its students. However, this is where I believe the problem really lies.

It is neither this article nor the vice chancellor that is the real problem here.

Rather, they are both a symptom of the wider problem of the conversion of our education system from the public to the private. When reflecting on the vice chancellor's words it seems more fitting for a market research team at Coca Cola or Nestlé head office rather than at the heart of academia. I don’t think I would be the only one to say that makes me feel uncomfortable.

"The Vice Chancellor's words seem more fitting for a market research team at Coca Cola or Nestlé" Increasingly there is little regard for academic attainment, prowess and accomplishment. Rather these are used simply as a means to an end: the end, of course, being a well-paid job.

Given the fiasco of student loans, this is understandable. I am sure there are a lot of people desperate to see us repay

The Challenges of Activities Fair for Mental Health

Anna Mullaney ast Thursday, a daily news bulletin Lthat, broadcast a supposedly shocking story ironically, didn’t feel like news to me.

The report stated that rising numbers of university students are seeking help for mental health issues.

It is already a fairly well-known statistic that one in four people will experience mental health issues at some point in their life. The fact that this is affecting university students under crippling educational, financial and social pressure is unsurprising.

Exactly a week prior to this news, our Students’ Union held the annual Activities Fair to exhibit the 300+ societies at our fantastic university. My own society, Mental Health Matters, had a stall and

recruited a large number of students interested in tackling the stigma of mental health. The Activities Fair is an amazing opportunity for students to come together with others who have similar interests. In this way, it offers the potential for students to feel less alone.

Unfortunately, this is not the case for every student. Wandering through the Activities Fair as someone affected by anxiety, the symptoms of this mental health issue suddenly crept upon me.

Despite having ‘President’ stitched onto my society polo shirt, I suddenly felt the terror someone might feel if they had never visited the Students’ Union before.

The dizzying crowds of people whirled around me as I struggled to get past, and I considered for a second the very fact that those trying to reach my own stall, those that may be affected by mental health more severely than myself, might not have a hope in hell of getting there.

There are a number of ways in which the Activities Fair could be improved in terms of its accessibility. Despite the existence of a quiet space, sign-posting of such was left to the Disabled Students’ Committee, rather than being seen as a

the 27-plus grand after realising that they are unlikely to see the returns they hoped for. This is but one of the ways it is manifesting itself.

While the vice chancellor makes a sudden and unprovoked swipe at Marxists in the article, it has to be said that they may have a better grasp of the value of education than he does. They understand education as a valuable end, rather than a means to maximise employability.

Don’t reduce the accomplishments of students and staff to a mere branding exercise. The achievements of this university should stand above that. If those achievements bring a reputation incidentally, then so what? These achievements weren’t made because those making them wanted a well-paid corporate job at the end of it. They were made because at this university people want to better themselves intellectually and be challenged by the academic standards that one should expect from a Russell Group university.

As students, we are not an advert for the company and a tool to ensure the longevity and potency of its brand.

We are here hopeful of how we can be challenged academically without feeling we should be simultaneously building the brand of the University of Excellent Job Prospects.

For more information on Keith Burnett's article for the Times Higher Education, see page 7. clear responsibility of the organisers. A tight-knit avenue by one section of the fair barely fit two or three bodies with room to breathe, let alone a wheelchair.

The time scale of the fair was also problematic. The absence of breaks meant that those societies that may not have as many members, or members able to be there, would have to rely on a couple of people to be present on their stall for long periods of time. Just the idea of presenting yourself to a loud room of unfamiliar faces handing you flyers from every angle can be a daunting prospect for those experiencing mental health issues.

Let's take a second out from the steamy lefty love-in that is usually the Comment section and acknowledge that nobody ever read DARTS. That includes the editors, judging by the number of typos and nonsense that went in there.

Since good artists copy and great artists steal, we'll use this column to show off our dominance of the medium with this rogue's gallery of net-based nutters from around the world.

On REFUGEES "If you look at the FEW mig rant families the media have interviewed, they have all had 4 to 8 children. If they keep that up in less than 100 years they will out number us, our great grandchildren will be a minority in there own countries."

- Taz19, Professor Emeritus of Spelling at Sheffield Hallam University (Daily Mail) On Gun Control (and Copulation) "The USA has a fucking whole new level of fucked up in its fucking culture as children are shooting children with shotguns."

- Capt. Another Angry Woman, 4th Royal Twitter Brigade (Twitter) On That cereal cafe "Look at the sheer terror on her face in the @CerealKillerUK cafe as she prepares a snap for instagram. " - Fuck Parade, middle class hipsters protesting shop for middle class hipsters (Twitter).

On the situation in Syria "What a state caMORON has got us into now. A country full of muslims that can't cleans itself and has no will to fight and has no military power to speak of now that it has been dismantled by bLIAR and caMORON" - Wallace, Professional Whinger (Daily Express) Remember - if you read an article online and feel the urge to chip in on it, don't. There's a reason you don't get paid for it. You numpty.

-Robin and Chris.

It should never be the case that such exclusion is simply accepted as something that some people should ‘just have to deal with’. It is paramount that, in the context of more and more students experiencing mental health issues, we constantly strive to be inclusive.

The extraordinary opportunities that our SU has for students absolutely need to reach those that may not be able to access them through the conventional routes. In some ways, it’s these students that could most benefit from them.

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Friday 9 October 2015 |Forge Press

FEATURES

Disaster Dating Divulged “I’d started talk to be hitting it ing to a girl on Tinder and w to dinner. Thingoff rather well, so I asked he e seemed we started talk s were going relatively well r out mentioned that ing about our summer holida until holiday home a she had spent time at her fays. She Seeing as I had nd that I was welcome to vis mily’s little soon to be just met this girl I joked thatit anytime. take great offe thinking about that. She pro it was a before receivin nce and sulk for the rest of thceeded to she needed to g a call about a ‘friend in ne e evening, rush off to see.” ed’ that

Anonymous, Second Year g a first this date in e B . te a d t rs fi ur o s wa “I met this guy and it meal at the famous chicken restaurant it naturally involved a rly liked each other and were hitting ea e Nando’s. We both cl to the counter and ordered my favourit . nt off really well. I we ips, spicy rice and extra halloumi cheese ch chicken butterfly with ose my usual Extra Hot. Not wanting to ch , For my spice level I te, this guy, who usually chose medium da normally would. he n be outdone by his a th d o fo re o m rdered s went Extra Hot and o the conversation was flowing but I wa s nd The meal arrived a him eat; his mouth was burning and hi ng a distracted by watc hi couldn’t take the spice and didn’t want st eyes watering. He ju ndo’s, he later admitted to me. He went Na girl to ‘beat him’ at a dent in his ego, while I had enjoyed a home with ulcers and tasty dinner.”

Rosie, Second Year

Ever been on a bad date? Had a dodgy dating experience you would rather forget? We’ve compiled some of the most disastrous dating stories to reassure you that you are not alone: the course of love doesn’t always run smooth.

Forge Press | Friday 9 October 2015

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FEATURES “When though I broke up w soon g t that it was ith my girlfr a o calling t proven wr micable enoiend in sixtho f when s me at all ho ng when sh ugh. Unfortu orm I e u driving he followed rs of the nig started tex nately I m t sent m around tow e in a car o ht. The zenit ing and h n e ;)”. The a text read – I know it ne evening a came w – she h funny thing ing “Ha ha, as her beca s I was w than to ad a friend was that she e’re followi use she w in a ca follow her m ho had not didn’t have ng you a h text m r. The icing o ate’s ex-boy ing better to licence e someth ssage she se n the cake h friend aroun do o d ing wr ong?”” nt the next d wever had t town o ay: “H ave I d be the one

Phil, Master’s Student

Anna, Second Year in a with a guy I’d met “I went for dinner ed I knew that the iv rr a he s a on so s club. A n strong and that I ee b d ha s le g og g beer id we have muc h in d r no , m hi y nc fa t didn’ went ne a friend when I ho p to d ha I . on m com it was nt about how badly ra to st ju o lo e th to sted a d to leave he sugge ie tr I n he W . ng oi g de they the way home. Insi drink at a pub on reen otball on the big sc were playing the fo all-talk he turned sm of es ut in m e fiv and after watc hing, paying no his chair and started sure there was no e d a m I e. m to n io attent second date.”

er at a ed k n a b blond then swapp , t l i u b l t a wel evening and could do in e m I , not as 18 d a lot that nly day he o t w r I e n g e a h ago, w n. We laughe tunately the o ’s birthday. E logised to e m i t “A long bar in Londo date. Unfor good friend istake. I apo f the night l a o a m cocktai s to arrange incided with ed – my first ond mistake dinner. I c o number wing week c in me, I agre r cake. My se day cake for s going t o the foll m lose interes ed I’d stay fo d’s sickly birth don bar. It wainning and s i have h d and promi e of my frien ky central Lon room was sp nd asked n c a e my frie y having a sli ate at a swan ed wine in, th of the night I was a l was on guy for the d s of overpric third mistake . He realised and then e y met the ntil, two glass then made m nald’s nearby to go home”, e in one o m great u runk-hungry. I o to the McD id “You need . I made it ho a bad I was d e wanted to g utside and sa nk and alone ck for being o a u him if h ight, took me of London dr ma got me b r lightwe in the middle of regret. Ka left me ober and full piece, s friend.”

Anonymous, Fourth Year

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Friday 9 October 2015 | Forge Press

FEATURES

Personality and Politics

Guillermo Altarriba takes a look at how personality and politics have become increasingly intertwined, and how voters are now influenced less by what is contained in a candidate’s manifesto and more by the manner in which they eat their lunch.

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here is an experiment you can do next time you are drinking ale at a pub. Ask your mates for the first thing that comes to their minds when they hear the name of a politician.

When hearing the name of the prime minister their answers probably have something to do with an alleged fiasco involving a certain pink animal. This is all thanks to the rising issue of personalisation in politics.

In the last few years, the deputy director of the Sir Bernard Crick Centre, Dr Kate Dommett, has explained a trend in which actual political debate has been partly substituted by personal stories.

From the position of the voter the choice between two or three leaders is becoming less based on ideology or political programme, and more focused on the personality and public character each candidate has built.

Maybe the most recent example of this trend, aside from the story about the curious incident of the pig in the night-time, was the focus on personality over ideology during the Labour party leadership contest this summer.

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Forge Press | Friday 9 October 2015

FEATURES Jeremy Corbyn beat favourite Andy Burnham and fellow candidates Yvette Cooper and Liz Kendall thanks to his protestor personality resonating well with party members.

However, this isn’t just a UK phenomenon; we can find examples of this change in importance around the world. In 2014, many New Yorkers were outraged when the newly elected mayor, Bill de Blasio, ate a pizza using a knife and fork instead of his hands, appearing to them as a foreigner.

On the other side of the Channel there are also examples of politics becoming more about individuals than policy agendas. The private life of the French president François Hollande became a public political issue when his former wife Valerie Trierweiler exposed his affair with actress Julie Gayet to the world.

Moving the scope south, the personality of candidates also played a big role in the Catalan elections that took place in the last week. With policy programmes out of the limelight, the for and against independence campaigns were based on the qualities attributed to the candidates.

This was especially evident in the cases of the right-wing candidate Xavier Albiol, who was accused of being xenophobic, and the only female candidate, Inés Arrimadas, who had to face comparisons with a Barbie doll.

The situation is clear, but when it comes to looking at the reasons, things become more blurred. As Dr Dommett says, the responsibility for this phenomenon

“The choice between two or three leaders is becoming less based on ideology or political programme, and more focused on the personality and public character each candidate has built.”

is shared, both by the media and the politicians themselves. She explains, “Back in the 1950s, newspapers used to carry quite technical descriptions of what was going on in politics but it’s quite rare to find this level of detail now within the media”.

Dommett adds that the media prefer to use more sensationalist stories at the expense of serious debates to attract readers. In her own words, “it’s easier to follow David Cameron involved in a political scandal or Jeremy Corbyn riding

a bike than to talk about the nuances of their foreign policy positions”.

This sensationalist-driven media coverage is heightened during election time. Lecturer in Journalism Studies, Dr Scott Eldridge, explains that in these cases the media use the “horse race approach” to politics.

The horse race coverage of electoral news consists of putting the focus almost exclusively on how the candidates are faring in the campaign, portraying the elections as a battle between individuals, rather than a clash between ideas or programmes.

This approach is emotionally driven.

Eldridge points out it “over-emphasizes small things and reduces statistical figures to a scheme of ‘stronger candidate/ weaker candidate’ in response to what they’ve said at the weekend”.

Personality-driven media coverage is even more blatant when it comes to gender inequality. Many researchers have conducted studies which conclude that women often receive less issuebased coverage than men, but more coverage on appearance, personality and family.

While an article focusing on how Angela Merkel or Hillary Clinton dress isn’t surprising in such a image obsessed society, it is more difficult to find such a topic in an article about a male politician. Women face harsher scrutiny by the media as they have to overcome additional barriers that men often don’t have to.

This poses a question: does all the responsibility for personalisation in politics come from this sensationalist media coverage? Politicians themselves, with the help of their political marketing practitioners and spin doctors, are reinforcing this view and doing a lot of their own media work.

A good example of this is the victory photo after Obama’s re-election in 2012. It wasn’t released by any public or private media but by the Democrat media team themselves.

Social media has gone a long way to remove the barriers between politicians and their audience, while also eliminating the need for a broadcaster or a publisher who may not convey the message in the exact way the politician wants.

Using these channels, politicians try to appeal to their audiences in an emotional way, and show themselves as human beings. Photographing politicians with rolled-up sleeves is a common tool to get across an ‘I’m one of you’ message.

It appears, then, that media and politics have joined in a symbiotic relationship within the trend of personalisation in politics. This leads to a vicious circle; if

the media has changed so that it is no longer a forum for profound explanation of political issues, then the expectation of how politicians should behave has also changed.

Social media and the spread of the internet is another major trend which has led to this situation, alongside an appropriation of the US manner of conducting politics. Americanisation of

“The media prefer to use more sensationalist stories at the expense of serious debates to attract readers.” western democracies, at least in electoral campaigns, is becoming apparent. The United States has a long tradition of personalising its leaders, since things started with George Washington.

Another major factor causing this personalisation of politics is political disaffection and the rise of the middleclass. Traditionally in the UK the major parties could be identified according to class: upper classes used to vote Conservative while the lower classes supported Labour.

The end of a traditional class system has lead to a postmodern phenomenon in which traditional ideologies have blurred, and as such party identification is less strong. This means voters change their support much more frequently. In this environment gaining appeal from the public is vital for politicians, and presenting themselves as individuals rather than as an agenda of ideas has proved more successful.

So this is the situation, but is it a good or bad thing? The main risk of personalising news coverage is that scandals and personal news can overshadow important issues which can end up avoiding public scrutiny.

Because of the Clinton scandal with Monica Lewinski, many of his policy plans were ignored. By focusing on Jeremy Corbyn’s bike might we be missing his role as opposition leader? Or, to finish with Dr Eldridge’s own words, “when we talk about the pig, we don’t talk about class inequality”.

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Friday 9 October 2015 |Forge Press

FEATURES

EXPECTATION VS REALITY

Forge Press | Friday 9 October 2015

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FEATURES

Two weeks after starting university, Rama Alsammouah writes about some of the things she was expecting to encounter... and some of the things that she wasn’t

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ex, drugs and alcohol, lots and lots of alcohol! This was the assumption I had of what Freshers’ week would be like from reading student blogs on the Guardian and watching freshers’ vlogs on YouTube.

But, thankfully, this wasn’t entirely true.

Freshers have a bad reputation for being a bunch of loud, obnoxious teenagers with raging hormones and only two things on their minds: sex and alcohol.

In reality, that image is merely a generalised stereotype that the media has portrayed of us. Take myself for example; I’ve never drunk alcohol in my life and I don’t ever plan to. Therefore, like any other stereotype, the idea that Freshers’ week is all about getting drunk is only true to a certain extent; not everyone has the agenda of drinking to get completely wasted.

I suppose my expectation of Freshers’ week did not exactly fit into what the media made it out to be. I think next time I hit the internet searching for a piece of truth I ought not to believe everything available on the web, that’s for sure.

Another expectation of student life that turned out to be so very wrong was what I envisioned living in halls would be like. The thought of living in halls sounded like my definition of hell; sharing a flat with four strangers wasn’t exactly on my wish list.

I imagined that my flatmates would be a bunch of irresponsible slobs that didn’t know how to cook and so instead they’d opt for a microwavable readymeal every night. I was sure they would be too lazy and irresponsible to care about tidying up after themselves, let alone cleaning. I was also convinced that one of my flatmates was going to be a drug dealer or user after reading an article about a drugs bust in student halls.

However, when I moved into my flat I was pleasantly surprised as I found that all of my flatmates were organised and quick to wash their dishes and clean

up any mess they made in the kitchen.

Thankfully they weren’t involved with drugs, and it was at this point that I could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

It turns out living in halls isn’t the worst thing in the world, but nevertheless it still is quite surreal and strange. It is very different from living at home with family.

In my shared flat there are no familiar faces like those of my family members and close friends, so sometimes it feels lonely. Luckily, in the technological age we live in that can be quickly fixed with a phone call or a text.

I think what is wildly different about living in halls by yourself, is the amount of freedom you have, which of

worth it. Freshers’ week, or Intro week, whatever you want to call it, may have a stigma surrounding it, but one thing that is for certain is that every fresher is out to have fun and meet new people who are perhaps a bit out of the ordinary.

I think what was so exciting for me as a fresher was that I had a chance at a clean slate, with new faces from all walks of life, as cliché as that may sound.

After the madness that was Freshers’ week, teaching started and that’s when most of the freshers, like me, found our true calling awakened as we were finally, officially, starting our courses.

Getting up and attending lectures wasn’t the hardest part for me to be honest, although I’m pretty sure there were plenty of hungover students who’d disagree with me.

For me, as well as many others, finding the buildings and rooms where the lectures were being held was the bigger challenge. I managed, despite getting lost quite a few times.

Since lectures started I have found myself going out less and resorting to staying in my room, reading books and going over my notes. It seems that course comes with a huge amount of suddenly my flatmates have become responsibility. The truth of the matter is phantoms and our flat has quickly turned that I have to shop for my own food and into a ghost town with fewer people other essential items, something that coming in from neighbouring flats to I do not feel quite ready for like many hang out in our kitchen and living area. other first year students.

During these two weeks I’ve met many However, some things aren’t very intriguing people who I’d like to think, different even in student halls.These can with some more time, I will be able to call be very simple things like the fact that ‘friends’. Now that it’s been two weeks my bedroom here is just as messy as I’m beginning to find my way around my room back at home. I can also bring the University and city with more ease. some sort of familiarity to my room by However, there are still things that are pinning up photos of my friends and an everyday struggle, like walking up and family to my bright red noticeboard. down Sheffield’s numerous hills without That being said, aside from material getting breathless. things such as clothing and accessories Managing the university workload from home, much of life at university is while still taking time to get involved completely foreign and will take some with various activities, and also finding getting used to. some time just to relax, is going to be an Nevertheless, change can be good, ongoing challenge. especially when you’re studying a subject that you are passionate about. This new and different experience definitely feels

“Freshers’ week may have a stigma surrounding it, but everyone is out to have fun and meet new people”

Friday 9 October 2015 | Forge Press

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LIFESTYLE

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Lifestyle Loves... Society Spotlight: Korfball Lifestyle contributor Jess Dunkley explains the rules of korfball and why it is the sport for you

Food

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Being a French student, I love anything to do with France, especially French food. So I was delighted when I discovered Patisserie Valerie. Right in the heart of Sheffield, on Barker’s Pool next to the Barclays bank, the café has a very French feel to it. You can eat whilst sitting outside, watching people pass by, exactly like Europeans do. The cakes are all unique and delicious, from cheesecakes to fruit tarts, and chocolate croissants of course.

Photo: Niki Pilkington

riginating from, and still most popular in the Netherlands, korfball is the only truly mixed-sex team sport with four males and four females playing on each side, encouraging cooperation and team work, intertwined with the chance to meet new and interesting people of both genders.

The simplest way to describe korfball is ‘a mix between basketball and netball’ in the sense that when a player receives the ball, they must pivot before passing or shooting. However,

the ‘korf ’ hoops are much higher and in order to shoot, a player is allowed to receive a pass from a team-mate and run in a sequence of steps before shooting the ball at the korf (a running-in shot) , similar to a ‘layup’ in basketball.

Furthermore, the korfball court is unique, with players permitted access to seven metres behind the korf post, enabling them to shoot from this position.

I asked Becky Lewis, the second team captain, some questions about the sport.

Why did you join korfball?

“I joined because it was something fun and different and completely new, and at my first session everyone was so welcoming and encouraging!”

Would you recommend it as a society and why?

“People should get involved because it’s a super sociable sport and it’s something different and new for most people. It’s a lot less pressure than a lot of other wellknown ball sports and you don’t have to play competitively to be a part of it.”

Training sessions take place every Friday in Goodwin from 8pm-10pm and the korfball team are willing to teach you everything you need to know! Socials take place fortnightly where the team frequent ROAR and have their own ‘korf-cam’ keeping a record of anything entertaining that happens on these nights out, leading to much amusement.

Therefore, if you have an interest in basketball, netball or handball, or just generally want to join an interesting and friendly society, then korfball is the one for you!

Art

Since the fashion illustrator Niki Pilkington first visited my secondary school while I was doing my GCSE Art, I have always been obsessed with her illustrations. She has had a thriving career which keeps getting more and more successful, having gained clients such as Topshop, Elle magazine, Sir Paul McCartney and more. Most of her illustrations are drawings of girls with Welsh, and sometimes English, quotes included in the illustration.

To find out more about her and her work, or even buy some of her illustrations, visit Nikipilkington.com.

Drinks

Once inside The Great Gatsby, a small bar on Divison Street, I fell in love with its cool vibe and sixties feel, including the pretty beer garden at the back.. The bar now has a brand new cocktail menu which includes some Gatsby classics, like the Zombie (rum, absinthe, fresh passion fruit, pineapple, grapefruit, lime, bitters and fire) and plenty of new creations.

Recipe Corner: Noodles with Desdi Tadka

Zeeshan Pathan and his friends show you how to cook a simple but tasty meal in 15 minutes Ingredients:

Method:

-Instant noodles -Cooking oil -Green chilli -Garlic clove -Fresh coriander -Salt (1-2 teaspoon) -Turmeric powder (1-2 teaspoon)

-Chop chillies, coriander and garlic finely and keep ready for use.

-Heat one teaspoon of oil in a pan.

-Add chillies and one finely chopped garlic clove to the pan.

-Add some turmeric to the mix and allow the chillies to cook, creating a simple tadka.

-Now simply add the amount of water you need to cook the noodles.

-Add the salt -Add noodles into the pan.

-Keep stirring and cooking for a while. It will not take more than 10 minutes for the noodles to be cooked.

-When the noodles are half done, add some of the chopped coriander to it.

-When the noodles are cooked, garnish it with the remaining coriander.

-Tuck in!

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Forge Press | Friday 9 October 2015

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LIFESTYLE

/ForgePress

A Guide to Hitchhiking

Lifestyle contributor, Chris Saltmarsh, tells us about his incredible hitchhiking experience around North America On my way to Yellowstone National Park, at the very south of the States, hitchhiking was the only form of transport available to me.

Cars zipped past me and I eventually plucked up the courage to stick my thumb out. I was picked up by a lovely retired social worker from St Paul, Minneapolis, who was travelling home

after visiting her aunt in Washington state.

It was only a short ride, but it provided feelings of both relief and elation which contrasted with my nervous tentativeness beforehand. This strong juxtaposition of emotion was indicative of the general hitchhiking experience.

As soon as somebody pulled

over and picked me up, it was an immediate high. The thrill of zooming down a highway with somebody generous enough to welcome you into their car and to share their journey with you was incredible.

Whether travelling through rural Montana, hitching around volcanic Yellowstone National Park, or up to the gates of Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, North America is full of natural beauty and I would contend that driving right through it, with the people who know it best, is one of the greatest ways to experience it.

One truck driver gave me an intimate education of the local geography and wildlife, the Native American reservations in the region, as well as the nuclear missile bases spread around Montana. Furthermore, the ride just before that was with a young guy with whom I discussed the evils of Monsanto and western interventionism.

If I were to do a similar hitchhiking trip again, I would definitely give myself less of a strict schedule. I feel that this would make the whole experience far less stressful and allow me to enjoy the freedom of going where the roads take me.

However, I had an amazing time and every single day was filled with marvellous new experiences and with meeting the world’s funniest, most interesting and most generous people.

Concourse Couture

by Florence Brun, Suzanne Cameron, Maren KĂślpin, Ellie Bares, Kathryn Jamshidi, Sophie Wilson, Giorgia Guantario

Jack Field Second year.

Studying English.

Jumper; Topman, satchel; Aramis.

Ellie Horner Second year.

Studying Biology.

Jacket; Tesco, shoes; Doc Martens.

Riya Tiwari Third year.

Studying Psychology.

Jacket; Urban Outfitters, jeans; Urban Outfitters.

Wengian Zhang First year.

Studying Archaeology.

Trousers; Urban Outfitters, hat; Urban Outfitters.

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Friday 9 October 2015 | Forge Press

LIFESTYLE

@ForgePress /ForgePress

Sheffield Street Art Lifestyle contributors Suzanne Cameron and Florence Brun discover Sheffield’s best graffiti

You will be sure to recognise this innovative method of advertising if you’ve ever been to Betty’s fish and chip shop in the Devonshire Quarter. Curious as to why the shop owners decided to display their opening hours in this way, we thought we’d go inside and investigate. After speaking to them we discovered that they believe street art is an effective way of attracting customer attention, as they would often spot passers-by glancing at the piece. They shared with us the fact that the artist was actually a 19-year-old friend of the previous owner.

This use of street art as a form of advertisement is a pattern evident outside many of the shops on Division Street. As you can see from our photos, graffiti is obviously viewed positively in the area as it’s employed by businesses to entice customers, like this piece called ‘Mint!’ outside the hairdresser’s.

You will most likely be familiar with this gem, located just off West Street, or with other pieces done in a similar style spotted around Sheffield. They are the work of Phlegm, whose art has reached cities in Germany and Australia, as well as London.

It is clear Sheffield takes pride in its stainless steel legacy. This is captured through the mural, positioned near the train station of Harry Brearley, the inventor of stainless steel. This highlights some of the benefits of graffiti by enhancing British culture through artwork. This piece was commissioned on behalf of the 100th anniversary of stainless steel in 2013, signifying a key part of British history. We hope that by reading this article all students will now see the art that surrounds us in a new light.

Here we have ‘The Little Dancers’ which some might say follows the very recognisable work of Banksy. Through distinctive stenciling techniques, the artist captures and combines dark humour with graffiti executed in both ‘The Little Dancers’ and the memorial of John Peel, a radio presenter who died in 2004. This demonstrates another way in which graffiti is used not only for artistic recognition but also as a way of respecting members of society in a modernised fashion.

Forge Press | Friday 9 October 2015

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@ForgePress /ForgePress

LIFESTYLE

Fashion Column: My First Experience of LFW

Lifestyle fashion journalist Jess Davis describes her first experience at one of the greatest fashion shows on earth First seen in Liberty Belle

London Fashion Week has been something I’ve always wanted to go to and this year I was lucky enough to go with a press pass.

As a golden glow washed over the beautiful city of London, fashionistas from all over the world flocked to Brewer Street in Soho.

One of the main reasons I love fashion is because it is so perfect at expressing the person and their emotions. I couldn’t stop looking at people and their outfits, and kept wondering what

had inspired them to wear socks and sandals, or risk double denim.

London Fashion Week seems to do weird things to the city.

The thing I noticed changing the most was the traffic. Even when a very brave soul set his camera to self-timer and left it in the road to take an on foot shot of his trainers, a car waited patiently for him to get it perfect and there was no angry beep, swearing or hand gesture in sight. Unbelievable.

Another way the city

changes while Fashion Week is taking place is that people are a lot nicer. This completely baffled me as when I visit the capital city I often get weird looks on the tube/bus/street, basically everywhere, for my tendency to smile and say hello to strangers who happen to be looking my direction. But during Fashion Week, this is a different story.

Everyone is really friendly and they actually like talking to you.

I found people actually asked me if I was having a nice day or complimented my outfit.

I loved the way everyone swapped details or contacts for individual clothing brands.

Basically, London Fashion Week is like a big, fashion, family reunion and everyone is interested in what you’re currently doing and your plans for the future.

Everyone is very polite and courteous until you get into a show. This is where the game changes. As soon as you sit on a row with

multiple recording devices at the ready and the lights go down, everyone gets their game face on.

Those lucky people on the front row don’t really care about your obstructed view due to their head/ body/ camera being in the way,; all they care about is ‘the shot’.

The main thing I learned from attending Fashion Week was that this is what I truly want to do with my life. I was so inspired by every individual creation that strutted passed me.

Even the invitations to the shows were incredible.

Every inch of Fashion Week was more than I ever thought it would be, and I can’t wait to return next year. I think I should probably start planning my outfits for LFW 2016 now.

On a Shoestring: Ethiopia

If you like adventure, Ethiopia is the perfect travel destination for you, says Lifestyle contributor Charles Lamb Ethiopia. Band Aid. Famine. An outdated collection of words.

Adventure.

Coffee.

History.

Smiles. These are what Ethiopia should be known for, and yet for all its potential and progress it remains a relatively undiscovered gem in the heart of Africa.

For the uninitiated Ethiopia contains some of the best hiking in Africa, with treks from a few days to many weeks possible through the Simien

Mountains (which comprise part of the Ethiopian Highlands), as well as offering a rich history and mythology, from St George and the Queen of Sheba to the monolithic rock-carved churches of Lalibela and the cliff churches of Tigray.

An absolute highlight of my time in Ethiopia was a trek through the Simien Mountains. A guide and scout were organised through various middle-men, with

the ultimate provider being Tesfa Tours (www.tesfatours.com). The Simien Mountains themselves are a jagged and dramatic landscape of pinnacles, plateaus, valleys and stupendous waterfalls, supporting a cloak of flora and fauna to match anything in a Natural History book. The line between an Attenborough documentary and the real world was crossed when, through the thick and damp cloud atop a 4000ft plateau, hundreds of Gelada baboons gradually appeared in the mist.

Moving away from the mountains, the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela was another sight that stopped you in your tracks. Carved from solid rock from 12th century onwards, the churches sit in the landscape as if such a situation was always meant to have been.

To eat, Ethiopia offers traditional tibs and injera bread.

Although an acquired taste, the staple injera bread, with its distinctive, slightly acidic taste

and sponge texture, serves as the plate for ‘tibs’ – a mezze of local specialities consisting of beef, lamb, vegetables and lentils. The coffee is also not to be missed, either in a local home as part of a ceremony, or in one of the many coffee shops in Addis Ababa (Tomoca is a reliable choice).

One stand-out place to stay is Gheralta Lodge, run by an old Italian chap near the historic cliff churches of Tigray (www.gheraltalodgetigrai.com

). Comprised of low slung stone bungalows nestled into the garden, these offer superb views across the plains to the hills beyond.

Therefore, if you’re a budding explorer, the next David Attenborough, or just interested in Africa’s unique cultures, Ethiopia is the place for you.

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COFFEE BREAK

Friday 9 October 2015 Forge Press

and Chill.

Netflix - the only thing that gets you through university life. You find yourself watching back to back episodes of your favourite TV programme, whilst distracting yourself from the mountain loads of work you have to do.

The vast variety of genres on Netflix means that it meets everyone’s needs. So here are things you should look at for...

Gossip Girl: Ladies and fellas, this should on your list of things to (re)watch. The series starts off with a group of elite teens going to high school and facing the daily struggles of a teenage life. The famous Chuck-and-Blair love story is sure to warm all of your hearts.

Gangsters: Faces of the Underworld Bernard O’Mahoney stars in this epic documentary series that highlights on some of Britain’s infamous faces.

Suits: This US legal drama is about a college drop-out who lands himself a job with one of New York’s best lawyers, Harvey Spector.

Orange is the New Black: Being Netflix’s most watched series, this American-comedy follows the story of a young woman who is sentenced to 15 months in prison.

Weirdest Stories of the Fortnight KFC sincerely apologises after a customer is handed a pot of gravy labelled ‘fuck off ’.

A odd ‘bum lamp’ hits the shops, and is turned on with a cheeky squeeze.

Quote of the fortnight: “Why can’t we just leave penises as they are?” - Polly Winn, Editor

Places to eat in Sheffield:

Lucky Fox: American diner located in the heart of Division Street, where you can get scrumptious fried chicken and waffles with syrup.

Akbar’s: Right next to Vodka Revolution, this award winning restaurant is the place to get a curry in the Steel City.

Bloo88: Located on West Street, indulge yourself with two for one on this bar’s famous pizzas and cocktails.

Forge Press Friday 9 October 2015

Easy

27

Sudoku

COFFEE BREAK

Medium

Hard

Crossword Across 1 Eruption (of disease) (8) 6 Brood (4) 8 Gadget (for getting a car from A to B) (3-3) 9 Sweet chilled dairy product (6) 10 Route (4) 11 Image (8) 12 Typify - pleasant cue (anagram) (11) 16 Shape (of three lovers) (8) 19 Rock/roll (4) 20 Split (6) 21 Dye lie (anagram) (6) 22 Snug (4) 23 Cautious (8)

Down

Answers

Credits for the crossword: Matthew Sapsed

2 Ignorant (7) 3 Cluster (of flowers) (5) 4 Swallow (7) 5 Eskimo canoe (5) 6 Reddish purple colour - name tag (anagram) (7) 7 French capital (5) 13 Generosity (7) 14 Impotent (7) 15 Study/survey (7) 17 Horned animal (5) 18 Gluttony (5) 19 Take an oath/curse (5)

Down: 2 Unaware, 3 Bunch, 4 Envelop, 5 Kayak, 6 Magenta, 7 Paris, 13 Charity, 14 Useless, 15 Examine, 17 Rhino, 18 Greed, 19 Swear.

Across: 1 Outbreak, 6 Mope, 8 Sat-nav, 9 Yogurt, 10 Path, 11 Likeness, 12 Encapsulate, 16 Triangle, 19 Sway, 20 Divide, 21 Eyelid, 22 Cosy, 23 Discreet.

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Forge Press | Friday 9 October 2015

SPORT

@ForgePressSport /ForgePressSport

Sports Thoughts

Forge Press Sport writers discuss the introduction of women to FIFA 16. For the FIFA 16 review, read page 10 of Fuse. Image: Tumblr Greg Coppack Evolution in sport or political correctness gone mad?

Since the announcement that 12 women’s national football teams would be introduced into FIFA 16 much has been made of this ground-breaking development – much more, it is worth mentioning, than many of the other features, which arguably contribute more to the in-game experience.

The debut of women’s football on the gaming scene could not have come at a more significant time for both the sport and the franchise: with the Women’s World Cup taking place in Canada over the summer, gaining a great deal more attention than any previous women’s tournament.

While few would argue that this is anything but a success in terms of advancement towards equality between the men’s and women’s versions of the sport, one must question whether this is really the achievement for feminists everywhere.

While it certainly brings more attention to a sport which is deservedly growing in stature, it seems as though this is more of a move to satiate the appetites of rabid individuals squealing about a misogynistic game than either a positive step for real feminism or a truly necessary and exciting stand-alone feature in the new game.

Let’s be clear - it would

be delusional to suggest that this is a negative move for those fighting the battle for women, as it provides yet another precedent in the ongoing battle towards gender equality. However it is difficult to see what it actually brings to the game. Surely the point of these added features is to implement desirable and enjoyable aspects into EA Sports’ new game. Is FIFA 16 really the right spotlight under which women’s football should be pushed?

It is difficult to see this as a decision made to improve the game but instead a PR move by EA Sports to modernise their game. As a long-term fan and player of FIFA, I feel fairly confident in making a prediction as to the fate of the women’s football mode: due to its incompatibility with the rest of the teams in the game, it will be initially intriguing and exciting as people enjoy it as an all new and revolutionary game mode.

Within the first month however, its ability to pique interest will wane and it will eventually – and very sadly – become a gimmick, a lesser-used feature which has little relevance to the rest of the game.

The Ultimate Team mode is by far the most popular aspect of the game and the failure of the game developers to integrate the likes of Christie Rampone and Eni Aluko into the mostplayed online sports game in the world could well be the downfall of this supposed huge leap for women’s football.

We must also address the natural rift between men’s and women’s

football: while both sports have professionals playing at very high levels of competence, the difference between the upper echelons of players (for example, Cristiano Ronaldo and Alex Morgan) is both astronomical and irrefutable.

Whether this is because of physical advantage or superior funding and popularity for one side of the sport is a separate argument, although one could assume that both are involved.

If the top female sides could only compete at the same level as lower league men’s teams, is it a fair reflection to add them in at the same rating?

The only tangible answer to avoid getting bogged down in the messy web of gender equality debates is to look at whether this feature will genuinely improve the game or not.

Unfortunately, it is unlikely to do so, and thus we must conclude that women’s football has no place in FIFA 16, however positive the consequences for the beautiful game in real life.

Nicole Oshisanwo Women’s Football?

“It’s in the game”.

You’re sitting in your front room leg bouncing, pulse racing.

You’ve been waiting a long time for this and now it’s almost upon you.

You stand up and begin to pace.

Where is it? They said they would be here by 2pm, but it’s already 1:30. You stop, check your watch, sigh in frustration and resume pacing.

Suddenly you hear the doorbell. Your face breaks out into a huge grin. You sign for the package and return to the front room.

Your fingers are trembling and you can barely control them as you rip open the package.

Inside is what you’ve been waiting for, what you’ve spent months thinking about: FIFA 16 You turn on your console and relax back in your seat. The game loads and you smile as you hear the familiar words “EA Sports - It’s in the game”. You’re ready. Several months of waiting has built up to this moment, you’re about to begin a new Career Mode and nothing can spoil your…what’s this then? WOMEN? IN FIFA? You switch off the game and storm out the room. “Get back into the kitchen and out of my game,” you cry as you snap the disc in half and pen an angry letter to EA. You’re furious, your day is ruined and you’re never going to be able to play FIFA again - not with women diluting the

quality.

That hopefully doesn’t represent your experience at all, but it is a scene that has been repeated up and down the country, as young men everywhere find themselves unable to stomach playing the beautiful game now that women also have a place in it.

After all, the introduction of women into FIFA isn’t a small but a welcome step towards gender equality as some would have you believe, rather it’s a shameless attempt to force nice young men with no desire to play as women, rage quit the game.

Why even bother putting women in FIFA when they’re clearly so much worse than men?

No one would want to play with that calibre of player - it’s not like the game lets you play with teams in lower divisions or anything. Oh, wait.

The simple fact is that giving gamers the option to play as women in FIFA 16 is a change that impacts very little on EA’s current customer base, whilst opening up its target market to include young girls who want to play as their role models.

It allows young female footballers to picture a future where not only do they sit at the pinnacle of their sport, but they can get recognition for their hard work and sacrifice as well.

The timing of this inclusion by EA could scarcely be better, with women’s football riding on a wave of optimism and new-found interest brought about by the record-breaking Women’s World Cup this summer.

The tournament recorded the highest attendance of any FIFA event outside of the men’s World Cup with over 1.35 million spectators, with Fox Sports seeing its biggest ever audience for a football match (8.4 million viewers).

This isn’t the only time in history women’s football has been popular however.

During the First World War and up until the ban on women’s football in 1921, matches drew crowds in the thousands.

One memorable match at Goodison Park in 1920 had 53,000 spectators packed inside the ground, with 14,000 more trying to get in.

It seems odd then that only now, almost 100 years later, are we seeing the results of the groundwork laid by these women. For the first time in your life you can play as your heroes in FIFA, whether they are male or female.

Forge Press Sport Awards

The Forge Press Sport editors look at who has been making headlines in sport, for better or worse... Photos: Tumblr STAR PERFORMER: ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI

When Lewandowski was brought on by Bayern Munich against Wolfsburg, the German champions trailed 1-0. What followed was a stunning display which saw the striker notch five goals in 11 minutes. Lewandowski scored twice more against Mainz before another brace in a 5-1 win over title challengers Borussia Dortmund took his tally to nine goals in three games, a feat unmatched in the Bundesliga’s 52-year history. He also grabbed a hattrick against Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League to total 12 goals of Bayern’s 18 in the space of just four games.

JAPAN

Jo Konta

The 2019 World Cup hosts’ dramatic 3432 victory over South Africa lit up the opening stages of the Rugby World Cup and went down as one of the greatest sporting upsets of recent times.

It also proved the World Cup still packs plenty of surprises.

The new British No.1 has been in imperious form since Wimbledon, rising 100 places in the rankings and winning 20 out of 22 matches, as well as reaching the fourth round of the US Open and beating World No.2 Simona Halep.

England Rugby England’s Rugby Union team crashed out of their home World Cup, becoming the first hosts to fail to progress beyond the group stages in the history of the tournament following defeats to Wales and Australia.

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SPORT SHEFFIELD:

As clubs prepare for their return to BUCS action and the build-up to Varsity 2016, Forge RUGBY LEAGUE - JACK ROWSON 1) Tell us a bit about yourself.

I am currently the club captain for Sheffield University Rugby League. I am in my second year and currently studying history.

2) How did your club do last season?

Last year was my first season but probably the best I’ve ever played in all my time playing rugby. Although it was very stop start, winning the league and getting promoted was amazing. My highlight was Varsity. I had never experienced it before but to win for the first time was great. It was also nice to see what it meant to a lot of the players, especially those who were leaving that year.

3) How do you feel about your chances this year?

I feel we have a good chance in the league this year.

Although we have moved up a division we have a strong squad and have had a huge amount of freshers come down.

4) One to watch: I would say its ridiculously hard to say there is just a few players to watch out for. Everyone is good at what they do and that’s why we win games, so it’s impossible to say who rates highest in the team.

5) How did your club do in Varsity last season?

Varsity typified our season. I think it was the first time the club had ever won it. The aim for next year is to get more people watching. Although there is a lot going on it would be great to get more spectators of the sport, especially when it can be so exciting.

6) Describe your club in one word.

Inclusive

SQUASH - LUCY TETLOW 1) Tell us a bit about yourself.

I’m the ladies squash captain for this year. I’m currently in my final year studying BA Modern Languages so I’ve just got back from my year abroad! I’ve been playing squash since I was about 10 and have represented Sheffield since my first year at uni!

2) How did your club do last season?

In 2014/15 the team had a really successful season. They finished top of the league by a comfortable margin. This led to a trip to the capital to play off for a Premier League position against Kings College that we narrowly lost.

3) How do you feel about your chances this year?

This year I think we have another strong team. I think we have a great shot at winning the league again and even getting promoted to the Premier League!

4) One to watch: Our number one, Maria Baingridge joined the squash team last year and was thrown straight into the deep end at in Division 1A! She didn’t drop a match and helped the team to win the league despite some very tough games!

Maria will be number 1 again this year She’s a dedicated and passionate squash player who completes the team perfectly.

5) How did your club do in Varsity last season?

Varsity last year was a major success, all three girls who played won their games helping the Uni towards those all important Varsity points! The ladies contribution to Varsity 2016 becomes even more important with a whole point devoted to a team of ladies. This means we’ll hopefully get to see a lot more girls playing Varsity in 2016.

6) Describe your club in one word.

Determined

HOCKEY - JOEL GANDHI

1) Tell us a bit about yourself.

I’m a third year Geography and Planning student, I’ve been playing hockey for about 16 years, two of which have been for the Men’s 1s here in Sheffield. My hockey nickname is Mr. Toad, a tenuous link to say the least.

2) How did your club do last season?

The 2014/15 season was fantastic, we achieved promotion into both BUCS North Premier B and Northern Premier for our affiliated Saturday side, Sheffield University Bankers. They also went unbeaten and won the England Hockey National Trophy competition at the Olympic Hockey stadium. A highlight of the year has to be beating Edinburgh at home in the cup, 3-1 down with seven minutes to go, we managed to pull it back to 3-3 and win on penalties 8-7. Coaching the Women’s 3s to a Varsity clinching win was also a highlight, they hadn’t a clue who was winning Varsity whilst playing!

3) How do you feel about your chances this year? ) I’m very confident for the coming season, the team have had six weeks of hard pre-season so should be fully prepared when BUCS start.

4) One to watch: Joshua Darlington, the new Men’s 1s captain is certainly one to watch, stepping into the role well and pushing the boys harder. His leadership has been great so far and I’m sure the team will play harder for him as a result.

5) How did your club do in Varsity last season?

Varsity was enjoyable for all involved, after going 3-2 up against a Hallam side that boasts five England players, our fitness let us down and we lost 8-4.

6) Describe your club in one word.

Exciting

TABLE TENNIS - MIKE FRASER 1) Tell us a bit about yourself.

I’m studying Civil and Structural Engineering, I’m in my fourth year and I have been playing table tennis for 10 years.

2) How did your club do last season?

The season in 2014/15 went well - the men’s first team won the league and Varsity got to the quarter-finals of the cup. The men’s 2s came second in there league and quarter-finals of the cup. The women’s 1s came second in their league and got to the last 16 of the cup. The women’s 2s won their league and made it to the quarter-finals of the cup. In the individuals I got to the last 16 and our other players made it to the last 64.

3) How do you feel about your chances this year?

I’m very confident that table tennis will do even better this year as we are going to have more intense training and the committee members this year are becoming very involved.

4) One to Watch: Our player to watch out for is a second year called Warren Li Kam Wa. He has won all of the national titles for his country which is Mauritius. He has an British ranking of 50 and he is always improving that every competition he plays.

5) How did your club do in Varsity last season?

Varsity went well for us, as usual - we smashed Hallam 14-3 and we intend to do the same this year as well. We would like if more people came to watch us, as Hallam had decent team support over us.

6) Describe your club in one word.

Family

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MEET THE CAPTAINS

Press Sport editor Ed McCosh asks captains about their prospects. Photo: Sam Taylor RUGBY UNION - DANIEL KELLY 1) Tell us a bit about yourself.

I am studying Geography and I’m in my second year. I’ve been playing Rugby Union for 14 years and I’ve been in the team since I joined last September.

2) How did your club do last season?

Our 2014/15 season went very well with us winning the league by 22 points, but unfortunately we did not win the promotion play-offs. The highlight for me was going unbeaten in the league, and personally winning Fresher of the Year was a big highlight.

3) How do you feel about your chances this year?

I think we’ve got a really strong side this year, so could have as good, if not better season as last year and get the promotion we deserve.

4) One to watch: Frank Tufail-Smith is a very strong player in our back row.

This is also his second year at the club and university, but was unfortunately injured for most of last season. But he has come back fit this year and is looking in good form during our preseason friendlies.

5) How did your club do in Varsity last season?

We managed to just win Varsity in extra time last year, which was a great result and a brilliant feeling! Obviously we want to go out there and win, no one likes losing to Hallam.

6) Describe your club in one word.

Winners

NETBALL - SOPHIE VAUGHAN-WILLIAMS 1) Tell us a bit about yourself.

I am in second year, studying medicine. I have been playing netball since I was 11 and made the second team as a fresher last year and I am now in the first team.

2) How did your club do last season?

Last season I was in the second team. We did really well finishing second in our league behind Hallam! We improved so much throughout the season, really gelled as a team and enjoyed playing together. My personal highlight was varsity. We won our match by one point! There were so many people watching and the atmosphere was amazing.

The game was so close and tense, so the relief and happiness when we won was overwhelming.

3) How do you feel about your chances this year?

The first team is very different this year. Nearly the whole team left, so there’s many places to be filled. I feel very optimistic for this season. We have so much potential and I am excited for the season ahead.

4) One to watch: Francesca Wilkinson is the only girl left from the first team last year so she is definitely one to watch. Yasmin Vines is our goalkeeper. She has the most passion for the sport I have seen from anyone and always gives it 100 per cent.

Josie Appleby is our team captain this year, she is fair, level-headed and so, so kind.

5) How did your club do in Varsity last season?

Two out of the three teams (1s and 2s) won Varsity last year. I want to beat that this year and have all teams win.

6) Describe your club in one word.

Dynamic

BADMINTON - ABIGAIL MILLIS 1) Tell us a bit about yourself Hi, my name is Abi, and I’m the Captain of the Sheffield University’s Women’s Badminton Team. I’m a second year studying Economics and Mathematics. I’ve been playing badminton since I was ten years old. I’ve been part of the team since I started university.

2) How did your club do last season?

Last season was brilliant for our team, we won the League and the Cup! The highlight of the year was travelling back from Durham as champions of the Cup and going out that night!

3) How do you feel about your chances this year?

Doing so well last year was amazing, but we are in a tougher division now, so our main aim is to stay up!

However, we’ve had some great freshers join and almost all of last years team are still around so I think our chances should be quite good.

4) One to watch: My player to watch is Steph Benson, she’s really committed to badminton and never misses a training session.

5) How did your club do in varsity last season?

We lost Varsity last year 3-5, it was a really close match with it all riding on one singles match that went to the wire. Unfortunately, we didn’t come out on top in that, but this year we have a such a strong team, we can really hurt Hallam. My aim this year is to at least get a draw, if not the win!

6) Describe your team in one word.

Awesome!

These sides, and many more, are returning to regular BUCS (British University and College Sport) action this month. Here’s what’s coming up for our featured captains and their sides: Rugby League 1s vs York St. John Wednesday October 14 at Norton (2pm KO) Squash Women’s 1s vs Bangor Wednesday October 14 at Fulwood (3pm) Table Tennis 1s vs York Wednesday October 14 at Goodwin (2pm) Netball 1s vs Sheffield Hallam Wednesday October 14 at Goodwin (2pm) Hockey Men’s 1s vs Leeds Wednesday October 21 at Goodwin (4pm) Rugby Union Men’s 1s vs Durham Wednesday October 21 at Norton (2pm) The Rugby Union Men’s 1s defeated Manchester Met in our Featured BUCS Game of the Week (full report on page 32 and the Sport Sheffield podcast on Forge Radio)

Friday 9 October 2015 | Forge Press

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Forge Sport

Featured Game of the Week For more, listen to the Sport Sheffield podcast on Forge Radio, or visit Forge TV for highlights. www.forgetoday.com

University of Sheffield

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Manchester Metropolitan

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Arne Dumez Photo: Arne Dumez University of Sheffield’s firsts Rugby Union squad overcame Manchester Metropolitan University’s firsts 24-12 in the opening BUCS clash of the season at Norton Playing Fields.

The side in black and gold featured four first year players and several players from last year’s second team.

Captain Dan Kelly said: “We’re feeling very confident.

It is our first match of the league so we’re looking to make a good start this year.”

Sheffield finished top of the Northern 1A in last season’s BUCS. Eventually finishing the season third in the Premier North B play-offs, they had hoped to do better and achieve promotion.

The proceedings erupted into an intense start as Sheffield’s

Rugby Union dominate Manchester Met in season opener /ForgePressSport

George Williams smoothly penetrated the left wing. The Manchester forwards managed to recover possession, but were immediately faced with a strong defensive wall that kept them close to the half line.

After several minutes Sheffield got the opportunity to show off its impressive scrum.

A powerful black and gold drive led Manchester to give away a penalty.

Alex Bannerman’s rapid tap and go allowed Sheffield to dominate Manchester ‘s territory for several minutes until centre Oli Lazarovich baptised the game with a first try on the ninth minute. Flyhalf Fergus Wood effortlessly converted to give Sheffield a seven point lead.

The hosts remained dominant in spite of Manchester’s remarkable efforts to break the defense. Centre and captain Dan Kelly broke through a flimsy defense on the 22nd minute and sent the ball to last

man Joe Sinclair, who had no problem placing a second try on the very right of the pitch.

Despite a difficult conversion angle, it was completed, putting Sheffield’s lead at 120.

Manchester did not fail to retaliate and put extreme pressure on the hosts in the last ten minutes of the first half.

Impressive defensive work from flankers Kieran Routeledge, Joe Sinclair and lock Luke Farnsworth kept the orange at bay for several minutes until the guests’ second row lunged over the try line on the 39th minute. The thrilling first half came to a close on a failed conversion, as the scoreboard indicated 12-5.

Winger George Williams once again set things into motion with another terrific break deep into Manchester territory.

The game came to a brisk halt on the 46th minute as the orange and blue number seven was escorted off the pitch, to

the applause from both sides.

Sheffield once again applied crushing pressure on the opposing defensive line and obtained a penalty try only three minutes later.

An easy conversion from Wood added another seven points to Sheffield’s lead, setting the score at 19-5.

The 52nd minute marked a solid comeback from Manchester as number 14 scored a magnificent try. With the score now at 19-12, the guests did not let up their efforts and occupied Sheffield’s half despite the hosts’ inspiring defense.

Sheffield once again gained the advantage as they penetrated the opposing side in the final 10 minutes of the game. A powerful rolling maul and the empowering roar of spectator Martin Smith brought flanker Frank TufailSmith beyond the try line and carved another five points into the black and gold lead.

The whistle called full time and confirmed a convincing victory for Sheffield.

Captain Dan Kelly was justified in his confidence and has brought home a solid start for his team this season.

Kelly said after the game: “It’s a great result, we got five points out of it with the bonus point try, so, can’t get off to a better start than that.”

However, he did suggest the team did not play as well as they know they can and there is more to come from the men in black and gold.

Sheffield’s captain also spoke about the expectations for the season ahead: “We went unbeaten last season in the league so it will be nice to get that under our belt again and hopefully go up this year, rather than stay at the level we are at.”

“I think we are good enough to go up.”

Waddle’s men defeat Hallam Anthony Phillips

Hallam FC 1-5 Men United Photo: Wikipedia Commons Former Sheffield Wednesday and England star Chris Waddle took part in a charity match against Hallam FC this past weekend to raise money for Prostate Cancer.

This marked the third year that Waddle and Hallam combined to put on a charity event and his Men United team featured a number of Wednesday and United legends.

Former Wednesday legends included John Sheridan, David Hirst, Nicky Weaver, John

Pearson, Roger Wylde and Chris Sedgewick. Joining them included Sheffield FC manager and former Wednesday player Andy Kiwomya, as well as former Hallam manager and Owls player Julian Watts.

The Blades were represented

by Jamie Hoyland, Chris Wilder, David Holdsworth, Robert Page and John Gannon.

Current Chesterfield manager Dean Saunders also took part, as well as Jon McClure, the lead singer of Sheffield rock band Reverend and the Makers.

The event had a number of items available to auction, including badges, scarves and the kit worn by the Men United team. The most sought after

items included an England 1990 World Cup shirt and a 1991 Tottenham Hotspur kit signed by Waddle himself.

Over 600 fans crammed into Sandygate Road, the world’s oldest stadium, to witness the match and Men United started brightly with Saunders shooting straight at the keeper.

Minutes later, Pearson who scored 24 goals in 105 appearances for the Owls between 1980 and 1985 gave Men United the lead with a diving header.

Men United continued to apply the pressure and McClure showed he could play football after doubling the lead following a header from a corner.

Former Owls goalkeeper Weaver showed flashes of his old excellence with a sprawling save following a driving run

by Hallam FC manager Ryan Hindley.

The best goal of the day came when Derek Geary, one of the rare players to turn out for both Wednesday and United during his career, volleyed a shot from the edge of the area to make the score 3-0.

Kiwomya then added a fourth with another delicious chip over the Hallam keeper. The fifth goal came from an own goal before Hallam snatched a

late consolation.

Hallam estimate they raised over £5000 on the day.