Bumper Christmas Quiz
Is there a formula to making a Christmas film? Screen 33
Forge Press ISSUE 150| FRIDAY 11 DECEMBER 2020
THE UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER
Break 20
FORGETODAY.COM
Sheffield students prepare for rent strike as University agrees to 5% refund Sophie Henderson A student group has launched an online petition threatening a rent strike if their demands, which include a rent reduction of at least 30% for the remainder of this academic year, are not met. Sheffield, Cut the Rent have said it will be shown to the University to indicate the level of support that exists for a rent strike amongst students. Charlie Lutz-Collier, a Politics and International Relations student on the organising committee for the strike told Forge Press the online petition, which gained 380 signatures in three days, was written by the committee after discussions between over 250 students in a group chat. Their demands also include: ensuring students are offered a no-penalty early release clause from their tenancy contracts; improved communication from the University regarding students’ return following the Christmas break; and improved access to food packages, laundry services and mental health support. The committee, which was formed from the group chat early last week, aims to provide information to students regarding the rent strike and will be liaising with the University. It includes first year students
living in University accommodation, as well as a Masters student who has been working to expand the rent strike information among postgraduate students living in halls. Lutz-Collier said the committee will present the petition to the University once they reach 500 signatures, adding that 500 times the next rent payment for those in University accommodation, which for him is £1,920, “is a lot of money for the University to lose”. He said: “Even the amount [of signatures] we have now is enough to get some concessions from the University”. Last week it was announced the University will be awarding a twoweek rent refund for students in University-owned accommodation, accounting for the time in which students are not required to be on campus following the student travel window. Lutz-Collier said the refund, which amounts for 5% of the total rental costs for the academic year, is “a bare minimum”. He added: “We want at least 30% for the whole year, not just the two weeks that they’ve tried to kick us out for.” Students at other universities across the UK have also launched their own rent strikes, including the University of Manchester who were Continued on page 4 >>
Credit: Forge Press
Students to vote on changes to SU officer roles Jack Mattless Students at the University of Sheffield will be able to vote on changing the roles and responsibilities of the Students’ Union’s elected officer team in an upcoming referendum. The proposed changes were approved for referendum by SU Council last Thursday and would see the number of full time officers reduced from eight to seven. They would be joined by a further six paid, part time officers elected
to represent student interests and be a member of the relevant representative committee alongside their studies. Under the plans, the Women’s Officer would become part-time with a separate, full-time officer elected to represent all liberation groups on campus. The new Liberation Officer would also coordinate five new parttime officers elected to represent BME, LGBT+, mature and disabled students respectively, as well as the new part-time Women’s Officer.
Elsewhere, the SU Development and Activities remits would be merged into a single full-time role and the Sports Officer would take on extra responsibility for general student wellbeing. The roles of SU President and Education Officer would remain as full-time posts, largely unchanged. One further part-time position would be introduced to specifically represent postgraduate students.
Continued on page 4 >>
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Forge Press
Letter from the Editor FORGE PRESS EDITORIAL TEAM Editor-in-Chief
Kate Procter
Deputy Editor
Emily Evans
Deputy Editor
Taylor Ogle
Managing Editor Becky Sliwa Webb Head of Design George Tuli Head of Photography Rebekah Lowri Head of Online Rahul Warrier Head of Marketing Harry Daniels Inclusions & Welfare Officer Bethan Davis Production Assistant Sraddha Sabu Production Assistant Kirsty Hamilton-Emery Head of News Jack Mattless News Editor Sophie Henderson News Editor Hannah Ahmed News Editor Pippa Coleshill Features Editor Anastasia Koutsounia Features Editor Dana Raer Opinion Editor Ella Craig Opinion Editor Bernadette Hsaio Science & Tech Editor Louise Elliott Science & Tech Editor Sarah Laptain Lifestyle Editor Claire Gelhaus Lifestyle Editor Eve Thomas Break Editor John Gilding Break Editor Emily Stainforth Arts & Theatre Editor Jack Redfern Arts & Theatre Editor Betty Wilson Music Editor Thomas Hirst Screen Editor Annabel Goldsmith Screen Editor Kerry Violet Games Editor Catherine Lewis Games Editor Joe Warner Head of Sport Harry Harrison Sport Editor Patrick Burke Sport Editor Tom Coates
Get involved Do you want to get involved with Forge Press for the 2020/21 academic year? We’d love to hear from you! Check out the ‘Forge Press Contributors’ group on Facebook to find out more. Contact editor@forgetoday.com or message us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
“Have a Merry Christmas”
W
elcome back to Forge Press and the final issue for 2020. I hope most of you reading this editorial have been able to submit those final bits of work for this semester, and are able to take a hard earned break. Perhaps, like myself, you’ve already travelled back home within the government’s travel window. In this issue, our Features Editor Anastasia Koutsounia spoke to students to find out what they thought of the window (p.12) A lot of doubt has been placed on the capacity and safety of public transport to accommodate for the student travel. One student Anastasia spoke to, Veronika Veikiptere, was driven home by her parents after being unable to find any inexpensive train ticket prices. I didn’t even get a chance to look at the prices before my mum offered to collect me - I think both of us were quite excited to have a couple of hours in the car to chat after spending months apart.
I
also imagine many of you reading this issue are included in the more than 5,000 students who registered for a covid test at the Octagon (p.6). I spent the last two weeks working as a testing assistant in the centre which is a lot less exciting a role than it sounds; I essentially had to guide people in the art of sticking a swab up their nose far enough so it did the job but not so far as to give them a nose bleed. While I can’t criticise the set up and operation of our testing centre, I am doubtful of how much positive difference it will make. The decision to make testing optional will mean many thousands of students from this university and others around the UK will have gone home without taking a single test. Hopefully, if
the few positive results so far are anything to go by, this won’t lead to the spike in cases we saw in Autumn. However, experts have raised concerns about the reliability of the self-administered lateral flow tests compared to the PCR testing used at NHS sites. These doubts are particularly disheartening when you see the mountains of bags filled with plastic PPE that are thrown away at the end of each session to be disposed of.
I
may sound a bit pessimistic, this 150th edition of the paper is filled with Christmas-related joy. Lifestyle (p.19) has shared a couple of letters from writers to remind you that you’re alone this holiday season (with more to become available online). Break has a day-in-the-life of a Sheffield student at Christmas (p.20). While Games has compiled the ultimate list of gaming-related stocking fillers (p.36). I hope you enjoy reading and I look forward to sharing more with you from Forge Press in the new year.
Kate Procter Editor-in-Chief
Correction The University of Sheffield’s Race Equality
by the University”; we would like to clarify
Champions were incorrectly described as
that Race Conversations will be held in
a “collection of students trained to spot
February. Santhana Gopalakrishnan was
microaggressions” in a Forge Press article
incorrectly described as the ‘lead’ for the
published in Issue 147. The Champions’
initiative, but the work is driven by an
roles are to deliver lectures and facilitate
institutional approach within the govern-
workshops. The article also stated that
ance of the Race Equality Strategy group
“a digital replacement [to the initiative’s training workshops are] still not arranged
Friday 11 December 2020
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NEWS University staff won’t recieve furlough in Janurary
The big picture
Page 7 ▶
Head of Design, George Tuli, on the announcement of a new government initiative to tackle the light pollution crisis. Light pollution is an ever-increasing problem, with almost 100% of the UK’s population living under light-polluted skies, and nighttime illumination increasing by about 2% a year. In a recent annual Star Count organised by CPRE (Campaign to Protect Rural England), almost two thirds of people in the UK were unable to see 10 stars in the Orion constellation – I’m pleased to say that when I took part, I could see a few more than that from Ranmoor Student Village, Sheffield. This has prompted action from the MPs in the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Dark Skies, who on Thursday released a detailed plan for tackling the light pollution crisis. The plan includes appointing a ‘minister for the dark sky’ and new regulations for excess lighting. Light pollution is detrimental to mental health by disrupting hormones. But it also disrupts the
OPINION
environment, altering animals’ breeding cycles and increasing their vulnerability to predators. Sir Martin Rees, the Astronomer Royal, who co-founded the group, said: “Throughout history, people have looked up at the stars and tried to make sense of their place in the universe. “It is a deprivation if people, especially, young people, can’t see that. Just as you don’t have to be an ornithologist to miss birds in your garden, you don’t have to be an astronomer to miss the night sky.” The plan will be debated in parliament on Monday 14 December, and it is hoped that introducing tighter regulations on light pollution will ensure future generations can see the Milky Way on a dark night, something that many people today still haven’t been able to do on account of living under lightpolluted skies.
People who are ignorant to inclusivity are the real ‘snowflakes’ Page 11 ▶
FEATURES How the student travel window disrupted Christmas Page 12 ▶
SCIENCE & TECH Extinction Rebellion student group respond to university’s sustainability plans Page 15 ▶
ARTS & THEATRE Theatre Review: SUPAS Climb Ev’ry Mountain Page 27 ▶ The Milky Way. Credit: George Tuli
MUSIC Discover some hidden festive tunes Page 28 ▶
Forge Press
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News
Covid-19 immunisation begins in South Yorkshire Jack Mattless
Credit: George Tuli
Sheffield students threaten rent strike if demands aren't met Sophie Henderson >> continued from Page 1 awarded a rent rebate of 30% after a month of protests. Lutz-Collier said: “We recognise that we are in a very different situation to Manchester. They had a catalyst in that they built the fences around Fallowfield.” “We’ve not had that at Sheffield so the demonstration aspect of our strike is definitely going to be less than Manchester because that’s not the nature of the issue at Sheffield. This is something that the committee has agreed upon.” The Sheffield petition also includes justification statements for the demands, which LutzCollier said were formed from the committee’s collective experience and what has been reported to them from other students. Signatories can confirm whether
they agree that there has been a lack of available facilities around campus and inadequate mental health support for students, and if care packages should be free and include crucial items such as sanitary products. Lutz-Collier said for him, while “the camaraderie around campus in the sense that we’re all in this together” has been positive, academically his experience has been “terrible”, having had only one in-person seminar every two weeks. He also believes there has been poor communication from the University, particularly in regards to mental health support. “One of the best things for student mental health is meeting like-minded people but all the societies are done over Zoom, especially political and other discussion-based societies. “We've barely been allowed to meet people who we want to meet
who have similar interests to us. It’s the case that if you don't get on with your flat, that's it.” A spokesperson for the University said: “We understand this has been an incredibly difficult year for students and throughout the pandemic, we have been working hard to support them in the best possible way. “Due to the government’s guidance that students should travel home earlier than planned, all students living in University owned or managed accommodation, whether traveling home or not, will not be charged rent for the two week period from 5-18 December, with this amount automatically deducted from the next accommodation payment. “As part of our continued efforts to enhance our support provision in line with changing circumstances, the University has also established a new £3 million Covid-19 Support Fund for any students who are facing particular challenges, for example to help with costs incurred to improve IT connectivity for studying remotely. “We will continue listening to our students and reviewing the issues they raise, as well as working closely with the Students’ Union to ensure we are providing students with the most effective and appropriate support.”
Some South Yorkshire residents were among the first to be vaccinated against Covid-19 on Tuesday, as rollout of the Pfizer/ BioNTech jab began across the country. In line with the government plans, care home residents and those over 80 who are already hospital outpatients, are among the highest priority groups in the region and will begin getting vaccinated before Christmas. Dan Jarvis, Mayor of the Sheffield City Region (above), said the day was a moment for celebration and caution: “While this marks a decisive turning point in the effort to control Covid, the vaccine will take months to fully roll out, and until then it remains dangerous. This is when we most need to hold the line. If we let
our guard down too early, the deaths that will result will be all the more tragic for being so unnecessary.” “That’s why I’m asking everyone in South Yorkshire to continue to follow social distancing rules, not just for your own sakes but for all those around you. We are in the home stretch, but to win this race we have to keep going all the way to the finish line.” New coronavirus cases in Sheffield have been consistently falling since the city was placed on Tier 3 restrictions in October. In the week leading up to Friday 4 December, there was an average of 135 cases per 100,000 people in the city, only nine more than the nationwide average. However Jarvis has warned that hospitals in the region are under more pressure than in the Spring and there was a “serious risk of a third wave in early 2021” if people relaxed too early.
Referendum due on changing SU officer roles Jack Mattless >> continued from Page 1 The roles of SU President and Education Officer would remain as full-time posts, largely unchanged. One further part-time position would be introduced to specifically represent postgraduate students. Beth Eyre, current SU President, said she was “really hoping this can be the year we secure better representation at the SU”, adding that she was “immensely eager” to get a BME Officer elected in March. However, at Thursday’s Council
meeting, a number of members voiced concern about the costs of employing extra officers given recent cuts to SU funding in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. It's understood there are also worries that making the Women’s Officer role part-time will dilute its importance. Students will be able to vote for or against changes in a referendum due to be held between 19 and 21 January. The SU Council Constitutional Committee will then consider amendments to specific role responsibilities before a new officer team is elected.
Friday 11 December 2020
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News
University announces £3 million Covid-19 student support fund Sheffield city centre. Credit: Tim Green
Government financial support for people self-isolating falling short in the north Hannah Ahmed
Credit: George Tuli
The University of Sheffield will be making an additional £3 million
after substantial lobbying from the Students’ Union officer team. Ellie Lynas, the SU’s education officer said to Forge Press: “Many of our students have experienced
for the conditions our students have been working under and they deserve the reassurance such measures would bring.” A spokesperson for the University
funding available to students negatively affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. The support fund is available for students who are facing additional costs or a significant reduction in income because of the pandemic. Through the fund, students can apply for help with costs incurred to rearrange pre-booked travel home, where they cannot get a refund because of the government's student travel window, or for the cost of booking a private Covid-19 test where one is required to travel to their home country for the Christmas break. Students can also apply for costs incurred to improve IT connectivity for studying remotely or if they have experienced financial hardship due to losing part-time work because of Covid restrictions. Forge Press understands the University has been operating at a financial surplus after cutting services, Students’ Union funding and staff over the course of the pandemic. The extension of this fund, launched last academic year, comes
financial detriment as a result of Covid-19, but don’t have access to the same financial aid as the general public does. "Not only have they faced additional costs, such as the airtravel approved Covid tests, but many have had a reduced income from lost part time work and less job opportunities. “We respect that it has been a very difficult time financially for many organisations, the University and SU included. We have been pushing for extra monetary provisions to fund online learning for our students since we came into office and welcome the new support fund from the University. “The University has a duty of care to its students to ensure money is not a factor in accessing their education. Lynas is also pushing for further academic support from the University. She added: “While the safety net policy may not be reinstated there is room for other supportive measures to be brought in. There needs to be clear official acknowledgement
of Sheffield said to Forge Press: "We have also put plans in place to support students remaining in Sheffield over the winter break. "This includes enhanced wellbeing support and a programme of online and in-person social activities in our residences, subject to government guidelines. “Like all organisations, the University had to make cost savings and plan for how the Covid-19 pandemic was likely to affect our finances in order to ensure the organisation’s long-term sustainability. “It is important the University continues to be prudent as the impact of the pandemic remains, however delivering an excellent education while doing all we can to support student wellbeing is our top priority. "We are thankful to our University community for the ongoing support shown to each other during this difficult time and we will continue to work with our Students’ Union to do all we can to support our students."
Hannah Ahmed
Councils in the North of England are running out of financial support for people having to self-isolate in areas with high numbers of cases. Many low income families do not qualify for the Government’s self-isolation fund, meaning they are left choosing whether to take time off work to self-isolate or continue working to pay the bills. The £500 self-isolation fund is available for those on lower incomes who cannot work from home. This initially excluded people told to isolate by the NHS app, and it continues to exclude parents of children who are told by schools to isolate, small business owners, selfemployed workers and students. Councils in Leeds, Oldham, Bury and Bradford told The Guardian that the Government underestimated the demand for financial support, resulting in insufficient funding provision, as well as refusing to increase their allowance of “discretionary” funds which were made available for people on low incomes who did not receive universal credit or other benefits. This means that in practice only people who receive government benefits will be eligible for the scheme in some areas, creating what local leaders in Yorkshire and Humber believe is a “postcode lottery”. The £500 available is less income than someone over 25 would receive on two weeks of minimum wage payment, which is around £700. According to The Guardian, 7,000 people have been rejected for the fund in Yorkshire and the
Humber, which amounts to 60% of all applicants. Paul Blomfield, MP for Sheffield Central, told Forge Press: “I'm contacted by constituents on a daily basis who have been excluded from Covid-19 support, including those who haven't been able to receive the £500 isolation payment. “The Test and Trace support payment is only automatically offered to those in receipt of Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, or a small number of legacy benefits, meaning seven out of eight workers don't qualify. “The Government have finally agreed to Labour’s call to expand the £500 Test and Trace support payment to all eligible users of the NHS Covid-19 app who are told to go into isolation and who can't work from home. But more must be done to ensure everyone who needs to do so has the support to self-isolate.” Olivia Blake, MP for Sheffield Hallam said: “We need a robust strategy for getting infection rates down, which means offering support to those who can’t afford to selfisolate. “Forcing people to choose between their health and their livelihoods ruins lives and makes it harder to control the virus. Rather than 60% of people being turned away for self-isolation support, the criteria need to be relaxed and more money needs to be made available. “The Government also needs to fix the holes in the furlough scheme and the Self Employed Income Support scheme, and we need to set Statutory Sick Pay to a living wage to ensure that illness doesn’t lead to destitution.”
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Forge Press
News
Images: Testing cubicle and student taking a test
5,649 tests booked so far at the University’s Covid-19 testing centre Pippa Coleshill On Monday 30 November, the University of Sheffield opened its asymptomatic Covid-19 testing centre in a bid to get students home for Christmas. As of the morning of Monday 7 December, the site had completed roughly 3,053 tests out of the 5,649 booked so far. Keith Lilley, Director of Infrastructure at the University, praised the “phenomenal team effort” that allowed the test centre to be built and ready for students within just 16 days. The site consists of 44 testing bays, which contains step-by-step information for students to selfadminister their tests. Each bay is supervised by a trained member of staff who can support students through the process and then undertake the test processing itself. The University has employed around 300 centre staff, including University of Sheffield students, to ensure the site can work at full capacity, administering up to 1,800 tests per day. Rob Gower, Associate Director of Human Resources, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the scale of the response [to work at the centre] and are grateful to all our students and staff who have expressed an interest in our roles and who have
been keen to help us get the centre running.” “We are being supported by a number of experienced colleagues from the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health, who are providing us with clinical expertise, leadership and training and we are extremely grateful to colleagues in the Academic Unit of Medical Education for freeing these staff up from their normal duties to support us.” Students who have a positive test are required to self-isolate and book a confirmatory test through the NHS, before notifying the University. Despite this causing a delay to any positive cases being reflected in
the University’s published figures, a spokesperson for the University told Forge Press that numbers are expected to be low. In the first week of being open, there have been 12 new cases reported at the University. On Monday 7 December there were a further seven cases and on Tuesday 8 December, there were a further five. After an initial peak of student cases at the beginning of term in October, cases at Sheffield have continued to fall due both the national lockdown and Sheffield remaining in tier three from 2 December. However, in many universities, students have been encouraged to
University agrees to pay external examination fees after letter from students Sophie Henderson Over £400 worth of external examination fees for MA Journalism students will be paid for by the University following a successful funding bid. Students on the course were made aware of this news last week after writing to the Department of Journalism Studies outlining their “concern and upset” over the degree’s additional financial requirements. They found out about the fees for exams which contribute to the
National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) Diploma when a document was sent to them weeks after the course had started. In their email to the Department, which was seen by Forge Press, the students said it is “well-advertised” that the course offers the opportunity to complete an NCTJ Diploma alongside the Master's degree. However, the accompanying exam fees, an amount which they said “surpasses many students’ monthly living expenses”, were not made available to them “until after it was too late to choose a more inclusive
or affordable programme”. According to the NCTJ website, the Diploma is “the qualification that editors look for when recruiting a trainee journalist”. The website states the fees, which include exams in Media Law and Ethics, total £475.20. The students stated in the email that other NCTJ-accredited courses, such as MA Journalism at Leeds Trinity University, offer these exams at no additional charge to students. In response to the email, Mark Bradley, University Teacher and Director of Learning and Teaching, apologised to students and
take two tests three days apart and to travel within 24 hours of receiving the second negative test result. The University of Sheffield advises one test to be taken, after completing all face-to-face teaching, within 24 hours of planned departure. A statement released to Forge Press by the University said: “We are pleased to have been able to open a Covid-19 rapid testing facility for our students ahead of many of them travelling home for the winter break, and are grateful to staff who made this possible in such a short space of time. “We've also taken care to ensure students with accessibility needs are catered for with disability access
points and specially equipped booths. “We have seen a constant flow of students coming for testing since we opened and our test centre staff will work hard to give students a smooth and easy experience as testing continues." The testing centre has extended its opening days past 9 December for students who are unable to return home in the student travel corridor. The site will now be open on 10, 11 and 14 December, from 11am - 4pm. Students are encouraged to take a test before travelling home to help reduce risk to themselves and others.
confirmed that the University would pay for all first sittings of the exams. Bradley said the Department had been unable to tell students about the funding bid they had been working on “for several months” until they had received its outcome, which was delayed due to the “financial impact of the Coronavirus pandemic”. He said: “We are in complete agreement with you that the additional payment of NCTJ fees was a barrier to our departmental commitment towards increased diversity within our student body. This represents another step in the right direction.” A spokesperson for the University said: “As part of the MA in Journalism Studies, students have the opportunity to take external exams administered by the National Council for the Training of
Journalists (NCTJ). Although these are optional, and not required in order to complete the degree, we do strongly encourage students to take the exams. “On our open days we advise students that there is a cost for these exams in addition to their programme fees. However, the Department of Journalism Studies was keen to cover costs for the NCTJ exams for students this year, to ensure equity with our BA Journalism Studies programme for whom this cost is included in the fees, and to promote equality, which is a key priority for the department; ensuring that all students could take the NCTJ tests regardless of their financial means. “We are actively exploring how we might deal with this issue in future years.”
Friday 13 November 2020
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News Rhiannon, one of the Community Contact Tracers Credit: Anton Silins
“Our Government has failed to make NHS Test and Trace work effectively”: Sheffield professionals set up local tracing system Hannah Ahmed A group of medical professionals in Sheffield have set up a Community Contact Tracers (CCT) scheme in response to the inefficiencies of the
NHS test and trace system. The team aims to trace contacts of somebody experiencing Covid19 symptoms within 24 hours of them being reported. Sheffield CCT felt that the current test and trace system was not good enough as it
University exam staff won't recieve furlough in January Jack Mattless The University of Sheffield has confirmed that staff usually employed to supervise the January examination period will not be eligible for furlough payments this winter after formal exams were scrapped in favour of online assessments. It’s understood the staff, who are employed on casual contracts
wished to remain anonymous, has worked on the University’s invigilation team for the last 13 years and told Forge Press that the decision was “morally bankrupt”. They said: “I was told I would be needed for the January exam period months ago, keeping me hanging on and committed to the University as I do every year. [The University] could define this as planning for us to work and to help us out. But they
during exam seasons, were able to receive furlough in May and June because they had already committed to work for the summer prior to the onset of Covid-19 restrictions. But one member of staff, who
chose not to. “It seems really unfair after over ten years of working every exam period to be treated like this.” Mulvaney added that he “would have been organising a protest”,
only begins contact tracing once the test swab comes back positive. This means that there is currently a three to seven day window in which a person may be infected but their immediate contacts are not told to quarantine, so the disease can be
but has found it hard to find other casual workers affected similarly. A spokesperson from the University of Sheffield said: “Casual work in the examinations team arises at certain times to coincide with exam periods which normally require short term work as invigilators. This requirement has been reduced this year by the shift from in-person exams to online assessments due to Covid-19. “The University has therefore not scheduled or agreed any casual invigilation work during the forthcoming assessment period and therefore we are unable to furlough casual workers, as per government guidelines. “We would like to thank all those who work for the University for their continued flexibility, hard work and dedication during this period and as we continue to operate within the challenges created by the pandemic."
spread to others unknowingly. Thivakar Srikandakumar, a medical student at the University of Sheffield who is working alongside Sheffield Community Contact Tracers explained that since the pilot study carried out in June “we have redesigned our website, increased awareness through posters and webinars of the use of the study and are looking forward to having more participants take part.” Dr Bing Jones, a retired haematology doctor who is part of the CCT team, added: “We are now working face to face on the street with community groups and actively going out to find cases within seldom-heard communities and those most reluctant to be tested, which is key to managing outbreaks.” “The UK has done badly in managing this epidemic. Our government has failed to make NHS
“
We are actively going out to find cases within seldomheard communities and those most reluctant to be tested - Dr Bing Jones
Test and Trace work effectively. Mass testing is unevaluated and may make things worse not better. "CCT believes that more localised tracing systems are more effective, such as the University of Sheffield’s tracing system. Skirandakumar said: “It is a good start but the early contact tracing needs to start as soon as symptoms present and on a national scale.” Dr Jones also praised the University’s system for offering support to those self-isolating, an essential aspect he said was “mostly missing” from NHS Test and Trace. “One key aspect of Contact Tracing is the time taken between onset of symptoms and effective isolation. Our same day symptombased system is speedy. The NHS Test and Trace is very slow.” Sheffield CCT also highlighted the limitations of using mass testing and implementation of a ‘travel window’ to allow students to return home for Christmas, due to the possibility of false positive and false negative results as well as the chance students will get infected on the train home. Dr Jones said to Forge Press: “False negatives [of lateral flow tests] can be up to 50%. There are substantial risks of reassuring someone with a false negative result, but they will still be infectious. “Many specialists are extremely concerned that there will be a major increase in infections after Christmas. “Staggering student travel over a short period is unlikely to reduce much of the risk, however it’s good to see that infection rates are reducing in the student body.”
Credit: Jack Mattless
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Forge Press
News More than half of students polled report their mental health is worse than before the pandemic Kate Procter More than 50% of students say their mental health has declined since the Covid pandemic began, a survey from the National Union of Students (NUS) has found. Many of the 4,000 students polled in November say they have suffered stress, loneliness, anxiety and depression. However, only 20% have sought mental health support, with only 29% of those who reported worsening mental health seeking help. Of those who have sought support, around three in five (57%) have been satisfied with what they have received. NUS president Larissa Kennedy said it was no surprise students had experienced deteriorating mental health as a result of the pandemic. “Students deserve better than their treatment this term. It is time for governments to fund university, college and NHS mental health services to ensure all students can get the support they require. Students’ unions also need greater
investment to continue to provide essential services to students. “Covid-19 has not had an equal impact on all and has further entrenched the disadvantage that marginalised groups feel. Targeted support must be offered to students of colour, disabled students, student parents and LGBT+ students, and funding should be provided to mental health charities working with these groups. “We must tackle the root of these issues. There was already a mental health crisis on campus that has been exacerbated by Covid-19. To alleviate this crisis students need greater financial support, accessible learning spaces and safe accommodation.” A Department for Education spokesperson said students’ mental health and wellbeing was a top priority. They said: “The government has worked closely with the Office for Students, providing up to £3m to fund the mental health platform, Student Space, which is designed to work alongside university and NHS services.”
100 hour Third Sector Placements Do you want to gain valuable experience with a local charitable organisation in a paid role?
For more information go to Sheffield Volunteering Website
Friday 11 December 2020
9
Opinion
“No, this isn’t a panic Masters” Amber O’Connor explains why she thinks going back to university if you are struggling to find a job is not the right move.
“
No this isn’t a panic Masters”, I say, for what feels like the millionth time. It’s a question I have been jokingly asked a lot in the past few months, after telling friends I want to stay at university for another year. Granted, most people would like to stay at university longer – who wouldn’t want to sign up to another year of student fun, being surrounded by your friends, and avoiding the dreaded job search? Surprisingly though, I didn’t make this important life decision out of sheer panic, or simply because I couldn’t give up nights out at the SU. Signing up for the most intensive year of academic work I’ve ever undertaken, and thousands of pounds more in student debt, was
in require a higher qualification, or maybe you feel you need another university course to develop your skill set. But if you have no clear justification for needing an extra degree besides wishing to delay your job search, you are likely wasting your money – and master’s courses can be expensive. Providing you meet the academic specifications for the positions you are interested in, going back to university isn’t of much real use, besides filling your time until you hope the job market might have improved. By committing to another academic year, you also solidify the fact you won’t find a graduate role within the next year; stopping searching for current availabilities means you might miss a position you could
not a decision I took lightly. In fact, it is a decision that students should only make if they have good reason to do so, and panicking about finding a job after university definitely doesn’t count as one of these. Entering the job market, which is a daunting task at any time, has been made more difficult by the pandemic, but even if you are struggling to find a job, this shouldn’t be the basis for beginning a master’s application. To start with an obvious point, if you’ve just finished your degree and have not been accepted for any positions you are qualified for, what will another year of university do to help your chances? You’ve got a degree now, so how will another degree affect your employability? Perhaps the roles you are interested
have ended up getting. Another thing that goes without saying, is that university is difficult. If you decide to continue your education, it ought to be because you truly want to be there, learning more about your chosen subject. Motivating yourself for exams can be a struggle at the best of times, but I’m willing to bet doing so is even harder if you only see your course as a means to an end. As when undertaking anything that will involve a lot of work, you should be certain this will be a worthwhile investment of your time. A master’sis not the only way to develop your skills, and the time you would devote to further education might be better suited to other uses, depending on your career path. Once you have the academic
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If you’ve just finished your degree and have not been accepted for any positions you are qualified for, what will another year of university do to help
qualification necessary for your profession, it may be practical experience that you need to gain to better your career prospects. Undertaking work experience and completing internships, and making contacts within your industry could also benefit your applications. Depending on your chosen career you might wish to complete online courses, shadow professionals, attend networking events, enrol on webinars, find a mentor, or undertake work to further your skills and develop your portfolio. From paid temporary work to volunteering roles, there are multiple avenues, each of which can offer new learning experiences. The benefit of such an approach is that if you are able to find a work position, albeit not in your preferred field, you can save money too. In opposition to everything I’ve said about the benefits of finding alternate methods of learning, studying a master’s might be a brilliant choice for you. Just a few months into my own master’s course, I have been able to develop new skills and strengthen existing ones, and the intensity of my programme also means I have picked them up much quicker than I would have been able to in other circumstances. The expertise of my lecturers ensures I receive a thorough education, and I am assured all vital areas I need to learn for my profession will be covered. In short, I have found a course that provides me with the learning that will best benefit my career, and I love getting to stay at university to study something I’m passionate
Above: Amber, postgrad Journalism student
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If you decide to continue your education, it ought to be because you truly want to be there, learning more about your chosen subject
about. If you are struggling to find a job after graduation, you might be tempted to pick up master’s brochures, and you might end up finding something that truly excites you. It isn’t uncommon for people to look to master’s courses when they encounter the difficulty of finding a job, but master’s courses are but one of multiple post-graduation choices. Should you then choose to complete one, make sure it is for a good reason.
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Forge Press
Opinion
New years resolutions: Are they necessary?
Every year, many people pledge to change something about their life in a resolution, but with 2020 being a year like no other, is this the time to scrap these false promises?
I
James Turrell have only made one New Year’s Resolution in my life. It was in 2017 and I decided to read more books about football, which might be the most trivial resolution in history. I’m a football obsessive and it occurred to me that the only football book I’d read was Roy Keane’s autobiography, which feels like declaring you are a music obsessive and the only album you’ve listened to is Mr Blobby: The Album. I read exactly zero football books that year. However, in 2018 I read two and then in 2019 I read three, while this year I’m up to a library filling five. This says something about the transient nature of New Year’s Resolutions, how they represent a goal that if not achieved immediately it’s considered a failed endeavour. The concept of New Year’s resolutions is perhaps older than most people think. The earliest example appeared in the Babylonian era some 4,000 years ago. The festival of Atiku was a 12-day celebration to mark the New Year, then in March, and their resolutions were more focused on creating covenants between themselves and the Gods – rather than deciding to drink less tinnies in the week. This continued through the Roman era; after the change towards the modern calendar with New Year
celebrated in January, Romans would make promises to the God Janus regarding their behaviour, maybe to be 0.1% less cruel to the people they invaded or something like that. The first recorded use of the phrase ‘New Year’s Resolution’ was in a Boston newspaper which declared that ‘multitudes of people, accustomed to receive injunctions
yearlong Lent. We’ve given up so much of our lives; the emotional ecstasy of live music, the shame and regret of a 4am KFC – even the touch of a parent. Should Covid-19 be a reason not to attempt a New Year’s resolution? Well, that would depend on the resolution itself. Wanting to support your local independent cinema
of new year resolutions, who will sin all the month of December, with a serious determination of beginning the new year with new resolutions and new behaviour.’ There are clear parallels between the resolution tradition and that of Lent. They both involve a sense of sacrifice, explicitly so in the case of Lent, and using an external prompt – a seasonal holiday – as a means of changing certain behaviours. In many ways 2020 has been like a
might literally be against the law. The most common resolution is attempting to lose weight or do more exercise. Google searches for gyms increase around November with gym joining hitting a peak in February before reverting to the mean later in the year as people realize that losing weight is bringing them nothing but existential despair. 2020 has been a year of extreme change and extraordinary hardship. Everyone’s lives have been pulled apart and rearranged. Choosing a resolution where you attempt some radical change in your behaviour will most likely end in failure because our lives are being changed drastically by forces beyond our control. The changes you wish to make should come with no pressure and be a stress-free attempt to bring a different element of fun to your life. If deciding to go to the gym five days a week is that different element then have at it, but beware, that probably means you are a psychopath. Sticking with your resolution for
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2020 has been a year of extreme change and extraordinary hardship. Everyone’s lives have been pulled apart and rearranged
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Covid-19 is potentially a great catalyst for personal change or a major hindrance and either one is equally valid
longer than your hangover on New Year’s Day is key. The data on whether people stick to their resolutions is sketchy, presumably because social scientists have more pressing matters than investigating whether you’re sneaking Maltesers in the dead of night. According to The Economist, up to 45% of people claim to stick to their goals, while Forbes Magazine suggests it is as low as 8%. A friend of mine’s resolution was not to drink for the whole of January; he was drinking by midday on January 1st. Psychologists have all kinds of theories to master your resolution, like having clearly defined goals. Instead of saying I’m going to ‘get in shape’, aim to lose half a stone by a certain date. Tracking your progress is also key; by setting yourself small, incremental goals you can allow yourself to gain
regular achievements that give you that sweet sweet rush of prideful endorphins. Other people may argue that Covid-19 is the perfect time for resolutions, as we all have had so much time to engage in activities because of lockdown. However, there is definitely a sense of toxic productivity – that if during the pandemic if you haven’t written the 21st century King Lear you’re an embarrassing failure of human being. That is total nonsense. The pandemic has created a sense of permanent anxiety and fear and we’re constantly worrying whether our actions will make us catch a potentially fatal disease. Not being productive or sticking to a resolution shouldn’t make you feel in any way guilty. If you want to make a resolution then I advise that you do and if don’t, then don’t. Covid-19 is potentially a great catalyst for personal change or a major hindrance and either one is equally valid. I think the most important thing to remember is that if your resolution takes a long time to succeed, even several years, that is fine and better than thinking that because you haven’t changed your life by February, you may as well give up. So, get reading those football books. Or don’t. It doesn’t really matter either way.
Friday 11 December 2020
11
Opinion
People who are ignorant to inclusivity are the real ‘snowflakes’
I
Sahar Ghadirian
n recent times, the term ‘snowflake’ has gained much traction amongst older generations, particularly people like Piers Morgan, in order to completely discredit the many important concerns and issues affecting generally younger people. In essence, it’s a derogatory term in the way it is commonly used, to devalue social issues and stigmatise an entire generation. There is nothing ‘overly sensitive’ about genuine care for basic human rights and equality. It is ironic then, to observe how the same people who are staunchly against the ‘snowflake’, ‘PC’ generation, can feel so triggered, so attacked, that in full force, they abhorrently backlash against some of the most non-harmful things in modern Britain. Two clear examples of those recently being the Sainsbury’s Christmas advert which sees a Black family enjoying their Christmas meal, and Harry Styles wearing a dress on the cover of Vogue. The vilification of the ‘other’ is not an uncommon measure taken by the Harry Styles performing. Credit: Lovclyhes Modifications by Ella Craig
misinformed. It occurs out of ignorance, miseducation and misunderstandings, so much so that the real ‘snowflake’ generation becomes those that get offended by diversity and self-expression. The debate that ‘snowflakes’ belong to a specific age is an increasingly nuanced issue. It is more categorised by those who are often uncultured and ignorant rather than how old they are, yet it does seem increasingly common amongst older generations who believe they are entitled to such degrading views because of their intellectual experience and ‘maturity’. This stubbornness acts as a shield when it comes to understanding that there are in fact Black British families who also enjoy having a Christmas meal as much as any other person in the UK. It really shouldn’t cause such an uproar and panic, and yet for the real ‘snowflakes’, it does. The mass torrent of abuse which followed the
Screenshot from the Sainsbury’s Christmas advert Credit: Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s advert was horrific but also unsurprising. This country has an unfortunately historic and unresolved problem with racism, past and present, and this is another product of the uncomfortable mood of a significant portion of society. To add to this, Harry Styles made history as the first man on the cover of Vogue. In the cover story, the singer adorned a full-length gown and tuxedo jacket. In the final years of One Direction and throughout his solo career, he has become an embodiment of what it means to express yourself - liberated in style and non-conforming to gender stereotypes. Styles has always distanced himself from the need for labels, and the beauty of the Vogue cover is that it has pure intentions of normalising the fluidity of fashion and style. Styles’ solo career started on the maxim ‘Treat People With Kindness’ and so it is again ironic that the singer faced a backlash, notably from the rightwing commentator Candace Owens, about his lack of ‘manliness’. Whilst she is not exactly
old in age, only being five years older than Harry, it begs the question, why should the dress sense of a stranger cause such discomfort? It comes back to the idea of the ‘other’ and what seems ‘normal’ to most people, acts as the frightening unknown to the close-minded. The inability for many to understand that, at its core, gender is a social construct, and therefore clothing branded for men and women is itself a mere product of this theory. It is often far too advanced of a reality that people like Candace Owens don’t yet have the capacity to grasp. As a society, we should not feed into the narrative of a linear and superficial masculinity which leaves men unable to express themselves. In order to educate more people, like her, to be inclusive, self-expression should remain as something to be encouraged and not the opposite. However one identifies, it should be welcomed. There are always going to be people who criticise, and that should never stop anyone from dressing the way they want to, no matter how disheartening disapproval can often feel.
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Whilst it may be degrading or triggering in itself to label casual racists and homophobes as ‘snowflakes’, it is exactly what they are
For all the faults of those completely out of touch with reality, the term ‘snowflake’ can cause disillusionment. In no way am I excusing the derogatory discrimination much of these ignorant people produce, but there is also a contradictory element to labelling an entire group which shares the same view without having any constructive dialogue with them beforehand. It’s not easy whatsoever, especially when one side simply doesn’t want to listen. In cases such as that, it is best to leave it. However, there is a fine line between being understanding and letting people walk all over you. Letting people abuse you and others around you for the differences you have should never be tolerated. Whilst it may be degrading or triggering in itself to label casual racists and homophobes as ‘snowflakes’, it is exactly what they are and knowing that their views are so baseless and rooted in bizarre hatred, could help them wake up to the reality that diversity will not negatively impinge their existence, but rather improve it. Again, it is a nuanced debate as it seems impossible not to alienate a group of people by branding them as ‘snowflakes’, but when passions run high it can be difficult to avoid. One practical way to combat this unfortunate ignorance and educate society as a whole on inclusivity is through the continuation of mixed representation in the media. This representation must not merely be one which is diverse for the sake of ticking inclusivity boxes, but because it genuinely wants to depict a true representation of the cultural landscape which Britain should be priding itself on, not trying to tear down or run away from.
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Forge Press
Features
Feature by Anastasia Koutsounia
Was Christmas worth the hassle? The disruption caused by the travel window
It’s supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year. The switch on might have been cancelled but if you tread down to Sheffield’s city centre, you’ll be met with towering Christmas ornaments, the echoes of festive music flowing through the streets and fairy lights bleeding colour into dark corners, exchanging the usually prevailing silence for a festive murmur. The warm spectacle has lured artists out to play their instruments and families and couples out of isolation armed with layers of wool and rare smiles hidden behind masks. For once, the atmosphere is anything but sad; as the sun sets, even the shadows seem a little softer. For some students, this will be as good as it gets this Christmas. With the announcement of a second lockdown, plans and dreams of a Christmas filled with family and friends came crashing down. The festive period is usually a time for overwhelmed students to take a much-desired break and change scenery - for many, it’s the motivation they need to get them through the long nights of drafting essays or researching projects, the light at the end of the tunnel as they say. Now, with no Christmas in sight and face-to-face teaching limited, students were left isolated, staring at a computer screen for hours at a time and often not leaving their room for days. Anxiety and depression transformed into those noisy neighbours that drop by unannounced and are hard to get rid of, and mental health confidently took her place as another prominent player in the ‘things that make 2020 suck’ game. But then, after months spent with the government elegantly dancing around students’ issues unless it was to point the dreaded finger of blame - the Department for Education (DfE) announced plans for a nine-day travel window. After weeks of talks of a student Christmas lockdown, this new window, starting from December 3, was to make it easier for students to get home early enough to avoid
missing out on Christmas with loved ones if quarantining became a necessity. During said time frame, according to DfE, each university will get their own travel window, with mass testing commencing prior to guarantee safety. On the surface, that may seem like a breakthrough with students’ mental health finally being taken into account during these turbulent times; however the window, like other pandemicrelated plans and guidelines before it, came out of the blue, tipped everything off balance, and left much to interpretation. To the government’s surprise, it was also not met by a standing ovation. The expectant cries of happiness were replaced with a heavy atmosphere saturated by a mixture of relief and dread. The idea behind the move might have been thoughtful but, once again, the execution seemed to be lacking in the eyes of the public. Alice Preece, 20, a Journalism student at the University of Sheffield, felt like this was more a recipe for disaster than a Hail Mary. “I’m sure there’s some logic behind it, but I really struggle to see how it’s going to be effective and stop the spread of the virus if we’re getting the country’s students to travel all around the country in the space of a week, on public transport.” “I’m lucky that my parents will be able to come and pick me up,” she added. “I won’t have to travel on public transport but I know for so many that is not an option. And that’s really quite scary to be honest.” Using public transport is not favoured on a regular day but, during those six days trains, coaches, and buses will be crammed with students, people with prebooked journeys and others on their way to work. And thus will begin a Covid-themed game of chance where losing may cost more than the usual fee of a few cards and a stab to the pride. It will also be much more
expensive. Veronika Veikiptere, 19, a Sociology student from Sheffield Hallam University, will be driven home by her parents after being unable to find any ‘realistic’ train ticket prices for December 9, the travel window for Sheffield. “I understand they want to profit,” she says. “But profiting off students who haven’t had much support during this pandemic is very unfair and will disadvantage students who may not be able to go home.” Veronika’s family resides in March, Cambridgeshire – a two-hour train ride from Sheffield that in the past cost her, at most, £46 with the aid of her railcard. “I used to get them for £26 if it’s way in advance. I looked at the prices for the 9th and they had increased to between 70 and 90 pounds. “I have a railcard and without it the actual price was nearly £100 for a ticket for a two-hour train ride. It’s unrealistic for students.” Co-starring in the unraveling of this new arc of universities’ Covid-19 journey are also furious professors exhausted by the idea of re-planning lectures they’d spend much of the previous summer stressing over. “I am glad the students can go home safely,” says Lisa Bradley, 42, Director of the Undergraduate Studies for the Journalism Department at University of Sheffield. “But I think there should’ve surely been a better way to do it. It’s very difficult to be told last minute that students are leaving in the middle of a week.” Lisa and many other staff members from the University had to spend months after the first spike back in March re-planning lectures, assignments and exams. At the same time, students across courses were quickly met with the reality that the curriculum they had been promised when enrolling might not be delivered – they would have to compromise instead for a blend of face-to-face and online lectures. Now, after learning to adjust for the past few months, the time had come for another ‘curveball’. “Students are leaving in the middle of a week so, to start with, if you leave then it means half of them will have gotten face to face,
the other half won’t,” says Lisa. “So you’ve got complete inconsistency already for an entire week.” “They’re going to have to go home, in the middle of a week, not knowing what they’re missing and what’s going to happen to the lectures they’re meant to be at while they’re travelling home.” This might seem like a small price to pay butfor numerous students early December is a time packed with deadlines and workshops that often require a physical presence at the university campus. “If students need to access the library or any resources you don’t have at home, how can you just pick everything and move back home in such a short window?,” says Veronika. “Some people have assignments due mid-December. Is your home environment the right environment for you to work in?” On the other spectrum are international students whose issues have so far gone unaddressed. Being in a special predicament where they have to watch out for the guidelines in two different countries, they’ve been left in an awful state of limbo –watching as ticket prices go up. “I can’t [travel] because of work but I kinda feel a bit stuck also, because
as a European student, we have very few guidelines regarding those things,” says Giulia Carleton, 20, an Italian student with dual citizenship. “If we were to come back in January, it’s also going to be right after Brexit - that’s a new question thrown in the pond. As EU students I feel like we’re left on the side - abandoned and waiting.” Yet, Lisa is adamant that, despite the government’s lack of support for the universities thus far, the staff are bent on delivering what was promised when students first submitted their applications in what feels like many moons ago. Even if it may cost them in terms of sanity. “Everyone that works in this university is absolutely exhausted,” she admits. “And there’s only so many times you can react and change without us all burning out. But, equally, no we won’t let it affect us long-term cause there’s our reputation at stake; “Everyone’s having to do things in new ways and we will too.” The world we currently live in can be summed up by Leonardo DiCaprio staring anxiously at a spinning top, waiting to see if it’s going to halt. Control is a concept
Friday 11 December 2020
13
Features
Interview by Jack Mattless
Left: Alice Preece, third year student. Above: Lisa Bradley, 42, Director of the Undergraduate Studies for the Journalism Department at University of Sheffield
for another ‘curveball’. “Students are leaving in the middle of a week so, to start with, if you leave then it means half of them will have gotten face to face, the other half won’t,” says Lisa. “So you’ve got complete inconsistency already for an entire week.” “They’re going to have to go home, in the middle of a week, not knowing what they’re missing and what’s going to happen to the lectures they’re meant to be at while they’re travelling home.” This might seem like a small price to pay butfor numerous students early December is a time packed with deadlines and workshops that often require a physical presence at the university campus. “If students need to access the library or any resources you don’t have at home, how can you just pick everything and move back home in such a short window?,” says Veronika. “Some people have assignments due mid-December. Is your home environment the right environment for you to work in?” On the other spectrum are international students whose issues have so far gone unaddressed. Being in a special predicament where they have to watch out for the guidelines in two different countries, they’ve been left in an awful state of limbo –watching as ticket prices go up. “I can’t [travel] because of work but I kinda feel a bit stuck also, because as a European student, we have very few guidelines regarding those things,” says Giulia Carleton, 20, an Italian student with dual citizenship.
“If we were to come back in January, it’s also going to be right after Brexit - that’s a new question thrown in the pond. As EU students I feel like we’re left on the side - abandoned and waiting.” Yet, Lisa is adamant that, despite the government’s lack of support for the universities thus far, the staff are bent on delivering what was promised when students first submitted their applications in what feels like many moons ago. Even if it may cost them in terms of sanity. “Everyone that works in this university is absolutely exhausted,” she admits. “And there’s only so many times you can react and change without us all burning out. But, equally, no we won’t let it affect us long-term cause there’s our reputation at stake; “Everyone’s having to do things in new ways and we will too.” The world we currently live in can be summed up by Leonardo DiCaprio staring anxiously at a spinning top, waiting to see if it’s going to halt. Control is a concept more elusive than ever, and every new day can turn the tables. But decisions designed to help should not instead be the cause of havoc. The travel window showed the government recognising the urgency of students’ mental health and may have given many a chance for a normal (if the word has any real meaning left) Christmas. But it also failed to consider many important factors causing confusion and disarray amongst students, parents, and university staff. It bears the question; are the decision-makers of this country truly paying attention?
Credit: Charlie Burrell
“This Government should and could have done more”: Sheffield MP Olivia Blake on representing students in a pandemic In December 2019, the Labour Party was in crisis. It’s defeat at that month’s general election saw several MPs in former northern strongholds lose their seats. The slim victory of Olivia Blake, a 29-year-old Sheffield City Councillor, in Sheffield Hallam represented an outlier on an otherwise grim night for the party. Fast forward a year and Blake’s attention has turned to the Covid-19 pandemic and its effects on her constituency’s sizable student population. “I’ve heard so much stuff around problems with online learning, about inadequate support for disabled students and from the Student Campaign for Refugees. “People also got in touch about A Levels before they arrived at university and there was a lot of stress for this year’s first years and that’s played out in the fact there needs to be more investment in mental health support [on campus]. “More broadly there’s a sense the marketisation of universities has meant it’s not been the most resilient of sectors [to the Covid-19 crisis].” But Blake is clear more could have been in the short-term to improve the student experience this semester. “Personally I would have played it differently”, Blake says. “At the time I thought a phased return would be better and there was a wider question about what exactly students were coming to our
cities for. “I think the decisions were made around the financial implications for universities rather than safety and quality [of education for students]. Of course lots of students want to have in-person teaching but I think there could have been a safer, phased approach with some courses starting in January rather than September. “There were lots of things that could have been trialled like housing students on the same course together so you don’t mix households going into different educational settings. “I think support needs to be much broader. Universities’ economic outputs have not been considered in all of this. “It’s very narrow minded to see these institutions as independent from the public sector. At the end of the day, they’re led by policy within the UK and we need these institutions [to succeed] so we can plug the skills gap in this country.” Blake’s time at Sheffield City Council has fostered a collaborative approach that she’s keen to replicate as an MP: “I got into politics because I wanted to try and change things for the better. If we remind ourselves of core ambitions to our communities then it’s quite easy to work with anyone within the party.” Despite signing a letter last month urging the Labour Party to reinstate former leader Jeremy
Corbyn after he was suspended for saying the issue of antisemitism was “exaggerated”, Blake is open to Education Secretary Gavin Williamson’s plans to force universities to adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism: “I’ve always had a firm stance on antisemitism. I’ve seen it in our society and our party and it’s something we need to take seriously. I think it’s a misunderstood form of racism and I think there does need to be more education about it, and starting it in our educational institutions does sort of make sense.” The University of Sheffield is currently considering adopting this IHRA definition but Palestinian students are concerned it infringes on their rights to freedom of expression. Blake continues: “I supported the adoption of the IHRA definition [by the Labour Party] quite vocally and I want to see better procedures in all establishments including educational institutions in dealing with this. “I do think there’s a lot of layers to antisemitism and quite a complicated form of racism. As much as it rises in the right it can also rise on the left which is as much historic as it is in the present day. “I think we do need to learn the lessons of the past and ensure we are aware of the issues affecting our Jewish community and ensuring all our society is a welcoming place.”
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Forge Press
Science & Tech
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These developments have incited much excitment and hope, but there are still hurdles to overcome before we can sensibly visualise the end of the pandemic.
Covid-19
Could the vaccine mean a return to “normal life”? Jessica Morris There is no sugar coating it. The coronavirus pandemic has turned
the majority of our experiences and expectations as students completely upside-down. However,
advancements towards mass vaccinations for Covid-19 have given us a glimmer of hope that we may
return to some form of normality by the end of 2021. Until just a few weeks ago, the global race to develop a safe vaccine was in full swing and we knew very little about when we could expect vaccination of the general population. The first big breakthrough came from Pfizer and BioNTech at the beginning of November, when results showed their vaccine could stop more than 90% of people developing symptoms of Covid-19. Since Pfizer and BioNTech announced their achievement, various other companies shortly followed suit with vaccines of varying effectiveness. Here in the UK, the Oxford UniversityAstraZeneca collaboration have
The brain and the universe are more similar than we thought Megan Davenport-Connolly The network of neurons in the human brain and the cosmic network of galaxies are two of the most complex systems in nature. Although at largely different scales, it appears that they are more similar than we initially thought! Franco Vazza, an astrophysicist from the University of Bologna, and Alberto Feletti, a neurosurgeon from the University of Verona, teamed up to investigate their commonalities. Their research does not claim that the universe is a “giant brain”. Instead, it claims that the mathematical properties of each network work in a similar way. What are the similarities? We can think of both the human brain and the universe as networks of neurons and galaxies, respectively. Such networks are
organised in structures of filaments, nodes and voids. The human brain functions due to a wide neural network of around 69 billion neurons. The universe works as a similar network composed of at least 100 billion galaxies. About 77% of the mass in the brain is water. In comparison, about 70% of the mass in the universe is dark energy. The further 23% of mass in the brain comes from the neurons, and in the universe the further 30% from galaxies. Here we can start to see why the brain and the universe function in similar ways. The researchers calculated different parameters, one being spectral density. This is a common mathematical technique, most often used to study spatial distributions of galaxies. It was found that the distribution of the fluctuation within a neural network follows the same pattern as matter in the universe.
developed a vaccine which is up to 90% effective and can be stored at normal fridge temperatures, cutting out complex logistical issues that other vaccines come with. Now with the first vaccines being approved, millions of doses of this vaccine could be produced and begin to be rolled out by the end of this year. Due to the Covid-19 virus being most fatal for older people, those living in care homes and the over-80s are listed on the UK’s preliminary priority list as the first groups to receive a vaccine. These developments have incited much excitement and hope, but there are still hurdles to overcome before we can sensibly visualise the end of the pandemic. For example, the length of any protection given by vaccines is yet to be discovered, and only one vaccine has yet been approved, with limited supply only protecting the most vulnerable categories. Despite the various challenges of vaccinating millions of people and reaching herd immunity, these advancements are exactly what we have been waiting for. Vaccination is far from a ‘quick fix’, but we are finally on the right track back towards normality. Although it’s too early to say for sure, we have more hope than ever that we’ll be able to hug our Nan’s and be back out on West Street by the end of next year.
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Both the brain and the universe contain areas of research that are largely undiscovered by scientists. In fact, scientists are still unaware of how these networks were formed in the first place.
Illustration of neural network connections Credit: Pixabay
The brain network works on a scale between 1 micrometre to 0.1 millimetres, whereas the universe network works on a much larger scale between 5 million to 500 million light years. Multiple other mathematical techniques identified similar patterns.
Why is this research useful? Although these links are mainly coincidences, it is fascinating that, at such largely different scales, we can map out similar activity in the brain and universe. Both the brain and the universe contain areas of research that are largely
undiscovered by scientists. In fact, scientists are still unaware of how these networks were formed in the first place. Therefore, new data in either field may help contribute to research in the other. This study will also prompt neuroscientists and cosmologists to work together to come up with new research techniques, in what once may have been an unlikely pairing.
Friday 11 December 2020
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Science & Tech
Extinction Rebellion student group respond to the University of Sheffield sustainability plans Sam Gilder An Extinction Rebellion student group at the University of Sheffield have offered their thoughts on the institution’s new blueprint for a sustainable future. Last month, the University of Sheffield put forward its new sustainability strategy. It’s a wideranging plan which sets out how they are going to help tackle the climate crisis. The University has committed to carbon neutrality on campus by 2030 and in all of its activities by 2038. The group said: “Given the predicted progress of climate change, achieving a net zero university by 2038 may be too late and we will always push for
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Given the predicted progress of climate change, achieving a net zero university by 2038 may be too late...”
achieving this faster.” The plan to embed sustainable development into education is also a point of concern for the student group. The University has said they are going to take a “balanced approach” to careers advice. Nathan Ralphs, a member of the Extinction Rebellion group, argued: “Given the continued presence of companies such as BP and Exxon Mobile at our careers fairs, it’s important to address the hypocrisy here.” The group has previously organised protests against the SU supporting banks which contribute to the fossil fuel industry. The group, which was set up in 2018, did not denounce the strategy completely, but made clear there is plenty more work to be done. Regarding the University’s strong ambition to make development on campus sustainable, the group said: “The recent construction and demolishing of the social sciences building, built mostly of concrete, highlights how this has not been integrated into decisions so far despite the conversations at the time.” Ralphs added: “In the previous year we were involved in a protest against the University’s construction
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Many within the University should be commended for their efforts to support sustainable travel, but it is important that the administration facilitates this as much as possible of the ‘transformer’ which is actually a gas-fired generator, despite their claims to be moving away from fossil fuel electricity generation.” The pledge of sustainable travel was also on the group’s radar. Ralphs said: “Coming out of the pandemic we should be mindful of the unnecessary emissions and expenses as a result of academic travel to conferences. Many within the University should be commended for their efforts to support sustainable travel, but it is
Above: Nathan Ralphs, a member of the University of Sheffield’s Extinction Rebellion student group
important that the administration facilitates this as much as possible.” The University and Students’ Union plan to work in tandem to remove carbon-intensive food options such as beef and lamb from outlets. In regard to food choices on campus, the group said: “SU outlets such as Bar One have already made considerable progress in this area, so hopefully other campus areas will
be able to follow the example.” It is clear the Sheffield student branch of Extinction Rebellion appreciates the commitments laid out by the University, though now it is about putting those words into action.
but what causes a ‘food coma’? Some scientists have suggested that an amino acid called tryptophan, found in some meats like turkey, plays a role in producing serotonin. This is a hormone that helps our bodies to feel calm or relaxed. You may also experience more production in melatonin, which is commonly found in milk. This is a hormone that makes us sleepy.
Another explanation is that consuming a high-calorie or highfat meal means the body needs time to digest this, especially when the portions are bigger than what we normally eat. Blood is diverted away from other parts of the body, like muscles, to aid in digestion. So a post lunch walk to get the blood flowing might help you shake off the tiredness.
The science of Christmas dinner Sarah Laptain Excitement from the Christmas buildup is starting to hit us. Lights around the city are twinkling and decorations are appearing in every house, and I’m sure you’re starting to think about what food you’ll have on Christmas day. But have you ever wondered why you hate sprouts? Or why you can’t help but reach for another Quality Street? Science and Tech Editor, Sarah Laptain, explains the science behind your favourite festive meal. Sprouts: love or hate them? Every year parents attempt to put sprouts on their children’s Christmas dinner plates. But the yearly protest against sprouts is actually down to your DNA! For some of us, sprouts taste terribly bitter, and this is due to having a
certain gene. It’s thought that this gene developed when we were scavengers, and certain foods would be poisonous to us. So some people developed a genetic ‘superpower’ making some dangerous foods taste bitter. Sprouts contain a chemical called sulphoraphane, which means they have extra sulphur in them. (You might have noticed this if you’ve overcooked them and smelt rotten eggs). If you have the gene then it causes a reaction with the sulphoraphane in the body and resulting in this bitter taste. If you don’t have the gene then you won’t taste it! Craving for sugary snacks? Our love of puddings and sugary snacks can be explained by looking back to when we didn’t eat as much. Sugars are carbohydrates that our
bodies get energy from. So, when there wasn’t much food available and something sugary gave us a boost of energy needed, this was fantastic. This caused us to develop a sweet tooth. However nowadays, when we have wider access to food this poses a problem. Our sugary cravings now pose more harm to our health. We no longer need the energy boost from them as our food is much more easily accessible. We have also created a lot of products containing refined sugar rather than natural sugars we find in fruit, for example. However, with a balanced diet, a few sugary snacks over Christmas won’t hurt! Why do you feel sleepy after dinner? The need for a nap after Christmas dinner is an all too familiar feeling,
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Science & Tech
Jupiter and Saturn align for the first time in 800 years Morgan Westwood-Cooke This Christmas period, there will be more than just Santa to look for in the night sky. On 21 December, Jupiter and Saturn will appear to touch for the first time since 1226.
This alignment is referred to as the ‘Great Conjunction’ and from anywhere on Earth the planets will seem so close that they appear to form a “double planet”. The planets will actually still be separated by a vast distance, with Jupiter at 530.68
million miles and Saturn at 0.98 billion miles away from Earth at the time this article was written, but to us they will seem so close that they cannot be separated by the human eye. The alignment is clearer the closer to the equator you are, but if
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it’s a clear night it should be visible in the Sheffield sky to the southwest. On average, conjunctions occur between Jupiter and Saturn every 20 years, which is why this planetary conjunction is referred to as a Great Conjunction. A conjunction is when two or more celestial objects appear to be close together, with the event occurring between planets, stars, and the moon on a regular basis. However, they are usually only in alignment, rather than appearing as a “double planet” as they will on 21 December. With this conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn occurring on the winter solstice, the longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and a day of many celebrations globally, it brings us a little magic as 2020 draws to an end. This won’t be the first time we have witnessed a conjunction around Christmas, and it’s theorised that the famous Star of Bethlehem was actually a conjunction between Venus and Jupiter. A list of other Great Conjunctions spanning 3,000 years has been created by Patrick Hartigan from Rice University. He states that a closer Jupiter-Saturn conjunction occurred in 1623, but probably wasn’t seen by many at the time due
to its placement. With the telescope having only been invented 14 years earlier, by Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei. In 2015, a Venus and Jupiter conjunction occurred in June where viewers could “cover both of the planets with just their pinky held at arm’s length”, and things will be even closer this time around with the planets only 0.1 degrees apart. The planets will be closest on the winter solstice, but we can still look forward to an impressive sight on the following nights. Small telescopes will even be able to see a range of both Jupiter’s and Saturn’s moons. Unlike the conjunction of 1623, the conjunction of 1226 was clearly visible to onlookers without any astronomical equipment. It should be even easier to see this year, as with apps such as Google Sky maps and Stellarium, anyone with a phone can track the planets today. The last time many were able to witness this phenomenon, Henry III was King of England and the Magna Carta had been signed just 9 years earlier. With the next chance to see this alignment is after 2400, keep an eye out for this rare sight - you probably won’t be around for the next one!
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Lifestyle
Pigs in knitted blankets this Christmas Eve Thomas
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s Christmas creeps ever-closer we can begin to get excited about our advent calendar chocolates, Christmas trees and luxury food, but perhaps the one big stress that undermines all of these seasonal treats is acquiring the perfect presents. Christmas is a time to celebrate those we love and care about, and generic gifts can feel underwhelming. On top of this is the financial pressure of being a student: now you’ve got to find something special, but you’re on a budget. It is my personal, albeit biased, opinion that the solution to all your Christmas worries lies in knitting. The long periods in national lockdown and tier three this year has given me time to pick up my needles. I’ve learnt a myriad of new patterns and designs, found a hobby I’ve managed to stick to and improved my mental health. Amongst the pressures of university deadlines, it is easy to become obsessively productive, particularly for those who, like me, are happiest when they feel that they are accomplishing something. Knitting is the perfect hobby for this mind-set, forcing you to slow down and do something simple (it is impossible to knit fretfully), whilst also taking away the anxiety that (wrongly) suggests that self-care is ‘wasted time.’’ If you pick up your needles over the next month, you are taking time for yourself, whilst also making beautiful, handmade, and personal gifts for Christmas. It took me about 14 hours to knit the featured unicorn as a gift to my younger sister. These 14 hours were spent chatting on the phone, catching up on Bake Off and listening to music, giving me time for myself, and a unique and handmade gift to show for it. If you have never knitted before,
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Christmas is the perfect time to celebrate those we love and care about, and generic gifts can feel underwhelming.
here are some easy instructions to get you started. Once you have learnt to knit and to purl, you will find that you can manage most patterns, simply by doing these two stitches in different orders. If you are a beginner, I recommend starting with a scarf: it is a useful and practical present, and doesn’t involve anything complicated. If you are a more advanced knitter, check the website for my pattern on making the unicorn pictured, inspired by the Crafty Kit Co. Casting on: 1. Before you do any stitch, you first need to cast on. To do this you can start by simply tying a double knot around your needle. Try to do it loosely enough that another needle can slip in underneath, but no looser. This is your first stitch.
2. Then, slide the other needle in from the same direction, from the front to back.
3. Wrap the wool anti-clockwise around this second needle.
wider, and slip it onto the first needle. You now have two stitches.
6. Repeat this process until you have the desired number of stitches, using the stitch closest to the tip each time (i.e. when you repeat this, you will use the new, second stitch to create your third, then your third to create your fourth etc.) Smaller needles and thinner wool will need more stitches and will take longer. Knitting: Once you’ve made as many stitches as you want, you will need to learn how to knit them. Remember: you always hold the needle with the stitches on in your left hand. Every time you finish a row, you will have the stitches in your right hand, so just swap the needles over. 1. To begin with, do steps 2, 3 and 4 above. 2. Now, instead of making the loop wider and slipping it onto the same needle, simply keep it on the second needle and pull the end stitch (that you have just knitted) off the first needle.
All images provided by Eve Thomas 1. Go into the stitch backwards. You still go into the front half of the stitch, but you go in from the other direction, so you made a cross with the needle tips.
4. This is the trickiest bit, but go slowly, it’s perfectly doable with practice: pull the second needle down and then through into an ‘x’ on top of the first needle, so that it catches the wool you have wrapped around it.
3. If you are doing an entire row of knit stitches (which I suggest at beginner level), repeat this process for every stitch on the first needle.
5. Then, pull it to make the loop
Purling: Purling is just knitting backwards. If you have only just learnt to knit, I recommend practicing it first until you feel confident. Once you can knit, you can purl too, but be patient with yourself: knitting is an inherently patient activity.
2. Wrap the wool around the second needle. You always wrap the wool anticlockwise. 3. Pull the second needle down until it is independent of the first one and then lift it up behind. It should have a stitch on it. 4. As before, slide the end stitch (that you have just purled) off the first needle. 5. If you are doing an entire row of purl stitches (which I suggest at beginner level), repeat this process for every stitch on the first needle. The simplest pattern to begin with is to do every odd row (row 1, 3, 5 etc.) as knit, and every even row (2, 4, 6 etc.) as purl. This will give you a simple but elegant pattern.
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Lifestyle
Sewing needles and pine needles: An embrodiery guide for Christmas gifts Claire Gelhaus
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ome of us will be travelling home for Christmas very soon, or will have done so already, and while it’s exciting to see family, eat copious amounts of cookies and watch Elf, I get stressed picking out gifts for everyone. I want to easily cross the task off my list and have perfectly picked presents for my family and friends— and get some joy from finding the presents too. My solution? Embroidery. It’s cheap, creative, (a little time consuming) but lovely. It’s such a festive hobby too: imagine it sitting next to a fireplace with some christmas music playing. You can make perfect meaningful gifts for the holidays, and gain a new skill and hobby in the process. It’s been hard for all of us to find activities we can do during these series of lockdowns, and embroidery is calming and rhythmic, in that you can keep your mind and hands busy,
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Embroidery is calming, rythmic, in a way that you can keep your hands and mind busy, and take pride in completeing a task.
and feel pride in completing a task. I’m not an expert, but I’m working up to different stitches, and trying new projects. The best part is you can embroider pretty much any piece of clothing, and it’s a great way to make something no one else has. It’s a nice evening activity while watching a TV series or movie, and I figure if you’re ever procrastinating, you might as well learn a new skill in the process. If you need some ideas, t-shirts, jean pockets and tea towels all look wonderful— and even leaving your embroidery on the hoop is a
beautiful way to frame your work. If you want more motivation, Harry Styles wore a t-shirt embroidered for him by his sister and it looked awesome. To get started you’ll really need only a few things: sewing needles, embroidery floss, an embroidery hoop, and fabric. Hoops come in a range of sizes but you’ll want to start with something easy to handle, around 6 inches. You’ll also want some scissors handy. If you want to practice, tea towels are perfect as they’re not a difficult texture to sew through and not valuable if your design has some happy accidents. Sometimes you can even find embroidery fabric with printed lines to practice on. I learned embroidery by following iron on transfers (it was a very charming duck) and those are pretty cheap too. Disappearing ink pens are really useful and you can draw any design you wish. There’s a lot of online embroidery patterns to find so you can hold your project and the pattern up to a light source, and then trace with the pen. This
works best with light colored and thin fabrics. Once you have your supplies, you need to put the hoop on. To do this you will need to loosen the screw of the top hoop and place the smaller one on the bottom of the fabric. Push them together keeping the fabric between taut, and tighten the screw. To get the thread ready, it’s best to cut your thread around two to three feet long, and then separate the six strands in half for two groups of three. Then thread the needle with one of the groups, and tie a chunky double knot at the other end without the needle that will hold. Then you can begin to make stitches. Backstitch The most important stitch to know is a back stitch. They’re best suited for outlines and make a simple solid line. To begin, thread the needle from the back side of the fabric and pull gently to catch the knot in the back. Then move away from where you came up, almost a centimeter, and pull the needle through to the back again.
Then when you make your next stitch, rather than starting right next to where you just pulled your needle through, come up a centimeter away.
All images provided by Claire Gelhaus
Then thread it back down through the second hole you just created. And repeat and repeat to make your desired design.
That’s a backstitch- it’s the bread and butter of most projects. After you feel you’ve mastered that- or you just want to try other techniques- you can get really creative with it! French knots, satin stitches, straight stitches, zig zags. It doesn’t have to be perfect either. Character adds to the design in my opinion, and as a gift, that will make it even more meaningful. And if you don’t have the time, support an artist this holiday season. There are tons of shops on Etsy selling embroidered items who could use the support in this difficult year— and you can even get things personalised just like if you did it yourself.
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Lifestyle
Yule be sorry if you don’t go sustainable this Christmas
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Emily Evans he festivities have begun, and spirits are running high. It’s the start of that season that many of us – and rightfully so after the year we’ve had – are particularly excited for. There are countless things to organise; from putting up the tree and making snowflakes, to searching for a halfdecent gift for the extended family, while also constructing a hefty list of what is needed for Christmas dinner. However, one thing to bear in mind while completing all of these jobs is that Christmas is one of the most exhausting times of the year for our planet. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to be all ‘bah humbug’ about this, but why not consider opting for a more sustainable approach to your Christmas dinner plans this year? Shop organic Compared with conventional methods, organic farming is significantly better for the
environment. Organic farms use natural techniques such as growing their crops in fertile soils that are full of nutrients, that will eventually make their way into your Christmas dinner. Moreover, livestock is able to roam the farm freely, while also eating grass— – contrary to animals being subject to confinement in cages and being force-fed corn in conventional animal farming methods. Granted, the organic route can typically be a little more expensive, but the process at which produce makes its way to your plate is done so with your health in mind. Where to go? It can often be difficult to locate exactly where independentlyrun fruit and vegetable stores are when there’s a Tesco Express or a Morrisons Local seemingly on every corner, yet with websites such as FarmingUK.com and FindLocalProduce.co.uk, there’s never been a better time to know where to head. Such sites enable you to condense the options out there down to counties, giving you
a variety of information on each store from what they sell, their best sellers, down to exactly where you can find them. The notion of shopping locally encourages consumers to shop within a 30-mile radius of their home, so by using such websites will give you a variety of options on where to go for your Christmas veggies! Another major perk of shopping locally is that, more often than not, produce isn’t wrapped in unnecessary plastic, meaning that while you’re supporting the locals, you’re also not contributing to the issue of single-use plastic! Bonus! Preparation is key Knowing how many mouths you’ve got to feed before heading to the shops is so important— – a sustainable Christmas is one that has minimal waste, so by simply writing out a list before you shop will save yourself some dosh and the environment some damage. According to RespectFood.com, a staggering 2 million turkeys, 5 million Christmas puddings, and
Dear Reader, you are loved: Letters to remind you that you’re not alone Christmas is supposed to be a time of celebration, unity and good feeling, but, for many, this year threatens isolation and loneliness in place of the usual pleasures. We want to remind you that you are loved and remembered, even when things feel tough. Whatever your holiday season looks like, these words are for you. Taylor Ogle Dear Reader, I know Christmas cheer feels a bit different this year. I myself find it hard to listen to Elvis Presley’s Blue Christmas without getting a bit too down for my own good. However, you should know you aren’t alone. Many students are consideringevaluating different plans and holiday arrangements than normal. Some families are shielding and others face Christmas Eve dinners with fewer place settings at the table. Winter can be difficult in the best of circumstances. The days are shorter and the nights seem to draw in with clouds of darkness that are thicker than usual. Even enjoying
daily walks, taken up by many over the course of the pandemic, is trickier with the unforgiving cold and rain. For a lot of people, this Christmas is going to be an unlikely one-off. Maybe you’re spending it with housemates instead of family, or . Mmaybe you’re alone for Christmas for the very first time. As unideal as it may seem, use this unorthodox holiday season to create traditions of your own and give yourself the gift of self-love. Wrap yourself up in a massive blanket and truly coddle yourself. You’ve survived a year no one expected. You deserve all the love, care, and gratitude you can give. Make that extra cup of hot chocolate. Add extra marshmallows and whipped cream. Watch the cheesy holiday film no one else in
your house ever tolerates. If you’re ever feeling particularly blue and downtrodden, take a tip from the American icon Mr Rogers: “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” In a holiday season bogged down by tier restrictions and limited contact, focus on the people around you who are looking out for others. Look at the friends who call to check in on you and the neighbors delivering groceries to the vulnerable. And if, by chance, you can’t see any helpers, go and be one yourself. While Christmas cheer looks a bit different, the good will and glad tidings are here to stay.
Fred Baker Dear Reader, The winter season holds significance for many – whether as a time of festivities, or a (perhaps, infrequently-arising) opportunity to return home, catch up with family, and see old friends. Unfortunately, as CovidOVID-19 restrictions persist, it has become clear that this winter will not encompass the usual
74 million mince pies go to waste each Christmas. The figures speak for themselves; plan ahead, know what you want, and there won’t be any need to contribute to such frightening statistics. A guilt-free Christmas is the best way forward. DIY decorations Let’s be honest, unless you fork out a hefty bill for some good quality crackers, they’re never really worth it. The gift gets thrown away, the hats easily tear and the jokes are always the same… so, why not
celebrations, family activities, and heartfelt reunions. Instead, many of us have found ourselves, - perhaps for the first time, - remaining alone at university for its duration. This could be for all manner of reasons. Perhaps to protect a vulnerable relative, or perhaps because of travel restrictions. But, regardless of the reason, it can be difficult to remain positive under such isolating circumstances. Family and friends are so fundamental to many of our Christmas celebrations. Therefore, if you do celebrate Christmas, you could be struggling to get into the festive spirit on your own. It may be helpful to take this year as a unique opportunity to do Christmas your way. You might’ have never spent a Christmas alone before, and might never do so again, so try to commemorate the occasion by doing something for yourself. Cook the food you like, . Ddecorate your home your way, and relish the once-ina-lifetime opportunity to not fight over the TV remote. This is your Christmas, – so take the chance to treat it as such! It’s also important to remember that– you’re spending this holiday season on your own, but you aren’t alone. Although this may, at times, be hard to keep in mind, there are many other students in the same situation, grappling with similar problems. Likewise, be mindful of the fact that
go all ‘DIY’ with the dinner table decorations this year? Grab the scrap paper, cut zig zags downwards, add some funky decorations, tape together and voila! You’ve got yourself your own personalised Christmas hat! As for the jokes— – get those festive juices going, I’m sure you can think of some better ones. By simply opting out of the cracker tradition this year, you’ll be helping to cut down the 40 million Christmas crackers that go to waste each winter. We can do better, we just need to pull together!
your friends and relatives are still there for you, even if they can’t be there in person. If you’re missing those close to you, then, where possible, keep in close contact with them this winter, by calling, texting, or even getting on Zoom. Of course, this isn’t the same as being there with them,. B but it could help in dealing with feelings of loneliness or homesickness. There’s a cliché which tells us that adversities, like the ones you’re facing, make us who we are. This idea can, at times, provide comfort in challenging circumstances. However, it is not a rule, and sometimes, this just isn’t the case. Adversities are just that - adverse - and being alone throughout the holiday season is tough, in a way that no amount of Zoom calls or Christmas movies can change. If you find yourself struggling, you shouldn’t have to ‘grin and bear it’. There are people who want to support you – be they your friends, relatives, or a volunteer at the end of a phone line. You deserve help, and should never feel ashamed to reach out. Have a happy, safe holiday season, and remember that, although it may be challenging, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. None of us could’ve foreseen how this past year would develop. Likewise, next year holds almost infinite possibilities.
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Christmas in the life of a Sheffield student By John Gilding
10:56 AM 10:32 AM
11:48 PM You finish off the label for your secret santa presents, and admire your remarkably smooth wrapping. You got them a mini cookbook about how to jazz up pot noodles into substantial meals, which wasn’t a difficult wrap, and a belt with holsters for six cans, which was.
You wake up. A little later than usual, but what the hell, it’s Christmas. At least, it’s your Flat Christmas, and that’s close enough. You stretch out and reach for your advent calendar on your desk, and munch on the chocolatey delight in bed, preparing yourself for the day.
After putting in a little essay shift, because deadlines don’t understand the meaning of being festive, you venture out of your room to see if you can find some food to tide you over until the afternoon’s Christmas dinner. To your delight, you find a bag of Aldi Wotsits and a KitKat in your cupboard. You only vaguely remember buying them, and it’s not the healthiest meal ever, but what the hell, it’s Christmas.
12:50 PM Even though geese are far from your favourite water bird (herons all the way), you don’t think they deserve to be smothered over potatoes in that way. Besides, the two vegetarians wouldn’t be that keen either. Armed with butter, salt and a hefty dose of “how hard can it be” you step up to the pile of potatoes and prepare for battle, as everyone else bustles about getting everything else together. 2:14 PM After some time, and only a small fire scare, dinner is laid out on the table. Everyone takes their obligatory pictures, videos and Boomerangs for their Instagram stories, and then it’s ready to eat. Your potatoes, despite the lack of knowledge or any sort of plan, aren’t even a disaster. They aren’t the crispy golden delights of home either, but that’s something to look forward to for your second Christmas.
12:42 PM Terrified by the thought of mushy, crispless potatoes, you keep checking your phone for a spudsaving text from your dad, even though you know it’s on silent, in his pocket and he won’t even glance at it until the evening. All you have to go on is a random TikTok you’ve found with a very energetic woman talking about goose fat and par-boiling.
Time moves faster at Christmas, and soon the whole flat is piling into the kitchen to whip up a festive feast for six. At least, a student finance festive feast, so it’s a chicken, and you can forget about sprouts fried with bacon, or cranberry sauce, which is essentially jam. Somehow, a few days before, you had been elected to be in charge of the all-important roast potatoes. The decision was based on a boast you made that your dad cooked the best roasties in Britain. You were five cans into a crate of Strongbow, but you still said it, and look where it’s got you.
3:01 PM Once everyone has filled themselves with roast dinner, it’s time for Secret Santa. To make sure it’s as anonymous as possible, everyone returns to their room, and you all take it in turns to sneak out and place their gifts at the receiver's door.
6:57 PM
It's the most wonderful time of the year...
12:26 PM
Three games deep into the evening and peckish feelings start to creep in, so the Christmas snacks are wheeled out. Cheese and biscuits for those interested in that kind of thing, and a yule log for everyone. Food with deliberate blue mould growing through it isn’t really your cup of tea, so you tuck into some log instead and settle in for an evening of games, the Polar Express and feeling too full to move.
3:17 PM Now with mysterious gifts, you all reconvene in the kitchen for the opening session. Your gifts go down very well, and Santa furnishes you with a bag of Maltesers in a cactus patterned mug that says ‘Don’t be a prick’ on the front. You can’t go wrong with Maltesers and a mug, so you’re happy with that.
3:44 PM A Flat Christmas is still a Christmas, so that means party games and alcohol, if that’s your thing. Charades is voted in as the first game, and you scribble down movies, TV shows and everything else in between to put in the hat for people to act. Your personal favourites are Pop Tarts, Varsity and Mamma Mia 2. Someone brings out some bottles of Christmas drink. It’s an odd premixed cocktail, a sort of cranberry Buck’s Fizz that really just tastes of vaguely fruity sweetness. Still, it makes charades more interesting.
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A Letter: From Mr C. Ovid to Forge Press
Dear Forge, I’ll be honest, I’m getting so sick of writing to you. Oh, not through any fault of your own. It’s just the trouble of letterwriting in today’s world: the second you start writing, give it two days and the whole world has shaken itself again. That is partly my fault, I admit, but I started this letter last week when work was drying up due to the sodding national lockdown, and you’d best believe I was annoyed. How could I not be? All through lockdown, jobs have been harder to come by. All they do is sack (sorry, ‘let you go’) now, and yet houses, schools, hospitals still need building. They still need nurses, construction workers, engineers. It’s all starting to remind me of the eighties, and I only survived that by hook or crook. Now we’re back in that tier
Bumper Christmas Quiz By Emily Staniforth 1. Which supermarket condemned racist comments that were made about the family pictured in their Christmas advert this year? 2. Due to the coronavirus pandemic how many households can create a bubble together to celebrate Christmas this year? 3. At which royal residence does the Queen usually spend Christmas? 4. Which of Santa’s reindeer comes last alphabetically? 5. In which Christmas movie does the outgoing president Donald Trump appear?
6. In the song ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ how many maids-amilking are there? 7. Which country did the tradition of Christmas trees come from? 8. What gifts did the three wise men bring to the baby Jesus in Bethlehem? 9. In the film ‘Nativity’ which actor played Mr Maddens? 10. How many days of advent are there?
going halfway across the country to prove it? It’s like that book, Catch-22. I suppose they could have clocked that one the first time. It’d have saved loads of bother; it’s almost like inviting millions of people across the country to live in the same place in the name of education and then blaming them for doing so wasn’t a daft enough idea. So they’re going to do it backwards, by sending them back out all over the country again. The Cummings Test, it ought to be called. Not that he has much say anymore, with him having now left the sinking ship. I don’t know about you, but if he’s made out to be this super genius, he’s made a bloody terrible job of it – they’re only now testing students once they’re going home! Talk about not seeing the
wood for trees. What do they expect will happen? I’m pushing all my jobs back until January and February time because of it. It helps the students of Sheffield too that teaching is going online where reasonably applicable on December 4. Better late than never. That’s about right for most government response nowadays. It benefits my business, yes – all those young people, feeling invincible, hugging Granny Pat and Grandad Pete – but I’ll show you how it could have been done better. They should have put classes outside! That’s what all them rules are about, aren’t they? Everybody outside, distanced, jumping on the spot like in Year 5 P.E., all while some lecturer tells them all about thermodynamics.
11. Which singer died on Christmas Day 2016?
16. In which country has KFC become synonymous with Christmas celebrations? 17. In the film ‘Love Actually’ what is the job of Hugh Grant’s character?
Mr C. Ovid
Image credits (clockwise from top left): Barnard Castle (credit: Keith Ruffles via Wikimedia Commons); 2009 Trafalghar Square Christmas Tree (credit: Peter Trimming via Geograph); A handsome reindeer (credit: Natalia Kollegova via Needpix
23. In which classic children’s book is it “always winter but never Christmas”?
13. Which Youtuber has held the number 1 spot in the UK Christmas charts for the past two years with ‘We Built This City on Sausage Rolls’ and ‘I Love Sausage Rolls’?
15. Which television special did 11.6 million viewers tune in to watch on Christmas Day 2019?
Yours,
22. Which children’s cartoon character made it to Christmas Number 1 in 2000?
12. In 1914 what sport did the soldiers play in No Man’s Land during the unofficial Christmas Truce?
14. What is the name of the miserable main character in Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’?
Exercise, education and everybody involved! Also, it seems VC Koen Lamberts reads my letters! I heard that, for the month of December, students residing at University Accommodation are to receive two (2) weeks’ relief on their rent for that month. Wonderful! Terrific! Welcome, Comrade Lamberts! Glad to have you on board. If only they’d have thought of not paying rent at the times when most students generally won’t be there. There is one benefit to Cummings leaving, however. They can now put me in charge. That’s what we’ve all been thinking, there’s no harm in denying it. I can see it now. Mr C. Ovid, the new advisor to the Prime Minister. Gives me shivers, it does.
24. In which modern-day country was Saint Nicholas born? 25. Which Christmas tune became the first song broadcast from space in 1965? 18. What Christmas song is the best-selling single of all time? 19. Which Christmas drink is also sometimes known as ‘milk punch’? 20. Which company’s Christmas adverts have featured songs performed by Lily Allen, Tom Odell and Elbow among many others? 21. Which city has donated the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree to the UK since 1947?
The Answers 1. Sainsbury's 2. Three 3. Sandringham House 4. Vixen 5. Home Alone 2 6. Eight 7. Germany 8. Gold, frankinscense and myrrh 9. Martin Freeman 10. Twenty-four 11. George Michael 12. Football 13. LadBaby 14. Ebenezer Scrooge 15. Gavin and Stacey 16. Japan 17. UK Prime Minister 18. White Christmas Bing Crosby 19. Eggnog 20. John Lewis 21. Oslo, Norway 22. Bob the Builder 23. The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe 24. Turkey 25. Jingle Bells
By Ryan Smith
lockdown again, only with about 90% more of the country now in what they call ‘severe’ restrictions, I wondered if one of you could honestly tell me the difference between Tier 2 and Tier 3? Is it ‘scary’ and ‘super scary’? You’d be forgiven for thinking things were the same as before if not for everything being shut now. Right before Christmas too! How is anybody to get in the Christmas spirit if everything is online? This is where Boris Johnson has saved the day. By letting the country have a ‘Christmas window’, it gives us the freedom you voted for! No nonsense approaches have been missing from this country for years, and now here is a man who will let half the country visit three different houses as many times as they wish. Who needs health and safety with Johnson in charge? Christmas 2020 is going to give me one hell of a wage packet, and I couldn’t be happier. So go! Go across the country! Kiss and hug as many people as you wish! Spread the love! Which reminds me. The ‘travel window’ for students, which means they get certain days where they can go back home and cuddle everyone. I’m all for it, personally. What better way to make sure someone isn’t ill by
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Forge Press
Looking Ahead
Our cultural calendar highlights
Film
Television
Film
Pop
Film
Jo Brand's Guide to Staying Sane
The Prom
MisterWaves
Soul
18 December
11 December
11 December
13 December
25 December
Tensions are rising in 1920’s Chicago with the “Mother of the Blues”, Ma Rainey, over the course of an afternoon during a recording session, starring Viola Davis as the lead, alongside Chadwick Boseman in his final production. On Netflix.
A one-off hour-long programme will be coming to our screens in the coming weeks to offer audiences a light-hearted perspective on how to meander through the lockdown restrictions. Brand says: “This guide will be the perfect companion to help us get through the gloomy winter months”. Tune in at 8pm on
A high school student experiences heartbreak like no other when the PTA cancels prom, until three witty, outlandish and downright narcissistic theatre stars step in to try and save the day. The Prom fuses comedy, music and glam into one fabulous production. On Netflix.
Following the release of their 19-track album, Superbloom, MisterWives are back with their very own ‘livedream’. Promising a technicolour visual experience that will transport us to better times. The livestream is at 3pm, with tickets available via Momenthouse.com.
Pixar Animation presents us with Joe Gardener (voiced by Jamie Foxx) - a school band teacher with a passion for all things jazz, who adventures through his own out-of-body experience and tries to navigate himself back home. On Disney+.
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
Theatre The Haunting of Alice Bowles 17 December
Games
Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout, Season 3
Television Bridgerton
TBC
25 November
While the exact date of season 3’s release is yet to be confirmed, creators hint that it’ll be available for download around 10 December. Steering away from the medieval and towards a winter theme, our little jelly beans are ready for a vamp up of new skins, maps, moves and more. Release: TBC.
An amalgamation of Julia Quinn’s novels, Bridgerton follows the lives of said family’s experiences with wealth, desire and betrayal in an 8-part drama series. Produced by Shonda Rhimes and narrated by Julie Andrews, Bridgerton will be released on Netflix.
Television
Tiny Pretty Things 14 December
Based on M.R James’ short story The Experiment, The Haunting of Alice Bowles production is a supernatural thriller, following Alice Bowles’ longing to discover the mystery that her late husband left her. Available from 7.30pm on 17 December - 28 February; tickets for via origionaltheatreonline.com.
An upcoming drama series based on the novel of the same name by Sona Charaipotra and Dhonielle Clayton, Tiny Pretty Things follows the lives of elite ballet dancers who are far away from home, documenting their rise to success or bitter end. On Netflix.
Theatre
Games
A Christmas Carol
Minecraft Dungeons: Howling Peaks
Until 24 December
9 December
What’s the festive season without a Dickens adaptation of A Christmas Carol? The Old Vic presents viewers with an on-screen production starring Andrew Lincoln (Love Actually) as Ebenezer Scrooge for an uplifting, joyous performance this Christmas. Available from 12-24 December via oldvictheatre.com for tickets.
Following Mojang’s tweet discussing the release of Howling Peaks, creators have revealed that the addition will consist of ‘a new mountainous area filled with unique wind-based baddies, a terrifying new boss, loads of fear and new puzzles to solve’. Minecraft Dungeons will be released just in time for Christmas.
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Forge Press
Arts & Theatre
Interview
“A little piece of history”: Holly Bourne’s #SignForOurBookshops Campaign In the midst of a difficult time for bookshops, University of Sheffield alumni, Holly Bourne, has set up the #SignForOurBookshops campaign to help support Britain’s bookshops during this second lockdown. Recently, Arts & Theatre Editor, Betty Wilson spoke to Bourne about the importance of bookshops, how the campaign came about, and how you can get involved.
How did the idea come about and what does the #SignForOurBookshops campaign involve? I was trying to figure out something that I could do where bookshops are offering something that Amazon can’t. I wanted to try and hammer home the message that bookshops already offer so much that Amazon can’t and that they are really important, wonderful things to have in local communities. That’s where I got the idea for this signed bookplate campaign and it’s just really taken off, and I wasn’t expecting it to be as big as it has! It’s been wonderful to see.
We’re so lucky that Chris Riddell, former Children’s Laureate, who is one of the most talented drawers I have ever seen, has designed bookplates for the campaign. So it feels like you’re buying a little piece of history. There’s been a lot of horrible things to remember but a part of me feels like a book is such a lasting gift to yourself or to somebody else anyway. In ten, fifteen, twenty years, when we look back at this terrible year you’ll be able to look back at this book, with a beautifully designed signed bookplate and know you bought into a little thing that tried to do good during these strange, horrible times.”
Above: #SignForOurBookshops Promotion Artwork. Credit: Chris Riddell via Twitter. Below: Author and Sheffield alumni Holly Bourne. Credit: Edwardx via Wikimedia Commons.
How can people get involved in the campaign? So we tried to make it as easily scalable as possible which meant that each author is responsible for whether or not they take part and how they take part. But if you fancy a signed bookplate what you do is you search the hashtag #SignForOurBookshops. It will take a real browsing because so many authors have signed up, there are so many to choose from. There are some really big names there like David Nicholls, Matt Haig, Adam Kay, some really amazing children’s authors like Jacqueline Wilson has pledged. You could just
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I think that bookshops are magical places that I really hope make it through and I hope this campaign helps people remember just how wonderful they are
Friday 11 December 2020
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Arts & Theatre
Fresh books
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Bookshops have struggled so much already and so many of them have moved mountains to make themselves operational get the best birthday or Christmas presents for people ever! So you kind of see which authors are taking part using the hashtag and then they will have said either on their Instagram or their Twitter how they’re participating. Bigger authors like Adam Kay have twinned with a bookshop so you can buy through that bookshop directly and they’ll send it to you through the post with a signed bookplate. Or other authors have said just email me proof of purchase from a bookshop and then I will hand write you a note and send it to you. Maybe just get on your favourite author’s profiles and see if they’re part of the campaign or I would say, bring back browsibility, and look at all the authors taking part and thinking: “oh wow, I’ve never heard of them” and “they sound really great” and “I could get that for my friend for Christmas” and “I can get it signed. It’s a part of history.” Do you worry that the pandemic may be the tipping point in an already tough period for bookshops?
The Cousins Karen M McNamus
Layla Colleen Hoover
Coming Up For Air Nicole B. Tyndell
Following a mysterious invite, three cousins
After an unexpected attack changes a
A beautiful coming-of-age story that
spend a summer at their grandmas
relationship forever, love must fight against
encapsulates the all encompassing feelings of
discovering family secrets.
tragedy but choices could change everything.
first love with the struggle of heartbreak.
Obviously, bookshops have been forced to close because they’ve been considered non-essential items in this second lockdown, and it’s just the worst time possible for bookshops to close because of the upcoming Christmas trade. Lots of people will be shopping around about now to buy books for Christmas and loads of publishers dropped their biggest releases that they were relying on to sell lots of copies at the end of October, beginning of November to try and capitalise on this. And of course, bookshops aren’t open and the temptation for so many people is to go to Amazon and it just could be a bloodbath. Bookshops have struggled so much already and so many of them have moved mountains to make themselves operational during the first lockdown so this second one just feels like such a blow.” I know that Amazon’s share value has gone up - it’s extraordinarily huge - since the pandemic. They’ve been one of the huge winners. I do think we’d miss book shops if they went. Bookshops pay tax and they’re wonderful places to browse. And bookshops are so important if you’re an author because if you’re buying a book on Amazon, you’re usually buying a book that you’ve already heard of, from an author you’ve already heard of because you have to search for the title of the book. Whereas so many midlist and smaller authors rely on people - it’s raining or they’ve got ten minutes before their train, so they pop into the book shop. There’s all these beautiful displays and the bookseller comes up and asks what do you like or they see a really nice table, a front cover, a title that appeals to them and then they’ve discovered this book and this author that they wouldn’t have. So, if bookshops crumble it would be really bad for authors and I think just terrible for communities. I think that bookshops are magical places that I really hope make it through and I hope this campaign helps people remember just how wonderful they are.” If you’re interested in getting involved - whether you want a signed bookplate for yourself or if you still have some Christmas presents to buy - head over to Twitter and search the hashtag #SignForOurBookshops for all the authors and their details.
Radio Play Preview
Drunk or Delusional Eve Thomas Conal Gallagher’s new radio play Drunk or Delusional is funny, uplifting and represents an image of a happier world than the one we are in now. Written over the summer and set in a pandemicfree hometown, the narrative promises a brief escape from the stresses of 2020 as the audience are transported to a school reunion which results in a messy night out. As Sheffield remains in tier three and pubs and restaurants are closed for the foreseeable future, a chance to partake in any social event – even one in which you are only the audience – is a welcome relief. The University of Sheffield’s own Theatre Company (SUTCo) is producing an adaptation of the new and timely piece, to entertain us over a very different Christmas period. Liv Hawksworth is directing the play, one of many dedicated Sheffield students seeking to keep theatres present in our lives. She promises that the piece “doesn’t take itself too seriously” and that, in “following a normal group of friends on a whacky night out, it’s something that quite a lot of people would quite like to be listening to” in the current anti-social climate. The sense of familiarity derived from listening to characters living normal lives is essential to the plot as the play reflects real people living
real lives and enjoying themselves amongst friends. Hawksworth explains that this relatable narrative offers “an insight into lots of the characters’ different lives and their relationships… how they have all gone on and done different things and the kind of frictions that might have led to.” The medium of radio is new to most of the production team, as Hawksworth and Editors Lucy Bugg and Christopher Peston are experiencing working on their first production. This form has its challenges, as producer Mia Young explains: “You think they should take less time because you’re not there in a physical rehearsal, but actually you’re trying to organise everything – and there’s always Wi-Fi problems – and then you’re editing as well,
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Following a normal group of friends on a whacky night out, it’s something that quite a lot of people would quite like to be listening to in the current anti-social climate.
so you’ve got a whole behind-thescenes that you don’t have with a normal play… while you’re still rehearsing and creating something, the timeline is completely different, you’re doing it before you actually set it out, it’s not just on the night.” However, it also comes with exciting new opportunities, as Bugg explains, “it is more creative than I thought it would be with the timing of the sound effects and choosing exactly how it would be best for everyone. I’m really enjoying it.” Overall, the team are optimistic; Hawksworth “ha[d] to park those assumptions derived from SUTCo’s normal work, and go ‘right ok, this is what we’re able to do now, how can we get the most out of that as a creative process?’” The result of this thought process is a few hours of theatrical entertainment for listeners who want to be transported back to the pub for an evening. The upbeat escapism promised by Gallagher’s play will be brought to life by the talented SUTCo cast, whose dedication to theatre has equipped them for the transition from the stage to theatre.
The play is realised on Spotify in two parts. A link is available on the SUTCo Facebook page.
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Forge Press
Arts & Theatre Opinion
“A missed opportunity”: Wollstonecraft statue highlights the importance of art representation Jade Burnett A commemorative sculpture intended to memorialise the writer, philosopher and women’s rights advocate Mary Wollstonecraft has caused much controversy upon its unveiling in London. The artist behind the sculpture is Maggi Hambling who is no
Image: The public sculpture for feminist writer and advocate Mary Wollstonecraft in Newington Green, London. Credit: Grim23 via Wikimedia Commons
stranger to controversy, having divided opinion with her sculptures of the writer Oscar Wilde and the composer Benjamin Britten. For this sculpture, Hambling has forgone a direct representation of Wollstonecraft in favour of an abstract depiction of what has been described as the ‘everywoman’. The sculpture depicts a notably small female figure emerging from a metallic structure intended to represent the struggles that Wollstonecraft overcame during her lifetime, and has proved controversial largely due to the
figure’s nudity. Being unveiled in November 2020, in a year when we are beginning to engage in deeper conversations regarding the political and historical significance of public monuments, Hambling’s A Sculpture for Mary Wollstonecraft, has served to highlight the complexities of this debate. Undoubtedly, the main point of controversy that has arisen from the sculpture is Hambling’s decision to focus on the depiction of a naked woman. There is nothing inherently wrong or gratuitous about the nudity of the statue when taken as an individual piece of art, but it is when we contextualise its nudity alongside Wollstonecraft’s writing that a problem begins to emerge. It is clear that Hambling did intend for the sculpture’s nudity to be a statement of sorts, wishing to challenge traditional Victorian approaches to portraying male figures and attempting to avoid producing an image of Wollstonecraft that is stuck within a historical framework that diminishes the modern relevance of her writing. However, whilst these are important points of discussion when addressing artistic approaches to commemoration, the conversation
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Friday 11 December 2020
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Arts & Theatre becomes more difficult when we consider the nudity of the statue within the prominent image of Wollstonecraft’s feminist writing. Wollstonecraft famously wrote of the ‘gilt cage’ of femininity, addressing the ways in which perceptions of women’s bodies and appearances are used to hold them back from their intellectual potential and thus act as a form of oppression. In this sense, the debate stirred by the figure’s nudity, which has clearly distracted from an educational conversation about history and philosophy, seems to have proven Wollstonecraft’s point, forcing us to ask whether this is the way that she would have wanted her work to be remembered. This year has seen the fruition of many long-standing debates around who we memorialise in art and the purpose that those works serve, with the toppling of the Edward Colston statue in Bristol and a commission being set up to investigate the possible removal of the Cecil Rhodes statue at the University of Oxford. Perhaps much of the disappointment that many have expressed with the sculpture regards the missed opportunity to begin to address the imbalance that exists in the portrayal of historical figures in public spaces. A 2016 study found that there were only 25 statues of named historical women in the UK, and whilst this has begun to change with the introduction of statues portraying Suffragettes Emmeline Pankhurst and Annie Kenny in 2018, the problem is still far from being solved. It also must be noted in these conversations around inclusivity, that the concept of the ‘everywoman’ is non-existent in representation, and that public artists seeking to address these imbalances should create monuments that are representative of the diverse experiences of women, and inclusive to women of colour, trans women, women with disabilities and working-class women. The protests of Black Lives Matter and the activism carried out recently around historical monuments have raised the conversation on the way that public memorials hold significance for communities and their role in building historical and political narratives. In the frame of this debate, Hambling’s statue is a missed opportunity to engage communities of women in contributing to the historical narratives that are relevant and important to them, and to bring positive representation to younger generations of women.
Theatre Review
A clever and funny production rife with talent Climb Ev’ry Mountain Zoom
Orla Katz Webb-Lamb This year’s production by Sheffield University’s Performing Arts Society (SUPAS) is a little different from those that have come before doesn’t that just sum up 2020! The idea of a musical done remotely seems like no easy feat. How on earth would that work? SUPAS were clearly thinking the same thing because the premise of this production is the preparation for a musical during lockdown, and therefore the fact that this is all on Zoom does not feel subordinate to any other setting, nor is it once questioned. The musical is split into 15 minute episodes that are released
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...the fact that this is all on Zoom does not feel subordinate to any other setting, nor is it once questioned.
in intervals on SUPAS’s YouTube, and at the time of this review, parts one and two had been released. The full show will be available by 12 December. The musical kicks off with a breath-taking rendition of ‘There Are Worse Things I Could Do’ from Grease performed by Charlotte Beeden. It is sung with depth, character, and an incredible vibrato, especially on the higher notes, and the song establishes high hopes for the rest of the production. Initially, it is unclear what this scene is for, however it later becomes apparent that it is an audition tape for the three producers who form the main cast, played by Olly Battersby, Erin Stewart and Rhiannon McQuone. The first part is a mixture of classic slapstick show-business catastrophes such as a broken shoulder in the dance audition and a compilation of (purposefully) awful singing auditions, tying together well the clichéd disasters of auditions and stage performance. The audience’s worst fears are embodied as part one ends with a scene in which one of the producers forgets to turn her camera off when she goes to the loo during an audition. The plotline here is slightly predictable and unoriginal, however, it does not stop it from being entertaining, nor does it
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George Bowley’s voice hits every single note, and has the deep, assured tone one would expect from a Captain Von Trapp. stop us as viewers from having a reaction and feeling second-hand embarrassment. As part two unfolds, the audience becomes interested in a storyline which follows one of the people auditioning for the part of Captain Von Trapp. He initially forgets the second word of the song Edelweiss, which is, of course Edelweiss, and whilst funny, we also have no hopes for his audition. He simply doesn’t seem to be anything special. However, after being given a do-over, he miraculously pulls it out of the bag with Stars from Les Miserables. It is a moving performance and an incredible audition, George Bowley’s voice hits every single note, and has the deep, assured tone one would expect from a Captain Von Trapp. Despite the slightly corny story line, this scene stands out in particular because the talent of both the acting and singing are excellent. It is a clever and funny 30-minutes, reminding us of the all-too-familiar Zoom difficulties that we are still tackling today. It was packed with fun, jokes, and relatable gags whether that be
From left to right: Mia (Erin Stewart), Peter (Olly Battersby) and Hannah (Rhiannon Mcquone). Credit: ‘Climb Ev’ry Mountain’ Episode One: Maria and Episode Two: Edelweiss from the SUPAS Youtube channel
because they are about the musicals we all know or because they play to our individual frustrations with organising anything remotely. However, there are certain elements of the execution that knock it down a few pegs. It could be sleeker. There were certain dialogue scenes which could have been tighter, and most scenes do not need to be as long as they are, especially some of the singing ones. Nonetheless, the production is rife with talent, whether that be in the music: the composers, the piano part, the flute; the performers: the singing, the acting; or the production: the script, the tech work. It brings excitement for future remote productions.
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Forge Press
Music
Ditch the classics and rock around your Christmas tree to these lesser known festive tunes If We Make It Through December - Phoebe Bridgers
A
s someone who listens to Christmas music from the start of November, it’s always exciting when an artist that I like releases a Christmas song. I like to expand my festive playlist each year, a fairly difficult job as new good Christmas music is quite rare. But, the task was made a lot easier for me this year when Phoebe Bridgers, one of my favourite artists, came out with a four song Christmas EP. This was honestly so exciting for me, if you’re a fan of Christmas songs that make you cry, you will love this EP, and ‘If we make it through December’ is definitely my favourite. It portrays the sadder side of Christmas and how for a lot of
people the holiday season is the opposite of the most wonderful time of the year. Bridgers' beautiful vocals paired with the gentle piano tune work so well together to form the ideal song to add to your ‘Lonely Christmas’ playlist. Shekha McCarthy
On The 24th - The Twang
T
he Twang’s ‘On The 24th’ is an underrated Christmas song, by a criminally underrated band. A relatively lesser known festive track by a band who were written off by critics in the noughties doesn’t sound appealing, but it soundtracks my December. An alternative take on a typical festive tune, it tackles the darker side of seasonal drinking and the financial worry that often causes it. Although solemn and gloomy in tone, it conveys genuine love in heartfelt lyrics that keep the track in touch with Christmas spirit. Made festive by triumphant horns and a hauntingly beautiful violin, its mood is reminiscent of The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl’s classic ‘Fairytale of New York’. It provides a refreshing
Xmas Has Been X'ed NOFX
C
hristmas punk songs are easy. Pick a Christmas classic, double the speed, smother it in distortion, and discordantly bellow the lyrics. Voila; your subversive irreverence is aptly demonstrated. Well done you. Luckily, when NOFX tried their hand at a yuletide jingle, they put in a little more effort. These guys wrote the Christmas song to end all Christmas songs. No, really. ‘Xmas Has Been X’ed’ is set in a fictional reality where it’s proven beyond doubt that Jesus never existed. Over a thunderous drumbeat and pleasingly unsophisticated power chords, a clear message is blasted out; Christmas is cancelled. Have you considered Judaism? Yet, the real target isn’t Christmas itself. Rather, the tackiness and materialism that surrounds it. “No shopping sprees/No more presents/ Under dead trees/Saint Nick is dead”, the singer yells, and whilst
this declaration does straddle the line between iconoclastic genius and obnoxious party-pooping, its fresh, and there is freedom. Now, I don’t want to dampen anyone’s holiday spirits. But I would like to remind the fanatically festive that their enthusiasm for the season is not universal. They’ve got their
Last Christmas’s and Santa Baby’s – don’t those of us less keen on mince pies and a-wassailing deserve just a little something? Ed Brown
antithesis to the swarm of jolly pop Christmas songs that are usually rolled out in December, which makes me sound incredibly old and bitter, but I just like a bit of realism. Festive, I know. A festive anthem about turning to alcohol and having no money does not seem as if it would spark a living room karaoke session, but it has the potential to do so. Tom Coates
Friday 13 November 2020
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Music
Christmas in Hollis - Run D.M.C.
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’ve always loved Run-D.M.C.’s 'Christmas In Hollis' – it expresses a genuine love of the season and couldn’t have been made by anyone other than Run-D.M.C. Released in 1987, the funky ode became rap’s first holiday standard. Its beats and rhythm lock together tightly throughout to deliver a festive vibe with real personality. The track samples familiar festive
tracks like 'Joy to the world', 'Jingle Bells' and surprisingly fuses them with their signature rhythmic verse, adding a retro, swag cover to their carefully cultivated image as leathercloaked rebels. 'Christmas in Hollis', of course, is not your stereotypical Christmas song. It's funky, soulful, and ditches the childish fantasies, opting instead for some reality. The title refers
to Hollis, Queens, the New York City neighbourhood in which the members of Run-D.M.C. grew up, and the track's story is a simple one, it's about real people, and what actually happens at Christmas: “Christmas time in Hollis Queens / Mom’s cooking chicken and collard greens!” Jinqian Li
Falling snow on a silent night - Poemme
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Christmastime - The Smashing Pumpkins
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he Smashing Pumpkins are not a band people would usually associate with the jubilance of the holiday period. Released back in 1997, 'Christmastime" is a mellow ode that provides a tinsle clad change of pace for the goth rock icons. The track evokes parental love, and the nostalgic joy a parent feels
watching their child open presents on Christmas Morning. "I remember dreaming / Wishing, hoping, praying for this day / Now I sit and watch them / The little ones I love / So excited by the wait." On the track, Billy Corgans leathery voice compliments the warm instrumentation to a euphoric degree, with intermittent christmas
bells providing the familial charm central to most Christmas classics. How this song is not a part of these classics is a festive faux pas. Its the perfect antidote to the overplayed yuletide cheese, and belongs on every Christmas playlist. Thomas Hirst
raditional Christmas songs are often defined by driving melodies, lyrics of romance and nostalgia, and earworm hooks - that when done right - nestle in your brain untarnished by relentless repetition. ‘Falling snow on a silent night’, the closing track from Poemme’s 2019 album Frozen Passages, is antithetical to traditional Christmas song dynamics. Poemme is the moniker of composer Angela Klimek, a Cleveland based musician whose compositions are tranquil and disarming, combining a blissful intensity that envelopes the listener with soundscapes awash with deep emotional ideas. The track evokes a December night, where streets are coated in pearly white snow and glistening stars shine with purity against a coal black sky. This 12-minute soundscape ebbs and flows; quietly piercing drones and gentle synths achingly build before plateauing, treading through the many emotions of winter. The penetrating cold, swallowing darkness and creeping isolation we can feel through winter and Christmas are beautifully presented. But so too is the frosted charm that winter offers; the sense of wonderment we all feel at the sight of snowfall, or the awe of a cloudless, shimmering morning winter sky. This is a song not to be played between ‘Merry Xmas Everyone’ and ‘I Wish it Could Christmas Everyday’ but as a song that conjures the complex feeling that accompanies this time of year, you can’t do much better. James Turrel
Christmas TV - Slow Club
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Image: "Darryl 'DMC' McDaniels + Joseph 'Run' Simmons (RUN-DMC)" by gaisler | instagram.com/gaisler, "Phoebe Bridgers" by davidjlee, "Slow Club - Devonshire Green - Tramlines 2015" by Tramlines Festival Official, "Smashing Pumpkins" by Anne Helmond, "The Twang" by Coventry City Council , "Eric Melvin from Nofx @ Groezrock 2011" by Sylvain Stricanne, <a href='https://pngtree.com/so/santa-clipart'>santa clipart png from pngtree. com</a>, all licensed under CC BY 2.0
n 2009, Sheffield duo Slow Club released their Christmas, Thanks For Nothing EP which featured stripped back covers of the jingly festive songs that we all know and love. The EP brought raw vocals, acoustic guitars as well as the original song, ‘Christmas TV’. This track is one of the best Christmas songs because it’s not your typical sleigh bell jingles and catchy choir choruses. Rather, it’s a love song about being with those who are important to you at Christmas time. The acoustic track features the pair singing to each other about
coming home for the holidays as they harmonise to the lyrics “I’d like it if you made it to mine by Christmas Eve, so you can hold me. And We’ll watch Christmas TV”. Its an idyllic Christmas romance - too caught up in the moment to notice the terrible programme running in the background. ‘Christmas TV’ is on the border of being a Christmas song and it’s one that features on my playlist all year round so definitely go check it out. add to your ‘Lonely Christmas’ playlist. Ella Craig
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Music
Feature
Sheffield music foundation launched in memory of late Tramlines director Sarah Nulty Thomas Hirst
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heffield’s vibrant and diverse grassroots music scene has gained a new support network following the recent launch of The Sarah Nulty Power of Music Foundation. The charity, created in memory of the late Tramlines director, provides grant funding to community groups, schools, and socially and economically disadvantaged people so they can access the transformative power of music. Sarah’s mother, Julie Voisey, who heads the charities trustees, said: “Since we lost Sarah, we have been
overwhelmed by the way her friends and the people across the city came together to support local charities in her memory. “In creating the Power of Music Foundation, we hope to spread happiness and joy throughout Sheffield in a new way. “We know that music has the ability to improve people’s mental wellbeing and in these very difficult times, I truly hope we can make a difference to people’s lives.” From funding music therapy for community groups and grants, to purchasing instruments and enabling access to online music classes throughout lockdown, the foundation aims to spread happiness
through music. Sarah Nulty was an integral part of the Sheffield music scene after she arrived as a student in 1999, working her way up from behind the bar to becoming one of the driving forces behind Tramlines since 2009. Speaking about the Foundation’s grant funding launch, Julia Waldron, Development Manager from Under The Stars, an arts and events charity for people with learning disabilities, said: “Sarah was a passionate supporter of Under The Stars, she gave our artists exposure on prominent stages they are often excluded from. “This fund will give lots more people with a disability in Sheffield opportunities in music that would
otherwise be unavailable. We are really looking forward to working with the Sarah Nulty Power of Music Foundation in the future.” Individuals and businesses across Sheffield can support by making regular or one-off donations via TotalGiving or through the Foundation’s shop online at www.thesarahnultypowerofmusicfoundation.co.uk, where supporters can purchase the iconic ‘Be More Nulty’ T-shirts, as well as tote bags with an exclusive design that represents the charity’s new beginnings. Supporting organisations are invited to apply for the Power of Music Foundation’s first round of grant funding by visiting the Foundation’s website. Individual grants of up to around £300 will be
considered, and used in a variety of the aforementioned ways. Mrs Voisey added: “From funding music lessons to purchasing musical equipment and everything in between, we’re open to helping people to experience the power and joy that music can bring in whatever way that works for them.” “Music was such an enormous part of Sarah’s life and something so close to her heart. This feels like the right way to remember her.”
Image: The Sarah Nulty Power of Music Foundation
Opinion
The eternal love of hating the Grammys
Image: "File:The Weeknd at Bumbershoot 2015 (21367628469).jpg" by Kayla Johnson from Seattle, United States is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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Ingrid Edvardsen
he highly anticipated Grammy nominations have once again caused deep discontent, this year most loudly voiced by The Weeknd, who received zero nods for his chart-topping album After Hours. Is the hatred for the Grammys and the accusations of award shows being unjust starting to overshadow their purpose of honouring music? Is there any hope that the Grammys can change – and do we even still need them? After last year’s award show, the Recording Academy, the selected musical professionals who vote for the nominations and winners of the award, was heavily criticised
in the media. The critique mostly revolved around allegations of corruption, irregularities and a lack of transparency in the voting process, and how the Academy's members were disproportionately homogenous in their representation. In the wake of this, the Recording Academy tried to improve by tightening its voting regulations and spending significant resources on diversity efforts. They introduced its first-ever Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, as well as establishing a new class of 2,300 voting members, with many being women and people from underrepresented racial groups. It may not be as a direct result of these modest measures, but the 2021 nominations have seen relief
from some of the long-living issues with gender inequality. For the first time in the award’s history, the nominations for Best Rock Performance and Best Country Album are all women. Moreover, the four general categories are all led by women, as well as Beyoncé leading the nods with her nine nominations, followed closely by Taylor Swift and Dua Lipa who both have six nominations each. Yet despite the efforts in inclusivity, the resentment for the Recording Academy and its process is still alive and kicking. The Weeknd has headlined the criticism of the Grammys for remaining corrupt and lacking transparency in how it selects its nominations. The Canadian artist received no
nominations, despite his new album After Hours being the best-selling album of 2020 in the USA and having well over three billion streams on Spotify. However, this commercial success was lost in the great mystery of the Grammy nomination process. The award show is often criticised for undermining black artists. They only, as recently as last year, dropped the widely resented term ‘urban’ from its categories, and are still heavily criticised for not having enough categories that celebrate black music. It seems despite its grand promises of change, the Grammys, like most conventional award shows, still has a long way to go before it can call itself a fair and progressive assessor of music. The question is then - do we really need these big-tent award shows? Just as it is impossible to agree on what is excellent music, it is just as challenging to decide how to honour it. The music industry is in constant change, both artistically, commercially and technologically; the Grammys are given the impossible task of recording history as it happens.
In 2020 we are all music critics, with access to countless media platforms where we share our thoughts and opinions on who should and shouldn’t be nominated. For this reason, we still need award shows, where musical talent can be evaluated by the experts, in addition to the committed fans. It brings artists prestigious recognition, as well as commercial value. Even the artists who are not nominated, despite being anticipated to, receive a lot of media attention, resulting in a whole world having Blinding Lights on repeat ever since the disappointing news. For the public following it closely, it lays the foundation for feisty discussions for what brilliant music sounds like. In troublesome times for the industry, it is worth the quest of finding a fairer and more equal way to celebrate the best within contemporary music, and honour the excellence of striving artists. For this to happen, the Record Academy must recoup and review, and stop behaving like a broken record, repeating the scratched and skipping track of its past mistakes.
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Music All You're Dreaming Of Liam Gallagher Manc legend LG is back with this slow, soulful, piano backed track that's bound to warm up your winter nights.
Fresh Tracks Album Reviews
Miley Cyrus Plastic Hearts
In a 2019 interview with Vanity Fair, Miley Cyrus told the world that her unreleased album would be a ‘genre-less mosaic’ of all the things she has been before - and now, with the release of her Plastic Hearts, she proves that statement true. The singer’s seventh studio album covers a wide range of sounds, from smoky disco-pop in hit single ‘Midnight Sky’, to energetic rock in the opening track ‘WTF Do I Know’. This diversity in sound is one of the most interesting aspects of the album, with the listener finding themselves thrust from pop-rock (which holds a nostalgic similarity to one of the artist’s earliest postDisney hits, ‘7 Things’) to heartwrenching ballads. A constant stand-out throughout the album is Cyrus’ stunning vocals. Gritty, smooth and soulful at the same time, she sings in her usual lower range, but at the same time never limits herself, hitting some impressive notes in the angsty ballad ‘High’. As much as this album contains hits, there is one singular miss hidden in the tracklist, in the form of the Billy Idol collaboration ‘Night Crawling’. The combination of both singers’ gritty vocals and impressive musicality should excite the
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A constant stand out throughout the album is Cyrus' stunning vocals. Gritty, smooth and soulful, all at the same time.
listener, but instead its lacklustre instrumentation leaves the listener wanting more, and lacks the oomph present on the rest of the album. Despite this track, the remainder of the record is electrifying and raw. Cyrus’ lyrical openness allows the reader to connect to her struggles; with ‘Hate Me’ she navigates the negative attention she receives from the press and those around her, and with ‘Angels Like You’ she revisits the struggles of a breakup. ‘Bad Karma’ ft. Joan Jett is also an outstanding track, on which Cyrus incorporates the rocker’s key musical quirks and plays with them successfully. The song ‘Never Be Me’ utilises a much more relaxed sound and the singer’s vocals blend beautifully with atmospheric instrumentation, creating a haunting listening experience and diverting the expectations of Plastic Hearts being ‘just’ a rock album. From raw lyrics, a viral music video, to a variety of talented featured artists, Plastic Hearts is a genuinely exciting piece of work, one that places Miley Cyrus back into the hearts of her avid listeners. Abbie Howell
The Cribs
Night Network
The Cribs have emerged back onto the indie scene after three years with their latest record Night Network. The album has a nostalgic feel to it - with many tracks having that distinct distorted guitar sound so eponymous with the Wakefield trio, and considering all the band has overcome to get this album out for fans, it really is a stellar comeback. Opener, ‘Goodbye’, takes a graceful, yet direct, aim at their former label for keeping them silent
LUCID Rina Sawayama A track two years in the making that'll have you bopping into the new year; and buzzing for Rina's next record.
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The Cribs incorporate tight vocals and melodious lyricism which flawlessly showcase the group’s unrelenting perseverance. and has a soft ballad-esque feel to it. But, the record then bursts into ‘Running Into You’ which captures the infectious charm that sums up The Cribs. It's a sonically anthemic track with a catchy chorus to compliment its incredible guitar melody. It very much feels like it could fit in a coming-of-age movie, and seems to epitomise the band’s own enthusiasm, no surprise it’s a fan favourite. ‘Screaming in Suburbia’ is similar in this respect. Whilst it feels slightly more easy-listening, Ryan Jarman’s moody tones pull you in and will have you humming along instantly. Drum, guitar and tambourine heavy, the song acts as an all-rounder; packing in a punch that long-time Cribs fans will be used to. The band (thanks to the assistance of Dave Grohl and his 606 studio in L.A) have undeniably rediscovered their sound. With the urgency of the songs listed so far, as well as ‘Siren Sing-Along’, The Cribs incorporate tight vocals and melodious lyricism which flawlessly showcase the group’s unrelenting perseverance. Whilst many critics latch onto the term ‘Landfill Indie’ in a poor attempt to be humorous (or boast their musical snobbery), and in the process taking a hit at many incredibly talented musicians - The Cribs prove that in spite of these discrediting terms, ultimately the only important opinion is their own. We see this as the album reaches another highpoint with the euphoric track ‘Never Thought I’d Feel Again’. This tune is more mature lyrically, and with that comes a fresh sound, loaded with high octane positivity the band have built themselves on. There are one or two tracks which may be forgotten when compared to the rest of the record, as collaboration with Sonic Youth’s
Lee Ronaldo doesn’t quite meet the same level of excitement as 2007’s ‘Be Safe’, but the quality of surrounding tracks more than make up for the one or two which offer less. Not only have the band revitalised their sound, but they have significantly adapted to the times. Their live stream show at Liverpool’s Cavern Club, celebrating the album’s release, was extremely successful, and the effort from the band to support smaller and culturally important venues is yet another marker of why they have become one of the most respected bands in the industry. Night Network is heavily packed with catchy, well-written indie songs that will simply never go out of style. The Cribs have mastered a smooth indie-rock style with glossy productions and their classic guitar tones. Whilst some songs can be easy-listening, there is a catalogue of unapologetically exciting tracks here which provide necessary escapism we're all seeking in these winter months Sahar Ghadirian
The Smashing Pumpkins CYR
Before this project was released, The Smashing Pumpkins frontman, Billy Corgan, stated his desire to create a “contemporary” album. If by contemporary he meant a fresh Smashing Pumpkins sound, then he was right. If he meant for it to be a game-changer, he was wrong. CYR is a 72-minute-long double album; this information alone should be enough to fill the general listener with wary dread. A double album should be a constantly evolving, exciting piece of work, not unlike the band’s 1995 record Mellon Collie
Graveyard Shift AJ Tracey ft Slowthai Two of the UKs best collab for this grime banger. Their intricate interchanges and catchy chorus will have you hooked.
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The new ideas explored on this record are tormentingly overused, and in all honesty, boring. and the Infinite Sadness. Yet, this new release does not deliver on excitement or anything hugely of note to keep the listener interested for 20 songs. From the opening track ‘The Colour of Love’ we get punchy bass lines and feel-good synth sounds, all tied together with ghostly female backing vocals. All of this may sound like a recipe for a good album but do not be fooled; this is a formula the band repeats for the majority of the album. It gets tiresome. The record reaches a near explosive energy with tracks ‘Wyttch’ and ‘Purple Blood’; which hail back to the group’s gothic guitar chugging, but these fall short when Corgan’s raspy, entirely underwhelming vocals chime in. The band seem to be writing the same tunes as before, just simply replacing the guitar with synthesisers and Jimmy Chamberlin’s drum kit with a drum machine, which is a crime in and of itself. ‘Confessions of a Dopamine Addict’ is a standout track, as the powers of the drum machine are fully utilised crafting an interesting and unorthodox beat. But again, it’s another tune that quickly falls into the synth-pop "wall of sound" idea. It’s rather impressive that the group have managed to, relatively successfully (not really), transform their sound after three decades of being together, and Billy Corgan should be commended for this. However, the new ideas explored on this record are tormentingly overused and, in all honesty, boring. It means this is an album that old fans won’t enjoy and new fans, well, they won’t ever exist if this regressive formula continues. CYR is pleasant enough; the challenge is to not get bored after the first 3 songs. George Frost
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, 0 2 0 2 f o s t n e d u t s n e t We are the forgot : s d n a m e d r u o e r a e s and the
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Opinion
The rise and fall of Christmas films Ed Brown We are here to have a discussion about the nature and merits of the Christmas movie. However, before any progress can be made, there’s something we need to confront. It’s an old issue. You’re probably bored with it. But there’s no getting around this. Sorry. It might seem like pointless contrarian posturing, but it’s actually a very big deal, fundamental to the entire dilemma of the Christmas movie’s decline. It’s a question that has enraged the festive and delighted the edgy ever since 1988, and it is this: Is Die Hard a Christmas film? If you’ve not seen Die Hard, all you need to know is that it’s an action movie starring Bruce Willis. He plays a grumpy cop who spends his time beating up terrorists and delivering stoic one-liners. It also happens to be set on Christmas Eve. It’s clear why there’s controversy surrounding Die Hard’s place in the Christmas pantheon. Yes, it’s the night before Christmas. Yes, there’s a festive tune every now and again. But it’s also dark, obscene, and incredibly violent. Moving straight onto Die Hard after an afternoon of Nativity and The Muppet Christmas Carol would incur more than a degree of tonal whiplash. What’s interesting about Die Hard’s rejection from Christmas canon, though, is that it
demonstrates that just because a film is set at Christmas, that is not necessarily enough for it to count as a Christmas film. At best, something that is set in December but eschews the conventions that define the bulk of the genre might get by as technically a Christmas film. Love Actually is a Christmas film, but Gremlins is technically a Christmas film, in the same way that Harry Styles was technically a contender on The X Factor, but is somewhat more notable for his dress-wearing war on the patriarchy. I humbly suggest that the Christmas genre’s refusal to embrace Die Hard, and other films like it, is emblematic of why it is fizzling away into critical disdain and cinematic obscurity. Of course, every genre is bound by a series of rules, tropes, and motifs. But none are more rigid nor relentlessly smothering than the Christmas movie. This genre is creepily obsessed with its own purity. That might sound dramatic, but consider the contention over whether a film literally set over the night of Christmas Eve is allowed to count as a Christmas movie. This is no small skirmish – Bruce Willis himself offered his own perspective in 2018 and even he doesn’t think it’s a Christmas movie. However, the guys who made the Titanic didn’t think it would sink. Essentially, this changes nothing.
The point is that even though people relate to and celebrate Christmas in a huge variety of ways, the shape that a film must take before it can count as legitimately Christmassy is utterly inflexible. It must be cutesy. It must be earnest. It must be sweet, sentimental and family-friendly. The film must rest on the premise that it is Christmassy and magical and any character that doesn’t get that at the start of the film is sure as hell going to agree by the end. In 2015, The Night Before sold itself as a raunchy alternative to the sickly classics, but ended up deferring to that same schmaltzy Christmas romance once the final act kicked in. Why? Because it was marketed as a Christmas movie, so, a Christmas movie it must be. Insistence on these twinkling, mawkish qualities is in some ways more important to Christmas movies than it actually involving Christmas. Let’s compare The Holiday with the movie Filth. Both take place over the same approximate time period (just before Christmas through to the New Year). However, the former is a rom-com about a Brit and an American who swap houses and find love in idyllic but unlikely circumstances, whilst the latter concerns a corrupt cop whose mental illness and alcoholism are slowly destroying his life. Significant parts of Filth actually take place on Christmas Day – this
Credit: TheMovieDB is not true of The Holiday, but guess which one turns up on more lists of the Top Ten Best Christmas Films of All Time? (It’s not the one with the manic substance abuser). Of course, The Holiday was always going to have a wider audience appeal than Filth, but the point still stands that the only thing that seems to separate a lot of ‘technical’ Christmas films from ‘real’ Christmas films is an interminable drip feed of hokum and whimsy. In Bruges is set at Christmas, and yes – its protagonists are amoral assassins – but its narrative themes of redemption and sacrifice have far more in common with the traditional spirit of Christmas than Home Alone, the story of a psychopathic infant who creates a series of cruel and unusual traps to inflict grievous bodily harm on his home invaders. Colin Frissell from Love Actually is basically an incel who flies to the other side of the planet for the sole purpose of getting some action. Yet the syrupy tone makes him seem positively oldfashioned. His horniness manifests in a wholesome, adolescent way that is relatable to the kinds of people who shop at Waitrose. The result of forcing everything into identical, sickly-sweet boxes, is that we’re watching the same film, or certainly the same very basic themes, over and over and over again, and we’re getting sick of it.
When Last Christmas (starring Emilia Clarke) came out last year, it was received poorly by critics. But watching it, you have to ask yourself – is this really that bad, or is it just the same movie we’ve already seen a million times already? Is it really worse than Love Actually, whose female characters (with the eternal exception of Emma Thompson) are personality-less husks for the male characters to make bold, romantic gestures at? Is it really worse than The Holiday, which basically consists of Jude Law saying “bloody hell, I’m rather British” and flopping his hair about in a contrived appeal to American women who would rather be watching Hugh Grant anyway? Is it really worse than The Santa Clause, whose cloying orchestral score seems almost comically mismatched with its subject matter, a depressed man appearing to gaslight his son? I’m not saying any of these films are awful, but an honest rewatch finds nostalgia doing much of the heavy lifting. The ideas they present must have been entertaining once upon a time, however now they are hackneyed and tired. The genre is in urgent need of some new blood – so this holiday season, help keep the spirit of Christmas alive, and watch Die Hard.
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TV Review
Small Axe: Lovers Rock Shaye Mistry In the latest film of his Small Axe anthology, Steve McQueen brings us something extremely different from Mangrove. Instead of the intensity of systematic racism, McQueen and co-writer Courttia Newland (Look to the Sky) bring us a tidal wave of musical and sexual rapture. For those looking to update their Spotify playlist, you will not be disappointed, the film is bursting with a variety of 70’s reggae, soul, and most importantly an eye-opener into the genre that is lover’s rock. Lovers Rock is a beautiful love story set in Ladbroke Grove, West London, over a single evening at a house party in 1980. It follows young people of first and second-generation West Indian backgrounds, who show up handing 50p entry fee on the door, paying extra for food and drink from the kitchen, hanging out on sofas covered in liners in the back garden for intimate interludes, but most importantly, they dance to soul and reggae for hours in a rammed front room to the sound systems shuddering lover’s rock. For those
accustomed to house parties, this is the closest experience to one felt so accurately on screen. Martha (Amarah-Jae St Aubyn) is a subdued and nervous yet excited youth who, with her friend Patty (Shaniqua Okwok) attends the party that shows the development of the two main characters. Once they arrive, the girls have to negotiate their status and assess the possibilities of dealing with the valour offered by various men. Among these is Franklyn, played by Micheal Ward (Topboy) and his friend Reggie (Francis Lovehall), for as the film progresses, a love story blossoms between Franklyn and Martha. The seamless continuation of a party spanning over six hours, and with it, the internal mechanisms of love, music and compassion, are well met in the one hour 10 minutes running time. There is a beautiful irony about this piece whereby nothing and yet everything seems to be happening. It is dominated by one continuous party scene which also contains darker undercurrents of racism and sexual assault. Yet the non-narrative stream of pleasure and joy in the dancing scenes
Lovers Rock. Credit: TheMovieDB engages audiences in an emotional connection, especially when songs such as Carl Douglas’s Kung Fu Fighting or Janet Kay’s classic Silly Games ignites a reaction similar to those of little children performing the Macarena. McQueen takes us on the realism of being a immigrant in a majoritarian white Britain, for the ending scenes show us the wider
world in which the characters live in, their bubble is burst, they switch back to showing us their codeswitching and white-speak and the superhuman energy that involves sneaking back into the house in the early morning and attending church straightaway. The film can be likened to a film score, every LP takes us on a journey
Film Review
mother (Frances Fisher) celebrates her sons’ engagement and yells “one more to go…” adding additional pressure to Sloane’s love life. To deal with these family pressures, Sloane takes it upon herself to get a ‘holidate’ (a holiday date), something her Aunt Susan (Kristen Chenoweth) uses for all occasions. This is the only ‘original’ part of the film. The rest of the plot follows the typical boy-meets-girl story line, where they refuse to admit their feelings for each other, fall out, and then ultimately confess their love. The main fault with this film is the lack of actual festivity. Marketed as
Holidate Beth Farrell
Emma Roberts and Lucy Bracey in Holidate.. Credit: TheMovieDB
Netflix’s new Christmas film Holidate has a predictable and unoriginal story and a strong(ish) cast to support it - Emma Roberts stars as Sloane alongside Luke Bracey who plays Jackson. Despite it conforming to the typical Christmas movie clichés, this latest addition is still a fun and easy watch for the whole family to enjoy. Sloane is a girl with a bit of an attitude problem who appears to hate Christmas time, dubbing it “F-ing Christmas.” The story begins with her ‘celebrating’ with the whole family, who make her sit at the ‘singles table’ (essentially just the kid’s table). Her sister, Abby (Jessica Capshaw), appears to have the ideal life with the husband, children and house. Her brother, York (Jake Manley), is younger than Sloane and proposes to his girlfriend on Christmas Eve, leaving her feeling jealous and a little spiteful. Her
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The comedy throughout the film is slightly weak, with almost childlike jokes, the kind of thing you might expect from a teen movie.
and Lover’s Rock does just that. In its marvel, the period and location are evoked with precise skill and the romance is somewhat relatable to all young 20-somethings. So, get this on, cure the lockdown blues by turning the volume up and having a boogie - for music is the true cure. a Christmas film, you would think the story line focused primarily on the single occasion. However, we are taken on a journey from New Year’s Eve to Easter (and the rest). A lot of time is spent at a family summer barbecue, as well as St Patrick’s day parties – both of which really do not add that Christmassy flair. The comedy throughout the film is slightly weak, with almost child-like jokes, the kind of thing you might expect from a teen movie. Even with the added touch of Vine star King Bach the comedy remains some-what poor throughout. One slightly odd aspect to the film was the continuous referencing to actor Ryan Gosling. He was in fact referenced so much that viewers were convinced that he made a cameo as an actor, which was unsurprisingly debunked by Netflix themselves. Despite some obvious faults, it can’t be denied that this is a fun and easy-to-watch film with two main characters that clearly share strong chemistry. Although it may not be everyone’s cup of tea, Holidate is certainly better than some of the other Netflix Original Christmas films.
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Fresh episodes
The MOBO Awards BBC One This award show returns virtually this year (of course) for the UK’s biggest celebration of Black music.
Mary Berry Saves Christmas BBC One A festive viewing where Mary teaches ameatur chefs how to make festive meals with three star helpers.
Film Review Happiest Season
Ron Howard’s adaptatation is dull awards bait Film Review Hillbilly Elegy Amber Birchill Hillbilly Elegy has all the elements of an Oscar-worthy film: an Academy Award-winning director in Ron Howard, a six-time nominated actress in Amy Adams, and a seventime nominated actress in Glenn Close, a hard-hitting topic and a heavy dose of childhood nostalgia for the south of America. But somehow it just misses the mark. The tone of the film doesn’t feel quite right, but it’s hard to put your finger on exactly why. Maybe it’s the central character who seems unlikeable and disinteresting despite his tragic past. Maybe it’s the hollowness of some of the monologues; such as Mamaw’s monologue about three kinds of people, ‘A good Terminator, a bad Terminator, and neutral’ which feels like it should be insightful, but is actually as deep as a paddling pool (what exactly is a neutral Terminator?). Or maybe it’s the fact that the film is based on a memoir written by J.D. Vance, who doesn’t technically belong to the Appalachian community which he appears to criticise.
The memoir, when it was written in 2016, was heralded for its insight into the white working-class of America who swung the vote for Donald Trump, and the cause of the shift. But after watching the film you feel none the wiser. The film avoids the more controversial elements of the memoir; by focusing on being uplifting it instead comes across completely ignorant to the nuances of white working-class poverty in America. At times, the film even appears to blame the Appalachian people for their own poverty, telling stories of misuse of benefits, appearing to blame laziness for lack of success. Most of all, the film lacks authenticity. It is an outsider,
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The film lacks authenticity. It is an outsider, performative perspective on the hillbilly people, which appears to blindly claim understanding
performative perspective on the hillbilly people, which appears to blindly claim understanding. As Cassie Chambers Armstrong writes in The Atlantic “Hillbilly Elegy has to simplify the people and problems of Appalachia, because its decided to tell the same old pull-yourselfup-your-bootstraps narrative that so many of us reject”. In this way the film is not only tired, but it is dangerous in its assumption that poverty is due to the failure of individuals rather than the failing of the systems that are supposed to protect the very people they destroy. The film isn’t terrible. Its best moments are those of nostalgia for summers in Kentucky among the hillbilly community, which portray a strong sense of togetherness and loyalty, traits which the Appalachians stand for. However, the intense scenes are hard to watch, and clash un-poetically against the sometimes boring scenes set in the present tense. It is a surface level film, presenting all the elements but refusing to tie them together. As a film about a man from a poor background it is subpar, clunky, and dull, but as a film which is supposedly an interesting commentary on working class, white America, it falls extremely short of the mark.
Gwen Holt Happiest Season is Clea DuVall’s sophomore film and the newest addition to the ranks of holiday Rom-Coms. Kirsten Stewart plays the role of Abby who is asked by her girlfriend, Harper, (Mackensie Davis) to spend Christmas at her family home. The hitch is that Harper hasn’t come out to her family, and that Abby must pretend that she is her roommate. What follows is nothing particularly radical or new in the genre of a holiday romance - misunderstandings that then lead to conflict, that then leads to a teary resolution, and then a heartwarming ending. What sets this apart from the cabal of other basic Holiday movies is the queer narrative that Duval expertly and consciously weaves throughout. This is most likely due to her own experience of coming out, and as she co-wrote the movie with Mary Holland, that thoughtfulness shines through in the script. Although it was painful at times, the queerness of the characters were never the butt of the joke, nor were they oversexualised, nor cheapened down to a stereotype. Davis and Stewart were brilliant as Harper and Abby. The chemistry was there from the offset, and you were really rooting for them by the end. There was also no stiffness in their intimate performances, as there often can be in portrayals of lesbianrelationships.
The Misadventures of Romesh Ranganathan BBC Two The comedian visits the isles of Skye, Harris and Lewis this week.
A moment should definitely be spared to just commend the performances of the supporting cast. Dan Levy in particular shines in his role of Abby’s gay bestfriend, John. He nailed the perfect balance of a comedy with the right amount of depth to make sure it didn’t feel too two-dimensional. However, the crowning performance has to go with Mary Holland’s portrayal of Harper’s nerdy and ‘wacky’ sister, Jane. What could’ve just been a throwaway performance of a slightly quirky sister for a purely comedic effect ended up being a heartwarming and impactful performance. Alison Brie also deserves an honorary mention for her portrayal of Harper’s erfectionist and competitive sister Sloane. This character could easily have slipped into a cartoonish overplayed ice queen, however Brie managed to show some true depth to the role, allowing the audience to empathize rather than merely criticise. Having said this, there is such a dearth of queer stories that are not centered around the trauma of coming out and this could have been a golden opportunity to help change that. It was a shame that the focus couldn’t have been just on the family dynamic; on Harper’s relationship with her sisters for example. Nonetheless, I appreciate that there is still such a limited amount of lesbian representation in the mainstream film industry that coing out narratives are still influential and necessary for queer representation. Overall, Happiest Season was a highly enjoyable holiday film, with a good combination of hilarity, drama, and sincerity.
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Games
Gaming gift ideas: Stocking fillers and more for friends (and yourself) this Christmas Stumped with your Secret Santa? Flummoxed with your festive gift buying? Baffled with what to bestow upon your friends? Fear not, Michael Robinson has got you covered, with his compilation of the very best gaming-related gifts to get in your shopping basket this year. Go on, treat yourself...
Great games to grab... Marvel’s Spider-Man Miles Morales Well, let’s get the big one out of the way. Marvel’s Spider-Man on the PS4 was one of the biggest and most anticipated releases of 2018, and its sequel, Marvel’s Spider-Man Miles Morales only looks to build on this utilising the PS5’s increased power. With quicker load times, new environments and more fleshed out combat, this is the game to get for the lucky few who own a PS5, but is also playable for those still rocking the PS4. Fittingly festive, it also happens to take place in Harlem at Christmas time. Buy from: PlayStation Store, Amazon, retailers Price: RRP £49.99 (standard edition) Mario Kart 8 Deluxe A fun party game, accessible to people of any age and ability. For those familiar with the series, you can race around the tracks against other human players or computer AI-controlled ones. If young children, or those who are not familiar with games, want to play, the game has settings that will help them stay on track and guide them through the course. This is an especially good gift for young children. Buy from: Nintendo eShop, Amazon, retailers Price: RRP £49.99 Hades Arguably the game of the year (well, it’s mine at least). It may not be very Christmassy, but its ever-changing dungeons, varied playstyles and charming character interactions make this roguelike a must-play for anyone looking for a time-sink. An excellent gift for a fairly reasonable price. Buy from: Nintendo eShop, Steam Price: RRP £22.49 (Switch)/£19.49 (Steam)
Football Manager 2021 Speaking of time-sinks, if you’re the surprisingly common nerdy football fan, or you know someone who is, this management simulator will be a great time killer. Football Manager is a series you can lose countless hours to without realising - whether you want to dominate and build the best team in world football, or finally help Tottenham actually win something, there’s a great deal to do in this game. Buy from: Steam, Epic Games Store, Microsoft Store, Amazon, retailers Price: RRP £39.99/£29.99 (Xbox) Fall Guys You know what would make Christmas better? That’s right, Takeshi’s Castle! Luckily for you, you no longer have to risk horrible injuries such as inverting your shins on stepping-stones to live out your dream. You can now enjoy it from the comfort of your own home in the form of a jellybean avatar. Another contender for party game of the year, this bean-fest would be a great gift for yourself, a friend, or even a younger sibling. Buy from: Steam, PlayStation Store Price: RRP £15.99 Super Mario Odyssey A classic. Just as simple as that. If you’re looking for a whimsical game to make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, well then, it’s Mario. Despite being three years old at this point, which is an eternity for a video game, it still looks wonderful and maintains that Nintendo charm. A great gift for anyone of any age in the form of gaming’s most iconic mascot. Buy from: Nintendo eShop, Amazon, retailers Price: RRP £49.99
Merry merchandise! Monopoly: Christmas Edition Board games can be fun, and then there’s Monopoly. A family favourite board game, created to decry capitalism, which has probably created more arguments than the stress of Christmas itself. Monopoly is a great way to forget about the problems we have all faced this year for a short time, if not only because your uncle put hotels on properties
just past the Go! sign. Seriously Dave, f**k off. Buy from: Amazon Price: £34.99 Chocobo Xmas T-shirt Adding to the festive cheer, there’s this Chocobo t-shirt. A fine addition to any wardrobe for someone looking to build their nerd cred. You may ask ‘What’s a Chocobo got to do with Christmas?’ The snarky answer to that is capitalism. Buy from: Teepublic, Redbubble Price: £14.96 - £21.10 Doom Christmas Sweater Like Christmas? Like Doom? Like Christmas jumpers for some godforsaken reason? Well then, the Doom Christmas sweater might just be for you. Personally, I wouldn’t be caught dead wearing a Christmas sweater, but if I had to wear one, I might settle on this. In any case, I’m sure whoever you buy it for will be nice and toasty wearing this while ripping and tearing through presents. Buy from: Amazon Price: £39.77 - £43.22 PlayStation Icon Lights Admit it, they do look kind of cool. These lights make for an excellent conversation starter, according to the item’s description on Amazon, and I’m sure will be a perfect prop for your bustling social life this winter break. Buy from: Amazon, Smyths Toys, B&M Price: £15 - £24.16 Cuphead Mug Okay, I actually like this one. There’s something refreshing about novelty merchandise that fits thematically. It’s a cup, but it’s also his head, and that’s also the title of the game. It’s brilliant. I’m sure a smile would come to my face every time I drank from this. It’s about £31 on Amazon if anyone is looking to treat me. Buy from: Amazon Price: £30.99 All prices accurate at time of writing Image credit (in order): Insomniac Games, Nintendo, Supergiant Games. Doom jumper-Amazon (Difuzed) Chocobo shirt- Teepublic (Alundrart) Playstation light- Amazon (Paladone) Cuphead mug- Amazon (YUK)
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Games
Fresh games
Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythmic Adventure Pack - Switch Iconic Japanese arcade drumming game meets RPG in these newly localised adventures.
Empire of Sin PC, Mac, Switch, PS4, XBO Hustle, charm and intimidate your way to the top of the ruthless criminal underworld of 1920s Chicago.
Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light - Switch Experience the origins of the beloved strategy RPG series, officially localised in English for the first time.
Merry Gamesmas: Our favourite gaming gifts of Christmases past Not all Christmas presents have to be huge, expensive or high-end packages of glory. In fact, there’s something to be said for those lovely stocking fillers that just make you smile. Joe Warner gives his heartfelt ode to socks (Pacman socks, no less). On Christmas Day, 2013, a 13-year-old Joe got socks. Many would argue that that’s not really anything to write home about; pretty much everyone has gotten socks for Christmas at some point or another. Make no mistake though, many a child’s Christmas has been ruined by these insidious items of disappointment disguised as comfortable and convenient footwear. Maybe Aunt Sherry saw them by the checkout in H&M and thought of you (and how much you’d hate them), or perhaps they were tailor-made to fit your feet by ‘The Rather Large Man In Red’ himself. Either way, the seemingly good intentions of both of these characters are most certainly just a front - and behind their kind and jolly exteriors lies a dark, primal longing; to ruin your Christmas, at
all costs. Socks, and those who give them as gifts, are evil. At least, that’s what kids seem to think. I, for one, quite like socks. They definitely serve a practical purpose - they go on your feet and keep your toes warm, usually by loosely hugging them, which is actually pretty adorable if you think about it. They also make shoes more comfortable to wear, and protect your feet from those nasty blisters. Socks might not be inherently interesting, but they mean no ill will. Even if your feet are particularly smelly (you detty pig) they’ll bravely soldier on, without so much as a whisper of disapproval to the other socks in your drawer. Socks don’t gossip. For all those reasons and more, I’d say socks are pretty cool. I’d argue that socks are an acquired taste that you develop as
Meanwhile though, you can’t deny the magic of those ‘wow factor’ gifts. But what happens when you don’t get the console you were hoping for? Yaroslav Mateev recalls his tale of the surprise gift he grew to love the most. My relationship with this present was quite difficult at first. I was growing up when GameBoys were incredibly popular and almost every classmate of mine had one. Obviously, I was jealous and wanted to have one, so I asked Father Frost to bring it for me as a New Year gift. When I woke up in the morning on 1 January,
I rushed to check what was under the tree, expecting to find this small magical machine of fun. Unfortunately, it was not there, although there was something different… a PSP! A RED PSP to be precise! One of the most advanced devices of that time; with a big screen and lots of games but still, the dream did not come true.
you get older, much like how middle aged people seem to appreciate a block of blue cheese or a sparkling glass of red wine. See, I distinctly remember the feelings of quiet disappointment whenever I received socks as a little kid, so you’d best believe I was beyond surprised when on Christmas Day 2013, I was suddenly hit with the realisation that I’d gotten the coolest pair of socks in existence. What’s more, they even had Pacman on them! Lo and behold, I found myself appreciating my first pair of socks - a true rite of passage, and yet another sign that I was slowly morphing into an adult human. Maybe on my 13th birthday, some kind of subconscious ‘sock appreciation’ switch was flipped; did this make me an ‘old soul’? Or am I now some kind of strange sock connoisseur? I have no idea. What I definitely know now though is that this year, a pair of warm, cosy socks sounds like the perfect thing to go at the top of my Christmas list.
Together with the console I got four games: Scooby Doo! Who’s Watching Who?, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, Spider Man 3 and Need for Speed: Most Wanted 5-1-0. It took me a while to adapt to this device but after all, it is the main reason why I am now in love with gaming! I discovered GTA, FIFA, and Crash Bandicoot with the help of PSP and what’s more, I learnt some basic economics by swapping the discs with my mates, and even trained my memory by remembering cheat codes! The most important thing about my PSP though was that it was making me happy every day - there
was nothing better than coming back home from school and diving into games. I could disappear for hours and simply explore how beautiful and advanced everything looked. Even though I didn’t like it at first, I can surely say that getting a PSP was one of the best things that happened to me in my childhood!
Credit- top (in order): Bandai Namco Entertainment, Romero Games, Intelligent Systems. Christmas socks: Pixabay PSP: Evan-Amos (Wikimedia) Crash Bandicoot: Vicarious Visions
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Sport
Sport thoughts BBC SPOTY 2020 Celebrating an unprecedented year of sport
Credit: Kopii90, Wikimedia Commons
Sport thoughts Wilder will turn around Blades’ early season troubles Patrick Burke It’s amazing how quickly things can turn in football. Just a few months ago, Sheffield United had experienced virtually nothing but success during Chris Wilder’s four-year reign. Last season, they almost qualified for Europe, which would have been one of the biggest achievements in Premier League history, and an eventual 9th place finish was a superb achievement. But 11 games into the 2020/21 season, United have made the worst start ever to a Premier League campaign, having picked up a solitary point. So how have their fortunes turned so dramatically, and how do they escape a rut that deepens every week? A perfect storm has contrived against them. The continued lack of supporters at matches, a tough fixture list, Manchester United loanee Dean Henderson returning to his parent club, uncharacteristic mistakes which they weren’t making this time last year, missed chances and plain bad luck have all had a negative impact to varying degrees on the Blades’ results. The most catastrophic blow, however, was seeing Jack O’Connell sidelined for the season in
September. Arguably the most irreplaceable player in the country in terms of fitting into his team’s system, the Blades have won only one of their 14 Premier League matches without him since the start of last season. Jack Robinson, Enda Stevens, Ethan Ampadu and Kean Bryan have all deputised, but have been unable to master the leftcentre back role as O’Connell has. He brings aerial strength, excels at one-vs-one defending and has the pace, stamina and quality on the ball to advance high up the pitch and recover quickly. But despite his absence and their early season form, all is not lost for the Blades. Eight of their 10 losses have been by the odd goal, and they remain within six points of Fulham in 17th.
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The most catastrophic blow, however, was seeing Jack O’Connell sidelined for the season in September
Parallels have been drawn with Dave Bassett’s 1990/91 Blades side, which started the season with a 16 game winless streak, but went on to finish 13th and 12 points clear of the drop zone. Confidence is huge in football, especially for strikers: Oli McBurnie’s goal and all-round display in Sunday’s reverse to Leicester City should do him the world of good, whilst summer signings Rhian Brewster and Oliver Burke both feel as though they are capable of a big performance to get off the mark for the club. Lys Mousset, meanwhile, can be a gamechanger at his best, and having missed most of the season with injury, United need him back to full fitness as soon as possible. Every question that has been asked during Wilder’s tenure has been answered emphatically. Admittedly this current challenge leaves him with arguably his biggest conundrum yet, but he is a manager that has had success at every level with every team he’s been in charge of. A manager who along with assistant Alan Knill decided to let his centre-backs overlap his wing-backs and on the back of it propelled his boyhood club from one of its lowest ebbs back to the top. A manager who gives everything for his club, and is able to bring that out of his players on the pitch too. And let’s remind ourselves that things can turn very quickly in football. I’m willing to wager that with Wilder at the helm, the Blades will find solutions to their current issues and turn a losing team back into a winning one.
Credit: Mike DiDomizo, Wikimedia Commons
Henry Clark Take yourself back to May. Rather than gearing up for the culmination of the football season or start of the cricket summer, fans were locked inside their homes. Following some incredible sacrifices and logistical ingenuity, we can now look back on another stellar year of British sport. In the times we have endured, glimpses of our old lives through the medium of sport were cherished more than ever. And now we can celebrate those athletes and crown a BBC Sports Personality of the Year. After being unceremoniously dropped ahead of the opening match of the summer against West Indies, England fast-bowler Stuart Broad responded in stellar fashion. His 16 wickets saw him pass 500 in his career, putting him seventh in the list of all-time Test wickettakers, and cementing him as one of England’s greats. Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year Hollie Doyle is the sole woman included. The jockey broke her own record for winners ridden by a British woman in a year, rode a record-breaking double on British Champions Day and became the first woman to ride five winners on the same card. Tyson Fury. A name that says it all and is never far from the headlines – he has even asked organisers to be taken off the shortlist. In the ring, the ‘Gypsy King’ became a two-time world heavyweight champion with a devastating victory over Deontay Wilder. He divides opinion but his comeback story will go down in the
sporting annals. His spot as one of F1’s greatest was never in doubt but Lewis Hamilton may just have become the greatest of them all in 2020. Hamilton blitzed the field in a way only he can en route to equalling Michael Schumacher’s record of seven world titles. Hamilton also surpassed the great German’s 91 Grand Prix wins and remains the golden boy of British racing. From surplus to requirements to an inspirational leader. Liverpool and England midfielder Jordan Henderson was in sensational form as he led the club to their first title since 1990. Henderson epitomised all that was great about Jurgen Klopp’s side and will go down as one of their great leaders. In 2020 Ronnie O’Sullivan proved that when his head and heart are in the sport it takes some doing to match him. ‘The Rocket’ won his sixth world title at the Crucible, becoming the oldest champion for more than 40 years to earn his first nomination for the award in his trophy-laden career. Now more than ever – thank you sport.
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The ‘Gypsy King’ became a two-time world heavyweight champion... over Deontay Wilder
Friday 11 December 2020
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Sport
Test your knowledge - 2020 Sheffield Sport
1) Sheffield United finished a fantastic NINTH in their top-flight return last season, but how many points were they away from finishing in the top four? 2) The B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 2019/20 season was full of ups and downs, but which BBL rookie was the team’s leading scorer? 3) Sheffield Wednesday’s 2019/20 Championship campaign ended on a rather sour note, particularly after their strong start. Steven Fletcher was the light in the dark however, but how many goals did he score for the Owls? 4) Sheffield Varsity 2020 wasn’t what we all hoped for in the end, but Uni of technically won the head-tohead clash, 1-0, after the Black and Gold won which event? 5) How many Sheffield Steelers scored a team-high 26 goals over the course of the Elite Ice Hockey League’s 2019/20 season? 6) After Sheffield Wednesday’s points penalty and the subsequent poor start to the 2020 Championship season, gaffer Gary Monk received the axe in November. Who was his replacement? 7) In January, Sheffield United set what was then a club-record fee for Norwegian midfielder Sande Berge. Around how much did the Blades spend on him? 8) In the following summer window, the Blades broke their club-record again, spending £23.5million on which Liverpool youngster?
9) Sheffield Sharks Captain Mike Tuck has played for South Yorkshire’s only pro basketball team for over a decade. Which points-scoring landmark did he break during last season? 10) Many UoS sports clubs committed to fundraising during the first coronavirus lockdown in the UK. What was the name of the first fundraiser started by the UoS Athletics club? 11) The Rugby League World Cup is coming to the UK in 2021. How many matches has Sheffield been confirmed to be hosting? 12) With Movember fundraising coming to a close around two weeks ago and many incredible ‘tache attempts being shaved off, what was the total raised by UoS sports clubs, to the nearest thousand? 13) The Sheffield Hatters basketball team are the most successful professional basketball team in all of the UK. What was the unfortunate reason they were in local headlines this summer? 14) Campus Leagues are a crucial part of sports culture at the University of Sheffield. According to a recent email and as reported by Forge Press Sports Editor Patrick Burke, in Issue 149, what date can we expect them back in the second semester?
The Answers 1. 12 2. Conor Cashaw 3. 13 4. Equestrian 5. 3 6. Tony Pulis 7. £22 Million 8. Rhian Brewster 9. 4,000 career BBL points 10. UKinaDay 11. 9 12. £50,000 13. Cannot afford to participate in the next WBBL season 14. 8 February 2021
It’s been a hell of a year for Steel City sports and what better way to celebrate Sheffield’s pros and the University of Sheffield’s incredible athletic achievements than with a QUIZ. Some of these are quite difficult, so make sure you’ve done your research.
Credit: Gareth Simpson, Wikimedia Commons
Report: Owls held to the bottom of Championship as Huddersfield victorious Liam FitzPatrick Sheffield Wednesday remain rooted to the bottom of the Championship table after a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield Town. The Terriers were good value for their win against a below-par Wednesday side who sit four points adrift of safety following the effects of a pre-season points deduction for a breach of EFL spending rules. Results have improved since survival specialist Tony Pulis replaced Garry Monk as manager last month, but the Owls created little in an insipid display during which they managed just two shots on target. In truth, it was a less than stellar affair with the hosts two goals being their only two attempts, the first coming 11 minutes in when Josh Koroma found the far corner from inside the box after a neat pass from Frazier Campbell. Huddersfield’s opener was, bizarrely, their first goal in this fixture since 2011, ending a run of eight straight clean sheets for the Owls at the John Smith’s Stadium. Isaac Mbenza had the ball in the net for Huddersfield just minutes later, but the goal was ruled out for offside. This disallowed strike proved to be a harbinger of things to come for the visitors. If this lucky escape was a warning to the visitors it wasn’t one they
heeded as Huddersfield continued to threaten, Mbenza firing wide from distance. Matters were made worse for the visitors when defender Julian Börner was forced off with a head injury and was replaced by Liam Palmer. The games standout moment came midway through the first half when Mbenza doubled the West Yorkshire clubs lead with a sublime free-kick from just outside the penalty area. Wednesday were lucky to touch the ball, let alone make advances on the Huddersfield goal but finally had a sniff of a goal when Tom Lees header from a corner was saved by Terriers keeper Ben Hamer. Pulis would have hoped for an immediate reaction from his players after the half time interval but his men had a nightmare start after giving away a penalty shortly after the restart. Dominic Iorfa brought down Juninho Bacuna only for his blushes to be spared when Bacuna fired wide from twelve yards.
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Wednesday were lucky to touch the ball, let alone make advances on the Huddersfield goal
This let-off was not the catalyst for a Wednesday comeback and in truth, they rarely threatened during a quiet second half in which a third goal always looked more likely than a fightback. The game fizzled out with Huddersfield’s win leaving them firmly mid-table in 12th while Wednesday remain bottom of the pile. Wednesday are now without a win in six games since Pulis arrived in South Yorkshire and while there are some signs of improvement it is clearly going to be an uphill battle as both Sheffield clubs face fights against relegation from their respective divisions. Pulis said: “First 20 minutes we were all over the place. That’s the worst 20 minutes I’ve had since coming here. If you give them a 2-0 start it’s uphill all the way. We showed more commitment second half without showing any real quality. I spoke to a lot of people before I took the job. I knew what I was getting myself in for. It’s a massive club, but it’s going to be tough.” The always busy Christmas period will be vital to Wednesday’s survival battle with games coming thick and fast. In the immediate future they face another Yorkshire derby at home to Barnsley on Saturday before a trip to fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest next Tuesday.
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Sport the Pirelli Stadium. He did make a return to the Premier League five years after suffering relegation with Sheffield United, sealing promotion with Hull City and making 43 top flight appearances for the Tigers. Christian Nade Nade only spent one season in South Yorkshire but will always be fondly remembered for notching a memorable winner against Arsenal in December 2006. He is still lacing up his boots at the age of 36 and signed for Scottish outfit Annbank United last month. Having battled depression in recent years, he also works closely with Scottish mental health charity Back Onside.
Credit: Jon Candy, Wikimedia Commons
Sheffield United’s 2007 relegated side - Where are they now? It’s not looked great so far for Sheffield United during the 2020/21 Premier League season and relegation looks a real possibility. The last time they were in this position was 13 years ago. Sports Editor Tom Coates looks back on the squad on the day relegation was confirmed and where they are now. With Sheffield United rooted to the bottom of the Premier League, many supporters are already fearing the worst. There is a long way to go, but Chris Wilder’s side face an uphill battle to escape the bottom three. If they were to suffer relegation back to the Championship, it would be their first Premier League exit since 2007. When Wigan Athletic arrived at Bramall Lane on Monday 14 May 2007, the enormity of the game ahead could not have been understated. Both the visiting Latics and the Blades were in danger of relegation from the Premier League, creating a dramatic and tense end to the 2006/07 season. Jon Stead struck back after Wigan’s Paul Scharner opened the scoring, but former Blade David Unsworth converted a penalty on
the stroke of half-time to edge the visitors back ahead. Neil Warnock’s side failed to mount a second-half comeback, and were condemned to a return to the second tier. Forge Sport have taken a look at the players that Warnock fielded that day, and where they are now. Starting XI: Paddy Kenny A former favourite with Blades supporters, the goalkeeper left under a cloud in 2010. It is over three years since Kenny last pulled on his gloves, and the 42-year-old now owns a transport business. He released an autobiography in October. Phil Jagielka The defender’s career has gone full circle. Relegation in 2007 spelled the end of Jagielka’s time with his boyhood club, but after twelve years away with Everton, he returned to Bramall Lane last year. He remains under contract with the club but is yet to appear in the Premier League this season. Chris Morgan The former captain stepped into coaching after hanging up his boots, but after tasting life in the dugout with Sheffield United, Chesterfield
and Port Vale, he joined Stellar Group as a football intermediary. Matthew Kilgallon Kilgallon plied his trade in the Premier League for Leeds United, Sheffield United and Sunderland, but now represents Derbyshire side Buxton in the Northern Premier League Premier Division. He joined the non-league club in the summer, having spent the 2019/20 campaign in India. Derek Geary Geary represented both Sheffield clubs during his career but won over the initially hostile Blades fans with reliable displays at full-back. He is now in charge of ensuring the future at Bramall Lane is bright, in his role as manager of the club’s under-18 side. He has been in charge of the side since 2016. Keith Gillespie The Northern Irishman’s career slowed after leaving Sheffield United in 2009, and he retired in 2013 after two years with Longford Town. He made a surprise return to playing earlier this year, linking up with FC Mindwell, a club aiming to help those suffering with mental health issues.
Nick Montgomery After twelve years in South Yorkshire, club stalwart Nick Montgomery made the switch to Australia in 2012. He made over 100 appearances for Central Coast Mariners and is now the club’s Assistant Coach. He also plays a key role in providing a pathway into the senior setup for young players, as he combines his first-team duties with a role as manager of the Mariners’ Y-League side. Michael Tonge Like Montgomery, Tonge was a popular long-serving midfielder at Bramall Lane and is now committing to helping young players step into the adult professional game. The 37-year-old retired in 2019 after two years with Port Vale and joined Huddersfield Town as an Academy Coach last month. His official title with the Terriers is ‘Individual Coach’, and he helps youth prospects make the transition into senior football. Stephen Quinn Quinn was just 26 when he left for Hull City in 2012, and at 34, still plays at professional level. He currently represents League One side Burton Albion and is a teammate of fellow former Blade John Brayford at
Jon Stead Sheffield United’s goalscorer on that fateful day in May 2007, Jon Stead is still leading lines at the age of 37. He helped Harrogate Town reach League Two for the first time in their history last season and remains under contract with the Blades’ Yorkshire counterparts. Substitutes: Danny Webber Webber finished his career with a flourish in non-league football, firing Salford City to back-to-back promotions in the early stages of their rise through the English football pyramid. He retired after leaving the club in 2016 but is certainly keeping himself busy. As well as working as an agent, he has appeared as a co-commentator and pundit for the likes of talkSPORT, BBC Sport, BBC Radio 5 Live and Manchester United TV. Colin Kazim-Richards The forward has played all over the world since leaving Sheffield United, but returned to England this season after seven years away and has proven to be a useful addition for Championship strugglers Derby County. He hit the headlines recently for making a defiant stance against Millwall supporters who booed the taking of the knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. Claude Davis A club-record signing when he arrived from Preston North End in 2006, Davis made 21 league appearances in the campaign that ended in relegation to the Championship. Like many of his former Blades teammates, he is now dedicating his time to helping young players and is a part-owner and technical director of the Liverpool International Academy of Central Florida.