Forge Press Issue 39

Issue 39 // Friday October 21 2011

The independent student newspaper of the University of Sheffield. est 1946 // www.forgetoday.com

SCREEN

Win the first two Paranormal Activity DVDs and many more prizes Fuse p.2

COMMENT Should black history be taught and celebrated seperately to the rest of British history? p.8

MUSIC Interview with Bombay Bicycle Club Fuse p.8

Justice for the 96

LIFESTYLE New live-ticker on Facebook stirs up privacy debate p.21

FEATURES Beware of the trolls Rebecca Cooke braves the bottom half of the internet p.16-17

Government to release Hillsborough documents Families’ 22 year wait for answers to finally end Full report p.4 Inside: Mystery surrounds ‘postponed’ Law councillor result p.3

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FORGE PRESS Friday October 21 2011

NEWS UNIVERSITY

Students save Bolivian lives using empty crisp packets

Activists ‘die’ of Aids in protest for more universal HIV medicine

Joseph Leigh Students have been making blankets out of crisp packets to stop Bolivians dying in cold weather.

Mechanical Engineering students Aimee Clark and Jon Gregg, both 22, and Economics student Amy Scrimgeour, 21, spent the last six weeks working with the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Sheffield Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) in Bolivia.

The crisp blanket project is the brainchild of a SIFE student who visited Bolivia and experienced the economic and environmental challenges they face, such as cold weather and poverty.

Clark said: “When we were in Bolivia we really saw the need for the blankets and for the women involved to have their own means of income.

“Hopefully this business will be an inspiration to other women in Bolivia who want to improve their quality of life and that of the people around them in their community.”

A prototype was created in the UK using a bag sealing machine.

After alumni funding from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, the project was established in Bolivia.

Training was provided to local women and a contract was secured with local crisp packet manufacturer Estrella to provide raw materials, bringing selfsufficiency and providing a more substantial and consistent source of income.

The aim of the project is to save hundreds of lives by educating and increasing hypothermia awareness.

The women involved in making the blankets are now working to produce 50 a week.

Rachel Frodsham Students staged a fake death outside the Students’ Union last week in support of an national stop Aids campaign.

The campaign urged students to take up the fight against Aids in a day of campaigning around the Union.

The Students Stop Aids Speaker Tour, which is touring 26 universities across the country, visited Sheffield to talk about their campaign for universal access to life-saving HIV medication.

The organisation is run by a network of young people who want to change the UK’s response to HIV and Aids.

Pharmaceutical companies, who currently spend more money on male hair loss treatments than

developing child friendly HIV drugs, are also being targeted.

The Johnson and Johnson company, famous for their “no more tears” slogan, is also being asked to make their HIV medication more affordable by contributing to a patent pool.

This will allow other companies to make their HIV medication in a bid to make it cheaper for the developing world.

The talk brought with it an eyeopening insight into living with the HIV virus from two guest speakers from the UK and South Africa.

The speakers talked about their contraction of the virus, with one describing how he was expected to die before reaching the age of 10 after receiving an infected blood transfusion.

Thankfully, he was eventually able to access medication which is saving his life.

Another described that through the trust of her long-term partner, they decided to stop using contraception to try for a child, unknowing that her partner was HIV positive.

“I would be looked at like I was really promiscuous as people assume things about people with HIV,” she said, calling for more awareness of the virus.

“My children of seven and 14 years are both educated in STIs and safe sex.

“This is what I’d like to see throughout the UK, but there is too much taboo surrounding the subject.”

This year commemorates 30 years since the first cases of HIV

matt.burgess@forgetoday.com

Matt Burgess

Deputy Editor Nicole Hernandez Froio Managing Editor Mikey Smith WEB EDITOR Ben Williams fuse editors fuse@forgetoday.com James Garrett Lauren Kelly

picture editor Adam Harley News news@forgetoday.com Nicholas Carding Katie Davies David Parker Comment comment@forgetoday.com Hannah Frost Tom Geddes LETTERS letters@forgetoday.com Holly Wilkinson

Features features@forgetoday.com Lauren Clarke Rebecca Cooke Jonathan Robinson Lifestyle and travel lifestyle@forgetoday.com Ina Fischer Fay Guest Hannah Pearson Sport sport@forgetoday.com Jack Burnett Adam Hancock Anthony Hart

Photo: Ed Miller

were diagnosed, and 15 years since the first medication was put to use.

However, 10 million patients are still unable to get treatment, despite the fact that the risk of spreading the virus is reduced by 96 per cent when a carrier takes medication.

One speaker said to students: “You are the most important audience to spread this message to, you can help.”

The campaign website is: stopaidscampaign.org

What’s on your mind?

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Editor

Campaigners urged pharmaceutical companies to join a patent pool to drive down the price of HIV medication.

Music music@forgetoday.com Sam Bolton Coral Williamson

Arts arts@forgetoday.com Tim Wood Rowan Ramsden

Games games@forgetoday.com Arnold Bennett Ellen Jurczak

Copy editors Olivia Adams Hamilton Jones Kristin McIntosh Alisha Rouse Melanie Sisson Lianne Williams

Screen screen@forgetoday.com Tom Fletcher Tom Wardak

Forge Press is printed on 100% recycled paper

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

FORGE PRESS Friday October 21 2011

Record turnout in council elections - Mystery surrounds ‘postponement’ of Law councillor result

- Complaints rise as dual students slam ‘undemocratic’ system Katie Davies A record voter turn out has seen the latest team of Union Councillors brought into office.

The current record was beaten by more than 900 votes with 4,658 students taking part.

Results for the post of Law councillor have been delayed for reasons that Union Officers refused to specify.

A later announcement of the result is to take place this afternoon.

However, the record turnout was followed by an increase in complaints from dual honours students, who are currently only able to vote for one of their departments.

Some students are now calling for the policy to be reviewed as soon as the council meets next.

“Students should have the right to vote in every department in which they study,” said Poppy Nobes, councillor for English Literature, “Even if only 50 per cent of their timetable is in that department, they have equal right with a single honours student to choose who will represent their needs within that subject.”

The rule allowing dual honours students to vote for one department was previously put in place by the Union Council.

“There has been an increase in complaints,” said Jon Narcross, Students’ Union Education officer.

“But that’s due to an increase in

contested positions.”

Proposed changes to the role of the Students’ Union Finance Officer were also passed, renaming the position ‘Union Development Officer.’

“The new title will give students a better idea of what the role actually entails,” said Harry Horton, current Finance Officer.

“Currently too many students think that the Finance Officer is an accountant, and not enough students come forward with creative suggestions of how to enhance our Students’ Union.

The changes will not take affect until next year.

The Union Council is the highest decision making body in the Students’ Union.

Its responsibilities include holding Union Officers to account, debating Union Policy and representing student issues.

The Council is composed of one representative from each of the University’s 46 departments. There are also eight representative councillors for various student groups.

The ballot for councillors specifically representing LGBT students, black students, disabled students, women students, mature students and students with disabilities was left open so students could decide for themselves if they felt they belonged in that group. The eight Union Officers also sit on the council.

Students with Disabilities Joel Rowlands

Postgraduate Research Students Chris Maidment

I will raise awareness of the support available to disabled students.

I’m vocal, I understand Union politics and I have the experience to represent you effectively.

Postgraduate Taught Students Tom Dougall

Mature Students Joseph Teasdale

My aim is to bring to attention all the concerns that you incur during your time as a post-grad at Sheffield University.

I stand for ensuring the voice of mature students is heard and that they are fairly represented.

International Students Nina Eb

LGBT Students Jonathan Gleek

Women Students Amy Masson

I stand for zero tolerance towards racism and Islamophobia, an inclusive Union and keeping Sheffield EDL/BNP-free.

I’m ready to take strong steps in making sure that your position is heard!

I guarantee that all reports of discrimination, homophobia and transphobia will be appropriately dealt with.

I will represent your voice, draw attention to the issues faced by women students and, ultimately, promote what women want!

Union Council 2010/11: the results in full Animal and Plant Sciences: Farah Al-Shorbaji Archaeology: Aaron Kulakiewicz Architecture: Hanna Osundina Automatic Control and Systems Engineering: Ugonna Mbaekube Biblical Studies: Catherine Boyd Biomedical Science: Anna Hutchinson Chemical & Biological Engineering: Michael Ruff Chemistry: Woz Arshad Civil and Structural Engineering: Simon Berry Computer Science: Anand Seenivasan East Asian Studies: Charlotte Molls

Education: Laura Bebbington Economics: Connor Barnes Electronic and Electrical Engineering: Jiayin Roberts English Language and Linguistics: Claire Roper English Literature and Theatre: Poppy Nobes French: Richard Olderman Germanic Studies: Lucas Tomlinson Geography: Kate Dawson Hispanic Studies: Rosy Hunt History: Lynette Fleur Human Communication Sciences: Nicole Warwick Information Studies: Victoria Bagert Institute for Lifelong Learning: Hanieh S. Miri

Interdisciplinary Engineering Studies: Matthew Cotton Journalism: Tom Donnelly Landscape: Vicky Hindmarsh Law: Postponed Management School: Amy Taylor Materials Science and Engineering: Bradley Perry Mechanical Engineering: Samuel Bale Modern Languages and Linguistics: Alison Ferris Molecular Biology and Biotechnology: Oli Taylor Medicine and Biomedical Sciences: Mohammad Ghazi Music: Hannah Robins Nursing & Midwifery: No Candidates

UNIVERSITY NEWS

Forge in Brief Rape solved afer 25 years A fairground worker charged with raping a 31-year-old Rotherham woman over 25 years ago was sentenced to life imprisonment last Friday at Sheffield Crown Court.

Simon Murcott, 46, carried out the assault in November 1985, the court was told.

South Yorkshire Police began to re-examine the crime in 2008 and DNA evidence which had been stored since 1985 was used to arrest Murcott last October.

Murcott pleaded guilty and is expected to serve a minimum of seven years in jail.

Harriet Collier

New PG funding proposals Postgraduate students may soon be able to apply for government funded loans after a new proposal received the backing of deputy prime minister Nick Clegg.

Students who study for a postgraduate degree currently have to find sponsorship from a company or organisation, or fund it themselves.

But under the new proposals, students will be able to apply for a loan of £10,000 which they will repay during their employment.

The plan, outlined by researchers Centreforum, was welcomed by Mr Clegg.

Lucy Attenborough

Sheffield football fans praised

Black Students Al-Hussein Abutaleb

ACADEMIC COUNCILLORS

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Philosophy: Angharrad John Physics and Astronomy: Josh Kettlewell Politics: Sam Mannion Psychology: Roscoe Hastings Russian and Slavonic Studies: James Taylor ScHARR: No Candidates School of Clinical Dentistry: Lin Du School of Mathematics and Statistics: Tom McMahon Sociological Studies: Sam Quinn Town and Regional Planning: Phillip Brown

REPRESENTATIVE COUNCILLORS Black Students: Al-Hussein Abutaleb International Students: Nina Eb LGBT Students: Jonathan Gleek Mature Students: Joseph Teasdale Postgraduate Research Students: Chris Maidment Postgraduate Taught Students: Tom Dougall Students With Disabilities: Joel Rowlands Women Students: Amy Masson

Fans of both Sheffield’s football teams have been praised by police for their behaviour at local derby which ended in a 2-2 draw.

The match, which attracted a crowd of over 28,000 people at Bramall Lane and another 11,000 at Hillsborough for a big screen showing, was played at an earlier time.

However, only five arrests were made for minor offences after hundreds of extra police were put on duty.

Inspector Jane Forrester paid tribute to the fans, saying: “I’m very proud of the people of Sheffield.”

Tom Rosebury

Women to receive extra support to stay in sciences A new initiative has been launched to support female engineers, scientists and technologists after research has found that 70 per cent of those who leave the workplace never return.

Universities, businesses and female engineers gathered at the Advanced Research Manufacturing Centre to mark the South Yorkshire launch of the Smith Institute report, which highlights how women still remain significantly under-represented in the fields of science, engineering and technology.

Meg Munn, MP for Sheffield Heeley, said: “I’m calling on businesses and academic institutions in South Yorkshire to put in place measures to increase recruitment of women into engineering and to improve retention rates.”

Rachel Gerrish

4

NEWS LOCAL

Machete attack trio to serve 30 years in prison

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Jarrow March reaches Sheffield Rob Dillon

Olivia Adams A female armed robber and her two accomplices have been jailed for ten years each after they raided a Co-op supermarket with two foot-long machetes and forced shop workers to open safes before tying them up.

Jenny Marshall, 33, stole £4,800 from the Co-op on Devonshire Terrace in Dore, Sheffield, last December.

Romus Smith, also 33, helped carry out the robbery, whilst Marshall’s boyfriend, Andrew Ellis, 53, waited close by as the getaway driver.

Robert Sangster, QC said: “What happened was terrifying for the manageress, Helen Staniforth, and the store’s baker, Alison Wells.

“Marshall said, “Do you want to die, bitch?” and asked, “Why are you crying, it’s not your money?”

The drug-addicted trio were jailed for 30 years after admitting conspiracy to rob.

Man held over student murder Anna Wallin A man charged with the fatal stabbing of Sheffield Hallam student Mubarak Ali has been remanded in custody.

James Knowles, 22, of Deerpark Road, Stannington, was charged with murder at Sheffield Magistrates Court and appeared at Sheffield Crown Court on Tuesday.

Mr. Ali, 24, was attacked at around 12.45pm on Friday September 30 in the Mount Pleasant area.

FORGE PRESS Friday October 21 2011

Top: Copying the 1936 Jarrow marchers. Left: Leaving University. Right: Socialists revolt.

Photo: Name Name

Over 150 protesters took to the streets of Sheffield yesterday demonstrating against the public sector job cuts.

The protest is part of the 2011 Youth Fight for Jobs March which started in Jarrow, near Newcastle, on October 1 and finishes at Trafalgar Square on Saturday, November 5.

Protesters said that they refused to be part of what they called “the lost generation.”

The protest was based on the 1936 Jarrow March against mass unemployment, when 207 demonstrators famously walked from Jarrow to London to protest against the job losses and extreme poverty suffered in North East England.

Protester Richard Brown said: “We don’t agree with a single one of these cuts - we support public sector workers.”

“We need nationalisation and a willingness to bail out ordinary people, not the banks.

“If we unite then we will fight, and we will win.”

A small police presence gathered as the demonstrators assembled on the University of Sheffield concourse at 3pm, but experienced no trouble as the event travelled along West Street.

The original plans involved forming a mock dole queue at the Bailey Court Job Centre Plus on West Street but these were dashed when protesters were denied access to the building.

However, bolstered by growing support at the location, they continued on to Town Hall.

Representatives from Sheffield Anti-Cuts Alliance, Socialist Students, Britain’s General Union, and the Public and Commercial Services Union spoke to the crowd in the city centre.

The march will continue across the country before ending in a national demonstration at Trafalgar Square on November 5.

Hillsborough documents to be released after 22 year campaign David Parker The families of victims of the Hillsborough disaster have won a 22-year campaign that will bring long-awaited closure to the deaths of their loved ones.

MPs voted unanimously to hand over up to 300,000 government documents relating to the 1989 disaster, in which 96 Liverpool fans were crushed to death at the Hillsborough football stadium in Sheffield.

The decision comes after more than 140,000 people, including 100 MPs, signed an e-petition calling for the documents to be released.

Sheffield South East MP Clive Betts, who was at the game while he was leader of Sheffield City Council, said he remembers returning the following day and crying.

He said: “What else could you do? This was in our city, in my football ground, 96 people had died before our eyes. What else could you do?”

Several MPs at Monday night’s debate

praised the people of Sheffield for their and Nottingham Forest. The 96th fan died support during the disaster, including in 1992 after being in a coma for three helping the injured, and letting people use years. their phones to call relatives.

Initial news reports blamed hooliganism All documents, including cabinet and rioting, and claimed that Liverpool minutes from meetings fans had stolen from held immediately after the Read comment online and urinated on the disaster, will be handed dead. They also to the Hillsborough Has it taken too claimed fans had Independent Panel, which long to release the turned up late and was set up in 2009 after documents? without tickets. the 20th anniversary of the bit.ly/ForgeHillsborough Families of the tragedy. victims strongly They will oversee the dispute the claims public disclosure of archives held by and investigations that took place after the emergency services, the city council and disaster found the allegations to be false. other public bodies in Sheffield The Panel Campaigners had been concerned is due to conclude its work next year. that the government would not release The relatives of those who died have the information, after a Freedom of been campaigning for the full release of Information request from the BBC for the documents since the disaster took place on release of some documents was turned April 15, 1989. down earlier this year.

Ninety-five Liverpool fans died in But Prime Minister David Cameron Hillsborough’s Leppings Lane end during and Home Secretary Theresa May have the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool both given their backing to the release of

the documents. However, the Government wants to see all documents before they are released to the public. May said: “I will do everything in my power to ensure the families and the public get the truth.”

“No government papers will be withheld from the panel, no attempts to suppress publication will be made, no stone left unturned.”

Politicians from all parties called for the documents to be released at Mondays’ debate.

However, members agreed that personal information should not be released without consulting the families of those who died.

Steve Rotherham, MP for Liverpool Walton, whose constituency is home to Liverpool’s Anfield stadium, said: “It is claimed that truth is the first casualty of war, but the same can be said of Hillsborough.” He also attacked “smears” and “establishment cover-up” which led to the fans being blamed for the tragedy.

No timescale has been set for the release.

Hillsborough disaster: The long road to justice by Tom McGuire April 15 1989 FA Cup Semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest stopped as 96 Liverpool fans die as a result of overcrowding in the Leppings Lane stand at Hillsborough.

January 1990 Lord Justice Taylor’s inquiry focuses on recommendations for football grounds in the future, such as compulsory all-seater stadia, and blames lack of control by police for tragedy.

April 19 1989 The Sun leads with ‘THE TRUTH’ story alleging drunk Liverpool fans robbed dead fans and fought police - allegations subsequently found to be untrue.

March 1991 Inquest into tragedy returns verdict of accidental death.

Inquest limited to events up to 3.15pm on the day, not taking into account emergency services response.

June 2000 Attempts to prosecute commanding officers Duckenfield and Murray for manslaughter fail as Duckenfield deemed unfit to face trial with post-traumatic stress disorder. Prosecution of Murray deemed unfair.

April 17 2009 Twentieth Anniversary memorial held at Anfield. Speech by Sports Minister Andy Burnham interrupted by chants of ‘Justice for the 96’.

August 2011 Petition calling for release of Hillsborough documents started. E-petition demanding ‘full disclosure of government documents’ supported via Twitter

by Kenny Dalglish and Joey Barton amongst others attracts over 140,000 signatures in less than 2 months meaning the issue must be raised in Parliament.

October 17 2011 Hillsborough documents debated in House of Commons. Emotional session in House of Commons sees Home Secretary Theresa May commit to the release of the Hillsborough documents, to be handled by a specially set up panel and released in 2012.

Left: Flowers left as a tribute to those killed.

FORGE PRESS Friday October 21 2011

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5

UNIVERSITY NEWS

Final moments of Sheffield students killed in US shooting

Joshua McClean

Details of the final moments of two University of Sheffield graduates shot dead in Florida earlier this year have been released in US police files.

The bodies of James Cooper, 25, and James Kouzaris, 24, who studied Management, and Urban Studies Planning respectively, were found in the Newtown area of the city of Sarasota, an area infamous for gang crime, on April 16.

Local gang member Shawn Tyson, 16, has been accused of murdering the graduates.

Investigators have pieced together the events that took place that night, which now offer an explanation as to why the Brits wandered miles away from the resort they were staying in.

The files reveal the two men left the Gator Club in Sarasota at 01.45am, with Kouzaris “too drunk to sit upright,” according to a member of the bar staff.

They were seen on CCTV cameras several times walking towards Newtown, and the last sighting of them was at 02.45am when a witness saw them walking topless through the Courts Housing Project where Tyson lived.

The witness told the police that they saw two black men

City Councillors left Students’ Union officers disappointed after they failed to show up to a meeting to improve links between students and councillors.

The meeting was supposed to go ahead on Thursday, October 13, but the majority of councillors could not find time and officers were forced to cancel the meeting.

Welfare officer Mat Denton said: “It was a shame that the councillors couldn’t make the meeting.

“Only five councillors out of 25

Lead thieves pose contractors at Tapton

as

Lead thieves gained access to the roof of a Tapton Estates property by claiming they were there to fix a leak.

The thieves, posing as contractors for independentlyowned letting agents, took the lead two weeks ago.

Tapton Estates said that tenants should ask all hired contractors for identification and advised students to ensure their property is secure.

Daniel Harris

Facebook “more important than sex,” students say

Shawn Tyson (left) is charged with murdering James Cooper (top right) and James Kouzaris (bottom right) “hunkered down in the darkness,” before following the two tourists.

The men confronted Cooper and Kouzaris demanding money and then shot them.

When the pair said they had no cash, he said: “Well, since you ain’t got no money, then I got

City councillors fail to show for student representatives meet-up Nicholas Carding

Forge in Brief

said they would attend, so now we’re looking to meet them on a more individual basis.

“Issues we’re looking at discussing are street lighting, student representation, and student housing.

“A greater understanding between students and councillors would be extremely beneficial.

“It would help minimise potential problems at the earliest possible stage.”

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, whose Sheffield Hallam constituency includes many students, was also invited to the meeting, but could not attend.

something for your ass.”

The police files show that Tyson bragged to friends about the killings.

It emerged that Diandrew Clarkson, a co-defendant in another case with Tyson, allegedly told police that Tyson

University Tapdancers in Guiness World Record Attempt Kelly Larkin The University of Sheffield’s Dance Society were part of an attempt to break the world record for the amount of people tapdancing at the same time.

The event on October 16, nicknamed “The Tapathon,” was held in various cities across the country and raised money for BBC’s Children In Need.

It was organised by The Performers Project and aimed to beat the 2010 record when 7596 people danced simultaneously.

The members of the University’s Dance Society carried out “The

NUS backs new anti-cuts demo At its executive meeting last month the NUS voted overwhelmingly in support of NCAFC’s actions and has also pledged resources to their cause.

This is just the latest action from the NCAFC who have been

said: “Yeah, I got two under my belt.”

Tyson will appear in court next week, charged with first degree murder for which the punishment is either death by lethal injection or a life sentence in prison without parole.

behind initiatives including Jared Barazetti-Scott student walkouts and protests.

The National Union of Students Michael Chessum of NCAFC has backed a demonstration by said: “This government has anti-cuts groups in London, who scrapped support for the poorest are protesting against cuts to schools and Further Education public services and the increases students while making the worst in tuition fees. cuts in the history of The demonstration education.” will take place just two “We are weeks before strike determined to save action on Wednesday education as an November 30 where accessible public public sector unions will service.” be voicing their anger “We are expecting over pension reforms. tens of thousands to NUS President Liam come down to the Burns said: “When demo on November fees are trebled, the 9. It’s vital that we Education Maintenance keep fighting for Allowance scrapped, education.” and even less money The Students’ is spent on supporting Union have students financially, currently booked don’t be surprised that one coach to take to demonstrations are the demonstration.

Not giving up: NUS back Cuts march. Photo: Nicole Froio here to stay.”

Tapathon” with students from a Chesterfield dance school, and described the day as “a great success.”

A spokesman for the Dance Society said: “It was lovely to raise funds to help the lives of disadvantaged children and young children, and was really enjoyable.”

The performers danced to James Brown’s “I feel good” for ten minutes.

Guiness World Records, counting the number of dancers, had not verified the success of the attempt at the time Forge Press went to print.

Man assaulted outside the Ridge Angeliqua Dieye A man sustained facial injuries after an assault in Ranmoor Village earlier this year.

The incident took place outside the Ramshaw building in the Ridge complex around 2.30 in the morning on Friday, June 3.

The University states the assault was immediately reported to South Yorkshire Police who subsequently made an arrest with help from the University’s Security Services.

Police say in a later statement that they have arrested three men in connection with the incident, all of which have been released on bail.

South Yorkshire Police are now appealing for witnesses or anyone who might have any helpful information on the incident to please come forward.

11% of students rank Facebook as the most important thing in their life at university, compared to 9% citing sex as the most important.

24% say that their mobile phone ranks the highest, while 5% admitted having missed lectures because they were watching pornography.

The survey revealed that students at the University of Glamorgan were most sexually active, having an average of 10.9 different sex-partners, while City University students were bottom with 3.1 partners.

Lucy Attenborough

Sheffield replaces York as top Yorkshire University The University of Sheffield has been ranked the 101st best university in the world, and 32nd in Europe.

California Institute of Technology took first place as Times Higher Education named the 400 best universities across the globe.

Sheffield picked up an overall score of 53.6%, and replaced York as the top university in Yorkshire.

Lauren Hartley

Ticket barriers would “cut Sheffield in two” Sheffield Central MP Paul Blomfield has said the installation of ticket barriers at Sheffield Station would cut the city in two.

Mr. Blomfield wants a parliamentary debate on the issue after former Transport Secretary Phillip Hammond backed plans for barriers at all stations.

The station’s footbridge provides access between Park Hill flats, the tram stop and the City Centre.

Last week, Labour councillors tabled a motion reiterating Sheffield City Council’s opposition to the proposed ticket barriers, which was passed unanimously.

David Parker

www.forgetoday.com // letters@forgetoday.com FORGE PRESS Friday October 21 2011

6

LETTERS

Have your say

Union Council drives change for students Dear Forge Press,

when larger issues arise.

I was extremely disappointed to read your Editorial piece last week on Students’ Union Council.

Last year Councillors lobbied at least 44 Members of Parliament, as well as holding a special meeting with MP Simon Hughes (Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader), to press them on funding arrangements for students, a replacement for the Educational Maintenance Allowance, and on international student visas.

I found it to be offensive to the vast majority of Councillors who work so hard each year, recently leading the Students’ Union through difficult and troubling times, and representing student’s interests.

It is sad that the Editor decides to focus on the difficulties the Council faces, when he is well aware of the significant benefit that the Council creates for students.

The Students’ Union Council is improving all the time; with training for Councillors to be effective advocates for their students, and support available for Councillors to pursue matters outside of meetings.

The Council does face a huge challenge regarding its visibility to students, but vast improvements have been made through online social media and radically improved Representation & Democracy sections on the Students’ Union website, whilst the new feedback system should help the Council to better reflect student interests.

Councillors are not individuals representing narrow views; they are part of a dedicated team of elected representatives who work tirelessly to improve the experience of students at the University and within the Students’ Union, and to promote their interests and those of future generations

Councillors also attended a Sheffield City Council meeting to ensure that they condemned Government proposals on higher education, and lead several of the coaches that took 600 of our students down to London for the National Demonstration last November.

The Students’ Union Council will always endeavour to improve, but is it is not remotely right or fair to stereotype a Councillor as someone with a personal agenda who is in it for personal gain.

The vast majority of those I have known have had a genuine interest in representing students and contributing to improving the student experience, whilst the gift that the Editor incorrectly labels as a payment would be significantly lower than minimum wage, so if money is what Councillors are after, surely they would apply to work in BarOne instead?

Rob Thornton Mechanical Engineering Councillor and Chair of the Students’ Union Council 2009 - 11

Forge care, does the Union?

Dear Forge Press, I am writing in response to Harry Horton’s letter in your October 7 issue, regarding the bottled water ban.

Mr Horton doesn’t mention in his letter that the Students’ Union has a deal with the company that supplies many of the products that are on sale in the shop and other outlets, which means that the Union is obliged to buy the bottled water, despite the fact that it cannot be sold following the referendum.

It doesn’t take a genius to work out that this is a colossal waste of money, and a waste of water!

Harry Horton has the nerve to praise this Union

for being forward thinking and saving the planet! It is almost hilarious.

This information was not given to the students at the time of the referendum, or if it was, it wasn’t nearly visible enough.

Why wouldn’t Forge Press question the campaign tactics?

What is also completely ridiculous about this ban is that shops such as Proper Pasty can sell bottled water as they are not part of the Union, and the university can still sell water, so it will still be available at all Eat With US outlets.

So any profit the Union was making from selling bottled water will be taken away and handed to the University or any shops

that are not a part of the Union.

Mr Horton may want to take into consideration, that whilst he derides certain national newspapers, he is excluding a proportion of the students that he is supposed to be serving. I suggest he may want to be more neutral in his views next time, unless he’d like all students who don’t hold the same view as him to feel excluded and unwelcome at Sheffield Students’ Union.

Yours sincerely, Fay Guest Third Year English Language & Linguistics

The above letter is written by a member of the Forge Press editorial team. The views expressed do not represent those of Forge Press, the editor or any view point of those involved with the newspaper. All members of the student body are entitled to write letters to Forge Press from their own personal perspective.

Corrections and clarifications The article ‘Students to meet with city leaders for talks’ published in Issue 38 of Forge Press, October 7 2011, Welfare Officer Mat Denton said there are 50,000 students in Sheffield rather than the University of Sheffield Students’ Union.

In issue 37 of Forge Press, published September 16 2011, the Games feature ‘Ice breaker games’ was written by Ellen Jurczak.

Email: letters@forgetoday.com Write: Forge Press, Union of Students, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TG Please include your name, course and year of study.

We reserve the right to edit letters for clarity and space.

Freshers not just a shag Dear Forge Press,

in the future!

I am writing to commend the Students’ Union on their quick action in the halting of the Corporation’s sexually explicit flyers as, I believe, they did offer a very negative perception of what most freshers and students look for during Intro Week.

However, unlike your writer, I don’t believe a good night out at any point, but especially in Intro Week when everyone and everything is new (and therefore quite tiring), often leads or equates to the majority of students looking for “ a drunken and ultimately unsatisfying shag.”

As a recent graduate, I have had many great nights out which involved the consumption of alcohol and a cheeky take-away on the way home, and hope to have many more fun times

Indeed, it would be unwise to say that no one looked for this, I accept that there will undoubtedly be a minority that do. I think, and from

shared experience, most students too are looking for a fun night in which memories are made, photographs taken and friendships cemented.

Surely, it is these wholesome community building experiences that we should all be promoting!

So I want to say a big well done to the Students’ Union for acting so fast.

Claire Wood Student Outreach Worker Sheffield’s Multi-Faith Chaplaincy

Students’ Union Council works for you Dear Forge Press,

I was disappointed to read your recent editorial, “Union Council is a futile idea” as I found it made somewhat sweeping generalisations about the Council and the work that Councillors do. To argue that Councillors are simply there to fill their CVs is just unreasonable. I feel the majority of the Council are there to work for the students that elected them and the Council actually makes important decisions about the vision and direction of the Students’ Union.

Being a former Departmental Councillor for Psychology I feel honoured and privileged to have been elected by students in my department and feel as though I worked tirelessly for them. I would like to think that during my time in office students in my department felt informed and engaged about the work that both the Council and I personally did.

It must be remembered that Councillors do more than just attend Council meetings.

They also attend departmental meetings of the Staff-

Student Committee and campaign for change within their department.

Representative Councillors attend meetings of the Representative Committee which they look after and work on campaigns for underrepresented students. These exploits may not make the cover of Forge Press and may only be small changes but is still change for the students they represent.

As with anything that Students can get involved in at the Students’ Union there is some personal development that Councillors can make in areas such as public speaking and campaigning.

However this is something that we should celebrate, that our students are so engaged. After all I’m sure that all the writers of Forge Press gain a lot from working on the paper and will put the experience on their CVs. You argue that people don’t say “I’m going to speak to my councillor” or that Councillors don’t talk in meetings. I would argue that rather than Forge Press criticising the Council it would be better to engage its readers by educating them and

challenging them to hold their Councillor to account for their actions as an elected representative.

Surely this would be a better use of your columns?

To say that most students haven’t got “a clue what it [council] is or what it can even do” clearly shows the need for the Council to change so that students can feel empowered to make changes within their Union. The decisions taken at the end of last year by the Council and carried forward by the current Officer team try to make these steps towards change. However it would be better for Forge Press to support this rather than being opposed from the start. Forge should be educating members of the Union rather than simply looking to the past.

It is fantastic to see so many nominations for this year’s council and hopefully students will engage with the Council, its members and its work and hopefully Forge Press will support this.

Roscoe Hastings Psychology Councillor 2010 – 11

Labour’s continuing lies Dear Forge Press,

Recently Ed Milliband has announced that he will cap tuition fees at £6,000.

That’s funny, didn’t he spend most of last year criticising the government proposals on higher education policy?

The announcement was meant to be a trumpet blast to start the Labour Party Conference, but it was more like a wet fart.

New Labour introduced tuition fees in their first term, and were elected in 2001 on the promise not to introduce top up fees (we all know how that turned out).

Ed Milliband now seems to think the country has short term memory loss, and that he should be heralded as some kind of student-saviour for proposing to reduce tuition fees to £6,000 pounds.

Paul Blomfield MP for Sheffield Central (the Uni is in his constituency and so are many students), promised to resist any rise in tuition fees. I implore you, to ask Mr Blomfield if he still plans to: paul. blomfield.mp@parliament. uk.

Yours sincerely, Andrew Tromans

FORGE PRESS Friday October 21 2011 www.forgetoday.com

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www.forgetoday.com // comment@forgetoday.com FORGE PRESS Friday October 21 2011

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COMMENT In a nutshell: Black History Month Where? Black History Month is celebrated throughout the UK, the United States of America and Canada.

When? In 1926 Carter G Woodson set up Negro Week in America, to be celebrated in February.

This became Black History Month, and was adopted by the UK in October 1987.

Why? It exists to promote knowledge of black history and culture, including positive contributions to British society which are often ignored in traditional British history and encourage pride and awareness.

What? Around 4,700 celebratory events take place in October. In schools, this may include special black history orientated lessons, while elsewhere events such as storytelling, plays and debate panels are organised.

Who? Despite some preconceptions about the name, Black History Month is in honour of not only people of African and Caribbean descent but also seeks to represent aspects of Asian history.

Forge Press asks: Should black history be taught and celebrated seperately to the rest of British history?

There is still a lot Black history is for life, not just to learn about for October black culture Andrew Tromans

Black History Month is far from perfect. However, it should be retained and improved because it still serves its basic purpose: to educate the public about the history, culture and heritage of black people.

It has been controversial ,almost since its inception, but it appears to be in good nick with around 4700 events being held nationally this October.

Since 1987, Black History Month has been celebrated in schools, colleges, universities and work places throughout the country with the aim to cast a spotlight on the contribution of African peoples to the history of the United Kingdom.

‘There is the elephant in the room: Britain & the slave trade’ As Britons we do have a duty to face and uphold the truth. There is the elephant in the room: Britain’s deeply shameful involvement in the slave trade.

This sad and regretful part of British and black history can not be, and should not be dismissed;

anachronous concept. we need to ensure the that can celebrate the The issue of race has experiences of black people contributions that black Nicole changed over the last 85 at this time are given and Asian people have years and it calls for bigger proper recognition in made to British history and Froio steps - steps that end the British history. culture.

Black History Month Eighty-five years segregation of race and cannot simply rest on its ago, in a world where colour and celebrate all laurels, there is still plenty black people were still races as equals. more to be done. severely segregated and The largely unsung discriminated against, heroes and heroines of society asked for an event British history, such as the to celebrate a minority’s unknown Mary Seacole, history. need to be given their due The idea, concocted by respect. We’ve all heard of This said, Black History American historian Carter Florence Nightingale, the Month needs to move away G Woodson, was exactly Woodson’s intent was to leading Victorian reformer from its focus on celebrities, what the doctor prescribed of British nursing. as has become the trend to a deeply divided world, teach Americans about black Yet her Jamaican over the last few years. but what exactly is its history and its contribution to the country, a subject contemporary, Seacole, is It needs to emphasise relevance in 2011? nowhere close to being the the richness of black The needs of society have that was often overlooked household name that Flo culture as a whole, rather changed: globalization has at the time.

Today, it is still a is. than just celebrating the spread race and colour to Seacole matched and achievements of pop culture all corners of the earth, reminder of black people’s arguably surpassed icons such as footballers and and rendered Black contribution to society but Florence Nightingale in comedians.

History Month an the debate surrounding segregation cannot be bravery and tenacity, as stopped. she faced not only sexual Setting black history prejudices but racial ones apart from all other history too. to be honoured in a month This celebration has a is, whether people like it or role to play until names not, a kind of segregation. such as hers have been Although this particular woven into the fabric of kind is positive, segregation British history. as a whole is harmful to The month has an society. There is no reason important role to black history shouldn’t play in defending be celebrated - in fact, multiculturalism at there is no denying that a time when it is celebrations of different increasingly under cultures and races will attack from far right forever be a necessity. groups such as the But is a month really English Defence League enough to honour such an and the British National important part of human Party. Through education history? Most notably, in schools and colleges we can raise a generation Many heroes of black culture go ignored by traditional British history if this was the way to

‘It needs to emphasise black culture as a whole’

‘The celebration is outdated: the world is bigger and better now’

celebrate it 85 years ago, isn’t it time to rethink segregation as a way to celebrate a minority’s culture?

Morgan Freeman himself is against this segregation.

In an interview on ‘60 Minutes’ five years ago, he declared: “I don’t want a Black History Month.

Black history is American history.”

There is no better way to put it; celebrating black history is clearly still a necessity. People need to be reminded of their heritage and what still needs to be done for the race issue.

When the month actually comes along it seems incredibly contradictory that something that people give this much importance to is only done once a year.

The celebration is outdated: the world is much bigger and better now, and calls for new forms of thinking.

In the same way that the civil rights movement is taught in most history classes, black history should be introduced to schools as part of the curriculum, and at the same time emphasising its importance.

Pride should be a daily exercise for any culture and it should be taught from an early age, and this applies to all minorities. How they influenced the world should be celebrated all year long not just once a year.

Plug your masculinity, there’s no Space for you to ROAR Fay Guest

specific group of people. We’re all friends with at least one, we may live with one, be on the same course as one – hell I’ve even dated one. I’m talking about the ‘lad’.

Very few students at this, the University of Sheffield – one of the top universities in the country, a “red brick” – would describe themselves as chavs. Most would consider themselves to be well brought up, well educated and well mannered individuals.

Consider then, the individuals we see on any Union or student night in Sheffield.

There is always a selection of idiots who can be relied upon to start a brawl; that no doubt ends in them getting dragged out by some very angry bouncers. I don’t want to sound sexist, but it does tend to be males involved - not that females don’t have their moments too.

In my experience it tends to be a very

The heavy drinking, heavy partying so-called alpha male, often praised for promiscuity in a culture where cheating on your partner is acceptable. They like to hang around in packs of lads, and once someone looks at them in the wrong way or nudges past them it starts.

Now, this behaviour wouldn’t be out of place in a particularly rough pub, in a particularly rough area. Typical chavvy

‘I’m talking about the lad: the heavy drinking, heavy partying so-called alpha male’

behaviour some might say. But for some reason, this behaviour has become commonplace on the club nights at our Union, giving all of us something to be ashamed of. I’ve known of people having to be taken to hospital and give statements to the police it has been that bad.

We are allegedly the crème de la crème of young British talent: future politicians, doctors, lawyers, journalists, bankers, and engineers. This is frankly terrifying when you see the idiots that stagger around Pop Tarts and Space getting into fights and throwing up everywhere.

Much of the blame can be levelled at alcohol; we’re all aware the affects that the deadly liquid can have. But my argument is this: no-one makes anyone drink alcohol.

Certainly no-one makes you behave in the way so many of us do; like the chavs we students love to ridicule.

If you can’t handle your drink without

getting into a fight, isn’t it time to maybe stop drinking? And when I say ‘can’t handle your drink,’ I don’t mean you get drunk in five minutes, but that you get wasted, violent and aggressive – and then have the audacity to complain when you wake up with bruised knuckles in the morning.

So, a note to all ‘lads’, ‘lasses’ and other aggressive drunk fighters out there: you are pathetic. Grow up. Stop feeling the need to prove your so called masculinity or alpha male/female-ness to everyone, because by ruining everyone’s night out, you’re failing. Get a life, and get a more sociable, agreeable and positive personality whilst you’re at it.

Got an opinion on the topics discussed this fortnight?

Contact letters@forgetoday.com

FORGE PRESS Friday October 21 2011

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COMMENT

Uni cuts and tuition fees: thou dost protest too much

Protests against education cuts last November left students with a bad reputation for violence.

Glenn Hicks Students have always been a vocal bunch when it comes to politics, especially so when it comes to things we don’t quite like.

But with a new National Union of Students-backed protest march planned for this November, aiming to “derail the government’s Higher Education white paper”, are we making good use of our right to protest, or simply wasting our time?

‘Everyone might be looking, but I’m not so sure the Government or society will be listening’

The NUS thought the latter earlier this year when it voted against endorsing another protest, but after reviewing the suggested changes published by the Government, the NUS executive council changed their mind in favour of action.

Those involved with the protests claim that the Higher Education white paper will “dismantle and privatise universities”; making HE institutions more like businesses than academies of knowledge. This is certainly a bold, but understandable, move when we consider the merits of the last student movement.

The protests last November dominated the news for over a week. The student community came together to voice their disapproval of the cuts to university funding – and voice it they did. After all, nothing gets the message across like trying to jab Prince Charles with a stick.

But jokes aside, did it really do much

good? The violent few who hijacked the protest saw students demonised as nothing more than scrounging vandals; a petty lot who went to London to throw their metaphorical toys out of the pram because things weren’t going their way. And we’re about to do it again.

Even if the troublemakers stayed home and the media reported the protests as a perfectly polite affair, would we have been any closer to changing anything? Did the 2010 protests do anything to change the minds of our legislators? If not, why bother protesting at all?

For many people this is a flawed line of questioning, as the end result would be to abstain from any political participation whatsoever. But surely we have to draw a line between protestation and practicality?

No doubt the witty signs and chants were a source of great embarrassment for the Liberal Democrats, who got a bit flustered when people brought up that preelection pledge they signed.

Perhaps the protests played a role in the 21-strong Lib Dem rebellion, or in the more surprising actions of the six Tory rebels.

But even if we discount this statistically small circumstance - amounting to only seven per cent of the house - the proposed changes were still brought to the attention of the nation.

The protests likely ensured that everyone will remember this particular policy when the next general election comes round, and you almost begin to feel sorry for the Lib Dems.

Unfortunately, even considering the positive impacts of rebellion and publicity, I think I might be ready to accept defeat over the fee rises and cuts.

After everything the student community has done, everyone sort of gets the idea we generally don’t support the Government’s changes, and if we have to hold London

Photos via Flickr: (Left) lewishamdreamer, (Top) Amy Sellers, (Bottom) Yoga Mama hostage to say the same thing all over again, I reckon that everyone’s going to get a bit bored of us.

Especially if it gets violent again: let’s not forget that a lot of people think of students as lazy state-scrounging cretins.

If we give them an excuse to add ‘violent yobs’ to that list its unlikely that the rest of society, who are also competing to avoid cuts, will give us much sympathy.

Like it or lump it, the government that we sort-of elected has voted the fee rises through Parliament, and I’m not so sure that this Government is going to do a U-turn on that no matter how many people turn up on November 9.

They might tweak a few things in their wider Higher Education reforms, but my guess is the bulk of it is going to pass anyway.

‘Are we making good use of our right to protest or simply wasting our time?’

Of course, it’s important for us to express our political opinion; we live in a democracy after all. But we’re better off saving our energy for the next general election.

Cuts are already inevitable with the current government and they seem quite set on their path of austerity.

Economists and academics might argue that cutting Higher Education is a fundamentally stupid thing to do, but if not cutting university funding, they’d be cutting something outside of our little student bubble. Either way someone isn’t going to be happy.

Everyone might be looking if we try to poke a second royal with a stick, but I’m not so sure the Government or the rest of society will be listening.

Higher education protests in brief November 10 2010 More than 50,000 protesters showed up in London to march against the rise in tuition fees. One group of violent protesters - now identified as mostly non-students - broke off from the main march to storm Conservative headquarters at Millbank. 35 people were arrested, while 14 were injured in clashes between protesters and police.

November 24 2010 A crowd of an estimated 5,000 students gathered in Parliament Square, London.

A police van was vandalised, while a 1,000 strong throng was charged by mounted police.

November 30 2010 Protesters converged at Trafalgar Square, where 146 were arrested 139 for breach of the peace and seven on suspicion of violent disorder.

December 9 2010: Tuition fee protesters headed towards parliament. As a result of the Commons vote in favour of increased tuition fees, scuffles broke out at Whitehall, and moved towards Oxford Street. Windows of several buildings were smashed and Churchill’s statue was vandalised.

A car carrying Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall was attacked on Regent Street, with windows cracked and paint splattered. At least 38 protesters and 10 officers were injured, while 26 arrested were made.

www.forgetoday.com // comment@forgetoday.com FORGE PRESS Friday October 21 2011

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COMMENT

A classy affair Nicky Crane Eastenders, Hollyoaks, Coronation Street, they’re all the same to me. Same unfulfilled characters, dreadful acting, and most importantly, same overdone, clichéd storylines.

I find it hard to differentiate between them all, and yet we are too often judged by the programmes we watch: some think Eastenders is ‘chavvy’ whilst Downton Abbey is regarded a bit more high-brow. So do a certain type or ‘class’ of people watch certain programmes?

I’m using the term ‘class’ loosely of course. Nowadays it’s hard to keep up with what is lower-class, workingclass, middle-class, and all the rest of it. Deciding which group you fall in to becomes a matter of opinion.

Take, for example, Coronation Street. It revolves around a self-contained community of urban working-class people, and needless to say, more working-class people will watch this programme, perhaps for the self-recognition rather than an exploration, which you might find in perioddramas like Downton Abbey.

The issues raised in Corrie are often everyday issues we are facing ourselves. Even Hollyoaks, once you move past the self-obsessed, vain characters, raises important issues on domestic violence, rape, drugs, pregnancy and sexuality. There’s even a handy helpline number at the end of the programme.

So what of the more high-brow programmes? The period-drama Downton Abbey is set in Edwardian times.

The dresses are fancy, the English is proper and the architecture is a bit prettier than the corner shops in Eastenders. And yet it deals with the same social issues.

There’s a social hierarchy of soaps that I won’t even try to sketch out.

But at the same time, I can’t help but ask the question - why do we watch these things in the first place? The characters in these soaps can’t keep together their marriages, they can’t stop themselves getting pregnant and they’re not able to sustain a job.

Then again, they’re fiction and they’re entertainment, and we enjoy watching the self-destructive nature of these people, making us feel slightly better about ourselves.

And isn’t that their real appeal? Other then that, they’re perfect conversation fodder, regardless of the ‘class’ of soap you watch.

Debate poll We asked: Will putting nutritional information on fast food make a difference?

80 per cent voted yes - food labels allow people to make informed decisions about what they eat 20 per cent voted no - people will continue to eat unhealthy food regardless

Watershed? Get under my umbrella

Rihanna is the pop star at the bottom of the whole debate, with her raunchy TV performances

Martin Bottomley In a brilliant and decisive move, Ofcom has, following a damning report

by Mother’s Union chief executive Reg Bailey, tightened regulations pertaining the 9pm watershed.

It has demanded that broadcasters be more vigilant in preventing the smut that pervades music videos from reaching our children’s sensitive minds. Huzzah to that, for Britain is now safe from filth. Whoop-de-do.

Of course, while the new guidelines were seen as a reaction to last year’s X Factor scandal and general chart music sauciness in the media, Ofcom’s own report painted a different picture: “The majority (58 per cent) of all parents surveyed were not concerned.” Well there you go.

Even the causes for concern were also not exactly what the coverage would suggest. Parents were worried most by soaps, with music videos coming third on the list. And those most concerned were “older parents, parents whose eldest child was aged 10-14”. But what on earth are middleclass parents of 10 to 14-year-olds complaining about?

After all, let’s face it: childhood is not really that innocent. Right up until late adolescence, it’s about exploring the world, including the discovery of violence in the playground, and

having your face shoved into the mud by some bigger kid. The learning of words that mummy would have a heart attack hearing, and most of all the slow unravelling of the mystery that is ‘where do babies come from?’

By age 12, children are, regardless of their level of maturity, bang in the middle of finding out about the world and most likely have quite some experience to boot.

I hate to break it to middle-class parents, but your 12-year-old swears like a sailor around his mates. At least, he would if he possessed even a fraction of the figurative sailor’s imaginative talent.

In a year or two, he’ll be sneakily watching 15+ DVDs with the gang, gaping at the massive metaphorical balls of Jason Statham and howling with laughter at the antics of Cartman et al.

But nevertheless, he’ll turn out OK. Because he has a stable family that cares about him, economic security, a decent social environment and nice hobbies that give him a certain sense of purpose.

‘I hate to break it to middle class parents, but your 12-year-old swears like a sailor’ Because while our modern culture naturally has an impact on children,

D.A.R.T.S. Quote of the fortnight:

“The thing I hate most about Frankie, is not his shit hair or his shit voice, it’s just how offensively tight his trousers are. #xfactor.”

- Tweeted this week by Union Education Officer, Jon Narcross.

Photo: Bob Xu/Flickr

they soon grow up to learn that fiction isn’t reality, and they gain a proper understanding of the world.

The causes of violence, teenage pregnancy and other acts of “low moral fibre” aren’t 50 Cent’s open descriptions of fornication or the latest preposterous EastEnders story arc, but mostly economic circumstance and lack of education.

And swearing, to quote the quite eloquent Stephen Fry, is an “important part of one’s life.”

There’s no use in hysterically campaigning for a squeaky-clean moral environment like a collective reincarnation of Mary Whitehouse.

Parents will always be faced with the challenge of deciding what’s appropriate for the offspring, which is mostly their job, not the telly’s.

The Government needs to support them in this endeavour, but holding its regulatory hand over the children’s eyes is not the answer. It takes education that holds a real-world relevancy and an active support of responsible parenthood.

Concerned mothers could probably complain endlessly about the commercialisation of childhood and the teenage years. The easy answer would be to smash capitalism. The longer answer is definitely more complicated.

But if you’re complaining about the commercialisation and vulgarisation of television programming, turning off The bloody X Factor might just be a start.

Forge Press takes its satirical aim

Website of the week:

David Cameron Posters bit.ly/davidcameronposters Not a fan of Mr Cameron? Well now you can share your dislike with others. This website has a wonderful selection of hilarious photoshopped Conservative Party election posters. You can even take it one step further, by making your own poster. Fun!

Too many pies:

The score of last week’s Sheffield football derby has added to a growing conspiracy online, regarding its links with the Czech Air Force.

The Wikipedia pie chart displaying the results of the 125 Steel City derbies (opposite left) looks alarmingly, yet completely coincidentally, similar to the roundel for the Czech Republic’s Air Force (opposite right).

The results between the two are almost perfectly balanced: SUFC have 45 wins, SWFC have 41 and there have been 39 draws; thus creating a pie chart split into three equal-ish segments.

Quite why Wikipedia chose to use the same colours as those of the Czech

air force remains a mystery, but it does explain where Wednesday’s ‘shoot on sight’ approach comes from.

Spot the difference: the Czech air force turned to an unlikely source for inspiration when selecting their roundel.

FORGE PRESS Friday October 21 2011

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11

COMMENT

A whisker away from a scandal Alisha Rouse

Apply your scarlet lipstick, throw your hand over your beaded brow and exhale violently; the shock of a Conservative wanting to scrap British association with the Human Rights Act is as much of a revelation as the news that ‘the Butler did it’.

The proposal, announced

by Theresa May at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester, should come as a shock to roughly no-one with either a pulse or functioning ears.

‘May thoroughly undermined the intelligence of the electorate’ Cameron and his cronies have been contemplating the idea of a British Bill of Rights for some time. It now appears that the rights moment de jour is upon us, and what better time to spearhead such a radical move than a few months after the August riots devastated the country’s carefully contained social balance.

Not only does it seem an inexplicably lazy way of enticing middle class parents and spearwielding BNP members, but it is a puzzling move considering Britain’s ever -increasing expenditure on its assistance in the Libya campaign.

For the imperialistic

migration of ethical ideals is at the core of the majority of conflicts Britain has involved itself with in recent years, notably after the Arab Spring. How can the UK hope to capitalise on its presupposed moral and ethical superiority, while announcing plans to scrap what is essentially the only moral code acknowledged by the majority of states?

The British Bills of Rights is at the core of what is an altogether disturbing ideology: the continuing belief that the West can dictate the practices of other nations, while keeping their own cards too close to their chest.

May announced that the move will help to secure the British people from foreign criminals’ ability to protest against their deportation under article eight of the Human Rights Act; the right to a family life.

Much to the dismay of Justice Secretary Ken Clarke, a keen supporter of the European convention on Human Rights, May went on to cite an example in which a Bolivian national was able to remain in Britain as he owned a cat.

That’s right. A shitting cat.

There was me thinking the British loved cats.

Such an example, Ms. May, would certainly not be out of place on the Jeremy Kyle Show as part of some mad rant about “putting something on the end of it son!” or the fact that the ‘son’ in question probably didn’t.

May reduced her argument to the ridiculous, making a statement bound to receive a hall full of laughs and expose the

Editorial Newspaper not newsletter

The purrfect criminal.

Act as a fallacy, while the cat story appears to be unfounded, according to claims made by the Justice Secretary later that day.

‘The proposal should come as a shock to roughly no-one’ In fact, the man in question had used his feline friend as one of many examples of the longevity of his relationship with his girlfriend. No, his girlfriend is not the cat.

Theresa May appealed to the populist vote and thoroughly undermined the

Image: Sam Maher/Flickr intelligence of the British electorate, you know, by ridiculing a decision cast by her own department.

The Home Secretary’s attempts to appeal to the Conservative’s evergrowing commonsense ideology will not go unnoticed by those believing that the Government’s policies are beginning to resemble the “political correctness gone mad!” rants of Jeremy Clarkson.

The decades of imperative and ethical judicial decisions made by the use of the Human Rights Act, protecting people from the overbearing power of the state, are cast aside and its results are firmly placed in the ridiculous.

Newspapers are a sacred art in the democracy that we live in. Often criticised for being a dark art with malicious and sometimes, as highlighted recently with the phone hacking scandal, illegal practices it is easy to forget the good work they do.

Papers and the media do fantastic work every single hour and every single day.

As I sit writing this, the BBC have just confirmed former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has been killed.

The media are still doing a valuable and needed public service. Without the media coverage of the whole events in Libya there would not have been the scenes of revolution we have seen.

The news media, in particular newspapers, are easy to corrupt by those with vested interests, by those who want to push their own agendas.

This includes press officers, spin doctors and those who work in marketing departments.

They all have their own agendas to push and it is easy for them to set the news agenda based around their own subjects.

By doing this they are damaging the whole of the media and reporting industry. Taking advantage of the high pressured environments that journalists work in.

This applies at all levels of journalism from national newspapers all the way down to student media and alternative media forms.

While we really value and appreciate all the work students do across the whole of the University, Students’ Union and Sheffield there has to be a news line that we have. We can’t report on everything happening in our local community, we have to chose the things which we think people will want to read about and balance them with the stories we run which will improve the lives of students.

The newspaper is here to work for the students and provide things that students want to read but it isn’t here just to promote events before they happen.

It is easy for us to promote events for people, however it is not the role of a newspaper.

Some of the fundamental roles of a newspaper are to uphold integrity, hold those in power to account, champion public causes and be able to speak out against those that are wrong.

It is impossible for a newspaper to be able to do these things if they are promoting the causes of others at all times.

To prove this, in the last year alone the newspaper has reported on accommodation issues, which have led to them being improved, highlighted the University recieving money from oppressive regimes, and exposed students being paid less than the minimum wage. If it is possible to say Forge Press is not a champion of students for this then we may as well be a newsletter.

I invite anyone who is unhappy with any aspect of Forge Press to come and experience how the newspaper is made and you will see a committed group of young and talented journalists who care about what they do.

Matt Burgess - Forge Press Editor matt.burgess@forgetoday.com

To give your view, tweet @ForgeComment or visit www.forgetoday.com/comment

Sarah Palin pulling out of Presidential race? Dunno, Alaska Simon Pilkington The announcement was uncharacteristically low-key. On the morning of October 6, Sarah Palin sent an email to supporters stating her decision not to seek the Republican presidential nomination. With its interest depleted, and its attention diverted to more important matters, the world responded with a nonchalant shrug.

We once would have expected so much more. Had the Palin star still been burning with its early white heat, the bowing out of the right-wing diva may well have prompted liberals to dance gleefully through the streets, and plunged holy rollers, hillbillies and moose-hunters into deep existential despair.

But with Republican support draining away and controversy ever-present, the former governor has been stripped of political superstardom.

The raucous Tea Party has belched out new populist heroes of the right. To many followers of these figures, Palin is old news.

More importantly, the idea of President Palin simply never held sway in the American political mainstream, where ideologically divisive figures are distrusted and rejected. Moderate voters harbour little sympathy for rabble-rousing demagogues.

So, Palin for once behaved rationally in not running. She had absolutely no chance of winning. The liberal TV satirist John Stewart has advanced the cynical yet compelling thesis that naughty Sarah knew this all along, and only kept her cards to her chest to sustain media interest and the inflow of cash from book deals and donations.

Whatever the case, the ordinary and intelligent people of this world have a right to follow their reflexive shrug with a small sigh of relief. Palin has been an infuriating presence in American politics - whimsical, stupid and downright annoying. Her early trailblazing may have been impressive to

behold, but she has failed to contribute anything to the political debate but regurgitated Reaganisms and Bush-style linguistic disasters.

Sadly, her departure from the current presidential race counts for little. At 47-years-old, she has plenty of time left to work her way into the corridors of power.

Worse still, the American right is as strong, vitriolic and insane as it was during Palin’s brief halcyon period – probably more so.

Is there anything we can take from this sorry saga? It’s debatable, but there is perhaps one aspect of Palin that can be reflected on favourably.

For all her faults, Palin is a relatively ordinary citizen who as a person is as distant from the political elite as any average American.

She is from an unfashionable, backwards state and yet was able to soar to national prominence. She used everyday language that people could relate to, even if it rarely made much sense.

Palin clearly played up to her folksy ‘hockey mom’ persona, as all the ‘darn

right’ and ‘you betcha’ nonsense testifies.

But in the epoch of the self-perpetuating political class, Palin at least seemed to show that the doors to the political system are not just open to the usual suited crowd of lobbyists, lawyers and the sons of millionaires.

Let us just hope that when the doors open again, they do not let in an idiot.

Palin’s become a caricature of herself.

Image: DonkeyHotey/Flickr

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FORGE PRESS Friday October 21 2011

FEATURES

Forge Press meets the members of the Sheffield Parkour Movement, who are changing the face of parkour across Sheffield....

Words: Lauren Clarke Art and photos: Sheffield Parkour Movement and Michael Tomlinson

V

aulting, leaping, jumping, and rolling, these movements sound more like dance than a sport.

Parkour is a form of movement which involves finding ways to cross an urban landscape.

David Belle is generally given credit for founding parkour in Paris.

He described the urban landscape as his “playground” in an interview with the BBC in 2006, and if you watch these masters of movement at work you will understand what he means.

Otherwise known as free running, parkour has spread across the globe in recent years finding its way to the UK and to Sheffield. People involved in the Sheffield Parkour Movement can often be seen around the city practising their often daredevil moves.

Ali and Ahmed Saricicek are chairman and treasurer respectively of the Sheffield Parkour Movement (SPM) and who, along with the rest of the group, are transforming the face of parkour in Sheffield. SPM are trying to raise £100,000 to build an outdoor facility in Endcliffe Park.

Ahmed says, “We keep getting moved on in town by security, we can’t have regular meetings and we can’t train.

“The police always ask us to move on when security call them but they are often apologetic. I’ve given some of them my YouTube account details before, because they’re always interested and they’ve egged us on to do back flips and stuff before.”

Ali adds, “We won’t be limited to the facility but it will be a base to have regular training. We want somewhere we can legally train.”

The brothers are from Sheffield and started parkour about two years ago when they went to a gymnastics demonstration and met a group of people who were inspired by parkour as well. They stared to train around Sheffield and have now helped to form their own parkour

“

Parkour is everything to us Ahmed Saricicek, Treasurer of SPM

”

movement.

Ali and Ahmed estimate that there are around 84 parkour practitioners in Sheffield but there may be more as people come together from outside of Sheffield from places such as Barnsley, Doncaster and Chesterfield, so there could be many more.

Ahmed says, “Everyone in SPM are friends with like minded ideas.

Sometimes instead of parkour training, we meet up to go kickboxing or climbing or just go to the pub.”

Sheffield Parkour Movement has recently started yearly memberships for £20 to help raise money for their outdoor facility.

“SPM becoming a formal organisation has given us a proper existence. We have a proper working committee and you can become a member of the movement, which means that you will get a say in the direction of the group. You can still train with us if you are not a member though,” he says.

The movement is a non-profit organisation and Ahmed has been buying the T-shirts that are included in the yearly memberships with his own money and then replacing the cash when the membership is paid for due to lack of funds.

“We are applying for funding and we’ve had our first donation. We want the outdoor facility to be under construction in April.”

Ahmed is currently unemployed but is hoping to turn parkour into his career. “Parkour is everything to us. I want to help build up other parkour communities; our main objective is to promote parkour, tell people what it’s all about, that we aren’t here to cause trouble or damage. I think that in 10 years parkour will be everywhere,” he says.

Ali insists that parkour is not a sport. “Parkour isn’t like football which is competitive, there’s nothing like that in parkour, it’s not egotistical.

“Its about overcoming physical obstacles, as well a psychological obstacles. For example, fear of doing

“

Lots of people don’t understand parkour, it has alot of stigma Ali Saricicek, Chairman of SPM

”

things in public or doing things you thought you were physically incapable of.

“Left to people who don’t understand it, parkour can become a sport. It’s a way of life, a way of disciplining yourself.”

To Ali, parkour is a comment on society too. “There are basic morals everyone follows in society but apart from that, there are no rules, that’s what we show through parkour.”

Ahmed agrees, “Parkour literally means overcoming obstacles. It is an expression, it’s about breaking out of the mould. In China people sometimes call Tai Chi a dance and it’s a similar thing with parkour.”

There seems to be a lot of preconceptions about parkour, with the public presuming that the SPM are just out to cause trouble.

Ali explains, “lots of people don’t understand parkour, it has a lot of stigma and society is controlled by stigma. Some people think we look like chavs because many people that train wear baggy clothes, like tracksuits.”

“You can wear whatever you want, we’re not trying to fit in. You were born with all the tools you’ll ever need for parkour. You don’t need equipment, sometimes I don’t even wear shoes.” Ahmed on the other hand prefers trainers that he has cut the heel off.

SPM often train outside Sheffield Hallam University or on Devonshire Green as well as occasionally on the roofs of the city centres’ buildings such as the HSBC bank.

“Once we were on the top of some flats and there were about 50 people training and someone called the police because they thought it was a mass burglary!

“There is a sense of achievement in pushing yourself,” says Ali. “Sometimes we train for 12 hours straight.” SPM often travels to different cities like Manchester to join up with other parkour movements. Ahmed says, “every movement is different for example they do a lot more conditioning

FORGE PRESS Friday October 21 2011

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FEATURES

in Manchester.” (conditioning is a form of training, for example strengthening muscles.)

“In the future parkour will have more branches because it’s all about individualism and we’ve all pioneered our own way of doing it.”

Ali says, “Parkour looks best when you combine all the moves together so it is fluid.”

Ahmed adds, “My favourite move is a catloop but my best skill is standing precision jumps.” This is where you jump from place to place without a run up.

“It can be difficult to get to a good level, but anyone can do it, we welcome beginners and we’re open to diversity.”

Both Ali and Ahmed say that age isn’t an issue, “there are many people in their late 30’s that train with us and in Manchester there are people in their 40’s. We want to help everyone feel comfortable and get them involved.”

“Any kind of person can train together, there are no social barriers.

We’re just a bunch of crazy looking people jumping around.”

But on a more serious note Ali adds, “Parkour could stop kids causing trouble. It’s something to do and does wonders for confidence.

There are no judgements, and will make kids realise you can be accepted and have respect without having to cause violence and trouble.

It can change your outlook on life.”

To learn more about Sheffield Parkour Movement visit their website: sheffieldparkourmovement.com

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FORGE PRESS Friday October 21 2011

FEATURES

F MELTING FOR MONEY

We investigate how the fastest growing crime in Britain - metal theft - is tearing apart communities and challenging police here in Sheffield Words: Jonathan Robinson Pictures: Ennor/Flickr

or many the image of an urban district is one of dimly lit street corners, recreational lawbreaking and alcohol-fuelled violence, but, according to new police statistics, this stereotype may be cloaking an overshadowed crime - one which is unique to industrial heartlands like Sheffield.

Look a bit further and you might be surprised to learn that the fastest growing crime in Britain is that of metal theft. Across the country, railings, copper cable and road signs keep disappearing under the cover of darkness.

This year, in fact, it is estimated widespread metal pilfering will cost the industry £770m, and the sharp increase in metal raids is proving to be a constant strain on police authorities, themselves desiccated from cuts to their budgets.

Where years ago, stripping lead off a church roof may have been deemed petty theft, today it is anything but trivial. Moreover, metal-larceny has become an illustrious business, with squads of thieves pocketing from recent price rises in metal.

The problem is so extensive that nothing seems to stand in the way of would-be thieves. Homes have been raided in search of radiators, boilers and bicycles. Congregations are singing without the familiar grandioso, in the absence of stolen church organs. Even bus stops have been dismembered in pursuit of metallic treasure.

And it isn’t just property at risk. Just last month, 50 metres of signalling cable was swiped from railways near South Kirkby, West Yorkshire, causing delays for 35 hours - an act which is being replicated across the country.

So the next time that high-pitched loudspeaker announces your train is delayed, think of metal theft as a likely cause and the profits villains might be making at scrap yards.

And there lies the motive - the quick access to wealth obtainable in metal theft. According to the London Metal Exchange, the price of copper rose by 478% in the last eight years, meaning a tonne of pure copper can be sold for anything up to £6,000.

Likewise, the price of lead and aluminium has also increased considerably, partly due to unstable production and demand by metalhungry Asian economies.

Most of the stolen metal itself is ultimately scrapped, melted down to its raw material or recycled as material for new products.

Of course, the value of scrap metal is much less, but the numbers are still significant enough to inflame the problem here.

Like most major cities, Sheffield is one of the epicentres of this growing crime, due to its rich industrial heritage. Here, much of the architecture can date back to the Industrial Revolution; roofs are tantalisingly laid with lead and most of the buildings here benefited from the steel boom.

But that isn’t all. The number of reported incidents of metal theft in Sheffield surged when the recession hit in 2007, up from 949 in 2006/07 to 2892 in 2007/08. Of course this could be coincidental, but it may suggest a correlation between levels of unemployment and the rate of thefts.

People with no jobs or reliable income may be choosing to cash in on the city’s metal stocks instead, maybe out of desperation, but chief inspector Iain Chorlton, the lead officer in Sheffield for metal thefts, disagrees.

“There’s a building frustration about the impact it is having on people’s lives. There’s a real significant discussion about [metal theft] on social media sites, particularly on the Sheffield Forum, so it’s a big issue for us.

“

We gather intelligence day by day; we are making arrests week by week.

Iain Chorlton, Chief Inspector & lead officer in metal thefts

”

Number of reported m

10/11 09/10 08/09

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FEATURES “We gather intelligence day by day; we are making arrests week by week. We are employing both technical and human resources.”

A Freedom of Information request from Forge Press can chart the recent surge of metal thefts. After the peak in 2007, a gradual decline was experienced across Sheffield, until now.

In the last financial year (2010/11), reported crimes in Sheffield where metal formed all or part of the stolen property increased by 62 per cent to 1633 cases. This roughly translates to 22 incidents a week.

In fact, 20 out of 21 Sheffield police wards registered an increase in the last financial year - this alone demonstrates the widespread problem faced by police authorities.

The worst affected areas in Sheffield are currently Tinsley, Attercliffe, Darnell and Firth Park, all recording above 130 incidents of metal theft-related crime a year.

In an interview with Forge Press, Chorlton dismissed claims that the problem has become a crisis, but understands that victims who are repeatedly targeted might disagree.

“If you are personally suffering repeated attacks from metal thefts only then do I think people would call it an epidemic.

“Criminals are quite canny; they are looking at minimising the risk of getting caught but maximising the pay back.”

Nevertheless, he believes South Yorkshire Police are well structured to deal with the crime. “We have got a firm leadership around this. We have targeted operations against individuals and against priority areas.”

One of the biggest issues surrounding the stealing of scrap metal is the knock-on effect to businesses. “It’s not just the loss of the item that’s stolen but it’s the disruption caused by it,” says chief inspector Chorlton. “If a BT cable with 200 cables within that two inch cable is cut, every one of that 200 has to be reconnected.”

With electronic wiring and railway lines involved in many night-time raids, the problem is also very dangerous. But the cash reward appears to be a greater attraction to thieves, outweighing the serious risk of injury and even death.

“I must say the risk that some of these people are taking is astronomical. You have people that go into substations to pinch a specific piece of metal. If they make contact with metal either side they will die instantantly.

“There’s little sense in the minds of criminals about the repercussions of what they do and that’s why they are criminals,” he says.

The most recent tragedy connected with the crime came in July, after a

“

Members of the public can be reassured that the police do take metal thefts very seriously.

PC Louise Atha, Broomhill Safer Neighbourhood Team

”

metal thefts in Sheffield per financial year.

1633 1018 1375

16-year-old boy was electrocuted during a suspected attempt to steal copper cable from a disused Leeds power station. An act like this only illustrates the gamble people are willing to make.

But there is also a risk to the public too. Obviously, stealing metal drain covers at night presents a safety hazard of falling through.

However more seriously, attacks on substations can cause surges in power and with it electrical fires – something Sheffield has suffered recently, with 11 fires a result of one incident alone.

Therefore, chief inspector Chorlton wants the public to be vigilant to the crime, but not to live in constant fear of it.

In order to curb the upward trend in metal crime, the police here are taking radical steps. In fact, this October saw one of the biggest multi-agency operations ever to take place in Sheffield.

The operation, which brought together British Transport Police, the Road Crime Unit and the Environmental Protection Enforcement Team, involved officers searching vehicles travelling to scrap dealers for stolen good. This form of activity has been hailed a success by police.

Following the operation, the Department for Work and Pensions Fraud Investigation Service carried out 46 enquiries – with six of these leading to further investigations.

Speaking about the ongoing investigation, PC Louise Atha from the Broomhill Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “The outcome of the operation has been very effective as the results show. Members of the public can be reassured that the police do take metal thefts very seriously.”

But in face of such enormous pressures, can operations like these really turn the tide?

Police say the tactics of thieves are getting more diverse, with it being almost impossible for forces to estimate where and when criminals will strike. Some criminals are even changing the types of vans they use to avoid the searches carried out by police.

Nevertheless, businesses and individuals in ownership of scrap metal are being encouraged to take drastic steps to protect it. One of the easiest ways to do so is by making distinctive markings on the metal itself and photographing the property as evidence.

Herein lays a key problem when it comes to conviction, since police need proof that the suspected metal did in fact belong to a certain owner and a certain location, if the investigation is to be successful.

Also, advertising carried out by businesses dealing with metal on the internet can attract criminals – police urge people to be careful about what information they put online. They say Google Maps is being used as a versatile tool in planning out raids and escape routes.

But could changes in law help the police fight the crime? Some argue the current legislation, the Scrap Metal Dealers Act of 1964, has long needed an overhaul.

Members of Energy Networks Association (ENA), a representative body of major electricity and energy suppliers, have called on the government to update the legislation to avoid cash-in-hand dealings at scrap metal yards.

In a statement, David Smith, Chief Executive of ENA, concludes: “The current legislation is from a time of Steptoe & Son. Legislation needs updating with a robust and enforceable registration process, greater police powers to close down illegal scrap metal dealers and a move to a cashless system.”

If you know anyone committing metal crimes, report it to the South Yorkshire Police on 0114 2202020

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FEATURES

Beware of The Trolls...

Far from the evil creatures we know in fairytales, trolls have manifested themselves as a cyber menace.

Forge Press investigates this disturbing new trend...

Words & Art: Rebecca Cooke

“

I

hate her so bad. She is ugly stupid bitch!” “I wanna shoot her in the face with a shotgun,” “I want to do something terrible to the person who put this up… like maybe burn them at the stake.” These are just a few of the comments posted on the YouTube video of Rebecca Black’s song Friday.

Malicious, hurtful and asinine comments like these are part of a wider trend in internet behaviour and the online community known as ‘Trolling.’ The bizarre and senseless craze is defined as someone anonymously posting spiteful, offensive and insulting comments either directly to another person or to provoke a reaction from a wider audience on an open webpage.

This virtual monster has reared its head in the media this year, not only with the vile comments and death threats posted to Rebecca Black, but with the recent conviction of Sean Duffy.

Duffy was jailed for posting vile abuse on the Facebook pages of two teenage girls who died earlier this year. On the Facebook page of one of his victims, Natasha MacBryde who committed suicide on Valentine’s

“

This virtual monster has reared its head this year with vile comments and death threats

”

Day this year, Duffy posted “Help me Mummy, it’s hot in hell,” impersonating the teenage girl.

An unsettling fact about the behaviour of online ‘Trolls,’ is that it is entirely unprovoked. Their comments and posts are, according to psychologists, nothing more than a desperate bid to win the attention and reactions of anyone who stumbles upon their slurry of abuse.

One person who certainly has an opinion about these virtual beasts is Dr. Emma Short, codirector at the National Centre for Cyberstalking Research. Short claims that the internet provides a mask and subsequent anonymity which prompts the trolls to recoil from their proverbial hiding places and start posting their hateful comments.

She says, “In any environment where you think you’re not seen and you think you won’t be punished, people behave in a more disinhibited way.”

This is precisely the issue which prompted the father of Natasha MacBryde to publicly criticise Facebook - the networking site where his daughter was trolled.

He said outside court during Duffy’s trial, “Facebook is very hard to get hold of in this situation, you

“

Enjoy the infinite amount of dislikes and spread the hate around the world User on Cracked.com

”

FORGE PRESS Friday October 21 2011

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FEATURES can report these things but there’s no one to actually speak to.”

Considering this it’s evident that there needs to be a tougher line taken by social networking sites against these attention seeking creatures.

An authoritarian presence online may serve to deter such behaviour.

The controversy which surrounded the case of Sean Duffy and his fellow trolls was exacerbated by the public’s bewilderment as to what would cause someone to stoop to such depths. Duffy, an Asperger’s sufferer, was believed to have posted the comments to attract attention.

In “How to Avoid the Trolls: A Users Guide to the Internet,” posted on Cracked.com a warning reads, “Do Not Feed the Trolls: They feed off of negative vibes.” It appears the attention surrounding the internet abusers is exactly what fuels their abhorrent outbursts.

Similarly Rebecca Black’s victimisation at the hand of the trolls came after the release of her single Friday, which prompted millions of responses that condemned her to torture, death and ill will.

However, it could be argued that the trolls who targeted Rebecca Black wanted more than just attention, but to intentionally disseminate hatred throughout the online community.

There even exists a webpage solely dedicated to trolling her, which instructs people to flag her video as “animal abuse,” and then, “Enjoy the infinite amount of dislikes and spread the hate around the world.”

Furthermore with the proliferation of social networking sites and the launch of Google+, a new rival for Facebook, it seems that more and more outlets for this disturbing behaviour are becoming available.

For some this is a distressing notion as victim of Trolling Claire* reveals. Claire, a student at the University of Sheffield, found her Facebook account being continually trolled by an unknown person for weeks.

“At first I thought it was just a joke, granted a twisted one, a prank being played by my friends when I saw someone had posted ‘I hope you burn you slag’ on my wall,” she says.

“I tried to shrug it off but similar comments kept resurfacing and it was really starting to upset me.

“At one point I actually thought it might be someone who had a personal vendetta against me with some of the stuff that they were saying. Now I think it was just someone saying stuff to get attention.

To be honest it was humiliating.”

Claire decided that she wasn’t going to be a victim anymore. “After checking out their Facebook account and seeing it was very vague I decided to report it to Facebook support,” she says.

“After a couple of days the account had been closed, but I still check for similar posts every now and then.”

Instances like the abuse Claire was subjected to are becoming increasingly common for celebrities too. In a recent trolling scandal, Cher Lloyd, a former X Factor hopeful received a menacing death threat on her Twitter page in response to a birthday message for her mother.

The troll demanded, “Shut the fuck up before I kill your mum in front of you.”

Lloyd afterwards made a public statement about how punishments for internet bullying are insufficient, if not non-existent and that more strict regulations should be imposed.

Ultimately, it seems fair to state that there is no place for such palpable viciousness online and sites like Twitter and Facebook, whilst being hijacked as outlets for the trolls are not intended for such a cruel purpose. As Duffy’s conviction proves, those who troll should be prepared to pay the toll be it a costly fine or a jail sentence. *Name has been changed to protect interviewees identity.

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FORGE PRESS Friday October 21 2011 www.forgetoday.com

PUZZLES & HUMOUR

Coffee Break Outside Bargain Booze: Bloke: “I don’t want any pizza.

I just want a fucking cuddle!”

overheard

in sheffield

Inside of the IC: Guy: “The rules of physics should be considered absolute guidelines.”

On the Concourse: Girl: “I’m a fire hazard because I’m insanely hot.”

On the stairs inside Western Bank: Girl: “Oh yeah, Oktoberfest, isn’t that the thing with lots of beer.”

The real news this fortnight: Monster Pumpkin Mark Baggs grew the largest pumpkin at the 2010 annual Pumpkin Festival in Netley, Hampshire. He used his own cows’ manure to fertilise the monster, which weighed in at 605kg (1,334lbs).

It was so big he had to employ specialist lifting equipment to move the giant pumpkin to the site of the festival.

Unfortunately, the British record for a pumpkin is 1,504lb, held by twins Ian and Stuart Paton, so he didn’t quite manage to gain a record as well.

The average pumpkin weighs between ten and 20 pounds, in comparison.

This year’s competitions generally don’t kick off until the October 31 (obviously) so time is short to grow your own.

Maybe settle for the normal ones and just carve it out!

The strange news this fortnight: Yeti yet to be found, but may be proved During an international conference held in the Kemerovo area of Russia, experts declared that they are very close to proving, once and for all, that the Abominable Snowman is real.

Igor Burtsev, head of the International Center of Hominology, revealed that the world is “on the brink of finding the Yeti at long last.”

He suggested that there could easily be up to 30 of the esoteric behemoths gallivanting around near by.

He went on to say, “We have good evidence of Yeti in our region, and now we have convincing details from experts elsewhere in Russia and in the US and Canada.”

These “convincing details” consisted of reports from Yeti fanatics. The first came from 70-year-old Canadian Yeti-hunter (yes, that is a profession) John Bindernagel, who has apparently seen one himself.

Bindernagel saw the creature in Ohio (a favoured place for Yetis) in 2007. He described a “6ft-tall creature” investigating the area close to someone’s house.

This isn’t a rare occurrence either – shocking I know - “The people in the house have seen it quite often,” Bindernagel said. “They made some films that will be screened later this year.”

Why the videos couldn’t be shown immediately wasn’t made clear, but it may have something to do with the fact that the Yeti costumes weren’t ready yet.

However, luckily Bindernagel said: “We now

know a lot of anatomical details from people’s accounts, the [Yeti’s] neck is very short and very thick, the eyes deeply set, the chin is rounded, the ears are usually covered with hair, the arms are long.

“The foot looks human-like but is broader.

Some people say they can distinguish the males from the more slender females.”

The second testimonial came from 47-year-old Liliya Zenkova, a local government official.

Her story started with her taking a camping trip with her husband and a friend (hmmm) in a remote area in Siberia (very suspicious), where she fell asleep in the back seat of the car with the windows down – for the balmy Siberian air, I’m sure.

“At 5am I felt my right hand

being caressed,” she told the experts. “I knew it couldn’t be my husband; it was so gentle with such soft hair.

“I looked outside and saw this creature moving slowly away. Almost two metres tall, grey hair. His head looked like it was sunk into his shoulders. I knew he wasn’t human, he had no clothes on.”

It may well sound absolutely barmy, but the Russian authorities are exploring every avenue in an effort to prove it’s existence.

They are so desperate to discover the Yeti that they are offering one million roubles (£20,000) for information leading to its discovery.

Get out your Yeti outfits, fly to Siberia and make some money.

Someone has even reported that there are plans to open up a Yeti Institute at the Kemerovo State University, the possibilities are endless: become a Yeti expert, a Yeti hunter or even a Yeti impersonator.

This fortnight’s puzzle: Paper Tear mOST POPULAR web CONTENT 1 - Sexist club flyer enrages staff and students 2. Hunt for murderer of Hallam student continues 3 - University collects 92k from last years accommodation deposits 4 - Homeless in Sheffield 5 - No refunds for students affected by gym refurb 6 - Sheffield legend Sean Bean stabbed 7 - Soldiers sexual exploits published in slag mag 8 - Comeback win for rugby union firsts 9 - Wenger not to blame for arsenal troubles 10 - Former Sheffield graduate and lecturer dies Visit forgetoday.com to keep up to date with all aspects of Forge Media, from articles and podcasts to listen-again shows and video content.

omg, Have you seen...? watch it:

Antelope crash

The mountain bike race at Albert Falls Dam is infamous (amongst cycling enthusiasts, anyway).

However, Evan van der Spuy of Team Jeep South Africa got more than he bargained for when an antelope charged him, knocking him a pearler.

The young buck is apparently very territorial - you never would have guessed - but fortunately both he and Mr van der Spuy escaped with no serious harm.

YouTube Search: Cyclist hit by antelope

Random Fact of the Week: Apples are more efficient than caffeine in waking you up in the morning.

Fructose is digested quickly which raises blood sugar levels. It is basically a sugar rush.

In fact, one medium apple has about the same sugar content as drinking half of a 12oz Coke.

The Challenge: Take the paper strip and tear it in two places almost to the rim, as shown in the diagram.

Now holding it with your hands as shown in the figure try to pull it to get three separate pieces of paper.

N.B. Please be careful not to hurt yourself - we don’t want health and safety to go mad!

Coffee Break’s Word of the Fortnight: Milquetoast (n.) - A very timid, unassertive, spineless person, especially one who is easily dominated or intimidated.

(Origin: 1800s-1900s, America; Milquetoast is named after Caspar Milquetoast, a character in The Timid Soul, a comic strip by H. T. Webster (1885-1952), American cartoonist.

FORGE PRESS Friday October 21 2011 www.forgetoday.com

19

PUZZLES & HUMOUR

With Holly Wilkinson the food shock

More Puzzles: Kenken 10x

2-

1-

30+

3÷

2÷

7+

20x

1-

3-

7+

2÷

5x

2-

9+

5x

8+

It’s a universally recognised ‘fact’ that eating healthily is expensive, and is in no way affordable on a student budget. Not true.

With a few clever shopping trips, some wily moves that stretch portions and by using basic ingredients, a feast of health can be produced.

A little known fact (or one that is easily ignored) is that frozen goods are far cheaper than their fresh counterparts, plus they last infinitely longer. All supermarkets have a frozen section, even if you only venture there for ice-cream.

A very non-student supermarket is Waitrose. Oh yes, the paradigm of southern

softies and an excessively disposable income. However, if you can resist the beautifully crafted cakes, scrumptious delicatessen and fresh vegetables then it is possible to shop there cheaply. Shocking I know!

Waitrose has a frozen section that is second to none. It wastes little space on convenient, cardboard meals and has masses of frozen meat, quorn alternatives, vegetables and seafood.

Using: mysupermarket. co.uk I compared the cost of buying every single ingredient for the recipe below, even the oil and salt.

Waitrose actually came out as the cheapest, at £7.68; by

comparison Tesco charges a whopping £9.84, a little less than Asda at £9.89, with Sainsbury’s coming in at £9.03. Just because it seems posh doesn’t mean it has to be expensive after all.

However, knowing the student body of Sheffield, I would expect that Waitrose is just too far away and inconvenient to get to. After all Tesco Metro is right there on West Street.

Nonetheless the recipe below is delicious, no matter where you get it from, and cheap too – that is the most important box ticked.

The Recipe: Coley

Heat your oven to 180ºC and put the fish in for 20mins. The fish should flake easily when fully cooked. Meanwhile, chop your potatoes into smallish chunks (the smaller they are the quicker they will cook) and place in boiling water. The potatoes are ready if you poke them with a fork and the tines penetrate the potato easily, with little resistance.

W h e n everything is cooked, drain the potatoes and serve onto a plate with a handful of lettuce and

coley pieces. If you feel like a change you could always add the juice from the coley to the potatoes in the pan and mash them.

There you have it, a quick, easy and healthy meal for a quarter of the price of a pizza from the Co-op.

Ingredients: • Two portions of coley (1 if you’re not very hungry!

• Four tablespoons of oil (sunflower or vegetable is fine, use olive oil if you feel extravagant but it doesn’t need it) • Salt • Mixed herbs • Two potatoes • A handful of salad

Sudoku

Cost per portion (approximately): £1.47, not including the seasoning or oil.

Place two pieces of coley into a Pyrex dish and spoon the oil over them, covering all of the fish. Sprinkle with herbs and a good dash of salt.

Trending

Hot BlackBerry services are restored - yayay!

Apple stock value has rocketed All Blacks trounce the Aussies at the World Cup. Andy Murray is now the No. 3 seed in the world.

Wootton Basset honoured with ‘Royal’ prefix.

The Useful news this fortnight:

The many uses for unwanted books

Sudoku 2

Easy

Medium

We have all been there. It’s the beginning of the year and the lecturer stands up, moans on about the new module and then goes on and on about how everyone must get ‘x’ book, by ‘y’ author, ‘z’ edition.

“You won’t be able to complete the module without it”, it’s apparently “essential” or “fundamental” for the course, and ok, yes, generally they are right.

There are never any copies in the library during the year, you consult it weekly and couldn’t have written that lab report or essay without it. Fine you were prophetic in your insistence, well done; but what do you do once the module is done and you’re left with the £50, two kilogram book at the end?

You could sell it, although this is a pain as it’s value

Coffee Break’s Events of the Day:

Birthdays and Deathdays: Birthday: 1833 – Alfred Nobel, Swedish inventor and founder of the Nobel Prize (d. 1896) Deathday: 1805 – Horatio Nelson, Royal Navy admiral (b. 1758)

is generally next to nothing and costs more to post than it’s worth. We could really do with a Sheffield Homeless Book Society, where books can come and be part of a home exchange program.

However, until such a wonderful society exists there are several useful applications such books can be employed in.

Books make excellent doorstops, and you look really brainy with books on your threshold.

They also make fantastic platforms for laptops, especially as you never can find the Yellow Pages (generally

because you left it outside and it has now become mush).

One of the most important uses is as a weapon for when the zombie apocalypse comes; use as a battering instrument or even attach to the mop for increased reach!

The possibilities really are endless.

So, please don’t let your books stand lonely and forlorn on you shelves, employ them and their infinite skills in and around your home. Be loud, and proud, of the sheer amount of money you have spent on bound pieces of paper.

Events: Apple Day (United Kingdom) - the celebration of apples and orchards. Celebrate by indulging in a Rekorderlig from Interval.

International Day of the Nacho (Mexico & USA) - oh yes, nachos are so glorious they have their very own day!

Trafalgar Day - the most decisive British naval victory of the Napoleonic Wars.

Rupert Grint and Ed Sheeran are now the bestest of friends - sexy ginger time!

The floods that have

struck the Gulf of Thailand.

Jodie Marsh looking like Arnie Schwarzenegger, it is just plain scary.

Rumours that Beyoncé isn’t pregnant and it’s a fake - not very nice.

Frankie Cocozza has reportedly slept with 67 women and yet not one of them has cut off that ridiculous fringe.

Cold

20

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Fashion Food & Drink Health & Fitness Travel Sex & Relationships Technology

FORGE PRESS Friday October 21 2011

This fortnight...

We’re doing our best to...

Deal with the early ‘big freeze’ in Sheffield

FOUR OF THE BEST

Places to enjoy film Film unit

ODEON

the showroom The Students’ Union Film Unit shows three different films a week.

It has won the ‘Best Student Cinema Award’ twice and, for a mere £2.50 from the Union Box Office, you’re sure to have an award-winning cinematic experience.

Photo: zawtowers/Flickr

intervAL CAFé

The Sheffield Odeon delivers a traditional cinema experience.

If you’re after the latest Hollywood blockbusters, traditional cinema food and comfortable seating akin to that of your living room, this is the place to go.

This independent cinema is open 364 days a year! Awarded the title ‘Best Cultural Venue in Sheffield’ by Exposed magazine, the Showroom caters for a wide range of film tastes. Student tickets are priced at £4.

What better way to spend your Sunday than by watching a film in Interval Café? The FREE screening starts at 5pm, but the £5 offer on a 10” pizza and drink starts at 4pm so get there early to secure a good seat!

Salma Haidrani

Review

Vicky Browne Tucked away on Rockingham Street, you could easily be forgiven for passing by SOYO without giving it a second glance.

Formerly a Methodist church, in 2009 SOYO was transformed into a vibrant new bar complete with that all-important dance floor.

Recently scooping Exposed magazine’s 2011 awards for ‘best bar’ and ‘best bar night’ for their Monday live schedule, SOYO offers a chocolate box selection of some of the finest variety of nights Sheffield has to offer.

Popularised by bar-crawls, preclub night drinkers and as a party venue, SOYO has something to suit everyone on every night of the week.

Monday’s ‘SOYO Live’ theme boasts not only up-and-coming musical talent but also features live art work displays throughout the night.

Tuesday’s ‘Paparazzi’ night is the place to be seen for stylish students who enjoy RnB and house music: and apparently if you’re looking good enough you can even win a

VIP experience for you and your friends.

Wednesday is the wittily named ‘superbowl’ night, a chance to get Sosy with your friends and share a fishbowl.

For those who enjoy a little musical variety, Thursday’s ‘Superdeluxe’ doesn’t completely cover the whole spectrum, but the sprinkling of indie, pop and RnB usually gets everyone’s juices going.

Friday’s playlist of house, chart and RnB makes for a good start into the weekend, and the celebration continues on Saturday with SOYO’s flagship night being hosted by high profile DJs playing house, disco and funk.

In keeping with the house philosophy, SOYO’s drink deals are also some of the best in all of Sheffield and tend to keep partyloving students enthusiastically coming back for more.

Cocktail hour is between 8-10pm every night; these two hours of affordable luxury are not to be missed.

A fantastic range of both classic and unique cocktails grace the menu for just £2, with the French Martini being especially worth a try.

It’s even easy to convince yourself you’re sipping a fruit smoothie with a kick as you watch the bar staff crush fresh berries into your drink.

Cocktail pitchers also come in at great value for only £5 each, which

is basically pennies when you’re sharing with friends.

If cocktails aren’t really your thing, house wine is also on offer for a fiver during happy hour and offers are just as good after 10pm with competitively priced lagers and spirits.

If you want to celebrate in style, SOYO stands out from the crowd with its stylish ‘Yo bar’ room available for venue hire.

An intimate yet spacious room, Yo bar is ideal for birthday parties and society events with comfy sofas, private bar and a DJ box setting the scene perfectly for any special gettogether.

Ironically enough, the girls’ ‘powder room’ is also well worth a mention. The ladies toilets are a surprising highlight, being the most glamorous in Sheffield.

High ceilings with full-length gilded mirrors and a chaise-lounge, it’s almost like being in the changing room of an especially posh shop.

Successfully filling a gap in the Sheffield night-life scene, whatever your taste, budget or event, SOYO always offers a fun night to remember.

Give this little gem a try and you could find it fast becoming a regular haunt.

New live-ticker feat Wesley Young It’s no secret that posting something personal on Facebook is like throwing a T-bone steak at a bunch of information-hungry hyenas.

Concerns about the social network’s privacy settings have been present in the media since the site launched in February 2004, but the recent introduction of a new controversial update to their user interface has sparked fresh debate.

A new live feed known as the ‘ticker’ was introduced in the UK on September 19.

It shows all friends’ recent activities as they happen, providing more real-time information on users’ friends than ever before.

“Real-time updates enticing voyeuristic behaviour to the extent of stalking” Now, not only can users see who has just made a new friend, been tagged in photos from the night before or commented on a status, but also what other people are listening to, reading, what status or photo they have just liked or what events they are planning to attend.

Windows Live Messenger – or ‘MSN’ as it is also known – has offered the option of showing what music a person is listening to for years.

However, some might argue Facebook has gone one step too far.

The new ‘ticker’ feature became active on all accounts by default, yet Facebook assures that the privacy

TRAVEL

Lauren Clarke With winter just around the corner, students everywhere are looking for a way of escaping the rain, that annoying leaking roof and the ever-present damp.

Luckily, curling up with a mug of hot chocolate and a good travel book is the ideal solution.

Escape to a far-off land where there are no heating bills, hellish landlords or hangovers.

Wherever your imagination will take you, it certainly won’t be cold and rainy Sheffield.

settings saved from before the updates are still in place.

Previous controversy

Prior to 2006, most users’ privacy settings were set to show published stories to ‘everyone’ or ‘friends of friends’.

In September 2006, amid concerns over their privacy, over 740,000 members campaigned for the freedom for users to opt out of the news feed.

New controls were introduced in reaction to this criticism, offering greater control over what users publish – and to who – online.

The new controls fell short of an opt-out preference, and they are still in effect today. The ‘ticker’ is no different.

Facebook said: “You can’t close the ticker, but you can resize it by moving the horizontal bar between the ticker and chat up and down.”

The new ‘ticker’ feature and Facebook users’ inability to deactivate it seem to pave the way for increased voyeuristic, if not stalker-like, online behaviour.

Recent activity and the online behaviour of ‘friends’ can now be monitored second by second, whether you like it or not.

Following the refresh, some may further question the social networking giant’s position on privacy.

Users’ web browsing tracked

Even after an issue involving Facebook Connect and similar integrated applications, Mark Zuckerberg doesn’t seem to intend avoiding further media scrutiny.

In late September, an Australian blogger found a code used in some of the sites’ external embedded applications that might have been able to track a user’s web browsing even after logging out of Facebook.

The code related to cookies which

Danny Wallace Danny Wallace and the Centre of the Universe A quick read that will have you laughing all the way through.

Danny Wallace’s visit to a manhole cover in a small remote town in Idaho is incredibly funny.

Written in a diary-like style, Wallace’s comical description of the town and its people will keep you smiling to the end.

It’s one of Wallace’s lesser known books, overshadowed by the success of Join Me and Yes Man, but it is a hidden gem that you should not miss.

Don’t read this in public for fear of snorting manically.

FORGE PRESS Friday October 21 2011

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

21

The ‘onesie’

The slanket

Fluffy slippers

Oversized baby clothes are the order of the day when the temperature drops. Available in various animal prints. So snug, we don’t care what we look like.

A fleecy blanket with sleeves. Single or double ones are available for cuddling up. Looks slightly less silly than a onesie.

We love to cover our feet in faux fur and, occasionally, the odd cuddly animal. We like to be warm from the toes up. Cosy.

Stalker paradise found?

ture on Facebook stirs up privacy debate once again

pose greater health effects on some users.

Academics argue that heightened online social activity can be related to cases of depression, weakened immune system responses and reduced mental concentration.

Concentration is certainly held ransom by the ‘ticker’.

A person can now monitor their ‘friends’ more easily than ever before, including what they are listening to, reading or liking in realtime.

The word ‘friends’ could be defined loosely to refer to people who have met only once in passing – or more worryingly, to a person they have never met but like the look of from a profile picture.

It remains questionable as to whether Facebook’s new features are simply causing an innocent information overload, or if there is indeed a darker side to new realtime updates that entice voyeuristic behaviour to the extent of stalking.

Artwork: Ina Fischer remember information such as login details and personal settings, so that a user can access specific information on the web quicker.

– traceable to specific users – were not stored and that they “could not have used this information for tracking or any other purpose.”

Only sites that voluntarily embedded Facebook applications were at risk.

It is evident that the social media industry is one that is rapidly growing, with revenue expected to hit £6.35 billion this year and projected growth of 50 per cent

by 2012, according to technology research firm Gartner.

Nowadays, the consumption of social media is ubiquitous and, considering the recent introduction of detailed real-time updates to sites such as Facebook, it is becoming increasingly hard not to pry.

Bill Bryson A Walk in the Woods

Colin Fletcher The Man Who Walked Through Time

Bryson’s humourous account of his travels on the Appalachian Trail in America with his friend Stephen Katz, an overweight recovering alcoholic, is an entertaining read.

The Appalachian Trail is one of the longest continuously marked footpaths in the world, measuring roughly 2,180 miles in length.

A book about its history could be boring, but with Bryson’s wit there is never a dull moment.

This book will make you want to dig out your hiking boots - but leave you wishing Bill Bryson could join you on your trip.

This occasionally long-winded book may not be for everyone, but Colin Fletcher’s memoir of his journey through the entirety of the Grand Canyon on foot is definitely worth reading.

Fletcher was the first person to walk through the Grand Canyon in one continuous trek, and the twomonth journey was tough even for an experienced hiker like him.

Striking out alone through the unknown, Fletcher’s description of the beauty and vastness of the canyon as well as his incredible achievement is awe-inspiring.

“You can’t close the ticker but you can resize it by moving the horizontal bar up and down.”

Facebook claimed the unique user identifiers found in the code

Health implications

This kind of ‘peeping behaviour’ may in fact have a detrimental effect on a social network user’s health, according to Dr Aric Sigman, an

Institute of Biology researcher.

Sigman found that as a result of increased social network activity, fewer people interact on a face-toface basis.

“These are not tools that enhance, they are tools that displace,” he said.

Masked as discrete human interaction, the new Facebook ‘ticker’ is likely to push some users a step further towards social isolation, Substitution of real-life interaction for real-time updates could even

Did you know?

You can enable a ‘review tags’ option that lets you review and approve all tags before they are added to your profile .

(Privacy settings > How Tags Work > Review Tags)

Regret something you posted?

It’s now possible to control and limit the audience of things you’ve uploaded in the past.

(Privacy settings > How Tags Work > Limit the Audience for past posts)

To disable the ‘ticker’... ...from showing what you’re listening to on Spotify, you need to enable the ‘private listening’ feature on Spotify.

Laurie Lee As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning In 1934, 19-year-old Laurie Lee leaves his home, a sleepy Cotswold village, with just his violin in search of adventure.

I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning is a memoir of a young man’s travels through Spain, a country on the brink of Civil War. Lee captures the atmosphere of a beautiful country in turmoil and transports you through time.

This book makes you want to grab the nearest musical instrument and leave those lectures behind in search of excitement.

22

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FORGE PRESS Friday October 21 2011

Lifestyle & Travel

Student life

St ay in g s af e in Sheffield Hope Lowe

Sex out of a sense of duty It might be considered a bit of a ‘taboo’ subject, but this is an issue which needs to be discussed.

To put it bluntly, an increasing amount of both men and women admit to having sex purely out of a sense of ‘duty’ to their partner.

Research has shown that sex as an act of ‘duty’ has become increasingly common in the UK and, surprisingly, it’s most common amongst 16-24 year olds.

This, in itself, is ridiculous. You should never feel pressured to do something, especially if you’re in a relationship.

However, this does not avert the now regular ‘trend’ of people having sex not because they actually want to, but because they feel they ‘ought to’.

Just because you’re in a relationship, it doesn’t mean you ‘owe’ it to your partner to have sex if you aren’t feeling it at that moment in time.

In all fairness, there are a number of valid and complicated reasons for why people go along with this.

They include the fear of your partner losing interest or of gaining a ‘frigid’ reputation.

There is also, of course, the fear of awkwardness that would result from an outward refusal.

But most likely, it’s the simple fact that you don’t want to let down someone you care about.

You might think that by giving your partner what they want you are avoiding a whole host of problems. But, in fact, it is creating a far bigger and more serious one.

If you aren’t being honest with your partner, how are you being honest with yourself?

Trust is the foundation of any good relationship and without it things can only turn sour.

Sex shouldn’t be viewed as a chore and you certainly shouldn’t feel guilty if you’re not feeling up for it, just because your partner is.

If you find you have to force yourself on a regular basis, then maybe you should be questioning the foundation of your relationship.

Is this what you really want?

And, more importantly, are you happy?

If you feel like that ‘spark’ has gone from your relationship, try talking to your partner and see what can be done to revive the chemistry between you.

If he or she is worth your time, they’ll understand.

At the end of the day, it is your life and your freedom of choice.

But if you don’t want to be stuck in a vicious cycle of guilt and dissatisfaction, then try just saying ‘no’.

I guarantee you’ll feel better for it.

Koren Sawtell

In Britain last year, one in 40 households were burgled. As students, we are more prone to these attacks and, statistically, we are also the least safety-conscious.

So what can we do to make ourselves less at risk to these random acts of selfish behaviour that constantly sweep our nation?

Student accommodation and student houses are seen as easy targets for thieves. When a burglar pinpoints a student home, they can be safe in the knowledge that most bedrooms are likely to contain a laptop, phone or an iPod. Even though students are at greater risk of being burgled, we are also the worst social category for home safety.

Student houses are particularly bad for crime prevention as most doors are not self-locking. This fact, combined with the student tendency to forget to lock doors, is a major reason why students are the most vulnerable demographic.

This is illustrated by reports submitted on the police website, which show that in Broomhill in April this year, there were 81 reported burglaries and 76 did not force entry.

Equally, of the 90 reported burglaries in the Crookes/ Crookesmoor area in April, there were only seven cases of forced entry.

So, on average in that month, in those areas, 93 per cent of burglars entered a home in which they stole valuable possessions, by walking through a front door or climbing through an open window.

The fact is, burglaries happen because criminals seize an easy opportunity to make money.

However, there are many simple

Fashion

but effective ways that you can keep yourself and your house that 93 per cent safer.

Lock doors and windows

Lock doors and windows, even when you’re in the house.

If your doors aren’t self-locking then make sure you lock them behind you when leaving and entering your home.

It only takes a minute for someone to climb in an open window, so get into the habit of shutting windows when you leave a room to minimise your chance of being burgled.

Don’t leave valuables on show

Put your prized possessions anywhere but on the windowsill, especially if your room faces onto a main road.

It’s also a good idea to purchase a laptop safety lock. This useful piece of kit can be tied around a piece of furniture and connected to your laptop with a combination lock.

They can be bought off Amazon for as little as £1.79.

Mark your belongings

Security marker pens contain permanent, invisible ink that glows under a UV light.

You can use them to mark valuable items with your name and contact details so, if they are stolen and recovered by the police, they are easily traceable.

They can be bought online for £1.

your house, but who just happens to spot an opportunity.

Little things like leaving a light on at the front of the house or calling ‘goodbye’ to a pretend housemate as you close the door is an easy way to prevent your house from attracting unwanted attention.

Buy insurance

Make sure you’re insured. If you’re living in student halls then, most likely, your possessions are already insured, but it’s best to check your accommodation contract.

If you’re renting a student house your landlord will have usually insured their possessions so you only need to worry about insuring personal items such as your laptop and phone.

However, make sure you aren’t insuring yourself twice. If your parents’ house is covered by contents insurance then you may not need additional insurance, even though you’re not living there permanently anymore.

It’s worth checking the details of your home insurance before purchasing insurance for university

– nobody wants to pay double.

Be aware

There are some unpleasant individuals out there who make their living by selling stolen goods.

When identifying a potential target house, thieves will often investigate beforehand - how many people are in the house, do they lock the doors and what days do they usually go on nights out?

If there is ever a knock at the door and you find a person without identification or a valid reason asking you questions about your property or trying to sell you something, then request that they leave.

It is common sense not to trust people you don’t know.

The moral of the story is to always take precautions because burglaries happen to anyone at anytime.

By following this simple advice, you could be 93 per cent less likely to be a victim. Simple but effective.

Be careful when leaving for a night out

Be careful about getting a taxi from right outside your house, especially if everyone you live with is also going out. There may be someone around, not necessarily watching

Brighten up your winter wardrobe Emma Wray The late Indian summer that hit Sheffield recently feels like ages ago now and already the dreary days are encroaching fast.

To beat away those winter blues, try injecting a splash of colour to your winter wardrobe.

For spring/summer 2011 the catwalks were awash with vivid blasts of colour most notably in the form of ‘colour blocking’ and this trend can easily be carried into winter.

For those of you who are unaware, colour blocking is basically what

it says on the tin - wearing two or more colours or shades of colour together.

For an easy autumnal take on this trend, brightly coloured jeans are your best bet and look great with a plain white top or oversized jumper.

They are in all the shops at the moment and are easy to pick up cheaply.

For the brave guys out there, jeans in dark reds or greens can work for you too. Or, on warmer days, try wearing coloured chinos.

Coats are also a simple way to incorporate this trend into your winter wardrobe.

Styles that look good in bright colours are timeless ones like a duffel coat, trench coat or a blazer.

Alternatively, choose a coat in a colourful print to

make sure you stand out in a crowd.

Coats are usually investment pieces though, so make sure you choose a colour that goes well with the rest of your wardrobe.

Another way to lift your outfit from the winter safety net of blacks and neutrals is to indulge in some new accessories.

For girls, a new raspberry beret or an Aztec print scarf could add that element of colour into an outfit.

For boys, a stripy scarf or a fluorescent watch can have a similar effect.

For both boys and girls, shoes offer another way to add colour.

Converse and Toms come in hundreds of shades and designs, so there is something for everyone.

Also, for girls especially, winter boots can come in a myriad of colours from crimson to electric blue.

F i n a l l y, for those of you who are determined to hang on to your winter greys, focus on a pop of bright pink or blue nail polish or a dash of red lipstick.

So next time the heavens open as you’re setting off for your 9am lecture, ditch the dark accessories and reach for the pink jeans or patterned jumper instead.

FORGE PRESS Friday October 21 2011 www.forgetoday.com // lifestyle@forgetoday.com

23

Lifestyle & Travel

Student life

Make your new house a home

Here at Lifestyle, we know how important it is to feel at home now you’re in a new place. We also know that money doesn’t grow on trees, so we’ve come up with some handy tips to help you decorate your new room without breaking the bank.

Annabel Barton So you have a new room this year, a blank canvas. Whether you’re moving into a house or living in halls, you’ll want to brighten your room up, preferably as cheaply as possible.

Moving to a new city and a new home can be daunting, so it is really important that you have somewhere that you feel comfortable.

Photos look great covering your walls and websites such as Snapfish and Photobox give you 40 free prints when you sign up.

Wrapping paper can brighten up even the plainest of wardrobes.

Health

Camille Crick For many people, the university experience typically involves consuming large amounts of alcohol. In the UK, in particular, we are often warned of the culture of binge drinking that exists, especially amongst young people.

Statistics show that 52 per cent of male students and 43 per cent of female students regularly exceed the recommended daily allowance of alcohol.

Significant alcohol abuse over a prolonged period can cause serious illness, such as cirrhosis of the liver. These grave effects are, hopefully, well-known and publicised, but there are much more immediate effects of alcohol abuse that are likely to have been felt by anyone who is a regular heavy drinker.

If your landlord isn’t a massive fan of white tack on your walls, you can get a big photo pocket off Amazon which is basically a large clear-plastic film with several slots to put your photos in.

A DIY approach to hanging up your photos is to take a piece of string and some coloured pegs and clip your photos across the wall.

An obvious way to decorate your walls is with posters, the Union usually has several poster sales at this time of year.

Another good idea is to cut out pictures and pages you like from magazines, as well as postcards, club night flyers and tickets from nights out so you can relive all those drunken memories without having to look at the embarrassing photos.

One very cheap, effective way of jazzing up your room is to find some colourful wrapping paper and cut it to fit onto your wardrobe doors or stick onto your walls, as it’s a really simple way of injecting some colour into your room.

Wall canvases and paintings can be expensive but if you look around you can find canvases for a couple of pounds. They can be anything from bold graphics to photography and look really neat up on your wall.

It’s also worth looking around for cheap bed throws and cushions as they make a room feel cosy and comfortable. Better still, if you have a large windowsill you could line it with cushions and pillows, and transform it into a chic and comfy window seat.

Fairy lights add a gorgeous ambiance to a room and if you look hard enough you can find some for a fairly reasonable price.

Another way of keeping your room tidy and brightening it up is to buy some colourful storage boxes.

They don’t have to be expensive and can be placed on shelves, desks and windowsills to hide all your clutter and make your room look more homely.

Throws and cushions can make your bed look cosy and homely.

Chances are your landlord has put some curtains up in your room already, although it is highly likely that they wouldn’t be the ones you would pick.

However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t put some sheer fabric in your window. When the sun hits, it will create a glow in your room, as well as giving you some privacy.

Having a little greenery in your room always gives it a lift too. A cactus only needs watering once a week, which makes them cheap and easy to maintain.

You might also want to move your room around. Your landlord probably isn’t into feng shui but rearranging your furniture can make it look completely different. Obviously in halls of residence this can be impossible, but it’s something to bear in mind if you end up moving into a house.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to decorating your room, so have fun with it and think about the kind of place you want to be able to work and relax in.

The big fat night out...

Research has shown that the average fresher puts on 14 pounds in weight in their first year due to alcohol and junk food.

While moderate drinking is not much to worry about in combination with a healthy diet – one pint of beer has around 200 calories, while a single measure of vodka and Coke contains 120 – on a heavy night out the calories are certain to add up.

After all, a friend of a friend (ahem) once told me that it was not unusual for them to drink around 10 measures of spirits, which sounds a lot, but is only two and a half quad vods, or a bottle of wine mixed with lemonade during a night out.

That amounts to around 1,200 calories, well over half of a woman’s daily recommended daily calories and roughly half that of men’s.

Aside from the calories in the alcohol itself, there is the aftermath to consider.

In a state of heavy intoxication, how many of us can resist the allure of a portion of cheesy chips slathered in garlic mayo? Or a greasy kebab covered in chilli sauce?

It’s a well-known fact that alcohol leads to cravings of the fattiest, most carb laden foods known to man. For one portion of cheesy chips and mayo you’re looking at upwards of 1,000 calories, whilst a typical kebab contains around the same amount.

So put together, one night out could easily double your intake of daily calories.

For many of us though, it doesn’t stop there. Hangovers can often trigger a desire to eat more, so the next day will again be spent eating a higher than needed amount of calories.

Also, hangovers definitely hamper any plans to exercise. You’d have to be pretty committed to go to the gym after a heavy night out.

Knowing this, some might be tempted to replace meal calories with alcohol calories, but apart from the hunger and lack of energy this causes, drinking on an empty stomach leads to quick intoxication.

All in all, you might save on calories but will put yourself in danger of doing things that may be more regrettable than eating a greasy kebab on the way home.

An easy way to cut a few calories is to drink diet soft drinks as mixers. Drinking diet Coke and soda water with spirits is a lower calorie alternative that still tastes nice.

Another way to cut calories as well as preventing you from ending up a mess on the floor is to alternate every alcoholic drink with a soft drink.

This helps you to pace yourself and not consume as many calories along the way. It might also keep you sober enough to avoid the drunken munchies.

Of course, the only way to significantly cut calories and keep cravings at bay is to (gulp) drink less.

Frequent heavy drinking isn’t possible without hugely increasing the amount of calories in your diet. The slimmest thing is likely to be your bank account.

Government guidelines suggest a woman shouldn’t consume more than 2-3 units a day

and a man no more than 3-4 units (one pint is around 2.2 units).

Besides, beyond the damage to your liver and waistline, heavy drinking is a major cause of that well-known horrible condition - severe loss of dignity.

While being drunk can be an enjoyable part of student life, it’s worth remembering that drinking alcohol excessively definitely has its drawbacks - including the amount of calories it contains.

Daily and weekly recommended alcohol units Men

Women

Daily

3-4

2-3

Weekly

21

14

Wine

125ml 175ml (small glass) (standard glass)

12% vol

1.5 units

2.1 units

14% vol

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25

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SPORT

Matchdebating

Debate: Is Sky’s stranglehold on television rights good for English football?

Sky’s investment TV revolution has is a force for good left many behind Jack Simpson

Two weeks ago publican Karen Murphy won a landmark victory in the European Court of Justice over Sky and the Premier League.

The victory made it legal for Murphy’s pub to transmit cheaper coverage from the continent of Premier League matches.

The significance of this case poses questions for Sky and could challenge the stranglehold it has over the coverage of arguably its key asset, Premier League football.

In the eyes of many, this toppling of Murdoch’s empire may seem a step forward for British football.

However, is Sky’s monopoly such a bad thing?

And will the cheapening of televised football be beneficial to the state of the British game?

Sky is the biggest investor in British football, contributing millions each year as a result of its Premier League coverage.

Through this funding the Premier League has been able to promulgate itself as the dominant league in the world and in turn expanded its global appeal.

This can only be a positive outcome for English football. Without

the money of Sky, we may never have seen the likes of Henry, Zola or Drogba.

The quality of the Premier League is exemplified in the presence of Engish clubs in the latter stages of European competitions every season.

Without the continuance of this level of funding by Sky, the standard of the Premier League would fall and English football would suffer as a result.

“With Sky you are given a high class broadcaster” One of the arguments against Sky is its discrepancy between coverage and funding of the Premier League compared with the Football League.

Yet, after the fall of ITV Digital, Sky bailed out the Football League clubs with a substantial investment to buy their television rights.

Now Sky invests over £254 million into the Football League and televises 70 of its games annually, plus the playoffs, raising the profile and wealth of its 72 clubs.

Alongside this, there are regulations in place that prevent games being shown at 3pm on a Saturday - the period when the majority of lower league matches are played.

Select BUCS fixtures

England’s lower league attendances are still high when compared with the rest of Europe, with the Championship the fourth best supported European league. If games were to be shown through European broadcasters this would no longer be the case and attendances would drastically drop.

Finally, the rights possibly ending up with continental broadcasters would affect the way in which we enjoy televised football.

We have all streamed matches online where we have to experience foreign commentary, where the pictures arrive five minutes after the incident has occurred and the half time analysis is nonexistent.

With Sky you are given a high class broadcaster that not only provides you with substantial coverage but also pundits that more often than not provide the viewer with a wider perspective of the game they are watching.

With a decrease in broadcast funding this level of coverage would decrease and severely alter the level to which we enjoy football today.

FOOTBALL Women’s firsts vs York St John University firsts Women’s seconds at University of Hull firsts

ALL FIXTURES WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 26

Men’s firsts at Durham University firsts

BADMINTON

Men’s seconds vs Durham University seconds

Women’s firsts vs Bangor University firsts

HOCKEY

BASKETBALL

Women’s firsts vs University of Manchester seconds

Women’s firsts vs York St John University firsts

Women’s seconds at University of Sunderland firsts

Men’s firsts vs University of Hull firsts Men’s hockey at Goodwin.

Adam Hancock Modern football is increasingly controlled by Sky. They have almost a complete monopoly over the sport.

Yes, other channels have some coverage, ITV and Channel Five are good examples.

However, they provide meagre rations left by the banquet of Sky - highlights packages, the occasional live game and the Europa League. Fans without Sky are often left in the cold when it comes to top class live football. This domination by Sky is wrong and

Men’s firsts vs University of Liverpool firsts Men’s seconds at Durham University fourths LACROSSE Women’s firsts vs Durham University seconds Men’s firsts vs University of Manchester firsts NETBALL Women’s firsts at Durham University seconds RUGBY LEAGUE Men’s firsts vs University of Hull seconds

is threatening to ruin the popularity of the beautiful game.

However, even the biggest critic of Sky cannot deny that they have improved elements of the game. Sky has revolutionised the way in which football is covered, giving the game a more professional look.

“Rather than broadcasting the game, television now runs it” Coverage of lower league football is dramatically improved and the money they have pumped into the game has lured some of the finest players in world football to grace our top division.

For all these positives, the monopoly of Sky comes with many negative points.

Rather than

RUGBY UNION Men’s firsts at University of Hull firsts Men’s seconds vs Newcastle University thirds SQUASH Women’s firsts vs Leeds Met seconds Men’s firsts vs Durham University firsts TABLE TENNIS Women’s firsts vs University of Liverpool firsts Women’s seconds at University of Leeds firsts

broadcasting the game, television now runs it.

Fixtures are scheduled to maximise the audience, with complete disregard for those who bothered to leave their armchair. Kick-off times have become about as predictable as the weather, with teams playing at any time, on any given day.

Supporters are the bedrock of the game, yet television treats them with utter contempt.

Sky’s monopoly is harming the future of the game on the field, although the impact television money is having off the field causes concern.

Premier League clubs receive vast amounts of money from Sky and this helps to widen the gap between the top division and the teams fighting for a seat at the table.

In addition, the so-called ‘big four’ are televised live many times during the season. This allows them to receive extra funds and ensures that the rich keep on getting richer.

It’s a vicious cycle which threatens the future of clubs not sharing in the prosperity.

Several clubs have already folded and many more are suffering financially.

The vast difference between the top division and the rest is creating a divide which cannot be repaired.

Men’s firsts vs Lancaster University firsts Men’s seconds vs Northumbria University seconds TENNIS Women’s firsts at Leeds Met thirds Men’s firsts at Leeds Met seconds Men’s seconds at Durham University thirds VOLLEYBALL Women’s firsts vs Sheffield Hallam firsts Men’s firsts at Durham University firsts

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www.forgetoday.com // sport@forgetoday.com FORGE PRESS Friday October 21 2011

SPORT

Sheffield derby ends all square

Gary Madine nets the Owls’ controversial equaliser. Stephen Quinn, right, had earlier given United the lead.

Photos: Blades Sports Photography

Football Npower League One Sheffield United Sheffield Wednesday

2 2

Adam Hancock Sheffield Wednesday came from two goals behind to ensure a draw in a pulsating Steel City derby.

United were 2-0 up at half time with goals from Stephen Quinn and Ched Evans. The scoreline remained the same until the final ten minutes of the game, when Wednesday pulled off a stunning comeback.

Chris O’Grady grabbed Wednesday’s first goal and a scrappy effort from Gary Madine ensured the game ended in

Steelers lose cup clash to arch rivals Ice hockey Challenge Cup Pool B Sheffield Steelers Nottingham Panthers

2 4

Matthew Smith On a big day of sporting derbies, the two biggest teams and fiercest rivals in British ice hockey came head to head at the Motorpoint Arena, as Sheffield Steelers took on Nottingham Panthers in the Challenge Cup. However the Steelers were on the wrong end of a 4-2 defeat.

Hopes were high amongst the 4,500 strong crowd – easily the reigning champions’ biggest of the season thus far – after beating Dundee Stars 4-0 the previous day, yet they were quashed as Panthers ran out winners.

dramatic circumstances.

The Owls equaliser left Blades manager Danny Wilson furious with referee Michael Oliver.

Wilson was convinced goalkeeper Steve Simonsen was fouled in the build-up to the goal.

He also questioned the decision to give the game to Oliver.

“I can’t understand why a 25 or 26 year old boy is given a Sheffield Steel City derby when there are much more experienced Premier League referees out there.”

Wednesday started the better side in a raucous atmosphere, although United had a penalty appeal turned down after only five minutes. Lee Williamson received the ball in the box for the Blades and appeared to be shoved by Reda Johnson.

The Kop was furious, although the referee was unmoved and signalled for play to continue.

Five minutes later all thoughts of a penalty were forgotten when Stephen Quinn gave the home side the lead.

Ched Evans’ initial shot was deflected onto the post by Owls captain Rob Jones, and Quinn slammed the rebound into the roof of the net.

Evans soon extended his side’s lead after the Blades won a free kick on the right hand side of the pitch.

Lee Williamson whipped in an inviting cross, and poor Wednesday defending meant Evans found himself free to head home.

The scoreline did not reflect Wednesday’s dominance in possession, but did highlight the shabby defending on display.

The away side knew they needed to up the tempo in the second half and Gary Megson

started by substituting James O’Connor for winger Jermaine Johnson.

For all the possession of the away side, they could only muster one clear opportunity when Madine headed over after Ben Marshall sent in a cross from the left.

Wednesday fans must have felt resigned to defeat, until a sensational last ten minutes proved that in football, nothing is a certainty.

Striker Chris O’Grady found himself in the ideal position when the ball broke nicely for him to launch home a close range header.

Just three minutes later Ben Marshall sent a ball into the Blades box and Steve Simonsen found himself stranded in a melee of players. Owls star striker Gary Madine managed to latch onto

a header which hit the post and rolled in, despite the desperate attempts to clear by Harry Maguire.

The travelling fans celebrated like they had grabbed a winner, whilst the rest of Bramall Lane was left stunned.

The final four minutes were frantic, but only Rob Jones had any chance of note, as his header fell into the arms of Steve Simonsen.

The game ended all square, with an ending that will be remembered for a long time in the city.

United then ran out 4-2 winners at Preston on Wednesday night, with two goals from Williamson in the last 15 minutes sealing all three points for the Blades. They now sit fifth in the table, two places behind Wednesday.

Overtime win for Sharks Basketball BBL Trophy Group 2 Sheffield Sharks Mersey Tigers

84 81

Gareth Burrell

Steelers’ Colt King comes to blows with Guillaume Lepine.

Photo: Steelers Official Steelers’ first defeat in eight down by indiscipline, and more games in all competitions means often had only five players on the they are now without a win in ice than six. their opening two games of this Eventually Nottingham picked competition. up a third through Robert A loss looked on the cards early Lachowicz, assisted by Jordan on as Steelers fell two down in the Fox on 26 minutes. opening ten minutes. The game This was immediately followed had been delayed for 20 minutes by a full-scale brawl between in order to allow all spectators Panthers’ Lepine and Steelers’ time to get into the arena, then Colt King. to hold a minute of silence in The Sheffield side’s hopes were memory of recently passed away totally dashed with five minutes former Steelers owner J. Norton remaining, as Clark blistered Lea. through the porous Steelers It looked as if Steelers were defence to power home his second still outside the arena themselves and Nottingham’s fourth. as the Panthers took command.

Steelers did rally, and grabbed Corey Neilson’s effort deflected consolations; Ryan Finnerty off David Clarke and past John bundled in an Ashley Tait centre DeCaro in the Steelers net. before Tom Squires netted in the Moments later, Danny Meyers final minute, having seen his first showed great industry down the attempt saved by the excellent left and squared for Guillaume Panthers goaltender Craig Lepine, who turned home.

Kowalski.

Steelers were consistently let

Sheffield Sharks managed an incredible fightback in overtime to secure their BBL Trophy semifinal place.

It is now four wins in a row for Sharks in the Trophy and a second win in a week against a strong Mersey Tigers team, who Sharks trounced 99-56 the previous week.

Sharks stormed out of the blocks, racing in to a 12-2 lead after four minutes as Mike Tuck collated four points. However, eight points from Tigers guard James Griffiths, including a sublime three-pointer, narrowed the gap, but Sharks held a 1916 lead at the end of the first period.

Within three minutes of the second, Tigers took the lead for the first time after Griffiths converted following a brilliant steal.

The Sharks defence was repeatedly torn apart, giving Tigers a 43-39 lead at the half way point.

The third period was a tighter

affair as both teams put on points to remain close.

Some impressive play by Sharks’ Jimmy Langhurst added five points at a crucial moment of Tigers dominance. However, it was the game’s MVP, Justin Dobbins, who secured a rebound after a brilliant team play to nudge the Sharks back on top, though Tigers regained a onepoint lead going ahead of the fourth period.

This lead was soon extended to 10 points. However, an inspired comeback was in store as Dobbins claimed a rebound and a further two points after an obstruction.

Sharks had Mike Tuck to thank again as he levelled scores with a double-double to make it 72-72 and take the game into overtime.

With five minutes more to play, the strength of the Sharks showed as indiscipline by the Tigers led to too many free throws which Sharks took.

Dobbins netted again, taking his tally to 28 points and 12 rebounds, and Langhurst added two-pointers to leave the Sharks victorious with an 84-81 win.

The result takes them through to the semi-finals of the BBL Trophy.

Sharks started their BBL Championship game two days later with an 86-75 win away to Guildford Heat.

FORGE PRESS Friday October 21 2011

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27

SPORT

Netball cruise to opening win Women’s netball BUCS League 2B University of Sheffield University of Hull

47 28

Jack Presswell

The scoreline reflected Sheffield’s dominance in the netball.

Photos: Nurul Liyana Yeo

Football firsts claim Hull scalp Men’s football BUCS League 2B University of Sheffield University of Hull

2 1

Ollie Turner The University of Sheffield men’s firsts opened their new campaign in the BUCS Northern League 2B with a 2-1 win at home to the University of Hull’s firsts.

All three goals came inside a frantic 15 minutes, with the match-winner proving to be the lone man up-front, David Kettle, as he bagged both the goals.

The home side started brightly and within the first five minutes were ahead.

The ball was won strongly in midfield, before Kettle raced onto a delicious through ball and hit a sumptuous shot straight past the goalkeeper into the roof of the net.

However, despite going ahead, the Sheffield defence seemed

to switch off and a lack of concentration meant Hull quickly equalised.

From a throw-in, the ball was cut across the box and slotted past goalkeeper Richard Woolley.

After that, Hull could have gone in front; sloppy defending from an attack down the right wing led to the ball landing at the feet of a Hull forward, whose scooped shot hit the crossbar and went behind.

Only a matter of minutes later, though, Sheffield were back in front. After winning a free-kick, Kettle stepped up and struck the ball powerfully. The Hull ’keeper got a hand to it but couldn’t stop the ball from going over the line, with the referee giving the goal.

The first half then became a largely scrappy affair, Sheffield played some good football on the ground but misplaced passes and hoofed clearances didn’t help the cause.

However, the home side looked good on the break, pressured the opposition well and Jake Stevens on the left-hand side and Will

Doyle on the right were a constant threat to the visitors.

Doyle had a chance in the 25th minute after Kettle won the ball in the air well, cutting inside but hitting his shot straight at the ’keeper.

Hull also had their chances, and in the 39th minute could have equalised; a forward was played in before being tackled, the ball falling to a team-mate whose deflected shot was palmed onto the crossbar fantastically by Woolley.

The second half began with Hull looking to get an equaliser and perhaps go on to win the game.

They continued to pressure the home side’s defence, but Andrew Forster, Sam Strong, Mark Bird and Jack Cripps were phenomenal in defence.

As the half went on, Hull were restricted to long shots, while Woolley made some vital saves.

Sheffield held out for the three points in the end though - a great start to the campaign, but also with plenty to improve on.

to give Sheffield a six point cushion. He added four more points as they went in 18-10 up at the break.

The second period saw indiscipline creep into the play, and the increase in fouls allowed Leeds Met easy points.

Ratcliffe started the period with an excellent three-pointer.

Though mistakes crept in, Sheffield still netted some valuable points to maintain a lead; most impressively from a move between Dan Beels and captain Daniel Dawson. After a steal, Dawson netted the rebound.

However, Leeds Met closed the gap and during a timeout, Sheffield coach John Kelly questioned his team’s lack of attempts to claim rebounds.

The team talk may have helped as Kelly’s side started to be more offensive at rebounds.

Despite this, Leeds Met stayed strong and gradually brought the scores level at 31-31, but

Chiguri was fouled as he netted a two-pointer and took the free throw to give Sheffield a slender advantage.

Sheffield played much better in the third period, combining good defence with more offensive rebounds.

They didn’t convert anywhere near as much as they were producing but this spell was encouraging for the whole team.

Two Ratcliffe three-pointers added gloss to the scoreline as Sheffield went in to the final 10 minutes with a 52-45 lead.

The fourth period saw a strong offensive display from Sheffield as they strolled to victory.

The best move of the period came from Beels; from a steal, he went the full length of the court to score, before adding another valuable point after getting fouled in the process.

Seven points in the last minute extended the margin. Beels added four of these, giving Sheffield the perfect start to the season.

Convincing win for basketball Men’s basketball BUCS League 3B University of Sheffield Leeds Met

75 62

Gareth Burrell The University of Sheffield men’s basketball team got off to a flying start in their season by defeating Leeds Met thirds comfortably, in spite of a wobble.

The Sheffield side showed their strength in the final 10 minutes, amassing 23 points to boost the winning margin.

Sheffield started brightly with Andy Chiguri converting the first five points on the way to a 9-0 lead after seven minutes.

Although Leeds Met soon hit back with three unanswered twopointers, Chris Ratcliffe, who impressed throughout the match, finished one of his four threepointers in the match sublimely

The University of Sheffield’s netball firsts kicked off their Northern Conference 2B campaign with a victory over the University of Hull.

In the end, it was a convincing opening day win for the BUCS Northern Conference Cup holders as they look to improve on last year’s mid-table finish.

It was Sheffield who raced into the lead with Kaytee Beardsmore and Lee Witkowski looking like scoring every time Sheffield went forward.

Inversely, Hull’s attacks were breaking down in the final third due to numerous turnovers and they found themselves 14-8 down at the end of the first quarter.

However, Hull came out fighting in the second quarter with three early unanswered goals as they sought to reduce the deficit.

Sheffield’s previously flowing, attacking play was slowing up and they found themselves under some pressure as Hull kept getting forward, using their towering goal shooter’s height to their advantage.

The tide was slowly turning, but Sheffield managed to keep their noses in front at half-time with a 22-18 lead thanks to the

prolific Beardsmore’s eight second quarter goals.

Any hope Hull had of continuing their comeback after the restart were quickly quashed as a reinvigorated Sheffield took to the court, quickly scoring five goals with no reply to get firmly back in control of the game.

The hosts found their attacking verve again, moving the ball around the court with pace and accuracy, whilst Beardsmore and Witkowski continued to put the ball through the goal ring with regularity.

The game was effectively over as a contest at the end of the quarter with Sheffield leading 36-22, especially as Hull couldn’t muster any sort of response in the final quarter.

Sheffield picked off their weary opponents to win the game by 19 goals as it finished 47-28.

Afterwards, coach Kate Vivian said: “We played well in parts. It’s the first game and we’re pleased to win it, but we need to work on our team building and through court play.

“I’m very happy with the result as the girls dug in deep, especially in the second quarter where it could’ve gone either way, but overall, I’m very pleased.”

Captain Janicke Pilkington added: “I’m happy with how the girls played as a team. It’s a new team and it’s nice to welcome some freshers into the team. We had a great defence and we played well through to the attack and I’m very happy with the score.”

28

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Yorkshire double for rugby union Men’s rugby union firsts BUCS League 1A University of Sheffield Leeds Met seconds

17 10

Matthew Smith

Two from Temple wins Hallam clash

Scenes of pure joy as the women’s firsts savour a win at the home of their cross-city rivals.

Women’s football firsts BUCS League 2B Sheffield Hallam University of Sheffield

2 3

Stuart Hill Two late goals from substitute Sophie Temple gave the University of Sheffield’s women’s first team the perfect start to the season against Hallam.

Temple finished sharply for her first and nodded in a Sarah Bailey corner with a minute remaining to secure the three points for a battling Uni team in an entertaining game at the Graham Solley Sports Ground.

Shona Halpin had given Uni the lead before Hallam levelled through Abby Creed.

Temple restored Uni’s lead and then notched the winner after Corissa Vella White had equalised for Hallam.

Harriet Ford looked dangerous down the right for Uni and she set up their first real chance after some good skill, but Jess Kay miscued her shot.

Ford then had an effort of her own which was saved well by the Hallam goalkeeper.

Uni took the lead after 15

minutes when Shona Halpin rose highest from Bailey’s corner to glance a header into the far corner.

Halpin was a rock at the back for the 65 minutes she was on the field before going off through injury. Twice she made excellent

tackles to deny Hallam before half time, while their other real first half chance was thwarted with some excellent defending by Alice Weekes.

Hallam started the second half strongly and almost equalised when Creed forced a good save

Photo: Andrey Vasilyev

from Uni goalkeeper Kim Griffiths after an apparent handball wasn’t given.

Hallam then wasted a good chance when, with an hour played, a good cross was skewed high and wide from point-blank range.

On 77 minutes, however, Hallam were level. Uni failed to clear a long throw-in and Creed finished left-footed past Griffiths.

By now it was anyone’s game, Hallam almost taking the lead but it was Uni who grabbed the next goal; Temple chased down a lost cause, winning a corner from which Bailey’s dangerous delivery wasn’t cleared, allowing Temple to turn and shoot into the corner.

But the home side were soon level again, the pacey Vella White latching onto a terrific throughball and finishing coolly.

However, it was Uni who had the last laugh as Temple headed home in the 89th minute to steal the points.

Captain Laura Elias said afterwards: “Hallam played well and it was a tough game. But we battled to the end, showing our Uni spirit and pulled through.”

Uni’play their first home game of the season on October 26 when they take on York St John firsts at Norton.

After making a winning start to the season against Leeds with a 15-10 victory, the University of Sheffield first XV made it a Yorkshire double coupled with a huge improvement as they beat Leeds Met’s seconds 17-10.

Sheffield were dominant from the outset, with the tone being set right from the kick-off as the Leeds Met kicker failed to punt the ball 10 metres, giving an immediate scrum advantage to the home team.

In spite of a clear weight disadvantage in the scrum, the Sheffield forward line was dominant, and it was from a forward-led turnover that Sheffield launched the attack which gave them a deserved lead.

Barnaby Goodchild picked up a loose ball from a Leeds line-out, and charged over. Andy Magowan failed to convert, so the score remained 5-0.

This sparked the away side in to life, and they had a great opportunity to level within minutes – they got a man over the try-line, but a tremendous tackle by Joe Stevens saw him drop the ball, and Sheffield were off the hook.

Just before half-time, Sheffield deservedly stretched their lead.

After they were given a scrum for Leeds failing to keep their lineout straight, the ball came all the way from hand to hand across the pitch to Keith Wardley. He weaved past two opponents and scored a magnificent try in the corner. It was equally well converted by Magowan, giving the home side a 12-0 lead at the break.

However, the home side started poorly after the interval and immediately saw their lead cut by five points; Leeds picked up the kick-off, ran straight into the Sheffield 22, and after a period of concerted pressure got on the score sheet.

The restart saw a case of déjà vu, with Leeds again taking it straight from the kick-off into the opposition half, winning a penalty in front of the posts – yet bizarrely, they kicked for touch.

Soon enough, Sheffield were showing their superiority again, and poor forward technique by Leeds saw Goodchild charge for the line again; the ball broke wide, and was collected by Ollie Taylor, who ran in his third try in two games from second row.

With Magowan’s kick falling just short, Sheffield held a 17-5 lead, though this was cut to 1710 with five minutes remaining when Sheffield failed to clear their lines.

Sheffield shouldn’t have been hanging on at the end as much as they were, but with a 100 per cent record to start the season, there were smiles all round for the first XV.