Opinion debate what are the best Christmas chocolates
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THE UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER
Find our interview with reggae artist Natty in Music
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ISSUE 128 | WEDNESDAY 28TH NOVEMBER 2018 | FREE
Over 600 sign petition to introduce two new SU councillors David Anderson
Image: Hannah Ellis
Reclaim the Night an overwhelming success, despite protesters being ‘spat’ at and ‘harassed’ on march Olive Enokido-Lineham Ewan Somerville
Hundreds of students and members of the public marched through Sheffield’s streets for the ‘Reclaim the Night’ protest against gendered violence on Saturday 24 November. Organised by the Women’s
Committee and SU Women’s Officer, Mayeda Tayyab, this year’s protest focused on increased street lighting, the improvement of support services for survivors of sexual assault and a ‘zero tolerance’ approach to sexual harassment in all spaces. The event was largely hailed as a success, despite protesters being
‘harassed’ during the march from Sheffield Cathedral to the SU. After the event, Education Officer Anna Crump Raiswell hit out at being “laughed and jeered at” on the march, claiming men ‘spat’ at them from balconies and “told [us] with such joy in their voices to ‘get our fannies out’ and to ‘get your tits out love’.
“The atmosphere as we set off was electric, filled with promise of a night of sisterhood solidarity,” she said in a post on Facebook, which was shared by the SU Welfare Officer Katharine Swindells. “However, the feelings of power were quick to dissipate. And were replaced by terror, and by the hope that the march... (cont. on p7)
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Societies Committee and Sports Committee are petitioning for a referendum to create two new positions on the SU Council after an initial proposal was rejected, they feel, ‘without due consideration’. At a Council Meeting on Thursday 15 November, Societies Committee brought forward a proposal to review the representation of societies on Council, with the creation of a ‘Societies Councillor’. SocCom have since teamed up with Sports Committee to put forward a petition for a referendum, in which students will be able to vote for or against the roles of ‘Societies Councillor’ and ‘Sports Councillor’ being created. In accordance with the SU Constitution, 1,000 full members must like or dislike the petition on the SU website in order for a referendum to be organised, it has never been achieved in the history of the SU. At the time of writing, the petition has 662 likes and 10 dislikes. SU Council is currently made up of 46 Departmental Councillors and nine Representative Councillors. It includes... (cont. on p6)
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PIC OF THE PRESS
Festivities are in full swing in Sheffield city centre
Editorial Team Editor-in-Chief David Anderson Managing Editor Becky Sliwa Webb Deputy Editor David Craig Deputy Editor James Pendlington Head of News Ben Warner Head of Sport Adam May LOF Coordinator Sorcha Simons Culture Coordinator Tom Buckland Culture Coordinator Gethin Morgan News Editor Lucas Mentken News Editor Niall O’Callaghan News Editor Alex Peneva Features Editor Arya Damavandy Features Editor Rebecca Lally Opinion Editor Connie Coombs Opinion Editor Matthew Hartill Arts Editor Charly Hurrell Arts Editor Sophie Maxwell Lifestyle Editor Harry Browse Lifestyle Editor Amelia Shaw Music Editor Harriet Evans Music Editor Ben Kempton Screen Editor Gethin Morgan Screen Editor Izzy Cridland Games Editor Luke Baldwin Games Editor Tom Buckland Tech and Science Editor Aidan Hughes Tech and Science Editor Jade Le Marquand Break Editor Robin Wilde Break Editor VACANT Sport Editor Patrick Burke Sport Editor Joshua Taylor News Online Editor Ewan Somerville News Online Editor Ynez Wahab Features/Lifestyle Online Editor Rebekah B Lowri Opinion Online Editor Jack Redfern Culture Online Editor Brenna Cooper Culture Online Editor Ben Kempton Sport Online Editor Michael Ekman Sport Online Editor VACANT Copy Editor Coordinator Leah Fox Copy Editor (News) Charlotte Knowles-Cutler Copy Editor (LOF) Brogan Maguire Copy Editor (LOF) Laura Foster Copy Editor (Culture) Salena Rayner Copy Editor (Culture) Bethan Davis Copy Editor (Sports) Charlie Payne
Image: Juliet Cookson
Editorial
Hello and welcome to our final issue of the semester. I hope you’ll agree with me that it’s been a pretty great few months. From our first issue in September to this one, we’ve been able to showcase some of the fantastic things students have been getting up to. We’ve had a Mocktail Lounge launched in our Students’ Union, 1,800 of us paraded down West Street for another Dance Your Socs Off bar crawl, and we took another step towards a sustainable future with the launch of the incredibly useful Campus Cup. More recently, the annual Reclaim the Night march was once again an overwhelming success, despite the
appalling behaviour from a number of onlookers. Our cover story this issue highlights the exceptional work done by our Women’s Committee and our Women’s Officer Mayeda Tayyab in organising it, and the harrasment the protestors had to endure is a perfect example of just why the march is still so important. As we’re now approaching the Christmas break, we think it’s only apt that we bring a bit of festive cheer to you all. This may seem a bit soon for a Christmas issue, but as it’s our last one of the year, we figured why not dive into the festivities early. Science and Tech weigh up the pros and cons of real Christmas trees against artificial ones, Lifestyle give
us some skincare tips for the colder months, Arts talk us through their ‘12 Days of Artmas’, and Opinion tackle the question of what truly is the best Christmas chocolate tin. So, sit down with a mug of eggnog or glass of mulled wine, pop Michael Bublé on your Walkman, and peruse these pages until you feel like it truly is Christmas every day. Have a lovely vacation, try not to stress too much about the deadlines and exams, and we’ll see you on the other side.
Design and Training Coordinator Chloe Dervey Secretary and Social Secretary Connie Coombs Inclusions and Welfare Coordinator Charlotte Knowles-Cutler Marketing and Publicity Coordinator Chloe Dervey Photography Coordinator Juliet Cookson Website Coordinator Lisa Wehrstedt In-house Artist Chloe Dervey
Get involved Want to join the team? Get involved! No prior experience is necessary, just join the Facebook group Forge Press Contributors and come along to our regular contributor meetings
every other Tuesday to meet the team and pitch your own ideas. Contact editor@forgetoday.com with any questions.
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News
NEWS IN BRIEF UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY Students can skip Permanent quiet room opened ‘upsetting’ topics The University has issued staff with new guidance, telling them not to include disturbing subjects in compulsory academic assessments and to offer alternatives. The list includes race, gender, sexuality, mental health, suicide, abortion, rape, disability, religion and death.
NATIONAL Plans to ban junk food ads on tube
A permanent quiet room has opened up on level 2 of the SU. It follows a lengthy campaign by DSC and successive Welfare Officers. The room is open to everyone, and Katharine Swindells is hoping it has a positive impact on students’ wellbeing, as well as the SU building.
London mayor Sadiq Khan has set out plans for a crackdown on junk food adverts in London tube stations and bus stops next year. The UK capital has one of the highest child obesity rates in Europe, with almost 40 per cent of 10-11 year olds having an unhealthy weight.
SHEFFIELD Barriers installed in City Centre
NATIONAL EU leaders agree on Brexit deal
Concrete blocks have been installed by Sheffield City Council in the city centre to enhance safety during the festive period. The blocks have been placed from Surrey Street to Pinstone Street and on Fargate and will stay in place until shortly after Christmas Day.
EU leaders have approved an agreement on the UK’s withdrawal and future relations after 20 months of negotiations. Theresa May said the deal, which still needs to go through Parliament, “delivered for the British people”. She appealed to the public to get behind the agreement.
Image: Extinction Rebellion
‘Funeral for the Future’ march Ewan Somerville The future of planet Earth and its
species was confined to a coffin on Saturday, as campaigners staged a ‘funeral procession’ through
Sheffield in protest at perceived government inaction.
Around 60 people from
Extinction Rebellion, a group
calling for politicians to declare a ‘climate emergency’ and take
urgent action, donned the all-black in a ‘Funeral for the Future’. The ‘funeral procession’,
mourning a future of ‘climate
A new National Videogame Museum on Angel Street in Sheffield has just opened its doors to visitors on Saturday 24 November. It is hoped that the museum will attract 50,000 gamers to the city every year while celebrating the past, present and future of gaming. The exhibition features over 80 playable games with plans to add even more in the future. A huge range of console are available, from modern Xbox’s to retro Ataris, as well as several classic arcade cabinets such as Tetris and Donkey Kong. The museum has close ties with Sheffield based game developer Boneloaf, most known for hit beat’em up Gang Beasts. The indie developer hope that the museum will help promote the industry ‘s work in Sheffield and across the UK. Images: Tom Buckland
destruction’, saw a mock coffin
carried from Sheffield Cathedral to the Town Hall to the sound of
violins, where campaigners read a
list of demands to the city council.
1,000
protestors organised a ‘memorial service‘ for the planet in London
Aaron Thierry, Sheffield
Extinction Rebellion coordinator,
said: “This marked an opportunity for people to express their grief
over what has already been lost
through the destruction of nature.” Joining protests across the
country, around 1,000 protestors in London blocked traffic from
accessing Parliament Square for a
“memorial service” for the planet. Dubbed ‘Rebellion Day 2’, one
elderly woman even superglued her hands to the railings of Buckingham Palace.
Dr Thierry, former UoS PhD
ecology student, added: “Without national and local governments
taking radical climate action I am
afraid that we will not have a future worth looking forward to”.
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ISC’s Battle of the Bands to be held at SU Alex Peneva
Four national societies from the University of Sheffield will be demonstrating their musical talent in Battle of the Bands this Thursday. The event theme this year is ‘Blast from the Past’ - a hint to spectators to expect hits from our childhood and beyond. Battle of the Bands is one of the biggest events of the International Students’ Committee (ISC), prompting excitement among all. Kalina Mileva, ISC Europe Representative, said: “For the past few weeks we’ve been entirely committed to organizing one amazing event and we’re all looking forward to this marvellous night!
“We believe that our countless hours of work will pay off and people will hear some of their favourite childhood songs, bringing back many heartwarming memories from the past. “The whole idea of this event is to make students feel as if they’ve been transported back to the past and I am so proud of all efforts we’ve put to make it so huge and interesting!” Taking part in the event will be the Indian, Sri Lankan, Pakistan and Arab Societies, as well as the Sheffield Malaysian Students Association. They will be competing for an amazing prize which the ISC are keeping secret until the day. Battle of the Bands will take place in Foundry at the SU on Thursday 29 November, with doors at 7pm. Tickets will be on sale in advance as well as on the door.
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SU to run ‘Reverse Advent Calendar’ initiative during December Ben Warner
Katharine Swindells, the Students’ Union Welfare Officer, is running a ‘Reverse Advent Calendar’ initiative throughout the first half of December to collect for the S6 foodbank. She is challenging students to donate an item a day, having worked with the volunteering team and the foodbank to work out which items are most desperately needed during the festive period. Katharine said: “I’m so excited that on Friday the SU will be starting our two-week Reverse Advent Calendar for S6 Foodbank. “It’s a project I’ve worked on with the volunteering team, and the idea is that, in the last two weeks of term, there are 24 different items to collect. “The idea came about when I saw how much I’ve got going on this Christmas. It’s such a fun time of year, but it can also be so decadent, and I think it’s really important to keep in mind that many are not so fortunate.”
TV stars were just some of those present when Sheffield had its annual Christmas lights switch-on in the city centre. Thousands of locals lined the streets and packed the Christmas markets on Fargate, getting in the festive spirit. Sheffielders Kyle Tomlinson, of Britain’s Got Talent, and Lucy Milburn, a finalist of The Voice, lined up alongside recent Great British BakeOff winner Rahul Mandal to turn on the lights in the Peace Gardens. Fairground rides and stalls selling toys for the many children attending were set up specially, in what was one of the busiest Christmas light switchons that Sheffield has ever seen.
Image: Alfie Robinson
The Officer team will be taking part in the initiative alongside SU staff. A collection point will be set up each day at the beach huts in the SU building. “It can be easy to stay in the student bubble and stay blissfully unaware of the things happening outside, but the fact is that there are people suffering, right on our doorstep,” Katharine added. “It’s so important that students involve themselves in Sheffield, understand the struggles the city faces, and experience the amazing parts of the community too.” The S6 foodbank is based on Gilpin Street in the Philadelphia region in the north of the city. Chris from the foodbank said: “We at the foodbank believe that it takes all of us to help someone out of trouble and not just one person or organisation. “We have all needed a helping hand in one way or another so donating non-perishable food is an easy way to give back. “We are all about making sure each person who comes to the foodbank feels special.”
Ben Warner
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News
Tramlines’ co-founder Sarah Nulty to be given award Jan Mañach
Tramlines’ co-founder and director Sarah Nulty is to be honored with an ‘Outstanding Contribution to Festivals’ award. The UK Festival Awards announced they will pay tribute to Nulty at their annual ceremony in December at the Troxy in London.
This award is thought of the highest distinction for anyone working in the festival industry in the UK. Past winners include Glastonbury founder Michael Eavis, founder of Bestival Rob Da Bank and Green Man’s Fiona Stewart. Nulty passed away at the age of 36, just weeks before Tramlines 10th Edition this year.
She moved to Sheffield in 1999 to study at Sheffield Hallam University and is considered a key figure of the city’s cultural scene for her contribution as co-founder and Director of the festival. Her influence was given a huge role in the festival this year, with people celebrating her using the phrase ‘Be More Nulty’. It has been adorned on t-shirts worn with pride by the likes of Lord Mayor Magid Magid and Reverend and the Makers lead singer Jon McClure. Nulty was similarly awarded
earlier this month by the Association of Independent Festivals at the Independent Festival Awards organised in Sheffield. She also received the Civic Award by the Lord Mayor of Sheffield Magid Magid. Tramlines Operations Director Timm Cleasby said: “We are all so proud that Sarah has received this hugely deserved award. “To be recognised by the UK Festival Awards for her work, drive and determination is a true honour to her memory and to the legacy she’s left behind in Tramlines.”
Image: Simon Butler
Sheffield MP calls for more HE funding Ben Warner
Image: Remembering Srebrenica
Sarajevo siege survivor Rešad Trbonja shares his story in Sheffield Lucas Mentken
A survivor of the Siege of Sarajevo held a public meeting in the Arts Tower on Tuesday 20 November, to share his story. Rešad Trbonja was only 19 when the longest siege of a capital city in the history of modern warfare started in April 1992. He said he could still remember how his life suddenly changed entirely and he had to hold a gun in his hand to protect his family, while losing his friends in the civil war, during which 11,500 people were killed.
Rešad said: “I speak on behalf of thousands of kids who fought in Bosnia during the war and my story is just one of many others. “People have become numb to statistics and I think what makes these stories so special is that people can identify with them.” He said that every survived day in these three and a half years was an experience for itself. As Sarajevo was
completely cut off from the outside world, finding food, water and heating materials for his family during the conflict became part of his daily life. However, one experience which will stay with Rešad forever is donating blood in a hospital in exchange for a few cans of beef. He said: “I want young people to understand that they shouldn’t take
life for granted. I want them to reject prejudice and hate. I want them to be young and rebellious. “Students have always shaped the world and changed the systems, so I am hoping that they will always open their eyes and use their heads before doing anything.” The talk was organised by the charity Remembering Srebrenica as part of a lecture series around the North of England. It was also the first event of Islamophobia Awareness Month during which the University of Sheffield Islamic Circle will run other events until the end of November.
Sheffield Central MP Paul Blomfield has called for more funding for a range of higher education subjects. He is urging for more funding for nursing, midwifery and allied health students. He made the point in a Commons debate, following the ‘Fund our Future’ campaign by the Royal College of Nursing, calling for at least £1 billion a year to be put back into nursing HE courses. Speaking after the debate, Mr Blomfield said: “Former Health Minister, Ben Gummer, told us that the Government plans would lead to an increase in applications. “Now we know he was wrong. We have seen a fall in students applying to these courses, at a time when there are almost 42,000 nursing vacancies in England alone. “These students work extremely hard and are on their courses to learn. Yet, because of shortages, they are being used to fill workforce gaps and to care for patients before they are fully qualified. This isn’t fair to nurses and it isn’t safe for patients. “The Government must look again at how it funds higher education for students on nursing, midwifery and allied health courses, by providing the funding to change the system and ensure that we recruit enough students and give them the support they need in this demanding course.”
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Sheffield SU celebrates ten years at the top Ben Warner
An event has been hosted at the Students’ Union to celebrate its ten years at the top of the leaderboards. The SU was recently named the best Students’ Union in the country for the tenth consecutive year in the Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey. The celebration was held in Studio on Wednesday 21 November, and was attended by the new Vice-Chancellor and President of the University, Professor Koen Lamberts, the SU President Lilian Jones, as well as leading staff from the University and Union, and student leaders such as committee chairs. Professor Lamberts said: “Students really are at the heart of this University and we are very lucky to have the best Students’ Union in the country. “I look forward to working with
Koen Lamberts and Lilian Jones. Image: Joanne Mateer
SocCom and Sports Committee petition for two new SU councillor positions David Anderson
(cont. from front page) ...no direct student representative for societies or sports clubs. Instead, the SU’s Activities and Sports Officers are expected to represent them. Societies Committee argue that the importance of societies to students’ lives means there should be a dedicated representative for them on the SU’s highest decision making body. A statement from Societies Committee read: “The voices of societies, committees and sports clubs are not adequately represented within the current SU Council membership.” Sports Committee said: “Sports Committee works extremely hard to influence change within the sporting community by holding campaigns such as This Girl Can, Disability in Sport Week and LGBT+ ‘Play with “Pride’, to encourage inclusivity and participation in sport. As a committee, we can only do so much, and this is why we believe there is
need for a sports representative at the highest student decision making table.” The core responsibilities of the proposed Societies Councillor and Sports Councillor would be to represent the interests of student societies or sports clubs at Council, and they would not have specific duties on their own committees other than this. They would act as a direct link between the two bodies, engaging with relevant issues and raising them to council where appropriate. The Societies Councillor would also work to represent the issues relevant to the 18 Working Committees at the SU. Find the full proposal and a link to the petition here:
you and for you to build and sustain an open, active and supportive University community.” Speeches were given by Lilian and the Vice-Chancellor, with the first part of the event being concluded with a film made by Forge TV focusing on the five themes which the Students’ Union see as integral to their core. The film featured five student leaders, such as Beren Maddison (chair of Welfare Committee) and Cameron Baker (SU Sociology councillor) and five staff members like Wyn Morgan (Vice-President for Education) and Susan Bridgford (Head of Student Support Services). Afterwards, attendees were given the chance to talk about issues which matter to students, and the new Vice-Chancellor – who has only been in the job for a few weeks – was introduced to a variety of student groups, representing topics like welfare, as well as liberation issues.
Sheffield homelessness charity gets Black Friday donation Ben Warner
A Sheffield business has pledged to donate 20 per cent of its booking prices from Black Friday to a homelessness charity. The Great Escape Room say they want to make a difference, rather than a profit on a day when a lot of businesses slash their prices to encourage shoppers to buy more. They are donating 20 per cent of the booking prices they received on Black Friday to Emmaus, a homeless charity which has a store in Sheffield. Hannah Duraid, managing director, said: “Whilst many companies are driven by bargains, we recognise ourselves as responsible retailers. “Other organisations capitalize on the fear of missing out on big sales, when there are people on our streets who fear they won’t have a bed for the night.”
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News
‘Reclaim the Night’ an overwhelming success despite protesters being ‘spat’ at and ‘harassed’ Olive Enokido-Lineham Ewan Somerville
(cont. from front page) ...would end soon so we could get back to safety,” Ms Crump Raiswell added. “What particularly upset me was a man, who was with his teenage daughter, laughing and pointing at us. What kind of world do you want your daughter to grow up in?” The evening kicked off with a march starting from Sheffield’s Cathedral, led by female members of the Samba Band Society, and an array of powerful speeches from students and spoken word poetry. Speaking to the crowds, Lilian Jones, SU President, said: “We are sending a message that women are still fighting for so many things. Equality benefits everyone.” Students from Hallam and the University of Sheffield who selfidentify as women joined the allwomen Officer team in marching down West Street, before finally arriving at the Student’s Union, chanting and holding placards with slogans like “It’s a dress, not a yes”. In her post, Education Officer Crump Raiswell went on to say she ‘can’t cope’ with ‘being harassed and made to feel unsafe’ while marching
Image: Timm Cleasby, University of Sheffield
against just that behaviour. She asked: “When we are met with such abhorrent abuse for simply marching through the streets of the city we call home, demanding a safer life, is surprising that 1.2 million women suffered domestic abuse in 2017? Or that two women are killed by their partner every week?” The topics mentioned centred around misogyny, misogynoir, domestic violence against women and the global #MeToo campaign.
The feelings of power were quick to dissipate and were replaced by terror Natalia Ragnhild, Chair of the Women’s Committee, stated that ‘Reclaim the Night’ was about ‘women taking back the space we need for ourselves’.
Image: Olive Enokido-Lineham
She added: “The physical space we reclaim by marching through the streets and the emotional space we create where our voices can be heard.” While the rally focused on sexual violence against women, participants of all genders were welcomed and encouraged to take part.
Gabby Willis, President of Sheffield Hallam’s Women Committee, stated the demands raised ‘are issues that concern everybody and so the world must be safer for women’. The event was supported by a number of societies, including FemSoc and Burlesque Society. Participants took to Twitter to
demonstrate solidarity in an end to gendered violence using #ReclaimTheNight. It chimes with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on Sunday 25 November and is part of the SU’s ‘16 Days Against Gendered Violence’ Campaign.
UoS to celebrate 100 years of BUCS sport with talks Ben Warner
Students and staff are to celebrate the history of sport in Sheffield and increased inclusion in sport across the University for the 100th anniversary of BUCS. British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) is the competition in which university sports teams play each other in weekly fixtures. Loughborough University have won overall for the last ten years, with Durham University coming in second for the last eight. It is celebrating its centenary this year, and the University see that as a cause for celebration. They are opening their doors for talks and discussions with a range
of sportspeople with links to the University of Sheffield, including Olympic trampolinist Bryony Page who graduated in 2015 and medalled in Rio a year later. Andrew Cox, Director of Sport and Physical Activity at Sport Sheffield, said: “As a city, Sheffield has a proud sporting history and our University has made some important contributions to this.
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successive years Loughborough University have won BUCS
“From impressive facility developments to the elite athletes we have helped produce, this centenary allows us to reflect on the impact we have had.”
The University is going to collect 100 sporting memories from staff and students, new and old, to acknowledge the achievements of university sport in the Steel City. Sarah Morse, Sports Officer at the SU, added: “The 100 Years of Sport anniversary is a very special celebration to us as a University that now has nearly 60 diverse studentled sports clubs, holds world-class sporting facilities and collaborates on one of the largest Varsity events in the country. “Sport has the power to unite and bring all students together under one shared passion and provides an outlet to combat stress and cope with busy academic periods, keeping students happy and healthy whilst at University.”
t s n i a g A s y a 16 D Gendered Viole10nthcDeecember
25th November -
Hidden in Plain Sight: Staff-Student Sexual Harassment in Higher Education
27th November, Gallery Room 2, From 17:00-18:00
Gendered Islamophobia: Muslim Women in the West 7th December , Gallery room 3, 18:00-19:30
You can find the rest of the programme here: sheffieldsu.com/ 16daysagainstgenderedviolence
Mayeda Tayyab Women’s Officer
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Features Features Editors Arya Damavandy Rebecca Lally Just a few weeks until Christmas! Get your last bits of work done and have some tasty Christmas food with this issue’s edition of Features. Like always we’ve got some heavy stuff and some light stuff. Student gambling is an issue not oft talked about, but very much a problem. Our first article looks at how students are affected by this and where they can get help. Fellow Forge Press editor Connie talks about the MBTI Personality Test and its accuracy in our second piece; can an online test really understand who you are? Our third piece is a harrowing but helpful take on scammers who take advantage of international students. Take care of yourselves! Our final feature is a detailed and well researched overview of veganism’s impact on the environment, and it’s unseen pitfalls. Enjoy, and have a very merry Christmas from us at Features!
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Student gambling addiction: a hidden epidemic Lewis Steele
Many addictions start with innocent small doses of the substance, be it alcohol or drugs. With alcohol, the addiction starts in the form of a few drinks now and then, but escalates into more and more, up to the point that it is no longer a way to escape from stress on the odd occasion, but it becomes the stress that dominates your life. Gambling addictions are no different to alcohol, drugs, or other sorts of misuse. Many TV adverts will inform you in what seems like every ad break that it doesn’t matter where you are in the world, you can place a bet via your mobile, on hundreds of
There are students running up debts of over £10,000, and 100,000 students are in some form of gambling debt
markets. Bookies and casinos are still a big thing, but mobile gambling has increased astronomically in the last decade, and is a reason for many addictions. Students are affected by this problem more than most. Money is scarce, and many bet more than they can afford to lose. The majority of British students have overdrafts, so placing a bet on a sporting event feeds the mentality that gambling can be a feasible means of raising money. It isn’t. The Gambling Commission recently revealed there are students running up debts of over £10,000, and 100,000 students are in some
form of gambling debt. They also revealed that, according to their study, 1 in 8 undergraduates missed scheduled teaching because of gambling. An ex-gambler, who prefers to remain anonymous, told me of his struggles with the world of betting. He said: “A lot of people claim that it’s not an issue for them because they don’t have addictive personalities. It’s just a way of justifying it to yourself and others.” He added: “On any given Saturday, I could place something like 60-70 bets on the football alone. At £10 a pop, that’s an outlay of £600-700. Of course, I didn’t lose every bet. Many a time, I’d win 40+ and have a fantastic feeling on Saturday night, but it soon fades.” Addictions to gambling often start with a big win. Often, the student wins a substantial amount on an audacious accumulator and thinks that they have more money than they actually do. Gradually, the stakes get higher and the idea of ‘chasing your losses’ becomes more important. After a while, students bet more than they can afford to lose, and it becomes a never-ending cycle. At this point, the fun element of gambling disappears. The anonymous gambler said: “I stopped having fun with gambling after the first big loss and it all went downhill from there. Ultimately, what makes it an addictive pastime is the rush of winning, but the wins and losses don’t match up after a while in terms of how you feel afterwards.” “Once you’re in deep, the wins are all about relief and the losses are all about panic. You convince yourself that something is more or less a sure thing and before you know it you’re sat wondering how on earth you’ve spent your monthly wage in a day.” Obviously, student gambling – and gambling in general – is a massive problem that leads to all sorts of consequences. One of the worst facets, unlike other addictions such as alcoholism, is that the gambler often suffers in private. Many will boast publicly when they have won a
big bet, but clam up about their big losses to avoid damaging their ego or reputation.
You convince yourself that something is more or less a sure thing and before you know it you’re sat wondering how on earth you’ve spent your monthly wage in a day As well as the financial burden that gambling can cause, many sufferers will deal with mental health issues related to their addiction. Gambling may not be the direct or sole cause, but it certainly plays a huge part. The Royal College of Psychiatrists has said that problem gamblers are more likely than others to suffer from low self-esteem, develop stress-related disorders, to become anxious, have poor sleep, and to suffer from depression. Organisations have no official statistics around how gambling issues can lead to mental health problems – and in the worst of cases, suicide – but they say that with the large amounts of debt involved, some people may feel as though there is no way out. Chancellor Philip Hammond announced in his recent budget that the government will cut the maximum stake on fixed-odds betting terminals in casinos from £100 to £2. FOBTs currently allow gamblers to place stakes of threefigures every 20 seconds, on addictive games of chance such as roulette. Ex-addict Matt ZarbCousin described FOBT’s as “the crack-cocaine of gambling.” Stopping, as it is with any addiction, is undoubtedly the hardest element. The ex-gambler
that I spoke with has now been clear for over two years. He said: “In all honesty, what changed things for me was coming clean to some of my closest friends. They then checked up on me pretty regularly in those first couple of months and I was able to get things off my chest to a number of people. My girlfriend was always really supportive too. Once you involve people in the quitting process, it does become easier.” He added: “I also had a simple day count on my phone. It sounds quite simple but I’d just add a day each morning. Before you know it, the thought of ‘losing’ 20 days is quite an empowering thing.” Nationally, there are a number of organisations setup to help those who feel that they are addicted to gambling, but more closer to home, a group of University of Sheffield medical students are setting up an app called ‘Bet On Me’. The app uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to change the thought processes of gambling addicts. It aims to teach gamblers about the triggers for their actions, and to restore a rational thought process. If you are affected by any of the issues raised, even if you may feel that you are winning more money than you lose, please seek help through one of the many organisations available both nationally and at the University, such as the Student Advice Centre on Level 3 of the Students’ Union.
Steaphan Greene Wikipedia
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Palosirkka Wikipedia
Myers Briggs Type Indicator: Just another
horoscope, or more accurate than you think? Connie Coombs
We’ve all been down the Buzzfeed rabbit hole, mindlessly scrolling through quiz after quiz to find out what our cheese selection reveals about what animal we are in bed (I’m a jellyfish), or what colour we should dye our hair based on our designer fashion choices (smoky blue). I’m a Leo, born in the year of the rat, which means that I’m optimistic, stubborn, and love to gossip. This happens to be true, but I refuse to believe there’s any genuine accuracy in personality tests. If you read my last piece in Features, I have realised I can sort of do science. To prove it, I did a kind of scientific experiment where I took the Myers Briggs test, and then compared it with the polar opposite result, to see which one had personality traits that I actually possessed. Highly scientific, I know. A brief history of the Myers Briggs test: the ladies who created it accidentally applied Jungian psychology to determine what personality types people had. Upon
realising that Jung a) already existed, and b) was more scientific than their original tests, they tweaked the formula and created the final Myers Briggs test, which ranks you on spectrums of extraverted vs introverted, sensing vs intuitive, thinking vs feeling and judging vs perceiving. With sixteen different types, it at least feels a little more rational than zodiac signs. As it turns out, I’m an ENFP (extroverted, intuition, feeling, perceiving), which means I’m curious, energetic, and friendly. I also have poor practical skills, find it difficult to focus, and I’m independent to a fault. Curious and friendly I’ll accept as true - I like knowing stuff, and I’m what my gran calls a ‘chatty Cathy’. Energetic, I am not. Maybe that’s the Leo in me. As for my flaws, I think it’s fair to blame the practical skills and the lack of focus on my probable dyspraxia and my ADHD, but maybe I’m just being cynical. Famous ENFPs include Keira Knightley, Robert Downey Junior, and Robin Williams, and I can’t really believe that I have anything in common with any of them. The polar opposite of my type is
ISTJ (introverted, sensing, thinking, judging), whose traits include being honest, direct, dutiful and calm, and whose flaws include being stubborn, insensitive, and judgmental. I’m inclined to agree that I don’t really fit the strengths of ISTJ, but I do have a pretty strong sense of duty. I’m also stubborn and judgmental, and I often blame myself unreasonably (another fault of ISTJs). Famous ISTJs include Jeff Bezos and Sigmund Freud; I’ve chosen to agree that I’m definitely not an ISTJ. I asked fellow Forge Press editor Tom what his type was, given he swears to the accuracy of his. He’s an ENTP, described as ‘The Debater’. In his words, the type describes an ‘argumentative individual’: “Debaters are also likely to break rules they disagree with, and honestly, if there’s a mandatory lecture that I don’t agree I have to go to, then I won’t. Famous people that share my personality type are Celine Dion, Tyrion Lannister, Dr. Emmett Brown, Mark Twain, and Thomas Edison, and I reckon I have a lot in common with them. A few of a Debater’s strengths are that
they’re original, a quick thinker, and charismatic and without coming across as too narcissistic; I see these traits to some degree in myself. A debater’s flaws are that they’re incredibly argumentative (my friends could attest to this being true for myself), they find it tricky to focus – hence why I leave deadlines so last minute – and are intolerant. I don’t want to sound too cruel or as if I’m really so eager to label myself as intolerant, but there’s many a person in this universe I don’t have ANY time for. With astrology, everything is sourced from the planet and stars, things that existed completely separate from us before our existence (I guess? I’m not an educated and qualified physicist); so to base personalities off of entities that are mostly separate from our everyday lives doesn’t convince many. There’s no ludicrous explanation as to why we behave these ways, the personality types focus on the what we are and don’t get bogged down with the why or how. Therefore, regardless of if these types are genuine, there’s a lack of red flags that suggest we shouldn’t
trust what these personality types say about us.” A better test is arguably the Big 5, which consists of five key traits: openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism (sometimes referred to as emotional stability). The scale for each trait ranges from 0-100, meaning it’s likely to be more accurate than binary tests like Myers Briggs. There are still issues with it; no one will get a totally accurate breakdown of their personality after answering fifty questions. Longer quizzes exist, but it seems like you have to pay for them. At the end of the day, my real issue with personality tests is the pointlessness of them all. By the time you’re at university, you should have some idea of who you are. Your time here will be spent figuring out your likes, dislikes, dreams, and hopes. Personality tests are fun, and a great way to procrastinate, but they probably won’t tell you anything you don’t already know. That being said, I’m grateful for Buzzfeed for always being there to let me know what Lush bath bomb I am.
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Features
Taking advantage: international student scams Stela Marinova Gineva
In 2017, there were nearly half a million international students studying at universities in the UK. Culture shock, time zones, and convoluted visa processes are just some of the things these students have to deal with on top of the stress which can come with living away from home for the first time. To add to an already overwhelming situation, elaborate scams aimed at international students are preying on their vulnerability. New arrivals may be unfamiliar with this country’s laws and procedures, while others may be concerned about their immigration status, making them an easy target for scammers. A typical example of a phone scam would be receiving a call from someone pretending to work for the Home Office. They may have information about the student, including their name, address, and course. They use this to establish legitimacy and then ask the student to pay a fine for a made-up offence. This is often done through a company such as Western Union, which makes it difficult to trace any transfers. There are a number of variations of this, but the end result is similar across the board; the victim ends up being conned out of a substantial amount of money. In some cases, this is money that would have gone towards tuition fees or rent.
As a result, victims can often find themselves in a precarious financial situation. Llinos Charles-Williams, Welfare Officer at the English Language Teaching Centre in Sheffield, said: “These scams are becoming more frequent and are increasing in scale with regards to the number of students targeted and the amount of money involved. Claiming to be credible authority figures, scammers coerce students into giving personal passwords and bank details, and often leave them feeling silenced - actively discouraging them from seeking further support, or controlling how this is done as part of the scam.” Sarah Woods, Welfare Advisor from the Student Advice Centre at the Sheffield University Student Union, agreed with this, adding: “In the last couple of months I’ve personally advised three students that have been scammed.One gentleman lost £13,000.” Transferring large amounts of money through Western Union may not seem like something any of us would do, but scammers can be persuasive. Speaking about a particular case involving a female student, Ms Woods said: “The person was just so insistent and kept coming up with things about why she couldn’t put the phone down, and afterwards, she realised quite quickly she made a mistake.” The student in question was kept
on the phone for hours and even missed an important meeting as a result. So how can students avoid falling victim to these scams? There are a number of red flags to look out for. “Immigration, police, your bank, are never going to ask you to transfer cash. They’re never going to ask you for your personal banking details or that kind of information on a phone. If someone is asking you for that, that should ring alarm bells,” Ms Woods said. The best thing to do would be to take the caller’s details, put down the phone, and make an appointment to speak with someone at the Student Advice Centre. They will be able to assess whether the request is genuine. Do not transfer any money over Western Union in the meantime. If a scammer has your personal information, it is best to refrain from confirming that the details they’ve got are correct. “Just because they’ve got some of your personal information doesn’t mean they are who they say they are,” Ms Woods added. If you have fallen for a scam, the first step would be to report it both to the university and Action Fraud. Action Fraud is an organisation which collects fraud reports and passes them on to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau for further investigation. There is advice and support available through the university.
The best thing to do would be to take the caller’s details, put down the phone, and make an appointment to speak with someone at the Student Advice Centre The security team at the university is working closely with local police and will be able to liaise with them on your case. At the time of writing, Ms Woods was not aware of anyone who’d recently reported a scam getting their money back. “At the moment, I don’t think the police are as good at combating it as other criminal activity, because it is on the web and you can’t trace the perpetrators as easily,” Ms Woods said. If a student finds themselves in a vulnerable financial situation as a result of a scam, the university may be able to assist them, but this is assessed on a case by case basis. The university’s priority would be to ensure that the student can continue their studies. Although these particular scams
seem to be aimed at international students, no one is immune. Ms Woods said: “We’ve seen home students get involved in scams. We’ve had people been conned into opening accounts for people, so being scammed is becoming a general public issue.” If you’d like to be proactive and protect yourself, a good place to learn about common scams and how to spot them in general is TakeFive. Their interactive website has information on phone, e-mail, online, and other scams. There are also quizzes where you can test your ability to ascertain whether a text or email is genuine.
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Features
Jess Murray
Is veganism harmful to the planet? Matthew Prestage
Veganism is a fast growing trend which has gained a huge following over the last few years, largely thanks to its popularisation through social media, and supermarket chains catering more and more to the tastes of those who consider themselves to be vegan. The reasons for becoming a vegan are many and varied, but the most quoted include ‘it’s healthy’ and ‘it’s good for the environment’. There’s no doubt that there are health benefits which come from living a vegan lifestyle, but it’s the second of the two arguments which is the central theme of this article, for the simple reason that being vegan may not be as environmentally friendly as one may think. Let me clear something up at the offset: veganism is good for the environment. That is beyond question. However, as with most things, it’s not as simple as flicking a switch, becoming vegan and allowing a little green corner of the planet to breathe a sigh of relief. Eating a vegan diet comes with its own risks. Before getting into those, though, I’d like to clarify a few reasons why being a vegan is so eco friendly. The main reasons revolve around reducing
the food industry’s dependence on animal farming. Mass livestock farming produces a huge amount of greenhouse gases and is responsible for the destruction of habitats and the resultant loss of animal species. The advantages are obvious, and that’s before we’ve even started on water use, acidification and all those other things you learned about in GCSE Geography. In short, it’s all about land; the less land taken up by farming animals, the better. But here’s the snag: what replaces the meat and dairy products that vegans are no longer eating? Instagram will tell you that the diet is supplemented by what appears to be 90 per cent avocados. That seems like a good place to start. For all their advantages, eating avocados can be far more harmful to the world than they seem to be. Kenya banned the exporting of avocados earlier this year due to excessive demand, and the massive surge in the popularity
of the fruit has driven the price up to almost unaffordable levels. This is also the case in Australia and Mexico, where the demand for
avocados has reached crippling heights. Additionally, in order to meet this demand, avocados are being shipped from all over the world, and for every mile they travel, the environment suffers further due
to the greenhouse gas emissions (the reduction of which was the point of eating avocados in the first place). That case study of avocados may not seem to be too far reaching but the basic message is important: managing what you eat is not as effective as managing where what you eat comes from. It is no good eating exclusively vegetables if they have been shipped from across the world to get to you. That being said, it is particularly difficult in the UK to maintain c o n s t a n t production of vegan foods all year round, as most foods are seasonal. In order to keep up with the demand, the usage of pesticides and insecticides (back to GCSE Geography) must be increased, which introduces a brand-new problem: without grazing animals to help maintain the cyclical path of nutrients through the environment, the soil and associated plantlife suffers. To eliminate farming animals completely would put a great number
of natural habitats in serious danger of being filled up with chemicals and damaged beyond repair. Furthermore, not every area of the world where livestock is farmed is capable of converting to cropgrowing (African drylands is a prime example; cattle provide an income as well as food, and are an essential part of many people’s survival). Therefore, a global conversion to the more environmentally friendly crop option is not only difficult, it’s actually not what we should be aiming for. Such a move would waste land which cannot be used for anything other than cattle and the results of such a drastic change would have widespread consequences, both environmentally and economically. Perhaps then a middle ground could be a more inclusive diet. A reduced consumption of meats and dairy products, certainly, but not a total elimination of those foodstuffs from the diet. Assuming the meat and dairy is locally sourced, there is no need to feel guilty about not turning vegan. Those of us who don’t feel that lifestyle suits our needs have another option, that of reduction rather than rejection. While veganism is the perfect path to a greener life for some, it does not have to be the only route to a better, more organic world.
Opinion Opinion Editors Connie Coombs Matthew Hartill Welcome to the final issue of 2018! Congratulations, you’ve made it this far. As a reward, we have even more Donald Trump, as Mojama Fallah commemorates almost two years in charge for our least favourite chocolate orange. Talking of Christmas chocolates, we’ve got a double page spread (!) on the best and worst Christmas selection boxes. This may well be the journalistic equivalent of a Christmas family game of Monopoly - so, let battle commence… Have a lovely break and happy reading… Opinion x
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Trump: As he marks a controversial (almost) two years in charge, Mojama Fallah asks if we can expect more of the same? Mojama Fallah
US President Donald Trump is no stranger to hate and criticism in the media, often for good reason. Recently, he received criticism for missing the Armistice Day commemoration in France because of the rain, or as the White House so elegantly put it “scheduling and logistical difficulties caused by the weather”. This was disappointing but not surprising; Trump has been president for almost two years and behaviour like this for him is normal. Like many, I was upset and frankly quite worried when he took office almost two years ago. He doesn’t seem to grasp the full extent and demand of politics and only seems to care about himself (and white Republicans). Looking back now I can’t help but wonder if he has accomplished anything substantial, apart from offending almost everybody and maintaining his impressive tweeting rate? During the confirmation hearings
for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham (South Carolina) said in a message to Trump: “You do some things that drive me crazy. You do some great things.” However, I don’t fully agree with this statement. Trump has done many things that were
thoughtless and damaging, like pulling the US out of the Paris Climate Change Agreement and moving the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Both actions have received heavy criticism from politicians and citizens in America and around the world. Moreover, one constant with Trump seems to be he doesn’t realise the severity of some
domestic issues. When asked to comment on situations like gun control or race issues he always tries to make the situation about something else and blame a socalled liberal elite. However, he deserves credit for beginning conversations with Kim Jong-un, with a view to end North Korea’s nuclear weapons programme. This was the first ever meeting between the leaders of the US and North Korea. He also claims to have helped the US economy massively and reduce unemployment - although he does tend to claim a personal victory for things that have little or nothing to do with him. In my opinion, Trump has a long way to go before he can be considered a good or even adequate president - and if the next half of his term is anything like the first, I won’t be holding my breath. Image credit: Official White House Facebook page
Exams? Ben Gomes gives them a fail Ben Gomes
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Stress levels rise, deadlines loom and flashcard demand surges: Sheffield students prepare themselves for the first exam period of the academic year. But, as everyone no doubt laments at some point during their revision, what’s the point? Have exams become futile? It’s a system we all know and understand but perhaps one we’ve outgrown. Is there still life in the timed essay, the two-hour multiple choice, the stats test? Without doubt this tried and tested method has its pros and we cannot simply dismiss it outright. The questions are written
by experts in their field and focus on a syllabus that is designed to give a breadth and depth of knowledge to gain a full understanding of the module. The idea that EVERYTHING cannot come up but ANYTHING can may frustrate us all but it encourages all-round comprehension, which surely is the end goal for all subjects? Nevertheless, there is a school of thought that suggests exams are not the solution for all subjects – and I am inclined to agree. Different subjects require different skills and therefore it makes sense to assess them differently. After all, can an English student really be adjudged to have a first-class understanding of Shakespeare based on a two-hour
essay under exam conditions? No, they cannot. The truth is essaybased subjects are, by nature, open and expressive and surely added time restraints hinder expression rather than encourage it? It makes more sense for these modules to be assessed by other means such as coursework or presentations than by exams – as some are, but many more should be. The crux of assessment for any subject should be to determine the level of understanding and competence a student has in their particular field. Therefore, if there are different ways to accurately assess different modules then surely it makes sense to use them.
Ultimately, exams are not futile. They are still a very adept way of measuring ability, but not for everyone. For subjects where the requirement is a broad understanding, I believe there should be assessments that match this better, such as research projects or presentations. Though they may seem hellish, exams are not dead and surely won’t be for some time, yet perhaps their usefulness is starting to fade. Good news? Well, this will just mean more coursework deadlines to contend with… The pain never really goes away, does it?
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Christmas Cheer!
Which chocolates are for your favourite family members only and what do you give to the weird cousins? Heroes Jordan Sollof
Celebrations Danny Lardner
Celebrations are the perfect Christmas chocolate box and there’s nothing anyone can say to change it. How can you say that a selection that includes Maltesers, Twix, and two types of Galaxy chocolate doesn’t deserve to be at the heart of any self-respecting family’s Christmas spread? Even the colour scheme - the stunning red and gold combination that completely typifies the festive spirit - earns it a special place in the heart of everyone Roses are with any kind of standards. for people Indeed, who go to Celebrations Roar every triumph over lesser Wednesday alternatives such as and eat Quality Street (only the third best street tuna in the in the UK, behind IC Coronation and Benefits) and, in particular, Roses. Who even buys Roses? Psychopaths, that’s who. Roses are for people who go to Roar every Wednesday and eat tuna in the IC. Your creepy uncle Clive? He likes Roses. Don’t forget, the year after Cadbury’s brought Roses into the world, World War 2 began. You can’t tell me that’s not a coincidence.
I need some Heroes. I’m holding out for some Heroes ‘til the end of the night. Fudge, Eclairs, Dairy Milk, Dairy Milk Caramel, Wispa, Twirl and Creme Egg Twisted. These are the sweet treats that make up the greatest tin of chocolates at Christmas time. The chocolate tastes so good and we all know and love Cadbury, therefore you can’t go wrong with Heroes. There are no ludicrous chocolates with names
like Vanilla Fudge, Coconut Éclair or Honeycomb Crunch, because these are found in the immensely inferior Quality Street tin. Heroes are superior in every way. The Quality Street tin is shaped like I need some an octagon. Heroes. I’m Why? From holding out for the names of their some Heroes chocolates ‘til the end of to the the night s h a p e of their packaging, Quality Street is far too complicated, and don’t get me started on the very questionable taste of the so-called ‘treats’ inside. Heroes for the win!
Quality Street Chloe Dervey
Regardless of the purple sweet situation,Quality Street is handsdown the best Christmas chocolate tin. The fact that Celebrations has Twix in there immediately kicks that out of the competition - at least you can purposefully give the purple one to a family member you don’t like and there’s some impact behind it. Offer them a Twix and your intent is just ambiguous. There’s a Quality Street for every mood! Too much chocolate? Strawberry Dream. Jaws of steel? Toffee Penny. Queen’s speech
snack? The blue one, which I’m sure changes its contents every year; the fun literally never stops. Plus, even if you leave the wrappers all over the living room floor, the colours look pretty reflecting the lights from the Cchristmas Ttree. Come on. Stop being a square. Be an octagon. The clue’s in the name, folks!
Come on. Stop being a square. Be an octagon. The clue’s in the name, folks!
Opinion
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People who like the chewy caramel ones in Quality Street and Roses are bad, bad people. They push in queues, clap at the end of films and communicate using memes. Anyway, I’ve ranked their favourite “chocolates” from least worst to worst. Alex Brotherton. If we Brits are passionate about anything at Christmas, it’s an underdog. So, find a place in your heart this festive period for these chocolate misfits
I want to start by saying that Roses are perfectly adequate, - and while this may seem like an odd line to open a defence of said chocolates with… hear me out. Let’s be honest, Roses are no-one’s favourites. Frankly, I couldn’t even name you a single one of their sweets except, maybe… caramel barrel? But, it is this very thing, if nothing else, that means they wholeheartedly
The soft Brexit of caramel chocolates. You didn’t want it but it’s sort of okay. Ish.
Caramel Bite (Roses)
Better consistency, crunchy, but has a weird taste. Too much palm oil perhaps, Cadbury?
Toffee Deluxe (Quality Street)
Roses Matthew Hartill
Caramel (Roses)
Deluxe on the same level as Lidl’s mature Blue Stilton. No thanks. deserve to be defended to the last. Roses are totally innocuous, and perfectly passable if you’re down to your last tin in the dark days of early 2019. They lack the big names of Celebrations, the star quality of Heroes and the bizarre colour scheme of Quality Street, but if we Brits are passionate about anything at Christmas, it’s an underdog. So, find a place in your heart this festive period for these chocolate misfits... and say it with Roses.
Toffee Finger (Quality Street)
You’d been a naughty boy this year, but by the time Santa got to your house he’d run out of coal. So he filled your stocking with Toffee Fingers. Worst Christmas ever.
Toffee Penny (Quality Street)
I took one bite and all my teeth got pulled out. Now I’ll have to drink my Christmas dinner through a straw.
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Lifestyle Lifestyle Editors Amelia Shaw Harry Browse As Michael Bublé would say, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Now that Halloween and Bonfire night seem like distant memories, we’re here to make accepting the cold mornings and dark nights so much better. Winter can be a bit tough on the skin, but with two pages of skincare hints and tips, you’ll be glowing into the New Year. We also have a piece on the benefits of baking as university ramps up, and we need an escape from our studies. A review of Interval’s new menu will tickle those taste buds, and our recipe this issue is perfect for using up all the odds and ends from your cupboards as the end of the semester is in sight.
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Christmas Skincare Special To make sure your skin glows like a shiny bauble during the endless family parties, work-do’s and Christmas drinks, we have a compiled a skincare guide with all the tips and tricks you will need. We have advice on caring for your skin during the harsh winter, an ethical buying guide and an easy and effective guide for men.
Guilt-Free Gift Guide Vavi Maniichuk
Ever had a bad reaction to a cream you bought for your face? I sure have, and I’m pretty certain it’s due to the multitude of strong and abrasive chemicals found in most highstreet beauty products. Being born with sensitive skin and after having had too many unsightly reactions to harsh yet innocently disguised beauty products, I finally made the change to using fully organic and vegan products, that aren’t only friendly for my own skin, but also for the Earth. Because who wants to disfigure themselves or the planet?
“What about the money though?”
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I hear you scream. Have no fearthere’s something perfect for every type of student bank account out there. My personal favourites are Doctor Organics (which can be found in all its glory at Holland and Barrets) and Glossier (which is slightly pricier, as it’s shipped over from the USA where it’s made). Dr Organics can cover you from head to toe, literally. The cleanser that I use and has done wonders for my own skin is the Dead Sea Mineral (fig. 1) one. After every use I feel as if I’ve been reborn and my skin feels and looks as smooth and radiant as a rose from the Botanical Gardens. If you love the smell of roses (who doesn’t) Dr Organics also produces a luscious body lotion (fig. 2) that leaves your skin feeling very rosy and silky. And the best thing is? They don’t test on animals one bit! Glossier on the other hand not only makes beauty products, but also caters to the swiftly-expanding “nomakeup makeup” look. If you’ve seen their videos, you’ll know that
their aesthetic is minimalistic, and they are keen to make products that enhance your natural features rather than hide them. Their Milky Jelly cleanser (fig. 3) is non-fragranced, so perfect for those sensitive souls out there, and extremely gentle on the skin. They also have a great SPF that provides avid protection from those harmful UV rays. There are so many more great brands out there that are doing wonderful things not only for you but also for the environment. These include Natura Siberica, which makes items such as restorative shampoos like Oblepikha Nutrition & Repair for Weak and Damaged Hair (fig. 4), which is produced using Altai sea-buckthorn oil and Moroccan Argan oil, as well as Siberian flaxseed oil, Arctic rose, and snow cladonia, which all act together to help keep those locks deeply moisturized and healthy.
perfect for this Wintery time of the year when your skin needs some extra TLC after all the windbattering it’s subjected to on a daily basis. I could go on, but unfortunately, I don’t have much more space left. Before I end, w h a t should you avoid if you want to be kind to both yourself and our planet? The top offenders that still test on animals and include ingredients in their products that disrupt entire ecosystems include:
Lancôme
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There is also an old European brand called Weleda, which has its roots in the 1920s and only selects the highest quality of natural, sustainably-sourced ingredients for their wide beauty range. Catering to all skin-types, Weleda will cover your whole body and face, and its rich creams (fig. 5) will be sure to rehydrate tired and thirsty skin –
Being owned by L’Oréal, not only do they test their products on animals, but they are yet to remove micro beads from their exfoliating products, which are small enough to end up in the Earth’s waterways and cause lasting damage to sea life. One product can contain as many as 360,000 beads! If you’re struggling to find a safe alternative to your current exfoliator, look for products with natural, biodegradable beads that come from jojoba, apricot kernels, ground nutshells, coffee granules and salt;
Clinique
As much as I love Clinique, it still unfortunately tests on animals. This is because it is sold in mainland China, where brands have the responsibility to test all their products on animals if they are to stay in line with the law there;
Chanel
Although the details surrounding their take on animal testing are a mystery to those not in the know, it’s likely that Chanel is far from cruelty-free, because so many of its products are sold in mainland China;
Sephora Collection
Sephora’s own brand still also tests on animals, but if you’re finding it hard to part with their brand, you can find good comparable options from e.l.f., NYX and Wet n Wild. Remember to treat not only yourself and your skin well, but also your environment - buy green, save the polar bears!
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Lifestyle
Brrr-illiant Winter Skincare Eve Thomas
The arrival of winter signifies a host of exciting events: Christmas, New Year, and the holidays, to name but a few; however, amongst all the enjoyment, our skin seems destined to suffer. Even those of us with the healthiest dermatology feel the drop in humidity, which dehydrates the skin, making it feel tight and sometimes sore. As if the weather could not wreak enough damage the festive season marks a shift in our eating habits, affecting your hormonal balance. Who can say no to another roastie? Christmas might mean that you get to break all the rules (after all, calories don’t count at Christmas) but there’s one fundamental, ageold rhetoric which, for the sake of your dermatological health, you might want to abide by: hydration.
The cold winter air will inevitably dry your skin out and chap your lips but if you can fit in some glasses of water between the Egg Nog, mulled wine and champagne, your skin will thank you for it. The festive season is quite rightly a period of alcoholinduced merriness, but as the toxins build up, your essential nutrients drop, worsened by the additional dehydration that alcohol causes. Parties are a Christmas obligation, but if you want to keep your skin at its best, it’s not just on Christmas Eve that you’ll need to be tucked up nice and early; your skin repairs and regenerates when you enter deep sleep, so extended periods of partying might just be at the expense of your vanity. Try and achieve a balance between the wild nights out and the cosy nights in: hot drinks around a roaring fire can hold just as much appeal. No one can judge you for enjoying
the selection boxes which circle at Christmas, but stopping once you hit double figures will be to your benefit. Whilst calories don’t count at Christmas, your sugar intake does. Sugar causes inflammation in the body, promoting glycation of collagen fibres: in other words, your skin becomes less firm. Additionally, your sugar intake affects your insulin levels, which in turn impacts your hormonal balance, wreaking havoc on your skin. Most people abide by a regular skin routine which works for them, but whether you use every product under the sun, or you prefer a basic cleanse and moisturise, you may need to adjust your regime in accordance with the weather. One recommendation is that you use a more intense moisturising cream, rather than a lotion and try adding an oil to your bath to switch off damaging stress hormones and
hydrate your skin. We eat what we like at Christmas, but if you’re serious about looking after your skin, you can remember the basic ideas behind the relationship between diet and dermatology. A balanced diet is ideal for all areas of health, but if you’re particularly acne-prone, dermatologists recommend lowfat, whole foods, avoiding hormoneladen dairy products, meats (sorry turkey-lovers!) and chocolate. The festive season may not make such discipline easy, but limiting your intake of troublesome foods will reduce the risk of breakouts. The festive season is far more about enjoying yourself in your own skin than worrying the state of said skin; however, acne, dry-skin or tightness shouldn’t be allowed to spoil your mood. Moisturise regularly, and with a more intense product if necessary, follow a trusty
skin-care routine, drink more water than alcohol and indulge yourself only within reason to keep your skin healthy in the winter season and to make Christmas just that bit more magical.
If you’re particularly acne-prone, dermatologists recommend low-fat, whole foods, avoiding hormone-laden dairy products, meats (sorry turkey-lovers!) and chocolate.
Essential Men’s Skincare Vavi Maniichuk
Let’s face it; a lot of men don’t know how to do skincare. The myriad exfoliators, toners, cleansers and moisturisers available can feel a little overwhelming. Here is our easy and effective skincare guide.
Drink Water!
The easiest, cheapest and best thing you can do for your skin is to keep it hydrated. You should be drinking at least 2 litres of water every day; that’s between 8 and 10 glasses of water or 3 and a half pints. There is no product you can buy that will be better for your skin than keeping suitably hydrated.
Take care of what else you put into your body
Using a £50 bottle of exfoliator or toner isn’t going to mean a thing if 98% of the time you’re shovelling junk into your body. If you eat a lot of fatty, oily, or greasy food, this is going to have an adverse affect on your skin, especially if you already
have oily skin. If you drink a lot of alcohol, this is also not going to be conducive to having food skin. The same goes for smoking and other *ahem* substances.
Exfoliate
Using an exfoliating scrub is one of the easiest things you can do to give yourself better skin. It deeply cleanses your pores and clears the deepest parts of your skin of dirt and excess oil. It also purges dead skin cells, which will keep you looking younger for longer. Finally, it opens your pores, enabling whatever other skin products you use to be more effective. However, don’t exfoliate every day. Some of my favourite affordable exfoliators are the Bulldog range (made for men, and they do a specific one if you have oily skin) and the St. Ives range, which has a lovely peachy cleanliness. My favourite, although a little pricier, is by French company called Compagnie de Provence and it’s also 60% off at the moment.
Splash some cold water on your face
After your shower, splash some very cold water on your face. This closes your pores, meaning that all of the dirt and pollution you come into contact with every day isn’t going to get as deep into your skin as it would without doing so. This step is especially important if you live in a city where there is a large amount of traffic (car fumes are awful for your skin) or general urban pollution. If you’re a real badass, just make the last 30 seconds of your shower cold—that’ll wake you up.
Moisturise (if you want)
The jury is still kind of out on whether or not moisturising is actually doing anything for your skin long-term. However, there’s no feeling quite like stepping out of the house and feeling a gust of wind on a freshly moisturised face. Especially now, in winter, your skin is more likely to dry out, so it’s definitely not a bad idea.
Don’t be afraid of a little makeup
No matter how well you take care of your skin, it’s natural that every now and again you might have a breakout, or have that one spot that just won’t quit. In this scenario, I use a little bit of concealer—I have multiple male friends who do this. I also occasionally dab a little under my eyes to cover up the signs of a bad night’s sleep. Delving into the world of makeup can feel like a daunting task, but there’s nothing emasculating about walking into Boots and asking for a little advice from someone who knows what they’re doing. After all, it is 2018.
And there you have it. Taking care of your skin doesn’t have to be a difficult, costly or time-consuming task.
18
Lifestyle
Review: Interval David Anderson
Interval Kitchen & Bar rebranded over the summer with a new look and a new menu. Five members of the Forge Press team were invited down to check it out, and here they tell us all about what’s changed. If you heard about Interval’s fancy rebrand over the summer, it was probably because of the the controversial removal of their famous potato wedges from their menu. I won’t pretend I wasn’t disappointed by this move; in many ways Interval’s wedges have been the cornerstone to my university existence so far. So, when Forge Press were invited to take a rare venture away from our Media Hub in the Students’ Union and pop downstairs to taste the new menu, I was already harbouring a little hostility towards the place.
Sure, their new look was clean and stylish, but they’d taken something dear from me and it hurt. When we arrived in Interval, sat down and properly examined what was now on offer, my apprehension did alleviate slightly. There was a clear Italian theme to the dishes on offer, with pastas, pizzas, calzones and salads being the basis for the main courses, but the variety was exciting. From beef ragu and quinoa to sweet potato and wild mushroom, plenty of ingredients immediately caught my eye, and all dishes were reasonably priced at around £5-7. The lack of sandwiches and wraps (and wedges…) was disappointing, but indicative of the change in direction Interval are going in with their new brand. Instead, lighter dishes were offered in the form of various ‘Small Plates’, including pizza fries, mixed olives and arancini (a kind of fried rice ball). These ‘Small Plates’ range from £2.50 to £3.95 (or three for £10 if you’re sharing with friends – or just feeling hungry).If these don’t fill you up enough, the desert menu was also
Pasta Bake Steps 1. 2.
3.
The
Cookbook
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Emily Evans
The easiest way to make a meal out of the leftovers that you have in your cupboard or fridge, is a pasta bake. This recipe has ingredients which I generally have at the end of the week, so if yours differs, that’s okay! That’s the best thing about it- it’s interchangeable. These measurements make two meals.
Ingredients 200g pasta 1 chicken thigh 1 or 2 rashes of bacon A hand full of tomatoes Half a pepper Half an onion Olive oil Salt and pepper Paprika
5.
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8. 9.
Pre-heat the oven to 180ºC. Boil the pasta in a saucepan just before it’s cooked. Then put into an oven dish. Chop the chicken thigh, bacon, onion, pepper and tomato into bite size pieces. Add some olive oil in a frying pan on a medium heat. Put the chicken into the pan until cooked through. Add the bacon, pepper and onion until all cooked through, then add to the oven dish with the pasta. For the cheese sauce, add the milk into a saucepan along with the flour and butter. Turn on the heat onto a medium temperature, and stir continuously until the butter melts and the flour disappears. The mixture will soon thicken – keep stirring for 3-4 minutes, then add the cheese till it melts. Pour the sauce into the oven dish and stir all the ingredients together, along with a tablespoon of paprika. Once stirred, put the chopped tomatoes over the top, with a sprinkle of salt and pepper. If you like, a little more grated cheese can be sprinkled over the top to create a crunchy texture. Put in the oven for 8-10 minutes, till it looks golden brown. Enjoy!
pretty sweet. The selection included brownie stacks, locally made vegan ‘scoffingtons’, and even two sweet calzones – with apple strudel and banana and chocolate fillings. So, it might not be the menu you’re used to, but overall the range of ambitious dishes persuaded me that Interval have stepped up a gear this year. And, with a variety of vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options to choose from, they’ve catered for everyone. Below, four of my fellow editors and I pick out our favourite dishes from the new menu.
James Pendlington’s Pick:
Fiorentina Pizza. The Fiorentina pizza was a delight. A delicious pizza compromising olives, red onion, spinach, and a baked egg in the centre. Eating it made you forget that you were in cold, rainy Sheffield and submersed you in a warm Tuscan summer’s evening with a view of the Duomo in the last light of the day. Either that or my drink was stronger than I thought.
David Anderson’s Pick:
Beef Ragu. It felt weird being in Interval and not eating pizza or wedges, but the Beef Ragu silenced any doubts I had about the kitchen’s new menu. The slow-cooked beef melted in the mouth. Served on a generous base of linguini, it is the perfect hearty meal to warm you up on a cold winter’s night.
Luke Baldwin’s Pick:
Spicy Seitan Pizza. Being vegan can be difficult, especially when it comes to pizza. The cheese doesn’t melt properly, and the toppings are usually a dull array of roast veg. But not here. Interval’s vegan mozzarella is just like the real thing and there certainly isn’t anything boring about its toppings of rocket, tzatziki, red onion and seitan. A wonderful Mediterranean medley for vegans and omnivores alike!
Sophie Maxwell’s Pick:
Interval Dough Sticks. Interval have now jumped on the bandwagon of attempting to rebrand the beloved doughnut. Their new sugar-coated
dough sticks are the long lost cousin of churros. They’re accompanied by chocolate fudge and salted caramel sauces and served on a wooden board for extra Interval edge. They’re sugary, warm and plentiful. The dipping sauces are welcomed, reviving the simple dough and adding an element of choice. They’re the perfect sharing desert. The only thing you have to worry about is double dipping.
David Craig’s Pick:
Scoffingtons. My previous encounter with vegan desserts was a rather tasteless set of brownies made with sweet potato (gross). Needless to say, I was sceptical about Interval’s new Scoffington cakes, but much to my surprise they are one of the best treats I’ve had in recent memory. I’m aware that it’s a somewhat controversial ingredient, but personally I thought the coconut topping was sublime. Meanwhile, the cake was sweet, rich and delicious, while never feeling too sickly. But the most delicious ingredient? Moral superiority.
Cooking too stressful? Try baking! Sophie Elwin
As a member of BakeSoc committee, I’m obviously a fan of baking and all things sweet. I bake because I love the taste of homemade goodies and it does relieve stress for me too (as well as sometimes being a source of stress if your cake isn’t rising quite the way you want it to…). But what about for others? What is it about baking that makes it such a popular past time? Why are we as a nation obsessed with all things baking and bake-off? When I got the chance to write something about baking and all things BakeSoc it seemed a good idea to do a bit of research into why we bake, why it relieves stress and why it’s just a fab hobby! Starting with baking being a great way to express creativity, according to a scientist at Boston University, baking allows creative expression which is huge benefit to our well-being. There has been a lot of research on the connection between mental well-being and having a creative outlet of some form. The scientist also mentioned that baking is a brilliant way to try something new and just let loose a little bit. I think it’s also interesting to note here the differences between baking and cooking. While I love baking, my love doesn’t quite extend to cooking. Cooking some pasta with
tomato sauce is pretty much all I can be bothered to do and I know I’m not alone in this (thinking of our social sec Katie here!). In my brief research I found out that many people prefer baking, or at least enjoy it more than cooking because it’s not a task that has to be done. We cook because we need to eat dinner; it’s pretty much just a daily chore. Baking is something you choose to do because you want to do it. Baking potentially also allows for more self-expression and creativity than cooking, for example with decoration. Back to stress though- does baking actually help relieve stress? We know it does in the sense of allowing creativity, which can support wellbeing, but perhaps there is some more evidence out there. According to a Huffington Post article, baking is proven to reduce stress and increase happiness. This is because, according to a psychologist, “Baking requires a lot of full attention, you have to measure ingredients specifically and focus physically on different tasks”. This helps you to forget about the stressful aspects of life and encourages you to be present, you can’t bake well if you’re focusing on what needs to be done next week instead of what needs to go in the bowl in front of you! This idea that baking can help with stress, anxiety and sadness is supported by the GBBO winner of
2012, John Whaite, who mentioned that baking helped him cope with his depression. So, from this rather short and slightly rambly article, I think there’s some decent evidence to suggest that baking acts a perfect creative outlet as well as acting as a great reducer of stress. Here at BakeSoc we reduce the stress even more by providing all the ingredients, recipes and equipment at our twice weekly baking sessionsall you need to do is turn up, have fun and go home with something delicious. If you’re interested in joining our fabulous society you can find out more information and a link to get membership on the SU website. We also post frequently on our facebook (University of Sheffield Bake Society). Hope to bake with you soon (especially since we have loads of exciting Christmas themed bakes coming up….!)
Are you part of a society which benefits or shapes your lifestyle in some way? We are showcasing the best societies for boosting mental and physical wellbeing. Get in touch!
A lot of people have certain ideas about disability. Disabled people are expected to look a certain way and act a certain way. The Disabled Students’ Committee is determined to challenge these stereotypes, and myths. Instead we want to highlight the diversity of disabled people, showing that every disabled person is different.
Art CafĂŠ Every Tuesday, Activities zone, 5pm - 7pm Free tea, coffee, cake, art and good chat. This is open to everyone.
Breaking the Barriers: A Discussion on Disabled People in Sport 27th November, SU Auditorium, 7:30pm - 9pm (Doors open at 7pm)
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Break Break Editor Robin Wilde ‘Tis the season to be jolly unless you’re a student. Remember, you may be getting full and sleepy by the fire this coming month, but after that, it’s going to be cold and exam-filled right up until February. There’s no escape, unless, like me, you do a criminally easy degree and only have to write one essay, leaving lots of free time to piss about with the student newspaper. You could use any Christmas money to get blind drunk and haze your way through your exams, but that’s probably not a smart idea - instead, get wired on energy drinks and don’t sleep for a month so you can panic-cram in the library. Just remember, whatever happens, Forge will always be here to provide mildly amusing distractions from the horror of reality. So sit back, put on a selection of irritating songs you wouldn’t tolerate during any other season, and fill your face with a plateful of honeyglazed Break.
Easy
snow white for us!
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Snowdoku Medium
Hard Relatable Christmas Content
“I loved you from the start ‘Cause Christmas ain’t the time for Breaking each other’s heart” Joey Ramone
licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 2.5 License. See: https://xkcd.com/license.html
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Break
Badvent Calendar
You people have had enough chocolate. To help you face down the overbearing cheer of the season, here’s an alternative calendar, charting December-based human misery and failure through the ages. You’ll thank me when you’re older.
December 1 1934: Assassination of Sergey Kirov leads Stalin to initiate the Great Purge. Over a million people are killed.
December 6 1917: A cargo ship carrying munitions crashes in Halifax, Nova Scotia. 2000 die in the subsequent explosion, and 10,000 are injured.
December 11
December 2
December 3
December 4
2001: Enron Scandal ends in the company’s bankruptcy. 15,000 employees lose most of their savings plan.
1999: Last contact with NASA’s Mars Polar Lander, as the $110m probe smashes into the planet’s surface.
1861: Jefferson Davis becomes first and only President of the Confederate States of America. Around 700,000 die in the ensuing Civil War.
December 7
December 8
December 9
1941: A surprise attack by Japanese aircraft on the US Navy base at Pearl Harbour leads to US involvement in World War II.
1922: Partition of Ireland leads to creation of Northern Ireland. Decades of civil and religious strife ensue.
1968: Douglas Engelbart demonstrates the first computer mouse, file sharing and hypertext, leading 35 years later to the creation of 4Chan.
2013: Death of Nelson Mandela at age 95. Millions mourn worldwide.
December 10 1907: Medical students in London riot against suffragettes over opposition to their right to vivisect animals. The Daily Express headline is “Medical Students Gallant Fight with Women”
December 12
December 13
2000: US Supreme Court hands Presidency to George W. Bush after a disputed election outcome in Florida. Green candidate Ralph Nader dodges responsibility.
1939: First naval battle of the Second World War takes place near the Falkland Islands. 108 sailors die.
December 16
December 17
December 18
December 19
December 20
1914: The Hipper Raids see German warships bombard English coastal towns including Hartlepool. They are driven back by dark magicks cast by Peter Mandelson.
1989: The Simpsons premiers on TV in the USA, delivering eight years of gold before descending into depressing sludge for two decades.
1777: The first celebration of Thanksgiving, cursing dysfunctional families down through the centuries with the need to spend time with people they loathe.
1967: Australia announces presumed death of Prime Minister Harold Holt, after he vanishes while swimming in the sea. He is honoured with a Melbourne swimming pool.
1955: Cardiff is recognised the capital city of Wales by Home Secretary Gwilym Lloyd George. Forge Press have contacted Swansea and Newport for a comment but they are yet to reply.
December 21
December 22
December 23
December 24
December 25
1972: Apollo 17 becomes the last manned mission to the Moon. Humanity subsequently loses all ambition.
1913: The first crossword puzzle is published in the New York World. Its existence blights puzzle section editors for years to come.
1965: A speed limit of 70mph is imposed on British motorways, and remains studiously observed by all drivers.
1972: 16 survivors of the Uruguayan Air Force 571 crash are rescued from the Andes, after surviving by cannibalism for 72 days.
December 14
December 5
1948: Invention of video games with the invention of the Cathode Ray Tube Amusement Device. 65 years later, Beyond: Two Souls is released to worldwide misery.
1969: Birth of our lord and saviour, king of kings, and God’s manifestation on Earth - former Labour leader Ed Miliband.
December 15 1960: Richard Pavlick is arrested for plotting to assassinate John F. Kennedy. Fortunately nobody tries that again.
1989: Romanian President Nicolae Ceaușescu and his wife, Elena, are shot to death live on TV, in an attempt to spice up our tired “Queen’s Speech” format.
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What’s on
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28 Nov - 14 Dec
Other Highlights:
battle of the bands Thursday 29 November 7pm - 11pm Foundry £5 advance £6 on the door
HSU Theatre: Can I Speak?
This annual inter-society competition shows off the best musicians that the university has to offer. The theme this year is “blast from the past”, so expect to hear some catchy retro tunes going head-to-head in the SU’s superb venue: The Foundry. It’s sure to be a lot of fun.
Film Unit: Venom Friday 30th November 7:30pm Nelson Mandela Auditorium
Friday 30th November Saturday 1st December 7pm - 10pm Hallam Union £8/£7 (concessions)
Although many critics didn’t like Tom Hardy’s latest superhero flick, that hasn’t stopped it from grossing well over $800 million worldwide. If you missed it when it first hit cinemas, Film Unit offer the perfect chance to see whether the reviewers were wrong about this one. Riz Ahmed and Michelle Williams fill out the supporting cast.
This play at the Sheffield Hallam Student Union sounds fascinating. A Euripides, Shakespeare, and Ibsen classic mashup with a contemporary twist, exploring the dark consequences of one man’s ignorance of his wife’s mental illness. Check it out!
£3.30
Christmas Time (mistletoe and wine)
Leeds Traditional Christmas Market
Chatsworth House at Christmas
Leeds Christmas Market is among the most famous in the country, offering an authentic German experience right in the city centre! This trip is the perfect opportunity to do
Get in the festive mood with this day trip to Chatsworth House, a beautiful stately home in the Derbyshire Dales. Be sure to check out the snazzy Christmas decorations and the huge maze to get thoroughly lost in. I’m sure it won’t be anything like The Shining, so don’t worry about that.
Sunday 2 December 11am - 6pm Departs outside Bar One £16.50/£11 (Res Life)
some early Christmas shopping, see a great northern city and enjoy a bratwurst sausage (other foods are available).
Credit: Theresa Knott
Saturday 8 December 10am - 6pm Departs outside Bar One £33/£27.50 (Res Life)
Christmas Origami Workshop 30 November, 7pm - 9pm Coffee Revolution £4.40 Beginners German Language Course 1 December, 10am - 4pm High Tor 4 (The Edge) £13.75/£11.55 (Res Life) Capoeira for Beginners 1 December, 3pm - 5pm Activity Room 1 (Goodwin Sports Centre) £3.30/£1.10 (Res Life) Learn Aromatherapy 5 December, 4:30pm - 6:30pm Gallery Room 4 (at the SU) £4.13/£1.93 (Res Life) Astrology Session 5 December, 6:30pm - 8:30pm View Room 6 (at the SU) £2.75/55p (Res Life) CR Events: Life Drawing 5 December, 7pm - 9pm Coffee Revolution £6.60 Bath Bomb and Bath Salt Making 6 December, 7pm - 9pm Coffee Revolution £5.50
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Spotlight
Society Spotlight BoardSoc
Luke Baldwin
The Board Game Society (BoardSoc for short) specialise in all things board games, as well as collectible card games. After recently receiving Society of the Week, we sit down with President Ollie Harris and Card Game Officer Nick Chapman to better understand this table top triumph. “We are the society that promotes general, modern board games and collectable card games like Yu-GiOh! and Magic: The Gathering. The main thing that we try and do is show how fun and different modern games can be and try to make them accessible for everyone at the University that wants to play and meet new people,” explains Ollie. “The first like proper modern board game I played was the Game of Thrones one, which was probably a bad idea because that game is quite difficult and long. I just liked Game
For a long time board games were the standard boring ones, monopoly or scrabble. Then at one point, around 20 years ago a lil ole game called Settlers of Catan came out
of Thrones and somehow managed to stick it out and then when I got to University, I decided to try out the society and realised ‘oh my god, there’s load of games and they’re all really good’.” It’s a similar story for Nick, who started playing at his secondary school’s board game club before continuing once he started Uni. “I think my favourite game is Magic, just because it’s the game I’ve played the longest and I’ve had so many good experiences with it,” he says. “To the point where I actually play competitively.” But it’s not all about professional competitive play, as Ollie delves into what game’s he enjoys. “My favourite at the moment, and I know lots of people will agree with me on this, is Meeple Circus which is a physical dexterity game where you have to stack little wooden figures like tigers and elephants and put them crazy situations to score the most points. Even better it’s all done to circus music.” Sheffield has quite the vibrant board game scene anyway, with venues like Treehouse Café and Patriot Games (where BoardSoc members can enjoy a 10 per cent discount), showing the industries transition from niche to mainstream. But what has seen this resurgence in board games, especially amongst people our age, in recent times? “It’s kind of a got caught in a positive feedback loop. For a long time board games were the standard boring ones, monopoly or scrabble. Then at one point, around 20 years ago a lil ole game called Settlers of Catan came out, which encouraged more people to get involved in the hobby, who then told their friends about it and got them buying games. More games got made, better games got made, more people got involved. It’s just grown and grown and grown to this point where most people at University have at least some experience with board games. I don’t know if the same has happened to
card games though? “I don’t know if they’ve got more or less popular or just sort of stayed the same but then again a lot of them are quite old. Magic is older than me. I think it helps that there are constantly new board games being released, thousands every year” replies Nick. This huge amount of releases comes a huge variety in types of games and theming available, many of which borrow from existing
been, that sort of thing”. But when most University household contain a Playstation or Xbox, many might not understand the value of a board game over any of the hundred of party video games available. “It’s hard to explain. It’s certainly a different atmosphere. It feels much more together I would say, almost like having a meal. If you’re sat playing a videogame, you’ll be sat in a line glued to a tv and maybe
Images: BoardSoc
IP’s with Ollie citing the Fallout game, based on the popular postapocalyptic video game series, as one example that has received considerable success. “Well you’ve got your social deduction games, those are always popular. It’s where you got a secret identity and you’re trying to figure out who’s who and whose on your team. You’ve got you’re strategy games, but they’re far more in depth than something like monopoly. There’s actual strategy involved. You’re building mexan temples…” “Or fighting with Vikings in the time of Valhalla,” chimes in Nick excitedly. “Exactly, there’s all sorts of themes. There’s one where one person is Jack the Ripper and the rest of the players are trying to track him down, investigating where he’s
just chat to the people next to you but that’s about it. If it’s a board game you’ll be at around talking to everyone. You have to be much more socially involved.” Nick adds: “With board games you’re almost forced to talk too, it’s an integral part of the game. Whereas a video game provides you with the visual and audio cues. You don’t even necessarily have to be in the same room.” Ollie explains another major difference between board games and other forms of modern entertainment, is it’s much more tactile. “There’s card to touch and little wooden things to hold and that’s just
something you don’t get with video games or watching films. It’s one of the things I love most about them.” “Another thing I love is it’s a really nice way to be social, you can put yourself into a completely different mindset if you’re playing a social game say like resistance you just become a terrible person who lies to everyone. That’s great, sometimes you just need to do that! Other games I really like the puzzle, it’s an interesting brain workout that makes you think in different ways. And I just love all the people I play with.” “I also like the social aspect, meeting new people, playing with new people and the other thing is the experience you get. Once you finish that game you have something to talk about like ‘wasn’t that bit really good or wasn’t it great when that happened’,” adds Nick. Ollie and Nick end the interview by agreeing that BoardSoc, and the people they’ve met there, has been the best part of their University experience. You can find BoardSoc on Facebook. They meet on Wednesday evenings and Saturday afternoons and encourage new people to pop down to the SU at those times to get involved. “We get new people all the time so were happy get some of the simpler games if you’re feeling intimidated,” they explain. “There’s a good variety of games so there’s probably something in there for everyone.”
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Arts Arts Editors Charly Hurrell Sophie Maxwell
Goodness, is this semester nearly over already? It feels as though only a couple of weeks ago we dove into our courses. But new beginnings are not over yet. New year is fast approaching, and everyone can start afresh. Why not make a new years resolution to see 10 theatre productions in Sheffield? Or take yourself to five new art galleries? Sheffield's filled with an abundance of opportunities, from festivals to riveting debates. Jump in! Get familiar with all that it offers. Even sooner is Christmas! Festive musicals and love stories not for the cold hearted are taking over the theatre scene. Below are two festive picks for you art enthusiasts. Have a wonderful artmas! Stay merry.
write for us!
THEATRE Made in Dagenham at Drama Studio
Edie McQueen
SUPAS’s latest musical is a testament to the professional potential of amateur theatre; Made in Dagenham teems with warmth and energy. Following the true story of the striking female workers of Ford Dagenham, the narrative hones in on the fictional Rita O’Grady. Played fantastically believable by Megan Armson, the play focuses on the struggles she
faces and overcomes, as a result of her fight for equal pay. The character’s fiery moments, slow slide to confidence, dual despair and love of her family are wonderful to watch, but the story really breathes through the likeability of all the factory women; a collection of mismatched, rounded characters. From boisterous, loudmouthed Beryl, impeccably played by Alice Robertson, to Martha Evans’s endearingly ditsy Clare, and Catherine Cooper’s stunning
The
Bookshelf A showcase of student creative writing
Editors’ Picks Kiss Me, Kate Kiss Me, Kate showing at the Crucible 7 December - 12 January promises to 'make your heart soar'. A romantic musical comedy following the lives of two divorcees sees chaos commence. With music from Cole Porter, including So In Love and Too Darn Hot, this can be only the best warm up to your carolling this Christmas.
Christmas Cracker
Christmas Cracker showing at The Lantern Theatre 10-15 December is set to be a quirky Christmas tale. Following the lives of two nurses who stumble upon plane tickets and venture to the Czech Republic, this production is set to take us on a voyage from the frosty streets of Hathersage. See their websites for further details.
Poem of the paper: On the Road to Newport by Emily Evans Serenity builds as it envelops me whole, Calm skating through my limbs. It’s a wonderful feeling, eternal and bold, Golden warm grass so dry now straw. Intertwined vines off trees, weave into My hands, spiral up my arms and neckI truly am at one with the land. We tootle on, Brandy and I Tiptoeing the cobbles, marching beside the dust. Gazing at the nearby farmers, a couple, Old and slow but perfectly content. The edges of my lips turn upwards, Home drawing nearer with each step.
Have you secretly been writing some rhythms? Get in touch with press.arts@forgetoday.com to get involved!
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vocals as Sandra, it is the female dynamics which drive and bind the musical. This is not to diminish the male performers, Kieran Jenkins delivering an uproarious performance as inept Prime Minister Harold Wilson, whilst Nathan Sloane’s pantomime villain, a beautifully detestable, love-tohate character, brings an edge of genuine anger to the audience, even eliciting an audible muttering of ‘I hate you’. Bursting with full cast musical numbers complete with gorgeous dance routines, it carries a traditional air despite its recency as a musical debut. A highlight is easily ‘This is America’, the perfect comic opening to Act Two – a special mention to the hotdog, who
is thoroughly unimpressed with America’s antics. The cast’s utter disregard of a spattering of technical issues is commendable, and in an odd way simply bolsters the themes of endurance and resilience the show foregrounds. The overwhelming take-away from the show is one of positivity and endurance; despite the moments of emotional stress, the characters battle on towards victory in an authentically moving climax, leaving the audience unable to leave the theatre without a huge grin on their faces.
SUPAS put on two shows per semester. The next show, Into the Woods, is on 6 and 7 December
STORY The Freeman Diary: Chapter Five Ryan Smith
The city flowed as normal. I walked around the block a few times in case anybody followed me. Once I felt safe, I moved towards Tower Block 5. I kept sunglasses on, feeling more foolish by the second. I stepped through the doors and saw there were no receptionists, only small touchscreens. I touched it and the screen changed. ‘State your business.’ Underneath were many options. I looked back in my folder to pull out the letter. On the bottom was a barcode, a fingerprint-like pattern. I held it against the screen and it changed again. ‘Freeman. Floor 6: Room 12, Seat 4’ I found the elevator and made sure to put my documents away again. I couldn’t risk anything. I turned the handle with the feeling of eyes on me. I felt more like a criminal than I ever had before – if only you knew how much dirty money flowed
through the rail systems. Inside, the room was shaped just like any other. At one side, adjacent to the door sat a wall-sized television, bigger than any I’d seen. The carpet, walls and chairs all had the smell of newness I’d known for years in the countless offices I’d frequented. Three people were already sat at the table. I sat down next to a woman with dark hair and took my coat off. A precise five minutes separated each individual’s entrance. And then he came in. There aren’t many men who scare me, yet this man had an aura of fear about him the minute he walked in the room. Every step screamed power. His eyes focused only on one thing at a time. That’s the power he had – even his eyes seemed to be controlled by him. He walked through the door followed by two men, clean shaven, not a hair out of place. The door was locked. He sat at the head of the table. Efficient. Confident. Terrifying. Those are the first few words I’d use to describe Jack Hanson.
The story continues in our next issue out on 21 February
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Arts
THEATRE
Image: National Theatre
The Madness of King George III
at Nottingham Playhouse Fatima Sheriff
In a new age of accessible and hilarious theatre, this reincarnation of Alan Bennett’s play The Madness of King George III hits all the right notes. Mark Gatiss’ leading performance as the deteriorating monarch shows him capable of stunning live audiences and his brilliant supporting cast build up his network of obsequious servants, loyal and disloyal. Though on face value a historical play, which is unusual for Bennet’s usual Northern working-class ventures (see the Sheffieldbased History Boys) the script still has his trademark wit and social commentary woven into the precarious politics of 19th century England. With the primary focus on the king’s health, Bennet draws attention to the flaws in the royalist
THEATRE
monster. at Drama Studio
April Curtin
The horror show begins before we’ve even taken our seats. Walking from the lobby to the theatre we are greeted by emotionless ghost girls holding plates of gravy-smothered chicken legs. It’s well past tea time and even for those who haven’t eaten - it’s enough to make you lose your appetite. The audience is quick to move away from the ghosts and into their seats. A school boy and girl, Annie and Martin, are sat at the front of the stage, looking fresh, happy and innocent. Behind them sit an older couple (who we learn to be their older selves) looking the immediate opposite. We thought the ghost girls looked lifeless enough, but the impressively crafted wrinkles, white skin and terrified eyes get us questioning the couple before they’ve uttered their first lines.
attitude of the time and makes the characters easier to follow as they orbit around George. The humour brings out the ridiculous nature of the divine right of kings and the frankly dark level of misunderstanding that brings on a wave of painful treatments and problematic diagnoses. As a woman of science, I felt like yelling at the pompous doctors’ dismissal of his blue urine: “it’s porphyria!” but alas, hindsight is a wonderful thing. The comedy doesn’t detract from the accuracy of Gatiss’ portrayal, though an arguably unrelatable example of privilege, the human element elicits sympathy for suffering with a mental illness. The shattering of his self-importance, overshadowed by delirium is heartbreaking to witness. It brings forth the question as his parliament is left in disarray why does the country hinge upon the
decorum of one man? Soon airing live from the Nottingham Playhouse, this is a brilliant example of dismantling the elitism and sense of hierarchy associated with non-musical theatre. Having an established National Theatre production based in the Midlands is significant, saving the expense of the train ticket down South and the convoluted competition of the London booking systems. The carefully planned NT Live camerawork provides all the important angles, viewed from a comfortable cinema seat that costs less than a theatre ticket up in the gods. Thousands more viewers can experience the joy of theatre, outside of an English literature syllabus, and appreciate the power of stage acting.
The play begins; we learn of the nerdy school boy’s unrequited love towards the pretty, naivelyunaware girl. The opening is unexpectedly hilarious. The next scene skips a lifetime where we join the now married couple at the table for tea and the mood switches instantly; you can almost smell the tension between painfully anxious Annie and the emotional and often physically abusive Martin. This contrast is initially confusing, as we wonder - where could it have all gone so wrong? The play jumps through chapters of the couple’s life together, and two more actors are introduced to fill in the middle pieces that reveal key parts of the plot. Additional
it’s difficult to take sides. The curtains draw for half time and it is apparent the whole audience is equally excited. “I think I’ve figured out the plot”, “I think I know who the monster is”. A creepy ring tells the audience to take their seats for round two, and we join the old couple in their secluded horror house once again. Eery lighting and the same slow ticking clock heighten the crippling atmosphere, and sends the same shivers down our spines from the first half. The plot builds dramatically as we begin to piece the mystery together. Whether you guessed right or not - no-one could have seen this ending coming. Interpretive dance and loud distorted music sends us
characters also play crucial roles old school friend Eddie and nurse Winston provide comedic breaks, which are definitely needed and work well against some very real themes of love, loss and health hardships. We learn of the couples struggle to conceive and begin to see where it actually did all go wrong. We feel sorry for both characters as we get to know them more and at times
into what feels like a bad acid trip. Annie is trapped in her own mind and she’s dragged us in with her. It really feels like there’s no way out. A dramatic, climactic ending reveals the “monster”, and the many other monsters within the story. It’s bizarre, disturbing, and brilliantly terrifying. If any scrooges want a replay of Halloween, or you simply fancy a superbly written
The Madness of King George III airs live in cinemas on 20 November. Tickets locally available at The Showroom Workstation, The Curzon and The Light Cinema.
story - go and see Monster when the chance arrives. A clever thriller that won’t disappoint.
SUTCo put on five shows per semester. The next show will be 7.62 by Conal Gallagher on 28 November to 1 December
26
Arts
12 days of Artmas You’ve already dug out your cosy winter jumpers from the back of the wardrobe and discussing when to host a flat Christmas dinner. Christmas is just around the corner and the countdown has begun, so here is a handy guide into how you can stay artsy this Christmas season, courtesy of Kieran Jenkins.
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As you get older, it seems that you end up getting involved in more and more Secret Santa gift-giving groups. The problem is that there are only so many fivers you’re willing to waste on buying tacky presents you know the receiver will hate after an initial few minutes of entertainment. However, it can be even more fun (and bank balance-friendly) to make each person give a homemade present – perhaps a sweet-treat, personalised poem, or even a lovingly filled mason jar. Give it a go and see what you receive!
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Visiting a Christmas market is a must this month! Take a day trip to the charming market at Chatsworth House (only on until December 4th) where you will find all manner of gifts, quaint and quirky.
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How else would we get through the Christmas fortnight without the trusty TV guide? From Doctor Who to Strictly Come Dancing, almost every show on the box does its thing to cash on producing a winter special episode. Christmastime is for sitting back, relaxing and being entertained. You can check out which of your favourite programmes are making a seasonal return on the Radio Times website.
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I love the tradition of sending Christmas cards, and whilst I’m firmly of an antideforestation disposition, I still think it is somewhat disheartening to think masssent text messages are replacing personalised cards or notelets. Why not make an extra effort to express your well wishes through sending handmade cards this year? You could choose to purchase a pack of craft card for as cheap as £1 for thirty sheets in The Works. Searching Pinterest for DIY Christmas card ideas can be a good place to start, before letting your imagination run free; check an old sewing box for spare buttons that will make a snowman or recycle some of last year’s wrapping paper to wallpaper the inside of your creation. Take time in sending something heartfelt this year.
Image: Pinterest
4
It’s panto season! ‘Oh yes it is!’. Pantomime has become a British staple of Christmastime, now replicating West End showlike production values. There is something magical about seeing your favourite celebrities dressing up as some of the greatest fairy-tale characters; whether its Shaun Williamson (EastEnders, Extras) in Peter Pan at the Sheffield Lyceum, or Dawn French (Vicar of Dibley) in Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs at The London Palladium. I have always found the experience of seeing a pantomime to be very mood-changing; it often marks the start of the festive season and playfully encourages you to embrace the Yuletide merriment. Check out local theatre programmes and plan your Christmas theatrical fix.
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Taking a trip to the Big City? London has loads of festive fun to offer. Take a stroll through Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland; try out ice skating under the stars outside the Tower of London; or wander through the gardens at Chiswick House to celebrate the Magical Lantern Festival. And remember, no trip to London is complete without visiting Harrods, where the fourth floor is home to the most magical toy department, which will turn back any adult’s clock.
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Why not Set aside an afternoon Experience the Light up the fire, performing arts do something to wander off for a switch on the Christmas this winter! Whether that brings the wintery walk in the park or tree lights and snuggle it’s a recital of carols whole family Peaks. You might capture up under a blanket some Insta-worthy shots, or just take or a Christmas extravaganza show; to read a book. Maybe you’ll choose together this Christmas? On the big day concert halls up and down the my family always dust off a board game to in the Christmas sights and sounds Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, or a country are showcasing a whole play after dinner, with the competitive whilst you’re all wrapped up in your festive Agatha Christie detective cousins, tipsy parents, and rivalrous snug coat and scarf. Maybe take another range of festive productions. Check story. University can often deprive out www.list.co.uk to find your trek at dusk to experience your city you of time to read for pleasure, so siblings. If you don’t have a family local ‘what’s on’ guide. tradition, maybe this year is when illuminated by fairy lights. make the most of the holidays the year! illuminated by fairy and venture off into a lights. storyworld. I appreciate that when ITV2 decides to show The Holiday at least once a week from June onwards, you may think it is acceptable to watch Christmas films all year round. Personally, I think they should be saved for enjoying in December and January only. So here is your recommended Christmas reading list: Classics; It’s a Wonderful Life, Home Alone, The Muppets Christmas Carol. Contemporary; Elf, Love Actually, Nativity!
Image: Chatsworth House
Make some home baked festive treats! I began the tradition of making gingerbread men a few years ago, when I found the warmth of ginger and nutmeg too irresistible in biscuit form. Then last year, my flat and I decided to have a go at inventing our own Mulled Wine to accompany our roast dinner. Disclaimer: whilst
Mary Berry recommends making the beverage in advance of the dinner, I can firmly recommend not serving it until you’ve eaten! So spend a day in the kitchen listening to Christmas tunes on repeat, wearing festive jumpers and happy baking.
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28
Music
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Ben Kempton speaks to...
Music Editors Harriet Evans Ben Kempton I had the pleasure to sit down with singer/songwriter and all round good guy Natty this week. Read my interview with him to hear about ‘this ‘ere Babylonian system’ along with all the other amazing reviews we’ve got packed into this issue.
Editors’ Picks
Ben: Sundress A$AP Rocky A$AP Rocky x Tame Impala. Do I need to say any more? Sampling ‘Why Won’t You Make Up Your Mind?’ from the Australian band, A$AP is back with a new element of soul to his voice. This is one of those songs you won’t be able to stop playing. An incredible new single from the rapper who has been busy this year having already released his album TESTING in May. Get it on, put it on full volume and I promise you won’t be able to stop playing it.
Harriet: Banana Brain Die Antwood
If you’ve never listened to Die Antwoord then prepare yourself for the weird and wonderful. The South African self-proclaimed rap/rave act is made up of Yolandi Visser, Ninja and DJ Hi-Tek and they’ve been pumping out albums and EPs drenched in their trademark Zef style since 2010. Not only have they headlined Boomtown and played at a whole host of other festivals, but they also starred in sci-fi film Chappie back in 2015. If you want a new artist to listen to that’s a bit off the wall, then give them a go.
Natty
O
pen eyed and yearning for change, Natty is a poetic singer/songwriter that came on to the scene in 2008 with his debut album Man Like I. As thought-provoking lyricism takes centre point in his music, Natty’s acoustic reggae sound combines a laid back vibe with an upbeat tempo. A sound concoction that has gained him international acclaim, taken him to play gigs around the world and even a tour of America with Ziggy Marley, who Natty describes as an “irie guy”. Since the success of ‘Man Like I’, Natty has released the ‘Out of Fire’ EP in 2012 and another album, ‘Release the Fear’ in 2016. Now, 10 years on, he embarks upon a tour of the UK celebrating the success of his debut album. After being born in San Francisco, Natty and his family moved to the UK where he grew up in North London. “It definitely had a strong hand in shaping me, you can’t help but take in all the different inspirations because London is like a melting pot for culture. As an artist, you can’t help but be inspired by what you see.” Natty himself could be described as the product of a culture
melting point, explaining how he had “a very eclectic musical household” With a South African mother and British father. “I’ll give thanks for that. I was listening to lots of different styles of music from Grateful Dead to Burning Spear and from Miles Davis to Pink Floyd.” The different styles come through in his own music to produce a wholly unique singer/ songwriter style. Before Natty started on his own music career he worked at a recording studio. Wanting to be a producer, not a musician, he worked with the likes of Duran Duran, Nile Rodgers and helped produced music “from X Factor stuff to cool stuff like Mos Def.” After a while though, “I kind of got bored of it. I co-produced Razorlight’s first album and after that I had a lot of indie bands wanting to get in the studio with me and it just wasn’t really floating my boat.” Always writing his own music in his downtime, Natty decided it was time to give it a go himself and commenced his solo career. Throughout his music there is a common topic of change and revolution. “What is there not to see? It’s all in front of our face. You’ve got to be pretty privileged to not see that change is necessary, just
open your eyes.” On the ‘Man Like I’ record, Natty sings ‘I dreamed of a revolution’ implying the change he wants to see in our world. “Every day we are faced with financial disparity: the amount of wealth owned by such a small amount of people whilst the amount of suffering that the planet is going through. Poverty, what we do to the planet and how the elite move and act are probably the three main headlines behind my lyrics.” By addressing these globally important issues Natty gives his music a consciousness which stands him apart from many contemporary artists in his genre. Natty’s career has allowed him to travel the world and see parts of it that many do not get to see and although Natty was raised in London, he admits “England comes with a certain sense of privilege just living here. What it does is it curates a certain type of cultural arrogance. When you come back here, certainly from poorer countries, you notice how many fake smiles there are. People smile with their eyes and their heart in other parts of the world.” Experiencing other cultures has widened Natty’s perspective on life which he wants to share through his music. “If you keep your eyes open you can become more humble to it and know
your place in the world. I feel like it is important to speak your truth and if your truth is consciousness and helps the others involved then it is important that you keep your line and you don’t stray.” Equipped with a philosophy in life, Natty decided to take action and help found a charity called ERASE which is an acronym for Education, Responsibility, Aspiration, Steadfastness and Empowerment. “We’ve got an orphanage and three schools. We’ve got different clothing programmes and warehouses in Africa which as we speak are getting emptied and getting delivered to people.” Natty has been working with the charity for around 8 years and decided to partake in the project for not only his wider humanitarian beliefs but also because of his heritage. “Whether we were taken out of Africa or whether we travelled ourselves out of Africa, us as black people have a different perspective on this ‘ere Babylonian system that we find ourselves in and so know how to get even further than people in Africa so it’s important for those ones in the diaspora, like myself, to make sure that we take back to Africa what it is that we have learnt.” A lyricist on paper and in conversation, it’s difficult not to be extensively inspired by the words of Natty.
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Music Live Shame
Leadmill
Ben Kempton
Shame are a relatively new postpunk band that released their critically acclaimed debut album ‘Songs of Praise’ in January this year. Following a similar sound to other contemporary Punk bands such as Idles and Slaves, the five South London lads have managed to combine the punk genre with an indie band sound harmoniously. The band started off in 2014 while they were still in their teenage years and practices at a pub in Brixton called the Queen’s Head, also home to former punk band Fat White Family. Now they are selling out gigs around the UK including Sheffield’s very own Leadmill. After what can only be described as a car crash of a support act, HMLTD, Shame strutted on stage with a boozy/drugged-up swagger. The band blasted straight into ‘Dust
on Trial’ and above how piercingly loud it was, it became immediately clear that they were all fucked and the crowd loved it. After an hour of standing completely dormant the wave of moshers gravitated to the front and fell straight into the hands of front man Charlie Steen. When you dedicate yourself to punk music there are certain criteria that must be met. One of them is stage presence. Having heard stories of Fat White Family playing completely naked and lobbing their own shit into the crowd, I didn’t know what to expect for my first punk gig but Mr Steen blew me away, he didn’t even have to throw shit at me. The first song in and he was already topless screaming out the lyrics and standing on the rail towering above the crowd. As ‘Dust on Trial’ goes through the bridge section towards the end of the song Steen threw his arms wide open with his eyes rolling into the back of his head. The pace of the drums quickened. Then the guitars let rip at the peak of the build and Steen jumped head first into the crowd. A sight to behold.
Niall O’Callaghan
It was easy to get distracted by Steen being chucked and thrown around Leadmill whilst the band were absolutely smashing it on stage. Everyone was running around, banging their heads vigorously and playing the tune flawlessly. When he finally returned to the stage the set continued in the same fashion. “We wrote this song when we were 16 and trying to make a pop record’ Steen slurred just before they played their hit song ‘One Rizla’. ‘Concrete’ saw huge circles in the audience form ready for moshing and ‘Tasteless’, in my opinion their best song of the night, saw Steen back in the crowd bobbing up and down to the sweaty punk heads underneath him. They ended on the progressive outro track ‘Angie’ which is more of an indie band song than punk but it was a fitting, powerful end to what was an incredible way to lose my punk gig virginity.
Live Mizik Nou & John Gómez
The Night Kitchen Salena Rayner
I tried so hard, readers, but I can’t escape the cliché; The Night Kitchen is an atmospherically charged, smiling, amazing space in Sheffield’s growing underground music scene. This venue is deservedly amongst the best acclaimed, with the reassuring presence of some lovely, loyal regulars. It began with a TV theme, retro and racy - Sheffield regular and resident, Sasquatch took to the decks, serving us disco-techno chillness from behind a shack haloed in Fruit-Pastille-lolly-red light and potted palm trees. John Gomez took to the helm with wild hollers
Picture by The Night Kitchen
from the crowd, and proceeded to immerse us in the contents of his record-box: retro-sounding, bouncy, punchy South Americaninspired electronica. Cosmic meets tribal in Gomez’s sound. Think a clan of Brazilians artistes shoot into space and set up a pirate radio station from their gleaming chrome disco-craft. It fast becomes apparent why the festivities must stretch as far as 7am. Not-so-obviously commissioned dancers coax awkward student music enthusiasts into moving their bodies (in ways I’d never imagined). Had this been a Portuguese, German, Parisian soirée perhaps it would have been far more sophisticated, less chaotically disjointed and, well… boring. But The Night Kitchen’s basement offers a low-ceilinged sanctuary for all its revellers. Spewy and relegated to the Kitchen’s comfy couches, I witnessed music-induced joy from my humble, sickly sofa. From this
seat hypnotised by the cosmic, determined beats of the drums, I began to jot an extravagant draft attempt of the review you’re now reading. As you can see, it ended up being a bit long-winded. My only substantial criticism would be that I was far too cold for most of the night; ventilation is key at these events but not at the expense of my ability to show off a new outfit. However, a first taste of The Night Kitchen has whet my appetite for an introduction to the rest of the venue. The Basement perfectly complimented the friendly-butpercussion-charged environment that we spent the night in. We took our leave once we had replaced the potted plants that had been raised aloft in an act of heartwarming, spontaneous celebration following Gomez’s set. Out of the Kitchen and into the Night we went.
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Music Live King Nun Cafe Totem Shaun Perryment
Photo by King Nun
Live Rat Boy
The Leadmill Charlie Holliday
After releasing a new album and EP this year, Rat Boy embarked on a sold-out eight date tour across the UK promoting their new tracks. After attracting attention from NME and BBC Radio One through their experimentation with different genres and sociopolitical messages, the band has returned to their roots with songs about drinking in parks, skateboarding and the daily struggles faced by teenagers, despite the fact they’re now in their 20s. The sold-out gig at The Leadmill attracted a varied audience, from bucket hat wearing 16 year olds to 40+ punks. The first support, Touts, found it hard to generate a good reaction from the crowd, with the majority of people more interested in the bar. They regurgitated the same style of generic indie music that peaked in 2006 at the time when Arctic Monkeys released Whatever People Say I Am I Am Not. Jordan Edward Benjamin, the
Canadian-American musician better known as Grandson, received a lively welcome from the crowd as he crept onstage accompanied by his band. He admits taking inspiration from Rage Against The Machine and it’s hard not to compare the two, both encompass a style that is heavily politically charged. He saved his best known track ‘Blood//Water’ until the end of the set, commanding the crowd to crouch down and “Wait until this shit drops to jump up.” Turning Leadmill’s dancefloor into a sea of colliding bodies. When the lights in the venue dimmed for Rat Boy to make their way to the stage, the crowd erupted into deafening screams. The band wasted no time getting stuck into their set, kicking off with ‘Chip on my shoulder’ a track from their new EP Tracks From Internationally Unknown. It echoed the original sound from their early days, ditching the political message and electronic samples for a raw punk sound. The gig seemed to pick up the pace when they played ‘Revolution’. The crowd got involved, singing along and damning the powers that be who have misrepresented their generation. As they played more fan favourites including ‘Knock
King Nun are no strangers to playing high energy, passionate shows.That’s exactly what the four lads from South London brought to Café Totem on their current UK tour. Having released their debut single in 2016 ‘Tulip’, the band have toured with acts including Pale Waves, Inheaven and Superfood, and are certainly becoming a breakthrough act in the indie-rock scene. Front man Theo held the audience well. During his performance he looked at times completely captivated by the music, dancing with intense energy and jumping on top of the amp to hard hitting songs like ‘Hung around’ and ‘Sponge’,
Knock’ and ‘Get Over It’ the energy in the venue continued to rise, with people crowd surfing and opening mosh pits that filled the dancefloor. Rat Boy then managed to bring the crowd back down slightly with acoustic love-influenced number ‘Laidback’, which diffused the mosh pits into a host of hugging and swaying fans. Despite having played numerous festivals and gigs, the band seemed to struggle when interacting with the crowd between songs. Most of the conversations felt awkward and were m a d e up of
Photo by Rat Boy
both getting a positive reaction from the crowd with a respectable cheer after each song. Bass player Nathan and guitarist James also threw themselves around the small stage, whereas drummer Caius seemed to concentrate on his performance with some pounding drum beats, with similarities being drawn to bands such as Pixies and Television. Throughout the set, Theo explained how he was still getting used to talking between songs and how he wasn’t too sure what to say during these intervals. This
Front man Theo held the audience. During his performance he looked at times completley captivated by the music.
nervous laughter and arguing over what song would be played next. Although the majority of the crowd seemed to put this down to their on stage persona. The set ended on a high as they cleverly saved the track that saw them rise to fame ‘Left 4 Dead’ until last. The venue ex plo d ed again into
made the crowd chuckle, and also allowed the bands personality to shine through, showing their down to earth nature. The band performed many songs from their recently released debut EP I have Love, which came out earlier this month. Songs including ‘Chinese Medicine’, which had a heavier sound to it, gave a post punk-rock sound, that will no doubt be opening up mosh pits at future larger gigs. Throughout the whole set it was difficult to understand their overall defining genre. The sound fell somewhere between postpunk/indie-rock vibe, which certainly made going to their gig an exciting prospect through their vast library of songs which make them different to many of the up and coming bands in that scene. The future is definitely bright for King Nun. With a slight improvement in stage presence and crowd interaction (which will undoubtedly come with more experience), there is no doubt they will go from strength to strength.
multiple mosh pits, even resulting in the cameraman recording the set jumping into the crowd to get in on the action. It’s easy to label Rat Boy as a ripoff of Jamie T, but tonight proved that they have far more to offer in terms of their style and musical experimentation. Although, they could’ve done more to engage fully with the audience, they still managed to captivate them and generate an amazing reaction, one that some bands can only dream of.
BE A
housemate HERO
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Screen Screen Editors Gethin Morgan Izzy Cridland It’s been a busy time for Screen, with films from Luca Guadagnino, Peter Jackson, Paul Dano and David Mackenzie being reviewed, as well as the new Fantastic Beasts. Apologies for the lack of a review for the Coens’ The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, we can confirm it is great, obviously.
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BIG SCREEN
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald
Editors’ Picks Good Time
Dana Raer
Directed by The Safdie Brothers, Good Time’s fast paced plot is instantly gripping. The crime thriller centres around Connie Nikas (Robert Pattinson) as he charms his way through criminal activity in order to release his brother from prison. Pattinson’s captivating performance adds weight to a genre that so often contains emotionally stunted characters. It’s also visually stunning, fast tracking through action with a synth heavy score, Good Time will have you on the edge of your seat. - Izzy
The Raid
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald combines aesthetic visuals with the familiar surroundings of magical battles between good and evil. Set in 1927, the movie depicts the story of an inhibited former Hufflepuff, Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne), a surprisingly simple character who steers clear of routine and offices, sent by the headmaster of Hogwarts to find Credence Barebone (Ezra Miller), an orphan in search for his origins. The first sequence exhilarates illusions and promises as it showcases the emergence of a new villain: wizard Gellert Grindelwald
BIG SCREEN
They Shall Not Grow Old It is not often I get to rave about the brilliance of a Welsh director, but my compatriot Gareth Evans created one of the great cult films of the 21st century in 2011. An Indonesian film in every aspect but its director, The Raid follows SWAT officer Rama (Iko Uwais) as the police attempt a raid on a fierce gangster’s impenetrable block of flats. It is a totally relentless piece of action cinema with some of the best martial arts you’re likely to see on screen. Simple, brutal and unremittingly thrilling, I cannot recommend enough. - Gethin
Harry Cottle
Peter Jackson’s career is far from conventional. The New Zealand director started making low budget horror movies before going on to helm perhaps the greatest trilogy in movie history. His latest project They Shall Not Grow Old is about as far from Middle Earth as you can get, but is perhaps his finest achievement. The documentary focuses on telling the stories of the British soldiers who fought in the trenches
(Johnny Depp), the evil mastermind fighting for the freedom of wizards in a world where they are unknown. The beginning holds a lot of potential; the escape of Grindelwald from prison is fascinating due to the outstanding visual effects in combat. Unfortunately, like many sequels, it disappoints as the film projects two hours of continuous fight and movement, without adding any substance to the storyline. In comparison to the Harry Potter series, Fantastic beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald only mimics a beloved community of magicians, but one that presents characters with no actual complexity. Newt and his love interest, Tina Goldstein (Katherine Waterston), make no
heartfelt impact on the audience. Everything is so fast-paced, full of action and explosions that the main substance of JK Rowling’s creations lack a wonderful and deep-reaching portrayal of the characters. However, the visual effects make every scene stunning; from enticing sceneries of cities such as New York, London and Paris, to various scoops of Hogwarts. Captivating viewers once again with the nostalgic soundtrack ‘Hedwig’s Theme’. However, the frequency of visual effects brings too much dynamism to the story that at some points it is arduous to keep up. The director (David Yates), who helmed the last four Harry Potter movies, seems to focus more on captivating the
during The First World War. This is achieved through voiceover and footage provided by the Imperial War Museum. Through the use of cutting edge technology, the footage from a century ago has been completely modernised. This includes changing the aspect ratio, framerate and a complete colourisation. The audio is just as impressive. Lip-readers were used to work out exactly what was being said and each speaker is voiced by an actor from the region that they would have been from. This new audio is married with the interviews of the heroes of the First World War who are telling their stories. These interviews start with an anticipation which shows just how much the men were looking forward to the war. This attitude does shift as conditions worsen but a level of gallantry remains throughout,
which is perhaps slightly jarring for a modern audience. The Second World War is a morewidely told story and this is perhaps because it’s easier to tell. The Nazis were evil. The war clearly perceived as moral. The documentary does well to remind us that The First World War was far from necessary. The voiceovers towards the end reflect upon the friendships the men shared with their German prisoners. As the armistice is signed and the men return home they reflect on just how little had changed and how pointless it all felt. They Shall Not Grow Old has been meticulously crafted to create the most authentic experience possible. This is not so much a film, it is an educational resource. They shall not grow old and we will remember them.
viewer through imagery, leaving a lot of questions unanswered. For instance, the film could have delved deeper into what makes Grindelwald the villain. After all, he is fighting for the recognition and freedom of wizards. Overall, the film is a good piece of work with great performances from top class actors, an amazing soundtrack and fascinating visual effects. But, considering the fact that the story is developed from the wellknown wizarding world of Harry Potter, expectations are drastically higher, thus the disappointment is considerable.
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Screen
all images from Movie DB
Big Screen
Co-written with Zoe Kazan, Paul Dano directs an adaptation of Richard Ford’s 1990 novel, Wildlife is a 1950s set drama about a struggling family in Arizona. Formerly a pro golfer, Jerry (Jake Gyllenhaal) works as a groundskeeper at the local golf club until he gets fired for being too conversational with the middleclass customers. His wife Jeanette (Carey Mulligan in a similarly neurotic and seductive role to her performance in Shame) takes a job as a local swimming instructor, which only harms Jerry’s pride, so in response he signs up for the life-threatening role of putting out the wildfires in the local woodland. During his absence, the film centres around Jeanette as she both re-discovers her sexuality and independence.The film could easily be grouped with 1950s melodramas such as Revolutionary Road but Wildlife differs by examining the breakdown of Jeanette and Jerry’s marriage through the perspective of
their son Joe (Ed Oxenbould). It’s beautifully filmed as it follows the stylistic trait of many movies set in that era, but exceeds others by actually looking like a believable 1950s America, rather than a mere pastiche. The film is more nuanced and metatextual than the typical marriage breakdown drama, particularly through the motif of photography, as Joe takes on the role of a studio photographer and his employer declares “people come here because they want to cherish a happy moment…. and make it permanent.” Dano astutely questions whether the family’s breakdown is triggered by society’s idealistic conception of the nuclear family and is foregrounded by a haunting orchestral score alongside beautiful shots of Arizona’s surrounding landscape. Wildlife is an impressive achievement. Carey Mulligan’s performance is astonishing as the once rational, independent woman who transforms into a 1950s Hollywood seductive diva. However, Mulligan’s performance surpasses and overpowers the film’s modest approach, leaving it unbalanced as it deserves a wider, more ambitious stage.
irritating Prince that is reminiscent of Prince Joffrey from Game of Thrones, but this is a good thing, as by being this sort of figure, it allows us to root for Pine’s Bruce. Without him, there is very little reason to sympathise with Bruce’s motives, or to care about who wins. Ultimately, the films biggest downfall is it’s pacing, which builds up to a bloody final battle, but gives us very little to invest in otherwise. Events undoubtedly unfold, but no event that takes place feels like
something you haven’t seen before in better films. Apart from a few battle set pieces, the film struggles to make its 121-minute runtime feel worthwhile. In many ways the film feels like an unsuccessful prequel to the upcoming Mary Queen of Scots, with David Makenzie’s attempt at a true to history portrayal of an AngloScottish war. Overall, Outlaw King fails to feel like anything other than an amalgamation of better medieval and fantasy dramas, and it is a shame that on this occasion Netflix cannot hold up to the silver screen experience.
Wildlife Aaron James
Big Screen
Suspiria Charles Roberts
Dario Argento’s Suspiria came out 40 years ago this year and is still one of the boldest displays of cinematic style from practically any work within the horror genre; even amongst Expressionist films like Murnau’s Nosferatu and Weine’s The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, which not only clearly influenced Argento’s original vision but whose visual tropes laid the foundations from which the genre was built. Suspiria’s original story is scarce to say the least but the enigma lies in Argento’s entrancing direction; the all-enveloping, vibrantly saturated colours and piercing score.
Big Screen
Outlaw King Peter Reed
Netflix’s latest historical drama Outlaw King is a very mixed bag. The film follows the story of Robert the Bruce (Chris Pine), a 14th century Scottish King, during the build up to a landmark battle in the war for Scotland. While Barry Ackroyd’s cinematography is gorgeous, using spectacular sweeping shots
The premise of Luca Guadagnino’s Suspiria, resembles that of the original. This time we’re cast into a fractured Berlin in 1977 with Dakota Johnson as Susie Bannion, who has become apart of the Helena Markos Dance Company; a prestigious dance academy led by Tilda Swinton’s rather ghostly teacher. It is clear that Guadagnino hasn’t simply tried to imitate his predecessor. Instead the gloomier colours, Thom Yorke’s mellow score and the steady pace create a sense of melancholy that’s entirely distinct from Argento’s lush, frightened glamour. Guadagnino decides to include us in the behind-the-scenes goings on at the academy, removing us from the sense of mystery inherent in the original. And with the overt suggestions to the darkness bubbling up within Susie we can foresee the direction of the plot.
The sub-plots only serve to distract us from its main events; they’re threaded conspicuously throughout but ultimately don’t lead anywhere. Instead of getting lost in an all-encompassing sense of suspense and horror, we’re lost within boring scenes of clumsy expository dialogue. What should be grand and cinematic is fundamentally unimpressive and Guadagnino only makes scarce gestures towards themes of motherhood and repressed childhood trauma. Despite this, the (virtually all female) cast is stellar. They achieved an emotional range and intensity that permeates throughout and doesn’t at any point subside. Overall, however Suspiria is underwhelming - a hollow counterpart to a majestic contribution to the visual arts.
of Scotland, the script remains unoriginal and has pacing issues aplenty. Much of the narrative about an outlaw who forms a small group of men to fight the larger threat was reminiscent of 1991’s Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, right down to escaping an ambush in a burning forest. This did not, however, save it from being a reminder of that superior film. Pine delivers a performance as an emotionless Robert the Bruce who seems to feel neither joy nor sadness, robbing the film of any connection to his character. Instead, it is up to the supporting cast to present a watchable movie. The
relationship between Bruce and his wife Elizabeth (Florence Pugh) is entertaining, and their arranged marriage and the emotion delivered by Pugh allows some connection to the Bruce figure, but nowhere near enough emotion comes from Pine to feel any investment into their relationship long term. By far the best performance is that of Billy Howe as Edward, Prince of Wales, the young and arrogant Prince who is seen as a failure in his father’s eyes. Howe presents a truly
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Screen
egot to do what Who are the stars in line to join the most egot to do exclusive club in Hollywood? Dark Horses
Gethin Morgan
The EGOT is one of show business’ most prestigious achievements. An abbreviation for Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony; only 15 people have managed to win all four and earn EGOT status. The term was coined in 1984 by Miami Vice actor Philip Michael Thomas, who boldly stated his ambition to win all four awards in the space of five years. As of today, he has yet to be nominated for any. But a full 22 years before Thomas made his (perhaps overzealous) aspirations clear, American composer Richard Rodgers had already completed the set, after taking home an Emmy in 1962 for his music on TV documentary Winston Churchill: The Valiant Years. Rodgers (who also won a Pulitzer Prize, the greedy bugger), is the first in a long line of musicians to have secured the American showbiz grand slam, with nine of the 15 being composers, songwriters or singers. Among the EGOTeers stands Audrey Hepburn, who won both her Emmy and Grammy posthumously in the year following her death in 1993. Meanwhile Mel Brooks secured the final piece of the puzzle in 2001 when he won three Tony’s for The Producers, 33 years after he won his Oscar
Kate Winslet Age: 43 Missing: Tony Odds: 10/1
Winslet has established herself over the years as an Academy darling, having received seven Oscar nominations. Winning the award once, along with an Emmy for Mildred Pierce and a surprise Grammy for Best Spoken Word Album for Children in 2000, she is just a Tony away from induction into the club. Quite surprisingly, Winslet has rarely entered the realm of stage acting, citing back in 2015 that commitment to her children puts her off the idea. Though she did say when the kids are grown up it is something she’d be interested in, and she certainly has the talent to go get that Tony.
Cynthia Erivo
for, you guessed it, The Producers. Whoopi Goldberg is another big name recipient, though her title is doubted by some as, just like composer Robert Lopez (who gave us Frozen’s ‘Let it Go’), she won a Daytime Emmy rather than a Primetime Emmy award. 2018 has seen three new members added to this very exclusive club. In an extraordinary coincidence back in September, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Tim Rice and John Legend all EGOTed at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards. Not only did they EGOT on the same night, they all hit the jackpot at the exact same time, when Jesus Christ Superstar Live In Concert won Outstanding Variety Special (Live). With all three producing on the project, they shared the award and simultaneously made it 13, 14 and 15. But who could be number 16? Which acclaimed artist will be next? There’s a few getting very close, so here’s a rundown of the favourites in the race to EGOT.
Age: 31 Missing: Oscar Odds: 3/1
Whilst a relative unknown, Erivo is well on track to become the quickest person to reach the honour. She is best known for her work as Celie on the Broadway revival of The Color Purple, for which she won a Tony in 2015. In 2017 she went on to win a Grammy for Best Musical Theatre Album and a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Musical Performance in a Daytime Program, both also courtesy of The Color Purple. Having recently broken into Hollywood with Steve McQueen’s Widows and a terrific performance in Bad Times at the El Royale, it would be no surprise to see her EGOT in the next few years. She has plenty of time to break some records too, since the shortest timespan anyone has won all four awards is ten years, and Erivo is eight years younger than the youngest winner, Robert Lopez, who was just 39 at the time.
Lady Gaga has been unlucky, having been nominated for three Emmy’s and an Oscar for Best Song. However, with six Grammy’s to her name and a potential Oscar come February for A Star is Born, she is definitely one to keep an eye on.
Donald Glover is a strong contender, with two Emmy’s for Atlanta and a Grammy for ‘Redbone’, Glover certainly has the talent to win an Oscar, and if he fancies turning to the stage, then why not a Tony too?
Lin-Manuel Miranda Age: 38 Missing: Oscar Odds: Evens
Best known for creating and starring in Hamilton, one of the most successful musicals of the 21st century, Miranda is quickly becoming an icon of his time. He’s secured three Tony’s, three Grammy’s and an Emmy - as well as two Olivier Awards and a Pulitzer Prize to boot. All that remains is that golden Oscar statue. He came close in 2017 when ‘How Far I’ll Go’ from Moana earned him a nomination for Best Song, and will surely strike gold in the coming years, although perhaps not for his upcoming performance in the Dick Van Dyke role in Mary Poppins Returns.
Julie Andrews is only missing a Tony, having been nominated on three occasions, the last coming in 1996. So surely if the right role came along the EGOT would be a formality.
Another legend missing just a Tony is Martin Scorsese. Just imagine a Scorsese-penned play hitting Broadway. How amazing would that be? Get on it Marty.
35
Games
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Games Editors Tom Buckland Luke Baldwin Now that the Red Dead hype has somewhat subsided, it’s safe for the rest of the gaming industry to go back in the water. Which means plenty of releases and we’ve got reviews of four of the biggest. So sit back, relax and have a think about which of these games might make it onto your Christmas list this. From us hear at Games, have a lovely festive break and hopefully see you again in 2019!
Editors’ Picks
Tom - Dungeons & Dragons There’s something so enticing about pretending to be someone you’re not in a fictional setting of any kind. Dungeons and Dragons lets you be your own personal Legolas in your imagination and what’s better is your friends get to join in on the fun. A mixture of gameplay, strategy, and storytelling, there’s a lot more to D&D than meets the eye - so give it a go. If you’re apprehensive and don’t know what it is, then tune into Forge TV’s new tabletop gaming show’s episode on it! I’m in it please watch.
Luke - God of War
As we trundle towards the end of the year, the inevitable talk of Game of the Year starts to rear its head. The obvious choice for most is Rockstar’s western wonder Red Dead Redemption 2, but quite rightly Kratos and Athreus’ journey into the frozen wilds has been getting the recognition it duly deserves. Summer releases can often be forgotten in the madness of fall but it’s nice to see people are still backing the Norse mythological masterpiece.Even if it’s just to hear Kratos shouting “BOY”.
REVIEW Peter Reed
Toys for Bob have done a stunning job with Spyro: Reignited Trilogy. Much like Vicarious Visions’ Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy of 2017, we see a faithful and loving remake of a PS One classic, clearly made by fans, for fans. With bright colours, a brilliant voice cast and highly enjoyable gameplay, there are only a select few things that let the trilogy down, but none are issues big enough to ruin the experience. In other words, Spyros’s return finally makes Spyro feel authentic again after his disastrous Skylanders experience. Each cutscene looks and feels like something out of a Saturday morning cartoon, and this works perfectly for the style of all three games. Tom Kenny returns as Spyro and brings a truly nostalgic feel to the collection. It is especially nice to hear him in Spyro The
Dragon, replacing the nasally voice of the original voice actor. The cutscenes are familiar to anyone who has played the series before; but appear more frequently and give more insight into the colourful world of Spyro, offering more characterisation and emotion than what was ever capable on the PS1. The Dragons especially have their own unique personalities, which is a joy to see, rather than the same recycled dragon model over and over of the original trilogy.
The Reignited Trilogy is a must buy for Spyro fans Gliding feels exactly like it did in the original games, which can be frustrating in the first, particularly when making certain jumps over death pits with no room for error. The second and third games do make up for this however, with the life saving ability to hover after a glide, but it is easy to wish t h a t
they had just added this into the first game in the series as well. The soundtrack is also one of the best in gaming, with the useful ability to switch between the Original and Reignited soundtracks for more control over how you experience the game. The one flaw the games share is the camera, by far the most frustrating part of the experience. By having the camera in passive mode (a standard moveit-yourself camera) it is easy to end up looking at a wall rather than a n enemy, and all too often it is a struggle to turn around without receiving some damage first. The Y axis camera is also impossibly fiddly and can cause many frustrations. The camera can be set to active, which means that the camera will follow you around naturally and can be re-centred with L1 or LB, however this involves not touching the camera button at all, which for a modern game feels unnatural. It is, however, the more efficient way to play the games. While the camera becomes less of a challenge in the open spaces of the second and third games, it is the worst nightmare imaginable in the original game. Overall, apart from the c a m e r a
frustration, the Reignited Trilogy is a must buy for Spyro fans and first timers. It offers three excellent games, for the low price of £29.99, much like the N. Sane Trilogy was, and that itself is reason enough to pick it up. It is a collection that longtime fans will adore and newcomers will enjoy, truly making 2018 the Year of the Dragon.
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Nicole Oshisanwo shares her thoughts on Pokemon’s transition to the Nintendo Switch by playing Let’s Go Eevee
REVIEW The highly anticipated addition to the hugely popular Pokémon series was recently released and although there are certainly some areas where it could be improved, overall it is an absolutely stunning addition to the series
45%
of players purchased the Eeevee version of Pokemon Let’s GO
Let’s Go appeals both to the diehard fan and the new Pokémon Go generation. The encounter and catching mechanics have been altered so that they are much more in line with Pokémon Go. It is now impossible to battle wild Pokémon, with experience coming instead from successful catches. Athough a little jarring at first, the rewards from catching are such that the new mechanic is much more fun and less prosaic. Having overworld sprites of the Pokémon is inspired. A sense of scale has finally been introduced, so that when Onix spawns into the map you literally
can’t see its head because it’s so tall. Not only that, but you can finally walk through a cave without being constantly bombarded with Zubats as you now have the ability to dodge any unwanted encounters. One thing that cannot be understated is the sheer joy that seeing Pokémon in perspective in crystal clear graphics brings. Little touches like the ability to run through bushes as though they were real plants or the way the grass will bend and flatten when a Pokémon flies over it really bring the game to life. The remastered music is also beautiful and for those who played the original Kanto series, the sense of nostalgia will be very strong. The new shiny hunting mechanics are worth a mention as they really help to make catching fun again. Within 30 minutes of being in Viridian Forest, I encountered a shiny Caterpie and a shiny Ekans followed not too soon after. With overworld sprites included, finding a shiny is even more exciting because you can literally see them sitting in the grass. There are also multiple ways to play the game, with the Switch being able to demonstrate its wide range of playing styles. I played a lot of this game in the handheld mode, but it’s also very fun to swing your controller
like a pokéball. In addition, the Go Park is an excellent way to bring in the Pokémon Go generation. It is incredibly easy to use and ensures that you can catch version locked Pokémon to complete your Pokédex.
3 million copies in its first week , the most for any Switch game
Pokémon Let’s Go Eevee is an excellent wholesome addition to the series. It’s not quite a main series game but it flows beautifully, has excellent graphics and utilises a classic story line. Adding characters from the anime like Jessie and James was an inspired choice and the use of Pokémon Go mechanics blend seamlessly into the classic game experience. The replayability is also high. The newer and easier ways to hunt for shiny Pokémon, extra large or extra small Pokémon or Pokémon with perfect IVs means that there will be endless challenges to try. This represented a first real step for Pokémon onto the home console platform and it was masterfully done.
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Games
REVIEW James Robinson
After knocking out and stealing the disguises of a tourist, mascot, guard and then finally an engineer, youhide their bodies, attach explosives you’d picked up in the nearby parking garage to the race car of your quarry, stand back, and blow the car into pieces. It may have taken near an hour and a dozen restarts but the satisfaction of leaving the race with no suspicion aroused is more than worth the time invested. Hitman 2 is much the same as its predecessor, but in this case, it’s hardly a bad thing. In each of the six levels, you play the role of Agent 47 – an expert in assassination – who has to find a method of murdering the targets before exiting the level without being killed. And that’s it.
The beauty of Hitman is that there is no railroading, which means you are free to kill the targets however you like. You can poison drinks, malfunction pyrotechnics, shoot with a sniper rifle from halfway across the map or even dress up as a corpse of their loved one and stab them during the funeral procession. There is a scoreboard that awards points for acting like a real assassin; you receive points for things such as not being spotted and for making your murders look like accidents, but those are entirely optional challenges. Hitman 2 provides a sandbox in which you learn the rules, and then learn how to bend them in your favour. As said, the game contains six diverse main levels, each with a unique feel and design to them. From the crowded vertical levels of Mumbai to the quiet suburbs of Vermont, no two feel identical. Six might not sound like many at first, but it quickly becomes apparent how expansive and even intimidating
REVIEW Luke Baldwin
The long running shoot’em up has returned to its World War 2 roots to the excitement of many fans. And after it’s predecessors critical and commercial success, despite a seemingly difficult Great War setting, surely Swedish developer DICE were bound to knock it out of the park with such tried and tested ground? Or is BF5’s troubled and controversial development enough to sink this first person flagship? One thing that’s certainly taken a hit in quality compared to its predecessor is the games single player War Stories. In BF1 these short vignettes offered a nice introduction to the games mechanics whilst showcasing some lesser known stories from the trenches and across the conflict.
each level is. This gives a level of replayability that is more than worth the money spent on the game. It’s also worth mentioning the game’s dry and irony-rich sense of humour. From being able to take an explosive rubber duck with you, to Agent 47’s hammy dialogue whenever blending in a disguise (such as pretending to be a realestate agent and commenting on how good at hiding stains the floorboards would be) the sprinkling of humour helps to entertain while you find ways to murder your victims. The biggest flaw is the clunkiness of the controls. I’ve found myself occasionally climbing a ledge when I meant to drop, or stabbing a screwdriver into the nearest civilian’s throat instead of disabling the electronics box they were leaning on – as you do. It not only fills a sneak and murder-niche that is otherwise under saturated, but also does it in a way that makes each murder a unique DIY puzzle.
Whilst BF5 attempts to emulate this formula, the result is nowhere near as entertaining or poignant. The three mini campaigns see the player take control of a British soldier behind enemy lines in North Africa as part of the newly formed SAS, a Norwegian resistance member fighting to reclaim here homeland from Nazi occupation and a French colonial soldier in a unfamiliar part of the world. Each takes around two hours to complete and whilst any history buffs may find these untold tales interesting, your average gamer will see them for what they are: a fairly average shooter experiences. Unoriginal set pieces, simple AI and a constant need to get bogged down in stealth, these War Stories are far from what we expect from a veteran FPS developer. But Battlefield’s singleplayer has always been a mere side order. It’s the series staple all out warfare multiplayer that is the real meat and potatoes. There’s plenty of content here, with fan favourites Conquest and Breakthrough making a return as well as the cinematically marvellous Grand Operations. A range of fully destructible maps, from the close quarter streets of Rotterdam to the open fields of France, gives the player enough variety of settings
to shoot, fly and drive their way to victory. Unfortunately they’re restricted to the Western Front and North Africa for now though. A deep customisation and unlock system provides plenty of progression, both cosmetic and functional, whilst regular daily orders and assignments give additional incentive to keep playing in order to obtain one of the games more elusive skins. However it is more noting that some of the higher end skins are somewhat lacklustre, retaining the same dull military shades of green and brown. DICE’s late decision to remove the eccentric customisation options after heavy criticism has perhaps removed some of the excitement in this regard. After all, what’s the point in spending hours working toward a rare skin if no one’s going to even see it? Gameplay feels like more of the same. Whether it’s sniping from afar, running and gunning on full automatic, taking to the skies in a Spitfire or trundling along in a tank, gameplay is as solid as you’d expect from a developer who’s been doing this for 16 years, regardless of play style. Sadly regular bugs and glitches ruin what would otherwise be an incredibly immersive experience. The few seemingly minor additions
bring about welcome changes. Removal of the spotting blips encourages a more sneaky and thoughtful approach, whilst the ability for all classes to revive fallen comrades encourages teamwork. Likewise, being able to build fortifications means the player can bunker down on defensible positions and funnel chokepoints even after continuous the bombardment has left their surroundings decimated. There’s nothing here to break the wheel, rather just new elements to consider. BF5 seems to do everything right, or more accurately it doesn’t do anything wrong. Despite a pretty naff singleplayer, all the elements for a fun multiplayer experience are here. It’s big and loud, just as a Battlefield game should be, but after the genuinely incredible and innovative BF1, simply ticking the check boxes isn’t enough, especially when you consider how much WW2 means to the franchise and the gaming community. With such a well known setting, expectations are obviously going to be high, and rightly so. Regular free content in the future may elevate the games overall status, but for now Battlefield 5 lacks the killer blow to stand out from the competition.
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Science & Tech Science & Tech Editors Jade Le Marquand Aidan Hughes HO HO HO. No, it isn’t a collection of hydroxyl radicals. It’s good ol’ Father Christmas. It is once again the time of year when excited children will open presents and find out if the kitten that was wrapped up and placed under the tree is in fact dead or alive. In addition to a couple of festive articles to carry you through the holiday period, this issue features articles about palm oil, reliance on the internet and make-up. See you in the New Year!
Aidan’s Pick
The Infinite Monkey Cage: The Science of Christmas BBC Radio 4’s award winning radio show and podcast The Inifinite Monkey Cage is hosted by Prof Brian Cox and comedian Robin Ince. In series 16 episode 5, Brian and Robin are accompanied by biologist Richard Dawkins, actor/writer Mark Gatiss and journalist Roger Highfield. Together they answer questions
such as ‘How fast does santa travel?’. Listen to it on the Radio 4 website, Spotify or iTunes.
Jade’s Pick
Dynasties - BBC One
David Attenbrough’s latest masterpiece brings us to some of the most endangered species on the planet. Penguins, chimps and tigers are all featured as well as a few of your other favourites share the spotlight across the series, each facing their own individual troubles as well as the overall ones caused by... well... us. the cinematography, as ever, is stunning; and this series really delves into personal conflicts as the crew fight over whether they should intervene or not. Basically, if you’re quite attached to you don’t mind your heart being ripped out, it’s great.
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Our Biodiversity Bereavment
Bethan Goodhead talks about the WWF Living Planet Report 2018 Bethan Goodhead
For the first time in global history, a single species has caused such a drastic global change that we have been driven into a new phase of geological time - the Anthropocene - and that species is us. Humans. The world is finally waking up to the detrimental effects of palm oil, due to the Iceland advert that became a viral success after it was banned from being shown on television due to “political reasons”. Not in fact the politics of conserving rainforests, but advertising law, due to the advertisement being a remastered version of a Greenpeace video published on Youtube 3 months ago. The advertisement shows an orangutan who stays in a little girl’s house because humans have destroyed his habitat for palm oil. This is not the only recent promotion to help save endangered species by preserving their lifegiving homes - rainforests. The WWF has released it’s Living Planet
You can’t help but feel ashamed of how we have made such a negative impact in such a small period of time Report 2018; these reports are published every two years, which have a purpose to educate people about how the ways we live our lives have detrimental effects on the planet. Different aspects of anthropogenic impacts are shown visually, for example, population change, land use, water use and of course Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) emissions amongst others. When you look at how drastic the changes are, it is shocking. And you can’t
help but feel ashamed of how we have made such a negative impact in such a small period of time. What can be argued as the most significant part of this document is the Living Planet Index, this demonstrates just how significant the aspects shown above effect the richness of life on planet Earth. The index begins in 1970 and between that time and now, vertebrates have declined by approximately 60%. This, along with the 2018 IPCC (International Panel on Climate Change) report, has shocked people by announcing that we have 12 years to completely cut carbon emissions globally. Everything sounds very scary at the moment but there is still a lot that we can do. In order to bend the curve of biodiversity loss, The Living Planet Report describes the goals as to “take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species”. One main attribute we can all contribute to the common goal is to be aware of whether unsustainable palm oil is used in the products that we consume. Luckily for us, the WWF have a page on their website which ranks retailers in regards
to how well - or how badly - they use palm oil. A selection of the best companies in the UK are: ABF, Boots, M&S, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons (amongst others). With one of the worst scorers being the food service
We have 12 years to completely cut carbon emissions globally Whitbread. Information like this helps us to know where to shop and where not to, it’s just a matter of taking a couple of minutes to look at the WWF website. Instead of boycotting palm oil, we should support the sustainable palm oil industry because palm oil makes up approximately 40% of vegetable oil used globally. It is used in an array of products, from margarine to lip balm, some that you would never thought used palm oil, like shampoo. Unsustainable palm oil is sourced from our rainforests and causes destruction to our biodiversity. Whereas sustainable palm oil is 100% traceable, the forests and natural resources are safeguarded and the communities who work in these regions are supported.
Heard a lot about Palm Oil recently and want to find out more? Check out Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) to find out where and how to purchase sustainable palm oil. www.rspo.org
WWF iImage: Wiki commons
Palm oil plantations are proving very dangerous to rainforest biodiveristy. Image: Adam Jones
Science & Tech
39
Life without the internet Emily Evans
Imagine this – it’s your best mate’s birthday and you’ve decided to treat them to a night out. You’re having a proper good boogie and loving the atmosphere – but as you turn around, you realise you’ve walked the wrong way from your friends. You go to your phone to send them a message, yet ‘ERROR’ reads across your screen; probably weak signal in here. You decide to retrace your steps from when you last saw them. You pass the bar on your way and decide to get another drink, but your contactless won’t process. It seems the group next to you are having the same problem. The club’s card
machines must be down. After a while of searching for your mates, you’re shattered and just want to get back to the flat. You didn’t want to spend so much money on a cab, but it’s a bit of a distance to walk alone – the buses have stopped operating now too. You go to your trusty Uber app, yet the ‘searching for nearby drivers’ sign keeps circling, round and round. Stumbling back it is. You drift off into a deep sleep, later waking to get a drink of water. There seems to be all sorts of commotion going on outside your room that you can’t be bothered dealing with now. You pop your head out and notice your flatmate, who seems to be having a mare. You ask what
all the fuss is about, to which their response is: “The internet’s been shut down.”
What would happen next? Within 24 hours Communications would shut down all around the world. Global finance would deteriorate and banks would face many issues. People’s debit/credit cards would decline, but getting withdrawals within banks would also be problematic as their own systems would fail. Social media would inevitably collapse, making it difficult to get into contact with anyone. Many would have to resort to sending handwritten letters.
Within 48 hours Supermarkets would be running extremely low on stock. Many manufacturers are reliant upon the internet to manage stock and deliveries, yet with the internet being absent, these tasks are difficult to keep up. Shelves in shops would rapidly be seen empty, as many people would attempt to ensure they have enough food and water stocked up. Warehouse workers like those who work for Amazon would be let go, leaving hundreds of thousands of people in unemployment. Within a few days The lack of resources would cause tensions between government figures and those within society. It is
a possibility that if demands aren’t met, people could result to rioting in the streets, yet it’s unknown where and when this will happen due to lack of communications. Within a few weeks If the internet crisis is still ongoing, societal systems would begin to slowly shut down. The education system and NHS would be greatly affected, and it’s suggested the police force would be replaced with military organisations. Less than 30 years ago, 1% of the world’s population has access to the internet. Yet now, it couldn’t be easier to get hold of. The question is, are we too reliant upon it? Could it be that it’s turning from practicality to obsession?
Top Tech Gifts Under £30 Bethany Thomas
In the timeless words of ‘Slade’, ‘It’s Christmas!’ Whether you’ve been playing Mariah Carey since Halloween, or you’re still in denial, advent is now on the horizon, accompanied by frantic gift –buying, made doubly stressful by tight-budgets. However, for the tech junkies of the world, there are various affordable options to make both Christmas and your bank balance that bit more magical.
1. The Intempo Bluetooth Speaker with FM Radio and Leather Carry Strap, purchasable from Amazon from £25. Available in duck egg blue, cream or black. The classy style of this rechargeable Intempo Bluetooth Speaker with FM Radio is the perfect aesthetic for any bedroom, providing a retro touch. However, its Bluetooth technology also makes it easily transportable and therefore a great gift for campers and travelling fanatics.
2. Amazon’s Fire 7 Tablet with Alexa, 7” Display, 8 GB, purchasable from Amazon for
£29.99. The thinner, lighter Fire tablet, with longer battery life and an improved display is an ideal gift for almost anyone. It offers up to 8 hours of battery life, with a microSD slot to increase the 8GB storage if required. This new design also includes Alexa, who makes every wish her command.
provides premium sound for gaming, music and voice chat, containing an internal audio volume control for convenient adjustment. The design includes over-ear soft ear cup design and comfortable ear cushions for safe extended period wearing.
4. Beetle Shaped Wireless Vintage Car Mouse Optical & Ergonomic Design, purchasable 3. Virtual Surround Sound Gaming Headphone with Microphone USB Over the ear Headphone LED Light Vibration, purchasable from
from Amazon for £11.95. Available in black, blue, red and yellow. A generic and fun gift with
Amazon for £23.99. For those with a more niche interest, this PC Gaming Headset
pragmatic qualities, this beetle mouse is fun, sporty and vintage. Its wireless design makes it portable and easy to use, offering up to 10 metres of connection, whilst the quiet scroll wheel adds to the appeal.
5. YAMAY Fitness Tracker, purchasable from Amazon for £29.99. Available in black, blue, green, grey, purple and red. Affordable but multi-purpose, the YAMAY smart watch monitors heart rate, counts steps, tracks sleep and calculates calories, all whilst being entirely waterproof, making it the perfect gift for fitness freaks or for anyone making bold New Year’s Resolutions about getting into shape. Additionally, the watch can be connected to smart phones to receive notifications.
Images: Amazon
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Science & Tech
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree…
...how green are your branches?
Rebekah Lowri weighs up the traditional Christmas tree against its artificial counterpart.
Real trees...
Fake trees...
Real trees, mainly firs and spruce variations, are farmed and most harvested annually. They may seem more expensive than artificial trees as you must buy them year after year. But the experience of walking between rows and rows of freshsmelling pine trees and choosing your own to cut down and take home is a truly magical childhood experience. Beyond the good memories, real trees are carbon neutral. If you burn your tree on the bonfire, it emits the carbon dioxide that it stored up when it was growing, thus there is no net increase of emission. Alternatively, if turned into mulch in a chipper, it releases far less greenhouse gasses and is reused in playgrounds, landscape gardening or on hiking trails. However, if your tree ends up in landfill it decomposes and produces methane gas, which is 25 times more potent as a greenhouse gas than carbon
dioxide, so ensure that you dispose of your real tree correctly. The rows of green trees not only create beautiful scenic views but also support the local ecosystem. As firs and spruce are very hardy, the land used to farm christmas trees is often unsuitable for other crops, and also stabilise the soil, providing shelter for wildlife and protecting water supplies, according to the National Christmas Tree Association. On top of this, for every one tree that is harvested, the farmers plant three saplings in its place!
Back in 19th century Germany, artificial Christmas trees were originally made from wood or feathers, but the modern tree’s signature bristles were invented in the 1930’s by Addis Homewares, who initially manufactured toilet bowl brushes. They adapted the toilet brush design, spray-painting the bristles green and arranging them in an inverted conical shape, to reflect the dimensions of the ideal fir tree. That’s right, your Nana is displaying a glorified toilet brush in her living room. M o s t of these artificial trees are
What’s really in my makeup bag? Mojama Fallah
The cosmetic industry is growing more and more each year, with the
UK market earning an estimated £9.77 billion in 2017. The use and inclusiveness of makeup is ever expanding; it’s not just for grown women anymore, from a 6-yearold to an 80-year-old - anyone is welcome to wear it. So, shouldn’t we be aware of what we’re putting on our face? With companies using ingredients like ‘Tocopherol’ and ‘Dimethicone’ it’s hard for the everyday person to understand what they are and their purpose in our everyday makeup items. The following is a list of common chemicals found in everyday makeup and their purpose:
Tocopherol
Also known tocopherol is
as a
vitamin E, fat-soluble
vitamin and a naturally occurring antioxidant. As an antioxidant it prevents/delays deterioration when chemicals react with oxygen. Tocopherol and other ingredients derived from it can be found in many different makeup products including lipsticks, eye shadow, blusher and foundation.
Dimethicone
This is a man-made siliconbased polymer. It can be found in foundations and creams where it primarily acts as a skin-conditioning agent (slows the loss of water from the skin) and skin protectant (protects injured or exposed skin).
Talc
Talc is powdered hydrous magnesium silicate, a naturally occurring mineral. It is used to control shine and absorb oil and can be found in foundation and powders.
Glycerin
A sugar alcohol that can be
synthesised or obtained from natural sources, glycerin is a humectant which delays the loss of moisture from the product. It can be found in foundations, concealers, lip products and eyeliner.
Titanium Dioxide
Titanium Dioxide is a naturally occurring mineral, and is used as a colouring agent to give products a white pigment and to make products more opaque. It can be found in foundation, lip products, concealer and eyeshadow.
Zinc Oxide
A powdered, oxidised zinc derived from zincite,
a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a colourant, skin protectant and sunscreen and can be found in eye shadow and blusher. All these ingredients can be found
in many popular makeup brands such as MAC Cosmetics, Fenty Beauty, Morphe, NYX Cosmetics and L.A. Girl. However, to some these brands may seem to be on the expensive side, causing them to turn to “knock-offs” - fake, cheaper copies of these more expensive products. Such products are becoming more appealing to younger generations due to their easy access and low prices. But do they contain the same safe ingredients as the popular brands they seem to copy so well? And what are the dangers of these secret ingredients? A lot of knock-offs have been known to contain very toxic ingredients like lead, arsenic,
manufactured in the Pearl Delta region in China, then shipped in mass to Europe and the US. Made with PVC, a non-biodegradable petroleum-derived plastic, the tree is likely to end up in landfill, even though it is technically recyclable. In a 2016 interview with the BBC, Dr John Kazer, of the Carbon Trust said that you would need to use an artificial tree for upwards of 10 years for its environmental impact to be equal to that of real trees, but the average use of an artificial tree is only 5 years. When picking out a tree this year, take a moment to consider the effect that your purchase is going to have on the environment. Or, if you’re looking to go even greener, buy a potted spruce with roots that you can plant in the back garden come January.
cyanide, paint-strippers and even faeces; despite some of these ingredients having a history of being used in makeup for centuries, their dangers are now known. These
ingredients are believed to cause cancer, muscle paralysis, poisoning and possibly even death. People who have used knock-off cosmetics have reported being left with chemical burns, severe rashes and massive swelling. So, why are they still widely available and why are people still using them? Is it that customers are knowingly buying them or are they being deceived by sellers looking to make easy money off realistic knock-offs? Do more serious measures need to be taken to reduce the presence of knock-offs and whose responsibility is it to protect consumers from these dangers?
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Newcastle’s long-suffering supporters deserve better Rory McKee
You’ve heard it all before: 52,000 Geordies, starved of success for over half a century now in what is truly a football-bonkers city. Well, I am just one of those 52,000, and when asked what I make of ‘the sorry situation at Newcastle United’, frustrated isn’t the answer I give. Rather, it’s a sadness. A disbelief at how one of the nation’s great clubs have sunk to merely existing.
The sorry situation evokes sadness, and a disbelief at the decline of one of the nation’s great clubs
“I am nowhere near wealthy enough in football now to compete with the likes of Man City” - perhaps
the most alarming statement to come out of owner Mike Ashley’s Sky Sports interview in August 2017. What the Staffordshire-born tycoon fails to grasp is that Magpies fans have never (and will never) demand such a thing. Forever branded entitled, delusional and fickle – to name just three common accusations – the North East faithful simply expect their side to put it up to fellow strugglers like Brighton & Hove Albion. It’s worth noting, by the way, that the most recent meeting between these two served up a typical Toon performance. Rafael Benítez’ men saw 27 attempts on goal go astray, the visitors instead coming away with maximum points owing to the cruellest of deflections. Oh, for a bit of luck. Yet, it is that man, the muchdecorated Benítez, who remains a real source of hope for Newcastle fans. Following the club’s worst start to a league campaign in 120 years, back-to-back home triumphs over Watford and Bournemouth have at last installed some positivity into what was arguably threatening to be the third relegation of the Ashley
era. What next, then? In the short term, an away fixture versus the notoriously hard-to-beat Burnley took place on Monday night, though many of an NUFC persuasion
will be casting their eyes further ahead. Further ahead to the January transfer window. Surely now is the time for the manager to be handed the funds he so desperately needs? Forgive me for doubting it.
So, with takeover talk and fan protests both permanent fixtures on Tyneside, another twist in the tale seems as certain as coming across some half-price Lonsdale gear in a Sports Direct store.
Image: Ardfern, Wikimedia Commons
Darts’ remarkable progress shows no signs of letting up Jordan Sollof
Historically, darts was seen as a wellknown ‘pub game’ that had a strong association with working men’s clubs and grotty boozers, played
Image: Sven Mandel / CCBY-SA-4.0
mainly by men of an above average size. No one truly recognised darts as a sport, and the small crowds and weak financial backing showed the lack of respect that it received. This was despite the game being played all across Britain, and
undoubtedly requiring a lot of skill and concentration to play to a high standard. There was most certainly potential for darts to grow, and as years went by, this potential was realised. Despite not becoming an officially recognised sport by Sport England until 2005, darts continuously grew ever since the infamous split in the game that formed two organisations: the British Darts Organisation (BDO) and the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC). One pioneer who carried and the sport on his back for the best part of his illustrious 30-year career was Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor. He was a founding member of the PDC and he alone, whilst winning every tournament in the game multiple times, attracted many more viewers and sponsors that helped the game to grow bigger and bigger.
132 countries showed some form of PDC darts in 2017, and the game is truly becoming global The PDC World Championship, a fortnight of the highest quality tungsten played over the Christmas and New Year period, is the flagship darts event these days, and since its move to Alexandra Palace in 2007, there has been a steep rise in the number of tickets sold and the tournament’s prize money. In the 2015/16 World Championship, 65,000 of the 66,000 tickets
available were sold out within 24 hours, and the final attracted 1.7 million viewers in the UK, showing just how much darts has grown from a ‘pub game’ to a popular, exciting sport. As many as 132 countries showed some form of PDC darts in 2017, and with more likely to follow suit, the game is truly going global. Barry Hearn, chairman of the PDC, is another man to thank for the emergence of darts. He realised the potential growth of the sport, and provided the financial support to ensure that it met and exceeded its potential. The 2018 World Darts Champion, Rob ‘Voltage’ Cross, scooped the top prize of £400,000, and this is set to increase to a record £500,000 for the upcoming 2019 event. The sky is truly the limit for the sport that is going from strength to strength.
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Sheffield athletes honoured at Elite Sports Performance Awards Michael Ekman
At last week’s ESPS Awards, many of the student athletes who achieved remarkable feats this past year were celebrated. The Elite Sports Performance Scheme (ESPS) is a programme dedicated to providing support for athletes studying at the University of Sheffield’s who also compete in all types of sports. The types of support available include discounted gym memberships and physiotherapy sessions, as well as in some cases free accommodation at the University’s Endcliffe village. Victoria Baskett, a T44 para sprinter who’s competed at 100 meter and 200 meter sprints at both national and international events left the night with an award in hand. “Already being here for just a couple of months, the amount of help I’ve received from people has
already put me in such stead for having a better year.” Talking about her sprinting techniques, Baskett said: “I’m actually very grateful to have a sport psychologist who helps me and one of the things we discuss is the way to attack different races.” “Realistically, I don’t know what will happen in the future, but I’d like to go at least to Paris 2024. I initially aimed for Tokyo but I’ve come to realise how much of mean feat that is.” Amongst the winners was also ice hockey player Solomon Smith, who’s played professionally for the Edinburgh Capitals and also represented Team GB U19’s in the European Championships. Speaking about how it was to play for the national side, Smith said: “That was the highest level I’ve ever competed at.” “Playing against different countries like Germany and Switzerland is a different game.
They’re a lot more aggressive, quicker, taller, so it was a massive learning curve.” “When you put that jersey on it’s the crest on the front that matters the most. The national team is the whole country depending on you to perform.” Also present was swimmer Rosie Rudin, a junior world record holder and senior international who’s competed at both the World Championships and the Commonwealth Games. She spoke about the importance of the award and said: “Doing sport alongside your studies can be really difficult but I feel that with this award, you’ll be able to balance your studies a lot better.” “I went to the Commonwealths in April and that’s probably the highest point at international level I’ve got to so it’s always hard to better that, so it’s just about moving forward and seeing what I can do from there.”
Morse looks ahead to ‘Disability in Sport Week’ Sarah Morse
In Sheffield we believe that sport is for all and we are committed to breaking down barriers to ensure that all the value and benefits of sport and physical activity can be shared by all our students.
David Wetherill will be joining us on Friday 30 November for a talk, Q &A and a ‘Take on Dave’ table tennis challenge
As such, Sheffield Students’ Union (SU) and the Sports Officer
at Hallam have teamed up to put on Sheffield’s ‘Disability in Sport Week’. We are running a range of events this week to break down the barriers and stereotypes regarding disability and sport at our Universities. Through putting on a host of accessible sport sessions, workshops, training and speaker events throughout the week, we hope to raise the profile and awareness of accessible sporting opportunities available in Sheffield. However, we also recognise how much work still needs to be done to make sure that sport and facilities on campus are more accessible and inclusive. The ‘Breaking the Barriers: panel discussion’ event on Tuesday 27th 7.30pm in the Nelson Mandela Auditorium will be a particularly good opportunity to come and listen to some of our current and past disabled student athletes sharing their experiences of
sport at university and more widely. Highlighting the current barriers and experiences of disabled students’ participating in sport at Sheffield University is something I had the opportunity to share with senior members of staff at the university at University Executive Board (UEB) and Professional Services Forum (PSF) last week. I am pleased to share that I have been informed that an audit of Goodwin Sport Centre’s accessibility has
been undertaken with much needed improvements soon to be undertaken. Finally, we are also celebrating the sporting success of current and previous para student athletes throughout the week. In particular, Sheffield Alumnus student and GB Para-Table Tennis Athlete, David Wetherill, will be joining us on Friday 30th November 4.15pm in Gallery Room 2 to deliver a talk and Q&A, followed by a ‘Take on
Dave’ table tennis challenge in the Activities and Sports Zone. So if you think you’ve got what it takes to take on a GB star, please do come along! To find out more information about the week and to get involved with something new, please like and share https://www.facebook. com/disabilitysportweek/ and join in with out hashtags #sportforall #disabilityinsportweek #nothingcanstopus
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Sport
Captain’s corner
Head of Sport Adam May
This week on Captain’s Corner, Orla McCann speaks to us about the Strength Sports society. Josh Taylor
JT: How did you get into the sport? OM: I started Olympic lifting when I was 13 (this involves the snatch and clean and jerk) as I was into sport and many athletes use it to build explosive power. From there I just loved feeling strong and being able to do something not everyone expects JT: How does the club work? Is it like a normal sports club? OM: It is not a normal sports club as in there is not one sport that people are training for. Our focuses are powerlifting and Olympic lifting but also just generally getting more people involved in lifting weights. We have a women’s session every Tuesday, which is £2 on the door
or included in a full membership. We also run conditioning sessions every Saturday, often lifters complain about doing cardio but we still integrate it into our sessions. The rest of our sessions are open, meaning people come and train however, they like but everyone shares training programmes and ideas. JT: What’s the society like? OM: The society is not at all daunting, as most people would think, everyone’s super friendly and welcoming. It is quite relaxed but when anyone is trying for a new pb everyone gets behind them and helps cheer them on. We are currently running 1 rep max sessions every week for the main lifts of deadlift, bench and squat which is going really well with everyone
hitting big weights. The clubs still growing as its only 6 years old and memberships increase every year JT: How did the athletes perform last year? OM: There aren’t many competitions around for our athletes to compete in so we try to do ‘in-house’ meets, however we had a number of athletes go to the Northern Universities Powerlifting competition, for many it was their first ever competition with nearly all getting pb’s and many placing! JT: Aims for this year? OM: Our aims are to get more people involved not just in lifting
weights but also competing, as well as increasing how social the club is. As lifting is an individual sport the club has previously struggled to be as social as others, however, this has dramatically changed this year thanks to our social sec and the clubs closer than ever JT: How can people get in touch? OM: All of our information is on our facebook page Sheffield University Strength Sports but if anyone has any questions just drop us a message and we’ll get back to you within the hour. We also have an Instagram page “uosstrength” which we use to keep everyone updated
There’s been a shift in what disability is and times are changing, says Fraser Adam May
Continued from back-page... that were going against me at the time I was able to do it.” “It was good to get one over on the lads. “It was terrifying. I went out to this really badass song because I said I need a really good walkout song, strong, for it to be a woman and I picked Wreak Havoc from Suicide Squad. It went off! I walked up the wrong part of the stage first because I wasn’t paying attention, but once I was in the ring I was dancing away and thought I’ll be okay. “Then my opponent came out to Roar by Katy Perry. I thought, okay, I’ve gone too hard.” It’s an achievement no-one can take away from Alex, and she wants to use Disability in Sport Week as a platform to encourage others to take the jump and get involved. “There’s been a shift in what disability is,” she said.
“A long time ago people thought those with dyslexia were just people who were a bit slower. As times are changing, more people are recognising disabilities and recognising that they’re problems people face. People are then thinking about ways to solve this and to come up with solutions as to what can be done to help. “I’ve made friendships that I’ll leave university with through doing sport. That’s why we’ve got social sports, Residence Life and Give It A Go sessions. You can go and try it once and if you don’t like it, great. In my first year I tried a lot of the social sports because I wanted to see what my body could take and I found some sports were fine, others I said no way, my body won’t forgive me if I do that. “I always wanted to do boxing and I stuck with it after. Aqua was really good for my muscles but for others it might not be as useful. It’s finding out what works for you.”
Image: Tom Milton
Hello all and thanks for picking up this latest issue of Forge Press and, sadly, the last one of 2018. In this issue we’ve got an interview with boxer Alex Fraser as she talks candidly about dealing with fibromyalgia to tie in with the Students’ Union’s Disability in Sport Week. It’s also fitting, therefore, to have Sarah Morse, the SU’s Sports Officer, penning another column for this issue to give us an update on all things Black and Gold. We also feature Captain’s Corner for another week and take a look back at the Elite Sports Performance Awards, and you can checkout interviews with some of the award-winning athletes over on Forge TV’s YouTube channel. Head over to our Sports Thoughts page for pieces on the situation at Newcastle United and the rapid progress of darts. Thanks, as ever, for reading the paper and, as it’s the last chance I’ll get to say this before we all flock to our own areas of the country or globe, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and an even better 2019. Cheers!
44
Sport “They thought I was going to be in a wheelchair” The story of Alex Fraser, the Black and Gold’s first female boxing captain. Adam May
“It wasn’t the case of I have this disability and that’s all I can do, that’s all I am, it’s that I have this disability and I won’t let it stop me.” Those are powerful words from a tenacious figure in the boxing sphere at the University of Sheffield. Alex Fraser, a final year business student, is the Sports Comms Inclusions Officer and was captain of the boxing club for the last academic year. As the university community celebrates Disability in Sport Week, with numerous events put on by the Students’ Union Sports Officer, Sarah Morse, and Sports Comms, Alex sat down for a chat at Goodwin Sports Centre to talk about her route through sport. Alex has fibromyalgia, a longterm condition that causes pain all over the body. According to the NHS, it affects around seven times as many women as men, with the condition typically developing between the ages of 30 and 50. It can though, as is the case with Alex, take a hold at a much younger age. Not that she’s let it stop her pursue her goals and ambitions, though, despite doctors saying she may have to quit sport. That simply wasn’t an option. “When I first found out that I had fibromyalgia, I was told never do any sport because you’re probably going
to hurt yourself, this, that and the other, and actually that made me worse,” she said. “Being told I shouldn’t do sport was wrong because it’s something I love. I’ve been in sport since I was six or seven years old, and to have that taken away from me because of a disability I didn’t really know I had until it started to cause issues for me was hard. “Before my 18th Birthday when I’d not realised how I needed to combat my issues, the doctors thought I was going to be in a wheelchair. I couldn’t walk for more than five minutes, I couldn’t walk up the stairs without being in agony, but that’s just the issues I face.” The condition means that Alex takes longer to recover than the average athlete and it makes training a particularly arduous task. But when Alex knew that she could be the first female boxer to take part in Varsity when the Octagon filled out in March 22 this year, that was all the motivation she needed; even if it was slightly nerve wracking. “I was the first ever female Varsity boxer for the University of Sheffield and that was amazing. It only lasted a minute-and-a-half because it got called, I won on a technical knockout which was great but also disappointing because of the work it took leading up to the event,” she added. “It was nice to know that despite all the things (cont. on page 43...)
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